Back to Blogger

I've been a blogger for a few years now, but I never seem to stick with the same blog. I'm giving Blogspot another try. I'll probably post the same stuff on myspace and this place, so forgive my redundancy.

The good news of the day is Taylor's job offer from Pinnacle Airlines. He has been awaiting this call for the past two weeks since his interview. He was hired as a first officer airline pilot for a CRJ-200 jet. He'll start 7 weeks of training in Memphis on August 13. His journey to actually making money as a pilot has been a strenuous, expensive, and unpredictable two and a half year adventure. He'll be living the dream he's had for himself since he was three years old.

Life is once again tolerable and happy. We've had a lot of trials in the last month, and it seems fitting that the job offer came on July 31st...we can start August fresh.

Grrrrr! Thanks, but no thanks...

Sometimes I just don't get the curveballs that life sends me. I just checked my email and got the most generic "Thanks, but no thanks" email. But let me backtrack…About two weeks ago, right when I got back from my trip to Utah, I received a call from the recruitment department at the IHC Employment Center in Salt Lake. They said that they had an excellent position available and wondered if I would like to be considered. Off the cuff, I had a phone interview, was told all about this very prestigious senior executive assistant position for the LDS Hospital CEO. I got the impression that I was exactly what they were looking for. We talked about the negotiability of the salary, and I thought it would a feasible employment option. The recruiter excitedly told me to anticipate a call from the hiring manager within the next week for a phone interview.

The idea of a completely different life change in a short amount of time really threw me for a loop. I looked at a horoscope that basically said that events from last August (starting my current job) would open up a new opportunity around June 28 (the day I got the call) that would suddenly come into my life that would turn my life upside down, and the rest of the year would be much easier. Coincidence? I thought not. Lots of prayer and pondering occurred, and I felt like this would be a good opportunity for the family, even though a move right now would be difficult with Taylor in another state. It was a more prestigious position, at a more prestigious hospital, and I thought it would be good for my career, and good for the family. I rationalized around all the reasons I should stay in Cali, and decided that I would take the job if it were offered to me. I took the risk of talking to my boss, letting her know about how serious I was about considering the new position. I was pretty confident it would work out.

I had the phone interview yesterday, but it wasn't with the hospital executives as I was originally advised on my first call from the recruiter. It was the administrative assistant that works in the department, who would have been my coworker. She asked a lot of the generic HR questions, described the position, and said that 2^nd interviews in person would be scheduled in the next week or so. I didn't really get a vibe either way on if she liked me or not, and figured that she left the door open enough that I was still a candidate in consideration.

All day today I've been poring over the possibilities of moving, stressed over my possible life changes (as well as Taylor's airline interview that was yesterday…which he's had no answer on yet). My work internet has a new filter that wouldn't let me into my hotmail. I opened up to a few coworkers about the possible job, and started looking into airline fares for coming up for a 2^nd interview. When I got home this evening, I opened my email to read this…

We appreciated the opportunity to discuss your experience and background related to this position. We have narrowed the field of candidates to those whose training and experience most closely matches our needs. Unfortunately, you are not among the final group of candidates being considered.

Talk about an impersonal way to respond to a candidate that was RECRUITED by the company! If they weren't genuinely interested in me, why did they think about putting my life through mini-hell for the last two weeks? Why did they hype up the job so much…telling me I was a perfect candidate, and one of the most qualified so far? I like IHC, and had a lot of good experiences as an employee, but I also have had a lot of negative experiences.

For instance:

Two and a half years ago, I interviewed for a position at a clinic within IHC. I had a fabulous interview, got along great with the staff, and was practically dragged from the parking lot back in to have an immediate 2^nd interview. That interview went well; I was given a lot of reassurances about how I'd be a great addition to the office, and left feeling pretty confident. Within a day, the clinic manager called me to say that I was their top candidate; they were finishing up the hiring process, and would be extending the job to me as soon as HR finished their stuff. Two days later, a 30-second phone call from that same manager advised me that HR overrode their decision and decided to hire someone who had previously worked in that office.

How does a large corporation get away with this? It seems the human in HR has turned inhuman.

I need some reassurances that I'm still a good person and qualified individual. I know I am…but sometimes I just need to hear a few compliments. Can you give me a few comments? Any unleashed rage upon the company that's left me in such a whirl the past few weeks?

Senior Year in High School

Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it has been, the more fun the answers will be ... maybe. ;)


1. Who was your best friend? - Emily Bytheway and Antoinette Bailey

2.What sports did you play? -I was part of the Academic Decathalon

3. What kind of car did you drive? - Algernon, the white 1993 dodge shadow

4. It's Friday nite...where are you? - On a date if I was lucky

5. Were you a party animal? - I love to go to parties, but rarely got invited

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? - Choir

8. Were you a nerd? - Some would say so

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? - No, but I had a few close calls with getting a "U" for sluffing during long (Calculus )Bell Choir lunches

10. Can you sing the fight song? - Yep

11. Who were your favorite teachers?? - Mr Scott, Mme. Larsen

12. Where did you sit during lunch? - With the Jello-suckaholics Anonymous

13.What was your school's full name? - Murray High School

14. School mascot? - Spartans!

15. Did you go to Prom? - Yes, I went to Senior Ball with David Pattison. I also went with a junior to junior prom

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? - Yeah...I think I would

17. What do you remember most about graduation? - Singing with A'Cappella

18. Where did you go senior skip day? - Applebees

20. Were you in any clubs? - Drama, French, National Honors Society, Key Club, Bell Choir, MCYG

21. Where did you go most often for lunch.. - Wendys

22. Have you gained some weight since then? - yes

25. Who was your Senior prom date? - David Pattison. I finally said yes to go on a date with him. All through sophomore and junior years, he'd ask me to dances if all other options (aka gorgeous cheerleaders) said no. I finally caved because I wanted to go and didn't know of anyone else that was thinking of asking me. He wore sunglasses all night. What I remember most was him dancing Men in Black with all the other cheerleaders.

26. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? - Absolutely

27. Who was your home room teacher? - Ms. Paulsen

28. Who are you better friends with now than in HS? - Nicole McGill

29. Who was your high school sweetheart? - This is a hard one. I know who I had the biggest unreciprocated crushes on Joe Plott and Jeff Hansen. I usually dated guys from other schools. My longest HS relationships were with John and Alan.

30. Do you still talk to people from high school? - Quite a few...Emily, Antoinette, Nicole, Travis, Nathan, Celeste, Jen, etc. etc.

31. Did you win prom queen or king? - Nope. C'est la vie. (yes, Travis. Just for you....a phrase we must have heard on Telefrancais!)

Utah and Idaho Trip, and a fun family-filled 4th

Current mood: exhausted

These past few weeks have been super fun-filled! My stress level has also been high, so I feel like I'm in a bit of a manic phase right now. I've never been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, but these last two weeks would make one wonder.

So to summarize, here are the highlights of the Utah/Idaho trip:

Attending Jen's wedding reception at Tracy Aviary, and going out with Janet, Jon, Eric and Debbie at Fiddler's Elbow after

Visiting with Grandpa Jack twice

Lunch at Kneaders and shoe shopping with Emily

Seeing my old co-workers at LDS Hospital and Core Lab

Lunch at Mimi's with Heather

Going out on the town with Nicole for Cedars of Lebanon, belly dancing, and the Tavernacle

The Kingdom Event where we cheered on Rosie's little skater boy McCabe

Making contact again with my dear friend Celeste, who I hadn't seen in 5+ years

Going up to Rexburg to see Ricks/BYUI, the new temple, and getting together with the Perry clan

The Taylor Family Reunion at Upper Coffeepot in Island Park, ID. It's gorgeous!

Going to Hatch Park to let McCabe teach Rosie how to sk8

Dinner with Aunt Julie and Lindsey in Provo. A CRAZY morning at IHOP with Jacob, Mary, Rosie and Shawn

Mary and Jacob had so much fun while I was there that they decided to come down to Cali to play for the week of the 4th. Within a few days of me getting home from Utah, Taylor was able to fly home from Florida for a few days. Taylor flew in on Thursday night to LAX. We did a lot of fun stuff together, like a Nikki Forova concert at Synergy Café, seeing Knocked Up, working out together at the new Glendora 24, seeing baby Ava Elizabeth Taylor, and lots of swimming. Mary and Jacob came into town on Monday. Me, Mary, Liz, and Jeanne went to the Fall Out Boy concert at the Honda Center that night. Mary was so tired from the drive that she was falling asleep right with me (how sad is it that I can fall asleep at a crazy-loud rock concert?) I had to work on Tuesday, but met up for lunch with Taylor, Mary, and Jacob at Honolulu Harry's. We were trying to decide if we'd all see Transformers that evening, but all of the plans fell through and I wanted to get caught up on homework instead. The night ended with a gut-busting funny game of Imagin-Iff.

Wednesday was the 4^th of July. I was in charge of the program and music at my 3-Ward flag raising breakfast. I did a musical number called "America-Of Thee I Sing" with Mary, Dayna, and Natalie. We skipped out on the La Verne Parade because it was such a hot day. But we did go to a fun BBQ and swim party at Bishop Green's house. Afterwards we went swimming at Gary and Eleanor's pool. We met up with Lissy and Tyler at La Tolteca for dinner, and Jacob and Taylor went to Transformers with Liz and John Long. I could have gone, but I've had a lot on my mind and knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate and enjoy myself. I went back to Eleanor's (since I was watching Nevaeh) and had a chat about some of my big upcoming life decisions with her, Teresa, and Grandpa Ron (which will be discussed in a later blog). Mary, Rosie and I watched the La Verne and Pomona fireworks from the Kohl's parking lot, and I hit the sack as soon as I got home.

I was feeling terrible when I woke up Thursday morning. I was feeling super stressed (since I was about 6 hours behind in homework), I was sick to my stomach from all the eating the day before, and I knew there was no way I could concentrate at work. Plus, it was my last day with Taylor home, and I couldn't bear being away from him. I actually called in mentally ill to work! I studied for a few hours, rested, went to the gym, chatted with my academic advisor, and got myself re-focused. In the afternoon, we decided to go to Dockweiller Beach to pass a few hours before Taylor's flight out of LAX. I forgot my swimsuit, so I just chilled under the rainbow umbrella and took lots of pictures, waded up to my knees, and rested…breathing to the beat of the waves. It was very therapeutic.

We drove around Culver City and Westwood for a while, trying to find a place that sells clam chowder in a bread bowl. But after an hour we still hadn't found a place. And since we'd skipped lunch, everyone was starving. We ate dinner at Coco's and it was surprisingly good. We did a little more shopping, said our goodbyes, and dropped Taylor off at the airport. On the way back, we missed the exit from the carpool lane for the 605, and ended up driving around a little in a pretty scary area to get back on the freeway (but not before getting sundaes, of course!)

I worked Friday, and felt very refreshed from Thursday to make it through the work day. Jacob and Mary picked me up from work for lunch at El Pollo Loco. After work we packed up our bags and headed south to San Diego. I found a killer deal on a hotel room on Priceline (a 3-star hotel for $60 on a Friday!) When we actually got to the room, I sweet talked the lady at the front desk and she upgraded me to a suite for free! So we got it for $140 under rack rate. After a dip in the pool, it was almost 11:00 by the time we were getting hungry so we drove around for a place to eat, but almost everything was already closed. We settled for CJ's, and headed back to the hotel.

Saturday morning we wanted to go to the beach early, so we could go back to the hotel and shower before it was time to check out. We went to La Jolla, and I took a wrong turn. Instead of the beach I'd intended, it took us to this rocky/cliffy/tide pool area. We decided to get out and explore. There were all sorts of sea life (crabs, baby fish, anemones, etc…) We took a bunch of pictures and trapped a few crabs before letting them go. We drove further south to the first inlet we could found that was a sandy beach. We found a place with a staircase down that said "out of order." Of course we were disregarded it, and hiked down some corroded stairs to the beach. We soon found out that it wasn't just the stairs that made it a bad place to be…there were gigantic piles of seaweed and rotting fish life all over the beach. There was no way to avoid walking on the squishy, stinky stuff. We ended up having to walk almost a mile to a place that was suitable for swimming. It was a slightly foggy morning, so it took a little time to get used to the water, but before long we were body surfing, swimming, and riding the waves. We got a little lost going back to our car, since we wanted to avoid that beach yuckiness. We had to get back to the hotel quick to not miss our check-out time. On the way back to the hotel, we decided that we were having so much fun, and the room was such a good deal…why not stay another night? I was able to sweet talk the front desk again and we got the same killer rate. We showered off, relaxed in the room, and went to Chili's for lunch. We shared lots of chips and salsa and a honey chipotle chicken crispers meal. We drove down to Ocean Beach and Mary, Jacob and Rosie did some more swimming, while I took another nap on the beach (all this playing was making me tired!).

We looked again for a place that sold clam chowder in a breadbowl, and when we found an ad for it…we headed right over. Unfortunately, the restaurant was out of clam chowder, so we shared a huge slice of pizza and a lobster taco. We drove around for a while, got some Starbucks, and went back to the hotel for more swimming. Jacob and Mary were totally sunburned so we had to get some aloe and cooling lotion.

After our continental breakfast on Sunday, we headed back to La Verne. Rosie and I ran to get ready for church, and Mary and Jacob packed up the car for their journey back to SLC. Due to the largest wildfire in Utah's history and Utah county traffic, it took over 12 hours to get home. But they made it safe and that's what matters!

So there's my last 3 weeks in a nutshell. Now it's back to work, working out, and homework.

Currently listening : Stadium Arcadium By Red Hot Chili Peppers Release date: 09 May, 2006