The week that was!

I missed blogging. Dividing my day between work, going to the gym, then my household and wifey duties there is no time left for my bloggging it's just impossible.

When I started working my day usually starts at 5:45 am then I would leave the house around 6:45 so I'l be at work before 7:30. My work schedule is 7:30-5:00 M-T with 30 mins lunch break and if you decide to take an hour break all you have to do is extend in the evening. Fri we only work half day. We have the state Auditors last week so I've to work overtime in the evening. When I finally got 40 hrs thursday my boss told me that I can go back to work on monday. Cool isn't it.

I'm lovin' my work, my co-workers in (Accounting) are all so nice to think that I am the only one that doesn't have blue, hazel or green eyes. I swear, sometimes I hope I can take a picture of our eyes and you'll easily recognize me. Oh I'm also the shortest and the sexiest (eventhough my weight bothers me alot). I gained 10 lbs that statrted last Thanksgiving and spiralled to Christmas. Now I find it so hard to shed the unwanted pounds though I've started doing pilates.

I also wonder why most of my co-workers eat small portions only like they're all in slimfast or weight watchers while I always have rice and eggroll for lunch (it's really the pinay in me). I'l die without eating my rice in a week. I will not trade a fish for a burger or a home cooked filipino food.

Oh one time this week too I almost hit a deer while driving one early morning. It was still dark and it was freezing outside I just left the house and within 2-3 mins of my driving a doe just hopped in front of me, I jerked the car almost hit her by the hair. I was petrified good thing I have the road all to myself and I was driving between 30 mph only since I have not been out of the main road. I also want to share the good news I learned how to gas up on my own. Did it once while my husband is at the other end of the phone coaching me step by step viola I made it.

Valentine's day, I got flowers from my husband we did go out but not on our fave resto which is an hr drive. He came from a meeting and I got home quite late too because of the valentine traffic it was horrible sitting in the traffic jam for a good 20 mins. I didn't know that Americans are big on Valentine's celebrations specially couples almost all of us women at the office got flowers from our partners. It was so cool and everyone was giving flowers and chocolates and candies. Wasn't that cool?

So folks that's how my week was? Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Good thing tomorrow is a holiday I hope I can blog because I have to do my laundry and clean the house first. Well if only I got paid well blogging I'll probably stay home nahhh staying home is not really for me I love dressing up, working my little brain out, and the most important thing earn money and start earning my retirement. See you all again! Have to go folks!

Off to our ski holiday!

It's 8:30 am eastern time and Im all agog going over our stuff for this trip. Still there's the usual last minute shopping that we need to do. My husband realized that instead of renting me a ski wear we'll just buy it since we always ski yearly (my husband sometimes does it two to three times a year. The only thing I need to rent is my ski pole and boots (it's so hard to find my size). So last saturday, we got a ski pants (wanted a bib but there's no one that fits me lol), couldn't find goggles and the polypropylene underwear in the sports store. Today, we'll swing by the military store to try find one for me.

I don't know just before I got my job I was really excited for this trip but now all I want to do is start work. Weird, I enjoy snow skiing in fact my first time experienced last year was a blast. Well, everyone has been telling me to chill out and enjoy the trip because once I started working vacation will be less. Whatever it is I am now more excited to work thank ski, I don't know I just want this thing to be done and over it.

So folks I'l see you all when we get back. Please pray for our safe trip. I'l keep you all posted.

Politics, Prejudiced or Plain Ignorance!

I've been trying to find work for the last four months after I got my greencard. Going through the whole immigration process is crazy enough but what's more stressful I realized is finding a job and proving your worth around here.

At the beginning, my husband and I were confident that with my big city credentials and work experience it will be easy for me to find job around here. We're thinking that the community college or the country would be an ideal work for me since it is alot nearer for me than the city which requires an hour or more of driving.

Two weeks ago I got my fifth rejection letter from the community college. When I saw the envelope from the community college I knew it's going to be the "thank you for applying letter". Right then and there my tears just rolled down. I immediately called Jacque (my filipina friend) cried my heart out we ended up crying together.

What made me cry? It was out of frustration because the position is for Accountant and the requirement and the skills they need perfectly match mine even though they only need someone with an Associate Degree. What made it worst is that we heard from the grapevine the one hired was previously a co-worker of the boss. Of course we have a "mole" inside. The college website gave emphasis on equal opportunity employment so when I applied I was banking on that premise. It was an over-statement.

I had the same experience with the county too. I applied one time for Tax Assessor but since I have no experience here my application process stopped at the first level and wasn't able to get to the next step. A lady at the gym once told me that the county plays politics, she said by the time they call you for an interview they already have someone in mind for that certain position and everything is just plain "procedure". That is my problem around here. How can I compete with people who has all the right connections? Or how to win my prospective employer their trust that I can do the job. Trouble is they don't even know where the Philippines is. Now, I believe even educated Americans need lessons on geography.

Last week, my husband and I sent another application at the county this time the HR lady advised me to be patient and just keep sending resumes. She also articulated that they usually hire someone whose presently working even if it's just small jobs but not labor intensive fastfood thing. I wanted to refute her at the same moment but I restraint myself for fear that she might throw my resume on the bin. I have not mentioned it to my husband but my hunch is I'm doomed and I'll never get a call again. She's just tacky. I felt she's prejudiced and doesn't value hard work. I don't know.


I've also learned from visa journey.com (my support group) that first time immigrants will always have a hard time jump starting their careers. It takes time to be assimmilated into the whole immigration process and live like everyone else. I should also accept the fact that I am not alone in my predicament, countless others are on the same boat like me.

My job hunting experiences should be a poignant reminder to myself that as an immigrants I am like an extra-ordinary fish swimming in the shark infested ocean, it will be always tough to stay a float. I know that corporate world is a dog eat dog domain but I never knew that the state or government world is far worst.

Anyway I think the Lord has other plans for me, all I need is to trust him to lead me to the best job for me. As always I just need to sit still while he works magically on something thas is best for me no matter how elusive it may looks to me.