Finding a New Job Part 3

You are probably thinking... damyum girl how many parts are there?!

My answer is... Well gurrl, finding a job is hard!  So the story continues!

That day I was very sad.  I may have shed a tear in the privary of the courtyard at work.

BUT since "mujer preparada vale por dos" I  had not stopped networking.  The week of the second interview another position became available and I applied for it.  I was scheduled to have an interview the Monday after I was "rejected" for the Chicago position.  That weekend I was sad since my "life plan" was not going to go as planned, but I knew I needed to get over it, shake it off and prepare for the upcoming interview. 

By Sunday I had still not "shaken" it off.  Ugh.

Then I heard this reading at mass:  (it's long, but come on, it's the Holy Gospel, you must read)

Holy Gospel

John 20:19-31
Thomas no longer doubts the resurrection.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”


Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”


Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

This is exactly what I needed.  I needed to believe that "something better" was going to come along.  That a better job for me will be coming my way.  What is meant for you can't nobody, but God take away  (Co-worker's words).

In other words, I had the blue attitude when I needed to have the red faith.  (Who doesn't love color coded life lessons?)
That night I finally decided to let go of my sandness, have faith and prepared for my interview.  The next day I rocked it and then a day later got an offer.

So what does Oprah have to say about this? 

“What God intended for you goes far beyond anything you can imagine.”

... and ...

"God can dream a bigger dream for you... far beyond...what you could ever dream for yourself."
 
Lesson Learned?  Do your best.  Prepare to the max.  Rock it.  Pray and accept the outcome because God has your back.  Amen.
 

Some flowers from blogger Heart of Light because the day I got the offer it felt like God handed me this mini bouquet.  Yes, I am cheesey, eat me (and vulgar).

Finding a New Job Part 2

The story continues...

That Friday I received a call around 4 pm.  Needless to say it was the longest day ever!  Every time the phone rang my heart would drop to the floor!

The hiring manager called me and said they couldn't make a decision so they were going to interview me and the "strong internal candidate" once again!

I thought, well at least I am still in the running!!!  (Stay positive Eva!)

The next week there I go again back for another round of interviews.  This time the interview was from 10-12:30 (no lunch).  It was a total of three interviews with four people!  Again, very intense!  I swear, this postion was "just a financial analyst" not CEO!  Again, I left feeling good with my performance.

I thought, well I did my very best so whatever the outcome I will be ok with it.  I know I am more than qualified so if they don't select me it's because of my personality and that's something I cannot or am not willing to change.  If they don't think I fit their team, well then I probably don't and that's that.  I was getting myself ready for whatever came my way.  This is not to say I didn't want the job.  I DID!  I crossed my fingers, my toes, my eyes! 

A week passed by and no news.  I thought no news is good news, right?  Well on Friday I got a call and I had not been selected.  After all that, they decided to stay with the strong internal candidate.  Well so much for all that preparation.  My fabulous life in the city came crumbling down.

Finding a New Job Part 1

Just wanted to share the journey of finding a new job/position.

It all started at the beginning of the year.  As soon as I decided to proactively look I set up informational meetings with a few different managers.  This informed me of the what opportunities where out there.  Not all these managers had positions open, but I met with them with hopes that something would open up and then they would think of me.  Just getting the ball rolling on "the search" made me feel that much better.

Then in March  I learned that a position I had been interested in for over a year was becoming available.  Yey me!  This position was in Chicago, so what this meant to me was that I was going to be able to move back to the city!  This position was also very interesting.  It would complement my previous work experience while allowing me to expand my cost accounting knowledge.  I was beyond ecstatic!

When I applied to interview for it I noticed that they already had a strong internal candidate for the position.  This was so heartbreaking since I had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.  I decided that was not going to discourage me because I truly believed I was the best candidate.  I prepared for the interview by practicing questions and also by interviewing someone who had previously held that position.  I also had some help... there was a friend who was also interviewing for that position before me and he was kind enough to let me know what questions they asked him.  I was more than ready to rock this!

The day of the interview I arrived 45 minutes early and reviewed my answers AGAIN!  The interview was pretty intense.  It was from 10 am to 1 pm (lunch included).  I was interviewed by five people!

I left feeling pretty good becase I did my best.  I prepared, practice and showed up! 

The manager said they would be making a decision by that Friday (a couple days after the interview).  I also asked my previous manager and my current manager to call the hiring manager to recommend me.  Yes, I pulled all the strings I could.. this job was mine!

This was me!

Ready to run up the corporate ladder!



New Apartment

Today I signed the lease for a new apartment! 

Here are a couple pics.  It is a one bedroom in Glenview.  It is exactly 1.5 miles from work.

I am really excited about the double sink!  Man, I must be getting old, for this to be exciting!

Get a New Apartment  Done!

Montreal Non Work Goals

I had some goals for my stay in Montreal that were not related to work....

1. Work Out Four Times
2. Write Two Posts
3. Eat Three Salads
4. Drink Water

AND now for the results... I would say.... FAIL

1. I didn't work out
2. I did write 6 posts (including this one)
3. I ate one salad... but it had lots of dressing and cheese... I don't think it should count
4. I did not drink enough water... but I did have lots of diet coke

Ugh, EVA GET IT TOGETHER!

My "fat pants" are starting to fit again... and they were very loose... darn it!  Ok, I need to get serious!

As serious as the wedgie this girl is suffering from!  Ha, ha!

Goals: Get A New Apartment

I decided I was ready to upgrade to a one bedroom.  It was a hard decision because I love my place and I have spent a lot of time on it and I finally feel happy with it... so why would I want to move?  Well, I would really love to have people over and you can't really have a get together in a studio... well not comfortably anyways.

I also love interior design so I would love to design my own little apartment.  I am very excited about finding a place and therefore "this journey" has been really dissapointing.  I found a nice affordable one bedroom, but the problem is that it's ready to have someone move in while my lease is not over until July 31st... bummer!  I listed my studio on craigslist as a sublease and I did get a few emails... a lot of them were weird and I didn't trust them.  I did show it to two girls, but so far nothing.  This whole situation was causing me lots of stress.

I decided to keep my eyes open for other places and this is how I found this other apartment.  I was too excited because it looked really nice and it was very affordable.  Check it out!

I wrote to them and one later got a response.  After I e-mailed them and waiting for a response to a viewing I decided to google the owner's emails since it actually looked like it belonged to a management company.  Well, surprise surprise!  I found them on the flake list!

It turns out it's a scam.  That's the same e-mail is the one I got.  So far they have "hit" Colorado, Texas and Illinois!  So just be careful when you are looking for apartments (specially on craigslist)!

As far as my aparment search goes, well I decided to stay until the contract expires and start looking at places at the end of June.  Wish me luck! 

Day 1: New Job and in Montreal

It does feel like a new day!  Ever since I got the new position... I had not felt excited about it...but today is my first day w/out my old job responsibilities and I do feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders!

I am so excited, but I do not want to jinx myself.  I am always afraid of marinating in the excitement/happiness of something new for fear of it dissapearing and being heartbroken.  BUT here I am sitting in Montreal full of excitement and hope for a better work life.  I am anxious to leave my old role.  I learned so much and it was painful.  We (me and other analysts) call it boot camp or plain old jail... and today I feel free.  Yes, I will probably still have to answer a few questions and I do have one more reconciliation to complete...but I feel free.

Thank you God for helping me through that role... he knows there were many days/nights when I left the office feeling defeated, but had to go home and wash it all away only to go back for more.  Now I ask... please take it easy on me with this new role!  I need a break!  I promise to do my best... but please have them be kind.... even if they don't rewind... LOL.  Had to throw that in there. 

Downtown Montreal From My Hotel Window

Well it's beautiful out.  The corporate card wants to pay for my lunch... so I will let it.  My mind says it's a work trip...but my body thinks it's a vacation... hopefully they will compromise and find a happy medium.

Goals Update: Get A New Job

*Goals Update*

Get a New Job

It felt like the picture below, but it's finally done! 

Goals Update: Q1

This update was suppose to have happened at the beginning of April, but life got in the way.  April was a very busy month...with what?  I don't even remember, but I am sure it was a great part work!

So here is the updated Goals List:
Join Biggest Loser
Get New Glasses
Visit One US State
WIP - Get a New Job
WIP - Grow Hair
WIP - Get Laser Hair removal
WIP - Continue To Keep In Contact With Friends
WIP - Call Dad Regularly
Read 3 Books
Get Physical Exams
Go To The Dentist
Go To a Country Concert/Bar
Get New Apartment
Take Excel Classes
Send Out Christmas Cards

Q2 New Goals
WIP - Back Up and Organize Digital Documents and Pictures
Follow a Budget

The crossed out ones are done and done!  The WIP ones are a work in progress.  I will do a post on the "done" ones and another one on the WIP ones.
 
I also added two more goals.  I really need to keep on track!  I think that having this list has really helped me stay focused.
 
Now for a pic...because a post is better with a pic.
 

Goal 2: Get New Glasses

The prescription in my current glasses does not feel right anymore so I have been wearing my contacts.  It's nice, but it gets bothersome, specially during the long hours of close week.

I have decided to change up my eyeglasses style since my current frames are looking a little worn.  I have decided to go with these Ray Ban frames.  They are small enough for my face, but long enough to be chic!

Now I just have to decide on one more thing...color?  I would usually go for black because I wear so much black, but the brown matches my hair nicely so I don't know.  I think the brown looks a little more stylish. 

Everyone I have asked has said the black, but I think I like the brown.  The guys said brown looked a little granny.  Decisions, decisions, decisions!

What do you think?

Goal 4: Laser Hair Removal

Goal number 4 for 2011 is to finally get laser hair removal.  I have been waxing for a couple years now and it's not only expensive, but also painful.  I stopped shaving because it was causing my skin to itch... a lot.  My skin was too dry which would cause the itchiness which then would leave me scars... because I have no self control and I can't stop scratching.

Well, I finally went to my first treatment on Thursday Feb 24th.  It all happened so fast.  The Saturday before I woke up and decided to call "the spa"... they said, they had an opening that day in a few hours so I took it!  I had been growing my hair because I thought they needed to see it, but it turns out they don't!  So I was a hairy monster for nothing!

My appointment was scheduled and I was given the isntruction to shave before coming in :)  On Thursday I went in 30 mins before my appointment.  I was given a dress bathrobe and numbing cream to apply to the areas.  I applied it to my arms, underarms and full legs.  After 20 mins I was taken to "the room" where the procedure was going to be done. 

I laid down on a "rotating doctor's bed", given some goggles and she went to town zapping away my hair!  The procedure feels like a rubber band hitting you.  It's really not bad at all.  The only part that hurt a little more were the forearms.  What was weird was that it smelled like burnt hair, specially for the underarms.  The room was equipped with a fan machine to help with the smell, but since the underarms are so close to your nose, you can really smell it.

The whole procedure took less than an hour.  There is no recovery time.  Right after my appointment I went to Lockdown Burgers to celebrate Fabian's compadre's b-day!  The next day there was a bit of redness, but not bad at all!

Here are is the site to the place I went and the pricing.  I have my next visit scheduled for the beginning of April.  The nurse thinks I will need about 4 sessions.  It's gonna be pricey, but worth it!

If you have any questions, ask away!  If you are interested, let me know because they have a referral program!

Wish me luck!

2011 Goals

Hi y'all!  I am a little late on posting these goals.  Let me tell you why...

First, I didn't write them down until February... I wanted to marinate in them and make sure they were true to me.

Second, I lost them.  Yep, after taking a month to write them down... I lost them!  I thought there were in my personal computer and considered them lost for a week when I didn't find them... but luckily they were in my work computer.

Now that my goals have been found... here they are!

1. Join Biggest Loser at work….


                a.To finally start working out

                b. Lose fear of the gym

2. Get new glasses

3. Grow hair out

4. Get Laser Hair removal

5. Get physical exams/dentist

6. Read 3 Books

7. Continue to keep in contact w/friends

8. Call Dad regularly

9. Send out Christmas cards

10. Visit one US state

11. Go to a country concert/bar

12. Get a new job

13. Get new apt, one bedroom maybe?

14. Take excel classes (online and classroom)

Yes, here they are.  In no particular order.  Nothing out of this world, but my goals none the less.
 
Pic Source