Guess What...

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!

I start on Monday :)

Moving

I enjoy my job. I like working with the agents I work with. I like the other Seniors I work with. I really like training new classes. I currently have a good schedule and for the most part, I'm happy with my job. I would however, like to have more responsibility.
When I'm training I'm in charge of 20-25 agents, making sure they understand what is going to be expected of them. I get the opportunity to work with them for four weeks and by the end of that time, I've developed pretty good rapport with them. Lately, when I'm not training, I've found myself a bit bored at work. When I'm working as a Senior, I'm wandering the floor helping agents, and I like it, but I'm ready for more.
That's why, when about three weeks ago and email came out saying they were hiring three new managers, I figured I'd apply.
At first I just thought about it. But soon I had a few managers ask me if I was going to apply. And not the managers that I necessarily thought would ask. Well, I applied and figure if I get it, great! If not, okay, I still like my job. I heard of other's who were applying, all very qualified, and figured it was worth a shot.
Last week, on Tuesday I believe, I got an email saying I was scheduled for an interview on Friday. So, I told one of my co-workers this and he helped me with some pre-interview questions. I went into the interview on Friday feeling prepared. It was with the head of HR and I looked at it as a good opportunity to get interview practice.
The interview went well. I had a chance to ask, and found out that for the 3 jobs, 17 people applied! Of those three jobs, one was no longer available, and of the two remaining, one has pretty much been given away, which is fine with me. So that left sixteen candidates for one position... Hmm, again thinking, I want the experience...
This week I was speaking with one other candidate and he said that in his interview he had named ME as one person he would pick for the job! I was kinda shocked and amazed. Pleased that he did that, but still just waiting.
I have a "source" at work who tries to keep me informed as much as they are able to. They told me Tuesday that they couldn't tell me how, but that they knew that I was the number one pick to have a second interview! That was very exciting, but still, no news yet. Wednesday, the last day for the interviews, came and went. No news.
Today I spoke with my "source" and they said that I should expect an offer today! I couldn't believe it! Apparently during a management meeting my name was mentioned and everyone there was nodding their head in agreement... I was speaking with my manager and the Senior manager asked me to come into her office. I got there and she admitted that this was a bit informal, but proceeded to give me a second interview. Of course, on the day that I woke up late, threw water into my hair, had no makeup on, didn't brush my teeth, and generally feel gross, I get a second interview for a management position! Good grief, God has a sense of humor!
Well, that interview went well. I don't have the job, yet. My source says the head of HR had high recommendations for me and they believe I'm going to get it. Apparently there are still three positions, one which I still believe is pretty much taken. The job also is "temporary" meaning it would start out as only about 45 days, but most of them turn into permanent within that time.
Either way, if I get the job it's going to be great experience. If not, it's been good experience. I've let the powers that be know that I'm ready and willing to take on more responsibility. I've found out that those same powers have been observing me and are very pleased with how I've been doing, and either way, I still like my job!
If all works out, I may be starting a new job on Monday... I'll let you know!

The Best Christmas Ever!

When I was 8 my parents started looking into foster care and the possibility of adopting. I don't remember much about the process, just lots of paperwork and strangers coming over to our house to make sure it was livable. I'm sure they asked Stess and I questions about our parents to make sure we weren't being abused, but for the most part nothing really changed until I was 9 when we went to pick up this kid, a 5 year old boy who's father had abused him. His name was Troy.
Troy was with us for a year and a half before he went back to his dad. We had some great memories, along with the inevitable sibling moments :) The three of us got along great, for the most part. Stess was a little closer to him than I was, partly because of age and partly because they had much more in common, preferring sports to books.
Troy went back to his dad for about 6 months before there was more abuse. I still remember Mom picking me up from school and asking what I would think if Troy came back. Of course I was fine with that and she told me that Dad was on his way to pick him up. We were told not to ask him anything about what had happened, but being the young kids we were, that was the first thing we asked. Troy apparently came "home" with dad, put down his backpack, said, "hi mom. hi dad. where are the girls? can I go play?" before he ran across the street to play with the neighbors...
All told, Troy was with us for about 3 years and left when he was 9. There were a few foster homes where we still had contact with him, but at some point we lost touch. Mom remembers trying to find him but having Social Services refuse to give out any information.
There have been a few times where our friends have mentioned seeing him, but we've never been able to follow up on that. With the invention of Facebook and MySpace, I've tried to find him, but still with no luck.
Well, all that changed this summer, when my mom's Aunt, who was a foster parent of Troy's as well, said that Troy had come to the house where he'd lived with them! Stess and I couldn't really believe it. Apparently he's a manager at a restaurant in Portland and was asked to visit the one in Albany. On his way he decided to try and find their family. Well, mom's Aunt told him that they were going to be getting together with the family the day after Christmas and he was welcome to come. He said he'd be there.
All this we heard, but honestly, I didn't want to get my hopes up. I knew that I MIGHT see Troy this past Saturday, but...
Well, he came! I didn't believe it until someone mentioned him calling their cell, lost and wanting directions! Stess and I both looked at each other with a bit of disbelief and admitted that neither of us had really held out hope.
When he showed up, Stess and I were outside and it wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it might be. In fact, it was great. We both went up and gave him huge hugs and it was like we really were back together with our brother.
It's funny how things that I take for granted either have been forgotten by him or are vague memories. We were staying at my Dad's family's home, so Troy got to reconnect with both sides of the family. We walked in and my Aunt Susanne gave him a big hug and my Uncle Phil shook his hand. Uncle Tim was in Italy the entire time Troy was with us, so they had never met. I about cried when my dad gave him a hug. When we went out to see Mom's side of the family Troy admitted to not realizing that we were related to them. He said when asked if he could make it or not that he wasn't sure. When he was told that we, Mom, Dad, Stess and I, were going to be there, he said he'd quit work if he had to.
It was a fantastic day! After Mom's family took off, Troy stayed for the evening with Dad's side of the family. We all had dinner together and got to spend some more time with him.
No, his life hasn't been great. He's made some bad choices, but more recently said he's trying to make better ones. Dad, Stess, Troy and my Uncle went on a bike ride and Troy got soaked so ended up wearing Dad's clothes. It was fitting.
He's living in Portland, and now that we have his number, we're not going to let him go. Stess and I both had a terrible time sleeping last night as we kept thinking about him. I got a call from him this afternoon, and it's still weird to know that I'm talking with my brother on the other line :)
To top all this off, Troy became a Christian when he was with us but I don't think he's had much of a chance to grow in his faith at all. He mentioned church a few times and Stess and I have invited him to join us at our Home group. He's planning on coming this week! And, he gets New Years day off, so I think we're planning on spending some time together...
So, my Christmas was Amazing!!! Not because I had the best gifts, though they were pretty nice ;) and not because I had a three day weekend, though I did, but because after fifteen years, I got to see my brother again!

Community

I've been attending my church, Mosaic, now for just under two years. I've tried to get involved several times, wanting to join a home group and/or be on the worship team. Unfortunately I've always had something conflict. I tried out a home group last fall and then my schedule at work changed so I couldn't make it. When I did have a schedule that worked, my car died. Usually the home groups start at either 6:30 or 7, which is very tough when you get off work at 7. Finally though, I've succeeded in not only finding a home group, but getting my schedule changed so that I can attend such home group, and I have a sister living in Portland so there is transportation to get to said home group. Now we just have to find one!
A little over a month ago, Stess notice a lady sitting next to me in the service. She told me that the lady looked familiar, so after the service Stess went over and started talking to her. Turns out, Stess knew Alisha (this lady) from her days when she was at Concordia working on her bachelors. Well, somehow the topic of home groups came up and Alisha mentioned that she's a part of one that meets on Tuesday nights (good because Stess doesn't have class that night) and meets at 7pm (great cause I'm off at 5 most nights)! So, Alisha invited us to her home group and then proceeded to introduce us to Amanda, part one of the duo that leads said home group. Amanda was fun and quirky and told us that we were more than welcome to come and that the group tended to be a bit sarcastic (something I'm so NOT) and that if we didn't like the group, no hard feelings and we wouldn't need to avoid them if we see them on Sunday. Well, i was pretty much hooked!
So we showed up the next Tuesday and had a great time. Just like any time you are new, there was some awkwardness, however I really liked the group. We've been going ever since.
About two or three weeks into going , Zach, part two of the duo, was leading us through a portion of John and pulled out play dough. We each had a plate, to keep the play dough off the carpet, and our own color of play dough. We got through the exercise he had planned and at the end of our time, he proceeded to chuck his ball of dough at Stess and messed up the creation she was making on her plate. In the car that night I told Stess that I think we were in. :)
It's been a blast to get to know these people and we have a really great time and wonderful Bible discussion. Sadly, for the next four weeks I'll be training and wont' be able to make it. I'm really bummed. So much so that I even volunteered to come in at 5am for work! Those who know me know that I am NOT a morning person!
So, I'll miss out on a month, but I'm so glad to feel a part of this group and glad to get connected to community.

Eww

I am SO excited! And honestly it's just about this tinney little thing, but it makes me happy, so I'm sharing :)
My whole life I've bit my nails. Never to the point where they bleed and are half way down your finger, but short none the less. My sister has always had beautiful nails and I've always been jealous. I love the look of long nails. I've spent much money on the fake nails, as a kid I got the sticky ones with fancy colors like these...

but never actually the Hello Kitty kind. As I got older I started doing my own and got pretty good. I could make my fake nails look like the expensive kind you can get done at salons. I did splurge a few times on the acrylics, but they never last long on my nails, usually about a week or less. Every time I was done with paying for the nails I was determined 1. to not spend the money on them again, and 2. to stop biting my nails! Of course, it lasted for about a week if that before I was back to biting.

When I went to the Philippines I immediately noticed one of the other trainers had beautiful nails! I must confess, I envied her :) Anyway, she and I went to get manicures at the mall because they were so cheep! I decided to do acrylics, because it was so cheep, but after 2 hours of work and knowing after about 20 that I wan't going to like them, I again was determined to stop bitting. Well, the nails lasted 2 days. They weren't done well at all and my hand slipped opening the door...

Since my nails now looked aweful, I headed to the store to see what I could find to cover them up until they grew out. Well, I found this product

It works! It tastes really bitter and I'm amazed and kind of grosed out at how many times my hands were in my mouth! Eww! Well, it's been about a month now since I started and my nails are longer than they ever have been! Yep, I'm excited. Thanks for letting me share :)

Turbulence and Jet lag

Well, after a long flight to Japan, a few hours in the airport, a 4 hour flight and an hour getting to the hotel, I'm finally here! I arrived at my hotel this morning, Friday, around 1 am. The flight to Japan was uneventful. I flew on Northwest airlines, and honestly, not that impressed. The last two times, going to Mongolia, have spoiled me. Then we had our own screens and multiple movie/tv choices. On this flight there were small screens in the aisle that all showed the same movie. At first I thought the flight was going to be pretty empty and that I would have my own row, but alas, I did have to share. My neighbor wasn't an issue, but the idea of having your own row on a ten hour flight, was really encouraging! The flight from Japan to Manila was shorter by far, and I did have two seats. I was so tired I slept through dinner, but really, dinner at 10pm wasn't very apetizing.
Arriving at the airport I knew what to look for, thanks to Bonnie and our Mongolia trips. I had everything I needed and made it through customes with no problems. Both my suitcases made it through without issue and I was headed out the door to find my driver. When I got to the area where drivers were waiting for passangers and family was meeting their guests I got a bit overwhelmed. It was raining, dark and humid and there were hundreds of people! I stopped on a ramp and looked out over the croud scanning for anything familiar. Finally I saw my company logo on a sign and knew I'd found my driver, Gani.
After loading up my luggage into the air conditioned van, Gani and I took off. Driving here is not like the US, that's for certain. Lanes were a guideline, lights a suggestion, and blinkers are an annoying noise your car makes when you turn hard in one direction and accidentally push down on that lever on the side :p And yet, just like in Mongolia, I have yet to see a car accident!
My hotel suite is just that, a suite. It's great! I have a kitchenett, a dining room, living room, huge bedroom, large bathroom, great closet space, and even a little vanity area! Best of all, it's air conditioned!
I'll take pictures and post them later. Right now it's almost 10 and I've been fighting sleep for a few hours now. I'll try to keep this updated more often then I have in the past :)

Up, up and away!

23 hours and counting! For the last two weeks I've had a little white board at work counting down the days until I leave. Yesterday it switched to hours :) No my coworkers have taken to adding little comments on my countdown.
Stess is up here, waiting to take me to the airport. I fly out tomorrow at 2:15 for a ten hour flight to Tokyo and then another four hour flight to Manila. I'll get there at 11pm on Thursday.
So, I'll try really hard to keep this updated. I'm borrowing a camera so I can add pictures. In the meantime, have a great month!