threats

So the office has been relocated and reorganized. Its been a very stressful time. With a week of a three hour commute. Then last week I was on campus and there are some serious problems with the arrangement. And of course that means that our nerves are at an end (not me but most people). So a parent complained to the President's office while i was in Portland about how she couldn't meet with someone since we were in the middle of packing and moving the office. So the director of my office sends me a nasty email about it since he had to call the woman back. And normally I would hold my tongue, but not anymore so i responded tersely that the email the woman wrote had nothing to do with the customer service that individuals provided her, but with how the office was organized now and that was the decision of higher ups. So he completely tried to throw me under the bus with the president's office and I told my immediate supervisor that if he wants to throw me under the bus then that is fine. Let me know and I will quit and walk out today. I was so livid about it. When I finally quit (which I hope and believe will be soon), it will take all my strength to give a full two weeks notice.

On a side note, it looks like i am just waiting for an official offer for a job. I heard on Wednesday from the office's HR person and they said that they were sending the paperwork to the main HR office and they are the ones who will make the official offer. I can't wait for that to happen. Keep that in your prayers.

back on schedule

The entire year so far, with all its difficulties for me, have made it hard for me to get on a good schedule... both with work, with exercise, and with school, much less a personal life. I finally feel over the last two weeks I've gotten on a good schedule with life. I've made it back to the gym on a regular schedule (and lost 6 lbs over the last week and a half--- but to be honest i had gained 15 this year so far). Work, I hope to have worked out very soon. Still doing the job search thing. I hope and have even started praying again that I can get a job offer really quickly. I have a little less than a month before I get demoted and moved to another location a million miles away.

Regardless of the crap that is happening, I'm staying optimistic, so please pray that I get a new job ASAP. I'd love to get back to having fun and happy postings on this blog.

nice compliment

So I was at work last week. I helped this guy fill out loan paperwork and then he moved to the next desk so i could help other people. At the end of him filling it out, he asked for my business card and he gave me mine. Then he said "just so you know, I'd hire you anytime." I was like ok.... what do you do, and had a quizzical look on my face. Then he said he was a former college president and when I looked at his card it was a name that I knew. He's been a college president like four times over.

The next day he stopped back to change something on his application and I joked with him that I almost printed my resume for him on the spot, so he said that I should email it to him and when I got ready he'd shop it around.

So that made my day last week.

Conference

So my national conference has been this week and it has given me lots of stories for me to recount. I had a great time and learned a lot, so this post will be some of the highlights.

An awkward moment: On Tuesday afternoon I ran into three people from the research position that I didn't get due to being overqualified. And I wasn't in a position that I could've pretended I didn't see them or knew who they were. So I had to endure a 15 minute conversation with people who didn't hire me like 2 weeks ago. What is the correct protocol in that situation? Probably to say something like "I'm sorry I'm in a rush and unable to chat, it was good seeing you." But David said more of what I felt: "Be cordial, then key their car."

A moment of TMI: THis guy who worked the conference with me got way too personal on a discussion of what he did the night before. I ran into him at a bar and asked how the rest of his night was. He proceeded to tell me that on his walk home, he was propositioned for sex by a guy on the street, which he then had it in an alley way with. Then the guy told him it would be $100. HE didn't have the money, so the prostitute was going to call the police and have him arrested. (editor's note: Ummmm Wouldn't they just arrest the prostitute. And what proof would they have that the sex even occurred? Sex workers logic is entertaining)

A moment of exercise: I ran my second 5k through the conference. It was humid and hot, even at 6 am! I overexerted myself and thought I was going to pass out at one point. However, I shaved 3 minutes off my time from the last 5k and came in at 32:14. YAY!

A moment of self-confidence: DP met these guys from my conference at JRs. I met this guy who worked with a lender in one of those fly over states that people never vacation to. I introduced myself to him two days later and invited him and his crew out dancing with a few of us at Cobalt. We had a good time. I hung out with him that night with his coworkers, then invited him over to my place. And he came... So its like the first time in two/three years I was successful in a bar-scene hookup. He was a really nice guy, sort of resembled waiter guy, but without the game playing.
I do plan to stay in touch with him.

But this leads to a serious work question: For those that don't know, I work in financial aid, which has been in the news for inducements from lenders to financial aid counselors. In this stage, schools are overreacting and my school has asked that we disclose every thing we've ever gotten from a lender, such as a birthday gift from a friend of mine who works in a bank. etc etc. So do i need to write general counsel and say that a lender gave me an orgasm?

this was supposed to be easy

Well its not entirely common knowledge, but I applied for a job recently at an institution in Philadelphia. I interviewed for it this past week and they called the next day to offer me the job. So what I thought was supposed to be an easy decision, has turned into one of the most frustrating decisions of my life. Here are my thought processes.

-School: I know that the best interest long term thing is for me to finish my doctorate. That will help me move up more than any position I hold. Will I be able to complete my program if I am away from campus and my support networks?

-New location: While I don't have a problem with moving and starting over (I did move from ORlando to DC with only one person I knew). I am not sure I want to start over with no acquaintances right now.

-Money: While they went out of their range to offer my a salary, it was not enough to break even with what I'd be paying for my school out of pocket.

- Reputation: While everyone will have a good opinion of me when I leave, its just now getting to the point where people know who I am. That's not an easy thing to throw away. I have a growing reputation around my institution as well as through my association.

- Position: While yes, this would be a good move professionally, it won't be the last position I'm offered.

- Drama: If i am having this much trouble deciding, isn't it telling me something about not being ready to leave?

Those are most of the thoughts I'm having. Yes, i know they are phrased as an I dont want to go. Yesterday i was at a 90% chance I'd leave and today i'm at a 40% chance I wont. I have til Monday to decide. What are your thoughts? They'd be greatly appreciated.

Silent treatments work both ways

So my boss, who hasnt talked to us since Dec 23rd comes into my cubicle yesterday and says "Did I hear you talking about sexcapades in Florida yesterday?" My response: ummmm no.

Did they happen? Mayhaps
Did I talk about them at work?: I don't think so.
Would I tell her either way: No

Works both ways now doesn't it.

some randoms

1. I saw Steven out at JR's again. He hadn't called so I left him alone rather than going over and talking to him. But then I saw him give his phone number to this old, fat, balding guy... ewwww. If that's his type, I should be thankful he didn't call.

2. My supervisor at work is giving me a silent treatment. This is the third that I've received in my 4 and 1/2 years of employment. Its a shame she has the maturity of a three year old. Such is life I guess. It will just propel me to do a job search more intensively I guess. According to an article that the Associated Press published about a study in Leadership Quarterly, "31% of employees said their supervisor gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year, 27% said the supervisor made negative comments about them to other employees or managers, and 24% said their supervisor invaded their privacy."

3. Professional question for the readers: When one is interviewing long distance, does anyone have any recommendations for bringing up reimbursements for travelling to interviews? Should you leave it to the employer to bring up and just assume you are paying for it otherwise? Should you bring it up right away when the discussion of an in person interview occurs? Is it to late to bring up when you actually schedule that interview? Have any of you had experiences with this?