A new path

Last year I left two separate jobs.  I then spent sometime reeducating myself in the skin care profession...apparently that has paid off (YEEEEE!).  

This week I had two interviews and am moving forward with the hiring process next week in a spa.  I'm so happy that I will finally be putting my Esthetician's license to use.  I hope that I have actually found my path.  

Today during my second interview I was asked what made me choose the skin care profession.  I suppose a love of products is part of it, but thinking back I've been interested in skin and body care for a long time, I love the atmosphere that you get to work in and helping others to feel good inside and out is a great feeling.  Right out of high school I took a course in massage therapy, but at the time I didn't have very supportive friends.  I had people that chuckled about my chosen profession.  I considered going into skin care then, but put it off thinking that no one would take me seriously.  

Years later I made the choice to get my Esthetician's license.  I researched some schools and found one that fit my personality, completed my courses in six months, and passed the state board exam on the first try.  I know that you're not supposed to live your life with regrets but putting off pursuing this profession has been mine.  I worried to much about people's opinions (no worries though, these people are no longer a part of my life).

If you are ever at a point in your life where you want to change direction, trust yourself.  The true hearts in your life will support you.  

An open letter to the world

Dear World,

I generally keep my thoughts on world views and politics to myself as there are plenty of opinions floating around the web as is.  What I'm looking for I suppose are answers.  How can people continue to treat each other so badly? What are we leaving for the future generations? 

The negativity is suffocating. There is so much finger pointing and so much blame...but where are the solutions? I wish I had some to offer up...but I too am at a loss.  

The best I can offer is on a personal level to practice kindness everyday.  I will screw up...someone will cut me off on the freeway or try my patience at a check out line but I will work on reminding myself to be kind.  It's all I've got to give right now.

A very merry Unbirthday for me

 When I was little my mom would sometimes pick up a bakery cake for no particular reason and she'd have them put "Merry Unbirthday" on it. She is  a fun lady like that. We'd also throw a party in the spring (usually May) because the weather was nicer and we didn't have to compete with the holidays.  

I think I'd like to go back to that.  As my 35th birthday is approaching I'm very aware of the fact that this is just not my season.  This particular time of year hits me pretty hard (as it has for the last several years).  Call it what you want "holiday blues" or whatever, I just find that for me everything begins a downhill slide after Halloween and doesn't necessarily pick up until sometime in the new year.  

I'd like to be cheerful for everyone and go out and celebrate and have fun for my birthday, but the further we get into the November/December holiday crush the more it seems like too much effort. 2016 then will be the year I bring back the Unbirthday.


My reasoning behind picking an Unbirthday:  

1. I am more of a summer person.
2. Summer has better holidays (4th of July fireworks beat Thanksgiving turkey).
3. It stays lighter later (I'm not adjusting to this time change well).
4. I prefer iced tea to pumpkin spice anything.
5. I'm not fond of the November birthstone (Topaz).
6. Better beach and brunch weather.
7. Alice in Wonderland is one of my all time favorite Disney movies.

4 Tips to improve your Resume

These last few months have been spent taking classes at International Dermal Institute to prep myself to enter the working world of Esthetics and Skin Care.  It has been great to be able to take some classes without having to take off of work.  I'm just about ready to start sending out my applications and resume (I have just a couple more classes lined up that I'd like to take).  

Throughout this period I have been working on my resume, so I was happy to attend a Resume workshop at IDI.  I actually had a chance for a couple of recruiters to look at my resume and make some notes.  For those of you out there looking for a job let me share a few tips I learned. 

• When you are applying online always be sure to include a cover letter, it's more necessary now than it used to be.  That being said, because you have the cover letter you no longer need the "objective" line on your resume.  
• No need to add "References available upon request" as if you are filling out an application...you'll have your references listed anyway.
• Send a thank you e-mail to your interviewer.  In the past I have sent a thank you card, but it was pointed out that sometimes the interviewer is pressed for time in making their hiring decisions and e-mail arrives faster. (You can still send a thank you card).  
• If you are e-mailing a resume be sure to be specific in your subject line.  Include information like position you are seeking and location if applicable...Recruiters have a lot of e-mails that just say Resume...make yours stand out.

I hope these help you.  Hoping these tips help me too!

checking in

Just a quick little check in...life is good.  I feel fresh and renewed for the first time in a long time.  I am actually waking up before the alarm goes off, ready to start my day. It is such a good feeling.

I'm still getting to know my way around the new job, and am still coming out of my shell a bit.  I'm just quiet around new people...once I get a better knowledge of my daily tasks, I'm sure I'll warm up.  I'll be in training this week learning the computer systems - so by the end of the week I'll be a pro. (Probably wishful thinking, but I'm going with it).

I'm working long hours, but the time goes by so fast that I'm not completely worn down by the end of the day.  I just can't get over how changing one thing in your life changes everything.

Cheers all ~ hope that you have a happy and beautiful week!

Fresh start February

Tomorrow is my first day of work at a new job.  I'm excited and nervous...like that last night of summer before going back to school.

Leaving my last job was harder than I thought.  I'd made good friends there, and will miss seeing them everyday.  The job itself was easy to walk away from: extreme hours, two time cards, having to run personal errands for the boss...bye bye!

I have needed to upgrade my work wardrobe rather quickly...and come to realize that I really do need to drop some pounds.  It seems I can squeeze myself (tightly) into a 12...but then 14s are baggy.  It would also be nice to lengthen my legs by an inch, inch and half...luckily I have a tailor that I use for my inseams.  I always seem to need my tailor to alter the length of my pants (in pants Short is too short and Regular is too long).  I'm just all kinds of in-betweens.

I also used this Super Bowl weekend to get my nails done and am so happy to announce that a brand new place has opened up right by my house. Score! They are affordable and oh so clean.  They even have you sign off that the items they're using are sterile.  I went with a nice simple purple/gray shade.

Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly tomorrow! Wish me well.

Cheers all!!

Coming up roses in the new year

My year is off to a good start...and hope yours is as well.  I tend to go into a bit of a hibernation during the holidays, they just aren't my thing.  

As of the first though, I crawled out of my little cave and back into the world at large.  I started off my year by watching the Rose Parade - this is something I actually really look forward to year every year.  This year I went the extra step and went to see the float close up after the parade.  It is amazing how much detail goes into them.  If you're in Pasadena to check them out, I highly suggest this...you know, next year.

Also, I took a hike! Only a couple of miles - but I got off the couch and that is something.  

So with out calling it a resolution so much as an aim I'm going to try to say "yes" more.  Yes, to more activities, adventures and experiences.  

Almost Famous

"I always tell the girls, never take it seriously, if ya never take it seriously, ya never get hurt, ya never get hurt, ya always have fun, and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends."- Penny Lane

One of my friends posted that quote the other night, and tonight I found myself in a record store.  I felt it all around me, it was like a hug from my high school self.  I entered and to my left was a wall of decals with the likes of Save Ferris and the Aquabats catching my eye immediately.  I had these decals on my car 15 some odd years ago. 

All around me were names and words that stirred happy memories. Memories of driving to the record store the day the album came out and scratching the plastic wrapper off with my keys on my way to the car.  Memories of certain lineups and venues...some of these involving bands and places that no longer exist.  It was bittersweet really, the nostalgia made me happy for the memories and sad for the things I've lost over time. 

I hope that we never truly lose the nitty gritty little record stores, that they will continue to endure as the years go by...every now and then I need to visit my friends there.

Cheers.

crazy week...leads to bright future

What a crazy week at work! We were short one person down at the end of a quarter...stressful for sure, but overall our little office pulled together and got stuff handled. We've got until Wednesday to see how we did for the quarter total, but I think it's looking good.

Now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel I'm looking forward to getting my life back. Some of things I'm looking forward to in the next couple of months are:

• Getting back to YBB at Heartbeat House, over in LA/Atwater...Love dancing with Luisa and Kristen teaching!
• Meeting up with the Pilates trainer.  Just going to look at the cost as an investment in me.  I really like this quiet little studio in La Verne, Equilibrium Fitness.  I've been working with Becky, but everyone seems nice.
• Would like to schedule a little trip in there somewhere too...so many ideas up in the air.  Suggestions for solo travels anyone?
• Getting together with friends for some lovely summer nights!