I love my (not so) new job! Working for a non-profit is rewarding and fulfilling. I feel fortunate to work in such a special place and enjoy the aura of the building. I call it the house of hope. Each day I feel surrounding by hope. I don't feel that many can say that, and feel blessed to call the Homeless Prenatal Program my second home.
When I took the job last summer, I got a lot of questions and comments from people such as, "Will you be paid?" "Are you safe?" and my favorite "That sounds super depressing - why would you do that?" Since I was 14, I have been a volunteer in various capacities, working as a candy-striper and tutor and assisting with fundraising events. I have learned much through these experiences, but am excited to be a place (homelessprenatal.org) that is truly making a positive impact on the world. Our success rate is high because people come to HPP when they are truly ready to make a change.
Our building is full of optimism. The walls are colorful, the offices organized and the staff excellent. Its hard work and we don't get paid much (but we do all have benefits. A true team effort, the expectations of the team are high and all resources shared. Our staff of 70 would do anything for anyone. When you walk in the doors, you are an equal, whether you are a volunteer, someone looking for help or a longtime client family. We all have one thing in common - we all believe in a second chance. Everyone wants a healthy, happy family - some just need a boost to get there. That's why we are here.
As I look at my coworkers, many of whom have overcome incredible obstacles, I realize a few different decisions or being born to a different family, and I could have easily been in a similar situation. I can see how a few mis-steps could propel one into the wrong direction. But that doesn't mean that the path you choose is definite. My pay cut is made up for the fact that I am allowed to cry if I hear an inspiring story, I get hugs often from clients and coworkers and I get a view of the city that is unmatched. I also receive rides home from our Executive Director. And I receive thank you's all the time. Not bad for a days work.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
2012 is my year
2011 was not the best year for me. I spent the majority of it being disappointed by people. Why would I waste my time, you may be thinking. I asked myself the same question and figured it out: it's because I was brought up around good people who do good things. I am late to learn that life is just not that way for most. People have only their personal best interests in mind you must do the same. This doesn't mind I am going to love less or even give less freely. It simply means I will be a bit more wary in my interactions and spend more time on the fantastic people around me who build me up and support me. I will forget the rest. I feel better and stronger already. I am today more grateful than ever for the goodness I have been taught and the support system that was given to me that I have built on. As Dr. Seuss said best, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." this is my new motto. I have few regrets but most of them involve the timing of words or leaving something out. I won't leave anything out from now on and will remind people I love them more. 2012 is a good year already. I have a cool job, diverse friends and an amazing and growing family. Cheers to you.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Bad Dates
We have all had them. As someone who is still dating, I will have more. Please keep reading to hear a few of my stories from my (funny) dating life.
I have had a boy read me a menu because he was so nervous. Literally, read me the menu. After about two minutes of "Malbec from Mendoza, Pinot from Paso Robles, etc, etc," I suddenly yet as sweetly as possible yelled, "I will take the Prosecco please!" Needless to say, I was not feeling it. He tried to get me to go on a walk. I answered that my shoes were too tall. He asked for dinner. I said I wasn't hungry (my stomach was growling). He told me he would take me home. I said I preferred to walk. Although it was raining. And my afore-mentioned heels were 4 inches tall (making me taller than him, by the way - for those of you who don't remember, I am 5 feet 2 inches). I am not used to rejecting but feeling rejected, but knew it was best to cut the cord early. I received a text from him that night, and a call from him the next day. Why is it the boys that like me I hope will find someone else? Ignore me, and tell me you are unavailable and I wait for your call.
From being set up on some blind dates, I have learned that having mutual friends plus availability doesn't equal a match. I am not sure if I will allow myself to be set up again. Most people I have been set up with are only set up with me because we are both single. That doesn't mean we have anything to talk about. One guy I went out with didn't drink (I love wine -it's one of my favorite things) and it turns out he only likes Asian girls. I am 100% Irish. Needless to say our hug good-bye was the last time we saw each other.
My most famous dating story is the boy who broke up with me by 3am voicemail. I was asleep, having taken my visiting sister out on the town. I woke up, thinking I was going to hear a message of sweet nothings. This turned out to be true - the voicemail spoke of how great the girl of the messengers heart was and how he was excited to be with her. The girl was not me, but his ex. I texted my San Francisco girlfriends, "Bad Dating Story, 5,467: The Voicemail," explaining the situation. They offered to fight him, slash his tires, etc, but I knew he wasn't worth it and simply added it to our book (which we could publish), which includes boys who have been arrested en route to a date (for a DUI - definitely not a keeper), boys who we were pretty sure liked boys, and dates who wanted to split the bill - literally to the penny.
People wonder why I am single. I will point them to this post.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Viva Espana!
Green hills surrounded us. A large valley was below us. Our futures were ahead of us, but we only wanted to be here. "This is it!" my friend Kyler smiled. "This is what life is about." We were sitting in the foothills of Spain, celebrating the end of our program with 38 of our closest new friends, about to leave behind five months of laughs, headaches, and late night dinners. We were college kids, young and excited, far from the Rockies where we grew up but comfortable in these mountains just the same. We were having fun, learning alot and having adventures everyday. How could it be time to go home?
We were gone for almost a half year, arriving with little Spanish, not quite knowing what to expect. As soon as she arrived to pick me up, I knew which woman was to be my Spanish mom. She had crazy curly hair, like me, but dyed red. Her lipstick was orange and her sweater was white, setting off her pretty skin. A bit older than my mother, she moved slower but spoke faster, apologizing for being late. I didn't mind, I said in broken Spanish, no accent yet. Outside the hotel, her boyfriends car was waiting. It was tiny, and I had to sat on top of my luggage, full of what I thought I would need while I was away.
We get to the apartment and have a simple dinner. I am so jet lagged, and tired from a late night in Madrid the night before, that I almost fall asleep. I am awoken from my restless dreams by a stranger in tears. The girl who is to be my roomate. She is reading the Bible and looking at pictures of her boyfriend. I am already allergic to the smoke and the dog in the apartment - I don't think I can have a party pooper as well. I pretend I am sleeping and wonder how to switch families.
In the morning, I wake up and introduce myself. Katie is fantastic! She is similar to me in the fact that gave herself the room to cry, but will not cry again until she is saying good-bye to me five months later. I realize that first impressions are not always true and that I have to stay with my crazy family who fights constantly, pretends their son isn't gay and has a dog that they haven't cleaned and found in a gutter. It was the right decision.
Back to Kyler. We had been friendly at school but once we arrived in Spain, we bonded. There were 5 schools represented here, all small private schools from the Northwest. Never had the group been as been cohesive as ours, in the 15 years that our director had maintained his role. Individual differences were counteracted by the fact that we were all there to learn and all open to adventure (the party atmosphere of Andalucia didn't hurt). I have never stayed up so late on such a consistent basis. I have never been drunk on such a consistent basis. I have never studied at bars since. I have never learned so much- about life, what I wanted and the culture of a beautiful country.
From my host families debates, as well as Telenovelas (La Verdad de Lara was a hit), I learned Spanish. From my roomate, I learned patience and how to play drinking games. From my friend Amber, I learned how to drink and wear bandanas as a top. From myself, I realized I needed more alone time than the average bear and that I wasn't a natural speaker, but was a natural mimic and could use that to my advantage. Nine years have passed and I can remember things vividly. I think its time to go back.
We were gone for almost a half year, arriving with little Spanish, not quite knowing what to expect. As soon as she arrived to pick me up, I knew which woman was to be my Spanish mom. She had crazy curly hair, like me, but dyed red. Her lipstick was orange and her sweater was white, setting off her pretty skin. A bit older than my mother, she moved slower but spoke faster, apologizing for being late. I didn't mind, I said in broken Spanish, no accent yet. Outside the hotel, her boyfriends car was waiting. It was tiny, and I had to sat on top of my luggage, full of what I thought I would need while I was away.
We get to the apartment and have a simple dinner. I am so jet lagged, and tired from a late night in Madrid the night before, that I almost fall asleep. I am awoken from my restless dreams by a stranger in tears. The girl who is to be my roomate. She is reading the Bible and looking at pictures of her boyfriend. I am already allergic to the smoke and the dog in the apartment - I don't think I can have a party pooper as well. I pretend I am sleeping and wonder how to switch families.
In the morning, I wake up and introduce myself. Katie is fantastic! She is similar to me in the fact that gave herself the room to cry, but will not cry again until she is saying good-bye to me five months later. I realize that first impressions are not always true and that I have to stay with my crazy family who fights constantly, pretends their son isn't gay and has a dog that they haven't cleaned and found in a gutter. It was the right decision.
Back to Kyler. We had been friendly at school but once we arrived in Spain, we bonded. There were 5 schools represented here, all small private schools from the Northwest. Never had the group been as been cohesive as ours, in the 15 years that our director had maintained his role. Individual differences were counteracted by the fact that we were all there to learn and all open to adventure (the party atmosphere of Andalucia didn't hurt). I have never stayed up so late on such a consistent basis. I have never been drunk on such a consistent basis. I have never studied at bars since. I have never learned so much- about life, what I wanted and the culture of a beautiful country.
From my host families debates, as well as Telenovelas (La Verdad de Lara was a hit), I learned Spanish. From my roomate, I learned patience and how to play drinking games. From my friend Amber, I learned how to drink and wear bandanas as a top. From myself, I realized I needed more alone time than the average bear and that I wasn't a natural speaker, but was a natural mimic and could use that to my advantage. Nine years have passed and I can remember things vividly. I think its time to go back.
job hunting
is not fun. No one likes it. We have all helped others.
Since my last job had me dealing with recruiting often, I have learned alot about the hunt the past few years. Here are few tips and tricks.
1. Always spell check. This includes mentioning correct position and company in your cover letter.
2. Make sure you do at the very least a quick google search of the company you are applying for. For example, I used to work for the Alexander Group. We were management consultants. I recieved applications for recruiters, which was another firm down the street.
3. A great recruiter once told me, think of your resume as marketing collateral - it should be something used as a marketing piece and not just say what you did, but mention what you can do and want to do.
4. Never stop networking. Join groups, help others and tell people what you are looking for.
5. Don't leave jobs on bad terms.
6. Don't trash talk. Anyone. Except to your closest confidantes (never never at work).
7. Keep your resume and linkedin current and your facebook profile private (don't use drunken photos as your profile picture - people look at them).
8. Have a chronological, easy to read resume.
9. Take classes if needed.
10. Know what you want and go after it.
11. Send polite, hand written thank you notes to recruiters within 24 hours of an interview.
12. Work around the person's schedule is going to interview you.
13. Keep in touch with your references, and not just when you need a job. Send them thank you notes as well. They have spent valuable time making you look good.
Since my last job had me dealing with recruiting often, I have learned alot about the hunt the past few years. Here are few tips and tricks.
1. Always spell check. This includes mentioning correct position and company in your cover letter.
2. Make sure you do at the very least a quick google search of the company you are applying for. For example, I used to work for the Alexander Group. We were management consultants. I recieved applications for recruiters, which was another firm down the street.
3. A great recruiter once told me, think of your resume as marketing collateral - it should be something used as a marketing piece and not just say what you did, but mention what you can do and want to do.
4. Never stop networking. Join groups, help others and tell people what you are looking for.
5. Don't leave jobs on bad terms.
6. Don't trash talk. Anyone. Except to your closest confidantes (never never at work).
7. Keep your resume and linkedin current and your facebook profile private (don't use drunken photos as your profile picture - people look at them).
8. Have a chronological, easy to read resume.
9. Take classes if needed.
10. Know what you want and go after it.
11. Send polite, hand written thank you notes to recruiters within 24 hours of an interview.
12. Work around the person's schedule is going to interview you.
13. Keep in touch with your references, and not just when you need a job. Send them thank you notes as well. They have spent valuable time making you look good.
14. Help others as often as you can.
15. Never stop networking! Even if you are happy with your position, keep yourself out there.
16. Create your own opportunities.
Mimi
Sassy, little and loud, this is a woman who stands out. I am lucky to have her in my life and am lucky to have inheritied parts of her (I will let you decide which ones).
Mimi is the nickname of my grandmother, Anna Margaret Jones. She prefers not to be called a grandma, as "that is for old people," and she is only 90 years young.
She is someone who almost always keeps a positive attitude while being forward moving and positive thinking.
Her favorite expression is "That is stupid and dumb;" or the alternatives, "They are stupid and dumb," or the worst, "You are being stupid and dumb." These can be at times uplifting (when you break up with a boyfriend) or horrifying (when you have given her a gift you thought was nice).
Top 8 Things I Have Learned from Mimi
1. Always be honest. Mean what you say and don't beat around the bush.
2. Keep the people closest whom you like the most. Why waste time with the others? I hope I have my same friends 60 years from now when I am Mimi's age (she has the same friends from the first grade).
3. Give as much as you can. You can't take your money with you when you are gone so give it now. See where there is a need, big or small, and get in there and help. Whether its a donation of time, food, money, whatever you can give, give!
4. Family and friends are the most important things in life.
5. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. God already knows and He is the only one who cares so get on with it!
6. Cookies are done, people are finished (translation - use correct grammar).
7. Know table manners. You can then sit with anyone and look like you know what you are doing. (If all else fails, start from the outside and move in).
8. Have more than one child. Its good for them.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Things I Will Do... Starting Now!
I will:
1. Not let people tell me that I can't do something.
2. Learn as much as I can.
3. Not be afraid to wear a swimsuit.
4. Read as much as I can.
5. Stay active in my community.
6. Use my gym membership (its expensive!)
7. Not let people say negative things around me (and I will keep my own negativity at bay).
8. Laugh everyday.
9. Eat more tamales.
10. Be more proactive my future.
What are you going to do?
1. Not let people tell me that I can't do something.
2. Learn as much as I can.
3. Not be afraid to wear a swimsuit.
4. Read as much as I can.
5. Stay active in my community.
6. Use my gym membership (its expensive!)
7. Not let people say negative things around me (and I will keep my own negativity at bay).
8. Laugh everyday.
9. Eat more tamales.
10. Be more proactive my future.
What are you going to do?
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