Adam is napping so I decided to post a video this time! The job hunt has finally hit a good stride, but there's always more to work toward.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Waiting
The deadline for dietetic internship (DI) applications has come and gone, and now its time to wait until I either 1) hear from Illinois State or Benedictine University for an interview for the DI program, and/or 2) wait until April 1st to see what I will be doing with the next 1 and a half to 2 years. On April 1st the computer is going to tell me one of three things:
1) Match: Illinois State
2) Match: Benedictine
3) No Match
I am looking forward to talking to the Dietetic Internship Directors and telling them more about myself and my desire to return to school and get my career started. I am very much looking forward to learning a lot too, especially while at the internship rotations. I wish I had more time to look over the most recent Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics articles and review my stack of undergrad textbooks so I can be even more prepared. I even paid to join a review site provided by The Academy. I am happy where I am at right now, though. I feel that I will have a better time studying when there is a more solidified goal in mind.
For now, work is going alright. I am starting to get that ancy feeling again and I am always looking for another opportunity to get more involved. Last week, I asked if I could help design the new digital menu boards that should be in soon. I was so excited about it, that I stayed up late that night, and made a demo. Unfortunately, all was lost when Adam punched a few keys on my computer a couple days later, and the memory had to be wiped out in the process of recovery. Now this just means I have to start from a blank slate. Not the worst, but definitely not the best situation! I will take this as a learning point for the future... back up any files I see as important so they do not disappear forever.
My job in the cafe comes with some really nice perks, and I am thankful for the experiences I have had so far. It is easy to build relationships with the personal trainers and I enjoy learning about new areas of fitness and nutrition. For instance, one of the personal trainers introduced me to Cross Fit Endurance which I do once a week at 5am with a group of mostly middle-aged women who are able to lift more and do more than I can! Its the strength part of my training regimen for the Madison-Chicago 200 Mile 'Ragnar' Relay coming up in July.
Ever since I graduated, I have never stopped my job search. Almost every day, I look for postings in food and nutrition and I apply quite often. I will admit, it is hard to commit to changing to another job even if I am not completely comfortable with my current work situation. My work schedule has changed around so much since I started that I am looking for some consistency, but it almost seems counterproductive to start somewhere new at this point.
Other than that, I have officially joined LinkedIn. I am interested to see what this means for future jobs.
Completely unrelated, I am so distracted right now because SNL is finally funny this week. Its time to relax and enjoy the show, and Charlie Day's debut. I am not a fan of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but he is doing a good job so far! Until next time.
1) Match: Illinois State
2) Match: Benedictine
3) No Match
I am looking forward to talking to the Dietetic Internship Directors and telling them more about myself and my desire to return to school and get my career started. I am very much looking forward to learning a lot too, especially while at the internship rotations. I wish I had more time to look over the most recent Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics articles and review my stack of undergrad textbooks so I can be even more prepared. I even paid to join a review site provided by The Academy. I am happy where I am at right now, though. I feel that I will have a better time studying when there is a more solidified goal in mind.
For now, work is going alright. I am starting to get that ancy feeling again and I am always looking for another opportunity to get more involved. Last week, I asked if I could help design the new digital menu boards that should be in soon. I was so excited about it, that I stayed up late that night, and made a demo. Unfortunately, all was lost when Adam punched a few keys on my computer a couple days later, and the memory had to be wiped out in the process of recovery. Now this just means I have to start from a blank slate. Not the worst, but definitely not the best situation! I will take this as a learning point for the future... back up any files I see as important so they do not disappear forever.
My job in the cafe comes with some really nice perks, and I am thankful for the experiences I have had so far. It is easy to build relationships with the personal trainers and I enjoy learning about new areas of fitness and nutrition. For instance, one of the personal trainers introduced me to Cross Fit Endurance which I do once a week at 5am with a group of mostly middle-aged women who are able to lift more and do more than I can! Its the strength part of my training regimen for the Madison-Chicago 200 Mile 'Ragnar' Relay coming up in July.
Ever since I graduated, I have never stopped my job search. Almost every day, I look for postings in food and nutrition and I apply quite often. I will admit, it is hard to commit to changing to another job even if I am not completely comfortable with my current work situation. My work schedule has changed around so much since I started that I am looking for some consistency, but it almost seems counterproductive to start somewhere new at this point.
Other than that, I have officially joined LinkedIn. I am interested to see what this means for future jobs.
Completely unrelated, I am so distracted right now because SNL is finally funny this week. Its time to relax and enjoy the show, and Charlie Day's debut. I am not a fan of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but he is doing a good job so far! Until next time.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Back on track
Looking back over my blog, I realized I have gotten distracted from the whole idea I had initially wanted it for-- mainly career tracking. It's almost been 6 months since I started working in the cafe, and I am longing to move on to the next part of my life. I enjoy my job right now, but I need something that challenges me so I feel like I am learning significantly. I want to start my internship so badly. Let me back up... I want to get in to and internship so badly!
I went to the Internship Open House at Benedictine University on Thursday, 1/6. I left wondering if I should even bother applying. In college, my grades were not fabulous and I did pretty terrible on the standardized test. I still meet the minimum requirements for the program, to the best of my knowledge, but yet its just the bare minimum. There are 9 spots left to fill in their program, and about 50-60 applicants by Feb. 15th. They toss out any application that does not met the minimum requirements and then rank the applicants on scores and grades. Experience comes in last. I have so much to offer, and I wish that that could shine through beyond my less-than-stellar academic performance. I'll have to write a rockin' personal statement to draw them in.
Tomorrow I am bringing in my letter of reference for my boss to fill out for the graduate program application. I wrote an e-mail to my professors a couple of days ago so they could complete the other letters for me. I hope I hear from them soon because BenU highly recommends submitting that application by the end of January so that the internship can determine if the applicant then qualifies for selecting that concentration.
Boring, but important things are going on!
Tomorrow I am bringing in my letter of reference for my boss to fill out for the graduate program application. I wrote an e-mail to my professors a couple of days ago so they could complete the other letters for me. I hope I hear from them soon because BenU highly recommends submitting that application by the end of January so that the internship can determine if the applicant then qualifies for selecting that concentration.
Boring, but important things are going on!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
I Promise
Yesterday Trevor and I took Adam with us to Oak Park to visit my grandma who lives in a nursing home. I had not seen her in a year and a half, when I was pregnant with Adam. She was in a wheelchair back then, and we we even took her with us across the street that day to a bar that grandpa frequented on his visits. (Quite the scene it was, see picture).
Anyway, when I anxiously turned the corner from the hallway to her room yesterday, I saw that she is now bedridden and has gained a good amount of weight. I could not hold my tears back as I put my hand on her forehead and stroked her hair back a couple of times and said, "Hi, grandma! It's Michelle, and I want you to finally meet your great-grandson, Adam and Trevor his daddy." She looked so surprised and happy to see us, and I brought Adam over and he immediately looks up at her with a big smile on his face and says, "Hiiiii!" while doing that air-grabbing wave he usually does. She smiled and nodded her head, and he nodded back. It was so cute. We shared his favorite book with her, and had him blow her kisses like I usually ask him to do before bed. She blew some right back at him! We visited for about an hour before Adam was showing signs that he was well overdue for a nap. I let her give him a kiss on the cheek, and I told her my goodbyes and we turned to leave.
Just as we are getting Adam's shoes on in the lobby, I remembered that I had money (just a few singles) in my pocket I wanted to leave for grandpa so that he could have more cash on hand to ride the bus, since seniors don't ride free anymore. When I got back to the room, I was going to leave it on the dresser but she immediately waved it off and instead pulled her hospital gown down a little bit so she could keep it with her instead. It was so funny to me, but I guess she felt like it was a much safer place to keep a few dollars! I gave her another kiss on the cheek and said that I promised to come back soon.
On the way back I was pretty quiet, and mad that I couldn't get to the nursing home to see her sooner than I did. Trevor tried to make me feel better by pointing out that I got there to visit today, but I could not imagine being in that state, stuck with a TV infront of me all day. My grandma has no signs of any serious mental illnesses, and it's sadly physical issues that have taken a toll on her. She had a stroke over 6 years ago and my grandpa has not been visiting as often as he had because he is old and it takes an hour and a half to get there on public transportation. My grandma can speak but she doesn't like to because its very very slurred. I don't know what activities I can bring her next time, but in the past my grandpa brought over coloring books and had her reading some things out loud (surprisingly, very clearly too). I want to go see her as often as my schedule allows, and Adam still has to meet his great-grandpa. I look forward to the opportunities ahead.
Anyway, when I anxiously turned the corner from the hallway to her room yesterday, I saw that she is now bedridden and has gained a good amount of weight. I could not hold my tears back as I put my hand on her forehead and stroked her hair back a couple of times and said, "Hi, grandma! It's Michelle, and I want you to finally meet your great-grandson, Adam and Trevor his daddy." She looked so surprised and happy to see us, and I brought Adam over and he immediately looks up at her with a big smile on his face and says, "Hiiiii!" while doing that air-grabbing wave he usually does. She smiled and nodded her head, and he nodded back. It was so cute. We shared his favorite book with her, and had him blow her kisses like I usually ask him to do before bed. She blew some right back at him! We visited for about an hour before Adam was showing signs that he was well overdue for a nap. I let her give him a kiss on the cheek, and I told her my goodbyes and we turned to leave.Just as we are getting Adam's shoes on in the lobby, I remembered that I had money (just a few singles) in my pocket I wanted to leave for grandpa so that he could have more cash on hand to ride the bus, since seniors don't ride free anymore. When I got back to the room, I was going to leave it on the dresser but she immediately waved it off and instead pulled her hospital gown down a little bit so she could keep it with her instead. It was so funny to me, but I guess she felt like it was a much safer place to keep a few dollars! I gave her another kiss on the cheek and said that I promised to come back soon.
On the way back I was pretty quiet, and mad that I couldn't get to the nursing home to see her sooner than I did. Trevor tried to make me feel better by pointing out that I got there to visit today, but I could not imagine being in that state, stuck with a TV infront of me all day. My grandma has no signs of any serious mental illnesses, and it's sadly physical issues that have taken a toll on her. She had a stroke over 6 years ago and my grandpa has not been visiting as often as he had because he is old and it takes an hour and a half to get there on public transportation. My grandma can speak but she doesn't like to because its very very slurred. I don't know what activities I can bring her next time, but in the past my grandpa brought over coloring books and had her reading some things out loud (surprisingly, very clearly too). I want to go see her as often as my schedule allows, and Adam still has to meet his great-grandpa. I look forward to the opportunities ahead.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year, New Start
Today is the perfect day to start up a new series of posts. I am excited to share all the happenings of 2012 as I hope to make some big changes in my routine and start the serious parts of the application process for my dietetic internship (DI), which I will hopefully be enrolled in for this fall.
2012 had a rough start! I thought I was going to want to begin training for the 200 Mile Madison-Chicago Relay happening in July... but the reality of working full-time on a six day-a-week schedule is draining, and its hard to get out of a warm bed when sleep is definately an option! I killed my 7:15am alarm, and snuck in an extra 45 minutes of rest before getting up to work at 9am. Luckily, I had the opportunity to make it up to myself after work, and ran on the treadmill for a half hour watching E!
Note to self: bring headphones!! Reading subtitiles while running made me so dizzy, when I went to run a couple of cool-down laps on the track, I had not only 'treadmill legs' but also had hard time looking straight ahead. It was so weird.
Tomorrow is going to be great because I am FINALLY going to see my grandma Izzo, and she is going to meet Trevor and Adam for the first time. The only thing that could make it hard to accomplish is the weather, but I'm crossing my fingers that mother nature is on my side.
Workwise, I'm always looking for new opportunities to fill up some of my morning hours. I am hoping to hear from a local school district soon and see if they'll hire me as their driver/shopper for their Family and Consumer Sciences classes. It pays well and wouldn't cost me more than 12 more hours in the week. Call me a workaholic if you must, but its something I can do with the schedule I'm already dealt.
Adam had a great Christmas, he has so many toys now its almost unbelieveable! Trevor is going to purchase a bookself for the mountain of books that is still overflowing out of the boxes we brought them in. We are so so so close to finishing the paint job on our new place, and next to come is deciding what to do with all the stuff in the bedroom (keep, toss, donate, store). THEN I will no longer be sleeping in the livingroom on an air mattress! WOOO! Patience, the key word to the start of this new year! Happy New Year everyone!
Resolution Log
Workout: 25 minute run + 5 minute warm up/cool down. Stretching and some core work followed.
Mass: check!
Clean Aparment: close enough
Blogged!
2012 had a rough start! I thought I was going to want to begin training for the 200 Mile Madison-Chicago Relay happening in July... but the reality of working full-time on a six day-a-week schedule is draining, and its hard to get out of a warm bed when sleep is definately an option! I killed my 7:15am alarm, and snuck in an extra 45 minutes of rest before getting up to work at 9am. Luckily, I had the opportunity to make it up to myself after work, and ran on the treadmill for a half hour watching E!
Note to self: bring headphones!! Reading subtitiles while running made me so dizzy, when I went to run a couple of cool-down laps on the track, I had not only 'treadmill legs' but also had hard time looking straight ahead. It was so weird.
Tomorrow is going to be great because I am FINALLY going to see my grandma Izzo, and she is going to meet Trevor and Adam for the first time. The only thing that could make it hard to accomplish is the weather, but I'm crossing my fingers that mother nature is on my side.
Workwise, I'm always looking for new opportunities to fill up some of my morning hours. I am hoping to hear from a local school district soon and see if they'll hire me as their driver/shopper for their Family and Consumer Sciences classes. It pays well and wouldn't cost me more than 12 more hours in the week. Call me a workaholic if you must, but its something I can do with the schedule I'm already dealt.
Adam had a great Christmas, he has so many toys now its almost unbelieveable! Trevor is going to purchase a bookself for the mountain of books that is still overflowing out of the boxes we brought them in. We are so so so close to finishing the paint job on our new place, and next to come is deciding what to do with all the stuff in the bedroom (keep, toss, donate, store). THEN I will no longer be sleeping in the livingroom on an air mattress! WOOO! Patience, the key word to the start of this new year! Happy New Year everyone!
Resolution Log
Workout: 25 minute run + 5 minute warm up/cool down. Stretching and some core work followed.
Mass: check!
Clean Aparment: close enough
Blogged!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
So Many Changes!!
Who would have thought that in a matter of a few months I would become the second most experienced cafe attendant extraordinaire? Not that its that great of a feat at all, but FOUR people have left since I started. Its insane to me, given the total roster is currently six people including my supervisor.
Naturally, my schedule changed. I get Tuesdays off and a Sunday every once in awhile. It's hard to adjust to starting work at noon instead of six or nine in the morning. I've considered looking into different jobs, but for now this one makes the most sense because even though I don't get paid much, childcare is free. Also, I plan on starting an internship soon and it is hard to commit to one place if I won't be there for more than 9 months.
My address is about to change too. The plan is to move in to the new place by Nov. 1st. I'm only moving a few towns over so it should not be too drastic.
The hardest changes I have noticed have to do with my friends and family. Its a big challenge, keeping up with what everyone else I care about has been up to. Phone calls for some reason seem like one of the hardest things to do. It is hard to even shoot a text with a little one grabbing at your phone, your face, and everything that moves or shines. I am amazed by all that my friends and family have been doing lately. I wish I could take time off and visit everyone, and catch up in person.
Anyway, I need to figure out a way to balance my life better so that I don't feel so disconnected. There's so many things I want to commit to, but I don't know what sacrifices I'm willing to take. This is pretty broad and jumbled up thought process, but I bet a lot of people my age are feeling the same way. The real world is bittersweet. I love being done with school, but yet I can't wait to go back and feel connected to a community again.
Naturally, my schedule changed. I get Tuesdays off and a Sunday every once in awhile. It's hard to adjust to starting work at noon instead of six or nine in the morning. I've considered looking into different jobs, but for now this one makes the most sense because even though I don't get paid much, childcare is free. Also, I plan on starting an internship soon and it is hard to commit to one place if I won't be there for more than 9 months.
My address is about to change too. The plan is to move in to the new place by Nov. 1st. I'm only moving a few towns over so it should not be too drastic.
The hardest changes I have noticed have to do with my friends and family. Its a big challenge, keeping up with what everyone else I care about has been up to. Phone calls for some reason seem like one of the hardest things to do. It is hard to even shoot a text with a little one grabbing at your phone, your face, and everything that moves or shines. I am amazed by all that my friends and family have been doing lately. I wish I could take time off and visit everyone, and catch up in person.
Anyway, I need to figure out a way to balance my life better so that I don't feel so disconnected. There's so many things I want to commit to, but I don't know what sacrifices I'm willing to take. This is pretty broad and jumbled up thought process, but I bet a lot of people my age are feeling the same way. The real world is bittersweet. I love being done with school, but yet I can't wait to go back and feel connected to a community again.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Expanding into the "Webosphere"
Today I signed up for a YouTube channel. It only has one video on it, but I want to set it up so I can try uploading videos directly from my phone. It has the potential to be a great tool just in time for those kids going back to school looking for things to do other than homework!
In other news, I am finally getting used to my work schedule. I am going to be less busy with another hometown chica, Aly, going away to school in Seattle. This means more time for the internet and updates.
Lately I've been highly considering applying for school during the application process in February, but now I need to seriously consider studying for the GRE, and figuring out what's different with it now that the test has been redeveloped. The thought of going back to school has had me looking at what my old classmates are doing now via Facebook and I'm excited for them. Some are starting rotations at hospitals, writing articles for nutrition websites, and other things that I could see myself doing in the future. I'm nervous already because I feel like I forgot so much. Can I sneak into Dr. Cullen's classes again? Haha.
That's all for now, here is the link to the channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/macompt
In other news, I am finally getting used to my work schedule. I am going to be less busy with another hometown chica, Aly, going away to school in Seattle. This means more time for the internet and updates.
Lately I've been highly considering applying for school during the application process in February, but now I need to seriously consider studying for the GRE, and figuring out what's different with it now that the test has been redeveloped. The thought of going back to school has had me looking at what my old classmates are doing now via Facebook and I'm excited for them. Some are starting rotations at hospitals, writing articles for nutrition websites, and other things that I could see myself doing in the future. I'm nervous already because I feel like I forgot so much. Can I sneak into Dr. Cullen's classes again? Haha.
That's all for now, here is the link to the channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/macompt
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