job search

So, I graduated with my fancy degrees in May, and now I'm looking for a job. One that pays. Money. I'm not looking for the barter system, thanks.

While this may seem pretty basic, it is actually "not trivial" (a phrase I've borrowed from B who borrowed it from a favorite prof) for me to be looking for a job that pays money. Once upon a time, about a week ago, I would have told you that I didn't care about the pay, as long as it was a job that I loved. In my world, as long as I was doing something exciting, the money would magically appear. On trees? More like from B's job.

B and I had a conversation last week in which I realized that hey, that puts a lot of pressure on him. And hm, expecting him to make the $$ while I "do what I love" is not exactly fair. Nevermind, I would tell myself, he's ok with it. I was totally deluding myself.

For me, it wasn't my job to worry about money, and money wasn't going to be a factor in my marriage. Love conquers all. You didn't know that? Besides, money was bad and dirty, and people who like to make money or who care about money are bad. (but spending money is totally different!) Wait a minute... who is someone I know who cares quite a bit about providing a comfortable life for his family, and is quite interested in making money? That's right, my very own husband.

Suddenly this money thing was not looking so insignificant. It was getting in the way of our marriage, and the love we share. I saw that I could either hang onto this attitude, and reap the problems it creates between us, or let it go and open up to the possibility of abundance in our lives. Once I saw the choice, it was pretty easy to give up the attitude that money is bad and dirty, and I actually got excited about having a job and making money. And in that moment, B and I began working together to provide for our family.

So that's it. I'm on a job search, and I'm ready to find something. And I sent off my first cover letter today, for a dream job as a staff attorney at a non-profit healthcare advocacy organization.

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zoiks, I just realized I already missed my promise of 2 blog posts per week. thanks for keeping me on track! I'll plan to do a short one from Florida this weekend.

Getting clear on a few things that make a difference in my life

I've taken a number of courses and participated in programs in the last several months that are designed to give me access to make a difference in areas of my life that matter to me. I'm going to take a few blog posts to explore what I've gotten out of them, and tell vivid stories about the practical difference they have made in my life.

Why? So I'm clear on what I've gotten for my time and money, and to be able to share with other people to see if the courses would make a difference in their lives. The courses/programs that are the subject of the series are all offered by Landmark Education (here, in the order I've taken them): the Landmark Forum, the Advanced Course, the Self Expression and Leadership Program, Communication: Access to Power, Communication: Power to Create, and the Team Management and Leadership Program (I'm currently in this). Here's the plan: first I'll brainstorm a list, and then expand on a few.

Side thought: this could be a useful exercise to do about anything I've participated in. Hm. Perhaps Baha'i activities, school, work, hobbies, etc.

Other side note: no, I'm not being paid to do this. I'm looking at these things because I know I have gotten a lot out of them, I'm just not clear on exactly what, and I am interested in sharing the best of the best with you.

Ready, set, go!

I should know

Alright, I'm back in action. I've pledged 20 blog posts before August 28, so here goes!

This one will be about where I was all summer: studying for the bar exam. No, not to be a bartender. To be a licensed attorney in the state of Massachusetts. I felt very official on the essay day beginning each of 10 essays by writing, "The issues presented will be goverened by Massachusetts law of contracts." Wait, you mean they weren't all contracts essays? Argh. See you in February!

The highlight of the studying process was making new friends and studying with them. Sometimes it was silly, sometimes we had ugly pizza, sometimes we sat by the reflecting pool and it was a much better experience for sharing it with others. When they didn't walk around in a major stress fest. Oops, I did that too. One day I showed up for flashcards just unable to get over myself. She was understanding, though. She even tried to help me plan, and when it was clear that I was not cooperating, we called it quits early and went our separate ways.

With that kind of an attitude, how have I managed to stay married for 4 years? That's another story, of love and mawwiage. In any case, I realized I'm not really a loner like I pretended to be in law school. Law students and lawyers are pretty cool people, and I should know ;) And it was a pretty cool feeling (when I wasn't thinking about the reason why) to be sitting in a room full of the state's future lawyers. What will they do? Make companies money? Defend them from litigious Americans? Negotiate contracts? Volunteer to represent people who can't afford to pay a lawyer so they can get proper housing? They'll do everything, because people do everything. And there you go.

haha

What I'm going to use this blog for... :)

How about taking myself a little less seriously? That's what I like about the blogs I read - they're funny because the authors tell stories on themselves. Kind of like Corinne Bailey Rae's Put your records on, Los Angelista, Sundry, and DaMomma let their hair down for all of us :)

I also enjoy pondering the analysis and commentary found at Baha'i Thought, Toward the Light, Anti-Racist Parent, Correlating, and Anxiously Concerned. I'll do some of that too, and hope you'll join me in conversation.