Monday, July 26, 2010

Personal Constitution

In class, we had the assignment of creating our own personal constitution. It is a statement that reflects our values and should guide our actions. Here is mine:

I am a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. I am healthy in mind, body, and spirit. I radiate peace, love, and joy. I am a successful wellness coach. I am financially secure. I make a difference.

Friday, July 23, 2010

It's Going to Be One of Those Days

So I made it all the way to work this morning when I realized Bianca was still in the back seat. So I went to call both my Aunt and my boss when I realized I left my cell phone at home. I hope this is not a sign of things to come!!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Job Update

I think a couple of posts ago, I mentioned that I would be applying for a Coordinator position. As an update, I did apply, but I don't think it is worth it. Number 1, if you consider the money that HHMI is putting into my retirement account (not matching, but just giving me), I really make $44,000. Moving up to $48,000 is not that big of a jump, especially when I will be putting some of that money into retirement. Plus HHMI gives me benefit credits. If I don't use them all (which I never do), the extra money gets paid out in my check.

Moreover, the job is right around the corner from my current job. Literally right around the corner, in the same building. I think it would be a bit awkward seeing my boss and my supervisor every day if I changed jobs.

I'd be losing my tenure with HHMI and starting over as a state employee. I wouldn't be able to take time off for a while. And I am now at the point with my supervisor that I can leave every day at 4:30. In my new position, I may not always be able to leave, depending on what's going on.

I'm not sure what my chances are of getting the job, but in the end, I don't think the "Coordinator" title is worth it.

BUT...I also applied for another job on the UMB campus. It is for an Office Manager of the University Athletic Center. I got so excited when I saw the job. I know that if I got it, the experience I would gain would be extremely helpful when I finally open Circle's End. And I wouldn't have to see my current boss and supervisor every day. And "Manager" is definitely a huge step from "Assistant." Again, I don't know what my chances are of getting it, but I would really appreciate everyone's prayers and positive thoughts in this area!

Conversation with Carolyn

As I stated in my previous post, I had a wonderful time conversing with Carolyn over coffee on Sunday. In the midst of catching up, I told her all about massage school and Circle's End and the breakdown I had a few weeks ago.

I told her that my EAP got back to me with career counselor results, and that one guy happened to be the author of "What Color is Your Parachute?" and that if I was going to see anybody, perhaps it should be him.

She listened patiently, and then she said, "You don't need a career counselor. You already know what you want to do. You don't need to know what color your parachute is. You already know. What you really need to do is take control of your situation. Really visualize what Circle's End looks like. Write down the details of the environment, your commute to work, how you feel, what you smell, everything. Then start connecting with people in the wellness community. Take them out for coffee. People love talking about themselves and their experiences. Start a notebook with all your resources. I've gotten all of my jobs by people pulling for me. You never know how everything will connect in the end."

We spoke for over an hour, but that was the exchange that impacted me the most. I left the cafe feeling so energized and so on the right path. No matter what form it takes, I know I was created to be a holistic health practitioner. Of course, I already knew that. I just needed someone to affirm it. Now I just need to focus on the details!!

Great Weekend!

This past three-day weekend was the best one I've had in a long time. It wasn't even that exciting, but I got to nurture parts of me that were neglected, and that felt so, so good!

Saturday morning, we got up early. We were supposed to be meeting my mom at the Dundalk Parade. She ended up having a headache, so Harry, Bianca and I went by ourselves. We were only there to see Damian in the parade (otherwise we would have stayed home) but it was good for us to have an outing as a family.

Later that afternoon, I had a Pink Papaya party. I didn't make much money, but something is better than nothing. I realized, though, that my favorite parts of parties are actually closing them out. Entering the orders and submitting them to the Home Office gives me a thrill. In all honesty, I don't think I'm that great of a consultant. I even said to Harry that I almost feel done with it. He surprised me by saying, "But you haven't even really given it a real try yet." Which is true. I don't know why, but I wasn't expecting that encouragement from him. I thought he'd be happy knowing I had one less thing on my plate.

Saturday night, we watched Alice in Wonderland. I really enjoyed it.

Sunday morning, I got up early, as I was having coffee with my friend Carolyn. After I had my shower and got dressed, the most magical moment came to me. Harry brought Bianca into our room. While he was in the shower, I laid in bed with her. We had a good 20 minutes of sacred bonding. I was able to hold her, breathe with her, kiss her lightly on her head, and just love her. It made me realize that even though I don't have the quantity of time with her as I'd like, the time we do have can be so full of quality. I just have to make it a priority to be completely present with her when I am home.

I left to go meet Carolyn. The place we were originally going to meet had closed down, but luckily there was a small cafe on the corner only a few blocks away from our original destination. I can't even begin to explain how good this meeting was. As I mentioned in a previous post, I just love being around her because of the wonderful energy she emits. More than that, though, she gave me the advice and guidance I was desperate to hear. I think I will write about that in a separate post. I am just so, so glad she happened to be in Baltimore again exactly when I needed her.

Afterwards, I stopped by Walmart to buy Bianca some baby food. When I got home, my neighbor was outside. We chatted for a good half hour. It was nice, because they just moved in a few months ago, and we haven't really had time to get to know each other. We both decided that when things calm down, we should have a block party to get to know all our neighbors.

When Bianca was ready for her afternoon nap and Harry was engrossed in baseball, I went outside to enjoy our new deck. I took my journal and "Make Your Creative Dreams Real" by SARK, originally planning to write about Circle's End, but I didn't make much progress. Instead, I laid down our seat cushions in a line on the deck and took a quick nap in the sun. I also got to talk to Steph for a few minutes on the phone, which is always a nice treat. I went back inside as soon as Bianca woke up, and enjoyed a lazy afternoon and with her and Harry.

Then I packed her up and took her to my Grandma's house. We watched the fireworks being shot off in the Inner Harbor in the middle of Elliott Street. I took pictures, but I don't think BiBi was very interested in the fireworks. Honestly, she was so tired she had a hard time keeping her eyes open!

Yesterday was wonderful. We slept in. We took a walk as a family. We had crabs and cantaloupe for lunch. We had steak for dinner. I studied for my final exam. I never once thought about work or my lack of time with my family. I was present. I was happy. And everything just felt right with our little world.