Ups and Downs

I got a job at Barnes and Noble.

This is very exciting.  It is full-time, and after working 60 days, I am eligible for benefits.  Considering how much I loved my last Barnes and Noble job, I am very excited about working here in the city.  This location is in Downtown Brooklyn, right down the street from my favorite movie theater.  

That said, I was also very excited that I had started to line up tutoring clients.  At least two of the three of them seemed pretty legit, and were going to pay very well.  THEN I got the email I'd been dreading.  The one where it says "We sent you a check (yay), BUT, we sent it for the wrong amount and we need to you take out your share and wire us the rest of it." Or, as it should be better said "We're sorry, we don't need you to teach kids at all, we are in fact, trying to scam you into illegally sending us cash." 

I further researched this guy's email address only to find out he has no ties whatsoever to this agency.  

So now I'm back to square one with the tutoring stuff.  

Today, I am emailing the Transit Museum, who called me and told me to send them my information and resume because, even though they have just filled their education requirements for the fall, they are inevitably going to have more come up in the near future.  

This is very exciting for me.  Being a nerd, I LOVE that museum.  I pretty much read about the subways for fun...  (I found myself doing this for four hours yesterday).  SOOO, I would love the opportunity to work in their education department.  

For the few of you that read this, I ask that you continue to pray that tutoring jobs open up.  I have an interview with a legit agency here in the city tomorrow, and I would love it if that job could provide me with clients.  Thanks so much for your continued support.  

Frustration

Job-hunting is frustrating.  I know God has a job for me, but trying to find it is exhausting and stressful.

I might be more upbeat after I go to the interview with the tutoring agency next week.  I feel like I send out resume after resume, cover letter after cover letter, and I get nowhere.  

Last night, I tried to register to attend a career fair on Thursday.  I submitted my resume, and was expecting to get a call to schedule an interview.  I got a response, and I was really excited as I went to open the email.  Then, I read the email, which told me that they only wanted people who were ALREADY New York certified, and who had at least two years of experience.  None of which was stated in the add.

One step forward, two steps back. 

I'm sure one of these tutoring agencies will hire me, and one of the Barnes and Noble locations I've been to will want an experienced bookseller and give me a call, and perhaps even, I will find a way to get some funding to work more at Graffiti.  I don't know exactly how it will all work out, but it will.  That's the important part.  

I have been taking advantage of this time off as a gift from God.  I haven't had time off in several years.  I know I need to learn to just be still and rest, but not having anything to do drives me nuts, especially when I don't have any money to spend.  

I normally get really worried right before going to bed.  I've always struggled with that time of my day.  I get nervous, almost every night, about something.  Last night though, I had a strange occurrence.  I went to sleep optimistic.  I had a feeling that something good was going to happen in these next few days. 

I'm going with it. 

Moving Right Along

Though the job-search is stressful and Sometimes overwhelming, things seem to be moving along.

I have been dropping off applications at every Starbucks and Barnes and Noble I come across. Though I know I cannot live on what they pay me alone, a low paycheck is better than no paycheck at this point.

Tomorrow, I have a meeting with a temp agent who seems like he is very excited to help me. He was recommended by a friend, who not only recommended him to me, he also recommended me to him. This is a plus. Temp agencies are becoming my friends.

Just a few minutes ago, I recieved an email that one of the tutoring agencies I applied with has reviewed my application and has invited me to interview. It's one of the lower-paying agencies, but tutoring is flexible, and flexibility is a big deal in my life. I will be interviewing with them on September first. Please be in prayer for that.

This time off has really been teaching me to fully rely on God. Without him, I am nothing, and I cannot imagine how stressed and worried I would be right now. My friends and family have been super encouraging. Thank you for that. I am overwhelmed by the encouragement messages and prayers. I cannot thank everyone enough. I am not worried about what is going to happen because I know God has it all planned perfectly. I am supposed to be in New York right now, and he is going to make sure the right job comes along in a way that will still allow me to work with Graffiti, which is really why I am here.

Thanks again for all of your prayers. Keep 'em coming!

I have the best life

My life is awesome.  Really.  Today I was stressed and hot and sweaty and gross most of the day (and all I did was go to church twice).  Even in the heat and stress, I was reminded of how amazingly blessed I am to have been called to a corner of the country that brings me such joy, or is it that I experience said joy because I'm following a calling?

I do a lot of walking these days.  There are a number of reasons for this. 

One: I am trying to get exercise.  I left my good sports bras dirty and sweaty hanging in the bathroom in Puerto Rico.  This prevents me from going on my daily runs, and seeing as how I am broke, I don't know when this problem will be fixed. 

That leads me to reason two.  

I am trying to avoid buying unlimited subway passes, which means I am trying to avoid using the subway at all. I walked to Graffiti today, and the time I got to talk to God and experience the streets of New York was worth the nasty sweat that covered my pretty blue shirt by the time I arrived on East 7th street. 

Again tonight, I decided to take a walk.  I went to church with my roommate on 22nd street in Chelsea.  After good teaching and great music, Cassy got on the train to go home, and I decided to walk to fourteenth street and do some thinking (and, I admit, some job hunting).  

Reason three for walking everywhere: the reflection time.  iPod in tow or sans iPod, depending upon the mood, there is something about strolling around the streets of New York that opens my brain to beautiful thoughts.  It gives me time to converse with my Lord, and learn from him.  I get to people watch.  I love it. 

Walking around today reminded me of how great my life is.  I cannot imagine being happier, despite being completely jobless and running low on money.  I am finally at a very content point in my life.  I'm pursuing my version of the American Dream: being a broke single woman in her early twenties who lives in a big city and somehow finds ways to fund unique experiences, all while serving the Lord and helping those around her.  

This is the life. 

Red Beans and Rice Didn't Miss Her

So, I'm still jobless.

In an effort to relieve the stress of job hunting, as well as an attempt to productively use the time off I've been handed, I am learning to cook.  

My recent interest in all things food has inspired me to stop sitting around TALKING about cooking and watching others cook.  I'm cooking.  

Today's attempt, something cheap and easy for a low-income inexperienced chef: 

Red beans and rice. 

I've always been one to say never trust a recipe.  It's almost always better when you change things up a bit.  When I was in high school, I used to make roll-out cookies all the time, only there was something different about mine, and no one ever knew they were Pillsbury.  I could make them my own. 

Even my pancakes differ from the back of the Jemima box.  I add and tweak to make it unique to me.  Pancakes have become my specialty.  

The red beans and rice were no exception to my add and tweak rule.  I have to say, for my first attempt at such a special dish, they came out pretty darn good. I have some changes I want to make for next time, but isn't that how the best of recipes are created?  

So now, I'm going to enjoy my red beans, which have a unique taste I've never experienced before now.  The rest will be frozen, which means they only get better with time.  

So I wanna be a writer

My writing skills are not so good anymore. I'm working on that.

I don't have a topic to write about. I'm working on that as well.

Jess says I should write about my love of sports. I've considered this. That said, I'm going to blog about what I am doing tonight.

After a semi-uneventful day in Milwaukee yesterday, we returned to Chicago very late. We've been discussing gracing Wrigley Field with our presence tonight, so upon my return from brew-town, I tried to browse stub-hub. Last I'd checked tickets were not set at ridiculous prices, so I was preparing myself for about a thirty dollar purchase.

Thirty dollars is what I'd payed for my last trip to Fenway. That, to me, is a very reasonable price for seeing the team with the most interesting history in baseball play in the park with the most interesting history in baseball.

The Cubs, in my own personal opinion, are the second most interesting team in baseball with the second most interesting park in baseball.

When we got to the apartment last night, stub hub was not working properly. We had to wait until this morning to buy tickets.

I have six words for the Cubs now

Who do you think you are?

We had to pay an obnoxious amount for our not-so-good seats to a night game. Now I know, this is a big game, and I'm excited. Pedro is pitching for the Phillies. It's Wednesday Night Baseball. I'm seeing Samardzija for the second time in person (once I saw him play football for Notre Dame). I'm not regretful. I'm glad we bought the tickets. I will be very proud to have attended this particular game.

BUT, I think it's absurd how much they charged for this experience. I could have, of course, not paid it, but I'm pretty sure I'd be very very sad if I did not.

Tonight should be nice. Watching the Bayou Brothers represent, and taking in the atmosphere of ONE of the most historic ballparks for the first time will be a worthwhile experience.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Somewhere between New York City and Chicago

I love Chicago.

It's different. It's not what I expected it to be. It feels smaller than I had anticipated.

But I love Chicago.

As far as feeling like a turn-of-the-20th Century midwestern town, it's right on, and I love it for that reason. I haven't gotten to explore much at this point, but I am enjoying what I've experienced so far.

Most of all, I'm enjoying Jessica time. I miss mer a lot.

Last night, my new friend Tommy that I met in Puerto Rico (but lives here), took us out for a little bit of an insider perspective of things, as well as a great dinner. He and his friend Roy were lots of fun, and they've been here for a long time, so it was kinda neat to hear the stories they had.

We did lots of walking, talking, and drinking coffee.

Or in Jeopardy terms: What are Danielle's three favorite things to do in a big city?

After the dinner we had (which is at a place known for its large portions), it was nice to just stroll along the river and enjoy the city lights while getting to spend time with fantastic people. It reminded me of some nights I've had in New York this summer (most of which have involved frozen yogurt). The difference is, here, I'm exploring somewhere new, which makes it even sweeter.

On the flight over, I slept as always, except about forty-five minutes into the flight, I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. This normally, would frustrate the heck out of me, seeing as how I prefer to sleep from takeoff to touchdown. This time though, I decided to have some quality God time. I was listening to a worship playlist on my iPod and really thinking about the words in some of those songs, and how lately, despite serving as a missionary and enjoying the heck out of it, I've been a bit stale in my relationship with him. It's been driving me nuts. On the plane though, I started to get it. I started to really see the things he's done in my life. I broke out my Bible and started reading. As someone who normally does this daily, it shouldn't seem like a big deal, but like I said, stale lately. Most of my recent Bible reading hasn't been with the heart I know I should have.

I normally always choose an aisle seat, but for some reason yesterday when I got on the plane (and Southwest lets you choose as you get on), I decided to sit by the window. I stared out over the view and thought of all the things I've been blessed with, and the experiences I've had, and I was reminded to stop feeling sorry for myself. I cannot imagine having a greater life. Why am I trying to dwell on the things I cannot control and make myself miserable, when I could just as easily be admiring the blessings and realizing what it is I have. Even some of the things I think I want in my life, when I really look at it, I don't have any need for right now. I should enjoy being young and single in a new city, and all of the opportunities that lie within that.

So my Chicago experience so far hasn't been tainted with any negativity, and I feel my stale period coming to an end (thank goodness!).

So yes, I'm behind

Life has been a bit crazy.  I apologize for the whole four of you that ever read what I write for being behind.

After returning from Louisiana, we were pretty much  non-stop until after Puerto Rico.  

Children's ministry, as many of you know, is NOT my thing.  I LOVE the babies until they are five, then I don't want to see them again until they're about twelve.  So, for two weeks, I was working with the children's summer camp, and it really pushed me.  our summer camp for kids is from 9-6, so it's a full day.  

The first week was fantastic.  We were out in the city for "See NYC Week," where we took the kids to museums, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Central Park Zoo, etc...  Despite having to get used to a bunch of kids who don't listen the first (or second, or third, or fourteenth) time you tell them to stop walking or to stop talking, I really enjoyed this week.  It made me think I could possibly work with kids more often.  

Then came cheerleading camp, which REALLY tested my patience.  I don't think it helps that I was completely exhausted on the first day, which pretty much set the tone for the rest of the week.  The weather was bad, I was extremely tired, and working with 20 little girls all week really really pushed me.  I'm much better with little boys.  I don't put up well with the whining and crying.  That said, by the end of the week, I was starting to enjoy myself, and wishing I would have started the week off on a more positive note.  

Then came Puerto Rico.  

Can I go back?

I LOVED PR!  The kids loved PR, and after a really rocky start, that made it all worthwhile.  

Our trip down there was horrendous!  After staying up all night, catching a shuttle the airport at 2:30, getting the to the airport before it opened and having to wait outside for forty-five minutes, we finally got on a plane, which took us to DC, where we had to wait two hours, then fly to St. Thomas, where we had to sit on a plane for an hour, then fly to San Juan, wait an hour for our ride to arrive, and drive an hour and a half to Juna Diaz.  So, in total, we ended up traveling something like, 16 hours.  THEN, the kids were a little disappointed that they weren't exactly staying in luxury suites (okay, let's be for real, it was NOTHING like a luxury suite).  Many of them broke out in tears and couldn't wait to go home, but after sleeping, checking out the facility a little bit more, and getting settled in, they realized that they all loved it there. 

Over the course of the week, we got to interact with them and teach them about being true disciples of Christ, as opposed to simply believers.  As always, with working in youth ministry, God used the lessons we were teaching them and helping them to understand, and used them to help me grow in my own faith.  I was dealing with some internal struggles throughout the week, and God really worked on my heart.  

To top all of that off, we were on a beautiful beach of volcanic sand, out in the sun getting a tan, and interacting with some amazing people.  On our last day, we drove out into some woods to find a secluded beach with the clearest water I could ever imagine, and then we ate at a fantastic seafood place.  We shared great conversation, and good downtime.  I could have stayed another month.  

Now that I'm home, I've been trying to job-hunt, which is easier said than done.  I am also preparing for another trip, to Chicago to see Jess.  I leave tomorrow.  We're going to play around in the Windy City for a week while she gets used to her new home.  Considering I've never been and have wanted to go since the fifth grade, I am super duper excited. 

So yes, that is all that has been going on.  I could use some prayer on the whole job-search thing.