On My Path

The other day, I seriously considered going into a completely different field of work, one that would even require me to go back to school – lots of school. But then I reminded myself that I'm following my heart and that I set out to accomplish something (switch careers), knowing that it would be difficult (‘one must take the rough with the smooth’), and if I don’t complete it, I’ll always be wondering, possibly with regret. So I’m going to remind myself not to lose focus, that unemployment is not forever, and it just takes time to find the right job.

-A

Up Close

I sometimes drive by this really cool building that's covered with these little tabs that flutter about when the wind blows. It looks like the wall is moving. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to walk by it and look at it up close, marveling at how many tabs there were. So many little pieces to make one large one.

-A

Signs

Reminders on every corner... we are not alone in this.

-M

Daydreaming

I forgot to post yesterday, I guess my head has been in the clouds. Not because of any real joyful news, but because I have my hands in a lot of different projects at the moment. I am still working on that schedule for myself. By the way... I took this photo an hour ago when it was beautiful and sunny. Now it is raining cats and dogs. El nino!

-M

Temporary Side Effects Include...

I hope unemployment doesn't leave me permanently jaded, bitter and disenchanted.

-A

Support group

I took this photo the other day when I was driving. Probably not the wisest choice, but I saw these adorable little guys walking hand in hand and I pulled out my camera. The little guy in the red was teetering back and forth, clearly not used to walking at such a quick pace, but he was able to keep up because of the help he had on either side. He trusted that they would hold on and keep him upright if he stumbled. Today I had a couple of friends hold my hand, and I am very grateful for their help. Sometimes we all need a little extra support along the way.

-M

Life Seasons

"Sometimes in life seasons don't come in order; instead of fall, winter, spring, summer, we get three winters in a row. But that doesn't mean spring won't come eventually." - Kelly Cutrone

-A

Doors

“When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” - Alexander Graham Bell -

This post is dedicated to a certain someone who may have had a door close today, but I promise another will open.

-M

Wallowing

Sometimes it's necessary to take a moment. Today I set aside 1.5 hours of my day to do just that. But at the end of it, I decidedly got out of bed, took a deep breath, and got on with it.

-A

Media Management

Just got this 1 terabyte beast to take control of all the photos that have been clogging up my laptop - thanks in part to this blog. I have already lost one computer to poorly managed hard drive space, and I refuse to do it to my beautiful MacBook. Be ye not so stupid... always function with at least 20% of your boot drive available. (thank you Rick!)

-M

Time

The passing of time is really only based on our own perceptions. Some days (like days where I have nothing to do but search for a job) I find to go by so incredibly slow! I really should relish these days, which is really the purpose of this blog, as it seems life just seems to zoom by. Other times, for example on days when I reflect on the months that I've been out of work, I can't help but think, "Where did the time go?? It's gone by so fast!" One one hand, I like when life goes slow bc then I can enjoy my days more, but then other times I just wish my day would be over bc then it's one day closer to the day when I will have a job. But time is constant, and it's really only the distractions in life (like work) that stop us from noticing when each hour passes. Funny how searching for a job is not a distraction.

-A

Happy Hour

My family calls it toddy time. According to wikipedia:

The term originated in the United States Navy. In the 1920s, “Happy Hour” was slang for a scheduled entertainment period on board a ship during which boxing and wrestling bouts took place, this was a valuable opportunity for sailors to let off the steam accumulated during the long periods at sea. “Happy” in this context meant slightly drunk.

It's in these simple (and cheap) traditions that I can let off steam with a friend or two, and still feel like I have a life outside of job searching. I'll just skip the boxing and wrestling.

-M

Hugs vs. Handshakes

Since when did a hug become the new handshake? It's not that I'm opposed to hugs or anything (quite the opposite really), but I don't really want you to invade my personal space if I don't know you. And as is usually the case, because you don't know the other person, the resulting hug is limp (just as bad as a weak handshake, which I talked about here) and really shouldn't qualify as a hug, but rather a body tap. I find it awkward. What's the point?

-A

Little Things

Today I found this really neat store that sold all these British brands of food. But, alas, they ran out of what I was looking for (Garibaldi biscuits). So I settled on some amazing kettle corn. Oh, how it's the little things that can make my day!

-A

bit of color

Just when I thought spring was in the air, the temperature dropped 20 degrees and the sky filled up with grim clouds. So here is a shot I took a few days ago of my lovely Valentine's Day flowers to remind myself that things will be bright and sunny once again.

-M

Reminders

This is a huge plate-like piece that was in a store near my apartment. I thought it was cool and provided me with a bit of inspiration and motivation.

-A

Keeping in Touch

In our unemployed state, sometimes it's easy to forget that we're an active member of society. It's so isolating and lonely looking for a job. You'd think with all the time we have on our hands now, we'd see our friends a lot more. Sadly though, we don't make it as much of a priority as searching for employment. That shouldn't be the case, as maintaining our relationships is crucial to our well-being, especially in times likes these. Today, I had a lovely afternoon tea with M and made a new friend, and it reminded me how important it is to regularly meet up with friends. It was productive, as we discussed our job prospects and vented our frustrations, and it gave me a renewed sense of energy and hope, which is such an important motivator. We even had our first, albeit unofficial, book club meeting.

-A

Water experiment update

Some of you have asked me about my little water experiment that I blogged about here. I said I would report back if I felt any difference. Well I am sorry to report that the experiment was a complete and utter failure. Who is clear enough in the first moments of waking to chug a glass of water? What a terrible idea. Every morning I would just reach for the coffee and not even realize I didn't have my glass of water. So after a week, I just figured the game was over and gave up... and never fessed up about it. However, I have been more conscience of how much water I do (or don't) drink in a day. And the conclude always was... I can always drink more water.

-M

Summer in Winter

With the weather in LA reaching into the 80's this week, it doesn't feel like winter anymore. So for all those who are trying to survive their own winter, please consider this quote I came across yesterday:

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. - Albert Camus

-M

Which is Worse?

Thinking that you totally aced an interview, but finding out that you didn't get the job, or knowing that you totally bombed an interview for a job you'd really want?

-A

Schedule

When I first lost my job, I told myself I would at least go to the gym everyday. It would be something positive I could focus on, and it would get me out of the house. Well that happened for a couple of days and I quickly forgot about that priority. But I have finally admitted to myself that I am the type of person who will benefit from a set schedule of daily tasks. My goal now is to to create a weekly schedule and stick to it. When you have the entire day open, it's really difficult to divide your time and attention to different things when you base the dividing on how the mood strikes you. I never thought I would crave this kind of hour by hour structure, now I just need to find enough tasks to fill an entire day. First up... yoga.

-M

Comfort food or laziness?

I live around the corner from a grocery store. A nice grocery store with plenty of healthy options for dinner. Instead of leaving my apartment to stock my empty fridge and eating like a normal adult, I ate Kraft macaroni and cheese. I braced myself for plastic tasting disappointment, but instead my heart was warmed with thoughts of college days gone by.

-M

Days

I hate how the days tend to blur together when not working. Last week, I parked on the street and specifically made note that the sign said not to park on Thursdays for street cleaning. And I thought to myself, "Oh good, it's Tuesday. I'm safe." Too bad it was Thursday... I got a ticket! Blurg

-A

Happy Valentine's Day

Whether you're celebrating or not, hope your day is filled with much love!

-A

Happy Valentine's Day

Sending some sunshine to help you celebrate Valentine's Day! May your day be filled with loving thoughts from loved ones near by, or far away.

-M

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year so, as is the custom, I spent much of the day cleaning. Out with the old, in with the new! Everything associated with the New Year's Day should represent good fortune, and hopefully the Year of the Tiger will bring lots of prosperity!

-A

Music

I don't know what I'd do without music in my life. I'm trying to get out of a funk of late and music definitely helps. I'm playing over and over my favorite songs and, what I like to call, 'Reminds Me Of' songs: songs that remind me of certain memories, which usually brings me to a happier state of mind. I just read too that music has a host of other benefits, such as pain reliever (who knew that music can reduce chronic pain by up to 21%?), better grades, and developed interaction within the brain. Music rocks

-A

I'm back

Back to the Mercantile for dinner. I can't get enough! I enjoyed a lovely glass of wine and cheese plate with my honey. (These two images were captured on the Blackberry in low light, so forgive the awful quality.) I feel like I am coming back to life. The cold/sinus infection that has plagued me for this entire winter (no joke) feels like it is finally leaving my body. And with it comes a new outlook on everything I hope. This end is just a new beginning.

-M

Sammich

SIDENOTE: Ok, so I forgot to post last night because I was distracted with the movie Harry Potter The Half Blood Prince. Possibly one of the worst movies. It was a terrible adaptation of the book, and I am only saying that because it made no sense! I read just over 100 pages of the book and decided I'll just watch this one, and read the last book before I see the final set of movies. Well clearly, everything is explained in the book, but it does not make sense on screen for those of us who haven't read the book first. I can't believe I have to finish this book now. Ugh. Add that to the list.

OK back to the post: I had the best sandwich today at a local cafe/wine bar. Turkey breast, orange/rosemary marmalade, butter lettuce, roasted onions spicy mustard, havarti and avocado on a ciabatta bun. My mouth is watering now. Everyone in LA should go to The Mercantile on Sunset. And they served my water in a mason jar! How awesome is that? I should have taken a picture of the sandwich, but I was too busy shoveling it in my mouth.

-M

Nervous Waiting

I am a ball of nerves and anticipation these days, so I tried to get my mind off of things by watching a whole bunch of eps of Ally McBeal (remember the dancing baby??) and a movie. It worked, apart from the other 15 hours or so of my day...

-A

Prism

This is the view out my balcony this evening. The rain stopped, the clouds parted, and the most brilliant rainbow appeared. I'm still looking for the pot of gold though.

-M

We're Not Alone

Job searching can be quite isolating and depressing. Especially in times like these when it's so difficult to get any progress on the countless emails and phone calls we make. Not too long ago, my dad told me that the unemployment situation in Hong Kong has gotten so bad that it's become a sort of revolution. As trying as these times are, it's nice to know that we're not alone.

-A

Sunny Days

It's nice to be able to enjoy beautiful days, to not have to be stuck in an office, but instead outside doing whatever I please.

-A

Pink or gray?

Is the gray cloud chasing the pink cloud? Or maybe the gray cloud is about to become pink? Or will the friendly pink cloud bloom into a full thunderhead storm cloud? I don't know. All I can do is appreciate the beauty while I can, and not fear for the future. If it's going to rain, it's going to rain. But maybe there will be a beautiful sunset in the process.

-M

Full bloom

The bushes behind my boyfriend's place have suddenly burst into full bloom. I had remembered these flowers to be white, so I was surprised and pleased to see bright yellow flowers. It caused me to think, what other beauties in the world am I remembering incorrectly?

-M

Some Empathy

Today I had a little taste of what it might be like to work in HR. I am part of a committee that awards merit-based scholarships to university students, and today we had to read and evaluate all the applications submitted. I had to read so many that it got to the point where they all started to sound the same and I got very adept at skimming through them. I can only imagine what it's like to have to filter through tons of resumes to determine who to call in for an interview. Especially when it's for one job, everybody is probably going to be exactly alike! How does one stand out? I understand even more now how important it is to make good use of your connections. Even still, they still should be calling me!

-A

After Thoughts

I hate coming back from interviews because right when I step through the doors, I start over-analyzing the entire meeting. What could I have said better? Did they like me? What didn't I say? Did they like me? What should I have emphasized more or less? Did they like me? Argh, it drives me insane! And there's nothing I can do about it. What's done is done. Just got to keep my head up and stay positive. POSITIVE POOOWWWEEERRR!!

-A

NY day 4

Think these buildings look familiar? Well they should be. Top one is the apartment building from "Friends" and the bottom is Carrie's stoop from "Sex and the City". Yes. I stalked out these buildings to fulfill all of my New York fantasies based on fictional TV characters. Was not hard either. Thank you Google. But I can't help it, they lived in awesome neighborhoods! I had to check it out to see if all the stories were true. And they were.... except for the 'No Trespassing' sign hung across Carrie's stoop. I guess one too many crazies like me stopped by to harass the current residents with photos.

-M

Dumb and Free

My cousin and I always joke around saying we wish we could re-live the days when we were 'dumb and free', when our biggest concern was which Nintendo game to play (super mario bros 3 all the way) or where to ride our bikes. Who knows when it exactly happens, but it seems like all of a sudden, adulthood has whacked us upside the head and we are plagued with responsibility, filling us with anxiety, stress, and nights of insomnia. That's why I make sure to have a daily dance party to make me feel 'dumb and free', to remind me what it was like to be carefree and have no worries. What makes you feel dumb and free?

-A

NY day 3

Bares bones.

Upper West side coffee and culture.

-M

NY day 2 continued

Golden New York: St. Patrick's Cathedral, Grand Central Station and Oyster Bar.

-M

In a small dark jazz club

It might be the city that never sleeps,

but she grumbles and groans

as the floor rumbles beneath me.

I can feel her breathing,

with a soft and even tempo.

Quick with anticipation,

the crowds converge below.

Tired feet, excited feet, angry feet

tread her avenues, streets, and boulevards.

She's cold and hot, and fueled by dreams.

I feel her pulse with the strum of the stand up bass.

Her melody is organized chaos.

-M