Anniversaries

I can't get over how fast time has gone by. I remember when I use to wish time would fly by, and now I wish it would slow down.

I've been at the new job for about two months now. I like it thus far. Would I retire from this job? NO! I know I can challenge myself a bit more. We are extremely busy everyday and I like that, it makes the day go by faster. I've learned a lot and there is still a lot to learn. I have some very nice co-workers and some that are disguised as NICE people. I deal w/ them with the simple "HI and BYE". :) But then again, there are always a "few of those" in every crowd. I simply thank God for blessing me with this job, because before this I was doing something that didn't interest me..and now this job can be the gateway to bigger and better things. :)

The hubby and I just celebrated our 1 year anniversary on 5/23/2010 in Puerto Vallarta. We got some much needed rest. I came back very very dark. The sun is brutal over there. It's been an interesting year. Like every marriage we had many ups and downs. Moments I thought OMG what did I get myself into, and others when I thought OMG this is the best I love him soo much. :) LOL!!! Whatever the case may be I love my hubby and there is no question about it him and I were meant to be. ;0)

Annnd last but not least around the 2nd of this month marks the 1st year of my Texas residency!!! Yeah okay, whatever! :) That has also been interesting. It's safe to say that I have officially adapted to this place. I know there is a reason behind all this. I think it's also safe to say that I probably would be unemployed if I was still in CA. If there is a recession going on in any part of the world or in CA ..you can't feel it here. I still miss my hometown and will visit any chance I get. ;)

Life for me has taken a 360 degree turn. I've learned a lot about myself, and life. I wouldn't have any other way.

-Belen

Happy!

Today is an exciting day for me...and my hubby!!! :) My day started off good when I bought plane tickets for Puerto Vallarta! The hubby and I will be going to Puerto Vallarta for our 1 year anniversary. We will be there late May! Woohoo I can't wait!


Then around mid day I spoke with my parents so they could give me an update on my dad's ongoing recovery. My dad had a Dr's appointment today and he got results from his post surgery. Not very sure how to explain it but I'll keep it as simple as possible. Before my dad went in to surgery his prostate cancer level was at a 6 (I guess on a scale of 1 to 10 it was a 6). :( And it is now at a ZERO. :) Awesoooome news!!!!!! My dad has been retired for some time now, but for a while was working part time at a sushi restaurant just to keep busy. He loves it there and apparently the boss loves him. Like me dad says "the chinito keeps calling me to come back". My dad has been explaining to him that he can't yet geeesss!! But the Dr. now gave him the okay to go back to work. Of course, to start off slow, no picking up things over 10lbs. etc. etc. My parents sound very happy and of course I am too. :)

Last but not least I got a call from the Department of Public Safety. I was busy getting some things done at the post office and didn't hear my cell ring. When I checked it I had a voicemail. I heard the message and just about started jumping up and down with excitement (but I couldn't because I was driving). I got a call saying that they had received approval to hire me passed background and they wanted to know when I could start. I called her and long story short I start next Wednesday. I am so excited because this changes a lot of things. In a good way of course.

We have been waiting for things to fall into place and they finally have. Don't get me wrong we had many blessings prior to this, but now we can move on to other plans. :)

Shocking (to me)!!!!!

Ever since I started working in the human resources office I have seen some shocking things. Well shocking for me! One of my (our) duties are to print out a list of all the interviews we are going to have for the day. After all the paperwork, we also get to greet the applicants/candidates.

There have been at least three instances where I approach the applicants to ask a question regarding their applications only to find them texting away or surfing the web. They make no eye contact and that just DRIVES ME NUTS. I can't understand for the life of me what they are thinking, or maybe they are just not thinking. Furthermore they don't come dressed appropriately. Some come in wearing jeans and spaghetti straps.

These people are screened based on what they put on their application so since everything is electronic we don't get to see them physically until they show up to the interview. Do their parents NOT tell them the do's and dont's of job interviews????

I remember when I had my first interview ever!! I was in high school. When I told my parents that I had a job interview they immediately took me shopping for an appropriate outfit. I remember like it was yesterday. And being that my mom had her own business and constantly interviewed people for jobs she drilled me left and right about how to conduct myself before, during and after an interview. So maybe that is why I blame it on the parents. There are many possibilities that run through my head as to why they present themselves in such a manner. I mean there are people who don't have any money and somehow manage to find a decent outfit for an interview. If these people can afford to pay a $100 +/- on cell phone bill then they can afford an appropriate outfit.

Today in particular a girl that use to work for the store during the holiday season came in for an interview. The manager that was interviewing her made some small talk with her and the whole time she was glued to her cell phone texting and AGAIN not making eye contact with the manager. I couldn't believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought, if this girl is hired I will not feel bad that this company/store has irresponsible employees working for them. It says a lot of a persons character when they start off on bad terms right before an interview.

So far 1 out of 3 persons that have given me a negative impression have not made it. I have yet to find out if the third was hired. I hope to find out by Wednesday!!!

If it was totally up to me I would escort them straight to the nearest exit.

SIGH!

After eight months of living here I finally built up the courage to trade in my California license for a Texas license. :( Aside from building up the courage it is also illegal to have an out of state license after thirty days of residing in Texas soooo I braced myself for the four hour wait at the DMV. I actually had time to go to the mall, and get coffee. That is how long it took. They don't believe in appointments.

The moral of the story is that every time I have to pull out the wallet and see my new license I cringe. I don't feel like "it's me" at all. I am not a Texan (obviously). Maybe it's just a matter of time until I get used to seeing it there. Or maybe I will NEVER get used to it. I actually managed to get a copy of my California drivers license so I've considered placing the copy over my TX license. Yes, I don't mind going through the denial process.

My next step is to personalize my license plate to read, "Californian" (or however many letters they allow). Oh wait what if my car gets keyed....Oh well who cares bit&*@s!!!!!

Moving On!!!

After an interesting eight months I am finally moving on to something new. I am just happy that I am getting out of where I am at the moment. I feel as though ever since I left USSS I have a had a lot of interesting twist and turns take place in my life, or maybe it's all in my head.

I will be working with a team of six people in the human resources section of Macy's. I have to say that I am looking forward to it. It's something new and I will be learning the operations side of Macy's. I am always open to learning something new. I will get an increase in pay, flexible schedule, and I will be working with a team of "professional" people. I like that! :)

I have been so close to getting my foot in the door at Federal agencies, but for one reason or another I have not been able to land a job that I want. I keep telling my self it's simply not my turn yet. At least I am on their "waiting list". Hope never dies!! :) In the meantime I will roll with the punches and enjoy the ride!!! :)

I have learned not to obsess over what kind of job I have. As long as I have my family and health, that is really all that matters at the end of the day. BUT my search is still not over!!!!

To be continued......

Visit to CA.

It seems as though my visit to CA. was "so yesterday". Anyway I was looking forward to going back home. Once I was there I felt like I actually never left. I was just absorbing everything and thought "I can't believe I left, and I'm just here visiting." But then again I always pictured myself living somewhere else other than California. California never really fit into the picture for some odd reason. Now I understand.

At the same time I felt a bit out of place. It hit me that my life is in Texas. That I have a HUSBAND there. The week went by really fast, but I enjoyed my time there with my family. I got to see my uncles, cousins, grandmother etc. etc. And I enjoyed a lot of yummy home made food. ;) I also realized that I never really appreciated the mountains. The city I currently live in has nothing scenic about it. I also realized that there is so much more color in CA. Nice green trees, pretty flowers, colorful buildings etc. etc. I MISS ALL THAT. I guess I have a thing or two I like about Texas but I care not to write about it. :)

I had mixed emotions towards the end of my stay. I didn't want to leave because I didn't want to leave my dad in the state that he was in. Although I knew he was in good hands. But at the same time I was missing Raul. That was the first time we had been apart since we got married. We missed each other and it was nice to be home right on time for Valentines Day.

Raul and I plan on being in CA in June. This time I hope to visit more of my friends. And FOR SURE visit Pasadena. I heart that place!!! :)

Dad's recovery

My Dad was released from the hospital on Friday. Just what I had in mind. I wanted to leave knowing that he was going to be home taken care of by my mom. Not that the nurses at the hospital weren't doing their part, but there is nothing better than having family involved in the care of my Father.

It's been rather odd to see my Dad in the state that he is in. I am use to seeing him upbeat and full of energy. But at the same time I understand why he is like this, it's normal. My dad is a PATIENT man. Patience is going to be his best friend during this post surgery process. And I can tell that he is taking this day by day. Which is perfect. My dad has never been one to accept help, he is always helping others. He doesn't even like to be served food!!!! I was probably being overbearing while I was there, because I was constantly making sure that he had everything he needed. Food, medicine, blankets, comfort, help etc. etc... There were some things that he simply wanted to do on his own. Understandable. He kept saying "I'm not crippled, I can still do certain things, don't worry." He was for the most part very quiet, and every now and again he would let out a joke or two. I think he refrained from laughing because it hurt to laugh because of the surgery).

At one point he asked to see all the albums that we have made throughout the years of the family. I was a bit scared there for a minute. I wondered why, but got them for him anyway. It was nice because he was laying in the bed and as I sat sat next to him on his bed we went through the albums and recalled old memories.

Overall my dad is really putting in his part to have a speedy recovery. He is doing everything that the Dr. ordered. And he is anxious to get back to work, his garden, and his normal day to day things. As were saying our "farewell's" he said "don't worry mija, when you come back in June I will be running ten miles a day." :) He has a great attitude about everything, and that helps us as well.

I wish I could still be there with my dad. But I know that he is in good hands and that things will be just fine. I talk to him at least twice a day. And all I can do is leave all this up to God and hope for the best.

"Trip to CA" blog to follow.......