Project Updates:

What did I learn last week?

• SCIENCE!! I took a class on Surface Water Operations. The really cool part was that the trainers brought their mobile laboratory with them. They converted a single-wide trailer into a lab.
  
• I get an OFFICE!!!!!!! and I get to pick out the furniture and decide how everything is laid out. The desk will be the right height.

• Sewing: I bought a ton of fabric over the weekend. More pants are on the way. I am also working on a dress or two (although the occasion to wear a dress is rare). I managed to finish a pair of pants and remove the lining from my sister's jacket. (I am aware of the fact that I need to update the project photos)
  
• Yard: The watering plan is working. Little tomatoes are beginning to sprout.
• Website: Nothing.
• Soul Cleansing: I spent an afternoon chatting with my friend Kim while she knitted and I took apart the jacket.
  
• Job #12: the full post will happen after I move into my new office.

Ok. So I have been racking my brain trying to figure out my next job move. It goes back to that whole "wants and needs" thing. I had an opportunity appear out of the blue to move to another area. I had tossed in an application just for kicks. I did fairly well at the interview (this was the day before I was officially diagnosed with the sinus infection). Then I didn' t hear from the people until last week. In the meantime I was waiting for news from Apple (and the green light to dye my hair magenta).

You ask, what is the problem? Well I had to decide on the transfer by TODAY.

I talked to my dad and got his advice on a few things. Salary. What is the lowest I could accept from Apple? I know I wasn't taking less than I currently make. Then there is the 4% raise that all State employees are getting this fall. I have a TON of vacation and sick time that I would be leaving behind. Long story short, I decided that Apple probably couldn't afford me at this point in time (which is sad because I work for the State). I also decided that I should take the transfer and run.

So, Job #12. There is a bunch of paperwork to deal with but in the end SCIENCE! prevails. I am currently brushing up on my chemistry/lab skills. Perks: SCIENCE! (Chris, you were right. I couldn't give it up cold-turkey), no professional geoscientist bureaucracy bullshit to deal with, and an OFFICE! The building I will move to has NO CUBES!

What did I learn this week?

• I took an EPA class on Grant/Contract management. Four fun-filled days of Data Quality Objectives, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Quality Management Plans, and Quality Assurance Project Plans. Hard to stay awake through it all but it was worth it.
• It is important to make INFORMED decisions. Jumping to conclusions is BAD.
• I watched a really good documentary on Frida Kahlo this week. She is proof positive that art therapy works. I strongly doubt that she could have survived her injuries with out it.
  

• Sewing: I wrapped up a few projects (many hooks to sew). I also completed a pair of capris pants start to finish. I have one more pair to make before I start the Molly Ringwald fashion challenge from Hannah. I will be making a not-so-cool dress look better vs. turning two good dresses into something frumpy.
• Yard: I am working on remembering to water the plants. My tomato plants will never produce if they don't get water.
• Job #12: More on that later.
• Website: None
• Soul Cleansing: I think I should go on vacation. I have a month of vacation stored up.

Even though I have reformed I must give a shout out to all the hermits out there. Sometimes staying at home is the right thing to do. Why else would people have homes? If they were merely looking for shelter/storage there are other options (storage units, efficiencies, cardboard box, bus station lockers, etc.)

What did I learn last week?

• Follow up letters after an interview are very important. I remembered to send one out after last Monday's interview. It was a little late (I emailled it on Thursday). I think that it got me the second interview.
• Audio books rock! I was a little miffed that I can't read on the job like I did before. I used to knock out several books a week. Audio books go so much faster. I will have to figure out how I am going to take notes on all of this stuff as I go. I will probably end up using wordpad on my computer.
• There is a definite difference between wanting something and actually needing it.
• I have an amazing and wacky group of friends.
• I must be patient. A new friend gave me the smack down last week for being whiny and impatient.
  
• I need to be more thankful for what I have.

• Yard: I have almost mastered the art of extension cord wrangling. I mowed the lawn on Saturday and it didn't take as long. I am thinking of ripping up my deck this summer. It's old and needs help. It will also allow me to extend my edible garden space.
  
• Sewing: Nothing accomplished
• Website: Nada.
• Job 12: Working on it.
• Soul cleansing: In progress
  

What did I learn last week?

• I had my 6 month review at work last week. My boss was impressed at the amount of work I accomplished for a new hire. I am rather unimpressed at the work that I have done this past 6 months. Its not rocket science. Just because some people don't understand that big box that sits on their desk and that tray that holds the thing with all of the buttons... Anyways, I informed my boss that I was unsure of what I wanted to do at the agency and that I was still exploring the opportunities available. I also asked why I had to go out in the field and collect samples. That makes no sense with the rest of my job description. The boss man replied that it was because, "everyone has to pay their dues and that they figured that the geology career path was the one I wanted to follow". I informed the boss man that I didn't like field work, I never did and it distracted from projects I was working on in the office. The boss man had no response to this.
• My computer is posessed. I don't know what is wrong with it now but it decided that it wasn't going to recognize the printer for some odd reason (damn windows updates!)
• I did some experimental cooking this weekend. The new issue of "Cooks Illustrated" arrived. I fiddled with the veggie burger recipe. Very tasty but no one to share with.

• Sewing: I got a tutorial from mom this weekend on simplifying facings.
• Yard: I am thinning out the oregano. It has taken over. I am also wondering when I will have tomatoes.
• Websites: Nothing to report
• Job #12: Still working on it. Submitting resumes and going on interviews. Pretty soon I will have enough notes to start a career search/development section on this site. Or I can start charging what my dad charges for consultations.