it has been snowing in sammamish since last night, and i'm not impressed. although when you stand outside the flakes hit your face and it slowly starts to accumulate on the grass and the leaves of azaleas, the road is bare. all the human things repel it, it seems. for a moment it's lovely, but it never really sticks around. unlike pullman snow, this precipitation doesn't accumulate enough for us to be upset about it-- the same thought of dread for a moment came into my mind as it would in pullman, only to be saved by knowing that the snow wouldn't really stay.
the last few weeks in sammamish have been odd in my downtime. i knew in the back of my mind that something would come up for me in the job hunt, but it got hard waiting for something to happen. i would assume the worst, that same snow-thought of dread was pretty much constantly upon me. i began to believe that i would have to wait a long long time before i found any semblance of work. story after story i would hear about how people have been filling out upwards of forty applications before getting an interview, the snow in my mind beginning to pile up and up.
and while i did call my favorite uncle, the one who would always look out for me, i didn't really know if anything would work out. in fact i didn't tell my sister for a couple of days about calling him at all. there was a part of me that kinda felt like a quitter for calling-- then i realized this is how a lot of people get work, especially now that no one is hiring. becuase of that, i was able to find myself the job in south carolina for at least 6 weeks. i'm still working out the details but i booked my plane ticket and will get the apartment figured out next week.
i guess the snow didn't accumulate enough. i'm moving on.
so we'll see where this takes me. i hope that i'm good enough at tech writing to keep doing it and making a living for a little while, even in south carolina. that would be nice.
but if i do end up back in seattle, i know i can parallel park. i successfully did that yesterday.
things are looking up.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
change
the word has been said so much in the Obama campaign that i feel like many people are sick of it-- believing that there simply is too much crap to pick up after eight years of downfall and foolishness on many fronts. and although i, like many, have a cynical side and am well aware that things aren't going to be swift or perfect. but there is the hope that we will no longer stand intolerant to just about everyone, that those in government will work WITH people instead of keeping those that disagree at an arm's length, and that the needs of people will be heard at home and abroad. this morning as i woke up earlier than i have in months to watch coverage of the inauguration, i teared up and celebrated that America made this happen. i know that the political climate has shifted dramatically in this country even if most people's wallets haven't-- you could feel it while President Obama (i love writing that) was speaking, you could see it with little kids believing again that they can be something great. i see the engagement with politics for people of my generation and that enlivens me. i never thought i would care about politics or the news and many people my age are the same way, but i refuse to accept apathy in myself.
i have read the inaugural address about three times today, and agree with all of it. we're in the shit but we can get out of it. and it will take cooperation, not guns always, to make it happen. it will take responsibility for our screw-ups as people, and it will take a little less consuming and materialism. and it will take caring about others. my favorite part of President Obama's speech was this:
"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it."
amen.
i have read the inaugural address about three times today, and agree with all of it. we're in the shit but we can get out of it. and it will take cooperation, not guns always, to make it happen. it will take responsibility for our screw-ups as people, and it will take a little less consuming and materialism. and it will take caring about others. my favorite part of President Obama's speech was this:
"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it."
amen.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
thanks
in this time of transition, almost a week into the intensive job hunt here in seattle, i must take a moment to say a bit about things that are making me happy. i did just read the new issue of Real Simple magazine about lists to organize your life. unfortunately, i don't have much of the "life" they mention to organize so this will be a list of a different sort.
-short length pants. i don't know how short people were able to keep their pants clean back in the day, but two pairs of my pants finally took the big sleep within the past two weeks and i found a replacement. a pair of everyday jeans that my sister enjoys commenting on-- and they don't drag on the ground, creating a hole in the fold that my shoe eventually gets caught in. a debacle that this pair of jeans will not fall victim to.
-the ability to effortlessly switch from american idol to anderson cooper 360 on television. i feel like anderson cooper's reporting is astounding, so much so that i read the book he wrote a couple years ago in a day. his reputation should in theory cancel out the ridiculousness of a contestant nicknamed "sexual chocolate." what a travesty.
-the sex and the city movie. watched it again this week and i still love it, even though samantha looks like a not-so-great 80s throwback.
-reconnecting with old friends. i saw a few this week and i forgot during my WSU time that they were great. i can't wait to see them more.
-my friends are completely rallying around the "find sarah a job" cause. if you're reading this, thanks :)
-i watched barney yesterday with a 2 year old, and we skipped to "the muffin man." i am not thankful, however, that it was stuck in my head for two hours afterwards.
-my brother and i talk at least every other day-- it might be because he hasn't started classes yet, but my greatest fear of him and i not talking anymore is allayed for a moment. still crossing my fingers.
-church people. i was having a printing/writing sample debacle today and the pastor of my church, will, took some time out of his study to help. a bright spot.
-Pilot G2 pens-- after my freeloading at the Athletic Department with the Pilot Precise V2s in a variety of colors (only a purple one remains), i have come home.
-argyle socks. got a new pair from mom, love it.
-also, my ability to spell argyle. thankfully i have been blessed with good spelling. (unless that's spelled wrong, in which case i'll look like a big doof.)
-my discovery of three radio stations in seattle that i enjoy during my drives (you're always driving around here if you live in a suburb). namely, 92.5 does an excellent job of throwin out old-school jams, most recently "shoop" by salt-n-pepa and "sexual healing" by marvin gaye. they also played the craig david (yes, i said craig david) song where he talks about the days of the week. i feel like it's called "7 days" but i'm not sure.
-that i'm not as dumb as ryan seacrest. case and point: after a blind contestant made it through to the next round, on camera mr.seacrest put his hand up for a high five for about 5 seconds. as if the guy would overcome his blindness since birth to give the venerable ryan seacrest a high five.
and with that...
what are some of yours?
-short length pants. i don't know how short people were able to keep their pants clean back in the day, but two pairs of my pants finally took the big sleep within the past two weeks and i found a replacement. a pair of everyday jeans that my sister enjoys commenting on-- and they don't drag on the ground, creating a hole in the fold that my shoe eventually gets caught in. a debacle that this pair of jeans will not fall victim to.
-the ability to effortlessly switch from american idol to anderson cooper 360 on television. i feel like anderson cooper's reporting is astounding, so much so that i read the book he wrote a couple years ago in a day. his reputation should in theory cancel out the ridiculousness of a contestant nicknamed "sexual chocolate." what a travesty.
-the sex and the city movie. watched it again this week and i still love it, even though samantha looks like a not-so-great 80s throwback.
-reconnecting with old friends. i saw a few this week and i forgot during my WSU time that they were great. i can't wait to see them more.
-my friends are completely rallying around the "find sarah a job" cause. if you're reading this, thanks :)
-i watched barney yesterday with a 2 year old, and we skipped to "the muffin man." i am not thankful, however, that it was stuck in my head for two hours afterwards.
-my brother and i talk at least every other day-- it might be because he hasn't started classes yet, but my greatest fear of him and i not talking anymore is allayed for a moment. still crossing my fingers.
-church people. i was having a printing/writing sample debacle today and the pastor of my church, will, took some time out of his study to help. a bright spot.
-Pilot G2 pens-- after my freeloading at the Athletic Department with the Pilot Precise V2s in a variety of colors (only a purple one remains), i have come home.
-argyle socks. got a new pair from mom, love it.
-also, my ability to spell argyle. thankfully i have been blessed with good spelling. (unless that's spelled wrong, in which case i'll look like a big doof.)
-my discovery of three radio stations in seattle that i enjoy during my drives (you're always driving around here if you live in a suburb). namely, 92.5 does an excellent job of throwin out old-school jams, most recently "shoop" by salt-n-pepa and "sexual healing" by marvin gaye. they also played the craig david (yes, i said craig david) song where he talks about the days of the week. i feel like it's called "7 days" but i'm not sure.
-that i'm not as dumb as ryan seacrest. case and point: after a blind contestant made it through to the next round, on camera mr.seacrest put his hand up for a high five for about 5 seconds. as if the guy would overcome his blindness since birth to give the venerable ryan seacrest a high five.
and with that...
what are some of yours?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
fail
i remember distinctly filling the application for camp lutherhaven about two years ago now and i always get stumped with one question: explain a time when you've failed and what you learned from that experience.
that was the part of the show where i left my computer, wandered around my room, probably made a cup of tea or went out for a latte and then returned curmudgeonly to the computer waiting for something to appear. and always i thought, "i guess...nothing." i don't even know what i wrote now, to be honest. i rhetoricized my way out of that one...whew.
it's not as though i'm writing this to say that i'm the best and i am so great as to NOT fail ever, not by any means. what i've realized is that my life at home as a kiddo and my life in college has been set up for my success. i made it almost impossible for me to fail at something because i don't take too many risks about the things that are super important. in many cases, i only take on tasks that i'm sure i will love or that i am really good at. i've tried to have a plan-- if not that, at least something to say to family members to get them off my back at least for a little bit. but no big challenges. when i watch that show "Made" on MTV i always think i'd love to go on there to try and do something ridiculous, mostly so that i can fall on my face a lot. i think it would be good for me.
last night, though, i failed myself. i thought that the job with Washington CAN was going to be a perfect fit. i would love it and my life would continue to clip along just fine-- no risks, no problems. excellent.
as i stood there in the pouring rain and gusty winds on a street in the middle of Olympia with a clipboard ALONE i realized that i made a mistake. this was not what i wanted, and i put all my post-college eggs in this basket only to discover that this was NOT the plan. i was a fine healthcare activist for two hours on my observation. got some members, had some people sign postcards to send to lawmakers. cool. but i didn't love it. i was out there by myself and didn't make any real connection with people. instead it was maybe two minutes of talking to one person, only to leave again either happy or defeated. i didn't use any gifts God has given me either-- quite a shitty situation overall.
walking in my sopping wet shoes and hair stuck to my forehead i realized that i need to work with students in some capacity. now i don't know how i'm going to get there, but someday i will. i might have to work in tech writing if i get a chance to, but i know what i'd like to do in the end. so, i failed in my plan. backfired. something i didn't expect. but that's ok, because now at least i know what i don't want to do.
failure at least has taught me patience.
that was the part of the show where i left my computer, wandered around my room, probably made a cup of tea or went out for a latte and then returned curmudgeonly to the computer waiting for something to appear. and always i thought, "i guess...nothing." i don't even know what i wrote now, to be honest. i rhetoricized my way out of that one...whew.
it's not as though i'm writing this to say that i'm the best and i am so great as to NOT fail ever, not by any means. what i've realized is that my life at home as a kiddo and my life in college has been set up for my success. i made it almost impossible for me to fail at something because i don't take too many risks about the things that are super important. in many cases, i only take on tasks that i'm sure i will love or that i am really good at. i've tried to have a plan-- if not that, at least something to say to family members to get them off my back at least for a little bit. but no big challenges. when i watch that show "Made" on MTV i always think i'd love to go on there to try and do something ridiculous, mostly so that i can fall on my face a lot. i think it would be good for me.
last night, though, i failed myself. i thought that the job with Washington CAN was going to be a perfect fit. i would love it and my life would continue to clip along just fine-- no risks, no problems. excellent.
as i stood there in the pouring rain and gusty winds on a street in the middle of Olympia with a clipboard ALONE i realized that i made a mistake. this was not what i wanted, and i put all my post-college eggs in this basket only to discover that this was NOT the plan. i was a fine healthcare activist for two hours on my observation. got some members, had some people sign postcards to send to lawmakers. cool. but i didn't love it. i was out there by myself and didn't make any real connection with people. instead it was maybe two minutes of talking to one person, only to leave again either happy or defeated. i didn't use any gifts God has given me either-- quite a shitty situation overall.
walking in my sopping wet shoes and hair stuck to my forehead i realized that i need to work with students in some capacity. now i don't know how i'm going to get there, but someday i will. i might have to work in tech writing if i get a chance to, but i know what i'd like to do in the end. so, i failed in my plan. backfired. something i didn't expect. but that's ok, because now at least i know what i don't want to do.
failure at least has taught me patience.
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