The Spanish Experiment

My husband and I have started a 7 day experiment today --we will speak nothing but Spanish to each other for an entire week. I can't tell if we'll have a relatively silent home for the next few days or a great experience. I know it has definitely felt a bit strange for me. It's hard when you want to say so many things, but are working with a limited vocabulary. This must be similar to how young children feel when they are forming their first words and trying to express themselves to their parents and siblings. I'll let you know how it goes folks!

Did we come here for the Food?

Going out to dinner with friends is more about the company than the food--it's an added bonus when the food is off the hook! Tonight was one of those nights when the food was just 'blah', but the 'shits and giggles' were fit for center stage at the Apollo. It was the perfect closing to my first week of work, and we were also celebrating another friend's new job -- celebrations all around!

Sometimes, there's nothing better than sitting in a restaurant, shooting the breeze with good friends ;-)

Lights out... until next!

1st Day was All Good!

Hello folks,

I'm happy to report that today was my first day of work at a bilingual education non-profit. I'm working as a contract marketing specialist 3 days a week, and I'm digging the flexibility. It's also pretty cool because my office mate Julio wants to help me learn Spanish in exchange that I help him improve his English. The position seems like it has lots of potential because I am tasked with updating their collateral materials and website, implementing their marketing plan, and performing media relations. It's always cool to execute projects from start to finish and I'll be working under the direction of a board member.

And, another added bonus is that cute 2-4 year-olds are on site learning and just being all around cute! It's really interesting to watch how small children process information and even more so when they are processing data in two languages. That's all for now.... nap time!

Blessing in Disguise

On Friday, I found out that I did not get the 24/7 PR job, and it's a blessing in disguise! Rejection is still painful, even if you know it's for the best. The key is to acknowledge your disappointment, then keep it moving!! My other prospective employer followed up with me and I'll meet with them in- person on Tuesday. I'm excited about this and believe that this opportunity has tremendous potential! Stay tuned!

On Call 24/7?

I had my third interview and I felt all right about it. Now, the interviews are really to see if the office culture, staff, and myself mix. One common theme that has arisen in all interviews is how hard everyone works. Today, I was told that they all have blackberries and are on call 24/7. If they get an email, they are expected to respond, regardless of the time.

Could this all really be true? The pr firm that I previously worked at was very fast-paced and there were nights when I worked all weekend or was up until midnight finishing up a project. This occurred sometimes, not 24/7. Additionally, I like to give each project 100+%, so I definitely consider myself a hard worker. I'll figure things out soon enough. Another company has offered me a position, so I'll speak with them tomorrow to get the details. Stay tuned.

Public Libraries Rock!!

I recently got a library card and I felt like a child in a candy store! The library down the street from our new place is nicer than the one in our old neighborhood, and boy does lighting make a difference! The staff at Wheaton Public Library is very helpful and truly loves what they do--this adds to the pleasurable experience ;-) I picked up some books about advertising, public relations, blogs, newlyweds' finances, Spanish, and Barack Obama. You can even check out 50 books/videos at once!

One the the PR books recently helped me refresh my writing skills and came in handy during an interview when I had to write a press release on the spot. I felt so confident with my press release and have my third interview with this firm tomorrow. All in all, this is definitely one of my favorite places to be.

Round and a Round I go!

My head always got extremely dizzy on the merry go 'round and the hanging tire, so I avoided them at all costs. Every once in a while, I'd try to give them a spin, and would end up with a horrendous headache!

This week kicks off the third round of interviews for me at two firms and a new firm has entered the mix. Interviews don't make me dizzy, per say, but I am ready for the rounds to cease! It's very thorough and respectable for a firm to have strict hiring practices, but at what point does it become work itself? I'm very interested in three of the opportunities and will keep plugging away. My brief sabbatical has re-awoken my passion for public relations and all I can say is that it's truly fascinating;-)