New Gap logo is yikes&LOL (offer included)

New Gap logo is yikes&LOL (offer included)

The Saturday, Oct 9th Only 40% off @ Ricki’s*

I just spotted that Ricki's is offering 40% off one regularly priced item both in stores and online.
This coupon is only valid on Saturday, October 9, 2010.
Buying online: simply enough, there is no need of using a coupon code when purchasing online, it will automatically take 40% off on the highest priced regular priced item in your shopping cart. To make the deal even sweater, you can put the coupon code FIVESHIP to get $5 ground shipping.

Click HERE to shop Rickis online
Visiting the store: you will need to bring in a printable coupon to get 40% off on a regular on item in store.
Click Here to print 40% off coupon
Here for store location across Canada

I saw bargain moose posted the same shout-out for the fashion that works.

count my Thursday blessings

count my Thursday blessings

The LBD store on main summer clearance sale

my purchase, C Lace top from LBD store

bling it up with my handmade brooch

Today, my neighborhood, main street was blocked for one of the street fairs again. I just LOVE it when that happens. The idea of being able to roam, chalk, salsa or just sit in the middle of the street is just liberating. One of the best things is that the vendor on main will take advantage of having a sale; I was lucky to score this C Lace one shoulder top from the LBD store for $10 bucks. What also caught my eyes was this pair of funky sandal; it is very comfortable but damn it! damn it!  it was sold out in my size. I want someone to have it so I took a picture for all my friends for the remaining sizes (6/7/7.5/8). People! run out now to get it and enjoy it for what's left of Vancouver summer.

$10

count my Wednesday blessings

count my Wednesday blessings

Trends you love to hate

I embrace a lot of trend
1. Flower & Stripes trend:
I love colour, patterns, prints and it probably would not seem fair that I sourced out the worst example of clashing patters here to demonstrate how easily you would seem obnoxious and look like a fresh roadkill.
if stripe is done with a bolder patterned flower print, it look uber chic tho.

2. Leggings and a denim mini skirt:
ok now, another trend that I did not like the first time in 2006 but it seemed to be lingering like a bad case of flu. If you are older than 8 and are not Hannah Montana fans, please please do not pari legging and denim together. The deadly combo is the finest of frenemies. You know that old saying, "Take one  before you leave the house", it should be the legging in this case. Ew. EWW. EWWW. Seriously, you do the math!

3. Jegging:

It is gross like Cheetos; I don't get comprehend it like I don't get 'That's what she said' joke. I have seen it everywhere and it has been described as HOT items.  It is this weird hybrid of super tight jeans and legging. This new denimology bugs me, for reals. So TopShop began in late 2009 by calling them knitted jeans, Urban Outfitters went with the 'pull on jean', but Asos.com came up with the jegging. So, Asos is to blame. I think my mom has a pair when I was like 5 and she dug it out from the bottom of her closet, wanting me to try it on. no thanks. I wouldn't wear legging as pants and this is it in that sense. please, take them off if you have a pair on now. go now, don't at me like that. GO.

count my Tuesday blessings

After my Counting Monday blessings last week, I have decided to make this a regular post except I am counting blessings on a Tuesday this week, then Wednesday the following week...etc. Got the idea?

I am grateful:

1. as my salsa partner blew a breath into my face after I complained about the heat; his breath did not stink.

2. I got Kettle Chip, Honey Dijon at sale price of $1.99 at my local grocery shop East West Market.

3. Moo brought over hot pot ingredients, vegetarian style; I can't wait to try it.

4. armless pianist for inspiration, Marc Monday email for comfort, Clara's smile for warmth and this picture for laughter.

5. I am making contacts in great companies like Vision Critical, Arc`teryx and Obakki.

6. for 72 followers on twitter and 2 recommendations on 'My Salsa Week in Vancouver' post on NowPublic.

7. my daily phone call with my parents oversea; I had a heartfelt conversation today.

8. free, accessible, present and not-so-guilty simple pleasure of the almost full moon tonight; I stood underneath in awe.

9. for Aldo gold oxford shoes to help my double salsa turns; oh dr. Scholl's is hidden inside.

10. Another power outage did not hit my hood; I was lucky to have been stricken twice already.

Shout Out – Marc Cenedella, Founder & CEO, TheLadders.com

I have been reading and following Marc's blog and newsletters for the past few months now; Today's post has resonated with me. "Everything's going to be all right" brought a sense of calm even though I have heard it all the time from friends and family. I do believe that it is just temporary but it is easy to fall prey to momentary lapses of insanity. Last few days for me, I thought it is never going to end. Today, I woke up to this email, reminding that I have to once again manage my expectation and pace myself.

Big Thumbs Up!

***

Good Monday morning,
Today marks seven years that I've been writing this newsletter to you all. If I had to summarize my advice from all those years, it would be this:

Everything's going to be all right.

Look, I know. I've read the anxiety in your e-mails; I've seen the worry in your faces; I've been through countless job searches with you, Readers.
There's no doubt about it, the job hunt is stressful, straining, and tedious. The lack of certainty over what's going to happen to you, your family, and your career creates so much worry that it's easy to fall prey to periods of despair.

But I can also tell you that everything is going to be all right.

We'll make it through, together.
We've helped literally millions of people through their job searches over these past seven years. It's rarely easy, but those millions have landed successfully on the other side in a new role. And you, too, will find your way through.

It will take longer than you want; it will be more of an emotional rollercoaster than you were hoping for; and there will be days when you think it is never going to end.
But end it does. The call will come, the offer will be made, you will find your next great gig. Barring major medical problems, professionals like you do land in a new role. I've seen it happen, literally, thousands upon thousands upon thousands of times.

And to get through the job hunt challenge, let me elaborate a bit further on what I've learned over these past seven years. My best tactical advice is this:

Pace yourself.

The job search can take anywhere from 6 to 8 months, sometimes longer. It may happen sooner, but you shouldn't get your hopes up lest you wind up disappointed. Be sure that you're mentally ready for that long of a search. Set your expectations and think through how you'll handle a half-year or longer of looking.

You'll need to work at it, steadily and consistently. And you'll also need to take breaks. Just like "real" work, job search work is exhausting, and you'll perform better if you keep yourself mentally, spiritually, and physically fit and well-rested.

Get your resume professionally written.

A great product needs great advertising. You are a great product, with a price point that's measured in six figures per year. Please have a professional write your "ad copy." The competition (i.e., other job-seekers) has done it, and it enables them to stand out in a stack of resumes. And while it typically costs less than 1% of your annual earnings to get your product well advertised, it will be the most productive money you spend in a job search.

Apply to one job per day.

If you're applying to dozens of jobs per week, you're not doing yourself any favors. The "spray and pray" method doesn't work. Because recruiters and HR departments receive so many resumes these days, if your application is not on target, it goes in the bucket.

All that wasted effort not only does you no good, it does you actual harm. Because you're sending out so many applications, you don't have the time to follow up on the right ones. And when your response rate turns out to be very low, you too may get very low as you inaccurately perceive there to be no demand for your talents.

Do this instead: apply to one job each day. And then use the extra time you have from not applying to so many jobs to follow up. Call your college buddy who works there. Seek out the company's executives at the trade show. Get yourself noticed by the hiring manager by blogging about your work.
Slow and steady wins the race, not the flash in the pan.

Well, folks, those are my best bits of advice, gleaned from 365 weeks of writing, 365 weeks of reading your replies, comments, and questions, and 365 weeks of research into making your job hunt more successful.

I enjoy being your guide, and I hope to continue doing so for 7, or 70!, years more.
Thanks and have a great week in your search.
Warmest regards,

Marc Cenedella, Founder & CEO, TheLadders.co

Follow me on Twitter here. I've been writing these newsletters weekly for almost a decade in order to provide you with the advice, encouragement, and assistance you need in your professional job hunt. I'll take what we've learned at TheLadders during the week, or experiences I've had with job-seekers all over the country, and try to find a usable lesson, a valuable insight, or a helpful tip to share with you on Monday morning (my writing deadline is 3 p.m. every Sunday afternoon). I do read every one of your replies to this newsletter. Because of the volume of replies — typically over 1,000 per week — I'm unable to answer you personally, but one of our very qualified staff from our Job Search Support team will get back to you — most of the time within three hours or less. As I am interested in every reply I get, I'll also occasionally reach out directly by phone or by email to say thanks, or ask a question, or to see how we can solve your problem better. Thanks for reading!

Clearance Sale Officially On – Breathe Yoga Wear

2008 Manitoba Street, Vancouver (@ 4th Avenue)

Pants $10 | Shorts $10 | Tops $10 | Jackets $15 | Mats 2 for $20


M-F noon-5pm @ 2008 Manitoba Street Vancouver BC Canada


I have been to the 'Breath Sample Sale' about 3 times in the past 1.5 years; I have worn their stuff so it's easy for me to endorse.  It is no lululemon so it doesn't come with that kind of price tags, designs or selections.

The FIT:
I usually try every single piece on before I make a purchase. Their fit is on the loose side. My friend and I are usually a size apart but with dry fit, she gets a size smaller so it fit her just right and looser on me. Their Yoga pants on the other hand are very fitted so please be sure to try multiple ones on even if they are the same colour; each may very well mould to your body differently.

What I have Purchased:
I have purchased their short sleeve dry fit in xs,  every single colour in the selection so white, black, red, light purple, blue and dark blue.
Yoga pants: for summer months, I have purchased the Capri style in brown and green. It has a drawstring waistband and the leg is cropped to the calf with a back slits. This style is a little lower rise than I would have liked, finding myself doing the annoying and graceless pull- it-up while I workout. As for the colder times, I would go with the Roll Down Pant in full length which I find very versatile if I wanted more warmth around my tummy with the rise up when I leave gym into the coldest winter night.

I love their mats and have got them in purple and red. After washing them a couple of time, I find them softer than ever. Big thumbs up for the price I spent. (maybe I don't know any better since this is the first and only mat I have ever purchased; maybe there are ones with some crazy thread counts)

Breath Yoga Wear on display

What to order at MuiGarden Restaurant before Salsa at the Forum

Born in Taiwan, my parents have parachuted me down for school and I have been in Vancouver, the most livable city in the world on and off ever since. Currently residing around main street, one of the trendiest and up-coming neighbourhoods is my hood. Being single and all (plus laziness), I have been doing a lot of eating-outs this year. I used to enjoy cooking and cooking but that's behind me now (I do hope it's just a phase; I can still remember the pleasure of searching for recipes, shopping for ingredients, cleaning, dicing and finally patting myself on the back for a job well done)

It was Wednesday yesterday. You guessed it; It's the Wednesday Salsa at the Forum. We had some VIP passes left (FREE tickets can be pick up at Don Guacamoles at 1333 Robson St.) and my new salsa friends are royal followers and devoted students of Alfonzo Caldera, lead instructor at Bravo Dance Company. He was giving a free beginning lesson and put together a performance so I decided to look into what the hype was about (Mehhh..Alfonzo is alright; I am just a part of Rogerism, to each its own)

I digress. (this is my most repeated term, hence the name of my blog; I can not keep my thoughts still)


A party of 5 in MuiGarden Restaurant at 7:34 pm on the dot, this is the third time this month I have frequented, partly because ofthe New Fish Soup Noodle Combo for $7.75 (after the evil HST, it is under $10).

SOUP BASE + TOPPINGS + NOODLES

1. SOUP BASE: you have selection of 4-5 different kind of fish soup bases.

2. TOPPINGS: then you pick 2 toppings out of 8-12 different kinds of ingredients.

3. NOODLES: to complete the dish, you have choice of the types of noodles you like.

OHHH..It's not over yet, it comes with a drink, my personal favourite is HK lemon tea (my faithful pick-me-up)

Usually, I go with pumpkin and tomato soup base; my toppings would be beef balls, fish puff and thick rice noodles. YUM!

Four of us went with this special except an unwise man ordered dried curry with noodles before salsa; On top of that, he was re-inventing the way Asians pick up noodles, twirling the noodles with his chopsticks and making a small nest like how Italians do it. He should be so thankful that he didn't reek of all the spices combined with sweat, not sexy.

When Did I...

*

**

***

"They all run full-fledged into failure but they do it so wholeheartedly.

When did I stop running wholeheartedly into what I desired?"

***

**

*

I remembered vividly as a child sitting on the dirty curb beside a street vender eating a Candied Fruit Stick (it’s all covered with a delicious red candied topping) and watching the crowd without a worry in the world; A minute ago, I was holding my dad's hand entering Taiwan's version of Playland and the next thing I know, I was lost in the crowd. I did not know fear then; I was so sure that my parents would come back and find me or I would just discover my way back to our car (my dad apparently freaked out tho and burst into tears; this incident scarred him for life. That's what I tell myself when he constantly checks in). Now, if the history were to reinvent itself, I would very likely pace around like a madwoman. I would not be calm. I would not be able to find simple pleasure like the little candied fruit stick. I would not have the patience to see the world goes by. As an 8-year-old child, I did so much better than the 3- year old woman I am now. A wise man once said: 'The two most significant events in our lives are the first and the last. When we are born, we take our first gasping breath of air, a noisy inhalation that immediately turns the body pink. At the end of our life, we ride out our last breath, and die on the exhalation." Don't waste your breath. So now, run wholeheartedly into what you desire. (pretty please?)

FREE HUGS in Vancouver!

I GOT 2!  I am not greedy but I really really needed them.

Sometimes, a hug is all what we need.

HUGS made my day. They are just what I needed: not sunshine, vitamin B12 complex nor Salsa.

PLEASE  COME GET YOUR FREE HUGS!

ps. I have applied a filter to rotate my video already. It opened up right side up on my new Macbook using QuickTime Pro. I apologize if you have to TILT your head side ways to view my video. if you have trouble viewing, please view it from HERE.

Salsa in Vancouver!

 
YUP, I  SALSA.

Once a week lesson for couple of months now, I have since moved up to intermediate 1.

Roger is my instructor whom I repeatedly refuse when he asks me to dance. I always lose; the next scene would be him picking me up and placing me in the middle of the dance floor. (Of course, I would bust my moves after that)

It has been a busy past week for me: I have made a point to want to get more practice so I attended some of the events offered by the Vancouver Salsa Scene. (Believe it or not, there is an event every day of the week in Vancouver)

1. Salsa At The Forum WEDNESDAYS /August 11th, 2010/1163 Granville St./

After a massive opening nght of housing 300 guests the week before, I arrived at the Forum catching the last few minutes of the complementary lesson by Roger and his gang. Without a habit of drinking when salsa-ing (hmmmmm, the obvious reasons of not wanting to create an unconventional scented perfume and my not so-sure-surefooted moves), mojitos, the classic refreshing summer drink in HUGE jam glass jar did catch my attention (temptation, I resist).

Letting her voice roll with a sultry rough edge, an exotic lady whose name I didn't manage to catch was performing live. Added Bonus.



2. Salsa Duello DOES THE 70s/August 14th, 2010/412 West Hastings St/

Since it is a themed event, my belief has always been: if you got it, flaunt it; if you don't think you do, at least try it with moderation. With jumpsuit making its comeback, I cheated by wearing one of my newly acquired jumpsuit pieces by 'Twice Shy, Organic wear with an attitude. It is made out of a jersey cotton material with the cutest peephole back and strappy shoulder design. I love it! almost like a sporty yoga wear with a twist, perfect for salsa with wide leg swaying when I move.

But, I digress.

Brave of me, I usually go to these types of events alone (anyone? want to join?). I did have a few run-ins of questionable behaviuor but it has not dampened my enthusiasm. It has just lessened my guilt of saying NO to 'do you want to dance?'

3. Dancing in the street/August 15th, 2010/Granville Street between Robson and Georgia/

I had missed the previous 'Dancing in the street' on July 18th and 25th so I made sure I marked my calendar, set my alarm and there I was without fail in the hottest day of Vancouver Summer on Granville Street between Robson and Georgia where it is closed to traffic. (you really did not have to move, trust me, I was dripping just standing there) At 2pm with sun blazing from a cloudless sky, there was a FREE intro salsa lesson offered by Roger in his usual tight tight TIGHT shirt. FUN.

I am in need of...

a life-GPS.  I missed having that smooth utters of 'recalculating' whenever I detour.



I seemed to have misplaced my inner voice. I could have sworn that by 30, everything would fall into places for me but they didn't. And instead, I had the biggest 30 minutes (one minute for every year of my life, coincidence, I think not) phenomenon melt-down in front of my parents the day before my birthday.

In my mid-twenties, I was really enjoying becoming my own person, looking forward to the journey, exploration and maturity. I used to have this 'I am fresh, alive and out of control. I can not wait to take over.' attitude about life. Now I read articles like this, advising me to get married and have kids before thirty. Instead of shrugs and chuckles, now I would experience that little unknown panic: am I really running out of time? Better yet, where has my inner strength gone?

Plus, it is kind of impossible now to meet that plan. Does that mean by some standard, I have somehow screwed up royally ? Or I really should learn how to understand the gifts from the universe better, appreciating the upside of events.

When planning, you need to have a strong concept but being flexible is key. There will be a lot challenges and curve balls that restrict you. Much like the game of life, I guess I just need to:

1) Focus on the now.

2) Like plans, love change.

3) Take risks.

4) Repeat.

easier said than done? "you  can’t plan love. And you can’t plan for your career any better"

you seem to attract a lot of weirdos

That seemed to be the common comment after sharing some of my stories: this, this and that (still writing this one). Or, I get: you also seem to reject a lot of guys, maybe you are being too picky! (scream. I need an upgrade on wordpress to give you a sound, a real life experience. Soon, I promise!) Maybe, that's why I blog.



I wish my modern life is drama queen and frenemy free.

I don't mean to. (I really hate it when I have to apologize for the way I am but I have learned that it is come with being a grown-up)

I do not considered myself to be a hottie (don't get me wrong, I have a healthy and humble self-esteem) But, lately I wish I were born male: all I have to worry about in the morning is whether to go with light blue or dark blue dress shirt with dark denim or dark khaki and brown or black belt and shoes. And, I do not have to (I should but not forced) care about the challenges (12 in this case) that women face in any generation. I do not have to walk that narrow line, in that box, category, stereotype...etc the list can go on.

I particularly have hard time dealing with my blushing syndrome and maybe at times, it just sends out the wrong message in my professional or well, any life circumstances. Maybe I should never touch my hair or be within anyone's personal comfort zone or any body language clues that people are writing about.

Also the whole: should I give out my number to this person (none gender specific) always seem to concern me.  I am trying so hard to have an open mind; cultivate and expand my withering social circle but a lot of times, I am the receiving end of text/call terrorism. Now as a decoy, I can try to direct them to facebook/twitter so they can add/remove, follow/unfollow me as a friend whenever their ADD decides to kick in.

um...Live and learn?

sorry! my heart is closed for the time being

inspiration: working it out vs tossing it out

It has been more than 8 months since my last relationship.

After sending my closure mail to him expressing my disappointment and gratitude, I made sure I only focus on myself and myself only. I was nurturing my wound in the way I know how, shutting all contacts from him. I was slowing piecing my life together. It is not much of a struggle anymore however, his recent missed call did set me back a few steps in my attempt to evolve and untangle life.

There are guys that expressed interests after the knowledge of my breakup. I have always believed that time alone after an intense relationship is much required. It is almost the foundation to the next potential one. I do not want to explore ahead; all I wanted to do is time for myself, figuring what I want, who I want and how I want to move forward.

In the midst of moving forward, I have encountered this:

Out of blue, one of my old colleagues confessed on msn that he had a soft spot for me and I remained one of his beautiful possibilities. As flattering as it is, I did not interrupt him because I thought he was just going through a stage and wanting to unburden so he is able to move forward, much like what I am doing. (never assume people, never assume)

we hardly talk if we do, it’s mostly professional/work stuff since he had been a great reference. Much to my surprise, it did not just end there. We met up for tea to catch up and it is probably the third time in 4 years since we saw each other. In my mind, I thought it is only the professional thing to do because I am going after a job that requires references. During tea, he interrupted the flow of our conversation and asked how I feel about what his confession.

My reply was: nothing!

I could sense his shock so I went on to explain that I assumed he just wanted to let it out without any expectation. He was surprised that I said I felt nothing since he thought there was definitely some chemistry and how he is almost never wrong about this. (well) He even went on to describe some proof and his perception of how things were. I explained to him that I have no desire in participating in this. I can not and I will not:

He is a person that I trusted professionally. I felt betrayed. Unbeknownst to me, he has a different story built up in his head, choosing to believe that I was reciprocating. I was not serving him any extra attention or giving him the wrong impression. We never spent anytime outside of work when I was at that company. I was particularly unimpressed by one of his comments: ‘I would like to have someone who is passionate, curious, and ambitious about life and I see that all in you. I know after what you told me I should feel sh*tty but I do not. I still feel hopeful because whoever I want, it would always work out’ (WOW! good for him for being so confident but really?!)

He is involved with someone else. Seriously! I really do not have respect for people that are looking and exploring ahead while providing someone else with a false sense of security. I was enraged when I expressed my view on his behaviour. It is cowardly. I do not buy his reasoning nor do I understand his action. I know I should not judge because he is much closer to the matter than I am. All I can do is to exit gracefully from his pathetic attempt to include me in this drama.

I am upset with how vulnerable people are and how fragile a relationship is. Nothing lasts.

I guess the worst would be where he is trapped himself in: the forever limbo.

Blessed!

For the past week, I have made great strides in turns of job hunt front. Even though I do not have final good news to share yet, I have got a great feelings about this potential new opportunity. A recruiter sought me out and after speaking to her, it led to HR recruiter interview then a face to face with the hiring manager. I have my fingers, toes and even my eyes crossed for this. It moved rather quickly and I LOVE that because all job seekers can all agree that waiting is the toughest part.

I feel blessed! I have my great friends and family cheering me on. I am reassured when I am second guessing. I am encouraged when I am agonizing over ..well life itself but I know the only way to go is up :)

also, I am inspired by this: Simple Living

really, keep it simple

My Rejection Letter Trumps Yours

I thought all my fellow jobseekers out there would enjoy this humorous example of a rejection letter that I stumbled across .......

A DIFFERENT KIND OF “EMPLOYMENT REJECTION” LETTER (Something To Lighten Up Your Job Search!!!)

999 Likely Lane LUCKSVILLE WA 6060

20 October 2009

Professor Reid Iculus Department of Opportunity University of Absolute Nonsense 123 Jobsearch Junction PERTH WA 6000

RE: Assistant Professor

Dear Professor Iculus

Thank you for your letter dated 12 October 2009.

After careful consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me an assistant professor position in your department.

This year, I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field of candidates, it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.

Despite the University Of Nonsense’s outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at this time. Therefore, I will assume the position of assistant professor in your department in November.

I look forward to seeing you then.

I wish you luck in rejecting future applicants.

Yours sincerely

A Jobseeker

Reinvention for Sanity During Job Search

At around the six-month mark after losing my job, I realized that I’d started branding myself as an unemployed person. That was starting to feel depressing. So I repositioned myself in my own mind.

I started doing online certifications to strengthen my resume. At social settings, when people asked me what I do, I start answering, “I’m a Internet marketer.” Even though I still have not yet seen the light at the end of the tunnel, answering the question that way made a big difference to my mental health.

I find that the only way to get successful at a new plan is through optimistic self-labeling: telling the world that you’re already doing the thing you want to do.

It’s exuberant to change how you label yourself, especially if the new label is aspirational: something that you want to be, rather than something you already are.


Maybe that's why 'The Secret' has sold 500,000 copies in 6 months.

Pick Your Brain for Free In A Job Interview?

update: different point of view on giving your work away

I came across this article and I have a semi-related TINY thought about this; TINY in caps: Don't work for free in a job interview

Going through perpetual interviews is the story of my life right now. The process requires hours of preparation, putting on my best smile, clever answers, active follow ups and wait! the toughest part yet is to wait for the reply(or the lack of).



But, let's zoom in on the interview:

Sometimes, some companies (mostly start-ups) would ask interviewees to give feedback on how to better their situation, website, products...etc.

I have been in a couple of situations where a business decision can not be made THEN, the CEO would say: 'let's run an job ad and get people to come and see what they say'. Most of the time, the ad would read: 'contract work but potential to full time employment due to rapid growth of company' (I am not saying that contract work isn't the way to get your foot into the door; it is but some situations are a little trickier than others)

Most recently, I find myself in an interview where the CEO spilled his guts about his business conundrum. He started his interview racing through the thought process of running this type of job post:

1. He needs a warm body to answer the phone while his project manager is on a 2-weeks vacation.
2. He has decided that whoever that he hired for this short period of time will only be able to twirl fingers when the phone isn't ringing.
3. He CAN have whoever he hires to work on 1. design 2. SEO or 3. case study but he went ahead and said but I don't need people doing them later so I don't see the money well spent.
4. Then, he talked about how he wanted the company to remain small and cost driven. (I could appreciate that) He could have hired an intern for 3-6 months without paying but he does not trust the quality of the intern.

Result, he met with 10 qualifying candidates for interview out of 50 resumes and asked them to go back and think about what WE can contribute and solve this for him.

I left the interview with mixed feelings; I am frustrated with the job market and needless to say that I will not be able to help. I am walking away not because this contract is beneath me (I very much enjoy the social media product this company presents) but I just do not agree with this type of business conduct. Even if it leads to a full term job, I would keep wondering: is this where I want to position myself?

Moral of the story? I have learned to stick to my professional boundaries. I know what I want. (universe, do you hear me?)

"I am firmly against people giving away something for nothing,"said Beck, who likens such requests from hiring managers as robbery. I give thumbs up to this!

331 Miles: Getting Two Job Offers During the Recession

331 Miles: Getting Two Job Offers During the Recession

I found this blog very helpful! ESPECIALLY...

Turned Down Inferior Positions

I wasn't scared to tell potential employers that I wasn't interested. It's a key part of building your career, even if you're hungry for employment. I told two different employers, Eaton and Scott Fertilizer, that I was not interested in pursuing the opportunity they presented. It scared me to do it, but I knew that the jobs were not right for my career. If I had accepted one, I would have missed out on two very good offers.

I have been on the job search for a while now! since (gulp) the "restructure of the company". I have had numerous information interviews, phone interviews, first interviews, second interviews and FINALLY, just as I thought that my effort was about to be paid off: It led to a disappointing offer and I just HAD TO walk away.(trust me, I did negotiate that offer)IT HURT, really and that was months ago! I still have second thoughts about the decision, not only because it was a great company but also that I think I am leading towards more to job hop theory now (not then, but now I think to myself: THAT is a decent idea)

BIG oh well! Just had to focus and move on with more certainty! I hope my phone interview tomorrow will lead to a face to face interview then second interview, then 'let's close the deal, baby!'

MOMENTUM, now I can only: Be Bold, Play, Keep at it!

Vows - Aretha Davis and Angelo Volandes

AS far as destination weddings go, having one at an orphanage near Calcutta is no doubt unusual. But so was the 20-year odyssey that brought Aretha Davis and Dr. Angelo Volandes to that location.

They met in 1989 in a freshman ethics class at Harvard. He was a handsome philosophy major from Brooklyn with black turtlenecks, slicked-back hair and compelling rhetoric.

Ms. Davis was soft-voiced and strong-willed. She wore her father’s fedora “with the feather,” she said, along with leather high-tops and Coke-bottle-thick eyeglasses.

It was her impassioned empathy for those less fortunate that mesmerized Dr. Volandes, now 38. “Aretha has boundless love,” he said.

They bonded over their shared perspective as first-generation Americans; her parents came from Guyana and his from Greece. Dr. Volandes, who bused tables at his father’s Greek diner, said they both grew up in families that prioritized hard work and helping others.

They started doing volunteer work together and engaged in endless hours of ardent debates — on every topic other than romance.

“We were two nerdy people,” said Ms. Davis, 37.

The relationship remained platonic. But in their junior year, Ms. Davis, who describes herself as a late bloomer, “developed some curves,” she said, recalling with amusement that “Angelo looked at me differently.”

Gone were her thick prescription glasses and fedora. Instead, she had contact lenses and cascading cornrows. “All the sudden she was this voluptuous woman,” said Dr. Volandes, now a medical ethicist at Harvard who specializes in end-of-life decision-making.

As one who spent Saturday nights in the library, he wasn’t sure how to proceed. It took him until their senior year in 1993 to send her a Valentine’s Day card, albeit an ambiguous one. “As soon as she read it, she ran back to my dorm room livid,” he said, remembering the interrogation that followed. Cornered, he admitted his feelings, and they tearfully embraced.

After graduating that spring, they received fellowships; she did nutrition research at a Guyanese orphanage, and he studied healing traditions in Greece and Egypt.

Deeply in love, Ms. Davis looked forward to taking their relationship to the next level when they returned for grad school.

Dr. Volandes, contemplative by nature, felt pressured. “At 21, she was ready to get married,” he said. “I wasn’t.” He abruptly broke up with her in 1994, insisting it was prudent for them to stay focused on their studies, law for her and medicine for him.

She was shattered, she said, and they didn’t speak for six years.

“There wasn’t a day when I didn’t think about Aretha,” Dr. Volandes said. Yet he never told her, even when his medical residency took him to Philadelphia, where she was working as a lawyer. “I imagined some other lucky guy was already married to her.”

But while Christmas shopping in 2000, Ms. Davis spotted him post-call, unshaven and bleary-eyed. “I had practiced all these things I was going to say to him for years, but I felt nothing but love when I saw him,” she said.

He responded in kind. “To meet the love of your life randomly for a second time, you don’t mess up on that,” Dr. Volandes said.

But this time, marriage was not her priority, having decided to switch careers and become a doctor.

So it wasn’t until 2008, with her fourth year at Harvard Medical School on the horizon, that he proposed, quoting from C. P. Cavafy’s poem, “Ithaka” about Odysseus and his epic journey to Penelope: “As you set out for Ithaka, hope your road is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery.”

On Nov. 18, they had a brief civil ceremony in Easton, Mass., where Michael Marram, a justice of the peace, officiated in his home. Then on Dec. 13, the Rev. Andrew P. K. Mondal led a Greek Orthodox ceremony at a girls’ orphanage in India run by the Philanthropic Society of the Orthodox Church, where the bridegroom’s mother had volunteered in 2000.

“Instead of a big fat Greek wedding, we donated funds and asked our family and friends to donate funds,” Dr. Volandes said. The money will go toward college scholarships for the orphans. The couple plans to return to the orphanage each year for community service vacations, Ms. Davis said. “Our children will hopefully see the girls as their sisters.”

The 95 girls, ranging in age from 3 to 18, were both hosts and honored guests. They helped the bride prepare, wrapping her in an embroidered lehenga, painting her with henna and giving her costume jewelry.

“They have so little, but what they have they will offer,” Ms. Davis said. “The only difference between us and these girls is their parents didn’t emigrate.”

A dozen of the girls in colorful saris escorted them through a verdant courtyard and into a simple white chapel. There, the couple was joined by the rest of their 95 bridesmaids, who showered them with rose petals after they exchanged their vows.

“Our relationship has been more of a marathon than a sprint,” Ms. Davis said, sounding jubilant about where their journey had led.

“The destination is a beautiful thing,” her husband said, “but arguably the richer story is what it took to get there.”

A. Sharma contributed from Bakeswar, India.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/fashion/weddings/20VOWS.html