Help Me, Please!

So as we all know, I am in the process of applying for jobs. This is the first time I have ever done this (well...for a "real" job), so I am kind of unsure of the process. Needless to say, I need your tips!

I applied for job #1 back in April, and was informed that I would be notified of the status of my application within 10 business days. I love a time line! On business day 10, they emailed me to say they wanted to set up a phone interview. I had the phone interview two days later, and was informed that I made it through to the next step, and that the central office would be in touch in 2-4 weeks to set up a panel interview. It has been almost 2 weeks, so should I wait it out or should I contact them at some point? If I do contact them, should I email or call? I don't have the email or number of anyone to contact, so I would probably email/call the HR office.

(These questions apply to the next two situations as well)

I applied for two other jobs at two different districts in the last two weeks. Neither district has any time line information on their website.

For job #2 I had to mail my stuff (resume & cover letter) to the psychological services office AND had to email the same stuff to the HR office. I did this on the 23rd. Is this long enough for them to process my application? Have they forgotten about me?

For job #3, I applied online two days ago. I know it is obviously really soon, but I am just wondering (again) at what point I should contact them.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Random Thoughts

Work is crazy. I graduate soon. No time to blog. Free time spent searching/applying for jobs. Yada yada yada. You've heard it all before.

Not only has my professional life been nuts, but I have been super social lately. Yay! At least things are looking up on this front. On Thursday night I went out with my husband and his law school friends. On Saturday I went to Gold Cup with Heidi and Madga. On Saturday night we had a brief alley party with our neighbors and then went to another party at Miss Pink Pearls and Muddy Sneakers' apartment. On Sunday I met up with PPMS to retrieve my forgotten phone and ended up spending a good two hours gabbing about lots of stuff at the cutest coffee shop. Last night I hung out with the other hockey wives at AJ's hockey game. Tonight some law school people are coming over to watch the Caps game. Look at me go!! I'm really happy that I have been making an effort to meet up with people and make new friends!

In other fun and exciting news....

For dinner tonight I made my childhood favorite, a casserole, which I frivolously named "Mashed Potato Surprise". My grandma started making this dish way back in the day; she found the recipe on the back of a Campbell's Vegetable Soup can. My parents think it is hilarious that I eat this dish, given my propensity for simple, basic, non-touching foods. Somehow, this was always the exception. It was so yummy and delicious, and the prefect comfort food for a long, rainy day. I love how small things like that can brighten any day!

Few Things

I've had a super crazy week, and am still crunched for time, but I wanted to give a few shout outs!

As you can probably see, I got a super awesome blog makeover courtesy of Danielle at The Design Girl. She is currently having a big sale on basic and standard blog makeovers (they are both $20 off) so if you want a blog makeover too, click on over!

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The finalists for the the Boatman Geller preppy alligator naming contest have been chosen! Thank you everyone that submitted name suggestions!

So without further ado, the three names are...... Mitch, submitted by Wearing Mascara, Van der Chomp, submitted by Prep-E Girl, and NOLA, submitted by Elizabeth KS. Yay! Now go to the Boatman Geller Facebook page, and vote for your favorite! Voting ends May 10th.

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Yesterday Alson had his last final of his 1L year! Congratulations to my amazing husband for surviving what was most certainly a difficult experience. Last night his class had a big celebration, and of course a few beers were had by all. If you've ever had or seen Molson Canadian, you know that they have silly labels on the back. Last night Alson had one that said:

Answer Honestly
Would You Prefer

To be a vampire
-OR-
A werewolf?

Awake

Tonight my husband had a hockey game at 10:45 pm. I decided not to go because it was so late, but here I sit, fully awake because I am a wuss and can't sleep when he isn't here. The game will probably go until midnight, but then he will have to shower, drive back from Arlington, and drop a friend off on the way. I am guessing a 1 am return to our apartment. Boo!

Waking up bright and early may be an issue, it is already way past my bedtime!

Last Chance

Today is your last chance to enter the Boatman Geller preppy alligator giveaway! Make sure you have your name suggestions in by midnight AND that you leave an email address.

I have had a CRAZY week, and look forward to posting something of substance ASAP. Hope everyone has enjoyed the weekend!

FYI

Just wanted to let everyone know that I decided to remove my real name from my blog. Since I am currently applying for jobs, I figure it is better to play it safe. So, when I comment on your posts you'll see The Northerner!

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Also, have you submitted your name suggestion for the Boatman Geller preppy alligator?


Leave me your best name suggestion in the comments for your chance to win a Boatman Geller alligator collection, including a box set, personalized notepads, wine tags, coasters, and luggage tags! This contest will be open until Sunday, April 26th. You must include your email address along with your name suggestion to be considered. We will then review the suggestions, pick our top three favorites, and create a poll on the Boatman Geller Facebook page that will be used to determine the ultimate winner!

Team Jacob?

After reading New Moon, I was a Team Edward girl. But after seeing this picture on people.com, I may just switch over to Team Jacob.

Photo by Timothy White

Who knew werewolves could be so attractive?!

Name the Boatman Geller Preppy Gator!

After receiving Boatman Geller stationery as a wedding present last July, I fell in love with the company and bought a ton of their stationery. I stocked up during the tent sale (which is going on again here) and gave sets of 10 cards tied up with a ribbon to a bunch of family members for Christmas and birthday presents. The stationery is great quality and makes an awesome gift! I also kept a fair share for myself and use it for all my hand written notes.

I also subscribe to their blog, which is how I found out that the Boatman Geller preppy alligator was being retired. Here is an excerpt from the post:

"Sadly, the Boatman Geller preppy alligator has raised some eyebrows with Lacoste and has been deemed to be somewhat confusing when comparing it to the Lacoste icon. Today, we're honoring the retirement of a well noted figure in the Boatman Geller Collections, the preppy alligator. "

I was so sad, because the preppy alligator was one of my favorites, but luckily the people at Boatman Geller alerted me that a new preppy alligator would be part of the collection soon.

Well ladies (and the few gentlemen that read my blog), that day has finally arrived! On behalf of Boatman Geller, I would like to introduce you to the new preppy alligator!!!

Yay! So exciting!

Now, if you notice, the birth announcement is not quite complete...

And that is where you come in!

Boatman Geller needs your help naming the new gator!

Leave me your best name suggestions in the comments for your chance for a special Boatman Geller alligator collection, including a box set, personalized notepads, wine tags, coasters, and luggage tags! This contest will be open until Sunday, April 26th. Also, you must include your email address along with your name suggestion to be considered. We will then review the suggestions, pick our top three favorites, and create a poll on the Boatman Geller Facebook page that will be used to determine the ultimate winner!

Pretty, New Things

After a long, taxing day at work (I am having a hard time transitioning back into work mode after an 11 day spring break), I came home to a nice surprise from Lauren Nicole Gifts.

The other night I read a Lauren Nicole Gifts blog post that said:

"I have a bunch of things that I want to give away (products that I took off of the website because I only have one left). The first TEN bloggers to leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite Easter memory was will get one of these items."

I just happened to be one of the first ten bloggers to respond and I am LOVING the sterling silver engraved pendant she sent me!

This picture doesn't do the pendant justice (the flash makes it look scratched and I think you can see my fingerprint, haha), but it is definitely beautiful in person. I especially love it because it's got my new* monogram.

Now, the good news for you is that Lauren Nicole Gifts is planning to do more "grab bag giveaways" each month for the next few months, so make sure you are subscribed to her blog!

Also, my friend Julie from Wearing Mascara has asked that I check to make sure all her readers know that she recently switched to WordPress. So....everyone make sure wearingmascara.com is showing up in your Google reader because Julie has moved!!

*At what point is this not my new monogram, but my actual monogram? Same as being a newlywed?

Rachel Zoe and My Marriage

Friday night we went to Arlington to see our wedding band play at RiRa, and as always, they rocked! They are such an amazing band and I am so happy to support them as they make the transition from cover band to tHE.DESIGN. If you are in North or South Carolina check their schedule to see if they are coming to a bar/venue near you! I believe this was their first trip north, and hopefully they will trek up here again and continue to get lots of exposure!

A late night out Friday combined with a rainy Saturday resulted in a lazy day on the couch. During my veg fest, I somehow got sucked into watching The Rachel Zoe Project marathon on Bravo. Throughout the bajillion episodes I watched, Rachel commented at least once per episode about how she put her work first and her time with her husband was limited. He also commented multiple times about how he never got to see his wife. I cannot imagine living like that, but I am also not a famous stylist that is building a brand and jet setting from NY to LA all the time.

However, even with Alson being in law school, we try to put our marriage ahead of everything. Some of the best advice he received was from a mentor while working at the firm in North Carolina: Treat law school like a full time job. He gets up early, studies before school, goes to all his classes (which for me is a given, but apparently for a lot of people, it is not), studies between classes instead of socializing and goofing around, and studies after class until dinner time. This gives us plenty of time together in the evening, and also allows him to time to decompress and gather strength and brain power for the next day. On the weekends he also gets up early and studies while I catch an extra couple hours of sleep. Throughout the day he continues to study, but we still spend a few hours together.

Now, finals time is a different story. If we can just have dinner together I will be happy.

I am not saying this particular schedule will work for everyone; the point is that spending time together is important to both of us and we work it into his daily schedule. Seeing a couple on TV struggle with this really opened my eyes to how lucky I am. Not that I am in any position to give Rachel Zoe advice, but it seems like they need to schedule in some QT every now and then. However, they HAVE been married 10 years, so what do I know?

Another thing that struck me was watching Rachel and her husband fight. Obviously all couples fight, but something about watching a real couple fight was informative (and yes, I know some people are skeptical about the authenticity of reality shows). I found myself thinking, I would say that or I would do that or I would do this differently, and I think it helped me to realize how I fight. I have been known to say things I don't mean, just to get a rise or reaction out of Alson. Not nice and I'm not proud. I am really trying hard to not do this anymore, and watching this couple fight and seeing both their perspectives (another thing I have trouble doing) I think was helpful.

Is that weird? I don't know what it was about them that I found relatable, but it was something! Have you seen a couple on TV or in real life fight that hit home? What, if anything, have you learned about your relationship from TV?