WEEKEND GETAWAY AND OTHER EVENTS

This past weekend Jack & I went to the Cape for the weekend. Neither of us had been there much, both of us tend to go North, so we had fun exploring new territory. And we did it without a map!

We stayed at the Mariner Motor Lodge in Yarmouth. Nice place, had a big pool and a ho tub, as well as many families due to Spring Vacation Week. A nice Irish Pub next door, Molly's, and we were well set for home base.

The first day we went to Provincetown. It didn't seem lie it should be far, we were in the "Mid-Cape area", but it turned out to be some sixty miles! We enjoyed the ride, got to see the change from Mid to Outer Cape, and we both greatly liked the Outer Cape. We drove around Wellfleet and walked around the Harbor area. In P-town it took awhile to find parking and it was metered--- 25C for only 15 minutes! So we had a quick bite to eat and left within an hour, to go back to the Mid-Cape.

On the way back we stopped and played Miniature Golf at the Pirate Cove in Yarmouth. Jack got three holes in one, and I got one! It was a fun & challenging course--- and of course part of the fun was the pirate theme.

Second day we went to Barnstable & Sandwich. We peekd at the Daniel Webster Inn and took the tour of the Sandwich Glass Museum. We stopped at the Wild Lagoon Miniature Golf and played another round. I ended with a hole in one! Maybe we have a new interest?

We stayed an extra night. And so that last evening we went to another Irish Pub--- live Irish music, dancing....

All in all a good weekend, very fun and romantic.

We heard from Carl & Melissa on our return that they had put in an offer on a house in Danvers--- but it looks like a "no go". And we went to see Maria and her grown-ups Debbie & Patrick (AKA Mom & Dad to her) and Uncle Thom. Had a nice dinner and evening with them in Newburyport.

Finally, we were hoping to have all the kids to the house tomorrow evening for a Wellness Presentation for Juice Plus+--- kind of a practice--- but that looks like a "no go" and so we'll have to rethink, reschedule, redo somehow.... disappointing, but that's business.

And I have yet to hear about the Patient Advocate position for which I interviewed last week. Perhaps that is a "no go" as well. Time will tell.

EASTER SUNDAY AND EASTER MONDAY

What a weekend! Jack & I attended an all day Boating Safety course on Saturday at the Palmer Cove Yacht Club in Salem, where Thom was just inducted as a member. We went to dinner at the Village Restaurant in Essex, our holiday tradition for Christmas & Easter, and attended the Easter Vigil at St John the Baptist Church there. A very full day!

Easter Sunday was wonderful. We had Fran, Thom, Carl & Melissa , and my brother Ken with us for dinner, and for the afternoon. We played Trivial Pursuit, and had agood time together. The only ones missing for our children were Deb & Patrick with Maria--and they were in New Hampshire for the weekend celebrating their first anniversary.

CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

And as for today, Easter Monday, I had to go for blood work, got a reply for my first essay to NIWH on Physics & Philosophy (comments were very favorable), the realtor showed the condo, I have been sorting out some Juice Plus information & have booked my first Wellness Presentation for Thursday April 23rd--- and been invited to interview for the position of Patient Advocate for a company called MDVIP!

I'm excited about Juice Plus, I'm excited about NIWH, I'm excited about the job possibility! So far I know that it is temporary, for sixteen weeks, pays well, that the company is headquartered in Boca Raton Florida and they will send me there for training if I'm the chosen candidate, and that this is a physician practice business that focuses on prevention & personalized care! This particular project is located in North Reading--- and my interview is this Friday April 17th at 10am.

COMING TO A CROSSROADS

This is about "right livelihood" of course. Today I have my third interview for the Community Outreach & Parent Coordinator position out of Everett for the Joint Committee on Health Care for Children.... and I had my Telephone Conference with my Mentor for Herbalife, John Harding. What will it be?

No doubt about it, I'm at some kind of a crossroads, professionally speaking.

For the interview, I was asked different questions by the team, then had to pitch WHY I should be hired; apparently I was the fourth of four finalists to be so questioned today. I believe I answered truthfully; I only hope I answered well. References are going to be contacted, and that's of some concern to me--- that contacts actually be made and not just voicemail or "telephone tag", and that what I told the Committee will be matched by what references say.

As for Herbalife, I need to know whether or not I will have a job, and then I can decide how much time & effort I can actually and realistically give to it. If I don't get this job, I may very well give it a 100%, knowing that it will take six months to a year before I see any significant return on my investment.

So I wait to see........

JOB INTERVIEW

The job interview today with Jacqueline Coogan of the Joint Committee for the Health Care for Children, at Everett City Hall, went very well. We connected very well, and I found her to be "dynamite". I have been invited--- and accepted the invitation--- for a third interview, which will take place Monday the 9th, with the staff & Executive Team. I am one of four finalists. Should hear by Thursday and if offered, and accepted, will beging briefly on Friday the 13th, when I attend the monthly organizational meeting of 30+ directors of agencies and organizations that make up the Committee. I would then begin in earnest the 17th.

We shall see. She's not entirely certain of me--- and I'm not entirely certain this is right for me. We will each have a few days to think things over, then another meeting.

In some ways, this is exactly the sort of position I've hoped for all my life! Community oriented, grass-roots, professional, concerned with healthcare for children and families.....

ANOTHER JOB INTERVIEW

This morning I had a scheduled Telephone Screening Interview at 930am.

It was for a position as Community Outreach & Parent Coordinator for the Joint Committe on Health Care for Children, in Everett. Based at Everett City Hall, job entails working in the communities of Everett, Revere, Malden, Chelsea, and Somerville, which I am not familiar with. It is "independent contractor" status, decent hourly pay, no benefits, and the hours average 25-30 per week, more in "high season" from 4/1 to 10/31, less the rest of the year. Monday evenings are mandatory, as are 12-14 Saturdays, and 1-2 Sundays per year--- outreaches take place on those days, as well as weekedays. It sounds like it could be intense and very busy, and is NOT an office job. In fact this position has an Administrative Assistant (FT) and a Data Entry Clerk (PT) dedicated to it.

The interview went well, and I've been invited for an in-person interview this Wednesday at 1230pm. If that goes well, for interviewer and for me, a third interview is possible, with a team. Starting date is anticipated for February 16-23, so things are apt to move quickly.

I don't quite know what to think. I'm attracted to the position, but wish it were in communities I'm acquainted with. Also wish there were benefits such as sick pay and vacation time; fortunately I have health insurance through John.

And if all seems well, for the Joint Committe and for me, and I'm offered this position, and accept it---- how will this affect my other plans, such as study with the NESWHE, and where will I go then with Herbalife?

As always, time will tell. I've had some disappointments lately, but keep hoping that the right thing will open up at the right time. In God's order, in God's timing!

And I'm thinking that the ONLY interviws I've had the past few months, since before Mom's passing, have been for positions I REALLY WANT: Resident Services Coordinator for Caleb Group, Volunteer Coordinator for the UU Church of Greater Lynn, Volunteer Coordinator for HAWC, and Administrative Assistant/Special Projects for Catholic Charities North--- and now Community Outreach & Parent Coordinator out of Everett City Hall! So I can feel good about this--- and I do.

PROMISING JOB INTERVIEW

It's promising because it went well, I connected with the team that interviewed me, and I feel they connected with me as well. I was able to answer all their questions--I hope in a way that satisfied-- and was well able to converse about domestic violence issues, managing volunteers, assisting with fund-raising events, and my aptitude, skills, and attitude about computers. I hope I will be invited for a second interview. From what we discussed, I could give my heart to this job, and would be pleased to connect with this agency.