Orchard

One of my favorite fall activities is going to the orchard to get apples and a pumpkin to carve. My mom, youngest sister and I all went this weekend. We sort of cheat; we don't actually pick the apples. We buy ones in a basket that someone at the Orchard has already picked.

Selecting a pumpkin is tricky, especially when you don't have an idea on how you want to decorate it. Some years I get a small one or one with a dent, depends on my mood. This year I went for a medium sized one that I can carve. The plan is to attempt to make a pumpkin bread with the insides. Never done that before. My sister selected a white pumpkin. I don't remember ever seeing an all white pumpkin. She's not sure how she is going to decorate it either.

One of my other favorite activities is getting warm apple fritters and hot apple cider. I missed this last year. One of the things that was challenging about living in Kabul is its brown, year round its brown. It's so sad. Aside from when the flowers bloom, there is very little color or vegetation in the city. At least the flowers are in bloom spring, summer and fall.

Keep Smiling!

The Job search

Having officially completed my assignment on September 30th, I like to consider my self "semi-retired". I think it sounds better then unemployed.

Thankfully prior to leaving for Afghanistan I paid off all my debt; sold my house, paid off my car and any credit card debt. I'm living with my parents as I search for a job.

It's a little unsettling not having a job. Now, I recognize it hasn't been that long but I started seriously applying for jobs in mid-August. I interviewed for a position at one hospital in CT that started off as a consulting job, changed to a temporary employee job and then finally became a permanent position. As a consulting or temporary gig, it was great. Unfortunately as a permanent position it was a little too far off my career track and to many steps backwards.

I have since interviewed for a position in DC and had a phone call with an HR person from a hospital in PA. Both of these options are intriguing. With DC, I am waiting to hear if they will offer me the job. With PA, I am waiting to see if Senior Management wants to schedule an interview. While I am waiting; I have applied for jobs in Connecticut, California, Maryland and Texas. The waiting is the terrible part. During this process, I have become less and less a fan of the statement "we will contact you if we are interested in arranging an interview, please do not contact us."

With both DC and PA, it was a month after I applied before they got back to me. Can companies quantify when they will get back to an individual? Say something simple like, "if you don't hear from us in 4-6 weeks, we have decided to pursue other candidates." As the self appointed voice of the "semi-retired" I believe those of us looking for jobs, want to know when you don't want us.

Some places will let you search the status of your application. This is a nice feature. I have learned from one place they have reviewed my resume and passed it on to the hiring manager. Two other places have said they reviewed my resume and its been declined. Declined is a little harsh but at least I know.

Keep Smiling!