The search continues

Searching for a job, takes a lot of energy and perseverance. It's not for the faint of heart and interviews are mentally draining. Officially I've been unemployed or as I prefer to call it, retired since Oct 1. Not horrible considering the current state of our economy. I also have elected not to collect unemployment. Thankfully I am in a position where I don't need it. My parents are letting me live with them rent free and I don't have debt. In addition to that, a few short term opportunities such as editing an article for publication have presented themselves so I've had spending money.

I have been on a few interviews for either consulting opportunities or full-time employment, which I am truly thankful for. Again, given the unemployment rate I feel pretty blessed. I have greatly appreciated the time of rest at home as I've been adjusting to being back in the States. I needed that much more then I ever dreamed.

With that said, its going to be quite the shock to my system when I have to rejoin the workforce. Unless I can find a job that lets me start at 11am and wear slippers, but I'm doubtful. I used to watch the Ironman Triathlon that occurs in Hawaii and think the only way I could do that was to quit my job and train full time. Well, I haven't used this time home to do that. Although if a job doesn't happen soon, I may reconsider that option.

As of today, I have two interviews scheduled. One will be my third interview with the facility. The second is a two day interview with another facility. There is a third facility that reportedly wants to interview me but has yet to schedule it.

All of these opportunities are in the States. I haven't seen an overseas opportunity that pulled on my heart like Afghanistan did. Felt a twinge for an opportunity in Haiti, so maybe that part of me isn't dead. Here's to hoping I am employed at Christmas.

The photo is of the mountains in Kabul. It was taken from the plane as I was flying home.

Keep Smiling!

Home Depot and random thoughts

Spent some time today in Home Depot. Its not usually a place I shop but my youngest sister and I ran there to get more white Christmas lights and a Christmas present for our dad. He's asked for two "man" gifts; a case of oil (also helpful for us since he changes the oil in our cars) and a new shop light.

Now if Home Depot was interested in a few suggestions, I'd be willing to offer some. First, as an independent women, I won't be offended if you come over and ask me if I need help. Especially when my sister and I are starring blankly at all the options you have for fluorescent lights. The second suggestion is, it might be helpful to put the light bulbs that go with specific types of lights in the section that the lights are sold in. There are a lot of different types of bulbs. The best idea would be to sell the lights with the lights, but that might make things to easy. Does anyone know what's the best way to wrap a T8 32watt 48 inch bulb?

On the way to Home Depot, I stopped to get gas. $3.09 a gallon -Yikes! As I was putting gas in my car and wishing someone would do this for me, my mnd wandered to life in Kabul. It's cold in Connecticut and since my Kabul experience, I really really really dislike being cold. I realized that one of the things I miss about Afghanistan is not having to do the car maintenance. I wasn't allowed to drive, which was probably a good thing since traffic is a nightmare, as are the road conditions. Not driving also means, you don't have to put gas in the car, take it in to get the oil changed and that the car is already warm when you get it in.

Keep Smiling!

Thanksgiving

What a treat to be home for Thanksgiving this year. We had a small crowd, just immediate family and one guest. Spent the day before baking all the favorites; banana cream pie, chocolate cream pie and apple pie. Then made deviled eggs, which are much harder then one would expect.

Throughout the day I couldn't help but remember what last year was like. The four days before Thanksgiving we didn't have power, which meant no heat and no hot water. I was so miserable on Thanksgiving morning. All's I wanted was a shower before we headed over to the base. We had been very lucky to score an invite to dinner at the military base, and I would have given anything to wash my hair. Little did I know that this was only the beginning of what winters were like in Kabul.

Dinner with the troops was a blast. As an extra perk, the UCONN game was on TV while we ate. And boy did we eat. This was the first time since I arrived in Afghanistan that I had American food. We even had real ice-cream.

Since I've been home, I feel much more patriotic towards the men and women in the armed services. I've always supported the troops but its different now. I feel we can't do enough for them. My heart truly goes out to them, their families and the sacrifices they make to for me, us.

When we got home after Thanksgiving dinner, we had power. I was able to take a warm shower and then headed out to have a second Thanksgiving dinner with some friends at "J" compound. Both dinners were nice, but nothing beats being with your family.

I am so thankful to be home.

Voting Day

America, the land of the free!! Remember to celebrate our freedom, liberties and go vote.

Last year I wasn't in the States when it was election season. The perk is you are away from the phone calls and spam that arrives daily in your mail box. In Kabul, they plaster walls with pictures of the candidates. Banners are hung throughout town and like here, the conversation around the water cooler is political.

Unfortunately today, I wasn't able to vote. There was some paperwork error that occurred. Before I left for Kabul, I sold my house and moved in with my parents for 2 weeks. I completed all the necessary paperwork to change my address and my voting registration. Today I showed up at the polls and there was no record of me living at this address. I did notice that I wasn't getting any political pamphlets but it didn't register that maybe I wasn't registered.

After I few phone calls made by the official voter dude, he told me that yes my voter registration was canceled in my previous town of residence but they have no record of it being transferred to any town in Connecticut. He did give me the paperwork and allowed me to fill out a new voter registration form but I wasn't allowed to vote today.

I'm pretty angry with myself. The right to vote is such a privilege and I blew it. I believe that one vote does make a difference. I believe that we need to take this right seriously and vote in each election as an informed voter. And I think its extra important for women to get out and vote. There are still too many countries where women struggle for this right, we shouldn't take it for granted.

Keep Smiling!

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!

Change of Plans

It has been a wonderful 6-weeks of vacation. I have enjoyed the time to reconnect with friends and spend some quality time with my family. We went to Cooperstown NY and visited the baseball hall of fame. Which I highly recommend that all baseball fans go and see at least once.

This past weekend we went up to our cottage in New Hampshire. Hurricane Earl made for a windy few days but aside from that it was a great time of rest and relaxation. My father and I spent some time fishing on the lake. I was able to convince my Dad to put the worm on the hook the first time. Yes, I'm a nurse but I don't like touching the worms. They won't stay still, they are slimy and I'm afraid I'll stick myself. The second time I needed bait, I had to do it myself. And let's just say I don't have a career as a bass master fisherman. Over all the fish ate well that night; we did manage to catch a few sunfish, perch and a cat fish. We released them all back to become even bigger fish for us to catch next summer.

During this time home I had to make a decision about what my future holds. The big question was am I going to go back to Kabul and if I do for how long. I have decided not to return. I will remain on staff until at least the end of this month and will function as a mentor/resource remotely until a replacement can be found.

This was a very difficult decision to make, probably much harder then you would expect. I have enjoyed the comments from people as I have explained that I wasn't returning and hope my responses have been kind. I am aware that most people think I was insane for going in the first place.

However I don't feel that way. It was a wonderful experience and I have no regrets about going. I learned so much about myself and what is truly important in life. This experience has changed me in both positive and negative ways. I met some wonderful people both westerners and local nationals.

Living there for a year has given me a much better understanding of Afghanistan and the complexities of life for the Afghan people. After seeing what I saw and experiencing what I did, I will be a greater advocate for the rights of Afghan women and children. I am truly grateful to have been born in America . Yet Afghanistan has become a part of me and has changed me forever.

I do look forward to the day when I stop diving to the ground at loud noises. I still struggle to watch TV shows that are action/adventure. And please don't ask me if I think this war is winnable, I didn't spend any time with McChrystal or Petraeus. Just trust me, it's a very complicated problem and be thankful that you don't have their job.

As for what's next, I have no idea. I do plan on keeping the blog. I have sent out a few resumes and will see what doors open. The world is my oyster which is both exciting and a little nerve wracking. We shall see what adventures are next.

Keep Smiling,

Jen