Job interview

I gave in and applied at some hospitals in the area. At first I was being stubborn and only wanting to apply at Borders, Starbucks, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, etc, and then I realized that I could make double while working waaay less hours doing what I did in Chicago.

So last week I faxed my resume to two hospitals, and one of them (the one I want to work at more) called me today. I have an interview on Tuesday to be a mental health technician, which is basically a bachelor's level counselor, most likely on an inpatient unit.

I'll update about it again after the interview, but I see no reason why it won't go well. I meet their preferred requirements and then some, if I include my masters work. Yay!

**Update 8/3**

The interview went as expected, and I should hear back from them within the next week and a half. I also have another interview set up for 8/5 at a medical hospital's psyc unit. We'll see how everything pans out. Todd just wants me to make money.

Oh yeah, the interview!

So in a post below I talked about my interview at T*E*S*S*A, and how it went well. They called me for a second interview while I was in Chicago, and I was supposed to have it this week. However, after the second interview call, they called me again to let me know that they realized they didn't have enough clients to take on new interns for the fall, but will probably be interviewing for the January crop later this year. Sucks, but what can I do?

I'm going to volunteer for an event there next month, so that should help my cause in case I can't find and internship that starts in September. I'm applying for one more, and just waiting on one more recommendation letter to send my packet in. It's a huge mental health agency here in Colorado Springs, so it's be great experience. However, it's really diagnosis driven and medical model based, which is what I've been doing for the past two years. I wanted something a little different, but at this point I'll take what I can get. If I don't get this agency one, I've been invited to do the September training at T*E*S*S*A so that I wouldn't have to do it in January. Sort of makes me think that they'd accept me in January, and almost makes me want to hold out for it.

I just want to finish this damn degree and keep busy while Todd is deployed. I've also applied for 2 PRN hospital jobs as a mental health counselor, so hopefully I get one of those.

Now it's time to go see Dark Knight! Yay for cheaper IMAX matinee prices.

Holy huge update

I haven't updated in forever since we were in Chicago for Todd's predeployment leave. Here is what's been going on...

Chicago was three super busy weeks. We went to the Taste, saw some Sox games, and pretty much saw everyone we know. We ate like crap almost the whole time, and did not exercise. Well ok, I didn't exercise. Todd did. I'm sure that doesn't surprise anyone. It was so freaking humid, the last thing I wanted to to do was be outside, not to mention running in it. No humidity = point for Colorado Springs. We also had a going away BBQ for Todd one Saturday, and it was really great to have our families and friends in one place...plus it saved on gas for us.

::sidebar::

Gas in Chicago was around $4.40 for regular unleaded. It's $3.95 here. Another point for Colorado Springs.

::end sidebar::

We had two wedding while we were home too, and those were fabulous. I love weddings that I don't have to plan. The second one was a little sad for me; I kept doing the "this is the last time we'll..." crap. I chalk that up to too many cocktails, and the fact that everyone and their brother asks me about Todd deploying. More on that later.

You will notice that there are no pictures in this blog. That's because I barely took any, and if I'm being totally honest, most of them were of Paulie. I can't help it. I took some at the wedding, but (being honest again) I don't feel like digging through my purse to get my camera. I fail at documenting our life. I bet our kids won't even have baby books.

For those of you that don't know, I drove to Chicago with Paulie by myself. It wasn't as much as an adventure as I though it would be. Paulie was sedated (yay!), and Nebraska is the worst state ever to drive through by yourself. I may have called everyone in my phonebook while driving through Nebraska. Seriously, it's miserable.

As much fun as I had in Chicago (I love my friends and family, and do miss them very much), I'm very glad to be back in Colorado. I've sort of been feeling like a nomad this summer--it's like as soon as I get settled somewhere, I'm going somewhere else. I still haven't unpacked, but I plan on doing it tonight (a master procrastinator's favorite phrase). I won't be back in Chicago again until October for another wedding, and then again for Christmas. Both will be without Todd, but I really have no say in that. Stay tuned for Army life/Cav wife updates later this weekend.

Nerves

I have an internship interview today at 2pm. I'm a little nervous now, and I'm sure it will get worse throughout the day. Just writing about it right now has made my stomach do little flips. However, I've been emailing back and forth with the internship coordinator since March, and she seems really nice and easygoing. She keeps calling this a meeting, which sort of puts me at ease, but I'm still wearing a suit.

Speaking of my suit--I got the wrong pants drycleaned! I have two black suits, but I like the way one of them fits more than the other. So now I have to wear the less comfortable suit today. Yuck. I'm taking it as a bad sign.

So wish me luck. In a perfect world, she'd love me so much that I'd have the internship when I left. Considering that their application isn't officially due until 3 weeks before the training in September, I would say that I'm ahead of the game. I think.

*Update*

The interview went really well, and I am waiting for a callback for a second interview. They should be calling me this week, but I have to wait for my background checks for the interview. Since I'm in Chicago for the next few weeks, that works out perfectly. I would be shocked (and a little confused) if i do not get a second interview. Yay me!

Hiking

Todd and I went hiking on two different trails in North Cheyenne Canyon on Friday. They were pretty easy, and on both there were little kids and/or older people. The first one was pretty touristy, and had man made stairs. The second one was a little more normal, and was just a two mile trail with a gradual incline. Here are some pictures:





Look at me! No hair product, no makeup, and you cannot see this, but I'm wearing khaki cargo shorts and gym shoes. Just call me Granola. No matter that after this picture was taken, I squealed and ran away from a huge bug. It was a dragon fly.




And from the second trail:













Afterwards, I returned to my normal self and we went to Chipolte for lunch. I was concerned because of my "natural" appearance, and asked to go home to at least change my shoes so I didn't look like a weirdo. Todd laughed at me and told me to get over it.

Ahhhh, Sunday.

Don't mind the crazy hair. We've had quite an uneventful week. Todd was in the field from Wed-Fri, then we had a BBQ at his commander's house yesterday. It was fun, and it wore all three of us out. It's almost time for block leave, which will be relaxing but still full of stuff to do. We'll be home from 6/21-7/13.

Todd has a 3-day this upcoming weekend, so we've decided to spend one of the days hiking. I'm excited since it's my first real Colorado outdoorsy experience. We'll see how it goes.

In educational news, my application to T*E*S*S*A is in the mail, and I'm hoping to hear from them soon!

Not so good Paulie news...

We had our first one on one obedience training today, and the trainer grabbed the behaviorist who happened to be free because he had a concern. Paulie is deaf. He does not respond to vocal commands or cues, is not bothered by loud noises, or noises of any kind(whether it be a semi truck or other dogs). There were other things that the trainer and behaviorist pointed out too. It makes so much sense, and the idea crossed my mind several times this past week and I just pushed it aside. Todd and I are so relieved that we know now. The poor thing was probably so scared because we didn't know how to interact with him, give him commands, etc.

In the 7 hours since our session, he is already making changes because we have. We are both very optimistic about teaching Paulie new things and behaviors, and are so relieved. Even though having a deaf dog will not be easy, for us it seems easier than a dog who is dominant aggressive. He is still biting, but we are viewing and reacting to it differently, so Paulie is reacting to us differently too. Like I said, we're really optimistic and willing to put in a lot of work to help Paulie.

We still want to have him medically tested, but we are pretty sure he is completely deaf. He is getting neutered on Monday, so I will mention it to the vet then to see if there is anything he can do. If anyone has any advice on training and living with dogs who are deaf, please comment!