Miracles can happen!

My days of freedom are over. No more spending all day with the pooch, running whenever I want or meeting friends for coffee during the middle of the day. Come Monday, I rejoin the workforce.

With the exception of my job search, I have always tried to keep my work life separate from the blog, so you won't see much, if any, work-related fodder here. But I will say this about my new job:
--I will spend a bulk of my time interviewing and writing, but this isn't a journalism gig. My title will be "content developer."
--I will get to wear jeans.
--The job is temporary.

Thank you all for your positive encouragement during what has been a tough journey for me. I welcome continued support, because my job search doesn't end with this work opportunity. It is a contract position and could end at any time. I could be earning a paycheck for a few weeks or a few months.

Things are looking up, I think.

It's time to dust off the business suit and put my mad interview preparation skills to work. I have a job interview on Monday. It's for contract work, lasting only two or four months. But it pays, which is good, because we're running low on toilet paper.

Exploring all options

The job hunt has resumed since returning from Minnesota for the holidays. To give you an idea of where I last applied, the company offers a service that combines my two loves: dogs and running.

I got inspired after reading this about the industry.

Misadventures in 2009

I am too uncool to come up with my own way to reflect on 2009, so I'm going to copy my good friend Mark Remy at Runner's World (Oops, did I say good friend? He doesn't know me or my work, but I know his well!)

2009 was a big fat year of change for me and my family. And you can read all about it in the following recap, organized by month. Enjoy!

January
I kicked off the new year with two resolutions -- to run two marathons and journal once a week. Did I achieve them? Neither one. But I did run at least one full marathon in 2009. Although I didn't journal weekly, I took a writing class. I made apple crisp for the first time. My car, which I have since sold, continued to give me a financial headache in 2009 after an expensive 2008. And this recap wouldn't be complete without a mention of the creatures of the night.

February
I was a lame blogger and attempted to try a new recipe -- or at least write about one -- every Monday. I think I can count on one hand how many times I accomplished this.

March
Despite the cold and snow, training for the Fargo Marathon was in full swing. Taking a break from winter, Ben and I spent a week in Honduras. My car was still good company for bad luck. And I cooked but I warn you ahead of time that I did a shoddy job writing about it.

April
I was an awful blogger, so this month isn't worth recapping. I did cool things, though, like watch Twilight for the first time. And I ran a 20-mile race in St. Cloud in preparation for the Fargo Marathon. After the race, I drove to Rochester for a bachelorette party and discovered that I would make the most uncoordinated stripper. If only I had written about those things...

May
Again, why the heck didn't I blog? Oh yeah, I was busy running the Fargo Marathon in personal record time and working. Sorry.

June
I went public with the news that I would be moving to Evanston so Ben could attend business school at Northwestern University. I loved my job, my city, my friends and my family and didn't want to leave all behind. The only day I ever dreaded going into work was the day I had to tell my editor that I was moving.

July
My darling sister married her high school sweetheart on July 11. I enjoyed some small-town running while spending time with my mom after I left my job and before I went to Italy to finally practice my much-forgotten Italian.

August
We abandoned our Minneapolis digs, and we moved to Evanston.

September
I complained about or mentioned being unemployed here, here and here. I embraced being frugal and writing about it. Having a sick dog really really sucked. And of course, I did a little cooking. Yay for sweet corn!

October
I ran a lot and even got pooped on during one outing. It did not bring me good luck, at least in terms of employment. Indie got to drink hydrogen peroxide for the first and, I hope, last time. I made for the first time what has become my signature dessert. And I experimented...

November
If you are ever interested in a middle-distance race, you should do the Hot Chocolate 15k. I did, and I loved it. I made the most amazing pork chops (If you haven't tried this recipe, I urge you to do so in 2010. Make it a resolution!). I turned 26!!! and failed to write about it with any depth.

December
The bulk of my posts were about baking, and my waist shows it. I have since stocked my fridge with the green stuff. My creative non-fiction writing class ended. And despite those additional inches of fat around my waist, I was still a beef magnet.

My dear friends and family, Happy New Year! May 2010 be a good one...for all of us.

Who got rejected today? Thumbs are pointing at me.

I don't know whether to cry or laugh or pick up the bottle.

I followed up today on a part-time receptionist position I had applied for two weeks ago, and I was informed that while I have an "interesting" background, I am not being considered for an interview. The reason had something to do with other candidates more closely fitting the position's requirements.

Answer the phone? Check. I talked to strangers, usually pleasantly, every day at my last job.
Order supplies? Check. I am the CEO of this household, and I know when it's time to buy toilet paper.
Organize the mail? Check. I worked as a bank teller and was an assistant in my high school guidance counselor's and principal's offices, where much organizing was done.

Not to mention that I have a college degree and years of professional experience. And I would agree that I have a darn fascinating background.

OK, so I won't pick up the bottle. I shouldn't even joke about that sort of thing. Besides, I'm a light weight, and it wouldn't do much good. I've laughed a little already. But I might have a good cry left in me.

Oh crap, have I really applied for 18 jobs?

I just stumbled across a description for a job opening that made my heart flutter. I don't feel qualified, but, hell, I'm applying. It would only be the 19th job I've applied for during the past two and a half months. I know rejection like Victoria's Secret knows underwear.

I'm not going to be able to support my husband's habit (spending lots of money to attend b-school), if I don't get hired.

Let the cover letter writing commence!

In other news, I turned 26 yesterday. I have mixed feelings about being 26, and I will share them soon. Be patient, my friends.

Random.

I am considering applying for an unpaid, very part-time internship in public radio.

I baked blueberry muffins (the kind with the strudel on top) yesterday. They were of the box variety. My husband enjoyed them and said I'm a great homemaker.

We had our first guests this weekend since moving here. We spent a rainy afternoon in downtown Chicago, saw a drag show for free at Northwestern, ate really bad food, drank too many beers in Wrigleyville, strolled the beach, enjoyed steak in a red-wine sauce with shallots at home, and saw a scary movie. We have guests visiting through mid-November. Apparently no one wants to brave the Chicago winter.

In one week, I start my writing class at the Newberry Library. I'm petrified but also very, very excited. I have a notebook next to my bed so I can write down essay ideas as they come to me. I think I may have one or two decent ideas.

I got the dry heaves after a 7.5-mile run with Ben yesterday afternoon. The heaves sucked; the run was excellent. Nothing better than running on a mild October day when the streets are lined with trees with gold leaves. Ben and I have never run more than 3 or 4 miles together because I'm usually too slow for him. That was not the case yesterday. Being unemployed = a lot of time for running. Attending MBA school = few opportunities to run.