Yosemite

I was quiet at the end of last month because on was on vacation to California, southern and northern, with a large chunk spent in Yosemite National Park for a family reunion.

While at my parents' house, my mom and I spent time shopping for new work-appropriate clothes, and had success. We also did a bit of sewing, a lot of eating, and taking of family photos. The weather was almost enough to make me move back: cool in the morning and evening, and hot but breezy during the day; perfection. I spent a fair bit of time out in the garden.

We drove up to Yosemite in two separate cars, and I was with my dad. The drive to the central valley is beautiful, and then there is nothing to look at until you turn east into the mountains. Yosemite was beautiful, and we have a lot of family history there dating back to the turn of the (last) century. We spent three days in the valley, spending time with family and taking in the sights. It was a pretty good vacation, and I am very happy I could make it with the new job. See pictures below!

Golden hills, making our way to the central valley

First view of the valley...you can see Half Dome right in the very middle

From the back door of our hotel: Sentinel Rock

Merced River

View of Half Dome from Glacier Point

Valley meadow, so beautiful

Meadow grass. I took a video and downloaded it to my computer, then deleted it from my camera, not knowing it downloaded the video as ONE picture, and NOT a video. ALWAYS check before deleting things from your camera!!

Photo Credit: Me!

Resolution Update #7

Here's how I did in July:

Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 33% (horrible)

A. Go to the gym once a week: 3/4 (75%)
B. Stretch once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea once a week: 0/4 (0%)

Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 42% (ugh)

A. Write in my journal once a week: 4/4 (100%!)
B. Meditate once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Only spend one hour on the internet every weekday, at home: 0/22 (0%)

Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Fail

Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing per month
Result: Resounding success!

I don't even think I can remember all the clothes I bought this month; new job necessitated new clothes!

Resolution #5: Read two books per month
Result: Success!

In July I read Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath, and it was a Newbery Honor Book. I wasn't blown away by this one. Next I read The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson. As always, it was great. This book was written in the late 80s, however, and I wish I was either old enough to have read it at the time, or that Bryson would do his trip again and write about current small town America.

Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances via Excel
Result: Eh

So I spent a lot of money in July, and did a pretty good job of tracking expenses until I went on vacation. It's vacation: money doesn't matter, right?

Monthly Recap: I didn't do too badly overall, but getting my new job (yay!) and going on vacation (yay!) made it hard to do things like go to the gym and meditate. Also, it costs money to start a new job (gotta look the part!); good thing I'm now making a lot more!

First Day

My first day of work went really well. I'm tired, but learned a lot, and hopefully hands-on training will come later this week. I really think I'm going to like this job, which is the best thing I learned today.

On the Bright Side

1. I'm still on vacation! I begin my new job next week. And luckily that first week seems like it will be fairly easy, as it will consist of trainings, getting to know the office, and hour lunch breaks (seriously, an hour!? It's so luxurious.)

2. California and family and fun in two weeks!

3. It's summer! Sometimes I forget that this is the best time of year, because I either have no money to enjoy it, or it's so hot I want to melt away. This is a reminder that I need to spend time with friends, preferably outdoors with alcohol, and enjoy lovely food.

4. Homemade pizza. YUM.

5. Shopping today!

Cute Couple

Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson, in Paris for Fashion Week, at the Chanel Haute Couture show

They are too cute for words. LOVE Diane's outfit!

Photo credit: Hendrik Ballhausen/Landov via People.com

Employed and Fabulous

And just like that, I have a job! Unemployment: 0, Sharon: 1.

I am now the new secretary (executive assistant...) in the President's Office at the university. YAY! I have been trying to get a job at the university for THREE YEARS, since I graduated with my MA. They finally want me! I begin on July 16, and I'm still going to get time off for my planned vacation at the end of July. It's amazing: I finally found a real job!

Some Statistics (I Know Because I Keep a Spreadsheet)

1. Number of jobs applied to in the past year: 58

2. Number of call backs: 14 (24%)

3. Number of failed interviews: 12 (still waiting to hear about one; 21%)

4. Number of times I was rejected because I was "overqualified:" 2 (3%)

5. Number of jobs I never heard back from: 17 (29%)

6. Number of jobs where I had two interviews (one in-person) and then never heard anything back from, even after a follow-up email (rudest thing EVER): 1 (2%)

7. Number of universities where I applied: 9

8. Number of jobs that want me: 1 (only number that counts :-))

Resolution Update #6

Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 66% overall (bad)

A. Go to the gym once a week: 6/4 (150%!!!)
B. Stretch once a week: 2/4 (50%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea a week: 0/4 (0%)

Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 33% overall (downright horrible)

A. Write in my journal once a week: 4/4 (100%!)
B. Meditate once a week: 0/4 (0%)
C. Only spend one hour on the internet every weekday, at home: 0/21 (0%)

Wow. For the month of July I really need to focus on mindfulness.

Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Success!

I saw Pixar's latest, Brave, in June. I always enjoy a Pixar movie, but this one felt very formulaic and stereotypical to me.

Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing a month
Result: Success!

I definitely reeled in my shopping during June; the only thing I bought was a sports bra (much needed!). Also, if you're wondering, Victoria's Secret's new line of sports bras is pretty good!

Resolution #5: Read two books per month
Result: Resounding success!

Yay for reading! This month I read Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi, Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien, and Savvy by Ingrid Law, all Newbery Medal winners or honor books. I particularly enjoy Savvy and Mrs. Frisby.

Finally, I read Bossypants by Tina Fey, and LOVED it! I know many people have already read this book, and I should have picked it up much earlier. The book was well-written (unsurprising, since Fey is a writer), funny, and doesn't get bogged down with too many personal details. I very much enjoyed reading it.

Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances via Excel
Result: Success!

According to my spreadsheet, my spending was very normal this month.