My Job Change

Back in August we found out that there could be big changes coming to the MAC and Cisco relationship.  Our bosses were not shy about telling us we should look for new jobs.  At that time I was 8 months pregnant with Thomas and no one was going to hire me knowing I would be on a 3 month maternity break shortly after being hired.

So as time went on, we found out little details from Cisco.  In fact, our Cisco co-workers were the ones that slowly let us know that the relationship was over after the first quarter(ending 10/28).  By mid-September our bosses told us that a few people had till the end of September to work at MAC and the rest would be laid off come 10/28.  I was in the bunch that had till the end of October.

The timing worked out well, since I was scheduled to be enduced 11/3.  The next decision was for Scott and I to determine if I would find a new job after the first of the year or be a stay at home mom.  We opted for me to stay home with the boys.  We scaled back Gabriel's preschool to 9-12 (the learning hours) and Bennett was taken out of daycare.  I've decided that staying home is a good move for me now.  I get more time to play with the boys and decided if this is something I really like or I look for something where I can work from home with Thomas.  Either way, Scott and I made a list of must haves for when I decide I need to go back to work and staying home seems to be winning.

Back to work

It's official, I'm back at work.  I came back to a whirlwind of interesting things that happened while I was out.  Although I miss seeing Bennett everyday and taking Gabriel to Miss Mary's house in the morning, I am happy to get back into the swing of things.  I really did miss adult conversations during the day - even if we only talk about TV shows. 

On a plus side, my blog will be back up to date soon.  I'm sure what readers I have will appreciate that!.

Biggest Loser

About 10 of us at work have been participating in a Biggest Loser contest.  Today is our last day.  I went in to this just wanting to lose 10lbs.  It wasn't baby weight, I had lost that when Gabe was 6 months old.  I wanted to lose a little extra that I had gained before pregnancy.

Since June I've been walking with my co-workers at lunch around the Arch grounds.  We found that one lap from our office is 2 miles.  It's been an interesting summer watching and dodging the tourists and there have been days where we don't walk.  Overall it's has felt great to walk during lunch and get outside.  We have been incredibly lucky with nice weather this summer. 

Outside of work walking, Scott and I have been walking/running most weekends.  We try for at least 1 day to get out.  Gabe has been a champ going running with Scott or the occasional walk with me.

Today was my final weigh in for this part of the Biggest Loser.  I lost a total of 6.2lbs.  It wasn't the 10 I wanted, but it's over 50% of the way there.  And 6.2lbs in only 2 months is great motivation for me to keep it up. 

For me, I can actual see a difference in myself in pictures and that's all the proof I need.  That and my pants for work are just a little too big!

Christmas Vacation

I haven't had a real Christmas vacation since high school.  The kind where you aren't working, no school and just having fun or relaxing.  Thanks to my HR department and my timely start I have 60 hours that I have to burn by December 31st.  Of course our office is closed the week of Christmas so I have to use the time before December 21st.



Oh what to do with myself for the 8 work days I have off?!  So far, I've managed to get some shopping in and cleaning.  I think these few days off are really going to kick start my nesting desires.  I believe a few batches of cookies will be made and most of all, I'll be enjoying afternoon naps!

Merry Christmas to me!

New Job

It's official, I've left Lindenwood and couldn't be happier.  After a year or so of dealing with a bipolar dean, I decided my time at Lindenwood was over.  My friend mentioned an opening at her company and I quickly got my resume together and she helped push it through HR.

After one quick interview and day of waiting I found out that I got the job and pay increase.  There are some nice benefits to the new job.  Scott and I can carpool to work, I get to see the Arch every day, and I work in a happy environment.  I get to see this everyday too:

[caption id="attachment_2048" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Mighty Mississippi[/caption]

Things are looking good at MAC Meetings and Events!

Officially Employed

I am fully employed by Lindenwood University as of this week.  I've been doing temp work for a couple of months and then they decided to reorganize the department I was in and start interviewing people.  After waiting for a few weeks and watching other people interview, I was finally informed that I was going to be hired and that they were waiting on HR, one person, to officially OK me.

Once I received the official OK, we went over the terms of my contract and my inability to negotiate my salary...grrr.  I officially said yes to the job and my start date was to be early May.  Due to Office Team needing a final back ground check on me my start date was pushed back to May 12th.

I am now gainfully (kinda) employed at the University and get a few University perks, like free tuition for Scott (once we get married) and myself and health insurance!  Of course they are still a little behind the times and I'm only paid once a month and on real vacation time until after a year but I get to build up some time from now till July when the new year starts for the school.  So I'll take the ups with the downs and they are willing to work with me and my crazy schedule around the wedding this summer!

REALTOR®

Last night I finally completed my SLAR (St. Louis Association of REALTOR®) training.  It was a class that I was signed up to take back in November but with my parents visiting I put it off till last night.  The training wasn't anything new and it was just a few refreshers but I offically and finally received my REALTOR® pin. 

It was nice to see some people who I hadn't seen since my initital 48 hour class or from other firms that I see only on my monthly Tours.  Overall the class was great to go to, even if it was a 3 hour class after a very long day.  But it just makes me feel much more accepted in the Real Estate community.

New Year, New Changes Already

This week has been interesting.  It was going along smoothly and normal until Thursday.  I went into the office to get some information on HUD housing, since I had a HUD house showing on Friday.  I figured I'd run into my co-worker and get some help or at least talk with fellow agents or our managers to get my questions answered.

After checking in with a couple other agents I walked over to my co-worker's desk only to find it was cleaned out.  I was then entering our Broker/Manager's office to get up to speed with the new changes.  She was leaving the agency and going into investment real estate.  Although it wasn't a huge shock, she had informed me that major changes were coming but I didn't know the extent of it.  We didn't have our regular Wednesday meeting for me to get updated before they made it official.

Now my new role is that I'm staying with the agency and keeping my license with them.  I'm also going to be taking on everything by myself.  It's more of a role that I've been thinking about taking on and now I have the push I was needing.  I'll be making calls to get listings and still working with buyers.  I'm very excited to take on this role and now I get to do things my way and learn from other agents.

Another milestone, this is my 100th post!  Wow, two and a half years in STL and 100 posts.  I should pick up the pace a bit.

Real Estate Business

It's official, I'm a REALTOR^®!  After many frustrating tries at the National and Missouri Real Estate tests, I've passed and have sent all my information into the the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC).

I've started training with my brokerage firm.  I'm back on a schedule.  Monday's are contract training, Tuesday's are office meetings and caravan, Wednesday - Friday is training with our broker-owner and then making calls or meetings.

It is very exciting starting a new career with many possibilities.  I'm starting as a Buyer's Agent with an established agent.  I have so much to learn from her that I'm looking forward to any feedback that I get from her on any project that she has me doing.

The first 48...

I finally started taking the official steps to getting my real estate license this week.  It starts with the 48 hour class and then the licensing test.  The week has been challenging, there has been so much to learn and remember.  The teacher has been great at giving us plenty of test prep questions and letting us know what to expect on the actual test.

Now we have to get through Monday and all the Missouri state laws and take the practice test on Tuesday.  Then it's time for the real deal!  So much stress in the next few days but hopefully it will be all over in a week!

Pampered Chef

As a way to increase my funds I have recently become a Pampered Chef consultant.  So far, it's been helping me save money by cooking at home way more than I had been.

After about a month of talking with and meeting with my Director, Ruth, I decided I could totally handle what Pampered Chef had to offer.  I placed an order for my starter kit and 2 days later it was here!  I spent about an hour opening each box and checking out the recipe cards that came with each individual product.  I finally realized that I was excited to cook, although I still hate going to the grocery store.

My roommate decided to help me out with my first practice party.  About 5 of her friends came over and we made a pizza.  I had gone in with the idea that no one was going to buy anything but at the end of the night I sold over $200.  The only issue I had with the party was the minor dog fight under the table over a piece of cheese.

Last night was my first monthly meeting at Ruth's house in Belleville.  I was nervous and excited to meet other consultants and hear how everyone got started.  I was able to meet Susan, my Director's Director, and Dan, a fellow consultant.

Dan was an interesting guy, he started Pampered Chef 3 years ago in memory of his daughter who lost her battle with breast cancer.  He choose Pampered Chef since their number one charity is breast cancer awareness (all May you can buy Pink products).  At one of Dan's parties he only makes desserts and tries to make them healthy.

Now that I've met other Pampered Chef people I'm back to being pumped and ready to sell more.  I currently have 2 standing orders for a catalog party and would like a couple more before I submit.

Hopefully, this will be the start of a fun new career or at least a great new hobby.

Work time!

As a new year begins, I look at what needs to be accomplished to have a successful year.  Or at least achieve one major accomplishment.  Last year I successfully made it out of San Antonio without looking back.  This year I think I would like to continue growth of living on my own. 

The only way that will be done, however, is to find a new job.  Now I feel like I've been really only just talking about it.  But with this economy it's hard to feel truly motivated to start looking when there isn't much available.  I feel that my current job was great to have, it made the move up here less stressful and the job itself isn't too bad.  However, there isn't much of a challenge on a daily basis.  I'm not able to communicate with clients like I used to.  From this experience I've learned that I'm not one to sit at a computer all day long (mainly because my eyes can't handle it). 

So, I've decided that I need to start updating my resume and get the ball rolling back into the sales area.  First stop, careerbuilder.com to update the resume and new city.  Then it's time to start networking, I'm amazed as to how many people I know are actually in sales in the St. Louis area.

Resolutions

I've decided this is the year I will finally get ahead financially so I can take advantage of horrible housing market. I definitely want to move back into the City. There are so many houses available and I want to be apart of it.

I took a look at my budget today and there is room for improvement on my spending habits. It's just a matter of time that I stop paying for my trainer and get an extra $300 back. Only time will tell to see if I can make this goal a reality.

Here's to hoping!