As I think back upon my history of teachers/professors….there’s not one I can specify by name (and really, why would I want to be cruel and call out specific names?)
Worst teacher/professor ever had: one who doesn’t teach. One who doesn’t ENGAGE the students into the material. One who only reads the material through and expects us to understand via osmosis. This kind of teacher/professor makes the class feel uninteresting. And boredom kills me especially when in a classroom.
During 2007 – 2008, went through a lot of interviews. Many were less-than-stellar (I was fresh out on the job market after all), and some were just plain strange. But, throughout all the interviews, I learned a few things:
– Do your research as thoroughly as possible
– Show enthusiasm!
– If the job doesn’t look like it’ll be fun, be honest (yet polite) about it and bow out gracefully.
I once had a prospective employer ask me point-blank, “Do you really want this job? Do you see yourself working in this little office day-in, day-out? If not, you won’t hurt my feelings.” She probably had interviewed many others before so she was well-seasoned with facial expressions and such. I probably looked scared and not so thrilled about the position.
I had a very short interview once because the computer system was down in the office. However, I was immediately hired; later on my manager told me how I just emanated positivity from just the brief encounter. Good to know.
My most recent interview (in late 2008) that got me my previous job was memorable for the mere fact that my note-taking skills sure got me the job position. The owner of the business was impressed with my attention to their responses and how I came prepared with questions. I remember feeling so nervous about this job though, since I had to go through three different interviews before I finally got the phone call to go in and start working.
Well, we all go through this motions in our lives. I’m glad I got to learn so much from the interviews I have received.
I can’t believe it’s already October; memories continue to flash through my mind of all that has happened in the past year. And now, here we are, on the cusp of entering 2011.
This week I’ve been working on more writing–various topics for clients. It’s good to see I’m getting some work in, especially doing what I love! But, of course, the pay could be better….
But it’s not always about the money, at least I try to not think about that aspect so much. This week I’ve also been out running more since I have new running shoes (see picture). I used to own a pair of pink shoes back in college but when I lost weight, the shoes ended up being too big (shoe size did shrink when I lost weight). When I first moved out here to San Francisco, I bought a new pair of running shoes then, but that pair has said its goodbyes after three years.
Seeing my new shoes sitting by my door sure makes me feel motivated to go running. Also, I never realized before how liberating an outdoor run could be–I held back from running outdoors for a long time because I was afraid of being seen, of running alone (it’s hard for a woman to run outside alone, sadly). But, I finally decided to overcome this fear and just do it, because my indoor fitness routine wasn’t doing enough for me anymore.
Today is the start of my new 101 list in 1001 days, so I must complete my first task now: write a letter to myself to open on the last day of the journey, June 28, 2013. Should be an interesting letter.
Independence Day has become more toned down for me these days. Two years ago, when I still lived in my first apartment here, I was lucky to have a crowd-free view of the fireworks over Pier 39. That was when I worked at the hot dog stand, and I remember having to work with the crowds over that holiday weekend. We had a lot of out-of-towners, some polite and some not-so-polite. That was the last time I saw fireworks though.
These past two years, I’ve just spent the day as “just another day” for myself and my loved ones. Home-cooked meals, staying at home…just relaxing. I’ve grown tired of the huge celebrations here in San Francisco, mainly because the huge crowds just make me feel like a lone number, nobody special.
It’s good to be in a big city to have more opportunities for career, school, diversity, etc. I’ll admit that much. But becoming lost in a large crowd, becoming a number, is depressing to me.
On Independence Day, I found myself contemplating about my life throughout the years. The people I grew up with, the places I’ve traveled to and lived in, the people I’ve met along the way…and I continue to see how much change is coming upon the horizon. Settling down is not an option for me right now; there’s more out there for me than just what I have right now.
Last week, I read a blog post about how there’s no better time to focus on than right now. And it’s all been said before, but sometimes just reading someone else’s words reaffirms that thought. Why worry about the future? It’ll always be uncertain. Why fret about the past? It’s the past, it’s long gone, it’s static. Unchangeable. Focus on what’s going on right now. Seize the day.
I’m reminding myself about this every moment I get.
Image by life serial via FlickrSome things I noticed from reading my drafts has been the common thread of dark themes. I consciously know that, for myself, I do not want to be marginalized with writing something fluffy and light. Oh sure, I do like reading the occasional chick lit book; but for me to write a story in that genre? I can’t see myself doing it without laughing at myself. Plus, I feel like the “plight of the woman” is all too overplayed these days.
I can also see how, when I asked my sister and a few colleagues to critique one of my stories last month, that I do have a tendency to “tell too much and not show enough”. I know I ramble when I am writing creatively, even in blogs; the irony is that I have a business background from school, so you’d think I’d learned about keeping things short and simple.
Anyway, I found a few promising drafts to polish up for submissions, but I continue to find myself distracted by my ideas for new writing, new blogs, etc. I find that I lose focus sometimes rather too easily and that I want to do more than what I can actually pile onto my plate.