Impressions

The feeling of unity as we were sitting on a merry go round at the end of the retreat last week.
Sunshine on my face as I stand on the corner advertising Sprint being open.
A feeling of helplessness as I try to assimilate knowledge while being sick.
Refreshed as I left church this morning.
Feelings of happiness and contentment as I prepare lunch and type this blog.

It's been an interesting week getting used to working again. Sprint is going to be a good place to work when I get all this info into my head and feel like I can actually be knowledgeable about our product. I'm feeling positive about the possible opportunities that I will have.

It's been two weeks since we acquired a new roommate in the form of Luke. It's been fun to have a new personality around. It's also been interesting to find out that certain habits or 'traditions' I'm used to on my own aren't going to work with a third person who's sleeping in the living room. I'm being challenged to remember to think about others before myself and for that I am grateful.

The weather has been a lot nicer. Having sunshine really helps my frame of mind.

Oh, check out my brother's redesigned blog. Comment on his stories. Maybe he'll write more if he knows he has an audience... *grins*

I just realized I'm becoming my Dad.... David just got up and I started singing one of those annoying (to the sleepy, at least) good morning songs. I used to be annoyed so much when Dad would burst into my room and start singing with this abnormally cheerful voice...

Now I'm doing it! AUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

This is hilarious!

Yesterday I was feeling rather dim and discouraged. I worked a two hour shift from 6 to 8am, getting up at 4:30, didn't get any chance to catch up on sleep. I had an interview for Sprint's new store at 1;30. I suddenly made a choice. I was going to change my attitude from "sigh, just another interview" to "I am going to sell myself and make a good impression." To do so, I got ready, wore slacks, a nice shirt and shoes, and, for the first time to an interview, a tie. I got there early, was cheerful and outgoing. I answered all the questions and yes, I did sell myself. They asked about church stuff too and I was honest and open about the learning I've been doing. At the end of the interview, they told me that 90% of the interviewees didn't dress right and they liked that I was dressed professionally. They also liked the way I interviewed. I left feeling rather happy, and positive about the impression I made. They were going to call me the next day to tell me yea, or nea.

I worked on a few things that afternoon, started a few apps, but just was tired of filling out my work experience. I went to a prayer meeting that night and was a bit discouraged. However, the course of the night was dealing with attitudes and I surrendered my attitude and my heart and my situation to God. Just felt peace about what was going on.

Worked the two hours this morning and have been slowly cleaning and dinking around waiting for that call from Sprint. He called around 1:15 and told me that the full time job was filled by a girl who had worked for Sprint before, however the part time job, along with the sitting at the curb with a sign was open and they offered it to me. He thinks 30 hours will be normal and at $9 an hour, I can handle that. I accepted!

Yes, I now have a job! Praise the Lord! After 33 applications/resumes and 10 or so interviews I now have a job!

I start on the 23rd, so I still need temp work for next week.

Thank You, Lord. I really appreciate this. Let me shine for You in this new job. Amen.

Well, no long term job yet. However, I did get a 8 hour job this week. Two hour shifts Tue-Fri doing surveys for a research group. 6to8am! *grins* At least I'll be making some money.

I applied to several places today, got a response from Sprint. They're opening a new center here. I have an interview tomorrow at 1:30.

I also applied and took an assessment for T-Mobile's call center. Failed it. *sniffs* That's annoying.

I've called Auto Chlor on Friday and today. We'll see if my persistence pays off.

Oh, I've also set up my half.com store -->
http://shops.half.ebay.com/jcreagan_W0QQ
Feel free to buy from me!

This article really makes me think. Read it.

Okay, assuming that you've read it, here are a few of my thoughts.

This really brings into focus the busyness of our lifestyles. Here we have one of the best musicians in the world playing some top notch music and only a few people took the time to listen. Why? They were so focused on the day ahead of them, on the tasks to be accomplished, on their own problems, that simply stopping and listening doesn't occur to them.

I see two issues - One is that we have become too used to street musicians and homeless people on the corner. We don't notice them, or we purposely ignore them. I find myself doing this everytime I drive to the Freeway. I pass one or two guys who stand with cardboard signs - one I have seen on the same corner for almost 5 years or so, some aren't familiar. I get nervous, trying to avoid eye contact. The light changes, and I drive on - partially relieved that I didn't get approached and partially guilty that I didn't toss a buck or two out the window to him. These people have become objects to me, to us. We don't notice them, we don't take the time to try and find out if there's anything we can do. Where is the mercy?

The second issue is the appreciation of beauty. Eugene is a place where all kinds of people practice their art. Some of it is good, some of it is strange, and yes, some can be offensive. I think it's easy to walk by a painting or a musician and not notice it/them because we've "seen it all before." Our senses have been dulled to a point where it's hard to really see the beauty around us. This article made me remember a time in Edinburgh. My grandma had gone into a store and I stood outside for a couple minutes, listening to the droning of bagpipes. There was a sole player outside a church a couple blocks down. I was struck at the beauty of that sound and the way it made me feel. Now though, I have become insulated. I get my music through my computer, my entertainment from video games. We had a couple of beautiful days this week and while I spent some time outside in it, I didn't take the time to really appreciate the coming of spring.

There's so much in our world that is just shouting to be noticed. God made these flowers, this music, the sun and the rain, all with beauty. My challenge is to intentionally take the time to enjoy this world we live in.

Well, I had a good interview at the cemetery for a grounds position. It is temporary since they're pushing towards Memorial Day. However, the possibility is that it could last through the summer. Which wouldn't be bad, especially since it's 8.50hr. So there's a possible that I should hear back by tomorrow about it.

I'm planning on calling Auto Chlor sometime today to find out whether I'm still in the running or not. Still looks like a good job, so I'm pushing for it.

Interviewing tomorrow for Hawaiian Time. Oh and also an interview for Sport's Authority. Very cool that God is bringing these things in.

Please pray.

OH and I enabled anonymous comments. Hopefully I won't get spammed.

I feel like posting random thoughts.

This month is the first month that I actually have to watch my minutes. I have three weekdays left on the billing plan and 70min left out of a 1000. Usually I have 200 or so left, so it's rather a surprise...

I need to organize my books again... Maybe get rid of a few.

I'm missing Josh and Joey and the old group of EBCers. Man, we used to have so much fun!

Jigsaws are a lot slower than a table saw for cutting 2x4s.

Know any good games about unity?

I'm trying to decide whether I want a hermit crab or an oscar. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Yup.

Ya know, when you surrender your plans to God, He comes through. I just had a phone interview with Auto-Clor for a route trainee position. 12 an hour! Screening interview, but she at least seemed positive. She's forwarding the resume on to the manager of the local branch. Please pray!

You know your life is uneventful when the biggest thing to post about is beating a video game. Yes, I beat Halo 2.

In other news... I put in two apps yesterday, have a couple to put in today (in person) and that's about it. So far it's been a slow week for job opportunities.