Career fairs, employers, and me... OH MY!

As I near the end of my duration here in Masters-of-Engineering-ville, I went to a career fair in hopes that I would find the company I was meant to work at.  I got a new outfit, curled my hair the way that gets me the most compliments, had my CV ready... I felt good.

Photo linked from:
http://correspondentsdiary.wordpress.com/tag/career-women/

I walked in, all confident-like. The girl in front of me was a young, pretty thing. She was an engineering version of Olivia Pope. The svelte body, killer suit, but with long blond hair, curled so elegantly to the middle of her back. We both headed up the stairs, while a young man from one of the companies was coming down the stairs. Wouldn't you know it. He stopped the young woman and
said to say that she should come by their table.

So, obviously, being right behind her, he would say the same thing to me right?

Wrong.

He looked right at me and said nothing.

Such is my life. It isn't the first time. At my last employer, it was made painfully obvious that what they really valued wasn't how you did your job, but how you looked. Aside from comments directed at me, another instructor in the department got an award at the monthly faculty meeting for weight loss.

It has become completely evident that I have a bias against me. And really, it isn't anyone's fault but my own. I wasn't always this way. But the last decade+, I let my bosses, co-workers, etc. dictate to me how my life should be run. For the last decade+, all I've done is work. I stopped doing everything I felt was fun. (With the exception of hanging with friends whenever I could.) And over the years, the pounds just packed on.

And on.

And on.

And yesterday, it became clear that my weight has affected every single aspect of my life. Not just the active (or rather my now inactive) part, or the relationship part, but the professional part as well. Frankly? I'm quite tired of it.

But I know it that even though I'm tired of it, that doesn't mean that *POOF*, I'll magically be able to change things.  But that doesn't mean that I'm not going to try!! And if I fall down, I'll pick myself right back up and keep going. Right? :) Details to come......

Getting the flub out on the trail….

Pea Ridge National Military Park 5/28/14
Photo Rights: Julie D. Chittenden

Here's a question for you guys….

You know when you finally (and I do mean finally) get in a groove where you feel like you are your old self, where you crave being outdoors, in nature, and being active? Why is it that that's when nature decides to pee on your parade??

No really, mother nature peed on my parade. i.e. It has rained for like two weeks. And I have been sitting like a lump of lard since then. Albeit, that would be my fault entirely. I could have been doing something active. I just didn't. Even dancing naked around my apartment would have been better than what I did the last two weeks. Not that I dance naked around my apartment.

No really. I don't. All it would take is one glimpse at myself in the mirror and I would a) sob violently while questioning my life choices, b) re-inact the truffle shuffle scene from the Goonies, or c) make me go catatonic for at least 2 hours.

But really, I just took the garbage out to the dumpster and my legs said, "Dude. This is the most we have done in two weeks! What the hell??? Go run around the block. No? Okay - do 10 flights of stairs at least. AH! DO SOMETHING!!!"
.

Pea Ridge National Military Park 5/28/14
Photo Rights: Julie D. Chittenden

.
.
As I sit in front of my computer and type a blog.

Oh! OH! And what the hell is with the tick population this summer?! It's as if the cold weather this winter/spring actually HELPED the little *bleep*ers.

/end rant

Be that as it may, I am making a list of hikes that I want to do this summer. And, by jove, I will do it!!
.
.
.
As I sit in front of my computer and type a blog.

Turning 30-10 and feeling a new start....

I know. I KNOW!!! You don't have to yell at me. I'm aware that I haven't been around for a while. Okay, for years.

I'M SORRY!! I really am. And I promise I'll be better.

From: http://www.ultimateecards.com/image/856-sorry-card

Now, where was I?? Oh yeah, last time I showed up, I was living in Florida with a new position at Embry-Riddle. Unfortunately, I'm not there anymore. Where am I, you ask? What thrilling and exciting thing am I doing??

Well, being the masochist that I am, I'm back in school.
Yeah. I know.

I decided to go back to school to get a degree in mechanical engineering, which, hopefully, will allow me to become gainfully employed doing something cool that will pay me a decent salary. Yup, I live in fantasy land. I'm aware.

So here's the deal.

In the light of my desire to be brutally honest with you guys, yes, I've gained a bunch of weight back. It doesn't mean it will stay, but I feel the need to be upfront about it. It's kind of like FA - Fats Anonymous. The first step is admitting you have a problem. "My name is Jules, and I just had three Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle bars. I couldn't help it. Have you had them?? It's like chocolate-y heroin!" I really didn't have three just now. But I might have at some point in my past.
... or several points...
... or a lot of points....

That's besides the fact!!! Moving on!

From: http://stampingwithannieb.blogspot.com/

The other big thing that has happened is that I turned 40 last October. Or as my mother said, I turned 30-10. While I had a great birthday weekend with friends in New Orleans, I have to admit, this birthday kind of wigged me out. What does this mean? My metabolism becomes nonexistent? Men suddenly have no use for me? I accidentally pee a little bit when I sneeze?? WHAT HAPPENS?!?!

I'll tell you what I hope happens. I hope that this is my f***ing decade, that's what! I hope that my 40s are the best of my life as of yet! Heck yeah!

That's what happens.

Right????


Catch you in the next blog post!!! Have a great weekend and I hope you come back. :)