Where my iPhone?

My tryout at the research company started and nine, and I assumed it would be over by around noon. I arrived early, of course, and actually had to wait about half an hour for some people to show up. They talked to me for awhile and then the first thing they had me do was listen to some recordings of interviews with doctors. Then they talked to me some more and set up an interview for me to conduct. Needless to say, I was incredibly nervous and it showed. The doctor could have been nicer, which would have helped a lot. Some of the questions I had to ask were a little repetitive, only requiring slightly different information, but when I would ask a similar question his response would be "Well, I already told you that." Blah.

After the actual interview (which was recorded), I had to go back and listen to it while writing up a report in Excel. My interview will be reviewed by people in the office and my report will be reviewed by the woman the owns and started the company. As I was writing my review, I was pulled back into the conference room where I had an "informal" interview with some of the other employees. They were actually really nice and that was my favorite part of the day.

I finally turned in the report and left around two. They actually gave me a little compensation for working so long, and I immediately went out and spent it (which, before you judge me, is something I rarely do and was very much needed).

Day Off

So it turns out the job I really wanted has been offered to the other guy. I'm not really surprised, though - it was a business job and he had his master's in business. It's sad, but I shouldn't worry about things I have no control over. However, I was their second choice out of all that applied, which is great and all but still doesn't get me a job.

The heat has been almost unbearable this week so I met David downtown to buy a new AC unit. When we got home, we attempted to install it and to do so we had to take out the broken one first. After checking, it was clear whoever installed it didn't put in supports so we got the super to help. He held it as David opened the window, but if you're familiar with window units at all then you'll know the majority of the weight is outside. Since there were no supports, you can guess what happened. The whole thing quickly fell out the window (7th floor) and smashed onto the pavement. It's just a miracle that no one was down there since it easily could have killed someone or totaled a car. Not only did the idiot that installed it not put in supports but didn't bolt the shell into the window frame like you're supposed to, either. Needless to say, we're going to hire someone to install the new one.

Tomorrow I go to work half a day at the research job. I'm kinda nervous, but we'll see how it goes. That's about it. Still have yet to hear about the third apartment we've applied to get.

Heat Wave

Between the outside temperature, the AC being broken in the living room, and the AC not working on the subway today I think I've lost five pounds of water weight. Nope - three pounds. Just weighed myself.

This morning was spent looking at apartments all over Washington Heights. Gone are the fabulous apartments in Inwood, but whatever these are closer and just as cute. There were three potential cute ones and one that needed new hardware and an entirely new paint job to be acceptable. One of the nice ones didn't accept out-of-state guarantors, another had already been applied for, and the third already approved us to apply. Obviously, the best choice here is to go for the one that already accepted our paperwork. It's owned by the same people that rented the other one we wanted that was taken by the people who were willing to pay more. That's why we don't need to go through the application process again. But that doesn't mean we'll get it for sure. And with the way luck's been going regarding apartments...

The nice lady from the temp agency called me today. She wanted to talk about the interview yesterday, which is something I wasn't too excited to discuss. I waited awhile to call her back, but when I did she made it seem as though the people that interviewed me liked me. I don't quite understand that, but she said maybe they were the type of people that didn't let on to how they liked their applicants. Whatever. I'm going to go in there on Friday to work half a day as a type of second interview.

It's so crazy hot here, I'm really ready to go down to the store right now to buy another window unit.

Hurry Up and Wait

After the fabulousness that was the Kelly concert, I headed back here to get ready for my interview with the medical research place. Luckily, I allotted myself enough time to get back here afterwards and get down to where I needed to be.

Whenever someone had asked me about a previous interview, I never really know what to say. I didn't know if it had gone well or not because I didn't really have a good sense of what a "bad" interview was like. Now I do.

I went in for my appointment at 3:30. I was a little early and got there about ten minutes before that. The person I was supposed to meet with was in a meeting so the interview didn't start until 4:00.

Before, I've never really been nervous about an interview. I mean, I've been a little nervous inside, but I don't think I've ever showed signs of it. I did today. I was actually interviewed by two people - both high ups in the company. We sat at a conference table in a secluded room with me at the helm.

They immediately started asking questions, which was fine except for one thing. One of the guys interviewing me, a native Italian, kept looking at me funny. I don't know if it was my weird tan line from missing a spot of sunscreen at pride, but he looked at me the entire time like I was a freak.

The same guy kept asking me the same questions over and over again, too. He wanted to know why I wasn't pursuing a job in the marine science field (a fair question). So I answered honestly. He kept looking at me funny - I don't know if he didn't like what I was saying, or if he didn't believe it, or if he just thought I was wrong for the job but it was really off-putting. Anyway, he would ask me a different question then go back to the marine science thing multiple times. Again, I don't know if my answer just wasn't satisfactory or if he was worried I'd leave this position as soon as I found a marine science job or what.

They also made a big deal out of the fact that I have never had a "real" job before. When it was finally over, I just had a bad feeling about the whole thing and left feeling like a loser.

What made it even worse was the voicemail I had on my phone after the interview. It was David saying we didn't get the other apartment we liked. Apparently, someone else just had to have it and even though they had worse credit than us and applied after we did they got it. They got it because they were willing to pay more than the asking price for rent per month.

So David went out today during my interview to look at more places with the broker. It sucks because today's the only day he could do it so if he finds something amazing I won't be able to see it until we move in. I trust him, of course, but I'd also like to know what's going on. But at this point, I just want a place. And a job.

My Kelly Experience

I'm not in a great mood now, but I'll do my best to re-create this morning happily since I was in a fine mood then. I woke up this morning at nine in order to make it down to the Early Show's plaza by 10:30. First thing I did after I forced myself out of bed was to quickly pull up iTunes and download My December (with pre-order bonus!). I listened to it while I got ready, of course.

In an attempt to go to the store before heading down to the studio, I ended up leaving at around 9:40. Sadly, there were no stores anywhere near where I would be. I was hoping to pick up a physical copy of the album just in case Kelly decided she wanted to sign things for fans afterwards.

Anyway, I arrived ten minutes early as did the person I was meeting, luckily. We promptly got in line and sat down. I read online that the concert started at noon, but a guy holding up a sign for the concert said 11:15. Half an hour later, everyone stood up and pushed toward the front of the gate (we were right by the stage but still not in the crowd area yet). So we stood. And waited. And waited.

Forty-five minutes later, a girl started giving out wristbands - of course everyone in the crowd went crazy trying to get one despite the poor girl's promise that everyone in the waiting area would get one. After everyone had wristbands, they started letting people in the crowd area. Not people from the waiting area, mind you, but other people from who knows where. I don't know why they got to go in first, but they did. Everyone in the waiting area booed them. Kelly fans are classy.

Finally, after two hours of waiting we were finally let into the stage area. Then there were, of course, lots of sound checks and false alarms. So thirty minutes later, one of the new correspondents for CBS came out and talked to us. She said the band was going to run through "Never Again" and then Kelly would come out for a sound check. Then she would go back in and come out to actually perform.

Despite having lots of people in front of us, we made it relatively close to the stage. Kelly finally came out and it was a little... surreal. I've never seen her so close in person. She did about thirty seconds of "Never Again" then went back inside. We were instructed to cheer like mad when she came out again (like we wouldn't have anyway!).

Kelly went on stage and performed "Never Again" for real this time. I was a little in awe and busy taking pictures and making videos on my phone so I didn't really get into it. Next, she did a short interview with the correspondent and performed "Sober."

Now, I really love "Sober." It's one of my favorite songs off My December. I made another quick video to remember it forever and started getting into the performance. And I swear - she winked at me. I was maybe ten feet away from her and she was looking directly at my and winked at me (me!) while singing. She actually winked twice during "Sober" - once at me and once at someone that doesn't really matter. So when you watch this performance (and you will!) watch for her to wink near the beginning of the song and know it was at me.

Next, she surprised the audience by performing another song off My December, "How I Feel" (we thought she was only going to do three song - I'll get into that in a second). By this point, I was really getting into it. I didn't know the lyrics so I just kinda bopped along. I don't know what I looked like in the crowd shots, but I'm sure it must have been entertaining to watch.

We were told before she even came on stage that she was going to sing "Since U Been Gone," which is why everyone thought that was going to be her third and final song. So after "How I Feel" she performed her Breakaway hit. Of course, loving this song, I sang along to it and made an attempt at jumping during the chorus without stepping on the little girl standing behind me.

Apparently, the first taping of "Never Again" wasn't satisfactory so they did it again. After just hearing "Since U Been Gone" I was all pumped up and feelin' it. I sang along to "Never Again" as well. So you have to watch, if just to laugh at how silly I look in the audience singing and bopping along. I'm close to the stage and pretty visible so I'd be really surprised if I wasn't on TV at least once. The concert airs on the 9th on July during the Early Show. Hopefully, they'll show the second performance of "Never Again."

Afterwards, it was almost 1:30 and time for me to go home to ready myself for my interview even though I wanted to go get coffee. Kelly signed things afterwards, which made me kinda sad I couldn't get a copy of the CD, but oh well. It was still an amazing experience.

In the picture, if you look at the tall, amazon girl with the pulled back hair you can see a shorter girl behind her. I was standing behind that girl, though my position changed a bit throughout the performance. If you look at the right side of the stage, you can see the CBS news correspondent - Hannah Storm, I believe. Click it to view the larger version.

Options

The weekend was good to me, albeit absent of any type of job or apartment news. Once again, all the paperwork is in for the other good apartment. Hopefully this time no one will be battling for it.

The gay pride parade marched down the streets here yesterday. Tons of homosexuals gathered at the corner of Christopher and Gay to watch the forever long line of floats, bikes, and whatever pass by them. Overall, it was really enjoyable despite the heat. I remembered to put on sunblock but didn't put any in my hair so the top of my head isn't too happy. Can't wait for that to peel.

So you know how when you see pictures of pride parades you see lots of almost naked, really hot boys doing sexually suggestive things? There was little of that. The first hour and a half of the parade (I kid not) were church floats. Church floats and AIDS awareness banners. Gay friendly churches, yes - but still not what I had in mind!

Later on, though, there were some, uh, more fun things to look at. Still nothing like what I had imagined but still. We left around 5:30-ish, and the parade was still going strong. And that's a long time considering we arrived before noon.

The temp agency called me today about the medical research job. The nice lady there said they were pleased (she used the word "impressed" but part of me believes they just say things to make me feel good. It's like when your mom tells you how awesome you are) with my personal statement and want to interview me tomorrow afternoon, which is all well and good but...

Tomorrow is Kelly day! I'm insanely excited. Kelly is performing on Good Morning America at Bryant Park (at 7am - I'm not going to that, though I did enter for VIP tickets anyway). What's even better is that she's also taping a mini-concert for the Early Show! It's first come first serve and free! I'll be there early so I can get close to the stage after getting ready while listening to My December, which comes out in like... three hours!! What's even better is that I'm having someone go with me. Excitement all around. I'll just have to rush to my interview.

Hopefully, it'll go well tomorrow - both the concert and the interview. Alas, I have yet to hear back from the job I really want. I'm slowly becoming more keen to the idea of working as a medical researcher, but it's not this job. And I know my chances for this one probably aren't so good, but it's nice to dream, right? Hah, if I actually did get this position...

Short and

I don't have a lot to say today. I called the woman from Columbia back. They're just doing phone interviews right now. I went in for my second interview for the mice job. I should hear in a week whether I got it or not. Have yet to hear about the job I really want. We didn't get the apartment.

Random Ramblings

Today will be a much slower day compared to yesterday. All that's on my plate so far is to call back the woman from Columbia that called me for the lab tech position. Hopefully, she won't want an interview today and will be fine with having one tomorrow or early next week.

I'm a little disappointed because I was told that job I really want could take months for the position to be filled. I don't really have months to wait, unfortunately. More than anything, I'm just scared of settling. I want to be sure to get a job I'll enjoy. I think that's fair.

Since I have all day to myself to do whatever, I'll probably go see the new Fantastic Four movie. David doesn't really want to see it, and I have nothing better to do. I've never seen a movie by myself before, but whatever.

I try really hard not to use names in my blog ('cept for David 'cuz I figure there's no way around that!). It's getting a little difficult so I may have to come up with a different system. Hmm...

Still have yet to hear anything regarding the apartment.

Sunlight Through the Clouds

Despite a rocky start and being relatively stressful, today ended up being a good day. First, let me backtrack to Columbia interview.

The job Columbia offered me was a lab tech job - an entry level mice husbandry lab tech job. Now, I'm completely open to entry level position. I realized I just graduated with my BS and have little lab experience, but this job... This job entails cleaning. It's a glorified cleaning job. I'd be cleaning up after all the mice. I'd clean their cages, their water bottles, their dishes. I'd also check on them to see if any were sick. But the thing that got me was the killing. I'd also kill mice, both by gas and breaking their necks - well breaking the necks of the adults. The young are too small so I'd just have to decapitate them.

Back before I had even gone to this interview (as I was walking to the medical mice death center), I received a phone call from an unavailable number. I answered it, of course, since I've given my number to countless employers. It turned out to be the person I had been waiting and hoping would call me - the person in charge of the job David's friend suggested to me. I don't want to jinx anything by talking about it too much, so I'll just say I made sure I had room in my schedule to meet with them later that day.

After I left the slaughterhouse, I trucked it downtown to meet with the person about the job I really want. Let me start by saying the office was amazing. Atmosphere is a big deal to me, and not only was this office unbelievably cool but the atmosphere was perfect. I could really, really see myself being happy there. I know I could do the job well even if I don't have any directly related education or experience. I know it!

Since I turned off my phone during the interview (my third today!), I checked my messages afterwards. I actually had a voicemail from someone else at Columbia University. I'm not sure what position she's potentially offering me, but calling her is on my list of things to do tonight. Along with emailing my personal statement of 500 words (boo!) for the medical research job and emailing the incredibly awesome lady I met with at the fabulous office.

Other than that, I just cooked dinner for David and me since he has a paper due Friday. Oh wait - apartment news. It's kinda ominous, really. The broker got back to us this morning and told David that the landlord said he'd make a decision between us and the other applicants today. Well, it's the end of the day, and he emailed David again to tell us that the landlord has yet to get back in touch with him. But - he heard from the super that a decision has been made. Back to a waiting game.

It's a Rainy Day

I had high hopes for today. I thought I'd go down to Columbia, look at the lab, do a quick interview, and have a better feeling for the job. I wasn't planning on today being a stressful day, but how often do things turn out exactly the way I envision?

This morning, I woke up early to call the temp agency so we could talk about the medical research position. I made sure to get up with enough time to call the agency and get ready for my 11:00 meeting at Columbia. It turned out that I needed to call the lady in charge of the research company before noon for a phone interview. That didn't leave me much time to get suited up, but I didn't really have a choice.

After talking to her on the phone, I still don't know quite how I feel about that job. She wants me to write a 500 word personal statement as to why I'm good for the position and email it to her tonight, which I would have done immediately but it was time to leave. Upon leaving, I found out the elevator in the building wasn't working. So I left, walked down from the seventh floor, and arrived at Columbia ten minutes early.

Apparently, the guy in charge of the lab told someone else to meet there at that time - I had no idea this was going to be a competitive interviewing process. I psyched myself up to be better than this other guy and talked to the security guard. He said he couldn't get in touch with the lab director and to have a seat. After waiting awhile, he told us to go on ahead upstairs and someone would meet us by the elevators. Someone did. Someone from the lab who told us the director was in a staff meeting and that we should come back at 1:15.

Now... don't they schedule meetings like that at least somewhat in advance? And even if they didn't, wouldn't it be easy to call people you're supposed to be meeting and let them know before you waste their time? It takes me a half hour to get there. That's two hours travel time I'll spend today going back and forth.

Anyway, I came back and am now writing this. I have enough time to do write and grab a quick sandwich before it's time to leave again. And the elevator is still broken, so I have to walk up and down all the stairs. Blah!

On top of that, I was all excited about getting a new phone. My "new every two" with Verizon starts today, and they have a promotion where you can get the phone I want for free with it if you order online. So today I found out that since my number isn't the primary number on the phone that I'm not eligible for the "new every two" at all. No cheap phone for me. Ever.

Fun Music Video

This is the video to the Aly and AJ song I was talking about before, "Potential Break-up Song."

It's videos like this one that make me appreciate Kelly's videos even more.

Fun Commercial

I know I said it'd be all about me now, but I can't resist posting this video - it's just so weird!

Slow Day

Not a lot to talk about in terms of job at the moment. I'm sure I'll have more to say in that area tomorrow.

All the paperwork for the apartment is in now, so it's just a waiting game. Hopefully, the landlord will let us have the place. There's no real reason why he shouldn't, the only the thing other guy has on us is that he doesn't require a guarantor. We should (in theory) know by early next week.

In completely irrelevant news, I'm quickly becoming addicted to Aly and AJ's "Potential Break-up Song." They also had the song "Chemicals React," which was a pretty big hit. Anyway, it's catchy even if I don't agree with their "thoughts" on evolution. Eh, it keeps me from listening to the leak of My December.

Addendum to Previous Post

About twenty minutes after I posted my last entry, I received a phone call. It so happened to be someone from Columbia University! Now I have an interview on Wednesday to talk all about mice colonies. I'm not sure how well this job pays or exactly what I'll be doing, but it's exciting that they called again! And I know I'll find out more on Wednesday.

Even though it has nothing to do with my major or job experience, my mind keeps wandering back to the job David's friend told me about. Not only does it sound fun, but the pay is better than anything I've applied for currently and the benefits are good, too!

As far as the medical research job goes, I'm not sure if that'll happen. It doesn't really sound like something I'm interested in, and when I called for more info at 1:00 (when they told me to call) the person who was supposed to give more info hadn't contacted the agency yet. The nice coordinator who's looking for jobs for me said she'd call as soon as she heard from them. It's the end of the day now. Oh well - we'll see what happens!

In apartment news, it seems as though someone else is interested in our apartment. Well, the one we want - but I'm going to call it "our apartment" because it should be. Apparently, it wasn't taken off the market even though I put down the deposit with the application. The broker made it seem like it would, but I guess it takes the deposit plus all the paperwork. So poor David has been running around trying to get everything he needs, and I've spent half the day on the phone with my parents trying to get what I need (since I don't have a job I'm pretty much worthless at the moment). But with everyone fighting to hard to get the place, we'll be sure to get it.

Job update?

So I've spent countless hours applying for countless jobs the past few weeks with little to no success. I had gotten one call back - a professor at Columbia University. Unfortunately, I knew after he called that I wasn't going to be hearing from him again. He wanted someone with experience working with mice colonies... too bad we didn't use mice in Animal Behavior.

After weeks of not hearing back, I decided to get some help. I spent four hours (!!) at a temp agency interviewing and giving them information so they can find a job for me. So far, they offered me a position as an administrative assistant at a ceiling subcontractor's office and one as a medical researcher. Guess which one I was interested in?

We'll see what happens with that, but in other news David and I put a deposit on an apartment. The neighborhood is incredibly nice as is the apartment itself. I wish we could go ahead and move in now, but we still have to be approved first. I guess I can wait a few weeks.

One of David's friends actually lives in the same building, which is really nice. He seems really fun and showed us around the area. He also said there may be an opening where he works - I'm actually really excited about possibly taking that job. We'll see what happens. It would be great, though, especially since then the temp agency wouldn't be taking part of my pay for the first sixty-five days of employment.

From Kelly to Me

Too much to handle? I think so. With all the crazy Kelly stuff going on now (new single, her tour being canceled, firing her management, countless TV, radio, and magazine interviews) I just can't keep up. Not with my life the way it is right now. There are better, more up-to-date sources on Kelly than me. See? I can admit it.

That being said, I'm going to make this all about me and my new life. The next post and those from now on will be about me and NYC. Who knows, maybe I'll get back in the habit of posting daily! :)