August is (Almost) Over

Since I have been back from China there have been a few things to report, but on the whole life is settling into a routine, as I guess it always does. When I first got back I was notified that a company wanted to interview me, which was thrilling, and so I rushed out to buy a new outfit and shoes, dressed up and on Friday the 18th interviewed in person with the HR director, 4 different people of different ranks within the company, then the HR director one more time. I thought the interview went well, I sent off my thank you notes when I got home, personalizing each one and trying to once again ingratiate myself to those who would be making the big decision. Then Monday I had a writing test, which was stressful to say the least. I thought I would be correcting a few sentences of something, and instead I was asked to write a press release announcing that I had been hired to the company, and I had 1 hour to complete it. The press release had to include a quote from me, the CEO, have a subheading, be no more than two pages and I forget the last mandate, but it was like OK.....GO! And I was off, dashing out a fictitious press release in 62 minutes, stressed that I was going over the alotted time, then realizing two seconds after I had sent it that I missed two major typos. AAAHHHH!!! So of course I corrected them and resent it, hoping that they would forgive me the haste and read the second draft instead. Hey, we're only human and when am I ever going to really have to dash something like that off and not have someone else read it to catch those things first? Anyway so then I sent it in and waited. And waited. And I still haven't heard back! So in the meantime I have been talking to other companies (doing pre-interviews over the phone) and have another interview I scheduled yesterday-for next Wednesday! And this is the first phone interview, so if it goes well then I am sure there is another interview down the road...I swear, these companies all say they really need people, then they drag their feet and I feel like at this rate I will maaaybe have a job by December! So I am applying to be a substitute teacher in the meantime, because I really thought I would have something by now and instead it's like the slowest process ever when it comes to getting jobs etc. and I need a little income. This process also hinders me from being able to sign any kind of lease, or make any kinds of real plans, because I never know when someone will call for an interview and I have to be ready and able to go. So there's the update on my life (what there is of it anyway).

Other updates, I just finished reading the book Under the Banner of Heaven, the story about the history of the Mormon church and the Fundamenalist sect that practices polygamy. I had actually just seen the movie Banking on Heaven, the story of Warren Jeffs-who has been caputred, thank God (no pun intended)- when my book club shose this book to read and I have to say, it was a really eye-opening novel. I recommend it because I learned so much, though as the staunch feminist I feel I am it was maddening, terrifying really, to hear about the awful crimes against women that this fundamentalist church practices. We as Americans look at what happens to women in the Middle East and think they are so oppressed-well Mormonism is based on may of the same beliefs and ideals as the Islamic faith. It is incredible that the things I read about are happening in this country, that the government has not stepped in sooner (though there are good explanations why they haven't, and actually they did try in the early 1900's) and, shockingly, that we as taxpayers are funding this practice, ableit unknowingly, thanks to the church elders and their practice of "Bleeding the Beast," manipulating the government and committing massive amounts of welfare fraud. So I guess you already know how I feel about it, and I want to clarify that the fundamentalist sect is not representative of the Mormon church as you and I know it, although some of the basic beliefs were also pretty interesting but I suggest you read it yourself and come up with your own conclusions.

I also saw the movie Quinceanera yestrerday, which was probably the first prolonged interaction I have had with Spanish speakers since I returned to California. That's embarrassing, considering how many Spanish speakers live here, but the truth is I really am not friends with any native Spanish speakers or if I have friends who are fluent, we speak in English anyway. I am sure I have lost some of my Spanish, which is sad, so I try to have the conversations that I already have with myself in Spanish, instead of English. The movie was really good, I recommend it, though you could probably rent it, it's not one you have to see on the big screen. On that note, however, I feel like the smaller movies are the ones you should go see, because I feel like it supports the right people. Screw Tom Cruise etc. and all their big-budget cronies, go see the little guys.

I also bought new running shoes, and have started running again, which is really exciting, because so far I am injury free, which I am hoping lasts. I love to run, it is really good thinking time (in Spanish, as noted previously) and it also gives me a chance to check out what's going on in the neighborhood. Not too much, actually, we live in a pretty boring (read: nice and pretty, not a lot of action-more retirees than radicals) town. And that's the update for today. Perhaps more later, or tomorrow, seeing as I don't have a whole lot else on my plate for now. Oh poor me, life consists of sleeping in, going for a run, emailing, knitting, watching movies and going out every now and then. But I truly am wishing for more! Keep your fingers crossed for me, will ya?