Moving...

So I've moved....my blog. I stopped writing here because it reminded me too much of last year, and when I look at a lot of the posts, I sound whiny and don't like what I wrote. However, I enjoy blogging so I've moved over to http://narwhalnook.tumblr.com/. It's a slightly different focus from this one, but I hope you will enjoy.

If you are wondering about the name, I explain it in the very first post. Also, it works best in Safari and Firefox, my design does not link Internet Explorer.

2009

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Been unemployed and bored.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I know I made resolutions, but I can't remember them. Therefore, it can be concluded that I did not keep them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No.

4. Did anyone close to you die? No. Thank goodness.

5. What countries did you visit? None.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? More career development and weekend getaways with Dale.

7. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 7th. I had really good Chik-fil-a that day :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I survived over 10 months of unemployment/ underemployment. Somehow went from jobless, to working at a grocery store, to interning (for free) at an orchestra, to temping for a law firm, to having a full time gig in the marketing department of a law firm. I am very lucky.

9. What was your biggest failure? I'm not proud of how I handled being jobless. I think back, and I'm ashamed. But I can only move forward so I don't think about it.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury? Nope I was a healthy lady.

11. What was the best thing you bought? My wedding dress.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Many, many folks. Me and Dale for getting married (and making me an honest woman). My family for all of their support during the rough and also joyous year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I just really wish people would remember to love one another if we do that then everything else will go away.

14. Where did most of your money go? Rent and food. Why do we have to eat? or at least pay to eat?

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting marrrweeedd!

16. What song will always remind you of 2009? "All I want is You" by Barry Louis Polisar

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:i. happier or sadder? Much, much happier. ii. thinner or fatter? Unfortunately, fatter - damn happy married weight iii. richer or poorer? Richer, thanks to me having a full-time permanent job

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Working out. Getting to know MN.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Watching TV. Crying.

20. How will you be spending Christmas? Abra and Neil spent the holidays with us. There was a winter storm, lots of Wii and good eating - it was awesome.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009? Every day.

23. How many one-night stands? Luckily none.

24. What was your favorite TV program? 90210...I know, I'm ashamed.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate- such a negative emotion.
26. What was the best book you read? Hands down, Hunger Games. Well, I take that back...I read a lot of really good books this year. But if you haven't read Hunger Games, go now and buy it. Awesome.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? She & Him.

28. What did you want and get? Lotsa love. (and a job)

29. What did you want and not get? A slimmer waist. Ha.

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Fantastic Mr. Fox

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 24 and all my bridesmaids came and up for the weekend. It was amazing.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Less down time.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Definitely got better. I made a better effort to not dress slouchy and tried out different styles. Professionally urban inspired by JCrew. Lots of jeans, flats, and cardies.

34. What kept you sane? Dale.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Zooey Deschanel, I'm obsessed.

36. What political issue stirred you the most? I didn’t have much room in my brain/heart for political issues.

37. Who did you miss? Absolutely everyone. I would really love it if all my friends and family could move down the block from me.

38. Who was the best new person you met? Amy Batiste. She was sent from heaven. Thanks God for hearing my prayers.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009: I learned to make things happen for myself. For so much of the job search, I played the waiting game instead of taking the bull by the horns. I learned that lesson and now am not afraid to speak my mind and ask things of life, instead of waiting.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
As my friend Hilary reminded me during one of my many sullen jobless days, I moved for love. And love is what kept me sane. (love you Dale)

If I was a flower growing wild and free
All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
And if I was a tree growing tall and green
All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leavesIf I was a flower growing wild and free
All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
And if I was a tree growing tall and green
All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves
All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.
If you were a river in the mountains tall,
The rumble of your water would be my call.
If you were the winter, I know I'd be the snow
Just as long as you were with me, when the cold winds blow.
All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.
If you were a wink, I'd be a nod
If you were a seed, well I'd be a pod.
If you were the floor, I'd wanna be the rug
And if you were a kiss, I know I'd be a hug
All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.
If you were the wood, I'd be the fire.
If you were the love, I'd be the desire.
If you were a castle, I'd be your moat,
And if you were an ocean, I'd learn to float.
All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea

Give me a pocket protector and call me a nerd!

So it's interesting. I have always considered myself a writer, communication, Englishy type person. Those are the things I am good at. In grade school, I was always good at math, but it wasn't something that really excited me. Although I am not talking about traditional math equations (2+2 and all that), I'm becoming the math/ excel expert at work. The marketing team is currently working on budgets for next year and analyzing past data, and I am beginning to realize that I LOVE doing that type of work. I'm really good at looking at the data and making it easier to understand (plus excel has a crapload tools that do that for you). Also, because I like to explain things and communicate, I enjoy explaining these tools to my less-savvy excel users - it's really fun. I just spent 3 hours on excel trying to match up some missing data and wasn't bored one bit. Once I figured it out, I was so proud of myself.

Anyways, it was just a little personal discovery today, and I want to give a little shoutout. "Dan Courtright, thank you so much for making me use excel and understand the power of the pivot table. You may have helped me become an asset to my new team. THANK YOU!"

So excuse me while I go run some macros, listen to some Broadway, and put scotch tape on my glasses.

Birthday Present

My parents were completely fabulous and got me a sewing machine for my 24th birthday! I was ecstatic, and now I'm biding my time until I have enough money/ time to sew. So I warn you now - you will most likely be receiving hand sewn Christmas gifts this year. I'll post a picture of my little work space that Dale set up for me, but for now - World meet Magnolia my sewing machine. Magnolia, wave to the nice people.

I've been terrible

I know I haven't posted in FOREVER but I have my reasons/ excuses :)

First and foremost because I have not posted about it yet - I have a new job. I am the new marketing assistant at Faegre & Benson, the largest law firm in MN. I started the day after my birthday and so far I'm loving it. I'm working downtown in a lovely skyscraper just a few blocks from Dale (we've already had lunch together and plan to do it weekly). Of course there has to be a catch of some sort when something this wonderful happens. I am only a temporary marketing assistant in that I'm only guaranteed work until January. I am coming onto the team to cover for a young woman who is going on maternity leave until January. I've already made it clear to my boss Adam Severson, director of marketing and business development that I'm going to do everything I can to make the department fall in love with me so they won't want me to leave in January.

So I have my moments of panic when I think I might be looking for a job again in January, but right now I've got bigger things to worry about - like the WEDDING. It is less than 2 months away (my heart just sped up thinking about it). There is SO much to do. I'm starting to stress a little bit.

I'm going to Texas next weekend for bridal portraits, bridal shower, and final decisions. I'm meeting my wedding planner for the first time and hopefully confirm all the final details. Poor Dale has been putting up with my crazy moods about the wedding - one moment I'm excited and carefree and the next I'm anxious and a nag, but he's great and that's why I'm marrying him.

Also in other news, my lovely bridesmaids came to visit me

on Labor Day weekend (my birthday) except for Bethany who couldn't make it. But we did not forget her and brought her in spirit (look at the pictures carefully). We talked, ate, and drank a lot. It was wonderful and made me miss Texas very much. It was really nice having everyone one in the same room, and I could not have asked for a better way to celebrate marriage and birthday in weekend.

These are some pictures from that lovely weekend (really just from Saturday night in which we experienced corn dog sushi).

So bear with me when I don't post for a while. I'm dealing with a new job and a wedding. It's exciting stuff.

Job

So there is a reason that I haven't posted or mentioned my new job (pending). I am waiting until I have the offer in my hand, signed and ready, before I start spouting joy and sunshine.

Details to come soon....very soon...hopefully sometime before the Sept. 8th (my tenative start date).

Deja Vu

I just had the strongest feeling of deja vu during a meeting at SPCO. It was a marketing meeting, and they were discussing an issue with their telemarketing company. I almost had a complete freak out because I had done that before.

So in a past life I worked for a nonprofit orchestra whose telemarketing firm decides to quit on them...weird.

Completely weirded me out, and now I don't feel like working :)

Updates

- Krupa was in town this weekend, and it was AMAZING to see her

- My lovely friend Becky will be visiting the weekend before Labor Day...I'm too blessed to have all these lovely ladies visiting me. She'll be here when the state fair is in town. Note Becky - stretchy pants are a must

- I didn't get the office manager job at Theater Latte Da...found out a little over an hour ago. I'm pretty devastated and have cried a lot since then. Dale is a doll and took off work to hang out with me while I cope. Oh, the job search, the bane of my existence.

- I do have an internship with the Ordway Performing Arts Center which I'm now going to take since I do not have a full time job...which is unpaid

- I'm still meeting with Liem on Friday

- I got a random call from Padilla Speer Beardsley to schedule a writing test...although they are NOT hiring; because I'm unemployed I don't mind wasting the 90 minutes and am taking it on Wed.

- I received another out of the blue phone call with the woman I interviewed with at that law firm back in May. There is a temp position at another law firm, and she has recommended me to the manager for it so I just sent her my updated resume...we'll see what happens

- I'm feeling down again about the job hunt but I think it's just because I don't like rejection

- Please keep me in your prayers

Thanks for all your support!

Theatre Latte Da

Happy Thursday! I am taking a short break at SPCO from some data entry work, and I feel like my eyes my start bleeding - but I'm not complaining. It's great to be in an office again. So on Monday I had an informational interview with the managing director of a small musical theatre here in Minneapolis called Theatre Latte Da. I met her accidently the week before at a Starbucks where I was meeting one of her old colleagues at Artspace. She came by our table and said hello, and then the person I was meeting with insisted I meet with her as well because of her connections and career. So we met on Monday and really hit off, and she's currently looking for an office manager. At first, I wasn't that interested to being an admin, but then when she began describing everything involved with the role, I realized that I would be more her assistant than admin. Also, the role has the opportunity to really take on the marketing/ pr/ development part of the business. Well I interviewed with her more formally yesterday for the position, and I think it went well, but I just never know anymore. So to cut to the chase - I am waiting on a phone call. She told me she would make a decision by Friday and would call me either way (which I have heard before but I think I really believe her).



So we'll see. Krupa is coming in to town on Friday for a wedding. Exciting! We're planning to grab some drinks on Friday and maybe hang by the lake on Sat. I tried on my wedding dress on Wed and love it more and more each time I see it. I'm hoping I'll be a little more toned by the time the wedding rolls around (I say this as I munch on a muffin...irony). So that's what's going on here. It finally feels like summer here. It is 90 degrees today and humid. I have to say while it's nice I'm really looking forward to fall.



Happy Thursday !

Danny DeVito

I just followed a man 3 blocks because he looked JUST like Danny DeVito. This would be a much cooler story if it had been him, but unfortunately it was just a short stocky old man... who had a strange young woman following him for no reason :)

Chair Obsession

Dale and I love chairs. Not big fluffy armchair for reading in but office chairs. It's mostly Dale, but somehow he has taken me a long this ridiculous ride. I've been interning SPCO for a total of two days and am taking a chair home with me. They're doing a "beautification" of the office and an awesome 60's chair isn't beautiful enough...so it's coming home with me. Where it's going to go?...I have no idea.

Also, Dale and I own 12 chairs...I mean 13...only 2 are dining room chairs and 2 are stools. Here is a picture of what the chair kinda looks like. Nice, right? It's not as shabby as this one and has more detailing but this is the design.

Updates

- I am interning at the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in marketing/ pr

- I am volunteering at my church's Dignity Center which provides resources for the homeless; I'm a receptionist (and I'm about to head that way this morning)

- I'm helping with VBS; building Rome in fact

- The wedding is less than 3 months away...aaaahhhhhhhhh! That is so hard to believe.

- Summer weather has been so bizarre. One day it will be 80 and humid and then the next day will be 50. It has been nice to be able to be outside without dying of heat stroke...but still bizarre.

- The girls are coming up in a few weeks, and I'm thinking about it daily. It's going to be great.

- I'm turning 24 soon...weird.

- Dale's shirt for Threadless was finally printed and is awesome. You should check it out.

- I interviewed with the Ordway Performing Arts Center last Friday about a 2nd internship, and I'll find out about that this week. I'm not sure if I got it, but we'll see.

- Liem from Compellent called me out of the blue two weeks ago about that job I had interviewed for back in December. I'm meeting with him next Friday.

- With the wedding getting closer and closer, I'm starting to stress a little more and more about all the details. I'll be glad once that day is here and done, and Dale and I are on our way to Hawaii

- My computer has officially died (I'm using Dale's computer right now). It started smoking and everything. So now I'm dependent on Dale's computer in the evening and the public library during the day...fun. Susie is an angel and is letting me use her old computer which she is sending to me - man, how did I get such great friends?

- I've been doing a lot of informational interviews in the performing arts industry and have even made some friends. I'm going to work out with a girl on Friday, and tomorrow I'm going to see Harry Potter again with Kate from Target. Yay, for friends!

Those are the updates. Have a lovely Monday!

Channeling Lucille Ball 1

On my first day at Target, I had a guest ask me where the "pop" was. This is how it played out.

"Excuse me, where's the pop?"

"I'm sorry the what?"

"The pop?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry the what?"

"Pah-OP"

"Oh the pop!" I quickly took her to aisle G12, and she looked at me like I was crazy.

"Miss, I asked for the pop. Why the hell are we in the cereal aisle? Where's your Mountain Dew?"

Oh. She wanted soda not Pops the cereal. Yay, Midwest!

Cuisine a la Posey 2

4th of July Meal

Belated pic of 4th of July celebration food. We had fried chicken, deviled eggs, potato salad, and s'mores. Delicious. It is the best fried chicken recipe I've found. It is also a Barefoot Contessa recipe, and highly recommend it to anyone who wants extra crispy chicken without a deep fryer.

Mmmm...kinda makes me want chicken tonight, but we're having some steak and gnocchi instead. We're off to see Julie&Julia this afternoon. Cooking is awesome!

Waiting to start my internship on a bench outside

There are moments when you can really hear life. Not the loud sounds of a city which are all man made or the boisterous echoes of a National Geographic episode but in the moments when your lungs fill with fresh air and an excitement builds in the pit of your stomach for no reason. Your mouth waters with anticipation and every sequential breath feels like cool clear water on a dry thirsty afternoon. You may be stiiting on a man made bench in the middle of a man made street but you can feel the life squeezed into each stone. The rustle of leaves against an awning sounds like music and the clicking of heels against pavement like applause. That stone beneath your feet once resided in a mountainside or a dried up riverbed. And in that fleeting moment it reminds you of its roots. Its light earthy smell that is just barely perceivable calls you back to nature, back to before street cars, highways, and drink koozies. Drink it in while it lasts. Hold on to the excitement. Let your stomach revel in the feeling of standing on the stone of a riverbed, a mountainside. Oh but wait life is calling. Files must be made. Emails to be sent. Goodbye man made stone. Maybe we'll meet again on a different morning when I'm craving something wilder that the man made.

Cuisine a la Posey 1

I recently bought Barefoot Contessa Home Cooking which is AWESOME. I sat down and read it (not skimmed it) cover to cover. It made me want to stay home and cook every night so Dale is SOOOOO lucky right now because I'm on a cooking frenzy. Anywho, I baked this fabulous cake, and Dale and I are slowly consuming it...despite the wedding being less than 3 months away and there is entirely too much flab on this body for that special day.

I'm going to bed early so I can hopefully inspire myself to get up early and run before heading over to Saint Paul for my internship.

Revampathon

I seem to be having trouble being consistent with the postings. So I considered this problem and came up with this solution. Many times I feel extremely narcissistic to only talk about myself so I've come up with some Blog Topics that will give me something to write about every day. You can now expect the following episodes when reading my blog:

Everyday Doodle
- I am a doodler. I like drawing characters, and when I'm at a loss for words you will get to enjoy my artistic genius in the form of doodles.

Channeling Lucille Ball
- If you know me well, you know that I am a picture of decorum and never say or do anything remotely embarrassing/ funny. However, there are moments when Lucille Ball possesses my body and has me commit actions that brings my mother to laughter or a grimace. I shall recount some of these Lucille Ball moments, and I hope you enjoy them.

Uncritical Critic
- I am not a music guru. I am not picky nor do I seek out new and exciting bands. In fact, I am content to listen to my "Best of Broadway" album over and over again with a splash of Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra mixed in. But living with a music enthusiast has influenced me so now I'm listening to more and more "indie" music and venturing out of my Broadway cocoon. In these posts, I will review the latest album I've listened to. Do not expect anything special because I know nothing of music, but for the non-music expert, it might be nice to hear from a fellow novice.

Handmade Crap
- Pictures and descriptions of things I have made

Cuisine a la Posey
- I love to cook and am pretty proud of some of my creations. So damn it, I'm going to brag. You will just have to deal with my blatant bragging.

Running Days
- I am not a runner. I do not really enjoy running until it is over. But I do know that it is good for me. I really want to do a half marathon and have been running more frequently. Some of my best ideas usually occur on the trails, but that doesn't mean I enjoy it anymore. These posts will be filled with complaining, fake enthusiasm, and accounts of my running.


We'll see how this goes. Hopefully it will enlighten you and show you the secret wisdom I possess or at the very least make you smile :)

I have a JOB....well kinda

I met with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra today about an internship....and they hired me!!

I'm SUPER excited about it, because I'll be doing the kind of work I've been wanting to do- internal communications, media relations, writing, some events, etc. However, it is unpaid, but I know this is a good thing and will be worth it in the long run.

I'll finally have a schedule again and a CUBE...I never thought I'd miss having a cube, but man I cannot wait to start working in an office environment again. And I may even be starting as early as next week...woo-hoo!

It's in a historic building in downtown Saint Paul, two blocks from the Mississippi. So I'm beyond excited. I will have to find another supplemental job to help pay bills (and for the parking in St. Paul..ugh), but I'm definitely going to be more picky this time. I'm hoping I can find something in a bookstore or museum gift shop....something along those lines.

Anywho, I just wanted to bring you up to speed. Two more shifts at Target, and then I'm done! Hope you're having a stupendous Friday :)

P.S. All the ladies have booked their flights for the bridesmaids' weekend (Labor Day weekend) so the planning can begin! What to eat? what to do? what to drink? I'm in heaven.

I'm Getting Married!

I don't know if you know, but I'm getting married in 3 months....crazy! Oh so many wedding plans to take care of, but here is our engagement pic that is going to be in the Madisonville Meteor next week and the Bryan Eagle the week after that!

Cheers to wedding!

I'm Back and hopefully better than ever...

It's taken ten months, but I think I have finally come to grips with my reality - I am without a job but I am not worthless, lazy, or a failure because of my situation.

The last several weeks has been full of tears, hopeless feelings, and depression. My mom came up to visit last week, and I think she slapped me back to my ole' self. I have quit Target because it is not helping me in my job search or my own self image. I hate working there, and I don't have to. Saturday is my last day, and while I still kinda get sick/ worried about what I will do with the time, I know I'm doing the right thing.

I dreaded going into work each day and was full of jealousy/ hatred of the corporates coming into shop - it was not healthy. After I gave my two week notice, I was scared/ worried about all my extra time, but I think knowing I'm leaving has really energized my job search.

Next week (and last week) I have set up 7 informational interviews. I am meeting with someone from the St. Paul Orchestra about an internship on Friday so hopefully that will go well. I have a meeting with a pastor from my church to talk about volunteer opportunities, and I've emailed a couple community theaters about their volunteer opportunities.

Target showed me that I can't work just for the sake of working. I've got to feel like I'm moving forward toward a goal or at least enjoy it. Also, I hated the lack of routine and that I didn't use my brain while working. Well all that is going to stop. I'm hoping I can set up this internship with the St. Paul Orchestra with a regular schedule and start volunteering regularly at the church/ theaters.

I'm tired of waiting for my life in Minneapolis to begin. So it's starting NOW, and I'm going to do things I want and enjoy. God is going to present the job I need whenever He is ready (and maybe when I'm ready too). I've been thinking too much about myself and need to give back to this awesome city, and then maybe it will give back to me.

So no more tears! Rachel Posey is Back....world watch out.