4 Nights Before Christmas

'Twas four nights before Christmas and all through the mall, people dashed and scurried to make sure that they got it all.
Seriously.  As of 7 pm, the city of Ottawa had received 28 centimeters of snow and it's still (now 10:50 pm) snowing!  Despite the storm, there are people everywhere in the mall.  One might say, well yes, but you're there too!  I am only here because my darling husband is working until 11:30 (the mall is open until 11) and I need to pick him up.  I thought that I would come  a little bit early so that I could enjoy a steamed eggnog (eggnog latte minus the coffee) and to ensure that I wouldn't have to wait out in the cold parking garage.
I really am amazed at the number of people who are floating around in this place. In fact, a former co-worker from Carleton Place just walked past me!  I wasn't thrilled with the prospect of driving across the city; I can guarantee that there is no way that I would have driven in from a neighbouring community!  I understand that there are only 4 shopping days (including today) left before Christmas, but if I were not already done my shopping, I would not have made a specific trip out today.  I think that I would have rearranged my plans and made a point of coming tomorrow or Sunday.  In fact, I would have hauled my butt out of bed early to be here for 8 am when all of the stores open!  That’s saying a lot because there are very few reasons for which I am willing to get out of bed early on a Saturday but avoiding a crowd is definitely one of them.  The worst part about all of these people, from an employee standpoint (and I’ve been there often enough to know) is that they never leave by the time that the mall is officially closed. They take their sweet ass time and doddle about because they are too self-centered to think of anyone but themselves.  The employees couldn’t possibly want to go home so that they might have some time with their families!  Even during a normal night this is the usual, it’s not specific to the Christmas season and it is something that I have never understood.  For the love of Pete, no one stands around your place of work at the end of your day and just wanders about, so please, don’t do it to the hard-working retail workers!

Aside from my general dismay with the last minute Christmas shopper, I am so excited for Christmas!  I really can’t wait to get in the car and head home to mom and dad’s because in my opinion, there really is no place like home for the holidays!!!!

My shopping is done, my wrapping is done (aside from a few objects that need to go into bags but that will occur at my parents place because they have a major bag surplus) and I have all of the ingredients that I need to make my AWESOME Christmas morning French Toast bake!  Hubby still has to wrap the gifts that he has bought me but that will be done by tomorrow night and then all that is left on Sunday is to pack the car and pick him up after work.  Then we are south-eastward bound to the booming metropolis of Cornwall!!!  Fortunately we have an awesome neighbour who will be checking into our apartment a few times a day just to make sure that all is well and to give us a little piece of mind while we are away.  I will have to remember a little thank you gift for her :)

I don’t know that I will be back before Christmas so I am going to say it now.  I wish all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Please be sure that it is a safe one and that you are able to enjoy the love and laughter of family and friends at some point during the Christmas season.

Something's gotta give

September 6th, that was the last day that I worked in a "full-time" job!  Yes I've been able to collect EI but the fact of the matter is that's no way to live!  It barely manages to pay the bills and then there's nothing left over for anything.  I have applied to dozens of teaching positions and have had a few interviews but to no avail. I am hoping to return to the government in January since the outlook in the world of teaching looks VERY bleak.  Don't get me wrong, it's still my goal and dream to become a teacher but right now I need to make a living and pay off some debts because we are barely keeping our head above water right now.  I simply want to work to make a living that will allow me to know that all of our monthly bills can be paid on time and eventually pay off what we owe so that more of what is made can stay with us and maybe even start a savings account.

I don't want to gripe too much because it is Christmas and it is a season to be joyful and thankful for all that we do have.  On that note, I am very thankful for my family and friends.  I have a wonderful, loving husband who would give me everything my heart desires if money were not an issue.  He is my soul-mate and I would not trade him for the world.  I have many wonderful friends for whom I am very thankful.  There are 2 in particular that I am very thankful to have in my life because they make me very happy and they fill some of my time most weeks with happiness and laughter when my hubby is at work.  They are both very thoughtful and know me very well.  I am comfortable around both of them and it doesn't matter what we are doing I am happy to be with them.  I thank the good Lord for them on a regular basis and I wish them nothing more than true happiness.

I am going to sign off for now, but expect a Christmas blog in the coming days as there is lots of time being spent alone while my hubby works in the next few days so I will have lots of time to reflect!

Take care,
Stephanee

Today I asked for and received some feedback on an interview that I had some weeks ago.  The basic point was try to be a little less me and a little more robot-like.  I understand that I need to be more professional and answer the questions more factually with fewer "stories" and anecdotes but I really don't know how to be less like me.  I've always known that I walk the walk so much better than I talk the talk but I'm not sure how to change myself to meet the expectatons. 
I was also told that it would be a good idea to buy and wear a suit to the next interview...I've always thought that I appear professional but apparently not professional enough.
Please don't get me wrong, I really appreciate and value the feedback that I received from this particular individual because I know that she has my best interest at heart but it was really hard to hear some of the things that she had to say.  I know that these are changes that I have to make if I want to succeed in my next interview but it is very difficult to accept that I need to make these changes.  I have always thought that being me and being true to myself was the best way to accomplish my goals and dreams, but apparently I need to figure out a way to follow this person's advice and embrace what may be the best way to my make said goals and dreams come true.
At least now I have a good understanding of what has been going wrong all of these years when I have had interview after interview and have never been successful.
For now I just need to think about all of this and try to wrap my head around all of it and then I need to devise a plan to succeed.  Maybe this is the definitive sign that I have been asking for from the Good Lord above.