I’m not actively job-hunting. Work is fine right now and I have a good job that pays the bills. But a new position is being created in another department at The Hospital and I really feel like that job and I could just love each other forever. I’ve talked with the leadership people in that department and they’ve said they’re definitely interested in me, etc.

I was feeling optimistic.

Then I got an email from Human Resources.

“Thanks for applying to (job). We have considered your application and come to the conclusion that you are way out of your league and we’re going to continue to look for a better applicant with less laughable qualifications. Good luck with your life.”

Or something like that. Like all rejection letters, that’s what it felt like.

So I was sad. Disappointed in myself. Could I have written a better resume? Been more professional when talking with the people in that department? Demonstrated better communication skills? Worn better shoes?

The thing is, I honestly don’t think I am under-qualified for that job. I think I would kick ass, frankly. But things are what they are, and people will make choices that don’t make me happy.

I was determined to resign myself to that fact – after all, I still had a work day to get through before I could go home and pout with my friend Bud (Select). So I frowned, sent a “didn’t get the job, boo on life” text to E, and resolutely turned my attention back to my NovaMind project.

Three minutes later, another email.

From HR.

Huh?

“Please disregard the previous email. Due to a glitch in our system, that message was sent to you by mistake. You are still being considered for (job) and we apologize for your three minutes of sadness.”

YAY! I mean, WTF, but YAY!

Apartment news on the way…

It’s not godawful, really. But it is stressful when you consider the fact that I have to be completely moved out of my house in 27 days and counting. This means I need to find someplace to go NOW.

I’ve narrowed it down to three neighborhoods and I’ve been hitting Craigslist hard with those keywords and my budget. There’s no shortage of stuff available, but I am picky.

All I really want is:

• a pre-war building that has been renovated
• windows that are not drafty
• a proper kitchen with a dishwasher
• a parking spot
• either 2 bedrooms or a large one-bedroom
• a pantry
• a patio or a balcony or a deck
• 2nd or 1st floor ONLY
• lots of windows
• extra basement storage
• allows cat

I probably can’t get EVERYTHING, so there’s always a give-and-take. Like trying to decide if I want to go to the tip-top of my price range and get everything but only one bedroom, or go perhaps $50 lower for more space but slightly less cuteness. Get less closet and just buy a wardrobe to supplement? Is crappy lighting in the kitchen okay when I know I can replace the fixture myself and the landlord won’t notice?

I do NOT want:

• carpet
• ceilings lower than 10 feet
• windows without wood trim and wide sills
• window unit air conditioning instead of central air
• street parking
• anything under 725 square feet
• a building with more than 8 units

And it would be nice if I had:

• a quick walk to the 59 bus line
• a quick walk to at least a little shop, if not a grocery store, for booze snack runs
• a linen closet
• garage parking
• crown molding
• an electric stove

Here’s the top-of-my-price-range one that is the clear front-runner so far. No pantry, but kitchen has room for a shelving unit. No coat closet, but lots of room in the living room for a wardrobe. Gas stove. No balcony/patio/deck. It fits EVERYTHING else though, for $735 a month.

But the hunt continues, just in case there’s something better out there – I don’t want to miss it. I won’t put a deposit down until my house clears the buyer’s inspection on September 8th, so I’m going to keep on. I saw four places yesterday. Will see four more today. It’s out there. And it’s in my price range. I just KNOW it.

Do you like or loathe getting a new place to live?

Hooray! My house is officially under contract!

This means I can leave my clothes on the floor again because I won’t have any more showings!

This means I don’t have to inspect the house top-to-toe for hairballs every day!

This means I can leave dishes in the drainer!

And this means that once the house passes inspections (which the buyer must have done inside 10 days), I have to pack and find an apartment and move all my crap by September 30th.

Hrm.

Shiz.

I know you want to click over to Rebekah Reviews It and see who won the tasty Fruit2O Essentials giveaway, don’t you?

Yes, you do!

http://rebekahj81.com/reviews/2009/fruit2o-essentials-giveaway-winner/

My review blog is a baby blog still and it needs your love! I didn’t have very many entries on this first giveaway, so I hope you don’t miss the next one!

(Fill glass with water so as not to have to hold up bottle of Bud Select for toast)

Thank you all so much for coming tonight to celebrate with us as we welcome Groom into our family. I’m Rebekah, Bride’s sister – her OLDER sister, which means I have had more than twenty-five years to learn an awful lot about her. Those of you who knew us growing up may recall that Bride and I had a tendency to butt heads – yeah, keep it down over in the cheap seats! (roll eyes and smile at laughing family) –  I was always accusing her of being a copycat and she always complained that I was telling her what to do.

And there will be more on that in a minute. (evil wink at Bride as she makes a fake-scared face)

As Bride and I have matured – if you can call it that (Bride snickers) – we’ve come to realize that our head-butting was not because we were so different, it’s because we’re really so much alike. (Mom gets teary) We understand each other a lot better now, and one of the reasons we did clash often is because Bride, like me, is very independent and likes to do things her own way.

And I’m proud to say that as independent as she always has been, Bride has learned that being independent doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone. You can be independent and find love. She knows she can be an independent woman and form a strong partnership and still do things her way – as long as her partner is a great man like Groom who will let her get away with it. (Pause for great, roaring laughter as Groom acknowledges this with nod and a big smile)

Bride and I have gone down different paths and I can no longer call her my little copycat, but as her big sister I still reserve the right to tell her what to do once in awhile. So, Bride and Groom, I want to tell you to do this right now: look at your families. Right here in this room you have almost 170 years of marriage in your immediate families alone: Groom’s Parents, Bride’s Parents, and both sets of Bride’s Grandparents (all Grandparents start to tear up). Of course this does not even include the marriages of Groom’s Grandparents, who are no longer with us.

So copycat that, because your families have set this example for you. We love you and we are all behind you every step of the way. (Mom cries, Bride sniffles)

I’d like to invite everyone to raise their glasses now to Bride and Groom. To everyone who stands behind you and for everything that you have ahead of you – cheers.

(Toast with water glass, then sit down and grab desperately for beer and try not to cry too)