These_Things

I am so excited! First, I was officially offered a job here at my internship so as of April 1st, I will have my first full-time, full benefits job since I worked for the State of Colorado back in 2003. That's right, I have been self-insured and had no 401k almost my entire working life. But now, all I will have to pay for is co-pays! This is so exciting for me.

Add to my excitement that I found a fantastic apartment and now, all I have to do is be approved by the leasing company. I am nervous, just because they want 2 pay stubs and, well, I don't have that yet. I have an offer letter, which should be sufficient for now...this apartment is EXACTLY where I want to live, in a neighborhood called Meridian Hill. Meridian Hill is half-way between Adams Morgan and the U Street Corridor. Click here to see the link to the park just down the street from my apartment. I'll have my own bedroom and full bathroom and my new roommate seems really great, fun and responsible. Please keep your fingers crossed the leasing company picks me. This is what I was looking for in my future dwelling. My friend, Sarah, saw the place with me and she said "make an offer" right after we walked in. It just works.

Ok, back to work. Just think, in a week and a half, I'll be getting PAID for what I do :)

People_Are_People

There was something totally boring I wanted to report on, but now, I can't remember what it is. I am still actively seeking work, i.e. a paid job. We had a snow day yesterday and I applied for 3 positions. I see LOTS of ramen noodles and cheerios in my future, but I must do my time. There is a chance I'll get hired on where I am at, but I need to be actively pursuing income outside of my organization.

Tomorrow night, I am going to a knit night with my friend, Sarah. I taught her how to knit this weekend and I think I successfully hooked her! The knit night is at a local yarn shop in Alexandria. I've decided that I prefer the Northern Virginia suburbs to the Maryland suburbs, by the way. It is a constant debate here - Md. or Va. I still plan on living in DC proper once I am gainfully employed, however, that being said, one must think into the future when it may not be just me I have to take into account. Raising a family in the city may not be possible. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. A job is my next step.

Fall_At_Your_Feet

It is Tuesday and arguably my least favorite day of the week. However, this Tuesday has been different for me. I have been exceedingly productive, despite being unable to fall asleep last night. I spoke with my Gramma for a while and she seems happy, which relieves me. She's probably my favorite person in the whole world so I am glad she is cheery. We decided we need Dr. House on the case.

In other good news, I'm published for the first time, albeit anonymously. My organization produces a document entitled This_Week_In_Washington and I contributed 2 briefs! If you want to read me two short paragraphs, let me know and I'll forward you a copy of the document. In case you are itching for how the Stimulus Package impacts human services funding, click here and select the Comparison document. I contributed to the SSBG and LIHEAP parts, just so you know (the 3rd column is my doing).

Not much else is that exciting in my life. I haven't applied for any new positions yet, but we'll see what turns up. I am trying to not be nervous about my future income situation and am pretty chill about things. But still, it lingers there in the back of my mind. I have some commitments I would like to keep, like being in my friend's wedding in October, and I will need income soon so I can save up and purchase things like a dress and airfare. I know it will be ok.

Get_Into_the_Groove

Happy President's day! Things are looking both up and sideways for me. Things are going really well at my internship and I am so happy there. While I am glad to have a 3 day weekend, it will be good to be back on Tuesday. I'm still looking for jobs but I am also hopeful that my internship will turn into something paid. We'll see! In the mean time, I sent my resume off to a lobbying firm and applied to be the Clerk for a House Subcommittee.

So, while on one had things are going well, on the other hand, I have some bad news. My Gramma has a lesion/tumor on her brain. They do not know if it is cancer and performing a biopsy would be more risky than it's worth and the treatment would be the same. So they are going to give her radiation, see if the mass reacts, then do chemo. I am so sad. I know my family's lucky because they happened to find the mass when they were looking for something else, it isn't so big it affects brain function, and it hasn't metastasized. But I am still sad.

Cactus

I feel a "doh" moment coming on. I am going to apply to two legislative assistant jobs on Capitol Hill and I need to submit 2 writing samples along with my cover letter and resume. I need to ask Cassie what to write. I really hope I have something already. I didn't read through the whole vacancy notice when I flagged the positions. I think something from my White_House_Fellow application should work, but maybe they aren't look for a memo to the President on changing how we determine the poverty threshold...I have to be careful because I am not applying directly to the Members' offices. I am applying to the general clearing house so this probably means I need an objective on my resume. Job searching can be so frustrating.

The other two jobs I am applying for are a bit different. One is a clerk in a subcommittee and the other is a researcher at the Urban Institute. I really want to stay at my internship, only get paid for it but at this point, I would say the outlook is not good. I know it will all work out, but some times I get impatient with the process.

In other news, Cassie, Tony the chocolate lab and I walked around a nearby lake. It was great and it took a couple hours. I also went to Mass and must say that I like this Catholic church much better. And the priest is Father What A Shame because he is quite handsome. He actually had a good sermon too.

All and all today was pretty productive. I am trying to look more forward instead of behind me, but that is difficult. It is hard to not over identify with experiences from one's past. Sundays bring out that reflective, ruminating part of me and it can be quite annoying. I also discovered that I am a master sudoku player.

Say It Ain't So

For once, the song title of my blog entry might *actually* be accurate, depending on your perception of the next few sentences. I applied for a Market Analyst position. And I know I won't get an interview, but is that some how selling my soul? The position has something to do with government contracts and the like...I don't know, but I printed out the position description and all my answers, just in case. You do realize that no one will want to interview me for a domestic position since I live in Macedonia. I understand. They probably don't know where Macedonia is on a map and, before I knew I was applying to this position, I couldn't have located it either. Here is my thinking about my career. Of course, I would love to stay in international development with a focus on women's empowerment, specifically, economic rights. BUT, I realized that I could still incorporate the gender perspective into any position I hold. Yes, I want to use my degree and stay in policy/research. However, I don't have to have such a narrow search, i.e. only women NGOs, think tanks, etc. Is this deja vu from another entry? I think so...

All this brings me back to when I was wanting to relocate from Colorado to DC, before I discovered the MSSP program at Penn. I kept sending resumes and cover letters and I didn't even get a nibble. I will not let this get me down, no! I do not fear my future! Embrace it! And keep searching for that fantastic opportunity...

As far as my weekend went, well, it was pretty darn quiet. Jennie and Igor "met" on skype and there were many "firsts". It was the first time Jennie and I have seen each other since April. It was the first time Igor had experienced a webcam. Of course, Jennie and Igor chatting was a first. It went well and I am so glad we have this technology. Friday, Igor and I ended up going to this very cool cafe called Barista. There were so many textures in Barista. There were individual wood pieces on the wall - like bricks, only wood. There were branches and books in bookshelves. It was great. The only thing was the music was fairly loud (no, I am not getting old! I want to be able to have a conversation in a cafe). Saturday, we met his friends and went to another cafe which had superheroes on the wall. Yesterday was quiet - lots of cooking and knitting. I am trying to enjoy my last couple months in Macedonia. I can't believe Igor and I have already been together two months. I know the next two will fly by.

Blueberry Hill

I think it is funny that I am the only person listed as a follower on my blog.

So, I am back to reminiscing about my parents' visit and applying for jobs. I was very disappointed to find out today that I am too old to apply to be a UNESCO Young Professional. I am too old by 18 days. It just stinks because I have been waiting to apply for about 2 years. Oh well, that means there is something out there that is better for me! I am applying for another job at OSCE up in Prishtina. Fingers crossed. Looking for jobs is seriously a full time commitment.

I know my Mom and I's favorite visit of the trip was up to Matka Canyon, just outside of Skopje. TJ (my Dad), Momma, Igor and I went up there via taxi and we totally lucked out with taxi drivers! Ours was great and came back to get us later that day. Anyhow, there is this huge dam, which produces hydro-electric power. Behind the dam is a winding, beautiful canyon with what appears to be a still, aqua lake. We hiked along the canyon for a while and that is when Igor noted that he had never experienced silence like this. We stopped and listened and I don't think I heard anything, besides my own breathing. I really need to upload pictures because it was beautiful. Near the dam was a church St. Andrea (Andrew for us Anglos!) and the curator let us actually take pictures of the frescoes. We had a pleasant lunch after our hike and on our way into Skopje, our taxi got a flat tire. Thankfully, we were near a tire shop so we all got out while our drive drove on the rim to the tire shop and waited about 15 minutes for the tire to be changed. At least some things are efficient in Macedonia! I liked getting out of the city and experiencing the stillness of Matka.

In other news, I am having problems with my ears and my medical experience has been somewhat mixed. I have yet to be triaged or weighed. My temperature was taken once (of the 3 times I have been to the doctor). In fact, I don't think I know what a Macedonian nurse looks like. You just check in then the doctor sees you right away. Unless I am seeing nurses and not doctors but I don't think that is the case. I had to roaring ear infections and they don't seem to be going away. While my ears don't hurt, they are full of fluid so I feel like I am underwater and can't hear very well. I don't like my ear, nose and throat doctor. She gave me a hearing test when I told her I can't hear very well because of the fluid, then failed to explain any results and charged me for it. She also mutters and when I say I can't hear her, tells me I have hearing loss (thank you, Captain Obvious. I came to see you because my head is full of fluid, making me not hear well!). I don't think anyone has heard of decongestant here. I go to the pharmacy and they give me nose drops. All I want is DayQuil or something along those lines! I will consult Dao for surely she has something!

Back to work and job applications :)

This is why I'm hot

This is an infamous "Bosnian Rose." This is an artillery shell mark common on the sidewalks of Sarajevo. This one was by the tunnel the Bosnian Muslims used to get supplies and people in and out of the city during the Siege by the Serbs. It is really eerie to walk down the sidewalk near the river, look down and see the place where a shell landed. Sometimes, they fill the divots with red paint to symbolize a lot of people died from that shell. The ones in the city proper did not necessarily look like this but you can imagine.

I think I figured out why I am not getting shortlisted on any of my job applications: I am applying to places like NATO and the UN. So I am not competing with only Americans, I am competing with the entire world. I did apply for a job in the US with the Dept of Labor. However, the website for the Dept of Labor Job has not updated me on my application status, only saying it has been "started". Um, I thought I completed it. So I guess I am out on that one...or maybe it will say "Application Completed" one of these days. I wonder how many people applied for this job.

My parents' visit is going really well. They are roaming the streets of Skopje, reading by the Vardar river and generally learning the art of doing nothing. We went to Ohrid last weekend and it was beautiful and relaxing. I even *gasp* knitted for a while! I sure miss knitting. Maybe I can knit for a bit tonight before meeting my man, Igor. I haven't seen him for 3 whole days! Part of me feels guilty about seeing him tonight (even though the parents can come) because my parents are only in town for another week. Thankfully, all seem to enjoy each other. I am fighting a cold and seem to be doing a good job as it is not full blown (pardon the pun). I know there is a fashionista update but I just need to upload the picture as describing this poster does no justice. Let's just say it involves a sleeveless shirt with Mary and Jesus on the front, a man with bleached hair and muscles...I know, you can't wait! This was not a live sighting, unfortunately.

Here is another picture of Igor.

I Try

This is a random pic from when I went to Sofia, Bulgaria. These were my hosts, Kyle and Petya. They have since returned to the States.

Recently, I was applying for a job with the US Dept of Labor researching human trafficking, forced labor and child labor with an international perspective. I had to answer all these questions surrounding my professional experience with research and how I dealt with the aforementioned exploitation in the labor market. Being the spin doctor that I am, I discuss my research on social exclusion and women's economic rights here in Macedonia and how social exclusion and poverty increase the likelihood of being trafficked, exploited, etc. I suddenly realized that I don't know exactly what social exclusion is. I hear the term and intuitively know what it means (it is fairly obvious), but upon realizing that it will be incredibly difficult to reach the rural socially excluded women from various ethnic communities, I decided it was time I discover what the EU and UN says being socially excluded means. I found this great website on social exclusion in the Netherlands that contrasts social exclusion with poverty. I learned that poverty is measured solely on the basis of income, or lack thereof. Social exclusion incorporates not just income, but housing, education, access to the labor market and social services...social inclusion is a much more holistic indicator of 'poverty' because it incorporates what poverty reduction advocates are trying to say by using their poverty indicators/statistics. It isn't just about being hungry. It's about quality of life. This makes the challenges seem that much more insurmountable; however, social inclusion also enables much more creativity in addressing the challenges. I still have no clue how to reach the socially excluded women in rural Macedonia who are members of traditional, conservative communities. I'm at the point where I am overwhelmed by the information on how many challenges there are and must digest for a moment so I can make some recommendations.

In other job news, I am sending my CV off to a research center in Greece that studies women in the Balkans. I sent them an email of inquiry months ago and they requested my CV late last week. :) Additionally, I am going to apply to be an UNESCO Young Professional, a long shot for sure. For the UNESCO YP program, the US forwards its 10 nominees off to see if any one of them is selected for the program. Same with who knows how many other countries. So yeah, slim slim slim chance at that one. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Time for a flash fashionista update. I saw a man with long hair in a pony tail and a tan fanny pack, on the side (I guess it is better than worn on the front) in a cafe. First of all, in a dimly lit cafe, tan stands out, especially when wearing blue jeans and a black shirt. If one must wear a fanny pack, do us all a favor and not draw our eyes to it. Second of all, I do not have a feeling this fanny pack is for the purposes of toting a gun around due to being "undercover," not that I support toting around firearms. Remember the guy from the summer who was wearing leather pants, biker boots, a sleeveless shirt and fanny pack - that would be firearms in my humble opinion...I told my boyfriend that while I understand there are differences in what is considered fashionably acceptable, especially in eastern Europe, I told him that fanny packs are unacceptable under any circumstances. I received a blank stare. I am hoping it is because he never once considered donning a fanny pack. And yes, he knows what I am talking about. I made sure that.

Adios and 6 Applications!

This is a sign in the small village we stayed in near the Albanian border. I think the man we were staying with made this sign.

Audrey is en route to Iceland as I type and I am sad she is gone. While her last official day was Friday, she was in for part of the day throughout the week. I really respect Audrey's calm, strong demeanor. She taught me a lot and was very patient with me and for that, I am grateful. I hope that our paths cross again in the future.

Now, to completely change subjects, I have applied to six jobs this week! Not bad. The jobs are located in: UK, DC, Colorado, San Francisco and Baltimore. I had this "duh" realization that while my passion lies in women's empowerment, I can bring gender mainstreaming to any job I hold. The majority of the positions deal in one way or another in women's issues and I am cautiously optimistic about my future. It feels like I am shooting in the dark when applying - a lot of these organizations are new to me - and who knows if they are genuinely looking for someone or are just advertising to jump through the hoops. I think I am off to a good start looking for a position. I am also in the process of entering my resume and info on various websites of international organizations - like OSCE so they can offer me a job when one opens up here in Skopje :)

I can't believe I am going to be gone for 2 weeks. I leave for Sarajevo Sunday evening, if all goes according to plan. Boban and I are calling the bus station in a few minutes to get the details on my illustrious bus ride. I will be so tired when I get to Sarajevo. I can hardly wait to be a history buff again in such a historic city.