and Happy New Year!

Christmas was nice. I didn't go home, for the first time ever. (No Money) Had a midnight dinner Christmas Eve (Brazilian tradition). Nauber hasn't gotten anyone gifts, yet, because he is waiting for the clearance sales (so he says).

So far, we're just having a couple close friends over for NYE. It's a simpler party, so I told everyone we're just having snacks. Ronny keeps trying to add dinner to the menu because "Brazilians don't like DIPS". Mind you, other than those two, the only Brazilian that will be here is Liliani, and the artichoke dip is specifically something she requests. Similar to Nauber freaking about a poppyseed cake that he then loved and requested more of, or the horror with which I was told "Brazilians don't like SANDWICHES" for my grad party, but they gobbled up the shredded beef anyway.

This is a Spaniard (David Barral), which is similar to Latino, but he's clearly much less selfish!

Merry Christmas

I didn't have any pics that were particularly Christmas themed, but this one's at least got some bright red!

Follow-up

I sent an email to the manager (see last week) saying I really did want the job, please keep me in consideration. She replied that they didn't hire me because I lack finance experience. Which they knew ALL ALONG - even before the two rounds of interviews, during which she herself said "I know you can do the job" and "we will have to train no matter who we hire" because their system is somewhat unique.

That means back to fruitlessly applying to job after job that never replies. I applied to one this week that is local. Quality Manager at a metals processing company (small, family owned business). It is exactly what I have qualifications for, despite being what I really want to get away from (thanks, TJX!). But even they have not responded.

To distract from the WTF, here's some scrumptiousness:

Of course not

Nish called. They are not going to hire me at TJX. His boss doesn't believe I would want to give up a lucrative engineering career path for one in business. Which is so many versions of incorrect that it hurts. So, I officially got rejected for a job I really wanted because they didn't think I really wanted it.

Waiting

This week was my second round interview at TJX. Met with the Assistant VP and the Divisional CFO. They both seemed to go really well. Now I just have to wait and see what happens. Hopefully having Nish on the inside pulling for me will help!

At this rate, if I don't get the job, Ronny and Nauber will make me move to Las Vegas anyway!

Thanks

This week was Thanksgiving. I did dinner again. We had a good turnout this year. Ronny, Nauber, and I of course. Nauber's friends Liliani and Darrell. Ronny's friend Dulci and her two daughters. My friend Shaun and her husband Ian. Nauber's coworker Nick. Ronny's kind-of-sort-of boyfriend also showed up later in the evening and ate the second drumstick, which Nauber was NOT happy about.

My turkey turned out good, as always. Also did a ham this year, turned out fabulous. Served it with an apple cranberry chutney (no cran sauce). Giblet stuffing, smoked gouda mashed potatoes, roasted beets, yams, roasted zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower with crumb topping, and gravy were the sides. The gravy didn't turn out well at all, but that was partly due to Liliani (who offered to help, so came early) trying to tell me I was 'doing it wrong' and taking over. She tried to change the beets, too, but I stopped her on that one, so they did turn out right (which I pointed out to her!). For dessert I did pumpkin cheesecake, mixed berry pie, and a black forest pie. Both Liliani and Dulci brought pave (a Brazilian pudding torte), though one was peach and one was pineapple. I like peach more than I like pineapple, so I liked the pave de pessago (the peach one) better.

My stove schedule was also messed up a bit because Liliani brought a jug of cider and wanted to mull it, so we had a pot with spiced cider, too. I had bought egg-nog, but it got sidelined by the cider.

Nick ended up staying over that night, and we watched Another Gay Movie 'cause he hadn't seen it before (if you watch it, make sure to get the "uncut" version - it's so much more raunchy!). Darryl Stephens is one of my all-time favorites:

Can I Has Careerpath?

Three interviews this past week! All will need a second round before any decisions. On Monday interviewed with HR for QA Director at a med device manufacturer in Holliston MA. Round two would be with the hiring manager, the owner. Small, family-owned business. It would add title and med device to my resume, but small fam-own manufacture SUCKS. And the commute to Holliston would be annoying. Tuesday was phone interview with QA Manager for QA Engineer position at electronics manufacturer in Woburn MA. Round two would be the in-person. Low position, still manufacturing, and the commute would be hellacious. This is the 'safety school' option. Wednesday was an interview with HR/Supervisor/Manager for a financial analyst job at TJX in Framingham. Low level, but huge up-side potential, and adding financial analyst to my skill-set! The second round would add in Asst VP and CFO, since I will be the sole dept representative sent to the distribution center in Las Vegas. That's right - relocation to Vegas, baby! The only real downside here is leaving my social network behind, tho both Brazilians are currently in "yeah we're going with you!" mode.
The other issue is that every single person I interviewed with came across as loving me except the Manager at TJX, and that's actually the job I want. The irony is that her issue is that she's not sure I really want This career, since it is so different from the trajectory my resume illustrated. I've said what I can, and sent her a thank-you message that same day to try to keep the interest level evident.
I will probably hear back next week from all three when they want to see me again for the next interview. I hope this all turns out Right!

Older

The birthday party last weekend was a success. Too much food, of course, and I didn't care for the brazilian snacks. Cris' friend Ney offered to do them. The kibbe and the coxinha were slightly better than Cleuza's, but I like her bolinhos and pastel much better. The bolinhos (fried little balls of cheese) had big green chunks of herbs in them - no idea which herb, but rather overpowered the yummy cheesiness. The pastel I prefer are the cheese and corn ones, he only made beef. Liliani did another Torta de pao (chicken cake!), and we rolled out dozens of docinhos. Most of them were new variations. Added pecans to the chocolate ones (yum!), rolled a strawberry piece inside, or added a bunch of pineapple to coconut ones.

Everyone also liked the porn star calendar in Nauber's room (I gave it to him earlier this year). November is a particularly good choice, Dario beck. The calendar is full nudity, but here's a more modest shot of him:

Festa dos Brasilieros

Nauber has been much better this week. Even accommodated a request of mine! Did make a snarky reply about paying me back when he gets a new boyfriend after I mentioned how he hasn't paid me for any bills since his mom was here.

But it is his birthday this weekend. As well as Cris. As well as Sergio. We are doing a joint party for Cris and Nauber together on Saturday at our place. Sergio was invited, but I have no idea if he will show up (Ronny invited him).

And yes, these three are Brazilian, too:

Cave

Well, we had plans last Sunday, so we had to start talking again, just because... But he still just as selfish as always, and still treating me like I'm irrelevant. It's sort of like physical therapy, though. Lots of work for slow progress.

Mood Swing

So, two weeks ago, Oct 7, Nauber calls from work at like 10:30pm to ask permission to go out to the bar with a group of coworkers when they are done. He has gone out after work countless times, and never felt the need to call me first, so I thought it was odd, but really sweet. He then included an "I love you" in the sign-off. It was sort of tossed out casually, so I breezily said "I love you, too" in reply. But it was the second time he has said it ever, and the first since Christmas Eve two years ago when I was stranded alone in DC for the night. It made my heart happy!

This morning (like 4am) I drifted awake and tossed his stuffed bear to the floor. For the past month he has been sleeping with the damn thing, and it too large to make it comfortable, so it's hard for me to fall asleep. I have complained, but he doesn't care. Anyway, just as it hit the floor, Nauber woke up and had to go pee. He comes back and says "Why is Tifum on the floor?" crawls in bed, and yanks the blanket over to cover the poor bear. This leaves me uncovered, so I pull on the blankets, but again, the bear is in the way. I grab the bear, chuck it on the floor and say something akin to "enough with the damn bear"! He gets huffy and says "what are you doing!?!" to which I reply that "I should be able to sleep better than that stupid f&%#ing bear". He grabs his pillow and the bear, says "that's why I have my own bed" and storms off. Sooo nice to know I mean less to him than a stuffed toy he found on the side of the street (aka trash).

Today is a not-speaking day. I never win those, however, since he is perfectly fine with me leaving him alone, and it drives me nuts. We had just started plans and invites for his birthday party (Nov 5, our house!), so he'll need to ask me to do stuff for him. Not that there will be remorse or an apology. Ugghhhhh...

And this one is just for Amy...

Heat Wave

We had some unseasonably warm weather for the Coumbus Day weekend. Darryl was visiting; the first time since about May. We went to the churrascaria Sunday, then to the other one on Monday for the pizza buffet. Nauber called in to work to say he had to take me to the hospital, so he got to go along. Both nights we went for walks along the beach (Sunday in Revere and Monday in Quincy). Coming down off a cold in the fall, and walking along low-tide seems to have done a number on my allergies, so I was not feeling too hot Monday and Tuesday.

Ehh

Another quiet week. Unemployed. Unemployable...

Job hunting is so depressing. Need to figure out how to find the job that will want me.

Welcome back...

It has been a while since I've posted. With Nauber's mother here, I was responsible for hosting a lot of the time, so posting was low priority. We had a little trip to Salem, and a 5-day in NYC. It was a nice 6-week visit for Nauber, but it ended up being 'work' for me. It was hard to communicate, and I spent SOOOOOO much time at Marshall's it was getting scary. She was more distant and stoic than I would have expected, based on Nauber telling stories about how she loves taking care of everyone and all his friends love her to death. And she did almost no cooking. Nauber claims she made him dinner every day, but I never saw any of it, so she was cooking for one or two, if she was. I of course had to make cake all the time. Even showed her how to do Olhos de Sogra.

Cafe Belo is no more, but the big one in Everett is now under new ownership and open as Brava Cafe. Two dollars more, but the meat did taste like somewhat better cuts. The garlic beef is really weak on the garlic, though!

And, still job hunting. Sigh...

Leisurely

Busy busy busy at work. The rental office posted our remaining apartments publicly, so every realtor in Boston is stopping in to borrow the keys to show our apts. Guess who gets to keep track of it all... Have to go in for a few hours on Saturday again just to let them burn themselves out.

I was supposed to meet Shaun for lunch, but I was late and she was busy, so we met for dinner instead. Then wandered the Commons for a bit, chatted until 10:30. It was a nice night out, so it was a great end to a boisterous day.

Saturday!

I have to work on Saturday. Long time since I have done that! But I'm gettin' Paid!!

Steamy

It has been hot and humid. We hit 103 yesterday. Today should reach 100 again. The Brazilians are both at the beach right now.

The hot weather makes my room a tad less comfortable than the living room, so I have been sitting in the LR with my laptop. Since most of my photo collection is on my desktop computer, it took me a little longer to get a post together!

Friday already

Now that I'm working full time again, the week just kind of flies past. It is strange being hourly. I get paid for staying late!!

4th

Hope you had a nice 4th of July. We were in Tampa Bay, Florida. It was hot and humid the whole time, and Nauber still insisted on no AC. So, while we were in the car he would roll down the window. Mara would tell him to roll it up because she had the air on, but Cida would just turn it off. Not even leave the fan on, just shut the whole thing off. Ughhh.

Other than Cida dumping beer on me shortly before heading to the airport, it was a nice trip. Went to Busch Gardens. Saw the Dali museum, FL museum of art, Tampa aquarium (second trip), and Chihuly collection. Chihuly was like three things, and cost $15 each. Luckily Mara had passes so we paid very little to go there, and nothing at the other three. They made me bake a banana bread and a beet cake. They loved them both!

Started work when I got back. I get up early, leave around 7:20, get back between 5:30 or 6, and go to bed around 11:30. I didn't see Nauber at all on Thursday because of schedules, so I was not able to tell him that I wanted to meet up for lunch on Friday. So had lunch alone. ;( But he made empadao and chocolate/coconut cake while he was home today!

Start Small

The College of Management finally added a dedicated career services specialist, so I went in and met with her. Much more production discussion than the last time I went in to CS. Useful advice on the resume and the cover letter, plus job search tips, and she showed me the resource library at the CS office. Why on earth could they not have thought of mentioning that the first time?

While I am in the meeting with the good career helper, my phone rings (it was on vibrate, so it didn't disrupt anything). Afterwards I check the message, and it was a call to schedule an interview. Now, this position is like a $35k office assistant job at the real estate office a friend of mine works at, so it's not a 'real' job, but it would help pay bills until I found a real job. My only concern is that it would create schedule conflicts for interviewing.

37

Yesterday was my birthday. Ronny bitched I didn't do the dishes. Nauber asked why I didn't make him a cake. So, as usual, nobody cared enough to think about doing something for me.
Today Nauber and I went for lunch, with Liliani. We tried Summer Shack. Food was meh. Service was meh. Bathroom had no running water. They were out of iced tea and diet coke. We will not be going back.
After we ate, I said I wanted ColdStone. We ended up malling with Nauber. By the time he finished at A/X, Liliani had already left, and he said he didn't have time for ice cream, he had to go to work. I said I'd been saying ColdStone for two hours. He said I don't have a job. (I don't get it, either...) I repeated my complaint from last night that just one day a year it would be nice if he thought about what I wanted instead of making everybody do what he wants all the time. We got ice cream, but he was grumpy the whole time. Not exactly the point...
And it turns out the flavor I vaguely recalled wanting to try was limited time only in May, and no longer available (lemon poppyseed), so I got chocolate hazelnut. Meh.

Tomorrow is Pride. I don't really want to go, but there appears to be little option. I would rather play D&D, but there aren't enough people available - again. It's been three months since we last played. Pride has turned into an excuse for annoying people to get drunk. As I read recently, we've done to Pride what we've done to Christmas (ignore the message and go for the celebrating).

I'm in a funk. The annoying job hunt doesn't help at all. Everytime I see an employed person it reminds me how frustrating it is that nobody wants to hire someone competent enough to get top marks in MBA and MS ME.

Slump

Nothing going on, again.
Job hunting. A depressing activity made worse by the fact that nobody seems to care that I just graduated with my MBA, earning a high gpa. Because it wasn't Harvard...

All over

The graduation party was fun. About 25 people. Not everyone, but a decent turn-out. My mother had a fun time, too!
Grades finally posted, and I have a 3.82gpa. Now need to figure out who would be impressed by that, since nobody seems to care, so far...

Demur

My mother is visiting, so I am keeping the post more tame this week...

Close

The end is near - of school, that is. One paper and one test next week, and it is ALL over. Except the party!
Got another rejection this week. Another consulting firm that thinks an MBA, masters in engineering, and work experience isn't very useful. Driving me NUTS...

Two Down

I am completely done with two of my four classes for this semester. A final project, a case paper, and a final exam and I am graduated!

And

nothing new.
School is busy next week, then almost nothing the last week of class. All done by the 18th.
Sent out party invites for the 22nd, which of course nobody has accepted. It's almost as frustrating as the fact that nobody ever hires me, either.

Arrrgghhh

I interviewed at Target this week. It was an executive position (basically Assistant Store Manager), but still 'simply' at Target. I have a master's in Engineering and (shortly) an MBA, and have been a supervisor already. They've already sent the "we're going with someone else" email. WHAT THE F*&# DO I NEED TO DO ALREADY!?!?!?!?!

All the clueless idiots in my various classes that have jobs, and not one single company has any interest in me. It is getting really annoying.

Deep breath, calm down. Here's a distraction...

Job hunting

In Monday's Strategic Management class, we had a guest speaker from Accenture. She basically said that there is a dire need for STEM (science, tech, eng, math) people with business acumen and people skills. I went up to her after class and mentioned that I fit that bill pretty well. She said by all means send her my resume. The smarmy guy in class, who happens to be a recruiter for John Hancock insurance, overheard me talking with my project partner Staci about applying for a position at JH and he said to just send him my resume. And I got an email that I am scheduled for an interview on campus with Target on Tuesday. OK... Who knows, maybe I actually will get a job one of these days!

No more lying around doing nothing all day (according to my roommates who don't seem to consider an MBA program to require any effort).

Uhh

Not much to say again this week...

Academia

Crazy week at school. Presentations, homework assignments, and even the collapse of a project team. That is the first time I've actually had a project team experience enough conflict to remove someone. Even the lazy arrogant jerk in my MGT650 class wasn't kicked out of the team. Next week is looking much more calm.

And my mother has booked a flight to come visit in May, so I am planning a graduation party that weekend!

And just wanted to record that Nauber has been in a very touchy / lovey mood lately, which I totally enjoy!

Starving

I restarted my dieting attempts. Post-buffet stupor got to be a bit much, and the pants that had been loosening up were getting tight again.

Repercussions

Vegas was fun. Nauber wants to go back (wanted to stay longer, too). "O" was visually stunning, but rather light on the acrobatics. Rio buffet was quite impressive (recommended!) but the Bellagio buffet was disappointing (not worth it).

Of my predictions, one was right (my desires were not important) but one was wrong (Phil did not bring the laptop and did not play WoW). Though, Phil did bring an iPad and did a little work now and then.

And, Phil and Ronny got into an argument that at one point included Phil hitting Ronny. Phil admits it was wrong and has apologized, but Ronny has declared Phil as being "dead to him" so has not heard the apology. I, of course, am tossed in the middle. It made the second half of the trip a lot more anxious and a lot less exciting. Ronny has also decreed that Phil is not allowed in our house, which I understand. It will cause issues a few times, for parties and such.

So, here's a pic of some guys being happy and getting along...

R&R

Spring break is next week; no school. The term usually means rest and relaxation. But we will be in Vegas with Brazilians. Nauber will want to go everywhere and do everything. Ronny will want to go everywhere and do everything that doesn't cost much money. Phil will want to sit in the hotel room and play WoW on his laptop the whole time. And nobody will ask what I want to do...

Just a prediction.

Nice

Weather is taking a turn for spring-like conditions. Which means people are getting happier, and Nauber is talking incessantly about going on trips, going swimming, going camping, etc.

Another One

It's Ronny's birthday, so we are having a party this weekend. It is actually the first full fledged party we have hosted at the new apartment. Hopefully all goes well, and people actually show up. Otherwise, we will have insane amounts of leftover food!

Dinner

Shaun and her husband are coming over for dinner tonight. Making cheeseburgers on the grill. I am also putting together a red velvet cake. I invited Phil, but he's on a diet, so when I mentioned (irresistible) red velvet cake he declined.

Hold Me

The snowstorms have calmed down recently, though it is still quite uncomfortably cold. The milder temps are supposed to show up middle of next week. Until then, I have to hold onto Nauber to keep warm!

Boys of Summer

When will this winter end...

It begins

This week was the start of school again. Very cold outside, too. And we're having a really snowy winter. I even had one class canceled.

But this is my last semester, so hopefully things will be heading in wonderful new directions by the summer. As a bad omen, I did get a rejection from McKinsey, but since they are the top of the line, I'm guessing they get snooty about what school you went you went to. I shouldn't be too deflated.

Think warm thoughts, and before we know it, spring will be here (and all those awful projects will be coming due)!

Snow away

We are already well over the average total snowfall for the season, and it's not over yet!

Luckily we are booked to go to Vegas, though by March the snow should be less of an issue already.

Away

We booked a trip this week to go to Vegas during my Spring Break (March 14). And then we got hit by a blizzard. It is so nice not having a car, or anywhere to go, during a blizzard. No longer is snow automatically tied to an "ahhhh shit" feeling.

While in Vegas we have tickets to see Cirque's O, and the Brazilians are heading off to see Celine Dion. Nauber asked what we will do the other night we are there and I suggested hitting the 1/2 price booth that day to find something. I don't Lenny Kravitz will be performing, or that we'd go, but maybe we'll hit up one of the male strip shows?

Not Much

(oops - I posted a pic here that had already been posted. sorry for the error, and here's a fresh one)

Happy Holidays

Was at my parents' in New Mexico for Christmas again this year. Always disrupts the posting schedule...