I am happy to report that things are looking up in my world. To start things off, I landed a seemingly fantastic job last week! Went to the interview and by the end of the meeting, we were talking salary and start dates. It was a good feeling. I clicked with the CEO & the VP, both of whom I will be supporting. A little bit of detail about the position - Executive Assistant to CEO & VP of Operations. Provide all aspects of administrative support, mainly dealing with travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, calendaring, and setting up the newly formed Houston Global Headquarters. This is a Portuguese renewable fuel company, focused on biodiesels and renewable energy. Headquarters are currently in Lisbon, which is where my new boss hails from, and since the energy hub of the world is right here in our backyard of Houston, he made the decision to make Houston the center for the company. I have no idea what all setting up global headquarters entails, but I'm definitely up for the challenge! Finally found a kick-ass job, with my requested salary and with benefits. It also helps that the offices are about a 7-minute drive from the house. And bonus that I don't have to get on the freeway! I am very excited about this new opportunity and I hope that everything goes well when I begin on September 8th. I am looking forward to working with yet another Frenchie, and learning more about the renewable energy industry.
I am getting excited and maybe a little bit nervous about the half-marathon coming up in January. I pretty much took the whole month of July "off" from training, with me only running once or twice a week. I am back in full force and ready to up the mileage and get prepared for that 13-miles! I have signed up for another 5K at the end of September and will be signing up for a 10K at the end of October. I hope that I will be able to finish the 10K in good time and from there, working myself up to that second half of 6.5 miles! I have faith that it will all come together and January will be a breeze. Okay, well, running 13 miles is going to be hard, I accept that. It will not be a breeze. But, it will be a huge accomplishment!
Babycakes is growing and becoming more and more a little person. She is officially 14 months and it is just (still) amazing to watch her grow everyday. She's my little schnookims. The love of my life!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Let's Go To The Movies!
Well, haven't done much of that, but Netflix is my best friend. I wanted to rate some recent viewings. There have been some good ones!
Gran Torino - Hell yes! This was all it was cracked up to be. I've always been a fan of ole Mr. Eastwood and this movie definitely did not let me down. It had it all - great writing, great acting & great directing. Hell of a story, too. An absolute on my 2008 Best Of.
Watchmen - I like super-hero movies. I like graphic novel adaptations. Unfortunately, nothing will ever top 'Sin City' or 'The 300'. Too bad for The Watchmen. Good story, good music and cool effects. I liked it, didn't love.
The Devil's Chair - Anyone who knows me, knows I lovelovelove scary/horror/gore movies. It's preeeety much my favorite genre. There are a lot of hits and misses in this category, though. This one was a HIT! OMG, freaking awesome. I am assuming that the Brits are beginning to get into this whole gore genre, and they are doing it very well, in my opinion. This is the 2nd Brit horror movie and it was so good! If you're a fan of the Saw-esque/gore movie, watch this. It will not disappoint.
Revolutionary Road - Thought for sure that I would love this one. I mean, how could you go wrong with Leo & Kate?! Actually, this did not go wrong. The movie, in and of itself was amazing. It was the story I didn't like. The acting - superb. I really think Leo should have won something (if he didn't...I'm not completely sure). He was great! So, kind of a mixed review. Loved the acting, directing; hated the story. Aahh, and I can't really say that either. Gosh. Okay - really liked the movie, the storyline was something I did not expect - it's hard to like Kate's character. But, that was the whole point of the story. You're not supposed to like her. Watch it. It's good.
Valkyrie - As much as I hate to admit how much I love almost all of Tom Cruise's movies, I do, I do! This one was no exception. I think he's an outstanding actor and this movie was just pretty great. Of course, anything with a historical/factual storyline is good in my opinion. Along with Gran Torino, up in the Best of '08.
Transsiberian - A movie with Woody Harrelson, Ben Kinglsey & Emily Mortimer. About a train ride on the Transsiberian and about events that surround that trip. It was suspenseful, and well-acted. Any non-horror movie that can get my heart rate up is a winner. Kind of slow in parts, but the ending makes up for it. Good stuff.
Severance - The other Brit Horror movie I spoke of earlier. Didn't know what to expect, but I really liked it. Interesting storyline. Lots of gore. Thumbs up!
New in Town - haha! Yes, I am probably one of three hundred people who actually wanted to see this movie. Renee Zellwegger & Harry Connick, Jr. Enough said? It was cute. Romantic Comedy, completely typical, funny and predictable...but isn't that why we watch that stuff anyway?
The Kite Runner - Not a fan. I just did not like this movie. I thought the lead character was a wuss and he pissed me off too much to enjoy the movie. I couldn't empathize and that made the movie not sit right with me. Maybe the book delves deeper into the story/his story, as to invoke a greater empathy, but I don't know if I want to chance that. Reading a book I don't like is much worse than just watching a movie. Thumbs down.
Curious Case of Benjamin Button - THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR!! I loved it! I do not know how or why Slumdog Millionaire won over this, but it should not have. This was the best. Everything about it.
and finally,
The Uninvited - A scary movie. It was good. I loved it. Why? Because of the "twist", AND because it actually scared me. Gave me the heebie-jeebies! Watch it if you want a good suspenseful horror flick. Honestly, I don't really consider it a horror film, much more suspenseful. That Emily Browning girl - she's kind of creepy in this! But, still cool!
Oh, one more!
Seven Pounds - Thumbs up. Very, very good. Will Smith is awesome. And so is Rosario Dawson. If you haven't seen it, grab your hanky and prepare yourself for a good movie. Best Of '08 List. Most definitely.
So, there you have it. Just a few of the movies I've recently seen. Some that I get excited for every time I look at my queue?
-Burn After Reading
-Religulous
-Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
-Flash of Genius
-W.
-Doubt
-Frost/Nixon
-Wendy and Lucy
-From Within
-[REC]
-The Wrestler
&
-Defiance
Movies are the best!
Gran Torino - Hell yes! This was all it was cracked up to be. I've always been a fan of ole Mr. Eastwood and this movie definitely did not let me down. It had it all - great writing, great acting & great directing. Hell of a story, too. An absolute on my 2008 Best Of.
Watchmen - I like super-hero movies. I like graphic novel adaptations. Unfortunately, nothing will ever top 'Sin City' or 'The 300'. Too bad for The Watchmen. Good story, good music and cool effects. I liked it, didn't love.
The Devil's Chair - Anyone who knows me, knows I lovelovelove scary/horror/gore movies. It's preeeety much my favorite genre. There are a lot of hits and misses in this category, though. This one was a HIT! OMG, freaking awesome. I am assuming that the Brits are beginning to get into this whole gore genre, and they are doing it very well, in my opinion. This is the 2nd Brit horror movie and it was so good! If you're a fan of the Saw-esque/gore movie, watch this. It will not disappoint.
Revolutionary Road - Thought for sure that I would love this one. I mean, how could you go wrong with Leo & Kate?! Actually, this did not go wrong. The movie, in and of itself was amazing. It was the story I didn't like. The acting - superb. I really think Leo should have won something (if he didn't...I'm not completely sure). He was great! So, kind of a mixed review. Loved the acting, directing; hated the story. Aahh, and I can't really say that either. Gosh. Okay - really liked the movie, the storyline was something I did not expect - it's hard to like Kate's character. But, that was the whole point of the story. You're not supposed to like her. Watch it. It's good.
Valkyrie - As much as I hate to admit how much I love almost all of Tom Cruise's movies, I do, I do! This one was no exception. I think he's an outstanding actor and this movie was just pretty great. Of course, anything with a historical/factual storyline is good in my opinion. Along with Gran Torino, up in the Best of '08.
Transsiberian - A movie with Woody Harrelson, Ben Kinglsey & Emily Mortimer. About a train ride on the Transsiberian and about events that surround that trip. It was suspenseful, and well-acted. Any non-horror movie that can get my heart rate up is a winner. Kind of slow in parts, but the ending makes up for it. Good stuff.
Severance - The other Brit Horror movie I spoke of earlier. Didn't know what to expect, but I really liked it. Interesting storyline. Lots of gore. Thumbs up!
New in Town - haha! Yes, I am probably one of three hundred people who actually wanted to see this movie. Renee Zellwegger & Harry Connick, Jr. Enough said? It was cute. Romantic Comedy, completely typical, funny and predictable...but isn't that why we watch that stuff anyway?
The Kite Runner - Not a fan. I just did not like this movie. I thought the lead character was a wuss and he pissed me off too much to enjoy the movie. I couldn't empathize and that made the movie not sit right with me. Maybe the book delves deeper into the story/his story, as to invoke a greater empathy, but I don't know if I want to chance that. Reading a book I don't like is much worse than just watching a movie. Thumbs down.
Curious Case of Benjamin Button - THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR!! I loved it! I do not know how or why Slumdog Millionaire won over this, but it should not have. This was the best. Everything about it.
and finally,
The Uninvited - A scary movie. It was good. I loved it. Why? Because of the "twist", AND because it actually scared me. Gave me the heebie-jeebies! Watch it if you want a good suspenseful horror flick. Honestly, I don't really consider it a horror film, much more suspenseful. That Emily Browning girl - she's kind of creepy in this! But, still cool!
Oh, one more!
Seven Pounds - Thumbs up. Very, very good. Will Smith is awesome. And so is Rosario Dawson. If you haven't seen it, grab your hanky and prepare yourself for a good movie. Best Of '08 List. Most definitely.
So, there you have it. Just a few of the movies I've recently seen. Some that I get excited for every time I look at my queue?
-Burn After Reading
-Religulous
-Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
-Flash of Genius
-W.
-Doubt
-Frost/Nixon
-Wendy and Lucy
-From Within
-[REC]
-The Wrestler
&
-Defiance
Movies are the best!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Woe is Me
Well, it has finally happened. My job, where I've wasted a good year of my life, with nothing to show for it is finally ending. At the end of the month, they will be shutting down the Houston office. I was completely expecting this, so it's not like it was something that occurred just out of the blue. Still bummed, of course. Nobody wants to be in this position, although millions of people are. Ever since June I have been applying and sending out my resume anywhere & everywhere I could think of. No real response, save for a few employment agencies and a few (very) low paying jobs. I'm just not that desperate to go back to working a $12/hour job. I have a freaking college degree & 10 years of work experience. Seriously? And you want me to go slave away for you making $10 to $12/per hour. Riiiight. I'm just so pissed about it all. I've been here since October, with no benefits, no incentive; I've come in every day and worked as hard as I could. I should have never accepted this job. I was just so ready to get back to work after the baby, that I pretty much accepted the first thing that came my way. I should have known how unstable this company was at the beginning. Damn it.
I guess I will have to believe that for every door that is closed a new one opens and there you are, with a new and better opportunity. I have a telephone interview today with an alternative certification program to obtain a teaching certificate. I've always known I would one day venture into the world of teaching, and it looks like that day may arrive sooner that I anticipated. I've always wanted to be a teacher. I loved my second grade teacher so much and since then, I've always thought that one day I would be just like her and try to make a difference in somebody's life. I would absolutely love to be able to teach Elementary school and that is what I really want to do. I am ready to take on the responsibility of teaching. I also have an application in for some substitute work in a few school districts. I just have to get my transcripts together and submit everything. I guess once this job is done, I will apply for unemployment to get some kind of income coming in, start my ACP classes and hopefully land a few subbing jobs here and there to get a little bit of classroom experience under my belt.
I felt during and after college that I would continue my path in the corporate world. I've been working in offices since I was 18. I really enjoy the work and have always had success in my previous jobs. This job has just completely left a bad taste in my mouth in regards to how some people run their businesses. It's disgusting. It's misleading & it's effed up. Unless I happen to find an awesome company to work with, I am done with the corporate world. I know I am an intelligent and hard-worker, and I know I bring value to every position I have been in. I just wish my hard work and determination would have led me down a different path.
But, that being said...I AM excited about pursuing this teaching thing. I think it's a great career for those with a family (and without!). Summers off to spend with your kids or loved ones is incentive enough for me. Since Lola is a summer baby, that means I would get to spend every birthday with her and hopefully be able to start a tradition of a little family vacation/birthday celebration for my babycakes. And, being a teacher also means great benefits, which is something that has been missing from my life for quite some time. AND, not to mention, it would be a perfect scenario to bring another Spurlock-Torres baby into the world!!
Hooo-aaaahh!
I guess I will have to believe that for every door that is closed a new one opens and there you are, with a new and better opportunity. I have a telephone interview today with an alternative certification program to obtain a teaching certificate. I've always known I would one day venture into the world of teaching, and it looks like that day may arrive sooner that I anticipated. I've always wanted to be a teacher. I loved my second grade teacher so much and since then, I've always thought that one day I would be just like her and try to make a difference in somebody's life. I would absolutely love to be able to teach Elementary school and that is what I really want to do. I am ready to take on the responsibility of teaching. I also have an application in for some substitute work in a few school districts. I just have to get my transcripts together and submit everything. I guess once this job is done, I will apply for unemployment to get some kind of income coming in, start my ACP classes and hopefully land a few subbing jobs here and there to get a little bit of classroom experience under my belt.
I felt during and after college that I would continue my path in the corporate world. I've been working in offices since I was 18. I really enjoy the work and have always had success in my previous jobs. This job has just completely left a bad taste in my mouth in regards to how some people run their businesses. It's disgusting. It's misleading & it's effed up. Unless I happen to find an awesome company to work with, I am done with the corporate world. I know I am an intelligent and hard-worker, and I know I bring value to every position I have been in. I just wish my hard work and determination would have led me down a different path.
But, that being said...I AM excited about pursuing this teaching thing. I think it's a great career for those with a family (and without!). Summers off to spend with your kids or loved ones is incentive enough for me. Since Lola is a summer baby, that means I would get to spend every birthday with her and hopefully be able to start a tradition of a little family vacation/birthday celebration for my babycakes. And, being a teacher also means great benefits, which is something that has been missing from my life for quite some time. AND, not to mention, it would be a perfect scenario to bring another Spurlock-Torres baby into the world!!
Hooo-aaaahh!
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