Anyone still here?

Five years ago, I left this blog in the lurch. It was still in it's infancy but real-life needed me more. As I read back the few entries that made the cut (and the endless others that remain in editing stage), I am remiss that I ever stopped. That girl was spunky. That girl was funny. That girl was ME!?! The use of the word girl is intended to be taken lightly, although it is important to note that I was still in my twenties. I'm not going to go on a long-winded spiel about how "I lost myself" to marriage and mommyhood or the trauma of real life. I won't ask you to hang on my every word while I reminisce on who I was such a short (but long) time ago. It goes without saying, right? So, in lieu of my "going there" I ask for a moment of respect. Let us all put our heads down for while I queue violin music. Ok, I feel better now, how 'bout you? Moving on.

Five years ago, Kash and I were chasing our dreams. We moved to the ATL to propel his career.  A couple years later he had the opportunity to live his dreams as he immersed himself in the world of fantasy and comic books. I was the dependable girlfriend standing by my man and supporting him blindly. If you know me, you may quietly chuckle at that last sentence. In an unknown to me way, I was a quiet bystander as I watched the *perfect* opportunity shake up our lives completely.  We have since learned that some dreams end better than others and I will leave it at that. 

Five years ago, I was not sure I believed in marriage. I was oh-so Brangelina in my views of partnership. We had been shacking up in sin quite happily and I didn't feel the need to change a thing. Then my 30th birthday loomed and my views of what I needed to accomplish changed. I was unmarried, no kids and I was working a job that literally sucked the good out of my soul. In the most uninspiring way, Kash and I decided to get married while I chatted on the phone with my sister on a Sunday afternoon. Looking back, my sis might have been the one to decide that for us and i'm so glad she did.  Being married to the most un-perfect man has been a dream, the kind you don't want to wake up from. 

Five years ago, I was sitting on top of the world. The real estate market was booming and we had just bought low and sold high. Our dreams were big and for the first time so was our budget. Things were coming together. There's something to be said about buying your home from a dude who had just been appointed salesman of the year out of a pool of thousands of employees nationwide. A snake oil salesperson for the modern times. If you've ever seen the movie the "Money Pit" you might have an idea of what we went through. Maybe our stairs didn't collapse but our roof did on more than one occasion. In a series of events that have yet to be determined good or bad we walked away from that money pit and are currently in the process of defining what 'dream home' means to us. Stay tuned.

Five years ago, I had not yet met the man of my dreams. On November 2, 2010 Micah Lee Cooper was placed in my arms. If you're a parent you already know everything I'm about to say so I'll omit the cliched statements. I will however throw some random words out there to describe the experience: humbling, heartbreaking, awe inspiring and messy. If you are not yet a parent, I promise you have no idea how good it can be. The shape of your heart changes and so does it's capacity to hurt and to love. More on that here.

Five years ago, I was just a girl following her boyfriend as he traveled on his journey. Today, I am a wife and a mother. Today, I realize that you can not chase your dreams, you create them. Today, I have picked up my virtual writers pen and begun my own journey. Today, I am complete.

That's what I've been up to. What's new with you?

PS: Though not a mathematician, I can correctly calculate the years between 2007 & 2013. This was originally written in 2012. It has taken one year to muster the courage of posting it. I hope it's worth it!

Cold light

Domusweb | NEWS | Cold light


This is the answer to my dreams : )

Everybody's workin' for the weekend

The unemployment rate in Atlanta just went down. I graciously accepted a job today and my breathing has returned to normal!

The position is Curriculum Director for an early learning program in Alpharetta. It is a family owned school and the proprietor has one other location, with more in development.

I'm very excited about this job, not only because I can now afford to do all the things in our new home that I've talked about, but primarily I believe that it's a great environment and I'm looking forward to contributing to the greatness!

Short post--Kash is out of town again and I haven't used any time enjoying my solitude since he left. I have all night to sit in front of the television ,watch my shows and munch on ME time and I'm rearing to go.

In case you were wondering.....

• I recently moved to Atlanta, Georgia
• My favorite movie is "When Harry met Sally" and I cry every single time I see it
• I cry when people on TV give birth
• V-O-Y-E-U-R
• A small part of me dies inside when Big Brother ends each summer (NO TEARS THOUGH!)
• When I was younger I wanted to be a gymnast
• I can barely do a cartwheel!
• Trader Joes makes me happy-really, really, really happy!
• The cord between my mom and I has never been completely severed
• October 10, 1999-the day I met Kashema
• I don't know how to make rice
• Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday
• I visited the World Trade Center for the first, and last, time in 2000
  
• I am proud of my Long Island roots
• I once lit fire to the girls locker room by igniting the shower curtain
• In 1994 I was diagnosed with a nervous condition--which was never treated
• Nitrate free bacon is my new favorite breakfast food
• I miss the nights of sitting in a diner, drinking coffee with my forever friends
• My DVR records: Rachael Ray, Girlfriends, The Hogan Family, Oprah, Flip this House, Work Out, Mad About You, How I met your Mother, Sweat Equity, Hannah Montana and many more (HOW CHICK-Y am I????)
• I am currently obsessed with the disappearance of Trenton Ducket-bless his little soul
• Rocky and Busta are undergoing behavioral therapy to correct their aggression, fear and neurosis
• I have a HUGE crush on the Google guys
• I am a nasty cigarette smoker
• True Story: I once made out with a Brazilian model or photographer at a park in Spain. He spoke no English
• Jeff Probst is on my "list"
• I don't beleive in monogamy or poligamy
• My sister once convinced me that she was a robot by placing a "Made in China" sticker on her forhead
  
• I am scared of elevators and avoid them when at all possible
  
• When I was 21 I went skydiving in Homestead, Florida
  

First Annual Taste Test!

Today began a new tradition for the Lee-Cooper fam as we celebrated our first annual taste-test! Check out all the fun!

Kash's Tastings


CLOCKWISE: Pretzel with vegetable dip, lemon with sugar, spanish olive, bologna on a cookie-cracker, garlic-herb laughing cow with cranberries and almonds



"Why is there a cookie with lunch meat in my mouth"?


Kash was expecting a shot of vodka to accompany the lemon!


"I won't swallow this nasty olive"



"Hmm....garlic with cheesecake? When did we get cheesecake?"



HE SURVIVED!

Kash guessed everything except for the garlic-herb cheese with almonds and cranberries.



Rach's Tastings

Top to Bottom: String cheese with marina sauce, Cheese crisp with mustard, strawberry with horseradish sauce (EEEWW), peaches with strawberry cream cheese



You can see the hesitation--I just knew he was going to throw something nasty in the mix!



Okay, now we're having fun!!





Bring it on!!




"What is this??"



"Oh, a cheese stick with mustard--YUMM!!!"

I only guessed the strawberry-peach thing correct on the first try. I couldn't figure out why there was something vinegarey on my strawberry or what the string cheese was dipped in!

It was a good way to eat up time on a lazy Sunday : )

Big Bully!

Kashema is out of town this week doing something for work and here I am left alone in a new city with my two dogs and----well, that's it. Not knowing anyone here really sucks. I'm bored out of my mind. I NEED A JOB PRONTO.

I've been told numerous times this past week that the average search time for finding work is 3 months. Whether this is true or just friends and family members trying to be nice remains to be seen. All I know is that I'm slowly falling deeper into this hole of boredom which borders depression.

The one thing that has kept my spirits up is the weather---nice, almost autumn, wind blowing, leaves falling , nip in the air weather. It's absolutely gorgeous and the pups and I have spent much of our days taking walks and soaking it in. I would think all the walking would wear them down and they would fall into the sofa like the little little lumps of fur that they are (AKA ballofur). NOT THE CASE. They are a little tipsy from the glory of the day and, well maybe even overstimulated. Visit my Youtube to catch a glimpse of the instigator and the irritator.


****VIDEO TEMPORARILY REMOVED DUE TO EMBARASSING "DOG SPEAK" COMING FROM HUMAN. I WILL REPOST WHEN I FIGURE OUT HOW TO EDIT IT!!!!****

Working in the Big City :101

Welcome to "working in the city : 101".

In this webinar we will navigate our way through the job search, as we examine all the possible barriers that come with seeking employment in THE BIG CITY. If you are coming from a small, wanna-be city, such as West Palm Beach, Florida, then you are the ideal candidate for this course work.

Today's Topic: You're not the only candidate

You might be a bit disillusioned if you, such as myself, are coming from a region of the country where education and job skills are not valued as highly as, say, going to the same nail salon or singing in the choir with a potential employers cousin's -Father's- second Wife.***

In The Big City employers are looking for someone who can actually get the job done. This is a wonderful concept that, although slightly foreign to me, I can appreciate and learn to understand. The downfall? The number of candidates that are considered for a job.
Recent experiences have taught me that although you might look great on paper, have a tight resume and engaging cover letter, there will most likely be someone else who looks equally good.

For example, I recently sat in on a group interview with eight other candidates who had all been selected from a pool of 70! 70 inquires had been received in a period of one week for a position that pays less than a teacher's salary^^^^.

Today, I was fortunate enough to be the first to interview for a position that is really appealing to me. The interview went well. There was a great repore and I felt very confident in my presentation skills. At the end of our meeting I inquired about their timeline for the selection process. "Well", said the manager, "we have received 30 resumes and I would like to give everyone at least a first interview. I feel confident that you will be invited back for our second round". So now I have to wait only 30 peoples worth of time to hear if I am what they want.

I share these experiences with you, my fellow job seekers, to remind you that other people exist, besides you. The days of "We've had this position posted for weeks but couldn't find anyone with a college degree" are over. You are now floating in a sea of educated professionals. You have been demoted!

Welcome to THE BIG CITY.


***there are some exceptions to this generality. Certain corporations and institutions still value getting a job done. Sadly, there are countless others that couldn't spell PROFESSIONAL if it was written in front of them***

^^^^ Teachers salary = BUPKUS!

I've been thinking about my own blog for a minute now. thinking about it. talking about it. intending to do it. Too. Long.

Well, you're here which means that I finally broke down and did it. I have things to say and I intend to speak them LOUD and PROUD.

Together we'll chronicle my move to Atlanta and the job search and anything else I feel like sharing....because it's MY BLOG and I make the rules

: O