Changes abound, sort of.

Okay, it has now been truely forever since I posted. One of the things that kept me for a bit was having to change my photo site. I was on Flickr after yahoo photos closed and it sucks. I didn't like the layout and the fact it is a paying site. So, I switched to google photos. Much better. It is totally free with a huge limit size. I have changed the link on this blog and my very outdated website to reflect this. Plus I added more photos.

I took a trip to Las Vegas at the beginning of August. I enjoyed it. I freely admit that the main reason for going was that the Star Trek Experience as closing (closed now) and it was something I always wanted to see. I am a trekkie. But, I had been wanting to see Vegas since I am hooked on CSI. I found it to be a very huge tourist destination. I am sure they want it that way now to bring in as much money as possible, but it was almost too many people. And the strip felt like a long shopping mall. I did enjoy visiting a bunch of the hotels to scope out the decor. I went up the Effiel Tower at the Paris Hotel and went on the coaster at the New York hotel. I stayed in the Circus Circus. I probably wouldn't stay there again as it was nothing but kids, no surprise really. I also had a chance to take the monorail, which was cool. All in all a worthwile trip.

On another note. My job is going great. No complaints. I am still a term and am waiting to hear if I will be extended or not. I am still living with my dad to save up money. I can't justify getting an apartment with a year lease if I don't know if I will still be in my job after January. I am taking one course on tuesday nights this fall to compliment my job. It is a basic landscape horticulture course at Merritt College. I like the teacher, though the long day follwed by the shorter night sleep sucks. I was taking two courses, but had to drop one as it was way too much. The views from the College are amazing though. I will have to take some pictures soon.

My dad had his 70th birthday recently. My sister and I threw him a party with a select number of close friends. My aunt and cousin came out from Texas which was a treat. The time does fly though. My sister and I also just booked our tickets to go to Texas at Christmas which I am looking forward too. I always love to see my Grandmother who just turned 91. And she is still a gorgeous woman.

Well, hopefully it won't be as long until my next post. No promises though. :)

Long time, no post

Okay, I have been real bad. It has been a loooooooong time since I posted. I have just been having such a great time with my job, and getting tired, that I have been lazy to do so. I have been there for just over 4 months now. I had a great review at 90 days. I am totally loving it, espceially when using the power tools. :) Everyone there has been fantastic and have been out for drinks a few times. Plus there have been some barbeques. Now I just need a place to live over there.

I saw the new Indiana Jones opening night. I have a fantastic time. There were 7 of us in the group. I do love those films, and while it didn't totally have the magic of the first three, Harrison Ford can still pull it off. It had a lot of great action sequences, but did go a little over the top with some of the CGI effects. I will, of course, still get it on dvd.

I am also going to go camping next weekend with a friend. We are combinding it with Six Flags for some roller coaster fun, which I haven't done in a loooooong time. I still do love them. So, should be a good time.

Hopefully it won't be as long until my next post. My birthday is next week, so I should have something. I hope everyone who reads this is doing well.

I got the job!!!!!!!!

I am now a landscape laborer on the presidio. My first day was today. I found out last friday. I had to start off by signing a crapload of forms and then got shown the building I will report to. I can't tell you how beautiful the presidio is. I am on a 12 month contract, but providing I do well it will be extended. All the people I met were really nice and there is a good mix of men and women in the landscape/gardening group. And I get some amazing views of the golden gate bridge, the million dollar views. Since this is a government job I get full benifits along with my not bad salary. I have also signed up for employee housing on the presidio which I will only pay 30% of the market rate. Damn good and close. This job is the bomb, that is the best I can say. I just have to not screw it up. I will try my best, providing I am not exhausted from the commute, to write more about the job as I go along.

Yea for me!!!

Tentative job

I got an unexpected call this morning from the director of the presidio. He said that they have tentatively offered the landscape worker position to someone else. However, that person is currently a landscape laborer. He then asked if I would be interested in the laborer position. It pays a slight bit less but still has full benefits. Well, I quickly said yes. It wasen't a formal offer, however, as they have to make their recommendations to the human resources whom then make the final decision. So, it won't be until the new year that I find out. But, it is good news indeed that it looks like I may work on the presidio. I am so thrilled, but will reserve all excitement until I get the letter. Please keep crossing those fingers and toes until I do.

Another interview.

So I had another interview yesterday. It was at the Presidio Trust again, but for a different position. When I called about the last position, one of the guys who had interviewed me encourage me to apply for the landscape worker position. He felt it better fit my skills and experience. Well, I don't have to be told twice. So I put in the application that day and had the interview yesterday. It was 3 people who interviewed me this time, all different as the landscape workers are in a different department than forestry. They started off by wanting me to tell them all about Hampstead Heath which I was happy to do. It actually quite help them to understand why I chose to apply to work at the Presidio.

I had taken some workshops a couple of weeks ago at the Oakland career center. This actually helped me to see that preperation is an important thing to do. So, I had spent a good amount of time writing the reasons down for why I fit the job, what my strengths and weaknesses are and what questions I had for them. I can't believe how much this helped at the interview. Not having to sit and think about these things really help the interview go much more smoothly.

It will be into the new year until I find out about this position, last time it took 5 weeks, so I expect the same, especially with the holidays. Everyone can of course keep their fingers crossed for me. Even if I don't get it this time, I won't give up. I truely believe I will work in the Presidio at some point. If not now, later.

Job status and haircut.

I didn't get the job I was going for at the presidio. When I talked to the guy that interviewed me, he told me to apply for a different position there that he thought would better suit my skills and experience. So I did. In the meantime I am utilizing the oakland career center for help. I believe I need to hone my skills better and with a place here so it will be more recongnizable on an application. I am also going to look for part time temp work. I was also given a notice about an internship over in SF with a nursery that sounds interesting. I will call for more info. I just gotta keep my head high.

Speaking of head, I had a haircut yesterday. What made this one different is I actually went to a SALON. My sister went to get her hair done and I tagged along, little knowing she would get her hairdresser, who is a freind from the theater, to do my hair. It turned out pretty good. Check out the pic below for the results.

The Interview

So I had my interview. It went quite well. I was interviewed by 2 guys. They asked me a bunch of questions to get a sense of what I know and about me as a person. Obviously to see if I would fit in with the team. I answered best I could, trying to translate what I had learned in England to terms here. It was interesting to do that acutally. I tried my best to show how keen and eager I was to work there as it is a beautiful unique place. I had read some books about it beforehand too. I have to admit I was quite nervous, but I suppose that is to be expected. I also found out that there are 2 Forestry Worker positions they are filling. These are new additions thanks to more funding they were given. Some other, different positions were posted too due to this funding. I have to wait a couple weeks for a response as they are interviewing this week and next and then make a decision.

In the meantime, however, I have another interview next week. This one is different. Instead of the usual talking with people, it is comprised of exams to see if you are a fit. It is with the City of Union City. So, along with asking questions, you will have to do physical tasks to see if you are able to do the work. It is for a Maintenance Trainee position. I figure it is worth applying and now doing these exams. If I don't get the Presidio job, which I would prefer, and did get this, at least I would have a job. And it isn't bad either. It is still doing the kind of work I want to do. So, we shall see. I have to wear regular work clothing for this. I called and asked as I had no idea what these exams were. I will, of course, update after them. It is next thursday, Nov 1st. Should be interesting.