Retail Therapy - Most Underrated Therapy That There Is

I was definitely spoiled this past weekend.  Matt was off work all weekend so we spent Saturday and Sunday just enjoying each other's company.  He did kind of owe it to me since I spent Friday night at the office with him addressing 100 envelopes to recruits.  Apparently, not only does Matt have terrible handwriting but so does the Director of Operations.  So, I volunteered my services since my only other option was to back to the apartment alone while Matt finished stuff up for team camp.  On top of that, we didn't get to eat dinner until after 9:00 PM because of the office work we were doing.  So, when I say he owed it to me, I think I made my point.

Saturday he did go into the office just to switch stuff from one server to another.  Apparently with everything he had running it was going to take 3 hours.  I know he told me exactly what he was doing, but when he starts talking video technology I stop listening.  So, he came back to the apartment and we grabbed some lunch.  Brandon Rozzell was in town earlier in the week doing workouts with some big-time trainer up here (former VCU player).  He is trying to get a contract to play overseas and was here getting some extra workouts in.  He had to leave on Saturday, so Matt and I drove him to the airport.  I know people warned me about traffic, but I think its kind of like the winters here - people can warn you, but you are still never really prepared.  O'Hare is 13 miles away.  It took us an hour and half to get there and back.  BRUTAL.

We eased our pain though when we went to the strength and conditioning coach's apartment for a cookout.  "Apartment" does not do this place justice.  It was the most gorgeous apartment I have ever seen.  It was obscene.  I knew we were in for a treat when Mac greeted us at the door and told us to take our shoes off.  I felt out of place in my Target shirt and flipflops.  His wife just had a baby boy named Cole.  Unfortunately, he was born 7 weeks early and had to spend the first 20 days of his life in the hospital.  He is back home now and is doing great.  But, it really puts things in perspective.  Amanda, Ciara, and Devon - I am sure you are all so thankful for such healthy babies.  I couldn't stop thinking about all of you and the little ones when I was looking at baby Cole.  I even felt blessed that all of your babies are so healthy.

On Sunday, we walked dow to the beach since Matt had not seen it yet.  We live 30 minutes away from beach (walking) and he STILL had not been down there.  I mean, I know he has a job and everything, but still... ; )

We almost got trampled a couple of times by people biking, but we survived.  I will tell you what - there was some SERIOUS inspiration down there at the beach.  I am not talking about people in bathing suits. I am talking about the runners.  At one point I looked at Matt and said "that is why I run - because if people like that can run, then there is NO reason why I should be complaining about a 40 minute run."  Now, I know that sounds bad, but work with me here.  Don't you have those moments when you are running and you just want to quit and call it a day.  I always think about those people who are not necessarily in the best shape but they don't quit - its impressive.  That's all I am saying here.

That afternoon we finally did our first BIG grocery shopping trip.  You should all know that we have an adult refrigerator now.  It actually has food in it.  And not just food - food to make MEALS from.  I even cooked two nights last week!  I really do like cooking, but if Matt's getting off work at 9, KITCHEN IS CLOSED.  Thanks for that saying, Mom :)  So the other couple of nights, I met him at his office for dinner.  Have I already mentioned that the food here is AMAZING??  

As far as the job search goes, I feel like I am making some progress!  I met with a woman from a consulting company that works strictly with non-profits.  It is kind of like a head-hunting firm.  She was really great and assured me that I would not have a problem finding a job.  I wish people would stop saying that and just hire me already.  That just makes the most sense to me...

I spoke with a woman today at DePaul about some part time work the admissions office there.  While the position itself will never be full-time, she did say that I can apply for any full time positions that open up and I will have a leg up at that point.  I would work anywhere from 20-25 hours a week at $23-27 dollars and hour.  I did the math.  I would make a more a month working PART TIME at DePaul then I did working FULL TIME at R-MC.  And that is working only 20 hours a week at $23 dollars an hour.  I feel like the admissions office gets taken for granted a little bit at R-MC.  I think someone should present those numbers to President Lindgren.  That's just insane.  Its not like I would be making a fortune at DePaul, but it would sure feel that way after what I made at R-MC.  Now, I know I have rent and other things to pay for now that I am on my own, but I could try and find other part-time job for the days I am not working at the admissions office.  So, please keep fingers crossed!

Now, all of this just happened about an hour ago.  Before that, I was having a rough couple of days.  I have been very frustrated with the job search.  I know its a long process and I wasn't expecting to find a job immediately.  But, it has been tough spending hours in the apartment alone staring at a computer hoping to find a job.  I feel helpless because I know that if some one would give me a chance, I would show them that regardless of experience, I would get the job done.  So today, I decided I was going to get out of the apartment.  I decided to take a trip downtown and walk around.  I finally made it to Millennium Park which was gorgeous!  More importantly, I found the "cheaper" shopping strip.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Michigan Ave is full of stores whose names I cannot pronounce.  However, go down State Street and its Hello, discount shopping!  I do not do a lot of shopping.  Every couple of months, I will go on a "shopping spree" (around $100 - CRAZY, right??).  And today, I was just feeling it.  For those of you who don't know, I am not an emotional eater.  I am an emotional shopper.  Now I know that an emotional shopper is more expensive, but at least I can fit into the clothes I buy.  I am not knocking emotional eaters by any means.  Because lets me honest - I eat my face off regardless of emotions and I used to be one until I found retail therapy.  A-MAZ-ING. 

Highlight of the trip:  Found a Steve Madden store.  The heels I bought were originally $72 on sale for $43.  Um, Yes, please.  If I wasn't convinced right away, the very friendly fellow behind the cash register told me how good I looked in them.  This was not a Jeremy situation.  This guy probably dates a Jeremy.  Regardless, I want him with me whenever I go shopping so he can tell me how fabulous I look.

H&M was just up the street, so I ducked in there.  Amazingly, so many things would match PERFECTLY with my new shoes.  And did you know you can get things there for $7?  So, as always, my philosophy stands: buy the shoes THEN the clothes to match them.  Because at the end of the day, at least you have the great shoes.  Carr

Now, it is time to get my workout in for the day.  Jillian Michaels is calling my name and she is going to kick my butt.  I hope everyone is doing well!  R-MC Admissions - I heard you all survived the move even thought it didn't go quite as smoothly as you hoped!  I hope you all like you new offices :)  

I miss you all and hope everyone is having a great week.  Please keep me updated with YOUR lives.  As always, please keep your fingers crossed for me in terms of jobs!  Love you all.