Growing Up

It's been a little over a week since I've posted and things have certainly been busy. Well, busy and not so busy, all at once.

Of course, Andy and I have been looking for jobs on a constant basis, which means a lot of time job-searching, plus a lot of time doing not so much. I have become increasingly frustrated with our situation, as it is just so hard to be in a new city and not even have enough money to explore. I think we would be having a really good time here if we weren't so concerned with how we are going to manage to pay rent. Oh well, one day we will get to enjoy it, I suppose.

Last week I had a few job interviews, including one at a place called Apartment Savvy Chicago. As it turns out, I got the job there! Now, this may sound great (and it certainly is--it takes the pressure off a little bit in terms of finding a job), but the job is only part time and therefore not enough to pay rent (hence the point of the job). Also, the job was listed as Administrative Assistant--and basically all I am doing is updating Craigslist ads. So...yeah. I'm glad my skills are being put to good use. Also, the other day at work I heard some people talking about the difficulty they have understanding how to download ringtones on their cell phones. Later, a guy asked if Woodstock, Illinois is THE Woodstock. To both of these things, I threw up a little bit. These are not older people--they are around my age. They should have some knowledge of both technology and music. Ugh. And I'm the one who isn't smart enough to get a better job?

I also had an interview at a place called Entrust, which was another Administrative Assistant job. Basically they did something for old people with retirement funds...yadda yadda yadda...and the guy needed an Administrative Assistant for the office. Well, I did not get a call for a second interview, so I guess I wasn't good enough for that job.

Then I had an interview at a Temp Agency called AddisonSearch. Basically, they wanted me to come in and prove I was a human so they could find some jobs for me to do. That seemed cool to me, so I went in. Then they had me do a typing test (yes, after 4 years of college...make that 17 years of schooling...I am able to type on a computer). The real trouble started when they sent me this test that I had to complete at home, which was basically a computer proficiency test. I had to do 30 tasks in each Microsoft Office program--Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint. Each task had to be done in one click, just the way the program wanted you to do it. Needless to say, I grew frustrated and my patience (already short) grew shorter still. To my credit, I completed most of the foolish exams (which all pretty much said I don't know how to send an e-mail) before calling the company and complaining about how ridiculously flawed the test is. The guy at the office proceeded to inform me that there are tutorials available online about how to succeed in these tests. I proceeded to tell him that I really did not want to waste my time on tutorials for something I had proved I knew how to do by earning a degree from a University (okay, I was nicer than that, I promise).
Anyway. A frustrating ordeal indeed.

Life continues on...

I applied today for a job at the zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo--which is free!) and I got a call about it, so I have to call the woman tomorrow to talk and find out if they want me to/if I want to go in for an interview. Incidentally, Andy and I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo today to check it out, since it is free and within walking distance (admittedly a long walk, since once you get to the zoo, you are just going to be doing more walking).

Andy got an interview the other day at a pizza place that is opening up, though it's kind of far away. He also has an interview tomorrow with a computer company (::fingers are crossed::--though that job is also far away), and got a call today from a technology recruitment company that will try to find him a computer job as well.

Monday I had Orientation at iO, where I met Charna Halpern (who is one of the founders of the theater and basically a very good person to know) and then got to watch Armando Diaz for free. Incidentally, I now get into most iO shows for free, as I am student there. Hooray. My class starts next Friday and I am really excited to get started and to meet some improv people. :)

Tomorrow, I fly back to Boston for a weekend of EMT and Worcester goodness (AKA my MA State Practical Exam!!!!!). I am very nervous to fly (I hate it!), but at least that is kind of overrun by my fear for the exam. Wish me luck! :/

OH YES. One other thing--we finally got a KITCHEN TABLE! We have a kitchen table! A picture to follow, but I assure you, it was worth all of the hard Craigslist work we had to go through in order to get it!!!

It's getting late and I am likely going to meet with a Clark alum to have coffee that I can't afford tomorrow morning, so I should get to bed.
Ta!