In cooking, that is.
I made a sponge cake last week. I had never attempted any thing other than a basic cake before, and after reading the recipe, I realized that sponge cakes are not a cake walk (pun intended!). But it was a chance to use my kitchen aide mixer, so I attempted the making of the sponge cake.
I actually followed the recipe exactly. I will often tweek this, or change that, especially if I don't have an ingredient, or I'm short on something, or it sounds better this other way. But this time, I did nothing of the sort; no, I followed the recipe to a "t". As I took the cake out of the oven, it looked good, and crumbs I tasted were good (it was an orange sponge cake). Then I hit a snag. Things like sponge cakes and angel food cakes must be suspended upside down while they cool, but my cake had been made in a silicone pan, which is soft and squishy, and, thus, is difficult to suspend. The pan started to squish in on itself and that didn't seem good for the cooling cake. So, I plopped the cake upside down the cooling rack. Alas, I discovered the need for suspention. The cake is sort of... squashed. Not bad, but you could see how it sank down on itself while cooling, once I put it on the cake stand. I'm still pondering the issue of "suspending" the next cake made in the silicone pan, and if you have any ideas, please let me know.
Rachael's ponderings and ramblings about life, teaching, gardening, knitting, home keeping and the various other topics and hobbies that prompt her interest.
Friday, September 22, 2006
More Job Hunting Frustrations
ARGH!!!!
Perhaps it is too early to be frustrated; it has, after all, only been 4 weeks since starting the "I'm really serious about finding work" process. I find a job that I think, "this might work", but as I look further into the job description, I find that I don't have experience, or the right education, or the right credentials.
Perhaps most frustrating is that I think I am most qualified to teach, either language (English, Chinese?) or linguistics, but California has made the process of getting a teaching credential long and difficult. I guess if you start out thinking that you will teach, you can get the right courses, and pick up the credential along the way. But, alas, for those of us that teaching was an after-thought, California is determined to make it about impossible for us to teach, whatever our qualifications might be! There is a good chance that every other state has the same requirements, it just so happens that I happen to be dealing with California right now, and so they get the brunt of my bashing. (yeah, it was my bad to turn down the teaching job in Fullerton, even if it was a bit far away. 'course, hind sight is 20/20.)
What else am I qualified to do? I, unfortuanately, am a "jack of all trades", which means I have dabbled in just about everything, but don't have much depth of experience in anything. Plus, I got tons of theorectical knowedge (but little practical knowledge), and I'd be glad to pass it on, but that requires a credential. Can you hear my sense of frustration oozing out of these words?
I'm sure something will come along eventually. Perhaps I should apply for stuff even if I'm not sure I'm totally qualified. Who knows? Maybe someone will take pity on me and hire me anyways.
Perhaps it is too early to be frustrated; it has, after all, only been 4 weeks since starting the "I'm really serious about finding work" process. I find a job that I think, "this might work", but as I look further into the job description, I find that I don't have experience, or the right education, or the right credentials.
Perhaps most frustrating is that I think I am most qualified to teach, either language (English, Chinese?) or linguistics, but California has made the process of getting a teaching credential long and difficult. I guess if you start out thinking that you will teach, you can get the right courses, and pick up the credential along the way. But, alas, for those of us that teaching was an after-thought, California is determined to make it about impossible for us to teach, whatever our qualifications might be! There is a good chance that every other state has the same requirements, it just so happens that I happen to be dealing with California right now, and so they get the brunt of my bashing. (yeah, it was my bad to turn down the teaching job in Fullerton, even if it was a bit far away. 'course, hind sight is 20/20.)
What else am I qualified to do? I, unfortuanately, am a "jack of all trades", which means I have dabbled in just about everything, but don't have much depth of experience in anything. Plus, I got tons of theorectical knowedge (but little practical knowledge), and I'd be glad to pass it on, but that requires a credential. Can you hear my sense of frustration oozing out of these words?
I'm sure something will come along eventually. Perhaps I should apply for stuff even if I'm not sure I'm totally qualified. Who knows? Maybe someone will take pity on me and hire me anyways.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Job Rejections
I've declared how much I despise job hunting, and now I'm back at square one. I found the job that I *really* wanted and I even got an interview. After the interview, I was sure that this was THE job, the one I wanted; the job that I would excel at and flourish in. I was told I was the last interviewee, and they would be doing call-back interviews Monday and Tuesday. I expected if I made the final pool of applicants, I'd get the call Monday morning. It is now Monday afternoon, and no call. I guess I just didn't cut it... bummer. I know, I know... perhaps they will call Tuesday. I don't think it will happen though. I've let disappointment move in, and I'm dealing with it.
Now I've got to start over and keep looking. Problem is, I have no idea where to start. I've gone through Monstertrak, and a variety of other job-hunting sites. Nothing. I'm not sure who to talk to next. I figure something will come along sometime, but I got to go looking for it first, right?
Alas, it is a dark moment when the light at the end of the job-hunting tunnel winked out, and one must continue their search in the darkness.
Now I've got to start over and keep looking. Problem is, I have no idea where to start. I've gone through Monstertrak, and a variety of other job-hunting sites. Nothing. I'm not sure who to talk to next. I figure something will come along sometime, but I got to go looking for it first, right?
Alas, it is a dark moment when the light at the end of the job-hunting tunnel winked out, and one must continue their search in the darkness.
Professional Photographers
Got the pictures from the professional photographer who did our wedding pictures. They are at
http://pictures.kirktardy.com/wedding/
If you want to order any of these as prints, email form@kirktardy.com.
If you are getting married in Lubbock, Texas, I highly recommend Kirk for your pictures. He and his wife did a wonderful job, with beautiful pictures, as you can see. Many thanks, Kirk, and many blessings to you and your family!
http://pictures.kirktardy.com/wedding/
If you want to order any of these as prints, email form@kirktardy.com.
If you are getting married in Lubbock, Texas, I highly recommend Kirk for your pictures. He and his wife did a wonderful job, with beautiful pictures, as you can see. Many thanks, Kirk, and many blessings to you and your family!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Job Hunting
I highly dislike job hunting. I think its all the waiting and ambiguity involved in it; you spend all that time writing a resume, editing it, submitting it, and then you wait. And wait. Company contacts you... perhaps you get an interview... and then you wait some more. I often wonder how many others are applying, how many others are getting interviews, what are my chances? So many questions that I can't ask! It would be in very bad grace to ask in an interview "so, what are my chances? where do I line up to the other applicants? I've been offered another job, but I really want this one, should I hold out for it? Do I have a chance?"
My record so far is pretty good. I've applied for 6 jobs. I've gotten 3 interviews so far, and one job offer, which I turned down. I'm wondering if the job I *really* want might be too much for me, but I did get an interview for it. Do I hold out for it? What if I'm offered this other job that I interview for tomorrow? I don't interview for the job I *really* want until next week... ARGH. Why is timing so skewed? ARGH.
I have picked up a "do-on-your-own-time" sort of job. I make baby blankets for a lady who sells them online. Or, at least, I will make them if she likes the two I've made as a trial run. I figure this is a good deal, as I can do it while at home, with my new husband, watching TV. And if its too much, its easy to quit. And I like to sew. What better deal is that, getting paid to do something I'd do anyways. Too bad I can't do this for $30, 000 a year!
My record so far is pretty good. I've applied for 6 jobs. I've gotten 3 interviews so far, and one job offer, which I turned down. I'm wondering if the job I *really* want might be too much for me, but I did get an interview for it. Do I hold out for it? What if I'm offered this other job that I interview for tomorrow? I don't interview for the job I *really* want until next week... ARGH. Why is timing so skewed? ARGH.
I have picked up a "do-on-your-own-time" sort of job. I make baby blankets for a lady who sells them online. Or, at least, I will make them if she likes the two I've made as a trial run. I figure this is a good deal, as I can do it while at home, with my new husband, watching TV. And if its too much, its easy to quit. And I like to sew. What better deal is that, getting paid to do something I'd do anyways. Too bad I can't do this for $30, 000 a year!
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