Adapt, Adjust

I am now going into week two of unemployment, and things have settled down quite a bit for me. Tuesday was quite the event. I met with my former boss for lunch at a sushi restaurant near my old job. The food was delicious and he definitely put my mind at ease as to why I was let go. Apparently it was a strictly financial decision - so that softened the blow a little bit. He is a blue to the bone KU fan, so I also took a great deal of joy in giving him a MU coffee mug as a parting memento. We laughed about him covering the mug up with a paper bag to drink from it. I was pretty proud of myself, I didn't cry once, I only teared up a little a couple of times into our conversation. There was more laughing than anything.

After lunch, I met with a recruiter who specializes in placing marketing people into full time jobs. She seemed really enthusiastic about my resume, but didn't really know what a studio artist was. I am hoping that she will find me a good fit or at least something where I can learn some skills that will make me a little more marketable. After meeting with her I was a little overwhelmed, and at the Quick Trip in Lees Summit, I locked my keys in my car. Go figure! Luckily, a police officer was there to open the car door for me. And David, my brother-in-law came to check on me. So sweet! I did cry though after my car was unlocked. I must have looked like an emotionally crazy person!

I still haven't nailed down any leads on an interview or a job prospect. I am picking up another freelance job but it probably won't pay out for a couple of months. I am meeting with the event coordinator on Tuesday, hopefully it will be a substantial project. I'm also working on making an online portfolio. Yes, I am officially joining the design of this century!

This week I have spent a lot of time playing with my son, Owen. He is definitely the silver lining to all of this madness. We went "sledding" today. At one point he was "swimming" in the snow; laying on his stomach kicking his arms and legs. It was really fun.

In all, I am trying to keep optimistic and hold on to my belief (even if it is a little cliche) that everything happens for a reason. Wish me luck!

Unemployment = Ice Cream

As I am scrambling to put together an updated resume and portfolio after an unexpected layoff, I have found that for me, unemployment is filled with bowls of ice cream. The day that I found out that I was chosen to be let go (along with 34 other unsuspecting people), I soothed my fears, anxiety and sadness in Oreo cookie ice cream. I was actually told by a good friend to "Put down the ice cream and step away from Facebook!"After that first day, much soul searching and a rapid fire release of my resume on every possible job website, I have become more hopeful in my ice cream choices. Moving from Oreo cookie, to the classic vanilla, to premium chocolate and now strawberry swirl.

This latest turn of events in my life is a double whammy for my lifestyle. Not only am I embracing my tendency to be an emotional eater, but I have also be forced to cut "unnecessary expenses" out of my budget. Namely, my gym membership. Goodbye spinning class! Hello yoga pants and pullovers.

Tomorrow I have my first of what I am sure will be many interviews. This one is with a creative recruiter that will hopefully have a hidden list of clients who are looking for an employee like me. If that doesn't work out, I am hoping with all of my might that my Plan C will prove itself to be a wise investment. For those of you who don't know, my Plan A was to be a graphic designer (design is a passion, love and source of joy for me), Plan B was to be a production artist (still was in touch with design, but not as directly as I would have liked), and Plan C is to utilize that back-up Masters in Marketing that I sought out after realizing how volatile an artistic career can be. Wish me luck! I have yet to come up with a Plan D, but am definitely open to suggestions.