Job!

Well yesterday I got a message from an engineer in Boulder asking me to call him back.  I called back and he offered me a job!  So I started today.  The company is a mechanical engineering company that designs and builds seismic shake tables.  So I'm not a mechanical engineer, but I know what a shake table is and how it works.  Mostly it seems like there will be some design, some drafting, ordering parts, explaining drawings to the people who build it, and many other tasks.  Today I helped with testing some carbon fiber tubes.  So it seems like it will be a really interesting job.  So much better than being a receptionist for 3 hours a day.  And way better than sitting around worrying about how we will live this summer.  I'm really excited to have an engineering job.  This is where I work:

 

new beginnings

Job - got a small receptionist job for about 12 hours a week, not too exciting, mostly just answering the phone, but at least I'll be making some money. 

Fish - Nate suddenly decided he wanted a guinea pig.  Apparently he thought they lived less than a year.  So we got a fish.  This is our new pet, Sebastian. 

Lent - I have decided to stop watching tv while I eat breakfast and do devotions instead for Lent. 

Intentional Sunshine - Eat more whole grains, fruits, veggies, and less processed stuff.  Maybe try just keeping more fruit on your counter. 

Psalm 37 (first 7 verses)

Do not fret because of evil men

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away. 

Trust in the Lord and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Committ your way to the Lord;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 

Personality

One thing I have been learning about in the past year or two is how important it is to understand yourself and other people.  And what I mean by that is that everyone has a different personality type and quirks and understanding those and how those translate to strengths and weaknesses. In college I took the Meyers-Briggs personality test twice. It gives you a result in four categories and then a list of different strengths and weaknesses of those types.  The first time I took it I was an ISFJ (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)  I don't remember what those all mean but it definately helps to know what you are.  I recently took a research job with a woman who is the complete opposite of me according to the Meyers-Briggs.  It has already been difficult because she is very artsy and somewhat vague, whereas I would rather write everything down on a list.  Frustration can surface pretty easily when you don't really speak the same language, but understanding how the other person thinks allows for better communication.  It also helps to understand yourself. As an introvert in an extroverted society it can be hard to not feel beaten down about certain things, but understanding that my feelings are not actually bad, but rather part of how I am wired and learning to use my strengths can be hugely liberating. 

Intentional Sunshine #5:  If you have the opportunity, take a personality test.  It will help you understand yourself better and explain yourself better to others.  If you don't have that option, or it costs too much, make a list of things that you know about yourself and read articles about it.