Two Buck Chuck November 24, 2009

One thing in life that I love is wine.  With dinner, with dessert, to relax after a hard day.  Although it would be cool to be considered a wine connoisseur, I rather enjoy not being a picky wine drinker and not being too knowledgeable about the wine I am drinking. I enjoy reds, whites, and pinks depending on my mood (rather than what I am eating). When I am at a restaurant, I narrow the list first by price, then by what I feel like. When I am shopping the wine shop, I look first at prices, then pretty much at the labels. Yes, I am one of those. But honestly, if the cheaper wine tastes good to me, why pay more? Every now and then, for a special occasion, it’s definitely fun to get a nicer bottle.

 

However, thanks to the strange and annoying laws in Tennessee, I am not able to buy some of my favorite and cheapest wine…..the classic Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joe’s. It really is two dollars and it honestly is delicious. I mostly get the Chardonnay and White Zinfindel (“get” as in take from my mom when I am at my parent’s house since there’s not a TJ’s close enough to their house….thanks mom!). Thanks to the law in TN against selling certain alcohol contents (anything higher than normal beer) in grocery stores, our lovely Trader Joe’s cannot sell their famous wine. I feel bad for the store, but I feel ever worse for the consumer’s, like me! Soemtimes I just need me some two buck chuck. For now, I will just have to stock up from my mother’s pantry whenever I am there. Hopefully the law will improve soon in the lovely state of TN.

 

 

Role Model (of a sort) November 22, 2009

We learn from and look up to various people in our lives.  Our mothers, fathers, siblings, friends, mentors.  We learn from watching, listening, following, and imitating.  But then there are sometimes influences from those you never knew, never will know.  I have noticed a recurring woman in my life, Audrey Hepburn.  I read a biography last summer, we saw the Breakfast at Tiffany’s apartment building in NY (kind of…it was under construction and covered in tarps), I am always tempted to buy posters, I can watch her movies over and over, and I want her wardrobe.  She was a gorgeous, talented, sophisticated woman.

 

 

I recently came across some quotes from Ms. Audrey Hepburn and these honestly are quotes to live by. It may be strange, but I am blown away by this woman who I was never even close to knowing! If I could go back in time and meet anyone, here ‘ya go. Here is some her wisdom. What are your favorites?

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”

“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”

“You can always tell what kind of a person a man really thinks you are by the earrings he gives you.”

“A quality education has the power to transform societies in a single generation, provide children with the protection they need from the hazards of poverty, labor exploitation and disease, and given them the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach their full potential.”

“I decided, very early on, just to accept life unconditionally; I never expected it to do anything special for me, yet I seemed to accomplish far more than I had ever hoped. Most of the time it just happened to me without my ever seeking it.”

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.”

“If I get married, I want to be very married.”

Dreaded Comps November 18, 2009

Today basically determines whether I graduate or not. Time for the dreaded comprehensive exam. Ok, so I’m not really dreading it, and honestly I’m not really stressed, freaked out, or anxious. Maybe I should be. It’s nothing like the picture below, it’s nothing written (other an outline for my own benefit). It’s an oral discussion per say on a topic of my choice, with my advisor and a faculty member of my choice. It’s really more of a mix of excitement and worry for the next step.  Not counting preschool, I have sat in classrooms at desks, done homework, and written papers for 18.5 years. 18.5 years!!! REALLY?! If you sit and think about it, it is kind of ridiculous that it takes that long for your life to really get started. Granted, I took an extra step by staying in school for my Master’s degree, but still….

 

 

However, with this day comes a great relief and more anxiety.  I began the job search over a month ago. Yes, I know it’s a bad economy, awful job market, blah blah blah. But it is still frustrating as hell to find a job. In my case, I am mainly looking for research positions. And there are plenty. But I really wish someone would explain to me why I am not getting interviews, when I meet or exceed the posted requirements and have experience in most or all of the job description.

 

I do, however, have a second job interview with an organization in Atlanta. It would be a great company to work for and the job wouldn’t be bad at all…..for 2-3 years. At this point, I have to look to a longer future, even just 3-5 years down the road. And right now, 3-5 years from now will be looking at Ph.D. programs in pediatric medical psychology. This, the only job I have had even one interview for, would do nothing for me in the way of preparing for and being competitive in applying for Ph.D. programs. I realize in this market that a job is a job. But at the same time, I have to think about the future and where I want to be personally. I have no idea if I even have a chance of getting a job offer from this organization (we haven’t met each other or talked in person yet, which will be a big determining factor). I just hope that my family and friends will be supportive in whatever choice I have to make (if I even have to make one).

 

 

But that is a worry for another day. Focus on one thing at a time (says the running dialogue in my head). For now…get through my comps and graduate. Wish me luck! (I just realized I didn’t even plan to celebrate in any way……hmmm…..)