I am employed!

Hari and I are back to having some structure to our day. This has come courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN, my new employer. I started on November 12 and after a full day of orientation activiites, class began. This is the first time I have been through a thorough training class since 1997. I must confess, I was nervous -- wondering if I could still learn, afraid I would be the only "oldie" in the class and panicking about not having enough "business casual" clothing to wear. Wow, did I get a pleasant surprise or what. To begin, I figured my best bet was to be right up front so I plopped myself there. Now, I realize this isn't where the 'cool' kids sit but you have to weigh the pros and cons and there is plenty of time to hang in the back row once I actually understand what is going on.

You know how the first day is. Everybody is trying to get a read on everyone else and then you get to play a "get to know you" game. What was ours you may ask? It consisted of passing around a roll of toilet paper and taking however many sheets you felt you needed. And guess who they started with - damn! I couldn't even watch what the others did. Ugh! I chose 4 and hoped it would turn out okay. What a relief to find that I wasn't the only one taking a "safety" amount. It was great to learn we weren't using this for the intended purpose but to determine how much information we had to relay. For each sheet we had taken, we had to share something about ourselves. Not only did we learn a little about each other but it was refreshing to find myself in a class of new hires that are at least 24 years old.

We have completed our first two weeks in fine fashion. We have met our teams and our mentors, completed our first side-by-side observations and had a highly successful potluck. In addition, we have been informed we are able to wear jeans as long as we adhere to the dress code! After more than 10 years of a "casual" dress code that was music to my ears.

I am amazed that I am comprehending nearly all that is being presented. Health insurance is complicated on its own but learning new computer programs at the same time is putting my brain on overload. By the time I get home at night my brain is a pile of mush. Maybe this old dog can still learn a few new tricks!

And . . . in another week I get my first monetary reward. Finally, a deposit into my bank account instead of a withdrawl. (Just in time for Christmas!)

Chocolate Chip Cookies Are My Friends - Kinda

We have cleared the Halloween Holiday and are rounding the corner to Thanksgiving. Christmas is not too far away people! Have you started your shopping yet?

We had our first Halloween in our house. I don't know who was more excited, myself or the kids on the doorstep. Sadly, we only had 10 little trick-or-treaters but they were adorable! We were visited by Snow White, Sully from Monsters Inc., Elmo, a few pirates, a couple of Ninjas, two Cheetah Girls and the most adorable little monkey. Hari was quick to point out that we chose a home in a neighborhood with very few children so I was silly to expect a constant flow of trick-or-treaters. (Unlike Julie's neighborhood where the streets are packed with children every day of the year. Fine -- good point. However, with all the outsourcing America has adopted - couldn't some of those neighborhoods outsource their kids for one night of the year? In true US fashion, I did not want to be caught without enough candy - you know, "just in case". As a result, our kitchen looks like we have kids that we sent out to collect candy for hours and hours and my jeans that I worked so hard to get back into have reclaimed the "sausage pants" title. :(

I have developed a new talent. I have successfully learned how to bake chocolate chip cookies from scratch. You heard me - from scratch. So, you're not that impressed. Too bad. Home Ec is an area where even the short bus wasn't on my radar. No worries, my husband was impressed. It took some effort and same failure but, I now think I have mastered it. The first attempt, produced some ugly looking cookies that tasted pretty damn good. Even if I used a tablespoon of baking powder instead of a teaspoon. Can you tell I took shop class in junior high? The second batch had a lot of black bottoms and as a result, a number of those cookies were sacrificed to the garbage can gods. (Especially after Hari got ill from the burnt taste that was left in his mouth.) At that point, I did what any domestically challenged individual in this day and age would do. I logged onto my laptop and Googled for answers to explain why my cookies were burnt on the bottom and raw on the top. Not only did I find different explanations and several suggestions for solutions, I discovered the best news of all. I am not alone! There are other handicapped housewives out there. Yeah for company!

I sifted through the suggestions, and on my next visit to Mills Fleet Farm bought myself two new Wilton air bake cookie sheets. I made my own adjustments -- lowered the baking temperature and increased the baking minutes, (after a friend explained to me that a recipe is "just a suggestion") and voila - I have cookies that taste awesome and are pretty damn attractive if I say so myself. And let me just tell you some of the advantages to making your own cookies versus being at your friend's or sister's house when they do it.

1. If you need to sample the chocolate chips on their way into the batter, it's okay.
2. If you want to eat the raw dough, it's okay. I really don't understand why it matters if it is baked or raw. If you were going to give me a cookie, it shouldn't matter. Either way, it's the same amount of dough and "a cookie is a cookie". Don't you agree?
3. Because I only baking these for me and my husband, there is no pre-determined number of cookies that must be met when the batch is done. I don't have to take them to vacation Bible school, a potluck or send them with my children to a school activity.
   Talk about freedom! It totally rocks that I can mix my cookie dough up at home, throw in way too many chips, toss extra vanilla in and eat right out of the bowl without worrying what a poor example I am or having to explain why it's okay for me to do it and no one else. Humm - I wonder if the whole cookie thing is contributing to the "sausage pants" resurgence. Does success always have a down side? Ahhhhhhhhhhh
   
   SNAP!

Where did the summer go?

Wow - it's almost October! Where has the summer gone? Funny how events in life are a better indicator that the summer is gone than the calendar itself. I can still remember the excitement of getting my school supplies and heading off to the next year of school. That was always an exciting end to the summer. Even today, with no children and no classroom to go to, it is difficult to stay away from the school supply sales. Instead, I find myself wandering up and down each aisle, trying to refrain from buying the latest "cool pen" or Hello Kitty notebook. It's also important to buy something fun like Crayola markers, or now that I am older, wiser and more careful -- Sharpies! And no back to school shopping would be complete without the purchase of clothing, shoes and a new haircut. Thankfully, a few purchases have gone by the wayside. I no longer feel the need for a #2 lead pencil, a bottle of glue or a new lunch box.

This past weekend Brian, Rich and I headed to the Minnesota Rennaisance festival. It was wine and chocolate weekend. I'm not real big on wines - but the chocolate samples were definately worth the price of admission. Of course some of the best chocolate was from Truffles and Tortes in Plymouth MN. They are located in a little shopping mall across the street from our first apartment in the Twin Cities area. If you are ever in the area, you should check them out along with a neighboring restaurant called the Tea House.

Immigration Reform?

I have been reading the newspaper articles regarding the Immigration Reform bill that is currently under review in Washington. Although I believe in immigration and diversity, I have to say I cannot get behind legalizing all those who have illegally entered the United States simply because they are already here. In the past 4 years, I (an American CITIZEN) have been required to file applications, pay fees, wait for a USCIS agent to decide my future, and then start the process over again.

Let me just tell you what we had to go through following the legal process. My husband had to leave England and return to India because that was his country of citizenship. According to several attorneys, (both here in the US and England), he would NEVER be approved in a country other than where he held his citizenship post 9/11. Then, I had to file a Fiance' visa application, supply documentation to validate our relationship, and as with EVERY USCIS process, pay the fees. Once this was filed, I had to sit and wait until the application had been reviewed to see if we were approved or not. Thankfully, we were approved. So, the next step was for my fiance' to pay for and pass a physical given by someone authorized by the USCIS. Then, he had to file a large amount of paperwork and go to the consulate for a personal interview. Again, we were required to put our futures in the hands of a USCIS agent to determine whether or not we could be together. Again, we were lucky enough to be approved. (Trust me, that doesn't always happen. In fact, the four people that were interviewed prior to Hari were turned down in India.) Once approved, we purchased an airline ticket and Hari was on his way to the United States.

Once he arrived here in June 2004, we had a whole 90 days to plan a wedding and get married. After the marriage was done, it was paperwork time again. We had to complete the application to change his status from a fiance' to a spouse. This required a mountain of paperwork, fingerprints and a photo. Surprise, surprise! Each process required a fee paid to USCIS. Then, we also had to file another application to request permission for him to work in the US. You got it - another fee! After that, it was time to sit and wait for USCIS to process and approve the applications. Meanwhile, Hari was not allowed to obtain a job.

After 4 months, we received his work authorization and continued to wait for a green card. In March 2005, we were required to attend a meeting with USCIS. At this appointment, we were required to provide documentation, photographs, and substantial evidence that showed we were married for the "right reasons" and that we were legitimately a couple. Then, my husband was granted a green card. With a two year validity, we had a chance to catch our breath and finally start our lives. But wait - that's not all. Because the green card is valid for only 2 years, we are required to apply and have the "conditional permanent resident" status changed. Again, we filed applications, had fingerprints and photos taken and submitted affidavits from friends and family to verify we are a couple. Oh, and don't forget - paid fees! We filed 1 month in advance on the expiration of Hari's green card and received a letter stating the expiration date had been extended for 1 year because USCIS is behind in processing applications. A check on their website shows that they are currently reviewing applications filed in August 2006. Are you kidding me??? No wonder it is easy to say we have no control over Immigation - those who follow the procedures to a T are subject to outrageous waiting periods. It seriously makes me think we should review the budget to see what all these fees are being used for. I think it's safe to say, it is not being used to hire additional staff to review the mountains of paperwork each person is required to file.

Our current status: We are waiting to have the "condition" removed from Hari's green card and given the information on the Internet, this process will probably be complete a week or two before Hari is eligible to apply for citizenship. As of 2009, he can file to become a US Citizen. At that point, we will do more paperwork, have his fingerprints and photos taken again, and pay the FEES!

In case you are wondering why I would be agitated by those who want to grant amnesty to all of the illegal immigrants -- I think they should be required to return to their country of citizenship, file all the required paperwork, complete a physical to verify they are not ill or HIV positive, produce evidence, go through the stress of waiting for approval or denial and pay ALL THE FEES those of us who obey the law have to! In other words, BE CONSISTANT WASHINGTON!

What do I want to be when I grow up?

I have been unemployed since January 11, 2007, and I am going nuts! However, I find when I think about finding a job that I am nervous. I worked for Citibank for 17 years and now, I look at the opportunities for employment and part of me wonders - can I do it?

You know, I was always told, "if you are a good employee at Citibank, you will be an exceptional employee anywhere else". Not to sound arrogant, but I know I was an excellent employee at Citibank. I was dependable, I was flexible and I was willing to step up. But, I knew the Citi World. It wasn't as scary as the unknown. Well, I have a few more months to reconcile this. Until we have settled into a permanent location, all I can do is try to determine what I want to do. There has been some serious consideration to returning to school. There are so many opportunities for advanced education in this area but before I spend that kind of money, (according to the news MN tuition has increased 30% over the past 5 years or so), I need to determine what I want to be when I grow up.

When I first headed off to school, all I wanted to be was a teacher. Unfortunately, this did not work out for a number or reasons. I had zero encouragement from home, my financial situation did not support the student teaching requirement and eventually, I surrendered to a Business Administration degree. So, from teaching keyboarding, accounting/bookkeeping and basic business classes, I ended up performing the skills I intended to teach. If I would become a teacher today, I think I would much rather focus on something that has always interested me and is now important to more than just a select group of people - ethnic studies. In correlation with this area, I think I would like to educate young people about Geography. I am ashamed to admit it, but most of my geographical knowledge has been acquired in my adult years. I know, there are so many things I still do not know, but I can tell you that Egypt is an African country and Siberia truly exists. (It's not just the area by JoEllen where the "problem employees" are banished to.)

Then, there is the segment that I truly enjoy, that could almost be considered a hobby of mine while working for Citibank. Fundraising and Non-profit agencies. It is really rewarding to make a difference in the community and see your efforts benefit others.

During the next few months of "limbo", I will be reviewing my options. If any of you would like to offer your suggestions, I would be more than happy to hear what you have to say. There are many situations where an outside opinion is helpful.

PLEASE HELP ME!

We're taking the plunge

After much deliberation we have decided to buy a home! We found a realtor - or actually he kind of found us, but we really like him. We went through 4 townhouses - 3 previously lived in - 1 brand new. That was it. It was perfect and DR Horton seems happy to sell it to us.

Now, the circus begins. Looking for a mortgage makes me wonder if Henry Ford had something with his "you can get any color as long as it's black" concept. Wouldn't it be awesome if there was only one mortgage lender and they were ethically and legally required to give you the best possible deal no matter what? Yeah - I know - snap back to reality. Hey, a girl can dream. I feel like I am shopping for a used car. However, with a used car I am an educated consumer. With the mortgage, I feel vulnerable and like a babe in the woods. My husband has informed me it is time to change my perspective. I am not longer the customer service rep that Citibank has trained me to be. I need to become the unflinching consumer that needs to be pleased. (This may be a tough change for me.)

I know one thing. I am unemployed and there are days that I work harder managing our lives than I ever did at Citibank. Sistah is workin' it! You know the saying, "timing is everything". It might not be advisable, if you are able to avoid it, to not buy a timeshare, have your husband change jobs, relocate, purchase your first house, shop for appliances, and find temporary accommodations all in the same month, at the same time. This is the juggling act of the circus. Note to self, don't let the balls drop - there isn't a time limit for this performance like there was in gym class.

Speaking of gym class . . . that reminds me of grade school, which reminds me of many things (not all pleasant memories) but lately all I can think about are those "soy burgers" the ladies in the hair nets used to serve us. I have been dying for one. Does anyone know where I can find one?

With that, I have some phone calls to make - peace out!

Trunk Monkey Compilation

How sad is it when your 60 year-old brother has to show you "what's cool"? Hope it amuses y'all like it did me.