(no subject)
Craziness.
The 'rents came through- for a close to a week earlier and then a night last night. Trevor especially was disappointed they didn't stay longer on their return trip, but they're eager to get home. Plus the boys are in school all day, I teach my first Science Explorer's group today (which they will go to) and Toby has a den meeting tonight, so we wouldn't see much of them anyway. Like I said, crazy busy.
Despite my part time stuff with Science Explorers, I've still been searching for full-time work. I did get rejected from the job I interviewed for at hubby's company, with the guy writing me and saying he was impressed with my credentials but wanted someone with a background more directly related to catalysis. This was not a surprise, and to be honest, I had kind of expected it. I interviewed with a placement company, so we'll see if anything comes of that. But the two big announcements came out this past week.
When I applied for the staff scientist position at hubby's company, I'd originally been going to apply for a development chemist position. It's a BS level job, but it pays really well and it's dealing with flow reactors. I designed, built, and used a flow reactor for my graduate work. Howard talked me into applying for the staff scientist position (PhD level) instead, and I agreed because go big or go home, right? (Actually, I agreed because my limited experience has taught me apply for the job you're underqualified for, and they might offer you a job you are qualified for. Last time I applied for an SY position and got a post doc. You never know if they're promoting someone internally to take that new position and are going to look to backfill....) Anyway, the position posted again. I sent my resume in Monday, and got a request for a 4-hour interview today. I know part of it is that yes, my husband works for their company, and that was good in that he could tell them "don't brush her off just because she has a PhD- she really is interested in the position", but I also feel like I'm a better fit for this job, and more importantly, this job is a better fit for me. To be honest, right now I'm not looking for some huge challenge in a job. I want a job I can go into and do well and they'll say, "wow, we hired the right person!" At least for the next few years. I want to be able to have energy and time for my kids.
The other posting is at the USDA, where I used to work. It just went up Monday as well, and it's the leader of a biofuels group. Right up my alley research-wise, although I don't think I have the managerial experience needed. I'll go ahead and submit my resume, because 1.) what I said earlier, and 2.) hey, maybe I do and 3.) an interview by no means guarantees a job offer, but I'm not super enthusiastic about this job. It does pay more than the job at hubby's company, and substantially so, but it's also 1.) a longer commute and 2.) a hell of a lot more responsibility. I will probably wait until after the interview to submit it, though. I have until October 17 to apply to the USDA. I don't know that I'd hear back from hubby's company before then, but I might, and if I do, I don't even want to submit. I'll just take the job with hubby's company. I mean, yes, the USDA job pays a LOT more, but the JM job pays what I was expecting to make, and I think I would be much happier in it.
So that's that- I'm in the "hopeful" part of the job hunting cycle right now.
I am glad that I am pretty much through all my heavy training for the marathon season. I am still debating if I want to get one more long run in. This past weekend I had a choice between the Hands On House Half Marathon and the Sloppy Cuckoo Half Marathon or Triple. Hands On House is out in Lancaster and was run on Saturday, Sloppy Cuckoo was in Philly and run on Sunday. Both had hills, but Hands On House was a road race and the Sloppy Cuckoo was a trail race. The Sloppy Cuckoo also had the option of the triple- the half marathon, the 10K, and the 5K in succession. The additional mileage (good training run!) and the fact it was Sunday so Howard could bike Saturday made the Sloppy Cuckoo the winner. Given how the weekend went, I think I'm glad.
The trail for the Sloppy Cuckoo was gorgeous. It's amazing that you can run a trail half marathon inside the city limits of Philly, and it was just beautiful. Lots of shade, which is great because it was hot. The half marathon itself went very well. It wasn't my fastest half finish time, but it was a trail race, and if I'd been putting the same effort in on the roads it would have been a decent time for me, I think. I got my cuckoo whistle bling at the end of the half, which isn't as impressive or fun the second time around, but oh well :)
I had about 20 minutes to wait, and then the 10K started and we were back out. If I'd just been able to keep running, I probably would have felt better at the beginning of the 10K. But I got everything shaken out and felt really good for a while, although I did start slowing down. I went from a 12:30 min/mile pace to a 14:00 min/mile pace. This was not helped by me taking a wrong turn and falling. I think I would have done better on a road course at this point- my legs still felt okay- but I was getting tired and starting to have more trouble with my footing. I also haven't been as diligent about my core work this training cycle, and I felt it. Big time.
When I finished the 10K, I found out the 5K had started 5 minutes before. So I swapped my bib and headed back out, but I was just dead. The heat was up to the 80s at this point, my electrolytes were probably lower than they should have been (I didn't carry this time- just relied on aid stations), and my fall had been about 3/4 mile from the end of the 10K. I wasn't hurt when I fell, but it did take it out of me a bit. Add to that the fact the 5K had started and I had trouble getting going. I did finally move it, but it was a SLOW 5K. Although my official results aren't really reflective, because they measure from when the race started, not from when I started the race. So I didn't really slow down a whole lot, because there are 6 minutes that I wasn't running. Although I was still dragging.
So, 22.7 miles later, I finished. I ended up doing the whole thing is a reported time of 5:04, which isn't quite accurate since there were an extra six minutes or so in there. I feel like it was good training for marathon season, so I was happy with the day. I finished safely, had some good runs, and enjoyed the half very much. (The rest was kind of brutal, but I did really like the half.)
Two remaining problems:
1.) I can't decide if I should do one more long run or not. This week would normally be a 20 miler, but with last week being 23, and at least the half being a race effort, I'm not sure if I should go QUITE that long. I'm still debating, and much may depend on how this weekend camping trip goes.
2.) I got my period today. Which means I am very likely to have it for the MCM, AND possibly for Philly. UGH. (You don't understand- I am really not comfortable with tampons, so not only do periods suck, but pads CHAFE on long runs. This sucks this sucks this SUCKS.)
Oh well. I'll live.
Also, this was a lovely article written by a Christian pastor about what he promises to do if his children are gay. Very uplifting, as long as you stop at the end of the article.
Going camping this weekend. I'd be more excited if the forecast didn't say 90% chance of rain all day Saturday :P I have more to say about Scouts, but it's late and another time. At this point, hope everyone's had a good weekend and a good day! I'm crashing :)
The 'rents came through- for a close to a week earlier and then a night last night. Trevor especially was disappointed they didn't stay longer on their return trip, but they're eager to get home. Plus the boys are in school all day, I teach my first Science Explorer's group today (which they will go to) and Toby has a den meeting tonight, so we wouldn't see much of them anyway. Like I said, crazy busy.
Despite my part time stuff with Science Explorers, I've still been searching for full-time work. I did get rejected from the job I interviewed for at hubby's company, with the guy writing me and saying he was impressed with my credentials but wanted someone with a background more directly related to catalysis. This was not a surprise, and to be honest, I had kind of expected it. I interviewed with a placement company, so we'll see if anything comes of that. But the two big announcements came out this past week.
When I applied for the staff scientist position at hubby's company, I'd originally been going to apply for a development chemist position. It's a BS level job, but it pays really well and it's dealing with flow reactors. I designed, built, and used a flow reactor for my graduate work. Howard talked me into applying for the staff scientist position (PhD level) instead, and I agreed because go big or go home, right? (Actually, I agreed because my limited experience has taught me apply for the job you're underqualified for, and they might offer you a job you are qualified for. Last time I applied for an SY position and got a post doc. You never know if they're promoting someone internally to take that new position and are going to look to backfill....) Anyway, the position posted again. I sent my resume in Monday, and got a request for a 4-hour interview today. I know part of it is that yes, my husband works for their company, and that was good in that he could tell them "don't brush her off just because she has a PhD- she really is interested in the position", but I also feel like I'm a better fit for this job, and more importantly, this job is a better fit for me. To be honest, right now I'm not looking for some huge challenge in a job. I want a job I can go into and do well and they'll say, "wow, we hired the right person!" At least for the next few years. I want to be able to have energy and time for my kids.
The other posting is at the USDA, where I used to work. It just went up Monday as well, and it's the leader of a biofuels group. Right up my alley research-wise, although I don't think I have the managerial experience needed. I'll go ahead and submit my resume, because 1.) what I said earlier, and 2.) hey, maybe I do and 3.) an interview by no means guarantees a job offer, but I'm not super enthusiastic about this job. It does pay more than the job at hubby's company, and substantially so, but it's also 1.) a longer commute and 2.) a hell of a lot more responsibility. I will probably wait until after the interview to submit it, though. I have until October 17 to apply to the USDA. I don't know that I'd hear back from hubby's company before then, but I might, and if I do, I don't even want to submit. I'll just take the job with hubby's company. I mean, yes, the USDA job pays a LOT more, but the JM job pays what I was expecting to make, and I think I would be much happier in it.
So that's that- I'm in the "hopeful" part of the job hunting cycle right now.
I am glad that I am pretty much through all my heavy training for the marathon season. I am still debating if I want to get one more long run in. This past weekend I had a choice between the Hands On House Half Marathon and the Sloppy Cuckoo Half Marathon or Triple. Hands On House is out in Lancaster and was run on Saturday, Sloppy Cuckoo was in Philly and run on Sunday. Both had hills, but Hands On House was a road race and the Sloppy Cuckoo was a trail race. The Sloppy Cuckoo also had the option of the triple- the half marathon, the 10K, and the 5K in succession. The additional mileage (good training run!) and the fact it was Sunday so Howard could bike Saturday made the Sloppy Cuckoo the winner. Given how the weekend went, I think I'm glad.
The trail for the Sloppy Cuckoo was gorgeous. It's amazing that you can run a trail half marathon inside the city limits of Philly, and it was just beautiful. Lots of shade, which is great because it was hot. The half marathon itself went very well. It wasn't my fastest half finish time, but it was a trail race, and if I'd been putting the same effort in on the roads it would have been a decent time for me, I think. I got my cuckoo whistle bling at the end of the half, which isn't as impressive or fun the second time around, but oh well :)
I had about 20 minutes to wait, and then the 10K started and we were back out. If I'd just been able to keep running, I probably would have felt better at the beginning of the 10K. But I got everything shaken out and felt really good for a while, although I did start slowing down. I went from a 12:30 min/mile pace to a 14:00 min/mile pace. This was not helped by me taking a wrong turn and falling. I think I would have done better on a road course at this point- my legs still felt okay- but I was getting tired and starting to have more trouble with my footing. I also haven't been as diligent about my core work this training cycle, and I felt it. Big time.
When I finished the 10K, I found out the 5K had started 5 minutes before. So I swapped my bib and headed back out, but I was just dead. The heat was up to the 80s at this point, my electrolytes were probably lower than they should have been (I didn't carry this time- just relied on aid stations), and my fall had been about 3/4 mile from the end of the 10K. I wasn't hurt when I fell, but it did take it out of me a bit. Add to that the fact the 5K had started and I had trouble getting going. I did finally move it, but it was a SLOW 5K. Although my official results aren't really reflective, because they measure from when the race started, not from when I started the race. So I didn't really slow down a whole lot, because there are 6 minutes that I wasn't running. Although I was still dragging.
So, 22.7 miles later, I finished. I ended up doing the whole thing is a reported time of 5:04, which isn't quite accurate since there were an extra six minutes or so in there. I feel like it was good training for marathon season, so I was happy with the day. I finished safely, had some good runs, and enjoyed the half very much. (The rest was kind of brutal, but I did really like the half.)
Two remaining problems:
1.) I can't decide if I should do one more long run or not. This week would normally be a 20 miler, but with last week being 23, and at least the half being a race effort, I'm not sure if I should go QUITE that long. I'm still debating, and much may depend on how this weekend camping trip goes.
2.) I got my period today. Which means I am very likely to have it for the MCM, AND possibly for Philly. UGH. (You don't understand- I am really not comfortable with tampons, so not only do periods suck, but pads CHAFE on long runs. This sucks this sucks this SUCKS.)
Oh well. I'll live.
Also, this was a lovely article written by a Christian pastor about what he promises to do if his children are gay. Very uplifting, as long as you stop at the end of the article.
Going camping this weekend. I'd be more excited if the forecast didn't say 90% chance of rain all day Saturday :P I have more to say about Scouts, but it's late and another time. At this point, hope everyone's had a good weekend and a good day! I'm crashing :)