class of '89 is still mighty fine...

Last Saturday was my 20th (gasp!) high school reunion. And I went. Which says a lot about where I am in my life. I think. Or else it should say a lot.

I didn't go to my 10th because I was four months pregnant with Sam and to be perfectly frank, I didn't think I could go to that event simply looking fat, not yet totally showing, and also totally unable to drink (because remember, with your first pregnancy, you're completely convinced that smelling alcohol causes birth defects).

Ten years and three kids later, I finally felt mature enough to go (though not mature enough to go without being able to have a drink). And though I freaked out about what I'd wear and put Boaz through the horror of being emailed a multitude of photos of me in dressing rooms wearing a variety of potential reunion-wear options, and though I had a little panic about what I would even talk to people about since um, we haven't talked in a very, very long time because as many of you know, I'm pretty crappy at keeping in touch (though keep remembering that it's nothing personal and I really love you), reunion night was incredible.

First of all, I was thrilled to see that my high school friends (all as bad at keeping in touch as I am, though really we had more in common than that) are all really cool, interesting people that I still really enjoyed talking to. And so even if we made some crappy behavior choices back then (think 4x4 Honda Hills in pitch dark after parties at Dom's house), we all turned out relatively well. And sociologically, how interesting that the people I loved back then are the same people I'd still want to be friends with today (if location and schedules weren't an issue, of course?) I'm choosing to go with the fact that sociologically, this isn't pathetic.

And not only was it amazing to see that we pretty much picked up where we left off as far as conversation goes (please tell me that's amazing, not pathetic), but also, we all looked pretty damn good if I do say so myself. Nice.

in the living desert...

california, here i am...

We're pretty much trying to get as much out of the summer as possible so we took the opportunity to make my 2oth High School Reunion into a chance to visit family in California. And as usual, I've packed as much as humanely possible into this trip. Luckily, Boaz is a good sport and in return for him not totally freaking out when we go to visit twelve of my closest old friends and family in one afternoon, he's been scoping out golf courses everywhere we go.

At this point in the trip, we're drying out in the desert. The kids have rediscovered their cousins, Dallas and Jacob, and Dallas and Tali have taken to calling each other "Sista." And they're all having a great time splashing around the pool at their Saba and Grandma's. We're here till Wednesday and then heading to LA to see more friends and family and then to gasp... Disneyland. I'm really not so sure there are enough golf courses in this state to get Boaz through that.

sick nunchuck skills...

My latest move in this whole jobsearch endeavor has been to expand my online search and subscribe to TheLadders jobsite. It's actually been an interesting experience, though not completely unlike what I think dating sites might be like (I can't believe I'm too old to have ever experienced the joy of online dating). I get access to apply for choice jobs and can even see how many recruiters are looking at my resume.

Which got me looking at my resume. Again.

I'm a total resume updater. Everytime I do something new, I add it to my resume. But it's been a long time since I've really thought about the theory or resume building. Which is apparent from the comments from my Resume Expert in the critique he wrote about my resume (another perk of TheLadders.com). And the fact that he started out this way, sort of sets the stage:

"Before you read the critique, I’d like to give you a fair warning that my comments at times can seem blunt. "

However, to be fair, he did offer some very sound advice that resulted in my adding a new summary and highlights section to my resume, since those are fairly important because recruiters rarely spend more than 45 seconds perusing a resume.

But after many hours of working on said resume, and maybe one too many glasses of Nobilo, I wondered if if were true that recruiters only have 45 seconds, and if so, would they notice if I slipped in some interesting factoids into my resume?


SUMMARY:
Results-oriented marketing and content professional with experience in managing campaigns and projects that continuously exceed their goals. Strategic thinker known for innovation, creativity, and on-time delivery. Recognized for excellent communication, killer Bejeweled scores, and people skills, client satisfaction, and strategic marketing development.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
· Digital/Online Marketing
· B2B and Relationship Marketing
· Campaign Management
· Sick Nunchuck Skills
· Client Relations and Development
· Copywriting and Editing

Hmm... It takes all kinds of well-rounded multi-taskers...

sometimes you get a virtuoso at camp...

wordless wednesday

campsick, but home...

We're home and while it's really, really nice to be sleeping in my own bed with just one other person who actually belongs there (instead of two very incredibly kicky little girls), I'm a little campsick for the late night wine and Weeds sessions we counselors indulged in most nights of camp.

Tomorrow begins another week where the kids are at home without camp to go to. I'm not sure how I came up with the brilliant notion that because I wasn't working, the kids would love to hang out with me day in and out and not be totally bored or tempted to chew each other's feet off. Or even, I'm not sure why after so many years of parenthood, it didn't occur to me that I'd begin losing tiny fragments of my mind trying to diffuse ridiculous and constant arguments between said bored kids while also trying to find myself a job.

But as my mentor Scarlett O. says, "There's always tomorrow," and I will come up with a grand old gameplan of activities for camp that will involve some rest-time for resume sending.

Maybe I'll even make them wear their Camp Runamucka shirts--just to get into the spirit of things.

joey and joe are quite a load for boomer the kangaroo...

wordless wednesday

camp mail from sam...

Hey everyone,

Camp is fun. We get to do a lot of sports. There have been a few injuries, but Aunt Natalie made us some casts. Naomi and Tali got one, too, though they didn't really get hurt.



























We tried to make friendship bracelets, but nobody could finish them because they were too hard. We did go sailing twice, and my dad made us call him Captain and salute him for days.

There are a lot of cousins here. We're having fun hanging out with each other.

And did you know that in Madison, the zoo is free? Except that I had to be the turtle.

The only thing lacking is a bathtime. I don't mind it, but Naomi sure has some dirty legs.

And at the end of the day, just before Taps, we all relax with a big glass of milk--Wisconsin style.

Wish you were here, but there's really not a lot of room.

-Sam