Summer sandals

I just spent $72 on 3 pairs of sandals. $72!! What the hell is wrong with me? On a positive note, I ordered Reef's, which I've been told are close to the best kind you can buy. These things better be the most comfortable pair of sandals I've ever worn, otherwise I'll be pissed. Especially since I just bought 2 pair of cheapie sandals from Old Navy for $5 total.

I'm too smart to be a bleacher bunny

But they are interested in me possibly writing for the paper. That would be awesome. Waiting to hear back from the editors...


Hi Amber,
Sorry for not getting in touch sooner; I was trying to get in touch with our editor, Brad, to talk to him about you. Based on the letter you initially sent me and what I learned about you last Weds, I think that the best fit for you with The Heckler is not with the Bleacher Bunnies, but rather, as a writer. You definitely understand the game of baseball and the Cubs at a level higher than what most of our Bleacher Bunnies do (admittedly, myself included). It seems you have a dry sense of humor that I think will lend itself well to writing for the paper. Plus, the fact that you are a fan of other Chicago sports could prove to be very helpful too. That being said, I have forwarded your letter/photos to Brad and George (our 2 main editors and founders of The Heckler). You can expect to hear from either of them soon to talk about the possibility of writing for The Heckler. I really hope it works out!

Heckler Update

So I arrived at the Starbucks a little earlier than planned, grabbed a mocha and a seat, uncomfortably looking around to see if someone looked like they might be named "Laura." It was surprisingly determined early on that for some absurd reason I was feeling a bit nervous. I was only able to determine this based on the fact that my stomach wasn't taking too kindly to my mocha, and that never happens (then again, it could have just been a crappy mocha, who knows).

Eventually I spot someone sitting at a table with 2 other girls, and a Heckler paper sitting out. This had to be them. I walk over, introduce myself, and upon handshake, Laura proclaims, "You're Amber! Before we get started, I just wanted to ask you something. Have you ever considered submitting articles to the paper? (I hadn't really) You're email you sent over for this was hysterical, I even showed my coworkers that were in the office. Let me give you the contact information for our editor, as well as the generic submissions email" Score.

So then the meeting began... yadda yadda yadda... basically the job isnt as crappy as I was expecting. When reading the ad, I assumed we'd have to go to all the boxes and refill them with new papers. Who knew The Heckler had a distribution department who does this? Basically, for 2 hours before the game, you hand out papers to people heading into the game. Sounds easy enough (& certainly worth the $15/hour they pay us on the spot).

The topic of "uniform" came up. Laura explained that last year's uniform consisted of some sort of Heckler top, be it a t-shirt, tank top, etc; along with a blue mini-skirt & knee high socks. Yes, you heard me correctly... a MINI skirt AND knee high socks. No thank you. She then went on to explain that the uniform would be changing this year to something simpler & more personal choice-y (same top, denim of your choice on the bottom). Perfect. I like denim.

And finally we get to the part where she informs us that the promotions team has a name. Now, it's a group of 8-12 girls, so the immediate thought that came to my head was "The Hecklerettes" - Kinda lame, but it works. I wish that were the name, but no, the name of the group - The Bleacher Bunnies. Yes. Bleacher Bunnies. I do not like the bleachers, nor being referred to as a bunny. If hired, I will ask to wear a bunny costume, solely so I can wear bunny ears and a fuzzy tail.

I find out this weekend if they want me. (Hello, who wouldnt?)

Side note: please feel free to give me suggestions of topics I could start writing about to submit to the paper, as ultimately, that's what I want out of this relationship. That, and the bunny ears.

The plot thickens...

Now, I realize this would just be a part time gig, and wouldnt allow for me to quit at FCUsa, but it'd certainly be interesting to get some sort of job at the Heckler... hopefully it wouldnt just be somthing lame like passing out papers...

Email response from my application:

Hello!

Thanks for your interest in this opportunity! My name is Laura Lentino and I
am the Promotions Manager of The Heckler, a satirical sports newspaper (feel
free to check us out online: www.theheckler.com). I have reviewed the info
you sent me and am interested in meeting with you. I will be conducting 2
informal informational sessions/mini-interviews this week. The first will be
tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/22) at 7:00pm and the other will be on Thursday, 3/23
at 7:30pm. Please let me know which date works better for you and I will e-
mail you the meeting place. Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Laura :)

I am officially looking for a new job

I no longer wish to work at Telution/CSG Systems Inc, so I'm applying for this job. I'm fairly certain it's with The Heckler. I enjoy reading The Heckler, and I feel I would be an excellent candidate for the job (WTF is this my cover letter?). I included the photo montage below with my application. I made it in paint. It looks pretty professional.

Promotion position for Cubs enthusiasts only!

---

Satirical sports newspaper has several part-time, seasonal openings for fun and outgoing females to assist with promotion and distribution of the paper. Must be 21 or older. If you like baseball and/or satire and have an engaging personality please contact us with your name, phone number, e-mail address, resume/promotional experience and photo.

Happy 30th Birthday to Jen!

No updates, just a couple of pictures...






Paw Paw Posse in the house!

Blizzards, thunderstorms & rain

So I worked out last night for the 2nd day in a row. Its an oddly awesome feeling once you're done, but not so much during. At least not yet. I'll get there. I'll tell you one thing, it's a heck of a lot easier to work out while watching The Biggest Loser on NBC, so thankfully that was on during the majority of my workout.

I got home and ate the second half of my small oreo blizzard from DQ that I had leftover in the freezer. Completely negated my workout, but whatever, it was good.

It stormed a bit last night. It was overcast this morning when I left for work. But it was also quite warm outside, so I have no complaints.

I think I am going to Indy this weekend. After changing my mind at least 12 times about it. And after selling the 200 level tickets I had, for a loss. Doesnt matter though, I love hoops, I love downtown Indy, and I know I'll have fun. Now if I could just find a place to stay...

Working out is weird

Its been nearly a month since I last worked out (at least that's my assumption since I cant even remember when the last time was). While I only worked out for 50 minutes, I am already starting to feel the ramifications of such a vigorous workout. (This may also be due to the fact that I was too lazy to stretch afterwards).

Tonight is also the debut of Lorne Michael's new sitcomSon's & Daughters on ABC. It better not suck, I've been looking forward to it since the Superbowl commercials.

I stink. I need a shower.

I love March

March is easily the best month of the year. College basketball, St Patricks Day & my birthday. All of them involve a good amount of booze. Starting tonight, it's Dirty Red's birthday.

Thanks but no thanks

My rejection letter from Teach for America:

Thank you very much for your interest in Teach For America and for the time and effort you invested in applying to the 2006 corps. I am very sorry to inform you that, after careful consideration of your application, we did not select you to advance to the interview stage of our admissions process.

Your initiative in applying to Teach For America demonstrates your commitment to expanding opportunities for children and effecting social change. While we would like to offer all candidates a path to realizing these aims, we know that Teach For America is not a fit for everyone. Over time we have developed a set of selection criteria that helps us select those most likely to be successful in our particular program.

We know, however, that you have the potential to make a significant contribution to meeting our country's pressing social needs, and we encourage you to pursue other ways to make a difference. To assist you in your pursuit, we have posted on our website a list of recommended resources. If you also are interested in being contacted by other educational and service-oriented organizations that may wish to recruit Teach For America applicants for similar opportunities, you can complete a short form here. Although this e-mail may bring disappointment, I hope that your experience with Teach For America thus far has been positive. If you would like to share any anonymous feedback on our admissions process, we welcome your reflections and suggestions here. Lastly, I am sorry that we will not be able to provide individual feedback on admissions decisions, given that we do not have the resources to handle the volume of potential requests. We attempt to minimize the frustration we know this can cause by being upfront about this policy in our application.I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Monique Ayotte
Vice President, Admissions

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So 16 hours have passed since finding out and I've realized not being accepted certainly isnt the end of the world. Teach for America has approximately 17,000 applicants, and usually only accepts 2200 of them, so I can't say that I feel as horribly as I did when I first got the letter. I have other opportunities (other certification programs, school, etc) so I can guarantee myself that I will be doing something different come Fall. Thanks to those of you who helped along the way, especially to those who helped with the application process.

Today is apparently the day

I find out today if I am accepted to participate in the next steps of Teach for America. As stated below, the next step in the process is interviews, which will happen at the end of March. I've already checked my email 7 times, and checked the website twice. (Even though the website clearly states that applicants will not be able to check their status until 8pm EST today). I realize I probably shouldn't be nervous, but I currently am, and likely will be until I get the final word as to my status.

Please do a dance, say a prayer, do whatever it is you do in order to wish luck upon people.

I'll try and keep this page updated as much as I can today.

Today has been neat

I should have realized that today wouldnt be a good day when the specific car on the train I boarded this morning had no lights. I also should have realized this when I got up at 3am, took my towel to the bathroom & turned on the shower, thinking it was time to get up and get ready for work

Things that could have gone better in the past 24 hours:

-Going out to lunch specifically for one coworker who was too busy to get out, offering to pick up something up for others in the office, and then forgetting the initial person's food.
-Not having my pizza stolen from the floor refridgerator. Granted, it was my own fault for not labeling it as mine, but who goes into a fridge and eats someone else's takeout food? How do you even know how long it's been there?
-It would have been nice to have that slice of bread that comes with my Cosi lunch (that I went out to get since I offered a coworker, and since I had no pizza left to eat). I accidentally left it on teh kicthen counter (which in this office means the food is fair game), my CEO grabbed it, walked toward me with it, and didnt give it back once I told him it was mine. Not only that, he taunted me with it. That was nice.

I have also decided that I am giving up my aversion to hugging and cuddling for Lent.

The End.

What's been happening with me lately...

So I've been fielding questions as to why the heck I've been writing a letter of intent, updating my resume, etc, so I figured I'd use this to explain what my future plans are.

I applied to Roosevelt University at the end of December. Found out mid-January that I had been accepted to their Elementary Education program for the Fall of 2006.

I also just completely my application for Teach For America that I submitted on Thursday night. Teach For America is the national corps of recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools, and become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity. Its mission is to build the movement to eliminate educational inequality by enlisting some of our nation's most promising future leaders in the effort. I find out on February 28th if I will be asked to come in for interviews, which occur between March 20-24 or March 27-31. After that, I will find out if I am offered an opportunity to join the corps on April 13th. Keep your fingers crossed, as I am finally doing something to get myself out of the crappy corporate world.

Other than that, nothing much is new. As usual, I've been travelling a bit to see Illini games this season, including upcomming trips to Ann Arbor on Tuesday, and Iowa on Saturday for Senior Night to bid farewell to Dee Brown and James Augustine. (Which by the way, I am still refusing to admit Dee will be gone after this year).

Work is busy and it sucks. At least I have the fall to look forward to, as I am positive that I will either be going back to school or joining Teach For America. While it's very exciting to finally be doing what I want (teaching), it's also pretty darn scary to realize I will no longer be working in the Loop.

Mr. Orange Hands

LDanimal19 (5:01:53 PM): too bad i couldn't be sneaked into krush...i'd go as mr. orange hands the anti-mr. bluehands

Can someone get my friend Dan into the Krush seats? Thanks.

Amber's Owners Manual

An owners manual (of sorts) has been requested to better explain the oddity that is me. I should be getting a start on it next week. So far the topics that have been requested are:

1. what/how I eat
2. what to wear ( more imptly, what NOT to)
3. how to not behave like a stupid girl
4. on alcohol
5. how to attend a sporting event

Please feel free to add your own.

Mocha in a bowl

I've learned something new today. A large mocha at the Uncommon Ground bar/restaurant/coffee joint near my place is served in a bowl. At first I was unsure how I was to consume this delicious drink. Do I pick it up and drink from the bowl, ala left over milk in a cereal bowl? Do I spoon it into my mouth? Either way, I could end up looking like an idiot. I looked around to see if anyone else had one of these large drinks. No one did. I sought the advice of some of my internets friends and decided it was ok to pick it up and drink right from the bowl. I spilled a little, thankfully none of it was spilled onto my computer.

And now back to attempting to write my essay & letter of intent for Teach for America. Don't know about those plans yet? One of these days I'll fill you in.

Effing Blowhio

The best part of my Sunday trip to Columbus, Ohio. . . Stopping at the Steve Alford All American Inn in Indiana.

Bumper Sticker Fun

Ran across this today:

People should have "Honk if [something something]" bumper stickers in their offices and on their homes, and if a passerby agrees with [something something], they should say "Honk!"

One of my favorite Natalie Dee pics: Not that good at yoga

Mondays suck

Especially when you sleep horribly the night before. Even after going to bed at 11 pm.

Dear co-workers who know nothing about sports,

Please bring some sort of facts with you when you want to talk about college basketball with me. Yes, we lost at home to Penn State. Yes, that likely cost us a #1 seed in the tournament. Who the eff cares? The season isn't over today.

Still in the Top 10 in both polls.