Job Search Update

My job prospects have been looking up! 

Mechanical Design Engineer, Harrisburg, PA.  A recruiter called me about this position and I had a phone interview with the staffing woman yesterday.  It was a basic interview, she asked a few open-ended questions, which I guess I handled okay, and I asked questions about the business and their growth.  I'm scheduled to talk to the hiring manager at that company on Friday, who will be able to answer more of my questions about the job details.

Mechanical Engineer, Pottstown, PA.  Another recruiter called me yesterday about this one (35min west of us).  She supposedly sent my information to the company.  I don't have much info on it, apparently the company is known for making co-axial cables.  She was supposed to e-mail me but I haven't heard from her yet; she also said she would call to follow up.

Mechanical Sales Engineer, Philadelphia.  I applied here and followed up with a phone call today.  The VP seemed excited to talk to me and asked me to come in for an interview, which is set up next Tuesday at 9am.  I hope I can squeeze into a suit!  The VP says, "Now it's an old warehouse in West Philly, so don't be concerned."  I was relieved, until I realized that's what a serial killer would say.  He also said parking is in the back, and enter through the shipping office.  So...wish me luck.

Busy Week

We stayed busy last week--Tuesday we had dinner at Paul and Gail's house (Mike's coworker) which was really nice.  Wednesday and Thursday Mike had jury duty and was selected for a "slip-and-fall" case involving an old lady at the local mall (they sided with the mall).  Thursday I had my doctor's appointment, which of course I wrote about already.  Friday we hung out with Mom and Dad and had dinner; Saturday we all were supposed to go to my graduation ceremony so I could receive my award, but that morning I wasn't feeling well, so I couldn't go.  Instead I stayed home and rested, we watched the Devils in the afternoon and went to a spaghetti dinner at Paul and Gail's church that evening.  We got up at 2:30AM to go to Adoration (we were filling in for someone).  It was interesting; I wouldn't want to do a middle-of-the-night trip every week, but we were glad to help.

Sunday was my first day of training at a new part-time job.  I am a customer service representative at a clothing boutique (White House Black Market), which means loading customers arms with clothes, telling them they look good in the fitting room, and ringing up their purchases while reminding them one last time of the sale on jewelry.  I am in LOVE with their clothes, I would buy just about everything in there if I could.  (Tell me you don't love these shorts, skirt and cardigan.)  The girls/ladies who work there are super nice and the environment is pretty calm and fun so I don't think I'll mind working there.  Just an fyi--I'll be working 5-9pm on my birthday, so I won't be able to answer any calls.

This morning I got a call to set up a phone interview tomorrow with a company near Harrisburg (about 2 hours west of us).  I was contacted by a recruiter, which was a great confidence-boost, and someone from the recruiting agency's staff prepped me for the interview and gave me complete instructions of how to best conduct myself during the conversation.  I am going to get started on that right away.  Well.  Right after I make a grocery store run.

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Bourbon chicken recipe - fantastic!  I was looking for a copycat recipe for the frozen Purdue bourbon chicken.    Purdue's is breaded so it's a different effect, but Mike and I both loved this recipe.

Susie's pregnancy journaling

This post is entirely about the details of my pregnancy, so men you don't need to bother.  ;)

Week 17 prenatal checkup.  Baby's heartbeat is good, my weight is good (I guess--they didn't say anything), and I apparently "look better" than my last checkup, i.e. less tired.  I am to schedule an ultrasound four weeks from now, though I may cheat and make it three.  We should find out the gender then!

Weight.  I gained no weight in the last 4 weeks (but around 5lb. total to date).  I was a little relieved because I have been feeling fat - not like appropriate belly/baby growth fat but like, "why is my underwear cutting into my legs, they shouldn't be growing" fat.  My appetite has been really good too - I make an extra serving of lunch, either to eat more or save for another lunch, but it never gets saved.  I can't say if my regular pants fit, because I surrendered to maternity pants weeks ago.

Diet preferences.  My diet has coincidentally changed of late (I will NOT call it cravings - I never run out because I can't live without anything).  I have been eating much more tomatoes (as in bowls of raw tomatoes), spaghetti (like 4 times a week), Ritz crackers (I try to make the box last a week), and sweets (especially chocolate, which is unheard of for me to want every day - or to order a chocolate Blizzard over a vanilla!  Not counting tradition with Kelly).  Also, coffee, which months ago I thought I would die without, makes me gag a little.  Meat is very unappetizing, but Mike manages to make it tasty enough to want anyway.

Movement.  While MY movement is minimal unless I force myself to exercise somehow, I suppose Baby is more active.  I think I am feeling it, but it's so hard to say.  But yesterday I was pretty sure there was a discernible difference between air bubbles and that "something else."

May Already?

Currently....

I have my next prenatal appointment Thursday - I'm not scheduled for an ultrasound so we won't have a chance to find out the gender for another 4 weeks.  I've been feeling great, wearing mostly maternity pants because it's easiest and most comfortable, although I still fit into some of my regular pants.  I can't say for sure that I've felt any movement but I suspect some of what I can feel is the baby.

He has jury duty this week and Saturday I'm going to Villanova's engineering graduation ceremony to receive my award.  Also important to note - the Devils (Mike's hockey team) is still in the playoffs, so that is taking priority this week. :p             

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A watercolor/acrylic from Sean and Kelly

Three weekends ago we visited Kelly and Sean in Summit - it was our first visit to their new place.  We enjoyed seeing their apartment and the local area.  We walked a few blocks to a street festival where we looked at some art vendors and ate lunch, then we hung out at their apartment for the rest of the afternoon.   I was surprised with how big Kelly had gotten (sorry Kelly but it was true!).  It was a really nice visit.

Let's not forget cigar smoking on the street

Two weekends ago was Nicholas' First Communion.  I had a cold that whole week and wasn't going to go, so Mike went to the Mass alone.  Wouldn't you know that's the day I stopped sneezing and blowing my nose everywhere, so I was able to go later to the reception with Mom.  Afterward we stayed at Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lina's house for a few hours visiting.

Last Thursday was Kelly's graduation.  It was a really nice ceremony and ended up being a beautiful day (if a little cold).  Afterwards Kelly and Sean took the party out to dinner.  We got to visit with them, Mom, Dad, Sean's parents and Nana (and Karen for a brief minute).

Watching for Kelly in the procession

Friday we went to a barbecue competition thing hosted by a local fire station.  It was really fun, we got to sample ribs from a bunch of different people and then rank our favorites.  Though none of the sauces were as good as Mike's.

Mike and Chris

Saturday we went to the Perkiomen trail and went for a 5 mile walk.  It was a gorgeous day!  We packed sandwiches and ate on the trail.

Mothers Day I got a box of cookies in the mail and a very sweet card.  I didn't know I qualified to get Mothers Day things this year!  We ran into Mom at church - she got me some roses that were being sold to raise money.  Since Dad left for Switzerland Sunday afternoon, we had Mom over for dinner.  I had requested spaghetti (idk why just can't get enough of the stuff).  Mike made his own sauce - it was perfect. :)  I also got to go to my first weekly hour of Adoration and I was able to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament for our moms, grandmothers and sisters (also moms).

My first Mother's Day gift