My Joseph

Two years ago, Joseph graduated from ASU with his bachelor's in business with an emphasis in finance. He was thinking about being a financial advisor because he likes money. He likes the numbers behind it, but mostly he likes to watch it grow. I leave our budgeting and retirement planning up to him because he knows what he's doing...but more importantly, he LIKES it.

After a lot of thought (and perhaps persuasion from me), he decided to accept a job at my company, but in the bank department. (I am not going to post the name of this company because I know for a fact that it monitors the internet, and I don't particularly want to be on the radar.) It's not really important to the story anyway, so I shall continue.

He accepted the job because it's a great company, and figured he would have his foot in the door to then transfer into a different department and eventually obtain the job he desired. That didn't happen. He started applying to different positions and was either not even offered an interview, or didn't get the job but was not provided with any feedback.

Now, I know my husband is brilliant. He taught himself how to diagnose and fix any sort of computer problem, taught himself code so that he could develop his own website (his financial blog is DebitversusCredit.com) and did well in school without even really trying. He also doesn't have some sort of personality disorder; everyone likes him. (Sometimes I feel like if we were to ever get divorced, my family would keep him instead of me.) So why didn't anyone want to hire him? It really started to bug him, I could tell.

In speaking with a friend/coworker, she advised that the bank at this particular company is a dead end; you can't get out.

Crap.

Enter the extreme guilt I feel for having persuaded my husband to accept this job he really can't stand. He is now stuck in a pit.

Luckily, he is a man of action. He found a contact who put together a professionally-done resume that highlighted his many skills, and started applying to different places. He no longer wants to be a financial advisor; the two years spent in customer service taught him that he wants a job that is not in customer service. An analyst position would suit him nicely. He had quite a few interviews lined up and we practiced different interview questions together.

Then something interesting happened. A company noticed his profile online and was impressed with him. They contacted him on a Thursday, set up a meeting for Tuesday, and offered him a job on the spot.

Finally, someone realizes what a gem this man is. Someone realized how lucky they will be to employ him, and snatched him up before anyone else could.

When he called me to tell me he had accepted the job, I may have teared up a bit. Especially because there was one job he was interviewing for that would have him traveling quite a bit, and I didn't think I would do well without him.

His hours are going to be better (more time with me!) and he's going to be doing something he loves. The only con is that he is taking a pay decrease. It's totally worth it if he's happy. Plus he's confident that he can make it up. I'm not worried; I know he will work hard and prove to them over and over that they made the right decision.

It's a start up company that's only been in existence for 18 months, which makes me nervous. I'm someone who needs stability, and needs to know where my next paycheck is coming from and that my bills will be paid. Joseph on the other hand, has always dreamed on working for a start-up. He has the entreprenurial spirit and would like to one day own his own company. Bit of a risk-taker. I've told him over and over that I just want him to be happy. If this is what it takes, then I will take a deep breath and do some meditation and get over my fears. The company has been wildly successful and has plans to grow. Besides, he re-did the budget and we can live off what I make. We are just going to have to cut back on some things, but it's manageable.

He hasn't started his new job yet, but if you ask him about it he starts grinning from ear to ear.

Battle on the Zumba Floor

I enjoy Zumba. There is just one problem. The instructor is SO fabulous, that her classes are getting quite crowded. She is moving to a bigger studio next month, so hopefully the problem will be alleviated, but in the meantime I am trying not to kick or smack anyone as I dance around. And I am hoping that my neighbors are attempting to be equally as cautious.

Thursday night was interesting. I had my sister Jennifer to the left, who has rhythm and can keep up with the different dances, and a cute blonde to my right, who seemed to be keeping up fairly well.

It's really annoying when I get someone next to me who doesn't have rhythm. Part of me appreciates that they are still trying and having fun, but the other part of me doesn't want them dancing next to me. They end up going right when you're supposed to go left, and usually smack me a few more times than is acceptable.

About 15 minutes into the class, I have no clue what happened, but a woman weaseled her way next to me on the right side. There wasn't much room between me and blonde girl, so it was quite the squish. I try to be a courteous Zumba-dancer, so I graciously stepped back a bit and tried to made room for her.

I quickly discovered something about this person who weaseled her way to the front, where the seasoned dancers stood (if you don't know what you're doing you stand in the back). She was a VERY enthusiastic dancer. A little too enthusiastic. Weird enthusiastic. I like a good butt-shake as much as the next dancer, but she was rolling her head and writhing around as if she had consumed a bit too much coffee. This is acceptable behavior for an instructor who has to lead the entire class, but not for a fellow dancer. She was acting like she was on stage, performing for an audience. Her hands movements were flutter-y and flighty, and she was in my space. I contemplated this as I danced, and just tried to stay out of her way.

The instructor has a number of moves that she uses throughout different dances. There is one move in particular that is a little complicated, and as a new dancer I found myself standing still, watching her for a few beats, before I was able to pick it up. As the instructor started this particular move, my sister and I launched right into it, having picked it up. The person that weaseled her way to the right of me stood still, watching the instructor.

The person next to me was a NEWBIE. A NEWBIE who was trying to steal my spot, and she was dancing like a weirdo.

It was on.

I starting inching toward the newbie, taking back my rightful spot. During one of the dances we smacked hands. We both gave each other apologetic looks, but I continued my same movements. Instead of trying to stay out of her way, she now had to stay out of my way. Which was difficult with all of her writhing and head shaking. Slowly but surely, she started to move away.

I re-claimed my spot next to my sister, and danced through my victory.

Slip N Slide for Adults

Happy Fourth of July indeed.

Shoes Part II

Did you enjoy the first Shoes post, here? If you didn't read it, maybe you should have.

I got an all-time record-breaking, absolutely amazing TEN compliments in one day.

My manager, a self-proclaimed shoe fanatic (she has purchased four pairs in the last two weeks), loves these shoes.

When leaving campus to go to lunch, I had a co-worker admire my sparkly, purple shoes (first picture).

Cathy: How do you walk in heels?

Me: I wiggle my butt.

Cathy: (pause) Um, no....I mean, don't your feet hurt?

Awkward.