Time

I am horrible with time management when I don't have anything concrete filling up my day.  Like, say, a job.  It's amazing how much I get done when I have so much more to do.  However, I am enjoying my time where I get to take things a little bit slower these days.

Today, I got up, went for a run (I use the term "run" loosely.  I walked the last half.  but I did push myself...you know, before the walking.  And I did get my pulse up.  So it counts.), called my new friend, and made myself some coffee in my new french press.

Can I tell you how much I love my french press?  It may just be the coffee I purchased (bold, not X-BOLD like espresso), but it doesn't seem to have a bitter aftertaste like home brew coffee I have had before.  I still add way too much sugar and creamer, but I really enjoy the taste of the *coffee* as well as the extra flavors I add.

I have become one of those annoying coffee purists.  And yet I'm all hypocritical as I don't drink it plain.  Which, really, just equates to me being annoying.  :)  At least I amuse myself.

Back to the jobs subject.  I had a meeting with a Family Employment Specialist here on post.  I actually had no idea this person existed until recently.  John actually gave me his card about 6 weeks ago, but I didn't know what he did, so I never contacted him.  He works in the Army Community Service (ACS), which is a part of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR).  (I just noticed part of the MWR logo on their stickers say "For All of Your Life."  Kinda scary.)
He specializes in financial planning and jobs for military families.  How convenient!  I also learned I was not "in the system."  The MWR system.  A completely different system than the DEERS system, which allows me to be John's spouse in the government's eyes and get all sorts of benefits.  Ah, Army.  I learned all this from a new Army Wife friend.  She's kind of mentoring me in this new lifestyle.  I am very grateful as she is the first one I have met that a) I would like to spend time with AND b) knows a bit about officer life AND c) isn't crazy.  I have met many others who fit only one or two of the previous labels.  I'm sure I will meet more.  I just haven't yet on this small post.  ;)

So.  It was a learning experience.  I have experience with private sector jobs, where you keep your resume to one page.  Two pages tops.  Who wants to read more than that?  I learned the federal government hiring agencies do!!  They give you five pages to work with.  (12000 characters.)  AND, this resume you submit online is much like your first interview!  In fact, if it's complete enough, you can get hired without having an interview!  I guess that just depends on how many other well trained people apply for your job.  I'm guessing with a job so general as "Admin Assistant", there is more competition.

So I've spent the last few days beefing up my resume to tell the federal sector exactly how well I can answer a phone, file and retrieve paperwork, use a computer, and receive visitors.  Not to mention book conference rooms.  The general consensus is that most things in the federal government are exactly the opposite of what you would do in the private sector.

Even our house on post.  The door lock turns the opposite way you would normally turn a lock to lock the door.  Everything is counter-intuitive.

So I'm glad I met with this guy.  And got "in the system".  And found all these other websites to apply for jobs.  I'm not hitting the job search as hard as I could be though.  Mostly because Mom and Dad are coming into town next week and I want to be free for them.  I'll get to show them all around the Quad Cities!  Woohoo!!

It should take about 20 minutes.  ;)  At least the post has some interesting things and historical artifacts.