Settling In – Part Two

Ready for the long-overdue sequel to “Settling In – Part One”? (I’m sure it was just like waiting for the second installment of the Deathly Hallows. Right?)

Well, the real part of putting down roots here has begun. Holton found a job (or, rather, the job found him. More on that later…) and school is in full swing for the girls. I am applying and interviewing, waiting for the right job to land me exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Today, I am feeling the autumn for SURE.

A lot of people around here want to know how we like the cold, wet weather. Of course, I love it. I always have. But that response is invariably followed up with, “Oh-ho-ho!” – crack the knuckles – “It’s just getting started! Wait till February when you’ve had enough of the rain and clouds!” – wink –

Eye roll.

If it’s really that bad, I don’t know why there are millions of people living here! So many people want to focus on the crappy part of finding a new home and all the challenges and downfalls. It’s always assumed that cloudy days, rainy days, snowy days are all to be avoided or somehow regarded with disdain. I can assure you, I know it gets cold and wet and, yes, miserable sometimes. But Houston was blazing hot and humid and miserable almost all the time. Some people love a hot climate, where you can wear shorts 300 days a year. I’d rather be in a hoodie and jeans for six months because the other six are just gorgeous!

Anyway, this is a first of sorts for us: being able to see the leaves change when they are supposed to (not for a week in January right before they fall off in February). And speaking of “firsts,” we are diving head-first into a lot of them. Holton’s first day of work is today, and we are thrilled that only three weeks of searching turned up an amazing opportunity close to home.

It all started on LinkedIn, where he posted his profile and accomplishments, based on a professional resume that was written for him. (Side note: I was super disappointed in the money we spent on that. I found the exact template produced for him online, plus the use of those coveted active verbs in regards to his work experience was excessive. A resume should be a sales pitch. This was careening into used-car territory. Total overkill.) Anyway, after a few revisions that made it sound less like he was overcompensating, we beefed up his profile, started making connections, and ended up with a message from a recruiter who was searching for Estimators and came across Holton’s profile. After responding, but not getting anything in return, he continued his search online. He found some interesting positions: one with SoundTransit (one of the mass transit systems in the Seattle metro area) and one with Bellevue Police Department as a background investigator. But this Estimator position popped up on a few job search sites, and thinking back, we realized we never heard back from the recruiter. I quickly composed an email for Holton on our way out the door, mentioning the LinkedIn message and asking if the position was still open. Before we made it to the car, the phone rang, and the rest is history.

So, to answer the question of what he’s doing, he is basically performing the same duties and has the same responsibilities as his last job in Houston, but instead of underground/trenchless construction, he is estimating traffic control system hardware and software. The company is 7 miles from home, which is a huge check mark in the “plus” column as far as we are concerned, since he was previously commuting 54 miles one-way. This job also has the added benefits of medical insurance and a retirement plan, which were lacking before. All things considered, this is the best opportunity that could have presented itself.

As for the SoundTransit and Bellevue PD jobs… he got interviews! As soon as he accepted the offer for this position, within 12 hours, he got word that he was qualified to go interview at both other places. When it rains, it pours, right? (Metaphor intended.)

I have been applying strictly to government agencies. I’ve been wanting to go back to dispatching, but I can’t bring myself to handle the shift work. I’m getting to old for that! Instead, I’d love to go back to public service, just a different capacity. The schedule, pay, and benefits for the positions I have found are excellent, and it’s work that I would be honored to do, whether it’s for a police department or court.

So, what about photography? Well, that’s not as simple. I wouldn’t mind doing it. And I do have a website up, but my mind just isn’t geared for it right now. I look at other people’s work online and Instagram and the like, and while I admire it, it doesn’t trigger a passion in me as it did before. Yes, I am really, really good at it. (But so are a lot of people.) Maybe it’s because I’ve been out of it for so long. Maybe it’s because I work so hard for so little pay. I can’t put my finger on it. I would absolutely give my 100% best effort with a glad heart if I was hired for a newborn session, but if I never get another call, I might be okay with that too.

That being said, what I really want to do is graphic design. That shouldn’t surprise anyone that knows me! So, while I am on the search for a full-time job, I just began a full-time online Bachelor of Arts program with Southern New Hampshire University! If all goes according to plan, and I’m able to continue with a full course load, I will graduate in December 2019. That’s just over a year! Yay! I really couldn’t be happier with learning something new about something that does set my soul on fire. With this degree, I hope to transition into branding and marketing for a company or do design work on a freelance basis. The possibilities are endless, and it still allows me to have a career in a creative field, which is a must.

With that, you’re now up to date on the happenings here, as we live the Top Left Corner life.