Apartment Searching…

So, today when I woke up I had an e-mail regarding an ad I placed on Craigslist for housing wanted.  But talking about being a small world after all.  Since I’ve been in my current situation, it seems that I have been getting back in touch with old friends that I haven’t seen in years.  Well, today was no different.  I received an e-mail from a person regarding my ad.  He was letting me know that he had a possible place for me if I was interested.  As I got to the end of the e-mail I notice that the guy’s last name was “Vater” and I saw that his place that he had was in Southgate.  So, I sent back an e-mail letting him know that I was interested in the place but wanted to come out to view the place.  Then asked him if he knew “Tim Vater”.  I let him know that I went to college with a “Tim Vater” and was wondering if he was his father.  Come find out he was.  What a small world after all?

You see, Tim and I met when I started college in August 1995.  Of course I was a little older than him.  But soon we became good friends and where you saw him, you would see me or vice versa.  Of course he graduated in 1999 as I continue on with my college journey for my bachelor.  He was a great friend and in the last few months I have been looking to get back in touch with him.  So, I thought this was a little sign maybe when I met his dad today.  But like all good things, things have to come to an end.  After he graduated, we lost touch.  Also, we didn’t leave things in good term but let’s see if he will contact me now a days.  I’m hearing that he is married now for about two years and that he is working over in Cinti Metro Housing Association.  Which is another consequence because with me starting working for Brighton Center, I’ll be doing with housing information.  So, I’m sure I’ll be contacting him over at CMHA.  So, it will be interesting if he will even contact me.

As for the place, it was ok.  And yes, Tim also lived in the same place as well.  I wasn’t to fond of the of the kitchen because it has a college like refrigerator that had very limited freezer which I would like.  But the place did go furnished.  Another thing I didn’t like was the many steps that it had to get to the place.  For this I’m thinking about my mom.  She won’t come and visit due to her knees.  She hated working up like six steps at my last place.  So, imagine how much more she would had 20 steps?  Actually she wouldn’t come to visit me at all.  But the good thing is though that he is willing to work with me and Brighton Center as well.  Not to mention, the landlord’s daughter is also in the AmeriCorps Vista program as well.  But this is only my first place that I really looked at.  So, as I mention probably in a few other of my post, I’m looking to move into an apartment sometimes in the month of September.

Also, I want to thank my friend Brett for coming to pick me up and go see this place.  I wouldn’t be able to do this today if it wasn’t for him.  So, thank you Brett!

TL

My Twitter Updates…

I just noticed today, Saturday, August 8, 2009, that my text updates that I have been sending via my cell phone aren’t getting to my great followers.  But I’m receiving everybody’s updates that I’m following on Twitter.  So, looks like the DoS that Twitter is receiving messed up my ability to update my great followers.  So, please be patient as I try to figure what’s going on.

Also, I have added “Twitter” section to my blog.  So, now when people come to my blog, they can see what I’m doing.  I’m going to be working on updating my blog a little bit more by adding more links and other things over the next few months.  So, if you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment on this thread.

TL

A change of direction…

As of yesterday, Wednesday, August 5th, I had my last interview.  Even though I had my mind made up on accepting the AmeriCorps position, I went to this interview because I didn’t want to burn any bridges.  But I also made sure I didn’t set any other interviews up.  Which on Tuesday, August 4th, I received three calls for interviews.  Which, of course, I told them I accepted another position.  My heart is pretty set on the AmeriCorps position.  There are a lot of great pros for taking this position.  Like, for example:  1)  Federal employee experience status – after working with AmeriCorps, this position will give me federal status which down the road will open up a whole another job area for me when I start job searching again.  2)  new experience in a new field – I feel that this job is giving me a new direction in my life.  3)  Volunteering will make a huge impact on my resume.  4)  The year time frame will help me work on personals issues I have that will set me for the rest of the life, so this last year or almost two years won’t happen again.  So, no matter what happens with this latest job interview, I’m already know in my mind that I’m not going to accept the position.  With that said and the interviews portion over, I can change the direction that I’m going in.

That new direction is to now start finding a place to live.  Theoretically, I would like to move into a new place by September 1st.  But really starting to think it might be middle to late September.  I would like to find a place either in Newport or maybe Covington.  Just depends on what I’m looking for.  Which I would love to be able to get rent and utilities for under $500 but I think the only way that is going to happen is if I find a person that is looking for a roommate or I find a place with somebody.  But with past experiences with roommates, this might be out of the question.  I would love to find a place for myself to live.  That would be my ultimate goal.  So, if anybody knows of a place or maybe a friend that’s looking for a roommate, please let me know.

Then once I find this place, get settled in both the new place and the job I’m going to be doing, then my next plan of action is to start on working on my personal issues.  I’m determined not to let this happened to me again.  But as I look back though, this could have been a blessing in disguise though.  Finding out that I had diabetes made a big difference in my life.  It has helped me see that I can lose weight correctly.  So, getting my own place would be a battle won itself because then I can start eating correctly again and pay attention to what I’m eating as well.  I lost a little over 80 pounds from April 2008 till October 2008.  Then from October 2008 until now, I find it very encouraging that I only gain 15 pounds back.  Normally I would gain back the weight and then double that as well.  But it’s encouraging to see that I haven’t.  Another blessing in disguise is knowing how determined I am still.  With the up and downs in my life, most people would have given up.  I was determined not too.  I will admit that there were a few times I wanted too.  When I felt like I was going too, I either took some “me” days and just cutback on what I was doing and let myself tell me when I’m ready to get back with to it.  I would do a lot of reading or researching on the internet that would give me a great idea or something and I would feel refresh to start back at what I’m doing again.  Another blessing out of this whole situation is finally giving my life a sense of direction.  Up until about a month ago, I didn’t have a direction.  I was struggling with what I wanted to.  Then about a month ago, a light came on to help me find AmeriCorps and do what I would like to do and that is using my skill set to help poverty communities and the people that live in those communities.  Once I figured that out, things went fast and now I’m very excited and feel like some weight has been taken off my shoulders.  Now, I just have to face some fallout on things that have happened in my last year or two.  But tell you what though?  Going through this situation has really showed me a lot.  It showed me things that I need to work on personally and professionally.  So, that’s what I’m planning on doing this upcoming year.

So, continue checking back more often once I find my place because then I’ll will be doing more updates more often because I will have my stuff out.  Not to mention feeling better emotionally and physically as I start the healing process.  Thank you everybody that has helped me out over the last two years.  You all know who you are!

TL

It’s official…

As the title says, it’s official, I have been accepted into the AmeriCorps.  Which means that I will be serving one year of my time to my assigned location.  I will be getting a modest living expense and other help.  This is a very slow way back on my feet which I think will be helpful for the rest of my life.  I have been assigned to work with the Brighton Center, which is kind of funny because I have been trying to get a job with them.  So, this is a way I can show what I can do and hope that they will hire me at the end of the year.  But during this year, I will be working on a lot of personal issues I have.  But bottom line is I’m excited to be serving my time and getting experience in the process.  This is a very positive move in the right direction for my life!

 

TL

Good News but…

I have some good news to report today.  I’m halfway there to having a job.  Last week, I submitted my application to the AmeriCorps Vista Program.  Then on Monday, July, 27, 2009, I applied to eight different programs that was looking for AmeriCorps Vista.  By the time I got back to the house, I had two interviews set up for Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30.  I’m about to go to the later interview in about an hour.  But as I’ll be going there, it a big relief to know that the interview I had on Wednesday, has officially selected to fill one of their positions.  And this is where the BUT goes…even though I’m excited, now I have to wait for the main AmeriCorps accepts me.  As soon as they accept me and sends me that e-mail then I can officially accept the position that I’m selected for.  So, I’m halfway there and just waiting for that e-mail.  Once I have accepted the position, I will have to attend a training in Atlanta on September 15th thru the 18th.  Then I will start the position shortly there after.  I will get paid $891 per month.  Remember this is an AmeriCorps job which is a service job that I have to commit one year of my time too.  Plus, I get other benefits as well.

But I do see another major decision for me coming up soon that could put an end to my current situation.  This AmeriCorps position is only one year.  After the year is up, I will either have to re-apply for another Vista position or try to find a full-time job all over again.  This is where I’m faced with the decision.  As of right now, on August 5, 2009, I have an interview for a full time job that isn’t an AmeriCorps job.  So, that basically means if they offer me the job and I accept that in one year, I will continue working with them until they decide to let me go.  Which also means I could get out of my current situation and back on my feet faster rather than waiting another year before I can get back on my feet.  Does that make sense?  But first they have to offer me this job that I have the interview for on August 5th before I can make that decision or do I stay with my word that I gave to the person that selected me for the AmeriCorps position?

But the good news is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for me!  Yeah me!!!!!!

TL

What a great busy week this going to be…

In my last post, I talked about how busy my last week was going to be.  Well, this week is as busy if not busier.  But it didn’t start off that busy for this week.  But before I get into this week, let me give everybody a run down on last week happenings.  As I mention in my last post, Monday, July 20, I had to go and pick up my medicine from Pike Street Clinic.  Also, as I mention in last post, this was very huge for me because now I can get my diabetes medicine without have to pay for it.  I was there for like three hours.  Then I walked back up to the Cincinnati Public Library where I continue my research on homelessness.  Then on Tuesday, July 21, I had to go to a WIA Program Orientation at One Stop.  This program will help me pay for my training for a MCSE Certification if I qualify for the program.  This WIA Program is a three step process.  There are two Orientations that I have to attend and a one on one meeting with a Career Advisor.  So, on Tuesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 23, I went to the two orientations.  Plus, on Thursday, I went with Cathy to the Free Food Bank Store.  That was a great adventure.  Also, on Wednesday, July 22, I applied for AmeriCorps Vista program which was a great move for me because it is this move that has made this week a hot busy week for me.  Also, I learned that my interview I had with Siemens IT Solution had their contract pulled from them meaning that job no longer exist.

So, what does this week have for me?  Well, originally this was going to be a light week.  As I only had one appointment this week and that was on Monday.  But what I didn’t expect was that one appointment turned into this busy week.

A)  Monday, July 27 – I had my one on one session with my Career Advisor from One Stop regarding my qualification into the WIA Program.  But before I know if I have qualify there are numerous things I had to gather before our next meeting which is Friday, July 31.  From this session, I learned more about how I to apply for AmeriCorps Vista.  So, when I went to the library I ended up applying for eight Vista programs.  By the time I got back to the house, I had a job interview set for Wednesday, July 29.  So, here is what I have to gather for my Career Advisor:

1)  Proof of Residence from Cathy here.

2)  My birth certificate and social security card

3)  Research and fill out a Q&A form about the program certification I want to attend.

4)  Have to apply for financial aid.

5)  Have to go back three months of my job searching and printout all my correspondence regarding the jobs I have applied for.  This is going to take a few days.

B)  Tuesday, July 28 – Mainly used this day to gather a lot of my information I need to gather for my Career Advisor, did my research for my certification, and started the printing out of my last three months of my job searching.  Plus, had to help Cathy with her test that she had for her job interview she has also on Wednesday, July 29.  (Good luck Cathy).  As I was doing my stuff, I got a call for yet another job interview that will be on Thursday, July 30.  Doing this post is my last thing for me to do on this computer for the night!

C)  Wednesday, July 29 – I have a 3:00 pm interview at the Brighton Center for the Recover Northern Kentucky AmeriCorps Vista program.  So, I hope the rain will stop by the time I get on the bus around 12:00 pm.  Let’s pray that it will!  Plus, I will be continuing working on the job searching printout for the last three months and probably start applying for financial aid as well.

D)  Thursday, July 30 – I will know more on Wednesday when my interview for the Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati Visa will be on this day.  Plus, I will be putting finishing touches on my job searching project for the last three months and financial aid in preparation of my meeting with my Career Advisor on Friday.

E)  Friday, July 31 – I have my meeting with my Career Advisor at 9:00 am.  I have to present all my stuff that I have gather for her at this meeting.  Then it will probably be like a week or so before I will know if I have qualified for the WIA Program.

As you see, what turned out to be a light week for me is turning out to be a very busy week.  I’m not complaining but just glad to be doing something that is meaningful and productive.  And there is still things I have to do like call the Ohio Food Stamp Office to figure out where my appointment letter is that was turned in over two weeks ago.  This weekend will be a much needed rest when it gets here.  Anyway, back to my busy week.

TL

Another busy week coming up…

If last week wasn’t a busy week, this week coming up is.  Last week, I had a job interview up in Mason, OH with Siemens for a short term job which fail through that I just recently learned.  Also, I went to re-apply for my KY Food Stamps Benefits again since I missed the re-certification meeting that I was supposed to have in June.  In which I learned I was denied because they consider me a resident of OH.  Go figure on that one out?  So, the next day I turned in my paperwork for the OH Food Stamps Benefits.  I’m just waiting on my appointment to be sent to me by mail.  So, that might be added to my to do list for this upcoming week if I get that in the mail.  Also, learned that Recovery Network Center in Covington, KY went through changes and I’ll be unable to use their address anymore.  In the process of this, I also heard that there were big changes made in March of this year to programs around these services.  Then on Friday, I go to go to the Pike Street Clinic to talk to them regarding my meds.  As for this week, Monday, Tuesday, and possibly Thursday are booked for me.  This is what’s on my agenda this week.

On Monday, I’m going to be picking up my meds and my test strips from the Pike Street Clinic in Covington, KY.  This is a huge thing for me because I don’t have to spend $21 each month to get my meds plus the $60 for my test strips.  Not to mention I don’t have to pay for any doctors visits and etc.  I just have to go into the clinic once a month which is also free for me.  So, this is a huge monkey off my back or at least until I can get back up on my feet but then I can use St. Vincent DePaul to get at least my meds for free but will have to start paying for my test strips.  But until then, I will worry about that later when it comes.  Then after I’m done there, I will be going to the library again to continue doing my research and my job searching.

On Tuesday, I’m going to be going to an orientation at the Career Connection inside One Stop in Covington, KY.  This I’m very excited about and really will be excited if I qualify for their certification program.  Career Connection has a program where they will help individuals obtain various certifications like the A+ or the Microsoft Office certification and etc.  In which the Career Connection will pay up to a certain amount to help you obtain your certification.  So, I hope I qualify!  If I do, that means, my Thursday will be busy as well as I would have to go back to the Career Connection as well.  But one step at a time.  Then after I’m done there, I’ll be going back to the library again to continue my researching and job searching.

Even though the above doesn’t seem that busy, it’s actually the waiting that kills me.  Good thing I’m a very patience person.  It will take 4 to 5 hours of waiting at both the Pike Street Clinic and One Stop but it will be worth every penny though!  But besides that, there are other things that could come up that will require me to add to my to do list this week.  Like:

1)  Have e-mails out regarding volunteering at various places like the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless.

2)  Also, trying to get various meetings with some of my networking contacts in regards of projects I’m trying to get started or ideas I have that I need to pitch.

3)  If my OH Food Stamps Benefits Office mails my appointment, I could have a meeting this week?

4)  Could have a few job interviews as well. 

So, as you can see I will have a lot on my plate if things start coming through.  Also, I will continue researching my idea that I’m having and continue working on my project to get it up off the ground.  So, expect in the next month or two big news coming from me in regards of me taking my life in a new direction.

Enjoy and I hope everybody have a great week!

- TL

Interesting day…

Today was a very interesting day for me.  I learned from the Kentucky Food Stamps Office today that they consider me an Ohio resident because I have been staying at friend’s places in Ohio for the last two week.  So, in their book that makes me an Ohio resident and have to register for food stamps in Ohio now.  Which I will be doing tomorrow.  Now I will see what the people here in Ohio will say.  It wouldn’t surprise me if they tell me I’m a Kentucky resident.  At which point, I’m going to tell them to call the Kentucky Food Stamps Office and tell them that.  Then whoever wins the battle, gets me.  Sounds like a plan to me?

In other developments, with my recent struggles in life and today’s development has given me a fire in my stomach that has caused me to send out feelers that could possibly lead me and my life in a new direction.  More to come about this over the next few week.

Also, I have been doing a lot of walking lately.  Which is good for me because it helps me lose weights and get back in shape.

Yesterday, I had a great interview which I’m waiting to hear back from.  I should hear something about it tomorrow.  Now the only little and I mean little draw back is that the job is only three weeks long.  But it will help me get the necessary experience that I need to get updated.  So, let’s hope it works out.

TL

Miscellaneous…

Well, things are starting to heat up around here when it comes to the job searching.  Earlier this week, I took a different direction when it came to my job searching process.  I re-did my cover letter and created a broadcast letter that I sent out to potential companies.  Plus, I have been doing a lot more networking and seem to be getting my job leads.  All of this has lead me to my first interview that I had in a while that’s not connected with a recruiter.  That interview is Tuesday in Mason, OH with Siemens IT Solutions for a month or two job that could lead into full-time.  But it’s a start at least.

In other news about me, I have been doing a lot of walking lately and notice how much strength I have after walking long distance.  I have notice that since I have lost weight how much better I have felt.  So, I guess a good side effect of the diabetes medication is losing weight?  But it’s time for me to believe in myself.  I’m just asking friends of mine to not lose confidence in me or stop believing in me.  Things will turn around for me.  Just got to believe!

TL

Great day today…

Today, I was in very high spirits and energy as I was job searching today.  I took my job searching in a different direction and thought it was very great day after all.  As I ended up with so good networking contacts that possibly could lead somewhere?  We shall see!

TL