Rejected

In a matter of a few weeks I have been rejected from three jobs all of which I made it to the last round of interviews. One rejection came in the form of a mailed letter. Another came in the form of an email. The lastest one (today), and my favorite kind, came face to face.

The first two rejections said they decided to hire someone with more experience. bummer. Today I went in for a second round interview. The weirdest thing happened. The interviewer (CEO of the Non Profit) told me something like this: We have good and bad news. The bad news is we hired a clinician about 1 hour ago. She previously worked here, was trying to spread her wings, but decided to come back. We were planning on hiring you as of 2 hours ago. You can imagine I was wondering what the good new would be....Come to find out they had another position (non clinical) that they were offering me to consider. Wow! That was not expected.

Regardless of how things turn out I have been thinking a lot today about the effects of rejection. Does rejection make you stronger? Does it bring out the best in you--the will to work harder and prove others wrong? Does it crumple you? Does it make you nit-pick at yourself?

How do you deal with rejection??

Validation

I haven't shared this video in a long time so it's due. The reason for sharing this life-altering-perspective-changing video was something that happened at work today.

I was swinging next a girl in the class that I'm a TA for at my job. A couple kids came up complaining of this or that while I was on the swing. After a few moments in silence she said, "Ms. Kylee you are good at that." I smiled and said, "Good at what?" She said, "You hardly say anything at all but you listen and then when you do speak it matters and it makes a difference."

Wow! I have to tell you folks that I really needed to hear that today! I needed to hear that what I was doing mattered to someone else. She made my day and again I was reminded at much validation matters!

Find The Best

Just in case you missed it in my last post I started a new blog, Find The Best, all about books, writing, and all kinds of literature stuff. Come over and check it out!

What Have I Been Doing?

Lately I have been reading a LOT. I have been reading books I've borrow, bought, or received as gifts and have been sitting on my shelves for a long time. I think now that I'm almost a year past Grad School I am ready to dive back into the world of reading for pleasure! In particular I have been reading a lot of ARC's lately that I got for free when I went to an ALA Conference in San, Diego. If you have never heard of an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) before no worries I am hear to tell you about them.

What is an ARC?

An ARC is basically a almost published version of a book that a publisher gives out for free to start buzz, get reviews, etc. They often change cover art, edit a few things, but mostly when you read an ARC not much changes once it is published. If you want information about ARC's from a few other sources you can find them here and here.

What is a Galley?

While I knew what an ARC was before I went to the ALA Conference I had never hear of a galley before. Galley's are basically ARC's but they are digital. Often publishers will have these postcards with their upcoming books on them and how you can read a digital copy of that book. You can learn more about book galleys here.

How do I get an ARC?

There are a lot of different ways to get ARCs or Galleys. You can get to know an author and then ask them for an ARC/Galley of their upcoming book. You can get to know a publisher and ask them the same. You can go to Book Fairs, Book Conferences, ALA, etc. and you are bound to come home with more books than you ever imagined. You can find good information about getting ARCs here. You can find book ARCs/Galleys here.

In reading all kinds of books lately I decided that I want a place where I can talk about them. I also want to give some of my thoughts as review, start some dialogues, and so forth. Because of this I have started a new blog called: Find The Best. If you are interested in what I'm reading, writing, or reviewing come take a look.

Integrity

I got rejected from both of the jobs I have been in the process of applying for for months. The first rejection (job #1—the job I wanted the most) came in the form of an email. The second (job #2) came in the form of a rejection form letter in the mail. While I am sad I didn't get offered either of these jobs something else about the rejection process has been weighing on my mind.

At the end of my second interview with job #2 the interviewer told me that they would let me know on Friday (exactly a week from that day) either way about the job. I thanked them and fully expected to hear from them in a week.

At the end of my interview with job #1 they told me they didn't know exactly when they would let me know but that it would be soon and they would tell me either way.

By the time Monday (10 days later) I hadn't heard back from either job. I wasn't so concerned with job #1 since they hadn't given me a specific time but I was bothered that I hadn't heard from job #2. In this day and age there a so many ways to contact someone and tell them you are running behind, you need to finish some interviews, etc.

Then comes today. At the end of my work day I check my email to find job #1 rejection email. I was disappointed after the interview process that I received an email instead of a phone call but I guess that is the way things goes.

Already dealing with bad news I decided to call job #2 to follow up. I called, they told me the decision hadn't been made, and for the next few hours I had some hope. I got home, got the mail, and received my next form letter rejection—wait, what? Didn't they just tell me a few hours ago that they hadn't made a decision? They lied to me!

And so we come full circle. What happened to the days of personally talking to people. What happen to the days of your word being your bond. What happened to integrity in the office. I'm disappointed in people who say one thing but don't follow through. I hope I do a better job in my professional and personal life!

Only Temporary

I got a tattoo—of course it is henna and only temporary. I had wanted to get a henna tattoo for a while. I picked out a simple design, paid my money, and waited for my turn for the medieval gypsy to work her magic. When I sat down and show her the picture I chose I could tell she was disappointed and she asked, "can I make it a bit more swirly?" to which I responded okay.

Turns out this tattoo is nothing like the simple picture I had chosen. She set out with a picture framework and then she went to work using her creativity and imagination and the tattoo I ended up with was nothing like the one I imagined. (good thing it is just temporary).

This tattoo experience is indicative of my life. Many times I have set out with a ideal frame work that I think is simple and fits me and the Lord has other plans (good thing it is only temporary!)

Faith Like Dust

I am a questions girl. I ask them, I think them, they often trouble my mind and heart. I find that the asking of questions isn't the problem. When I ask questions they lead me on a quest or great adventure to find answers—some I expect—and some that are greatly unexpected.

Although I love my desire to understand at times I wish I were more like nature. I desire to have faith like the dust, mountains, and the waters. They know Gods voice and obey! In the scriptures it says,

8For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God.

9Yea, behold at his ^avoice do the hills and the mountains tremble and ^bquake.

10And by the ^apower of his voice they are broken up, and become smooth, yea, even like unto a valley.

11Yea, by the power of his voice doth the ^awhole earth shake;

12Yea, by the power of his voice, do the foundations rock, even to the very center.

13Yea, and if he say unto the earth—Move—it is moved.

14Yea, if he say unto the ^aearth—Thou shalt ^bgo back, that it^clengthen out the day for many hours—it is done;

15And thus, according to his word the ^aearth goeth back, and it appeareth unto man that the ^bsun standeth still; yea, and behold, this is so; for surely it is the earth that moveth and not the sun.

16And behold, also, if he say unto the ^awaters of the great deep—^bBe thou dried up—it is done.

17Behold, if he say unto this mountain—Be thou raised up, and^acome over and fall upon that city, that it be buried up—behold it is done (Helaman 12:8-17.)

If I had faith like dust I know the Lord could do more with me. I find myself lately often thinking of a faith fill phrase of a loving father, "Lord, I believe. Help Thou mine unbelief (Mark 9:24.)

He Knows the Desires Of My Heart

I have been thinking a lot lately about sign language. Up until I moved to Arizona I have been blessed to be able to use my ASL wherever I have been. I know that is because the Lord has brought people into my life or placed me in circumstances where I can you that language I love. So He knows that I have a desire currently to find a connection to the Deaf community.

The other night while I was at a Relief Society Meeting a woman in the ward called me over to talk with her. She told me that she had 4 deaf people at her house over the weekend and many times she thought of inviting me over to practice my ASL but then she got busy and forgot.

When I first heard this my heart was sad. I wished she had heeded the prompting to invite me over. Then, quietly and calmly, I felt a sense of love fill my soul as I walked away from her. I felt the spirit testify that God loves me and He knows the desires of my heart. Even though she didn't call me over to her house she let me know she thought of me and my ability to sign. That was enough.

Walking For a Wonderful Cause

Dear Family & Friends

On March 19, 2011, I will participate in the Liver Life Walk to raise funds for the work of the American Liver Foundation – the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to liver health and disease prevention. I have joined the Donor Network of Arizona, and my personal goal is to raise more than $150.00 for this worthy cause.

A few years ago my Father ran the Boston Marathon for the Liver Foundation and I loved being a part of his journey. Also when my little brother died he was a donor and changed lives. I believe in this cause with a passion and hope you will support me!

Liver disease is often unknown or misunderstood. Here are some compelling statistics:

• 1 out of every 10 Americans is affected by about 100 types of liver disease.
• That is 30 million people — the number of people in the United States living with diabetes and cancer combined, and the same number of people who live in America’s 15 largest cities.
• 60% of the 26,000 people who die each year from cirrhosis have no history of alcohol abuse.
• Nearly 17,000 people are on the waiting list for a liver transplant.

The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is dedicated to a future where there are effective treatments, cures, and no one dies waiting for a liver transplant. The ALF mission is to facilitate, advocate and promote education, support and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease.

You can support my efforts by making a tax-deductible contribution to the American Liver Foundation:

Donate online at My Personal Donation Page

If you would like to do more, you can also join our team and set a fundraising goal for yourself. You can register today by visiting www.liverfoundation.org/walk and following the prompts to register for the Phoenix, AZ walk on the Team Donor Network of Arizona. When you register, you will receive valuable fundraising tools and information from the American Liver Foundation, in addition to your own personal fundraising Web site.

With your help, we will fund important work and raise awareness of these diseases that afflict millions of people. If you have questions about the Liver Life Walk or the work of the American Liver Foundation, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely, Kylee Shields