And now for some humor.

Last night I had a very vivid and disturbing dream that I opened my back door and found about 40 dogs in my backyard. I then realized that I was responsible for taking care of them while their owners were away. I fed one dog and started to give him a pill but then realized maybe that food and that pill were meant for another dog. Suddenly, I couldn't remember which dog ate which food and which dog got bathed with which shampoo and which dog got which medicine.

It was, literally, a nightmare.

I spent so long freaking out and running around saying, "What do I do?" that I never really got any of them fed. Plus, I remember there being only a couple baggies of dog food, which definitely complicated matters. I knew the dogs were hungry, but in the end, I knew they wouldn't starve so I just let them go without their dinner!

Then I must have woken up, as the story ends there. Thank God! Oh, and thanks, doggy day care, for the inspiration!

I had my second interview. I think it went okay. They should be in touch sometime (early) next week.

My second phone interview with Global Explorers
is scheduled for Thursday at 3 PM (EST).

This week has been interesting. I've suddenly gotten multiple offers of part-time work.

On Monday evening, I was contacted by the woman who runs a doggy day care center. I'd sent her my resume a month or so ago when I was at my wit's end. She said she needed some part-time help. So, I agreed to come in. I had some "training" yesterday and today. I am going to write more about this at the end of the post.

On Tuesday I was offered the opportunity to assist with an adult ESL class at the International Institute of Akron (where I volunteer). This is still a volunteer position, but it would require a little more work than what I'm currently doing, which is assisting recently-immigrated kids with their homework twice a week. The ESL position would run from July - September. I had to decline, as I intend to be no longer living in Hudson by the time September rolls around. In fact, I am going to stop my twice-a-week tutoring when school gets out in two weeks, too. I guess that there is still a program for the kids throughout the summer, but I want to work with people who are serious about their studies; I am not interested in being part of a summer camp-like situation.

On Wednesday I was contacted by the Humane Society of Greater Akron (HSGA), where I've also been volunteering, regarding a part-time summer job. I'd expressed my interest in working for the HSGA several months ago, but there were not any positions available at the time. The position would entail cleaning cages, etc.; not exactly a charming set-up. Because of my aforementioned intentions to move sometime this summer, I had to decline. Also, I want to enjoy going to the HSGA and not dread it. I love being able to go at my leisure and pet, groom, and socialize cats.

Today I received an e-mail from Global Explorers inviting me to have a second interview for an internship with the organization–woohoo! This interview will take place some time next week (over the phone again).
______________________________________________

Okay. So this is where I will talk about my new gig as a doggy day care (DDC) girl. I don't even know where to begin. Well, I'll begin here: I think I am earning minimum wage. It sucks. KPS pays me more than THREE times per hour what I get paid at DDC. Today some of my tasks included walking around with a little dog poop rake to scoop up poop, hurling tennis balls, sweeping pebbles off big mats in the play area, mopping floors, and attempting to squeeze in or out of the dog play area without letting any of the slobbering, crazy canines. Oh, I also carried the garbage bag of dog poop and other miscellaneous trash to the garbage can across the parking lot.

Let me tell you what I've already learned from my 5 hours of DDC work.

1) I have a lot of pride. While taking one of the dogs for a walk outside during rush hour, I feared that someone I went to high school with would drive by in their nice car, coming from their nice(r) job and see me. They would think to themselves, "Holy cow, isn't that that girl from high school who was supposed to be so successful in life? HA! Now look at her!"

2) I better understand the importance of an education and hard work, and I have a deeper appreciation for the opportunities I've been given in life. I would be miserable in a job like this, and yet so many people work like this for their entire lives. Hard work for peanuts, a constant battle just to survive. I think about my host sisters in South Africa who have so much potential and yet have the misfortune of being poor, black South Africans who will probably not have a chance to secure a decent job in a field that interests them. I am ashamed of myself and how much I take for granted.

3) Physical work is good. The one thing I keep telling myself is that it doesn't matter that I'm getting paid in peanuts (or dog biscuits). I'm getting some good exercise, which I'm definitely not getting when sitting in front of my computer and editing.

4) I love animals but don't think a career in animal care is for me. And this is huge, because I needed to know whether this was a direction worth pursuing. I will always be involved in animal welfare, but probably in the context of volunteering, not employment.

The DDC is overwhelming, and I'm not looking forward to the day when I'm left to run the place alone...which is supposed to be Tuesday. I had no idea how many dogs they care for ... it seems to run between 15 and 25 per day. This is a lot of dogs. Big dogs, small dogs. Short dogs, tall dogs. Brown dogs, white dogs. Slow dogs, bright dogs!

My interview went well!

It was about an hour long. My interests and values align so closely with those of Global Explorers that it was relatively easy to convey this during the conversation. Now I shall wait... there will be a second interview (if they invite me for one) at some point in the near future. I should know whether I've been selected for a second interview by the end of this week. The director/co-founder (my interviewer) explained that Global Explorers relies heavily on the work of the four interns, and that the interns are able to take on big projects at the organization. So, the procedure for selecting interns is thorough. Some of you may be wondering how I could swing an unpaid internship. Well, the internship requires a commitment of a minimum of 15 hours per week and runs from September 2009 to May 2010. I would do writing/editing for Kent Publishing to support myself. It's the ideal set-up, because with KPS I can create my own schedule.

Paying job? Check
Work in the field of international education? Check
Mountains? Check
Sunshine? Check (296 days/year!)

Happy Laura? CHECK!

I am getting excited about my interview at 3 pm. I just spent several hours reading every word (and many downloaded documents) on the Global Explorers website. It's an awesome organization with a lot of integrity and commitment to conservation and sustainability. Their four core disciplines are service, culture, leadership, and science. Most of the trips are organized for groups of middle or high school students; any school or organization can contact GEx to learn more about the travel opportunities they provide. Destinations include Peru (Amazon and Machu Picchu), Canada (the Arctic), Mexico (Baja and Yucatan), Costa Rica, and Tanzania. They provide fairly extensive educational lessons to participants beforehand, and they require participants to complete a follow-up service leadership project. I love Global Explorers! I hope they love me!

Interview

On Thursday the director of Global Explorers called to set up an interview with me for an internship. This is the organization out in Fort Collins, CO. My interview is on Monday at 3 PM (over the phone). Think happy thoughts!

What's my vision?

I've known for years that I am supposed to, as a motivated and goal-oriented person, have a personal vision. In South Africa I thought about this a lot. I believe that I've developed one or two over the years. But I still can't tell you what my vision is. I think I have more than one. Or maybe I just need to make it so vague that it will apply to my numerous interests. See, I still don't know for sure what I want to be. I know that I love cross-cultural exchange and I love helping animals. Those are big ones. Perhaps I can operate using temporary visions until I get more experience and hone my actual vision.

In the meantime, I shall proceed with my job applications. I've decided not to apply for that World Learning position in DC because the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I truly do not want to live there. I have not submitted my Willamette application but I'm close to finished. This afternoon I hope to submit my application for a programs assistant position with the Institute of International Liberal Education at Bard College in New York.

Willamette & World Learning

For the last hour or so I've been working on my application for an International Programs Advisor position at Willamette University, the alma mater of my good friend Devon. Willamette is in Oregon, and it has a rich culture of international engagement, environmental awareness, and other good things. It is my dream job! The closing date for applications is May 22 and they say they're hoping to have someone in place in June.

One of the really challenging aspects of the job hunt is achieving a balance between enthusiastic optimism and cautious realism. I need to believe the job is a possibility while I'm applying because otherwise my cover letter and resume won't be as well-crafted as they need to be. But at the same time, I have to temper that excitement so that I am not devastated when I don't get called back. For the record, I have applied for about 20 jobs and only received one invitation for an interview (at American Councils for International Education, where I interviewed twice but was ultimately not selected for the position).

20 may seem like a low number, but I am not conducting a haphazard job search. I'm conducting a very focused search in which I apply to positions which I am qualified for and interested in. Early on I realized that there is no point in applying for positions that I don't really want. I'm trying not to foster delusions that I will find the perfect job in the perfect place, but at the same time, I need to enjoy some aspect of a job or place to avoid becoming perfectly miserable.

Also, keep in mind that there aren't a lot of jobs out there right now.

I hope to submit my Willamette application on Monday or Tuesday. I'm also working on an application for an entry-level program associate position with the World Learning Visitor Exchange Program. The program associate "assists the program officer in implementing public diplomacy educational study programs for international participants, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and other governmental agencies." This is in Washington, DC. I would prefer not to live in DC but there are just so many jobs there!

I haven't heard back from Jake's Good Life, but at this point I'm not ready to follow up with them. I'm so busy as it is that I'm not going to seek out another commitment just yet.

Life is Good

On Friday I submitted my resume and references to a store in Hudson that carries the Life is Good brand of clothing. An acquaintance mentioned that they were looking to hire someone. While I do have writing/editing work to do for Kent Publishing Services (KPS), I'm thinking that having a job that requires me to show up at a specific place at a specific time may be good for me.

At this point, I am feeling quite antsy and figure that if I don't secure a job by the end of the summer, I will move to Colorado and go from there.

By the way, last week I submitted an application for a year-long unpaid internship (15 hours/week) with Global Explorers, which is an organization that facilitates international educational travel experiences for young people. Global Explorers is based in Fort Collins, CO. I spent an evening there on a high school mission trip and loved the place. Upon submitting my application, the director of the internship selection process contacted me to ask if I was planning on moving to Fort Collins. I explained that having recently returned from Peace Corps (though I'm not so 'recent' anymore), I had not yet settled anywhere and I would move to Fort Collins if I had the opportunity to intern with Global Explorers. But I'm still afraid that not being local detracts from my appeal. I've run into this situation several times during my job search. It matters not that I am more than willing to pay my way for an interview or for a move; out of state applicants only seem to complicate matters for potential employers. I'm hoping this won't be the case here.

Dog Park Culture

Today was my second trip to the dog park in Rocky River. My first trip took place a few months ago with April and Chris and their dog Snaps. It was cold, but the park was filled with dogs and their people. Today was warmer but wet, thanks to the ever-temperamental weather of springtime in Ohio. I was with Laurel and her dog Salem, a 12-year-old beagle mix who has the energy of a pup.

The dog park is a big fenced-in space where the dogs can sprint and sniff and cavort with each other. I get the dogs' excitement. I'd be excited, too. It's like going to an amusement park as a kid. Except it's free. And if you have thoughtful people taking care of you, you get to go several times a week.

I like that someone has designed a play area for dogs. To enter the dog park, we must open a gate, walk into a little holding area, and close the gate. This little space, the foyer of the dog park, exists to prevent the escape of hyped-up, deliriously happy canines. Once the first gate is securely shut, we can open the real gate, the one that puts us in the actual dog park. Usually a dog or two or ten will greet the new dog, welcoming him to their great glorious romp.

Today I was particularly observant because I had experienced the place before and was already somewhat fascinated by the culture of dog parks. Also, I am currently reading Cesar Millan's book, Cesar's Way, which is about understanding your dog and his/her behavior and needs. Cesar is the dog whisperer, man, and he knows his stuff. Meryl loaned me this book and it's great. Above all else, dogs need exercise. Hence the need for dog parks in the city.

So, once we stepped into the arena, Laurel set Salem free and hung up his leash on a nice little yellow board sporting hooks for this very purpose. Along with this accessory, there are Purell dispensers, poop bag dispensers, and trashcans in which to put the poop bags. Oh, there are also aluminum bowls and a water fountain so the dogs get plenty to drink. Everything you need is there in the dog park.

Laurel and I sipped our Starbucks drinks (a rare indulgence for me) and sat on one of the benches on the periphery of the park. Inevitably, you end up chatting with the other dog people: "Oh, is he yours? What's his name? How old is he? Is he part German Shepherd?" Soon you are laughing together. "Did you see that dog paw at the water bowl then pee right on it?" Very quickly you become TBF*. This dog-owning and -watching experience is, I suppose, kind of like Peace Corps–it facilitates instant bonding among strangers. They "get" the shedding, the bathing, the quirks, the story of how the dog was rescued. In the dog park, you belong to this community of people who all get it.

I like being at the dog park for these reasons. I don't have a dog and I've only been twice, but it's a cool place to hang out. I'd go by myself, though I envision someone cheerfully asking, "Which one is yours?" To which I respond by pointing out a cute brown and white mutt, only to have my new found friend say, "Um, no, that one is mine."

I suppose it's hard to fake having a dog.

*Temporary Best Friends