Post 20: Local market

Now that you had a coupe of days brake from from my eating habit, I thought that I could safely broach the subject again and have your attention. The Fact about organic food is the cost, but what most people don't know (I didn't) is that you actually have to pay to gt the USDA or other organic logo on you product. Which means there is many product that are organic but do not have the label because they can't afford it. This is most of the time true for the small Local Farms.

Not only you give a boost to you local economy, but on top of that you get fresh products. These items take from a couple of hours to a couple of day to get to your table, versus items imported from different parts of the Country and what to say about the majority which comes from overseas.

I am not saying that I will eat exclusively Local food, but I will definitely give it a harder try.

But again it comes to time. Who wants to go to three different sources to get the shopping done for dinner. Or dealing with a new recipe and a list of ingredients after a day of work.

As for eating healthy food... most of the time when I was done with work and had to think about dinner, I will go to the easy, fast and a recipe approved long ago by all my family members, and if some time it's so called comfort food, there is nothing wrong with that, at least it's not take out...

I've done it too to my greatest shames. We're only human after all.

Post 19: Carreer options

Looking what is on the market made me rethink my career options.

I enjoyed very much working with every single of my clients and will do it again if the occasion arises, but I will love extend my competences in different fields.

I would love to work within a team, have more architectural decision to make. I am very good at space planning and will be very competent in a remodeling process like an addition. I will love to be involved in commerical jobs like restaurants, hotels.

Or the opposite go into details and do accessorising I love this last touch in a project when everything comes together. I also loved doing my window display in my Studio. I actually got accepted in a very exclusive school for window display in France.

Pursuing those two different interest I also applied to Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and West Elm,and Restauration Hardware so far. To do the set up for the photo shoot in the catalogues. I don't want to rule anything out just yet. We will see what kind of opportunity will present itself.

Post 18: Quarentined

While I was bragging about my cooking and healthy choices, last week, I was fighting the flu and consumed fluids only chicken soup or other kind of soup, hot tea with lemon and honey and plenty of water. It's a wonder how I didn't make a tidal sound when walking around.

I had even more time to spend at home since my friends quarantined me, non of them wanted to share my germs. i spend a lot of time in bed, in front of the TV and in front of my computer.

I explored all kind of new job hunting websites.

I didn't hear from this wonderful match I replied to last week on Monster.com but it only lasted a couple of days in the listing. Maybe they were submerged with such flow of resume that they had to withdraw the add. I was clever enough to write down all the information and went on line in search of the actual company hiring. I ended up on a different career search engine.

called Execu/search. So I am an executive who knew? This particular site is very detailed oriented the profile you enter is sharp. You can also submit your resume and they will contact you with a matching profile. It did take some time to fill up the application but they actually sent me a pertinent offer. Unfortunately it was in a Hospitality Design and I have no expertise in the area. I followed the same process on Craigs list and now they do all the work for me I get an email with all the matching profiles, there isn't that many. This is very productive and These are the two sites that really work for me. You need to do some serious browsing before you get result but it worth it.

Post 17: Nutrition lecture

While I was reflecting on all those eating habits. I had an opportunity to attend a lecture about nutrition. When my husband or daughter were trying to explain the mystery of carb and protein and theirs respective benefit I wasn't really interested. But when I attended this meeting I was ready to hear and take action. Before we all left the lecture the host said if we remember only three things from this it will be an amazing progress.

Here are the three things I singled from the lecture as significant:

No diet/fat free/sugar free/caffeine free products. As much as I didn't like any of these, and didn't use them I had now an additional reason for it. The calories might be less, but the price is still high to pay as the chemicals or substitutes are worst for your health. For my part I always preferred a smaller portion of a deliciously sinful desert. The revelation for me was that the caffeine free version was as toxic as the rest of the fat free, etc family. From now on i will only stick to the real thing.

No processed food. This include white sugar and white breads. From now on I only use brown sugar in my coffee and honey in my tea. As for the white bread there is no way I could live without my French baguette, I am French after all. But in fact I like any kind of good bread and more often I go for the whole grain version.

Eat organic. No only non organic food is loaded with hormones, pesticides and antibiotics but on top of that it was also robed from its taste and nurturiants. I was already buying organic milk, eggs and most of my meat, I will now include some fruits and vegetables.

Drink plenty of water. As a bonus reminder since I like most people don't drink enough. I will try to remember to carry around my bottle of Evian, especially in the car. And since it's available you reach for it, and before you know it, had your daily fill of H2O.

I do not pretend to have a perfect diet, but a healthier one. And baby steps are better than no step at all.

Post 16: Cooking challenges

I like to cook and experiment new recipe. Sometime they're delicious and some time not quite so.
Most of the time I need to remember a couple of thing to change for the next try, which I write on the recipe.

Lately my cooking was challenged by my family members which have different need/taste/schedule. My husband for instance is an accomplish athlete and is very particular about his proteins and carb intake, and I don't even mention the couple of weeks before a race.
My daughter which doesn't like to be around anything related to cooking likes to eat and only cooked meals. A sandwich, wrap, bagel or salad is "not food", soup is OK.
As for my son which had a vegetarian moment, not liking vegetables is pretty hard. He would be perfectly happy eating only Junk Food. With maybe a couple of healthy choices.

Imagine what diners were like for me, always one or more were not happy about my choices.
it got to the point where each person had to pick a meal for the week and if they had no idea were not allowed to complain. Over summer they had to choose a new recipe or just mention their favorite meal. it certainly helped, got everyone involved and I didn't have to think about diner menu as much as a bonus.

Post 15: Home improvment projects

To fill my days I lined up some projects
Organize comes first. Over summer I got rid of all junk accumulated over the years, with my mom help we did it in no time and had a Garage sale. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun, the kids helped and were allowed to sell their stuff and keep the money. I made over $2000 in the process. Got rid of the old to make room for the new.

I also organized 10 years worth of recipes collected patiently and dumped in a large cardboard box. Of course I could never find the one I was looking for. Now everything is sorted, compartmented and I already tried some of my favorite.

I would like to duplicate this acomplishment on my Photos, since we got a digital camera nothing got printed. Another 10 years of documents to go through. every one in my family miss the old version of photos albums you can look at from time to time. So this is what I will focus on next.
since I don't like to have any mess in my house I set up a large table in the basement for that purpose.

Post 14: I have time

Now that I don't have a job, I have something I was craving for TIME, and I am going to use every minute of it for big and small projects I had to postpone for lack of time.

I do have two grown children, aside from feeding them from time to time they pretty much tend to themselves. But they still need a lot of attention and it always happened when you expect it the least.

For instance when my daughter had an urge to unload her soul was always during my special time. I will get ready for a relaxing bubble bath, with candles and soft music, sometime even with a glass of chilly white wine. here I am ready to relax with my favorite book when she will come in sit down on the tub and reveal it all. Of course the urgency of relaxing step aside while. I get lost in her tales. Priceless

My son on the other side is very secretive and private, he will spend most of his evening in his bedroom, with the door closed and music blasting. I can hardly get out a couple of monosyllabic answers from him at the dinner table. Evey morning i drive him to school and this is my special time with my son. Sometime we talk, sometime I lecture and he has to listen, sometime we argue, but nevertheless i will not give it up. I will also gladly give up my time to relax for him too (maybe not in a bubble bath though)

Post 13: New title for my Blog

Since I've started my Blog it side tracked from it's original purpose, it's almost like it has a mind of its own.

Checking my emails, new job posts on the web and sending a couple of resume became my morning routine since I've started looking for a job, but there isn't really much to comment on.

On the other hand thinking about my daily entry for the blog keep me challenged. I enjoy the process of pinpointing the one stripe of you day worth talking about. Since I don't allow anything negative I train my mind to focus on the positive side of things, I will be documenting on each day happy moment and share it with you.
It boost my mood and lift my spirit.

Today I give my Blog a new Title Job Hunt and Life will be more appropriate.

Post 12: Garage sale

I woke up with a sore throat and cough, I guess I brought more than exotic souvenirs from Hong Kong.

Today is a perfect sunny, warm, fall day. I went in my back yard to pick up the chestnuts (not the edible kind) and shells before the squirrels hide them in their personal pantry underground for winter. I did gather a garbage full.

As much as I enjoy dressing up and beautiful interiors, I also love the outdoors. Love the smell of autumn, the leafy, mushroomy wet one, and there is no better smell to me than freshly cut grass. I don't mind dirt under my fingernails. It certainly had to do with my ancestors farmer in Poland. It's in my genes.

Post 11: I have my head in the clouds

This morning I went back on all Job Board web sites to see thee was anything new, but no.
Monster.com is the one I like the best. I also checked my emails hopeful that I might get an answer from the adds I sent my Resume to, but here also nothing. I was particularly hopeful about one of the application which I think would be a perfect match. It's only been a couple of days...

My family often complain about my lack of attention, it is true that I let my mind wonder and have my head in the clouds more that the average person and here a perfect example:
Later this morning I went to the dentist and since it was a small intervention she decided not to numb the treated area, she asked me a couple of times if it hurts, when she said something for the third time I just shake my head from left to right, in fact she was asking me to open wider and I like a five year old was shaking my head no, no, no...

Post 10: I feel sooooo lousy today

Today I fell sooooooo lousy today.

I went to bed yesterday at 9pm and woke up at 10:30am with a horrible migraine, vertigo, nausea, you name it. i am not sure if this is the jet lag or something else, but i wasn't able to do a single thing...SORRY

Tomorow is another day.

Post 9: Postcards

Back to business...

Before I left for Hong Kong I sent over 20 post cards to previous Clients with my new email address and cell phone. Next week I will call about 1/3 to see if they have any new projects in mind for the Holiday season.

Meanwhile I emailed a couple of my Resume to previous business contacts.

I also went to different JOB BOARD websites on line like Monster, Career Builder, Craigs List, Hot Jobs, Indeed and Mayor of the Mall.
I had a pleasant surprise to see a couple of very attractive post, to which I applied on the spot.
One in particular seams very promising...we'll see.

After all morning browsing on the web I am exhausted, looking for a job is hard work.

Post 8: Luxuries

This is a basket with a welcom tea at the Hotel.

Hong Kong is the most convenient modern airport I've ever seen, you get out of the taxi at the train terminal down town, and check your luggage right there, taking the train to the airport luggage free.

I also had the pleasant surprise to be upgraded to business class and travel next to Jean in blissful comfort.

Back home...I am happy to do my own laundry and cooking.
These luxuries are dangerously addictive, you could very easily get use to it if you're not careful...

Post 7: Traditional Chineese Medecine

Today I went to Jade Street where you can find Jade in any shape, size and price imaginable.
I never knew that this semi precious stone not only comes in all shades of green, (from very pale, almost white to deep green), but also in yellow, orange and purple. there is also old Jade which comes in different shades of browns, (again from milky white to dark brown) this is also the one I like the best. Of course the most beautiful carvings are done in the best quality jade and the cost even for a small piece can be astonishing.

After all the excitement and a lot of walking my back hurts and when we go with Jean to Temple Street at night I decide to see a doctor and try the famous Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is made from Natural Ingredients (something like an ancient version of ) I was given an acupuncture session on the spot and a prescription for my remedy. It takes about 45mn to prepare it so we are told to come back when it is ready. At this point it's already after 8pm and the shop will be closed but someone will wait for me and open the door.
When I come back to pick up my medicine and the old pharmacist open the door for me, I see on the counter a huge bowl with an, ill smelling, diarrhoea looking steaming mixture .
My throat closes and while I am trying to imagine how in the world I am going to swallow this ...thing. The pharmacist comes back with my medicine the size and smell of the dark brown liquid is a slight improvement from the one I was agonizing over; which was, I am shamed to admit: his dinner. I reach for the bowl and drink it strait, trying not to taste, smell, think what it might be made of , and force the warm liquid down my throat.

I am not sure about the effect on my back, but it definitely improved my transit to put it mildly, the experience was...interesting

Post 6: Meditation practice

Everyday I need to do about 30minutes of physical therapy exercise for my back/neck problem.
I've been doing it for months now and incorporated some yoga stretching movements into my routine. At the end I lay down for my meditation practice and try to stay still and relax for a count of a 100 deep breath.

You won't believe how difficult it is to do nothing, even if you have no plans to rush to some how you are always in a rush. I try very hard to concentrate on my breathing, in and out, and not to let my mind wander, but during that short period of time and still have to snap it back into focus numerous times.

Here I am laying down on the floor of my hotel room when an almost inaudible noise coming from the window call my attention, I open one eye to see a guy coming down in a metal basket through the window; I am on the 42nd floor, I first thought is " this is it I've reached the Nirvana state", the next "thanks god a least I am properly dressed".

Post 5: Hong Kong maze

This morning I decide to follow a Tai Chi class.

The class starts at 8am, I've been awake since 4am so I am ready to get started.
I ask the Bell man at the Hotel lobby for directions and get rewarded with a very confusing explanation about underground corridors in a more than average English. He also gives me a street map and as I accept the piece of paper start walking in the general direction he is gesturing in. The location is only a couple of blocks away, but very quickly I get lost as I realise that the only way to cross the street is to go over or under it. You pretty much never use the side walk unless you take a taxi, bus or trmway. In fact the Whole Central Hong Kong rely on an intricate above ground (Concord) or underground system for circulation.
You can go from on Business Center, Shopping Mall or Hotel to the next, which render my Street map useless as it would be more convenient to know the main buildings names and not the streets ones.
Needless to say that I never made it to my Tai Chi class but went back to the hotel instead thinking that I did get my morning exercise anyway running up and down trying to find my way in Hong Kong.

Post 4: An unexpected trip

Sorry for the delay in posting my everyday news but I had some difficulties with the set up of the blog page which is in Chinese...

I am in Hong Kong for a couple of days following my husband on a business trip. I couldn't miss the opportunity. Here I am standing exhausted, after a 16 hours flight, at the reception of the beautiful Island Shangri-La Hotel. The hostess at the reception goes through the checking in process. She gives me back my visa card holding it with two hands and slightly bowing. I saw that simple gesture a thousand times while living in Singapore and in that moment of recognition I am submerged in a wave of emotions, I didn't realieze I missed Asia so much.

Post 3: A good start

Carps are the symbol of prosperity in business that why you often have aquariums in business locations, Chinese strongly believe in Feng Shui.

Today I will be updating all my contact lists Previous Clients, Vendors, Contractors, peoples I had a personnal or business connection through my Design Studio.
As I sit down for breakfast sipping on my coffee and starting my day, I came across my Horoscope in a magazine. I only believe in it when it' s good anyway...

"If you love what you do, passion and drive can almost guarantee sucess. Don't let your life become boring; spice it up by injecting some frivolous fun."

this is exactly what I intend to do...

"Draw upon your contacts; friends in high places can send your career rocketing to the stars."

this is realy a good start don't you think?

Post 2: My schedule

First things first, I need to come up with a schedule otherwise I will get nothing done.
I need to compartment my daily routine between my job hunt, my "home work", fitness plan, etc... I will set aside 3 hours 3 times a week for my job hunt related work preferably in the morning, as the afternoons will be to see new collections, visit showrooms or new vendors as being up do date on all that happening within the trade is essential.
I will also attend ASID or other professional networking events which will more likely be in the evening.

As I do not blog on week ends I will see you next week.

Blog day 1

This blog will be a daily update on my job hunting progress.
How I reinvent myself and keep busy.

As the kids go back to school and life goes back to normal after the summer's hectic schedule, I have a challenge on my own as I stand on the starting blocks for a job hunt. I realize that it might be challenging but I want to keep a positive attitude, my spirit and expectations high. This blog will give me a sense of purpose as I will write everyday to update you on my progress. I am counting on my family and friends to lift my spirit when needed, and if in return I make you smile my energy won't be wasted.

Stay tuned