Sorry for the radio silence, but it’s been a busy time. I was wondering why I wasn’t making progress on the book, so I took the time to write down what I really do with my time, and lo and behold! about three hours on any given day is dedicated to writing resumes and cover letters (I manufacture a custom one for each job app), and another two hours is spent at the gym, with two hours after that spent recovering. That takes up a good chunk of the day.
On the other hand, all that resume-writing is paying off; I’ve had two interviews this week and am having a phone interview tomorrow. The two interviews were both serious, full interviews (as opposed to phone screens) and I think it’s quite likely that one or more of them will make me an offer. Of course, I’ve said that before, so I’m continuing to look. At this point I’ll believe in an offer when I see one. But it looks hopeful.
Gym-wise, I’ve seen some definite improvements in strength and waistline. For my Wednesday interview, I accidentally put on the wrong pair of black slacks to go with the suit. I was a bit surprised because they felt a bit tight–turned out they were the pair that REALLY didn’t fit a few months ago! As in, I had to suck in my breath to get it buttoned and it was like wearing an iron band around my middle. Now they’re just a little bit tight, not too bad, and the pants I bought a month ago are loose. (Hey, you can’t have everything. 😉 )
My jeans have also switched from being tight around the butt to being tight around the lower thighs (quad muscles). This is a Good Thing, and will only get better as I go back to cycling.
I’ve also added one size up top, which is impressive. I’ve gone from a size 10 to a size 12. (And no, not because of the waistline; the old suit got tight around the shoulders/arms.) So I’m pleased. (I was a size six back when I didn’t do *any* weight training. No kidding. It’s all muscle.)
One thing that gets me cranky about women’s weight training books (which I mostly ignore)is that they always start by explaining that women don’t have testosterone so no, you don’t have to worry about bulking up. Good gods, what’s WRONG with looking muscular? I think solid muscles look a lot better than skinny. There’s nothing wrong with looking strong. (And yes, we do bulk up–just not as much as men do.)
Just for amusement value, despite all these alterations my weight has not changed: I’m 5’0″ and 152 pounds, the same as before. 🙂 Also, by BMI, I’m two pounds shy of being clinically obese. *chuckle*
Once I’m employed again, I do want to get a personal trainer: I want to get seriously into weightlifting for the next four months, then go back to cycling. It’s kinda dumb to alternate the two sports, since they work actively against each other, but I love doing both, so why choose?
Fiber-wise, the blackwork project is going along nicely, and I got a call from Wooly Knob Fiber Mill–the stuff I sent in is FINALLY washed and being sent back to me! So that will be nice, though spinning is pretty much on hold, since I’m working on the blackwork project.
Anyway, the big news for the week is the interviews; both companies I’ve talked to so far are seriously interested in me, which makes me very happy. I *think* at least one of them will make me an offer. I hope, anyway. Two years and three months of unemployment is WAY more than enough.
Tien
