Blessings and Dreams

As I have been praying, pondering and playing over the past week I have realized two things.

First of all, I am SO VERY BLESSED!! I have a large group of amazing people surrounding me. People to play with, pray with, lean on, and talk with. I have a fellowship of solid believers, people that challenge me to grow my relationship with the Lord, people that encourage me in the hard times and lift me up.

Secondly, I know what I would do if I could do anything in the world--I would get a part time job that pays the sames as a full time job. This way I could support myself and have plenty of time to create fellowship, hospitality and community happen. How do I do this?!

No, I do NOT have a job!

Around close of business a couple Thursdays ago got an email:

We have had your CV returned to us from our Stakeholders with a recommendation for us not to employ you on the grounds of experience and qualification.

It is with regret that Al Shaheen LLC is withdrawing your preliminary offer of employment.

OUCH!! Mom, Dad and I sat in the living room and cried for a bit. What do I even say to that?! I had signed an acceptance of the job offer, but the job still didn't work out. The reason is complicated and ridiculous. I have spent the week and a half since doing a lot of thinking. 

Maybe it is time to go back to school. Maybe God will provide better. I have one friend who keeps saying it is because something bigger and better is coming. To this I said, "Maybe I'll get to train elephants!" At this point anything is possible. 

I am researching schools and possible things to study at those schools. I am applying for jobs all over the place. I am asking myself, "If I could do ANYTHING in the world right now what would it be?"

SHOES!!!

Remember how I had to go shopping for a suit and I found it so hard to do? Well it was a challenge but I got through it and I learned a little something in the process. I learn two things about myself:

1. I love wearing my new suit jacket with jeans and heels. Wow. Sassy fun!

2. I LOVE SHOES!! Though I have always know I enjoyed shoes of an active nature--Chacos, Tevas, Keens, etc.--I did not know that dress shoes could be so fun!

Do I have a job?!

August 11, 2010, exactly 23 months from the day I left Albania I received a job offer!

Back in December of 2009 I was told of an organization that will be working with local High School Students to improve their interpersonal skills and increase their emotional intelligence. This was to be done with programs in the schools that use youth group/camp type activities and military training exercises that promote the development of self-esteem and skills outside of the academic. Sounded SO interesting!!

I applied immediately, was giving another person to contact, and was then told hiring would begin in February. I didn’t hear and didn’t hear. In March I heard from a third person in regards to the hiring—it had been delayed. Throughout the spring and summer I would hear from different people at the company every six weeks or so and was always told that hiring hadn’t yet begun. Four weeks ago I sent my resume (again) to an HR firm in England that had been hired to help with the hiring process. That lady informed me that I was cleared and my info had been sent to the company in the UAE. I never heard more...

UNTIL…

…Saturday the 7^th, I received a call about an interview. I interviewed the 10^th and was offered a job the 11^th. I am supposed to start around the 1^st of September and have been offered a salary that will allow me to live and get my own place to live too. Wow!

Is it too good to be true? After the last two long years I can’t imagine having a solid job that will support me. I am waiting for it to fall apart but remaining hopeful in spite of myself. 

Thursday, around 11am, I get a call. “Hello Caitlin, It is M-- with ERM. Remember me?” I did and she proceeded to ask me to come in to their office. “Could I come in Sunday? I’m really busy today.” “Well no, you meet the client Sunday?” “Oh so you are giving me a job?!” “Yes. Please come.”

I ended up going in to their office, was told they would hire me as a freelance and that I would meet the client Sunday. Wow.

I need a SUIT!! This job requires professional work cloths...hummm....

Enter wonderful Angie! Angie spent a long Friday cruising all the malls with me and helping me to understand business/professional dress. It was a VERY stressful day for me. Every time I looked in the mirror I saw someone that looked like me but was dressed oddly. I'll forever be grateful for Angie's patience and help.

Upon finally choosing the suit and purchasing it I brought it home and modeled it. "Isn't it a little snug?" inquired Mom. It was quite stressful. How could I do the job if I couldn't even find the right cloths!? Later that day I got in to the actual work and enjoyed it. Though I shopping is a huge challenge I enjoyed the work!

That job is now finished and once again I am waiting. 

A Possible New Career...

A Friday evening in Abu Dhabi; a creative, wonderful friend hosting a theme party… A ROCK STAR IS BORN!

With a month’s notice before the night of the “Red Carpet Rock Star” party I was able to be fully prepared:  A top from Emirates Discount Market, a guitar made of duct tape and cardboard, jewelry that belonged to grandma and great-grandma, and a wonderful sister to help with makeup, hair and shoes—I am ready!!

I didn’t know I could look like a rock star but apparently I can. 

Dad acted as my bodyguard and Mamma promoted me as my agent. *Cait-astrophy* rolled up to the party while Cait wondered if maybe she should pursue a new career. It is way too much fun to dress up, party and dance all night, and to be photographed.

Though I have NO musical skills what-so-ever, I do love to sing and party. Is that enough? Did I miss my calling?!

Post Op!

I have survived and fully recovered from my first surgery! It was wonderful now that it is over. The morning of the surgery involved a lot of waiting while wearing a BRIGHT green hospital robe. I sure felt silly. My daddy waited with me as nurses came in and out of the room getting information. Catheters hurt a lot more than I thought they would. You can feel then in your veins! Weird. The anesthesiologist was a bit crazy. She gave me a commentary on medicines I was taking though she didn't know my history or anything. I just hope there is no one that listens to her and haves major health issues!

When it came time for the surgery they wheeled me to the OR on my bed. I wanted to see where I was going so I would hold my head up and they kept telling me to relax and push me back down. As I entered surgery they cleaned the wheels of my bed... I had fun breathing in the special gas that put me to sleep. The last thing I remember was wanting to tell them that my hand felt really weird as they pumped stuff into my catheter but not being able to move. 

Next thing I know several people are crowded around me, talking to me, wiping my face, trying to get me to wake up and I was FREEZING. I began shaking uncontrollably, but then the best thing EVER happened...they put some sort of blanket on me that they blew warm air into. It inflated gently with warm air that covered and cuddled me--like a soft, inflatable, raft for floating in the pool. I so want one of these for my house!!

All too soon they were removing this and rolling me and my bed back to my room. The pain began. For several hours I was in and out of consciousness as the nurses came in and out to check on me and the effects of the anesthetic wore off. They brought me two things of ice cream--I ate two bites. 

My wonderful brother and sister came to visit me but I could only say hi and that I was sleepy. I love that they visited, but couldn't entertain them so they left after only a short while and I slept more. 

The doctor came and wanted to know how I was. I told him in a raspy voice that I hurt a lot. He laughed at me!! Apparently I smiled while saying I was in pain and no one ever does that. He said I could leave after 6pm, but he also brought more food and said I HAD to eat it before I could leave--one ice cream, one yogurt, a creme caramel pudding cup and a box of apple juice. I admit, I didn't drink the apple juice...all we know about apple juice suggests it shouldn't burn but it did, burned a lot! I didn't drink it.

At a little before 6pm Dad showed up. He brought me an adorable stuff camel, picked up my medicine and we left. I even got wheeled out in a wheel chair!!

This is my mouth tonsil free! Taken 7 days post-op.

Once again I praise God for my unemployment!! Recovery required 10 days at home and then it was a full two weeks before I was one hundred percent again.