Job or no job, I feel so lucky in this world and know that moving up to Portland was the right thing to do (no matter how much money I lose in paying rent without an income). I mean, who doesn't love unexpected run-ins with the FBI, or living a block away from the "bike highway" that I swear has more rush-hour traffic of the two-wheel variety than it does of its four-wheeled friends? Or, how about the fact that I am two blocks, four blocks, six blocks and eight blocks away from a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, brewpubs, wineries, grocery stores and a public library--all in different directions, and ALL within walking distance.
I have an amazing network of friends up here, who come from college, grad school, traveling in Mexico and Korea--and that network is only expanding. Every time I'm out wandering about, with or without a purpose, I can't help but smile and just feel content. One week into my new life here in Portland, and I couldn't have conjured up a better concoction of life if I wanted!
In addition to an expanding social network, I'm trying hard to develop a professional network by going to volunteer expos and networking events, and taking people up on their offers to meet up--you never know what might happen! Today, I had lunch with a lovely woman who's the friend of a grad school professor, and who is considering a move out here after retirement. Her daughter has been here since 2005 and works for Nike opening stores for them around the country. If not in gerontology, an in with Nike would be quite the Plan B, I think! To be quite frank, I've always wanted to incorporate my gerontology background with them by getting them to start an adult day center or senior center for Nike employees' aging parents. How cool would that be? "What do you do?" "Oh, I run a senior center for the aging parents of Nike employees, who otherwise would be stuck in an assisted living facility or nursing home." Cooooool.
And, this morning I had coffee with the president of a nationally prominent nonprofit organization working with youth and he was kinder than I ever could have hoped for. He brought such a positive energy to our meeting and it's easy to see why he's at the top for the Oregon and SW Washington chapter. He provided a lot of insight about various organizations in Portland and different networking ideas. As appreciative as I am to hear insights like that from a successful professional, perhaps what will make the biggest difference in me finding a job is that he told me to email him every time I apply for a new job and he'll see who he knows at that organization, and if he doesn't know an employee or the executive director, he'll check their board, and if he doesn't know a board member, he'll find someone who knows someone there. BAM!
This is a man who, if and when I ever find myself in a situation where I can give back to him, I most certainly will. Thank you world, for bringing him into my life!
You know, even if nothing comes out of a connection with the two people I met with today, it's a step in the right direction, gets me just a little more connected, helps me learn a little more about Portland and gives me new ideas about how to find employment. Most of all, however, it gives me a glimpse of hope again just when that hope starts to disappear...
Let the amazingness continue!
I have an amazing network of friends up here, who come from college, grad school, traveling in Mexico and Korea--and that network is only expanding. Every time I'm out wandering about, with or without a purpose, I can't help but smile and just feel content. One week into my new life here in Portland, and I couldn't have conjured up a better concoction of life if I wanted!
In addition to an expanding social network, I'm trying hard to develop a professional network by going to volunteer expos and networking events, and taking people up on their offers to meet up--you never know what might happen! Today, I had lunch with a lovely woman who's the friend of a grad school professor, and who is considering a move out here after retirement. Her daughter has been here since 2005 and works for Nike opening stores for them around the country. If not in gerontology, an in with Nike would be quite the Plan B, I think! To be quite frank, I've always wanted to incorporate my gerontology background with them by getting them to start an adult day center or senior center for Nike employees' aging parents. How cool would that be? "What do you do?" "Oh, I run a senior center for the aging parents of Nike employees, who otherwise would be stuck in an assisted living facility or nursing home." Cooooool.
And, this morning I had coffee with the president of a nationally prominent nonprofit organization working with youth and he was kinder than I ever could have hoped for. He brought such a positive energy to our meeting and it's easy to see why he's at the top for the Oregon and SW Washington chapter. He provided a lot of insight about various organizations in Portland and different networking ideas. As appreciative as I am to hear insights like that from a successful professional, perhaps what will make the biggest difference in me finding a job is that he told me to email him every time I apply for a new job and he'll see who he knows at that organization, and if he doesn't know an employee or the executive director, he'll check their board, and if he doesn't know a board member, he'll find someone who knows someone there. BAM!
This is a man who, if and when I ever find myself in a situation where I can give back to him, I most certainly will. Thank you world, for bringing him into my life!
You know, even if nothing comes out of a connection with the two people I met with today, it's a step in the right direction, gets me just a little more connected, helps me learn a little more about Portland and gives me new ideas about how to find employment. Most of all, however, it gives me a glimpse of hope again just when that hope starts to disappear...
Let the amazingness continue!
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