Greetings, EXers! As some of you know, I'm a sucker for milestones, which includes cool numbers. Today's number (1717) is especially notable because 17 has always been my lucky number. I was born on the 17th of January. I was married the first time on the 17th of June and the second time on the 17th of May. The first number I ever went bingo on was I-17. So double 17 must be portentous, right?
Well, I certain hope so. I am still looking for a job, and I'm doing my best to quell the panic. I'll spare you the details, but I'm even considering reinstating my law license, not to open a law practice (I'm way too old and tired to do that), to do temp legal document reviews. If I'm licensed I can get $10 more an hour for that work, and there's more work available. I'm waiting to find out what it would cost to get licensed, and if I need to take the Bar Exam again. If I'm required to sit for the Bar Exam it won't be worth it. They only give the exam in July and February of each year, and I'm not waiting until February. Although I passed it with flying colors in 1987 I'm quite sure that in 2020 it would be much more of a struggle. And it's crazy expensive to do. So we'll see. I've sent out what feels like a gazillion but is probably more like 75 applications, and I've gotten about 7 responses, so it's really imperative that I keep up a good attitude. I did spend 3 days in bed last week after I had 2 interviews that turned out to be "we've already filled the position you applied for, but we'll keep your resume on hand." Then I had a telephone interview with Capital One in which they said the same thing and told me I needed to take a 2 hour online assessment, which consisted of 70 "lifestyle and work" questions, and a verbal reasoning test (17 minutes to do 30 questions) and numeric reasoning (also 17 minutes to do 30 questions). I took the first part yesterday, but ended up with computer problems, so I will take the two remaining parts after I finish this blog.
I have enrolled in a clinical trial for a drug to treat fatty liver disease (I think they should definitely find a new name for that -- it's embarrassing to say "fatty"). It should be really interesting. It goes over 12 weeks and there's a 25% chance I'll be on the placebo. They even pay $50 per session (there will be 8 of them).
So that's pretty much what's going on around here. Despite my anxiety about the future and distress about the job search, I haven't even thought about smoking. To the newbies who have gotten past the personal stuff above, please know that it gets so much easier. Those first days, weeks and months of our quits are so fraught with angst, and smoking seems like the thing we want least (and most) to do. But there will come a time, sooner than you think, when thoughts of smoking barely register. Yes, you will occasionally think about smoking, but it's nothing more than a passing recollection. Take it from someone who was a heavy smoker for over half a century who thought she would be the last smoker on the planet. It isn't easy but it is SO doable. Keep on keepin' on with your quit and you will be so happy you did.
Love to all!
