IT Employment Outlook in 2007 - very promising!

I got this article in my email today from monster.com. Yes it's about IT employment and yes, my resume is still out there, waiting for the perfect IT (perfect by my own personal definition) that I can consider.

I took MIS when I was in college because of the demand for IT graduates back then. I worked for a great company after graduation from college. It was a great experience. I probably wouldn't have the though processing and task orientation today had I not done the job that I did for the company I worked for.

But after 5 years, I decided it's time for me to do what I've always wanted. I grew up in a restaurant. Almost literally. Cooking is in my blood. Since I was that little fat kid in the kitchen, I've always wated to cook. But I wanted to go pro. So going to Culinary School was really on my list. But I knew I have to go to college first, take a 'real' degree and have a 'real' job. And then I can decide if I still want to do this whole culinary thing. And I did.

So I started over. Now I'm a quarter away from finishing school and I have a job waiting for me in San Francisco. But just like anybody starting over, there's the issue of economics. Money does matter. Culinary School is an investment. How do I break even?

This article about IT Employment Outlook in 2007 is making me think it over.

But my heart is where I am now. I guess I will just have to pay the price for pursuing my passion. And work towards one day making what I may be losing now not being in IT.

But perhaps I can still do IT part time. I guess it's time... it's time for me to update my resume.

Missing Work

Pastry Team
Originally uploaded by Namee.

For real! I miss my job. I think I've been out of the kitchen for too long. I'm back in Chicago finishing culinary school but I miss the real deal in the kitchens of San Francisco.

I miss the smell of the walk-ins, the scent of strawberries and mayer lemons, the aroma of roasted tomatoes, freshly baked bread and toasted nuts. I miss the heat, the rush of adrenalin, the intensity of energy, the clanking of pots and pans, the sizzling of fish on saute... even the raised voices.

I can't wait to go back.

Girl Gimmick With Gwen

I went out with my girlfriend Gwen tonight. I met her friend, Donna, too who's in volunteer work with her. We just wanted to go out and breath I guess. Dance a little bit. Hang out. De-stress.

We went to Funky Buddha on Grand and Milwaukee. It was fun! Low key. We met a few people. We really didn't have a lot of energy to drink and socialize. We all know though that we just needed to dance away the stress.

I'm not a proponent of meeting guys at a bar. I believe that if there's someone special out there for me, he'll be somewhere else, with something better to do than checking out ladies at a bar.

I met a few guys, they did ask for my number, I gave them A number (773-202-5862, sounds familiar? let's sing it together... 773-202-L-U-N-A)

There's this guy I gave my real number too though, he said his name is Jose. I'm not sure if that's his real name, or he just said Jose because I said my name is Maria (which is really my name except that I don't really go by THAT name). He looked Latin so I asked him if he speaks Spanish, he answered, I speak French too! Interesting! Although, I don't think he'll call. I wasn't very friendly. I was having one of my unsociable social moments.

I had a lot of fun with the girls! Now back to the grind.

Culinary portfolios to write, recipes to go over, prep list to plan...

The Girl WithOUT the Pearl Earrings

I think it's almost quintessential Filipina to wear pearls. I wear pearls almost all the time. Although when I travel especially when I'm taking public tranportation, I just use the fancy ones. Those that I won't feel bad losing.

I was at Borders today on N State St., (on State and Randolph), the lady at the coffee bar complemented my eyeglasses and my earrings. She said I look very nice in my earrings and asked if she can have them. So without hesitation I took them off and handed them over to her. She said she'll buy me coffee for being so nice and making her smile. As I was insisting on the payment, she was returning the earrings to me. So I refused and told her she can have them and I mean it. She was very happy and said, 'I don't know why people steal small things when they can actually get it if they ask nicely."

I just smiled. I walked away happily with my big cup of capuccino knowing that I touched someone, somehow, in a special way.

NYR#3 - See Wicked

Wicked.JPG
Originally uploaded by Namee.

I'm WOWED! I've been wanting to see Wicked. My schedule just wouldn't permit it. I was running errands today and as I passed by the theater, I decided to ask if they have any seat free for the night. Luckily, I got one! I decided to go with it even if I have to go by myself.

I'm so glad I went. I really enjoyed the musical. I want to see it again! But before I do that, perhaps it'll help if I read or watch the Wizard of Oz again.

And of course, my new favorite Broadway Song:

"As Long As You're Mine"

music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

(Copyright by Stephen Schwartz. Used with permission.)

From the script:

ACT TWO, Scene 4: A clearing in the Great Gillikin Forest. Night. A campfire.

Elphaba and Fiyero are alone at last...

ELPHABA:
Kiss me too fiercely
Hold me too tight
I need help beliveing
You're with me tonight
My wildest dreamings
Could not foresee
Lying beside you
With you wanting me

JUST FOR THIS MOMENT
AS LONG AS YOU'RE MINE
I'VE LOST ALL RESISTANCE
AND CROSSED SOME BORDERLINE
AND IF IT TURNS OUT
IT'S OVER TOO FAST
I'LL MAKE EV'RY LAST MOMENT LAST
AS LONG AS YOU'RE MINE…

FIYERO:
Maybe I'm brainless
Maybe I'm Wise
But you've got me seeing
Through different eyes
Somehow I've fallen
Under your spell
And somehoe I'm feeling
It's "UP" that I fell ...

BOTH:
Every Moment
As long as you're mine
I'll wake up my body
And make up for lost time...

FIYERO:
SAY THERE'S NO FUTURE
FOR US AS A PAIR ...

BOTH:
AND THOUGH I MAY KNOW
I DON'T CARE …

Just for this moment
As long as you're mine
Come be how you want to
And see how bright we shine
Borrow the moonligh
Until it is throught
And know I'll be here holding you
As long as you're mine...

(Fiyero studies her face.)

FIYERO
What is it?

ELPHABA
(beat)
It's just-- for the first time, I feel wicked.