I didn’t think this post was going to get this long, but you know me. If you’d like to read only about my new job, click here.
I guess I’ll start with Wednesday, since it sort of coincides with yesterday’s events. Let’s see…I got a call from Mr. Marks, the Career Services guy who’d helped me revise my resume last Monday. He asked if I’d taken any of my resumes to the places he’d told me were hiring and I told him no, that my brother had my car so I didn’t want to get a job and then have to miss because I didn’t have a ride. He told me about the hospitals down here and how there were 5 openings. I was pumped and got the info and was making plans to buy resume paper for when I picked up the applications. Then I remembered John’s stupid car was in the shop.
I got a call about 30 minutes later from Mary that John’s car (the Deathmobile, AKA Vish, AKA the Civic) was ready. It had been in the shop since it had a whole bunch of things wrong with it and I need my Sentra back (which John is driving till his car’s fixed) so I was in a hurry to get it over and done with. I couldn’t go on my job search until I could use my car again.
Well, I was thrilled that it was ready, but not-so-thrilled when she told me she wanted me to go pick it up. I moped around and silently threw fits because I found it hard to believe that all the car’s ailments were fixed and I just don’t know my way around San Juan, which is where the shop is. I found it kind of weird that the car was ready so soon, and for such little money. Noelia was going to work, so Mom, Jaylen and I left with her.
We get there and I compliment the guy on his work–how in the world did he manage to get the breaks, idling problem, ignition problem and overheating problem fixed so quickly? He had no idea what I was talking about–supposedly Mary didn’t tell him anything about the other problems other than the car overheating. The overheating was due to a bad thermostat, which he changed out. I told him about how long it takes the car to actually turn “on” after the key’s been pushed foward. That was due to an old fuel filter, so he sent me to Auto Zone to get one. I got it, went back, and he fixed it. It took an additional 45 minutes and my God, it was hot. Jaylen was such a good sport. I felt so bad that I had him out there in the heat, but he was happy with his Gameboy, orange Fanta and cheddar sour cream and onion Ruffles. I hate to bribe them with junk food, but I really owed him.
After we left the shop, I had to go to the ATM and then to put air in the tires. After that, which took forever on its own since we knew where nothing was, we made our way to the DMV or whatever it’s called–the one where you get the sticker…thing. It took a bit longer than planned since I always get lost in San Juan and had to go all the way around the expressway since I got into that “left only” lane. Grr. Anyway, when we get to that place I notice the car’s making this weird hissing sound once I turned the car off. Jaylen was asleep so we left the doors open while I popped the hood to check.
The stupid radiator hose that leads to another white tank was loose and spilling water everywhere. I checked if it was overheating, and it wasn’t so I don’t know how long I’d been driving like that. I stood there, helpless and without my cell phone (perfect day to forget it!) when I hear someone call, “Is there a problem?” I look to my left and a man sitting in a white Camaro is there. I nod ‘yes’ and he drives the car around. He asked what was wrong so I told him about the hose and how I probably didn’t have water in the tank anymore. He went to his car and brought back a water jug and some wireties, since the hose came undone because of the lack of a clamp. He fixed everything, even offered to lend me his cellphone and gave me some tips about the car and what to do if it ended up overheating. It’s amazing how many guardian angels one person can have. I know I’ve had a few encounters already. I swear this man just appeared there. Bless him.
It was 1:30 when we entered the DMV. It didn’t take too long before we were called and got the stickers. I stopped at the stop sign and the brakes started doing that thing it does where they slowly descend till they reach the floor. Once they were all the way down, the car started rolling into the street–I had to quickly put the car in Park. This is the main thing I wanted the mechanic to check and he didn’t. He’s going to order the part and then we have to take the car back. Bleh.
I was so scared that the car was going to mess up on me again that I drove to Mario’s work to switch for the Equinox. It was his brilliant idea for me to go pick up the car so I decided he’d be the one to suffer with it next. It was 2, and he was out to lunch so I was just praying he’d make it back before 2:30, which is the time I needed to leave McAllen to make it on time to pick up Eenan from school. He got there then threw a little fit because he wanted to keep the truck. He agreed to let me take it once I reminded him I had Jaylen with me and needed to pick up Eenan (and Elda’s boys) and couldn’t risk the darn car messing up on me again.
I picked Eenan, Sammy and Brandon up on time, thank goodness. I chilled out a bit after we got home and did some chores. I get a call from Mario around 6 that he’s on his way home. He’s hardly ever home before 7 so this was quite exciting. I’d rented all kinds of movies so when he got home he cut up some watermelon and we ate some (doused in Trechas brand Chamoy!) while watching Rumor Has It. When it was time for dinner we ordred from El Pato and left the kids with the in-laws while we went to get the food. He wanted to smoke a cigarette so he stopped by the park behind the Senior Citizens Center after we’d picked up the food.
We sat at one of the picnic tables and I told him, “Remember when we’d come here when we were teenagers after we’d had a fight, or when I ran away from you and you’d chase me here?”
He nodded, thought for a minute, then said, “Look. I want to tell you something.”
My stomach flipped since I suspected the worst.
He said, “I know I’ve had a few beers, so I don’t want you to think I’m saying this because I’m drunk or because I’m buzzing. I know how much it would bother you when we were dating that I was always hanging out with Gina. I know I was an asshole and I’d talk to her all the time and I’d even sneak out to go to her house, but I want to assure you that nothing ever happened with her. I saw her as one of the guys, just like I’d hang out with Jorge. I know I made you feel bad about it all the time, but I promise you nothing happened. I know you’ve always wondered about that.”
Tears welled up in my eyes remembering all the stuff we’d gone through that summer. It was one of the worst summers of my life–no one had ever hurt me that way. I asked, “Really? You never did?” and he said, “Never. I promise.” I had always wondered if anything happened between them. I knew she was his best friend, but I always wondered what made her so cool to him, what made him appreciate her company more than mine. She was ugly, God forgive me for saying that, so I just found it mind boggling that he was so drawn to her. She’d hook them up with beer and cigarettes since they were underage, so of course that would make any rebelious teenage boy magnetize to someone.
We were on our way to Yadira’s to pick up an Xbox game and we continued our conversation. He told me something I’ll never forget: “I love you, Babe. I can’t see myself without you. The way I can’t see myself without the boys, I can’t see myself without you. I love you and I really do want to be with you for the rest of my life.”
I felt like…exploding with happiness when he said this. He hadn’t said something like this to me since high school, when I was about to break up with him for the last time. I told him I felt that way, too. I’ve always felt this way about him, since that first time I saw him at the mall, so it was nice hearing he feels the same way.
I composed myself once we reached Yadira’s and I held Matthew while she boiled some bottles. We talked about babies, and bottles and she asked for advice. When we came back home we watched Last Holiday, which I loved.
I had a night of broken sleep. Mary came over at 4:30a.m. with Eenan in her arms. He’d slept over, so she was bringing him back since she and Noelia were to leave in about an hour and didn’t want to leave him in her room alone. Their uncle passed away and Noelia and Mary were leaving that morning for California for a week.
I’d spoken to Mario about the whole job-search thing and how I was really bummed that I wasn’t going to be able to persue the jobs at the hospital since John wouldn’t want to drive his car since it’s not fully working. I told him the jobs were mostly located at the Edinburg hospital and he said, “Babe, that’s the last thing you have to worry about. Don’t worry about the gas, we’ll figure it out with Eenan and his school and I’ll even drive the Civic till it’s fully fixed so John can take it.” I love that man. He always knows the right thing to say.
How it happened: After I dropped the kids off yesterday I sat in front of the computer and searched all the job sites I knew of. And nothing. I couldn’t get ahold of Mr. Marks to ask him a few questions I had about the positions at South Texas Health Systems and definetly couldn’t find any information about them on their employment webpage. After 2 hours of looking I was about to give up and cry my eyes out.
I was about to get up off my chair when the phone rings. It’s Aunt Nora.
She asks, “Hey Yaya, are you still looking for a job?”
I breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Yes! Yes I am. I was actually just looking online for one.”
She says, “Well, they’re hiring at my office. Do you have a resume?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, bring it over. They’ve been interviewing some girls but none are qualified. They’re going to have to train anyway, so I told them my niece is very smart and a fast learner. They’ll be here from 1:30 to 2:30, so come between that time. “
I said thank you about a hundred times and took a shower, ironed my “professional clothes” and got ready. John got here just in time so I gathered my things and left.
I wasn’t nervous at all until I reached the exit I was supposed to get off at. “This is it. God, help me do well. Help me be confident and not screw up what I’m saying. Help me get this job! If I get a job, I’ll–I’ll light a candle!” All this was said out loud–I’d never actually talked to myself before, but I talked to myself till I actually found the place. I get there and immediately see Aunt Nora. I wave and she signals for me to go to her desk. We hug and she walks me over to the office of the guy who’ll be interviewing me. He was really nice. I noticed that once he went over my resume he started talking as if I was already hired. They told me at school in that class we took that they tend to do that, so I tried not to get too excited. He said he was impressed with my resume and asked about Microsoft Access since he noticed it under my ‘skills’. He said he had 2 projects in mind if I were to start working there. He hands me an application and I fill it out while he takes my resume to the boss. When he gets back we talk more about my skills then he tells me about their benefts (there are none), how they’d like me to get my Solicitor’s License in a few weeks so that I can get a raise and commission, and told me about how the owner is his dad and his siblings work there, too. He also asks if I have kids or a husband (which is an illegal question I remember from that class I took) but I answered that they were my motivation, that I have great full-time babysitters and that my husband would get home from work after I do–I’m free to work all day. Then he gets a little post-it pad and says, “Let’s talk about your pay,” and writes it down. Let’s just say it was exactly what I wanted to start with anywhere and after I get my license I’ll be raised $2 plus commission.
He told me I’d be working 8am-5:30 and every other Saturday from 8am-1pm. A little late, but fine by me. Then he shook my hand and said, “Is Monday a good day for you?,” and I said “Definitely!”
I was on cloud 9 with a big goofy, giddy smile on my face as he introduced me to everyone. I’ll be starting in Personal and Aunt Nora says the girls that will be training me are really sweet. I met them and they do seem really nice. After I get comfortable, they said I’d go to Commercial with Aunt Nora and she’ll train me for that. I even get a desk!
I hugged Aunt Nora goodbye when I was done talking with the boss and floated all the way to my car. I wanted to call Mario up and tell him the great news but I opted to stop by work and surprise him. I told him I had a big surprise and that I’d be there in a few minutes.
He was elated! He was bragging to all the guys about it. I know he bragged to Albert, who said my school sucked because his wife went there and she still hadn’t found work several years later. I can’t believe this…it’s just too good!
I picked Eenan up from school and then, around 4 we (John, Mom, the kids and I) left for Mom’s doctor’s appointment. John, the kids and I stayed in the car and joked around till Mom got back. It didn’t take long at all.
We got home and I got started on chores and dinner and taking Noelia’s dogs out. I started feeling overwhelmed and was two breaths away from a panic attack when Mario called around 9pm that he was on his way home. I told him about how I was worried: how was I going to clean the house, wash dishes, do laundry and make dinner and his lunch for the next day when I’d be getting home around 6:30-7?? When would I spend time with the boys? When would I spend time with him? What if I couldn’t do the job??? Saint that he is, he reassured me that I’d be fine, that we’d make it, that I’d make it. He let me cry for a little bit, because I was that stressed and we had another talk when he got home. I was so nervous I became nauseous. I ate half a chicken enchilada and a few forkfulls of rice before I felt like I was going to hurl. I did have Snickers ice cream with Mario and Jaylen while watching Madagascar (Eenan was asleep already) though.
I spoke to Aunt Nora today and she filled me in on the dress code, people to look out for and what to expect basically. I told her about how nervous I was the night before and she told me not to sweat it, that I’d be fine. She said there were some not-so-smart people there and they got it, so she knew I would, too. (LOL) I think I can do it. I’ve been able to do everything else that’s been put before me so I can do this.
We watched Over the Hedge this afternoon and it was SO GOOD! I loved it! The kids loved it and Mario and I were just cracking up. I love those kinds of movies/cartoons :).
We ate dinner with my dad-in-law and talked about our future. It makes me nervous just thinking about it. We’re planning to pay off the lein on the land Gramma gave us and selling it for a down payment on another property and a house. *shudder* It’s exciting, but scary at the same time! Our lives are really taking off and I just feel so blessed.
I’m still sort of in shock, with the whole work thing. It all happened so fast. Hired on the spot? What? It’s just unbelievable to me. I knew, just had this feeling, that this was going to be good year.
Now I need to go out there and buy that candle :).
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