My elevator schpeel

Last week I learned about resume`s, interviews, cold calls, and elevator schpeels. You use an elevator schpeel to describe yourself in 30 seconds or less. It is a particularly important to have developed b/c you never know who you are going to meet. In a job hunting setting, you describe the job you want, followed by your skills set & background, followed by asking for an interview.

In general, I think it's important to know how to describe yourself. Do you describe yourself as your circumstance, your job, your home of record, your faith, your character, your characteristics, marital status? How do you want others to describe you?

I refuse to be defined by my job...b/c i'm so much more than my job...but i sit back and think, that's probably how other people describe me. In conversations, I always avoid occupation & education unless it relates to other subjects.

Yet, somehow, if i become a Peace Corps Volunteer...that is how I will be introduced to my community members, and after service I will likely describe myself as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer for the rest of my life. I would be proud of this of course, but i think i like the idea of describing myself in terms of my future, and not my past

"Hello, my name is Liz & I'm a future Peace Corps Volunteer" --I can't wait to start use it!

501 Verbs

2.6
I went running this weekend on the beautiful C&O Canal in Maryland when it finally occured to me that my 501 Spanish Verb book might be a good one to take with me. I don't know why I'm obsessed with what books I will take to my future PC assignment, because it's not like I'm a huge reader.

I saw a book in the library about finding a job and explores the idea of identifying each person's unique gifts, passion & abilities.
Gifts: something you do uniquely better than most anyone
Passion: things you love to do
abilities: things you can do
(I don't remember teh title, but I need to get it after i'm done w/ my other books.)

I think my gift is Spanish! I discovered my passion is the environment. abilities...I can do all things to a mediource standard!! (which bothers me sometimes, but i'm not passionate about perfection).

Sitting here thinking, i'll finally get to do something that I'm good at!!

A shout-out (is that phrase still used anymore?) to my PC Journal personalities who have recently gotten or will soon get Invites: Elaina, Jorie & all the other folks! Enjoy--I'm sure you are walking on clouds right now:)

I dreamed a dream...

2.5-
I'm amazed to think that I will soon be out of the Coast Guard. The wheels are in motion & in June I'll officially be terminal leave/permanant vacation & possibly even start collecting unemployment... My house is under contract & as soon as I get a better idea of when I go to 'closing', I might even have a WV yard sale.

Six months ago, I was wavering on whether I was committed to my dream of joining the Peace Corps & willing to 'pull up chaulks'....so I guess this is what 'pulling up chaulks' feels like: excitment about the unknown [paradigm shift b/c I used to be scared of the unknown until recently].

There's a lot of ground to cover over the next two months. Hopefully, I'll have some Peace Corps news soon (but for now, the PC is waiting for my CG dishcharge papers).

For now, dreaming about my 'summer break' goals (Captain's license, GRE, boating, & joining a tennis club)... literally, living the dream.

Also, as an update I have a really strong feeling I'm going to Paraguay in Sept based on the pcWiki... (Mexico or Peru are other possbilities--but I'm getting ahead of myself [dang it! i always do that])!

BTW, Happy Easter! Enjoyed a beutiful day celebrating many blessings.