a bird in hand is better than two in the bush

after five long, depressing months of searching for a full-time job as a college grad, i am going to start work on monday as a lead developmentalist at the utah state developmental center.  david said, "thanks for getting a job this week."  ha ha.  i will supervise two teams of developmentalists who work directly with physically and mentally handicapped adults, and if one of my team members calls in sick or no shows, i fill in for them.  the twist: my work week is friday through tuesday with wed/thurs off, and i work graveyards, from 930pm-630am.  last time i worked nights, i swore i would never work another graveyard...never say never, right?!  

the job search narrowed down to this position and an office manager position with utah valley pediatrics, the company i've been with for the last 3 1/2 years.  the position was for another office in the valley, not the one i've been at.  i was obviously hoping for a day job, and when i emailed the head administrator about being offered a position with another company, but that i was still interested in the office manager position, he emailed back saying, "a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush."  that made things pretty clear to me...it isn't like he said, "good things come to those who wait..."  

so i guess i have my bird in my hand.  it isn't the prettiest bird, or the biggest bird, but it'll get the job done, and i think it will be challenging but also rewarding.  tonight marks my attempt to flip my schedule upside down and sleep from 1030am-5pm...i'm off to find a sleeping mask.  do you think bath and body works carries that item?...

sorry, we need a male...

3-4 weeks ago i applied for a mentor position at a residential treatment center for teenage boys. i called the following week to check my status, and was told they had no current openings. today someone from the center called me.  here is how the conversation went down:

ring, ring.

me: "hello?"

him: "hi.  is, um, i'm looking for, is it...michael combs?"  (why don't people see two o's in the last name and pronounce it coombs?)

me: "yes, i'm michal."

him: "oh.  you?"

me: "yes."

him: "you're michael?"

me: "yes."

{pause}

him: "oh.  well, this is bob* from telos, and i'm looking here at your application....but, um, we need a male, and i thought you were..."

me: "that's ok, i get that a lot."

him: "so, are you a nurse?"

me: "i've worked as a medical assistant for the past eight years, and i recently graduated with my bachelor's in community health education."

him: "oh, really?  you know, you should apply when we have openings within our medical department."

me: "ok."

him: "ok.  well, thanks."

me: "ok.  thanks for your time."

maybe i should start attaching photos with the resumes i send out?

*name has been changed to protect the man who mispronounced my name and thought i was male.