So what ended up happening?!?!

I had my interview today with the district manager at Abercrombie and Fitch!


I think it went well, obviously they can't tell you right then and there.

So, I met with Sean and he is the district manager here in San Diego. We were just talking for like 25 minutes before we got done to the "Interview Questions". At the end I asked him if there was anything to be nervous about in the results, and he said "No, I am easy". He gave me his email and told me to email him once I figure out my schedule because he can set up a time on my way back to San Diego from SLO to meet with the district manager for there and make sure she knows who I am and what not, and suggested I go with my thought on meeting face to face the manager of the store in SLO. Would he ask me to do all this if it was going to be a waste of time? He said "people know if their interview is not resulting well with me". So, now, not trying to be too anxious and hopeful, trying to wait on the Lord, and trying to just be still.... and I can't.

Yes, I am nervous. He told me he is going to go ahead and process my background check so by the time I do meet Mika (the district manager for Santa Barbara and SLO) and the store manager (Phil) it is all done. He asked me when I would be able to start and I let him know my desire to give Coffee Bean a two week notice, and to not leave them high and dry and my roommates as well.

So please be praying. This would be totally amazing, and the timing seems to perfect with other circumstances, that you may hear about later coming into play as well.

So please be praying!! I think it was a great interview, and it is up to God what He does with it :)

I will keep you posted!!

Prayer Request

So I have an interview tomorrow afternoon with Abercrombie and Fitch at 4:30pm. I am meeting with the District Manager of San Diego. Please be praying that the interview goes well, and that this process is quick and easy. Also pray for my patience and anxiety.

Thanks friends.

Caitlyn

Made a firm decision!

I am being persistent! I am working for what I want, and I am taking no prisoners! (That's the right, right?).

Last night I was at work and our district manager came in, and I finally decided to ask him about the terms of my promotion to Shift Supervisor. Keep in mind I have been with Coffee Bean for about two years, after being with Starbucks for 2 1/2 years. I asked my new rate of pay, and was floored that it was only a $.50 increase. I am being transferred to a location farther from my house, and barely making $20.00 more a week. It affirmed even more how I need to get another job, a better job.

As most of my friends know... I have applied at Abercrombie & Fitch. Now, why would I go from Coffee Bean to Abercrombie? Well... to try something different. To make more money. A chance to bring me back home. I applied for the Management in Training position, and it seems there is the availability in San Luis Obispo. The basic requirement is the applicant is to have a 4-year degree.... which I have. I submitted my resume online, and had not heard anything so I went forward and called the store manager at A&F in SLO. He has been great in hounding his district manager to get my interview set up with a San Diego district manager, so we can get things going. He told me to continue to be persistent, so that is what I am going to do. I have been talking to Bekah and asked her about what to expect, and I can handle it. I bought a shirt today that I will wear to the interview.... a navy blue v-neck shirt with a white lace-edged tank underneath with my Ezra Fitch jeans.

Now in an ideal world and this works out: I am coming home. I don't see it being long after an interview or two and hopefully being able to give Coffee Bean two-weeks notice, if not... then there is not much I can do. I have an opportunity housing wise that works perfect, as it looks now. So the ends to tie up... is to not leave my roommates in SD high and dry....

So..... PLEASE be praying! For this interview, for God to really put everything into place. I can't live on a $.50 cent raise.


SLO... I am coming home!!

I ♥ SLO

Why I love San Luis Obispo (and yes... Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo)!!!

1. Bali's. The best place to go at 10:50 at night, downtown, in PJ's.... 10 minutes before they close.
2. Firestone!! Enough said.
3. Mountains, bike trails, hiking, trees, and the beach all in a 10 minute radius.
4. Going downtown and guaranteed you will see 5 people you know in Marsh Plaza
(downtown theatre, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, and Chino's)
5. If you go into the Parable, I will always see someone I know through Shoreline, Crusade,
(Celebration)
6. Celebration Christmas is AMAZING
7. Sherwood is from SLO
8. Thursday night Farmers Market
9. Some of the best bands come to SLO to play at Poly: Augustana, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot
now Death Cab for Cutie Oct. 27th.
10. Wine Tasting just 10 minutes away ;)
11. Jamba Juice started in San Luis Obispo as a Cal Poly senior project
12. The BEST college (especially for Agriculture) is Cal Poly... SLO!
13. FedEx Kinkos= result of a Cal Poly senior project
14. Weird Al Yankovic want to Cal Poly.... Architecture major.... go figure?!
15. Zac Efron is from Arroyo Grande... AGHS Alumni!
16. Amazing churches: Grace, Calvary SLO, Shoreline, Mercy, First Baptist, Oak Park, New Life..
17. NO traffic... except that bottle necking thing in Avila... 5 minutes... tops
18. Crime? What's that?
19. SLO County is the 9th cleanest county in the nation (2006 report)
20. We have Ag, Mom & Pop Shops, and little bit of city life.
21. People you meet are genuine
22. Splash Cafe in Pismo
23. Old West Cinnamon Rolls
24. Nautical Beans Mexican Mocha with a Vermont Maple Muffin
25. Hiking in Montano de Oro
26. Madonna Inn
27. Pint Night at Frog and Peach
28. Marti's Shot List
29. Country-line Dancing Night at the Grad
30. Cal Poly Eggs, Meats, Flowers, Chocolates....
31. Locally grown and produced
32. The Palm Theatre and their little screens
33. The narrow parking structure on Palm
34. Getting a ticket for being more than 18 inches from the curb not anywhere near downtown
after midnight on a Thursday night ;) Got to love it.
35. Monterey 2 hours; Santa Barbara 2 hours, Bakersfield is 2 hours too, but no one cares about
that
36. Flip flops and a sweatshirt in January!
37. Klondikes all you can eat pizza Tuesdays for 8 bucks
38. Doc Berndsteins Birthday Cake Ice Cream
39. Thai Palace
40. Imitators!!
41. Amanda making sure there are no bread scrumbles on her food ;)
42. You can leave and come back and it feels as though you never left.
43. $4.66 breakfast at Frank's
44. Breakfast Buzz Tuesday Breakfast Burritos
45. The Wesley House
46. HAHA, the party is STILL over for (Mardi Gras)
47. WoW Week
48. Chuck Lidell lives in San Luis Obispo
49. Poly Canyon P becoming every statement and initial in 9 months ;)
50. High Street Deli 4:20 Special ;) Seriously. There is one.

New Office and Other News

New season of The Office starts tonight, in 15 minutes to be exact.

Other news: An interview is being set up for me to meet with the district manager of the San Diego area Abercrombie.... but I would be working in SLO.


Keep you updated. Please be praying!!

Updating and noting and praying

Job Update:
Looks like we are trying to set up for me to interview with Abercrombie & Fitch (for the management team) next week. They can place me in SLO :) So I will interview here in San Diego, and if that goes well they forward everything to the district manager for SLO, and we coordinate when to meet.

On another note: I will no longer be at Mira Mesa Coffee Bean as of this coming Wednesday. I start at Carmel Mtn. Wednesday :)

And my car needs prayer: It was sick, no its not, but everything has a rolling affect :(

You see life... is a curious thing

Life is very interesting.... let me explain.

I was promoted this month from being a Barista with Coffee Bean to a Shift Supervisor. Now, working in coffee is not my life long dream, I am building on my resume management experience, which is great. In this promotion it brings me to a new store, yet again. I have come to terms with the fact that the economy is going to be awful for awhile and I need to just deal with it. So I am. I am broadening my spectrum from just field related jobs to all ;) With some proading from my friend, Bekah, I have also applied for the MIT program through Abercrombie and Fitch. WHAT??? Yes, you are reading right... Abercrombie and Fitch. Bekah is currently doing the same program through the sister company, Hollister, and she is making good money( she can eat, put gas in her car, and still be able to have fun once in awhile). I am looking at possibility interviewing the weekend I am home in SLO for my bday. So, then you know the next part... placement. I have asked for San Luis Obispo!!

Why? San Diego is not forever. I know in my heart this is not home, and I can feel it. I go to church and the people are nice. I work because I have to, and so I barely can make bible study mid-week because I end up being the closing shift-supervisor on the night the girls meet. The district I work in is so short in Shift Supervisors, that time off approval is slim to none. I work and see people sparatically, because yes... I know... people are busy. But yet it is kinda depressing. I have alot of time to myself, and it is kinda boring and I miss people. I am learning to be more comfortable by myself. I feel like I am hearing God more and I am being alot more attentative.

I realize even more how blessed I am for the life I have in SLO. I know that makes it sound like I am not trying in San Diego, and that is really not the case. I have amazing friends whom are so much like family. I have my bestie Amanda, and I don't know what I would do without her. Kristi who I see more like an older sister. I have Genessa when I am bumming out and stressed and she is so encouraging, and having fun with Maddie, and learning why I should not try to fix my computer myself from Brian because we all know in actuality I don't know what I am doing ;) I have a church where people are so sweet and have a genuine care, and that is something I am trying to establish here. I have my "little brother" (honorary) Kevin who is so awesome and fun and Susee.... God is showing me how blessed I am for them, and praying for them daily. With Scott in the mix and Carlene, My Eto House girls.... the distance is just heart breaking.

You know the song... Blessed be Your Name.... "You give and take away" He does!!! Once it is gone you ache for something you didn't see the same way.

I am blessed for my roommates here in San Diego, and part of me knows they see the future in my returning home at some point... just waiting for the opportunity. Yeah, I have friends here.... less than three hands full, but I do have some. I am closest with my roommates and Lauren... and seeing Bekah when I can.

So. I am planning ahead but making decisions for today! I am a shift supervisor going to a new store. I am planning on continuing to apply for positions up North, and once it works.... peace. I have had a few people offer me a place to stay while I look for new housing once I return, and can save money. Everything in God's time right?! I am trying to focus on that so I don't become so impatient and anxious, but it is so hard. I gave up on hearing back from the winery. I contacted them for an update and never heard back, so that is fine. I want to work for a company who is excellent in communication, and maybe this is not a full fit for me.

Prayer Requests:
Continue to pray for my friend who was in the car accident. His name is Jonathan Armstrong. Pray for strength, recovery, and comfort.

Pray for Karelisa and Brian as they continue preparation for their wedding.

Pray for my friend Carlene still sick with mono for recovery and strength and also for a job.

My Aunts' dad, Doug, for his surgery to remove a cancerous growth on October 14th.

Pray for my job search--> Right time and the right place.

My finances ;)


Thanks!

Much Love,
Caitlyn

My ever growing prayer wall

I am the person who has post it notes all next to my bed along my bookcase with prayer requests of friends and family, and ones of my own.

I realized there is so much going on in the lives of those I love and care about. I have a dear friend struggling with falling back into depression, others in my life not having God being #1 in their life, unsaved friends and family, my mom to get better from after being in the hospital, a friend who survived a severe car accident and is having brain surgeries and feels hopeless. I have a brother who is rebelling-- with the possibility of receiving counsel from a "youth pastor" who is stepping out of bounds and not giving the most sound words of wisdom; I have roommates and myself struggling with finances and friends as well. I have a friend who has had a bad case of mono for over two months... the list seems so endless... and then I add on my prayers and anxiety for jobs. Today, I had a phone interview for a position in San Diego, and it turned out to not be for me because of false advertisement when I applied. So, I guess that is not for me.

So with a wall full of prayers and doing all I can to trust God to take care of it... it is so disheartening to see so much prayer needed where people are feeling hopeless, depressed, stressed.... I sit waiting to hear praise reports of these prayers being answered. Not that I am trying to rush God.... I just wish out of ALL those prayers.... something would have a conclusion... or rather a resolution. Continuing to pray for a struggling church and a youth pastor friend of mine who was told the church could no longer afford his salary and he has a family to support and is working graveyard shifts, and that is not enough. All these things.... and it seems like the enemy is working to discourage and he is lacking subtlety and yes it could be worse.

Prayer requests:
The ones above for sure

My Aunts' dad is having surgery Oct 14 for a tumor that is cancerous

Jobs (still waiting on the winery in Paso)-- God has opened opportunities for temporary living if I were to return home, if the job does come to pan out. This is great while I am saving for a couple months and looking for the right housing for me.

My friend dealing with loneliness and has a history with depression (she is a Christian so she knows where to turn :))

Another person who has not made God a priority for awhile and seems depressed and empty. Lacking motivation and drive to move forward, dropping all responsibilities. God to break them so that they will rely on God first and foremost.

Praise Reports
My headaches are going away almost. Haven't had one for two days! God is good.


Blessings and Joy,
Caitlyn

Supposedly we can justify cheating now?!

I was at the gym this morning and watching the news as I was cycling... and of course the captions are at the bottom... anyway.... a report came on our Channel 5, which is like Fox or something, saying that research is linking CHEATING to genetic make up.

Are you kidding me?! We all have a sense of right and wrong... we live in a society that dictates that, and that is before you put Christianity into the mix. So you mean to tell me some guy cheats on his significant other and we "justify" it by his genetic make up that it is in his DNA? Right, and I assume this is because all those before him in his family were cheaters as well? Or is it just a coincidence. I am sorry there is NOTHING to justify anyone from cheating. We can face facts that those who cheat in relationships are immature and selfish. And if you are selfish, then you probably shouldn't have gotten into a relationship to begin with.

So I was disgusted as you can tell. Another way for the world to say their crapola has a real reason so they can play victim when in fact they have no idea what they want.

The end of my rant.

Trying not to be anxious!

This past weekend at home was wonderful, as I clued you in from my last blog. 

Monday I was hanging out with Susee and I got a call from the winery! So soon. And it is crazy because I have been applying to alot of jobs here in San Diego and the response has been nothing. What frustrates me to this point is I have the education and some experience through the required 1,000 hours I had to have to graduate and yet that is not enough. My work experience is lacking. How on earth can I get experience if no one is going to give it to you? Why go and get a 4-year degree from one of the best school's if it is not going to get you anywhere. The crappy economy can only be used to some extent as an excuse.

Well continuing with Monday: I am at Gottchalks with Susee and I am talking to the winery and they wanted to set up an interview for Saturday at the winery... now I could have switched my schedule and made it happen, and I explained that I am still in San Diego and can come up on the weekend. The girl had me talk to Erich, whom would be interviewing me. He said he didn't want me to come all that way and asked if I could meet in a couple hours!! Whoa! That is quick. I was getting stoked, and knowing it was not going to be an informal interview.... still nervous. This has been my first real interview post-Poly, and I have applied for over 50 positions. It is discouraging for sure. In fact, it sucks. I have this degree and nothing so far. Why am I not getting anywhere? I know I am in SD because there are more opportunities here... or so I was thinking, and for my desert experience. Anyway.... back to the story. We agree to meet at Kennedy Club at like 6 in SLO and I was like "Sweet". So we meet and talk for almost 45 minutes (is that a good sign?!?!) and then the owner, Mike, comes unexpectedly for both of us and we start talking for another half hour. They did tell me they were meeting with a few others at the end of the week when they were formally scheduling interviews, but they wanted to meet me. So I don't know what will happen. I am dedicatedly (if that is a word) praying about this. I want this job so much and it is perfect for me.

It is the Hospitality Manager for the tasting room... helping bring people into the winery, scheduling, hiring, and training. Being in the downtown Paso area. I love Paso in the aspect I could work there and love it because of the wineries, the Mid-State Fair, and there is a little more agriculture up there. This position does not have me planning weddings or working in a hotel. Yes, I could use my networking skills, and social skills. I do hate the questions... "What is your biggest weakness".... I was honest. I am a reactor. It is something I am working on and it is something I am trying to better get a grip on.

Not to scare a couple people... mainly my roommates, but I have been thinking about if I were to get this job and accept it. I would move home as soon as I needed to. Where would I live? God will figure it out, as He has everytime in the right time. Whether I stay with friends, or church family, or be a nomad... I would make it. I am not in a lease and I don' have a deposit here. Now, I love my roommates, and with that said.... I would pay the rent for the following month while we look for someone to replace me. 

I just can't be in Coffee Bean forever, and my hearts full desire is to be home and I have healed from things and learned alot, and am open to God to do what He is going to do. He knows the desires of my heart and I am doing what I think I should be doing in being obedient to Him. Sometimes I think God doesn't care where I work, or where I live, but sometimes He does.

So prayer: THIS JOB!!!!! It would be a wonderful opportunity and something I am so stoked to be doing. Working with people and in a fun environment in being able to be creative.

Thanks so much. I will keep you all updated. I am praying too!!

~Caitlyn

SLO Sweet Home?!

Friends and Family,

 I thank you for your prayers again for my mom. She is doing better, it is just a slow process. I wanted to let you know about my time at home so far. It has been wonderful, refreshing, and so peaceful. My heart is here and I know my future is here as well. I know as I continue to be obedient to the Lord, He will give me the desires of my heart. It is my prayer that He would make His will my desires. 

Amazing time with friends, two weddings in one day, and a wonderful time in church this morning singing one of my favorite worship songs fills me with so much joy. It is once again a bittersweet moment, as I will be returning to San Diego late Monday Night. I know God is doing a work in me in my desert (being San Diego). 

As you all know, while being in San Diego I am seeking jobs and available positions, which would be moving forward in the post-college life. In that movement, it can be discouraging as the recreation and hospitality industry is down 22% from last year due to the current state of our economy. This means less jobs. Not very promising to this new college graduate. This afternoon, when returning from church I perused Craigslist for San Luis Obispo and found a job listing to a position at a winery in Paso Robles, that is full-time. It is for a Hospitality Managers position. I immediately applied with my resume for this position. This is the first job I have applied to here at home since moving to San Diego. I know my time in San Diego is unknown... only God does, and I don't know if this will come to anything, but I believe God will put me where He wants me... when He wants me there. I feel so selfish in wanting this in order to return home to comfort and peace, when maybe God wants me rattled and on my toes. I definitely know I love God more today than I did yesterday.

So my full job update is this: I have 3 positions I have applied for in San Diego one being as an Event Sales for an Event Planning firm, another is for an Event Coordinator positon for a mortgage company, and lastly is for the San Diego Conventions and Visitors' Bureau as a Sales Development Coordinator. While I desire to work more in lines with Tourism, I am hoping more for the Sales Development position. The positions I have here at home is just the one I applied for today.

What will happen?! I don't know. God does, and I am putting my trust and desires in God. This has been an amazing time to be home and can't wait to be home for my birthday. Everytime I am here is not long enough, but better than nothing. I love my girls for letting me call Ash St. home, since it is the last place I was before leaving and these girls are my rock when I am home, and their love is such a comfort and I see God's love in them and it is so amazing. THANKS ASH GIRLS!!

Prayer Requests:

My aunts' (Krissie, Patti, Sara, Jen, Samantha, and Karen's) dad is going for surgery for a cancerour tumor that was nor responding to treatment and chemo. Keep him in your prayers and my aunts. His surgery is October 14th.  

My mom to continue to get better

Headaches. This past month I have had headaches everyday pretty much everyday and I don't want to be on medicine anymore and I want to find the source. Pray for God to heal or the means for me to go to a doctor. The headaches are there from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep, and it kinda worries me. 

Pray for God's direction in my life. 

I will keep you all posted on the job situation. Thank you again for praying. I love you all so very much.

In Christ,

Caitlyn Lawton