I had an interview marathon yesterday... 3 interviews, within 4 hours.  Fortunately they all took place in the same building in downtown close to work and I wasn't busy that afternoon.  Skipped lunch but at least 2 out of the 3 went well.

The first one was with a recruiting company... and they were trying to get a feel of what I was capable of before they make arrangements for interviews with their clients.  I made a pretty good impression and they will try to pair me up with a company in downtown Chicago or a Chicago University to do their LAN/WAN engineering.

The second interview was with a Cisco Gold Partner.  They were looking for someone with expertise in voice.  I don't fit that bill, but they heard I was young and had a CCIE and they were excited to meet with me to see if something can be worked out.  This is how it went:

Two guys were interviewing me, both in very nice looking suits.  It was a bit intimidating at first but I started to feel more comfortable after a few minutes talking to them.  The guy on the left was an elderly gentleman... didn't say a whole lot... just reaffirmed everything that the guy on the right said.  The one on the right did most of the talking and asking questions.  They asked the typical questions and scenario based questions... nothing very technical.  One small thing bothered me... the guy on the right either had a bad twitch in his eye or he kept winking at me.  But either way... it went well and they were very interested in picking me up as soon as a position opens up in their company (assuming I'm still available).

The next interview was a complete 180.  This is how it went:

Again it was two guys that are looking for voice experts but heard I was a young CCIE and they wanted to meet me.  I came in wearing a suit and tie but both guys were wearing sweaters, and looked laid back.  The first thing they said was take off your jacket and make yourself comfortable.  I believe the one with the pony tail on the right was the Regional Director.  The guy on the right did most of the talking and he was very to the point... "just answer the question" type of attitude.  It felt more like an interrogation than an interview.  The guy on the left only introduced himself but said nothing most of the interview.  He was blemished and unkempt and he just kinda stared blankly at me, with his mouth hung open.  He was creepy.  I couldn't even look at him for too long.  I couldn't tell if he was angry or what... but he looked psychotic.  The interview lasted a good 10 minutes probably... not very long, so it's probably a bad sign.  No technical questions were asked.  In any case, I was just relieved to get out of there. 

It was an interesting afternoon to say the least.

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edit:

My title is Network Engineer 3 but sometimes it feels like sinecure should be in the job description.  I must make sure to look up Network Engineer 3 in the dictionary next time.

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edit 2:

Lethargic or maybe braindead:

I've been feeling quite lethargic during the past few days.  No drugs, injuries, or known diseases to attribute it to.  No lack of sleep.  But I've been falling asleep everywhere.  On the train, in my office, in the elevator. 

Today, I forgot my badge, so I got a temp.  At lunch I forgot my temp badge in my office, so they gave me a paper badge (which is fine as long as there was someone to get me access on the floor).  So I see a co-worker in the elevator.  He works on the same floor as me but on the opposite side of the building.  We chat, then part our ways.  As the door shuts behind my co-worker, I realize I don't have my badge; so I get stuck in the hallway.  I had to make a call for someone on the floor to let me in.

Turned down Cisco Systems again this weekend, this time for a SE position in Minneapolis, Mn.  Feels very empowering.  

Today, I'm scheduled for 3 interviews... starts right after lunch and ends right before 5 pm.  Shh... don't tell my work!

I think I'm gonna make a habit of wearing a suit to work.  I feel a lot more energetic when I wear one.

DSL got disco'd at home... can't get them to reinstall it until at least next week.... grrr.  Oh well, maybe it's a sign.  Less distractions, I get to focus on the CCIE recertification for a whole week.  I've only got until 03/19/05.

 

From a quiz; thought it was interesting:

eXpressive: 8/10
Practical: 4/10
Physical: 6/10
Giver: 4/10

You are a XSYT--Expressive Sentimental Physical Taker. This makes you a Firebrand.

You are volatile, sexy and sexually driven. You're magnetic and fascinating, but you don't really enjoy playing the field -- it makes you nervous and preys on your insecurites. But when you fall for someone you fall hard.

You tend to over-analyze things, so the slightest comment or action from your significant other can send you into a tailspin. You crave attention and validation from your loved ones, so if your friends don't like your partner or your partner doesn't like your friends it makes you suffer. Unfortunately the two are often in conflict -- you have excellent insight with your friends, but in a relationship you are blind. Trust your friends!

You blow hot and cold, with big highs and big lows. This makes the bad times very bad but the good times very good, so you tend to stay in a problem relationship much longer than you should. But when a relationship fails, you hold a grudge. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but make sure your grudge doesn't cloud your vision the other way!

What would help you most in your relationships is confidence. You need someone who can help you feel good about yourself and not worse.

You can be needy and jealous. Fortunately you are cute as hell.

Of the 185047 people who have taken this quiz, 5.6 % are this type.

I must be on crack!

This was probably one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make.  I turned down Cisco Systems for the SE2 position in KC.  After much deliberation, weighing out the pros and cons, I decided that I am not ready to make such a huge leap.

The Pros:

- Work for Cisco, the industry leader in networking (my dream company)
- Make lots of $$$ (plus bonuses, benefits, full package)
- Exposure to the latest and greatest networking technologies.

The Cons:

- Far from family
- Far from friends
- Start a whole new life in a new city
- What the hell is there to do in KC?

I'd be making lots of money in a foreign place where I have to establish a life... far from family and friends... sounds an awful lot like when I was in Korea.  Thanks... but no thanks.  It's not always about the money!

What would you do?!

There's such a HUGE gap between where I am and where I want to be.

I pictured myself as being settled down with kids by the age of 25.  But life has a way of telling you that it has other plans for you.

I'm faced with a certain fear/excitement from uncertainty.  Some of my plans have fallen through - while others seem to be coming at me much faster than I am comfortable with.

Not everything's well... but at least this part of my life is looking good:

Cisco Systems called again today with a (still unofficial) lucrative offer.  Of course, the word sacrifice came into play when discussing possibility of relocation.

Cisco Manager:  "Would you be willing to relocate?"

me:  "Depends where."

Cisco Manager:  "Haha!  Smart answer!  Well, where would you be willing to go?

me:  "Somewhere warm would be nice!  Like California... or Texas!"

Cisco Manager:  "Blah blah blah!  sacrifice.  Blah blah blah!  We have positions in KC, Missouri and Minneapolis, Minnesota."

*If you weren't Cisco Systems, I would've laughed and hung up!*

Then came the numbers game.  Man, do they know how to sweet talk me!

Numbers were thrown around in the range of 140-200.  Think US dollars... 6 figures... annually.  So I'm listening intently with my jaw dropped to the ground... trying to breathe, though my chest has involuntarily caved in, all these thoughts are rushing into my head.

my head: "Relocate?!  To where?!  How much?!  HOLY!!!  Can I even do this job?  Who's crazy enough to pay me that much?  Can I even do this job?  To where?  Doesn't sound warm to me!  What about that condo... UCommons!    What if this?!  What if that?!

my mouth: "Yes sir.  I am definitely interested.  I can do the job... no problem.  Sure you can have the hiring managers at those locations call me.  Can I teach the products?!  Let's put it this way:  I teach CCNA classes part time."

In all honesty, I'm really not sure I have the skills to do it right now.  I've lost a lot it from being too idle.  Need to hit the books again... time to recertify anyway.

Even my current work place is getting busier... they want me to do the Network deployment for the KC Branch Office and Disaster Recovery Site.  Who me?!  Awesome.  And you wanna upgrade the rest of Chicago?  (This company is also looking into hiring me in full time... but I don't think it's for the same type of $$$ or technical exposure.  Don't get me wrong, they still pay extremely well - and I get to stay in Chicago).

What to do?!  What to do?!

Sleepless... for the most part.  I feel like my life is a wheel.  I'm moving forward - but at the same time I go through the same cycle over and over again.

Had an urge to take a midnight stroll... needed some fresh air... cool breeze.  But DAMN Winter's Chill... too cold for a stroll.

Decided to check my email instead.  Cisco Systems got a hold of my resume and is interested in speaking with me for a possible position.  SWEET!  Maybe I'm dreaming.  I must be dreaming.  The lack of sleep must be affecting my brain.

Maybe if I work for them, I'd be alright with paying off the mortgage on the new condo at UCommons I'm looking to get.  Maybe I could even afford a bigger one.

*looks in the mirror*

I look like a zombie....  Makes sense.  I feel like one.

It's not too late!

I just donated to worldvision to help with the tsunami disaster in Asia.  I've been hearing lots of crazy stories from over there... from heartbreaking to miraculous.  Over a million people homeless and the death toll is going up (last count was around 150,000).  The little extra cash you can spare would mean a lot over there.

Here's the link to worldvision:
http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKVLbMVIwG&b=277262&campaign=1274435&cmp=KNC-1274435&OVRAW=TSUNAMI%20AID%20DONATION&OVKEY=tsunami%20aid&OVMTC=advanced

There are also many other places that are accepting donations for the Tsunami Disaster.  You can choose any of them.

Here's a list of some more (you can click on it to get to the page):

American Red Cross

Save the Children

Thanks for your time.  God bless!

i'm in a pretty good mood today but for some reason i have an urge to front kick a door down... or someone - right in the arse... but a door will do!  even a wall.

...hungry now too!

WOW!

So I'm finally done with school... how have I been spending my time?  Well, I've been doing a lot of travelling to different lands, meeting lots of new people, taking up new crafts, and fishing.

I've got pictures to prove it:

This was taken on the last day of beta for WoW.

This is a pic of me flying off to distant lands.

Sucks to get a flat tire in the middle of a quest.

I do a pretty good rug impersonation.

A victory dance to celebrate the completion of an elite quest.

Poor Stitches didn't stand a chance against me.

In case you didn't know... these are screen captures from the game World of Warcraft.

Busy Weekend:

Saturday - Graduated from college (see note at bottom), ate lunch with family, ate dinner with family, went home and cleaned up apartment.

Sunday - gf and I took my cousin from Ohio out... ate IHOP, saw movie Finding Neverland, went to Borders, dropped off cousin... picked up gf's sister at Chinatown, ate 7 treasures, concluded with the 4 S's which includes sleep.  (get your mind out of the gutter, folks!)

Side Note:

Not quite finished with college... I have 2 more weeks left... but they let me attend the graduation ceremony early...

GOOD NEWS:

graduated:  SUMMA CUM LAUDE

I just wanted to graduate and get it over with... I didn't even realize that I was doing that well in school.  Thx to family, friends, and gf for all their support.

BAD NEWS:

Not quite finished with college... I have 2 more weeks left... but they let me attend the graduation ceremony early... and I have a 50 page paper due next week, which I haven't started yet, next week is also finals week, tomorrow is my Sr Project presentation (which also involved a 50 page paper)...

I only need straight A's for these three classes to maintain my CUMMA SUM LAUDE status... sigh.... no pressure.