Drawing with Xiao

The 2nd and 3rd installment of Drawing with Xiao are of our favorite animals and food. 

Me: Anderson Cooper, my cat

Xiao: Kitter!

Me: Ok dol bibimbap (w/fried egg on top!)

Xiao: Burrito!

Music

What I've been listening to:

Beach House to mellow out. You can download "Myth", a new track, for free here.

Sidney Bechet while I work.

Caetano Veloso's version of "Cucurrucucú Paloma". It was part of a hilarious moment in 5 Year Engagement, but I had to listen to it again to realize its beauty and melancholy. I also love that this clip is from Hable con Ella (Talk to Her), my favorite Almodóvar movie.

Job Search: Interview Prep

Anderson Cooper appreciates the flora.

Huzzah! your resume is stellar, your cover letter won them over and you were invited for an interview! What's next? Preparing for the interview (and I don't mean ironing your shirt).

It's always important to research the organization. You might be asked to talk about what you know about the organization. Getting a general idea of all their servies/programs/staff is good, but the more specifics you know, the better--it shows that you were well-prepared and really want the job.

Having interviewed college students for front desk positions, this is something that always impressed me. Though it was an entry-level position, the Executive Director and I gave more consideration to applicants who looked us up online, even if for just a general impression.

Researching the organization also helps you determine if it's a place you really want to work for and a mission that appeals to you. I appreciate offices that embrace diversity and looking up staff, board, and donor info speaks to that. Don't settle if you are looking for longterm work or building your career with this prospect.

Have a list of questions ready for the end of the interview. This is where research is also crucial. The more specific your questions, the more you stand out from people who ask general questions (e.g. what a day in the office is like). Ask about specific elements of the position based on the description and your experience, such as what marketing and communications methods/outlets they use. For development, what database (Salesforce, Raisers Edge, Excel, etc.) do they use?

Always be prompt, concise and polite when replying to HR. They have likely sorted through many applications and will appreciate brevity and efficiency. Next up: presentation.

Hanging with Mr. Gio

Today I spent some time with my nephew, Gio. We ate breakfast, had a successful potty trip and then danced to The Paragons.

We made a mom and pop-up card:

We finished our pre-nap activities with a photo session:

Wish I took a picture of him crossing his legs in his sleep, but I was too enamored with the actual visual and forgot! I'll try to photo-document the rest of the day next time.

Archive Dive

Wedding Edition! This is a photo from my mom and dad's wedding in Cần Thơ, Vietnam on March 28, 1978. Click images for full size.

Left to right: Dad's older sister, mom, dad, dad's cousin, Dad's older brother

They met at a factory, and though my mom had a number of suitors, my dad was the one. He was also the poorest. His entire outfit, shoes included, was borrowed from a family friend. He didn't have money to give her a wedding band that day. Before the war and communist party's rule, my mom's family was well off. She was an only child and lived in a house with servants, a car, and the town's first ice box. His only pair of shoes were paper thin sandals. He had 7 brothers and sisters, a father in the army, and an independent-minded, fiery lady for a mother. Dinner was a luxury, not a daily routine. It was some kind of Dickensian love story.

I will share photos and stories of their immigration experience in the coming months.

Lighting the candle (Catholic tradition)

With my mom's grandfather (who lived to be over 100!) and her mother.
She still can't time her blinking with the camera...

My father's fiery mother in the middle.
My mom's family car broke down, so her cousin did her hair. Beautiful.

In front of the church.

My paternal grandfather introducing my mom to the husband's side of the family.

I love looking at their old photos and trying to imagine their lives back then. It helps me understand them more now that I'm older. More to come soon!