Sundry items:

Sent partial payment and nasty (well, not terribly nasty) note replying to nasty note and invoice from hospital where my laparotomy was performed. I wasn't informed about the expense beforehand and it was much heftier than I'd expected. Even the 20% I was required to pay by my insurance is a lot. I wrote the hospital a couple of weeks ago offering a partial payment. They didn't seem to be interested. I did the same thing with my RE, who is trying to charge extra for my IVF (along with HIS bill for the lap). There are wayyyy too many extra charges over and above the standard fee. Stay tuned...

I spoke yesterday with the employment agency that helped me get my last job. I hadn't spoken with them in 3 months, since I went in a few days after my employer folded. In fact, I'd thought about them a couple of days before their call and the thoughts weren't good ones. My contact, Pat, said "For a paycheck, how mundane a job would you be willing to take?" I said, "Depends on the paycheck." The job is yet another Admin. Asst. position with an ad agency, but one of the big ones in town this time. Apparently the person in the position now is none too bright or capable. One of the requirements for the new person is that they "must be smart." I took my last position hoping it would work into something else, and it appeared that was going to happen until the company started falling apart last summer. This position is offering the minimum amount I said I was willing to take, moneywise, and it would be more than I've ever made before, combined with my freelance work. I have doubts about my job satisfaction, though. I used to think it was better to have a job below my abilities, but in the field where I wanted to work, but now I'm not so sure. I'm afraid that they'll always think of me as "just a secretary". I don't think there's a thing wrong with being a secretary. And yes, I know the the admin. assistant is often the most important person in the office. It's just not how I see myself. Do I just give up on ever having a career that makes me feel appreciated for what I can truly do? And if I hold out, what if nothing better comes along? We'll just have to keeping putting off adopting until we're so old that no one will approve or choose us. I know I don't have to put all my eggs in one basket. I haven't even been offered this job yet and there's no assurance that I would be. I also know I could leave if it doesn't work out, but I would like some stability. I just don't want little Hope Addict to say, "Take it! You'd be in an advertising agency, like you thought you wanted! They'll offer you something better! Take it!" I haven't even had an interview yet, why am I so concerned?

My merit test for state employment was a bit more difficult than I expected yesterday. It was very job-specific, which is a good thing, of course. Many of the questions were easy common sense items, I thought. I'm sure I did well on the grammar, reading comprehension, public relations, and the section on putting paragraphs together. I'm not as sure about the business and state geography questions. It's pretty rare that I don't have a very good idea about how I've done on an exam.