Tag: job search

A cautionary tale…

First, when traveling make sure you are taking good care of yourself. The stomach bug I brought back from Italy was accompanied by a really stubborn, horrible cold. I’m coughing, hacking, sneezing and sniffling like it’s mid-winter.

Second, I have a rather embarassing tale to tell about why I have been off-line a lot of this week. Tuesday morning was such a beautiful morning that I took myself out for a walk right after I got up. But with the cold, I may have pushed myself a little too hard – the last 1/2 mile to get home, I felt like I was walking through waist deep pudding. And I had only taken 2 tissues – which was definitely not enough! So between the cold pills and feeling weird after my walk, I laid down for a little bit – only to be awakened by my phone.

Given that I’m on a job search – and that I’m in the interview process! – I answer my phone much more regularly than I used to. Normally, most calls I get during the day are people offering me car warranties or cleaning services or financial services but since there is the chance right now that it could be a prospective new employer, I answer! The call that woke me up was from an 800 number and the caller identified himself as being from the fraud team at Xfinity. To my credit, I asked him how I knew he was from Xfinity – and he sent an email to me that had a real Comcast service email address when I checked it out to see if it was a scam email.

The story I was told was that they were seeing a great deal of activity on my WiFi router that seemed fraudulent. They asked me to go to my router and tell them what lights were on and what color they are. Then they asked me to get on my computer and they gave me a web address to go to so that we could check the settings for my router. Next thing I knew, they asked me to download software – and I fell for it. Over the next 1/2 hour or so, he asked me to try to track down a fraudulent charge by looking through my bank accounts. But I have 2 factor sign in on all my bank accounts so he wasn’t getting what he wanted and became increasingly agitated with me. When the threats started, I Googled the name of the software I downloaded (AnyDesk) on my phone and realized I was being scammed. The threats escalated to physical as well as to ruin me digitally so I hung up and called the police.

While I was waiting for the police to come, I pulled the plug on my router and used my phone to change my password for my AppleID and began changing every password for all of my financial websites. After the police took my report and reassured me that the physical threats were likely just to scare me, I called Xfinity and got my IP address changed. Incidentally, my router is so old that they are sending me a new, more secure router to install.

I also filed a report with the FTC on their scam site. It likely won’t help anything but at least I reported the phone number that the call came from.

Yesterday, I spent quality time at the Genius Bar at my local Apple store where they checked my computer for malware. I had deleted the AnyDesk software, but wanted someone else to take a look as well. And changing my AppleID password weirded out my iPhone so they fixed the issue with that while I was there.

I’m checking all my financial information at least once a day but I really believe that the 2 factor authorization I have on almost all my accounts is what saved me from what could have been a disaster. So the moral to my cautionary tale? Given the right circumstances, we are ALL vulnerable to scammers and hackers. They have gotten increasingly sophisticated and can really make you buy into their lies. So make sure you question things that seem weird, are using strong passwords, and that you use 2 factor or biometric authorizations for extra security.

I’m back!

Italy was fabulous – the stomach bug and cold I brought back with me, not so much. But the trip itself was amazing – I really loved Rome!

I managed to combine the job search with the trip – the first night we were there, I had back to back interviews. I was proud of myself for how I did in the interviews given that I don’t always think I interview well. After they were done, I knew I had said and done everything I could to land the role. I got a message over the weekend that they went with a strong internal candidate so I did not get the job – but they will keep me in mind for backfill for the person being promoted. So that’s something!

But back to the trip. Rome is amazing. Don’t get me wrong – Venice and Florence were too, but I liked Rome best of our stops. We packed a lot in there – in one day we did a tour of the Colusseum/Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain AND the Spanish Steps. That day I had nearly 20,000 steps on my Apple Watch! We also did most of one day at the Vatican – if you go to Italy, it’s a must!

I’m way behind with networking and personal chores so I need to jump but here’s some pictures from Rome!

Being a tourist in Italy

The trip is really my friend’s bucket list item so she picked the cities we’re going to and has made all the tour reservations but I don’t think I would have selected any differently. As I may have mentioned, we’re starting in Rome, then traveling by train to Venice and Florence before returning to Rome.

We’re going to hit all the big tourist areas:

  • The Vatican
  • The Colusseum
  • Trevi Fountain
  • The Spanish Steps
  • A gondola ride on the Canals in Venice
  • The Duomo

And I’m sure we’ll hit a lot of other things too. For those of you who have been to Rome, Venice or Florence, what would be attractions that might not be on our radar but that we shouldn’t miss? Let me know in the comments!

What to eat in Italy?

I’ve been joking that my 10 days in Italy will be me trying to eat as much gelato as possible. But I cannot wait to dig into the actual food. I lived in NYC for a long time and was privileged to eat at some pretty fantastic Italian restaurants there, but there’s nothing like the real thing in Italy right?

What’s number one on my list? Well, I won’t know until I’m in the first restaurant. Risotto? Braciole? Pasta? Doesn’t matter – I’m sure it will be fantastic. Here are the links I’ve been drooling over:

And we haven’t talked at all about the pastries. Mmmm….. How much you want to bet I come home 5 pounds heavier? LOL!

Going to Italy!

Next week I embark on a trip to Italy so I thought this week I would theme my entries for the trip. I booked the trip with a friend before I was laid off so you know I’m going!

This is my first trip to Europe since 2008 so to say I’m excited is a little bit of an understatement. Also – I was the weirdo that took 2 years of Latin as my second language in High School so I have a bit of affinity for ancient Rome. We’re going to Rome, then Venice, then Florence and back to Rome before heading home again. We’ll be hitting all the big tourist sites and packing as much in as we can in our 10 days. I have a collection of links about each of our destination cities – what to see, what to eat, what wines to try – it’s kind of overwhelming!

I’ve got lists for everything – what to pack, things to do this week before we go and things I need to be sure to take care of when we get home. I have the kitty sitter reserved and a neighbor watching my flowers outside to water if needed.

I understand pickpocketing is a real issue in the tourist areas in Italy so I have a new bag to carry that fits right up against me and has zippers or a button on every pocket. I just have to remember how I managed my bags when used to ride the subway when I lived in NYC and I think I’ll be OK.

Want to know what is freaking me out the most? Whether my electrical adapter will do the job! I bought a new one but I still have to figure out whether it will work for my hair dryer. LOL! I have to laugh – currency conversion doesn’t bother me at all but electrical conversion scares the life out of me!

Second on my list of things that might freak me out? Italian phrases to use. When I went to France, I had a lovely couple correctly spoken phrases to use to ask if the person could speak English. I have no idea if my pronunciation of Italian is any good. And I really hate being the rude American who just assumes everyone will speak English! I’m hoping maybe my Latin classes will help – but let’s face it, that was decades ago and Latin isn’t really so much a spoken language.

Am I missing anything to think about before the trip? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Pilates

I’m off to a Pilates class in about an hour. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy Pilates – I feel taller after every class. Which is a real bonus when you’re 5’2″!

A lot of people conflate yoga with Pilates – they really aren’t the same. Yoga is more about flows and taking your body through a progression of positions. Pilates is more about finding a position and then keeping your core steady and maybe adding movements with the arms and legs. I attend a class that uses a reformer which is a bed-like frame with a flat platform on it, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage is attached to one end of the reformer by a set of springs. The springs give varying levels of resistance as you push or pull yourself along the frame. That resistance can intensify your workout – and believe me, you get a workout!

A typical reformer – there are also straps used to pull the carriage using either your arms or legs.

Pilates is really helpful in improving flexibility, working on the strength (and tone) of your core, improving your spine stability and really making you aware of how you hold your body. If you find your shoulders creeping up to your ears over the course of the day – Pilates might be for you!

I find it very relaxing. The combination of deep breathing and focused movement has a really amazing impact both physically and mentally – I recommend it wholeheartedly!

There are apps and online resources for classes – try typing Pilates workout into YouTube and you’ll get all kinds of free workout videos. I prefer a class setting to make sure my form is correct – and because I love the reformer. Check your local gym or search “Pilates gym near me” for classes including a reformer. Many gyms offer a free introductory class so you can see if you like it.

Give it a try – your core will thank you!

What to do?

It’s a rainy day here in Chicago. What’s a person with too much time on their hands right now to do on a day like this? I asked Chat GPT and here are the options I got:

  1. Curl Up with a Good Book: Grab your favorite book, make yourself a warm drink, and cozy up in a comfortable spot to immerse yourself in a captivating story.
  2. Watch Movies or TV Shows: Create a mini movie marathon by watching your favorite films or exploring new TV series. Pop some popcorn, snuggle under a blanket, and enjoy the cinematic experience.
  3. Cook or Bake: Spend some time in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes or baking delicious treats. The comforting aroma of freshly baked goods will make your home feel extra cozy.
  4. Indoor Workouts: Stay active indoors by practicing yoga, following a workout video, or doing bodyweight exercises. Exercise not only boosts your mood but also helps you stay energized on a rainy day.
  5. Get Creative: Embrace your artistic side by painting, drawing, crafting, or trying out DIY projects. Let your imagination flow and create something beautiful or meaningful.
  6. Pamper Yourself: Treat yourself to a spa day at home with a relaxing bath, facial masks, and soothing skincare products. Take the time to unwind and pamper yourself from head to toe.
  7. Listen to Music or Podcasts: Create a playlist of your favorite songs or discover new music genres. Alternatively, listen to engaging podcasts on topics that interest you to entertain and educate yourself.
  8. Board Games or Puzzles: Gather your family or housemates for a friendly game of board games, card games, or puzzles. It’s a fun way to bond and pass the time together indoors.
  9. Journaling or Reflection: Take advantage of the quiet, introspective atmosphere of a rainy day to journal, write poetry, or reflect on your thoughts and feelings. It’s a great way to practice mindfulness and self-expression.
  10. Organize and Declutter: Use the rainy day as an opportunity to tackle organizing and decluttering projects around your home. Sort through belongings, tidy up spaces, and create a more organized and functional living environment.

I have to admit – I giggled when I read the list. None of these are things I wouldn’t have thought of myself. And my number 1 with a bullet would also have been to curl up with a book! I really need to think of a better challenge for Chat GPT because this answer did not impress me!

Technology!!!!

Is fabulous when it works isn’t it? I’m having one of those days where it isn’t working as well as I would like.

I got a new Apple Airtag to put in my purse for my upcoming vacation – and it just would not pair to my iPhone. I went online and got the routine to use to reset the tag: take the battery out and replace it – hear a sound. Repeat 4 more times and it should make a different sound signifying the tag is ready to pair. I took out the battery and replaced it dozens of times with no change in the sound. I even tried a different battery! So I did a chat with Apple and of course as I was typing in the serial number of the airtag and the version of iOS my phone is running, it took off and paired. UGH!!!

Then I replaced the ink cartridges in my printer – and I kept getting an error message with the new ink. That resolved after I shut down the printer and restarted it.

Which brings me to this blog post. Apparently I need to shut my computer down more because I couldn’t get a new post form to come up until I restarted my computer. Sigh…..

Makes me slightly afraid of what the rest of the day might hold? LOL! Hope your Monday is off to a good start!