Revgalblogpal Friday Five: Don't Call It a Comeback Edition

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Alright, so I'm dropping by for a brief return stint as contributor. Please, hold down the applause (also please don't forget NOT to cut and paste this part)....

Parishioners pushing for carols before you digested your turkey?

Organist refusing to play Advent hymns because he/she already has them planned for Lessons & Carols?

Find yourself reading Luke and thinking of a variety of ways to tell Linus where to stick it? (Lights please.)

Then this quick and easy Friday Five is for you! And for those of you with a more positive attitude, have no fear. I am sure more sacred and reverent Friday Fives will follow.

Please tell us your least favorite/most annoying seasonal....

(I have to list both!!)

1) dessert/cookie/family food -
Least Favorite - Anything Sweetish or German that has a name you can't pronounce without a slur or spit.
Favorite -My Grandma K's sugar cookie recipe. It is the best kind of sugar cookies there are!

2) beverage (seasonal beer, eggnog w/ way too much egg and not enough nog, etc...)
Least Favorite - Wine. Why does so much wine have to be so dry or make you feel like you have been roaming around a desert for the past 2 hours. Not a fan to have that at Christmas or any holiday for that reason!
Favorite - Not much of an eggnog/beer person. I just like to drink. =)

3) tradition (church, family, other)
Least Favorite - Not thinking of any traditions that I don't like. I think I've blocked them out of my head! I do miss the tradition of going to my husband's grandma's house for dinner. It was always so hot there (she believed in keeping it warm), but the day was always so fun!
Favorite - Unwrapping the gifts Christmas Eve, after Christmas Eve candlelight worship and seeing my son's eyes light up at the thought of getting new things.

4) decoration
Least Favorite - Anyone who spends more than 2 hours decorating their outside. With that much light coming from the house to the street....it just makes me want to reach for my sunglasses.
Favorite - Our Christmas Tree. Each year it has another trinket placed on it that wasn't
there the year before. Decorating it brings so many memories my way.

5) gift (received or given)
Least Favorite - Ok, I love my son. But a few years ago, my husband veered him to these neon green Santa Claus socks. It wasn't my son's fault. He was 2 and they were bright colored. But my husband should have switched them when he wasn't looking and gotten me something better. I still have them, and yes, I will wear them on Christmas, but they are definitely not my favorite gift.
Favorite - My slippers my son gave me. I wear them practically ever day. They are rainbow and fuzzy. Reminds me of one of the Muppets. But they are mine and they just bring a smile to my heart to know that my hubby and son cared enough to get them for me. =)

BONUS: SONG/CD that makes you want to tell the elves where to stick it. -- Oh holy night. Most of the time, this song is so over the top. Just sing it the way it is written. Don't "harmonize" with fluctuating your voice in so many octaves that nobody can follow and don't sing it so high that you may kill a small bird. Sing it from the heart and look at the notes. It's not that hard!

The gospel, according to a Nebraska fan :

Sorry....I was missing a few paragraphs....
You might want to re-read this one. =)

And it came to pass in the land of Lincoln, in the kingdom of Husker Nation, that a man named Pederson arose to rule the realm of Athletics. For he was of the Kingdom, from the city of North Platte, and was a follower of the Huskers of Corn.

But he was not a wise man, forsaking the ways of the Husker Nation, sending the leader Solich into the wilderness, and turning away the warriors of old who wore the tunics of black into battle in ages past, even removing their portraits and pictures.

And in the place of Solich, he selected from the land of La-La a strange man, once known as leading a failed army known as Raiders to defeat after defeat in the grand Coliseum of the Land of Oaks, a city by the bay of San Francisco, a wicked city of Sodomites and practitioners of perversion.

And did this man, known as Callahan, become the general of the Husker armies, forsaking all traditions held dear to the hearts of the citizens.

And a strange plan known as the West Coast Offense was forced upon the armies, and the proven tactics of old were called evil and sinful by Callahan. And complex and confusing were the plans in the Offense, and failure was the result.

And the Husker armies fell apart on the fields of battle, and adversaries from the Land of Troy, the hated Sooners, the powerful Orange Cowboys from the land of Still Water, yea even the despised Purple Cats from the wasteland of Kansas, did achieve victory after victory over the once-mighty Husker armies, and the wearers of the Tunics of Black.

And in the fourth year of the reign of Callahan, did the Husker armies struggle against warriors from a land where canning jars were made. And lo, the armies of Troy, the Tiger tribe from Columbia, yea, even the Orange Cowboys, did soundly defeat the Husker armies.

And it came to pass during the battle with the Orange Cowboys, in the presence of St. Thomas of Osborne and his brave soldiers of yore, that the members of Husker Nation did turn their backs upon the slaughter of the weakened armies of Callahan.

And a hue and cry arose throughout the land, in cyberspace, and on the program ESPN, for the removal of the failed general Callahan and his aides, and his master Pederson the Jerk.

And the Chancellor heard their cries, and dispatched Pederson into exile.

And St. Thomas was summoned by the Chancellor, and was given the power to rule in the department of Athletics.

And o, did Callahan wail and gnash his teeth, telling one and all of the fine works he had done. And his lies fell on deaf ears.

And there was great joy in Husker Nation as St. Thomas restored the traditions of old, welcoming with open arms the warriors of old known to the Nation.

But there was a reminder from St. Thomas that no remedies would be quick in coming, and that time shall pass before the great Husker armies are strong and feared once again throughout the land of the Alliance of 12.

Even so, once again hope is strong among the faithful of the Husker Nation, and some day in the future the Tunics of Black shall once again be worn by the fierce defenders of the field~

Wednesday

Wow! This week has flown. It's hard to believe that today is the hump of the week. Don't get me wrong, that is a good thing! But, it's hard for me to believe it's Wednesday.

Today is a good day. All the kiddos are sleeping and it's not 1 yet. It's nice to have a little longer break than usual. All of them are getting over stuff and the extra sleep all helps.

I had one kiddo return from being sick. She is a sweetheart and just needs some extra hugs to get through today. She wanted to come back and play with all her friends. =)

I really love my job!!

Too funny!!!

I got this video today by email. Too funny not to post!

Enjoy!

Frog

So, after supper tonight....my son left to take the napkins and put them in the laundry basket (they are cloth) and get ready for bath.

5 minutes later, my hubby and I are cleaning up the table from supper. In hops our son. Completely naked and saying "Ribbit! I'm a frog! I need a bath."

So, laughing, my husband went to start his bath. I have to say, what an entrance! =)

I love my son!

Tuesday

Today is Tuesday! Thank God the week is going by quickly!! Things are good. Kiddos are still sick, but slowly getting better. I have had 2 kiddos out so far this week due to RSV and another has a viral infection of some sort. The one with RSV should be back tomorrow. The other, gone all week to get better. The other kiddos all have the sniffles and coughing, but seem to be much better than last week. Even my kiddo is doing better. A little better about taking medicine to make him feel better too.

This week, I play a single mom for most of it. Yes, my hubby has choir practices, school meetings, and things taking him away from home. I might see him after 6 tonight...but then it's all the bedtime routine with our son and then maybe I will see him a few minutes before he buries his head in papers to grade. Soon we will spend time together....I hope.

This weekend we hope to go car shopping. Not sure what we are going to get, but do want something with 4 wheel drive and newer than our 1993 Saturn. Yes, we are trading in the beast, but hopefully for a better vehicle. Any suggestions?

Well....I am making bbq meatballs (yes the kind that my Mother-in-Law makes) and some scalloped potatoes. Smells good. Yummy!! I got to go and get the table set and the last minute stuff done before the hubby shows up!

After the Holiday

So, we survived the holiday of T-day! Yes, among all other things, we did manage to get home too.

Wed, I was supposed to have 5 kiddos and my son to watch. As it turned out, none of them came. Either sick or spend day with parent. It was a nice change to a somewhat normal day and so my son and I went and ran errands all day. It was fun. We met dad for lunch and even had time to hang out all 3 of us in the afternoon and evening before we crashed in bed for the night.

Thursday & 1/2 Friday, up to Wakefield to my hubby's parents house. All the siblings and significant others were there. Cousins played and we ate lots.

1/2 Friday to Sunday morning, to SD to see my family. More fun, football, and another feast. We ate lots and got lots of time with Grandmas and Grandpas.

Twas a fun weekend. Yesterday was great to get home and being begged by our son, we put up the Christmas tree last night. He decided that all his ornaments should be placed on the same branch in the same area. We even gave him a small piece of garland to put on the tree. That too was put in a peculiar spot. Twas fun.

And no the countdown begins. as of today 29 days till Christmas. Let the fun begin!

Thankfulness

In honor of Thanksgiving coming up in a few days, I am making my Thankfulness list.
1. My faith and God
2. Husband and son
3. Wonderful Friends and Family
4. A home to live in
5. Food to eat when I want
6. Clothing to keep me warm/cool when I need it
7. Transportation
8. Laughter
9. A wonderful job where I get to stay home and take care of kiddos all day long
10. The desire to create new things.
11. The love of music
12. Patience
13. Love
14. To have people in my life that are still around or have passed away
15. Snow
16. Hot chocolate on a chilly day
17. Fall weather
18. Hugs & kisses from little ones
19. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse at 7:30 am each day
20. New lights in the basement (hopefully today)
21. Mashed Potatoes (may there be plenty of them on Thursday!!)
22. Smiles
23. Puddles
24. Tears that vanish with a hug and kiss
25. Stickers
26. A playhouse for the kiddos
27. The smell of fresh cut grass
28. A warm bath
29. Good news
30. Conversation with friends and family

Sick

So, pretty much every kiddo at daycare has a cold, sniffles, cough, congestion....etc. I don't even look up anymore. I just know that if I hear a kiddo cough, 2 seconds later they are over to me wanting a hug. I hate the cold season, but I'm glad that I can be some comfort to the poor things.

2 quarters, 1 nickel, & 1 penny

At church this morning, my son decided to look through my purse. Each Sunday, we usually give him a few quarters to put in the offering. It all depends what I have in my purse. But, during the sermon, my son decided to look early "all by myself". So, I let him. What he picked out was so priceless. $0.56. 2 quarters, 1 nickel, and 1 penny. That's all. And by the look on his face, it looked like he found a million dollars. The thing that struck me the most wasn't that he found this treasure, but he already wanted to give it up and put it in the offering plate. He didn't want to spend it on himself, but he wanted to give it away.

Maybe someday it will be more, but right now, I'll treasure the thought of this $0.56.

Funny things

I forgot to mention that earlier this week, the 2 of us were watching TV. It was time to put on his PJs and read some stories and so I turned to him and said.....

"Are you ready to read some books?"

My son, got a huge grin on his face, took his arm -- swung it like Popeye would and said
"You bet ya!!"

Since when did he turn Minnesotan??

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then today......We (my son and I) were listening to my favorite band....Bon Jovi in the car. We got out of the car and went into Target. As we were looking in the card isle, I heard my son say:

"Have a nice day - ay - ay, have a nice day-ay-ay. Have a nice day!"

Don't know whether to be stunned or elated!! =)

Saturday

So today has been a busy but good day. I got to see 2 former college friends. One got married and the other went with me to the wedding. It's funny how you look back at your life back then and see how things change.

Then.....ate pizza for breakfast
Now......don't eat much pizza

Then....no kiddo, no major commitment
Now.....kiddo, job, spouse, and bills up to your armpits (sometimes)

Then....you could dress how you liked
Now.....got to ok it with the spouse first

Then....listened to the music you want
Now.....Sesame Street and Veggie Tales top the charts

Then....watched a movie almost every weekend
Now.....lucky to see one once a month

Then....dates were a chore
Now.....dates with spouse a lot more fun!

Then....dreamed of how life would be out of college
Now.....wished you could be back in college (sometimes)

Then....life seamed so complicated
Now.....think how little we knew back then and how mom and dad were more right than we wanted to ever admit.

Hmmmmm.....how things change.

What a day!

Wakefield Wins State Championship!! (2nd year in a row)

Blue Hill's Doug Fry tackles Wakefield's Ian Miner (34), during the Class C2 state high school football championship game in Lincoln on Friday. Wakefield beat Blue Hill 19-0 for the title. (AP)

Yes, I am a geek, but I had to share!!

Friday Five: Think About These Things Edition

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Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8, NRSV)

Friends, it's nearly Thanksgiving in the U.S. and it's the time of year when we are pressed to name things for which we are thankful. I want to offer a twist on the usual lists and use Paul's letter to the church at Philippi as a model. Name five things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise. These could be people, organizations, acts, ideas, works of art, pieces of music--whatever comes to mind for you.

Clearly, Molly the Blogging Dog belongs on such a list. Thanks to jo(e) for the great picture of Molly.

1. My son. So much a kid, but so innocent of the way the world works. He wakes up each morning to find his mom and dad. He knows that we love him and that's all he cares about. He loves hugs, kisses, books to be read to him, Clifford the Dog, Disney Cars Movie items, his stuffed animals, any Thomas the trains, and the chance to be a typical boy. I praise him for bringing me back to my days of youth. Reminding me what it is to be young and feel like a kid, even if it is just at heart. And to ask questions that should be asked. Yes, the "why" question is asked a lot, but as we grow older, "why" isn't asked as much as it should. Thank you to him for bringing out the best in me.

2. My husband. He has stood by me through so much. He gives me strength but also asks me for it in return. We share our hopes, joys, likes/dislikes, fears, frustration, and all of our love with each other. He reminds me of how one should goal to live their life. He doesn't do many shortcuts. He works hard at all he does and just wants to find life as enjoyable as possible. When he is with my son, my heart just glows. The 2 of them are so special and truly make me smile. He truly understands me and works to make our lives better.

3. The Lutheran Student Center. My husband and I attended this congregation during our college years. In Lincoln, NE - it is a wonderful place for a college student to find family, in the closeness sense. I found so many friends that I considered my family. I found a closeness to God and being able to express that closeness easier to express here than any other place. Recently, my husband and I celebrated 100 years of campus ministry and returned to this place to honor LSC. It was a wonderful evening that brought back a flood of memories. I feel honored to have spent my time building my faith at this place.

4. The kiddos that I watch at daycare. Realistically, the kiddos only want one thing...to be with mom and dad. But since they are with me each day, they just want to be held, told they matter in the world, taught something new they can brag about, and believe that they are good kiddos. And also avoid naptime and play outside whenever possible. They are innocent kiddos that teach me each day how to be patient, look to learn new things, and not to forget why each of them are so special.

5. I have to complete my list with my music. Each of us have our own type of music that can bring us out of the deepest funk. It brings us to the realization that whatever happens to us, we can move on, cheers us us, or helps us move on from our sluggish feeling to a more peaceful feeling. I have 3-4 bands I listen to. Yes, Bon Jovi is one of them, but I also love Fleetwood Mac, Geoff Moore, Phil Collins, and various other artists. They bring me to a better place. I thank them each for giving us each this ability to move forward each day and to see a new light at the end of the tunnel.

Funny things kids do

Each of these stories I can relate. I'm sure you can too. Just remember, these are true stories and any moment your kiddo could do this to you. =)

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Last night, a daycare mom calls. She says, you have to hear what my daughter did. This got me excited.

Mom and daughter was at the grocery store. Mom bought some bananas and thought her daughter might want to share one. As they ate, she tore off part of the banana and handed to her daughter. A little bit was left in the skin as they got to the car. Mom thought it was best that she removed the rest and tossed the skin in the trash. Daughter was not to excited about that, so the daughter started throwing fit. Mom quickly explained that she can either have the banana or not. Daughter refused and they got in the car and started for home.

Mom heard daughter mumbling. Through the mumbling she heard her daughter say, "Make a good choice mom, big girl".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This morning a different daycare mom brought her son to daycare. The son was all upset because mom had been gone from home for 2 days (for a work related meeting) and then the morning he saw her, she brought him to daycare. Here is how the morning unfolded for the 2 of them:
6:30 am - Got kiddo dressed

6:45 am - Kiddo demanded to go potty. Mom led kiddo to bathroom and placed on potty.

6:50 am - Both wait. Mom looks and watch and realize they are running late. Asks kiddo if he is
done. No. Both wait.

6:55 am - Mom looks and watch and realize they are running really late. Asks kiddo if he is done. No. Both wait.

7:00 am - Mom starts to get sister ready to go. Kiddo climbs off the toilet and comes to find mom. He is not wearing pants, diaper, shoes, or socks. Mom starts to get kiddo dressed, he demanded to go potty. Mom led kiddo to bathroom and placed on potty. Mom looks and watch and realize they are running really, really late. Mom asked kiddo again if he is done. No. She decides she has to go. Lifts him off potty. Kiddo screams and runs to the bathroom. Mom starts for the door. Kiddo realizes mom is leaving and runs to the door. Out the door, to the lawn, he chases mom. Still, he is not wearing pants, diaper, shoes, or socks. Mom turns to grab him, he runs into the house, to the bathroom, climbs onto the toilet and sits down to go potty.

7:05 am - Mom says again she has to go and starts from the door. Kiddo realizes mom is leaving. He climbs off the potty and runs to the door. Again, he is out the door, to the lawn, he chases mom. Still, he is not wearing pants, diaper, shoes, or socks. Mom turns to grab him, he runs into the house, to the bathroom, climbs onto the toilet and sits down to go potty.

7:10 am - Finally, mom picks him off the potty, kicking and screaming. She takes him to the car. She puts him in the car and locks the door. He climbs over seat and looks for a way out.

7:15 am - Finally she is able to put him into the carseat...still no diaper on, but puts it under him as she straps it on. The 10 minute drive to daycare, kiddo screams, kicks seat and demands to get out of carseat. Diaper is found, pulled out from under him and thrown away from him.

This is how they arrive at 7:25: Kiddo is still not wearing pants, diaper, shoes, or socks. He still demands to sit on potty, but when he realizes he doesn't get his way, he starts to settle down. Total tantrum -- 6:30 - 7:45 am.

Thank God it's Friday!!!

What a strange day

Ok, so my son is sick. I have established that. It's not croup, strep throat, a cold, or flu. He has pneumonia. Yep, that's what the doctor said today. This after a fever last night, lots of cuddling, coughing, and crying. But the poor guy!

My hubby is home today too. He is home to take care of our son. Though he seems quite lost. Normally when he is home, its because there is no school. Not because he needs to take care of our son. It was a long night last night and he's taking a nap.

In the mean time, daycare still continues (even though we have quarantined our son). I have 6 kiddos sleeping upstairs at nap. My son is also resting and doing the continual laundry, dishes, cleaning and getting things ready for when the kiddos wake up.

Rest hubby rest. Soon you will be busy too. =)

up at night

So, my son is barking like a seal right now. Yes, at 1:30 in the am.

He has had this condition for about a week now. At first, we thought it was allergies, but it is a cold. We happened to see the doctor on Friday and he said that it appears to be a cold and that we have to let it run it's course. Poor guy!

I'm a bit the same way. After crashing all day on Sunday and sleeping away part of my afternoon, I started feeling better. But, I keep waking up from the dead of sleep and have been having the hardest time falling back asleep. That's when I discovered my son hacking away tonight.

If only the other seals would come and join him...he would have more fun.

Bon Jovi

Something wonderful happened on Friday....I not only got tickets to the Bon Jovi concert coming to Omaha on Feb 18, but I got floor seats! My sister and I will be in row 46. Close enough to really see the band and extremely enjoy the concert! I am so psyched!! It will be such an AWESOME concert!!!

Last time I was at a BJ concert was 2 years ago. I went with my friend K and my sister. They rocked and we all had a blast! We were in the nose-bleed seats. It was still fun and was a glorious night to be out!

Can't wait for the big day!!!!

Thursday

I am beat!!! Today was a busy day! Not only did I have kiddos, but at one time, I had 8. Not too unusual, but today I was busy anyway. Here's what I did:

1. Laundry (all the house laundry and kiddo's)
2. Chased after, fed, changed diapers and tried to kept track of 1 baby, 4 toddlers, and 3 older kiddos until after nap, then my son joined the bunch. Usually on Thursdays, I am done by 4:30 pm. Today, it was until 5:30 pm. Makes for a long day!
3. Talked with my brother-in-law, don't get to do that much, so that was a treat.
4. Raked 1/2 of yard. We have a forest of trees, so all that raking is needed. Luckily, we have a leaf vacuum, so it makes it all into mulch we use on our flowerbeds right away. Saves on bagging. One year (before the vacuum, we had 37 bags of leaves).
5. Made supper...my hubby helped.
6. Now, I am resting while my hubby takes care of the bedtime routine with our son. I must go to the store and pick up some milk. Then, folding clothes, and hopefully crashing!

Thank God tomorrow is Friday!!! Hope your day was a productive one!!

Saturday Night

You would think that the title would indicate a wonderful day, like the Elton John song suggests. Saturday nights are to be so wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I not only had a great day, it was a bunch of fun!! However, the end of the day wasn't so wonderful. I sit here at the computer trying to figure out my printer, praying that my cranky son stays asleep, and wondering when my hubby will be home. Strike that...my husband just called...he should be home soon. But the evening has been so long.

Day started and I got up and met a friend and her kiddos. Talked for a bit. Then my hubby had a boys day at our home. Some college roommates came over and hung out watching football. I picked up pizza, went to the bank & a few stores. Kept busy. Then, I came home, made cookies and got dinner ready for tomorrow, went to a soup supper and picked up some baked goods for tomorrow (finally moving the playhouse off the trailer and onto the spot it will sit for the next 3 years). Then to come home.

My son had a wonderful day....watched and even played some football with the guys (he ran to the kitchen door so excited to tell me, then went back again), played with a fort built just for him, got some TV time, hung out with mom all day, got to play with the photo machine at the store, and even helped make cookies. Then the day got to be too much.
This is when the poop hit the celling fan and then made my night rough too.

Earlier, he saw a Curious George sticker he wanted. I told him that little boys that go poop in the potty got a sticker. He went directly to the toilet and pooped. This is the same boy that we have been struggling for over a year to just sit and try. He goes and poops! I'm excited!! Then we get home from the soup supper. I let him ride his trike around and asked him if he wanted to go potty at that moment or 5 minutes later. 1 minute later I find him stopping his trike and peeing right on it. The rest of the night went downhill. Crying because I didn't take him out of the bathtub when he wanted. Crying because I washed his hair. Crying because he didn't want to dress himself. Crying because he didn't want to go to bed, eat a snack or read a book. The only reason he is in bed is because I started reading a book and he just listened. From that point, he just settled into bed. 5 minutes after I closed the door and left him for the night, he was out. So exhausted from the day. I hope he remembers this day with the good things. I'll try to, because even though his day ended on a sour note...it sure was a great Saturday!

Maybe with us gaining an hour tonight with the time change....Sunday will be even better!!! =)

Friday Five: Interviews

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Songbird just had an interview for a "vague and interesting" possibility, and More Cows than People is doing campus visits for doctoral programs. There always seem to be a few RevGals applying for new positions, and I just got my first call for this year's preliminary interviews for college teaching jobs at the American Academy of Religion meeting in San Diego coming up in a few weeks. It's for my dream job among this year's offerings, and I am flipflopping between excitement and nervousness. So please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for everyone facing such conversations, and share your thoughts on the wonderful world of interviews:

1. What was the most memorable interview you ever had? I interviewed a close friend who ended up marring my husband and I. I had to write a paper about people who influenced me in my life. He pushed me to look at myself and make changes that would help me be not only a better person, but do things better in my life. I owe him lots! Thank you!

2. Have you ever been the interviewer rather than the interviewee? If so, are you a tiger, a creampuff, or somewhere in between? somewhat in between

3. Do phone interviews make you more or less nervous than in-person ones? More nervous, because I can not tell what the people are thinking. At least in person I can gage the facial expressions.

4. What was the best advice you ever got to prepare for an interview? How about the worst?

Best: Be yourself. Talk from your heart. Listen to the question and talk it through.

Worst: Figure out your flaws. I concentrate more on those and forget that I am a good person with many talents to offer a boss and co-workers.

5. Do you have any pre-interview rituals that give you confidence? Breathe and try to relax!