Thursday, April 17, 2008

Look at this!!!

CARDS Magazine.
April edition.
Page 84.
That's my card!!!!
Woo-hoo sister!

The April edition of CARDS recently hit the newsstand and I'm in it! Can you believe it? It's only the second card I've ever had published! It definitely feels great seeing something you've made in print--it's a big honor for me. I feel blessed.

I know a lot of you have tried and tried to get publishers to notice your cards. Trust me, I've been there (and am still there). The rejection stinks. Everyone gets rejected, even the big designers we all know and love. It's mostly hit or miss it seems. All I can say is keep trying, keep sending in those cards. It will happen someday, you just have to believe!

This the card that's in the April edition. I made it using all Webster's Pages paper. I used three different patterns! I'm not even sure if they're all from the same collections:)! Ok, enough shameless self-promotion, it's time to move on......

WARNING! From here on out, this post turns LONG. Feel free to click away if you don't want to read about anything personal, ok? If you do want like to read about my personal life, read on!!!

Most of you know that I am a freelance senior media buyer, working out of my home. I've done this for four years. Prior to that, I worked in an advertising agency, holding the same position, but was then laid off. So, I've been doing the same thing for nearly 20 years! Ugh. In all honesty, I didn't have alot of passion for what I did. There is alot of number crunching involved, and math was never my forte in school. In fact, I despised math. That I ended up in a career that relied on the ability to work with numbers baffles me. At the end of a hard day, I would have to go home and do something creative in order to feel like I really accomplished something that day.

Isn't that sad? Don't get me wrong. I worked for a great agency, with great people. If I had to work, I guess I'm glad I worked where I did. But now that I'm older, and wiser (I hope), I am feeling the need to break away from what I know and move into a career that I have secretly had a passion for for a very long time.

What is it? Well, I have always loved doctors offices and hospitals. Don't ask me why. Most people hate them. But not me. When I'm in either one, I watch the proceedings with fascination and longing. SOOOOOOO, I am trying to get a entry level job at either a drs office or at the local hospital here in town. But it's been like banging my head against a brick wall! Nobody at a drs office or hospital has any use whatsoever for someone who has tons of advertising experience but no medical experience. Never mind that I'm super dependable, loyal, hard-working, compassionate, smart, enthusiastic, a quick learner. Heavens no. That's of no use WHATSOEVER to these people!!! So I solicited the help of my girlfriend who works in the radiology department at the hospital. There was a position available in the emergency room for a HUC (pronounced "huck", which stands for health unit coordinator). My friend knew the woman hiring for the job and asked her what I needed to do to get noticed by the HR dept. The woman told my friend that she'd interview me if I took an online Medical Terminology class.

So guess what????? I started class today! Woo-hoo! It's a six week on-line course through the local community college. My girlfriend who works at the hospital, Sharon, shocked me speechless one day when she offered to pay for the class for me, because she knows finances are really tight around here. Seriously, the day she told me she wanted to do this I was driving in my car, and nearly drove off the road because my tears were blinding me. I was overcome with emotion that someone actually wanted to do something like that for me. I am still amazed. I am so thankful to Sharon, because more than anything, it means she believes in me and believes this is definitely something I can do. Sharon, if you're reading this, THANK YOU. Your generous offer means the world to me. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}. Oh, and by the way Sharon....thanks for the GUTS!!!!!

So, I just wanted to share this exciting news with you guys. If you see a medical term make it's way into my blogging now and again over the next 6 weeks, just ignore it. It just means I'm overloading my brain with medical terminology because I plan on ACING this class!

Hugs,
Amy









34 comments:

  1. Oh Amy, what an exciting post! I'm so happy for you! Looks like the Lord has come thru for you again - Wishing you the best!!!

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  2. Congratulations on your publication and on following your passion! Hope you will keep us in the loop about how this all plays out!

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  3. Wow Amy....HUGE congrats to you! You are having good news all around you...your prayers are being answered....sometimes they are just slower than we like but you kept the faith!
    Your card is LOVELY! I'll have to look for this ;)
    Good luck in your new adventure! Sounds interesting!!

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  4. So happy for you! It is so wonderful that you have such a great friend!! I am sure you will do great in the class too! Have fun! And congrats on the card pub. You are famous again! ;) Lisa K

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  5. That's great Amy! And I'm sending you well wishes for your course! I admire your courage to strike out and pursue a new career after 20 years in your current one.

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  6. How exciting! Being published AND a fun new career direction! Best wishes to you! :)

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  7. Yay You!!!!!!!
    God is blessing you for trusting HIM.
    God does his best work when we are broken.

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  8. Congratulations, Amy!!!!! You deserve some wonderful news. Romans 8:28 seems appropriate, doesn't it? Have a blessed day!

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  9. Anonymous6:20 AM

    See Amy, those who wait upon the Lord will never be disappointed. In His perfect timing he will make all things new and He has always known the desires of your heart! Congrats on both your card and your course

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  10. A HUGE congratulations to you on getting published. And another one is in order for taking the plunge toward a new and more satisfying career. I have no doubt that you will ace the test!

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  11. Best of luck in the course and your job search. You don`t get anywhere without trying so here`s to you...Success.
    Retired Heather

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  12. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! so happy for you and being published. You know, I'm an employment counselor in my paid job and it is GREAT when someone starts on a career path that (1) is of interest, (2) can challenge and allow you to grow and progress as a person, (3) and has the support of your friend(s) and family. What a great adventure!!! {{Hugs}}

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  13. Best of luck with the course - I have been in the health care field for over 30 years - it is challenging - and no 2 days are ever alike. I can say the company I work for does not care if you have had experience or not - they look for hard workers and a willingness to learn - we train them on what they need - which includes a terminology class! Di

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  14. Congratulations Amy!
    I'm very, very happy for you!

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  15. Good for you Amy!!! What a great friend you have. I worked in a hospital for 4 years and although the hours were rough I learned A LOT!! The medical terminology will certainly help you tremendously. Good Luck. Melanie

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  16. Congratulations on having a card published. There is nothing like seeing your name in a magazine that you love!! Congrats also on starting a new career. I'm sure you will enjoy the course you're taking. It's interesting to see where all the medical words come from!

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  17. Congratulations on your publication, I was just browsing that issue today while I was waiting in line at the store!!

    And, congratulations on such an amazing new adventure in your life. Sounds fun. Wishing you all the best!

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  18. Wonderful news AMY! woohoo...i am sure this will open a lot of doors for you!

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  19. Great card. Congrats on your published work. Good luck with your med terminology. I loved it when I took it. I'm a medical transcriptionist who had a breakdown (think I told you before), and now I have to be retrained to work back in the health field. I'm hoping I can be as happy as you with re-training. Good luck and hugs,

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  20. Great Card! congratulations on the card publication! and Best of luck on the class! I love learning new stuff...

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  21. Anonymous5:24 PM

    Congratulations!!! That's WONDERFUL!

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  22. Congrats on being published again! Lovely card! Why am I not surprised that you used Webster's Pages DP? I never heard of it until I started reading your blog. Then, of course, I had to Google it and check it out. Great news about the class and interview. A new door has opened!

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  23. that's so awesome!!! you can do it and you WILL ace the class!

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  24. oh and ps... congrats on your card being published! that is so cool!!

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  25. Amy, congrats on your *gorgeous* card AND on the job training class! {{{Hugs!}}}

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  26. Hi Amy, I don't always comment on your blog, but I just had to tell you that Monday is my final exam in Medical Terminology. I enrolled in a Medical Office Assistant program last September at my local Comm. College and have loved every minute of this past year. I am 41 years old and have been home with my family for the past 9 years and just felt like I needed somthing to give me a fresh start. I start my placement in our hospital next Monday in the Surgical ward. I feel the exact same way you do about hospitals and drs. offices, I LOVE THAT ATMOSPHERE!! Anyway Amy, I just wanted to tell you that you can do it girl, and if you ever need some help, just ask. I loved my Terminology course the most!!

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  27. Hi Amy! Sorry I haven't been stopping by this week. CONGRATS on your card. And even more so on finding a way to do what you love.

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  28. Firstly Congrats on getting the cover...your card is absolutely amazing...and that is my fave mag!

    Secondly, congrats on reaching for your dreams...instead of just dreaming of them! You go girl...you inspire me!

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  29. Anonymous6:44 PM

    I think it's awesome that you are finding your way into a new career. It is obvious that God is leading you because He is providing for you!
    Congrats on getting your card published!

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  30. Amy- Congrats on getting published! I also wanted to encourage you in your schooling. I worked as a HUC at a hospital here in Minneapolis (Coon Rapids actually) for 8 years and in a dialysis unit for 3 years prior to that. I decided to quit to stay home with my children but it is a job I would gladly go back to! I loved the job and found the most "action" on the surgical floor. Good luck and there is a great program at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn park if you ever want to take more class to become a certified HUC!

    Gretchen

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  31. CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is awesome news...you should be proud!

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  32. Congratulations on your publication, Amy! Your card is beautiful!! Great news about your decision to change careers! I'm sure you'll do wonderfully, and I wish you the best!!

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  33. Great news! I have worked in healthcare for 7 years, now, as an RN, and I love it. Yep, there are plenty of stressful days, but in the end it is really rewarding. I would't have my career any way else.

    Congrats on your card being published also! That is something I need to aspire to... ;)

    Have a great day!

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