Got it!

Good news! The interview went very well at LifeHouse, and an hour later they were talking with my references. They called to offer me the weekend position this morning! It actually works out really well, because Marisa told me today that SCC may not actually have all the licensing in order before September, so I can do this on the weekends and take all the classes I want on the weekdays all summer. Then come September, when SCC opens I can either drop my hours at LifeHouse to two weekends, or just quit, if it's too much stress trying to hold both jobs. Either way, this is perfect for the summer, since I have already signed up for several classes. I will have to drop the Japanese cuisine class I think, because it's four weekends in a row. I may keep the other weekend class, since it's only two Saturdays and I can probably just tell them I have previous plans, we'll see. I can always drop it and retake it later if need be.

Susie forwarded her personal reference letter to me, and I was so touched, I am posting it here:

I believe I met Rupa in 1988, or 1989, during what I call my "before-children" years! She lived and worked in a studio in Oakland, where my oldest friend, Kim Anno, also worked.

Rupa struck everyone as the ultimate "can-do" person. She just seemed to have so many skills, ingenuity, and confidence. I admired her.

Fast forward to 90 or 91.

I had a baby, and I also had a new book out. In those days, the publisher sent authors on quite an ambitious tour, 15 cities in about 30 days.

I asked Rupa if she had the flexibility to travel with me for a month as a both a nanny to Aretha and general book tour assistant.

We flew and drove everywhere, from Texas to Northern Canada, and I honestly don't know what I'd have done without her. There were so many new circumstances and unexpected transitions, new people every day... it was unbelievable. And her good spirits and patience kept me going, along with her practical way of getting things done, no matter how intimidating they might seem at first.


Her intelligence, sensitivity, and "making s something out of nothing" was what always astounded me. What a great heart she has.

I really can't tell you what her weak points were in those circumstances, because I was the one who was so "difficult," to tell you the truth! I dont' know how she could stand me by the end, I was so moody, i was nursing, I my hormones were nuts. She was one of the few people who could "handle" me- so I guess I'm the one with the "challenging personality," at least at that time. Hopefully age has mellowed me.

We talked a great deal about her family, her travels in India; I have fond memories of that. We both have family histories from that part of the world. She was an expert "gleaner," who could always shop and find things of the best possible value when everyone else would have given up. She is a great cook; she has remarkable taste in everything aesthetic.


I hope this is helpful!

Susie B...