Dreams and jobs

Last year I was completely unhappy with my career. I had spent 9 1/2 years at a newspaper in Northern California as a graphic designer and after relocating to Las Vegas had the worst time finding a new job that was half as awesome as the job I walked away from.
I ended up in classified ad sales here at the newspaper. I liked it at first but soon learned I was not a sales person and I did not like to be micro-managed.
About three months ago I moved into a new position at the newspaper handling online ad coordination. I can honestly say, I LOVE MY JOB.
It's got all the elements I was hoping for when I started sending out the millions of resumes that I did. I made a dream job wish-list last year. 5 out of the 6 things I was looking for were found with this new job.
1. Provoke creativity. I want to create something that is awesome on all sorts of levels and inspires others to be creative as well.- I have been able to create awesome presentations and some online ads that my co-workers and boss have all appreciated.

2. Keeps me busy. I don’t want down time during my work hours. I want to be busy and on my toes as much as possible. I have been extremely busy. I have a ton of stuff that keeps me challenged and helps make my work day go by much faster.

3. I want to be happy. I want to be glad to get in my car and drive to work everyday. Not a job I dread and makes me cringe at the thought of Monday morning. I am obviously very happy with this new job. I love the people I work with who all appreciate me for what I get done.

4. I don’t want to be micro-managed. I don’t want unrealistic expectations hovering over my head like a scythe. I want to be able to do my work efficiently, enjoy my work and feel good when the work is done. I am no longer micro-managed. I have my work load, my Pandora going, take my lunch whenever I want, and don't have to worry about making cold calls anymore!!

5. I love challenges. I want something that challenges my abilities and teaches me new things. I am challenged every day. I am learning a whole new aspect to the newspaper industry as well as design with all the online differences, after years in print.

6. I don’t want to sit in a cubicle anymore. An office or a real desk would be nice. No more gray walls please, I need a little color. I may still be in somewhat of a cubicle, but it's a lot less drab than my last one. I have skulls, pictures, and paper flowers from my son to spruce it up.

It's nice to have the these elements in my life again. So many people I know are still looking for work, or their dream job. The advice I have is to NEVER GIVE UP! Send out millions of resumes, go to hundreds of interviews, you never know which opportunity could be THE ONE!
If I can do it, ANYONE CAN!!!