Heads up: This is one of my touchy subjects.
I'm posting this, because I'm... Annoyed. Yeah, that's a good word.
If you didn't know, I recently earned (and paid the licensing fee for) my PLMHP. Meaning, I've completed the work to get a provisional license to practice in mental health. Including a master's degree.
Yay! And I'm working toward getting a license that doesn't have the "provisional" attached to it. It's a 1.5+ year process for the latter bit, one that picks up where my schooling for my M.S. left off.
One of the groups that gets led at my work is a group on stigmas and stereotypes, with a focus on mental illness - how those with a mental illness are perceived by others, and how they perceive themselves to be.
One of the groups that I lead is a mental health awareness group, in which we go over current events related to mental health.
So as I was scrolling through Twitter after work today (instead of taking a nap... Bad idea, I guess), I came across this from the Huffington Post: Jackkqueline Pogue, Homeless Woman Accused Of Pushing Woman Off Train Platform, Was Schizophrenic.
Now, with all of the events that have happened last year, I have to say I'm annoyed. When something goes wrong, they automatically blame it on mental illness - in general. Now, it appears this woman actually DOES have a mental illness (specifically, untreated schizophrenia, according to the article), and I can understand it playing a part in this particular case. But I mean the past few events, like Boston, and the automatic assuming that people only do these things if they have mental illness.
Silly me, I looked at what people were saying in reply to the tweet with that article. And then I saw... This:
"Just like the people who have committed mass shootings. When will we institutionalize these people?"
I left out his Twitter handle on purpose. If he was that energetic about posting such a comment then he probably doesn't care who sees it, but I don't know that it's for me to share who it is...
It was one of those moments of "... Did someone seriously just say that?"
I double-checked his picture to see if age-related stereotyping was going on, and it very well may have. But I found it interesting that this person claimed to be a historian, a writer, a lecturer... and he was going about it without the facts.
Also, some of my clients are absolutely TERRIFIED at the idea that they may be hospitalized/EPC'd by the cops, concerned they'll be locked up.
So naturally I was a bit... Shall we say, incensed.
And like any, um, good person trying to hold their tongue in a manner yet get the point across... I schooled him. Because that kind of ignorance is unacceptable.
I provided him with information on mental illness from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
I also provided him with information on schizophrenia from NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health).
In the event that you don't feel like checking out the information, let me sum it up:
Approximately 25% of the US population has a MI (mental illness) or had one at some point in their lives -and that's before the release of the DSM-5 and the controversy that goes along with it, thank you very much. Give or take 1% of the US population has schizophrenia.
Speaking from personal experience with the population I work with, which includes SPMIs (severe and persistent mental illness - major depression as well as bipolar, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorders), as well as the information provided, most people with mental illness would like to be contributing members of the mainstream population. I've got clients who want to go to work and/or go to school - and clients who DO work and/or go to school. I've got clients who just aren't able to work. My supervisor has mentioned to me clients so terrified they'll be locked up that they avoid talking to others for fear that they'll see something wrong with them...
I've got cranky clients, quiet clients, boisterous clients, sweet clients, clients who laugh and giggle a lot. They have good days, and they have bad days. They enjoy watching movies, going on walks, going to the store, playing games, dancing... Laughing at Betty White's antics (we recently watched The Proposal for a laugh in my Stress Management group). We've had the occasional violent/aggressive client (see also: not often at all). Many of our clients are really quite intelligent - one who can school everyone on a certain counseling theory, another who is amazing at math, and who enjoyed science so much he taught it to his peers, multiple who've taught me a thing or two about music (and I used to be a music ed major!), and another who is so amazing at history it's a little scary! We've got one who's such a proud, new papa that he adores showing off pictures of his little one, all you have to do is ask. ☺
How is this any different from the rest of the population?
(The large font was unintentional. It happened that was because I increase the font on my smiley faces... But it worked out quite well, no?)
Mostly we have clients who want to fit in. Who want friends. Who want to be accepted. Who feel left out. Who will offer you support if it looks like you're having a hard time, and who will look out for you.
Some who miss the choices and lifestyle they had prior to the start of their symptoms and their diagnosis. I have a client who, to this day, well over a decade later, grieves the fact that, for her, mental illness means she has no option of even adopting children.
As for schizophrenia in particular, we've got a number of clients who wear headphones and listen to music to help with any auditory hallucinations (that is, hearing voices or other things). Sometimes they play whatever. There are a few in particular... One person loves classical music. There's another who enjoys rap, I believe - I'll have to ask what he's listening to some day. Another person likes a little bit of everything - and when the music is up loud enough, I find myself wanting to sing/dance along to it, because it's music that I also enjoy.
Riddle me this: How can you say that all people with mental illness are violent and should be locked up? Do you even know all people with mental illness? And what about the people who are violent and don't have a mental illness?
Oh, and saying someone is "mentally disturbed" or something to that effect isn't the same thing as "having a mental illness". Just FYI.
Basically: Having a mental illness doesn't mean someone is a bad person, or that they should be locked up. Although if you want to make a case for more mental health services to be available to people, be my guest.
Lumping everyone with mental illness into the category of being "violent" or something else equally unflattering isn't helping anyone.
I can guarantee you know or have met someone with a mental illness, or who has experienced a mental illness with a loved one.
By the way, ADHD, Postpartum as an onset specifier to a mood disorder (as in, the mood disorder started postpartum), and premature ejaculation are in the DSM-IV-TR, people.
Just saying. (Had to throw that last one in there for good measure, you see. haha)
☺
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
The joys of adulthood
I've been MIA in blogging, I know. I mean, HARDCORE MIA in blogging. As in, I don't remember the last time I made a post.
There have been plenty of things that have come up that I could have posted on... But haven't. It seems I'm to that lovely point of adulthood where I work 40-50+ hours a week... And then I sleep.
DH even jokes about my routine. I get up, have a bowl of cereal, go to work, come home, sometimes take a nap, sometimes read... Go to sleep. Add a shower in there somewhere, maybe add in a run - which is lovely for someone who has a number of long-distance runs coming up in the next 7 months, I know.
Nobody tells you that growing up means working a lot and sleeping instead of having a life, do they? (yes, I just rolled my eyes)
Let's see... I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but I'm kind of lacking pictures at the moment.
There have been plenty of things that have come up that I could have posted on... But haven't. It seems I'm to that lovely point of adulthood where I work 40-50+ hours a week... And then I sleep.
DH even jokes about my routine. I get up, have a bowl of cereal, go to work, come home, sometimes take a nap, sometimes read... Go to sleep. Add a shower in there somewhere, maybe add in a run - which is lovely for someone who has a number of long-distance runs coming up in the next 7 months, I know.
Nobody tells you that growing up means working a lot and sleeping instead of having a life, do they? (yes, I just rolled my eyes)
Let's see... I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but I'm kind of lacking pictures at the moment.
- Just over a month ago (on May 4th) I graduated with my M.S. in Community Counseling :D
- On May... 12th I completed the Runway Run. I was either 5th or 6th from the end, but I did it! Other than the Princess Half Marathon, THAT was the event that got me interested in running :D 7 miles in 1:29:06... I admit to being a little miffed that it was 3 second slower than I thought, but I beat my goal of 1:30:00! :D
- On May 29th, the hubs and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary.
- Two days later my hubs celebrated his birthday. No clue why I married him so close to his birthday. Shopping for gifts was a pain! :P
- Two days later was our 6-year dating anniversary. See above, but this time no gifts.
- Aaaaaaaand, good ol' June! On the 6th I apparently was issued my PLMHP (Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner). Got it in the mail on the 7th, started supervision this week to work toward a license that DOESN'T say "provisional"!
- Lacking running motivation. I think part of it is related to the heat.
- What I lack in running motivation, I make up for doing three walks a week with my clients at work to improve physical (and hopefully mental!) health. Nothing like getting out and getting moving!
- Speaking of which (see also: reminder to self) I've got clients who often pace due to not being able to sit in a group/class for 45 minutes... I need to invite them on the walks
- Today... I realized that I have walked and run at least 280 miles this year. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay less than I'd hoped to have achieved at this point, but let's face it... I'm doing better at this than I ever have. I may not reach my Moon Jogger goal of 2,013 miles this year (and I still have 6.5 months to go!!!), but I'm doing so much better than I EVER thought I would have done as far as running, walking, and overall exercise.
- Speaking of which, my ILs and DH got me registered for the Dopey Challenge as a graduation present!! SO excited. NEVER would I have thought I'd be doing a marathon. But in 7 months time, I will be sticking it out there and trying my best - and doing it. I won't be the first to finish, but it'll be a first for me. And I'm excited.
Random blurb, that I may have mentioned before: After the Boston Marathon events, I had a friend text me to make sure I wasn't there.
Let's face it, there's no way I'm getting a BQ - at least, not any time soon, not without a whole lot more effort and all.
But, HELLO, love and support. I know she doesn't know a person has to qualify, but the feeling was "She thinks I can BQ!" Add that to the other supportive people in my life, and it's all golden.
So, being an adult is busier than I thought, considering I have pretty similar hours the ones I kept in high school - only difference is I'm in bed by 11 usually. Or at 9:30 I'm asleep on the bed until DH pokes me and tells me to get ready for bed. LOL.
Oh, the joys of being an adult.
And yes, I am surprised that it's just barely 9. I thought I was 22, not 222! haha
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Words of Wisdom (Teeth)
I had my wisdom teeth taken out yesterday. Something I could've lived without, but nothing like the horror stories people kept feeding me with horrible nurses, oral surgeons not listening to people that novocaine won't work on them, that kind of mess.
Although I will say it was kinda weird and creepy because they had wrist clamps for heart rate/pulse monitors, and the cords attached to them (so yay, no sticky stuff!). I was hanging out around 68 or so, and then the oral surgeon walked in and it jumped to about 78.
Nervous much?
I found it rather... Humorous, for lack of a better word, that they told me to come in wearing short sleeves or something that could easily be rolled up past the elbow (for IV sedation)... Yeah, they stuck it in my hand.
The oral surgeon told me that in about two minutes the room would spin.
I only got as far as thinking "Man, my hand feels a little numb..." and then I woke up.
Yeah, I don't know what "room spinning" he was talking about.
I love my MIL. My husband has a bad habit of volunteering her for things and not telling her until a day or two before (or, you know, being "nice" and "volunteering" me for things... We gotta work on his communication! lol??), and she ended up taking me to the dentist AND staying in the waiting room for an hour and a half - all while being on a teleconference that she'd had scheduled.
Not to mention the fact that they actually showed me a video on how to care for my mouth AS I was waking up.
Totally slept through most of it.
And on top of everything else, she changed my bloody gauze, and even made me try to have some milkshake before she made me take my painkiller (nevermind that I didn't need or want the painkiller, she followed instructions and wouldn't let me take it on an empty stomach - and she wiped my coat when I spilled shake and dripped blood on myself).
With a mouth full of clean gauze, I told her I loved her. And that I'd never felt so attractive in my life (sarcasm, of course).
My last run was two nights ago, and ended in enough time that I had a small dish of frozen yogurt, some orange juice... I think I also had my water and vitamins, or something like that... All right before the cutoff of when they told me to not eat before the surgery.
And then waking up around 8, about an hour before the surgery... Needless to say, I was crabby because I was hungry - AND I wasn't allowed to have water or anything.
The more recent dilemma has been deciding what I can and can't do. I woke up at 7, despite having the day off... And I wanted to go for a run.
Of course, I've been pretty clear-headed since the surgery (although a bit groggy yesterday, but still pretty lucid), but I know good and well that DH and the ILs would've been all "NO! NO YOU MAY NOT!!!"
And soI didn't.
I paid credit card bills. I looked up shoes for graduation for about an hour. I spent just over an hour on the phone with my FIL (and yes, the "NO YOU MAY NOT!" was confirmed). And then I was so bored (and maybe a little tired?? But mostly bored) that I slept from just after 11 until about 2, pausing for random phone calls, of course.
I was so bored I was tempted to go into work. Of course, I'm going in at about 5 anyway for an evening training.
And here I am, awake. Very minimal pain, maybe a hint of discomfort here and there... And I've been living on Ensure shakes and pudding - the kind of pudding that has to be refrigerated! (How weird is that??). And a little bit of applesauce.
Which is tasty and all, but it blows because I would go for a burger or a spicy chicken sandwich or something if I could, but I should probably avoid that for the next couple days.
On the subject of nutrition, I've been trying to figure out exactly how to take care of myself post-run for the next week while my mouth heals. I already have a hard time with GI issues post-run, and now it seems like I'm going to be on applesauce, Ensure, pudding (cold pudding! ick), and water for ages.
I feel a bit like an old person with hardcore dietary restrictions or something.
I tried looking it up, and I found all sorts of posts from people who ran a great distance the next day, or couldn't run the next day, who felt fine or had a horrible experience, and I'm just thinking "Well, I could be out and moving around instead of laying here like a lump because I'm not in pain..."
Even better, the experience I got from my other job... They called me yesterday afternoon with an open shift on Saturday - I'd already told one person I wouldn't be able to do Saturday (the day of the NCE), but that I wouldn't be able to come in to fill out the paperwork because I work during the hours the office is open. She told me it was ok.
My phone was on silent yesterday and I dozed through the call. When I saw they'd called I was going to make DH call and let them know I was unavailable for a shift - of course he didn't do that. So I sent them an email.
I called them this morning to make sure they got the message, and was told that when "something like this happens" (meaning my wisdom teeth getting taken out) I need to call and let them know I can't work.
Uh... That's not why I can't work Saturday. I'd already spoken to someone about it - I'm not working Saturday because I paid $300 to take a licensure exam. I feel perfectly fine, and I'm not available for them during the week anyway! I don't know what wisdom teeth Wednesday have to do with work Saturday - AND I was lucid enough to send an email that was grammatically correct and had no spelling errors.
Head, meet wall.
I love them, but I'm waiting to get a call to work graduation day this time around, too. I took the day off when I graduated with my bachelor's, and ended up working an overnight :-/
Which reminds me, if you all didn't notice... I'm graduating! May 4 :)
I rewrote my career counseling essay for my written exam, and I will be graduating! As in, diploma and everything! Now to find the right shoes for graduation. MIL and I will be going after the NCE on Saturday to see what we can find.
That is all. For now ;)
Although I will say it was kinda weird and creepy because they had wrist clamps for heart rate/pulse monitors, and the cords attached to them (so yay, no sticky stuff!). I was hanging out around 68 or so, and then the oral surgeon walked in and it jumped to about 78.
Nervous much?
I found it rather... Humorous, for lack of a better word, that they told me to come in wearing short sleeves or something that could easily be rolled up past the elbow (for IV sedation)... Yeah, they stuck it in my hand.
The oral surgeon told me that in about two minutes the room would spin.
I only got as far as thinking "Man, my hand feels a little numb..." and then I woke up.
Yeah, I don't know what "room spinning" he was talking about.
I love my MIL. My husband has a bad habit of volunteering her for things and not telling her until a day or two before (or, you know, being "nice" and "volunteering" me for things... We gotta work on his communication! lol??), and she ended up taking me to the dentist AND staying in the waiting room for an hour and a half - all while being on a teleconference that she'd had scheduled.
Not to mention the fact that they actually showed me a video on how to care for my mouth AS I was waking up.
Totally slept through most of it.
And on top of everything else, she changed my bloody gauze, and even made me try to have some milkshake before she made me take my painkiller (nevermind that I didn't need or want the painkiller, she followed instructions and wouldn't let me take it on an empty stomach - and she wiped my coat when I spilled shake and dripped blood on myself).
With a mouth full of clean gauze, I told her I loved her. And that I'd never felt so attractive in my life (sarcasm, of course).
My last run was two nights ago, and ended in enough time that I had a small dish of frozen yogurt, some orange juice... I think I also had my water and vitamins, or something like that... All right before the cutoff of when they told me to not eat before the surgery.
And then waking up around 8, about an hour before the surgery... Needless to say, I was crabby because I was hungry - AND I wasn't allowed to have water or anything.
The more recent dilemma has been deciding what I can and can't do. I woke up at 7, despite having the day off... And I wanted to go for a run.
Of course, I've been pretty clear-headed since the surgery (although a bit groggy yesterday, but still pretty lucid), but I know good and well that DH and the ILs would've been all "NO! NO YOU MAY NOT!!!"
And soI didn't.
I paid credit card bills. I looked up shoes for graduation for about an hour. I spent just over an hour on the phone with my FIL (and yes, the "NO YOU MAY NOT!" was confirmed). And then I was so bored (and maybe a little tired?? But mostly bored) that I slept from just after 11 until about 2, pausing for random phone calls, of course.
I was so bored I was tempted to go into work. Of course, I'm going in at about 5 anyway for an evening training.
And here I am, awake. Very minimal pain, maybe a hint of discomfort here and there... And I've been living on Ensure shakes and pudding - the kind of pudding that has to be refrigerated! (How weird is that??). And a little bit of applesauce.
Which is tasty and all, but it blows because I would go for a burger or a spicy chicken sandwich or something if I could, but I should probably avoid that for the next couple days.
On the subject of nutrition, I've been trying to figure out exactly how to take care of myself post-run for the next week while my mouth heals. I already have a hard time with GI issues post-run, and now it seems like I'm going to be on applesauce, Ensure, pudding (cold pudding! ick), and water for ages.
I feel a bit like an old person with hardcore dietary restrictions or something.
I tried looking it up, and I found all sorts of posts from people who ran a great distance the next day, or couldn't run the next day, who felt fine or had a horrible experience, and I'm just thinking "Well, I could be out and moving around instead of laying here like a lump because I'm not in pain..."
Even better, the experience I got from my other job... They called me yesterday afternoon with an open shift on Saturday - I'd already told one person I wouldn't be able to do Saturday (the day of the NCE), but that I wouldn't be able to come in to fill out the paperwork because I work during the hours the office is open. She told me it was ok.
My phone was on silent yesterday and I dozed through the call. When I saw they'd called I was going to make DH call and let them know I was unavailable for a shift - of course he didn't do that. So I sent them an email.
I called them this morning to make sure they got the message, and was told that when "something like this happens" (meaning my wisdom teeth getting taken out) I need to call and let them know I can't work.
Uh... That's not why I can't work Saturday. I'd already spoken to someone about it - I'm not working Saturday because I paid $300 to take a licensure exam. I feel perfectly fine, and I'm not available for them during the week anyway! I don't know what wisdom teeth Wednesday have to do with work Saturday - AND I was lucid enough to send an email that was grammatically correct and had no spelling errors.
Head, meet wall.
I love them, but I'm waiting to get a call to work graduation day this time around, too. I took the day off when I graduated with my bachelor's, and ended up working an overnight :-/
Which reminds me, if you all didn't notice... I'm graduating! May 4 :)
I rewrote my career counseling essay for my written exam, and I will be graduating! As in, diploma and everything! Now to find the right shoes for graduation. MIL and I will be going after the NCE on Saturday to see what we can find.
That is all. For now ;)
Friday, March 8, 2013
Learning by Burning? Nope, Avoiding Burnout!
I know I just posted a new blog very recently (as in, less than two minutes ago as I type this), but this is an issue important enough to me that it deserved its own post.
Burnout.
So far, it's something I've managed to avoid. But in the last couple months (specifically, February with its crazy test prep and anxiety and everything) it seemed like burnout was something that was going to hit me - and hard.
It's no secret among my friends that I'm a bit of a night owl. But I'm starting to get it together and try to go to bed, uh, BEFORE midnight or one in the morning (see also: No more checking Groupon right at midnight! ... Yes, yes I am that person... Or I was, at least).
I also have to wonder if part of that had to do with me being tired.
To condense a suuuuuper long story, it's been stressful. Super stressful. If you've checked out previous posts, you know about comps. I've also not been working as much as I used to.
Correction: I'm working more, when you add in my internship, I just wasn't getting paid for it.
Nothing like basically working a full-time job and not getting paid for it, huh?
On the same note, because my schedule has been reduced to only weekends for my one job, and my stable client moved to be by other family, I haven't been working much.
See also: three hours every other weekend.
(Mind you, this client I see every other week is such a sweetheart. Love her!)
But the fact remains, I was relying on my husband for income. What I was making wouldn't even cover our gas bill sometimes (No, I will not say how much the paycheck is, or what our gas bill is... But either way, it's a big drop from working 15-ish hours every weekend). And I was sick of it. Sick of it, and worrying myself sick because I just want to make sure bills get paid, and for a while when we first got married we'd had an agreement that I would be the predominant provider due to school scheduling and all. I wasn't used to relying on someone else, but I WAS used to working my tail off.
And after a while, especially as I realized that I was racking up internship hours (BTW, I'm OFFICIALLY done with them! Nearly 200 over my total minimum needed), but I was tired. I was frustrated. I was appreciated, and I knew it, but it was hard. Especially when I'm used to doing the math to make sure bills get paid, even though I KNOW they'll get paid. I can't recall ever having been late on a bill.
But it was always me saying "I'll take care of it", simply for the fact that my family stresses education BIG-time. And I already have my Bachelor's degree, and I didn't want my husband to worry about finances while completing his... And there was no was he was dropping out of school to work. No way.
Eventually it takes its toll on you.
I have to say, I'm super excited that I've been hired on as an official full-time staff at my internship. It's exciting. It's exhilarating, and enjoyable, and it gives me such an opportunity to learn (and grow and be more flexible - it's amazing what having a set of keys can do...). I've enjoyed the staff since I started there - actually, today felt like it was my first day again, I was that excited and happy, and the consumers were excited to hear that I'd be staying on.
However, a small part of me wondered... Is it the excitement getting RID of the tinglings of burnout, or is it the excitement HIDING those feelings?
Either way, I tend to use the excitement to my advantage.
Let's face it, as an unpaid intern working 30-40 hours a week... Who'd already completed her minimum required hours, and far EXCEEDED them... After a while, you start losing the motivation to... Show up early or on time (I know, cardinal sin in the workplace! Horribly shameful, and something I know better than to do). To feel good about going.
One of the things we talk about in the Anxiety and Phobia group that I lead there... Is "Personal Meaning".
I have to say that being hired there... Gives me a sense of meaning when being there. More than before. It gives me a sense of direction. I can learn more about the position. Help out more. Get more into the documentation side of things, learn more about the processes. Not feel like I'm nagging someone when I have scheduled a one-on-one meeting with someone, and I need keys to open the phone room. Be able to meet with more individuals one-on-one.
Oh, and here's a big one: I feel more accepted.
Not that I wasn't to begin with, but when the desire, anticipation, excitement, and determination start waning, and burnout starts setting in... It's kind of hard to be enjoyable to be around, I'm sure, and when it's comes to wondering if someone will be reliable... That shouldn't happen, but I know it's something that happens to many, many people out there in the world.
My head's been churning with ideas, with the possibilities of the things I can do and the ways I can contribute - that was a big thing with me before I switched departments at my internship. I was welcome, until it became apparent that there were many things that, as an intern, I couldn't do alone. Then I became a bit of an annoyance to at least one person. Thankfully someone understood - the guy who was in the program with me, and interned in another department before he was hired. He understood that it wasn't easy, and that it could be terribly limited, and for that I'm grateful.
Ok, enough of my gabbing about burnout and the importance of having a sense of meaning and direction. I think I'm done blogging for the night. Thank you and thank you ☺
Burnout.
So far, it's something I've managed to avoid. But in the last couple months (specifically, February with its crazy test prep and anxiety and everything) it seemed like burnout was something that was going to hit me - and hard.
It's no secret among my friends that I'm a bit of a night owl. But I'm starting to get it together and try to go to bed, uh, BEFORE midnight or one in the morning (see also: No more checking Groupon right at midnight! ... Yes, yes I am that person... Or I was, at least).
I also have to wonder if part of that had to do with me being tired.
To condense a suuuuuper long story, it's been stressful. Super stressful. If you've checked out previous posts, you know about comps. I've also not been working as much as I used to.
Correction: I'm working more, when you add in my internship, I just wasn't getting paid for it.
Nothing like basically working a full-time job and not getting paid for it, huh?
On the same note, because my schedule has been reduced to only weekends for my one job, and my stable client moved to be by other family, I haven't been working much.
See also: three hours every other weekend.
(Mind you, this client I see every other week is such a sweetheart. Love her!)
But the fact remains, I was relying on my husband for income. What I was making wouldn't even cover our gas bill sometimes (No, I will not say how much the paycheck is, or what our gas bill is... But either way, it's a big drop from working 15-ish hours every weekend). And I was sick of it. Sick of it, and worrying myself sick because I just want to make sure bills get paid, and for a while when we first got married we'd had an agreement that I would be the predominant provider due to school scheduling and all. I wasn't used to relying on someone else, but I WAS used to working my tail off.
And after a while, especially as I realized that I was racking up internship hours (BTW, I'm OFFICIALLY done with them! Nearly 200 over my total minimum needed), but I was tired. I was frustrated. I was appreciated, and I knew it, but it was hard. Especially when I'm used to doing the math to make sure bills get paid, even though I KNOW they'll get paid. I can't recall ever having been late on a bill.
But it was always me saying "I'll take care of it", simply for the fact that my family stresses education BIG-time. And I already have my Bachelor's degree, and I didn't want my husband to worry about finances while completing his... And there was no was he was dropping out of school to work. No way.
Eventually it takes its toll on you.
I have to say, I'm super excited that I've been hired on as an official full-time staff at my internship. It's exciting. It's exhilarating, and enjoyable, and it gives me such an opportunity to learn (and grow and be more flexible - it's amazing what having a set of keys can do...). I've enjoyed the staff since I started there - actually, today felt like it was my first day again, I was that excited and happy, and the consumers were excited to hear that I'd be staying on.
However, a small part of me wondered... Is it the excitement getting RID of the tinglings of burnout, or is it the excitement HIDING those feelings?
Either way, I tend to use the excitement to my advantage.
Let's face it, as an unpaid intern working 30-40 hours a week... Who'd already completed her minimum required hours, and far EXCEEDED them... After a while, you start losing the motivation to... Show up early or on time (I know, cardinal sin in the workplace! Horribly shameful, and something I know better than to do). To feel good about going.
One of the things we talk about in the Anxiety and Phobia group that I lead there... Is "Personal Meaning".
I have to say that being hired there... Gives me a sense of meaning when being there. More than before. It gives me a sense of direction. I can learn more about the position. Help out more. Get more into the documentation side of things, learn more about the processes. Not feel like I'm nagging someone when I have scheduled a one-on-one meeting with someone, and I need keys to open the phone room. Be able to meet with more individuals one-on-one.
Oh, and here's a big one: I feel more accepted.
Not that I wasn't to begin with, but when the desire, anticipation, excitement, and determination start waning, and burnout starts setting in... It's kind of hard to be enjoyable to be around, I'm sure, and when it's comes to wondering if someone will be reliable... That shouldn't happen, but I know it's something that happens to many, many people out there in the world.
My head's been churning with ideas, with the possibilities of the things I can do and the ways I can contribute - that was a big thing with me before I switched departments at my internship. I was welcome, until it became apparent that there were many things that, as an intern, I couldn't do alone. Then I became a bit of an annoyance to at least one person. Thankfully someone understood - the guy who was in the program with me, and interned in another department before he was hired. He understood that it wasn't easy, and that it could be terribly limited, and for that I'm grateful.
Ok, enough of my gabbing about burnout and the importance of having a sense of meaning and direction. I think I'm done blogging for the night. Thank you and thank you ☺
Marching away!
Yes, yes, that was my cheesy way of incorporating into the blog that it is now MARCH of 2013. And what an exciting month it has been so far! It's almost absurd how much excitement has been happening.
Also, as a heads up... My brain is working in bullet points in order to sort everything out. So it's all wrapped up in a nice, neat package... That is hardcore sealed with tape in every opening for security (and a little bit for fun, to watch people try to find a place to pry it open... Yes, I am THAT person at Christmas and on birthdays. No paper is left in tact when I'm around! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ok, random maniacal rant over)
Also, as a heads up... My brain is working in bullet points in order to sort everything out. So it's all wrapped up in a nice, neat package... That is hardcore sealed with tape in every opening for security (and a little bit for fun, to watch people try to find a place to pry it open... Yes, I am THAT person at Christmas and on birthdays. No paper is left in tact when I'm around! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ok, random maniacal rant over)
- On March 1st (a week ago today) I took the written portion of the test that I need to pass in order to graduate with my Master's in May. I felt SO much better about that portion than I did about the CPCE (160 multiple choice questions). The sections I got were: Careers, Groups, Consulting, and Multicultural. Pretty much everyone I've talked to feels much better about their 4 essays than they did about the CPCE.
- I believe the scores you can receive are: high pass, pass, low pass, and no pass. You're only allowed one "no pass" for an essay, and if you get one then you have to redo that essay immediately. If you get more than one "no pass", well, you have to retake the entire written portion the next time it's offered - and in this case, that's in the fall. Which would delay graduation until December, if that were to happen. But I'm fairly confident in my essays, the only exception being Careers. Seriously, they talk to us about theories in the majority of our classes, but theories specific to Career Counseling?? They were only in that class. Go figure... But hopefully I'll find out soon!
- On March 4th I met with my internship supervisor and my instructor. It's always great to get compliments; my supervisor occasionally remarks that I'm probably the most prepared intern he's ever had.
- On that same token, one of my goals to work on (and one of my biggest insecurities regarding counseling) is theories. More specifically, working to identify my theoretical orientation, and learning more about it. I have a basic idea of the theory I mesh with best (CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) but often I find it hard to put into words. That and I barely got out of Theories with a B-. Originally I had a C+, but I emailed the professor and he bumped me up. If you get two C's in this program then you get put on academic probation. If you get three C's, you're out of the program. You can appeal your grades and all, but even without emailing my professor, I wasn't feeling especially confident in that particular class.
- On March 5th... Well, I went to class. And I spent time talking with one of the girls who works at my internship about possibly applying for the open position at my internship. She told me to think over it that night, but basically have my decision made the next day, because it's a vacant position they need filled and, while they like me, it'll probably get filled fast.
- That day I also went to our apartment complex office about a 2-bedroom apartment. No, nothing like a baby or anything, so don't get to freaking out! Just more space. A girl can only have so many bookshelves in a 1-bedroom apartment without tripping over stuff, right? And then I went and worked out, and I met someone in the fitness room! It was weird, he was nice AND he actually talked to me! Not usually something I get while in the fitness room, that's for certain.
- March 6th... I spoke to my site supervisor about the open position. She told me to get on the paperwork. I forget what else happened.
- March 7th (this being yesterday) my site supervisor gave me a copy of the application, and told me I basically already had the job but that I still had to fill out the paperwork. And shortly thereafter I had a staff member tell me "welcome aboard". Which reminds me, we have a new staff member on my team. She's beyond nice, and she was excited to hear that I was taking the open position.
- Even better! I got home, saw that there was mail from the department at school... The hubs had to open the letter for me, I was so nervous... But I passed the CPCE! Which means that assuming that the essays turn how how I'd like them to, I'm graduating May 4!!!!!
- Oh, and to top it all off, a book I've been waiting on finally came out. It was 2.5 months past the original deadline, due to author illness, but I'm so excited for it. I finished it tonight, and I'm looking forward to when the final book in the trilogy comes out in April or May.
- If I haven't mentioned... I'm a sucker for romance novels. The book I've been waiting on is called Armando Returns, and it's by Reeni Austin.
- Aaaaaaand today, March 8... I turned in my application for the position, as well as a copy of my resume. AT about 10:15 this morning, less than two hours after I turned everything in, I got a call from HR confirming my acceptance of the position, some super basic information, and that my official start date is Monday! See also: I'm going to be getting PAID to do what I've been doing the last few months. Also, more responsibilities, but no big. Bring it on!
- Unfortunately this means that I'll be switching teams and will be working with different consumers than I've been working with the last 4.5 months. That is, I'll be working with the same people, but less intimately with some and more intimately with others. It's disappointing, but I'll look at it as an opportunity for growth. And I know the new staff on my (original) team loves the team, and that she'll be great.
I have my first full-time job! I feel like such a big girl now! ☺
And that's the previous week of my life in a nutshell, basically. Also, tomorrow I'll (hopefully) be attending a counseling conference on campus. I'm excited, they JUST started offering it free to students. I was going to try to go before they announced that, but now I'll definitely be trying to go.
And that's the previous week of my life in a nutshell, basically. Also, tomorrow I'll (hopefully) be attending a counseling conference on campus. I'm excited, they JUST started offering it free to students. I was going to try to go before they announced that, but now I'll definitely be trying to go.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Procrasti-Nation
The title of this post just seems to work with how I've been doing lately.
That doesn't mean things have been going badly. They've been going quite well, actually. I've just been, well... Procrastinating.
I've got a lovely client that I've seen every other week for a year next month. I know the office likes to be able to give each client a Christmas present. This particular client... I want able to think of anything. She didn't want anything. The office had no clue.
I don't know if they ended up getting anything for her or not.
The last time I saw her before Christmas was only a few days before, I believe, an then I wouldn't have seen her for another couple weeks. But during that time she mentioned to me that since she's been getting older, she's having a harder time getting out of her recliner, and that the recliner also seems to be "sinking" from normal wear and tear.
BINGO!
Gift idea? A new cushion for her chair. Or rather, one to go on top of it, replace the pillows she'd been sitting on.
Of course, I forgot to ask her what her favorite color was. So I had to wait two weeks. Then I finally got to ask her - you know, after Christmas is over and done with. Her favorite color?
Yellow.
So two weeks after Christmas, DH an I are scouring the fabric section in our Walmart to see if there are any bolts of yellow fabric that aren't too boring or too far, uhh, "out there". And in yellow, it's usually one or the other, and selections are few and far between, especially when compared with purples, greens, and blues.
But we finally found some. This rich golden-yellow with white swirls in it :) Then we picked up some foam squares to go in the cushion, about four inches thick.
I had two weeks to get it done, to make sure my client had a lovely seat cushion. And of course, when did I start on it? About two hours before I had to be at work. Go figure.
::rolls eyes::
It wasn't my best work, because this is the first time I've ever used foam, not to mention making a cushion. I'm used to making pillows and maybe the occasional bag or a super easy dress or something.
I brought it to my client, as a super late Christmas present (yeah, a month and a day late! Haha), and she loves the colors, and she says it's super comfortable. I'm really glad that she likes it :)
Maybe it would've been better if I'd started on it a week ago, but I don't know that. And I think it turned out really nice.
Ooh! I also have plenty of extra fabric (Walmart now sells quilting squares as well as small bolts of about three yards or so). I can probably finally turn one of those pairs of old, torn jeans I've been keeping in my crafting area into a skirt or something! With the yellow it'd be super cute for springtime!
Attached (since I'm posting this from my phone and not a computer) are a couple pictures of the cushion. I'm really happy with the way it turned out, and I can comfortably say that my stitches shouldn't be coming undone, so she's got a sturdy cushion to last a while :)
And since I can't post a picture of my super sweet client (or maybe I could, but I won't) here's a picture of her wonderful doggy :)
Have a good one!
That doesn't mean things have been going badly. They've been going quite well, actually. I've just been, well... Procrastinating.
I've got a lovely client that I've seen every other week for a year next month. I know the office likes to be able to give each client a Christmas present. This particular client... I want able to think of anything. She didn't want anything. The office had no clue.
I don't know if they ended up getting anything for her or not.
The last time I saw her before Christmas was only a few days before, I believe, an then I wouldn't have seen her for another couple weeks. But during that time she mentioned to me that since she's been getting older, she's having a harder time getting out of her recliner, and that the recliner also seems to be "sinking" from normal wear and tear.
BINGO!
Gift idea? A new cushion for her chair. Or rather, one to go on top of it, replace the pillows she'd been sitting on.
Of course, I forgot to ask her what her favorite color was. So I had to wait two weeks. Then I finally got to ask her - you know, after Christmas is over and done with. Her favorite color?
Yellow.
So two weeks after Christmas, DH an I are scouring the fabric section in our Walmart to see if there are any bolts of yellow fabric that aren't too boring or too far, uhh, "out there". And in yellow, it's usually one or the other, and selections are few and far between, especially when compared with purples, greens, and blues.
But we finally found some. This rich golden-yellow with white swirls in it :) Then we picked up some foam squares to go in the cushion, about four inches thick.
I had two weeks to get it done, to make sure my client had a lovely seat cushion. And of course, when did I start on it? About two hours before I had to be at work. Go figure.
::rolls eyes::
It wasn't my best work, because this is the first time I've ever used foam, not to mention making a cushion. I'm used to making pillows and maybe the occasional bag or a super easy dress or something.
I brought it to my client, as a super late Christmas present (yeah, a month and a day late! Haha), and she loves the colors, and she says it's super comfortable. I'm really glad that she likes it :)
Maybe it would've been better if I'd started on it a week ago, but I don't know that. And I think it turned out really nice.
Ooh! I also have plenty of extra fabric (Walmart now sells quilting squares as well as small bolts of about three yards or so). I can probably finally turn one of those pairs of old, torn jeans I've been keeping in my crafting area into a skirt or something! With the yellow it'd be super cute for springtime!
Attached (since I'm posting this from my phone and not a computer) are a couple pictures of the cushion. I'm really happy with the way it turned out, and I can comfortably say that my stitches shouldn't be coming undone, so she's got a sturdy cushion to last a while :)
And since I can't post a picture of my super sweet client (or maybe I could, but I won't) here's a picture of her wonderful doggy :)
Have a good one!
Friday, January 11, 2013
One down, two to go
Yesterday I got back a letter on the status of my application to a doctoral program in Counseling Psychology.
"Dear Victoria,
Blah blah-blah blah-blah... While we found your application to be very strong, the pool of applicants was highly competitive. Thus, we have judged that we are not able to offer you admission into our doctoral program at this time. However, due to the strength of your file, we would like to consider you for admission to our master's program in counseling..."
I posted about that on Facebook, and on of the comments I got was basically asking if they even LOOKED at my application. Because, let's be honest... In less than four months, I'm going to HAVE a master's degree in counseling. Why would I need a second one??
The only real difference I saw in the course work is that they've got a couple classes dealing with adolescents, while I haven't had any on that particular subject during my master's program. And the difference is really only six credit hours in the end. The equivalent of two classes. I'm thinking I'm not going to pursue that.
While I would LOVE to have a doctorate in Counseling Psych, part of me is pretty offended by the suggestion that my current schooling isn't good enough. ESPECIALLY when that school pairs with mine for some distance education, and it's the same school system and all.
If I'd just applied to one program, the next step wouldn't be so hard. But I'm waiting on two more application decisions.
Long story short, I have a job opportunity at my internship. As in, I've been told that they would love to have me and there's a position open.
Here's the catch: It's a full-time position, and the doctoral programs I applied to? Their classes are at any and all times of the day. It just wouldn't work out for me. So one way or another I'm going to have to say "goodbye" to something. Goodbye to the job opportunity in order to pursue a full-time doctoral program. Goodby to a doctoral program in order to make money.
Or, and here's what I'm really afraid of, goodbye to both because they're already interviewing prospective candidates so I may miss out on the job AND not get accepted into either of the remaining doctoral programs that have a current status that has yet to read "under review".
It's like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Except both seem equally immovable at this time. I never expected to miss out on opportunities due to wanting to further my education. Or rather, I expected to miss some things, for instance missing hanging out with friends because I have a ridiculous homework assignment due the next day. But it just always seems to surprise me when I realize that wanting to further my education can be a barrier, because I wouldn't be able to dedicate 100+% of my time to it, despite being able to do the job and do it well.
What to do?
Decisions, decisions...
On that note, I'm off to bed. Goodnight!
"Dear Victoria,
Blah blah-blah blah-blah... While we found your application to be very strong, the pool of applicants was highly competitive. Thus, we have judged that we are not able to offer you admission into our doctoral program at this time. However, due to the strength of your file, we would like to consider you for admission to our master's program in counseling..."
I posted about that on Facebook, and on of the comments I got was basically asking if they even LOOKED at my application. Because, let's be honest... In less than four months, I'm going to HAVE a master's degree in counseling. Why would I need a second one??
The only real difference I saw in the course work is that they've got a couple classes dealing with adolescents, while I haven't had any on that particular subject during my master's program. And the difference is really only six credit hours in the end. The equivalent of two classes. I'm thinking I'm not going to pursue that.
While I would LOVE to have a doctorate in Counseling Psych, part of me is pretty offended by the suggestion that my current schooling isn't good enough. ESPECIALLY when that school pairs with mine for some distance education, and it's the same school system and all.
If I'd just applied to one program, the next step wouldn't be so hard. But I'm waiting on two more application decisions.
Long story short, I have a job opportunity at my internship. As in, I've been told that they would love to have me and there's a position open.
Here's the catch: It's a full-time position, and the doctoral programs I applied to? Their classes are at any and all times of the day. It just wouldn't work out for me. So one way or another I'm going to have to say "goodbye" to something. Goodbye to the job opportunity in order to pursue a full-time doctoral program. Goodby to a doctoral program in order to make money.
Or, and here's what I'm really afraid of, goodbye to both because they're already interviewing prospective candidates so I may miss out on the job AND not get accepted into either of the remaining doctoral programs that have a current status that has yet to read "under review".
It's like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Except both seem equally immovable at this time. I never expected to miss out on opportunities due to wanting to further my education. Or rather, I expected to miss some things, for instance missing hanging out with friends because I have a ridiculous homework assignment due the next day. But it just always seems to surprise me when I realize that wanting to further my education can be a barrier, because I wouldn't be able to dedicate 100+% of my time to it, despite being able to do the job and do it well.
What to do?
Decisions, decisions...
On that note, I'm off to bed. Goodnight!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Cooking Experiment: Craisin Banana Pancakes
As I mentioned in my previous post, today is my last day with a client I've had for just over two years. So today I decided to try something different for breakfast in the hopes that she'd like it. And whaddya know, she did! :D
I used a recipe from Food Network's website as a starter, and I modified it from there.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/banana-pancakes-recipe/index.html
I had:
- 1 1/2 cups of flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cup buttermilk (probably a bit more... There was no milk...)
- approx. 3 tbsp melted I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
- 2 ripe bananas
- approx. 1 cup of Craisins, possibly more
I mixed everything together except for the bananas, put the batter in the pan and then pressed in a couple banana slices.
If you mix a few banana slices into the batter it's no big deal. I just tried to avoid it so the banana slices weren't sticking together in the pancakes.
I'm horrible at flipping pancakes, but I still managed to do it alright! And I turned off the pan and rinsed/wiped it out between pancakes, otherwise I'd have burned the later ones. LOL.
But she (my client) liked them, the granddaughter said they smelled great (I'm glad she didn't ask if something was burning! Haha) and I tried one later (I like to try new things I make for my client to make sure they're good) and it was tasty!!!
I topped off the pancakes with a little bit of honey, and they were great! :)
The first picture is the first pancake I made after getting it in the pan and pressing in the banana slices. The second picture is the plate if extra pancakes.
:D
I used a recipe from Food Network's website as a starter, and I modified it from there.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/banana-pancakes-recipe/index.html
I had:
- 1 1/2 cups of flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cup buttermilk (probably a bit more... There was no milk...)
- approx. 3 tbsp melted I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
- 2 ripe bananas
- approx. 1 cup of Craisins, possibly more
I mixed everything together except for the bananas, put the batter in the pan and then pressed in a couple banana slices.
If you mix a few banana slices into the batter it's no big deal. I just tried to avoid it so the banana slices weren't sticking together in the pancakes.
I'm horrible at flipping pancakes, but I still managed to do it alright! And I turned off the pan and rinsed/wiped it out between pancakes, otherwise I'd have burned the later ones. LOL.
But she (my client) liked them, the granddaughter said they smelled great (I'm glad she didn't ask if something was burning! Haha) and I tried one later (I like to try new things I make for my client to make sure they're good) and it was tasty!!!
I topped off the pancakes with a little bit of honey, and they were great! :)
The first picture is the first pancake I made after getting it in the pan and pressing in the banana slices. The second picture is the plate if extra pancakes.
:D
Ranting & Raving.
I'm so glad this week is over.
Heads up, this is long. Kudos to anyone who makes it through.
It's been one stressful day after the next... I just need to take a moment to get it off my chest.
I've been doing in-home senior care for just under 2.5 years now. I've had the same client for just over two years.
While on a break between school portrait retakes and a group photo on Wednesday I got a call saying that there was a bit of a change and to call back the office when I got a chance.
Turns out my client is moving and my last day is to be Sunday - THIS Sunday. As in tomorrow.
Meanwhile, I'm roaming around the school grounds, gathering ideas for the perfect class picture. I had a bunch of ideas. On the school sign, on different areas of the playground...
Get outside with the kids, and the teacher just axes all of my awesome ideas because "maybe with another group, you understand."
Uh, no, not really. Could you explain? Because I waited an hour and a half between MAYBE 10 retakes and being able to take a group picture, just to get everybody in this one spot.
But... I didn't say that. I just smiled and nodded like I got it.
At least I have some ideas for some playground shots to look for at other playgrounds.
Then Thursday... Oh, Thursday was a PAIN. I was trying to finish up my stuff for a big presentation later that day. I got a phone call saying that instead of Sunday, my last day with this client will be SATURDAY. As in, today. The day I'm typing this. This is my last day with my client :(
I finish my part of the presentation, meet with my classmate and the professor we're presenting with. We merge everything and iron it out, and give a pretty good presentation.
Afterward, this professor from another school comes up to me about how I offended her and she thought about getting up and leaving but she decided to stay and let me know, and she talks to me about her experience and how there are resources out in a certain area (I didn't say there WEREN'T, just a lack of resources in comparison to the MUCH larger area we're in) and how she KNOWS where all of her students are interning (um, no shit. If you're worth half your salt as a professor heading the internships, you BETTER know where your students are! DUH).
After she left I just cried.
I know, I know, thin skin.
I would've appreciated a frank conversation more than just getting reamed.
It was a relief to know how many people had my back, though. My professor told me how inappropriate her comments were and that he'd be calling her since she was nice enough to leave me both of her phone numbers.
The other girl I presented with later told me this lady's behavior was inappropriate because she couldn't even be bothered to wait until we were alone. She just came right up to me, pulled me away about two feet, and started going at it. Everyone else there acknowledged that we were a couple of students, not hardcore seasoned professionals.
And my internship professor, while empathetic and understanding, told me it's something I'll continue experiencing if I present in front of people, and even people at the top of the food chain get rude mess like that. She even mentioned one of her experiences.
Then by Friday (yesterday)... I was just done with this week. Instead of being upset about that lady, I'm just irritated. Annoyed.
I was running late to my internship (on top of other things there was a spider in my car... Ew...) but I never miss anything and as an intern there's only so much I can do anyway due to the fact that I'm not employed there. I had a doctor appointment that afternoon, and tried to figure out who I'd be on outreach with so I could iron it out with them. Well, I couldn't find the person I was looking for, so I explained the situation to the next person I could find (about why I was looking for her) and then to my supervisor, who was ok with it.
I finally found this person, explained it to her, and when I said I'd be leaving a few minutes earlier to try to get in earlier to get back sooner she told me to make sure I cleared it with the supervisor (which I had) and then had the nerve to turn away from me and mutter "I wish I could work like you do."
I stood there for a moment before walking away so I didn't ream her for that rude-ass comment. Because there are more than a few things to get straight:
- as an intern, I am unpaid.
- as an intern, there are limitations on what I can and cannot do.
- as an intern, I have busted my ass asking questions, trying to get things sorted out, doing what I can.
- my supervisors and I have had any number of discussions to figure out things so everybody benefits and I get my hours.
- as an intern, sometimes all I can do is sit at my desk and read my book for internship because there's nothing else I CAN so. One of the guys working in the department was in one of my classes and did his internship at the same agency, in a BUSIER department. Even HE acknowledges that sometimes being an intern is boring.
- I have NEVER missed anything on the days I'm there (going on outreach, etc.) and I do what I can to offer help despite my limited knowledge... But I'm also trying to stay out of people's way!
- I don't know what she does in her spare time, but I work two fucking jobs AND I'm a full-time graduate student, have NEVER been LESS than full-time AND I'm still getting in to my internship 2 days a week and any extra days I can, I just finished a major presentation and have two more major ones coming up, I have a half marathon to train for, AND I'm trying to make time for myself, my husband, and my friends so I don't go nuts. THAT is "[working] like [I] do".
Tonight, I think I'm going to take a moment to enjoy a glass of wine. Tomorrow I'm going to enjoy some time with my husband, possibly with a friend, maybe hit up the zoo and/or botanical gardens, and I'm going running.
Until then, I'm going to enjoy the last 4.5 hours I've got with my client, and we're gonna have a grand ol' time.
Nothing quite like working just like I do.
Heads up, this is long. Kudos to anyone who makes it through.
It's been one stressful day after the next... I just need to take a moment to get it off my chest.
I've been doing in-home senior care for just under 2.5 years now. I've had the same client for just over two years.
While on a break between school portrait retakes and a group photo on Wednesday I got a call saying that there was a bit of a change and to call back the office when I got a chance.
Turns out my client is moving and my last day is to be Sunday - THIS Sunday. As in tomorrow.
Meanwhile, I'm roaming around the school grounds, gathering ideas for the perfect class picture. I had a bunch of ideas. On the school sign, on different areas of the playground...
Get outside with the kids, and the teacher just axes all of my awesome ideas because "maybe with another group, you understand."
Uh, no, not really. Could you explain? Because I waited an hour and a half between MAYBE 10 retakes and being able to take a group picture, just to get everybody in this one spot.
But... I didn't say that. I just smiled and nodded like I got it.
At least I have some ideas for some playground shots to look for at other playgrounds.
Then Thursday... Oh, Thursday was a PAIN. I was trying to finish up my stuff for a big presentation later that day. I got a phone call saying that instead of Sunday, my last day with this client will be SATURDAY. As in, today. The day I'm typing this. This is my last day with my client :(
I finish my part of the presentation, meet with my classmate and the professor we're presenting with. We merge everything and iron it out, and give a pretty good presentation.
Afterward, this professor from another school comes up to me about how I offended her and she thought about getting up and leaving but she decided to stay and let me know, and she talks to me about her experience and how there are resources out in a certain area (I didn't say there WEREN'T, just a lack of resources in comparison to the MUCH larger area we're in) and how she KNOWS where all of her students are interning (um, no shit. If you're worth half your salt as a professor heading the internships, you BETTER know where your students are! DUH).
After she left I just cried.
I know, I know, thin skin.
I would've appreciated a frank conversation more than just getting reamed.
It was a relief to know how many people had my back, though. My professor told me how inappropriate her comments were and that he'd be calling her since she was nice enough to leave me both of her phone numbers.
The other girl I presented with later told me this lady's behavior was inappropriate because she couldn't even be bothered to wait until we were alone. She just came right up to me, pulled me away about two feet, and started going at it. Everyone else there acknowledged that we were a couple of students, not hardcore seasoned professionals.
And my internship professor, while empathetic and understanding, told me it's something I'll continue experiencing if I present in front of people, and even people at the top of the food chain get rude mess like that. She even mentioned one of her experiences.
Then by Friday (yesterday)... I was just done with this week. Instead of being upset about that lady, I'm just irritated. Annoyed.
I was running late to my internship (on top of other things there was a spider in my car... Ew...) but I never miss anything and as an intern there's only so much I can do anyway due to the fact that I'm not employed there. I had a doctor appointment that afternoon, and tried to figure out who I'd be on outreach with so I could iron it out with them. Well, I couldn't find the person I was looking for, so I explained the situation to the next person I could find (about why I was looking for her) and then to my supervisor, who was ok with it.
I finally found this person, explained it to her, and when I said I'd be leaving a few minutes earlier to try to get in earlier to get back sooner she told me to make sure I cleared it with the supervisor (which I had) and then had the nerve to turn away from me and mutter "I wish I could work like you do."
I stood there for a moment before walking away so I didn't ream her for that rude-ass comment. Because there are more than a few things to get straight:
- as an intern, I am unpaid.
- as an intern, there are limitations on what I can and cannot do.
- as an intern, I have busted my ass asking questions, trying to get things sorted out, doing what I can.
- my supervisors and I have had any number of discussions to figure out things so everybody benefits and I get my hours.
- as an intern, sometimes all I can do is sit at my desk and read my book for internship because there's nothing else I CAN so. One of the guys working in the department was in one of my classes and did his internship at the same agency, in a BUSIER department. Even HE acknowledges that sometimes being an intern is boring.
- I have NEVER missed anything on the days I'm there (going on outreach, etc.) and I do what I can to offer help despite my limited knowledge... But I'm also trying to stay out of people's way!
- I don't know what she does in her spare time, but I work two fucking jobs AND I'm a full-time graduate student, have NEVER been LESS than full-time AND I'm still getting in to my internship 2 days a week and any extra days I can, I just finished a major presentation and have two more major ones coming up, I have a half marathon to train for, AND I'm trying to make time for myself, my husband, and my friends so I don't go nuts. THAT is "[working] like [I] do".
Tonight, I think I'm going to take a moment to enjoy a glass of wine. Tomorrow I'm going to enjoy some time with my husband, possibly with a friend, maybe hit up the zoo and/or botanical gardens, and I'm going running.
Until then, I'm going to enjoy the last 4.5 hours I've got with my client, and we're gonna have a grand ol' time.
Nothing quite like working just like I do.
Friday, September 14, 2012
I am... Working to Achieve Balance
Has anybody noticed that the blog looks a little different? :)
It's been an interesting week.
It's been an interesting couple of months, actually, but definitely an interesting week. Starting my second-to-last semester of grad school has gone a whole lot smoother than I initially expected it to. Classes aren't super crazy (or crazy at all, for that matter). My only concern has been making sure that I have time for me.
Right now I'm doing my first internship with an agency's homeless program, and I definitely don't regret my decision. I've learned so much in the last 3-4 weeks, even though I'm definitely still a newbie. Working with the homeless population has certainly been an eye-opener. In February I was doing desk work at a university's GED program, an a number of people would come in and give me the same phone number... Eventually I realized it was the number to a homeless shelter not far from there. Even so, I never knew where it was. I'd heard of a few shelters in the area, but I'd never been in them. Heck, I'd never even seen them or really knew where they were! So it's been a great experience. At least so far.
I'm still trying to find my place with the agency as an intern, though. My direct hours (far more important than my indirect, in part because that means I'll have to communicate with clients and in part because they're MUCH harder to come by) aren't coming as easily as I thought. What I was initially (not talking in sessions) didn't work for obtaining hours. But talking in session didn't work because the doctors didn't like it! But instead of telling me they told someone else to tell me... It's like "Gee, thanks a lot...".
I'm afraid I may have to do some program hopping to get my hours in... At the same time, I really hope I do. They've got classes there to teach the clients different things, from mental illness and stress management to healthy cooking, exercise, and movies. I would love the opportunity to be part of that. It would be amazing to have the chance to lead a class.
With two jobs, an internship, and three classes (one of which is for my internship) I'm learning the importance of being able to balance and prioritize. And taking my vitamins. My very first week at my internship site I was getting over a cold. It was pretty miserable, especially with the sneezing and nose running. I definitely want to take precautions against that, because being sick isn't exactly fun.
So my plans/goals did balancing my life right now?
- take my dang vitamins
- hand sanitizer is a wonderful thing
- don't sell myself short on sleep. 4-5 hours just doesn't cut it. At all.
- stick with the running. It may take time, but it's good for me when done appropriately :) and it's a pretty good self-esteem boost when I do better than I ever have.
- definitely have my homework done before class. Nothing like spacing on homework to add stress to life, huh?
Sounds like a plan to me! I started working on it a while ago, but let Operation Balance continue!
I want to be the best me that I can be.
It's been an interesting week.
It's been an interesting couple of months, actually, but definitely an interesting week. Starting my second-to-last semester of grad school has gone a whole lot smoother than I initially expected it to. Classes aren't super crazy (or crazy at all, for that matter). My only concern has been making sure that I have time for me.
Right now I'm doing my first internship with an agency's homeless program, and I definitely don't regret my decision. I've learned so much in the last 3-4 weeks, even though I'm definitely still a newbie. Working with the homeless population has certainly been an eye-opener. In February I was doing desk work at a university's GED program, an a number of people would come in and give me the same phone number... Eventually I realized it was the number to a homeless shelter not far from there. Even so, I never knew where it was. I'd heard of a few shelters in the area, but I'd never been in them. Heck, I'd never even seen them or really knew where they were! So it's been a great experience. At least so far.
I'm still trying to find my place with the agency as an intern, though. My direct hours (far more important than my indirect, in part because that means I'll have to communicate with clients and in part because they're MUCH harder to come by) aren't coming as easily as I thought. What I was initially (not talking in sessions) didn't work for obtaining hours. But talking in session didn't work because the doctors didn't like it! But instead of telling me they told someone else to tell me... It's like "Gee, thanks a lot...".
I'm afraid I may have to do some program hopping to get my hours in... At the same time, I really hope I do. They've got classes there to teach the clients different things, from mental illness and stress management to healthy cooking, exercise, and movies. I would love the opportunity to be part of that. It would be amazing to have the chance to lead a class.
With two jobs, an internship, and three classes (one of which is for my internship) I'm learning the importance of being able to balance and prioritize. And taking my vitamins. My very first week at my internship site I was getting over a cold. It was pretty miserable, especially with the sneezing and nose running. I definitely want to take precautions against that, because being sick isn't exactly fun.
So my plans/goals did balancing my life right now?
- take my dang vitamins
- hand sanitizer is a wonderful thing
- don't sell myself short on sleep. 4-5 hours just doesn't cut it. At all.
- stick with the running. It may take time, but it's good for me when done appropriately :) and it's a pretty good self-esteem boost when I do better than I ever have.
- definitely have my homework done before class. Nothing like spacing on homework to add stress to life, huh?
Sounds like a plan to me! I started working on it a while ago, but let Operation Balance continue!
I want to be the best me that I can be.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I am... Nothing If Not Determined.
I can't even begin to say just how tired I am. Although I am taking a moment to evaluate if it's a "good" tired or a "bad" tired. Let me explain.
I ran again last night. W10D1 of the 10k Runner iPhone app. Just over five miles total (including approx. 20 minutes of walking, give or take about 2 minutes). 20 minutes of walking (plus about 2 extra minutes) and 50 minutes of running (... MINUS about 2 minutes. Oi)
I have NEVER gotten to five miles at one time when doing straight running or a run/walk combination. EVER.
Well, at least not that I'm aware of :) Sure there were the days in school where we had to do 2-3 laps before band, and doing the miles in from elementary school on up for PE and doing the mile for ROTC. Then there were the days in the months between high school and college where hitting the gym daily or nearly every day got me able to run at least a decent distance (probably half a mile to a mile) at one time.
It was a huge accomplishment, and I felt, well... Badass. Amazing. Awesome.
Horribly sweaty and smelly, exhausted, annoyed (that's another story!), and desperate for a shower, but definitely awesome.
And then I got up 4 hours later for a full day of work photographing little kids. What the heck was I thinking?? Well... That there wouldn't be an afternoon class, but there were two that we didn't know about. But the kids were good. The staff was wonderful. And I want a nap like you wouldn't believe :)
I'm contemplating running today - a short one. Or maybe using the stationary bike or going for a walk.
It's ridiculous how much this Nike+ SportWatch GPS watch can motivate me. I hope it doesn't wear off when I get used to it... Although the whole thing of a sweaty wrist... Not that attractive. LOL.
Goal: Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2013.
I don't know if I'll be able to 13.1 miles, but I won't know until I try.
I ran again last night. W10D1 of the 10k Runner iPhone app. Just over five miles total (including approx. 20 minutes of walking, give or take about 2 minutes). 20 minutes of walking (plus about 2 extra minutes) and 50 minutes of running (... MINUS about 2 minutes. Oi)
I have NEVER gotten to five miles at one time when doing straight running or a run/walk combination. EVER.
Well, at least not that I'm aware of :) Sure there were the days in school where we had to do 2-3 laps before band, and doing the miles in from elementary school on up for PE and doing the mile for ROTC. Then there were the days in the months between high school and college where hitting the gym daily or nearly every day got me able to run at least a decent distance (probably half a mile to a mile) at one time.
It was a huge accomplishment, and I felt, well... Badass. Amazing. Awesome.
Horribly sweaty and smelly, exhausted, annoyed (that's another story!), and desperate for a shower, but definitely awesome.
And then I got up 4 hours later for a full day of work photographing little kids. What the heck was I thinking?? Well... That there wouldn't be an afternoon class, but there were two that we didn't know about. But the kids were good. The staff was wonderful. And I want a nap like you wouldn't believe :)
I'm contemplating running today - a short one. Or maybe using the stationary bike or going for a walk.
It's ridiculous how much this Nike+ SportWatch GPS watch can motivate me. I hope it doesn't wear off when I get used to it... Although the whole thing of a sweaty wrist... Not that attractive. LOL.
Goal: Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2013.
I don't know if I'll be able to 13.1 miles, but I won't know until I try.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
I admit to being a little confused
Who out there has a dream or a goal, something they wish they could do? Even if it's not something like "This is the job I want to do for the rest of my life," but still a dream of "I'd like to at least be able to say I've done this."
Is it weird that I'm feeling the need/desire to get all of these things done?
Like get my CNA, get ordained, become a certified life coach, renew my CPR cert... become a certified wedding planner...
I mean, to an extent I find all of these things useful - although the wedding planning bit might be excessive, but the idea stands that I might be able to use psychology as a wedding planner. Heck, they like us in sales, right??
And no time like the present to start doing things I've thought about doing, right? (within reason, of course. $500 CNA course? nooooo. gotta pick a time to do something I can *afford*)
And hey, who wouldn't want a Social Services or Activities Director in Assisted Living who can train to do a funeral? (... lol? ...)
But I feel like I'm bouncing all over the place. I don't want to use it all as "filler," just stuff to keep myself occupied... But I *do* think that some of these things will open doors for me.
The life coach bit, I'm not sure what that will really do for me, but it was recommended by a professor...
Also, I'm concerned that on a resume it'll look like I'm just "there."
I guess I'm worried that counseling may not be my "thing," although I know that this is actually quite silly, especially because I've been comparing myself (in my first semester) to people who are ready to graduate or have at least been in the program a couple years. And it'd be nice to have credentials to fall back on.
Or, at the very least, I'll be able to look at myself and go "I did something I wanted to do."
(Anyone ever read Bookends by Jane Green? Main character Cath quits her job to do what she's dreamed of doing and open a bookstore, and at her farewell party her former boss says s/he's jealous because Cath is taking the risk to do what she's dreamed of doing and the boss isn't)
I must say that I'm feeling perfectly inadequate right now.
I have a job that's willing to work around the hours I'm unavailable. Heck, just the fact that I have a job.
Not only that, but the people I work with/for are wonderful. They're really sweet, and I love popping by the office to see them. If possible, I would like to continue working there.
But the fact remains that I need a steadier full-time job. And nobody wants me. Or I look "good," but "good" is not the same thing as "good enough."
I really don't know what I'm trying to say.
I remember when the hubs and I got engaged, and I started planning our wedding... And planning with different budgets, working the breakdown of budgets, areas to skimp on, areas to not skimp on, looking at dresses, planning things, finding invitations... I really felt that at some point I wouldn't mind helping other people plan out their weddings. Even if it was just a friend (and who knows, maybe one friend's wedding can turn into a friend's friend's FRIEND'S wedding).
I guess I just have all these ideas or dreams or whatever, but no clue how to get to them and make them work.
Oh, and the CPR thing is just useful. Like if I get back into babysitting to make extra cash, lots of people want a babysitter who knows CPR. And even though my CPR cert recommends I renew it in July, I know well enough that a CPR cert really is only a year-long thing for constant training and brushing-up. The place I got it recommended redoing it at least every two years.
Heck, I still haven't forgotten about my idea of brushing up on my photography skills enough to take pictures for people - even amateur wedding/engagement/family ones, as long as they're nice. As well as maybe becoming a bartender.
I look at all these things... Bartending, photography, wedding planning, being a CNA... and I see how much more money I could make, how much MORE I could contribute to the life my husband and I live, without always being concerned about if I can make enough to get rent paid and pay for gasoline and groceries and bills and, well, LIFE... How I would be able to do things like work more reasonable hours (yes, I know brides are not always reasonable!) and actually have free time around the same time as my husband, as opposed to only being free whenever he's at work or has homework to do.
I'm frustrated.
And I'm thinking.
Oh, I also got ordained last night by Universal Life Church Monastery (ULC) as well as American Marriage Ministries (AMM). Although I ordered the certificate from ULC. It's cheaper, and I don't need to register in the state of Nebraska. LOL.
So at least there's one thing off my list that I don't have to complain that I never did.
That is all. For now :)
Is it weird that I'm feeling the need/desire to get all of these things done?
Like get my CNA, get ordained, become a certified life coach, renew my CPR cert... become a certified wedding planner...
I mean, to an extent I find all of these things useful - although the wedding planning bit might be excessive, but the idea stands that I might be able to use psychology as a wedding planner. Heck, they like us in sales, right??
And no time like the present to start doing things I've thought about doing, right? (within reason, of course. $500 CNA course? nooooo. gotta pick a time to do something I can *afford*)
And hey, who wouldn't want a Social Services or Activities Director in Assisted Living who can train to do a funeral? (... lol? ...)
But I feel like I'm bouncing all over the place. I don't want to use it all as "filler," just stuff to keep myself occupied... But I *do* think that some of these things will open doors for me.
The life coach bit, I'm not sure what that will really do for me, but it was recommended by a professor...
Also, I'm concerned that on a resume it'll look like I'm just "there."
I guess I'm worried that counseling may not be my "thing," although I know that this is actually quite silly, especially because I've been comparing myself (in my first semester) to people who are ready to graduate or have at least been in the program a couple years. And it'd be nice to have credentials to fall back on.
Or, at the very least, I'll be able to look at myself and go "I did something I wanted to do."
(Anyone ever read Bookends by Jane Green? Main character Cath quits her job to do what she's dreamed of doing and open a bookstore, and at her farewell party her former boss says s/he's jealous because Cath is taking the risk to do what she's dreamed of doing and the boss isn't)
I must say that I'm feeling perfectly inadequate right now.
I have a job that's willing to work around the hours I'm unavailable. Heck, just the fact that I have a job.
Not only that, but the people I work with/for are wonderful. They're really sweet, and I love popping by the office to see them. If possible, I would like to continue working there.
But the fact remains that I need a steadier full-time job. And nobody wants me. Or I look "good," but "good" is not the same thing as "good enough."
I really don't know what I'm trying to say.
I remember when the hubs and I got engaged, and I started planning our wedding... And planning with different budgets, working the breakdown of budgets, areas to skimp on, areas to not skimp on, looking at dresses, planning things, finding invitations... I really felt that at some point I wouldn't mind helping other people plan out their weddings. Even if it was just a friend (and who knows, maybe one friend's wedding can turn into a friend's friend's FRIEND'S wedding).
I guess I just have all these ideas or dreams or whatever, but no clue how to get to them and make them work.
Oh, and the CPR thing is just useful. Like if I get back into babysitting to make extra cash, lots of people want a babysitter who knows CPR. And even though my CPR cert recommends I renew it in July, I know well enough that a CPR cert really is only a year-long thing for constant training and brushing-up. The place I got it recommended redoing it at least every two years.
Heck, I still haven't forgotten about my idea of brushing up on my photography skills enough to take pictures for people - even amateur wedding/engagement/family ones, as long as they're nice. As well as maybe becoming a bartender.
I look at all these things... Bartending, photography, wedding planning, being a CNA... and I see how much more money I could make, how much MORE I could contribute to the life my husband and I live, without always being concerned about if I can make enough to get rent paid and pay for gasoline and groceries and bills and, well, LIFE... How I would be able to do things like work more reasonable hours (yes, I know brides are not always reasonable!) and actually have free time around the same time as my husband, as opposed to only being free whenever he's at work or has homework to do.
I'm frustrated.
And I'm thinking.
Oh, I also got ordained last night by Universal Life Church Monastery (ULC) as well as American Marriage Ministries (AMM). Although I ordered the certificate from ULC. It's cheaper, and I don't need to register in the state of Nebraska. LOL.
So at least there's one thing off my list that I don't have to complain that I never did.
That is all. For now :)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
It seems my hard-earned degree isn't worth crap
I graduated with my BS in Psychology in May. Even before I graduated I was looking for jobs relating to my degree (or at least something I'd be vaguely interested in or can at least do and not want to choke myself).
I work in non-medical in-home senior care. My hours aren't guaranteed, but mire often than not I'm getting a bunch of hours - but my hours are really whenever and wherever.
I love my job, but I'm going nuts. I had a smoking client for 7 days of the last 13. A couple of those days when my shift ended I felt like I was going to be sick (I'm a non-smoker).
I want to tell the office I won't work with smoking clients, but the husband and I aren't financially in a position where I can pick and choose, since we both work and go to school, but I'm the only one who can really get full-time in around my classes and our health insurance takes $250 out of his paycheck every two weeks and the extra money he makes goes to paying off his car and groceries.
I KNOW what I want to do, but without my MS (in two years) I can't do it.
For months I've been looking for a job, but what they don't tell you in school is that unless you're good in sales then nobody wants someone with an undergrad psychology degree. They want social work.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say social work degrees can do more than psychology degrees. Even my sister says it (and sounds extremely pissed off when discussing it, and she's very level-headed).
So now I'm faced with finding a place to get my PLADC (provisional licensed alcohol and drug counselor) and potentially losing work hours, or find a way to beef up my credentials by taking classes (can't afford to just drop $500 on CNA classes, not at this moment, and keep in mind I'm already a full-time grad student), or find a second job - but most places I've looked want someone who can also do weekends, and I actually have a steady weekend client.
I find myself bouncing around. I had one teacher tell me a PLADC was basically worthless. He also told my class we should get life coach certified, to add to our resume, but that it's kind of silly (cynical much?).
I'm finding so many things I CAN do until I get my MS (in counseling), and that doing them might be beneficial in the long run but absurdly selfish in the immediate future. $500 for a CNA course? Rent's covered, but we like to make sure at least the next month's is good too.
Life coach, CNA, PLADC, hell I've even looked at wedding planning and getting ordained. Because maybe it would be SOMETHING that works.
I'm the main breadwinner in our household, the money isn't terrible, but I'm the one whose credentials don't mean anything to prospective employers, the one who barely makes above minimum wage, and I keep finding myself faced with "what ifs." Like "what if I can't afford car insurance when my car is signed over to me next month?" because then I CAN'T work (job requires proof of insurance, since I transport clients) AND it's kind of illegal.
I'm done with my vent now.
I work in non-medical in-home senior care. My hours aren't guaranteed, but mire often than not I'm getting a bunch of hours - but my hours are really whenever and wherever.
I love my job, but I'm going nuts. I had a smoking client for 7 days of the last 13. A couple of those days when my shift ended I felt like I was going to be sick (I'm a non-smoker).
I want to tell the office I won't work with smoking clients, but the husband and I aren't financially in a position where I can pick and choose, since we both work and go to school, but I'm the only one who can really get full-time in around my classes and our health insurance takes $250 out of his paycheck every two weeks and the extra money he makes goes to paying off his car and groceries.
I KNOW what I want to do, but without my MS (in two years) I can't do it.
For months I've been looking for a job, but what they don't tell you in school is that unless you're good in sales then nobody wants someone with an undergrad psychology degree. They want social work.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say social work degrees can do more than psychology degrees. Even my sister says it (and sounds extremely pissed off when discussing it, and she's very level-headed).
So now I'm faced with finding a place to get my PLADC (provisional licensed alcohol and drug counselor) and potentially losing work hours, or find a way to beef up my credentials by taking classes (can't afford to just drop $500 on CNA classes, not at this moment, and keep in mind I'm already a full-time grad student), or find a second job - but most places I've looked want someone who can also do weekends, and I actually have a steady weekend client.
I find myself bouncing around. I had one teacher tell me a PLADC was basically worthless. He also told my class we should get life coach certified, to add to our resume, but that it's kind of silly (cynical much?).
I'm finding so many things I CAN do until I get my MS (in counseling), and that doing them might be beneficial in the long run but absurdly selfish in the immediate future. $500 for a CNA course? Rent's covered, but we like to make sure at least the next month's is good too.
Life coach, CNA, PLADC, hell I've even looked at wedding planning and getting ordained. Because maybe it would be SOMETHING that works.
I'm the main breadwinner in our household, the money isn't terrible, but I'm the one whose credentials don't mean anything to prospective employers, the one who barely makes above minimum wage, and I keep finding myself faced with "what ifs." Like "what if I can't afford car insurance when my car is signed over to me next month?" because then I CAN'T work (job requires proof of insurance, since I transport clients) AND it's kind of illegal.
I'm done with my vent now.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Borders bookstores
It's a sad, sad moment in my life.
Borders bookstores are OFFICIALLY going out of business.
Not that this was news to anyone (except for me, apparently). I knew their stores has been closing. But two of the stores near me had just remodeled a bit, so it's not like I was expecting them to go anytime soon!
With that said, I have expanded my bookshelves a LOT in the past week. I do mean a LOT.
Anybody who knows me knows that at home one tall bookshelf was pushing my luck. At school the 3 shelves I was given above my desk were pushing their luck - and those were only the books I WANTED to take to school with me!
Now I've got 2 tall bookshelves, which will be full whenever I get another peg to put underneath one of the shelves since it broke while it was being moved into the apartment. I could really use a 3rd tall shelf.
DH and I are in the process of cleaning (which means I'm STILL cleaning what was moved in 3 weeks ago, because I really don't want to touch it - there's just so much stuff!) so the third shelf will have to wait.
It's kind of sad that Borders is closing. In the last 4 years or so I've finally gotten to the point that I LOVE Borders, and if I didn't need food then I could kill an entire day in the store!
And of course my nerdy random thought was "My kids will think I'm nuts when I talk about Michael Jackson and his music and dancing, Patrick Swayze and his movies and dancing (and why mom would've REALLY loved dancing with him), and Borders bookstores!
'Mom, what's a Borders?'
'It's a BOOKSTORE! How could you not know that??'
'Mom, you're ancient. Those don't exist. How was I to know? What's a book look like? We have these things called e-readers, Kindles, and Nooks now. And iPads. Who's Patrick Swayze?' 'Wait, you mean you've never seen Dirty Dancing? WHOSE CHILD ARE YOU???'"
Yup, I can see it now.
So in the last week I have been to 3 different Borders stores. And I've been to a Borders in general at least 10 times.
Thanks to the "Going Out of Business Sale" (AKA the "GOOB sale" or "GOOBS," as I like to say... seriously, Borders, "Liquidation" is shorter!) I have successfully begun working on one of those fabulously full bookshelves that my college professors always had!
Granted, some don't look as "professional," but I make sure to check out the references they list in the book. And I've been going for ones that i'd be likely to use as a therapist. Like on ADD, psychiatric drugs, divorce, prescription painkillers, eating disorders, dealing with the death of a loved one, and aging parents.
...
I don't the "The Psychology of Harry Potter" will get me anything at work except maybe some brownie points!
Hopefully the books will be super useful when it comes to writing papers.
There were so many more books I would've LOVED to look for, but unfortunately some people aren't very good at distinguishing between "self-help" books and "psychology" books.
I can guarantee i'll hit up Borders a few more times before it closes for good (sadness!!), but I think I'm pretty well set on things. At least for now. Until the DSM-V comes out. Which reminds me, I need to buy the DSM-IV-TR, since someone ripped me off... But that's another story.
(Random note on books: I'm looking for books on making bags. So instead of buying a bunch of new bags for school and work, I can just make them myself after I buy the fabric (and maybe figure out how to make handles...) Any suggestions?)
Borders bookstores are OFFICIALLY going out of business.
Not that this was news to anyone (except for me, apparently). I knew their stores has been closing. But two of the stores near me had just remodeled a bit, so it's not like I was expecting them to go anytime soon!
With that said, I have expanded my bookshelves a LOT in the past week. I do mean a LOT.
Anybody who knows me knows that at home one tall bookshelf was pushing my luck. At school the 3 shelves I was given above my desk were pushing their luck - and those were only the books I WANTED to take to school with me!
Now I've got 2 tall bookshelves, which will be full whenever I get another peg to put underneath one of the shelves since it broke while it was being moved into the apartment. I could really use a 3rd tall shelf.
DH and I are in the process of cleaning (which means I'm STILL cleaning what was moved in 3 weeks ago, because I really don't want to touch it - there's just so much stuff!) so the third shelf will have to wait.
It's kind of sad that Borders is closing. In the last 4 years or so I've finally gotten to the point that I LOVE Borders, and if I didn't need food then I could kill an entire day in the store!
And of course my nerdy random thought was "My kids will think I'm nuts when I talk about Michael Jackson and his music and dancing, Patrick Swayze and his movies and dancing (and why mom would've REALLY loved dancing with him), and Borders bookstores!
'Mom, what's a Borders?'
'It's a BOOKSTORE! How could you not know that??'
'Mom, you're ancient. Those don't exist. How was I to know? What's a book look like? We have these things called e-readers, Kindles, and Nooks now. And iPads. Who's Patrick Swayze?' 'Wait, you mean you've never seen Dirty Dancing? WHOSE CHILD ARE YOU???'"
Yup, I can see it now.
So in the last week I have been to 3 different Borders stores. And I've been to a Borders in general at least 10 times.
Thanks to the "Going Out of Business Sale" (AKA the "GOOB sale" or "GOOBS," as I like to say... seriously, Borders, "Liquidation" is shorter!) I have successfully begun working on one of those fabulously full bookshelves that my college professors always had!
Granted, some don't look as "professional," but I make sure to check out the references they list in the book. And I've been going for ones that i'd be likely to use as a therapist. Like on ADD, psychiatric drugs, divorce, prescription painkillers, eating disorders, dealing with the death of a loved one, and aging parents.
...
I don't the "The Psychology of Harry Potter" will get me anything at work except maybe some brownie points!
Hopefully the books will be super useful when it comes to writing papers.
There were so many more books I would've LOVED to look for, but unfortunately some people aren't very good at distinguishing between "self-help" books and "psychology" books.
I can guarantee i'll hit up Borders a few more times before it closes for good (sadness!!), but I think I'm pretty well set on things. At least for now. Until the DSM-V comes out. Which reminds me, I need to buy the DSM-IV-TR, since someone ripped me off... But that's another story.
(Random note on books: I'm looking for books on making bags. So instead of buying a bunch of new bags for school and work, I can just make them myself after I buy the fabric (and maybe figure out how to make handles...) Any suggestions?)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
8 more days living the single life
(not like "the single life" really means anything to me. lol I haven't done that in nearly 4 years)
I feel kind of bad. I haven't posted in nearly a week. But better late than never.
Earlier this week (Monday, I believe), FH and I went and picked out a couch! It's this really pretty lighter green. I'm super excited for it to arrive on Wednesday!
It's wonderful when we find things that appeal to us both. We walked through so many couches, saw so many potential ones, a lot that we hated, and WAAAAAAY too many that were seriously overpriced. But eventually we found something.
That said, the wedding is in 8 days. Dad told me to tell the caterer to prepare for 100 people when we only had 75 on the list. Well, I decided to save him $100 (give or take) and tell them 90. Well now there are 77 on the list - but we're still doing rather well! That allows for random people form church to show up, which I'm sure will probably happen. And if not, well, our guests can...
Oh crap. I just realized that I bought a wedding cake that feeds 160. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THE EXTRA PIECES?????
I need to call the cake place and see if it's too late to scale the number down or something... The whole thing is already paid for, though... At least everybody will be able to get 2 slices per person. But who's seriously going to eat that much?
...
I think I need to go buy some little cake slice boxes to people can take pieces with them.
Well, as I was saying before I thought about the cake problem, if there are slightly fewer than 90 people, at least everybody will be able to have extras if they so desire. And if there are more than 90, well, somebody better not be eating because they should've told me they were showing up. Ugh.
I hate to admit it, but I had to request this coming Friday off of work.
The reason: I'm exhausted.
And it's not even from wedding stuff! What's even worse is that I'll only be getting about 34-35 hours of work this week! Which makes me feel like a total chump, until I remember that I'm probably trying to recover from my near-60 or 60+ hours last week. I don't remember which... I think it was about 58.
I can't be an effective CAREGiver if I'm exhausted.
So I took Friday off. I'm going to try to sleep in, maybe paint my toenails, and take one of my aunts shopping for shoes for the wedding if she hasn't found some by the time they fly in late Friday afternoon.
I'm also going to do all I can to avoid the relatives. Nothing says stress like "Victoria, I can't BELIEVE you're getting married! Are you nervous? Excited? What's your dress look like? How are you doing your hair? I can't believe it! Are you ready? Do you have a veil? Where are you guys going on a honeymoon? I'm so happy and excited for you!"
I love my relatives, but WOW. hahahahahaha. I wouldn't trade them for the world, but recently the "are you nervous" question is actually making me nervous! What the heck?
I've heard "Are you nervous?" so many times that I think my brain has started going "They're asking if you're nervous... Maybe you're SUPPOSED to be nervous... Hello, this is a life-changing event! Granted, you've had over 2 years to think about this, BUT STILL!"
And then comes Saturday! (That is, not today but a week from today.)
I'll work that morning, get off at 2:30, and head back to the apartment to get things ready for the rehearsal and dinner. Then after the rehearsal/dinner we're gonna go play LASER TAG!!!
I still have to get the passes for that, but I'm excited because instead of paying $25 for every five people, it'll only be $10!
After laser tag the girls and I are just going to chill back at the apartment. Maybe paint some nails, watch a movie, have some snacks... And CRASH. Cuz there is no freaking way that I want to be up all night after a day like that.
While I'm thinking about it... I'll have to see if the girls would like to go out to breakfast the next morning or if they'd rather me cook at the apartment or what. At least a year ago when I was living with 3 of them we'd talked about going to IHOP or Village Inn the next morning. Looks like it's about time to see what's on the agenda!
I still need to get place cards and a seating chart done, and take the cake decorations to the cake place. And buy some more ribbon for our favors. We're meeting with the DJ on Monday to discuss songs, and hopefully I'll have a processional picked out by then. Other than that... I think that's it. And if not, well, we'll get it taken care of.
I feel kind of bad. I haven't posted in nearly a week. But better late than never.
Earlier this week (Monday, I believe), FH and I went and picked out a couch! It's this really pretty lighter green. I'm super excited for it to arrive on Wednesday!
It's wonderful when we find things that appeal to us both. We walked through so many couches, saw so many potential ones, a lot that we hated, and WAAAAAAY too many that were seriously overpriced. But eventually we found something.
That said, the wedding is in 8 days. Dad told me to tell the caterer to prepare for 100 people when we only had 75 on the list. Well, I decided to save him $100 (give or take) and tell them 90. Well now there are 77 on the list - but we're still doing rather well! That allows for random people form church to show up, which I'm sure will probably happen. And if not, well, our guests can...
Oh crap. I just realized that I bought a wedding cake that feeds 160. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THE EXTRA PIECES?????
I need to call the cake place and see if it's too late to scale the number down or something... The whole thing is already paid for, though... At least everybody will be able to get 2 slices per person. But who's seriously going to eat that much?
...
I think I need to go buy some little cake slice boxes to people can take pieces with them.
Well, as I was saying before I thought about the cake problem, if there are slightly fewer than 90 people, at least everybody will be able to have extras if they so desire. And if there are more than 90, well, somebody better not be eating because they should've told me they were showing up. Ugh.
I hate to admit it, but I had to request this coming Friday off of work.
The reason: I'm exhausted.
And it's not even from wedding stuff! What's even worse is that I'll only be getting about 34-35 hours of work this week! Which makes me feel like a total chump, until I remember that I'm probably trying to recover from my near-60 or 60+ hours last week. I don't remember which... I think it was about 58.
I can't be an effective CAREGiver if I'm exhausted.
So I took Friday off. I'm going to try to sleep in, maybe paint my toenails, and take one of my aunts shopping for shoes for the wedding if she hasn't found some by the time they fly in late Friday afternoon.
I'm also going to do all I can to avoid the relatives. Nothing says stress like "Victoria, I can't BELIEVE you're getting married! Are you nervous? Excited? What's your dress look like? How are you doing your hair? I can't believe it! Are you ready? Do you have a veil? Where are you guys going on a honeymoon? I'm so happy and excited for you!"
I love my relatives, but WOW. hahahahahaha. I wouldn't trade them for the world, but recently the "are you nervous" question is actually making me nervous! What the heck?
I've heard "Are you nervous?" so many times that I think my brain has started going "They're asking if you're nervous... Maybe you're SUPPOSED to be nervous... Hello, this is a life-changing event! Granted, you've had over 2 years to think about this, BUT STILL!"
And then comes Saturday! (That is, not today but a week from today.)
I'll work that morning, get off at 2:30, and head back to the apartment to get things ready for the rehearsal and dinner. Then after the rehearsal/dinner we're gonna go play LASER TAG!!!
I still have to get the passes for that, but I'm excited because instead of paying $25 for every five people, it'll only be $10!
After laser tag the girls and I are just going to chill back at the apartment. Maybe paint some nails, watch a movie, have some snacks... And CRASH. Cuz there is no freaking way that I want to be up all night after a day like that.
While I'm thinking about it... I'll have to see if the girls would like to go out to breakfast the next morning or if they'd rather me cook at the apartment or what. At least a year ago when I was living with 3 of them we'd talked about going to IHOP or Village Inn the next morning. Looks like it's about time to see what's on the agenda!
I still need to get place cards and a seating chart done, and take the cake decorations to the cake place. And buy some more ribbon for our favors. We're meeting with the DJ on Monday to discuss songs, and hopefully I'll have a processional picked out by then. Other than that... I think that's it. And if not, well, we'll get it taken care of.
Friday, May 13, 2011
A way to restore your faith in people
So I'm just going to make the assumption that FH does a rather nice job in choosing his friends.
That's not to say that I don't have some pretty awesome friends myself because, let's face it, I love my friends some kinda fierce.
And I wouldn't trade them for the world.
But this morning/afternoon I had a flashback to freshman year in college, where this jackass talked over me the whole time I tried to explain something and didn't bother to let me get a word in edgewise. And after he left I just bawled.
Needless to say, my next two years of college up through graduation... I hated his guts.
He's a pompous jerk, and is apparently only nice when he's smoking weed. No joke. It was weird when I heard that, especially when I heard that he could be nice AND not be a smarmy jerk about it.
And this flashback came about because of... My cousin. Yup, my own flesh and blood.
She has decided to pull herself out of the wedding. And I'm finding that I don't care. I cared more about whether or not people I cared about would be there, regardless of whether or not they're standing up there with us.
Then she said she's not coming, and that she wished she hadn't wasted her money on a ticket.
Ok, ouch.
THEN she said she was done with me and called me a bitch.
And with that, I can guarantee you that she is not welcome at our wedding or anywhere NEAR our apartment, I don't care if she gets on the plane or not.
There's far more to the story, including -you guessed it!- her not listening to a word I had to say.
But I'm through with it.
I finalized our wedding cake today!
I would've gone with FH, but he got his wisdoms out this morning. I ran a few ideas by him, and then just went with those and had the cake baker/decorator help out with a few ideas here and there.
It's similar to this, but with some definite changes:
I went and bought some of the decor for our cake, and I'll be getting the rest of it taken care of tonight after work.
Sometimes people amaze me.
Just this morning I was saying to FMIL that I hate people.
No offense to anybody reading this. I really like some people. But sometimes people just make me want to smack them. HARD.
Then FH's best woman in the wedding (well, other than me, but you know what I mean! hahaha) texted me saying she was excited for the wedding. And one of the ushers texted me to ask about what his guest should wear, and THEN he told me he was sure I would look beautiful in my dress.
Yeah, I'm a softie. And that totally made my day.
And I've been getting more work in so, while it's been tiring (we're talking that between late Saturday night and the end of tonight I'll have gotten at least 40 hours, and with this weekend I'll have just over 60 if I added correctly)... It's making me feel so much better that the next paycheck in will be rather decent as far as us taking care of rent and all. I mean, even though I know we'll be fine either way, it's still nice to have that extra little bit of security blanket.
I can't believe that we're getting married in 16 days.
Yeah, that's all for now.
That's not to say that I don't have some pretty awesome friends myself because, let's face it, I love my friends some kinda fierce.
And I wouldn't trade them for the world.
But this morning/afternoon I had a flashback to freshman year in college, where this jackass talked over me the whole time I tried to explain something and didn't bother to let me get a word in edgewise. And after he left I just bawled.
Needless to say, my next two years of college up through graduation... I hated his guts.
He's a pompous jerk, and is apparently only nice when he's smoking weed. No joke. It was weird when I heard that, especially when I heard that he could be nice AND not be a smarmy jerk about it.
And this flashback came about because of... My cousin. Yup, my own flesh and blood.
She has decided to pull herself out of the wedding. And I'm finding that I don't care. I cared more about whether or not people I cared about would be there, regardless of whether or not they're standing up there with us.
Then she said she's not coming, and that she wished she hadn't wasted her money on a ticket.
Ok, ouch.
THEN she said she was done with me and called me a bitch.
And with that, I can guarantee you that she is not welcome at our wedding or anywhere NEAR our apartment, I don't care if she gets on the plane or not.
There's far more to the story, including -you guessed it!- her not listening to a word I had to say.
But I'm through with it.
I finalized our wedding cake today!
I would've gone with FH, but he got his wisdoms out this morning. I ran a few ideas by him, and then just went with those and had the cake baker/decorator help out with a few ideas here and there.
It's similar to this, but with some definite changes:
I went and bought some of the decor for our cake, and I'll be getting the rest of it taken care of tonight after work.
Sometimes people amaze me.
Just this morning I was saying to FMIL that I hate people.
No offense to anybody reading this. I really like some people. But sometimes people just make me want to smack them. HARD.
Then FH's best woman in the wedding (well, other than me, but you know what I mean! hahaha) texted me saying she was excited for the wedding. And one of the ushers texted me to ask about what his guest should wear, and THEN he told me he was sure I would look beautiful in my dress.
Yeah, I'm a softie. And that totally made my day.
And I've been getting more work in so, while it's been tiring (we're talking that between late Saturday night and the end of tonight I'll have gotten at least 40 hours, and with this weekend I'll have just over 60 if I added correctly)... It's making me feel so much better that the next paycheck in will be rather decent as far as us taking care of rent and all. I mean, even though I know we'll be fine either way, it's still nice to have that extra little bit of security blanket.
I can't believe that we're getting married in 16 days.
Yeah, that's all for now.
It's been a long time. Well, sorta.
Ok, so it's only been about a week since I've posted, but I really feel like it's been so much longer.
FH and I moved into our apartment on Friday. The view is certainly something else.
I'm not going to lie, though, the moving has been a pain in the butt.
But it was an eventful weekend! First moving, then seeing a baseball game that night! Now, normally I don't like baseball, but I had fun.
And the tickets were completely free, which was kinda weird, but we definitely enjoyed it!
FH and I also got our marriage license that morning. You know, before the packing and unpacking, and sweating it out.
And it seems like nothing is going according to plan.
I'm more than a little frustrated.
I've been getting called for work more often now, which is awesome. My next paycheck will be looking quite nice. And I should've taken some of the other offered jobs, except for the fact that then it would've left me either half an hour or an hour and a half between shifts!
I feel like I keep nitpicking about everything, and not just about work. I have to remind myself that I'm learning to live with someone, and I haven't had to do that in 2 years because I lived with the same 3 females last year that I did the year before!
I have noticed that there are some things that are my way or the highway... And I've stopped to think about whether these things are really all that important. And while they may not be "all that important," they do bug the hell out of me.
So like a good little girl, I speak my mind now because if I don't then I know there will be hell later when I finally lose my mind.
And let's face it, I despise cleaning. But I like having clean places.
I graduated from college on Saturday. To make a quick summary of it:
I got there at 8:15 for line up, stood around until ten, my feet hurt, I got my diploma cover and smiled, there was a wasp on the kid in front of me (FREAKY!!!!!), a kid in my row killed the wasp with his diploma cover and the other guy's mortarboard, I strutted back out for the recessional (and I do mean strutted. There's this wedding picture of my sister and her husband where she looks smug as can be - I'm pretty sure I had the same facial expression).
Apparently I can't post that picture, so instead here's a picture of me and one of my roommates!
Oh, how I miss cheese and potato time... And we match, too! But I'll be seeing her in a couple of weeks, so it's all good!
Now that graduation's over, it's been about getting back to work.
And cleaning. Ugh.
Our place isn't anywhere near as much of a mess as it used to be. Thank God.
The mound by our front door has greatly diminished, but I still have some work to do on it since it's my stuff.
At least, it was last I checked. LOL I'm sure FH doesn't have a bag of nail polish.
And now for a quick wedding vent from yours truly:
Why don't people send in their RSVPs on time?
Let's face it: my dad's the one paying for the food, so it's not like it's my money.
But at the same time, why should I waste my father's money because someone has decided not to stick a pre-stamped card in the mail with their name(s) and a number on it.
For that matter, why should I waste my father's money at all? That'd be rude of me, and it's frustrating when the RSVP date was a few days ago.
Granted, the date was Sunday so I've got to give it some slack there.
And slack I give.
But for real. I don't like surprises, and neither does my father. And at $13/person, surprises of extra people showing up are NOT good surprises on the checkbook, no matter how nice it would be to see them (that is, see the people).
On top of other things, but we're not even going there.
Well, now it's movie time and Starbucks for Frappuccino Happy Hour with one of the roomies and then more of us just being AWESOME!
FH and I moved into our apartment on Friday. The view is certainly something else.
I'm not going to lie, though, the moving has been a pain in the butt.
But it was an eventful weekend! First moving, then seeing a baseball game that night! Now, normally I don't like baseball, but I had fun.
And the tickets were completely free, which was kinda weird, but we definitely enjoyed it!
FH and I also got our marriage license that morning. You know, before the packing and unpacking, and sweating it out.
And it seems like nothing is going according to plan.
I'm more than a little frustrated.
I've been getting called for work more often now, which is awesome. My next paycheck will be looking quite nice. And I should've taken some of the other offered jobs, except for the fact that then it would've left me either half an hour or an hour and a half between shifts!
I feel like I keep nitpicking about everything, and not just about work. I have to remind myself that I'm learning to live with someone, and I haven't had to do that in 2 years because I lived with the same 3 females last year that I did the year before!
I have noticed that there are some things that are my way or the highway... And I've stopped to think about whether these things are really all that important. And while they may not be "all that important," they do bug the hell out of me.
So like a good little girl, I speak my mind now because if I don't then I know there will be hell later when I finally lose my mind.
And let's face it, I despise cleaning. But I like having clean places.
I graduated from college on Saturday. To make a quick summary of it:
I got there at 8:15 for line up, stood around until ten, my feet hurt, I got my diploma cover and smiled, there was a wasp on the kid in front of me (FREAKY!!!!!), a kid in my row killed the wasp with his diploma cover and the other guy's mortarboard, I strutted back out for the recessional (and I do mean strutted. There's this wedding picture of my sister and her husband where she looks smug as can be - I'm pretty sure I had the same facial expression).
Apparently I can't post that picture, so instead here's a picture of me and one of my roommates!
Oh, how I miss cheese and potato time... And we match, too! But I'll be seeing her in a couple of weeks, so it's all good!
Now that graduation's over, it's been about getting back to work.
And cleaning. Ugh.
Our place isn't anywhere near as much of a mess as it used to be. Thank God.
The mound by our front door has greatly diminished, but I still have some work to do on it since it's my stuff.
At least, it was last I checked. LOL I'm sure FH doesn't have a bag of nail polish.
And now for a quick wedding vent from yours truly:
Why don't people send in their RSVPs on time?
Let's face it: my dad's the one paying for the food, so it's not like it's my money.
But at the same time, why should I waste my father's money because someone has decided not to stick a pre-stamped card in the mail with their name(s) and a number on it.
For that matter, why should I waste my father's money at all? That'd be rude of me, and it's frustrating when the RSVP date was a few days ago.
Granted, the date was Sunday so I've got to give it some slack there.
And slack I give.
But for real. I don't like surprises, and neither does my father. And at $13/person, surprises of extra people showing up are NOT good surprises on the checkbook, no matter how nice it would be to see them (that is, see the people).
On top of other things, but we're not even going there.
Well, now it's movie time and Starbucks for Frappuccino Happy Hour with one of the roomies and then more of us just being AWESOME!
Monday, April 18, 2011
"Well, we're movin' on up to the east side..."
This weekend was a pretty interesting one as far as timelines.
And freaking out, but that's for later.
FH and I move into the apartment 3 weeks from this past Friday.
I graduate 3 weeks from this past Saturday.
And we get married 6 weeks from yesterday.
I'm excited, but I'm still nervous.
We've got things planned out, what's going on when.
FH and i are looking into joining accounts later this week - or at least some of them. I think what may end up happening is that we end up with one credit card (or two, not quite sure), we share one checking account and one savings account, and then I believe that we'll each have our own checking accounts from there.
We'll have to figure out how that's going.
I'm sick of people having hissyfits about my shoes for the wedding.
They're not the ones wearing them, and if they really don't like them then they don't have to look. I'm not getting my dress hemmed just so you don't have to look at my shoes the entire time.
Think of it this way: If you're staring at my shoes the whole time then either they look good or you need to get out for being more concerned about my damn shoes than the fact that my sweetie and I are getting married.
And they need to quit making assumptions about them. I'm tired of having to defend my decisions. Mind you, I've told very few people, if any, anything shoes-related.
The end.
I don't know why I suddenly realized this (as opposed to thinking about it ages ago), but my last big paycheck is this week. I mean from the job I'm keeping, where I get the majority of my hours.
I'm still going to get my paychecks from the job I have on-campus as well as the one that I have closer to the school, but combined they won't be as large as the one that I'm expecting this coming week.
And I won't get another (larger) paycheck until two days after we move in.
Oh, and get this: I CAN'T FIND MY PAPERWORK TO TURN IN FOR MY HOURS!!!!! Which means if I can't find that... I don't know if they'll pay me until two days AFTER FH and I move in to our apartment. WHAT THE HECK!!!
Rent. Pet deposit. Utilities. No pet rent each month, based on the fact that we get at least that much discounted for being students.
Thankfully we'll have some groceries and whatnot taken care of.
And for everything else, there's Dollar Tree! (you'd be surprised what worthwhile things you can find - just don't buy the garbage bags, because $1 for 6 or 7 bags is a waste of money, to be completely honest)
We still need a shower curtain.
Yeah, I'm getting sick of counting. That's really about all I've been doing. I guess once the pet deposit is taken care of then it won't be as bad, but then after the wedding there's, let's see... insurance. Car insurance. Health insurance. Renters insurance.
I'm so glad my class at 8 was cancelled.
I have work tonight at 6:30.
And there's nothing like realizing that you're really getting ripped off when you go to work. Nothing like it at all.
But we're not going to go into detail about all of that.
For now... I just want my advisor to pick up the phone so that she can remove my academic advising hold - mind you, she told me that I would NOT need to talk to her in order to sign up for classes. Gee, THANKS!
My advisor's sweet, but they WOULD give me the lady who can't pick up the phone or reply to emails.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT I'M DOING NEXT SEMESTER, THANK YOU!!!!!
I'm ready for something positive to happen. Like my advisor picking up the phone. I've seriously been calling her about every five minutes or so. I'm sick of this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)