First Day in the Office

Best moment? I found a condom that EXPIRED in 1995. That's 15 years ago. Which means it was manufactured like 18 years ago. WHY is it still in the education kits??? :) Because some of them ended up in the basement and haven't been touched for a while. Granted, we do keep some expired ones to use stictly for demonstrations... so it much have snuck through all those years that way.

Overall it was a GREAT day in the office. So much fun to start going through things. I got a lot done. But still have a long way to go. I set up my voicemail and everything. :) I threw out quite a bit, and tomorrow will be a lot more tossing. I kinda started from scratch- emptied some shelves so I could just reoranize everything. Felt great.

Then tonight I went to dinner with Cheri- she took me to the weathervane and we had a wonderful dinner- including Oberon which was just released this week! I only had 2, but that's about my limit. :) Now I'm feeling great at home, watching American Idol- which I haven't seen any of this season, but it was on when I turned on the TV and don't feel like changing the station. :)

I am much more confident now about setting in here- I'll find friends, and that special someone up here. There are lots of ppl my age (that are still liberal and progressive and all that). :) This is going to be a great thing for me! I can't BELIEVE that I'm 25, have a dream job, benefits, and office (well, a FLOOR), and so much independance and freedom in my job! How lucky can a woman get?? Tomorrow the clinic isn't open, so I can just wake up when I do, and head in whenever. I'm going to take some art of the walls! :) How cool is that, that I can put up art work on the walls??? There are some really cheesy watercolors on the wall, so those need to go!

So all is well in the world of Northern MI.

Off to curl up and maybe play a video game on my gaming units I got for Christmas and haven't had a chance to play since leaving FL!

And she moves to MI... AGAIN...

OK. So my sister is PESTERING me. :) She has been checking this everyday for months and I haven't been writing. SO, now that I have more positive things to say again, here I am back to writing!

So, as most know, I'm now back in Northern Michigan- never a dull moment, right? I accepted an amazing job opportunity with a non-profit in Petoskey, working with women's health, sexual health, and education- what more could a girl want? (Due to privacy and security issues, I'm not going to disclose the company- you should know it anyway!)

So now, my blog will be more about my new life up here. And just California Dreaming...

So- this is how it all happened. I was working in Oceanside, in a management position I wasn't enjoying. A friend and colleague that I had volunteered for sent me an email about a job opening that I had always told her I was interested in. I was in Cali to be working on my education, but that was working out as planned either. I decided to put it out here, and apply. I got an interview, and decided to fly out for it. And a week later, was given an offer; immediately turned in my notice to my job and landlord, started packing, and left 16 days later. After an insane drive including getting stuck in southern Illinois with no access to my money, and getting driven off the road by a charter bus, I made it home safe and sound on Thursday evening.

And then I dove right in to my new job! Friday I visited my new office and took care of my pre-employment physical. Monday was spent in Grand Rapids filling out paperwork. Tuesday-Friday I was in TC working with Janna (the woman who told me about the job) learning everything I could. By the time I got home last night, I passed out from exhaustion of an insane week of trying to absorb EVERYTHING. :)

I'm excited, but very overwhelmed. I'm used to the TC office, so Petoskey will be an adjustment. I have a LOT to learn as well. I have some background on the materials I will be teaching that I think other candidates didn't have, but I don't have the educational background, and I'm seeing how that would be really handy right about now. Next week I spend the week in the office, pretty much by myself, setting up and reading through curriculums.

And now I'm in Charlevoix, missing my friends. It's nice to be up here where I have friends, but they aren't near, and are busy, so not getting to see much of them. I can't wait to meet new people in Petoskey, but in the meantime, living alone, spending Saturday's holed up because it's cold. :) I miss movie nights with Jess, and game nights with Liz... even though those were really the only people I was close with out there. :)

Writing again feels good.

I am thinking of being brave tonight and going to the bar just a few doors down for a beer, appetizer, and trying to meet someone new. :P We shall see.

For now, I'm going to go throw things at my TV for the stupid hollywood happy endings that give people stupid ideas of love and life and relationships and reality. (Watching stupid TV...) And then think about visiting Cali in 2 weeks to go to a big drifting event with a good friend. :) In my dreams...

Next thing...

So.

I haven't been writing because I haven't had much to say, and what I have had, isn't "good". Didn't our parents teach us to not say anything if we don't have anything nice to say?

Well, my cell phone was stolen today- at the public library none-the-less. How bad is that? And that number is the ONLY number that the 60+ jobs have to contact me. I'm supposed to be able to return calls to the temp companies in about one hour. Guess that's not going to happen. I disconnected the phone since it was stolen and not lost, because I didn't want the person to use it. And now I can't reconnect it for a while even if I do find it, and mom wants to switch companies and get me a new phone, and my head just can't handle that right now.

To fill everyone in, I have 5ish jobs out here, and no hours. The casino hasn't even given me the department training yet. So it'll be weeks there still before I get hours. I had a job last night, drove into the city, go there 28 minutes early, and it took me 32 minutes to find a parking spot, making me late, and losing my position since it was one of the Temp jobs... so I had to get in my car and drive 45 minutes home. That was at least $10 in lost gas.

So, there. I'm out of energy and options. Always thinking that the next turn has the options and opportunities I've been looking for, and the fact of the matter is that in this economy, no one does. No jobs in CA, FL, or MI for me right now. No fin aid to get back to school to get a degree where I can get a job. Stuck in the mud. Deep. With LOTS of bills.

So, my sensible option? Be rash and stupid. I'm hitting the road and taking a long road trip home. Figure it all out later. Catch up with all these things later. For now, regroup, recenter, abuse free rent at home. Not too long, because I hate the state of Florida. Nice for a few days every Christmas, but that's all I can handle.

The California stories will hopefully return this winter- when I know there are hours here. And I can get some money for school again.

Ciao.

PS:

Work was fine tonight. Nothing exciting either way. Well, guess some good/fun stuff. The Clark's, whom I stayed with on my first visit here, were in attendance, and in my section! So I got a chance to chat with them again. Such incredible people. This was apparently the ball of the year, so was kinda cool. It was themed "Silk and Spice" and everything was Indian. The colors were amazing, great decor, and they had a live elephant outside. It was fun to see all the men in tuxes, women in beautiful gowns of silk and beading with very Indian feels to them. And then we got to eat some of the extra food at the end of the night, so I had a lobster tail salad and this fancy creme brulee dessert. :) And got paid to eat it. Well, suppose I was on my unpaid break time, but still, didn't have to pay for it! :D

Going to curl up on the couch now and watch crap on TV while I wind down since I have nothing but the grocery store on the calendar for tomorrow.

What a Week... August 2nd-8th

Well the week started off on a rough foot. I didn't end up babysitting last Sunday (never got a call back). Working at the wedding was alright (last Saturday), not so sure how much I'd want to regularly work for these guys later on. The food was really plain, the regular servers were useless, and I won't get paid for that event until like Aug 19th. And that was technically a June working date... Then Monday and Tuesday I was in training for the Casio ALLL day. Long bi***fest short: it really is only an on-call position (not a part time like I was basically told), there are no benefits for part-time or on-call (like I was lead to believe), employee meals are not free (like I thought), I cannot be dual rated (did basically know this) and then have to wait 6months before I can transfer OR before I can become full-time. If I do, at that time become full-time, I have to wait ANOTHER 90 days for benefits. SO, the EARLIEST I can get benefits from them will be, MY BIRTHDAY NEXT YEAR. Overall, there aren't real benefits to working there at this point in time. Now, if I leave on good terms, I can be rehired back at any time. So if I leave in a month, does that mean I can come back in two months as a full-time dealer, and get all my benefits 4 months before I could if I worked the entire time?

So Tuesday as soon as I could get out of training, I bolted to San Diego for training with another company (Royalty Staffing). In my mad rush, I tried to stop by the bank to take out money for gas as I don't have a new debit card for this account yet- I missed the bank by 5 minutes. Screwed. So, I went on my not-so-merry-way, hoping I could get a check cashed or something. After training, I couldn't find some place to use my check, cash it, or call my mom to borrow her cc #. No one would do anything for me. My only option? Try to make it home. Well, in my stress to try to make it, I got ON THE WRONG HIGHWAY. Yup, on the 5, rather than the 15. Both north bound but one runs the coast, the other in a little ways. And I ran out of gas- fast. I had to call 911, who had to call 4 tow companies before she found one that would take my starter check for me and come and get me. Big expensive booboo, but I didn't really have any more options. It was just a looonggg day for me. Left at 7am, got home at 9:30. Going going going.

So Wednesday, I did a whole lot of NOTHING. :) and ate it up. :) Wednesday is the day Katie usually does all her errands and stuff, so she was gone most of the day. When she and her mom got back we watched some TV we had recorded on the DVR and just relaxed. Nice day.

Thursday was just the best day EVER! Aren't you all glad to hear it after that terrible Tuesday? Thursday I got to sleep in just enough, got up and got some phone calls made, worked things out with my new bank finally, after doing some hollering. Then the pool guy came- just a side note there, because we have the perfect Cali pool guy, fun to watch clean our pool! :D And then Katie and I took off for a day at the beach! Her boyfriend and the baby came too. Katie and Pat went swimming for a bit, but it was too cold for me! So Derrik and I hung and played in the sand. Lots of moms say babies don't like sand, but Derrik looooves it. Anyway, then Pat and the baby went for a walk on the beach and Katie and I laid and chatted and relaxed for a bit, (and watched the lifeguards). Then for dinner we went to this restaurant that is at the end of a really long pier. I just about killed Katie because I was pushing her and the front wheels kept getting caught, almost sending her flying into a face plant. But luckily we made it safe and sound. Another great thing about being short? I'm the PERFECT pushing height! yey short ppl! We had a absolutely splendid dinner at this little diner where we could watch an amazing sunset and slip our root beer floats. I forgot to ask the lady for a turkey burger rather than a regular burger for my dinner (there was a lot entailed in ordering from this place), so I ate beef! And it wasn't bad at all. Well, then we all came home, hoped in the hot tub and pool for a bit longer, got out, took showers, and played a great game of SpyAlley. I had to be up this morning, or I would have stuck around for then a movie. But it was just such a nice and perfect day! Next time we only need a bit more sun-time.

Then on Friday morning I went in for what I thought was a second interview with another staffing company- it was more a training session. I work for the Chargers next Saturday, and Sunday I'm bar tending at a big hotel downtown for some big event there! YEY. WORK!

Today I woke up, went for a swim (it was way too cold to stay for too long- only like 75 degrees!), had breakfast on the porch, and am about to head out for some quick errands. Then home to change, and work tonight. :) Not bad for a Saturday. And, yes, our UNHEATED pool is usually around 82 in the afternoon. It's been in the high 90s, low 100s weather-wise here. But it's starting to cool down, like in the 80s.

So my New Year's resolution this year, as you may have heard, was to have 3 or less W2s for next years tax season. Little did I realize that by the time I said that, I already had 3. And had plans for more. So guess how many I'm at now. 10. Well, filing taxes for 10 jobs I should say, and still not planning on being done. TEN. Insane. They are: TCCasino(MI), The Terminal (MI), Unemployment (MI), 1099 for my mom, 1099 for parties, Buckboard Catering (CA), Black Ties Staffing (CA), Royalty Staffing (CA), Party Staff (CA), Pechanga (CA). I am trying to pick up shifts dealing blackjack for a party company as well- 11. And trying to find a cash-paying restaurant job near me-12. And might apply at a different casino-13. But I have received (or will soon) a paycheck from ALL of the above companies except Royalty, and I should be on their schedule next week apparently. So, next year I might have to file for THIRTEEN tax thingies. Good thing you don't have to file for babysitting. :D I've also had my name on 3 different cars, had 3 different addresses, and been enrolled in 2 different colleges (4 different campuses). Been quite the year already, and I still have 4.5 months to go. Ut oh. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? I know you are all so jealous. :)

I'm also thinking I'll have to take winter session off from school as my financial aid hasn't come through. I have to petition a board to give me aid since I've already finished one degree, so that may take a while. But, looking at my list of jobs, maybe taking one more semester off won't be so bad. But still crossing my fingers that I can work it out with the school on Monday. We shall see.

So it was a rather long week, but seems to be ending on an ok note.

Next Thursday marks my being here one month. Feels like it's been forever. Guess that isn't all that long though. :)

Now that I have finished writing this long entry, I'm not feeling so much like getting up, going to the bank, grocery shopping, and then having to run home to change. Maybe I'll just take another nap. :) So good at sleeping. Which also reminds me- whose a dream interpreter? I've been having more of the dreams where I loose my teeth. They all fall out. It's a recurring theme to dreams that I've been having since at least before going to Thailand four years ago. And the more I get them, the more I know in my dream. Last night I remember thinking, oh man, it's all those crazy dreams coming true. And it's gross, I can always remember spitting out my teeth and stuff. trying to get them to stay in, like dentures, but not being able to get them to stay put. Last night I thought of trying to get polident, never got it though. :) Last time I went to my dentist, he didn't think I was grinding my teeth (I thought that might be it), so, dream interpreters- what does it mean? :)

Until another day. :)

Continued

7) I have REALLY got to remember where my gas light is in this new car. I've almost run out of gas on 3 separate occasions now- mostly because I don't' see that little light, and forget to check how the gas situation is going with all the driving I'm doing. Kiri loves me though, so has had my back every time. :)

8) I also have to remember to manually turn on my headlights- been driving around town without those. (until someone flashes me)

9) Also, note to self: Learn the one way streets in town. Drove the wrong way down one yesterday. Was wondering what the pedestrians were pointing at and why everyone was honking. ;)

10) I really should have bought a car in MI so at least I still had a Michigan plate... then ppl would know to look out for me. :P

11) I lost $13 in the parking lot today. Made someone day I'm sure, but made my kinda suck. I now have no cash until my new account clears! Sad for Caitlin. (Maybe my neighbors will end up calling tomorrow after all for me to babysit, then I'd get some cash.)

12) Turns out I am a job snob. I thought that I was pretty willing to take any tipped server position- but some of these people! (I knew I was too much of a snob to take the untipped positions that are more "cashier" stuff) Tonight's company wasn't bad- BUT nothing special (I wouldn't hire them to cater for me. Only okay food.) but their staff? "Eh, duh" was all I left like saying to them all night. Luckily there were two guys who were also new, and me. We busted butt and it was a decent night. The other two girls- USELESS. And last time it was the woman who ran the temp company that was a flake. Picky Picky Picky. But this company at least sounds like they will have some gigs for me. Keep doing what I'm doing and see how this all turns out. Maybe the casino will have more hours for me, and I can pick up some babysitting shift in my neighborhood to fill in the gaps (then I'd be getting some paid study time to top it off!)

13) I should have made this private and invited ppl to read it. Then I'd speak a bit more freely. Oh well, this way more friends can keep tabs on me! :) Better that way. I was just going to put things like my address on here so that ppl have my new mailing address, but you'll still just have to email me for that one. :) I also have a home phone now, but still have to get that number from Katie.

14) Today's household project. Organizing baby bottles. It's totally insane how many baby bottles one child can have. I think most of them are from Katie's foster children (she had a few infants/toddles at the same time), but thinking back over kids I've babysat for- it always seems that way. A zillion bottles. :) Guess it makes sense since you have to disinfect them, two days worth of bottles could easily be 10. And then you have to have different sizes...

That's all my random thoughts for today. It's actually now tomorrow... but just by 7 minutes.

Night Night.

Home Alone- Saturday Morning.

1) Life here alone isn't so bad. :) I'm getting to run around in my tee-shirt (we have a fenced in yard, so complete privacy.) As I see it, it saves on the a/c bill. :)

2) That southern blood comes back quickly. I've been trying to at least jump in the pool every day. My dip in today was too cold! Couldn't stay long. Such a wose (sp?). Read poolside for a bit though. Nice start to my day. Got LOTS of sleep last night (finally) so feeling much better today.

3) I had to turn down a job offer today. Their training is on the same day as the casino training. Casino ends at 6pm, the other begins (1 hour away) at 6pm. So so sad. And don't think there is a chance in hell that we'll get out of there an hour early. The casino letter says to expect to stay an extra 30-45 minutes. So told them I couldn't make it. Maybe I'll make their next training session. They were looking for staff for the event on Saturday that I am already working (just with another company) so suppose it's not the end of the world. I'd make more money working for this other company is the only bad thing. :( Right now though, work is work!

4) speaking of: I get to work tonight! YEY! :) So off to a short nap before getting in my black and whites.

5) I'm trying to figure out a time to get back up to MI to get my stuff! So many different times I'd like to head up there. I was hoping to beat my parents back to the apartment since I left a HUGE pile of empty boxes in the middle of the living room... don't think Dad will appreciate that much... at least they are empty though! But I'd like to wait till I have the money to load a container to send it out here. And then I wanted to go back around Halloween because my girlfriends and I always have a ball around that time (But that is Katie's 27th and Derrik's FIRST birthday time too) Guess I'll just have to wait until I have some money, and some time, and just get a spur of the moment ticket.

6) Classes start in 3 weeks! WHERE DID SUMMER GO? (Would also be nice to go home before classes start as that and work will keep me VERY busy). So much I wanted to do this summer... like take my GRE! I hate that about summers. At least I got one thing off my list: Move to California. CHECK. :)

That is all.

Love

CG