Respecting Those Closest

Yesterday, my husband and I were talking, and I asked him, "What is the number one thing that I could change to make our relationship better?" He said, "Have a better attitude."

His response startled me. In my mind, I generally have a good attitude. I give people the benefit of the doubt, I’m careful not to snap at people who can’t control/didn’t cause my problem, and I work to let minor things go. I go so far as to think about what a stranger or acquaintance might be going through, and cut them slack.

But do I show the same consideration for my husband? Sadly, that answer is often a big “No.”

I come home from work most days tired, and either stressed or annoyed. Though I work hard not to take these feelings out on my husband, I do complain to him about them. What I didn’t realize is that to him, the two are often interchangeable.

Interestingly, I had read this post on BiblicalWomanhood.com on Thursday. Perhaps this loving Christian wife’s pitfall helped to me acknowledge my own, and be more open to the criticism of my husband than I might be otherwise. While it’s good to know that I’m not the only wife that falls into this pattern, it’s scary to think that women (or men) are habitually taking their frustrations from outside the home and planting them in the very place that, in my husband’s words, “is supposed to be safe.”

Benjamin & me on our honeymoon, August 2007

We have enough things to worry about at home without bringing in outside contamination. Home is supposed to be safe – and while “safe” to me may mean being able to voice my frustrations, “safe” to my husband is being able to enjoy his wife in a pleasant environment.

This is not to say that I should not share things that have a significant impact on our lives. I don’t think my husband would suggest that, either. But if I can strive to limit my venting to things that really matter, I will more thoroughly honor my husband. I want my life to revolve around home – not work, traffic, or trivial worries.

We should show the greatest respect and love to those closest to us. And though I had convinced myself that I was respecting him by being open, he only felt disrespected and dumped-on. I need to show his definition of respect, just as I want to be shown mine.

Stay-At-Home Moms in Perspective

Browsing Biblical Womanhood during lunch, I came across the following article. I am not a mom, of course, but this excerpt spoke to the purpose of stay-at-home moms that I know and respect, and the reasons behind my wanting to be one someday.

If I identify myself as the culture does, as a "stay at home Mom", one who has no intellectual contribution, gross-national product contribution or status symbol contribution, I become just that: a woman who sees herself as one who has grunted and groaned out another human being and now stays behind her four walls, in self-inposed seclusion. Not much of a vision there--it actually sounds strangely psychotic.

If I deem myself as a woman employed by the Creator of everything ever created, as on work assignment in a sacred domain for the sculpting of souls that will exist forever and forever without end, I have a burning passion of purpose. And a paycheck that is said to be beyond what eye or ear can even comprehend!

Read the full article here!

It's "Pubic" Not "Public"

This isn't a hard concept, people.

Two days this week, I went into the bathroom at work & was unpleasantly surprised to find a pubic hair on the toilet seat. I always use the same stall, so the perpetrator probably does too. I don't understand how that can even get on the toilet seat unless you're sitting really funny. But if it does, clean it off!

The same goes for little tinkle drops. In fact, that's even grosser.

So please, just like you check your teeth in the mirror when you leave, please check to make sure you haven't left a present for the next person to use the potty :)

Mouse Droppings

I was driving down Park Lane today on my way to complete a shop, and I saw the weirdest thing! A car pulled out in front of me, and so I slowed down to stay a safe distance behind it. Good thing I did, because as soon as they started going straight, someone in the car dropped a MOUSE out the window! I was so surprised, I couldn't decide whether that was one of those things you slam on the brakes for. So I slowed down, and the mouse scurried across a couple of lanes without getting squished. It was quite a sight!

Job Search & Apartment Hunt

I'm getting frustrated. Actually, I've been frustrated, and now I'm really frustrated.

First, the job.
I can't find one. Not one that I like, anyway. And my resume is up to date, but needs some serious revisions. And by the time I get a new job, I'll have a college degree, for goodness sakes, and I would kindof like to be sought after! I know that's selfish, but that's what 15 hours in the summer is doing to me. I'm getting cranky. And frustrated, but we already covered that. Actually, I would be perfectly with a high-level executive assistant position, as long as I actually got to make judgments and didn't have numerous random people hovering. What I'm really looking for is technical writing. It'll get my foot in the door, so to speak, with the writing community, but won't be as competitive as journalism (in which I hope to have my master's degree in a couple of years).

But, then there's the apartment.
We don't have one. Do you have prospects, you ask? Why, yes. I have done copious research to find apartments that fit my very specific requirements. Benjamin has pretty much left the apartment-picking up to me, so this should be less complicated than it is. Let me list them here for simplicity:

• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms (preferable, but not necessary)
• a big kitchen (very important. What's the use of having a fantastic chef husband if there's nowhere for him to make his magic? well, that kind of magic anyway.)
• be close to Benjamin's office
• be close to major roads so I can get to work if I ever find a job
• not have freaking bugs (very important because I'm ready to pull my hair out with Waterview)
• have room in the bedroom for my theoretical vanity (since I don't actually have one yet. Benjamin thinks if we have a bedroom the size we have now, we'll be able to fit my theoretical vanity, but I want to measure to make sure.)
• a giant kitchen (I've raised my expectations in the last few minutes.)

My favorite one is a 1-story townhome. It had everything I required, but they don't have that floorplan. And we're supposedly above their income limit, so I can't have the 2-story that is available.

So, my second favorite. I called them today. The lady sounded about 60, and was so very sweet. She didn't even yell at me for not knowing that it is a "55-and-older" property. She said, in her really caring old lady voice, "You sound pretty young, though." I should have told her I'm 55.

Then there's my third favorite. They don't have the 2-bed 2-bath available until September, but they do have a 2-bed 1-bath. Yay! It's also a lot cheaper, and we don't really need the extra bathroom anyway. (We can spend that money on my vanity, and then I won't have to straighten my hair in the bathroom while Benjamin showers!) But I couldn't look at it today. I get to drive across town tomorrow and be there between 4:30 and 6:00, at which time they may or may not have the one empty apartment available to show me. And if they don't, tough luck, cause the new people are moving in Saturday.

Ok, well I'm ready to stop ranting. I know all of this is just what I have to go through to find the perfect one. Who knows, maybe my "favorites" actually stunk or had rats or something. Yes, yes, they had rats.

Not so nice & innocent...

Today at work, the following conversation took place between me and my coworkers. We were each in our cubicles.

Restee: Belen?!
Belen: *whispering* Tell her I'm not over here.
Me: She's not over here.
Restee: Adriane, you're so nice and innocent.
Me: Not really, I just lied to you about Belen not being over here!
Teel: Ooo, she got you! But she lied to you very nicely!
Restee: And she sounded innocent. *comes over to me* I bet you've never done anything wrong, have you?

My Smartification Baby

Benjamin & I were talking tonight about my upcoming graduation, and how I won't know what to do with myself once I finish. I told him that I would need to prioritize how I would continue my "smartification" (aka, graduate school, teachers certification, MT school...).

Me: I could do a masters in like 4 semesters. I just wish I could find a job that I like. I don't even mean get a job that I like, I just mean find one to apply for.
Benjamin: Yeah, I know.
Me: *pouting* Ugh, it's so hard. *hug* Can I just have a baby instead?
Benjamin: Sure, in a couple of years!
Me: Hmm, I think I could go to school for another 2 years. Sounds like a plan!

List of the Goings On

I was reading Zahra's blog this morning, and she made a list because she was lazy. I am equally lazy right now, so I shall copy her.

1. My sister was supposed to go to Corpus Christi for orchestra. But it's the weekend of my recital. And she would miss a holy day, which no one knew until now. So she said she is coming to my recital instead, which makes me happy :) Plus, she has 2 doctors & a physical therapist saying she can't play because she hurt her shoulder. That doesn't make me happy :(

2. I'm still really upset about Perfume Girl making me ill. Just in case someone was wondering. I'm feeling somewhat better, but I'm staying home from church today because smelling exhaust or anything will make me relapse.

3. Benjamin took his acoustic guitar & an amp & some other music stuff to church today. The living room looks empty now.

4. Yesterday, Benjamin stole my laptop & took it to the store. He insisted that I needed more memory, and I insisted that I didn't. I now have more memory.

5. I learned last night that I can open files on my laptop that are really on the external hard drive plugged into the desktop. I'm told I can only do this at home, though.

6. Benjamin & I are reading "The 5 Love Languages" each night before we go to sleep. First, we read the first 3 chapters, which were annoying. The author seemed to be saying this:
"You got married because you thought you loved each other. But you didn't. You were really just 'in love' and after you've been married for a couple of years, you'll no longer be 'in love'. And you won't love each other either, cause you never really did. You just thought you did. Oh, and by the way, I know this sounds harsh, but I know you better than you do, cause I write books with the cool raised-letter covers."
We also read the 1st "love language" which is "Words of Affirmation." That chapter was less pessimistic.

7. We have a Victoria's Secret bag sitting on the coffee table that's been there for about a month. Benjamin needs to send it back. I wonder how long until one of us realizes it's there & send it back.

8. Chloe has been nicer lately. Yesterday Benjamin clipped her front claws with fingernail clippers. They're no longer sharp. When he was putting her in her kennel for bed, I heard cat-crying. He came in and said that he thinks she's mad that she can't scratch him anymore.

9. I packed Benjamin a lunch this morning for him to have between Men's Club and church. So the sandwich wouldn't get soggy, I put the bread in 1 bag and the lettuce, turkey & cheese in another bag. Then I put the mustard in a tupperware and the pickles & tomato in another container, with salt & pepper on the tomato. I also gave him a banana & some doritos (which I opened from the bottom of the bag right in front of him, muah-ha-ha!) and coke. And a napkin & a plastic knife. I packed all of this in my super-cute pink ice chest. He looks very manly.

10. Last night we went to Wal-Mart for dinner stuffs. I wanted straws and popsicle molder things. We looked everywhere & couldn't find either. Then a lady told Benjamin where to find straws, and they were out. She was shelving, so she & Benjamin started going through the boxes to find straws, but they were bendy straws so I said I'd just wait. I don't like bendy straws cause they get air in them in make you burp.

Countdowns
Recital: 20 days
Anniversary: 121 days
Graduation: 131 days

Something Smells

On Tuesday, a girl at work wore a lot of perfume, and it made me ill, because we had to spend a lot of time together training.
Then on Wednesday, the same thing happened.
Then on Thursday, the same thing happened.

Mom told me to talk to my boss, and explain that I can't be around all the smelly stuff, but I'm a chicken. I don't want to come across as rude, so I suck it up and get sicker. Of course, this isn't the best course, I ended up crashing yesterday afternoon. I got home from class around 4:30, and didn't wake up until after 8:00. Everything hurt, and I didn't have a fever. In fact, my temperature was 97.3!

I had to ask Benjamin to go to my sex class with me yesterday, just so I'd have the motivation to go. We were supposed to go over the exam, on which I got an 85, which is terrible. Since only about 1/3 of the class actually showed up, though, we got 5 bonus points for that, and another 7 points for the curve. So my 85 is really a 97, and I'm happy with that :)

I'm feeling a little better today. My temperature got up to 97.9 right before I went to bed. Benjamin had gone out to get me soup, and when he came back he saw me sitting on the bathroom floor cleaning the bath tub. He wasn't very happy with me for that, but I have this thing against taking a bath if the tub hasn't been scrubbed.

This morning, Chloe got up in bed with us & took a nap. I think she's becoming a little more amiable in general. She hasn't tried to bite me in a couple of days, and she's started bringing her feather toy to us and dropping it at our feet like a bird. That means she likes us :)

I just finished a research project for work, which I got to work on at home (thankfully). I don't know if I'm going to be able to stay there. I explained to the girl that perfume makes me sick, but she's continued wearing it and sitting in my cubicle. I could handle it if I didn't have to be near it, but this I can't. And I don't want to be a tattler. Oh well, we shall just see what happens...

I am slowly...

(Original post at www.abforever.blogspot.com)

I just remembered this annoying song that I used to know:

I am slowly going crazy - 1 2 3 4 5 6 switch
Crazy going slowly am I - 6 5 4 3 2 1 switch

And then you repeat. I'm not sure why I remembered that.

Mom had hip surgery again on November 14. It was supposed to be the last one to remove more bone, and then she'd have her first hip replacement in December and the second next year. However, she developed a staph infection in her bone while at her rehab hospital. After running a fever, she was taken to the emergency room at another hospital, and had to have an unplanned surgery. The infection is still there, though, and she's on really strong antibiotics for several weeks, administered through a catheter in her arm and chest (so as not to destroy her blood vessels with a normal IV).

I finished my finals, and I must say I'm unhappy with how the semester went. I'm going to slap the "experience" label on it though, and remind myself that I was working a lot and trying to focus on my marriage this semester. I've had a good GPA all along, so one sorta-bad semester shouldn't hurt me too badly.

Actually, today I was off work. Now that school is done, I'll have 2 days a week where I can relax & run errands. Hopefully I can get stuff straightened up around here, too. We really need to do that =/

So now I'm just waiting for Benjamin to get home, so we can go spend another crapload on new tires, and then get my car inspected. I hate maintenance stuff.

Home Sweet Home

(Original post at www.abforever.blogspot.com)

Well, sort of =P

It's been forever since I've written on this thing, so I don't really even know where to start! Benjamin and I had a beautiful wedding, made complete by our family and friends who shared it with us. I can't believe that I wanted an outdoor reception, though. It was hot! Mom & I checked the forecast the day before the wedding, and all was supposed to be sunny and dry. On Saturday, though, we realized that Benjamin didn't have the vest to his tuxedo, so we made an emergency trip out. It was nice though...we were so busy that neither of us had an opportunity to really get nervous!

Ok, well I'm getting ahead of myself lol. Julie & I went to Houston on Tuesday, and Tuesday night Megan, Jill and Veronica threw my bachelorette party. It was lots of fun...they even had a Disney princess tablecloth! (though there were some "inappropriate" paraphernalia drawn on it hehe). I got a little loopy and ended up falling asleep. I was partially awake again when they had a slightly-dressed guy burst through the front door and run through the living room.

Benjamin was supposed to work all day on Thursday and then drive to Houston on Thursday night. However, the little sucker (ok, sweet and sexy babe) left work without telling me and showed up at my parents' house in the very early evening!

On Friday night we had the official rehearsal. However, it didn't really count, because Julie was in Georgia for a convention, Amanda was on her way to Houston, Jason was at training for his new job, the flower girl was en route, and the minister was at church camp in Ohio. Benjamin & I went to get manicures & pedicures, and were a little late. The "wedding coordinator" (aka meany-poopy-head) was a total snot, and started treating me like a little kid. She was telling Benjamin's parents to do the wrong things, and trying to completely take over myyyyyy wedding!

Wedding Coordinator: come on!
Benjamin's mom: I think we weren't supposed to walk in during this song.
Wedding Coordinator: It doesn't matter, it's fine.
Me: *nicely* Hey, could we try that again, with the other song?
Wedding Coordinator: You want to do it again?!
Me: *slightly less nice* Well, they weren't supposed to come in to this song.
Wedding Coordinator: *huff*

Later...
Wedding Coordinator: You need to do the unity candle now.
Me: *listening to the minister/Benjamin/etc* *notice she's yapping, so I look at her*
Wedding Coordinator: *really snotty look* Can we take this seriously please?
Me: Sure. *hand on hip, 4th grade girl rebellious look*...(hey, it was my wedding)
Wedding Coordinator: Fine! I'll just let you do it your way.
(keep in mind, we didn't want her there in the first place...she wasn't "coordinating" anything)
Me: *sweet tone* Thank you!
Wedding Coordinator: Uh! *snatches our candles & walks off to get her purse*
Wedding Coordinator: *to my dad* It doesn't look like you'll be needing my services here any more this evening.
Dad: Oh, ok! Bye!

I asked Ethan if he had gotten it all on tape, and he said yes. I can't wait to see it. She was sooo mad hehe.

The day of the wedding went smoothly for the most part. I was a little worried that something major would be forgotten, but it was all great. I remember making Julie go out & take pictures from the balcony so I could make sure enough people were there to start. (I didn't want everyone having to be in the balcony!) When Dad & I came in, I hardly noticed anyone in the audience. I didn't realize beforehand that I wouldn't see the audience at all until we were presented Mr. and Mrs. The main things about the ceremony that were "funny" I suppose, were that I couldn't blow out my candle after lighting the unity candle because my veil blocked it, so Benjamin had to blow it out. Then, when Benjamin was allowed to "kiss the bride," we kissed for what I guess was a long time. People started laughing, and the minister kind of cleared his throat a little. At the reception, Jill, Veronica & Matthew commented that it was quite passionate. Jill said she accidentally pinched Matthew, and Veronica said, "I'm told that if you begin a marriage with a lot of passion, it'll continue that way. So, I think you'll have a passionate marriage!"

When I tossed the bouquet, Julie & Amanda had a little tustle. I have a picture of them both going for it, and another one where Amanda has a "ha!" look on her face, and Julie has her fists clinched and seems to be charging. It's awesome =P

Juliane & Ryan gave their speeches, and both were so heartfelt. I know that Benjamin and I love our siblings dearly, and were so glad to be able to share the first wedding for both families with them.

I rode all the way to Galveston in my wedding dress. This was not the best idea, for 2 reasons. One, it can feel somewhat comfy while you're standing up, but when it's late and you're tired, and the bra is digging into your boobies and bruising your sternum, it's not quite so comfortable. Two, we didn't really think ahead about how we were going to fit my giant dress in our luggage for the cruise. But, I wanted Benny to be able to take it off of me, so I suppose it was worth it. And since he doesn't pack much stuff, there was room in his suitcase :)

We spent Saturday night and Sunday night in Galveston. Sunday we walked around a little bit, went to the grocery store, and got a pizza from Dominos. Or Pizza Hut. One of those places lol. Monday we took a taxi to the port. Benjamin wanted to make sure we were there "on time," so we ended up getting there before anyone else. We were wearing our "Bride" and "Groom" shirts, so everyone we talked to thought we were part of a wedding party. Of course, that meant that they sent us up to the waiting room with the actual wedding party, which was apparently preparing of an on-board wedding. Other than them we were the first ones on the boat! We had opted to carry most of our luggage on, a decision that we remedied getting off the boat. (If you take a cruise, don't carry your stuff. It's a long walk.) Going through security, one of my bags set off the alarm, and when we saw which one, I freaked. (You don't need to know the details.) To make a long story short, we had crashed Benjamin's bachelor party the week before, and his mom had gotten some handcuffs for me to put on him during our raid. I had stuck them in my bag and forgotten about them, and, well...apparently they don't allow handcuffs on cruise ships. Oops!

On the boat, we lugged all of our luggage (is that why they call it luggage?) to go eat lunch before the rooms were ready. Benjamin called our parents to tell them we had made it, and his mom told him a funny story. It totally made our day. Everyone, including Mrs. Wedding Coordinator, had been asked not to wear perfume to the wedding, because of allergies. She showed up about 10 minutes before the wedding:
Ryan: Do you have the candles for lighting the unity candle?
Wedding Coordinator: I don't know! I thought you didn't need me!
Ryan: *really nice voice* We don't...we just need the candles.
Wedding Coordinator: Well, I may have some in my car. I'll check.
Later...
Aaron (usher): *doesn't know who she is* Are you friend or family?
Wedding Coordinator: Well, I'm not family!
Aaron: *smells perfume on her* Ok, well I'm going to need you to sit up here.
Wedding Coordinator: *epitome of ticked off*

My parents and Benjamin's parents had gone to lunch on Monday, so they got to hear the story before we did. The cruise was awesome! I wasn't scared at all, and I didn't get seasick! More about that later, perhaps. Our room steward learned our names, and would always come in our room while we were gone & make cool towel animals to put on the bed. He even arranged my pink pillow on the bed with the others =P

We stopped in Progresso and Cozumel. In Progresso, I got sick from the cigarette smoke and the heat, so we just bought some tequila and got back on the boat. In Cozumel, we did some shopping. Benjamin wanted to rent a motorcycle thing, but I forgot about the fact that we could go all over the island. Instead, we bought more tequila (he brought back a ton of tequila), and took lots of pictures. It sprinked a bit, and we were ready to go in, so we got back on the boat and drank a margarita. On the last day, we needed 4 more cups to complete our "4 yellow, 4 pink" collection, so we had to get started early. We split our first pina colada around 10 am. And I don't hold liquor very well, so needless to say I was a little wobbly for the rest of the day.

Now we're back (duh, Adriane), and getting into the swing of things. The apartment still isn't organized, but at least we've opened all the presents, and the ones we need to take back are filling up the back seat of my car. I still have a ton of thank you notes to write, but I'm dreading that. I think it's the sheer volume of notes that is stressing, not the act itself. If I do like 20 a day, it shouldn't take too long.

I have a feeling I'll be a rather handy wife...

(Original post at www.abforever.blogspot.com)

This has absolutely nothing to do with my wedding, but I'm going to try to fudge it to make it fit =P Yeah, I'm good like that.

At work, my boss came over & noticed that I had some magazines (corporate, not bridal) on my desk, and that it looked a bit cluttered. She's like, "we need to get you some hanging baskets & stuff!" and I proceeded to put on my most-favoritest-but-also-most-pain-inducing shoes & follow her to IT, where she, Belen (the other new girl) and I raided them of their cool organizational stuff.

Then, we returned to DR, where 6 of us (count them, 6) tried to hang the gadgets on Belen's cubicle wall. Finally Spencer came over to help, and after watching for a few minutes being of zero assistance, I started to put my own thing up. My boss asked, "Did you get it?" and I said, "Juuuust about...yup!"

Then she shouted, "Adriane's done! Spencer, do you need her to come help you?" and everyone laughed. Of course, I had hung it higher than we wanted, so I had to take it down. Spencer seemed pleased by this, as evidenced by his "yes!" and his fist in the air.

Still, for a girl, I think I figured out that building-type task rather well...Bring on the leaky sinks and the burned-out lightbulbs! Of course, I'll have a husband to do those things for me, now won't I? ;-)

Aaaaaaaah so long!!!!!!!!!

So, Zahra says it's time for an update...and I must say I agree. Much has happened since my last update, and though I shant elaborate on everything (it's been like 3 weeks!) I will give some highlights. In addition, I promise to relapse into my previous blog-aholic ways once I move & school commences.

~ July 22-25 --> went back to Dallas, stayed in the apartment with Jessica, hung out with Benjamin mucho, went to Studio Movie Grill with Zahra & Julie for Julie's birthday, had tons of fun
~ I'm dating darling Benjamin, and he makes me smile :D I can't wait until Saturday when I get to see him again after 3 weeks of being in Houston!
~ Quit my job at Ben & Jerry's quite impulsively. While being impulsive is not in my nature, neither is being verbally attacked by my coworkers. Nuff said.
~ I registered for another class! Something's gotta give...
~ I got permission from Julie to buy the frivolous pink chair for my room. She says it might cost me a fuzzy poster though.
~ Attended my cousin's bridal shower & rehearsal dinner & wedding. I've decided that unless my mommy will do "yardguard" throughout the area, I will be unable to have the outdoor wedding reception of my dreams because mosquitos have an evil plan to eat me at every opportunity. I could ask them to be nice since it's my wedding and everything, but I'm not sure they'd cooperate, being that they're mosquitos and all.
~ Met my cousin's boyfriend, whom I have never met but everyone else has.

Ok, another update is promised soon! Should be before I move...less than 3 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

" time for an updateeee. <33 "

Zahra says it's time for an update. Actually, Zahra said it's time for an update 4 days ago. So here 'tis. :)

~ Mom came home Friday! It was a day later than originally planned, but we're very pleased. Thanks to everyone for all of your continued prayers. She still has a long way to go in resuming normal life, but she's well on her way!

~ I'm quitting Barnes & Noble, effective tomorrow at midnight. That's right...if we're late closing, I'm walking out at midnight. Just kidding.

~ I'll be going back to Ben & Jerry's full-time starting Monday until I go back to school.

~ Moving in exactly 5 weeks! (Actually 4 weeks & 6 days, cause I guess it's past midnight on Tuesday already :-/)

~ I don't like working with people who are hung over. If you're hung over, don't come to work. And if you do come to work, don't tell me that you're hung over. And whether you're hung over or not, do not touch me. Do not poke my back. Do not grab my shoulder. Do not slap my hand in an oh-so-playful manner. I don't know you. I don't want to randomly flirt with you. Especially when you tell me about your theories on living with someone instead of getting married, just so you can switch partners when you tire of today's project. Do not tell me I can't judge actions. I'm going to judge actions. In fact, I'm going to be so bold as to judge your actions. I shall, however, not judge you. There's a difference. Judging actions is what the entire legal system is based upon, not to mention ethics. Get some. Find yours or borrow some from a willing donor. I'm sure that if you explain to them the urgency of your situation, they will understand. That's all I have to say about that.

~ Josh & I are going to practice the Vivaldi once more, and then play in Huntsville for special music on August 5th. Whee! It's coming along quite nicely :)

~ Going back to DFW on the 22nd...probably staying until the 25th. I don't know...now that I'm not going to be working Thursday thru at least Sunday, I could just take off a couple of days after that & make the trip this weekend. That would allow me to go to my cousin's baby shower :) However, I'm gonna want a break in a week, so maybe I should wait. Argh...decisions decisions...

~ Tonight I worked 4-close (midnight). I hate that shift. I feel like I'm being really taken advantage of because I'm closing so stinking much. That's a big reason I'm quitting so soon. Tonight I had a caramel frapp but I added 2 shots of espresso :) It was the grossest thing ever (because the espresso separated from the frapp, so I was drinking melted java juice) but it did the trick lol. I even skipped my last break, because I was on such a roll.

~ Tomorrow I'm working 4-close. Thursday I was scheduled to close. And twice next week. Anyone seeing how much this stinks? So yeah. I'm closing tomorrow. Then byebye. When I first started considering not giving 2 weeks notice, I felt really bad & irresponsible. Then I realized that on the day I got hired, my schedule was the following:
9-9:30 interview & hired
9:30-10 rush to Target to get collared shirts
10-4 work at Ben & Jerry's
4-12am training/work at Barnes & Noble
In short, I was working on the day I was interviewed. This means replacements are relatively easy to find.

Goodnight to all! Zahra, please let me know whether your phone has stopped being racist, as we need to discuss Julie's birthday. Let me know, por favor, if you're available this coming Sunday/Monday evenings (16 & 17) and whether you're available the following Sunday/Monday evenings (23 & 24). I'll be calling Julie too. We need to plan our JAZ Date!!! Since I now won't be working this weekend, I'm a little more flexible on which weekend to come up (provided Jessica is ok with it, as I've worked out to stay with her on the 22nd weekend). Wow...I need to shut up. It's 1:14 in the morning...I should not be this awake.

Fired, strike 2

I think I'm about to get fired from Barnes & Noble. I've never been fired from a job, and the thought of it makes me very sad because such would imply that I wasn't doing a good job. And of course, I take pride in always doing an extraordinary job at whatever I'm doing.

Strike one (though they haven't called it such, and haven't even brough up me losing my job) was when I couldn't close on a Friday night (aka work til midnight). The only stipulations I put on my schedule was no working Friday sunset to Saturday sunset for the Sabbath. The rest was left open to work mostly nights which I hate, but apparently no one else wants. Of course, this Friday night issue was mysteriously resolved when they had to redo my entire week's schedule (the real strike 1) because they misscheduled my oral surgery. Though it's not technically my "fault," I did have to bring it up, reflecting badly on myself.

Strike two took place today, as I called in sick because I'm still in pain & can't go anywhere much less drive in the rain when I'm on pain pills that put me to sleep. Mom told me that I sounded like I wouldn't do well working tonight, and basically told me not to go. So I called in 7 hrs before my shift, and I still think the manager is upset, despite the situation. She "really needs" me to be there tomorrow (which I totally intend to be, but Mom said not to if I'm still feeling crummy). Mom said if I get fired, it doesn't mean I was doing a bad job or anything. I don't know why I'm still ranting...I guess I'm just trying to make myself feel ok about not being there tonight. Even though I know it doesn't need justification. Argh, why am I such a people pleaser?!

Today I had to start "irrigating" my "lower sockets"...sounds pretty, I know. Believe me, it's even more fun than it sounds :P

I was nearly KILLED at work!

(The above phrase came from a coworker...one, mind you, who was not nearly killed at work.)

Ok, so here's the very exciting story of my encounter with death:
So here I was at Barnes & Noble, talking to Travis behind the counter. I was next to the barista machine & he was at the register, and no customers were in line.
Travis: *talk talk talk*
me: *talk talk talk*
ceiling tile conforming to the stressful pressures of gravity: *whap! bang! craaaaash!*
Travis: *turns around...calmly says* Oh...wow...ok.
me: yeah...hmm.
Travis: *turns back around* Ok, continue.
Of course we called for a manager, and when Tom returned from his break, he came in the back & asked if I had been under it. I said I had not and he responded:
Tom: Yeah I heard about that and figured that if one of you was under it, there would only be one of you left when I got back!

In addition, there was an alarm clock with a mind of its own. Instead of beeping, it kept ticking. Constantly. Travis used it to scan for metal on our arms like they do at the airport. Then Tom took the battery out so it would stop ticking. A few minutes later, Travis had walked away and it started ticking again! We were quite amused and frightened. Less amused than frightened, as clocks don't generally tick, and certainly not under their own power. Soon, though, we discovered that Travis had put that battery back into it...ha.

I tried to work my 14-hour day without taking a lunch break. In fact, it worked at Ben & Jerry's. But they didn't want me trying my crazyness at Barnes & Noble. I'm quite tired now, but alas, I brought it upon myself. Work was really fun though, even at B&N where I have been stressed every time I've worked until yesterday. And I worked with Chantal at B&J, so of course that was fun!

This little piggy...

In the past couple of days I've eaten an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. And not just any icecream...oooh no. A pint of chocolate fudge brownie, my new (second) favorite. Of course it doesn't help that chocolate is not good for my head, but eh.

12 hours until my day of potential torture begins! (Actually more like 11 hours and 36 minutes, but 12 hours sounds much more official.) Really, it shouldn't be that bad...I'm probably overdramatizing this whole 14-hour thing. Besides, I have 5 days off after tomorrow to go to Dallas...I'm so excited! (Not so much about having days off, or being in the city of dallas, but about seeing my darlings...Julie & Zahra I miiiiiiiiishu!)

Ok, bedtime!

Oh wait...I finished Cry the Beloved Country today, and started The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I also have a very long list of books to read this summer, which will never happen but one can certainly dream! Speaking of dreaming...now it's bedtime.

Rain!

It's raining.

Today we had about 5 customers in 6 hours. The most "entertaining" one was a man who ordered a chocolate malt, and then spilled the malt in his very nice car. Apparently, he picked up the cup at the flimsy part, and according to him, we have "horrible cups."

I'm spending the night at the hospital. I feel awesome now cause I did kickboxing for the first time in about 2 weeks! Funny, how working out (thus making yourself tired) can actually GIVE you energy.

Tell me, why do I try to work 2 jobs???

Tonight B&N closed at 10...cause it's Sunday (duh...sorry I'm a little slow right now). Even after 11, I was putting away magazines. There should not be that many magazines. Too many kitchen ones, too many porno-ish guy ones...argh.

I just got my Ben & Jerry's schedule for the week. Wednesday is gonna be such fun --> 10 to 3:30 at Ben & Jerry's and then 4 to midnight at Barnes & Noble. That's what we call a 14-hour work day. Yeeeeah, I'm not gonna be going to Dallas on Thursday morning for the 7:45 am orientation. I think I'll be waiting till Saturday morning.

I got a new phone today. This has officially been the shortest time (by far) that I've ever had a phone - 13 days. Something in the charger-plug broke. Did I spell "broke" correctly? It looks wrong for some reason.

Relax!

Ah, I'm looking forward to my night of reading, putting away laundry, and eating my much deserved pint of fat-free lemonade sorbet. I've needed this all week :)

At work Bryan taught me the art of finding the perfect places to sit behind the counter so that the customers can't see you when they walk in. But, of course, you can see them, and smoothly walk to the register. Also, the menu is apparently magnetic, allowing an opportunity for much fun sometime when I'm reeeeeeeally bored. Can anyone say $3.95 sheet cake or $42.78 double scoop?

I bought Dad's Father's Day present today. And a new planner, as mine ends this month. It was a toss up between the pink one that starts in July and the SparkNotes one that starts in August but has spiffy literature quotes each week and an obscure word definition every day. I ended up picking the pink one, because, well, it's pink, and because I don't think I can go a month without a planner. Plus, I already get a Quote of the Day and a Word of the Day in my email. Just thought I'd share that mini pro/con list with everyone! Alright, time for my night of relaxing!!!