So I don't bemoan my life at all and I never use the past to play the victim. I'm fairly good at moving on and getting past things. However, there are things that I have absolutely no desire to do...
1. I don't watch doctor or hospital shows... when you've spent as much real life time in hospitals as we did, why in the HELL would I want to watch a fake hospital show?
2. I don't watch movies when I can tell from the outset that one of the lead characters is going to die.
3. I don't read anything that even hints at sad or having long sad parts.
So, what do I read? Some autobiographies but mostly work books on leadership, etc and romance novels. Romance novels are perfect -- they ALWAYS have a happy ending and everything works out in the end and wraps up nicely.
So how upset was I when I found this book on my kindle that the description was for a story where an author meets a college professor on twitter who is on sabbatical in Europe. It's witty and entertaining.. they are slowly falling for each other.. it's all sweet and funny... and then they hit me in the face with the fact that he's not really in Europe -- he's really in a hospital, dying, of cancer. He wont' even tell the girl what hospital he's in...
I am angry.. because I was so into the book and the characters that I had to read it to the end to see what happened and they DIDN'T EVEN SAY WHETHER HE LIVES OR DIES!!!
pretty angry about that.. here I am.. breaking one of my cardinal rules.. reading about someone dying.. sobbing like a baby.. and it doesn't even have a happy ending.. it ends with her tracking him down in the hospital and going to visit.. it ends with him saying hi to her.. but we never know if he lives or dies. He just says hello and it's over.
WHAT A RIP!!
I'm seriously angry over this...
Yes it was a good book, but I feel betrayed because they didn't hint in the book description so that I could choose if I read a book about dying or not...
Assholes!!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Better Than Normal..
Today is my last day as an Assistant Director of Residential Life!!
Today is the last day of work for 2010, well, with the exception of on call duty!!
Today is going to be a very very long day!!
Today is the last day of work for 2010, well, with the exception of on call duty!!
Today is going to be a very very long day!!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sitting on Big News...
So, I've been sitting on some big news now for about a week and finally FINALLY I can share it, but I don't want to be all cliche with it and put it on Facebook.. though I really want to shout it from the rooftop and tell everyone I've ever met...
Lame = YES
Understandable = DEFINITELY!!
So, here goes!
I got the job... I GOT THE JOB!! Look at me I'm the new Associate Director for Residential Student Success at Indiana State University!! Woot Woot!!
Ok, I'm done now. Thank you for listening!! :)
Lame = YES
Understandable = DEFINITELY!!
So, here goes!
I got the job... I GOT THE JOB!! Look at me I'm the new Associate Director for Residential Student Success at Indiana State University!! Woot Woot!!
Ok, I'm done now. Thank you for listening!! :)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Four Days
Well, I'm a grown up....
Yep... all grown up... no longer a kid...
Well..
Except for this week!!
Why??
It's my birthday week!!
Yep... all grown up... no longer a kid...
Well..
Except for this week!!
Why??
It's my birthday week!!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Of all the.... SHEESH
So we were helping Jess move today. I had organized a small army to help us move her stuff to her new and bigger apartment. I'm excited for her, she was in an efficiency and now she actually has a separate bedroom. It's really nice.
Anyway, so we bribed the guys to come out by offering Pizza and beer, but since we started at 9am Jess also offered mimosas and bloody marys as well as beer and I got donuts. It was delightful. And with our group of friends, it was, as always, freaking hilarious! Ben was drunk by 9:30am.
Anyway, so we had taken two loads to the new apartment were taking a break on her little outdoor patio area when her phone rings. It's a private number so she answers it and it's the cable company calling to set up a time to hook up her Internet in her new apartment.
There are 2 back-stories that you need to know:
1. I have very few rules in my world, but one of them is that I absolutely do not date anyone who knows my friends or work colleagues (most of the time they are the same). Anyway, I have this rule to minimize drama in my life. I don't like for my dating life to cross paths with the rest of my world-- ever -- or at LEAST until it gets serious. It's easier and waaay less drama that way.
2. In previous posts I mentioned that I dated the cable guy? Well for the past year and a half my biggest fear has been that I'd call the cable company for service and he'd be the one to show up -- and it would happen when my friends were around (see story 1).
Back to TODAY
So we're taking a break and the cable company calls. Jess, who knows I dated the cable guy, but of course has never met him, gives me a look and sees me send up a silent prayer to the PTB so before she hangs up she says, "So who am I talking to again?" She looks at me and says, "Thanks, Matt, I'll see you soon." and hangs up. Then she stares me down.. my reply is "Matt is a common name -- it doesn't mean it's Matty Fantastic...." (Which was our nickname for him).
So everyone else looks at me funny when I say that, so I jokingly say -- "Remember that time I dated the cable guy?" Ben and Adam both know what I'm talking about, but Lindsey, Dan, Zac, and Andy were clueless. I said "No seriously, remember that time I dated the cable guy? There's a 60 - 90% chance you'll get to meet him today." All the while praying that it wouldn't happen. It would be awkward. Of course Adam and Ben started making cable "installation" jokes... awesome, it was going to be awkward...
Backstory #3: Matt (I usually only refer to him a "Cable Guy" so calling him by name is weird) and I stopped seeing each other when I found out his recently ex-wife was pregnant with his baby -- and was due in a month. He went back to her and they moved to Ft Wayne for a while.
Anyway, so I was hopeful. We were on our third load and I was walking out to unload some stuff from Dan's truck when I saw the big cable truck pull in -- and Matty Fantastic was at the wheel. I don't know if he saw me, but I tried to be inconspicuous. I walked back inside, found Jess and said "It's him" and she knew.. and asked if I wanted to start unpacking the bedroom to say out of sight. Well, anyone who knows me knows that was a great big "HELL NO" I don't run scared!!
I walked back outside to help carry more stuff and as I approached the group he was parking his truck and I walked toward the group of my friends and quietly said, "Yep, it's him" Adam and Ben both almost fell down laughing at me. I asked them to please "Be cool!" I think they all were curious because they don't necessarily look at me as someone who dates.. just as a boss
So, he walks up and Jess greets him as they walk in I was standing there and he looked at me out of the corner of his eye and smiled and winked. I greeted him and we chatted and caught up while he was installing her cable and Internet. All the while, the rest of the group (Adam, Ben, Jess, Lindsey, Andy, Dan, and Zac) were all on the patio just outside of the door drinking and laughing. Every two or three minutes Ben would come inside and offer Cable Guy a drink and would try to convince him to drink with us and hang out or do a shot. After about the third time Cable guy looked at me and said, "Your friends are pretty cool -- they seem like a lot of fun" I just replied with "Yep, they're crazy, but a lot of fun." He told me they had moved to Ft Wayne, but his mom got sick so he moved back (he just said "I moved back" not "We moved back") and took a job as a technician (he had been a supervisor/manager before). He also gave me a pointed look and asked me if I was seeing anyone. Since he emailed me last week and asked if I wanted to hang out i wasn't surprised.
PTB or I would have been red faced!! Anyway he gave me his cell and told me to call him sometime this week and he'd come over and take a look at my Internet.
I know this isn't a big deal for most people, but I try really REALLY hard to keep things compartmentalized and to have an overlap like that kind of threw me. Of course they made fun of me for the rest of the day about the "installation."
Perverts!!
On a good note, we finished getting her moved in about 2 hours then went to Adam's (who lives in the same complex as Jess just across the parking lot) and watched football and ate pizza. It was a good day.
I only almost died once from laughter -- so I call that a definite SUCCESS!!
Anyway, so we bribed the guys to come out by offering Pizza and beer, but since we started at 9am Jess also offered mimosas and bloody marys as well as beer and I got donuts. It was delightful. And with our group of friends, it was, as always, freaking hilarious! Ben was drunk by 9:30am.
Anyway, so we had taken two loads to the new apartment were taking a break on her little outdoor patio area when her phone rings. It's a private number so she answers it and it's the cable company calling to set up a time to hook up her Internet in her new apartment.
There are 2 back-stories that you need to know:
1. I have very few rules in my world, but one of them is that I absolutely do not date anyone who knows my friends or work colleagues (most of the time they are the same). Anyway, I have this rule to minimize drama in my life. I don't like for my dating life to cross paths with the rest of my world-- ever -- or at LEAST until it gets serious. It's easier and waaay less drama that way.
2. In previous posts I mentioned that I dated the cable guy? Well for the past year and a half my biggest fear has been that I'd call the cable company for service and he'd be the one to show up -- and it would happen when my friends were around (see story 1).
Back to TODAY
So we're taking a break and the cable company calls. Jess, who knows I dated the cable guy, but of course has never met him, gives me a look and sees me send up a silent prayer to the PTB so before she hangs up she says, "So who am I talking to again?" She looks at me and says, "Thanks, Matt, I'll see you soon." and hangs up. Then she stares me down.. my reply is "Matt is a common name -- it doesn't mean it's Matty Fantastic...." (Which was our nickname for him).
So everyone else looks at me funny when I say that, so I jokingly say -- "Remember that time I dated the cable guy?" Ben and Adam both know what I'm talking about, but Lindsey, Dan, Zac, and Andy were clueless. I said "No seriously, remember that time I dated the cable guy? There's a 60 - 90% chance you'll get to meet him today." All the while praying that it wouldn't happen. It would be awkward. Of course Adam and Ben started making cable "installation" jokes... awesome, it was going to be awkward...
Backstory #3: Matt (I usually only refer to him a "Cable Guy" so calling him by name is weird) and I stopped seeing each other when I found out his recently ex-wife was pregnant with his baby -- and was due in a month. He went back to her and they moved to Ft Wayne for a while.
Anyway, so I was hopeful. We were on our third load and I was walking out to unload some stuff from Dan's truck when I saw the big cable truck pull in -- and Matty Fantastic was at the wheel. I don't know if he saw me, but I tried to be inconspicuous. I walked back inside, found Jess and said "It's him" and she knew.. and asked if I wanted to start unpacking the bedroom to say out of sight. Well, anyone who knows me knows that was a great big "HELL NO" I don't run scared!!
I walked back outside to help carry more stuff and as I approached the group he was parking his truck and I walked toward the group of my friends and quietly said, "Yep, it's him" Adam and Ben both almost fell down laughing at me. I asked them to please "Be cool!" I think they all were curious because they don't necessarily look at me as someone who dates.. just as a boss
So, he walks up and Jess greets him as they walk in I was standing there and he looked at me out of the corner of his eye and smiled and winked. I greeted him and we chatted and caught up while he was installing her cable and Internet. All the while, the rest of the group (Adam, Ben, Jess, Lindsey, Andy, Dan, and Zac) were all on the patio just outside of the door drinking and laughing. Every two or three minutes Ben would come inside and offer Cable Guy a drink and would try to convince him to drink with us and hang out or do a shot. After about the third time Cable guy looked at me and said, "Your friends are pretty cool -- they seem like a lot of fun" I just replied with "Yep, they're crazy, but a lot of fun." He told me they had moved to Ft Wayne, but his mom got sick so he moved back (he just said "I moved back" not "We moved back") and took a job as a technician (he had been a supervisor/manager before). He also gave me a pointed look and asked me if I was seeing anyone. Since he emailed me last week and asked if I wanted to hang out i wasn't surprised.
PTB or I would have been red faced!! Anyway he gave me his cell and told me to call him sometime this week and he'd come over and take a look at my Internet.
I know this isn't a big deal for most people, but I try really REALLY hard to keep things compartmentalized and to have an overlap like that kind of threw me. Of course they made fun of me for the rest of the day about the "installation."
Perverts!!
On a good note, we finished getting her moved in about 2 hours then went to Adam's (who lives in the same complex as Jess just across the parking lot) and watched football and ate pizza. It was a good day.
I only almost died once from laughter -- so I call that a definite SUCCESS!!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
MAKE A DECISION
So I was just emailing my dad and decided to put this out there for everyone..
Please learn to make a decision on your own from time to time....
I have something of a reputation as a control freak or being bossy.. it is not intentional in the slightest. In fact it's not even my fault at all...
How many times have you made plans to go out with friends/family and spent an hour in this conversation:
"What sounds good?"
"I don't know, what sounds good to you?"
"I don't know, nothing really. What do you want to do?"
"I don't know.. anything sound good to you?"
"Not really, what do you think we should do?"
"Honestly, I don't care, does anything sound good to you?"
"I don't know. Anything sounds good, what do you think"
"How about Tacos?"
"We could do tacos, I guess"
"Does that sound good?"
"Ehh"
"Ok we don't have to do tacos, what does sound good?"
"I don't know.."
And this conversation is between TWO people... and it DRIVES ME CRAZY...
I have this conversation EVERY TIME I GO OUT... I try to share the decision making..
Eventually I get frustrated and offer two options.. last night it started out like that and then it went to this.
Me: "Ok, so no Tacos, what does sound good?"
Friend: "I don't know. Chinese food? But I can't really afford that.."
Me: "Ok, so something cheap?"
Friend: "Yes. But nothing sounds good. Ohh cheese and crackers, I can always each cheese and crackers."
Me: "We can't just have cheese and crackers -- we won't poop for a week."
Friend: "I don't know."
Me: "How about frozen Pizza?"
Friend: "I guess, but pizza doesn't really sound good."
Me (getting frustrated): "Ok, how about this -- Frozen Pizza or Chicken and Rice?"
Friend: "How much work is Chicken and Rice? I don't want you to have to put a lot of effort in to it."
Me: "Either one takes about the same amount of work. I'm narrowing it down to Frozen Pizza or chicken and Rice."
Friend: "Are you sure, I dont' want you to have to cook."
Me: "I don't care, we just need to make a decision. I narrowed it down, DECIDE."
Friend: "I don't know, what do you think."
Me: "FINE, Chicken and Rice. It's not a lot of prep I just slam some rice down, put chicken on top and top with soup. it's fine."
Friend: "are you sure?"
Me: "YES"
This is almost a WEEKLY conversation.. and it drives me nuts.
Dear Indecisive People:
START MAKING DECISIONS PLEASE!! No one will get mad or hurt if you state your opinion or what you want. Stop trying to appease everyone, all you're doing it pissing me off and then I have to hold it in a pretend like it's not pissing me off -- guess what -- THAT'S GIVING ME AN ULCER!!
Love Stephanie.
Please learn to make a decision on your own from time to time....
I have something of a reputation as a control freak or being bossy.. it is not intentional in the slightest. In fact it's not even my fault at all...
How many times have you made plans to go out with friends/family and spent an hour in this conversation:
"What sounds good?"
"I don't know, what sounds good to you?"
"I don't know, nothing really. What do you want to do?"
"I don't know.. anything sound good to you?"
"Not really, what do you think we should do?"
"Honestly, I don't care, does anything sound good to you?"
"I don't know. Anything sounds good, what do you think"
"How about Tacos?"
"We could do tacos, I guess"
"Does that sound good?"
"Ehh"
"Ok we don't have to do tacos, what does sound good?"
"I don't know.."
And this conversation is between TWO people... and it DRIVES ME CRAZY...
I have this conversation EVERY TIME I GO OUT... I try to share the decision making..
Eventually I get frustrated and offer two options.. last night it started out like that and then it went to this.
Me: "Ok, so no Tacos, what does sound good?"
Friend: "I don't know. Chinese food? But I can't really afford that.."
Me: "Ok, so something cheap?"
Friend: "Yes. But nothing sounds good. Ohh cheese and crackers, I can always each cheese and crackers."
Me: "We can't just have cheese and crackers -- we won't poop for a week."
Friend: "I don't know."
Me: "How about frozen Pizza?"
Friend: "I guess, but pizza doesn't really sound good."
Me (getting frustrated): "Ok, how about this -- Frozen Pizza or Chicken and Rice?"
Friend: "How much work is Chicken and Rice? I don't want you to have to put a lot of effort in to it."
Me: "Either one takes about the same amount of work. I'm narrowing it down to Frozen Pizza or chicken and Rice."
Friend: "Are you sure, I dont' want you to have to cook."
Me: "I don't care, we just need to make a decision. I narrowed it down, DECIDE."
Friend: "I don't know, what do you think."
Me: "FINE, Chicken and Rice. It's not a lot of prep I just slam some rice down, put chicken on top and top with soup. it's fine."
Friend: "are you sure?"
Me: "YES"
This is almost a WEEKLY conversation.. and it drives me nuts.
Dear Indecisive People:
START MAKING DECISIONS PLEASE!! No one will get mad or hurt if you state your opinion or what you want. Stop trying to appease everyone, all you're doing it pissing me off and then I have to hold it in a pretend like it's not pissing me off -- guess what -- THAT'S GIVING ME AN ULCER!!
Love Stephanie.
Another One
So, I went on a rant about dating...
I know that makes some people uncomfortable... Sorry but I do enjoy a good rant.
We were discussing dating on girls night last week and I realized that my true motivation for dating is the story...
Remember that time I date the cable guy (specifically the quality control manager for the cable company).... hey at least I got free installation of cable and my issues fixed FAST...and then I found out his ex was preggars with his baby and was due in a month.... nice!
Remember that time I dated the fire fighter... he had the big truck and the crazy ex and a dog ate his phone....
Remember that time I dated the geologist... and his crazy ex-wife called me and cussed me out...
Remember that time I dated the crazy dude.... we went on three dates and he wanted to go home with me for the two weeks at Christmas... and his name was DJ -- which in my head is NOT a grown up's name...
Remember I dated that dude back in January who pursued me religiously and called me four times a day and then just fell off the earth.... then he called me a month ago and asked me out again....
Remember that time I dated the really hot guy (Surprised -- I was too) and he stood me up on our fifth date because his "hot neighbor came over for a quickie and he couldn't say no"
Remember how I say they disappear and reappear in my life:
Cable guy is back on the dating scene and wants to "hang out"
It's all about the story....
I'll probably hang out with him just to see what's up.. I'll update later. :)
At least I put myself out there..
Even if it is only because I expect a story out of it...
I know that makes some people uncomfortable... Sorry but I do enjoy a good rant.
We were discussing dating on girls night last week and I realized that my true motivation for dating is the story...
Remember that time I date the cable guy (specifically the quality control manager for the cable company).... hey at least I got free installation of cable and my issues fixed FAST...and then I found out his ex was preggars with his baby and was due in a month.... nice!
Remember that time I dated the fire fighter... he had the big truck and the crazy ex and a dog ate his phone....
Remember that time I dated the geologist... and his crazy ex-wife called me and cussed me out...
Remember that time I dated the crazy dude.... we went on three dates and he wanted to go home with me for the two weeks at Christmas... and his name was DJ -- which in my head is NOT a grown up's name...
Remember I dated that dude back in January who pursued me religiously and called me four times a day and then just fell off the earth.... then he called me a month ago and asked me out again....
Remember that time I dated the really hot guy (Surprised -- I was too) and he stood me up on our fifth date because his "hot neighbor came over for a quickie and he couldn't say no"
Remember how I say they disappear and reappear in my life:
Cable guy is back on the dating scene and wants to "hang out"
It's all about the story....
I'll probably hang out with him just to see what's up.. I'll update later. :)
At least I put myself out there..
Even if it is only because I expect a story out of it...
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Interviewing
I hate being an internal candidate.
As an internal candidate you have absolutely no idea how you did. People either judge you very harshly because they know you and your faults OR they judge you very positively because they know you and your strengths.
I've perfected the ability to no care what people think of me, so I honestly have no idea what people think of me most of the time. I think I'm likable and the people feel that I'm good at my job, but I don't honestly know -- because the people I care about give me constant feedback.
I think I did well. I know my stuff, I've done my research, and I"m freaking GOOD at what I do. We'll see if it's good enough.
As an internal candidate you have absolutely no idea how you did. People either judge you very harshly because they know you and your faults OR they judge you very positively because they know you and your strengths.
I've perfected the ability to no care what people think of me, so I honestly have no idea what people think of me most of the time. I think I'm likable and the people feel that I'm good at my job, but I don't honestly know -- because the people I care about give me constant feedback.
I think I did well. I know my stuff, I've done my research, and I"m freaking GOOD at what I do. We'll see if it's good enough.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Lots and Lots of Interesting Stuff
So, it's been a while. Things are busy but REALLY good at work. I finally got my office all cleaned up and my apartment is still fairly clean -- though I need to get the pile of goodwill crap out of my living room. I'm really bad at that.
So every six months or so I decide to re-enter the dating world. Dating and I don't really get along. We aren't friends. For several reasons, but every now and then I decide to give it another chance.
I don't think I'm cut out for dating.
First of all, I don't like to have to adjust my life for someone else. I don't want to say that I'm set in my ways, because I love change, but for a first date I don't want to rearrange my entire schedule for something that there is no guarantee will be worth the hassle...
Second: I don't want to play games. I don't think that I should have to play "hard to get" or the other stupid coy games that women play. I'm almost 32, I'm tired of that business. Men seem to insist on that crap though. If you don't play the games with them they assume you're desperate... which is about as far from the truth as possible. I think if I'm interested in knowing a guy better I should be able to say so and he should be able to be honest in return. If he is too -- great we'll hang out. If he's not -- great we'll go our separate ways. I hate the bullshit... but MAN guys sure do love the bullshit.
Third: Why do we have to play "pretend I'm not interested so that he'll be MORE interested" or the "who's going to cave and call first" games? I'm not at all old fashioned and see no reason NOT to call someone if I'm interested in them -- Men don't like that. I'm not even talking about calling every day... but apparently after a date a dude has to wait 3 - 6 days before he calls you to tell you he had a good time and would like to see you again. By that time I've already moved on, PAL... so keep your games to yourself.
Fourth: I'm too IMPATIENT. I don't want to wait on you to decide that you do or don't like me. When you're being friends with someone you don't take that long to decide if you do or don't want to get to know a new friend better -- why the HELL does it take that long to know whether you want to get to know a potential date better or not.. if it takes you that long to decide you either need to practice your critical thinking skills or find a way to gain some confidence. I know in ten minutes whether you are worth my time or not. FIGURE IT OUT!! It's not a life time commitment -- IT'S FREAKING COFFEE OR DINNER...
Fifth: Why do I need to tell my friends about a dude.. they seem to get mad at me when I with hold dating information from them. I don't get it. I need to know if he's worth the investment BEFORE I ask for their input. If it's not going to work for me, I don't care what anyone else thinks of him. Plus -- why get everyone worked up over a guy until I know whether I can tolerate him or not. It also seems that EVERY time I go against my instincts to keep the dating information to myself and tell my friends about a potential guy he freaking disappears out of my life!!
Sixth: Why do guys disappear from my life and then show up six months later wanting to pick it up again?? Do they get sucked into some black hole and come out thinking that when they blew me off six months ago that I'm desperate enough to take them now? Or if I blew THEM off, that suddenly, six months later I want them.
I could go on, but I think I'll stop now.. the gist is that I HATE dating, it just doesn't seem to be worth it. I went to a bridal shower a few weeks ago for an Indian (from India) girl who works in my office. Hers is an arranged marriage. The parents provide her with a list of men they've chosen for her and she gets to pick from that list after meeting them and finding out of they are compatible. They meet the families of the men, get their back ground and give her the list. She met 23 men before she decided on this one. 10 years ago I would have thought that was crazy -- now it's starting to seem like a damn good idea...
I'm either lowering my standards or I'm going crazy...
So every six months or so I decide to re-enter the dating world. Dating and I don't really get along. We aren't friends. For several reasons, but every now and then I decide to give it another chance.
I don't think I'm cut out for dating.
First of all, I don't like to have to adjust my life for someone else. I don't want to say that I'm set in my ways, because I love change, but for a first date I don't want to rearrange my entire schedule for something that there is no guarantee will be worth the hassle...
Second: I don't want to play games. I don't think that I should have to play "hard to get" or the other stupid coy games that women play. I'm almost 32, I'm tired of that business. Men seem to insist on that crap though. If you don't play the games with them they assume you're desperate... which is about as far from the truth as possible. I think if I'm interested in knowing a guy better I should be able to say so and he should be able to be honest in return. If he is too -- great we'll hang out. If he's not -- great we'll go our separate ways. I hate the bullshit... but MAN guys sure do love the bullshit.
Third: Why do we have to play "pretend I'm not interested so that he'll be MORE interested" or the "who's going to cave and call first" games? I'm not at all old fashioned and see no reason NOT to call someone if I'm interested in them -- Men don't like that. I'm not even talking about calling every day... but apparently after a date a dude has to wait 3 - 6 days before he calls you to tell you he had a good time and would like to see you again. By that time I've already moved on, PAL... so keep your games to yourself.
Fourth: I'm too IMPATIENT. I don't want to wait on you to decide that you do or don't like me. When you're being friends with someone you don't take that long to decide if you do or don't want to get to know a new friend better -- why the HELL does it take that long to know whether you want to get to know a potential date better or not.. if it takes you that long to decide you either need to practice your critical thinking skills or find a way to gain some confidence. I know in ten minutes whether you are worth my time or not. FIGURE IT OUT!! It's not a life time commitment -- IT'S FREAKING COFFEE OR DINNER...
Fifth: Why do I need to tell my friends about a dude.. they seem to get mad at me when I with hold dating information from them. I don't get it. I need to know if he's worth the investment BEFORE I ask for their input. If it's not going to work for me, I don't care what anyone else thinks of him. Plus -- why get everyone worked up over a guy until I know whether I can tolerate him or not. It also seems that EVERY time I go against my instincts to keep the dating information to myself and tell my friends about a potential guy he freaking disappears out of my life!!
Sixth: Why do guys disappear from my life and then show up six months later wanting to pick it up again?? Do they get sucked into some black hole and come out thinking that when they blew me off six months ago that I'm desperate enough to take them now? Or if I blew THEM off, that suddenly, six months later I want them.
I could go on, but I think I'll stop now.. the gist is that I HATE dating, it just doesn't seem to be worth it. I went to a bridal shower a few weeks ago for an Indian (from India) girl who works in my office. Hers is an arranged marriage. The parents provide her with a list of men they've chosen for her and she gets to pick from that list after meeting them and finding out of they are compatible. They meet the families of the men, get their back ground and give her the list. She met 23 men before she decided on this one. 10 years ago I would have thought that was crazy -- now it's starting to seem like a damn good idea...
I'm either lowering my standards or I'm going crazy...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Imagine...
Well, it's been an interesting week. I'm exhausted and there is basically two days left!! :(
I did a lot of cooking this week. Made a badass sundried tomato-bacon macaroni & cheese -- DELICIOUS. Last night Jess and Lindsey came over and I made grandma's scallopped chicken with mashed potatoes and peas. MAN Was it delicious!! Sorry -- I didn't take pictures this time. Maybe next time.
I just took the MBTI again and think this time I got an honest assessment of my personality type.
If you want to take it, here's the link: MBTI Personality Test
My result was ENTP here is another Description.
I think it's a fair assessment, but I'm fairly even on most of it so my type changes based on what I'm going through in my life. Since each individual section is a continuum, I'm pretty 50/50 on Extrovert/Introvert, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. But the way I typically live my life is ENTP.
I did a lot of cooking this week. Made a badass sundried tomato-bacon macaroni & cheese -- DELICIOUS. Last night Jess and Lindsey came over and I made grandma's scallopped chicken with mashed potatoes and peas. MAN Was it delicious!! Sorry -- I didn't take pictures this time. Maybe next time.
I just took the MBTI again and think this time I got an honest assessment of my personality type.
If you want to take it, here's the link: MBTI Personality Test
My result was ENTP here is another Description.
I think it's a fair assessment, but I'm fairly even on most of it so my type changes based on what I'm going through in my life. Since each individual section is a continuum, I'm pretty 50/50 on Extrovert/Introvert, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. But the way I typically live my life is ENTP.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Cleaning Continues
Well, the cleaning continues... MAN!! I have a LOT of crap!! Yesterday I took out six garbage bags of crap, and I have two more half filled ones in my dining room.. A lot of it is old paperwork that I shredded, but still...
I'm donating three trash bags full of clothes, a vacuum, a 12 in TV, a rug, a fan, a bunch of knick knacky stuff.. How did I accumulate all this CRAP!!
My bedroom and two closets are SPOTLESS, I got my desk at home cleaned out and got half the place dusted last night.. on to the other half tonight and perhaps the bathroom too. It shouldn't take long now since I got most of the crap sorted.
I used to have a bunch of boxes hidden in and around my living room because there wasn't room in the closets.. once I get rid of all the crap I will have plenty of room and hope to move my living room around.
My sister gave me like six or seven martini glass paintings that I need to hang somewhere...
I don't want to admit it, but I love cleaning... it is something that makes me feel productive and I see immediate results... its unfortunate that i don't have the energy or motivation to keep it up as often as I should...
My life would be perfect IF I had a washer/dryer in the house -- well that and a screen door. :)
I'm donating three trash bags full of clothes, a vacuum, a 12 in TV, a rug, a fan, a bunch of knick knacky stuff.. How did I accumulate all this CRAP!!
My bedroom and two closets are SPOTLESS, I got my desk at home cleaned out and got half the place dusted last night.. on to the other half tonight and perhaps the bathroom too. It shouldn't take long now since I got most of the crap sorted.
I used to have a bunch of boxes hidden in and around my living room because there wasn't room in the closets.. once I get rid of all the crap I will have plenty of room and hope to move my living room around.
My sister gave me like six or seven martini glass paintings that I need to hang somewhere...
I don't want to admit it, but I love cleaning... it is something that makes me feel productive and I see immediate results... its unfortunate that i don't have the energy or motivation to keep it up as often as I should...
My life would be perfect IF I had a washer/dryer in the house -- well that and a screen door. :)
Monday, October 4, 2010
Number two: CHECK
Well, I got my second walk-in closet cleaned out today. Still need to organize it and get some stuff back in, but all in all -- good productive weekend!! :) I hope I have time this week to work on it. I have some boxes hidden around my livin room that I want to get in and lots of laundry to do, but I think it will be good. My goal now is to do a deep clean of my whole house. I can hardly wait to get started.
Next up --> My office!!
Next up --> My office!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Surprising Productivity
So, I had a strangely productive day. I had to go to the Football tailgate today. It's political and I HATE politics.. however I need to do it more. It was fun though. Great food and beer is hard to top. YUM!!
Then I decided to clean out my closet. I have two large walk in closets in my bedroom and it was time to do some cleaning. I have two trash bags of clothes to donate and more space. I also got my laundry all sorted.. i sure would love to have on-site laundry.
I'm going to be sore tomorrow though because I was up and down on a chair to get to the upper shelves in the closet.
Up to late. Nite nite.
Then I decided to clean out my closet. I have two large walk in closets in my bedroom and it was time to do some cleaning. I have two trash bags of clothes to donate and more space. I also got my laundry all sorted.. i sure would love to have on-site laundry.
I'm going to be sore tomorrow though because I was up and down on a chair to get to the upper shelves in the closet.
Up to late. Nite nite.
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Other Guys...
Yesterday was almost perfect.
I don't say that much, but yesterday was almost perfect! I had one of those average days at work, but after work -- well that's when it got almost perfect.. well perfect in my current life situation...
We went out for BBQ for dinner -- Lindsey, Jess, Andy, and Ben. Then Jess went to her play practice and Lindsey went back to work. Andy and Ben came over for beer and then we met Adam (TH Adam) at the movies and saw "The Other Guys" HOLYFUNNYMOVIE BATMAN!! I laughed so hard I cried probably five times... three of those five I'm pretty sure I almost wet myself. It was so freaking funny.
Now, for those of you who aren't Will Ferrell fans, I know you don't believe me in how funny it was. But also note that Mark Wahlberg was in it.. The two of them together was amazing... and I think it was more Mark who was funny and Will Ferrell's reaction to Mark's character that was so funny. I also think it was the group I went with.. you should always ALWAYS go see funny movies with people you think are funny. It makes it a million times better.
We went out for a beer afterwards and laughed more. It was ALMOST to the level of a laughter hangover this morning, but not quite.
I love my life.
I don't say that much, but yesterday was almost perfect! I had one of those average days at work, but after work -- well that's when it got almost perfect.. well perfect in my current life situation...
We went out for BBQ for dinner -- Lindsey, Jess, Andy, and Ben. Then Jess went to her play practice and Lindsey went back to work. Andy and Ben came over for beer and then we met Adam (TH Adam) at the movies and saw "The Other Guys" HOLYFUNNYMOVIE BATMAN!! I laughed so hard I cried probably five times... three of those five I'm pretty sure I almost wet myself. It was so freaking funny.
Now, for those of you who aren't Will Ferrell fans, I know you don't believe me in how funny it was. But also note that Mark Wahlberg was in it.. The two of them together was amazing... and I think it was more Mark who was funny and Will Ferrell's reaction to Mark's character that was so funny. I also think it was the group I went with.. you should always ALWAYS go see funny movies with people you think are funny. It makes it a million times better.
We went out for a beer afterwards and laughed more. It was ALMOST to the level of a laughter hangover this morning, but not quite.
I love my life.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Miss Sassy Pants
So, I'm fairly convinced that I have the cutest dog ever! She is a year and a half old and she still looks like a little lab puppy! Every time we go on a walk about three people ask me if she's a black lab. She's not. But she's so social that she dances like a puppy when a lot of people are around. I'm adding my newest favorite picture of her.. she's so freaking cute!! That's what makes it hard to discipline her.. she is so cute and when she's in trouble she belly crawls up on me and lays flat against my chest with her little head tucked up next to my neck like she's hugging me. ADORABLE!!
I took this one the week I was on stay-cation. I read 3.75 books that week, but apparently I was reading too much because she came up, sat down, and started trying to take my book away. This is her trying to get me to stop reading and pay attention to her. :)
I took this one the week I was on stay-cation. I read 3.75 books that week, but apparently I was reading too much because she came up, sat down, and started trying to take my book away. This is her trying to get me to stop reading and pay attention to her. :)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Perspective
I have to say, I'm pretty darn lucky to be me. I lose that sometimes, but I do, for the most part love my life.
Things are better at work, uncomfortable at times because I'm caught in the middle of some ridiculous bullshit, but taking last week off did wonders for my frame of mind. In my ENTIRE life I don't think I've ever taken a week just to myself without being sick or going somewhere. In the past, if I've taken more than one day of work off I went to my folks or to Michigan, but last week I didn't have any obligations to anyone but my dog and it was BEAUTIFUL!! I think I'm going to have to do that more often. Maybe I'll even take a vacation by myself.
It really helped me get my head on straight, relax, and find my center. I read three books, watched countless hours of Criminal Minds, Big Bang Theory, and How I Met Your Mother (All on DVD). I got to get up when I wanted, go to bed when I wanted, walk around the neighborhood, cuddle with the pup, do some shopping.. it was FANTASTIC.
Since I've been back I've been less sensitive to the stupidity that is going on around me, less grumpy with my boss (who didn't deserve it anyway -- well mostly didn't), less emotional, and didn't mind dealing with outraged parents. If I had had to deal with parents last week I may have killed someone -- literally.
So now I'm back, could careless if other people feel tension -- that's on them I'm all good. :)
It's nice to find my perspective!!
I was asked to join a new campus initiative committee... The director of our student media asked me to sit on her "Wellness" committee. I think this is hilarious!! My twitter account says: "Definition of Irony: Me on a Wellness Committee... Should I take snacks?" Because I think it is funny that anyone would ask me to be on a Wellness committee... there I was, fat girl Steph in a room with the personal trainer from the Rec Center, the Health Educator, a faculty from the Applied Health Sciences Area (Dietetics), and a professor from the Physical Education department.. Ahhahahahahahaha Five years ago that would have made me tremendously self-conscious today it made me want to giggle from the irony...
Damn it, I may have to start thinking about wellness and trying to role model it to the rest of the fat kids on campus... Goodbye fried chicken and mashed potatoes.... I will miss you!!
Things are better at work, uncomfortable at times because I'm caught in the middle of some ridiculous bullshit, but taking last week off did wonders for my frame of mind. In my ENTIRE life I don't think I've ever taken a week just to myself without being sick or going somewhere. In the past, if I've taken more than one day of work off I went to my folks or to Michigan, but last week I didn't have any obligations to anyone but my dog and it was BEAUTIFUL!! I think I'm going to have to do that more often. Maybe I'll even take a vacation by myself.
It really helped me get my head on straight, relax, and find my center. I read three books, watched countless hours of Criminal Minds, Big Bang Theory, and How I Met Your Mother (All on DVD). I got to get up when I wanted, go to bed when I wanted, walk around the neighborhood, cuddle with the pup, do some shopping.. it was FANTASTIC.
Since I've been back I've been less sensitive to the stupidity that is going on around me, less grumpy with my boss (who didn't deserve it anyway -- well mostly didn't), less emotional, and didn't mind dealing with outraged parents. If I had had to deal with parents last week I may have killed someone -- literally.
So now I'm back, could careless if other people feel tension -- that's on them I'm all good. :)
It's nice to find my perspective!!
I was asked to join a new campus initiative committee... The director of our student media asked me to sit on her "Wellness" committee. I think this is hilarious!! My twitter account says: "Definition of Irony: Me on a Wellness Committee... Should I take snacks?" Because I think it is funny that anyone would ask me to be on a Wellness committee... there I was, fat girl Steph in a room with the personal trainer from the Rec Center, the Health Educator, a faculty from the Applied Health Sciences Area (Dietetics), and a professor from the Physical Education department.. Ahhahahahahahaha Five years ago that would have made me tremendously self-conscious today it made me want to giggle from the irony...
Damn it, I may have to start thinking about wellness and trying to role model it to the rest of the fat kids on campus... Goodbye fried chicken and mashed potatoes.... I will miss you!!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Time Off
So, I just had the perfect week. I was sick on Tuesday and Wednesday. That sucked, but my boss emailed me and told me to take the rest of the week off. So, I took the rest of the week off. It was perfect. I got to sleep for as long as I wanted. Got to spend the week reading as much as I want with no obligations to anyone. It was amazing!! I needed it more than I realized. The only mar on the landscape is that I have to work on monday.
I think I can handle everything now. :) Was able to find my center.
I think I can handle everything now. :) Was able to find my center.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Leadership
So, I'm convinced that the hardest thing about leadership is not about making hard decisions and sticking to them. The hardest thing about leadership is having to support decisions that you don't agree with.
Hardest thing in life to accept = sometimes you just have to toe the company line -- regardless as to if you have faith in it or not or if you agree with it or not.
I hate office politics.
Hardest thing in life to accept = sometimes you just have to toe the company line -- regardless as to if you have faith in it or not or if you agree with it or not.
I hate office politics.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Just Call Me Stephie Homemaker...
So, one thing I LOVE to do is cook for other people. So, as a thank you to our staff I invited them over for Lasagna (which happens to be the best in Terre Haute -- BTW).
Because I make the sauce from scratch I have to do it the night before. Tomorrow is when they are coming over, but made it tonight. I even took some lousy pictures along the way. They are below. :)
Because I make the sauce from scratch I have to do it the night before. Tomorrow is when they are coming over, but made it tonight. I even took some lousy pictures along the way. They are below. :)
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Some of the Ingredients
The Veggie Layer (Onions, etc)
Red Pepper flakes, Garlic
Tomato Paste
Add Oregano and stir it all together... let it cook for a minute or so until you can smell the tomato paste
The Juice from 2 cans of diced tomatoes, scraping the bottom of the pan to get the brown bits up.
Still scraping the bottom and mixing together.
The Sauce base... at this point you can smell the yummy out on the front walk.
This is ground chuck that I've processed with some bread crumbs, milk, salt and pepper.
You want to cook it, but not brown it.. so it's more of a gentle simmer in the sauce base.
I like to make a meat sauce and add sausage as layer to my lasagna -- I just think it tastes better.
Sassy snuck up in this chair and is trying to get to the bowls in the sink that have hamburger residue on them... Didn't happen!
The meat all most cooked -- you want it to lose the pink, but not brown or caramelize.
Here I added two cans (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes and two cans (28oz) of crushed tomatoes. If you want to use this as a good meat sauce for spaghetti, then just use one can of each, but for Lasagna I like the sauce a bit saucier. :)
Let it simmer on LOW heat for about 30 minutes or so.. So everything can meld a bit..
Mmm Sausage.. I love sausage.. I usually use a sage sausage for this, but decided to spice it up a bit with an Italian... I'll let you know how it works out.
Brown the sausage and drain as much grease as you can. I like to put it on a plate lined with paper towel, then place paper towel on top and another plate and then put a heavy pot on it to soak as much into the towels as possible. I'm weird.. I know. :)
Then Toss it in the food processor... this is kind of an important step so that you make sure it's all uniform and can evenly spread.
This is perfect!! Now it will kind of "Sprinkle" over each layer.
Now that your sauce has simmered for 30ish minutes, add 1/2 cup of Parmesan and another teaspoon or so of Oregano...
Let it simmer a bit longer then taste it for salt and pepper. If it needs it (It usually does) add more and let it cook for another five minutes or so before you taste it again... Remember you can always add more, but you can't take it out... Also, you want to start boiling your noodles.
Now for the cheeses.. Some people use cottage cheese in their lasagna... NOT ME. I like the texture and taste of Ricotta MUCH MUCH better....
To your Ricotta you want to add approx 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan and one egg. Mix well.
Prepare your pan. I always use a disposable pan because they are cheap AND I don't have to wash them later. :)
Drain your noodles and toss them with a bit of Olive Oil so that they don't stick while you're layering your lasagna.
Set up your assembly station with everything right at hand. Sauce, noodles, sausage, ricotta, and cheese...
Start by putting a bit of sauce down in the bottom of the pan first.
And spread it around evenly.
Begin your layers with noodles.
Then Ricotta
Then sprinkle sausage over the ricotta
Then Sauce it up...
Then add a layer of Mozzarella
Then start over with noodles, ricotta, sausage, sauce and mozzarella
ricotta
sausage
Sauce. I didn't get pictures, but put one more layer of noodles over this and cover it with the remainder of your sauce.
Sauced!
This is the AWESOME secret -- pull out a log of FRESH Mozzarella... this is KEY because it adds a deliciousness you've not yet experienced..
Is deliciousness a word??
Who cares! :)
This is the up-to-now finished product. It went in the refrigerator. Tomorrow I'll pull it out, cover it with aluminum foil and bake it at 400 degrees until hot and bubbly.. then I'll remove the foil and cook it for an additional 10 minutes until it browns on top.. YUMMMM!!!
And that's my lasagna... I didn't give away the secret ingredient that makes it mine!! However, I adapted this recipe from one I saw on America's Test Kitchen. That one is yummy as they post it too, but I like mine better. :)
I'll post the finished product later. :)
Note: All pictures were taken with my cell phone.. not bad eh??
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wait... they can't figure out the elevator.. they can't be THAT dumb
I was meeting with my FYI (First Year Initiative) staff today and we were going over issues we're seeing from our first year students. Most of them are the normal issues: they don't know how to pick up a package, they keep locking themselves out of their room, they can't figure out how to find things.. but there was one that was unusual and it frightens me...
It frightens me immensely..
They can't seem to figure out the elevator process.
I'll say that again.. they CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE ELEVATOR PROCESS
For example: Fiona Freshman is on the fourth floor. She pushed the down elevator button. The elevator is one the first floor, full of people and begins heading up -- dropping off people as it goes. When it gets to fourth floor, it drops of a girl and Fiona Freshman gets on and it continues up to drop off all of the rest of the passengers. When it finally descends to the first floor Fiona Freshman is furious because it went up instead of instantly down when she got on the elevator. She isn't making the connection that the elevator was still going up when she got on.. it wasn't arriving to her pushed down button, but was delivering based on the other girl pushing the 4th floor.
HOW CAN ANYONE BE THAT STUPID.... I fear for our future.
It frightens me immensely..
They can't seem to figure out the elevator process.
I'll say that again.. they CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE ELEVATOR PROCESS
For example: Fiona Freshman is on the fourth floor. She pushed the down elevator button. The elevator is one the first floor, full of people and begins heading up -- dropping off people as it goes. When it gets to fourth floor, it drops of a girl and Fiona Freshman gets on and it continues up to drop off all of the rest of the passengers. When it finally descends to the first floor Fiona Freshman is furious because it went up instead of instantly down when she got on the elevator. She isn't making the connection that the elevator was still going up when she got on.. it wasn't arriving to her pushed down button, but was delivering based on the other girl pushing the 4th floor.
HOW CAN ANYONE BE THAT STUPID.... I fear for our future.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Hangin in there...
So after a weekend of reflection and a lovely dinner in Indy with my parents, I've de-stressed as much as possible knowing I have to work tomorrow.
So, with that in mind and a delightful book on my night stand.. I'm looking for ways out of my rut. I need some laughter, liquor, and fun. Since I doubt I'll be in the position to get either of them any time soon, I think I need to clean and rearrange my office... I need a new perspective.
Wish me luck. Feng Shui, HERE I COME!!
If you have any ideas on how to implement a decent water element into an office that is extremely low maintenance - I'm open to suggestions!!
So, with that in mind and a delightful book on my night stand.. I'm looking for ways out of my rut. I need some laughter, liquor, and fun. Since I doubt I'll be in the position to get either of them any time soon, I think I need to clean and rearrange my office... I need a new perspective.
Wish me luck. Feng Shui, HERE I COME!!
If you have any ideas on how to implement a decent water element into an office that is extremely low maintenance - I'm open to suggestions!!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
I just don't have the ability to understand...
I just don't understand people any more. My world is not making sense.
If you know me, then you know I'm a good person. Somewhat opinionated. Somewhat radical in my thinking. Somewhat outspoken. Somewhat shy. Somewhat sarcastic. Somewhat in love with my dog. Sometimes curt in my communication. Sometimes grumpy. Sometimes (especially lately) stressed out. But If you know me and have known me for a good while then you should know I'm never deliberately mean, never hateful, never hurtful, and am always willing to fight for someone Else's rights and speak up for anyone without a voice. I'll admit that I can be somewhat thoughtless sometime, but it's never intentional and I'd say that anyone (EVERYONE) who knows me well knows that I have good intentions and if I hurt someone it would never EVER be on purpose.
So knowing this, why would you just make the random assumption that I have anything other than the best of intentions when I make a decision that affects you? Why would you just assume that I'm not sticking up for you when I stick up for EVERYONE ELSE? Why would you assume that I'm just going to do what I want without regard for anyone else? Why would you think that because I wore a different shirt than you that I'm trying to be better than you? Why in the hell, when I've worked my ass off for two years to make things better for EVERYONE and have spent COUNTLESS hours of my personal time meeting with people to figure out what they need from me and from this department and fighting for YOUR rights, would you assume I'm doing anything other than what is best for the greater good? Do you think that I might possibly have more information than you when making my decisions? That maybe instead of pouting about what you perceive to be my intentions, you should ASK me for clarification?
We did an entire DAY OF TRAINING about making sure you never ASSUME you know what someone Else's intentions are. That you can't possibly KNOW unless you ASK because you come from a different place than the other person. That the best way to deal with an issue is to realize that there are two sides to EVERY story and BOTH are right. What you have to do is ASK QUESTIONS and LISTEN? Why, when you BOTH have taught that same material, are you not using that when it comes to me. ME -- who has been on your side EVERY TIME for the past two years... who has fought countless battles on your behalf and continues to do so even though you don't see it or don't pay attention enough to see it...
I simply do not have the ability to understand this. I've tried and there is nothing in me that understands this on any level.. I simply do not have the mental capability to understand this.
It makes me sad.
It makes me hate my job.
It makes me tired... really really tired...
It makes me reconsider my career choices because obviously I'm not effective at what I'm doing.
It makes my head hurt.
It makes me lose faith in you.
It makes me question my judgment..
It makes me want to quit my job and move on...
But I will do none of those things.
I will pick myself up.
Dust myself off.
And continue on my path.
Because that's what I do.
I'm all I've got, so I've got to pay the bills, ay?? My puppy needs to eat (Me.. ehh I could skip a few meals).
If you know me, then you know I'm a good person. Somewhat opinionated. Somewhat radical in my thinking. Somewhat outspoken. Somewhat shy. Somewhat sarcastic. Somewhat in love with my dog. Sometimes curt in my communication. Sometimes grumpy. Sometimes (especially lately) stressed out. But If you know me and have known me for a good while then you should know I'm never deliberately mean, never hateful, never hurtful, and am always willing to fight for someone Else's rights and speak up for anyone without a voice. I'll admit that I can be somewhat thoughtless sometime, but it's never intentional and I'd say that anyone (EVERYONE) who knows me well knows that I have good intentions and if I hurt someone it would never EVER be on purpose.
So knowing this, why would you just make the random assumption that I have anything other than the best of intentions when I make a decision that affects you? Why would you just assume that I'm not sticking up for you when I stick up for EVERYONE ELSE? Why would you assume that I'm just going to do what I want without regard for anyone else? Why would you think that because I wore a different shirt than you that I'm trying to be better than you? Why in the hell, when I've worked my ass off for two years to make things better for EVERYONE and have spent COUNTLESS hours of my personal time meeting with people to figure out what they need from me and from this department and fighting for YOUR rights, would you assume I'm doing anything other than what is best for the greater good? Do you think that I might possibly have more information than you when making my decisions? That maybe instead of pouting about what you perceive to be my intentions, you should ASK me for clarification?
We did an entire DAY OF TRAINING about making sure you never ASSUME you know what someone Else's intentions are. That you can't possibly KNOW unless you ASK because you come from a different place than the other person. That the best way to deal with an issue is to realize that there are two sides to EVERY story and BOTH are right. What you have to do is ASK QUESTIONS and LISTEN? Why, when you BOTH have taught that same material, are you not using that when it comes to me. ME -- who has been on your side EVERY TIME for the past two years... who has fought countless battles on your behalf and continues to do so even though you don't see it or don't pay attention enough to see it...
I simply do not have the ability to understand this. I've tried and there is nothing in me that understands this on any level.. I simply do not have the mental capability to understand this.
It makes me sad.
It makes me hate my job.
It makes me tired... really really tired...
It makes me reconsider my career choices because obviously I'm not effective at what I'm doing.
It makes my head hurt.
It makes me lose faith in you.
It makes me question my judgment..
It makes me want to quit my job and move on...
But I will do none of those things.
I will pick myself up.
Dust myself off.
And continue on my path.
Because that's what I do.
I'm all I've got, so I've got to pay the bills, ay?? My puppy needs to eat (Me.. ehh I could skip a few meals).
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Three Day Move In
So, whomever had the idea to make Res Hall move in a three day process is a moron... oh wait.. I'm pretty sure I was in on that decision.. -- OK I'M A MORON!!
I theory it's an awesome idea. Cuts down on lines, for the elevators, cuts down on wait time for carts... so awesome idea.. parents are happier and get to spend more time with their student instead of moving stuff... so awesome idea.
Um but what about the staff who have to work the three day move in -- namely ME. This sucks!! I woke up angry this morning because I had to work. IT'S SUNDAY!!!!! I haven't had a weekend off in FOUR WEEKS!!!!!
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OK, so mid-sentence one of our grads, Dan calmly walked by my office says "Hey Steph" while he was very casually dragging Kasie (another grad) down the hall on top of his rolling suitcase. Ah hahahaha
Back Story: Yesterday when we were coming back from lunch we saw a little kid riding on the back of a suitcase like that while his dad pulled him. He was like 3, and Kasie asked Dan if he'd pull her across campus like that. I bet them to do it with one of my famous (in my head at least) $5 bets. They did it!! :)
Am in a better mood!! :)
I theory it's an awesome idea. Cuts down on lines, for the elevators, cuts down on wait time for carts... so awesome idea.. parents are happier and get to spend more time with their student instead of moving stuff... so awesome idea.
Um but what about the staff who have to work the three day move in -- namely ME. This sucks!! I woke up angry this morning because I had to work. IT'S SUNDAY!!!!! I haven't had a weekend off in FOUR WEEKS!!!!!
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OK, so mid-sentence one of our grads, Dan calmly walked by my office says "Hey Steph" while he was very casually dragging Kasie (another grad) down the hall on top of his rolling suitcase. Ah hahahaha
Back Story: Yesterday when we were coming back from lunch we saw a little kid riding on the back of a suitcase like that while his dad pulled him. He was like 3, and Kasie asked Dan if he'd pull her across campus like that. I bet them to do it with one of my famous (in my head at least) $5 bets. They did it!! :)
Am in a better mood!! :)
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Touching Moments...
I saw one of those rare touching moments yesterday... the kind that make you feel like a voyeur of life...
It's move in weekend. It's that wonderful time of year where people who work in colleges and universities across the nation get fresh faces eager to learn. Our lives are reaffirmed each year with a new batch of kids. Most are wonderful and are eager sponges ready to soak up any knowledge we can throw their way... we won't talk about the rest -- this is a happy post.
Anyway, so yesterday was our first move in day. At the end of the day, as I was leaving work (close to 7pm) I was stopped at a stop light and right beside me on the sidewalk was clearly a family saying bye to their daughter on her first day of college. As I pulled up I saw two women hugging and two men standing there looking uncomfortable. As the two women pulled apart it was clear it was a mother/daughter moment with Dad and possibly uncle standing awkwardly to the side not sure how to deal with the tears.
All I could think was "I need to call my staff to make sure someone meets this poor girl at the door and keeps her from crying in her room.
I don't know anything about this girl, but I do hope her RA took her under her wing last night. It was hard to watch. I remember when I moved in to college the first time and how scary it was. I remember when my folks left at the end of the day.
OK now I miss my parents and sister!!
It's move in weekend. It's that wonderful time of year where people who work in colleges and universities across the nation get fresh faces eager to learn. Our lives are reaffirmed each year with a new batch of kids. Most are wonderful and are eager sponges ready to soak up any knowledge we can throw their way... we won't talk about the rest -- this is a happy post.
Anyway, so yesterday was our first move in day. At the end of the day, as I was leaving work (close to 7pm) I was stopped at a stop light and right beside me on the sidewalk was clearly a family saying bye to their daughter on her first day of college. As I pulled up I saw two women hugging and two men standing there looking uncomfortable. As the two women pulled apart it was clear it was a mother/daughter moment with Dad and possibly uncle standing awkwardly to the side not sure how to deal with the tears.
All I could think was "I need to call my staff to make sure someone meets this poor girl at the door and keeps her from crying in her room.
I don't know anything about this girl, but I do hope her RA took her under her wing last night. It was hard to watch. I remember when I moved in to college the first time and how scary it was. I remember when my folks left at the end of the day.
OK now I miss my parents and sister!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Kind word...
So it's amazing what a kind word can do..
Most of us have some kind of meaning in our lives. We live for our God, or our parents, or to serve others, or even to serve ourselves. We do a job we see as worthwhile, or did at one point. We had to justify why we chose that career, whether it was for the outcome of the industry, the people we work for, the people we work with.. there are a variety of reasons why we do our jobs, but we rarely, if ever, realize that dream.
Why do I do what I do? I have many many reasons and they are all sound:
On top of that, I'm really great at forging a new path. I love to develop and implement new ideas, but once they have been tried and are a success I have no desire to repeat the experience. I want to develop the ideas my way and then pass them off to someone else to implement. So even fall workshop this year was a pain the ass. I didn't enjoy it like I normally do because while the sessions are perfect, the training model is. This makes it hard for me to stay focused. So I checked out for part of training. Mainly because there are other stresses flowing my way and it's hard to focus on training when I'm getting pushed the other way. It's also frustrating because I'm the only one who cares about training and I feel like I'm the only one who cares about our staff. This pisses me off so i try not to focus on it.
So, needless to say, training has been kind of tough on me this year. The student staff are amazing and have done a great job at keeping up the positive attitudes and being awesome. Which is great! We had our mock graduation today and we made diplomas, which were cool even if I do say so myself. We had an awesome speaker who was funny AND motivational-- which was so much better than last year. So it all ended on a great note. To celebrate the end of training we had a night out at the Student Rec Center for our student staff. It was there that my entire purpose and life were reaffirmed.
I was sitting just inside the SRC when one of our student staff sat down beside me. I never remember conversations word for word, but the gist is here: She said that she had wanted to talk to me for a while since training started and didn't know if she should just say what she wanted to say or write a note, but she was going to say it now. She said I was an inspiration to her. She said she was glad she got to meet me because while she had received emails from me for work, she was excited to meet me. She said that she truly felt like we care about her and that she finds me an inspiration. She said that whether I realized it or not, I am an inspiration to a lot of people. She said that she liked the session when I talked to them about their purpose and that student success is important. She felt that I really cared about them as individuals and really did care about their success. She said that because of me she has decided that she wants to go into student affairs and wants to do what I do.
I'm not going to lie -- I teared up when she was telling me that. It's not every day you're told that you inspired someone else. I don't know if any of it is true or if it's just how she's feeling on a training high.. but it was really life affirming and made all the stress of the last two weeks melt away.
I do love my work.
Most of us have some kind of meaning in our lives. We live for our God, or our parents, or to serve others, or even to serve ourselves. We do a job we see as worthwhile, or did at one point. We had to justify why we chose that career, whether it was for the outcome of the industry, the people we work for, the people we work with.. there are a variety of reasons why we do our jobs, but we rarely, if ever, realize that dream.
Why do I do what I do? I have many many reasons and they are all sound:
- I'm passionate about education and helping people better themselves
- I'm passionate about developing responsible citizenship in our future leaders
- I'm passionate about working with college students and helping them find themselves
- I'm passionate about training and development in the workplace
- I'm passionate about creating educational moments for young adults as they first branch out on their own.
On top of that, I'm really great at forging a new path. I love to develop and implement new ideas, but once they have been tried and are a success I have no desire to repeat the experience. I want to develop the ideas my way and then pass them off to someone else to implement. So even fall workshop this year was a pain the ass. I didn't enjoy it like I normally do because while the sessions are perfect, the training model is. This makes it hard for me to stay focused. So I checked out for part of training. Mainly because there are other stresses flowing my way and it's hard to focus on training when I'm getting pushed the other way. It's also frustrating because I'm the only one who cares about training and I feel like I'm the only one who cares about our staff. This pisses me off so i try not to focus on it.
So, needless to say, training has been kind of tough on me this year. The student staff are amazing and have done a great job at keeping up the positive attitudes and being awesome. Which is great! We had our mock graduation today and we made diplomas, which were cool even if I do say so myself. We had an awesome speaker who was funny AND motivational-- which was so much better than last year. So it all ended on a great note. To celebrate the end of training we had a night out at the Student Rec Center for our student staff. It was there that my entire purpose and life were reaffirmed.
I was sitting just inside the SRC when one of our student staff sat down beside me. I never remember conversations word for word, but the gist is here: She said that she had wanted to talk to me for a while since training started and didn't know if she should just say what she wanted to say or write a note, but she was going to say it now. She said I was an inspiration to her. She said she was glad she got to meet me because while she had received emails from me for work, she was excited to meet me. She said that she truly felt like we care about her and that she finds me an inspiration. She said that whether I realized it or not, I am an inspiration to a lot of people. She said that she liked the session when I talked to them about their purpose and that student success is important. She felt that I really cared about them as individuals and really did care about their success. She said that because of me she has decided that she wants to go into student affairs and wants to do what I do.
I'm not going to lie -- I teared up when she was telling me that. It's not every day you're told that you inspired someone else. I don't know if any of it is true or if it's just how she's feeling on a training high.. but it was really life affirming and made all the stress of the last two weeks melt away.
I do love my work.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Fast Forward
Well, life is running in fast forward again. How did it get to be August 15th already? My desk calendar still says it's July! I just don't understand how these things happen.
Been completely focused on the love of my life -- work. He's a demanding lover and believe me -- he keeps me up all night long.
Our grad student training began on August 1st. They seem like a good group. There are only a couple that I'm worried about. For the most part they seem like a great group. They have TONS of energy, which is what we need right now.
Our student staff training started on August 12th. The funny thing is after day four, people are still making comments like "they have so much more energy.." Truth: They had this much energy at the beginning of last year too -- until that douche bag VP we used to have killed it. This year will be better because he's GONE!!
Plus we've changed how we're doing some things. Putting more focus on recognition and creating more meaning in their work than we've don in the past which will help with that energy.
We opened training by having our entire head staff walk in together and bust right into the "Cupid Shuffle." It was a lot of fun and by the end we had the entire student staff doing it. Then the head staff ran out and were announced like basket ball players. :) It introduced fun into training.
I also tried out a new training technique that was amazing and I LOVED it. I gave a hand motion to all of the major points and then had them use the hand motions and teach it to each other. We kept repeating the motions. By the end of the session I could do the motion and they would yell out what it meant. I was extremely excited about it. Yay!!
So it's going well. Now if I could just get some sleep...
Been completely focused on the love of my life -- work. He's a demanding lover and believe me -- he keeps me up all night long.
Our grad student training began on August 1st. They seem like a good group. There are only a couple that I'm worried about. For the most part they seem like a great group. They have TONS of energy, which is what we need right now.
Our student staff training started on August 12th. The funny thing is after day four, people are still making comments like "they have so much more energy.." Truth: They had this much energy at the beginning of last year too -- until that douche bag VP we used to have killed it. This year will be better because he's GONE!!
Plus we've changed how we're doing some things. Putting more focus on recognition and creating more meaning in their work than we've don in the past which will help with that energy.
We opened training by having our entire head staff walk in together and bust right into the "Cupid Shuffle." It was a lot of fun and by the end we had the entire student staff doing it. Then the head staff ran out and were announced like basket ball players. :) It introduced fun into training.
I also tried out a new training technique that was amazing and I LOVED it. I gave a hand motion to all of the major points and then had them use the hand motions and teach it to each other. We kept repeating the motions. By the end of the session I could do the motion and they would yell out what it meant. I was extremely excited about it. Yay!!
So it's going well. Now if I could just get some sleep...
Monday, August 2, 2010
And it begins...
Well, August 1st was yesterday, do you know what that means? Yup! Training started yesterday! Our grad staff and our professional staff are all back and we did Grad orientation yesterday, went out to dinner, and then went bowling. Was a good time. Today we had a day long team building retreat. I think it went well, people seemed to have fun.
I really REALLY enjoy facilitating team building activities. I liked designing the retreat, and would LOVE to do it professionally, but am not sure yet, if I'm any good at it.
Training lasts the next three weeks. Unfortunately, I'm not really looking forward to it. I seem to have hit my stress threshold. Which means that I'm at the point where I don't feel anything at all. No anticipation, no nervousness, no anxiety, no excitement.. just a blah indifferent feeling.
I do think we have a good group, but I thought that last year too and they turned into catty whiny babies about two months in. I just want September 15th to get here.. then I can have some down time. I will say that I miss Steph Higgins. She used to keep me sane during training and used to go on sonic runs with me. It just isn't the same!!!
I hope this isn't an indicator that I need to leave ISU....
I really REALLY enjoy facilitating team building activities. I liked designing the retreat, and would LOVE to do it professionally, but am not sure yet, if I'm any good at it.
Training lasts the next three weeks. Unfortunately, I'm not really looking forward to it. I seem to have hit my stress threshold. Which means that I'm at the point where I don't feel anything at all. No anticipation, no nervousness, no anxiety, no excitement.. just a blah indifferent feeling.
I do think we have a good group, but I thought that last year too and they turned into catty whiny babies about two months in. I just want September 15th to get here.. then I can have some down time. I will say that I miss Steph Higgins. She used to keep me sane during training and used to go on sonic runs with me. It just isn't the same!!!
I hope this isn't an indicator that I need to leave ISU....
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A Dream Realized!!
So this weekend I FINALLY got to do something I have wanted to do for several years!! I created and hosted our first ever Train the Trainer Summer Workshop!!
It was something I wanted to implement at EMU but was always told no. Finally got permission to do it at ISU and it was this weekend. We had 8 attendees and a really good program! I'm really REALLY excited and think it will make our fall workshop presentations all the better! We covered how to create learning objectives, different training methods, visual aids, choosing which points to emphasis and how to emphasize them, asking/answering questions, communication and presentation, and developing a lesson plan.
I know I'm a geek, but I LOVED it! We also did a lot of team building and toured our most recently renovated res hall that opens in August.
Awesome weekend!! :)
It was something I wanted to implement at EMU but was always told no. Finally got permission to do it at ISU and it was this weekend. We had 8 attendees and a really good program! I'm really REALLY excited and think it will make our fall workshop presentations all the better! We covered how to create learning objectives, different training methods, visual aids, choosing which points to emphasis and how to emphasize them, asking/answering questions, communication and presentation, and developing a lesson plan.
I know I'm a geek, but I LOVED it! We also did a lot of team building and toured our most recently renovated res hall that opens in August.
Awesome weekend!! :)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wait.. WHAT?!!
Tonight Jess, Rex, and I went to dinner.. it's been something of a rough week.
So when I got home I took Sassy out, like always. While we were walking out this teal jeep pulled up and the lady in the passenger seat looked right at me and loudly said "Wow" then turned to the guy with her and pointed at me and say "Wow, look at that!" Then she made some other rude comments about me as her wasted friend fell out of the jeep.
Let me describe this woman for you... she was in her late 40's early 50's with fried dyed blond hair -- three inches of black roots showing -- rotten teeth.. the meth-head kind that are rotten from the top down instead of the bottom up... had a nasty orange tan, and skin that looked pretty darn leathery... in a word.. trashy... specifically the Terre Haute brand of trashy...
So I think to my self... really? Really!? SHE thinks she has any place to judge ME?? REALLY??!!
But of course I can't respond... I mean what do I say to that? I don't know this woman, but I imagine she'd be the type to get up in my face... how the hell do I show up at work tomorrow with a black eye..
Besides there is no response.. I don't need to defend myself to her.. I don't care what she thinks.. it's more the principle of the thing... I WANT to respond to let her know that she's the one who should be ashamed of herself -- not ME..
Sassy was trying to go over to them because she loves people.. so I just called to her, "Come on Sass.. we don't play with trash" and went in... I know it was childish. but I haven't let people get away with talking to me like that since I was in high school... I don't want ANYONE to think that it's OK to be disrespectful for no reason... ignorant trash!
So when I got home I took Sassy out, like always. While we were walking out this teal jeep pulled up and the lady in the passenger seat looked right at me and loudly said "Wow" then turned to the guy with her and pointed at me and say "Wow, look at that!" Then she made some other rude comments about me as her wasted friend fell out of the jeep.
Let me describe this woman for you... she was in her late 40's early 50's with fried dyed blond hair -- three inches of black roots showing -- rotten teeth.. the meth-head kind that are rotten from the top down instead of the bottom up... had a nasty orange tan, and skin that looked pretty darn leathery... in a word.. trashy... specifically the Terre Haute brand of trashy...
So I think to my self... really? Really!? SHE thinks she has any place to judge ME?? REALLY??!!
But of course I can't respond... I mean what do I say to that? I don't know this woman, but I imagine she'd be the type to get up in my face... how the hell do I show up at work tomorrow with a black eye..
Besides there is no response.. I don't need to defend myself to her.. I don't care what she thinks.. it's more the principle of the thing... I WANT to respond to let her know that she's the one who should be ashamed of herself -- not ME..
Sassy was trying to go over to them because she loves people.. so I just called to her, "Come on Sass.. we don't play with trash" and went in... I know it was childish. but I haven't let people get away with talking to me like that since I was in high school... I don't want ANYONE to think that it's OK to be disrespectful for no reason... ignorant trash!
416... and counting
So I'm doing a running count on my facebook page, but can't really explain it there...
So, the count is down to 412...
412 what? you ask...
It's actually 416 people that we've pissed off in the last week... it's down to 412 because we've been able to help some people.. but still 412 is a lot!
How have we pissed them off, you ask? (Yes, I realize I should never write anything in second person and my high school AND college instructors would keel over with a heart attack, but I LIKE it)
Anyway, so I work at a University... in Housing. I don't want to say that Admissions admitted too many people.... because we have an open admittance policy... BUT... if all first year students are REQUIRED to live on campus unless they live within 60 miles of campus... they really should limit first year students to the amount of space we have for them... don'tcha think??
Unfortunately, what is logical to most of us somehow escapes our admissions folks. Their job is to get their admissions numbers up -- our job is to house them and help them succeed to graduation...
Unfortunately, helping them succeed becomes harder when they admit 500 more folks than we can house...
Anyway, we have an early payment of $150 (Kind of like a deposit) due of all returning and new students by July 1st. In past years if a student hasn't paid that they would lose their assignment, but since we had plenty of space they could calls us, pay it, and get their room back. This year -- not so much. This year we have to give priority to first year students who paid their $150 on time. So a lot of our upper class students (311 to be exact) lost their room because they didn't pay on time and are ANGRY and calling to get their room back. UNFORTUNATELY, we have 640 first year students who did pay on time whom we have to find rooms for -- so the upper class students are now wait-listed. This is the first group of students who are pissed off at us...
Group 2: During returning student sign-up we allowed 125 students sign up for single rooms. They pay extra for the single and it allows us to make up some of the $$ we lose if we can't fill a building. Unfortunately, we now need that space so this week we canceled ALL single rooms. Which ended up being 85 rooms. So now all of those folks are calling, angry (OK it's not really the students -- it's the parents -- who are WORSE when it comes to entitlement). They are demanding their single rooms back and we just don't have the space.. so we are allowing them to choose a roommate (who already has a housing contract AND has paid their $150) or move off campus. This has created an entirely different group of angry people.
This number also includes University Athletes -- who are pissed as are their families and coaches...
So the 416 is an approximate number.. but still.. it's a lot of people to have calling and yelling at us. I am so very grateful for the six ladies who sit at the front counter and answer the telephone. Their life sucks right now and I keep taking them candy and small gifts to thank then. Unfortunately, my PIC and I get stuck with all the really REALLY mean parents who call -- Yay for us.... (mock cheering)
Anyway, that's what those numbers are all about... there is a silver lining!! The bottom line -- $$$ lots and lots of extra $$ to do fun things with next year!!
Well, that's IF all the students who say they are coming actually come and IF when they get here they can actually pay their bills... and that's IF they can afford their books and IF they actually go to class and not get kicked out...
I love my job. (You can decide for yourself if that is sarcasm or not)
So, the count is down to 412...
412 what? you ask...
It's actually 416 people that we've pissed off in the last week... it's down to 412 because we've been able to help some people.. but still 412 is a lot!
How have we pissed them off, you ask? (Yes, I realize I should never write anything in second person and my high school AND college instructors would keel over with a heart attack, but I LIKE it)
Anyway, so I work at a University... in Housing. I don't want to say that Admissions admitted too many people.... because we have an open admittance policy... BUT... if all first year students are REQUIRED to live on campus unless they live within 60 miles of campus... they really should limit first year students to the amount of space we have for them... don'tcha think??
Unfortunately, what is logical to most of us somehow escapes our admissions folks. Their job is to get their admissions numbers up -- our job is to house them and help them succeed to graduation...
Unfortunately, helping them succeed becomes harder when they admit 500 more folks than we can house...
Anyway, we have an early payment of $150 (Kind of like a deposit) due of all returning and new students by July 1st. In past years if a student hasn't paid that they would lose their assignment, but since we had plenty of space they could calls us, pay it, and get their room back. This year -- not so much. This year we have to give priority to first year students who paid their $150 on time. So a lot of our upper class students (311 to be exact) lost their room because they didn't pay on time and are ANGRY and calling to get their room back. UNFORTUNATELY, we have 640 first year students who did pay on time whom we have to find rooms for -- so the upper class students are now wait-listed. This is the first group of students who are pissed off at us...
Group 2: During returning student sign-up we allowed 125 students sign up for single rooms. They pay extra for the single and it allows us to make up some of the $$ we lose if we can't fill a building. Unfortunately, we now need that space so this week we canceled ALL single rooms. Which ended up being 85 rooms. So now all of those folks are calling, angry (OK it's not really the students -- it's the parents -- who are WORSE when it comes to entitlement). They are demanding their single rooms back and we just don't have the space.. so we are allowing them to choose a roommate (who already has a housing contract AND has paid their $150) or move off campus. This has created an entirely different group of angry people.
This number also includes University Athletes -- who are pissed as are their families and coaches...
So the 416 is an approximate number.. but still.. it's a lot of people to have calling and yelling at us. I am so very grateful for the six ladies who sit at the front counter and answer the telephone. Their life sucks right now and I keep taking them candy and small gifts to thank then. Unfortunately, my PIC and I get stuck with all the really REALLY mean parents who call -- Yay for us.... (mock cheering)
Anyway, that's what those numbers are all about... there is a silver lining!! The bottom line -- $$$ lots and lots of extra $$ to do fun things with next year!!
Well, that's IF all the students who say they are coming actually come and IF when they get here they can actually pay their bills... and that's IF they can afford their books and IF they actually go to class and not get kicked out...
I love my job. (You can decide for yourself if that is sarcasm or not)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
What is happening to the world??
I saw an article on the Today show about employers that are rewarding their staff for taking care of themselves. They are giving out monetary and other incentives to folks for taking their blood pressure medicine, attending church, stopping smoking, losing weight... etc. WTH?!!
No wonder we have so many apathetic people in our country... we bribe them to to everything. If there is no bribe there is no action. What happened to the days when people did the right thing BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING? What happened to the days when my personal business WAS MY PERSONAL BUSINESS? Why the hell would I want my employer knowing about my blood pressure medicine, religious beliefs, etc? So if I don't have high blood pressure (I don't), don't go to church (I don't), don't smoke (I don't), and am not fat (ok, I am that) then what?
I had a cousin who started smoking so that she could take more breaks at work. So I'm being punished by my employer for not having high blood pressure, not being going to church (what if I'm a non-believer? There is no church for non-believers so those folks are being punished -- is it my employers job to punish people for their religious beliefs or non-beliefs -- I believe that is ILLEGAL), not smoking, and not being fat (if I wasn't -- this is a rhetorical question)? That's ridiculous!!
Why do people need to be bribed to do what is right? Along with that -- why do I need to bribe people to do a good job? When did it happen that I have to give some elaborate recognition award to someone for JUST DOING THEIR JOB?? When did it become OK to DEMAND recognition? Isn't recognition more meaningful when it is offered without coerced? Doesn't it mean more when I give you recognition because I feel you deserve it and not just because I know your little feelings would be hurt if I didn't?
I don't know what is wrong with people today. For me, a "thank you" is enough, or hell just letting me do what I want and trusting my judgment is enough for me -- I don't need a trophy or plaque to prove my worth.
What is wrong with the world??!!
No wonder we have so many apathetic people in our country... we bribe them to to everything. If there is no bribe there is no action. What happened to the days when people did the right thing BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING? What happened to the days when my personal business WAS MY PERSONAL BUSINESS? Why the hell would I want my employer knowing about my blood pressure medicine, religious beliefs, etc? So if I don't have high blood pressure (I don't), don't go to church (I don't), don't smoke (I don't), and am not fat (ok, I am that) then what?
I had a cousin who started smoking so that she could take more breaks at work. So I'm being punished by my employer for not having high blood pressure, not being going to church (what if I'm a non-believer? There is no church for non-believers so those folks are being punished -- is it my employers job to punish people for their religious beliefs or non-beliefs -- I believe that is ILLEGAL), not smoking, and not being fat (if I wasn't -- this is a rhetorical question)? That's ridiculous!!
Why do people need to be bribed to do what is right? Along with that -- why do I need to bribe people to do a good job? When did it happen that I have to give some elaborate recognition award to someone for JUST DOING THEIR JOB?? When did it become OK to DEMAND recognition? Isn't recognition more meaningful when it is offered without coerced? Doesn't it mean more when I give you recognition because I feel you deserve it and not just because I know your little feelings would be hurt if I didn't?
I don't know what is wrong with people today. For me, a "thank you" is enough, or hell just letting me do what I want and trusting my judgment is enough for me -- I don't need a trophy or plaque to prove my worth.
What is wrong with the world??!!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Get over it already...
So I guess I'm struggling... I have a very hard time understanding pettiness and absolutely no understanding for grudges... what a waste of time...
These things come up and I just want to shake people... why can't they understand that the only person a grudge hurts is the person holding it?
It's such a childish thing to do. If you don't like someone that's fine, but you don't give them dirty looks, and alienate them openly in front of others... it's starting to piss me off. Especially since others are buying into it..
This crap drives me nuts... there are plenty of people I don't like. I just avoid them and if I can't I'm polite. There is no reason to drag anyone else into my business... nor is there any reason to make people feel uncomfortable.
These things come up and I just want to shake people... why can't they understand that the only person a grudge hurts is the person holding it?
It's such a childish thing to do. If you don't like someone that's fine, but you don't give them dirty looks, and alienate them openly in front of others... it's starting to piss me off. Especially since others are buying into it..
This crap drives me nuts... there are plenty of people I don't like. I just avoid them and if I can't I'm polite. There is no reason to drag anyone else into my business... nor is there any reason to make people feel uncomfortable.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Hard Pill to Swallow
Well, I got shit on today...
One of our grads sent an email to our other Assistant Director and myself today -- pretty much raking us over the coals. At first I was PISSED, and to be honest my anger was justified. Professionally, you should NEVER send your bosses' boss an email bitching them out... I mean talk about your CLM!!! (Career limiting move) AND an email no less -- I thought EVERYONE knew that you NEVER EVER send emails to express feelings.. the person does not read it with your intent behind it but with their own insecurities in front of it... ARG.. you'd think someone who deals in conflict resolution for a profession would realize that...
Anyway -- once I got past the method and some of the backhanded accusatory wording -- I was able to process the real issues and can understand where he was coming from. His assumptions were completely wrong and were based in his own insecurities, but that's all he has to go on, so I can see why he made the assumptions he made.
I was hurt, though, that after two years he didn't know me better than that...
But then I realized that as the "boss" no one really ever gets to know me and they will always interpret my actions in a negative way because I am the "boss."
Then I realized that I HATE being the boss.... sometimes -- I love it when I get to do new things and it's fun -- but really REALLY hate it when my actions inadvertently hurt someone else's feelings -- especially when I didn't realize that it would and they think it's intentional.. that just hurts my soul.
One of our grads sent an email to our other Assistant Director and myself today -- pretty much raking us over the coals. At first I was PISSED, and to be honest my anger was justified. Professionally, you should NEVER send your bosses' boss an email bitching them out... I mean talk about your CLM!!! (Career limiting move) AND an email no less -- I thought EVERYONE knew that you NEVER EVER send emails to express feelings.. the person does not read it with your intent behind it but with their own insecurities in front of it... ARG.. you'd think someone who deals in conflict resolution for a profession would realize that...
Anyway -- once I got past the method and some of the backhanded accusatory wording -- I was able to process the real issues and can understand where he was coming from. His assumptions were completely wrong and were based in his own insecurities, but that's all he has to go on, so I can see why he made the assumptions he made.
I was hurt, though, that after two years he didn't know me better than that...
But then I realized that as the "boss" no one really ever gets to know me and they will always interpret my actions in a negative way because I am the "boss."
Then I realized that I HATE being the boss.... sometimes -- I love it when I get to do new things and it's fun -- but really REALLY hate it when my actions inadvertently hurt someone else's feelings -- especially when I didn't realize that it would and they think it's intentional.. that just hurts my soul.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Bad Idea
So getting a TV in my bedroom is a BAD idea.
It makes me want to stay up and watch Craig Ferguson.
Then I have weird dreams.
It makes me want to stay up and watch Craig Ferguson.
Then I have weird dreams.
Friday, June 18, 2010
He tweeted about what??!!
So, did anyone read this business about the Utah execution by firing squad?
FIRING SQUAD?!
I thought we stopped doing that a LOOOONNNNGGG time ago... I thought all we did anymore was lethal injection because the rest were thought cruel and unusual????
If we're back to firing squads can we also institute canings? I think public stoning and/or caning would be more of a deterrent than the death penalty anyway. I mean if I knew that if I got caught stealing then I was going to be stoned or caned in the town square -- I'd sure think twice... and if it wasn't a deterrent -- all it would take is once and I'd never do it again. Unlike the death penalty which has a deterrent effect of ZERO.
I personally think public humiliation is a MUCH better punishment for crime than the death penalty or incarceration. I mean CLEARLY incarceration is NOT a deterrent... but I bet if we put those same people up in front of their peers, pulled their pants down, and beat their ASS.. well that would be rather humiliating wouldn't it?? It sure worked for me as a kid....
It's not cruel or unusual because parents have been doing it for YEARS....
OK, in all honesty I don't believe in any of the above. I actually think instituting a system of RESTORATIVE JUSTICE would be the best idea for everyone. Our legal system clearly does not work -- forcing people to actually take responsibilities for their actions and have real face-to-face conversations with their victims and being forced to personally view the result of their actions and then having to repair the HARM caused by their actions is the BEST way to go about it... but we Americans sure love our blood-lust and vengeance.
The think that bothers me even more than the firing squad though is the fact that the Utah Attorney General TWEETED about it as it happened. WHAT THE HELL??!! That's just so wrong for so many reasons.... it blows my mind.
What is wrong with people?!
FIRING SQUAD?!
I thought we stopped doing that a LOOOONNNNGGG time ago... I thought all we did anymore was lethal injection because the rest were thought cruel and unusual????
If we're back to firing squads can we also institute canings? I think public stoning and/or caning would be more of a deterrent than the death penalty anyway. I mean if I knew that if I got caught stealing then I was going to be stoned or caned in the town square -- I'd sure think twice... and if it wasn't a deterrent -- all it would take is once and I'd never do it again. Unlike the death penalty which has a deterrent effect of ZERO.
I personally think public humiliation is a MUCH better punishment for crime than the death penalty or incarceration. I mean CLEARLY incarceration is NOT a deterrent... but I bet if we put those same people up in front of their peers, pulled their pants down, and beat their ASS.. well that would be rather humiliating wouldn't it?? It sure worked for me as a kid....
It's not cruel or unusual because parents have been doing it for YEARS....
OK, in all honesty I don't believe in any of the above. I actually think instituting a system of RESTORATIVE JUSTICE would be the best idea for everyone. Our legal system clearly does not work -- forcing people to actually take responsibilities for their actions and have real face-to-face conversations with their victims and being forced to personally view the result of their actions and then having to repair the HARM caused by their actions is the BEST way to go about it... but we Americans sure love our blood-lust and vengeance.
The think that bothers me even more than the firing squad though is the fact that the Utah Attorney General TWEETED about it as it happened. WHAT THE HELL??!! That's just so wrong for so many reasons.... it blows my mind.
What is wrong with people?!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Back from Vaca
Well, I'm back at work after a week off for vacation.
As you can see -- I'm working hard.
I had an enjoyable vacation. It was EXTREMELY nice to be away from work and everyone I work with. Not that I don't love these folks, but when all of my friends either work with or for me it becomes extremely difficult to leave work at the office. Everything is about work.
I don't mind it most of the time, but it was VERY VERY VERY nice to get away from it all.
I dream of the day that I can afford to rent a cabin on a lake or the ocean somewhere for a week or two and just laze and read alone for a week. In my head it's on a quiet lake somewhere with a patio out over the water. I can spend my days sitting out on the patio reading or just enjoying a nice breeze off the water and soaking up the sun. In my head, this perfect vacation is shared with a special someone. SIGH -- someday maybe.
Instead I spent this vacation partially in Michigan and partially in Indiana.
Michigan was fun. I spent the weekend with Erica and Marty and their kiddies. A baby and a toddler certainly add a new element to the visits. They are freakin adorable kids though -- so that made it ok. Did some shopping, some eating, and some drinking. Was a good time. They moved from Ypsi to Plymouth which was nice. I didn't go to campus at all nor did I feel obligated to since it was kind of out of the way. Plymouth has a really neat downtown area and we did go to one of the martini bars there and had a great time, just Erica and Me, catching up on everything that's been going on. I'm horrible at keeping in touch and talking about my life so I must be the worst person to remain friends with from a distance. Bless Erica for hanging on!! I didn't realize how much I miss her. Just hanging out with her doing nothing, she is honestly one of the few people in the world that I am totally comfortable with all the time. And she is such a great mom that it was a pleasure to be around her and the kids. AWESOME!!
The rest of my vacation was with family. I got to see almost all of my aunts and uncles on my dad's side (Sorry I missed you Scott and Jean!!). I even cooked my lasagna for mom and dad one night and got to see my sister.
I didn't want to come back.
I want another week!!!
As you can see -- I'm working hard.
I had an enjoyable vacation. It was EXTREMELY nice to be away from work and everyone I work with. Not that I don't love these folks, but when all of my friends either work with or for me it becomes extremely difficult to leave work at the office. Everything is about work.
I don't mind it most of the time, but it was VERY VERY VERY nice to get away from it all.
I dream of the day that I can afford to rent a cabin on a lake or the ocean somewhere for a week or two and just laze and read alone for a week. In my head it's on a quiet lake somewhere with a patio out over the water. I can spend my days sitting out on the patio reading or just enjoying a nice breeze off the water and soaking up the sun. In my head, this perfect vacation is shared with a special someone. SIGH -- someday maybe.
Instead I spent this vacation partially in Michigan and partially in Indiana.
Michigan was fun. I spent the weekend with Erica and Marty and their kiddies. A baby and a toddler certainly add a new element to the visits. They are freakin adorable kids though -- so that made it ok. Did some shopping, some eating, and some drinking. Was a good time. They moved from Ypsi to Plymouth which was nice. I didn't go to campus at all nor did I feel obligated to since it was kind of out of the way. Plymouth has a really neat downtown area and we did go to one of the martini bars there and had a great time, just Erica and Me, catching up on everything that's been going on. I'm horrible at keeping in touch and talking about my life so I must be the worst person to remain friends with from a distance. Bless Erica for hanging on!! I didn't realize how much I miss her. Just hanging out with her doing nothing, she is honestly one of the few people in the world that I am totally comfortable with all the time. And she is such a great mom that it was a pleasure to be around her and the kids. AWESOME!!
The rest of my vacation was with family. I got to see almost all of my aunts and uncles on my dad's side (Sorry I missed you Scott and Jean!!). I even cooked my lasagna for mom and dad one night and got to see my sister.
I didn't want to come back.
I want another week!!!
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