Pet Peeve

I think everyone is fairly aware that the job I'm in right now is not my dream job; it is just a transitional position until I can get my alternative teaching certificate. Even so, I do this job to the absolute BEST of my ability - which has in turn gotten me promoted when I had not even been there six months - promoted before I even had benefits. I'm not saying this to gloat - but to help prove my point about one of my completely unmotivated co-workers. Before some of my office co-workers gave him the nickname "monkey," my personal, only in my head, nickname for this individual was Eeyore. He walks around like Eeyore - slowly lumbering through the office - with his down-turned face - and no one likes me attitude...well in truth not many people do like him because of his utter LACK of work ethic. Now, to be fair when I first started working there this guy was initially friendly - and I in turn was friendly until I kept getting burned by his complete disregard for paying attention to his work. His job is to sort records - not a fun job by far, but not a complicated job either. He sorts them in chronological order, scans them, and either mails or emails them to the assigned physician - all of which I give him explicit directions to accomplish because this guy is incapable of taking any sort of initiative or using a silly little thing like intuition to figure out how to solve a problem - and no he is not a learning disabled individual. So, when he invariably manages to screw up like shipping the wrong records to the wrong doctor - rather than handling his mistake like a responsible human being - he comes to my office to see if I will clean up his mess. And his "mistakes" (read unparalleled laziness) typically end up making me look bad since everyone is looking to me to get these peers out on time in order for us to get the reports back by the deadline. Thus, I feel that Eeyore is pretty good label for this whiny, lazy worker.

Just checked my work e-mail to access a link that a friend sent me while at work - a link that I didn't look at while at work because it goes against work policy, and silly girl that I am I also decided to open an actual work e-mail from my boss to find that yet again - I've probably been burned by this very same lazy co-worker. I am not sure why this person continues to have a job after ALL of the "mistakes" that he continually makes in a job that should be quite simple and does not really require any real responsibility or stress on his part. And of course tomorrow, if these records that should have been printed off by him last Thursday end up "missing" it will fall to me because on top of all the other stuff that I am now supposed to be monitoring on top of all the new things that I am learning and doing - I have to make sure that he actually does his freaking job. I DO NOT have TIME to sit around and babysit this lazy worker and get my own job done, and make sure that my team is meeting their responsibilities - he's not even part of my team but his lack of pride in his work directly affects how me and my team are able to do our jobs. When this kind of stuff happens with him, I want to BEAT HIM.

Deep breaths...deep breaths...must find my happy place now

It's a Reality Summer

There's not much to watch in the way of scripted television this summer, and granted I could be more studious and choose to read rather than watch TV. However, after working HARD at a job that is - well - just a job, not exactly my favorite thing to do - and a little bit stressful with this crazy economy...when I get home the last thing I want to do is read, even for escapism. I'm much too lazy for that. Thus, I have turned to reality TV, not my favorite but it does fulfill my natural voyeristic tendencies. Having majored in psychology, I enjoy people-watching, seeing how people interact with one another and present themselves.

The first of my summer reality shows - yes, I confess - I am watching another season of The Bachelorette. After watching Deanna pick the wrong guy a year ago...and then watching Jason become super jerk...I am now watching Gillian be blinded by the singing and southern charm (gag) of Wes (who unfortunately is from my home state, TX - so disappointing). And tonight she sent home three other Texans - one who is a great guy, Jake; one who is a great guy but a little too young and aimless, Robby; and one who is probably a great guy, but is overshadowed by his annoying foot fetish, Tanner P. But she kept Wes...ugh...I want to punch this guy in the face, kick him in the shins, tar and feather him and tie him up by his ankles. Can you tell that I don't like this guy? He is solely on the show to further his lame music career - and let's be honest - he's not that good, there's a reason he hasn't produced an album yet. And the show only plays one line of this song he's supposedly written "for Gillian" - pretty sure it's for any woman who will buy his schtick. As for the other guys she has left to choose from, they all seem fairly okay - it'll be interesting to see how the home dates go and get a glimpse into the families of these guys - although it looks like song-boy Wes introduces her to - surprise - his band as opposed to his family...ugh...cannot stand this jerk.

I'll introduce you to my next reality addiction tomorrow...sleepy time now

And so the adventure continues...

Having been back to Houston for Memorial Day weekend and being thoroughly chastised for not having updated my blog since adopting Suzie, here is my update:

Work: Thanks to my wonderful, long-time friend Robin - I interviewed for a position with the Dallas branch of the company she works for in December and began working in January. I am now entrenched in the thrilling world of insurance adjusters and attorneys as I schedule and assign doctors to review medical records for work comp and auto liability claims...yes, that is sarcasm - however, I am absolutely grateful to have a job in this crazy economy and while this is not my favorite thing to do, apparently my boss is appreciative of my work ethic and is already looking to promote me to a team leader position. Do not be afraid - this will not deter me from my overall goal - to quote Jim from "The Office": "Because right now, this is a job. If I advance any higher, this would be my career. And if this were my career, I'd have to throw myself in front of a train." There you have it...thus my next topic...

Alternative Teaching Certification: This process is going to take a bit longer than I had originally hoped, but I am not giving up. The summer session that I wanted to take ended up being a week long intensive from 9am - 4pm each day - which considering I do not have any vacation days (just a few "personal" days that accrue each month), I can't really take off a week from work to go to the classes. Also, Texas changed part of their alternative certification requirements at the beginning of this year where the applicants have to complete all 30 of their observation hours prior to beginning teaching. Thus, on top of still needing to take the courses and obtaining the observation hours - in all likelihood I will not begin my teaching career until the fall of 2010. Which, that's really not too bad. Right now I'm in the process of getting my college transcript sent to the Texas Teachers program and studying for the exam, so that I may begin the classes this fall. Also, I should receive some vacation time at the beginning of next year which will more easily allow me to obtain some of my observation hours. Observing a classroom for a full day equals 8 hours, as well as opportunities to tutor, the hours should add up fairly quickly.

Church: I visited two churches, which I realize is not exactly an array to choose from but it's still more than the one I visited and attended when I moved to Kentucky - this time I at least gave myself an option...I visited The Village with the Altendorf sisters. Many may know this as the church where Matt Chandler is the pastor. It is a rather large church with five services and full of many people in my age group; it is missional and truth centered - but I wasn't quite feeling it. All those people around my age - well it felt a tiny bit like a meat market for the pretty people. Granted, I didn't really attempt to get involved, and only visited one home group - which I actually liked because it was an all-girls group - it just was not for me. At the same time I was visiting that church on Sunday evenings - I would visit 121 Community Church on Sunday mornings. 121 almost immediately felt like home - that's pretty much what sold me. It was hard that first Sunday to get up and go there all by myself (at The Village, I could at least attend with one or both of the Altendorf sisters), but I have gotten to the point where I miss 121 on the Sundays I am unable to attend. I have visited one LifeGroup so far, full of older single women who have been precious to me as they are almost all teachers - and have been an amazing help as I continue on towards my goal of teaching. Knowing that I also need to engage with other people in my age group, I intend to visit another LifeGroup that meets on another evening and is a mixed group. That is one of many things I like about this church, the LifeGroups are organized by women's, men's, mixed, and couples. There are not any "singles" groups, so we are mixed in with people of all ages for the most part - couples and singles alike. Also, this church has a very distinct missions approach with missions in our community, in the US, and abroad. I am looking into a way to get involved in the local missions by helping out with the middle school girls with 121's La Communidad group on Monday evenings. I just have one more step to go in the process of becoming a member of 121 - which I feel very comfortable with calling my new church home.

That is pretty much all the "news" I have up to this point. I promise to regale you with stories of my current job soon...I have a co-worker who I often want to beat up because of his utter laziness and lack of attention to detail, or really just his lack of attention to his actual job - so pray for me!

Introducing: Suzie Q!

I love dogs. Grown up with dogs my whole life. Dog-sat for co-workers at each of my previous jobs. I love dogs. However, I have not had a dog of my very own. Granted my little Grace was as close to being my own dog as any up to this point, but still she has to live with mom. This past weekend, I adopted my very own dog. She's a sweetheart. Only 4 years old, potty-trained (praise Jesus), past the chewing up furniture (and baseboards) stage, super cuddly, loves to go on her walks, doesn't really bark or lick...she's pretty great. She's got a pretty intense case of separation anxiety, but considering she's lived in at least two other households before mine and she's only 4 years old - can't really blame her. Hopefully, as we get into a routine that will begin to fade a bit. And right now she's not terribly interested in playing with her toys, but again as she grows more comfortable in her new setting, she will likely begin to loosen up and play with the toys. Oh, and I bet you're dying to see a pic of her - so here ya go!

New Apartment (again)

For those eager to see my new digs (...uh, that would be you miss Becca)...here is a picture collage:


I'm really enjoying the faux wood floors - that and the fireplace seem to give it a very homey feeling. Plus, love my brand new kitchen appliances...as you can tell by the kitchen pics, I love to cook but not quite as good at keeping up with the clean up afterward. The bedroom is enormous with a every woman's favorite walk-in closet, which is one of many closets in this apartment...there's an entry closet near the front door, a hall closet between my bedroom and bathroom, a linen closet in the bathroom, and a storage closet out on the balcony...yep my sister is quite envious of all my storage. And did you notice the built in book shelves right as you enter the apartment?! love it! And my sister would like you to know that she was the creative guru who decorated that whole bookshelf.

Overdue

Update, update, update...

I'm still not in the writing mood, but I also know that an update is LONG overdue - especially considering my last post was made when I was still living in Kentucky! Yikes...

For those who may be a little confused, I moved from Kentucky back to Texas, although this time it was destination Dallas. After a year of not quite being able to figure out my role at City on a Hill, it was time for me to take a deeper look at what I wanted out of a job. It became obvious that for most of my adult life I had stuck with jobs that I knew I could do and did not create much of a challenge for me. Up to this point, I did not think I had much room to try anything new in regards to a career because I felt more concerned with just being able to get by in supporting myself financially. As I faced the reality that just because I could do a job well did not mean that I enjoyed doing that job, God used this past year to help me figure out what career might be something that I would actually enjoy doing as well as be a challenge for me. As I conversed with Him on about what this might be, teaching kept coming to the forefront on my mind. For many years I have loved working with students in the youth group. Having led several small groups for middle and high school girls, I have glimpsed at the impact a teacher can have in a student's life. Yet, even in these small groups, I was more of a discussion leader than an actual teacher, which poses part of the challenge that would be in store for me as a teacher. Public speaking has never been my forte and somewhat terrifies me at times, but sharing with students something that I am passionate about doesn't seem quite so daunting. In the next few months, it is my goal to begin working on my alternative teaching certificate which is mostly why I made the move back to Texas. In Texas, there are MANY programs available to those who have already earned a Bachelor's degree to pursue an alternative teaching certification without having to earn a Master's degree.

Why did I choose Dallas over moving back to Houston? For one thing, Houston's allergy quotient does not agree with my sinus cavities. Two, as much as I love my mom - it would not be good for me to be that close to her geographically - physical distance is a boundary that must be in place for our relationship to continue in a healthy direction. I know that sounds odd and contradictory, but in my dysfunctional family's case it is very true. Three, I have family here that I am just now getting the opportunity to connect with - including the great-aunt who allowed me to live with her when I first moved here. Plus, my little sis lives just an hour and a half away, and my Corpus relatives make plenty of trips up here to visit my aunt's in-laws. All-around, Dallas is a great place for me to be geographically and relationally with my family.

That's about all the update I've got in me this evening...oh, wait one more thing - I absolutely LOVE my new apartment in Dallas. I am in this super cute complex that is older, but the interior of the units have been renovated with faux wood floors in all the rooms except the bedroom, ceiling fans in the living room and bedroom with lights (which is big because my apartment in Louisville did not have that feature), and brand new kitchen appliances (which is huge because I love cooking up a storm in the kitchen - and it is a storm because there are typically dirty dishes always in my sink...and on the counter....and probably on the stove top too). After moving here, I've felt a bit like Goldilocks with my previous apartments. The first one was really nice, but a little cramped in my bedroom for my bed and desk and night tables. The apartment in Louisville was a great deal, but ultimately I didn't have need for a two bedroom and was obviously too large. This one is just right for all of my furniture and decorations. Everything seems to have adopted it's place immediately in my new apartment - and it was the quickest I've ever gotten unpacked. In about a week and a half everything was out of boxes and ready for visitors...(hint, hint.....should anyone decide they need to come check it out for themselves - hotel Kristy is open for business :-) ) Granted, I did have some help from my sis, but even she was impressed with how much I had done the week before she arrived to help.

I'm feeling a bit better about being back in the blogging world now......and I know Miss Becca will keep on me (as I asked her) to make sure I keep updating this little 'ole blog with ponderings and just all around general updates like this one.....picks of the fabulous apartment to come, but now I am off to dreamland!