"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." --Nelson Henderson

So please, sign up for Seattle Works Day if you haven't already.

Yesterday I'm not really sure what I did. I know that I went to the workout...oh, that's right. I interviewed at Starbucks. It went well and I should start next week. It's a big relief to have the prospect of a paycheck. And it will be great for reversing my hermity ways. I certainly won't be bored anymore. For now I'm going to have this be a "second" job, even though I don't technically have a "first" job. But I do have one day's work so far next week, and two days the week after that, so I will have options for more than one source of income. And really, that's what matters at this point.

So today it's Friday. I had a crazy intense dream that started with being in high school, getting lost in the corridors and forgetting about my math class and homework. Very stressful. Then, it turned into an adventure! I was in this trailer, in a woodsy area, and the main characters of Alias were turning on me and I had to escape.

This afternoon I visited the Bellevue library and then went to my old work neighborhood to go for a walk. I don't think I've really done anything else. Ooh, I should be getting my car back next week, finally. And I got started on doing the in-school observation, which is a requirement before the training starts this summer.

I've been thinking about this trip...I keep thinking it might be a mistake to do the drive. It will take about ten tanks of gas (which would be around $300!), plus lodging (though I can try to have stopping points where I know people who could let me bum a night's sleep) and food. It will take at least four days. A plane would cost a hundred dollars and take less than a day. I'm scared to drive in New York City, and I'm even more scared of the parking situation. BUT. I really want to drive across the country! This is the perfect opportunity for it, especially since I want to go to the Perry Point weekend thing before the training starts, and bussing it between NYC and Perryville sucks. And if there are any other daytrips I want to take in New England, I can. So I'm pretty sure that flying would be a better idea, but I'm also pretty sure that I'll drive anyway. Ooh, it's exciting.

Three Questions! Or eight. You pick.

I'm starting on the Big Questions from last week or whenever, beginning with the ones I sent to Raegan. Here goes nothing!

--Looking back on your life, what is your proudest moment thus far?
Graduating from college. That's only ahead of graduating AmeriCorps because college took four times as long. Both of them represent huge achievement to me, in that I stuck with something, through lots of doubts and hard times, but also found huge success and gratification while doing so. Not to mention being challenged and growing immensely as a person and as a student of the world. (Shut up. This is my blog, I can be cheesy if I damn well please. It's not like you're really reading it, anyway.)
--Who are your three favorite comedians? (it's easier if you've been watching Comedy Central lately!)
Ooh, fun. Heh, get it? Yeah, shut up. I think right now I would have to definitely vote for Paula Poundstone and Eddie Izzard, and my third is going to be Dane Cook. He's real funny.
--This one is sort of cheating, because i'm stealing it. apparently it's from The Purpose-Driven Life. "To see what is really important in your life, answer the following question 5 times. 'IT'S JUST LIKE ME TO BE...'"
Here we go.
It's just like me to be...really insecure
It's just like me to be...a nightowl who complains about not getting enough sleep but can't go to bed early.
It's just like me to be...always looking for something better, more interesting and more challenging, that might lead to happiness and security and contentment.
It's just like me to be...with my nose in a book and my ears listening to music.
It's just like me to be...ummm...really weird.

Employed Wednesday

Today was a pretty decent day. The work was easy, I felt important in my suit, and I met some nice people. Hurrah for money.

Tuesday Schmuesday

I woke up at 10, and got ready like normal, even made hot chocolate. Had a message that the repairs on my car will finally commence. I visited some area schools and left my resume for adding to the sub list. It was kind of a gamble, but I feel good about at least putting myself out there. I just heard from one that said they require a teaching certificate and a lengthy background check thing, so it won't work out. I won't hold out on the other one too much either. Happily, I have just made an interview with Starbucks. That might be fun.

I am really getting worried. I need over a thousand dollars by June, and that's not counting bills for May and June, plus costs to get there, eat and other such costly necessities. Shit, shit, shit. Six weeks to earn all that money, without an actual job? Oh my god, it's so hard not to cry out in frustration and desperation when I think about this situation. Patience, grasshopper, patience.

Holy crap, it's seriously windy outside.

Monday Monday, not a Blue Monday

Good afternoon, all. Well, I guess it's almost evening.

I set the alarm for 8 and called the temp agency. They're still trying to find something for me, but I did get work for Wednesday, downtown. So that's something. I'm excited to have anything, really. I didn't really get up (which is AWESOME), and eventually fell back asleep. The phone ringing woke me from a dream involving working with Omarosa at a motel; she was trying to get out of it. Heh. Then I called about my car, and the whole thing is still on hold because the insurance people need to reevaluate something, since the frame shop found more things to replace (shocker!). I walked over to the post office and mailed the letters I wrote on Saturday, then crossed the street and picked up a few groceries, mostly frozen things to have for "real food." Mm, edamame.

In the afternoon, since it was SO warm, my mom and I drove to Redmond, and then headed to Carnation. So pretty and serene. Went to the Tolt river, which was so high that the part of the bank we usually go to was underwater; actually there was no shore/bankline until the spot where the Tolt and the Snoqualmie join. The water was ice cold, of course, so I only got my feet wet (I'm a big Wimpy McLamepants when it comes to getting in cold water), but that was just fine. I lay on a towel on a sandbar and read a book. It was very quiet, since only three other people were at the river. The water bubbled by, the breeze kept it from getting to stifling, all in all very lovely and pleasant. I got a tan/sunburn on my shoulders and back. My legs are still super pasty, though. After we loaded the river rocks into the car (my mom puts them in her garden for paths or something), we stopped at Small Frye's for shakes and curly fries. Yum. Then drove through Preston, to I-90, down 900, and home. A nice afternoon.

I had planned on visiting other nearby Catholic schools to get on their substitute lists. Because someone at the agency had mentioned a three-week assignment, I decided against the school thing. But apparently the assignment didn't work out, so I'll go to at least one of the schools tomorrow. There's one right in downtown Renton. I also have to organize a regular school visit, which is a requirement before going to the training in New York. There's homework to turn in about it. I haven't done homework for three years. Guess I better get used to it.

Boring McBlahville

The other day, I made a little nest out of the upper bunk, like a kind of daybed retreat. I sat up there for most of yesterday afternoon, and some of this afternoon, writing letters and reading (both serious and fun material), even snacking. It was fun. It still involved sitting on my ass, but it was better than sitting on my ass in front of the computer and television. And it made me feel a little bit productive. Sort of. In a really lame way.

This week I hope to pick up my absent vehicle, with the assorted athletic paraphrenalia that suddenly I need but don't have, and work on finding, well, work. I must embrace my inner capitalist whore once again, if only for a short time. I also must work on getting my ass out of the house. I don't want to be a hermit, but I have been too lazy to do anything else. Or actually, do anything at all. Heh. Despite snacking on easter chocolate for most of this week, my body hasn't suffered too much (at least the outside). But I wish I was doing enough "exercise" to offset it...so I'll also be trying to get walking. I wish I could run; I would love to build up my aerobic endurance. Someday, perhaps.

I totally meant to volunteer on Saturday, but with my back acting up on Friday night, I didn't want to be all half-assed with a hammer the next day. So I wimped out. Maybe I'll do it next Saturday, or even find something during the week. Which I really meant to do this week, it being National Volunteer Week or something, and Earth Day was Thursday, and today was the Reproductive Rights March on Washington...but I did nothing. Meh.

At this very moment, I am watching the Comedy Central Bar Mitzvah Special, waiting for a green face mask to dry, wrapped in my favorite blanket in front of the computer. Boy, what a nerd. I promise I'll try to make up for it tomorrow.

Chemistry

Do you know the element used in atomic clocks?

That's the only question I got right on a Difficult quiz about the elements. (See the end for the correct answer.) Even the easier ones weren't as easy for me as I'd like. I guess it's okay that I've gotten dumber.

The week has been so-so. I haven't really gotten out of my hermit-like funk. Wednesday I went into town and picked up some applications. Thursday I went to a local private high school and got onto their substitute list! I'm already signed up for two days in May. Eeee! That's kind of exciting and nerve-racking...but altogether will be a good thing. After that, I turned in a Starbucks application...apparently hell has frozen over. I suppose I won't hold my breath for a call about it, but man, I need money.

Sometime yesterday my back starting hurting. I skipped the workout last night but went tonight...I think it was a mistake, because it's still burning and aching in my lower back. Owww. It makes me walk funny, like I'm either limping or waddling. Hurts really bad. Booooo.

Blah blah blah.

It's cesium, by the way.

The Joy of Travel

I had some photos blown up to add to my gallery display. What's interesting is that they're all from different places: a forest in Bradford, NH; a fruit stand in Paris, France; a bird's eye view of Brugges, Belgium; a sunset over the Gulf Coast near Biloxi, MS; and a sunset at Perry Point, MD. They join photos of a waterfall on the Isle of Skye, Scotland; a statue of Cupid and Psyche from the Louvre; a sunrise in Nafpoli, Greece; the square of Saint Peters' Basilica in the Vatican, Italy; the Cathedral de Notre Dame in Paris; a "street" in Venice, Italy; and the Trevi fountain in Rome, Italy.

Monday Blues

Well, today I pretended to be mildly productive... I went around town, bought some more clearance Easter candy and some fruit. Also got some hair scissors, and came home and cut my hair! It was an interesting thing to do, it was difficult but fun. I think I cut a couple inches; it just brushes past my shoulders, since it's all wavy. It turned out quite well, if I do say so. Nothing too special, but it seems fairly even. Not too shabby. Even the back looks fine, from what I can see with the double mirror trick. All in all, it will do.

I took a nap, and read, and did not much else. Went to the workout, which was okay. Better than the Sunday morning one. But I decided to myself that if it's possible to have situational depression, maybe that's what I'm going through. Sheer lack of anything to do turns into severe boredom and loss of interest in everything. So I just sit around. Not only is nothing appealing, I also don't want to find anything appealing. Which means I'm wallowing. At least it's not quite the same wallow that I used to partake in, wherein I just kept thinking how ugly and irritating and weird and pariah-like I am. There's definitely an element of that now, but mostly I just feel braindead. I'm numbing myself with television and discussion boards. And even sleep. Hardly any books lately, I've slowed way down on real reading.

Well, there you go. Happy freaking Monday.

Look what I found!

Great Old-school stuff! This is so cool.

Saved by the Bell. You know you love it.

Classic Nickelodeon info--some of my favorites, back in the day, were You Can't Do That on Television, Double Dare, Hey Dude, Finders Keepers, Salute your shorts, and sometimes Clarissa Explains it All.

80s t-shirts--from TV, movies, and more

TV Shows out on DVD--Go find your old faves. The other day I saw that Popular is being released in September, and I was ridiculously excited. As thrilled as winning the lottery (well, a small one).

Lethargy of the Mind and Body

That is my self-diagnosis. Sigh.

Friday night I was invited to, and attended, a birthday celebration on a Capital Hill rooftop terrace. It was a gorgeous, though chilly, setting, and I thought I'd be able to conquer my anti-social demons and for once have a good time. Well, that didn't happen. I chatted with a couple people here and there, and everyone was perfectly friendly, but still, I just kind of stood there, eating chips or crackers, unsure of what exactly to do. See, these people are ones I used to work with, and while I like them and all, I apparently don't have anything in common with them. Most of them are friends outside of work, so maybe that's why it's difficult for an 'outsider.' I don't know what the deal is, but I guess I should just learn the lesson.

See, the way I used to be, if I was in a situation like that, where no one was talking to me and I wasn't talking to anyone either, I would be all upset and crying and angry that no one liked me. Thankfully, I have grown out of that, at long last. It doesn't upset me, but I can realize rationally that I am not fitting in, regardless of whose fault it is, and understand that it really is my fault for being too shy and insecure to join a group of people that I find intimidating or just who don't necessarily strike me as kindred spirits.

Saturday morning I was really late to the volunteering at Discovery Park. Fortunately I only missed the introductory stuff, and arrived in time to get in a van. Our Seattle Works group, along with a big group of Boeing volunteers, went to the beach for a clean-up. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and breezy. That beach is the westernmost point of Seattle, and the lighthouse is an original from the 19th century. We were only out there for a couple hours, and for the most part the trash was little bits of styrofoam or plastic, not whole cups or basketballs or whatnot. Though I do believe several tires were found. Anyway, it was neat to wander the beach, inspecting the piles of driftwood for odd colors and textures. I found an intact MAC eyeshadow compact, a pen, and several earplugs, among other things.

Saturday evening I joined the gang in an outing to Bush Gardens, which I hadn't been to since the night of the brawl. I figured it would be a good opportunity to see folks I had been to hermetic to visit lately, and make up for my lack of social skills exhibited the night before. Well. It was nice to see people, but I was a disaster. I just kind of sat there and stared at the wall. My back was to the people singing, so I just kind of spaced out. Happily, two other people indulged my lethargy and we played hangman for most of the night. What a pathetic bore I am! The others seemed to be having a great time, and I was very glad for them. I felt bad that I was a downer in their midst and so I just tried to stay quiet and out of their way.

This morning I awoke after a tiny six hours of sleep to do the launch weekend workout. Again, I just felt blah and my knee was hurting. I winced and faked my way through the twenty minutes of combat, trying not to cry, and so during the break, just went home. I can't get up the energy for anything or anyone lately. I'm not sure what is wrong with me, although the fact that I haven't been eating very much real food is probably partly to blame. But my head is just out of it. I don't think it can be classified as depression, because last week when I was temping, I felt pretty normal. I'm figuring that this lack of routine and not knowing where I'll be or what I'll be doing in two months is just building up in my head, somewhere like a basement, where I don't have to see it all the time but I know it's there, building and building, and eventually it will overflow into...the other rooms of my head. Whatever. But I haven't felt "happy" in quite awhile. Not that I know what "feeling happy" is like, but I know that I haven't been there lately.

I suck.

It's Friday!

Oh my goodness. I am SO sleepy. The Apprentice was on past my bedtime, but of course I had to watch it. It turns out I was rooting for Kwame, so I was disappointed in Bill's win. However, both of them were great sports about it, very professional and mature (which we totally hadn't seen with the women contestants, sadly). Good form.

My temp assignment ended today. Can't say I was sad about it, but it was nice to have a "routine," even if it was short-term and involved a 7:00 alarm. My papercuts and scratches should heal shortly.

Yesterday I was sent home at lunch because there wasn't enough stuff for me to work with. So I sat on my ass and watched tapes of tv from the week. Made it to the workout, in which I was sleepy and blah. Until, of course, the triceps track. Then, my friends, it was ON. Me and my triceps, we are a fabulous team. I love them and they love me. My arms are impressive, people. Y'all know that I am the lamest person in the world when it comes to self-confidence and esteem, but I have come to really appreciate my nice ass and my nice arms. Good thing, too, because in the latest batch of pictures I have, my lazy eyelid is in top form. And actually, that eye was twitching last night. Hmm.

At one point in a dream last night, I was bitching at someone (in response to their bitching at me), and I was speaking in an accent. I knew I was using an accent, and that it was kind of obnoxious to keep doing it, but I just couldn't stop. Fun. Hurrah for accents.

Tomorrow is National Youth Service Day! What are you doing to help make the world a better place?

I'm sure I had other things to say, but I am exhausted. 'Night.

Observations of The World Around Us

Motto on a church sign: Win, Build, Send

Subject line on spam email touting eBay: make a fortune while sitting on your butt

Food for Thought

I want everyone who reads this to ask me 3 questions, no more no less (please). Ask me anything you want. Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends (including myself) to ask you anything. (Although, since I don't have livejournal like the others, I'd have to get things in an email, and then copy and paste into here. That's kind of a downer.)

This is taken from Raegan's site. Because I am a whore for material, here are my questions as well as the questions that people have already asked in response to this prompt. Think about your own answers, and stay tuned for my answers! Fun! Interactive internet!

Here are the questions I posted to Rae:
--Looking back on your life, what is your proudest moment thus far?
--Who are your three favorite comedians? (it's easier if you've been watching Comedy Central lately!)
--This one is sort of cheating, because i'm stealing it. apparently it's from The Purpose-Driven Life. "To see what is really important in your life, answer the following question 5 times. 'IT'S JUST LIKE ME TO BE...'"

inertiam
April 14th, 2004 - 07:26 pm (Link)
Of all the things you typically fail to notice, what would you have it that you noticed more often?
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
In your estimation, what do you think your best qualities are?

nektar
2004-04-14 11:04 (link)
! What was the last thing you ate?
@ Are you going back to school soon or what, dammit?
# If you were to live in another country for a month, leaving right now, where would you go?

Once Again, I'll Play Nice
i_dread
2004-04-14 11:23 (link)
1. Are all your socks black?
2. What is your greatest fear?
3. What brings you joy?

occhiaperti
2004-04-14 11:28 (link)
what is the worst thing you've ever heard?
what do you consider to be extremely funny?
what is the meaning of life (according to you)?


desdemonhu
2004-04-14 11:53 (link)
-What is your quest?
-What is your favorite color?
-What is the air speed-velocity of an unladden swallow (african)? Or, if you don't want to answer that one, what did you think of high school?

rustedlemon
2004-04-14 14:20 (link)
1) If you had to give up all of your passions for one, what would it be?
2) Pick your favorite day of the week. Why is that your favorite day?
3) If there was one thing you could change in the people and the world around you, what would it be?

Cosmic Justice?

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
For the week of April 7-13:
Stage a jailbreak. The astrological soil is just wet enough to allow a spoon-dug tunnel beneath the razor-wire-topped outer walls and attack hounds of your internal prison, but not so moist and muddy that it’ll collapse and bury you utterly. Don’t hesitate, Scorp. True, you’ve been “inside” so long that the outside world may seem really big and scary. You might be worried that you no longer have enough resilience or flexibility to be effective out there. Forget that ludicrousness. If I were you, the only thing that’d concern me is getting out before the guard tower spotlight sweeps by again.

from the Seattle Weekly


Well, I know I have been watching too much television, because last night in a dream, the people from Law & Order: SVU were investigating something with Donald Trump. Who's planning on being glued to the television for three full hours on Thursday? That's right, I am! How's that for an internal prison?

Happily, I did get a break: I was assigned a temp job, at the new Bellevue branch of my old mortgage company. Today was my second day, I will go back tomorrow, and possibly Friday. The work is pretty dull, but money is a pretty motivating factor for me at the moment. And it's miles better than scoring tests on a computer.

My life is boring. And since it was cosmically ordained, I don't have to feel so bad about it. Heh. So now I have reasons to get out of bed in the morning and will have a paycheck to show for it.

Wait just a goddamn minute. Scooby Doo 2 is the number one movie in America? Oh my good lord. There are no words for my disbelief and disgust, etc.

Lazy Days of Sunny Spring

Yesterday was the most lame of the lame days this week. I sat around, on my ass, some more. Was talking to Rae about going out, and I couldn't even muster the drive to pick a place and get my lazy ass out the freaking door.

This morning was fun (happy Easter, all you Christian-types) because, under a gorgeous clear blue sky and the perfect view of Mount Rainier, we had an Easter egg hunt! Now, please feel free to call me silly and immature and all that, but how can you not love egg hunts? It didn't last very long, and we couldn't find six of them, but still, good, old-fashioned fun.

After I got home, I decided to go for a drive (something I'd contemplated doing on Friday, but was too damn lazy). Opened my atlas and figured Leavenworth might be a fun try. So up I drove, 405 to 522 to 2. When it had been about an hour, and the sign proclaiming Leavenworth to be another 73 miles, I decided that I was too bored, sleepy and almost numb in the butt to finish. Happily, soon after, there was a sign for a state park. Thus I turned off and entered Wallace Falls State Park. Someday I'll have to go back there whilst prepared to actually see the falls. As it was, I 'trekked' a trail that went along the rushing stream which presumably the Falls, uh, falls into. Can I just say that crystal-clear water streaming over boulders is one of the most delightful things on this earth? The sky was still clear and blue, the trees were very green, the sun was shining through the canopy.

The drive up, in parts, reminded me very strongly of driving around New Hampshire. Do you guys remember when we decided to explore some of the roads near New London (I think?) and found the park? It was just like that. And being in the forest was similar to the Olympic National Forest; everything was coated in moss. I think that's why the "moss grows on the north side" adage always confused me; around here, if there's moss on something, it's covering it.

From the park I toured south on 203, through Duvall and Carnation. Made a quick stop at Small Fryes, of course, to get some big seasoned fries and a yummy milkshake. Tasty.

New Alias tonight!!

BORING, and LAZY

Today was even more boring than the rest of the week. I did make some important phone calls, and sat in the sun reading, but other than that I sat on my ass. My knee bothered me last night and today, so I didn't even work out. Gosh, I suck.

A Day in the Life of an Unemployed Twentysomething

These are the productive things I did today, in order of chronology, not importance:
*slept almost twelve hours.
*took a half-hour walk around the neighborhood
*cruised around online job classifieds and emailed some resumes
*called in a claim to my insurance to take care of the repairs...so I'll only be out the $500 deductible and an increased premium for the next three years (I had an extra discount because of my clean driving record. Dammit.)
*went to both workouts, although I pretty much faked kickboxing.

The rest of the day was lame-o. Not really sure what I did actually, other than those things above. I did get to catch up with Jeopardy (my friend, not the show. duh). Oh, and of course I watched the Apprentice. Omarosa is a pathologically-lying weirdo, Katrina sucks, and I can't decide to root for Kwame or Bill.

Lalala. I am bored and boring. Tralala. BORING!!!

Haha, okay, I admit it, I am an idiot! Stop kicking me, I'm already down! Universe, stop it!

My car will cost over $1500 to fix, so I'm going to have to get the insurance company involved. Is there a statute of limitations to report accidents stemming from acts of God? I really hope not, because otherwise I am screwed even more than I thought.

Didn't get the restaurant gig that I thought was a sure thing. So yeah, I gave up two weeks of good pay because I was too confident. Just goes to show what happens when you get cocky with your hooks and ponds. No more philosophical rambling about destiny and things always working out. I have a tiny hope that I may still be able to get the two-week gig, or the new temp agency I signed up with might find something.

See, it's not that I'm hurting for money, per se, at least for now. I have two paychecks (albeit small ones) coming from the stupid "job," and that will cover my bills and such for the next month or so. My worry is the saving of money. Having no income and living in New York City scares me to pieces. I feel like time is running out, if I'm to leave in the beginning of June or even late May. (See, if I decide to not do the teaching thing, I still would like to go out east and work at TrailBlazers for the summer.) I have less than two months to get/earn/save as much money as possible. The 2nd job, though a fabulous idea in theory, is pretty unappealing and I think I will abandon it for now. I don't like being deceitful to (potential) employers; it's not lying if I never say that I will stay there for a certain period of time, but it's not telling the whole truth. Y'all know I'm too much of an honest weirdo to be comfortable with that.

It doesn't help that I am in a strange limbo frame of mind. I don't think it qualifies as depressed, or even bored to tears yet. As much as I'm enjoying the freedom of not having to get up and go to a job everyday, it is boring and I am awfully unproductive.

Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish. -- Ovid (taken from Random Acts of Journaling)

In reading other people's blogs, mine suddenly feels awfully cold and listlike. Like a glorified dayplanner rather than a Journal. See, I get all shy about letting that stuff out in the "open," even though I know there's no one really out there. You know? So from hereon I pledge to write more introspectively.

Well, anyway, I came across that quotation and it is a perfect summation for my outlook on life. Well, one of them, anyhow. Even though I freak out about everything, overanalyze things and have too many breakdowns, I have to think that there is a reason for everything that happens. My life, and I presume other people's, is what it is because of a series of chance-like events. I took a huge leap by quitting my job, and things have really worked out amazingly so far. They always do; something will always come along. There are always fish.

One of the tools that AmeriCorps gave us was lots of opportunity to think about "Life After AmeriCorps." There was a booklet called "Next Steps" which detailed resume information and exercises to refine what skills you had and what skills you wanted to use, what kind of work you were looking for, and ways to start accomplishing those. It was fascinating and difficult. Here is what I wrote about "Values, Skills, Interests and Personal Considerations," regarding my ideal job, back in the latter half of 2002. There was a more specific prompt, something along the lines of, what kind of job do you want? what skills will you bring to the job? what are the requirements for the kind of job you want?

"I want a job where I can make a difference, where I can work in a variety of projects, both alone and cooperatively, where I can travel and meet new people, where I can be a leader and speak to audiences about exciting (to me) topics.
"I will bring to this job flexibility, an authentic and responsible manner, organization, trustworthiness and dedication; creativity, leadership/educating skills, and editing skills; a passion for public speaking, travel, and cultural appreciation.
"I love being able to speak in front of audiences, travel to new places and meet people. I am an Enterprising Social Holland type, one who likes to lead and work with people.
"I would love to relocate to a new community (but it's not a requirement), earn at least $23,000, and have adequate medical/dental/vision coverage."

Now, here is the list I made of qualities I wanted in a job for the immediate future, rather than the idealistic stuff above. I (grossly exaggerated) calculated that I would have $1800 in expenses per month, and so would need a salary of around $24,000. Ah, to be young and silly.

"Sustainable income--to support housing, food, car, entertainment
Don't need much professional experience
Can accommodate school
Fulfilling
Not boring"

Quite the opposite set of criteria, eh? Two years ago, I knew that I had lofty goals but was willing to forgo them for the time being, just to get on my feet. I pretty much accomplished that one, and now I will pursue my real life goals. It's pretty amazing that the teaching fellowship and the team leadership both fit well into that goal statement (and will pay better!). That I've stuck to my guns, so to speak, and, in essence, followed a dream. I hope it's a good idea.

Cake does a body good, y'all. It would do you good to remember that.

So I'm here. The moving is done, but I need to still unpack boxes here and clean there.

On the job front: I've had a couple interviews at a restaurant in Southcenter, the final one is tomorrow. The temp agency found me a two week assignment, but I chose to forgo it for the restaurant training (my rationale was that lower pay for a longer period of time was better than higher pay for two weeks. I hope I did the right thing.). I just signed up with a second agency and will talk to them tomorrow. My poorly-aligned car will be looked at tomorrow, too. My hope for the future is to find temp jobs and work at the restaurant on evenings and weekends. Money, money, money!

I HATE MOVING.

I've got the bulk of the stuff out, all the boxes and clothes...now it's just the computer/tv/stereo, the food in the fridge, and all the random crap spread all over the place. Rrrr. And that's just the getting everything out of here, I can't even think about organizing everything in my new room.

It is a gorgeous day today, it's definitely spring. Lovely warm sunshine.

I did the double workouts on Tuesday and Thursday, and I have not been sore from either, which is kind of shocking. Next week I'll have to increase my weights. That will make me sore for sure.

Adieu from my apartment! And adieu to my apartment!

Guess what. Tomorrow will be my last day at that stupid "job." I decided that one full week was far too much for me as it is, and I shan't put up with it anymore. So there. Strangely, it's gotten better...I just have devised ways to keep myself occupied. I play with my hair or braid it, doodle in my Care Bears notebook, practice writing with the wrong hand (print and cursive), go over the times tables (I spent a good part of yesterday afternoon putting those together--all the way to 20!), write notes of things to do, future plans, etc, or stretch. It's pretty silly, if you think about it. I still am "meeting the numbers," and my accuracy levels are up. But geez, what a stupid job. Seriously, filing all day, raking all day, ANYthing is better and more interesting than this. Ugh.

By the way, here are the variations of spellings of the word "tardy" that I have read so far: tardie (that's the most popular one, even more than 'tardy'; I almost forget that it's wrong), trady, trade, tarded, tartie, tarty (that one makes me giggle), tarte, tradie, tard, tardi. Don't get me started on the misspellings of words like "silent" and "detention" etc. Please, friends, teach your children to spell properly. I beg you!

This weekend (oh god, why wasn't today Friday?), I shall move. Saturday will hopefully be the bulk of it. Sunday I will clean and organize. Monday I shall go look for work! I'll start with the restaurants. Sigh, what a chore. I will sound like a brat here, but I don't WANNA get a second job! I don't WANNA go back to the food service industry! Don't wanna, don't wanna! WAAH!

Ahem. I'll return to my 'grown-up' voice now.