Well, it's been over a week, and I guess I'm okay enough about my news to write about it without too much emotion. I found out last Wednesday that I'm being laid off. What a blow. In spite of not really enjoying my job, I was grateful to have a job, and one that allowed me to pay my bills (and save a little) without trouble. I've been looking for about 2 years, on and off, without much success. I was taking a break in hopes that the economy would improve, but now my job hunt has started again in earnest. I have to confess, I feel a little panicky-the economy has not improved since I got this job, if anything, I feel that it's worse. Talking to people has reminded me that there are options out there, but there are also a lot of other people who want to take advantage of the same opportunities.
Some days are good and some are bad. I think the strangest thing has been the reactions of some of my coworkers. The people I work with closely are sympathetic and supportive, which I greatly appreciate! There are others that I know only peripherally, that usually say hello in the hall and chat a bit. Many of them have started treating me like I've contracted leprosy. They don't make eye contact, and sometimes it seems like they're trying to avoid me. Lay-offs aren't contagious, and though they are probably as shocked as I am and scared for their jobs, it's hard to have them treat me differently. Over all, I think I'm dealing with the news pretty well. I have just over two months until my last official day of work, and I'm cautiously optimistic about finding something else. Thanks for your support so far, please keep your ears open about any opportunities!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Memories
This comic reminded me of the time I was on crutches at BYU...I was walking (crutching?) to family home evening with my roommates. One of them told me to slow down. I told her I wouldn't because the speed I was at was the resonance frequency for my body as a pendulum on the crutches. Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but I just have.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Temptation
I think the ad banners online are taunting me. I saw this today:
While I have some trips in the planning stages, it's hard to not want a visit to the southern hemisphere to visit friends there!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Friday is coming...
I love having something to look forward to, even if it's a little something. I have a date on Friday. A date with someone that I'm really excited to go out with! That being said, this week will probably pass slower than molasses in winter time.
Meanwhile, Matthew suggested I buy a pair of Nike Presto running shoes. I ordered them from Amazon, and picked them up from the apartment office yesterday. Unfortunately, I picked them up on my way back from my run, so I haven't officially tried them out yet. However, I did wear them to work today, and my feet are in heaven. I asked Matthew how I ever lived without these shoes-they are so comfortable. The advertisement that called them the t-shirt for your feet was not kidding. I never want to take them off-I think I could sleep in them! Now I know why he was so devastated a few years back when Nike stopped making them, and why he was so thrilled they are once again making them. I bought a second pair today, just in case they stop making them again (and because I don't think they're really making the womens Presto again-it was just lucky that some place in the UK had a couple of pairs in my size).
Meanwhile, Matthew suggested I buy a pair of Nike Presto running shoes. I ordered them from Amazon, and picked them up from the apartment office yesterday. Unfortunately, I picked them up on my way back from my run, so I haven't officially tried them out yet. However, I did wear them to work today, and my feet are in heaven. I asked Matthew how I ever lived without these shoes-they are so comfortable. The advertisement that called them the t-shirt for your feet was not kidding. I never want to take them off-I think I could sleep in them! Now I know why he was so devastated a few years back when Nike stopped making them, and why he was so thrilled they are once again making them. I bought a second pair today, just in case they stop making them again (and because I don't think they're really making the womens Presto again-it was just lucky that some place in the UK had a couple of pairs in my size).
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Good Morning
I had a very satisfying morning today. Since I haven't written in a while, I thought I'd share. A friend last night was teasing me about not inviting him to join a group of us who went dancing Friday night. While I maintain that I did invite him, he just wasn't paying attention, I asked what I could do to make it up to him. He replied "Food." So we had breakfast this morning. I made bacon (what's breakfast without bacon?) and waffles, and he brought some strawberries to top them with. We ate and chatted. When we were done with the food, he asked what I'd been studying in my Scriptures. I answered him, and got up to grab them. He pulled them up on his phone, and since they wouldn't load, used my extra set. We talked for over an hour about things we'd learned and questions we had. It was wonderful-I haven't done something like that since Australia, and I've been missing it a lot lately. What a beautiful way to start out my Sabbath!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Why?
Because I can take it, I guess. I just thought I'd write about my past week...
Last Monday-went to have Hal's AC checked...the compressor was leaking. They can't just replace the leaky seal, they have to replace the whole compressor. By the time everything was fixed, they had also replaced the thermal fan compressor, and I was out about $1200, but going without AC in Texas in the summer time is out of the question-I would be completely representable by the time I got anywhere. Because I spent so much time with the lovely folks at Midas, I missed my soccer game.
Tuesday I was working on a new assay at work. I've been trained, but it was several weeks ago. Our workload kept changing, and it was finally time for me to run the assay alone. Day one was a little hairy. I interrupted one of my work mates to help me a couple of times, but finally made it through the day.
Wednesday was day two of the new assay. I called tech support twice. My supervisor came in and asked me if I could finish all of the plates by next Friday. I asked if I could run the assay again before giving him an answer, as I wanted to be a little more comfortable with the protocol before saying yes or no. He agreed, and I finished my stressful first time on the assay successfully. Then I went to Institute. A welcome break from the stress of the beginning of the week.
Thursday was the shining star-no cavities at the dentist, we won our soccer game, and I went to a concert with a friend. Not really my usual type of music; I think I liked the opening band more than the main event, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Watching the people at the concert was as enjoyable as the concert itself-I find group dynamics fascinating.
Friday was my second time with day two of the new assay. I think I spent at least 3 hours on the phone with tech support. Bottom line, one of our instruments is broken, and they're supposed to call me today to set up an appointment to come fix it. This means there's no way I can make my deadline, which was possible before the instrument trouble started. I left work around 6, and made it home just in time to meet Gerti to go see Thor (which made my day a little better!). Then I headed to the dance at church. There's a guy here for a few weeks who taught ballroom in Tennessee, and I was dying to know how good he was. We danced a lot...rumba, foxtrot, samba, hustle...my night was made (mostly...seeing the guy I've had my eye on show up with someone else was a little downer). The only thing that could have made it better was a waltz! Additionally, someone else asked me to teach him to dance-I'm looking forward to it immensely. I hope he's serious. Some of us then headed to the riverwalk to show around the guys from Austin. It was a really, really late night for me.
Saturday I went to work. I accomplished what I could and headed home to find mouse droppings in my kitchen. Never have I seen nor heard a mouse in my apartment, but obviously there is one. I put all of my silverware in the dishwasher and laid out by the pool for a while. I got a text message from the friend I was supposed to go to the rodeo with that night saying he wasn't able to go. I went to the designated meeting point just in case anyone else showed up-Vanessa was there. We decided to see a movie instead, and saw Water for Elephants, which I didn't like at all. Watching people and animals be abused is not my idea of quality entertainment. I came home to more mouse droppings and went to bed.
Sunday morning I discovered that my kitchen sink has been leaking. The paper towels I had stored there were soaked and moldy. I emptied the cupboard and surveyed the damage. The cupboard and wall underneath were moldy, and there were some insects down there. I got the raid, and sprayed them. I think only one died, and I set about trying to clean up (I was expecting people for breakfast in about a half hour). I did what I could, and covered the mold with bleach wipes, making a mental note to call about it Monday morning. Church was good, and I went home and talked to an old friend and my brother on the phone before going to bed.
I woke up (late) today to a giant roach in my living room. I went for the broom and dustpan, and swept him up to discover that he was alive, not dead! Opening the door to my porch, I tossed him out as quickly as possible. I changed, fed Gus and ran out the door to head to work. Just as I reached the car I realized that Sunday night was a baby shower I was meant to attend and completely forgot about.
I thought bad things came in groups of three, but by my count I'm up to nine. It's a multiple if three, so does that make it over? Meanwhile, I've remembered that counting my blessings is a great way to forget about all of the bad things that happen in life. I have good friends who are willing to help me out, a job, enough money to be able to afford and expensive car repair, stability, health, faith, talents, and a wonderful supportive family. Life is good, even if it gets frantic sometimes.
Last Monday-went to have Hal's AC checked...the compressor was leaking. They can't just replace the leaky seal, they have to replace the whole compressor. By the time everything was fixed, they had also replaced the thermal fan compressor, and I was out about $1200, but going without AC in Texas in the summer time is out of the question-I would be completely representable by the time I got anywhere. Because I spent so much time with the lovely folks at Midas, I missed my soccer game.
Tuesday I was working on a new assay at work. I've been trained, but it was several weeks ago. Our workload kept changing, and it was finally time for me to run the assay alone. Day one was a little hairy. I interrupted one of my work mates to help me a couple of times, but finally made it through the day.
Wednesday was day two of the new assay. I called tech support twice. My supervisor came in and asked me if I could finish all of the plates by next Friday. I asked if I could run the assay again before giving him an answer, as I wanted to be a little more comfortable with the protocol before saying yes or no. He agreed, and I finished my stressful first time on the assay successfully. Then I went to Institute. A welcome break from the stress of the beginning of the week.
Thursday was the shining star-no cavities at the dentist, we won our soccer game, and I went to a concert with a friend. Not really my usual type of music; I think I liked the opening band more than the main event, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Watching the people at the concert was as enjoyable as the concert itself-I find group dynamics fascinating.
Friday was my second time with day two of the new assay. I think I spent at least 3 hours on the phone with tech support. Bottom line, one of our instruments is broken, and they're supposed to call me today to set up an appointment to come fix it. This means there's no way I can make my deadline, which was possible before the instrument trouble started. I left work around 6, and made it home just in time to meet Gerti to go see Thor (which made my day a little better!). Then I headed to the dance at church. There's a guy here for a few weeks who taught ballroom in Tennessee, and I was dying to know how good he was. We danced a lot...rumba, foxtrot, samba, hustle...my night was made (mostly...seeing the guy I've had my eye on show up with someone else was a little downer). The only thing that could have made it better was a waltz! Additionally, someone else asked me to teach him to dance-I'm looking forward to it immensely. I hope he's serious. Some of us then headed to the riverwalk to show around the guys from Austin. It was a really, really late night for me.
Saturday I went to work. I accomplished what I could and headed home to find mouse droppings in my kitchen. Never have I seen nor heard a mouse in my apartment, but obviously there is one. I put all of my silverware in the dishwasher and laid out by the pool for a while. I got a text message from the friend I was supposed to go to the rodeo with that night saying he wasn't able to go. I went to the designated meeting point just in case anyone else showed up-Vanessa was there. We decided to see a movie instead, and saw Water for Elephants, which I didn't like at all. Watching people and animals be abused is not my idea of quality entertainment. I came home to more mouse droppings and went to bed.
Sunday morning I discovered that my kitchen sink has been leaking. The paper towels I had stored there were soaked and moldy. I emptied the cupboard and surveyed the damage. The cupboard and wall underneath were moldy, and there were some insects down there. I got the raid, and sprayed them. I think only one died, and I set about trying to clean up (I was expecting people for breakfast in about a half hour). I did what I could, and covered the mold with bleach wipes, making a mental note to call about it Monday morning. Church was good, and I went home and talked to an old friend and my brother on the phone before going to bed.
I woke up (late) today to a giant roach in my living room. I went for the broom and dustpan, and swept him up to discover that he was alive, not dead! Opening the door to my porch, I tossed him out as quickly as possible. I changed, fed Gus and ran out the door to head to work. Just as I reached the car I realized that Sunday night was a baby shower I was meant to attend and completely forgot about.
I thought bad things came in groups of three, but by my count I'm up to nine. It's a multiple if three, so does that make it over? Meanwhile, I've remembered that counting my blessings is a great way to forget about all of the bad things that happen in life. I have good friends who are willing to help me out, a job, enough money to be able to afford and expensive car repair, stability, health, faith, talents, and a wonderful supportive family. Life is good, even if it gets frantic sometimes.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Simone
This week has had a rough start. I guess it started last week. I had the ac in the truck looked at, and subsequently recharged. They recommended I come back in a few days so they could check for leaks in the system. I returned yesterday to be told that my compressor was leaking, and needed to be replaced. I had the shuttle take me back to work and waited for a call to tell me they were on their way to pick me up. I got the call, but instead of coming to pick me up, the call was to inform me that my thermal fan clutch was also broken, and also needed to be replaced. So, several hundred dollars later, I have what (I hope) is a fully functioning ac, but I missed my Monday night soccer game.
In an attempt to cheer myself up after spending so much (if I lived in Cali I wouldn't have bothered to fix the ac at all), I called Freebirds to order myself a delicious burrito for dinner. When I arrived to pick it up, the guy at the register looked at the bag in the warmer and said "It's not ready yet." with a puzzled look on his face. The girl behind him asked me about my order-"Was it carnitas on cayenne?" I answered in the affirmative, and she pulled a bag out of the warmer. It looked like this:
So I guess I have a new nickname.
In an attempt to cheer myself up after spending so much (if I lived in Cali I wouldn't have bothered to fix the ac at all), I called Freebirds to order myself a delicious burrito for dinner. When I arrived to pick it up, the guy at the register looked at the bag in the warmer and said "It's not ready yet." with a puzzled look on his face. The girl behind him asked me about my order-"Was it carnitas on cayenne?" I answered in the affirmative, and she pulled a bag out of the warmer. It looked like this:
So I guess I have a new nickname.
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