2006, In Retrospect

To commemmorate the new year, I shall reflect on the happenings of the last year... or at least attempt to. ;)

In 2006, I:

1. Completed my second and third terms of my social work diploma. I have certainly learned a lot of theoretical knowledge.

2. Worked at the Source by Circuit City. I had a lot of fun working there. Some of my coworkers were a blast, and it was really nice having a job I could leave at work. I also learned that apparently I am attractive (to strangers at least; just not people I know) when I got hit on numerous times by a wide variety of people... but creepy people, all.

3. Stuggled with my professional confidence. By that I mean confidence in my skills as a social worker. Losing my field placement was difficualt, and school was harder in this second term than it had been last year. Even at my new field placement, I still struggle with that, because it is really better suited to Child and Youth workers, and while I do get along great with my supervisor, and there are lots of benifits, I feel as though I am not being challenged enough to prepare me for a job. Maybe I am just overly picky, or feeling overly vulnerable, but... well, God has it in His hands.

4. Lived independently. I have been cooking my own meals, paying my bills, having my own apartment, getting around the city by myself, and making my own decisions for over a year now.

5. I have been taking more of a leadership role with young people's. I have been a helper for the last two New Year's and camp, a leader in Edmonton until September, helped plan May Long and prepared a Bible study for the girls there. This is a very different role than I have previously had- which was pretty much to sit and wait until someone joined me, or to bemoan my lack of close friends at young people's. Now, it is different. This New Year's, for example, I spent a lot of time with the younger girls- the ones just coming into young people's who really don't know anyone. They were so much fun to hang out with, and I really think they appreciated it too. Well, at least they say they do. I know when I was their age, I really appreciated those girls that pretty much welcomed me into young people's, and now it appears I am doing it too.

6. I bought all ten seasons of Friends DVDs. The next series I would love to have is The Office. It is hilarious!

7. I stored up a lot of memories- like the time when Rebekah and I got taken out for Valentine's by a couple of our friends, or the times when Julie stayed over and we'd all stay up ridiculously late talking, or just cooking here with my neighbors, or running through the sprinklers in the park, or having long and intersting conversations on msn, or the time I used a fire extinguisher for the first time, or some of the great road trips we have taken, or just going out to eat with friends, or the time when a bunch of us walked all the way back from Steepes, or the crazy old man that I see on the bus occasionally, and you get the idea... I could go on and on.

It was a good year.

Someone, give me something too do!!!

I am at work. However, since yesterday afternoon, no one has had anything for me to do. So I am hanging around, passing time. I'll give it a couple more hours, and then go home. I have mainly been keeping entertained on blogthings, but even that is starting to wear thin.

I hate being paid to do nothing. Why, oh why, didn't the manager leave me a list of stuff to do???

Ooops, I have negleted you all, haven't I?

Well, I am sorry it has been so long....

Yesterday, I started playing WoW- a computer game that lots of people are into around here. I have been doing really well- it is so much fun! Too much computer time, though.

Today my work made me do what seemed to be a treasure hunt to find out where I work next, so I finally gave up. Instead, I ran into and hung out with a friend of mine.

Work gunk

Well, I got a call today, and tomorrow I start my new job at Source, as a merchandiser. I will be do glad to have a routine again- I have been spending too much time with me.

In other news, yesterday I forgot to attend a staff meeting for work (my little job), as well, my paperwork is late. As such, I spent the day screening my calls and only picked up when I recognized the number. So I missed, like, 3 calls on purpose, so hopefully none of them were imprortant. I just couldn't deal with any more yapping about the people in Accounting. So what if it causes them extra trouble? They screwed me over pretty bad, why can't I screw them over a little too? I mean, if I am not delaying my pay, what incentive is there to get my paperwork in on time? I really don't like that job.

I had a funny story about the kids at the Jewish school down the street, but it is also kinda depressing, so it isn't funny to me right now. Maybe I'll tell it later when I'm in a funny mood.

All nighter

So I am pulling an all nighter.

Why? You may ask.

No particular reason. I've only done it a couple times, and they both had reasons- once for grad, and then on my jaunt out to Victoria last year, 2/3 nights were all nighters. That was tiring.

So I figure I'll stay up for another hour, and go to bed at 6. After all, none of my plans for tomorrow have any specific times on them. They can all be done in the afternoon.

Oh! And I finally got myself a job today. I mean yesterday. Whatever. I will be a merchandiser at the Source by Circuit City. Theyare the people that do price tags and make sure everything is neat and tidy. A little boring, but it pays a whole lot better than a sales rep, so I am happy.

School's Out For Summer

I have been singing that song since I got home earlier today. It was very enjoyable. A great deal of stress is off of my mind. Now I just have to go about finding a job....

I have two interviews tomorrow- on at The Gap and the other at PJs Pets. I turned down a job at Bryan's today. I just felt like it was a place where I would not be comfortable, and that it wouldn't be good for my self esteem. Tomorrow I also have my first session with my personal trainer at the gym. Today I also worked on May Long stuff. If you are reading this and have not registered for May Long yet, e-mail me and let me know what your plans are for it!!!

So even though I am out of school, I am not completely useless. Just poor.

All done and plans and a grand adventure

Well, I have good news: All three of those assignments I (just barely) managed to complete on time. I e-mailed the last one in last night, and now I am home free. Nothing is due for two more weeks, and I have Reading Week.

Highlights of Reading Week will include:

• Today: young peoples. Peter and Kelly have prepared something on relationships.
• Tomorrow: Church
• Tuesday: Going to Sherwood Park for a Criminal Record Check, and then giving it to my boss. I can then arrange when to start working. I spent two hours there yesterday for orientation. (Neat fact: The office for my work is just around the corner from this fantastic teashop, called Steepes. Maryanne, you would love it, I'm sure.)
• Next weekend: Going to Saskatoon for my grandparent's 50th anniversary bash. Oooh, I should check to see what YPs will be out there.
• In the middle: This is undecided. I may start working, or I may go home for a couple days. In that case, I want to visit a few friends.

Last night, Grant, Nathan, Dan, Carla, Rebekah, and I were hanging around and decided to go to Steepes. Except that we decided to be adventurous and take the bus, instead of driving. So, with me being the navigator, we went down there and had a fair bit of fun. We took some really funny pictures. Then, it was time to go home, but we had just missed our bus by a minute and a half. It was very sad. The next bus didn't come for an hour, so most of us (not Grant and Dan) decided to hoof it. We were about halfway home when Grant and Dan pulled up in a taxivan, so we all hopped in. And that was our grand adventure.

The Coolest New Things... For Me, Anyway...

So my interview went pretty good, they have to check my references (which are excellent), and then I'd be matched up with a client and have training.They ran me through scenerios, so it was easy, since I've done it all before.

So I was waiting for the bus, and my feet were killing me.... I walked about 50 blocks today in heels. So I made up a song (First coolest new thing). It goes to the tune of Old Smokey.

"On top of these shoes
All covered in boils,
I was waiting
For the 125.
But the bus never came,
And I got gangrene.
And now my feet
Are nothing but green."

The second coolest new thing is what I did to my computer. The sceensaver is now a powerpoint presentation of all of the photos on the computer. So last night, I turned the wait time to one minute, and we watched a slideshow. It was great. While Rebekah slaughtered me at croquanol. (How do you spell it anyway? Ky, do you know?)

You all should try it.

Yay!

Guess what?!

I got a job interview!!!

I have an interview as a youth worker Thursday at 11. I'm really excited, and rather nervous as well, since I have never had what I would call a real job interview. Usually, I have always just had the job. So tommorrow I will prepare for it.

It would be really great if everyone could remember to pray for me then, that it would go well, and God's will would be done.

Update: The evening

Well, after I updated you on my to do list, I went and had a lovely nap. It wasn't on the list, I know, but it was SO worth it. After I got up I had a shower (instead of a bath) and I am doing my laundry. And I have been organizing my papers...

Onto more things!

Later: I have now sent out my resume to 2 out of the 3 places. Perhaps I should have supper now.

Ow....

Today was an excellent day. Instead of working, I got to go horseback riding. I haven't been in about 10 years, it took a little while to get used to it. I had a ton of fun, though. I went with 2 of my coworkers- my boss's daughter, and the girl who drew Alex an eyebrow for the fasion show last year after his was shaved off.

The fun, however, came with a price. My butt hurts. Muscles that I didn't even know I had- they hurt too. I didn't think the rump had this many muscles. It was worth it, though.

Random Bits

I got a raise!!!! Granted, I am only keeping this job until school starts, but this is the first raise I have ever gotten in my life. This makes me happy. (Obviously.)

In other news, the swimming pool where I live that I have never been to before has a kiddie pool, and it is so shallow that I sit in it. That's right. I just plunked myself down. It was quite relaxing at work.

I have decided to elliminate the VERY specific place names from my blog, in the light of new information that people I don't know actually think that I am worth reading about. No offence meant, that did sound kinda rude. Sorry.

Urg...

I went to the zoo and camping yesterday.

Sounds like fun, yes?

No.

I was working, my kids were grumpy, irritable, spazzed out, defiant, whiny, and, in a word, bratty.

Now work is done, and I should be chillaxin, but instead, here I am, grumpy as ever.

Til next time....

Sunburn...

Oooh.... my body is yelling at me. I went on a camping trip last night with work, and I got sunburned (We spent the day at the lake.) Hopefully it will fade to a nice tan for the weekend. In the meantime, it hurts.

I had fun at camp last week. We went late, because my dad had to change the axel on the car (a side effect from when I hit the ditch.) I also went shopping last week and got lots of stuff. I have to ban myself from spending anymore money for the rest of the summer.

Toodles, everybody.

I have no idea what I'll write about...

...so here it goes.

I just got the mail, and Grant MacEwan sent me the date of the social work orientation- June 23, so I'll have to miss work, but that's better than if it were a week later, when I'd have to miss camp.

Today I am working with some new clients, two boys about 8-10 years old, from 3 til 10. I'll be doing the same tomorrow. Then I'll begin working with them in July again. My summer schedule is starting to come together. I will be working with 6 kids, all of them boys. There will be 4 year old twins, a 5 year old, these two boys I'll be working with tonight, and the 9 year old I've been working with all along. I won't be working with the 16 or 17 year olds any more.

I am wearing: jeans and my old pathfinders shirt

I am annoyed because: I arrived at the library too late to get a good computer, now I am stuck on the sucky one, and the jr high boys next to me are yacking about junk, girls, and more junk. This is a library!!

My plans changed yesterday because: instead of going to Edmonton, I had to work.

Not a Quitter....

This is really getting hard to keep up, you guys. I'm not one of those chatty people that can just chat on their blogs. (Like you, Maryanne.) However, I am not a quitter, so...

I have a staff meeting today. I did a bunch of typing for it this afternoon, and discovered that I and one of my coworkers (the one I work with the most, thank goodness) are planning an activity for everybody in a couple weeks. Scary. Of course, at least it isn't just me. That would be terrifying.

After supper I am meeting with one of the students I am tutoring, whose attitude is getting.... lethargic. He's 17, which is plenty old enough to take responsibility for his own learning, and he's not, which is frustrating. I don't have to drive to Smoky Lake on Friday, my client got double booked with a school psychologist. So Friday will be less stress than usual.

I got my wedding invitation to Maryanne and Chris's wedding today. Yay! It turned out, I have that entire weekend off already, and there is a family reunion just outside of Regina that same weekend, too.

I am wearing: My sister's jeans, and a blue buttoneddown blouse, and my fuzzy jacket, cuz it is windy.

I'm resurfacing....

Well, I am finally starting to resurface under the mounds of scholorship papers that were dragging me down. The 4-H ones are in their envenope, ready to be mailed as soon as I leave, the Rutherford one is sent off, and the rest I have a few weeks til they have to be gone. Free money is awesome!

I likely have another couple joblets (clients in my job) on the way. One as a reading tutor to a high school girl, and another 13 year old boy in Gibbons. I have to rearrange my schedule with the boy I tutor, as there is a conflict with someone else in there. Juggling, juggling....

May Long is right around the corner, and none of the Edmonton people have sent off their reservations yet. How can we be this stupid? I must make some calls about that....

I am wearing: my blue jeans with a whole in them (as soon as I buy a new pair of jeans, I'm making these into cutoffs), and a red t-shirt.

It's been a few days...

Well, I've been keeping busy. My dad is home this week and keeps wanting some help outside. He is trying to build a sheep shed this week. I have also endured through a rather yucky situation at work, which hopefully after tomorrow will be all cleared up (Yay for coworkers!)

I've started on some new projects (why do all my projects involve so much paperwork?) I am:
1. Applying for scholorships to hopefully reduce the size of my student loan by a sizable amount. I need ~$10 000 for next year, and I am nowhere near that amount.
2. Starting to look for a cheap but nice place to rent in Mill Woods (SE Edmonton) next year. Doesn't look like their are any roomies available, too bad.
3. Trying to keep up on my own paperwork from work. I was SO proud of myself on Tuesday- I was COMPLETELY cought up-- but now I'm behind again. :(

This weekend, the young people are coming out to my house to do some work for my dad- we're going to make a bonfire pile. After that we are having supper and young people's. Then the girls are having a sleepover at Kelsey's.

I have just finished writing an essay for a 4H scholorship- about safety in the home and farm. I narrowed mine down to be aimed at parents with young children.

I am also working more hours at work- full days on Tuesdays (I'll be in Newbrook) and Fridays, which, of course, means more money (yay!). Hopefully I'll be able to start saving up more (why can't I? This is rediculous.)

I am wearing: jeans, runners, and my 100% Canadian. EH! shirt.

I am happy because: I have discovered a new shampoo. My mom accidentally bought the wrong kind and told me to use it up, and now my hair is nice and unfizzy.

I am relieved because: I won't have to face an irate parent alone- as it happens, my coworker and I are going together.

I am annoyed at myself because: I kept forgetting my papers at home, and thus, my paperwork will be late (again) because it is unsigned.

I cheered because: When filling out my timesheets I discovered that for the month of April I passed the $1000 gross income mark. May 30 (when I get that money), here we come!!

I dithered to the very end...

Well, when I saw Bonnie today to tell her my answer, I told her I was still dithering. So we sat down, and crunched numbers, increased my hours with some kids, and got me with about the same money as the more boring option. Seriously, hanging out with someone else at their job is very boring. So I have chosen option number one.

We didn't stay in the city last night with Saryn, she had to work. We are planning on doing it again tonight. I felt rather useless volenteering today. There were more adults than kids there. 'Twas quiet. I am working on the song thing, but man is it ever hard! Good job to those who managed it so quickly.

I am wearing: jeans, heeled shoes (I feel hot in them- shoes make or break an outfit, don't they?), and a blue t-shirt.

Today, I have:

Eaten: corn flakes and a glass of milk, I am actually rather hungry
Accomplished: Decided the course of the summer, Volenteering, Internet stuff, and talked to Saryn
Not yet accomplished: Work (kid to park and tutoring), Paperwork, seeing Saryn

The next decision on my agenda: Where will I live next fall? Any ideas, feel free to offer them. I welcome suggestions.

Choices, Choices...

So I just came from talking to my boss, and I have a choice on what to do for the summer. I can either:

1. Work with 4 boys: a 9 yr old who was my first kid to work with (I like his mom), a 4 year old I started with last week (His mom is nice, though we aren't on the same wavelength- I'll write about my wavelength theory one of these days) (Did I write about him? One of the stubbornest kids I've ever met- one of the twins.), a 5 year old I'm meeting tomorrow whose mom is supposed to be really nice, and a grade 8 kid I don't know whose mom is supposedly a pain in the neck ( none of the workers want to deal with her, but I can charm adults really easily). 35 hrs a week, lots of driving, more working with the other workers.

or:

2. Work with one 17 year old boy that I am already tutoring. I'll be helping him get a job and hanging out at his work. (There is a job open at Coral's chicken farm...) After work I have to find other stuff to do. He doesn't really talk much to me, but he is polite and always opens the doors for me. I'm one of the older workers, lot of the workers are his age, so they would be inappropriate to work with him, which is why it is offered to me. This choice has less stress, less paperwork, and less driving. 40 hrs a week, more working away from everyone else, which is what I've been doing so far.

So I have til Wednesday to choose. With both options, I will stop working with the kid I am with the most. His behavior is going downhill, so he will go with his overnight worker, which is a relief. Some days I am convinced this kid doesn't like me. Whichever option I don't take, another worker for just the summer will do. I get first pick because I have seniority. (I've never had seniority before, that is really cool.)