Bad Day?

I was feeling pretty grumpy...



Then, I saw this:

http://laughlines.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/as-luck-would-have-it/

Needless to say, it put me back in perspective.

First Job

Remember reading about famous people in PEOPLE magazines sometimes, how they had a crummy first jobs? Not that I'm having a crummy job... I actually do enjoy it.

I work for a privately owned vending company who had several sites within Sioux Falls and Harrisburg. I basically drive a large van around, praying that I don't get in an accident, and stock machines with pop and snacks.

Just yesterday, I had my first day on my own. It was pretty scary.

For those who know me very well, I am very lousy at giving directions, but I am too stubborn to admit it, because I want to improve that particular quality of myself. Now, with that in mind... vending job has me to remember different sites and have me to drive there.

Um. That is a challenge.

And my challenge starts at 7am.


To establish it better for you, my lovely readers, the weather was very icy (remember that clunky big van?) and cold (hence, 7 layers for me on the top, and few layers on the bottom).

I started my day off to go over to the warehouse. I was welcomed by this:

The tire tracks were my van's when I tried to go up there initially. I took the picture out of sheer frustration and sent it to Jared.



This was my hurdle (along with the snow and icy roads and lacking GPS). I needed to stock the van up with pop and candies so I can continue with my happy route.

I decided to just go ahead and go to different routes and do the best of my abilities.

whine

I went over to one of the stops and tried to remember where their break room were, and the secretary was glancing up at me, wondering what this awkward looking stranger in layers doing in the prestigious office. It was early in the morning, I started telling her that I am from vending company... by gesturing with my checklist from my boss, and doing gestures for pop-drinking and munching on candies.

Needless to say I got this:

So, I typed in my pager with two-layered mittens:

I anmn weituh vbermnsdnfg, wejhereruia uyourt vberasjk vberioionm? (I am with vending, where is your break room?)

Man came in and took pity on me and recongized me when I was with Jared for training, and he gestured me to the break room.

Whew.

Then, an shy geeky guy came up to me, gave me this paper that he typed up and printed out:



"Two additonal machines are in next room. Shall I show where they are?"

I laughed and motioned that I remember where it was, just didn't remember where this first one was. He chuckled painfully, and departed quickly. I wonder if it's because I forgot to wear deodrant?

I did few other stops, then I decided to try the warehouse again.

Same thing, still not plowed yet. Silly me, I thought I would try again to get through.

This was the conclusion.

I looked around frantically for SOMETHING that I can dig out the snow, and I found a metal rake. I went ahead and used it, trying to get the snow out under of the van, behind the tires, etc.

Reverse.

Drive.

Reverse.

Drive.

Reverse.

Drive.

No such luck.

I sucked my ego in, and texted my boss.

"So, I got stuck at warehouse. Grrr. What can I do? I tried getting snow out of the tires area- reverse and drive back and forth- any suggestions?"

He texted me back.

"One minute. The guys is coming to help you."

One of the worker at the storage area came out and shoveled me out. Farmer's daughter in me squirmed, wondering what I can do and what should I do to help. He gestured me to get back in the van and back up.

He pushed a bit and wahla! I am out!

I continued with my remaining stops before my j-term class.


What a first day on my own with my very first job!

J-term

As much as I've enjoyed my Christmas break, I'm trying to get myself back in gear to get ready for school again. I will take two classes: Capstone- Religion and Politics in Film and Reading Theory. We'll see how it spins out.

On a different note... my college roommate, Alissa is off to great places, namely, AFRICA! She is keeping her own blog: www.alissainafrica.blogspot.com. She will keep it updated (yes, pressure on HER! grin) during her 11 weeks stay in Africa.

Keep her in your prayers! :)

Cheers, happy VOOF! (Fingerspell it to yourself and figure it out!)

dun dun DUN!

I am officially done with the first semester of my senior year! :) Two left! (Actual courses then student teaching in Fall of 2009!)

The end is near!

Fear In Our Eyes

So, looking at Charlie's (my doggy relative on Mom's side) eyes...

It just simply says it all... the stress of finals looming over the students' heads and realizing what we have yet to accomplish before the time is up on December 18th.

....or in poor Charlie's case, it was his uncle's ability to terrorize him.



Yet, these fears can be pacified by our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, who overlooks us and holds us close to Him. Phil. 4:6-7, "6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Closing of Fall Semester '08

Fall Semester are coming to a close, less than a month before I move out from the first apartment that I've able to rent on my own. It is a very sad realization for me as my roommate, Alissa Ver Steeg (Ver Stegg is how you pronounce it, take it from this deaf person!). But, it is pretty exciting at the same time, as we both are embarking on to bigger adventures that lay in front of us: Africa student teaching for Alissa's hearing placement! If you need anything more to pray about... pray for her safety and for her horizons to be broadened big time for the next few months! She leave in beginning of January and return mid-March. For this other "half" of apartment 308, I'm getting married in 185 days and counting dowwwnnn... May 30th! :) I'm just a wee bit excited. :)

The overused question people ask me, "So, when will you graduate? What will you do after graduation?"

The truth is. I don't know. I have no idea. Typical college student's response, I realize that. I mean, who would have a "fake" graduation from Augustana in May, then take a summer course, then student teach for 20 weeks in Fall and finally get her diploma signed in end of 2009 to beginning of 2010.

Yes. That is yours truly.

Pictures will follow the next post. I'm getting hang of this. :)

Happy Thanksgiving! Remember to count your blessings! A friend just said, "Thank goodness you use ASL, because you can count with one hand, as you will run out fingers and toes to count your blessings!"

Testing 1..2...3...

As a person grabbing the mic.
First thing the person will do is "test 1...2...3..."

You get the idea what I am doing. :)

Looking forward to see how this works out. :)