My First Week on the Job....

This week I started my new job at the community college.  And what a week it was.  I thought I'd give you a little recap....

Monday was a holiday, so I had the day off, as did the Big Guy.  Well.  His was snow related as we got 17 inches of snow.  SEVENTEEN INCHES.  I'm officially done with winter. 

Bring on Spring!

Tuesday was the first day!   Because of said snowfall, the roads were awful.  And it was foggy.  I left 2 hours early and still ran late.  I did call ahead just to be safe.  I pulled into the parking lot at exactly 8:01 a.m.

I then ran the HR gauntlet.....you know....benefits, paperwork, I-9's, etc.  I found out my health insurance doesn't kick in until April 1st, which means I need to pay for COBRA for one month.   I should be grateful for the insurance I have.  So many people don't have it.  But it was a bit of a shock to find out I have to wait 35 days until mine kicks in.

I also settled into my office.  Here's a photo!

Cute huh?

Wednesday, I got to work and read countless binders and folders about my job.  I also stalked facebook all day because my old job at the online school was laying off advisors that day.  What a yucky feeling.

And on the way home, because of this massive snowbank (I know it doesn't look massive from this angle, but let me tell you...it is) at an intersection on a very busy highway....

This happened....

Yep.  I was in a car accident.
I'm fine.
The other driver, a 16 year old kid, is fine.

Our cars?
Not so much. 
we are still waiting for the final total on the damage.  *sigh*

Thursday meant I was unable to get to work because I didn't have a car and needed to sort out the insurance/rental car stuff.  There were no rental cars in my little town--the only place that rents cars had no cars to rent.  The guy said, "I don't know what it is, but we've had quite a few accidents this last week."  Well, my friend I'll tell you what it was.  SNOW.  WINTER.  ICE.  Hello?

Thanks to my mother-in-law, we were able to get thee to a rental car place.  I'm now driving a zippy little Ford Fusion.  While I don't want my car to be totaled (my car is paid in full), driving a new car is a lot of fun.  And this car....it's fun!

That doesn't have a gas cap!  How odd is that!?!

And look at this.  When the tank is full....almost 500 miles to empty!!

And look!  North Dakota plates!  Where is the "University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux" license plate frame when you need one?

And Friday.  Last day of the week.  I came to work to be the only one in the office.  I decided to rearrange my office to my liking.  After moving my desk, I found this....

A BIG. OLD. COB WEBBY. DUSTY. DEAD. BEETLE.

If they were going to give me a welcome present, the least they could have done was give me a sweatshirt from the bookstore or something.


If this isn't a sign that I need a vacation....I don't know what is.

Winter Storm Survival....


Some people stock up on eggs, milk, bread, toilet paper and chocolate before a winter storm hits.  Not us.  

We got caramel rolls from our little mom & pop restaurant in our town.
Yes.  They are as big as a salad plate.
And they are oh, so, so, good.


Maybe it's a good thing we're moving 70 miles away....

Dear Mother Nature....
Yes.  I know I have chosen to live in Minnesota.  The land of 10,000 lakes.  Mosquitoes as big as a bird.  Snowy winters and humid summers.


I get it.


But you know what?  I'm done with winter.

• You gave us a blizzard in December that dumped 18 inches of snow.
• You've dumped snow shower after snow shower all winter where I couldn't see down the road because the intersections were piled so high with snow I couldn't see.
• You've given me cold blustery winds.
• You've caused me to fight tooth and nail to try and get the one and only garage spot from my husband so I don't have to scrape my car in the morning.
• And the worst part?  You teased me last week with 50 degree weather.  FIFTY DEGREES IN FEBRUARY!  

You bitch!


But this?


I'm done with you....

Photo "borrowed" from Sven's Twitter photo feed.  

I didn't ask.  I just copied it.

BRING ON SPRING!!!

Sincerely,

A girl who really wants to wear her spring skirts.

Friday Fragments....


One of my bloggy buddies, Rebecca Jo does a "Friday Fragment" on her blog.  I'm totally stealing her idea because lately, this is how my mind is working....in fragments.


LAST DAY TODAY:  Today is my last day at the online university.  I will miss my work friends.  As crazy as this sounds, I will also miss the way that I felt empowered every day.  See, when you come from a job where you weren't given praise or told how good of a job that you do....it is nice to be in that environment.

I will also miss free bagel Friday and the free tea & crystal light. 


I will not however miss those who did nothing but complain and gripe.  We all have our grumbles about our job, but for the love of Pete....does it have to be something you do everyday, ALL day?


LAST DAY FOR OTHER COWORKERS?....  We got an e-mail on Tuesday that the company was going to be laying off 125 people.  Basically--only faculty are secure.  Therefore, it could be anyone.  All layoffs will happen between now & next Friday.  While I don't wish that on anyone, I hope that those who are impacted will be OK.


THE NEW JOB:  Well, I got word that my office is down the hall from the VP of Student Affairs and the University President.


So much for blogging at work.
Or facebook.


THE NEXT PIONEER WOMAN?:  I'm feeling very much like the Pioneer Woman, right now.  Why?  Because the Big Guy and I have been offered the opportunity to live out on his family's farm.  This is the exact home that he lived in before we moved in together!  We are excited about having a place to live, minimal expenses, and overall--the ability to save our money so that we can buy a home next spring/summer.


Having a hard time drawing the comparison's between PW and myself?


*City woman who moved to the farm
*The farm she moved to was her husband's family ranch
*No cows, but there are pigs
*A big garden that is planted every year
*I do own a kitchen aid mixer
*I also own some really nice kitchen knives
*There is a dog on the farm named Charlie

BYE-BYE BUS COMMUTE:  I'm kind of happy to not have to ride the bus.  Especially to share space with people who feel that it is their right to take up as much space as possible.  The other day I shared a seat with a guy who continued stretch and elbow me to get more space.  I was over as far as I could go.  The next time he did it I had just said, "excuse me?"  He just went back to reading his Sports Illustrated.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Well, That About Covers It.....

Photo copied from the Huffington Post Website

"She was at the VMAs covered in meat. Now she's at the Grammys dressed as an egg. Two more red carpets and Lady Gaga will be a Denny's Grand Slam." --someone on Twitter




**And is it just me, or does her new song, Born This Way sound a lot like Express Yourself by Madonna?  Just sayin'....

Have one for Becky....

In 2009 during my second 3-day walk, I drove a sweep van on the route with Amy. I've mentioned what this role is all about before, but for those new to my corner of the internet, here is a quick run down.

You drive a van.
You pick up walkers.
You drop them off.

Drive, rinse, drink some gatoraide, pee in a porta potty, repeat.

It is really common on the first day that walkers will not ride in the van. They see it as some act of "failure". I get it. I felt that way, too the year before. But considering this isn't a race, riding in the van isn't a bad gig.

After all, we have treats and air conditioning!

On the first day of the 2009 walk, we were driving up and down Summit Avenue in St Paul alongside the walkers as they were making their way to the final pit stop for the day. As we were cheering along the walkers, we saw the "thumbs down" sign from two walkers in electric blue & hot pink t-shirts.

We stopped and they got into the van. We asked our typical questions and we got to chatting with the girls. As we drove down the road, we drove past our teammate Dynessa. Dynessa was on the route safety crew and she rode her bike along the route and helped walkers cross busy intersections. We asked her if she was OK and if she wanted a Diet Coke.

"You have Diet Coke?" came a voice from the back of the van.
"Yeah! You want one?"
"Ummm....yes!!"

We gladly handed over a diet coke and dropped her off at the final pit stop.

Later that night while at dinner, our van rider who asked for a diet coke was awarded the "Top Fundraiser" award. She raised over $20,000 for breast cancer.

Her name was Becky.

We ran into Becky all weekend. At pit stops, on the route, back at camp. We told her, "You were holding out on us! We didn't know you were a 3-day celebrity!" On the final day, while at holding, I saw Becky who was asked to carry one of the banners at closing ceremonies. I walked up to her and said, "to me, the 3-day was something we did for our friend Amy. But after meeting you and seeing your spirit, that has changed for all of us. You made my 3-day walk so much better."

She held my face in her hands and said, "And you made my 3-day so much better as well...and not just because you gave me a Diet Coke."



Becky lost her battle with cancer today. She fought hard, too.
Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

And have a Diet Coke in her honor.
I know she'd love that.

I'm a Little Late to the Party....

This weekend, while assessing how much stuff we own, when we'll probably move, if we'll get a place we like, and all the other things that go along with moving.....I got sucked into a Glee marathon on TV.



Here's the thing.
Until this weekend, I had not seen one episode of Glee.

Not one.

I watched the pilot and it was cute.
I watched most of the other episodes and it was alright.
But the jury is still out.

I mean, I love the story lines. It isn't like a musical where they break into cheesy songs. But I just can't get over the over-emphasised lip syncing. I know they're lip-syncing to their own voices. But I couldn't help but wonder if I was watching a TV show or a music video.

However, after watching the episode that aired after the Super Bowl? I may tune back in tonight. To get the football jocks--who throw slushies at the glee club--to be mandatory members of the glee club? And they liked it? Made my little heart cheer!

And soon...songs were stuck in my head.

And I started to wish that I could sing really well.

So....if I start singing this song in the elevator or at the bus stop....you'll know why.....



I will admit that I did go onto iTunes and download this song, Teenage Dream sung by the all boys glee club, The Warblers. Or, as I found out....they're the Beelzebubs--an acapella group from Tufts University in MA. They were finalists from the first season of The Sing Off!

Conversation with my Mother in Law....

Me: So, when you retire from the clinic, you're still going to work part time right?
Linda: Yep!
Me: You know that isn't really "retired" right?
Linda: I know.
Me: So, have you picked a day that you're going to work?
Linda: Tuesday & Wednesday
Me: Cool! So, how about we have a standing lunch date every Wednesday and you can come over to my new office at the local community college.
Linda: Oh, that sounds gre.....wait. What?
(silence)
Linda: Did you get a job at the local community college? REALLY? YOU GOT A JOB AT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE?!?

It is true.
In a few weeks, I will be taking on a new adventure.
I will be leaving online learning, and venturing back to the good ol' brick-n-mortar school.
I will also be leaving behind a cubicle garden and moving into my own office.

DID YOU HEAR ME?

AN OFFICE!
WITH A DOOR!
AND WALLS TO HANG MY DIPLOMAS!

It's the little things, isn't it?