A Reprieve

It's well after midnight, which means that I'm not anywhere near the deadline that I've set for myself, but for this weekend I am offering myself a reprieve from those guidelines. We just got back from my cousins wedding, which was up in Grand Rapids.

It was a really lovely ceremony. It was great to get to see my family, and celebrate my cousins marriage.

We left for the wedding around one thirty or so, and since it didn't start until five we ended up getting up there an hour earlier than we necessarily needed to. Although, it was probably good that we left when we did just in case there was heavy traffic.

The drive home was a little slow going because it had been snowing for the majority of the time that we were at the wedding and the reception. As we were driving we alternated between driving through areas that had snow falling and areas that did not. Between Brooklyn and Tipton we saw a jeep that had rolled over on the side of the road. A police officer was in the middle of having it prepared to be towed away.

But we made it home safely, and now I can get some sleep before I go about unpacking later this morning.

Final Number One

I drove back up to State this morning. It was interesting to watch as the further north I went the more snow there was on the ground. There wasn't any whatsoever in Adrian. Although even up here some of it has melted away.

Dad fell asleep early into the drive, and then mom did to. I think Shawn dozed off for a little bit during the last leg of the trip, but at least I had the radio going for company. I think it's more difficult to drive with everyone sleeping if you are trying to drive at night. It's not as distracting when it's light outside for whatever reason.

My first final is this afternoon. It's probably going to take me the longest to complete of all the exams that I've got this week, but I'm not extremely worried about it. I've done well enough in the class that I can't screw it up too badly with this one test. It's not even worth that much of the final grade which is good because it's my Lit/Cultures final and from his description of it it's going to be a bit complicated.

But really, that's not all that surprising.

Disjointed Thoughts

It is Thursday already, and I just realized that I didn't even mention my cousin's Wedding last Saturday. It was a beautiful day to drive down. I would have made it to the Wedding on time if I hadn't made a turn too early. It took me a while to correct my mistake and ended up making it to the park just after the ceremony was finished.

The park it was in was really pretty though, and thankfully the weather held. When I left East Lansing the weather was a little iffy but in Swanton it was a beautiful day for a wedding.

The reception was a lot of fun. I managed to get a lot of pictures and they came out really great.

I had more to say about the wedding earlier, or at least it was more organized, but I feel like I'm coming down with a cold now... This is why it is a good idea to write things down when you're thinking about them.

At any rate, I have to get serious about writing my out of class article for my JRN 200 class. For some reason I thought that it was due next Thursday, but it is in fact due on Tuesday. Talk about pressure!

Rainy Day

Being home for the weekend was nice, although I didn't manage to get as much of my homework done as I should have. I have just now finally managed to get all of my reading done for the class that I have at nine tomorrow. I'm supposed to read sections A through C of the AP stylebook, however it's like reading the dictionary and I just don't think I'm up for doing that at the moment.

I got back to campus around five or so, but by the time I had unloaded my car, and then parked my car and walked back from where I had to park it... it was a little after six o'clock.

My parents tried to call me earlier, but for some reason despite the fact that I answer the phone and can hear them talking they can't hear me. I have no idea what the deal is so at some point tomorrow I get to try and sort that ridiculousness out. Hopefully it will be a simple enough thing to get sorted out.

It was a pretty cruddy day to be driving. When I left home it was pouring rain. Thankfully the closer I got to campus the less rain there was. Rain is so depressing. Anyway, I need to get organized and then I need to start considering sleep.

Story of Success

The drive home went really well. I didn't get all turned around in Jackson like when I was coming home from orientation, and I didn't pass by my last exit like the last time that I came home. Not to mention it was a lovely day outside. I really enjoy driving when the sun is out and the sky is a gorgeous blue. It was the perfect day to be on the road.

It wasn't until I started home that I realized how much I've missed driving. I mean on campus there is no doubt about it, walking is practical, but I used to spend a great deal of time in my car. When I commuted to WCC it was about an hours drive each way, and to go to work it was a forty minute drive each way... I mean, and that's only the obligations I had. I spent a lot more time driving if you count the occasional doctors appointment and general recreational driving.

It felt really good to drive my car today, I'm just saying...

My parents went to the flea market up in Hillsdale this morning, so they weren't around when I got home but Yoda, Coach and Darcy were happy to see me. Yoda especially has been hanging out with me since I've been home. Every once and a while Darcy will wander in the room and look at me with wide eyes. I think she's trying to figure out who I think I am, coming and going as I please. Coach just generally accepts that sometimes I seem to be around, and other times I'm not. To him it is just the way the world works.

This evening was fun. We walked down to my cousin's house and had a cook-out and watched some movie. I know that's real descriptive, but I honestly have no idea what the movie was called. It had already started when we flipped to the channel and we didn't stay to watch it because Dad was having issues staying awake. The house is quiet now, and the quiet is strange because it's never really quiet back at MSU. Not that the quiet is unwelcome mind you!

At any rate, since I have managed to blog on schedule I think today can be labeled a success. I am now off to tackle at least some portion of the mound of homework that I've dragged along with me, an perhaps find sleep. You've heard of sleep right? It's that state of viewing the inside of ones eyelids. It sounds kind of appealing.

Salad Prep

I went to work this morning. Being the brilliant person that I am I was a tad bit late. I was running so late in fact that I didn't even check a mirror before charging out the door. Thank God we wear baseball caps, because I'm sure my hair would have been a mess otherwise.

I was working the breakfast shift, but was back in Salad prep. I started off the shift completely lost... but was eventually relegated to dishing out Ranch dressing. Essentially it was in this big vat, and I had to ladle out the dressing into smaller containers which would eventually make their way out to the line.

Exciting, I know.

Once the dressing was all taken care of, I got to take the lettuce and put it into containers that would likewise eventually make their debut on the serving line. Once that was taken care of my time was spent filling the salad and fruit bowls and just generally carrying things out to the food line. It was a little hectic, and I still don't always know what I'm supposed to be doing.

That's one thing I miss about my former job, I generally knew what I was doing. I really miss that competence. I guess that will come in time though. I hope so... At any rate, I need to shower and get on the road headed home.

Potentially Lost Phone

Today didn't start out as such a bad day. Honestly. I got an extra hour of sleep because the training start time was changed from eight to nine. Of course, I didn't get up was early as I should of and had to rush out the door at five 'till... but I made it to the auditorium on time.

It was another day of speeches on the different rules, followed by some actual introduction to what the job really entails though nothing can really replace on the spot training. You learn a lot more in the actual work environment.

Anyway, training ended early so I spent a couple hours in my dorm organizing the things that I planned to bring home. By five I started my walk to the lot that my car is designated to be parked in. It's turns out to take about forty minutes or so. Really it isn't too bad, but because of construction the route that I have to take only has sidewalk part of the way. You will see why this was an issue...

So I got to my car, and drove back to my dorm where I parked in one of the temporary loading areas. It took me two trips to get the empty tubs downstairs and into the car. Just as I was getting in the car I reached for my phone, which I thought I had put in my pocket. However, there was no phone. At this point I didn't think it was a problem, I assumed that I left it charging in my room and just thought I had picked it up.

It was not charging in my room. I had to get my car moved, so I didn't check everywhere so there is a chance that is somewhere in the room... but I really think I put it in my pocket. In all likelihood I dropped it somewhere is the grass that I had to wade through. At any rate, I went back to the lot and retraced my steps to no avail.

So, either my phone is gone for good, or by some miracle it is still in my dorm room. I am back at home for my Cousin's wedding tomorrow. So I guess we'll see Sunday what the phone situation is. Turns out it wouldn't have done me any good anyway since our service was cut which is crap but anyway...

Then of course the drive home was a bit of a headache. I was doing just fine, until I missed my last exit. I ended up having to turn around to get back on track. Oh, and the rain seemed to follow me home. It's been an interesting evening to say the least.

Training Day One

It was an early morning. I woke up at 6:30 to my alarm clock, and then proceeded to climb down from bed (which really is no small feat), to make it stop blaring through the room. Of course, then I decided it was too early to be awake and climbed back into bed to catch another half an hour of sleep.

Training officially was supposed to start at eight, but it was a little later than that when they came to the designated room and let us know that they had changed the meeting place to one of the larger auditoriums. Mainly it was a day spent sitting in the auditorium and watching instructional videos. They were really strange too, because the only one that really seemed to honestly pertain to the job was the last one.

They had a fashion show, where we were shown examples of what is proper work attire and what isn't. That was fairly entertaining. Then we played Jeopardy, which was interesting considering we were a group of at least two-hundred. We were split into three groups, and each group elected a spokesperson. My group very nearly won, but then ended up losing in Final Jeopardy. The third group had 900 points and wagered everything, while we had 1700 points and only wagered 101 points. We would have won by one point had we not missed the last question.

Anyway training ended an hour early, and we were told that tomorrow training would start at nine instead of eight. An extra hour of sleep, AWESOME! I'm thinking about going home tomorrow so that I can be there for my Cousin's wedding on Saturday since I don't have to work until Sunday. It'll mean an early drive back Sunday though in order to make it here for work. I don't know, the plans are still kind of up in the air.

Hating Technology

My junk laptop, which replaced the former laptop, has decided that it no longer wants to function properly. I am deeply annoyed and now have to start looking into ways to fix my current computer-less state.

I. HATE. TECHNOLOGY.

Just saying.

Today I worked a ridiculously short shift at work, and then proceeded to venture home and attempt to keep the peace amongst the younger children while mom and dad were away. Then of course their was the impromptu drive to St. Joes to collect my parents upon the death of our Mini-Van which left them stranded. Really it's been a fairly eventful day.

Maybe I'll luck out and my computer will decide to power up when I press the power button, but I have the sinking suspicion that it's dead. Great. Just fantastic!

Another Day, Another Trip

Another day, another trek several hours North. I went up to MSU this morning to talk with a financial aid advisor in order to satisfy those that doubted the possibility that I could be correct. As it turns out, I was right and I have to resort to a private alternative loan in order to pay the rest of my tuition.

Why is it so hard for people to believe that I know what I am talking about?

Anyway, at the moment I'm waiting to hear back from my cousin that agreed to be my cosigner. There is another point upon which I was right. Even going through Sallie Mae I need a cosigner, even though everyone (aside from me) seemed so sure that I wouldn't. Go figure!

Tomorrow evening I have to go to work, but in the morning I have to make sure I go get an oil change. I was already passed due for one, and after the last two days I'm really passed due. Things are finally starting to come together though. I am that much closer to getting my loans settled, I'm in the process of applying for employment at school, and I'm nearly at the end of my two year run with my current employer. Things are beginning to look up.

It's hard to believe that so many things are finally beginning to fall into place. I'm excited and nervous all that the same time.

Orientation Day

I went to my orientation at MSU today. I was up at four and out of the house by five so that I could make it there by seven thirty. As it was I was plenty early, but it’s far better to be early than it is to be late.

Mainly the day consisted of sitting in a lecture hall and listening faculty talk about the success that they expected us to find at the school, and how though they understand that as transfer students we’ve attended college before we need to keep open minds: every school is run differently.

The most interesting part of the day was when we went off to meet our academic advisors and they talked about our actual programs. There were seven or so other Journalism majors, so it wasn’t an excessively long wait to talk to an advisor about scheduling. Before scheduling could take place though, all the Journalism majors had to take a grammar test. If we passed than we could take the two hundred level journalism class that proceeds entering the School of Journalism.

I passed the grammar test.

I was also informed that I am ten credits away from being a Junior, so this fall I will be considered a Sophomore, and in the spring I will be a Junior. Ah, the joys of being a transfer student. Although it could be worse, I met people today who only had twelve credits transfer in. I think I can live with my 46 transfer credits.

At any rate, the drive home gave me a headache. I got momentarily turned around in Jackson, since I had to go into Tecumseh before coming home. Then of course no one seemed to drive, it seemed like everyone wanted to drive on their brakes. It was maddening. I feel as though today was very productive.

I set up my schedule for this fall and spring, took care of my former neighbor’s cats for her, and managed to write this up without waiting until the last moment.

The Bug Incident

So Saturday I was driving to work, as I generally do, and everything was fine. It was a little cloudy, but I had the windows open and my radio going. Everything was running smoothly which is obviously the first sign of trouble. It was then, that all of a sudden my ears were assaulted by a CRASH in the vicinity of my rear window. I mean it sounded as though someone had hurled a stone at it. So of course, I flinched and immediately averted my attention to my rear-view mirror.

Things initially appeared to be fine, until I noticed the large BUG hovering by the rear window. At first glance I thought it was a large bumblebee, and despite being fairly apprehensive I drove on to work. In the next moment upon glancing in the rear view mirror I came to realize that the bug had disappeared. This lead me to assume that it had made its exit through the windows which I had opened further with the hope of enticing it into choosing such a path.

However, you must know what is to be said of making assumptions...

I got to work, and parked, and immediately investigated the backseat... and quickly discovered that what I had believed to be a bumblebee was in fact a BEADLE. A very LARGE beetle.

Ick, gross, eh.

Now bugs are all fine and well and whatever, so long as they do not invade my personal space. They may exist but this does not mean that I want to directly deal with them in any capacity. They are free to exist, I just ask that they leave me be.

So obviously, despite having arrived fifteen minutes early I hightailed it out of my car and into the building. My fervent hope was for the bug to DIE at some point during my shift so that I wouldn't really have to contend with it later, let alone in the present. This may seem mean, but the way I see it the bug brought it upon itself when it invaded my space.

Work was crazy, which was to be expected considering it was/is NASCAR and Relay for Life weekend and we are largely understaffed. Ah, corporations and their lovely ideas of how to properly run a business. The store was packed, customers were cranky, and therefore employees were stressed. My evening consisted largely of furniture re-arrangement. I also spent quite a large amount of time wrestling with a box that refused to relinquish the lamp that was inside. It was an involved process that lead to my discovering that the lamp itself was broken. Lovely! The second struggle arose in my then having to replace the lamp back into the box.

Needless to say the lamp made it back into the box missing some of the Styrofoam that was originally present. By the time I gave breaks to everyone in my departments I had just enough time to close down my department and haul away the broken items that I had accrued throughout the day. All in all it was a busy day.

There was also the bug through all of this, because the bug was always in the back of my mind taunting me with the promise of its company. I got to my car after work and the first thing I did was inspect the backseat. There was no way in hell that I was going to get in that car without knowing exactly where the bug was. As it turned out, it was right where I left it.

Taking a deep breath I climbed in the car and turned my focus to getting home. All I had to do was get home without incident and then I could remove the bug from the vicinity of my car. Thankfully my car is not bug-free. Thank God.

Reoccuring Themes

Thankfully the drive home tonight wasn't the adventure that last night was. Last nights drive home from work was a little tense due largely to some severe weather, but it takes a lot more than a boat load of rain to scare me off the road. There was one point that it was raining so hard i couldn't see anything aside from the yellow line down the middle of the road.

The theme at work tonight seemed to be people wanting things that I did not have at my disposal. In at least two instances, people inquired about a product but were unable to offer me specific names or product numbers. I ask you, how am I supposed to help you if you can offer me no information? I am not psychic, I can't read minds. Sorry to disappoint.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able go to my local used bookstore at some point, because I obviously need more books. It's not that I want them, but that I need them. :p

My New Hero

I had to drive to WCC today in order to have a final transcript sent to MSU. It would have been a nicer drive had the sun come out, but Sarah agreed to ride along so it was a fun trip. Once we had stopped at a Coney Island for lunch, we headed back towards home.

Funnily enough, as we were headed out of Saline this car stated tailgating me, and once we got to section of twelve that included a passing lane the woman passed me. Mind you, the driver was a little old lady and I was speeding as it was. It was hilarious, and that woman is my new hero. I want to drive like her when I’m older.

The remainder of the drive was uneventful, aside from the ridiculous police debacle once we’d reached Adrian. We were driving along and I looked in my rearview mirror only to be greeted with the flashing lights on top of a police car. In general it doesn’t bother me to be pulled over as long as I know that I’m doing something that makes me worthy of being pulled over.

I was doing nothing wrong in this instance, but I pulled over nonetheless. I proceeded to watch as he drove on by. Of course I was relieved, but confused. The police officer didn’t pull over the person in front of me either, in fact at the first opportunity he pulled onto a side street and turned off his lights as he continued to drive along. Talk about annoying.

More Winter? Really?

Cassandra Clare is a genius. I just finished reading the third and final book in her Immortal Instruments Series and I’m blown away. She writes with such a compelling voice, that once you begin reading it becomes a compulsive action. You can’t stop until you reach that final page and even then you’re so close to the story that it’s hard to imagine that it’s over.

She brought all of the loose ends together in a satisfying and compelling conclusion. I don’t want to spoil the story, because I really recommend that you read the series. At some point I’ll get around to writing a proper review for either the series as a whole or each book.

In other news, I hate the snow. Where had all the warm weather gone? Despite the noxious weather, however the drive to class this morning actually wasn’t bad at all. The roads were damp, but thankfully they weren’t icy. Based on reports on the radio the freeway was a mess but that’s not surprising. People drive like imbeciles on the freeway when there’s even a speck of snow on the ground.

There are essentially two main categories of people on the freeway in adverse weather. There are those that decide to drive slowly to the point of being down right obnoxious. They are over cautious and therefore cause more frustration than anything. Then of course you have those who decide that it’s perfectly alright to throw caution to the wind. These are the idiots who end up slowing everyone to a stop when they get into the inevitable accident.

Needless to say I avoided the freeway this morning, and therefore got to school early rather than late. Hopefully the drive goes as smoothly tomorrow morning as it did this morning.