Miscellany Monday: Bullet Points Ad Nauseam

Its Monday (barely) so I, once again, have a valid excuse for being my normal random self. So lets start at the beginning shall week. 

1. Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood.....
• Its was about 1:00 pm when we first heard the sirens. It wasn't the typical long drawn out wail, but more of a "whoop-whoop" every couple of minutes. I was standing on the porch with my neighbor-friends at the time, and walked into the yard to see if we could see anything. Not seeing a single car on the road, we resumed our conversation...only to interrupted again. This went on for another 30 minutes, at 5-10 minute intervals, before I went back inside. A couple of hours later I was back at their house, and this time we could see police cars pulled up to a house a couple of houses down. We mused to ourselves a bit, but its not unusual to see the police at that house (we thought) and we went on about our business. Rob and I went to class, had a perfectly horrid time, (ah life with baby-puppies) and left class early before they kicked us out. As we were drew closer to my house, I noticed the police cars were NOT lined up at the house we originally assumed but at the nice neat house next to it. (Ah lack of zoning laws. Gotta love it) I tucked that little nugget and went home to get ready for Church that evening. (So ok this was Wednesday) When the police were STILL their after Church got out around 8ish..9ish..who knows, we knew this wasn't a robbery or domestic violence case. And as it turns out we were correct, though it took a while to get the story arranged right, the news reported the bodies found, two houses down from my own humble abode, were from a murder and suicide. Apparently this couple hadn't been getting along for years, and one stabbed the other and then the murderer overdosed on drugs.
• Honestly its extremely sad, I mean how do you get to the point where you are SO un-happy with your life and with your companion that you are willing to let yourself do something so heinous? 
• So that was the drama of last week. 
2. In less Tragic News... 
• I have decided that there are some foods that just aren't "left-over meal" materials. Coming from a family of eight, you are conditioned from a young age to make large portions of everything. Moving out on my own, I quickly realized that I could NOT eat as much as I was used to making, and just how I could NOT eat the same thing seven days in a row. My already picky menu decreased several notches during my first year on-my-own. 
• Box or Stove Top Macaroni & Cheese (as of this week I've thrown out two containers. It jus doesn't re-heat good at all. blegh. Puke. gag.) 
• Baked Mac & Cheese is doable. 
• Fresh Salsa (it just is weird. Believe me Probably the lack of preservatives etc..) 
• Homemade Burgers (dry out really easily.) 
• Restaurant Burgers are ok. 
• I'm sure I'll think of others, but at the moment I could throw all of the above out of my fridge and not blink twice about it. However I hate, hate, hate, wasting food/money so I'll force it down. As long as it doesn't have any green fuzzy decor.....
3. My wish list is getting longer by the day.....
• At number one we have a Piano... if you don't know, I've been playing this lovely instrument since I was six? Took 10 years in lessons, can play fairly well by ear, and I reguarly play at church yada yada yada. However, lack of practice does not a good pianist make; not having a piano where I can practice easily isn't good. So I'm looking for either a nice studio upright piano like my parents have, or even a spinit. I would Loooooooooooove to have a Grand or even a Baby-Grand. I would literally die. I used to ask my parents for one, and could never understand why everyone died laughing at my suggestion. I mean yeah I know you guys said it cost a lot, but I was thinking in the $2,000-5,000 range. That was until last year, when my friends and I decided to walk into a piano store. 
• Um...those things are like $35,000. 
• And that's the CHEAP ones. 
• Could have knocked me over with a feather. 
• So I'll settle for even a nice electric piano. 
• However a car comes first. 
• Next would be New Glasses 
• Our local mall has a Eye-Docter/Lens/Glasses whatever and the current deal is $20 eye exam and buy one get one free on their glasses. Any brand. Having worn my current pair for iono four years now? Its time for some new ones. I also want some fashionable prescription sunglasses so I can look "cool" like everyone else. haha. I wanna a complete change from what I have currently, but am scared to commit my money towards such a venture at the moment. 
• Studio Lights ( I know, I know, not the "correct" terminology but you get the gist of it) 
• Canon 7D or Sony Alpha 850 
• Yeah. When I'm rollin in the big bucks
• Another 50mm, 24-70mm, 70-400mm, 35mm, *sigh*
• Fix my cavity ridden teeth.
• How is it, I can go through child hood, have minimal cavities (with minimal brushing) but the INSTANT i become and "adult" and responsible take care of my teeth DAILY (granted I also increased my sugar intake) My mouth is full of this plague!?!? Not to mention they all held off until I was OFF of my parents insurance..!? 
• Grr. 
4. Its Finals Week 
• And of COURSE I should be studying, but I'm all studyed out at the moment. The end is in sight, I can taste it, I can touch it, I can feel it ..(think sunshine and blue skies) and its nearly impossible to concentrate on the important things at the moment. 
5. Still.No.Car. 
• Its coming. I can feel it. I've got the money. I just need the right price. 
6. Goals for the upcoming summer would be...
• Get another part time job...preferably one that will allow me to bring the Robsters 
• See #5
• Save up money for the TWO trips I'm planning to take this year. 
• Man. Just remembered I might have another I'll "HAVE" to go on. ssiigghhhh. 
• Having three dogs can be very expensive at times.
• Buy More Clothes
7. Twitter Randomness
• 4 of 5 stars to A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson 
• 4 of 5 stars to A Surrendered Heart by Tracie Peterson 
• Time to make a list and check it at least, twice.
• Ugh...really Windows? This would have "never" happened on a Mac
• omw. Seriuosly!? RT @fearfuldogs: dumb dog leash tinyurl.com/3mw8jfv what IS our problem?
• Why yes, I am completely changing the topic for my final that was due yesterday. Again. To the original topic.
• "Are we turning our kids into Tech Zombies?"
• Has a nice ring to it don'tcha think?
• Today, 8-18 year-olds devote an average o! f 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day..#researching
• Technology Free Family Live to Tell the Tale: bit.ly/ecAbC8
• RT @thinkgeek: WOW. 100,000+ toothpicks, 3,000 hours, & gallons of Elmer's glue later: San Francisco kinetic sculpture j.mp/hZuD7c
• I mean really. There are some days when you DON'T wanna know what people are thinking and they put it on FB anyway. !!!!?
• Change the World with Words - for Dogs and All | Dancing Dog Blog bit.ly/gjMXvH
• Dear Pinterest I wanna join the party!? Please send me an invite soooooon!

The End.
Good Bye for a week.
Probably.
I don't know.

{Thursday - August 12, 2010}

*sigh*

Today is the day my suspension goes into effect. 
Here's the thing I forgot to mention, in my previous post.
I was still using my old license from the state of my birth and life for the past 18 or so years. 
I should have changed it last year, to the state of my current residency...but life got in the way, so many documents you have to have, that I didn't at the time. 
So when I heard about this, my first thought was...since I have about A WEEK before my license is suspended, let me get my in state license taken care of now, so I don't have to worry about that. 
Welll...that thought was sort of struck down, I was told to call the "State in the US that I used to live in" DMV and request a hearing, or talk to someone there. I did and the person was extremely un-helpful but requested a hearing for me. 
Ookk.. 
Truthfully I didn't see how that made any difference since I don't live in "State that shall not be named" and even if I just let the suspension go, I wouldn't be able to get my license reinstated through them, since I DON'T LIVE THERE. So at the last minute we decided to try and get my resident state license. Thankfully my father had run over to the "State of my birth" and was able to get my birth certificate. 


So I called my boss, switched work schedules, located documents and got set to try and get my licenses. 


I arrived at the DMV office at 1430 hours (2:30pm) and handed the lady my documents.. But it wasn't meant to be, while my paycheck stub was applicable, my bank statement was not because it wasn't "Stamped and dated as an active account."  *insert annoyed expression* 


Me: The bank doesn't have stamps
DMV Lady: Well we can't accept this unless its stamped and dated. 
Me: I asked them to do so and they said they didn't, here is their card  if you want to call them 
DMV Lady: We don't call people. Here's a list of acceptable documents. NEXT!


So I headed to my car to cry and call my mother. (Cause that's what you do when things don't go your way.)
Maybe I just needed to ride this suspension out...but then how am I supposed to get a license in state that I would now have lived in three years? 


So my mother advised me to try the bank again, despite only have three locations in our fair city. Downtown, West Town and ...West town. (Cause all the rich people live there and is about 35-40 minutes away from East Town)


Downtown it was then, I had my dear mother to check and see if there were any other DMV offices closer to downtown, while I sped, drove towards the bank. Once there I get the same teller I got last time, who directs me to one of the managers. Unfortunately both were busy so my name was put on a list and I took a seat, on one of the cushy couches. 


Both parents called me while I was there, and instructed me to get my document notarized. Except for the small fact that an irate customer had just stormed out due to the fact he couldn't get his document notarized for some reason or another. 


*RED FLAGS*


But I was determined to talk to someone. When it came my turn however, the poor lady had no clue what the DMV wanted, and quickly informed me that her Notary license had just expired. The DAY BEFORE. I explained, that I didn't know what exactly the DMV was looking for but this is what they said was required, so she (bless her heart) pulled up her computer and started looking for requirements as well. 


After 5 minutes of searching, we finally located the list. All of the sudden, she gets and up and says "I'm going to make an exception." The next thing I know she's come back with my document stamped, dated and notarized. 


I literally could have hugged her. 


But thanked her as profusely as possible, and the dashed for my car. 


It was 4:15 pm and I needed to find this "new" DMV office before 5:30pm, despite missing my turn I still made it too the office by 4:34pm and entered to find the small room PACKED with people. As i approached the desk, the lady informed me that they were completely out of numbers and I could be put on a waiting list, if I wanted. But it would be better to come back tomorrow. 


Oh I WANTED.


So I sat down with a drivers application, and waited. and Waited.. and listened  while they told people the camera was down, and waited some more. At 5:00PM they told people, the camera had been down, they didn't know when it would be up, come back tomorrow as we're shutting this place down at 5:15pm. 


Half the people got up and left. I and the other half stayed. Literally. 1 minute after the place emptied out. The camera started working again. The remaining people lined up to get their photos done, and other staff members started calling numbers. Since most had left, most of the numbers were void. I and one other couple were the only "waiting list" people still here, so we anxiously watched the numbers click through. 
Other people received their licenses and left. 


Finally the couple (who were the annoying pushy kind) asked (for the 6th time) if they could be seen. At this point the staff decided to run down the waiting list, since no one else was coming forward. at 5:10PM I was called, and gave the lady my information. I registered to vote and signed up as an organ donor. <--eek!


Within 5 minutes I was walking out with my newly issued licensed. <-insert collapse on the floor relief. 
I don't cry very easily but I defiantly thought about shedding a tear or two over this situation. 


12:01 am  my other state license was suspended. But that didn't matter because its not even applicable anymore.


Today when I got into work, I told my boss (who just happens to be a Lieutenant in our police department) was shocked to hear this situation, and quickly ran both my new license and old to see if anything had been transfered to the new. Nope...and yep the other license was suspended. 


So now we wait. Wait to see what  Birth Home State does. She did assure me that current state wouldn't do anything if BHS did send the info too them. *Thank You Jesus! 

But we've got to see if BHS will do...since I had a hearing requested for me, my current question is whether to ignore it, or cancel it. This past week, has be so. stressful. A lot of things were said, some walls seemed to have been built up, there was a lot of emotions involved. I don't think people felt I felt this situation was as serious as it is. And I felt that some things were handled a little harshly. 


But as of this moment, in this time, in this place. 

I CAN DRIVE!!!

And that's really what I care about. :)

Summer Break: Week 2

Now that I’ve revived from my post-school-funk, I am really starting to enjoy having nothing to do. Week 1 was pretty emotional for me, depressing really; there were also a lot of other things going on in my life that didn’t help out my mental state, but God and I got a real good talk in Friday and I determined to let go and let God and he’s defiantly helped fight and win since then.

I can see this being the second most nerve racking summer of my life, as I seek direction as to what I’m supposed to do this year. Financial Aid was finally sent my way, though I haven’t received anything just yet, which was a huge relief off my back at first, but as time has progressed I am beginning to realize that I can’t stay at my current job.
It’s tough because I really, really, like my job, my co-workers, etc.. but I am barely making enough to cover the few bills that I have. Then I receive a phone call, technically I called her, but it sounds more dramatic this way. My mom had been talking to our insurance agent about an issue, they got that resolved yada, yada, yada, and then the agent starts asking questions.

Note to self, if insurance agents starts asking question find some way to remove yourself from the conversation.

To surmise the situation, the insurance company didn’t have me down as the primary driver on my dad’s car, which at the time I was placed on the policy I wasn’t, so they adjusted that status and guess what?! That action added $50 to my low $45 a month payment. To panic or not to panic is the current question, though they haven’t raised it just yet, it’s only a matter of time. At this time I believe “Nationwide is on your side” will be who I go with as for me their rate would only be $50 a month which I can totally handle.

But it also brings the startling reality that I.Am.Broke. I guess I should be happy that I’m finally getting into the full role of a college student, but I’m not seeing much to laugh about. Thus begins the question of what to do now. I can get another part time job in the summer, but how is that going to help me when school starts again? Or I can look for a full time position which will cut me out of going to class fulltime and receiving financial aid.

Or I can get a full time job that is similar to my current position where I can do homework around my other work… Which then limits the places I can apply to; or…um..nope I’m out of ideas here. Now you should know something about me, I am very picky as to where I apply to work. First because well …(and this may be a totally lame reason) I want to have a chance that I can continue working with service dogs, so that cuts me out of the Food and Retail Industries. Second would be the people, I’m going into interviews looking around at people, how they greet me, how they respond to each other if I can help it I do not want to get back into drama city.

Though with my track record I’m due for another drama filled job *sobs*.
• First Job = 2 women owners, 2 women managers, 4 women employee’s and a gay guy = D.R.A.M.A  When you are starting to dream about your job and are almost getting physically sick on the way to work in the morning...its time to move on.
• Second Job = Husband and Wife owned/managed, 3 girls = No Drama, Great Bosses very fair, awesome co-workers albiet a bit crazy at times. 
• Third Job = 1 woman owned/managed/dictated……yeah I’ll let you feel in the blanks= DRRAAMMMAA -Granted that was the one job where I actually LOVED my work and my co-workers. I do miss the WORK a lot, but not the heavy amounts of stress.
• Fourth Job = Corporation still some drama, but none involving me or those that I work with. So nice to come home and not think about your job until you get their the next morning
• Fifth Job = Who knows????

Thirdly would be flexibility, I’ve probably changed my schedule at least every three months during my time here, they have been awesome about working with my school and other job schedule (at the time) and I’ve been LOVING having my weekends free.

Oh. HA and I guess pay would rank up there between 1 and 2.

But the biggest thing I guess that’s “holding me back” is my parents reaction to me telling them that I was considering leaving, my current place of employment. Let’s just say it wasn’t “excitement” that greeted my pronouncement. And while I will ultimately make my own decision….I do value their opinions, (I can actually admit that now without cringing NEVER TELL THEM THAT would ruin my credibility) plus they get to listen to my job rants…However I think we’ve gotten to the point where I don’t really have a choice anymore.

So the Job hunts begins.

In other news, I have gotten Way tired of eating frozen food and decided to try a simple recipe from the The Pioneer Woman’s Cook Book.

Steak Bites{Full Recipe}

See! They even look like hers!!

I rarely follow cooking directions to the "T", so I added in some of Emeril's BAM BURGER seasoning, which spiced it up!

And since this is officially the longest post I’ve ever written…on this blog.. I will end it.
Tata!
Erin

No Drama...!

I just realized something....
I have officially been drama free for about three months now.
How Ka-RAZY is that????

If you'd known some of things I've been through with my past job(s), you would know...

I can come home, and leave my job at the pd and not think about it, until I get back there the next afternoon or morning. An amazing feeling.

My first job was like diving into a vat of sharks, there was so much "she said ...Oh No she didn't" EVERDAY, I couldn't get to sleep at night, just dreading going to work the next day. On top of that the owner of the facilities and the manager didn't get along, we were hiring new co-workers every month it seemed....I had to leave after about 8 months.
Next job was pleasantly drama free.
Job number 3, right back in the drama pool again. *shudders*
Job number 4 if there is drama I don't get to be a part of it. And I'm perfectly happy about that.
Which if we go according to my odds, I'd better just stay put!

Drama?!?

This is not meant to offend anyone, but I'm just gotten to the point where I am very tired of all the drama that I see everywhere I turn.
Between my job, the internet and other places; its like I can't get away from it! ONE has and issues because some one does/doesn't do this or that, and then goes to talk about it to everyone EXCEPT for that person, and instead of resolving it between each other it has to become a big deal.
ITS DRIVING ME NUTS!!
I stay out of it as much as possible, because I don't want it ever said that I was involved in the backstabbing of someone.
People claim to be Christians yet feel its ok to tear each other down!?
I had an issues come up this past week, that had the potential to become a problem...greater then what it already was, but I took it TO the person i had issues with (yes I was scared), and we talked about it and its was resolved and my day was great after that.

If only everyone had the same mind set. If not things will never get resolved and this could cause problems for all of us. Possibly loose some great friends; which would be horrible.

*sigh*
Flash Class tomorrow....urgh.
~*Erin*~

1 more day until Spring Break.