Only two more weeks and my commuting days are over! Some people don't think it's a big deal to work 20 miles from their home and usually it's not. But, when you live in LA, 20 miles means an hour to hour and a half to and from work. Lately, it's been getting worse and summer is usually better when it comes to traffic.
I have been wanting a change of pace for a while and when I didn't get a job in San Diego, I decided that I needed to look for something closer to home. It's amazing how marriage can change priorities. Hubby and I talked about it and prayed about it. I talked about it a lot until finally my husband said that I either needed to start looking or just be resigned to my work situation and basically stop complaining. The reality is that complaining does very little good if any. You either have to work with what you've got or change the situation if you can. So I started looking again, but closer to home.
A few days later, while I was home with the dreaded conjunctivitis, I received two phone calls. This was really exciting because I only applied to three places. I went on both interviews and was offered a job with an insurance broker and benefits advisory as an Enrollment Specialist. Not only that, but she thinks I will do better in a different position that will open in 3 months, so I'll be getting around the same that I get paid now. Pretty exciting stuff if you ask me! You didn't ask? Oh well, I just told you so there!
I am also extremely nervous because you never know what you are getting into with a new job. There is a lapse in pay because of where their payroll starts, health insurance waiting period, and of course all the other unknowns. But, that really is with any major changes in life. You don't really know until you're in the thick of it. Some of the scariest decisions I have made, have been the best. When I started my current job, I didn't think I would stay 6 months and now I'm a month shy of 3 years. I calculated all the time I sat in traffic over the last 2.9 years and it's over 1500...give or take a few. You're probably saying "Wow!" right now, either because you're amazed at the time spent commuting, or because I'm insane enough to have calculated that out in order to add fuel to the fire of how much I'm ready to leave this job. The new job has a lot more positives than I could find cons. It is super close to home, interesting, has room for growth, good for my sanity by not sitting forever in traffic, and good for spiritual activities! I am ready! And yes I know every job has it's downsides, but I will make a point to remember all the good parts about it. If I don't Hubby will surely remind me to think of the positives and not start jumping jobs! I have been known to do that, but I say if I can commute for 3 years then I can last at the new place!
Now the next dilemma is what to name my blog, since I won't be Parked on the Freeway any longer!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Updates on Life
I really enjoy staying home and not working. And when I say really, I mean really. Did the emphasis on how much I enjoy it come through? Okay great! Now we can continue. Monday I was sent home because I thought I had pink eye. Yes, conjunctivitis, that highly contagious infection that I had for 4 days prior to being sent home from work, but thinking it was allergies or just a reaction to some eye makeup that I probably have been keeping for too long. It's happened before and I was always able to get rid of it on my own. So I figured, eh allergies, but better tell my boss I'm going to the doctor to be sure. She got so freaked out and made me go home 30 minutes after I got to work. I went to an urgent care, near my work, so that way I could return if it was just allergies. Nope! Time for some eye drops! I'm pretty sure that a bunch of people at Dave and Buster's got pink eye because of me. Sorry! Don't wave your fists at me! I thought it was allergies! What adult gets pink eye that isn't around kids every day! Oh, apparently it's fairly common. Two of my coworkers are now out as a result. I also had to throw away all of my eye makeup that I've been using. So I have a bathroom trashcan full of money, contaminated with conjunctivitis. Oh Urban Decay Naked Pallette how I will pine for your loss! I should stop touching my face and eyes so much because there are a bunch of germs just waiting to infest people apparently. Whoops! Okay now where was I? Oh yes, I like to stay home...I really do.
I was home on Monday because of my disgusting eyes and I got quite a bit done! I think I have talked about this subject of wanting to be a stay-at-home wife before. So I assume you get the point. I finally put a few more things away that have been sitting around needing a home, organized some things, washed dishes, made dinner, talked my husband's ear off when all he really wanted to do was come home from work and relax. Usually he has many hours to relax and get things done, but SURPRISE, I'm home from work because of my nasty eyes! Yay! Well, I was excited, a little too excited. And frankly, he wanted to just catch up on some much needed sleep, so I was a little, okay a lot, annoying.
So I finished up some stuff and attempted to read my copy of Les Miserables. A paragraph seemed good enough before I lost interest and looked for something else to do. After going around the apartment in circles, cleaning makeup brushes, snacking, filling out paperwork, I finally got dinner on. I really should have gone for a run because I had the time and needed to get some of my overflowing energies out. Instead I waited like a weird puppy for the husband to wake up and watched Miss Congeniality and Miss Congeniality-Armed and Dangerous. The first one is the best. I know I need help.
What else is going on? Well, some truly exciting stuff could be on the horizon! I don't know for sure yet, but I'll write an update as soon as I know. I may no longer be parked on the freeway! *wink wink*
Stay tuned for more and thank you to all my thousands (which means maybe 5 readers) for following my random wanderings of my mind and life.
I was home on Monday because of my disgusting eyes and I got quite a bit done! I think I have talked about this subject of wanting to be a stay-at-home wife before. So I assume you get the point. I finally put a few more things away that have been sitting around needing a home, organized some things, washed dishes, made dinner, talked my husband's ear off when all he really wanted to do was come home from work and relax. Usually he has many hours to relax and get things done, but SURPRISE, I'm home from work because of my nasty eyes! Yay! Well, I was excited, a little too excited. And frankly, he wanted to just catch up on some much needed sleep, so I was a little, okay a lot, annoying.
So I finished up some stuff and attempted to read my copy of Les Miserables. A paragraph seemed good enough before I lost interest and looked for something else to do. After going around the apartment in circles, cleaning makeup brushes, snacking, filling out paperwork, I finally got dinner on. I really should have gone for a run because I had the time and needed to get some of my overflowing energies out. Instead I waited like a weird puppy for the husband to wake up and watched Miss Congeniality and Miss Congeniality-Armed and Dangerous. The first one is the best. I know I need help.
What else is going on? Well, some truly exciting stuff could be on the horizon! I don't know for sure yet, but I'll write an update as soon as I know. I may no longer be parked on the freeway! *wink wink*
Stay tuned for more and thank you to all my thousands (which means maybe 5 readers) for following my random wanderings of my mind and life.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
The Newspaper Dilemma
My job is an interesting place in the universe. I often wonder if anyone else has the same issues that I do at my job. I'm sure they do. I often feel that I'm in a Twilight Zone episode, or maybe this is my own Groundhog Day movie, but instead of Bill Murray as the star, it is me. Unfortunately I'm not acting, or am I?
Every morning I come to work and the newspaper is on the floor by the front door to the office. Apparently I am the only one that can pick it up and put it on the table in the lobby. I am also the only one that can take the old issues to the recycling. You might be wondering if I get into the office before everyone else. That would make sense and not be a dilemma. I am the last one to get to the office in the mornings.
I did a little experiment this morning. I was carrying a lot of stuff so I went to put it at my desk before going to pick up the paper. Then I thought that I would leave the paper there and see if anyone would grab it and bring it in, considering the bathroom and elevators are all outside of the front door. People came and went, came and went. Did I spy anyone bringing in the newspaper? You guessed correctly. No! I finally went and brought it in since we have clients coming in and I want the lobby to look good and not have us looking like a bunch of lazy duds.
You should've seen the huge pile of papers that I came back to work piled on my desk and lobby table when I got back from my honeymoon. It was plain ridiculous. Two weeks worth of weekday papers and weekend papers (and those are huge with sales flyers and coupons), it made me look like a hoarder with them all piled on my desk. I don't know why I expect people to have common sense and I suppose since I do sit at the front desk in the lobby it is assumed that it is my domain. It is my domain! So leave it alone and don't mess it up! But, please pick up the paper when you see it. Thanks. Oh and throw the old ones out if I'm not here. Is that so hard? Yes, yes it is extremely difficult. Will I bring this up to anyone? No I won't because basically it doesn't matter enough. It only matters enough for me to write a blog and be baffled at people's lack of common sense or ability to notice the world around them.
Every morning I come to work and the newspaper is on the floor by the front door to the office. Apparently I am the only one that can pick it up and put it on the table in the lobby. I am also the only one that can take the old issues to the recycling. You might be wondering if I get into the office before everyone else. That would make sense and not be a dilemma. I am the last one to get to the office in the mornings.
I did a little experiment this morning. I was carrying a lot of stuff so I went to put it at my desk before going to pick up the paper. Then I thought that I would leave the paper there and see if anyone would grab it and bring it in, considering the bathroom and elevators are all outside of the front door. People came and went, came and went. Did I spy anyone bringing in the newspaper? You guessed correctly. No! I finally went and brought it in since we have clients coming in and I want the lobby to look good and not have us looking like a bunch of lazy duds.
You should've seen the huge pile of papers that I came back to work piled on my desk and lobby table when I got back from my honeymoon. It was plain ridiculous. Two weeks worth of weekday papers and weekend papers (and those are huge with sales flyers and coupons), it made me look like a hoarder with them all piled on my desk. I don't know why I expect people to have common sense and I suppose since I do sit at the front desk in the lobby it is assumed that it is my domain. It is my domain! So leave it alone and don't mess it up! But, please pick up the paper when you see it. Thanks. Oh and throw the old ones out if I'm not here. Is that so hard? Yes, yes it is extremely difficult. Will I bring this up to anyone? No I won't because basically it doesn't matter enough. It only matters enough for me to write a blog and be baffled at people's lack of common sense or ability to notice the world around them.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Newlywed Life
It's been a month and a few days since Mr. G and I were married and it's been interesting so far. By interesting, I don't mean bad, so don't get crazy and start reading all kinds of negativity into the word "interesting." Thanks. I just mean it's been a trial and error kind of process. I like routines and I haven't quite found what works for us yet. I've also learned that I'm a bit of a control freak and used to doing things my own way. There's a tiny problem with being that way and living with another person, especially a man.
Men don't do things the way women think they should be done. At least that's what I've experienced. And it is vice versa with men (Mr. G) thinks I should do things a certain way and don't.
I'm very slowly learning to change the way I normally do things and little by little learning to go with the flow. It could take a decade or two, but maybe one of these days I'll be super easy going and understand the way my husband's brain works completely and he will understand mine. Yeah. I know. I said MAYBE.
Although there are adjustments and things that I didn't expect about being married, I guess the best advice I could give for anyone about to get married or going down that path is to not expect anything. Pick your battles and don't worry about every little thing(because I do this, so I'm telling you not to because it's not worth the brain power). It's not like some fairy tale whirlwind, but I can say that it is awesome being married. It's nice to have a partner there to bounce ideas off of, discuss deep topics during family Bible study, laugh with, cuddle on the couch and watch movies with.
It's nice to be a wife and take care of a home. I NEVER thought that I would actually enjoy cleaning and ironing and cooking dinner. I've discovered that I really like keeping my place very clean and having someone there that notices and appreciates it. I used to let my bedroom get super messy and let it get really dusty before I couldn't take it anymore. Now it drives me crazy and I can't wait to get everything put away and make everything sparkle and shine. My car on the other hand is another story and looks like it got dirt dumped on it.
Marriage has made me appreciate my mother and working mothers more than I ever had the ability to before. I work far away from home and sometimes by the time I get home and if I cook dinner we won't eat until almost 8pm sometimes. It really is the pits but that is life for now. I admire mothers, especially single ones who have to work full time and then come home and take care of their children. They must somehow put aside their exhaustion because I don't have kids and I can't even imagine how much work it is. Just doing the usual things around our home and getting into a routine has been a feat in itself. And when I come home and things aren't as I would like them to be, I become a major crankpot. This is not nice for Mr. G. who has been waiting for me to get home and happy to see me, until I turn into a stressed out cranky person. He told me that isn't allowed anymore and that things would get done. Which they do and they will. I'm learning.
So in my first month of being married it's great. I love it all. I have a husband who balances out my crazy and I think I balance him out as well (you'd have to ask him). I love the good and not-so-good and most of all I am grateful to have Mr. G in my life and be our own new family now. :)
Men don't do things the way women think they should be done. At least that's what I've experienced. And it is vice versa with men (Mr. G) thinks I should do things a certain way and don't.
I'm very slowly learning to change the way I normally do things and little by little learning to go with the flow. It could take a decade or two, but maybe one of these days I'll be super easy going and understand the way my husband's brain works completely and he will understand mine. Yeah. I know. I said MAYBE.
Although there are adjustments and things that I didn't expect about being married, I guess the best advice I could give for anyone about to get married or going down that path is to not expect anything. Pick your battles and don't worry about every little thing(because I do this, so I'm telling you not to because it's not worth the brain power). It's not like some fairy tale whirlwind, but I can say that it is awesome being married. It's nice to have a partner there to bounce ideas off of, discuss deep topics during family Bible study, laugh with, cuddle on the couch and watch movies with.
It's nice to be a wife and take care of a home. I NEVER thought that I would actually enjoy cleaning and ironing and cooking dinner. I've discovered that I really like keeping my place very clean and having someone there that notices and appreciates it. I used to let my bedroom get super messy and let it get really dusty before I couldn't take it anymore. Now it drives me crazy and I can't wait to get everything put away and make everything sparkle and shine. My car on the other hand is another story and looks like it got dirt dumped on it.
Marriage has made me appreciate my mother and working mothers more than I ever had the ability to before. I work far away from home and sometimes by the time I get home and if I cook dinner we won't eat until almost 8pm sometimes. It really is the pits but that is life for now. I admire mothers, especially single ones who have to work full time and then come home and take care of their children. They must somehow put aside their exhaustion because I don't have kids and I can't even imagine how much work it is. Just doing the usual things around our home and getting into a routine has been a feat in itself. And when I come home and things aren't as I would like them to be, I become a major crankpot. This is not nice for Mr. G. who has been waiting for me to get home and happy to see me, until I turn into a stressed out cranky person. He told me that isn't allowed anymore and that things would get done. Which they do and they will. I'm learning.
So in my first month of being married it's great. I love it all. I have a husband who balances out my crazy and I think I balance him out as well (you'd have to ask him). I love the good and not-so-good and most of all I am grateful to have Mr. G in my life and be our own new family now. :)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Dreams, Anxiety and Stress! Oh My!
A few nights ago I had a really odd dream. It was about the upcoming wedding and it was not a good one. I woke up sweating and with an anxious knot in my chest. It was rather funny in reality, but not funny in my subconscious dream state. Let me relate how my rather minute stress level has escalated over the past weeks as the wedding gets closer.
Originally things would stress me out and I would go run or work out or just be by myself for a while and it would solve my issues...for the time being.
Then there was the dream! Darn you stupid dream! I hate you subconscious!
The dream begins with me walking down the aisle, realizing I forgot my veil and turning around to go get it, but no on would let me. The hall was rather empty and people were just milling about, not really concerned that the wedding was going on. I get to the front and the wedding talk has already begun and my fiance keeps telling me to calm down and relax. My two brothers that walked me down the isle are doing a sort of Night at the Roxbury, Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell dance around me and getting in between Paul and I, saying "Oh maybe I should stand here, no wait, maybe over here." I am whisper yelling at them to sit down because they aren't supposed to be up there. My fiance looks blissfully unaware and the speaker isn't phased at all.
I look around and come to the realization that there are no bridesmaids or groomsmen. I wonder out loud where everyone is and get no response. Next thing I know is that the ceremony is over and it's only 4:30(the time the real-life ceremony is supposed to start) and I start panicking because people are leaving for the reception, when they aren't supposed to get there until around 6. And everyone just keeps telling me to calm down and I am in this panicked/confused state!
Then I go over to meet my fiance's birth mom and am excited to meet her. She looks at me, nods her head and says "oh..hey," then turns around and continues on her conversation with whoever she is talking to.
I don't remember the whole dream...that's basically it. I just remember waking up sweating and ridiculously upset.
Fast forward a few more weeks, one extreme breakdown directed towards the fiance who was trying to take me out for a fun day and here I am now having anxiety about the bridal shower and wondering why people no longer understand what is traditional, expected, etiquette, or have common sense. It really boggles my mind. And by boggle, I mean sends me into fits of anxiety causing ridiculous crying, inability to understand jokes or teasing, sleepless nights, exhaustion and crankiness.
But, wait!? Weddings are fun right!? Enjoy every minute they said, don't let anything stress you out, they said. Too late. I throw my hands up! Now I get why people elope.
My aunt reminded me today that the most important part is when I begin walking down the aisle and see my wonderful soon to be husband smiling back at me. It made me get all emotional because truly after all is said and done, and I'm done being super high strung and stressed out, I will be married to my favorite person in the world. All this craziness and insanity to come will all work out well, everyone will have a great time and I'll begin a new life with my wonderfully patient husband.
Goal for this weekend: Do not freak out at the fiance, family, friends and if I should break down in tears of frustration or anxiety, I need to go to my room and get it over with.
Originally things would stress me out and I would go run or work out or just be by myself for a while and it would solve my issues...for the time being.
Then there was the dream! Darn you stupid dream! I hate you subconscious!
The dream begins with me walking down the aisle, realizing I forgot my veil and turning around to go get it, but no on would let me. The hall was rather empty and people were just milling about, not really concerned that the wedding was going on. I get to the front and the wedding talk has already begun and my fiance keeps telling me to calm down and relax. My two brothers that walked me down the isle are doing a sort of Night at the Roxbury, Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell dance around me and getting in between Paul and I, saying "Oh maybe I should stand here, no wait, maybe over here." I am whisper yelling at them to sit down because they aren't supposed to be up there. My fiance looks blissfully unaware and the speaker isn't phased at all.
I look around and come to the realization that there are no bridesmaids or groomsmen. I wonder out loud where everyone is and get no response. Next thing I know is that the ceremony is over and it's only 4:30(the time the real-life ceremony is supposed to start) and I start panicking because people are leaving for the reception, when they aren't supposed to get there until around 6. And everyone just keeps telling me to calm down and I am in this panicked/confused state!
Then I go over to meet my fiance's birth mom and am excited to meet her. She looks at me, nods her head and says "oh..hey," then turns around and continues on her conversation with whoever she is talking to.
I don't remember the whole dream...that's basically it. I just remember waking up sweating and ridiculously upset.
Fast forward a few more weeks, one extreme breakdown directed towards the fiance who was trying to take me out for a fun day and here I am now having anxiety about the bridal shower and wondering why people no longer understand what is traditional, expected, etiquette, or have common sense. It really boggles my mind. And by boggle, I mean sends me into fits of anxiety causing ridiculous crying, inability to understand jokes or teasing, sleepless nights, exhaustion and crankiness.
But, wait!? Weddings are fun right!? Enjoy every minute they said, don't let anything stress you out, they said. Too late. I throw my hands up! Now I get why people elope.
My aunt reminded me today that the most important part is when I begin walking down the aisle and see my wonderful soon to be husband smiling back at me. It made me get all emotional because truly after all is said and done, and I'm done being super high strung and stressed out, I will be married to my favorite person in the world. All this craziness and insanity to come will all work out well, everyone will have a great time and I'll begin a new life with my wonderfully patient husband.
Goal for this weekend: Do not freak out at the fiance, family, friends and if I should break down in tears of frustration or anxiety, I need to go to my room and get it over with.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Wedding Planning
I am getting married in 4 months! Go me! Planning a wedding is many things and most of them are exciting. It is also very stressful. I think I have been doing a decent job of keeping it together, although I've definitely had my moments and I'm sure to have more as things progress. Fortunately, I started planning the nuptials well before the engagement. You may think that is jumping ahead, but I consider it smart. Unlike some people who are surprised by an engagement (I was surprised when it actually happened), I was not surprised that he wanted to marry me. My fiance and I had been planning on getting married months before the actual engagement. That really helped because I have been getting things done rather quickly and painlessly.
I am extremely thankful for the amazing people involved in the process. My mother, who without her the wedding would not be as fabulous as it's going to be. My level-headed fiance, who has kept me laughing, kept me calm and patiently dealt with my emotional ups and downs. And my fabulous group of bridesmaids who are so easy-going and supportive it's almost unreal. Then there are the rest of my family and friends who have been offering help, planning showers and just there for anything.
There have been and I'm sure will be more bumpy moments dealing with situations related to the wedding, but listed below are some choice moments that will surely give you a good chuckle.
Stay tuned for more fun stories to come!
I am extremely thankful for the amazing people involved in the process. My mother, who without her the wedding would not be as fabulous as it's going to be. My level-headed fiance, who has kept me laughing, kept me calm and patiently dealt with my emotional ups and downs. And my fabulous group of bridesmaids who are so easy-going and supportive it's almost unreal. Then there are the rest of my family and friends who have been offering help, planning showers and just there for anything.
There have been and I'm sure will be more bumpy moments dealing with situations related to the wedding, but listed below are some choice moments that will surely give you a good chuckle.
- Asking my fiance for his thoughts on cake and favors, and then getting mad at him for giving his input (because it was different from my idea). Go me! Fail.
- When asked about linens and chair decorations I got so overwhelmed that I told my mom I needed to go running. She got a laugh out of it, but I really was a much nicer person when I got back. Yay! Bridezilla moment averted!
- Getting anxious when picking out bridesmaids dresses so I started sweating. I hate asking people to spend money on something.
- Getting anxious when telling the cake designer what I wanted on my cake because I had to act like an adult. What am I a toddler? Tell the man what you want! Can you tell I have a little issue with anxiety? Lame.
Stay tuned for more fun stories to come!
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