City Life

Well I have started the new job... welcome to the real world. It is crazy being downtown in the hustle and bustle each day. People don't smile, in fact they hardly will look at you. It's all business... I can't help but feel like some kind of impostor. I feel like one wrong move and the gig is up!! I still look at people in the face, and smile at them.... I have never been one to stare at the ground or pretend like I am looking at something more important. This is just out in the streets however... the people in my office are very nice and friendly. I still feel like I barely know what is going on though. I don't get my own desk until Thursday and on Friday I get to use the telephone!!! LOL. Right now I have just been learning a lot about reports and computer systems... next week I have to go to this class everyday from 12:00 to 4:00, should be fun... or not. We'll have to see. I have some great pictures to show y'all from our singles ward camp out to Taylors Falls... but I am on the run today. Keep your eyes open for it in the next few days.

Firsts

It's only the afternoon and this day is already marvelous. I woke up bright and early, and gave the Metro Transit system a test run. I had never taken the bus before today... I know I live a sheltered life. I wanted to make sure that I would make it to work on Monday without any problems, taking the bus is a piece of cake, and it makes me feel all independent. I don't know if other people get this or if it is just some weakness of my own, but new things frighten me a little. Except for food that is.. I mean I'll eat anything. But going new places, or doing something for the first time... especially when people are involved who are not new.... I get butterflies in my stomach and I have this desire to turn and run away. Even just going into a store I've never been in before. Please let me know if anyone gets that way so I wont feel like an odd duck.

I walked around downtown and became more familiar with my new surroundings. I memorized the street order and directions... paying attention to all those tricky one ways. I walked to the stone arch bridge and admired the river and then I called my mom to come pick me up... LOL! You didn't expect me to take the bus there AND BACK did you.

Another amazing first happened today as well, I went and got the mail and there was an envelop from my new employer. I was curious to know what they would be sending me. I opened it up to find my first paycheck!!!!!!!!! I haven't even worked yet and they already sent me a check... I think it might be for the interview or something. Honestly I have no idea, but my stress of having absolutely no money will soon be gone... now I'll just stress on what I should and shouldn't spend it on.

This Crazy World

Yesterday I went to volunteer for the hospital... you know give back to the community, and help the sick, lift the hands that hang low and all that good stuff. You would think that people would be excited by your willingness to help and want your free labor. I mean I LOVE FREE STUFF!!!
Well, after a TWO hour orientation including over 10 pages of paperwork... you know a background check, two quizzes one on fire safety and the other on HIPPA which is the policy which keeps patients information confidential. We also had to learn how to wash our hands, and all of the codes and what they mean... like code blue (respiratory failure) and code pink (Someone is trying to steal a baby!!)
I felt like I had just gone through medical school... after that two hours I feel like I should be a doctor there (not to trivialize what doctors do or anything). Well... there is more to do, I have to buy a $12.00 uniform, pay the $5.00 auxiliary fee, have a Mantoux test for tuberculosis, and have blood drawn in the lab for further testing.
I just want to read people their mail, hand out flowers and wheel sick people around in wheelchairs... so what's with the investigation. I suppose it's nothing new for me to tell you that we live in a crazy world. There are so many nutz-O people walking around that everyone is on the defence. People can't tell anymore if you are just a good honest person or a ruthless baby stealer. I mean I understand hospital security and all... it's just sad that that's the way it has to be. SO if you are crazy... QUIT IT your ruining it for the rest of us!!!!!

Moving on Up

I HAVE A JOB!!!!!! A real live job, with people and office supplies. There is even a 24 story building, and a fish tank... elevators.... people all dressed up and serious and security guards.

After the long and strenuous last three months of job searching... OK that's stretching it a little... long perhaps but sending in resumes online doesn't tend to be too strenuous, well maybe my fingers cramped up a time or two from typing sooo much, and my eyes were a little strained.... sorry where was I. Oh ya, so two days ago I got a phone call from a bank I applied to and they gave me an offer, I didn't except right away though because I was waiting to hear from the "silver tuna" (the job that would pay me much better). So I set out to call them and find out what was going on... but they called me first and offered me the position. Naturally I called the bank and laughed at them... "You'll never have me!!!!" OK so that's not true either. I politely told them thank you for their time and the offer, but I had something better.
Enough Rambling, my new job is at RBC Dain Rauscher in downtown Minneapolis. I am going to take the bus, and dress up and be all professional. Beth, I am reminded of Drop Dead Fred when he told Snot Face (Phoebe Cates), "We're grown-ups now!"
Could my life possibly be any better this week!!!! Of Course it could, I went to the zoo yesterday!!! Allow me to share some of the things I saw.

On the left is Bill, He just kept staring at me, I think he likes me... and kind of a camera hog. He wouldn't let any of the other fish get into the shot. Below is some of the lilly pads that were above his tank.

The vegetation at the zoo is my favorite part, we spent most of our time with the flowers and trees. We made sure not to miss seeing the Monkeys. And when I say we for all who don't know her I mean the lovely Sara Clark... she's a monkey a hugger.

ALRIGHT ALREADY!!! I got stuff to do today, perhaps I'll tell you all about it tomorrow, until then I'll leave you with the same salutation that my high school principle would give us at the end of announcements. "Have a Good day.... OR NOT, The choice is yours!"

The Couch

Perhaps you are thinking to yourself, "Is that a couch in a tree?" Or maybe you are thinking, "Man, that sure looks like a good place to sit." This is the view I have from my dinning room table of the neighbors backyard. I find myself starring at that couch every morning. First of all, because it looks quite out of place, and second because I still can not quite understand how they got it up there and how in the world they plan on getting it down. Now if you look closely you can see the power lines and the roof of the barn giving you a little indication of just how high up this thing is. I have never seen anyone sitting up there. But one of these days I am going to march next door and ask if I can take a book up there. I can't help but think that it must stink.. and be kind of soggy, I mean it sits up there rain and shine. That would be a good comfy spot for the squirels, and I'm sure the birds have pecked nice holes in it seeking stuffing to add to thier nests. I have seen people try to make thier tree forts amazing... but I think there is a point when you've taken it too far.

Sucked In

Well, each and everyday I sit down with high hopes of the things I will accomplish in the day, then I check my e-mail. It seems like such a small thing, "Oh, it will just take me a second..." I foolishly tell myself. Then without fail I get sucked in.. and three hours later I emerge from my computer chair, dry eyed and sleepy. So today as I sat studying the difference of soluble and insoluble fiber (I want to be a nutritionist someday you know), Sara instant messaged me and told me about something called a Blog. I had no idea what they were having been so sheltered from the technological world for 18 months on my mission in New Mexico. I was quite impressed and thought... now this is what I should spend my day doing. I would like to welcome you all to my Blog, it will no doubt be quite boring until I figure out how to add stuff and spice it up, but what better way to waste valuable time. This actually is a great idea for keeping everybody posted and staying in touch, so I guess this is a noble cause.