Mini-Job

A couple of weeks ago I started working at Yoga Yoga in their work-trade program. I work a couple of hours on Wednesday afternoons cleaning the studio and in return I get credit toward yoga classes. It works for me. I should earn enough for unlimited yoga each month. Woohoo! This will encourage me to be consistent with my yoga practice.

Texas Law Review

I loved my job at the Texas Law Review. It was the best job I ever had. I truly treasure the swag I got while I was there. I still have two T Shirts that I can't bear to part with--no matter how ratty they are, and I had 3 mugs and a couple of hats. Well, one of the mugs had a cracked handle, so last week I decided it was time for it to go--the last thing I wanted was to pick it up one day and have the handle break clean off and spill hot tea on my crotch causing third degree burns that I couldn't sue anyone for.

Yesterday I was reaching for the spoon out of my cabinet at work and my knife slipped off the shelf and hit my TLR mug really hard. A big chip flew out of the mug, and I noticed a through and through hairline crack that wept when I put hot water in the mug. So, today I brought in a new mug for work and laid my favorite TLR mug to rest. I may eventually have to give up my pieces of the TLR, but a piece of me will always remain with the TLR, in the TLR, in hundreds of copies in law libraries across the country.

The Belly of the Beast, The Bowels of the Building, The Basement

This is a photo of the big hallway/tunnel in the basement. The photo makes it look a lot brighter and cleaner than it really is. The blue carts on the right are clean linen carts, ready to be taken to the floors of the hospital. On the left are cage carts that I've seen people transport packages in. Overhead are all sorts of pipes--water pipes, steam pipes, wires and who knows what else. I really like this hallway. It is always warm. When I walk through and all the carts are lining the sides it feels really cozy. The far end of the hall smells like oil. For some reason I kinda like that too. This hall is very close to my office. I use it as a major shortcut to radiology. It also leads to an underground tunnel that connects with the outpatient building--so I don't have to walk outside if the weather is nasty. I like being in the bowels of the building.

Still Adjusting

Ross and I have been living together for 10 years, but we are still adjusting. This is the first time we've ever both been working full time at the same time--and living together. Now that I've been going into work earlier, we are trying to work out the morning routine. The after work routine is pretty easy. We eat dinner and veg on the couch for a few hours before going to bed. I haven't worked out in weeks. Just the thought of getting up even earlier to work out makes me tired. I'm still trying to find the best time to leave commute-wise. The morning stuff will work itself out. What I really need to do is shake up our after work routine and actually work out. I can feel all my muscles contracting and I feel like I'm curling up like a flower petal or leaf in the sun.

Foreshadowing?

Well, it turns out that there are some rules at work about my piercing. I heard (thirdhand) that someone in the clinic saw my piercing and made a complaint to the head of my department. Kind of odd, seeing as I was only in clinic for a few minutes last week and was wearing a sweater with a high neckline. I went to the top to clarify the rules, and it seems that I have to cover it while in clinic. Seeing as I'm not there very often, it isn't a big deal. A big bandaid on my neck says more about my employer than it does about me. I looked at my ID badge today and my piercing is visible in my photo. They aren't going to make me cover that up in clinic are they? Haha.

Coupons

My coworker Buffy has gotten me back into coupon clipping. She actually paid me to clip and organize a huge pile of coupons she had. Now I'm hooked. I even bought myself a little organizer (just like the one I bought her). I fall out of the habit of using coupons because most of the things I buy don't have coupons. In the last week I have used some $1, $2, and $3 dollar coupons on things that I actually would have bought without the coupon. I need some vitamins and yesterday I noticed that Rite-aid has them on sale buy one get one free and I have a one dollar off coupon. Not bad. Saving money is a good thing. Right after I interviewed for my job I started spending money like a mad woman. Well, it is time to get back on track. I'm limiting my spending for the next two months and saving money when I buy things that we need makes me feel good.

Work

Working is hard work! I'm exhausted! Ha!

It is Officical

I have a job. I applied for the job 2 months ago, and now I'm officially hired and cleared to work. I even have an email address! It seems my ID# and email address are the real measures of my existence at Johns Hopkins. I'll pick up my badge tomorrow when I'm down at the hospital.

My official job title is Research Program Assistant II. I will be working with the RIVUR study. My job is to organize all the old paperwork, make sure everything is up to date, and then keep things running smoothly after that. We have 30 patients, and we are a couple of months behind in paperwork, so I have plenty to do.

I'm hoping to learn a lot about how research studies work. Whenever this is over (we have at least one year left on our grant) I will finally have some clinical research experience. When things are finally running smoothly I'm hoping to learn how to draw blood and insert IVs (on children). Also, I may be able to go into surgery with the doctor that I'm working under.

One of the best parts of the job is the flexibility. I will be able to do some work from home and I won't have to go into the city every day. Being back at work full time is going to be very, very strange. So far Bailey doesn't like it. I need to remember to turn on the radio and leave a light on for her. By the time we get home it is dark.

Scripted Answers

I still haven't come up with something to say when I hear someone say something hateful. It needs to be short, direct, and non-emotional. I don't want to sound like a crazy person (even though I am).

Another hot button topic--the fact that I'm a doctor. When people ask if I'm a nurse there is an easy answer--No. But generally people aren't satisfied with that and want to know how the hell I know the big fancy word for tummy grumbles (borborygmi) or something like that. I suppose I could just answer "No, I'm a doctor." but that seems to open up a whole other can of worms that I don't want to deal with (primarily "What kind of doctor?").

I finally got a job (more on that later) and I'm going to be working with a nurse. If I say I'm a doctor it automatically gives me more authority (in most people's minds), but in reality she will be my supervisor. Skirting around the issue this week was awkward. I don't want to be a bitch, but I don't like talking about that part of my life. I still see it as unfinished business, and that is really painful.

Live In Nanny

On Monday Valerie emailed me offering me a job as a live in nanny for the week. She was frustrated because she hasn't been able to work (substitute teach) since she was hired because her babysitter has been sick. Since I don't have a job I decided to help out.

I've been taking care of the girls and I even helped with some of the Halloween party preparations. We filled goodie bags on Tuesday night and yesterday I made a ghost for the pin the eyes on the ghost game. Evelyn's Glinda costume will be covered with sequin-outlined appliques. So, tonight we'll be working with sequin string and the hot glue gun to make those appliques. I'm having a ton of fun here with the girls, but I sure am happy I don't have any kiddos myself. They wear me out!

Hurray!

Remember those bounced paychecks?  Today I finally got a cashier's check that covers the two bounced checks and the fees that my bank charged me.  Yeah!

I've been having trouble finding the tortillas that I like.  Today I found them.  Now we'll have to have tacos soon.

One more thing I'm happy about: my mini garden.  All my plants seem to be doing well.  The eggplant bloomed and the flower has since fallen off.  I think there might be a tiny little fruit there. I'm making some baked ziti this weekend and I'll be able to use some of the basil and oregano to spice it up.

Really?

When going through the mail today I found a letter from the bank saying that two of my paychecks had bounced. Really? The gym doesn't have $83 bucks in their account to cover my checks? What kind of business are they running? I'm not surprised (this happened to Heather back in January). I am a bit annoyed. Let me be very clear. It was NOT 24 Hour Fitness. They have direct deposit--and I have NOTHING negative to say about them.
Now begins the adventure to try and get my 99 bucks (checks plus bank fees).

Random Things

It finally happened. Someone recognized me in the grocery store. She asked if I used to work at Maryland General. I knew she looked familiar, but I thought I was just imagining it. I didn't tell her my name so I wonder if she thinks I'm Brown, or Fort (a coworker that people always got me mixed up with).

I started applying for jobs yesterday. I already received one rejection. I'm over-educated and under-qualified. I spent all day online today and only applied to one job--and that one is far away. It is all very frustrating.

It smells funny outside. Like cows. And manure. Ew. I smelled it while driving on the freeway and in the parking lot of the grocery store. Strange.

Passover starts tonight. No bread or crackers for eight days. I'm also going to give up chips because I've been eating too many lately.

It's All Good

I am feeling so much better.
Last night I used my soundtrack music mix. A bunch of people said they liked it. I wanted to use my covers mix today, but I couldn't find it. I need to reburn my Elvis mix and the cover mix. Last night I gave away my Elvis mix to one of my students who really likes Elvis Costello. He said he'll bring me a cd with some of his other favorite music. I'm excited about that.
My piercing is slowly healing up. I'm looking forward to the day when I don't have to walk around with tape on it.
I remembered to pick up my paychecks (with my name misspelled). The money is starting to add up. I'm happy I'm getting paid to do something I like doing.
It's a new month. I did my weights and measures this am. It isn't going to be easy, but I am aiming for 140 lbs by Halloween (I am starting at 145.5). This month I am going to focus on working out and saving money. Tonight I'll start with a good walk or a pilates reformer class.

My First Hater?

Well, it wouldn't actually be my first....
I had a student complain last night about my selection of music. She said she wants to relax not "rock out." Last night I played 80s music. I don't know why I feel bad. I feel bad and angry. A lot of students have told me they like my music, but she said "I've talked to other people and they don't like it." I knew from the moment I met this lady that we weren't going to get along--and I told her so. Really, my problem is that the students at that gym know that we get paid based on how many people sign the sign in sheet. So she told me she's my "customer base." She's holding 2 quarters (yep, 50 cents) over my head like I'm going to jump and do what she says. That's really what bothers me. You can only imagine what I wanted to tell her to do with those 50 cents. I have no idea what her name is...and I'm always short at least one person on the sign in sheet, so she might be withholding her 50 cents, I don't know. I told her I was sorry she didn't like the music, but that it is different every week, and I won't do yoga to new age jazz. I was going to come up with some special cd just for her, but forget it. Last week was acoustical songs. I guess she doesn't want any words at all (she like the music from Princess Bride, but didn't know what Princess Bride was...). I don't know if she genuinely doesn't like the music or just wants to make me jump. When I first met her she said that she comes to relax (not work hard), so I knew we were going to have problems. What do I do? I guess I'll keep on keepin' on.

Yoga

Just a quick post. I have to leave the house soon to go meet someone about another job. This is going to be my third yoga class and my third gym location. I'm hoping that this is a brand new Gold's Gym and that it is more up to date than the one in Arlington. This gym is in Crowley. I applied for a non-yoga job, but I haven't heard anything. I get paid more to teach yoga, so I'm not too upset. Okay, here we go.

Career Path

Well, I have no idea what my career is so I have no idea where my path is headed. I had a long discussion about this in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday with Lisa Diane and Jacob. I have no idea what to do. I think one of my dream jobs is being some sort of food writer. I don't know anything about food, but I do know what I like. I think the fact that I don't eat treyf would somewhat hinder a career in the foodie business. I'm not really strict, but all those foods laced with prosciutto would be out. Then there are scallops, shrimp, and of course bacon wrapped scallop and shrimp. Anyways, here is my foodie post for today.

Baby Food:

I eat baby food as a snack the way most people eat a cup of yoghurt. My favorite is Gerber Hawaiian Delight flavor. Another one that I recently found that I like is Apple Vanilla Mixed Grain with DHA. I don't know if the DHA does anything for me, that is just how it comes. I mix it with a little whey powder and it makes the perfect snack. Well, I feel a little bad about all those little containers. I recycle them, and the paperboard that they come in, but it just seems like such a waste. I can't recycle the lid (which never even gets used) or the peel-off seal. The other issue is that they come in number 7 plastic containers, so they probably contain BPA, which is bad for me and even worse for babies. Each container costs 50-60 cents--about the same as a cup of yoghurt. Still, I feel a bit guilty buying them. Last week when I ventured to Wally World I decided to buy some apple sauce and some baby cereal. Man, there were so many choices! I remember when it was just oatmeal or rice, now they have all sorts of things. I ended up buying the whole multi grain with apples and yoghurt (and it comes with DHA). Today for snack I mixed up my own batch of baby food using unsweetened apple sauce, flax meal, the multi grain cereal, whey, and vanilla. It was pretty tasty. I have no idea how many calories were in my mix. The store bought container has 70 calories I think. Next time I will have to measure and add up the calories. I think mixing it up myself will be a lot less expensive. The cereal cost like 3 dollars, but I didn't use very much of it. Applesauce is cheap and I always have whey, flax, and vanilla in the house. I just realized I can't recycle the cereal container either--it is waxed. Oh well, you can't win them all.

So Much For Censorship

Last night was my first night teaching at Gold's Gym. I was nervous for some reason. I was about five minutes off and decided to add in some crescent lunges with a twist. Everybody is twisting and all of a sudden out of the speakers comes "Oh my god, she's so hot. She's so fucking hot, she's like a curry." Aaaaaaaaaah! People laughed and I apologized profusely. I didn't really pay attention when I was making that music mix a couple of weeks ago. In fact, it was a terrible mix. The whole routine was terrible. I'm going to ditch it all. It was a really small class and thankfully no one seemed terribly offended. This job pays better, but I don't particularly like teaching at night (745). Gold's Gym is a little archaic. They have actual time sheets and sign in sheets and you have to staple things together and put them in a notebook. 24 hour fitness is all electronic. The scheduling is online. Gold's Gym sends out emails. Can you substitute Body Pump? I hate it. Tons of mass emails that aren't relevant to me, and then I get even more when people hit reply all just to say No. I'm applying for a third job. We'll see how that goes.

Updates

After driving around in circles (so much for Google...) and becoming furiously frustrated I found Gold's Gym and signed my paperwork. They pay more than 24 Hour Fitness, but I will be an independent contractor, so I'll have to worry about the taxes and they don't provide much in the way of benefits (not that I really need them, but it is nice that 24HF offers them.) I'm going to attend the class tonight to see what it is like. I'm hoping it isn't too wimpy.
I came up with a balance routine for today's class. I hope it is long enough. When I did it with Ross last night it was about 10 minutes short, so I've added some things. I'll run through it before I get ready for work. I have so much to do today. The car inspection is past due so I should make that a priority.
I'm leaving Nada Esto Fue un Error as stuck in my head, because it still is. Strange thing though--I was singing it the other day, but I was singing the words to Jose Marti's Yo Soy Un Hombre Sincero to the tune of Nada Esto. Strange. Ross was freaked out that I know enough of a poem in Spanish to be able to do that. I only know a few of the 18 stanzas of the first verse. I found it online, with a translation, but the translation is made to rhyme, so really, I don't think it does it justice.
Well, I'd better get to work.

Substitution

Today I taught my first class as a sub. Ross had to go to work today, so I signed up for 2 classes in Bedford. I was nervous, but things went alright. I did the same routine as I did on Tuesday. So I was demonstrating hip opening poses two hours in a row. I didn't do the whole routine with them, but sometimes you have to demonstrate. I was sore on Wednesday, I'm sure I'll be sore again tomorrow. Anyways, so far the yoga teaching is going well. I will be teaching three classes next week. Next weeks theme is balance, but I haven't come up with the routine yet. Oh, Tiffany and Robert came to my class and did very well. They said that they liked it. We had Thai food for lunch afterwards. Spicy!