Last call

I have a part time training schedule next week with my replacement; however, my good-bye celebrations happened throughout this week. How awkward for my replacement to have to be there through out it all. I felt bad as people would tell her they have big shoes to fill or the bar has been placed really, really, really high as they raise their arm higher and higher with each word. Wednesday I had flowers delivered from my back up support admin and my team. I also got a sweet card and earrings from my boss's wife saying thank for taking good care of her husband. How sweet is that?

Friday I had a small group of gals (many I barely knew) give me a book with stories of extraordinary women. Only the gals that wrote it in were invited to the breakfast, so later I had people apologize they didn't write in it because they felt it was Merriann's way of saying good bye and they didn't want to spill their hearts out and have others read it and others felt like it was a homework assignment. I totally understood, but I wasn't the planner of my good bye events. Had I been I would have invited the admins and NOT my replacement. Yes, she was invited and wrote in the book. I don't get it, but I can't complain. The gesture was very nice.

The second celebration of the day was at Claim Jumper's for lunch with all the admins from my floor. My boss is a crack up and mentioned that even though he would be leaving early he wanted me to know he was "funding" all the events. What made it even funnier was we had purposely changed the afternoon celebration just so he could join, but hey he got tickets to the UCLA basketball game, so you KNOW he wasn't going to miss that just have good bye cake with me!!! Anywho, I've never been to Claim Jumper's and since it was on someone else's dime, I decided to try something new. I would be bummed if I were paying for it and didn't like it. I got the Citrus Salad and Chicken Tortilla Soup... YUM! The conversations were fun and a lot of reminiscing since three of us started at the same time. I'm going to miss these gals. Tam the most and hope my non-social self makes an effort to keep in touch.

Later that afternoon we had cake with the whole floor where I got well wishes, good bye cards and tons of gift cards. I made out like a bandit -- Target, Carl's Jr, Starbucks, and Visa, MasterCard and American Express gift cards. Shortly after that celebration some of the admins stopped by with more cards and gifts.

Here's all my loot! (minus a travel bag) :) Which reminds me... our couches came in.

Here's a better picture of the sofa. The love seat is our office, but looks the same.

I don't miss high school

School is coming along. Its definitely a completely a different environment going during the day then at night. I get to see clubs, gatherings, rallies and the social aspect of college life. It's definitely cool. We had hot dog day, with free chips, drinks, ice cream and games I was stoaked when I saw they had veggie dogs. I was so happy that I even texted a few people and thought, what did people do before texting? I guess actually call people and share with them what ever. The most annoying thing about going to school during the day is all the kids straight out of high school. This one boy sitting next to me on the first day of lab was swiveling around and around in his chair and so amazed we had lab chairs that did this. Then he proceeded to open EVER drawer that was at our station even the one right in front of me. Had I not stopped him from opening it all the way, he would have pushed the drawer straight into my stomach. Then we introduction came up, I stood up (as 1/2 the class did) but he had to comment "woe... she stood up." Needless to say the next lab I made sure not to sit by him.

Another high schooler was shocked that every hall way she passes people are quiet and studying. In high school everyone talks because if your studying you're a "nerd!" She said she just wants to talk to everyone and then proceeded to go to people that were studying and start up a conversation. In college studying and seeming like a nerd is not a bad thing!

Earlier in the week I trained my (hopefully) future replacement. I thought it was nice of my bosses to offer her a trial run for the position before she committed. One day with me and another day on her own to see if she liked the job before giving notice to her current job in this economy. It seemed like she enjoyed herself and my bosses liked her, so they are extending the offer on Monday. She might give a three week notice, so I will be at my work for another 3-4 weeks. The money is definitely coming in handy and having access to a printer helps with homework that I need to print out.

Quarter verse semester is a lot faster. I have already had two papers due, a lab done and a quiz. I got 100% on the quiz and on the paper that was returned. Not too bad...but we are in the easier parts of the class, so I should be doing well! It would be a bad sign if I wasn't getting the material this early in the game.

Crazies thing I've experiences on campus was seeing a Caiman alligator. It was a tiny one, but it's on campus in a jungle green house.

Exciting news... tomorrow is our 2 year anniversary! :) We are playing it low key and our only solid plans are having a picnic. Maybe he will surprise me and will go take pictures. We talked about it last night, but he said he needed a haircut. Maybe the photo session will have to wait.

Also, next Sunday is the 1/2 marathon. My sister ran 11 miles on Friday and last week I ONLY RAN 3 miles. :( Uh-oh... I better do some last minute long runs to some what prepare.

Shutters are here!

Came back from the gym not too long ago. It was a good workout and I wanted to finish with a at home ab workout. I came into the office to get my weights and what do you know? A camera jumped into my hands and I decided to take pictures of our new shutters! They are finally here. Yes, the shutters that I mention off and on for what seemed like forever.

After a long wait, prepping for them to arrive twice, and a lot of BS and the run around (more like us chasing them around) from the unprofessional B&B Blinds company they finally were installed 4 months later from the original 2 months (max) we were told they would take.

It makes the rooms look so much different compared to the temporary blinds we have been living with since we moved in.

Sorry to bore you with house improvements, but I gotta show ya.
Our living room shutters. Jay is going to put up the curtain rod and new curtains on the sliding door.

Our bedroom shutters.

Jayla's room and the new shutters.

The office's shutters and you can see one of our new ceiling lamps. Another improvement I forgot to blog about. I am going to make a photo album before and afters. This used to be the purple room before we official moved in.

This is our guest bedroom. Jay put the bed together this morning. Can you believe this room used to be that half white half blue painted room? It's come a long ways since our take over.

Ok... now I am off to finish my workout.

1294

It was my bib number for yesterday's Boot Camp Challenge Race in San Diego. Like most race morning, I wake up and want to go straight back to bed, but don't. Yesterday was no exception. My goal for the race was not to walk any part of it. Granted it's not a 10K or 1/2 marathon, but 3 miles is a good distance and this one had obstacle course in between the run. I am so proud to say I made my goal!

I am not sure what my official time was since I didn't stay for the posting of the results and don't see them up on their website yet but know we started at 9:28 AM and I crossed (according to my watch) at 10:03 AM, so it took me 35 mins. Not bad at all. I'll let you know what the website says once it's posted. :)

A little hurdle

Today was the interview for the job I really, really , really wanted. What I found out during the interview was it's a "work study" program. Meaning there is a Federal Grant with X amount of money and students have to apply for a work study program and be qualified. The employer pays a portion of my salary and the grant kicks in for the rest. *sigh* I called the Financial Aid office and couldn't get through, so I think this is the Friday that they are closed due to budget cuts. :( I will call on Monday and see if I can get through otherwise I will visit them in person.

Otherwise, the interview went well. A little short, but good. There were two people interviewing me, they told me about the school, themselves and the position. Then they asked me to tell them a little about myself. I kept the answer on a professional level, talked about my employment history, current change of careers, school schedule and future career goals and that was pretty much the interview. I had a questions about the work environment, expectations, etc and then was back on the road to my job.

I'll let you know if I am qualified for the word study program and if I get a job offer.

Campus life

Today I woke up super early. Actually all morning I kept waking up every 30 mins or so and checking the time. I guess I wanted to make sure I didn't sleep in on my first day of school. Jay's alarm went off and he was too sick to realize where his phone was and that it was even his phone going off. I decided just to get up then. I made us both tea and turkey bacon and made myself some oatmeal, too. A girl needs a breakfast for champions on her first day of school. My first class was at 7:45am and I thought an hour would be enough time to drive the 17 miles to school, find parking and get to class on time. After all, on a work day I give myself 30-45 mins to drive 27 miles. Little did I know that traffic would be horrible!!!! Once I got off the freeway it took 30 mins JUST to drive 6 miles to campus. UGH!!!! Needless to say, I was late to my first class! But I was relieved to not be the only one. People we popping in 40mins late. CRAZY!!! It was my bio lecture class and the teacher seemed cool, laid back and informative. Best news she told us was the book we bought for $161 will be used for Bio 121, 122 AND 123. YAY!!! I was stoaked that i wouldn't need to buy a book for the next two quarters. Because of budget cuts there were no handouts and we were referred to an online site to download everything. I spaced out my classes with an hour between each, so I am not rushing right after one class to the next.

My next class was Dance in Contemporary History. A GE class that I need. The teacher was definitely different, but in a good way. She talked about getting politically involved, so our congressman know we are not please with the recent budget cuts and how it is effecting our lives, school career/plans, etc. Since my classes land on a Thursday, I will be missing 2-3 classes because of the mandatory furlough days, so I will either need to double up in a week or miss a section completely depending on the teacher. She had a good point. Education is not cheap and we should take advantage of what we paid for, so maybe I will write my congressman.

My next class was Multicultural psychology. The teacher looked the first lady. She was very by the book, but the class seems interesting and applies for two section for my graduation requirement... NICE!

My last class was my bio lab which doesn't meet until next Tuesday. Not bad for my first day.

I do notice that I will definitely need to watch what I eat as the quarter progresses and make sure I don't gain my weight back. They have some healthy options for lunch but I want to find something I can make and bring with me without having to refrigerate. Something low calorie, high protein that will fill be up for my 3 hour class that follows lunch time. Any ideas? Today I brought two snacks with me celery with peanut butter and sliced cucumbers. The lid on the cucumbers must've came off because mid-day my backpack was wet. Arrrgggg!!! While in the restroom drying my bag a girl shared with me that something similar happened to her except it was Italian dressing. I guess my situation could've been worst. For lunch I bought a subway sandwich on campus, but can't be spending money like that every school day. Oh... and I have to confess... I bought a Starbucks drink during one of my breaks :( I know, I know... I shouldn't be consuming so many darn calories. I got the Tall size though, so my drink was 325 calories.

Well, I back to getting readying for my interview tomorrow and taking care of my love who is still sick (and may have passed it on to me).

I picked it and he loved it :)

Tomorrow is a big day, my very first day of school at Cal Poly Pomona and while I should be resting up for my 7:45am class, I can't sleep! Jay on the other hand is passed out which is unheard of for him, but he has a "cold" but I think he has the flu. Early he took his temp and it was 103 :( But took it again and now it's down 1 degree. I am trying not to get sick, so am going to sleep in the guest room for the 2nd night. Is that mean of me not to sleep with him? He normally sleeps with me when I am sick, but he does have a stronger immune system then I do.

Our house furniture is slowly making it's way back into the living room and dining room area. Here are some photos of how the texturing and paint job came out.
The entry way is yellow (I should know the names, but the paint cans are in the garage and I am too lazy to go out and see what name it is) Our lighting is those energy saver light bulbs and it brings out a duller yellow at night, but that's ok. I think the brown accent is called Eureka.

This one you can see a little better of the yellow and brown.

The more and more I look at it, I start to like it. I was a little worried that Jay was not going to like it, but he did. YAY! Good thing, because getting it painting for the third time in 4 months would be over doing it.

The TV commercial looks funny in this pic.

That is a duvet cover covering our table. Please believe we are not decorating with that Victorian scheme. Not that I don't like it, but for our every day living space, it's a little too formal.

Walking down the hall from the rooms, you can see both colors and I think that is pretty cool. The painter was loving that you could "appreciate" the color scheme from every entry way.

Shutters are FINALLY getting installed on the 28th and in about a month our couch and love seat will be here. Our house is coming together. I think our next project should be getting closet doors. We looked into custom ones, but those are ridiculously priced!!!! But we are in desperate need of some in every room because the previous owners decided to duck tape them together and make a wall in the garage, so we trashed them. Little did we know it would be hard to find the right fit, style and type.