This week has come to a close with open arms. Here are the top 5 things I am looking forward to/want to get done this weekend (in no particular order):
1. Clean my room and do some laundry.
My room has been a mess for far too long and I recognize this. Also, I do not want to get into the fiasco of a couple of weeks ago where I had to do about three loads of laundry and had absolutely no clean underwear left.
2. Read.
I read every night before I go to bed, but usually I only get through a chapter if that before zonking out with the book on top of me. I really want to take a good chunk of time this weekend to just read (and maybe even finish!) the book I started a few weeks ago now, Until We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis. Maybe it will even give me something to write about!
3. Eat some meat.
It's the first Friday in Lent, so of course I am craving a hamburger right now.
4. Not think about my application.
I spoke to the woman on the phone today and they have received all my application materials and now I just have to wait it out. I should know in about two weeks if I have made it in to the program and I'm really hoping that a decision about the Fellowship will come with it. But its out of my hands now, so I have to stop getting all nervous about it, say a few quick prayers, and get it out of my head.
5. Spend time with people I love.
This includes my family (mom, dad, JP, Ellie, Lauren), Scott, the Collyers if they can come back, Stephanie, possibly some high school friends, and whoever else I end up encountering this weekend!
Showing posts with label Lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lists. Show all posts
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Why I Like my Job (!)
It's a tough time for jobs right now. Those who don't have them, can't get them, and those who have them, don't want them. With recent downsizing in my company, I have done my fair share of complaining about what kind of job I'm in, the fact that I am doing the work of two people now and also the lack of compensation for it all. But in light of the fact I may be returning to grad school in the fall, I've decided to look on the things I enjoy about work (at least, I enjoy them enough to get me through the next 5-6 months...):
10. Making money.
Yes, I am that shallow. I admit, I feel a little embarrassed that this even makes the top ten list, but it truly is one of the best feelings I get on a bi-weekly basis when I check my bank account online and my wallet just got a little fatter. I like paying for my own car and every expense I have. This is not to say that I'm not still receiving charity in one way or another from the 'rents, but I'm still basically responsible for myself.
9.Saving money.
Sure, spending it is fun, but I've never had the experience of a savings account growing at so quickly a rate.The first thing I do on a pay-day morning is sign into that online banking and move a significant portion of that check into my savings. It fun to think about what it will go towards and what I will use it for. Maybe it will one day pay for my grad school bills, or it might be the down payment on a house. Perhaps it will allow me to take that dream va-cay someday. Or it could be there for a rainy day. Whatever it is, it's my choice, and I like having it.
8. Working on work only between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
Even though I often call my job mundane and unimportant, it's really nice to be able to spend my free time doing anything I want to do. I never do work outside of the office, in fact, I'm actually not supposed to. Since my pay is technically hourly, they would have to pay me for it, and let's just say they are none too happy about it when it happens.
7. Hourly pay.
Yes, the idea of a salaried job is really nice, since usually those pay more. But the fact is, I get the same benefits as any of the salaried workers at my work place (health and dental insurance, paid time off, etc), but if I work more than 40 hours a week, I'm getting paid time and a half for it. That would not necessarily be the case (and usually isn't) for a salaried position.
6. Greeting people.
I'm the first face they see when they walk into the office, and I like being friendly and helping people out. My boss told me a few weeks ago that she has only heard good things about my attitude with people coming in from the outside, so that's cool.
5. Helping out my fellow associates with their small requests.
It is really satisfying when I get an urgent request for something small, I get it done in like 5 or 10 minutes, and my coworker is just about ecstatic that I got it done so quick and I helped them out so much. Who new that making a binder spine or putting together a binder or editing a copy of some document could be so rewarding?
4. Doing tasks that I can check off of a list.
I like having the type of job that entails many projects that have a start, a middle, and a finish. I like the feeling of getting something done and just being done with it, period.
3. Sitting in front of a computer.
My eyes probably hate me for saying this, but I like that I am able to check my e-mail, read some articles, talk on facebook for a bit, and even watch some tv programs to relax and stay connected during the day. I'm able to keep up so well with some friends solely because of this aspect of my job.
2. The relaxed atmosphere.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoy dressing up and making myself look pretty. But I think the job I'm currently in is a nice transition for the recent college graduate who is used to rolling out of bed, and running to class. I don't have to drive far, so I don't have to wake up super early to look nice. But the kind of place it is don't make me feel the need to get up extra early just to straighten my hair and iron my suit. I like being able to wear my jeans. Usually more than once a week.
1. The experience.
It's got it's highs and it's lows, but working life is a good place to be when you're finally ready for that real world experience. I am sure that my time in this job will not soon be forgotten, if ever. The people and experiences here will always be the memory of my first full time job, and, barring getting laid off or run out of there on a rail, I will look back on it fondly.
So there you have it; my favorite aspects of my job. I thought about making a companion list of things I dislike about my job, but I figured that would just make me depressed. Also, I don't think I could confine that list to just ten spots...but really, I like working. And now I have somewhere I can look to when I'm having trouble focusing or am getting really stressed out from my work. :)
10. Making money.
Yes, I am that shallow. I admit, I feel a little embarrassed that this even makes the top ten list, but it truly is one of the best feelings I get on a bi-weekly basis when I check my bank account online and my wallet just got a little fatter. I like paying for my own car and every expense I have. This is not to say that I'm not still receiving charity in one way or another from the 'rents, but I'm still basically responsible for myself.
9.Saving money.
Sure, spending it is fun, but I've never had the experience of a savings account growing at so quickly a rate.The first thing I do on a pay-day morning is sign into that online banking and move a significant portion of that check into my savings. It fun to think about what it will go towards and what I will use it for. Maybe it will one day pay for my grad school bills, or it might be the down payment on a house. Perhaps it will allow me to take that dream va-cay someday. Or it could be there for a rainy day. Whatever it is, it's my choice, and I like having it.
8. Working on work only between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
Even though I often call my job mundane and unimportant, it's really nice to be able to spend my free time doing anything I want to do. I never do work outside of the office, in fact, I'm actually not supposed to. Since my pay is technically hourly, they would have to pay me for it, and let's just say they are none too happy about it when it happens.
7. Hourly pay.
Yes, the idea of a salaried job is really nice, since usually those pay more. But the fact is, I get the same benefits as any of the salaried workers at my work place (health and dental insurance, paid time off, etc), but if I work more than 40 hours a week, I'm getting paid time and a half for it. That would not necessarily be the case (and usually isn't) for a salaried position.
6. Greeting people.
I'm the first face they see when they walk into the office, and I like being friendly and helping people out. My boss told me a few weeks ago that she has only heard good things about my attitude with people coming in from the outside, so that's cool.
5. Helping out my fellow associates with their small requests.
It is really satisfying when I get an urgent request for something small, I get it done in like 5 or 10 minutes, and my coworker is just about ecstatic that I got it done so quick and I helped them out so much. Who new that making a binder spine or putting together a binder or editing a copy of some document could be so rewarding?
4. Doing tasks that I can check off of a list.
I like having the type of job that entails many projects that have a start, a middle, and a finish. I like the feeling of getting something done and just being done with it, period.
3. Sitting in front of a computer.
My eyes probably hate me for saying this, but I like that I am able to check my e-mail, read some articles, talk on facebook for a bit, and even watch some tv programs to relax and stay connected during the day. I'm able to keep up so well with some friends solely because of this aspect of my job.
2. The relaxed atmosphere.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoy dressing up and making myself look pretty. But I think the job I'm currently in is a nice transition for the recent college graduate who is used to rolling out of bed, and running to class. I don't have to drive far, so I don't have to wake up super early to look nice. But the kind of place it is don't make me feel the need to get up extra early just to straighten my hair and iron my suit. I like being able to wear my jeans. Usually more than once a week.
1. The experience.
It's got it's highs and it's lows, but working life is a good place to be when you're finally ready for that real world experience. I am sure that my time in this job will not soon be forgotten, if ever. The people and experiences here will always be the memory of my first full time job, and, barring getting laid off or run out of there on a rail, I will look back on it fondly.
So there you have it; my favorite aspects of my job. I thought about making a companion list of things I dislike about my job, but I figured that would just make me depressed. Also, I don't think I could confine that list to just ten spots...but really, I like working. And now I have somewhere I can look to when I'm having trouble focusing or am getting really stressed out from my work. :)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Rite of Passage Through the Black Box
I've never been a tv watcher until this year. It's kind of sad, really; but at the same time, it's almost an inevitable Rite of Passage into adulthood. Of the shows I watch, there are only two that I don't feel any remorse or shame in spending my time on them. Otherwise, it's all pretty much not worth my time. These are the thoughts that I have on the matter:
Family Guy. What a pointless show. I disagree vehemently with the writers of the show and the spirit it encompasses. Family Guy is the sort of programming that both plays off of our corroded culture, as well as continues the lack of goodness in it. There is nothing about this show that would make one a better person. It is solely about cheap laughs and pushing an agenda that I don't agree with in any way.
That said, I watch the show whenever I get the chance. Especially to pass the time at work.
American Dad. Um, edit and insert everything above about Family Guy. It's basically the same show anyway.
House. I hated doctor shows (except for Scrubs, but that's for the comedy, not the doctor aspect) until this one. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I am in a serious relationship with a future doc, but I find the characters absolutely fascinating. Fascinating enough to endure a few minutes of blood and guts and surgery an episode to get through it. Which makes me think that our culture allows desensitizing ourselves at far to great a rate. I wonder how much farther this can go? Looking at the great civilizations of old, the Greeks and Romans, the Mayas and Aztecs, the Egyptians. How many times have we studied these civilizations being taught how advanced and wonderful they all were. But they all declined and eventually were destroyed. I believe that this destruction was due to the desensitizing of culture--whether it was sex or blood and guts, they did not hold those certain things sacred anymore. This is not to say that the work of doctors shouldn't be seen, but I think that it can be used as a sort of "gateway" to desensitize the masses. Doesn't stop me though.
Shows that I think are worth my time:
The Office. I never even watched this show until I started working in one. It's perfect. Definitely captures to small-scale struggles of working in an office. It particularly resonates with me since I do have a hard time justifying why I am in an office right now. At least it gives comic relief to the sad reality of my life.
What Not to Wear. Applicable to all people, at all times, in all stages of life. There's nothing like learning to dress your body for maximum effect and self-image. Love it.
I could write about more (Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, the occasional Rock of Love or Real World or something), but I don't care enough.
Family Guy. What a pointless show. I disagree vehemently with the writers of the show and the spirit it encompasses. Family Guy is the sort of programming that both plays off of our corroded culture, as well as continues the lack of goodness in it. There is nothing about this show that would make one a better person. It is solely about cheap laughs and pushing an agenda that I don't agree with in any way.
That said, I watch the show whenever I get the chance. Especially to pass the time at work.
American Dad. Um, edit and insert everything above about Family Guy. It's basically the same show anyway.
House. I hated doctor shows (except for Scrubs, but that's for the comedy, not the doctor aspect) until this one. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I am in a serious relationship with a future doc, but I find the characters absolutely fascinating. Fascinating enough to endure a few minutes of blood and guts and surgery an episode to get through it. Which makes me think that our culture allows desensitizing ourselves at far to great a rate. I wonder how much farther this can go? Looking at the great civilizations of old, the Greeks and Romans, the Mayas and Aztecs, the Egyptians. How many times have we studied these civilizations being taught how advanced and wonderful they all were. But they all declined and eventually were destroyed. I believe that this destruction was due to the desensitizing of culture--whether it was sex or blood and guts, they did not hold those certain things sacred anymore. This is not to say that the work of doctors shouldn't be seen, but I think that it can be used as a sort of "gateway" to desensitize the masses. Doesn't stop me though.
Shows that I think are worth my time:
The Office. I never even watched this show until I started working in one. It's perfect. Definitely captures to small-scale struggles of working in an office. It particularly resonates with me since I do have a hard time justifying why I am in an office right now. At least it gives comic relief to the sad reality of my life.
What Not to Wear. Applicable to all people, at all times, in all stages of life. There's nothing like learning to dress your body for maximum effect and self-image. Love it.
I could write about more (Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, the occasional Rock of Love or Real World or something), but I don't care enough.
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