World Map!

 I'm sitting in my living room looking at my newest purchase.  A World Map!  
Where most people would deem the "prize spot" to put their television, I have put up a 50x30 map, set in antique style finish.  I love to travel and now looking at this on my living room wall it stirs up restlessness to see more of the world. Also with so many family members scattered over the world, I figure I better know where they are!
Wouldn't it be fun to say that you have been to all the continents!  (Well maybe not Antarctica, It's too cold. Sorry Elissa :)  )But to go to all of the other ones!

North America  (check)
South America.
Africa.
Australia  (check)
Asia
Europe  (check)

That only leaves three. Right. Let me get on that.  With being a student and asperations of teaching 2nd graders my pocket book will hold...

But for now I have my map, and all I have to do is look and think. 
Who knows, Maybe I'll marry rich! J/K

New Schedule!!!

I am so excited!  Starting tomorrow I am getting a new schedule.  I will have three days off a week, and one of them being Sundays. Totally unheard of.  With this new schedule I will be:
Opening Monday and Tuesday getting off by 2.
 Having Wednesday and Thursday off, one day I will be in Sandpoint at SMS in the Resource room then hanging out with my Dad!!!
Friday is open to anything.
Saturday is off by 5pm
Sunday Off.

For four years I have never had set days off, or anything remotely this cool.  So Thank you to Allison my Manager who made it possible!!!

I just had to share the good news.

Dawdle

As I sit staring at the empty screen, thinking of what I should write I look up and see my dictionary. Ah Ha! Insperation.  I will open to a random page, close my eyes, and point to a word to write about.  The word to day is...
Dawdle. vb. Dawdling, daw-dled  To spend time wastefully or idly.

This seems funny to me because I don't remember when the last time I Dawdled.  Being a student, working full time, and needing to get hours in a classroom, I just don't have that luxury.  I may have that in December, when I will finally receive my diploma, but till then it looks like I am going to have to keep Dawdling on my back burner.

QASA.

Yesterday.
Work.
Oh Man.

Well It wasn't a bad day, it was just an eventful day.  I got to work at 1, which around that time it is the changing of the guards.  With in 30 minutes the whole floor is different people.  I was put on bar, which is my favorite and doing my thing.  When I look up and watch this lady try to pull a roller suitcase over the curb.  It was really amusing to watch her and I was smiling because of it.  I continued to make my drinks like the expert that I am and forgot her in 2 seconds.

Well, 10 seconds later she asks for the manager and I notice that neatly on her breast pocked is stitched QASA.  Oh CRAP!!!!  Instant Karma.  That is what I get.  She is here to make sure that we are following all of the health codes.  Great.  10 minutes into my shift.  For four years I have never been there for a QASA audit, well that reign of happiness was about to end.

Everything went out of  my head.  It took me a full 10 seconds to answer.   I couldn't even remember my managers name!  Well eventually I was able to get my thoughts all in one place and giver her an answer and tell her to just go in the back.  As soon as she turned around I was a machine.  Changing the milk carafes, even thought it was just done.  Changing the buckets.  Wiping down inside the fridges, the counters. Making drinks.  All sorts of things.

Now I want you to know that I truly believe that we (Riverstone)  are a very clean store, but some of the things that they want from you is really ridiculous. ex. We have bar towels in containers under the machines.  One for the steaming wand and one for the counter.  They want us to have an inch of water in the container with the rags, so each time we use them, (which for the steam wand is after each drink,) water gets everywhere.  It is just a mess.  That is only one thing, and I'll leave it at that.

So for the next 90 minutes I felt like I was on a chopping block.  She was walking around, looking at things. Watching.  Always watching.  Making notes on her Blackberry.  Asking questions.  Making notes.  That had to be bad, right?  Now in her defense I will say that she was very nice.  She even smiled! Well finally it was time for her to go and she had given her report to Assistant Manager who was there.  We all huddled around, looking like kids waiting to see if they would graduate.
94.5%!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HECK YES!  We cheered so loud that she was outside and looked back inside with a smile.  Pretty funny.  The customers that were in the lobby just looked at us like we were freaks, but nobody cared.  We passed.

 It is hard to get such a high score, and Starbucks has high expectations which is good.  Needless to say that was over.  Thank You Lord.  The rest of the shift went by so fast that I was almost sad to go home, almost...

PRAXIS Nightmares

For many of you, you have or will be taken the PRAXIS soon.  Well I took mine in January, and was soooooooo happy to do them both in one day.  It was a long day, but doable. They tell you that it takes roughly 4 weeks to get results, so that way if you need to take them over you just slip under the registration deadline for the ones in March.

Well the last couple of nights I have had PRAXIS nightmares.  I sit down to take the test and then all these crazy things happen.  There are clowns, Professor McGonagall from Harry Potter, My kindergarten teacher Mrs. Clark.  Melinda Butler.  My Grandmother.  There are so many more it is crazy how they all fit in this room.  Now, not all of these are scary, but the fact that they were in the room together when I was trying to take my exam was.  I'm not a test taker.  Never was and never will be, and the first one I took was the multiple choice.  120 questions in 2 hours.  Great...

Well all the extra people in the room, it wasn't a 'normal' testing experience  so I wasn't expecting great things.  The rest of the tests are a blur, but time flies and I can now get my results.  I missed both test by 1 point.  Then out of no where everybody that was there in the testing room is in my living room looking at the computer screen with me and numerous things are said.  I won't repeat them, but for a dream it wasn't very nice. But for a nightmare typical.

Anyways I woke up with this horrid feeling that I'm going to fail by a point, and have to retake these miserable tests that measure 'how smart I am.'  I am just so thankful that NONE of these people were in the room with me, and will not be able to be in the room if that is the case.

Cell Phone Company's

AHHHHHHHHH.
Sometimes I just want to take the phone and throw it across the room.  The people that you finally get to talk to after ten minutes of pressing numbers for what options you would like rarely ever know anything.  the answer to my question.  Call back it two weeks. I'm jumping ahead let me catch you up.

Close to November I was eligible for my two year upgrade.  I went into the store and looked at all the phones, played with them to see how I liked it.  Pushed numbers.  Looked at settings.  All that stuff.  I went home and happily bought my new phone online so I wouldn't have to wait for hours to do so in the store.  I received my phone in the FedEx box a few days later and was so excited. I even turned my rebate in the mail on time!!Now I'm not very phone savvy, all I want is being able to call people, them to call me, and texting.  Even that can be annoying but everybody does it and I don't want to get charged a ridiculous amount per text so i got a package.  I don't need internet. Or twitter, or MySpace.  None of that.  I'm already looking at a computer for hours a day so why would i want a phone the size of a lighter to read emails? (that was a bird walk, sorry)

So I get my phone, bring it in to get it activated and am so happy.  Then a few days later I'm on the phone with my Dad, when he tells me there is a second or two delay and he echos.  Well we waited to see if anybody else was having this problem, and there was.  So I go back in to the store and they tell me that it is a glitch.  They upload something to the phone, ( I didn't know that you needed to check for updates) and tell me it should be fine.  Once again a few days later the echo, and the whole process repeats.  Except this time they give me a whole new phone!!  The same phone but a new one because the first one didn't work and it was the company's fault.  Sweet right? No.

Once again the phone was having problems bur worse then before.  I don't have alot of free time so having to go back three times to to get the phone fixed when it was brand new was not going over very well.  I didn't want this phone anymore I wanted a new one.  A different one.  I picked out the one I wanted, and was doing all the paper work when the tell me there is a $35 re stalking fee.  WHAT!  I have to pay money for you to re stalk something that is still in the 30 day warranty and broken.  I have returned 3 times and had two phones.  Not a happy customer.

I leave with my new phone, not happy with the old.  And am waiting for my rebate card in the mail.  Well Io just got a postcard saying that I don't qualify.  No reason or explanation.  I don't qualify. If you have questions please call this number.  Which I do, and the answer I get. " call back in 15 days so we can look at your file."  That's it.  Nothing else.

So I am now waiting to see if the phone company will screw me over $50 more dollars, and if so I might be switching carriers.  For somebody who has been with them for 10 years and never had any problems.  Now this.  I don't get it.  Well I had to fume.  Thanks.

Road Rage

Well, I had a beautiful weekend at home.  Three days off. In a row.  I have no idea how that happened but it did and I loved it.  I woke up today to it snowing and it was really pretty.  I needed to head into town to take my niece to the eye Dr. to pick out new glasses!!!   That was really fun to just sit and watch her.  Stella is 9 almost 10.  And has so much energy that sometimes it makes me sick.  Well she picked out her glasses and then it was off to school.

The rest of the day went in a blur.  Getting coffee here, reading with the girls there.  Going home and trying to find a dress for my little sister.  Before I knew it I needed to get home, back to CDA.  Well it h ad been snowing all day and had started to turn into a wet snow about an hour before so I know that the roads were going to be wet.  Wet isn't that bad.  I can do wet.

Well off I go heading back home and I get stuck behind a car, well a Jeep 4x4 going 30 MPH!!!!  The roads did have slush on them, but where people were driving it was clear.  I was unable to pass due to heavy oncoming traffic, plust in the middle of the road there was slush and I didn't want to risk it.  Fine, I was fine with this I'll just wait till the passing lane a few miles ahead.

Oh the passing lanes.  I was so excited. This women (yes it was a women) would speed up to 60 miles an hour, then slow down, then speed up again.  I wanted to scream. So once again I was stuck behind her going 30 MPH.

Now, don't get me wrong, if the weather is horrible I have no problem going slow to be safe.  But when somebody is just lallygagging with what looked like 50 cars behind her ( I was going to say 100 but knew that would be way too many), that is not safe.

For an other 15 minutes I was behind this women, asking God to please give me patience, and if she goes up to 60 in the passing lane again to see to it that I don't have turrets (which I don't).  Well God was listening to me pray, because I was give patience and I was also able to pass her. 

It took me over an hour and ten minutes to get from Sandpoint to CDA tonight, which is ridiculous.  People that drive that slow are just as dangerous as people that drive over the speed limit.   So if you are stuck behind somebody, just pray and hope that God will give you patience.  Or else it is going to be a really long drive.

38 years later

So, yesterday was the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.  The 38th anniversary of  America's legalization of murder.  This 'right' was a huge success for feminists in the 70's, and it gave men the go ahead to sleep with whomever they want and not have to deal with consequences of their actions.  Well some say that the abortion is dealing with it.  Others say that it is the womens choice, and rights.  Well what about the baby's choice?  The baby's rights?

Since 1987 people have been gathering on the anniversary of Roe V. Wade (January) and Respect Life Sunday (October) for Life Chains all over the United States. Letting people know that there are people who value human life in it's most innocent form and unable to speak up for its self.  While they are in utero. 

Since I was a child I have going to Life Chains with my family, and today I was able to participate in such an event once again.  For one hour I held a sign, hoping that my message would get across to the motorist going to and from.  It is a silent vigil, with prayers and songs on the back of the sign for you to read and hum.  If people make gestures or comments we just smile and continue with our vigil.  Usually there are many people that are unhappy with this for of public protesting, they make it known by calling out, gestures, and honking their horn.  But Today was different.  For one hour there were thumbs up.  Short horn honks with smiles and nods.  Even three big rigs honked and gave positive signs.  This was one of the most positive life chains that I have ever been to and it just made my heart sing.

People were hearing us, whether it was for good of bad.  It makes people think and ask questions.  It makes them have to explain things to their kids.  It shows that there are people out there that do care for human life and are willing to stand up and to let people know.


I am proud to be part of such a community that values one so dear.  The Unborn.  I am proud to say that I choose life and that abortion is wrong.  I am proud to stand up for what I believe and that there are others like me who will also stand up.  I will continue to fight for the innocent, for the unborn, for the human life that lives inside and cannot speak for it's self.

Writing for Me

 After doing one of the assignments for this class,  or maybe a different Lit class it got me thinking about why and what people write about.  Some write to release stress. Some for the enjoyment of others. Some just for the grade. And others write just to write. No matter what age, no matter what occupation, we have learned as a society have this fear. This fear that has morphed over into out individuality.  The fear of being rejected.  The fear of people not liking us.

 I have never blogged before, but from what I understand it is a 'me' page. So I'll write what I want. People will either like it or they won't.  Just as people will either like me or they won't. I have noticed that my writing reflects me, my personality.  It is kinda jumpy, and goes one way or the other, and I like to think that it has satire. But when it is put all together it is me. 

I know that there are people out there that don't like me, and that is o.k. because there are people out there that I don't like.  As long as we treat each other with a common respect that we each deserve, or at least with civility life will go on.  They are a pot hole in my road to somewhere, and yes pot holes can be disastrous but the don't completely stop you forever.

So as I write this, I conclude that I do my writing for me.  If people enjoy it then that is good.  If people  don't that that is their opinion, and I have no problems with that. I hope that the people who do read this have a smile on their face, and hopefully do their writing for themselves instead of for the grade, or orthers, or whatever that may be. 

Till tomorrow...

The Man in the Yellow Sweater

Today was a good day.  I was at work early and then all of the sudden I looked out side and it looked like a snow globe.  It was beautiful.  It started off slow, but eventually we got our regular stream of customers wanting their morning pick me up.  I love it when it is like this.  The routine. The smile of people's faces when they take their first sip.  The business of it.  I know that sounds corny, but it's true.  Time flys by and before you know it two hours have passed.  Plus I was blessed to work with some awesome ladies who make the job that much more enjoyable.  Sometimes when it is like this it makes me think that having fun at work should be illegal.

It was mid-morning when a gentleman came in wearing a yellow sweater, that looked like it was home made.  I am horrible at the age game, but I would guess that he was in his late 70's or so.  He came up to the counter and was so pleasant, I could have talked to him all day.  He called me 'dear', not in that creepy old many, but in a way that I would think that a Grandfather would call his granddaughter.  Now I don't even remember what we talked about, but just the fact that he left me with a smile on my face made me happy.

It was getting close to the end of my shift and I was out doing a lobby, picking up trash, wiping tables, and just pickup the lobby to make it look nice when I walked by his table and he grabbed my hand and said something along the lines about meeting his wife.  He asked If with my 'young eyes' I could see a white car coming down the road because she was late.  I could hear the concern in his voice and I hated to tell him that I couldn't, but if he needed to call her I'll go grab the phone and make the call.  He didn't want the phone, but he asked me if I could just sit for a few minutes.  My heart melted.

Because of a rush, I wasn't able to sit for more than that, and his wife still was not there.


It was time for me to go, and as I started to leave out the door a white car pulled up with an older lady behind the wheel.  I went back in and asked the gentleman "if this was his wife that just pulled in?"  I could see the hope and the relief in his face when it was indeed her.  He turned and gave me this huge smile, and a peck on the check. ( I blushed as red as a lobster)  As his wife came in, he thanked me, and went over and gave her a hug as I stood back and watched.  It was so sweet.  The love that was there was so strong it just made me smile.

I never did get his name, but the Man in the Yellow Sweater will always be remembered.

The Alarm Clock

It seems that I have a serious problem.  I hit the snooze button for an unusually long time, not just once or twice but for an hour or so.  I realize this so I always set my alarm early with extra time to "snooze", but it is so exhausting while I'm trying to sleep.  My roommate thinks it is hilarious, which is better than having  a roommate who would yell at you, so I'm blessed there.  I will admit that if I have to open (which is 5 am so not too bad)  Then I am up and ready to go with maybe one snooze, and I'll be there on time.  This is always a shock to me. Maybe it is because I don't want to get fired for being late, but this is one of the rare times I don't 'snooze'.

I don't have a set working schedule, so  I have no set schedule at all.  Some days I open, others I close, and then the worst is when I'm there in the middle of the day and work with every single person that is going to be there that day.  Those are the days that I never get anything done.  Others I tend to stay up till early hours in the morning, doing school, or random things that I don't even remember.    I did how-ever talk to my boss, and hopefully starting in February I may have regular days off!!  This is like winning the lotto. Well maybe not 180 million, but it sure feels close to it. 

Today I close, so I'll be there till almost 10. That means  that any homework that is due today I need to almost finish or complete before I go.  Today there is a small list of things to do, so it will seem fairly easy.

Well I'm looking forward to February, and the set day's off.   Hopefully this will help my alarm clock not have to work so hard  to awake me from my slumber. 

The CDA Library

So, today is a homework day and I feel like I haven't done anything.  I have been at the Library for three hours catching op on reading, trying to do a test for my Assessment class :( gross. and realized that I didn't bring half of my books that I need.  Oh how I love it.

Every table is full with people punching away at their computers, plugged in to some sort of music, or audio tape. Every few minutes somebody comes along looking for a place by the window!  Ha I got here earlier enough so I have one of the Sacred places overlooking the park and the Resort.  Kind funny.  Anyways.  I decided that since I am such a great student with remembering all of my books, I could at least accomplish this assignment. 

Also I decided to get some books for my other literature classes, so I went downstairs into the Children s section, then went into "Teen Central".  I felt sooooo cool. Don't misunderstand me I love reading young adult literature, it is one of my favorites but I'm not sure how I feel about the name.  Looking forward to reading these books, but not sure when I'm going to find the time with everything else.

Oh!! My little brother just got here!  Surprise for me.  Well hope all is going well with the rest of you.

MLK Day at the Buxs

It is now twenty to eleven, and I just finished my dinner.  I had all these plans to get up early and do some homework before work, but that didn't happen.  So here I am sitting on  my floor in my
PJ's getting stuff done before the deadline.

Working at Starbucks is and has been great, but the Holiday season is always trying.  People tend to always be in a hurry, are rude, and never tip.  Well seldom tip.  (That may seem petty to some, but when you get taxed on tips you want to make as much as they say you do.)  Anyways.  This occurs up till the week before Christmas, then everybody seems to be in the giving spirit, is nice, and they are willing to wait for their latte with-out side comments or jokes, sometimes they even say ' Thank You.'  Then like a switch everybody goes back to being how they were before.

Being the third week in January, and having been through 4 Holiday seasons usually people are out of the funk that tends to descend on them, but not this year.  It seems that people this year are loosing brain cells right and left, and that I am the reason for that.  Today was just on other one of those days where I repeatedly had people tell me how much to charge them, how to make their drink, no that is not what I said, even when I just repeated verbatim. Oh and my all time favorite " I said I wanted this Iced." ( reread the the verbatim)

Well after eight hours I was ready to go to the health club and take out some of my aggression, which I did and I now feel great.  This post wasn't meant to be a whinny one but it ended up as one.  I understand that it is your cup of coffee, but it is just coffee.  Also there is a person that is intelligent, and usually knows more about the company and what they are doing then the customer.  So just please remember, please.  Thank You. and if you want it iced, then order it iced.

The Day after PRAXIS

Well,  Today is Sunday and I was really looking forward to just doing homework and staying in my PJ's all day, after going to church. But alas, that is not to be.  I'm sitting on my couch, still in my church clothes finally getting to some of the homework that I should have done earlier in the week.  I told myself that it was o.k. not to do it with the PRAXIS coming up, but now I already have late assignments, and am trying to play catch up before I go to work.

 For those of you that have taken the PRAXIS you know what I am talking about.  Yesterday was a very long day to sit in a classroom and take tests.   Starting at 7 and not getting over till 2:30.  I am not a test taker.  I can know the material front and back but put it in test form and I go blank. I always need more time, and I seem to always seem to think of random things that don't have any relevance to what is in front of me.  Perfect example: PRAXIS test #1  talking about English, verbs, nouns, and what not and all the sudden Lady Gaga is in my head....  Gross.  
Anyways...

I have never done a Blog before and I am looking forward to it.  My Mom is currently overseas working, and my younger sister and brother are there with her.  Hopefully with this they will be able to be "a part" of my life.  I'll have to double check on that with Holly.
Well good luck to all of you, and thanks for reading.

Kto