Growing up, my parents were very “old school” with myself and my older sister. If we got a gift, we said “thank you” (gasp!); if we disobeyed or disrespected at school, we faced punishment at home (Gasp!); if we made a mess, we had to clean it up (GASP!); and if we did something very wrong that we knew better than to do, we were (hold on to your mittens…) spanked.

And you know what? I’m glad for all of it. That’s not to say that I loved every second of the punishment part (what child does?), but it taught me that I have to learn a respect for the rules, for other people, for authority, and personal responsibility.

Each of these characteristics seems to be sprinting full-speed out of the collective memory of most people I have come in contact with as of late.

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, the graduating class (college) of 2009 is facing the toughest economy and job market in decades. Being a member of that prestigious grouping, I have found myself exercising my fresh-from-the-classroom bachelor’s degree working as a cashier/receptionist (more cashier than anything) for minimal pay and no benefits. I babysit a waiting room, essentially.

I’m serious, I know of kids still in high school that get paid as much as I do. Its just not right.

Anywho, the view from over the counter at work is pretty bleak, but oftentimes can produce some entertaining people-watching subjects. (I’m sure I’ll share more about the characters I’ve met at a later time). Mostly, what I’ve found while looking over the counter has been utterly infuriating. Which causes me to ask the question of the decade: WHEN DID GOING OUT IN PUBLIC BECOME AN EXCUSE TO LEAVE ALL SENSE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY BEHIND????

An alarming number of people seem to be of the mindset that when they go out to a store, or restaurant, or any public place at all, that they no longer need to worry about trivial things like respecting others, picking up after themselves, etc. Its almost as if the moment they step off their porch, they consider themselves to be godlike, above such societal rules and courtesies that plague us “commoners”.

Some of the things I have seen more often than not are:

1. People spilling drinks or other things and doing nothing to clean it up.

2. Taking a ridiculously lengthy cell phone call when in a crowded room, taking great care to talk AS LOUDLY AS YOU CAN POSSIBLY MUSTER while shooting dirty looks to anyone else in the waiting room that tries to talk to the person next to them. Almost as if the other person is rude for daring to interrupt the phone call from across the room.

3. Parents encouraging their children to play with the courtesy books or blocks or toys (or whatever that particular place offers the young ‘uns), watching benignly as said child throws the toys to the far reaches of the room, and then leave the premises. Without having the child pick up their mess. Without even ASKING the child to pick up their mess.

4. A person walking into a waiting area with other customers already there, quickly snatching up all of the newspapers or magazines off the table, and retreating into a corner with all the papers hoarded to themselves. (To which I think, “there is no way you’re going to be able to read all of that at one time… why not get one section at a time and allow others to enjoy the paper/magazine selections too?”)

5. People leaning back in the waiting room chairs and propping their feet up on the other chairs or on the magazine table.

And that’s where I’m going to stop. Though I could go on. You get the picture. It seems that alot of people are taking the ideology of “value the customer/good customer service” to translate to “treat the vendor and the other patrons any way I’d like, ‘cuz I’m allowed to”.

My OTHER question is, when did this become ok?

I must have missed something.

Its official, everyone! I am a college graduate.

Weird.

And I am happy to report to you all that I did NOT trip walking across the stage! Woo-hoo!

I tripped walking TO the stage… and subsequently spent a majority of my walking-across-the-stage moment muttering “left, right, left, right, left…” to myself. Eventually, I found myself in front of the university president, and couldn’t help but exclaim “Ha HA!! YESSSS!”

And received probably the funniest look ever from the poor, unsuspecting guy. Ha.

All this happened on Friday. Today, I spent my day writing a new resume, and applying for jobs.

Prayers are very much appreciated, as I’ve spent the last few months reading news articles saying anyone looking for a job right now is basically throwing wishes into an empty well.

But here’s hoping!

Hey guys!

Sorry for the brief absence… I’ve been really focused on school for the past few months. And I have the eye twitch and stress pimples to prove it!

Woo-hoo!!

I’m brought out of my academia-induced exile to ask your opinion. Both of you. If you’re still there. Ha.

I seem to be having a situation with a friend of mine that is occurring more and more frequently. And I want it, nope, scratch that, NEED it to stop.

Otherwise I can’t be held responsible for my actions. Just a friendly disclaimer.

Here’s the situation: this friend is from a family who has acquired a great deal of wealth in a relatively short time. When we met, she was on the same economic playing field as me. Anywho, I have been nothing but thrilled for her each time she’s brought over another new car to show me, or called me over to see her large new house, or some other expensive toy. Sure. Maybe a little envious, but I mean, COME ON! You should see some of this stuff!

Back to the point.

Recently, I found out through a third source that she had bought tickets to see one of our favorite comedians live. We’ve both talked for months about how badly we want to see this comedian… so I (jokingly, of course) messaged her with “beg pardon! you’re going to see this person without me?!” To which she responded, “You can’t afford it, though.”

……………………..

……………………..

……………………..

um………………….

……………………..

Hmm. Let me digest this for a quick second.

She informed me I couldn’t afford it, so she didn’t even mention it to me. This is where I began to feel a little hurt. Since when does she know every intimate detail of my pocketbook? When was it ok for her to dictate to me how and when I spent my rainy day money? Least of all, why does my being a little tight on cash mean I don’t even deserve an invitation or the chance to try to wrangle up some money for the ticket?

When I mentioned to her that if money was the only issue I would have liked the chance to be invited and figure it out myself, she responded with telling me I need to stop making her feel bad… that the tickets had to be bought right then and she didn’t have the time to call me “just to hear me say no”.

Um. Ouch?

It ended by her telling me I am “irritated for no reason” and promptly leaving the conversation before I could reply.

Even with this was happening, I could see her point a little. Who wants to invite someone who is usually broke to things like this when they usually can’t go?

But then again, I felt a little indignant. Who is to say I’m so poor right now that I can’t afford one fun night with friends?

Either way, I felt like it should have been my choice whether I went or not, not someone else’s from an outside perspective.

My question to you is, what do you think is the best way of resolving this? Each solution I’ve thought of has the uncanny capacity to blow up magnificently in my face, so I’m hoping someone out there may have some words of wisdom…

Have you had a similar situation to mine happen before? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?

In the meantime, I’ll wait here on my lovely, beaten-on, slightly-dirty college futon, nursing my school-induced twitch and praying for a day when money issues are yesterday’s news. Kinda like most other people.

Thank you so much for stopping by! And thanks so much for any prayers you may have said on my behalf because of my last post! God is good, and my Papaw will be fine, thank the Lord!

My roommate took her last load home last week. It sucks she couldn’t stay at the school. I’m gonna miss her. But I guess when choices are made, consequences must be accepted.

Now, I can’t really think of a good segue for my next topic, so I’m just gonna jump right out and say it…

DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO TAKE A SHOWER WITHOUT A SHOWER CURTAIN??

I do.

Back in June when my now-gone roommate and I moved into this apartment, we went out together and bought essentials with our money pooled. Trash cans, shower liners, shower liner rings, dishes, etc.

And being the Tiffany’s shoppers, “Prada-or-Nada”, “let’s just not eat frozen pizza for the 8th time this week” people we are, we bought these items for a dollar each at the amazing dollar shop around the corner.

Anyway, when my roommate took her last load of her belongings home last week, I was not here while she packed. Therefore, some of our items that we bought and paid for together, she took.

Included in those items? You guessed it… shower liner and rings.

Don’t know why she took it. Asked her not to when we were divvying up our stuff like a divorced couple. It’s not like she NEEDS it. She’s going home to her parents’ house, who are well-equipped with such necessities. So, when I got home and saw it was gone, I asked her to put it back. To which she replied sheepishly, “I’ve already packed it in one of the first boxes and its somewhere in the bowels of the van. I don’t know where.”

Convenient, no?

And I’m back to lookin’ like an idiot, showering while crunched up against the wall.

Lovely dollar shop, here I come!

Oy.

Ever had one of those weeks where you feel like everything under the sun is being thrown at you at once?

Welcome to my week.

My roommate (the one I share the room with, and the one I am closest to) told me three days ago that she quit her job, dropped all her classes, and was moving out. The following day. I had known she was skipping her classes alot, but I just thought when she reached the preordained number of absenses allowed by the school, she would buckle down and start going.

BUT.

She didn’t mention to me before this that not only had she been skipping, she hasn’t been turning in her assignments. She would have failed everything, killing her GPA. So, her advisors told her to drop. And then her momma told her to come home (part of her punishment).

I’m really gonna miss her. She won’t be back at all.

Then I get a phone call from my Dad today. My Papaw has been having hip problems. The specialist he went to said it could either be a sign of needing hip replacement, or cancer in his bone/joint.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM.

And then, on top of all that, I have three papers due in the next few weeks. Huge papers.

Your prayers are greatly needed and appreciated. Especially for my Papaw. And any advice or words of encouragement would help so much.

Thanks, ya’ll.

It’s been quite a while since I have written anything new for my fabulous two readers.

So sorry.

This is quite possibly my roughest semester so far. Coming up in the next few weeks, I have three papers due, 2 huge projects, and about 5 tests. Therefore, my caffeine intake has increased substantially and I’ve developed a fabulous new twitch and eye squint.

How the boys will swoon…

And because I am technically sitting in class hanging on the professor’s every word I thought I would share with you a forward I received back in high school. I loved it so much that I saved it, and still look over it every so often for chuckles. It did not have an author’s name on it. I wish it did: I would love to thank him for the laughs and understanding. . . The author nailed the plight of 99% of college students who write papers.

Without further ado…

How to Write a College Paper

Author unknown

1. Sit in a straight, comfortable chair in a well-lighted place with plenty of freshly sharpened pencils.

2. Check your email.

3. Read over the assignment carefully, to make certain you understand it.

4. Walk down to the vending machines and buy some coffee to help you concentrate.

5. Check your email.

6. Stop off at another floor, on the way back and visit with your friend from class. If your friend hasn’t started the paper yet either, you can both walk to McDonald’s and buy a hamburger to help you concentrate. If your friend shows you her paper, typed, double-spaced and bound in one of those irritating see-thru plastic folders, drop-kick her.

7. When you get back to your room, sit in a straight, comfortable chair in a clean, well-lighted place with plenty of freshly sharpened pencils.

8. Read over the assignment again to make absolutely certain you understand it.

9. Check your email.

10. You know, you haven’t written to that kid you met at camp since fourth grade. You’d better write that letter now and get it out of the way so you can concentrate.

11. Look at your teeth in the bathroom mirror.

12. Listen to one side of your favorite tape and that’s it, seriously, as soon as it’s over you are going to start that paper.

13. Listen to the other side.

14. Check your email.

15. Rearrange all of your CDs into alphabetical order.

16. Phone your friend on the other floor and ask if she’s started writing yet. Exchange derogatory remarks about your teacher, the course, the college, the world at large.

17. Sit in a straight, comfortable chair in a clean, well-lighted place with plenty of freshly sharpened pencils.

18. Read over the assignment again; roll the words across your tongue; savor their special flavor.

19. Check your email.

20. Check the newspaper listings to make sure you aren’t missing something truly worthwhile on TV. NOTE: When you have a paper due in less than 12 hours, anything on TV from Masterpiece Theater to “Sgt. Preston of the Yukon” is truly worthwhile, with these exceptions:

             a) Pro Bowlers Tour

             b) any movie starring Don Ameche

21. Catch the last hour of “Soul Brother of Kung Fu” on Channel 26.

22. Phone your friend on the third floor to see if he was watching. Discuss the finer points of the plot.

23. Check your email.

24. Look at your tongue in the bathroom miror.

25. Look through your roommate’s book of pictures from home. Ask who everyone is.

26. Sit down and do some serious thinking about your plans for the future.

27. Open your door and check to see if there are any mysterious, trenchcoated strangers lurking in the hall.

28. Check your email.

29. Sit in a straight, comfortable chair in a clean, well-lighted place with plenty of freshly sharpened pencils.

30. Read over the assignment one more time, just for heck of it.

31. Scoot your chair across the room to the window and watch the sunrise.

32. Lie face down on the floor and moan.

33. Check your email.

34. Leap up and write the paper.

35. Type the paper, and while you’re at it, check your email.

36. Complain to everyone that you didn’t get any sleep because you had to write that darn paper.

Genius, no? I think my favorites are 27 and 32.

Until a few years ago, I had no idea there was this whole subculture growing and thriving just beyond my view. I thought of the internet as something entertaining to look at and fiddle with when I was bored, supposed to be doing homework, or actually doing homework. I didn’t know there was an entire arena of wonderful, wise, funny, and highly entertaining friends throwing a party I was invited to attend if I wanted.

I am talking about the world of blogging.

It was a few years ago now that I was sitting in church, listening to a guest speaker on Mother’s Day. The speaker was Lisa Whelchel, one of the stars of the late-1980s tv show “The Facts of Life”. She was a wonderful guest speaker who kept everyone interested and entertained in her message. After she spoke and the pastor was thanking her onstage for her message, he mentioned her recently-written book would be on sale in the lobby. Intrigued, I bought a copy, took it home, loved it and its conversational, witty style, and found myself one day browsing around her website that she mentioned in the book.

The website was very interactive, with a blog that she updated frequently and many other features that really let you get a glimpse of who she was and what she was about. She used Biblical truth to support her choices and constantly encouraged those through her writing. I found myself learning lots from her blog, and coming back from time to time to see what was new.

One day, in lieu of an update from her own life, Lisa Whelchel had a guest posting from one of her friends, DeeDee of fiddledeedee.net fame.

Her post was friggin’ HILARIOUS!! It made me laugh out loud (which is the quickest way to make a fan out of me) and I went straight to her blog to get some more chuckles from her musings. She definitely never disappoints.

After a pretty long while of reading her stuff, I began to notice I would “plan out” posts of my own, without even really thinking much about it. It began to be not quite enough to just read the blogs. I wanted to write them too. I wanted people to know a little about me as I learned a little about them.

I was soon to be moving into my very first apartment with three crazy, funny, energetic roommates who were sure to entertain me contantly with sarcasm, ditz moments, and other shenanigans. I was starting my very last year of college before I would be thrown out into the “real world” (worst term ever). I was (and still am) being bombarded suddenly with all these future-altering decisions that must be made IMMEDIATELY.

So much was (and is) going on that I know I have to write, or I’ll wind up face down in the carpet. The one that perpetually needs to be vacuumed. And trust me, its just not safe to be breathing in whatever was left deep down there from the apartment’s previous occupants.

I’m just sayin’.

So that’s why I blog. That’s why I started. And that’s where I am in my life. Its messy, its crazy, its fun, its frustrating, its hilarious. . . But its all real, its my outlet, and its my stab at blogging.

I got this from AntiqueMommy’s site (http://antiquemommy.com)… While she didn’t tag me DIRECTLY by name, she unofficially tagged me at the end of hers. Haha. That sounds so stalker-esque.

But in all seriousness, I have been reading her stuff for a while now. She keeps me interested and entertained even though we are in different stages of life, and I can not entirely relate to the things she may be confronted with. She seems like a wonderful lady and a great mom to her adorable little boy.

ANYWAY. I was starting to feel guilty about the lack of new posts for the last few days, so I jumped at the chance for a pre-made one! For all you avid readers of mine.

All two of ya.

On a busy day.

Ahem.

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1. How long have you been blogging?

I am still very new to the blogging thing. I started blogging around May, I think. I have been reading blogs for a while now though, maybe a few years (?). I have about 4 or 5 blogs that I read just about every day, and they all inspired me to try it out for myself. Also, this is my last year of college and first year in an apartment, so I wanted to be able to remember as much of it as I possibly can.

2. What are the good things blogging has brought to your life?

Patience.

3. What would you consider the pitfalls?

No pitfalls off the top of my head. But I do wish I could figure out how to get people to stop by and say hi… I would love some feedback.

By the way…. Kelsey Smith and Michelle-Yeahwhatever, you have no idea what your feedback and advice means to this novice blogger!!

4. Tell us about your blog name. Ever think of changing it? If so, to what? Why?

My blog name comes from my favorite quote: “If you want to plan your life, plan it in pencil!” Life is crazy, and messy, and fun, and always changes the minute you think you’ve figured it out. You can plan things out to a “T”, but if things are supposed to change, they will. You gotta just roll with the punches. Therefore, make any future plans “in pencil”, so they can be changed if needed.

And nah. Its still a new blog. Much MUCH too early for a bloggity mid-life crisis.

5. Knowing what you know now, was starting a blog a good thing for you? Why or why not?

The glass is always half-full. I’m just having fun, and trying to learn new things and meet new people. 

6. How do you think blogging, bloggers, or the blogosphere has changed since you started?

You know… quite a few of these questions seem to be geared toward the more experienced bloggers. The ones who have been doing this longer than, say, four months… 

8. Ultimately, what would you like your blog to accomplish for you or others?

I hope to have my eyes opened to other viewpoints and stories through blogging friends, to always see the funny side of everything, and to become a better writer.

For others, I hope for them whatever they may hope for themselves.

Who are you? Really?

1. Name something or a few things that bug you and expound. We want your unfettered opinion(s). Shouldn’t be blog related.

-I can’t stand patronizing people. Drives me up the wall.
-People who talk in baby voices to other adults. To which I ask: “Really….?”
-People who go 40 miles per hour in the fast lane of the highway. Pretty self-explanatory.

2. Tell us about one of your best childhood memories.

I had a great childhood. My mom was always very involved in everything my sister and I did, and was always loving and supportive. She was exactly the kind of mother I want to be one day. My dad was a big part of our lives too: he coached my sister’s softball team, would play with us after a long day, and even became an official, registered girl scout so that he could go on camping trips and events with me and my sister’s troops (both of which my mom was leader of).

3. Describe your perfect day.

Waking up to gorgeous weather and having a great quiet time with the Lord. Then it would be fun to go to a giant party with all of my family and friends, where no one is in a bad mood and we are all just swimming, playing volleyball, eating, and enjoying each other’s company.

4. Do you have a hobby that you love?

I love to sing. I used to sing in choirs from the time I could talk until I graduated high school. And from middle school  ’til high school graduation, I did solo competitions.

And as for right now? My steering wheel is very impressed.

5. Tell us the best and the worst thing about being you.

The best? There is currently no one cooler or more creative than me…. I am sitting here filling out a giant survey in lieu of a thought-provoking, encouraging, inspiring post.

(Snort) Yeah right.

The worst? Probably something closely resembling my answer for the best thing about me…

6. What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you? We want all the details.

Oh honey-child. My life is stocked full of more embarassing moments than it should be legal for one person to have been through. I’ll share more of them as I keep on blogging.

7. What blog related thing bugs you?

Nothing, right off the top of my head….

Personal stuff:

How old are you? 21

Married? Nope
Children? No.
If so, homeschool, private, or public? n/a
Favorite season? I don’t like to be cold.

Favorite pass time?
I love to sing, read, hang out with friends, watch a movie (preferably comedy), and there is nothing quite like a good nap when its rainy outside.

Favorite color?
Yellow. Or just generally happy colors.

Favorite movie?
Oh goodness. I don’t know that I have just one. I have different favorites in different genres.

Favorite song?
See above answer.

Mac or PC? PC
Dog or Cat? Dog.
Salt or Pepper? Both!!
Vanilla or Chocolate? Chocolate is a girl’s best friend
Diet Coke, Sweet Tea or Evian? SWEET TEA!!!!!!!!!!
Steak, Chicken or Shrimp? Steak or chicken. I’m not much of a seafood eater.

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The end!!!! And now, I tag my only two readers I know of, Kelsey and Michelle! Remember to link back to whoever tagged you, and then make sure you tag others! Have fun!

I get lost alot.

Its pretty much a near-constant thing.

I actually got lost just yesterday, trying to get to a wedding. “Trying” is the operative word. I looked online, saw that it takes 15 minutes to get to the chapel from my school, and so I left about half an hour early… Ha!

Allow me to repeat myself: HA!!!!

You would think allowing 30 minutes for a supposedly 15 minute drive would be plenty of time. Also considering that weddings never really start on time. In both cases, you would be absolutely right, working with anyone else’s luck. But, my dears, we are working with my luck. Hence, the “HA!!!!”

ANYWAYS. I got lost about 3 different times, made plenty of U-turns, and arrived at the chapel grinding my teeth and muttering darkly under my breath. About 20-25 minutes late. And, the wedding apparently DID start on time, because I arrived just as some of the guests (the ones not staying for the reception) were leaving. I darted in the side door, hoping no one would notice my extreme tardiness. . . and darted straight into the only group at this wedding that I actually knew.

(Are you noticing the luck patterns here? Fabulous, huh?)

After some embarrassed explanations about my lateness, they chuckled at me and filled me in on the gorgeous-ness of the ceremony I had missed. Noting my disappointment, one friend quickly consoled me with “Oh, but its ok. The whole ceremony went by so fast, she (the bride) probably didn’t even notice who was there and who wasn’t. You can see her at the reception.”

Feeling better, our group walked through the double doors into the reception hall. And at this point, I am completely exaggerating. Reception closet is much more accurate. There was nowhere for our party of six to sit. Only two or three open chairs, max.

What did we do, you may ask? We waited for the joyous couple to come out of the picture-taking session, gave them hugs and kisses and congratulations, cheered from the hallway as the new Mr. and Mrs. were intrduced to the reception, and toasted their nuptuals down the street at the Olive Garden.

Where I got marinara splotches on the white part of my dress.  

I impress myself.

For reasons unknown to me, which I KNOW must be a God-orchestrated thing, I am a Bachelor of Science.

I royally suck at sciences.

But, thankfully, I am in my last science class ever! *cue thunderous applause* The bad news? Its chemistry. In high school chemistry, I was at school early every day (around 7 or 730) to go to early morning tutorials in that subject. And I still only scraped a C.

I think the main problem with that class was the teacher always used food as an example of how to explain things. For someone as food-minded as I am, this was not a good technique. Each time we talked about moles (didn’t get them then, still don’t get them now… apparently they’re some type of chemistry-related-measurement-thing) she would begin by saying “Pretend I’m making blueberry muffins… now I’ll put 6 moles of flour–” I never heard what she said past that:

“Mmmm… muffins…. those sound so good right now… I love blueberry muffins too. Probably my favorite kind. . . Wait. Did she just say she puts MOLES in her muffins??? What kind of person puts MOLES in their muffins????!!! Flour, yes. Egg, yes. A little sugar, yes. A small, underground-tunneling rodent, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS LADY?! Sicko. . . You know, I’ve never seen a mole in the wild. I wonder if they look like the moles in cartoons…” 

Around then, I would come back to reality just in time to hear my teacher say, “And that’s how you get your answer. Understand?”

Um. Nope.

The same holds true now. With some slight differences. For one, we have not yet covered moles. But I’m sure they will be quite nostalgic.

My new issue in chemistry class, while I’m sitting there in total confusion, is that the teacher is literally sounding more and more like the teacher from Charlie Brown. “Mwah mah mah nah nah wah wah…”

I wish I were exaggerating.

I have to physically shake myself to clear the Charlie Brown teacher from my head, and force myself to focus all over again. Its a very delicate process involving enormous self-control and caffeine.

This is gonna be a fun class this semester, I can tell.