Holiday-tastic!

Overall, I would have to say that this holiday is going splendidly well. I just finished my first week at my new job...and it's amazing. It's so great to have a passion for animals and have a job that really plays that out in a profound way. To feel like I'm making a difference in the overpopulation of the pet community as well as helping to decrease euthanasia due to over-crowding in the shelters is the best ever! I'm a pretty lucky gal that I get to be surrounded by people that are just as passionate about animals and animal welfare as I am. I know that makes me a crazy hippie animal lover, but I don't care!!!

Also, I was able to really "stick it to the man", by winning my little battle with the corporate demon that is known as Banfield, the Pet Hospital. Due to the fact that the current office manager is a complete tool bag, him and I had some misunderstandings and ill feelings towards one another, I was able to get an extra 4 full days of pay on my last pay check. What's funny is, I didn't even go in my last 3 days of work. It's funny how one person's voice, backed up by the California Labor Commissioner can really leave some corporate idiots shaking in their boots.

Last night was my first Holiday Party of the season, and needless to say it was one that won't soon be forgotten. I'm so happy I was able to hang out with my friend Alicia before she leaves me for the East Coast. We had an eventful night that was full of laughs, confused men and lots of stories to fill up our diaries with. haha. It's interesting to me how different hoidays become as we grow into adulthood. When you're a child, holiday parties are full of cookies, presents, santa and snowmen. When you're an adult, holiday parties are full of booze, usually some kind of "ugly sweater" theme, awkward drunken dancing and more booze. But, I digress.

Today, truly reminded me of what is important about the holidays. Family and Friends. The past few years, I find myself looking forward to Christmas Day for the fact that my family can all be together in one place. We all have yummy food and I look forward to seeing people open up the presents that I gave to them. Nothing is better than getting the perfect present for someone you love. I can't wait for Christmas and closing out the end to another year. I'm counting on 2010 to be a little gentler to me. I hope everyone else is enjoying the holidays and catching the cheer of the season.

Changes

I feel like I haven't updated this blog in forever. And I also feel like the last time I blogged I talked about leaving my last job, and not I'm leaving my current job as well. Does this make me a quitter? Quitting two jobs in one year is definitely a record for me. However, I have learned more about myself and others around me from quitting these two jobs. I know what I want, and more importantly I know what I don't want.

I think that 2009 has been such a year of growth for me, more than maybe I even wanted. It's interesting to me how certain times of sadness or betrayal can bring you closer to yourself and friends than any other time. Wouldn't it be nice if everything was sunshine and rainbows and we learned the most about ourselves and learned who our true friends were by baking cookies and playing with puppies? Unfortunately, that is far from the case. I just happen to be blessed with an amazing family and friends who are there with me during the highs and are holding my hand through the lows.

Through my highs and lows of 2009, I have decided that lying is the worst thing that ANYONE can do. I believe that every form of evil stems from some sort of lie. A murder is a lie that someone has told themself that they have the right to take someone's life. A thief is someone who has lied to themself in a way which makes them believe they have the right to own anyone's property. Lying to someone is the quickest way to disrespect yourself as well as the person you are lying to. It takes the lowest of cowards to mold a lie, while the bravest of creatures uphold the truth. If you make lying your lifestyle, then you are the lowest form of life(if you can even call yourself living). You have no moral compass and no path with which to take towards success. You have no true friends and no hope of love in the future or a life of real meaning. Even if the truth hurts, it's far better than a lie. I'll take the brutal truth over a syrupy sweet lie anyday. Pardon my french, but kharma is a bitch...and she'll getcha everytime. So watch out liars-you're day will come!

Goodbye Sanity...it was nice knowing you!

Well, I've about had as much as one human being can handle. I have to quit my job! There is no way that one update on my blog could sufficiently depict the plethora of reasons why I must escape, but know that they are all legit. This has honestly been the most awful work week of my life...and I still have one more day to go.

Last week, I went to the doctor's office and she told me that I probably need to be on some sort of anti-depressent after I told her my job situation(just like all the other teachers are on). I think that I am a pretty happy person and explained that I would rather try some natural approaches to relieving stress rather than drugs. Although, after this week...a big ol' bottle of zanex sounds rrreeeaaalll nice. It's almost comical the way teacher's have worked out bargaining over several different medications. Also, the new and improved diets that some must adapt to once they have begun teaching at this school(starting the morning with 3 vicodin and a cup of coffee).

Is this how all teachers feel? Or just teachers at a Christian School? The teachers that I know from public schools, just stick to being an alcoholic, while us Christian teachers seem to mix drugs and alcohol like professional streetwalkers. I actually catch myself watching the bums from my window and being insanely jealous of their carefree life of collecting bottles, pondering a place to bathe, and wondering what new disease they may have. With an economy as ludicrous as ours, I feel the need to just deal with my unhappiness and be thankful that I have a job. But, what is the price that I'm willing to pay on my sanity, just to pay the bills? Maybe I should just give up..."Into the Wild" style!

Thank You Power Outage..

There have been a lot of heavy rainstorms in the Sacramento area lately. For most this has meant:
-being on the road with obnoxious drivers
-dealing with grumpy, wet, annoyed people as you make your way in public
-peeling layers of leaves off your porch everyday

However, for me this has created a 5 day weekend. On Sunday night, all of us teachers received a text saying that school was cancelled on Monday due to electric problems. This was probably the most exciting news that one can receive on the eve of a workweek. Then on Monday we received the same message for today. This was a joyous occasion. I was able to enjoy a leisurely afternoon having lunch with some of my fellow teachers, bought a very precious apron on sale at anthropologie and spend the day chit chatting with friends. Couldn't get much better right? Wrong. We received another text that there is still no electricity at our school. We will not have classes until Thursday...and that's us keeping our fingers crossed.

Since I've been having my days and nights consumed with free time, it's given me time to ponder my life and what I have been doing with it. I'm at such an odd crossroad right now. I feel miserable at my job, but my friendships and the people I've been surrounding myself with lately are absolutely amazing. I've actually been going back to church and it's given me a joy that is unexplainable and a also a sadness that is almost unbearable. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it's honest. I haven't quite figured out what it all means and I need to start doing with my life, but then again...who does?

The most important thing one can do is to just ask questions and seek change and hope in ones own life. So, I guess that's kinda where I am. I think I'll try to get back into writing tomorrow on my additional day off.

Oscar-tastic!

So...I just got done watching The Oscars and actually thoroughly enjoyed it this year. Maybe it's my love for celebrities and my love for musicals, but this year's award ceremony was kind of amazing. I was actually quite touched by how truly humble and thankful so many of the celebrities really were. When they would cry, I really believe them to be honest tears of joy, sadness and thankfulness. Hugh Jackman was incredible as the host and I actually applauded when Kate Winslet won for best actress. I mean seriously..duh...that woman can act. Anyone who can make me shed a tear during a commercial for perfume, without even uttering a word, yeah, that's an oscar-worthy actress. I feel like I definitely need to see Slumdog Millionaire since it basically raped the competition and won pretty much every category it was nominated for. I'm not sure if any one else watched the show tonight, but it really gave me an old Hollywood kind of happiness. I would love anyone else's feedback.
p.s. halle berry's vintage dress was amazing
p.p.s the high school musical stars getting to be a part of the oscars-not amazing!

Lil Wayne...the sophocles of our times

"If you need an example for how to live, then you just shouldn't have been born."

Tattle Tales 2.0

The past few weeks have utterly confused me as a human being. I've seen kids say and do things that couldn't be further from normal human behavior. I will give you an example of this so that you may ponder with me. Last week we had mid terms with all of our high school and middle school students. To prepare for this, the kids worked on study guides in all of their classes.
*Side Story: To protect the identity of my students, I shall refer to them as twin #1 and twin #2. you should be aware that twin #1 obviously stole all of twin #2's nutrients in the wound. this had rendered twin #2 to be somewhat neanderthal-like*
So, as twin #1 and twin #2 are going to my friend Kate's class, they are all informed to take out their study guides. But, alas, twin #2 did not have his study guide. well, to twin #2's horror, twin #1 shouts to his teacher "twin #2 doesn't have his study guide because he peed on it!" To this horrifying news, twin #2 shouts "mom said that you weren't allowed to tell anybody about that!" and then off course breaks into tears.
Now, I wondered and still do...how does one accidentally pee on their study guide? I can't imagine it being anywhere near the toilet. Or maybe he peed on his backpack, but how would that happen either?
Maybe I'll just never understanding the inner workings of a 6th grade boy...and that is in no way a complaint!