ugh feet

I worked from 2-11:15 at Culvers today. On my feet the whole time except for a 30 minute break - 5 minutes of which was spent waiting in line to order some dinner. But since I'm still awake and I recently found something that I forgot to post previously, I'm here updating. I should be packing or sleeping, but oh well. At least I can sleep in tomorrow - at least as late as Belle lets me.

What I found was the pages in the mini notebook in which I wrote random stuff on Monday morning while waiting for the guy who was supposed to interview me show up. Here it is, no editing:

6/8

I'm such an idiot! I put extra resumes and those papers in a folder to bring to read while i waited here and somehow managed to leave them at home. How do I do this? I even left the notebook I specifically cleaned out to take notes here. So I went to the little gift shop and bought this tiny flip notebook for 89 cents. I also forgot to check my email this morning so as far as I know they could have cancelled or changed the time or location or anything! I'm early though so I'll just have to be patient and see. I wish I had read those papers more thoroughly! I guess I can always claim that I read them 3 weeks ago when I first got them. Still, even if that were true I should have reviewed them before this interview. I need a job! And I can do this, I just need the chance. It would be nice to get an apartment too; live away from home and all. I wouldn't even need a car: the VA is right on the light rail. Assuming of course that I lived near the light rail. I should have called or emailed to confirm the time and place. At least they never asked me those stupid behavior questions like they did at Mayo. I suck at those. Which is probably why I didn't get hired there. I wish I could just skip this part. I'm a nice person and I can get along with everyone (unless they're ignorant or intolerant). My stomach is getting queasy. I actually ate breakfast today. Got up at 6:30 - after going to bed at 12:30. Mom stayed up with Belle, and she let her cry herself to sleep. It was kind of heartbreaking. People keep walking through, but none come up to me. It's 8:54, so I've been here for almost 10 minutes. Still no one. But it wasn't scheduled until 9 so I need to just be patient. The anticipation is worse than the actual interview. Like riding a roller coaster, the worst part is when you're just getting to the top. I think the longer I sit here the more knotted up my stomach gets. And I'm running out of clever things to say. Great, now my colon is acting up. And there's no time left for me to run to the toilet - I said no editing, now I wish I hadn't - it's 9am now. Hopefully they show soon. If no one is here by 9:10 I'm going to try to call them. Too bad I left the number at home. I wonder if it would be better to try to ask for the number at information or to call home and try to get my mom to find it. I'm starting to get really nervous. They shouldn't be late, it's just rude. But maybe they changed the date/time/location which would make me the late one. I just heard someone say "Oh, there she is" and I got excited, but they weren't talking about me. I'ts 9:04. Maybe I should try to call now, since it might take awhile. No, patience Kat. They'll come. What a stupid place to do an interview. Who holds interviews in a lobby? I suppose the informality works in my favor though. Although no one likes tardiness. Crap. It's 9:07. Wait or call? Maybe I'll just wait. I can do this. No problem. I'm going to wander over to the directory - perhaps the number is listed there. 1351. That's the number. The old lady at the information desk sucks and couldn't help me at all, but I called home and mom checked my email and got the number for me. Called it and the guy who answered said he'd send him down. I hope he comes soon and apologizes! I've been a nervous wreck waiting here for the past 40 minutes (9:22 now). I wish I knew how long it takes to get from there to here. Wherever there is. Could be at the U for all I know. I wish I could just fly off. Just put the extension in my phone. Now I'll

And that's how it ends folks. Apparently that was when the guy finally showed up. And I told you all about the rest of that fun little day.

Since the last time I blogged nothing has happened. Sad, but true. Well not entirely I suppose. I played racquetball with Megan once and we each won one game. Last night I reconnected with someone after a long time, which was nice. And today I worked for 9 hours. Yaaay. Now I have tomorrow to finish packing and then heading over to the airport shuttle at 6am to catch my flight. Hooray! Maybe I'll post another quickie tomorrow, but probably not. I plan to bring the little flippy notebook that I bought at the VA for a journal for this trip, so hopefully I'll have some interesting material for next time. Hope you enjoyed my little rant!

PS - Still haven't heard back from the VA since Monday and the whole "continue the hiring process" bit. Sigh.

Continue the hiring process... huh?

Wow, so I've been super lazy lately. I don't even know what I've been doing that's kept me from updating this - a lot of TV and sleeping.

Went to my second interview up at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis and it was weird. First of all, I got there at 8:40 (20 minutes early) and sat and waited. And waited and waited and all of a sudden it was 9:10 and no one had come. So I went to the information desk and tried to tell the old lady there who I needed to call but she was no help at all. And of course I had left the email with the number to call "if I got lost" at home because I knew where I was going this time. Eventually I called my mom and had her check my email and get the number. I called them and they said they'd check to see if the guy who was supposed to interview me was in. I was like, wtf? He damn well better be in. By the time he showed up it was 9:20, and he never apologized for being so late and making me wait and basically forgetting about my interview. I mean, how rude. I woke up at 6:30 am just to make sure I was there on time, even early, and they don't even bother to show up on time and don't even apologize for being late. ANYWAY... the interview was awkward as well. We went over to the little cafeteria and he bought himself a tea and me a bottled water and we sat in a booth and talked. He would ask me questions (sometimes odd questions) and then, after I was done answering, would just sit there and stare at me like he was waiting for me to say more. Then I asked him a few questions and he'd go off on weird long tangents that I could barely follow and sometimes never get around to answering the question. Finally it ended, and then I called Sybylla and headed over to her house. Spent a little while petting Daisy and chatting and just hanging out and then we headed over to the movie theater to see Star Trek. That movie was fantastic! And Sylar was in it! Afterwards I headed home and shared the lovely tales of my awkward interview with anyone who'd listen.

Megan left on Sunday to go visit her latest boy-toy (I've been calling him '2nd semester') and didn't come back until Wednesday. That sucked. Once while she was gone dad and I went to the RAC and played racquetball. I lost horribly, but it was still fun. At one point I also stopped in at Culvers and told them I was back. Tried to pick up some hours (but didn't try all that hard) and got on this week's schedule.

On Friday night all 6 of us piled into the Durango for the 2 1/2 hour drive to my gramma's house. I drove, which was nice because it meant I had plenty of room. Spent the night sleeping on the couch at gramma's and listening for Belle to let her out if she needed to go. I let her out at 3am and was sitting outside her kennel afterwards trying to get her back to sleep (right next to the glass door) and all of a sudden I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Turned and looked and freaked out to see a big raccoon on the deck about 2 feet away from me (on the other side of the closed door though luckily). It freaked me out though because if Belle had gone after the coon or smelled it or something it could have seriously hurt her or even killed her. After that I had scary dreams about raccoons.

Got up on Saturday, not really refreshed, but ate a good breakfast. Sara had gotten up early to go to UNI and take the ACT, so the rest of us packed back into the Durango to go pick her up. Because of the idiotic system they have, we ended up waiting over 45 minutes for her to be done. We spent the time wandering around campus with Belle and hanging out outside the testing room. At one point mom, Megan, and I went to get pop from the machines and we saw a KitKat bar hanging in one of the snack machines. We tried to knock it loose but it just wouldn't drop. Then Megan had the brilliant idea to buy one and then two would drop. So we did and the one that was hanging fell and the next one got stuck! This time, however, Megan managed to knock it loose. So we got 2 KitKats for the price of one! Rock on! Eventually we left on the 2 hour drive to our cousin Emma's graduation party. Got there, showed off Belle to the family, took some pictures, and eventually started the long drive back. First we had to stop back at gramma's because I had left my cell there (someone had made my couch-bed over it). I spent the first part of the trip in the back with Belle and the second part up front copiloting while dad drove.

On Monday I had to work at Culvers 8am - 3pm. I have never, in my 5 years of working there, opened at Culvers. But on Monday I did. Since I don't plan on ever opening again (and honestly said on my availability that I couldn't work that early) they didn't bother training me on anything tricky but just told me what to do to open dining room. As soon as we were open I spent the rest of the day training someone on register. A 14-year old sister of another employee. Made me feel really old. After work, I got an interesting phone call. It was from the VA Medical Center, asking me if I was interested in "continuing the hiring process." I said yea and apparently they're going to send me another application to fill out or something. I really have no idea what's going on with that but I may have a job. Later my dad, Megan, and I went to the RAC to play racquetball again. We played three games; 2 against 1. Every time, the team of 2 lost. Weird huh? We figured it's because you get lazy when you have a partner who you can assume will get it. Spent the rest of the night looking for jobs. I found a perfect one: at the Chicago zoo as an animal keeper in the Australia section. And it doesn't require AZA experience which is basically a miracle. I seriously hope I can get that job. I think I would probably sell my kidney to get it; it just sounds so incredibly perfect.

Another thing about Monday was the date. June 15. AKA the anniversary of the second worse day of my life: the day I left Australia. Sad isn't it? The two worst days of my life both happened in 2008.

Which brings us to today. Still haven't gotten an email from either the VA or Chicago, and didn't do a whole lot today. Spent some hours baking cookies but mostly just watched TV and played with Belle. Megan and I ran on a quick errand to get house keys made at Home Depot, but that was about it. Finished my book and am now watching a "That 70s Show" marathon with Megan.

Another Interview - Yikes!

So I have another interview tomorrow.  I'm kind of nervous about it because I do really need a job, but I'm not really sure I want this job.  It's the one in the cities where I'd have to induce bone pain in mice and monitor their behaviors.  Inducing bone pain by either giving them bone cancer or breaking their bones.  Yea... kind of evil isn't it?  But it would kind of be nice to move to the cities (even if paying rent wouldn't be that nice) and actually starting life as an adult.  And to have a job.  That isn't Culvers I mean.  They still don't even know I'm back; I'll probably tell them tomorrow.  Or Tuesday if I get back late. Anyway...

We've been taking turns for who stays up late with the puppy.  Megan and I did the first three nights, but then we insisted mom have a turn.  Then she made dad do it the next night, and Sara did it last night.  I'm not sure who's on duty tonight but I'm guessing it's mom again since dad has to work, I have to get up for the interview, and Sara has finals tomorrow.  Megan drove her car to Eau Claire tonight to go spend a few days with her boyfriend.  She ditched me.  

Puppy duty means waking up every 2-3 hours and letting Belle out to go potty and then staying up for approximately 30-45 minutes trying to get her to go back to sleep.  Especially fun when its raining outside (like it is now).

Saturday we all headed over to Mankato for Tyler's graduation party.  We got there early and helped set up a big tent out back to help shelter people from the rain.  Belle had fun playing with Addy and Lucy (our cousins' two Shih Tzus) but I don't think they liked her that much.  They're really going to love it when she's 5 times their size.  After that we came home and I went out to see The Hangover with Jackie.  It was kind of funny; enjoyable at least.  Jackie's heading out to Holden, Washington for 5 weeks tomorrow so it's the last I'll see of her until July.  For some reason that just reminded me that I need to go see Kristin at some point.  Grandparents left on Saturday as well.  

Sunday (today) I got up around 9am when my mother informed me that she was leaving.  I was like... "okay? and your point is?"  Apparently she had let Sara go upstairs to sleep and was watching Belle and then decided that it was my turn to take over as she was leaving.  I disagreed.  It was Sara's shift, Sara could finish it.  So I made her go down and take care of Belle until she had to go to work at 11.  Then I went downstairs and fell asleep on the couch until noon, one hand dangling onto the floor for Belle to curl up next to.  

During that time asleep on the couch I had a wonderful dream.  It pretty much encompassed exactly what I want to happen in my life as far as romance or attraction or soulmates are concerned.  And then I woke up and remembered that life is crap.  Well, not really.  But in that department it is for me at least. 

Crap.  It's nearly midnight and I'm still awake.  I have to wake up in 6 1/2 hours.  I don't really have anything important left to say, other than I hope Star Trek is as amazing as everyone keeps saying it is.  I'm planning on seeing it tomorrow with Sybylla after my interview.  On that note, I think I'll go to bed.  Goodnight.

Belle Rae

Friday happened. Woke up, and went to go get my massage. That was wonderful; she realized I was ticklish and managed to figure out a way to not tickle me. Headed back and slept for a bit, then did some more packing and got dressed for the semi-formal boat cruise. Went to Eckman mall for free pizza and then loaded into the busses. This time we had coach busses, which was extremely nice. Almost immediately I put in my headphones and fell asleep for the majority of the 2 hour bus ride to Hudson, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Sybylla's iPod froze and so she couldn't listen to it. Got there, loaded into the boat, and got a table right near the door to the front of the boat. Spent the night talking, wandering around, enjoying the scenery, and waiting in lines for food, drinks, and the bathroom. Slept on the bus ride home as well; it was a fun night.

Saturday was long and boring. Basically bought food from the Caf, cleaned and packed, and then watched a movie and some Firefly with Sybylla before heading to bed.

Sunday was the big day. Got up, got dressed, and waited for the family to arrive. Once they did we headed over to the Country Kitchen to get some breakfast. Then back up the hill where we started some packing into the car and partial cleaning. And finally, I put on my gown, got help figuring out the hood, and headed to the Chapel to line up with my classmates. It was alphabetical and they allotted over an hour just to get into the line. And my idiotic classmates needed it! I couldn't believe how long it took people to figure out how to line up alphabetically. And then we all learned how to do our hoods the correct way. Then we proceeded around Old Main and then towards the stadium and into our seats. Names called, crossed the stage, shook hands with all the big wigs, and then went down into the faculty area. Once down there I hit the Art Department first and shook hands with Stan and got a hug from Bruce, then Biology was right next in line. Got my degree/diploma from Pam and went down the line shaking hands with the rest of the professors. After that we listened to more speakers and then headed to the scoreboard to meet up with the family. Took tons of pictures and then went to the reception with each of the departments. Eventually my family got bored and went back to my room to keep packing and cleaning while I kept talking to people. Walked back to the room with Sybylla and checked out. Family and I then headed down to Whiskey River (restaurant) for the after-graduation party given by Sarah and her family. Ate good food, took lots of pictures, and eventually headed home.

On Monday Megan and I drove all the way down to Des Moines to our uncle's house where we met all five of the cute little lab puppies (3 black and 2 yellow). Spent awhile playing with the pile of puppies but eventually we headed towards home with our new yellow female puppy, Belle. We set up the kennel in the backseat and one of us drove while the other sat in the back with her. We stopped at nearly every rest area on the way back, making the drive about an hour longer than it should have been, but we wanted to make sure there weren't any puppy accidents on the way home. As soon as we got home, mom took Belle in her arms and she immediately fell asleep. We watched her running across the yard and we all laughed at her big ears flopping as she ran. When we discussed what her middle name should be, dad suggested "Ears" because of that. But then I thought we should mix up the letters and have her middle name be Rea (like ray-a) but they didn't like that. Someone then suggested we reverse the letters and have it be Rae. Sara didn't like it much but the rest of us thought it was pretty clever so that's what we ended up deciding. Belle Rae. That night Megan and I slept in the family room and I got up about every two hours when Belle cried to let her outside.

On Tuesday I mostly just watched Belle and hung around the house. At one point Megan, Belle, and I went on a little walk over to the new Petco by Wal-Mart. Belle walked for a bit and then we also carried her and she rode in a backpack as well. While there we got her some puppy shampoo, a little blue collar with Hawaiian white flowers and a little ID tag. Later that night, my paternal grandparents arrived after a long drive from Illinois (and my cousin's high school grad party). Megan and I slept downstairs again to let Belle out.

Wednesday was mostly a blur. Not much happened, other than a lot of puppywatching by me and a couple of accidents.

Today a lot more nothing happened, other than early this morning I finally started getting cranky about the puppy. 3 nights with no REM sleep can do that to you I suppose. Later, Jackie and her mom stopped over to see Belle. She was really there for me when Jazzy died, and I was sad to learn that just a few weeks ago her dog Kirby died. Anyway, the rest of the day was spent being lazy. I actually started this post hours ago and just keep leaving it and coming back to it. Basically, the moral of the story is that I'm lazy and that my puppy is cuter than the one on the Cottonelle toilet paper commercials. I'll add pictures as soon as the website lets me...