Merry Christmas, and to all a good night...

Well, Christmas was pretty awesome this year! My only complaint is that I wish I had more time to enjoy everything! haha.

Actually, I do have another small complaint.. I wish people would be nicer during this time of year. I had a crap customer come in on Christmas Eve around 5:30PM. We closed at 6PM, but I still had a long line. I was the only cashier because that's all the help we had. Every thing was going awesome, besides the fact that we were out of plastic bags, wrapping paper, tissue paper, pennies, and quarters. Then this lady comes up with this cute little metal cat thing that she had gotten as a gift. I thought it was cute. At first I thought she was purchasing it, so I asked if she found everything alright.
Her: 'Oh, I'm returning this and purchasing something else.'
Me: 'Oh well, if you want to go ahead and find your item to do an exchange, I'll take you first thing as soon as you find the item.'
Her: 'but I waited in line...'
Me: 'I promise I will take you first thing. It's faster for you if we do it that way.'
Her: 'Fine'

She left to find her item. I began to wonder where she was later, but I figured she got distracted by our goods. Boy, was I wrong. About 10 customers later the woman comes up in my line again and is completely pissed.
Her: 'I just want to let you know that I waited in line twice now.'
Me: 'I'm sorry Ma'am. I offered for you to come at the front of the line when you had found your item.'
Her: 'Well, I'm not going to cut in front of all these people.
(Thirty seconds of silence goes by while I'm trying to get her transaction going.)
I'm not trying to be a grouch on Christmas eve, but the next time a customer tells you to credit their charge card, you should probably do so instead of telling them to find another item. I never in my life have been told to find an item. I mean, you were really polite and nice about it...You shouldn't just always do what is easiest for you, you should do what the customer wishes.'
Me: 'Ma'am, I only told you to find another item because that's what you told me you were going to do in the first place. I offered for you to come to the front of line because you had already waited your turn. That's the best I can do.'
Her: 'You didn't know I was going to purchase something else."
Me: 'You told me so. You didn't have the receipt either, so I wouldn't have been able to credit it to your card...'

So while she's arguing me about how I'm not doing my job properly, I'm ringing out her transaction because I have about 20 people piling up behind her. She gets all pissy because I'm doing an exchange...
Her: 'so what does it come to?'
Me: '$4.15."
Her: 'No, what does the item come to?
Me: 'The item came to 4.99.:
Her: "Are you just combining the two?"(In a pissy tone)
Me: Yes. I'm crediting you 4.99 and you're purchasing your item minus 4.99'
Her: Uh, well I just wanted to know what you were doing.
Me: Do you want me to do it another way?
Her: No, this is fine. I just wish you would have just credited me before.
Me: I couldn't have ma'am for the exchange. This is how I was told to deal with transactions like this today. Would you like to talk to my manager?
Her: No, I don't want to get you into trouble.

Ok. So now you have the background, my time to bitch haha. This lady made me cry. Not because she was a bitch, it was just a combination of everything- being completely stressed because a) we were out of bags, change, and paper to wrap purchased items that are breakable b) being the only cashier c) the line never ends d) I wanted to be home with my family. Most people were really nice, but I don't understand why people get all pissy shit like that. I was just doing my job. I'm sorry that YOU had to wait in line, but seriously lady? Seriously?! It's fucking 5:30 PM on Christmas Eve. You should be at home, enjoying family time, not fucking exchanging a cute little item that you were given from your neice. I remember helping the little girl picking it out for you. And even if it wasn't a gift from your neice, you should expect to wait in a line on Christmas Eve. Don't you realize how many people shop late in the season? At least they realize why there are lines and don't bitch about it. And if they do bitch about it, they don't take it out on me because they realize they are partially to blame for the situation. It doesn't take much to shop a few weeks before xmas. In fact, I probably worked more than you did with less days off and I was able to get my shopping done a week and a half ago, so don't even tell me that you didn't have time. Work retail and bend over backwards for customers like yourself on a daily basis, then come talk to me in a nice tone. Oh well. End rant.

Other than that incident, my holiday eve was awesome. I got out of work a half hour late, and came home to a house full of family (complete with a new kitten named Chanel)- My bf's mom and dad, his brother(Mike) and sister (Janet), his brother's wife (Irene) and his sister's husband (Eric). We had some pizza and enjoyed some new things. I'm trying to introduce some new traditions to the family. We did some British traditions this year- crackers and a peppermint pig. I let everyone pick out a cracker and we each took turns opening them. You open them by pulling each side. It explodes open (not as loud as you think, it just goes crack ) and releases a folded paper crown, a joke or fortune, and a miscellaneous toy. They're supposed to bring good fortune to the new year and ward off evils. After we had our crowns on, we did the peppermint pig. It's a hallow pink peppermint shaped like a pig. You put it in a felt bag and take turns hitting it with a small hammer that comes in the package. After you whack it, you have to share a good fortune that happened that year and then pass the pig to the next person. I'm not sure how everyone else liked them, but I thought it was pretty fun. After the new introductions we played a few rounds of hangman, and then called it a night. Steve and I watched a movie and opened our presents. Soon after we hit the sack.

Christmas day, Steve and I slept in quite late (3pm to be exact) with our new kitten snuggled inbetween us. Then we headed over to his parents house for a gift exchange and a sandwich. (I had a few drinks of course. haha.) I tried some Peppermint Schnapps. It was pretty tasty. Then i tried some 151. I was quite giggly and full of 'that's what she saids' that actually made sense. haha. Most of the time they don't make sense when I say them... so for me, thats pretty good. Opened some sweet presents, then I helped clean up. Once I was ready to set the cleaning rag down, Steve and I headed to Brian and Linzy's to play some Guitar Hero Rock Band. That was super sweet. Then we headed home, stopped at Sheetz for a quick snack, ate it, and headed to bed. I'm not feeling too well haha. Gee, I wonder why. I'm having trouble sleeping, but I have to be at work at 5AM, so I really should try to get at least a half hour of sleep. haha. Off I go.

Happy Holidays...

So I realized that I haven't posted much lately. I figured now would be a good time to do so...

I finished school last week. Not sure of my grades as of yet, but I should be relatively pleased. :)
I already signed up for my next semesters classes. (I'm excited!) I signed up for 17 credits. I'm not sure why I continue to do this to myself each semester, but somehow it all works out. I'm taking Portrait Photography, Ceramics 2, Into to Humanities, French 1, and College Algebra.

I also signed up for a summer class, which I'm the most excited for...

A PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE IN PARIS!

That's right! Paris, France. haha. The only thing holding me back is affording it, but I can get financial aid if needed. I'm trying not to go that way though, but we'll see.

What else is exciting? My birthday is in 11 days! Woohoo! The big 2-1. I hope I do something fun. haha. What is even more exciting than that? Christmas is in one weeeeeeek!!!!! PRESENTS! I love presents! I love giving presents, I love recieving presents, I love unwrapping presents. I just love presents! I was super excited and couldn't wait for xmas, so steve allowed us to have christmas early. :) He got me some socks, jeans, 2 pairs of lounge pants, microsoft office student, Viva la Pinatas (xbox game), another xbox game with chimps, a learn french disc set, the namesake dvd, and armani code perfume! All of which are amazing. I can't choose which is my favorite :) But I must say that Viva la Pinatas is the best game ever! Besides Beautiful Katamari that is....

Work has been work. A lot going on. Christmas time going on. Cranky customers, trashed store, rushed me. People really annoy me this time of year...

OH! Irene (Mike's fiance) came over from Armenia on the 5th. I've hung out with her a couple times. It's been really fun! We went shopping at a few stores and found some crafts to make as gifts for christmas. She's really cool. Hopefully I don't annoy her haha. We have so much in common it's crazy. Crazy awesome! She's going to help me pick out a camera for my France trip! I can't wait!

Other than that, not much going on. I haven't really had much free time. I've been working a lot. Getting home late, waking up early to repeat the process. I can't wait for the christmas season to be over at work...

So much to do, so little time.

Ah. I've had much time to reflect in the past hour. Sometimes it feels as if my mind is racing 1000 MPH! It's ridiculous. But anyway...
This past week has been really humbling.
-I dropped out of my math class because I just don't have the time to invest in learning the subject. I understand it mildly, but I'm not allowing it to settle in to fully understand. It's not that I don't want to learn it, it's just that I simply do not have the time to. I've never been good at math, but I like to think that I can do it all. I'm beginning to realize that I can do it all, just not all at the same time. I'm taking on too much, and many have told me that no one can handle that. I wanted to prove that I could. Who am I kidding? Myself.
-The more I seem to try to do at work, it seems as if it's not enough, or the work I've done is disappointing. And frankly, that disappoints me. I work hard and I'm trying to please everyone (which I know is impossible). It bothers me when people tell me that I'm passing my work onto others. I'm totally not. I mean, if I am, I don't mean to. I just wish everyone could understand one another. Oh well, I'll just keep trying. Tomorrow is another day. I will accomplish all that I want to.

To do (school):
-Psych test Monday 10/20. (Study)
-Photography book report presentation Monday 10/22. (Practice speech)
-Process film for Frame assignment in Photography Monday 10/22(Due 10/27).
-Speech test Wednesday 10/22. (Study, Chapter journals due 10/22, Flash Cards due 10/27)
-Keep up on my Dream Journal for class.

To do (work):
-Housekeeping (Dusting, polishing, tagging)
-Reorganize Living (make layout plan)
-Clean up Clearance
-Build ( 2 chairs, sideboard, pub set, file cart, bed frame)
-Organize stockroom
-Make homes for incoming stock (check detail list)
-Clean mirrors

To do (home):
-Clean (dust, vacuum, sweep/mop)
-Laundry
-Put away Laundry
-Dishes
-Organize office
-Clean my car (outside and inside)

I hope this week goes by quickly. I can't wait to be Wilford Brimley.
Which reminds me...

To do (halloween)
-bake cookies.
-decorate space.
-buy costume (flannel shirt, vest, khaki pants, already have the hat)

Man, my brother's girlfriend had surgery on Thursday. I've been meaning to call her and send her flowers. I hope she's not mad. Bah, I hate forgetting. I realized I'm broke too, maybe she'll accept painted flowers instead. haha. At least they last longer.

The Namesake

I watched a really touching movie tonight. (Yet again, thanks to the lovely Stephen who upgraded to HBO.) It was called the Namesake. It was about a Pakistani family struggling with American values. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Go Steelers!!!

I'm watching the game (Steelers vs Ravens), We're in overtime. GO STEELERS!!!! :)

I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. I'm thankful I don't have to work tomorrow, otherwise I don't know when I'd get all my tasks done!

To Do:
-Math Homework (3 sections worth)
-Photography Homework (36 shots of different vantage points)
-Psychology Homework (Bonus video description and analysis)
-Tutoring appointment at 3 or 3:30
-Return + exchange something at Best Buy
-Fold and put away laundry
-Wash Dishes
-Rearrange bedroom


And the Steelers won!! Awwwwwww yeah.

Busy Busy Busy

Well. Today was a busy day from the get go. Crazy sales going on at work. lol. Basically, every rug is going on sale so I had to price each one individually. Oh well. I'm eating these delicious thin shortbread cookies with coarse sugar on them and watching Mr. Bean's Holiday.

Speaking of holiday... lol. I think I need a mental holiday from work and school. I have a test in my dream class on Monday. Hopefully I will do better than I did on previous tests. Cross your fingers!

Season's are a changing!

Hi! I got inspired by my dear friends SB and Vladi to create another blog! I had one years ago, but I get easily distracted and forget to update. Hopefuly that won't happen with this one! I'm looking forward to sharing all about my days! I promise to try to post at least every day. If not every day, every other day.
Today was very productive. I woke up early on a day I technically didn't have to. (I know, I was shocked too.) I started a load of laundry, swept/mopped the kitchen, and then enjoyed a orange julius on my comfy couch! Man, it was tasty. Now I'm enjoying the perks of HBO. Movies all day! It's crazy! Much thanks to the wonderful Stevie for deciding to upgrade!

I must say though, I had a rough day yesterday... I was all pumped for school to see how well I did on tests I had taken previously on Monday. I headed to campus early, got an awesome parking spot, and arrived to class early. All is going well. My math teacher goes over the next lesson (which started off well, and then started to go over my head, but I'll get the hang of it) and then passes out the test. My heart sank when I read the grade. D. Omg, a D. lol. I didn't get upset about it at that time, because I knew I could have studied more and convinced myself that I did better on my other two tests.

I go to the photography lab and start finishing up this same print that I have been working on for the past 5 classes. Everything goes great until I expose my final print and develop it. I don't know what keeps happening, nor does the teacher. For whatever reason the print is in focus when I do my test strip and develop it, and then goes out of focus when I do my final print. I've wasted a lot of paper on this first project... It doesn't bother me that it's taking me more time and extra paper to do it, it bothers me that it's the same problem over and over. lol. But I will get the hang of it.

I go to speech and get my test right away. Thinking that I did better than my first test, I don't look at the grade until I sit down. (Good thing too.) When I do get comfortable and take a look at the grade, it was a complete let down. Again, a D. Not just an old little D though, I managed to get a D+. One stinking point. haha. I will study better the next time.

After speech, I head to the opposite side of campus for Psychology. Thinking that I got this since I aced the pop quiz for extra credit, I wasn't too concerned. She passes back the test. Another let down. Yet again, and horrible letter D. One more stinking point and I could have had a C. Not that a C is better to me than a D, but it's still higher on the failure totem pole than that D. Yet again, I will study better the next time.

Dream class was a relief. We have a test on Monday, so we had a class review. At least I knew most of the answers to the questions asked. I suppose that means nothing because that obviously meant nothing on Monday. haha.

Other than it being extremely disappointing, I had a great day. Sb and Vladi, my neighbors from my old apartment, came over for dinner. We had spaghetti and meatballs with garlic toast. Yummy! Although I did manage to slightly burn the garlic toast, we all were stuffed with good food. For dessert, Sb and Vladi brought an apple pie. Oh my, was it good.

All in all, a great day for apple pie and a great time to catch up with friends!