So…life is slowly becoming more routine here in good ol' Salukiville. Intramural sports start soon and we had our last night of field clinics for flag football last night. That was fun; albeit a tad stressful (I stress the little things, it's normal.) but all in all it was a good time and I think (I hope) the new baby refs learned a lot from it.
I'm still trying to figure out how to work with everyone though, but I think I'm catching on. B and my boss are very much alike, in that they don't need a whole lot of scheduling or structured to-do lists. As long as they know what needs to get done, they get it done. In no particular order. I'm not that way, but I'm becoming better at adjusting to their style. I think (I hope) I am. I think that if I can make a combo of the styles of OCD, structure, non-procrastinating side of me with the more go with the flow, don't stress, we got this, side, then I can manage.
So here's to trial and error. Sounds like a popular theme for me.
But all that aside, I had some interesting adventures these last few days.
I had pretty much avoided a lot of contact with Carbondale's community, as I work or go to class all day and only really do anything domestic, like grocery shop late at night. So my exposure to non-students, or SIU affiliated folks, is very little.
But over the 3 day weekend, I lost my house key. (Don't ask.) I went to True Value (that's like Ace Hardware for you california kids) to make a new one. But I went during a normal time, like oh right before noon. There were quite a few people in there and me being in my work attire (a SIU polo that just screams I work for the university and khakis) I gather some attention. Some unwanted attention.
An older man, in his late 60's/70's was waiting at the lock department as well. He noticed my polo and asked where I worked. I said the Rec Center for SIU. He goes "Oh do you know my buddies? They work out there and I used to play racquetball there until my knees started to hurt real bad."
"Umm, no, actually, I don't work at the front desk, I work in the Administration Office for Intramural and Club Sports."
"Oh. I see. Well that's a shame."
"Why is that?"
"Well you don't get to see many people then."
"No, not a lot of the public comes into the office but a few do."
"Yes, well, I noticed you don't have a ring and that's a real good way to meet some fellas."
*Wink*
That's what we like to call...
AWKWARD
I was speechless.
I really hope he wasn't meaning himself, but I'm not really sure I'm ok with the fact that he was insinuating I would be able to find my future husband by swiping him into the Rec or giving him a sweat towel at the equipment desk, either.
That's a great story to tell the grandkids.
I quickly tried to brush it off with a light 'Oh ha, ha, well, uh, you know, mumble something about I like my job, blah blah' While in my head I was like, try to control your blushing Marissa, this is weird, don't be more awkward, get the key and get out. get out. get out. get out!
I'm sure he meant well and that he was just being a prying little old man who thought it was funny but good god…
Not to mention that the slightest thought of getting married right now gives me the heebie-jeebies.
My thoughts exactly. No thank you.
But I am getting to that age where A LOT of my friends and people I know or at least know of are getting married. It's their life, they can do whatever they so please, but I've gotten at least 2 wedding invites and seem to find out about an engagement or new baby every day on Facebook. GAG
Ok, I may have bashed pretty hard on weddings, etc, but that's only because I'm no where near ready nor have anyone in mind and not even the slightest bit mature enough (umm hello, have you read my blog? I'm a mess) BUT I am going to my best friend's wedding in October and I'm actually really really excited for her since a) we were best friends in high school b) I've known the groom for a very long time too c) I'll be HOME :) and d) I was there on their first date (well not really, like not third wheel, but I was hanging with her before and she told me all about it afterwards) so I kind of have to see this through.
The other adventure didn't involve a hardware store or an old man. It involved me having a pretty bad case of home sickness and work frustration.
I go for drives when I'm upset. I'll just get in my car, blast the radio and just head off in no particular direction. I usually don't go very far away, just up and down the streets, suburbs, etc. That's how I got super accustomed to Davis and good find many alternative ways from point A to point B. But the funny thing about Carbondale is that there's only one-way streets. And 3-way stops. And really really REALLY awkward intersections with lights in the middle to stop traffic mid-way of a left turn and it's so flipping confusing that I'm pretty sure that the guy who came up with this system was on some serious drugs.
 |
I vented and cried and cried and I'm sure he was just like, "Ummm, I can't understand you, you're a blubbering idiot right now." but he was a trooper and said all the right things and listened to me talk about my troubles. After a good talk and finally being able to laugh at some of his jokes and even make fun of him for his own less-than-stellar life choices (love ya dude, but that chic is cray) I was able to calm down and find my way home.
I'm going to have bad days. Not every day can be sunshine, giggles and rainbows. I'm far from perfect and I'm going to mess up. I'm going to get emotional and cry (I may work in sports but I'm still a girl sometimes) and I'm going to get angry and want to just rip some heads off. But it's a work in progress. No one said it was going to be easy and I for one knew it was definitely not going to be hunky-dory all the time. But the thing that keeps me going is that I know I can. I'm good at what I do. I'm not trying to be super cocky, but I am. I have a passion for this, and yes, I am adjusting still and I don't know everything and I am very young and I have a whole lot to learn. But if I don't believe in myself, who will? But sometimes we need a little reminder every now and then when we're feeling down. That reminder came in the form of that phone call to a close friend then later at the meeting when my boss told me how some other staff commented on how well I was doing.
So I went from
to
Funny how that can happen.
To be continued!
No comments:
Post a Comment