Work Rant
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: "You" by Evanescence on "NoAlbum"
Topic: Work
I'm really getting annoyed at/sick of/tired of being one of 2.5 people that I work with during my scheduled shifts that is proactive/responisble. (2.5 because I'm one, Leigh is two, new guy Zach is only a half because I haven't worked with him long/often enough to truly judge but he seems it). Matt and Bridget don't count in this count cause I'm not scheduled to be working with them (and technically Matt doesn't work there except for a few training hours), but I do know them to be like me in this aspect.
So the things that just keep building up:

1. Arrival time. I find it extremely ridiculous that when I walk in at 8:02 at the latest (stupid maxed out buses), not only am I first to arrive but the next person doesn't arrive for a good 5-10 minutes later. And Annie consistantly arrives between 8:15 and 8:20. I mean, that's late even by Poly Time. If she was coming from class, I would understand but she's not. She did this over the summer too. And I'm willing to bet that on her time sheet she puts down that she starts at 8 everyday. The only people to beat me for an 8am shift more than once have been Matt and Kim a few times over the summer and Leigh during break. Others though usually got there around 8:05ish but definitely before 8:10. Then there's Dan who refuses to come in before 10 because he can't wake up that early. And today, even when he was scheduled at 10, he didn't come on time. At 10:20 I called his cell to see if he was coming (because at that time, technically Jeff was the only one on. Ronak, Matt and Bridget were all there too though. I continued to work so as to not leave Jeff by himself since it's been crazy). He said that he was, that he was having some issues this morning or something, that he was on campus and he would be there in 5 minutes. 10 minutes later he comes in, dumps his stuff off and then went to get some food. I mean, he should have called to say he was going to be late. As for everyone else (my self included when I'm scheduled after class), we arrive a few minutes late but we're coming from a class that got out at that time.

2. Answering calls, front window and nothing else (aka being proactive). Annie and Michelle seem to just be answering calls and helping people at the window but doing nothing else like voicemail, e-mail and going through Remedy. Jeff is slightly similiar except that if he gets a form from someone at the window, he'll process it but he doesn't even bother to check the bin or ask me if there's anything Lead to do. Before I became a Lead, this didn't bug me because I would take care of it. Now I just don't have time to go through the voicemail except for the morning when I come in. And as for the e-mail, we always get confused (or at least I do) when a message has been read but left in the queue if it has been taken care of or not so I've been working on all the other stuff and leaving that to the regular people. Except they're not taking care of it. Or at least when I glance over numerous times, no one is working on it. I haven't even gotten time to check the new account web request account this week. I should do that tomorrow morning. I understand that we're students and have lots of homework to do and stuff and I'm not *as* annoyed when people work on school work while working but to be just surfing the net or talking on AIM is ticking me off *cough*Annie*cough*. At least when someothers do that, they pick up the phone right away or will be working on a work related e-mail at the same time instead of waiting for the third or fourth ring. I've had times where I'll be creating an account, doing pw mgmt or what have you, have the phone ring, I'll glance to see if anyone is making a move...wait another ring, see if anyone is reaching and then grab it on the third ring because the people doing non-work things wouldn't. This is what attributes to mass amounts of things left for me to finish by the "end" of my shift. I think of the past 9 days, I've left close to on-time twice. And it's not like I don't have other things to do too. But noooo...I have to have a good getting-paid-for-work work ethic.

3. Hanging out. Not to say that I don't enjoy their company* or that I don't do this too on the rare occasion, but so many people come in when they're not scheduled to study or use the computer during times when it's slightly short handed, it's taunting. Take Ronak for example. At no point during the week am I scheduled to work with him. Yet, I think I've seen him every. Single. Day. And if the computers happen to be occupied (mainly by people working but also other people there to study/use them), he steals someone who is actually working but had to get up for some reason's seat. I mean for the past two quarters when Jim has been putting "Available" shifts on the schedule, I know people have come in to the study/use computer during that time. They're obviously available during that time so why don't they volunteer to work it? It's not like they don't study when they're suppose to be working anyway. Not too much difference when that attitude is taken.
*Not that I can enjoy their company when they do show up recently because I've been swamped with stuff and having to answer the phone because no one else will (see point 2). All I've been able to do is say "Hi" and/or wave.

Add all of this up and then add it to the e-mail PolyComm sent out, regular work stress, regular school stress, Math Club stress and personal stress and you've got one stressed-out cranky Mandy.

For having no (academic) class today...
Now Playing: "C'est la vie" by Ace of Base on "title"
...today was pretty long. It might have something to do with being at work for 7.5 hours. I ended up staying for that extra hour and a half mainly because things just kept coming up?people at the window, phone ringing that one one else seemed to want to answer, answering Zach's questions?that made it very hard to leave. The time was justified as covering for Bridget who said she would be late.

At least today the phones were slightly quieter and I was able to catch up on some of the forms. I think I made 4 or 5 new accounts. And I found out about about 30 or so new OpenTime accounts that will be heading our way. Joy ;-P. I was also able to clear out the queue a slight bit, or at least to the point where you didn't have to scroll to see everything. I didn't get to voicemail and e-mail. By the time Zach finally checked it (about 1 or so) there were like 13 or so of them from about 9 or so. I really need to start reminding Annie and Michelle to check that and e-mail. Yes, I excuse myself from the duty as I had plenty of work to do whereas they were surfing the internet, writing e-mails or talking on AIM between phone calls.

Anyway, after that long stint at work, I went to the gym for my cardio class. Except to find out that the Total Karido Kick class has been cancelled for this quarter and has been replaced by Body Sculpt. I decided to give it a try. The class was definitely a strengthing workout. We things with weights and did a bit on abs. I tried to get a cardio workout on an eliptical while waiting for Bridget but I felt the knee go as soon as I reached the first "hill" in the program. Since the gym was super busy, I decided to stay on and reduce the resistance and go slowly until Bridget got there so that way she could at least have the eliptical. So while she did cardio and stretching and abs, we just talked. I would have done more abs with her but they already had quite a workout. We did a little bit of weight lifting and Bridget introduced me to some new machines.

Then we headed over to the library. Where I began to work on my questions for Dr. Morrison. As always, started to get a good wording going when it was time to leave (I had already pushed my departure back half an hour). Hopefully I'll be able to finish up that one (that was suppose to done for Monday, oops) and work on the ones assigned for Friday. And my Analysis homework. Not quite done with that.

Gym
Now Playing: "I Need a Girl" by P Diddy f. Usher on "title"
I was a good hour fifteen minutes early for the Abs class so after talking with Shawn for a bit, I went to the gym early and decided to get in some cardio. I lucked out when I got upstairs because someone got off an eliptical machine as I walked in. About three quarters of the way into it, I started to feel some pain in my right leg, that felt very similiar to what happened the last time I was on the eliptical. After I got off and walked for a bit I found that it was exactly the same, if not worse. Last time I only had pain walking up and down stairs (down especially for some reason) with just a few random times while walking. This time it hurt more often while walking but still mainly while going up and down stairs. I still don't get why I feel little pain when just bending it on my own. What I understand less is why it is happening. Hopefully the advill will cure it soon.

Hmmm...I just realized I have some pain killer with sleep aid. *goes to take half a pill*

Weather
Now Playing: "Skull and Crossbones" by Klaus Badelt on "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"
Wow, there have been a lot of mudslides of late. At least two that closed different parts of the 101 freeway and an overturned truck closed another part. There were also a bunch of highways that were closed. Bridget and Ronak (from work) were down south?Bridget for jury duty and Ronak to visit Kim?and both of them were trapped there yesterday for the most part. And Ronak was hearing on the radio that there were tornado warnings but didn't know where. In the end they ended up caravaning back to SLO by way of I-5 completely around and through Paso Robles to the north. Bridget said that it took like 6-7 hours. Normally a 2.5 hour drive by 101.

Seeing as how we should finally be sun tomorrow, hopefully the roads will be opened more and people can get home. I saw on the news tonight that people were taking whale watching-turned-ferries boats from Santa Barbara to Ventura since there was no other option from there except to fly (boat was much cheaper). I hope no one had plans to travel this weekend.

One resolution down, twelve to go
Went on a date with Dave tonight.

And that is all that I'm willing to say in a public forum.

How Ironic (Or "My, how the tables have turned!")
Now Playing: (*gasp!* NOT "Phantom" music!) "Where Will You Go" by Evanescence on "NoAlbum"
Topic: School
In today's Math Club meeting, our advisor came in a few minutes late. He took one of the few open seats in the front. He sits down. About 2 seconds later, his cell phone goes off and he leaves to answer it.

Winter 05: First Impressions
Now Playing: "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" by Original London Cast on "The Phantom of the Opera"
Topic: School
Currently enrolled in: MATH 413 Intro to Real Analysis II MTRF 12-1, HIST 213 Modern Political Economy MTWR 2-3, ANT 250 Biological Anthropology TR 5-7, MATH 461 Senior Project.
Work: MTRF 8-10, W 8-12

Work: Yesterday wasn't fun at all. For whatever reason, the phones were already transferred when I got in early at 7:40ish so I started early and finished late (10:45). Just a lot about the new epermit system and wireless registration. Today was a lot quieter. As for starting at 8am, it's not too bad. However since I'll be working with Michelle, Annie and Jeff, I'll have to make sure I make the early bus as the three of them put work on Poly Time and then come 5 to 10 minutes late (so in real time?the time work is run on?they come 15-20 minutes late. Actually, Jeff was only about 8 minutes late today. The point being that they arrive closer to 8:10 so I should try to be the responsible one and be on time.

Analysis: We switched building this quarter for who knows what reason so the desks aren't the good one but they are not the extremely sucky ones thank goodness. It's also kind of nice because it's in the same building as the Math Lounge. As for the class itself, there are less people in it this quarter but Dave, Nick, Tyler and Alisa are in it. I'm happy Dave and I are sharing a class together. One would think that as Math majors starting the same year, we would have had more classes together. But all we've had was the Calculus series freshman year and I think he was in a different section each time. But anyway, yay! more Dave time! Back to the class. Actually, not much to say about it. Just more of the same.

Political Economy: The title and course number are a bit misleading. Before going to class, I was trying to figure out how a class called Modern Political Economy fit into the History department. Turns out it is more a class of the history of political economy. The professor seems like a cool guy but he has a weird speech pattern. He says some words at a higher pitch than others in his sentences and not necessarily for emphasis. Kind of hard to explain. He also plays a song at the beginning of class as kind of intro to the day's topic. He puts a general outline of the lecture on the screen and then goes through it. I know that if I keep this class it's going to be difficult for me as the outline on the screen is pretty much the only thing written down. As in, it's pretty much an audiotory class and I'm a visual learner. And while having only one paper and two tests (student's choice of essay or multiple guess) sounds great, the weight of each concerns me greatly. The paper is worth 10%, the midterm 40% and the final 50%.

Anthropology: A tad hard to judge this one completely as the professor did not lecture today. However I asked about her lecture style and she said she writes definitions and things on the board. I like her grading scheme a lot better as there is a book report worth 25%, 2 midterms multiple guess worth 25% each and a final also worth 25% oh and it's not cumulative. I also made sure that it was okay with her that I took the tests earlier in the day. Another girl was in the same position so that worked out well. I did recognize two other people in the class. One was a girl from Honors, I think her name is Jaime (there was an event at her house a couple years ago), and the other was a Math major, I think her name is Natalie.

Senior Project: I talked with Dr. Morrison today to set up our meeting times and discuss a plan. The goal is to get a first draft done by the 5th week. So I now need to get my but in gear and review all my summer stuff.


Overall, it seems like a lot of stress but then I remember that I'll be dropping a class. Right now I leaning towards Political Economy. Mainly because of the lecture style. I'm going to confirm with the London Study office tomorrow about GE areas offered next Fall and then drop it. I know that a D5 is required for London and that there is a Shakespeare class which will count as my C1-C4 elective. I just want to make sure that an area F will be offered in Fall (there was one this year). Assuming there is, I'll keep ANT 250, a B2, and take Math 341, 414 and a D2 GE next quarter. That will leave GEs C1-C4 elective, D5 and F for Fall 05. Perfect for London. However, if that F is not offered but the B2 is, I'll have to drop Anthropology and keep Political Economy and take the F next quarter. *crosses fingers* I'm hoping for the "Perfect for London" one.

New Year's Resolutions
Now Playing: KIIS FM
1. Better dental hygine
2. Weigh 140 pounds (or less) by 22nd birthday. Weigh 135 pounds (or less) by start of Fall 05 quarter. Weigh 125 pounds (or less) by graduation. (aka lose 25 pounds this year)
3. Average 25 sit-ups a day (and mean it)
4. Work out at gym at least 3 days a week
5. Be on the Dean's List for my last 3 remaining quarters at Cal Poly
6. More personal reading
7. Wear make-up daily ( if nothing else, to get rid of it)
8. Be better Math Club President
9. More time with friends
10. Go on a date by 22nd birthday
*ADDED*
11. Decide on London
12. Figure out what I'm doing in 2006 and rest of life.
13. Un pack-rat

Chances:
1. Good. I'm keeping up with it right now. Hopefully I'll nail down a routine for during the school year.
2. Possible but not probable. This partly depends on #3 and #4. This also means watching my diet more closely.
3. Possible. Then again I thought it possible for this year too and I'm currently 1650 sit-ups behind (will be doing some before bed after I'm done with this)
4. Fair. I scheduled some regular workouts and workout classes into my day but I did that last quarter and we saw how well that went. But this time I also scheduled in some study time so hopefully my classes and Math Club won't be consume my workout times again.
5. Possible but not probable. This would require at least 2 A's and 1 B each quarter. Seeing as how I mostly have GEs left...well, let's just say GEs lower my GPA.
6. Good if my GEs arent reading intensive. Hopefully, I'll also be able to get some reading done while at the gym too and at night before sleep.
7. Good. This ties into #1. I've currently got this whole mouth wash while starting make-up thing going on. Plus, I will no longer have to straighten my bangs so that saves like 10 minutes of my morning routine right there.
8. Possible. I just need to get off my ass, work with my board more and delegate. Speaking of, I need to work on next quarter's schedule....
9. Possible but unfortunately not probable. My weekdays are very booked unless I get a gym pal, and then Math Club usually takes up at least one day of the weekend. And I'll need Sunday to catch up on my school work. Not to mention that I'm not the spontanious type to just randomly go over to people's houses (a la Bridget), nor do I like to make the first move (I'm sick of it already). But thankfully my friends are good about inviting me along on their little adventures =)
10. Sucky. I'm too shy to ask (besides, the guys I tend to crush on are already taken), and it's unlikely I'll ever be asked again. I think I give off this "I hate men/girl power" vibe now. Can I help it if I had a bad experience and happen to be a stubborn independent? Okay, so I have no one to blame but myself for this one. But it gives me something to dream about. Assuming I could dream.
*ADDED*
11. Well it has to be done.
12. Umm, postponing till summer
13. Variable. I just need to take baby steps. One area at a time. I started by getting rid of 4 tops that I've had for quite some time (like throughout high school)

Break so far
Now Playing: KIIS FM from bathroom radio
Sunday:
We celebrated Hanukkah. We had our traditional dinner of matzo ball soup, latkas and chicken. Then we did our clues which were fun as always. Jess accidentally found her list after the first clue. She still ended up beating the rest of us. I came in last *shrug*. Then came presents. Here's what I originally got:
From my parents: pair of uggs, coin sorter, alarm clock able to play CDs, photo album, memo board, fish fortune teller thing, mathematical games cards, "IQ tester" game, double stick tape things for when wearing clothes (yeah, I don't get it either).
From the siblings: pair of new sneakers from Justin and Tiffany, book and reading light from Jessica.
From the 99 cent white elephant: beach mat and beach ball
I said originally got because, well the problem with not telling people what you want is that you get things you don't want. I needed to exchange the uggs and the sneakers (yes my feet are wide but I only need a size bigger in dress shoes) from 9's to 8.5's, return the coin sorter (a nice thought but that much change was accumulated over a few years) and return the alarm clock (nice thought since it's a combo of my current set-up but I like my current set-up).

Monday:
I went to the dentist in the morning and was told that some of my "nicks" were deep enough that he though they should be filled. Joy ;-P. After that it was running errands with my mom and my sister. We went to Macy's to exchange one of Jess's gift. She said it was nice but she already wears a lot of blues. At that point I opened the box and took a look. It was a very nice sweater. My mom offered for me to try it on (and the size up) while we were there and if I liked it, the sweater would be my big gift this year. So I got the size up on the sweater and my sister got a different sweater. Then we went to the ugg shoe store so I could exchange mine. Unfortunately, that brand doesn't come in half sizes and the size smaller and bigger felt weird. Instead, I got size bigger ugg slippers which are supper comfy and that I've been wearing around the house. My mom also returned the coin sorter. Then we went to Michael's and took a crochet class. I was kind of dragged along but now I'm glad for it. It's a good way to keep one's hands busy.

Tuesday:
Jess and I walked to Label's for brunch. Poor Jess, the walk turned out to be too much for her and she didn't feel well later that night and all day Wednesday. Hmm, I don't remember what else I did other than crochet my scarf.

Wednesday:
Mom and I went to Torrance to get our hair straightened. My hair now has no lumps and is super flat. And looks really good too if I say so myself. That pretty much took the whole day. When we came home, I kept Jess company in her room and kinda stood guard while she showered, G-d forbid anything should happen since she felt crappy. I also crocheted some more. Actually, I finished off my ball of yarn but my scarf was too short.

Thursday:
Went back to the dentist to get those fillings. I had to reschedule my appointment with Joan until next week since this was the only time the dentist had. Then Mom, Jess and I headed south so Jess could go get some blood drawn and flu shot. We also went to the New Balance store to exchange our shoes (Justin and Tiffany got her a pair too). I wore mine out. We then headed to Justin and Tiffany's place to see how they decorated for Christmas. They had a beautiful tree, some velvet stockings and other beautiful decorations. It was really very good looking, I was sorry I forgot my camera but fortunately Dad had his. They also put santa hats on the kids until they shook them off, but they were so cute. Then we walked a couple blocks to this little Italian restaurant. That place had really good food. I went back with Mom and we stopped at Michael's just before they closed so I could pick up more yarn so I could finish and some wool for me to start a scarf for Meghan as a beleted present.

Friday:
A very lazy day. I slept til like 11am. My parents invited me to go to the Horton's with them but I passed. But then Marissa called me asking if I was going. After I said no, I was kind of forced to invite her over. But first I drove Jess into LA so she could go to her friend's house and spend the night. I finished my scarf except for maybe putting fringes on. Marissa ended up not coming over until 9:30 or so. We watched "Elf", played with some of the special features and then she left.

Today:
Mom showed me how to put the fringes on my scarf and I started the one for Meghan. I did this while I sorted through all the DVDs I had been making looking for bad sound quality ones per my parents' request. I found all the clips that needed to be redone and also the tapes they were on. Except for one. I can't seem to find my brother's prom. I'll search again in the morning. I'll also start the redoing process. Fortunately, most of the clips came off of this one tape so I'll be importing all of that.

So overall, not a bad vacation. I haven't been reading as much as I hoped but I've been busy crocheting. I did get ragged on a little bit. Mainly "how does [insert bad meal I'm eating here] fit into your meal plan?" *sigh* The good news is that since there is very little to eat in the house, it is impossible to gain weight while staying here (unless every meal is eaten out). Jess agreed with me and was even making it a motto of the house. Tomorrow I'll be redoing the DVDs and crocheting. I'll also call Vanessa and see if she wants to get together this week. I was kind of hoping she would call me first for a change but I guess not. At least the annual Benson, Cohen and Weiss Gathering will be happening on Tuesday!

MEGHAN!!!!!!
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Michelle Branch: You Get Me
Topic: Friends
Work was unexciting, just like the rest of the week. We did get a free lunch from our boss though. And Leigh and I finally found a way to entertain ourselves...an hour before we got off. So we walked back to our place and then we went to pick up Meghan.

It was so good to see Meghan again! She practically knockd me over with a hug of giddiness. She was so happy to have friends around and I was happy to have her around, even if it was just for a night. I didn't quite realize how little I've been hanging out with girl friends until tonight (which isn't to say that my guy friends aren't great because they totally are). She also cut her hair which looks really nice on her. Also makes her look older. So yes, Leigh and I picked her up and we went to Leigh's (and Matt's and Travis'). We hung out there for a bit since 3 of us had a late lunch. Then, since there were 5 of us, we hoped in Travis' car and went to Applebee's. Four of us order alcohol with Travis getting the strongest with a Long Island Ice Tea (Meghan had a Bahama Mamba and Matt and I had Mud Slides). Meghan got very giddy very fast as she didn't have much to eat all day. So we had our dinner and talked. Well actually I only ate about half of mine as I really wasn't that hungry from the big lunch (this comes up again, thus the mention).

During dinner, Hero came up. Meghan was suggesting it, saying it was a very good movie. Matt suggesting getting it for tonight. So we finished up our dinner and headed back to The Guys' House. Travis, Meghan, Matt and I then walked down the street to Insomniac Video to get the movie. Unfortunately, they didn't have it so we hopped in the car again and went to Best Buy where Matt bought the movie. Back to The Guys' House and movie watching ensued. The movie was pretty good. The fight scenes were pretty awesome.

Alas, it became time to go. Meghan was getting sleepy and afterall she has a wedding to attend tomorrow. She did say that if the wedding ended early (it starts at 1pm), she would give any of us that were left a call and we'd do something.

After dropping Meghan off, I decided to stop by Albertson's and drop my film off. I saw a woman sitting outside on the ground near the Hunger bin (exact organization name slips my name). When I came out she asked for any spared change. Instead I offered her my leftover dinner. I hope she wasn't insulted that I was offering her leftovers. But she did seem happy to have the food. I saw her eating a fry as I left. I wish I did things like that more often.

Overall, one of the most enjoyable evenings I've had in a long time.