Stephany Writes

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday – All About Jobs

I am literally so excited for this round of Ten on Tuesday questions. They come at the perfect time for me! Hosted by the awesome Chelsea, as always.

1. What do you do for a living?

I work in the media department of an advertising agency. I’m an assistant right now, learning the ropes. We promote giveaways for charities.

2. What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I started my job on Wednesday so I’m brand-spankin’-new and in the honeymoon phase right now. I love my desk. I love my co-workers. I love my bosses. I love my new schedule. I love the work. I love the spreadsheets. I love the organizing. I love going to the bathroom whenever I want. I love wearing cute outfits to work. I love the atmosphere and environment. Oh! I just love this job!

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3. What’s your least favorite thing about your job?

The newness. There is so much I want to do already but I have so much to learn before I do that. The good news is that they don’t expect you to jump in on your first day and know how to do everything. They know it’s a process and my boss has been very good at training me and making sure I’m kept in the loop. I cannot wait for the day when everything becomes common knowledge, but I’m patient to wait and be trained the right way first.

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4. If you weren’t a _____, what would you be?

I would probably still be working at the daycare. I’m shuddering right now.

5. What is something you would love to get paid for that you think no one would ever pay you for?

Sleeping. I wish I could get paid to get 10 hours of sleep a night. How awesome would that be?

6. If you could have any job for exactly one day, what would it be?

I think everyone needs to do a job in retail or customer service for one day. I worked at a movie theater one summer and it’s amazing how customers act. I genuinely loved serving our customers but I think many consumers don’t understand what it’s like for the workers. They’re just rude and usually, it’s not the fault of the staff.

I would also love to be Kelly Ripa for one day. But on a day when she’s co-hosting with Anderson Cooper. Regis gets on my nerves.

7. If you had to do manual labor, what would you do?

Working at a daycare is manual labor, right? Running after kids, changing diapers, cleaning boo-boos, getting kicked/hit/screamed at. Sounds like it to me! 😉

8. What is something you were forced to learn in high school that was supposed to be super important, but you never actually use?

Geometry? I don’t know if it was ever labeled as super important but honestly, I think it’s all important in some aspect. You need English and grammar skills. You need to know your history because you just look ignorant if you don’t. You need to know math because many jobs use it and it gives you a lot of good problem-solving skills. Et cetera, et cetera. It’s all important in a way.

9. Who was your favorite boss? Why?

I guess I can’t choose my current one, since she’s only been my boss for four days. Hehe. I have to say that my former one, at the daycare, was pretty spectacular. She was tough on me, but also so supportive of everything I was going through, especially my schooling.

10. Where would you rather work: Dunder Mifflin Paper Company (The Office), Wernham Hogg Paper Company (The Office – UK), or Initech (Office Space)?

I’ve never seen the UK version of The Office or Office Space (don’t shoot!). But I have seen many, many episodes of The Office and I would love to work for them. But only when Pam was the secretary and Michael was the boss. The new secretary (still don’t know her name) annoys me and an office without Michael Scott? How does that even work?

Categories: Recurring Series

Wine and Love, v.5

Wine-ing about…

Boot camp. I’m not very pleased with the woman trainer. Let me say I love the male trainer and I wish we had opted to do personal training with him, but I cannot stand the female trainer (also the lead). She’s very condescending towards me and I get this feeling that she doesn’t think I can do all that much. I have done every group fitness class aside from yoga at the gym and I can keep up with them all. I am not weak and, as a trainer, you need to show me I am stronger than I believe. On Wednesdays, when it’s a full group, all her focus is on the women with 0% body fat who probably run 6-minute miles. She works with them more than us, which makes no sense to me at all. I feel as if we’re pushed aside because we’re fat, while they’re glorified because of their hot bodies. It’s very discouraging and I wish I hadn’t wasted $70. (Or rather, my mom hadn’t wasted $140 for both of us.)

Our apartment. We (reluctantly) told our complex we were going to be renewing our lease. It’s been 10 days and we still have not received our lease to sign. We were told we would have it by the end of last week but my mom has called the office repeatedly and it’s as if they don’t even know our lease is up for renewal! They are up to their eyeballs in renovations and it’s leaving no room for them to keep up with everything else. They are so unorganized and it’s making us doubt our decision to stay here. When we moved in, the apartment manager Heather made us feel like we were VIPs and she knew exactly who were, what apartment we lived in, and what our goals in life are. This new management is terrible and more focused on improving the outside of the complex and not worried one iota about pleasing the residents inside the complex.

Loving…

My new job. I promise a nice long update once I get more settled into my new role, but so far, so good. My first day went exceptionally well and I look forward to gaining more experience, taking on more responsibilities, and learning all I can. And I now have a Big Girl company e-mail. If that doesn’t make someone feel like an adult, I don’t know what will!

Feeling more in control. My eating habits haven’t been excellent this week, but I haven’t felt as out of control as I have in the past few weeks. I still have a lot of changes to make and surprisingly enough, I think my job will help me with my constant afternoon snacking. I can eat a good breakfast before work now, bring a healthy lunch and healthy snacks to munch on throughout the day. I won’t have my entire fridge, freezer, and pantry to choose from anymore. 😉

Nephew time. My mom and I watched my nephew from Sunday night until Monday late afternoon. My SIL’s father had to have surgery and we volunteered to watch the little monster for her. This kid is the most strong-willed and stubborn one I have ever met, but he is so hilarious and cute that it makes up for it all. Also? Waking up the my nephew chanting “Titi Steph! Titi Steph!” may be the best way to wake up ever.

Big Brother. Oh, my goodness. This show. THIS! SHOW! In a way, I’m glad it’s only for a few months during the summer because I can’t take the stress of this show. This week was insane. So many ups and downs! Jeff and Jordan may be my favorite couple of all time, I must admit. I kinda adore them and would like an invite to their wedding, please and thank you.

What is your wine and love for this week?

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday – Mac or PC?

1. Mac or Windows? (Or Linux for you super geeks!)

I use Windows right now but I will be switching over to Mac soon. The laptop I have now is on its last leg (it needs a new battery + a new power cord) and I’m just ready for a change. I’ve wanted a Mac for years and I’m finally going to get myself one. I’m super excited but holding off until probably the new year to buy it. (A car comes first!)

2. What drew you to that operating system?

The price, to be honest. My old Toshiba laptop had died a few months earlier and I was saving up to buy the cheapest laptop I could that would also work well for all my school projects and Internet things I would be doing. My old Toshiba had lasted 5 years while I had gotten an HP laptop in 2006 that died within 2 years so I definitely wanted to stick with a Toshiba. This one was about $450 total which was within my budget. It’s been a good computer, but I’m just ready for a change.

3. Mice – wireless or wired? Mousepad or none?

I don’t use a mouse, just the trackpad that’s on my laptop. Since I rarely use my computer on a level surface, there’s really no point. But to answer the question, wireless and with a mousepad. Using one without just feels funny!

4. Other than the Internet – what do you use your computer most for?

To write blogs that will go on the Internet? Honestly, take away the Internet, and there’s not much I do on this thing! Hehe. I should be doing more writing but I never seem to get around to it.

5. What’s one computer-related thing you wish you were best at? (CSS, Photoshop, Excel, etc.)

I would really like to be better at HTML/CSS. I know the basics of it, but not enough to do anything with it. I can tweak blog designs, but nothing more than that.

6. Describe the first time you ever used a computer.

I believe it was this big, clunky computer we got from a friend. I wrote a story on it, my first ever!, about a kindergarten class. It was pretty awful and boring. I also played Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego? That game was super fun.

7. How often do you upgrade to a new operating system?

Every few years when I get a new computer. I wish I had Windows 7 on this computer. My mom has it on hers and it’s really awesome.

8. Are you a shortcutter (CTRL + C) or a right-clicker?

Usually, I right-click. It’s something I’ve become so used to, and it drives me crazy that you can’t do that in Google Docs. I almost always highlight the entire selection I want to copy, right-click, forget I can’t use that option, and have to re-highlight the whole selection to do CTRL + C. It’s really very annoying.

9. Is computer use a constant thing in your life (such as using it at both work and home) or do you get a break (because you don’t use them at work)?

At my old job, it wasn’t a constant thing but it will be at my new job. In a way, this excites me because I like being connected but in a way, it makes me fear what my home life will resemble since I’ll be using it so much at work. I don’t know if I’ll still be as connected at home or will want a break from it. Time will tell!

10. Where do you think the world would be if personal computers did not exist?

I think we would have found something else to occupy our time with. I have no idea what it would be but we have been constantly evolving with the way we live from the beginning of time so I’m pretty sure there would be something else to make our lives easier, if not for the personal computer.

Ten on Tuesday is run by Chelsea of Roots and Rings. Questions from Kara of Chatter.

Categories: Recurring Series

Five For Friday: Things I’ll Miss

Today is my last day at the preschool where I have worked since February 2009. It was a job to have while I was in school and it has been an amazing place for me. My boss has been amazingly flexible with my weird school schedule. I have learned so much and I know today will be a bittersweet day. I am going to miss the kids and the people.

That said, I am so ready for a new challenge and to close this chapter in my life. For today’s Five For Friday, I’m writing about the things I’ll miss from this place. As excited as I am to finally leave my job behind, it’s been a good one for me and it’s not going to be easy leaving it all.

Five Things I’ll Miss

1. The kids. One of the best things about working in daycare is the relationship you build with the kids. I worked with children aged 2 months to 5 years old and saw so many of them go through all the stages. One of my favorite kids, E., I met when he was just 19 months old and now he’s a big, bad 4-year-old with attitude and the most inquisitive mind I’ve ever met. I have seen so many of the kids go through so many changes and they all hold a special place in my heart. In my old preschool, I was stuck in the “baby dungeon” and wasn’t able to meet many of the older kids. Here, all the kids know me by name and like me. And when a kid likes you? You know you’re golden. I am going to miss these little rugrats. I’m going to miss the questions, the hugs, the baby snuggles, the open-mouthed kisses, the teasing, the smiles, the giggles, the “brattitude” as my good friend likes to say, the wide range of personalities. I’m especially going to miss how one can never have a bad day when surrounded by children. They won’t let you.

2. The camaraderie. I have a great group of friends at this place. Some I developed really close friendships with and some I developed great working relationships with. For the most part, I get along with everyone at my job. I can work with them all, although there are some I enjoy working with more than others. They have shown me unlimited support with my schooling, graduation, and job search. With each interview, I was wished good luck and asked about it the next day. They have been excited right along with me for my new job. I am hopeful I will find the same type of friendships and camaraderie with my new co-workers but they have set the bar high.

3. Knowing how to do every job. I’ve never been at a place where I feel so comfortable. I can step into any room and know the kids and the schedule. The kitchen is my home where I make breakfast every day for the kids, unload the lunches and breakfast (for the next day) that have been delivered, and even do lunch, if needed. I’ve become highly flexible and it’s a skill I can take into any future career.

4. My work BFF. I don’t even know how to put into words how much my relationship with this girl means to me. We were put in the same classroom, me as her assistant, for over a year and it was the best year I had there. We are so similar and she taught me so much. I firmly believe I would have passed my teaching internships had I learned from her first. Yes, a twenty-something with only her daycare certification taught me more about teaching and handling conflict in the classroom than veteran teachers with their Master’s degrees. She has been my go-to girl for venting about work and life, being my support system when I needed her, and always being someone I can laugh and joke with. I don’t know if I’ll ever have a work relationship like the one I had with her. What I do know is that our friendship will not end when this job does.

5. The easy hours. For the past year, my hours have been very hit-and-miss. On the one hand, it was great when I was in school and had afternoons free for classes and homework. On the other hand, it makes for super crappy paychecks. I leave before noon most days and it’s been a super easy schedule for me. I’m going to miss those afternoon naps.

Categories: Recurring Series

A Recap of July

July was pretty darn awesome. May was probably my favorite month of them all, but July is a very, very close second.

The month started with a fun weekend trip to Orlando for my mom’s birthday. She rarely does anything for her birthday and we needed a weekend away. We visited two water parks, shopped multiple times at Orlando’s amazing outlet mall — which included a Vera Bradley and Loft outlet. I die. –, and had an amazing, relaxing time. I love hotels and just being in them feels like such a getaway.

July was the month I began to seriously discover online dating. Honestly, the whole dating thing seems tiresome and frustrating so it was never something I wanted to do. But I’ve started to realize how much I am holding myself back and online dating seems like the best option for me to put myself out there. Who knows what will come of it, but for the first time in my life, I am happy with how my “romantic” life is looking. (Not that a lot of romance is happening, per se…) Usually, I’m just frustrated with myself but I’m finally happy with my decisions and beginning to see I’m a pretty darn good catch.

This summer has been a weird one, for many reasons. There has been a lot of stuff happening lately that has made me take a deep, long look at my life and see who is adding positively to it and who is adding negatively to it. I’ve learned that family doesn’t always have your back and sometimes, amazing friendships can blossom online. I’ve learned that I’m not as reserved and shy as I think I am and letting my personality shine through during first encounters is important. I’ve learned I need to take a more active role in my life and stop letting past experiences dictate my present.

I think the most exciting part of July happened last week when I was offered a job. The job search is finally over and I can begin my professional life! I am just so excited to begin this new journey and I think it’s going to cause me to grow in incredible ways. I will be working as a media assistant for a small company, assisting with marketing and advertising tasks. I begin August 10th and I couldn’t be more excited! Since my work wardrobe for the past two-and-a-half years has been loose khakis and oversized polos, I can’t even tell you how excited I am to begin shopping for cute business casual clothes and looking more professional on a daily basis!

I’m incredibly excited to see what August holds for me – a new career, another chance at VEDA, and spending time figuring out how to make the best life for me. Next month feels like it’s the beginning of something amazing and I can’t wait to discover it.