Well, ain't that a kick in the bucket!
I am so busy I could vomit. This journal is my rebellion. Sometimes when I have too much to do, I take a break to remind myself how much it sucks...but that it won't suck always.
Yesterday was super, mega jam-packed with crap. I think it started Tuesday night when I decided I just had to work out. After an abbreviated jog (abbreviated because it was dark outside, my place is surrounded by wooded areas, and my lungs started seizing), I exiled myself from the streets to the "excercise center". There was a guy in there whom I'd seen there before. He was the one who asked me if I was a police officer; against my smart-arsery, I said no. However, the blatantly obvious "weapon" clipped to my pants, my ninja-style outfit, and my magazine of choice (Mens Health, because Womens Health is for panzies) may have led him to believe otherwise. The gym (and I use that term loosely in this case) is always an adventure. It never fails to deliver.
Back at my apartment, there was much to be done. I washed and blow-dried my hair (a job I should be paid for), and ate dinner between that and the straightening. I fell asleep during that break and awoke at 3:45am. What did I resolve to do? -- finish the job. So, yes, I got up at nearly 4am and straightened my hair. By the time I finished it was just close enough to getting up for work time. So, I started getting ready for work. I made it in just after 7am (FML). My first patient was supposed to show at 9AM, but she was a no show. I ended up scoring files and tying up other loose ends all day until my 2nd patient arrived. It was productive but lonnnnnng.
Patient #2 was an 84 year old man who normally comes to his visits alone, without his study partner. His study partner is his ailing wife. It seemed like all he could do was talk about how sick and fragile she is. Then, for one precious moment, he opened up about an experience that had a great impact on him; he recently got a phone call from one of his frat brothers from college. He was overjoyed to hear from this guy because it had been 60 some odd years since their "bachelor days". My patient spoke of the partying and crazing, the ups & downs he and his frat bro experienced (including the frat brother's alcoholism), and how fate brought them back together. It was so touching. But then he had to stick the dagger in my heart...he cried. I couldn't tell if they were tears of joy or sadness, but it still broke me down inside. It has forever changed the way I think of Greek life.
I told myself that was all I could handle for the day. That no more grown men could cry in front of me if I was to retain my sanity. I finished up testing and took a breather.
The testing kept me at work later than I would've wished, especially because I had a grad school fair to get to right after work. So, I rushed to finish up work and prep myself for the fair. In doing so, I ended up being there late enough to talk to the custodian. I guess I'm his sounding board, because he opened up the floodgates on me. He's a fifty something year old man whose family is falling apart. Life is rough for him right now. I know it has to be hard to be the strong one all the time, so people need someone to open up to. I seem to be that person for a lot of people. It's a gift as well as a burden, but it's my duty and I accept responsibility. So, I listened and responded in the best way I knew. What should occur? -- he cried.
Two grown men in one day. Enough.
With my heart heavy, I left work and hurried to the grad school fair. I missed an important session that was being offered because of my hold-up at the office. The fair still had enough to offer that I didn't feel at a total disadvantage. My portfolio runneth over with information about grad programs to which I will probably never apply. That's the way it goes.
I collapsed on the couch almost immediately upon reaching home. And if my day hadn't been long and hard enough, I had to respond to the ump-teen text messages that someone sent me throughout the day. Here's the rule: If someone doesn't respond to 3 different instances of text messages, DO NOT continue to text them! It's unacceptable.
Physically and emotionally drained, I responded as nicely as possible, making sure to get the point across. Lastly, I had to return a phone call to Cuz. When he and I got off of the phone, my body was reluctant to move. I fell asleep there on the couch.
It is for that reason that my back pains me today. (Deep sigh)
My patient today works as a mall Santa during the holidays. He invited me, albeit politely, to visit him and (you guessed it) Sit. On. His. Lap.
D-U-N, done.
Yesterday was super, mega jam-packed with crap. I think it started Tuesday night when I decided I just had to work out. After an abbreviated jog (abbreviated because it was dark outside, my place is surrounded by wooded areas, and my lungs started seizing), I exiled myself from the streets to the "excercise center". There was a guy in there whom I'd seen there before. He was the one who asked me if I was a police officer; against my smart-arsery, I said no. However, the blatantly obvious "weapon" clipped to my pants, my ninja-style outfit, and my magazine of choice (Mens Health, because Womens Health is for panzies) may have led him to believe otherwise. The gym (and I use that term loosely in this case) is always an adventure. It never fails to deliver.
Back at my apartment, there was much to be done. I washed and blow-dried my hair (a job I should be paid for), and ate dinner between that and the straightening. I fell asleep during that break and awoke at 3:45am. What did I resolve to do? -- finish the job. So, yes, I got up at nearly 4am and straightened my hair. By the time I finished it was just close enough to getting up for work time. So, I started getting ready for work. I made it in just after 7am (FML). My first patient was supposed to show at 9AM, but she was a no show. I ended up scoring files and tying up other loose ends all day until my 2nd patient arrived. It was productive but lonnnnnng.
Patient #2 was an 84 year old man who normally comes to his visits alone, without his study partner. His study partner is his ailing wife. It seemed like all he could do was talk about how sick and fragile she is. Then, for one precious moment, he opened up about an experience that had a great impact on him; he recently got a phone call from one of his frat brothers from college. He was overjoyed to hear from this guy because it had been 60 some odd years since their "bachelor days". My patient spoke of the partying and crazing, the ups & downs he and his frat bro experienced (including the frat brother's alcoholism), and how fate brought them back together. It was so touching. But then he had to stick the dagger in my heart...he cried. I couldn't tell if they were tears of joy or sadness, but it still broke me down inside. It has forever changed the way I think of Greek life.
I told myself that was all I could handle for the day. That no more grown men could cry in front of me if I was to retain my sanity. I finished up testing and took a breather.
The testing kept me at work later than I would've wished, especially because I had a grad school fair to get to right after work. So, I rushed to finish up work and prep myself for the fair. In doing so, I ended up being there late enough to talk to the custodian. I guess I'm his sounding board, because he opened up the floodgates on me. He's a fifty something year old man whose family is falling apart. Life is rough for him right now. I know it has to be hard to be the strong one all the time, so people need someone to open up to. I seem to be that person for a lot of people. It's a gift as well as a burden, but it's my duty and I accept responsibility. So, I listened and responded in the best way I knew. What should occur? -- he cried.
Two grown men in one day. Enough.
With my heart heavy, I left work and hurried to the grad school fair. I missed an important session that was being offered because of my hold-up at the office. The fair still had enough to offer that I didn't feel at a total disadvantage. My portfolio runneth over with information about grad programs to which I will probably never apply. That's the way it goes.
I collapsed on the couch almost immediately upon reaching home. And if my day hadn't been long and hard enough, I had to respond to the ump-teen text messages that someone sent me throughout the day. Here's the rule: If someone doesn't respond to 3 different instances of text messages, DO NOT continue to text them! It's unacceptable.
Physically and emotionally drained, I responded as nicely as possible, making sure to get the point across. Lastly, I had to return a phone call to Cuz. When he and I got off of the phone, my body was reluctant to move. I fell asleep there on the couch.
It is for that reason that my back pains me today. (Deep sigh)
My patient today works as a mall Santa during the holidays. He invited me, albeit politely, to visit him and (you guessed it) Sit. On. His. Lap.
D-U-N, done.