It's only been a year and a half....
Hey LJ readers!
Does anyone actually go on here anymore? It's changed so much since I began this journal almost ten years ago, just like I've changed a lot in that time. Where shall I begin?
Relationship: I've been with Steve going on seven years now. He's my other half. All we've been through together: the death of my father, my moods, loss of jobs, new jobs...everything. He's the most amazing man I've ever met. We just genuinely love spending time with one another.
Family: Steve's grandfather died after a long battle with lung and brain cancer in October. We actually visited him at hospice the day he died. The nurse told us he may hang on for 12-24 hours, maybe a couple more days. He died a few hours later. I'm happy we went to say goodbye one more time. I told him I loved him and I would cause trouble, but try not to get caught. That was one of our "bits." We had a good relationship. I adore Steve's grandmother, too. She's had a hard time losing her husband, but we visit with her and call when we can. It's weird because she's only 73. My grandmother is 87, my grandfather is 94. Steve's grandparents are so young.
My grandma had some health scares. She was in and out of the hospital and nursing homes for most of the spring and summer. My grandfather suffers from moderate dementia, but my family sucks and won't go get him assessed. I've only worked with the elderly since 2003. I don't know anything about geriatrics. I hate my blood family and I've pretty much disowned them all. I don't care anymore, aside from my mom. She's still my best friend. I got her a job at Bruegger's right when I was leaving.
Work: I began my internship at an adult day center almost exactly two years ago, February 17th, 2014. They hired me per diem in June of that year when I finished my first internship session. Then they hired me to work in the kitchen in September, 2014. I work Monday through Friday, three hours in the kitchen during lunch time and per diem everywhere else. I'm support staff. People ask what that means; my job description should say "Everything that nobody else wants to do." I help in billing, reception/transportation, on the floor with clients (not as much as I'd like), and they give me special projects to do. Currently, I'm working on our satisfaction surveys for clients and their families. I haven't gotten too far yet, though. I actually really want to get a new job. I'm way overworked and I make less than everyone else. Most of my coworkers are women and it's like working with high schoolers even though at almost 30, I'm the youngest employee. It's a lot of "he said, she said" and backstabbing. Our center director is a nun and she's nuts. She's up and down all the time. My direct supervisor, the chef, is a bit crazy, too. He makes me laugh a lot though.
School: I finished my Bachelor's degree on August 31st and began my Master's in Management on September 28th, online, at Southern New Hampshire University. I'm going for my concentration in Healthcare Administration. One day I want to run my own intergenerational day facility. Think child day care and adult day care in one place. I just want to help the elderly. It's what I've wanted for almost half my life. I'm only in my second class for my Master's. I take one course at a time and they're accelerated, 10 weeks each. I'm almost done with my current class which is a good thing because it's depressing and I have zero desire to do anything. I think it's messing with my health. I feel like I've been Fibro flaring for pretty much the entire class. Not a good thing.
Health: My health is the same. I'm still pretty physically active. I just started half marathon training last week and signed up for my first half on April 30th. I bought a treadmill because it's like the depths of the tundra outside and I don't need any excuse not to run. I still have moderate to severe chronic fatigue, joint pain, brain fog...but that's just how it goes sometimes. Being social wears me out, so I spend my weekends home doing schoolwork, going to the gym, reading, and hanging out with my cats. Maybe it seems unhealthy, but I have a lot on my plate and I need to take care of me.
Pets: We have two kitties. Marty is three years old and he was found in a box behind a deli in 2012, right around the time of hurricane Sandy. He's a joy, an absolute sweetheart, and he keeps us on our toes. Just three weeks ago, we adopted a senior cat named Midge. She's 14 and this is the first time she's ever had a real home. She snores like a man and purrs as soon as you pet her. She and Marty aren't best friends, but they get along okay. They don't fight at all, so that's a good thing.
Maybe I'll try to update more often. I know I say it all the time, so I'm not making any promises. My life is not dramatic or interesting. I'm older now, 30 next month, and I've settled into adult life just fine, but it doesn't lead to many interesting things. Maybe if I went out with friends (what friends?) or did social stuff every once in a while, I'd be able to tell you all an interesting tale. However, I work, do homework, exercise, and read. Not much else goes on.
Peace.
Erin
Does anyone actually go on here anymore? It's changed so much since I began this journal almost ten years ago, just like I've changed a lot in that time. Where shall I begin?
Relationship: I've been with Steve going on seven years now. He's my other half. All we've been through together: the death of my father, my moods, loss of jobs, new jobs...everything. He's the most amazing man I've ever met. We just genuinely love spending time with one another.
Family: Steve's grandfather died after a long battle with lung and brain cancer in October. We actually visited him at hospice the day he died. The nurse told us he may hang on for 12-24 hours, maybe a couple more days. He died a few hours later. I'm happy we went to say goodbye one more time. I told him I loved him and I would cause trouble, but try not to get caught. That was one of our "bits." We had a good relationship. I adore Steve's grandmother, too. She's had a hard time losing her husband, but we visit with her and call when we can. It's weird because she's only 73. My grandmother is 87, my grandfather is 94. Steve's grandparents are so young.
My grandma had some health scares. She was in and out of the hospital and nursing homes for most of the spring and summer. My grandfather suffers from moderate dementia, but my family sucks and won't go get him assessed. I've only worked with the elderly since 2003. I don't know anything about geriatrics. I hate my blood family and I've pretty much disowned them all. I don't care anymore, aside from my mom. She's still my best friend. I got her a job at Bruegger's right when I was leaving.
Work: I began my internship at an adult day center almost exactly two years ago, February 17th, 2014. They hired me per diem in June of that year when I finished my first internship session. Then they hired me to work in the kitchen in September, 2014. I work Monday through Friday, three hours in the kitchen during lunch time and per diem everywhere else. I'm support staff. People ask what that means; my job description should say "Everything that nobody else wants to do." I help in billing, reception/transportation, on the floor with clients (not as much as I'd like), and they give me special projects to do. Currently, I'm working on our satisfaction surveys for clients and their families. I haven't gotten too far yet, though. I actually really want to get a new job. I'm way overworked and I make less than everyone else. Most of my coworkers are women and it's like working with high schoolers even though at almost 30, I'm the youngest employee. It's a lot of "he said, she said" and backstabbing. Our center director is a nun and she's nuts. She's up and down all the time. My direct supervisor, the chef, is a bit crazy, too. He makes me laugh a lot though.
School: I finished my Bachelor's degree on August 31st and began my Master's in Management on September 28th, online, at Southern New Hampshire University. I'm going for my concentration in Healthcare Administration. One day I want to run my own intergenerational day facility. Think child day care and adult day care in one place. I just want to help the elderly. It's what I've wanted for almost half my life. I'm only in my second class for my Master's. I take one course at a time and they're accelerated, 10 weeks each. I'm almost done with my current class which is a good thing because it's depressing and I have zero desire to do anything. I think it's messing with my health. I feel like I've been Fibro flaring for pretty much the entire class. Not a good thing.
Health: My health is the same. I'm still pretty physically active. I just started half marathon training last week and signed up for my first half on April 30th. I bought a treadmill because it's like the depths of the tundra outside and I don't need any excuse not to run. I still have moderate to severe chronic fatigue, joint pain, brain fog...but that's just how it goes sometimes. Being social wears me out, so I spend my weekends home doing schoolwork, going to the gym, reading, and hanging out with my cats. Maybe it seems unhealthy, but I have a lot on my plate and I need to take care of me.
Pets: We have two kitties. Marty is three years old and he was found in a box behind a deli in 2012, right around the time of hurricane Sandy. He's a joy, an absolute sweetheart, and he keeps us on our toes. Just three weeks ago, we adopted a senior cat named Midge. She's 14 and this is the first time she's ever had a real home. She snores like a man and purrs as soon as you pet her. She and Marty aren't best friends, but they get along okay. They don't fight at all, so that's a good thing.
Maybe I'll try to update more often. I know I say it all the time, so I'm not making any promises. My life is not dramatic or interesting. I'm older now, 30 next month, and I've settled into adult life just fine, but it doesn't lead to many interesting things. Maybe if I went out with friends (what friends?) or did social stuff every once in a while, I'd be able to tell you all an interesting tale. However, I work, do homework, exercise, and read. Not much else goes on.
Peace.
Erin