Notes 6/14/13
1. Now that I've got that story about the "blockage" purged from my brain, I can move on to more relevant topics.
2. Things are moving along in Operation: Esthetician. Last weekend I went to Paris Beauty College in Concord and had a facial. It was a positive experience. The setting was good, and the student who worked with me was very professional, and had good things to say about the program. The facilities are not the newest, slickest I've seen, but they weren't bad... just maybe a little old. The exterior of the building was being remodeled, so it was not the most appealing, but that's temporary. I liked that they had an extensive facial procedure menu, i.e. there were offering a lot of different things you could have done to your face, as well as a lot of waxing and that sort of thing. That indicates to me that the esthetics program covers a lot of techniques, and students are given opportunities to practice them. Today I called and made an appointment with their admissions office for next week. I need to do the online fafsa (the financial aid application) before then.
3. I had an interview at Massage Envy Walnut Creek today. I think it went well, and they seemed to like me. I think they kind of left the ball in my court, because I said that I was not sure when I could work yet, and it would depend on the school schedule. So I think, pretty much, once I get back in touch with them, they are willing to hire me. I would still need to do a practical (hands-on) interview thing, and get a background check done, but that's not a problem. So that's awesome. I didn't really have a lot of questions, since I am assuming the job is basically the same as my current one. I did ask about the clientele demographics, and they said that it's a lot of basically housewifes, and older, retired people, mostly women. Which is perfect for me, that is really the type that have been my biggest fans so far. The middle-aged ladies love me. I liked it that there seemed to be management-type people, as well as a "lead therapist" on site, and they mentioned several things that indicate that they put more emphasis on taking care of their staff. The do CEU (Continuing Education Unit) reimbursement, allow therapists to trade on-site if they are not booked, do in-house training, and have some sort of system for therapists to earn free massage hours. I think there was more I don't remember. Just gave me the impression that they are not going to ignore me as much as my current employer.
So, once I meet with the PBC admissions person and figure out how to pay for their program, and what my schedule will be, I can call Walnut Creek M.E. back and move forward with getting on board with them. And then, I can finally, as I have fantasized about, quit my job at ME EC.
4. One downer though: The guy who attempted to burglarize me in April did not accept a pre-trial deal, as I assumed. I don't know why he has not been tried yet, but apparently, he is still in jail, awaiting trial, and I was served another subpoena earlier this week. I called tonight and the recording again said that his case was not going to trial at the appointed time, this time it was Monday. So, I don't really know what's going on, or why it is taking so long. I have been served two subpoenas (bonus upside: I have learned how to correctly spell "subpoena" which I didn't know before). I guess they will keep subpoenaing me, and I will keep calling to find out if I have to show up. While the idea of appearing in court does not terrify me, it does make me anxious, and I would prefer to get it over with.
5. I went and saw my therapist, Dr. Teri this week, after not meeting for about two weeks, due to both of us being out of town. It's interesting to go to therapy when I am not depressed. It kind of seems pointless, since I am not there to solve any particularly urgent problem at this point. But I am continuing to go because I am not paying for it, and it's usually interesting, and it's kind of my only outlet beside this blog for discussing my inner life. I told her about the purging I have been working on, about the forward momentum in schooling and career and work, and about the recent altercation with that guy I know. Dr. Teri talked a lot about accessing my intuition, and sort of listening to what my inner wisdom is trying to tell me (that's my synopsis, not necessarily her words) and how using that as guidance can help me feel more like I am living with authenticity and prevent that feeling of being blocked or stuck.
6. I been having some IBS type symptoms this week. It was the worst on Monday, and was accompanied by a pretty bad headache, that lasted most of the day. I slept a lot, and finally went out in the afternoon and got some pepto-bismal and pedialyte. That helped and got the pooping under control, which was a relief. Pedialyte, however, tastes disgusting and I couldn't make myself drink much of it. It has been manageable for the rest of the week, but not really back to normal, and I think it has been making me tired. I think it probably has to do with stress, because I didn't really eat anything unusual, and if it were just something I ate, I don't think it would have lasted all week. I am starting to consider seeing a doctor, but I still don't have insurance, so I am not eager to do that unless it gets worse. I think leaving from work for Portland, being there for my whole weekend, coming back and immediately jumping back into work, plus a show last week (= staying up late), that interpersonal drama train-wreck, the subpoena, appointment at the beauty school, an interview, therapy, two dates this week, more work this week, and the Pirate Faire this weekend... that's kind of a lot of stressful shit going on so far in June. Most of it was good or neutral, only a little was negative stress. But even things like dates and interviews, which are positive, can be stressful. Pirate Faire this weekend should be fun, although probably exhausting, and then I have two days off without much planned, and I will probably try to relax and stress-manage.
2. Things are moving along in Operation: Esthetician. Last weekend I went to Paris Beauty College in Concord and had a facial. It was a positive experience. The setting was good, and the student who worked with me was very professional, and had good things to say about the program. The facilities are not the newest, slickest I've seen, but they weren't bad... just maybe a little old. The exterior of the building was being remodeled, so it was not the most appealing, but that's temporary. I liked that they had an extensive facial procedure menu, i.e. there were offering a lot of different things you could have done to your face, as well as a lot of waxing and that sort of thing. That indicates to me that the esthetics program covers a lot of techniques, and students are given opportunities to practice them. Today I called and made an appointment with their admissions office for next week. I need to do the online fafsa (the financial aid application) before then.
3. I had an interview at Massage Envy Walnut Creek today. I think it went well, and they seemed to like me. I think they kind of left the ball in my court, because I said that I was not sure when I could work yet, and it would depend on the school schedule. So I think, pretty much, once I get back in touch with them, they are willing to hire me. I would still need to do a practical (hands-on) interview thing, and get a background check done, but that's not a problem. So that's awesome. I didn't really have a lot of questions, since I am assuming the job is basically the same as my current one. I did ask about the clientele demographics, and they said that it's a lot of basically housewifes, and older, retired people, mostly women. Which is perfect for me, that is really the type that have been my biggest fans so far. The middle-aged ladies love me. I liked it that there seemed to be management-type people, as well as a "lead therapist" on site, and they mentioned several things that indicate that they put more emphasis on taking care of their staff. The do CEU (Continuing Education Unit) reimbursement, allow therapists to trade on-site if they are not booked, do in-house training, and have some sort of system for therapists to earn free massage hours. I think there was more I don't remember. Just gave me the impression that they are not going to ignore me as much as my current employer.
So, once I meet with the PBC admissions person and figure out how to pay for their program, and what my schedule will be, I can call Walnut Creek M.E. back and move forward with getting on board with them. And then, I can finally, as I have fantasized about, quit my job at ME EC.
4. One downer though: The guy who attempted to burglarize me in April did not accept a pre-trial deal, as I assumed. I don't know why he has not been tried yet, but apparently, he is still in jail, awaiting trial, and I was served another subpoena earlier this week. I called tonight and the recording again said that his case was not going to trial at the appointed time, this time it was Monday. So, I don't really know what's going on, or why it is taking so long. I have been served two subpoenas (bonus upside: I have learned how to correctly spell "subpoena" which I didn't know before). I guess they will keep subpoenaing me, and I will keep calling to find out if I have to show up. While the idea of appearing in court does not terrify me, it does make me anxious, and I would prefer to get it over with.
5. I went and saw my therapist, Dr. Teri this week, after not meeting for about two weeks, due to both of us being out of town. It's interesting to go to therapy when I am not depressed. It kind of seems pointless, since I am not there to solve any particularly urgent problem at this point. But I am continuing to go because I am not paying for it, and it's usually interesting, and it's kind of my only outlet beside this blog for discussing my inner life. I told her about the purging I have been working on, about the forward momentum in schooling and career and work, and about the recent altercation with that guy I know. Dr. Teri talked a lot about accessing my intuition, and sort of listening to what my inner wisdom is trying to tell me (that's my synopsis, not necessarily her words) and how using that as guidance can help me feel more like I am living with authenticity and prevent that feeling of being blocked or stuck.
6. I been having some IBS type symptoms this week. It was the worst on Monday, and was accompanied by a pretty bad headache, that lasted most of the day. I slept a lot, and finally went out in the afternoon and got some pepto-bismal and pedialyte. That helped and got the pooping under control, which was a relief. Pedialyte, however, tastes disgusting and I couldn't make myself drink much of it. It has been manageable for the rest of the week, but not really back to normal, and I think it has been making me tired. I think it probably has to do with stress, because I didn't really eat anything unusual, and if it were just something I ate, I don't think it would have lasted all week. I am starting to consider seeing a doctor, but I still don't have insurance, so I am not eager to do that unless it gets worse. I think leaving from work for Portland, being there for my whole weekend, coming back and immediately jumping back into work, plus a show last week (= staying up late), that interpersonal drama train-wreck, the subpoena, appointment at the beauty school, an interview, therapy, two dates this week, more work this week, and the Pirate Faire this weekend... that's kind of a lot of stressful shit going on so far in June. Most of it was good or neutral, only a little was negative stress. But even things like dates and interviews, which are positive, can be stressful. Pirate Faire this weekend should be fun, although probably exhausting, and then I have two days off without much planned, and I will probably try to relax and stress-manage.