The Great Turkey Update
Many, many things have changed recently. I think I'll back up to the week before the holiday and update from there.
So, last Monday I was officially promoted. I'm now a Team Coach for the Vesta Corporation. Basically, I'll be keeping track of about 25 reps and making sure that they are doing their jobs well. This is a guaranteed 40hr/wk position that pays $2 more per hour than I was making. Plus a $250 monthly bonus if I do my job well. ^^ *glee*
On top of that, Sean and I found an awesome apartment which is about a 5 minute walk from work. We applied Monday evening, and should be approved to move in this weekend. This will be great because I can finally settle down into my own place and actually feel like my life is in order. I'll be able to entertain, cook my own meals regularly, and unpack all my stuff.
On the subject of Sean, I'm really looking forward to living with him. He's been a very positive person in my life and I'm really looking forward to learning from him. I know that he has quite a few things to teach me and I'm very eager to learn. I also know that I'll be able to teach him some things as well. This will be a very positive experience for us both.
On Tuesday, I went to visit with Taxus. But, because of training, I ended up falling asleep while we watched the Star Wars Holliday Spacial. ^^ Took a small nap, and then we went to the mall. I ended up splurging and buying FFIII for the DS so that I would have something to play over the holiday. We also went to Burger King so that he could pick up the King X-box games. :p He's so silly.
After Training on Wednesday, I drove home in the crazy traffic and packed up my shit to go to Medford. Kevin, in all his awesomeness, suggested that Nick and I carpool with him. We attempted to get out of town around 4pm, but because we're awesome like that, we left at 6pm (the height of the traffic). Surprisingly, I-5 was moving. Granted, we only went like 10mph for about an hour to get out of Portland, but we did make it out without trouble. Saw only one fender bender that happened right next to us, but they pulled off the road.
Another awesome thing about the trip down was Kevin had an inverter to get us power in the car. So, we watched the latest ep of Heroes and the BBC series "Japanorama" on the way. If you have never seen Japanorama, check it out. It really accurately conveys the feeling of being in Japan. And it's educational! :p
Dropped off Elena's glasses in Eugene with one of her fellow RAs. *hugs* Sorry it took me so long hon. Now, you can send me my Eva 1 disk and Uzumaki. j/k. :p
Made it to Medford and crashed out in my sister's pre-heated bed. mmm... toasty.
Got up early Thursday and went to the Friar's house with Mom and Val to hang out and help cook. Met a majority of Val's friends and chatted with Mom for a bit. Got caught up on family drama and watched the Friar's family drama. Honestly, what's Thanksgiving without drama?
Dad called about 1pm and came by to pick up Val and I for lunch. Val wasn't going to eat because she had a big meal on the horizon, but since I was going with Dad out to Gold Beach for his family dinner on Friday I had a big lunch at the Blackbear restruant. I must say, the Blackbear has some of the hugest portions I've ever seen. I had a country fried steak that could have swallowed my head. I felt so fat, but so good after finishing that. At that meal, I kinda sorta met some members of my step mom's family. Wasn't really impressed, but didn't hate them right of the bat.
We dropped Val back at the Friar's house and then drove off to Gold Beach. I was crammed in the back of my Dad's jeep with my step sister and one other little girl. It was a long trip because we were caravaning with stepmom's family and they had 4 little kids with them who needed to potty every 5 minutes. >.<
Eventually made it to GB and checked into our hotel. Dad was smart and got the suite which had 2 bedrooms so I could have my own sleeping space. ^^ After the check in, we went to Melinda's parents house for a small dinner. Now, I like Melinda's parents; they're good people. However, I couldn't get over the sneaking suspicion that they didn't approve of me. *shrug* I dunno what it was... but something was off.
On top of that, the more I got to know Melinda's sister and her new husband Dave, the less I cared for Dave. He's got this hyper macho manly thing going on and he flaunts is subversively. He's a juvinile parole officer that's ex-military and he's always "packing heat". He has 4 kids from two wives and a one night stand. Also, I couldn't get rid of the vibe that he may be sexually abusing his eldest daughter.... Creeped me out. There was also one moment where he growled at me while getting food and I nearly lost it. I hissed back at him and stared at him. From then on I avoided him and didn't take any more of his shit.
Aside from that little event, I had a fantastic time. I spent some real quality time with Dad. We talked about tons of stuff and just kept bantering back and forth for most of the weekend. I really do miss hanging out with Dad and I wish I had more time to spend with him doing guy shit. I really miss going to the shooting range, gopher hunting, and fishing.
After the meal on Friday, which was mediocre at best, we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to round out the Spooner family tradition. ^_^ I actually got to have a full family holiday with my Dad and that makes me very happy. =^^=
Another cool side note about Gold Beach is the bookstore there. Melinda, her sister and I went there on a whim Friday night. They have the most amazing collection showroom upstairs. Just wow... First Edition Jungle Books for $13,000. First Edition Grapes of Wrath for $8,750. Signed hardback copy of Roots. Some old tome that was "A used book when Columbus came to America". I was in total awe. I really wasn't expecting to find such history and culture in a little beach town in Oregon.
Drove back to Meddy on Saturday... which took forever again b/c of the kids (and my medication...). Stopped at Flora Pacifica along the way home and bought Jade a wreath made out of boxwood to thank her for all she has done for me. I really can't thank you guys enough.
On the way, I did get to share a bonding moment with my stepbrother. I introduced him to Techno music and he was very receptive. ^^ I'll break down that macho manly barrier that my stepmom is trying to instill in him yet. :p
Ended up chilling at home on Saturday night, with a little jaunt to the mall to get a new earring and some comfy slippers. Also went and played the new DDR Supernova/ITG 2 at the bowling alley with Kevin and Val. ^^
Sunday, I was the first up for a change and made Mom and hot cup of tea in bed. We ended up hanging out and I collected the mail that had arrived at Mom's house. I got my diploma! I'm officially graduated! Kevin wanted to get going around 1pm so that we would be back in Portland by 6pm to beat the traffic, but once again since we are so awesome, we left Medford at 4:30pm. We stopped at the new Sonic in Central Point and had yummy food. I'm so glad we have a Sonic in Oregon now. :p
Took our sweet time getting back to Portland around 11pm. Unloaded the stuff that Mom gave me: some pots and pans for my new place, my old blanket, and the TV my dad gave me. Crawled into bed and got up at 5am for work today. ^_^
All in all, quite a pleasant weekend. But I'm glad to be back in Portland and glad to be back at work. I'm totally ready to move into my new place this next weekend and get settled in for the winter. ^_^
So, last Monday I was officially promoted. I'm now a Team Coach for the Vesta Corporation. Basically, I'll be keeping track of about 25 reps and making sure that they are doing their jobs well. This is a guaranteed 40hr/wk position that pays $2 more per hour than I was making. Plus a $250 monthly bonus if I do my job well. ^^ *glee*
On top of that, Sean and I found an awesome apartment which is about a 5 minute walk from work. We applied Monday evening, and should be approved to move in this weekend. This will be great because I can finally settle down into my own place and actually feel like my life is in order. I'll be able to entertain, cook my own meals regularly, and unpack all my stuff.
On the subject of Sean, I'm really looking forward to living with him. He's been a very positive person in my life and I'm really looking forward to learning from him. I know that he has quite a few things to teach me and I'm very eager to learn. I also know that I'll be able to teach him some things as well. This will be a very positive experience for us both.
On Tuesday, I went to visit with Taxus. But, because of training, I ended up falling asleep while we watched the Star Wars Holliday Spacial. ^^ Took a small nap, and then we went to the mall. I ended up splurging and buying FFIII for the DS so that I would have something to play over the holiday. We also went to Burger King so that he could pick up the King X-box games. :p He's so silly.
After Training on Wednesday, I drove home in the crazy traffic and packed up my shit to go to Medford. Kevin, in all his awesomeness, suggested that Nick and I carpool with him. We attempted to get out of town around 4pm, but because we're awesome like that, we left at 6pm (the height of the traffic). Surprisingly, I-5 was moving. Granted, we only went like 10mph for about an hour to get out of Portland, but we did make it out without trouble. Saw only one fender bender that happened right next to us, but they pulled off the road.
Another awesome thing about the trip down was Kevin had an inverter to get us power in the car. So, we watched the latest ep of Heroes and the BBC series "Japanorama" on the way. If you have never seen Japanorama, check it out. It really accurately conveys the feeling of being in Japan. And it's educational! :p
Dropped off Elena's glasses in Eugene with one of her fellow RAs. *hugs* Sorry it took me so long hon. Now, you can send me my Eva 1 disk and Uzumaki. j/k. :p
Made it to Medford and crashed out in my sister's pre-heated bed. mmm... toasty.
Got up early Thursday and went to the Friar's house with Mom and Val to hang out and help cook. Met a majority of Val's friends and chatted with Mom for a bit. Got caught up on family drama and watched the Friar's family drama. Honestly, what's Thanksgiving without drama?
Dad called about 1pm and came by to pick up Val and I for lunch. Val wasn't going to eat because she had a big meal on the horizon, but since I was going with Dad out to Gold Beach for his family dinner on Friday I had a big lunch at the Blackbear restruant. I must say, the Blackbear has some of the hugest portions I've ever seen. I had a country fried steak that could have swallowed my head. I felt so fat, but so good after finishing that. At that meal, I kinda sorta met some members of my step mom's family. Wasn't really impressed, but didn't hate them right of the bat.
We dropped Val back at the Friar's house and then drove off to Gold Beach. I was crammed in the back of my Dad's jeep with my step sister and one other little girl. It was a long trip because we were caravaning with stepmom's family and they had 4 little kids with them who needed to potty every 5 minutes. >.<
Eventually made it to GB and checked into our hotel. Dad was smart and got the suite which had 2 bedrooms so I could have my own sleeping space. ^^ After the check in, we went to Melinda's parents house for a small dinner. Now, I like Melinda's parents; they're good people. However, I couldn't get over the sneaking suspicion that they didn't approve of me. *shrug* I dunno what it was... but something was off.
On top of that, the more I got to know Melinda's sister and her new husband Dave, the less I cared for Dave. He's got this hyper macho manly thing going on and he flaunts is subversively. He's a juvinile parole officer that's ex-military and he's always "packing heat". He has 4 kids from two wives and a one night stand. Also, I couldn't get rid of the vibe that he may be sexually abusing his eldest daughter.... Creeped me out. There was also one moment where he growled at me while getting food and I nearly lost it. I hissed back at him and stared at him. From then on I avoided him and didn't take any more of his shit.
Aside from that little event, I had a fantastic time. I spent some real quality time with Dad. We talked about tons of stuff and just kept bantering back and forth for most of the weekend. I really do miss hanging out with Dad and I wish I had more time to spend with him doing guy shit. I really miss going to the shooting range, gopher hunting, and fishing.
After the meal on Friday, which was mediocre at best, we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to round out the Spooner family tradition. ^_^ I actually got to have a full family holiday with my Dad and that makes me very happy. =^^=
Another cool side note about Gold Beach is the bookstore there. Melinda, her sister and I went there on a whim Friday night. They have the most amazing collection showroom upstairs. Just wow... First Edition Jungle Books for $13,000. First Edition Grapes of Wrath for $8,750. Signed hardback copy of Roots. Some old tome that was "A used book when Columbus came to America". I was in total awe. I really wasn't expecting to find such history and culture in a little beach town in Oregon.
Drove back to Meddy on Saturday... which took forever again b/c of the kids (and my medication...). Stopped at Flora Pacifica along the way home and bought Jade a wreath made out of boxwood to thank her for all she has done for me. I really can't thank you guys enough.
On the way, I did get to share a bonding moment with my stepbrother. I introduced him to Techno music and he was very receptive. ^^ I'll break down that macho manly barrier that my stepmom is trying to instill in him yet. :p
Ended up chilling at home on Saturday night, with a little jaunt to the mall to get a new earring and some comfy slippers. Also went and played the new DDR Supernova/ITG 2 at the bowling alley with Kevin and Val. ^^
Sunday, I was the first up for a change and made Mom and hot cup of tea in bed. We ended up hanging out and I collected the mail that had arrived at Mom's house. I got my diploma! I'm officially graduated! Kevin wanted to get going around 1pm so that we would be back in Portland by 6pm to beat the traffic, but once again since we are so awesome, we left Medford at 4:30pm. We stopped at the new Sonic in Central Point and had yummy food. I'm so glad we have a Sonic in Oregon now. :p
Took our sweet time getting back to Portland around 11pm. Unloaded the stuff that Mom gave me: some pots and pans for my new place, my old blanket, and the TV my dad gave me. Crawled into bed and got up at 5am for work today. ^_^
All in all, quite a pleasant weekend. But I'm glad to be back in Portland and glad to be back at work. I'm totally ready to move into my new place this next weekend and get settled in for the winter. ^_^