Washing Dishes

 I have been washing a lot of dishes lately.  I don't mind doing it at all.  I am making an effort to not use my dishwasher quite as much as I had been.  It had gotten to the point where I was running it once a day.  While there's nothing wrong with that, it is not helping my energy costs.  So, I have taken to mostly handwashing things after meals or any kind of cooking.  

I have talked about it before, but washing dishes holds many good memories for me.  I had some great conversations with people while sharing the duty of washing dishes.  Grandmother didn't have a dishwasher at all, so we always washed the dishes there.  I loved helping out as a child.  It made me feel grown up to help with that responsibility.  And once I really got interested in family history, many questions were asked and many stories were told while we washed dishes together.  Almost every family home I visited growing up, I would help wash dishes at one point or another.  

I also love that there's a window above the sink.  I think that needs to be a requirement for all kitchen sinks.  There's nothing like looking out the window at the beauty of life while I wash dishes.  Today, my window faces Lois's house, so I get to look out at her flowers and the squirrels running around.  It's calming to me.  We had a window over the sink in our kitchen when I was growing up and I fondly remember being out in the backyard and seeing Mom in the kitchen through the window.  She was always watching over us through that window.  So, when I look out my own window, I feel like she's with me.

Honestly, there's just something about washing dishes that relaxes me and calms me.  Whether or not it actually makes a difference with my energy costs, the immediate effects and sense of accomplishment after it's done is all I need.

That is all.

Starting with the closet

 Well, the first week of living alone in the house is done.  It has been strange.  It has definitely been different.  Sometimes it makes me sad but sometimes it makes me relaxed, having the space to myself.  But I know in my heart that it's a good thing and I will make the most of this time.  

One of the things that I have started doing this week is making the space mine.  It's a slow process.  Sometimes I would like to wave a magic wand and have it all done quickly but I know that's not going to happen LOL  I would drive myself crazy if I pushed myself too hard to get it done fast.  So, I'm starting with little things and moving things one at a time until I get it how I want it.

I started going through what was my closet in the office.  There's so much stuff in there LOL  My first goal was to take out the clothes and put them in the bedroom closet.  Easy enough.  I left my winter stuff in there as I don't need it right now.  But there was so much more in there.  Lots of linens, games, puzzles, boxing gear, memorabilia, etc.  So, I'm slowly going through it and figuring out where it all will go.  I'm not sure yet, but it's a start.

Part of this will help me to organize things better.  I think that I have of options as far as storage and organization.  It's going to be a lot of trying different things and seeing what works and what doesn't.  It will keep me occupied for a good while.  And, it's fun to sort through memories.  Sometimes painful, but mostly fun.

It's a long road ahead, but I will travel it slowly, one step at a time.  

That is all

Student Adventures - 1st year in the books

 

Well, my first year as a graduate student is in the books.   This is an online master's program, so that in itself was a challenge but I managed to meet my goals.  I learned how to do some things online that I had not done before.  I am by no means an expert on the computer, but I am learning and growing and enjoying the process.

I took four classes this year and, for the most part, I enjoyed them all.  The research class was very hard and I wish it had been divided up into two different classes.  But, that's a story for another time.  Still, I am proud to say that I completed each class successfully and made all A's.  So, as a graduate student, I have a 4.0 GPA.  I can live with that!

I also have made some pretty good connections this semester.  We had a lot of group projects and discussions and I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences in those.  Group work seems to be a lot different in grad school than in undergrad.  I feel like we take it more seriously and have more invested in it.  But I have come out of these with some people I know that I will encounter again in my career.

It was a great first year and I am happy that I made the choice to do this.  It's time for me to get registered for next year.  I'm pretty sure I know what I'll be taking in the fall, but I'm doing to keep looking for possible electives that peak my interest.  It will be a good semester, no doubt.  I appreciate everyone's encouragement and support.  Keep sending me that good energy!

The Continuing Adventures of Just a Waiter

 I don't mind helping out at work wherever I'm needed.  If you as most of the people that I work with, they will tell you that is true.  Just last night I helped out in the dining room because they were a little short staffed.  I had a good time, as I always do in the dining room.  I feel like I have a good work ethic.  I understand that the most important thing we can do as a team is to make sure that our residents' lives are as stress free as possible.  That's why I will do almost anything that is asked of me.  I live and work for my residents those 8 hours every day that I am at work.

But I have come to truly realize during this chaotic time in my life that I often spread myself too thin by doing too much.  While I don't think that my overall productivity suffers from that, I do believe that my mental health has.  I really don't know how to define myself at work anymore.  I've gotten myself into a position where, in many ways, I have become irreplaceable.  If they were to hire another CSR to take my place, chances are that person is not going to be asked to do 90% of what I do on a daily basis.  Those tasks would return to the departments where they originated.  

It's definitely a double-edged sword.  While I am honored that those above me trust me with these tasks, I also wonder if I get them because no one else will or wants to do them?  I guess, in the end, it doesn't matter because things need to get done and I see that they do.  It simply makes me ask what about my job now has anything to do with the job I was hired to do.  Is it ok for me to say no?  I know that I have every right to refuse things that are out of my realm, but I rarely do because I know it's for the good of my residents.  Ah, well.

Anyway, this is a good learning experience for me.  I know that wherever I end up next, I am going to keep closer tabs on myself and not become that go to person that is both reliable and yet expendable.  That is all.  

Quote of the Week

 

Close Every Door - Donny Osmond

 I absolutely love the score for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  It's one of those shows that's on my bucket list to see live.  I have seen the film, which is where this version is from, and I think that film is immensely entertaining.  I highly recommend it.  Anyway, this song is so haunting and beautifully sung by Osmond.  If you never heard it before, give it a listen.  I hope you enjoy!

10 Things to Remind Myself Of

There are a lot of things changing in my life right now.  Hopefully, for the better.  But it's easy to get mired down and depressed about things from time to time.  That's natural.  And it's natural to be scared when you're going through change.  So, I thought of a few things that I will remind myself of when I have doubts.

1. Be kind to myself

2.  Don't let myself be undervalued

3.  This time is all about me.  

4.  There is no shame in asking for help

5.  I don't have to say yes to everything

6.  If I'm struggling, let someone know

7.  Rediscover the things I enjoy that I have set aside

8.  If I begin to sell myself short, step back and remember it's not true

9.  Finish projects I start

10.  Do things for myself as often as possible