Is it weekend yet?

Thank God it's almost Friday!

The new job started this weekend and is going well. I think the first week at a new job is the hardest. I have to wake up at 5:30 instead of 7:30. I drive an hour now instead of 15 minutes. I sit all day instead of stand. And I have absolutely no idea where half the stuff in my office is located. I absolutely love it though!

My boss is very nice. My coworkers are a riot. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual and I don't feel micromanaged at all. I really enjoy the type of working I'm doing and love that I no longer have to deal with the angry public. This is such a great transition. I'm actually excited to go to work now instead of dreading each hour I have to be there.

My week has gone something like this:

Day 1
Am I going to make it on time?
Where do I park?
What door do I use?
Where's the bathroom?

Day 2
It's so early! What am I doing out of bed?
Everyone here is so nice!
I'm not sure I understand what I'm supposed to be doing with this spreadsheet.
What the CRAP AM I DOING?!
Oh no, will I ever understand this?
I wish I was home so I could cry.
Is it 5 yet?

Day 3
Oh no, they want me to work on this by myself? With no supervision?
Did I do this right?
Is it 5 yet?

Day 4
I totally get this!
I can't wait to turn this in to my boss!
It is 5 already? I really wish I had more time!

Goodness, what a week. I will be very excited to sleep in on Saturday.

Moving Up

I've been MIA lately, but for good cause. You see, I've been quite busy with JOB INTERVIEWS!

All the stress and anxiety paid off and I got a job offer this last week. I put in my notice at my current job right away. Oh, what a relief.

I start the new job in December. I get double the vacation time, a nice pay increase, and no weekends! It is also down the street from J's job so we can carpool.

This is a great step up for me and it is a position I can see myself enjoying long term. I feel like I finally have a career and not just a job. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and knowledge that my current job has provided me.

I guess hard work really does pay off.

Balance

I have to admit that my post-college life is nothing like I thought it would. I thought I'd graduate, we'd get married, find wonderful jobs that paid 50k a year, buy a home, travel the world and be happy.

Um... not so much.

Every step forward has been a fight. We got married, I graduated, we found jobs but they barely paid the bills, we bought a home and will probably not have the time or money to travel to see our families for several years. Never mind traveling the world. Never mind being happy.

My life goes something like this. Wake up, shower, get ready for work, work, eat lunch, work, come home, eat dinner, veg in front of the tv, play on the internet, sleep, wake up.

Life is what you make it. At least, I think that's how it goes. I need to find ways to make myself happy. I've been running around the last 11 months feeling sorry for myself and focusing so hard on how much I don't love my job. It's time to get over that and find balance in my life. Not everything is about my job or about money. I've really been thinking about who I want to be as a person and what I want out of life aside from my career (or lack thereof).

Financial
I want to contribute 10% to retirement. We just aren't there yet but it is a goal that I want to meet.
I need to realize how fortunate I am to have so few student loans, a low mortgage, and a wonderful first home.

Personal
I want to focus more of my time on my hobbies.
I love to read. I just picked up A Tree Grows In Brooklyn and am loving it so far. I had forgotten how much I love the library.
Snowboarding is my passion. I am making it a personal goal to go more often this winter.
I need to exercise more. It's healthy and it relives stress. What more could I ask for? I have started running again and although it is slow and painful, I already feel better about myself.
I am making an effort to pick up my camera more often. I love photography and using it as a way of expressing myself.
I am seeking spiritual growth. We went to church as a kid but I have no idea what I exactly believe. I would like to explore several churches and I am reading the Bible.

Career
I need to focus on what I can change. I need to succeed at the things that I can control and not worry as much about the things I can't.
I need to expand my horizons and work on self-improvement. I want to apply to start working on my MBA next year and I am focusing on self development courses at work.
I need to apply for jobs more often. I have felt defeated lately and have stopped putting in as much of an effort. Not applying is not going to get me anywhere.

My life needs to be better. I can change things for myself. I just need to do it.

Ugh

I just noticed my last paycheck was about 10 hours short. Really Boss? Really?

The worst part is that because of the schedule I will either have to go in on my day off to straighten it out, or wait until next week. Booooooo.

I hate my job

No, I really hate my job.

I know that in this economy I should just be thankful I have a job, but that is easier said than done.

It feel like I have fallen into quicksand.

And the more I fight, the less I win.

He Did It!!!

J got a new job today!!! After a phone interview, 1.5 hour first interview and a 2.5 hour second interview he finally got the job. It's in an area of his field that he wants to work in. It has great promotion potential and is with the same company that he is currently with. I am so PROUD of him! His income will be nearly doubled per month and he will receive twice as many vacation days as his previous position. He can't wait to start!

Now if I could just find a better job...

Higher Living

We just had our first quarter reviews and I received a raise! It's only 25 cents/hour but hey, every penny counts.

Somehow it makes the job a little more bearable.

I would have laughed...

If you would have told me a year ago that my first job as a college graduate would be making less than $11/hr, I would have laughed in your face. If you had told me that I would make more money than my husband’s first job, I would have thought you were crazy.

But that is reality.

And honestly, in this economy, in this state, in this industry, I’m just happy to be employed.