Crappy Weekend...well, mostly.

So after the week I had last week I decided on Friday that I needed to get away from my Mom for a bit. I texted James hoping that he hadn't made any plans and he said that he didn't. I texted back asking if I could come and hang out. He said of course. Keep in mind, this is a two hour drive for me. I left right after work because I knew I would have to come back Saturday afternoon to go out with my sister for her birthday, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I left for James' about 5:30ish. Traffic was good, so I was making good time. When I was about 25 minutes away James calls me to see where I was at. I told him and he said he and his roommate Dennis were going to go to a party in Orlando. He asked if I wanted to go, but it sounded kinda like he didn't want me to go with them. He said they were only gonna be there for a little while. I said, sure I'll go. He then said, "Just so you know, Dennis is planning on drinking and driving." WTF?!?!? Who plans to drink and drive? What a moron. Anyways, I said just go without me, but leave your door unlocked so I can get in. I had some reports to do for work anyways. So I get there and the house is empty. I watch TV, go get some food, do some work, play some XBox. James had told me they were gonna leave the party around 10 or 10:30. I gave up on that when 1:00am rolled around. They didn't get home until 2:30am! Both, obviously drunk off their asses. It really pissed me off. The next day when James finally woke up, we went to Wendy's (cause Dennis wanted fast food) and brought it home (cause Dennis wanted to) and then I left. James was like, "I didn't know you were leaving today, I thought you were here for the weekend." Granted I didn't tell him I was only there for the night, but he did tell me he had no plans for the night. Whatever. The whole situation pissed me off.
So I head home to get ready to go to Carraba's and then the Improv with my sister for her birthday. The whole reason I didn't stay at James' another night was to go out with her for her birthday. When I get about 45 minutes away from home she calls and asks where Mama is. I say I don't know, I'm driving back from James' house. She said she hadn't heard from her all day, which is very strange for my mother to not call on a birthday. I then realized that she hadn't called and pestered me at all that day either. Which is also unusual. So now I'm freaked out cause no one knows where Mama is. Patty called her again, and it turns out she was sleeping. So I get home and meet my Mom, Patty, and her husband Brian at Panera. That's when I find out we aren't going out because Patty and Brian got tickets to Cedric the Entertainer instead of the Improv. So I drove all the way home for nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Again, I am pissed.
This brings us to Sunday. Brian got me a ticket to go with him and Patty to the Bucs game. I was excited because I had never been to an NFL game before. They were playing Atlanta, so it was two teams I don't really care about, but I was still looking forward to it. The game itself was fun. Being in the stadium was an experience. Sitting with Patty and Brian was miserable. Patty complained about everything. "We're too high, it's raining, I'm hot, we aren't in the sun, I'm hungry, this food is gross," and on and on and on. The whole car ride to the game, the whole game, and the whole ride home. It never ended. Even when Brian yelled at her. Which made things that much more uncomfortable.
So all in all, this was a pretty bad weekend. The good news, for most of you that read this, is that this weekend made me want to move back to Phoenix more than ever. I hope this week goes better than last week. I don't have my hopes up though cause I'm still working 12 hour days.

Tension

So, I almost went off on one of my co-workers yesterday. Those of you that know me (all of you reading this) know that I don't "go off" on people. I should preface this with the fact that I have been working 11-12 hour days this week, so I'm a little on edge by the end of the day. Add on top of that the pressure of trying to get students to enroll, (which I'm doing fine with) and dealing with my Mom every night, and I am under a little more stress than I have been lately.
Anyways, let's get back to yesterday. We had a student come in to enroll, and he is a devout Muslim. No problems, this is America, we accept all people, right? Because of his religion, when Areen, one of the Admissions Reps came out to greet him in the lobby, he apologized saying, "I'm sorry, because of my religion I can't shake hands with you," and he crossed his hands over his heart. He didn't yell this, or give a dirty look, or anything remotely rude or mean. Areen, having grown up in Jordan, assumed that he would be more comfortable with a male advisor, so she asked André to help him. André came out, and shook his hand and took him to the back. When it was time for him to meet with Financial Aid, he told the FAO the same thing about hand shaking, but he had no problem with sitting with her while she put together his financial aid packet. He left after that, and will actually be coming back today to finish everything up. After he left, André asked me to come to his desk. I went over and he asked that I finish everything up for him today, because he won't be here. I said no problem. Then, Areen and another Admissions Rep Yaznay heard us talking and came over. They basically said the student was an extremist and fanatic because he wouldn't shake Areen's hand. I tried to argue the point for a minute, but Yaznay is Cuban and very opinionated. Yaz is great, and I have hung with her before, but I take religious freedom very seriously. It may have been because it was September 11th, but she said he was "just like those guys." That's when I had to walk away. Are you effing kidding me?!?!? Just because the guy won't shake hands with a woman he's a terrorist? He wasn't even rude about it. I could understand if it had been him that didn't want to meet with Areen, but it was the other way around. I am still just floored by prejudice when it rears it's ugly head.
Sorry for the rant. I'm better now. :)

Clever Title

Well, it's been awhile since I posted, so here's an update.

Work has been going really well. In the next couple of weeks I will be getting a promotion to one of two positions. Either a full blown Admissions Rep or Admissions Associate. The Admissions Rep position would pay more, but there is a ton more stress involved. The "lose your job if you don't meet goal" kind of stress. But the money is decent, so I am still torn on whether or not I would take that position. The other position is more administrative and pays a little less (still more than I make now though) but there is less stress and less of a chance of getting let go. Decisions, decisions. Any input would be appreciated btw.

I'm excited about this weekend. After work today I am heading over to hang with James for a couple days. I helped him move into his new digs over in Melbourne a couple weeks ago, so I am in for a drive to get there. It's a really nice place though. I like it a lot more than the house in Orlando.

Speaking of traveling, I can't describe how stoked I am to be going back to Phoenix for a visit! You could almost describe me as "giddy!" I will be there on Thursday the 28th through Tuesday the 2nd. I miss my desert family SOOOOOO much. Here are some things I am looking forward to while I'm there (other than the obvious hanging with my peeps): Dry Air, Oregano's, Second Service, Matilda, Goodwill, and of course, Dirty Probe. I can't wait!

I guess I should get back to work now, so I can actually get one of those promotions! Peas Zout!

Some Things Never Change

Only James

This past weekend, Tim and Tiff hosted a birthday bash for James. I stopped in Orlando on my way to T&T's to pick James up so we could ride together. The party was AWESOME. I had a really good time. Other than the strange gathering around the pool while Tim, James, and I swam that is. Kinda weird. We then had a return of the cheese eating contest, mozzarella edition. I kicked James' butt! Not something I should be proud of though. Mainly, it was just cool to hang out with people that I don't get to see very often. Billy, Holly, Lauren, Frank, Bridie, Steve, Summer, along with the usual cast, Tim, Tiff, Brian, Sean, and James. James and I ended up leaving at like 2:15ish to drive back to his house. We get to his house around 3:00am and discover that he left his keys at T&T's. It wouldn't be that big a deal, but Brian and Sean weren't there and we couldn't break in. After half an hour of trying to break in, we decided to go see if The Dark Knight was playing on I-Drive. I had read online that there was a 4:30am showing, but it turns out the interweb lied! At this point it is about 4:15am and we start back to T&T's. We try calling them, but get no answer. When we get there, James goes to the back porch to see if he left his keys there, but alas no. Thank God Lauren was there. James got a hold of her and she let us in. James got his keys and we headed BACK to his house. We got there right as the sun was rising. I think if it had been anyone else I might have been pissed, but because it was James all I could do was laugh.

That's all for now. Later I'll tell you what's been going on at work. Some exciting stuff!

Viva La Revolucion!

Rollin

The other day my new boss asked me to find out where the closest Mercedes dealership was because the logo on the center of his hubcap fell out and he needed a new one. I found where it was and called them to verify that they had the part. I told my boss where it was and left it at that. Yesterday he asked if I knew where it was. I said yes. He then asked if I would take his car and pick up the part if he bought me lunch. So I was rollin' in a 2003 SLK320 hard top convertible at lunch yesterday. It was pretty sweet. And nerve racking all at once. I don't know what it is about this place that makes people want to lend me their car, but I like it. :)

P.S. More blogs people. I mean it. I get bored at work and I can only read so much news.