Good News and Bad News.....

Good News: I was offered a full time job!

Bad News: I have to leave my current Job.

When I first started at my job now, I was pretty nervous. I make friends easily, but you never know the dynamic of a group you are about to join, or where you will fit in to their already adjusted world. After I met the 8 other people that the company insists on keeping in the basement (away from the “normal” folks), I became even more nervous. There is such an incredible energy here, and  I was sure that I would mess up their group. My fears went completely unwarranted as they ended up including me into their dysfunctional family with open arms!

All 8 of my new family members has such a unique and endearing character, and they somehow fit together better than anybody could have planned. There’s:

Mark- “The A-hole boss that everyone can’t help but love”- If he can pick a fight, he will. He seems like such a jerk, but nobody worries about it, because deep down we all know he has an incredibly big heart. To this day he pretends to not remember my name (He is old, so maybe he really doesn’t remember…). As often as he tells me he can’t wait for me to switch jobs, I know that He will miss me most of all ;) And I will miss him trying to convince us, rather successfully might I add, how the government is taking all of our rights away. Oh Mark…

Cheryl-“Hippie Lady”- Such a sweet lady! Seriously, I want her to be my rocker hippie friend. She feeds the birds outside of our windows, supplies Dunken Donuts Coffee, and lets us all know the best concerts around town. When her new chair arrived, she allowed me to put it together and never once asked me to stop despite hearing “Oh no” and “crap” about a dozen times. To top it off, this woman takes a Stained Glass Class. Who does that?? Awesome people, that’s who. And I can always count on Cheryl to whistle with me. I will start a song, and she finishes it. Every once in awhile, we will tag team it until we start laughing and can’t whistle anymore.

Tim- “The Angry Mormon”- If had a nickel for every time Tim threatened to get HR involved in something that somebody says…….. He plays “tough guy”, but like Mark, has a heart of Gold. He hides away in his corner, but I love to hear him shout his responses over the cubicle! (I named him The Angry Mormon in hopes that he would threaten to call HR for religious harassment.)

Leah- “Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice”- Leah’s cubicle faces mine diagonally, and we love to chit chat throughout the day! We talk about books, and paint wars, and whatever else comes our way. She seems to be the peacemaker of the group and has a great way of making everyone simmer down. She has such a sweet soul!

Tony- “The Dancer”- Oh Tony. Tony has some dancing bones in his body! He loves to break out in a sassy dance, but only goes until we all catch him. On occasion, we try to set him up. We start to play a song that we know he won’t be able to sit through, get the camera phones ready, and try to use the video for black mail. He even started stripping for me yesterday. I consider it a going away present. Tony knows more about dogs and bird hunting than anybody I know…..I don’t think that is too hard though.

Andy- “Andy ‘Zeppelin’ Noah”- Andy is the best. One moment he will be giving me the scoop on how to deal with the more “difficult” people in the company, and the next, he is sharing his theory on how to keep out “those darn illegal’s.” And just so you’re warned, never bring up the subject of a pit bull with this guy. Andy is a big fan of Led Zeppelin, US Citizens, and Cocaine Tuesday. And he taught us how to freeze and shatter everyday objects by holding a can of dust spray upside down. Who could ask for more in a friend??

Meleah- “Who needs Google when you have Meleah??”- Meleah has become one of my good friends since I’ve started here! We tend to interchange her name with the word Google, as she seems to know everything. Seriously, everything, And if she doesn’t know. She will look it up. And if she doesn’t look it up, she will tell you what she does know about a similar subject. Meleah is always bringing in cookies, and donuts, and whatever else she can use to fatten us all up, and make her look smaller. That’s right honey, I know your plan!

Shane- “The Jesus Look Alike”- Shane and I have a special connection. One of wit and typically inappropriate banter. He pops my thumbs, builds windmills, and is in love with Leah : ) I should also mention that Shane is Indian (feather not dot), so despite being 40, he looks no older than 28. Weirded me out for a long time. To be honest, I didn’t believe it until I saw his license a couple weeks ago. I was prepared for the truth to come out and for us all to have a big laugh. Then I saw it. 1971. It was true. Luckily he has the Indian thing going for him.

As you can see, everyone is so different, yet come together to make up an incredible bunch of people. I have never felt more like myself at a job, than I do while I am here. I will miss these people so much, and will definitely be keeping in touch!

Here are a few of us hard at work…..

What do you enjoy most about your coworkers??

Alyssa

Home Sweet Home

Boy did I have a great trip home this weekend! It was full of blessings, family, friends, chocolate, and great music!

Let me start by saying that God is so so faithful! It never ceases to amaze me that through my abounding selfishness, pride, and doubt, Christ has never kept me wanting. I would've slapped me in the face, and walked away years ago! I guess it's good that I'm not the Savior! In order for me to go home this weekend, I was depending on a check in the mail. I was under an extremely uncertain impression that I would be receiving my AT&T deposit before I left town. Ergo, I made plans publicly, and crossed my fingers secretly. Then I realized that it would be foolish to put my faith in the mailman! (I once sent a card to my brother and it took 3 1/2 weeks to get there! Come on now.) Instead, I prayed that God would provide for me as He has always done. And wouldn't you know it, 3 days before I leave town, I got a check in the mail :)


I left work a couple hours early on Thursday to try and miss all the storms on the way home. I successfully avoided all tornadoes, but as I struggled to see the car in front of me through the torrential downpour that they insisted on referring to as a "shower",  I suddenly realized I left my life jacket at home. *Note to self- Bring a life boat on next trip. We don't need a Jack and Rose situation on our hands. Let's face it Jack, you didn't stand a chance.


Friday night, a group of us drove up to Lawrence for the Civil Wars concert. Let me just say that it was the best concert I had ever been to! I have to admit that it even beat the Nsync concert that left me awe for 2 days when I was 12. The concert was at The Bottleneck, and I loved the atmosphere! The peculiar mix of excitement and composure seemed to fit the crowd well, as everyone fell silent during each song. You could here a pin drop. In my case it would have to be a fountain pen. My hearing isn't what it used to be. But the point is, that the whole way home, the seven of us had no words to describe what we had all just experienced. Honest-True-Simple-Blowing your mind-Music.

They make such a great team! Photo by Anthony Fiorillo.


Saturday we colored Easter Eggs! My little Sister Riley and little bro Nic did a fair job, but I was pretty impressed with my abilities ;)

Okay, Okay, they may have done a slightly better job. But that's not the point.


That night I got the opportunity to hang out with some good friends, and had a blast! Isn't it odd that the simple things in life can make you the happiest? We went to dinner at Old Chicago, and spent the rest of the night sitting in the kitchen and making up songs on the guitar. Just like old times. Matt even gave me an old mirror, providing me with my next DIY project! I will have before and after pics as soon as my creative bug bites, showing me what I want to do with it!


Sunday brought Easter, and I loved celebrating my Risen Savior with my family! My Dad, brother Brandon, and Ashley joined me at Journey The Way, and  it was fun letting them in on that part of my life!

My Dad even brought me a Cocoa Dolce Easter Basket! I am trying savor each bite, as I know how much my Dad valued his arm and leg before he bought me this yummy treat! He may say otherwise, but I would say it was worth it. Yes, the Raspberry one is already gone....


I finished off my weekend with lunch at my Momma's house where the Easter Bunny had made an additional visit! We ate lunch (Chocolate), watched Tron (took naps), and decided to have our previously mentioned game night, next time (Sad). It was a great time! On the way home, I stopped by Sonic to get a Strawberry Slush and they even gave Daphne a treat!

Turns out she is a big fan of ice cream!

Then she fell asleep next to her "Baby." She was tuckered out after such a big weekend!


On another note, I need your help/advice. You know how it is human nature to want what you can't have? Well, I am struggling with this dilemma. Can your feelings be genuine in this case, or is it more likely that you are just wanting a challenge, and as soon as you accomplish it, your objective quickly turns to the next unattainable dream? Let's say that someone offers you a cookie. It's a good cookie. Nothing wrong with it. It is even still a little warm from the oven. Anybody would be lucky to have this cookie! But you politely reject the cookie, saying no thank you. Maybe you just ate. Maybe you aren't in the mood for a cookie. But then, you see them give their cookie to somebody else and you suddenly start craving a cookie! Do you take the cookie away from her? Maybe wait to see if she even decides she wants the cookie. What if you take the cookie away and then realize you are more in the mood for pie?? Then, thanks to you, all three of you go hungry. What should I do with the cookie?? Maybe it's not my cookie to do anything with.


Thoughts?


Alyssa

Clean Sheet Night

Is there anything better than clean sheet night? Picture this- You pull back the bedspread of a freshly made bed and slip right in to the middle of the tightly pulled sheets. You exhale a weeks worth of stress as you feel the crisp and cool fabric of your sheets rub against your legs. You lay still for a few minutes, not wanting to lose this euphoria. Then, slowly, you begin to move each leg until it catches a section of cold, untouched fabric allowing you to enjoy another minute or two of bliss. Okay okay, maybe I enjoy clean sheet night a little more than the average person, but it's the little things, ya know?

I, admittedly, do a poor job of living in the present. Not to say that I don't enjoy things or recognise things while they are happening (See paragraph above), but it seems as if there is always something I am trying to work for in the future. This weekend is one of those things. I get to go home and see my fam for Easter! I have been talking with my brothers girlfriend, Ashley, and we have decided to make this Easter one of fun and games. Nothing brings a family together quite like unhealthy, family rivaled, competition, right? I have prepared myself to dominate at any card game that gets suggested. I personally feel that we should bring in a few games from"Minute To Win It" as well. I will let you know how this goes. What could go wrong??

In addition to the family festivities soon to occur, I am also super excited about Friday! I get to go to The Civil Wars concert in Lawrence! I'm pretty stoked about this, I'm not gonna lie. Here is one of their songs. I am including this in my post because when my mother, (who swore she would kill me if I ever mentioned her in a post), heard that I was going to see the Civil Wars, she called me a "nerd of a daughter." She was relieved to hear that it was not a museum or reenactment, until I told her that I would actually really enjoy something like that as well. Sorry to disappoint you Momma! But in the interest of staying the favorite, I feel like you should know that Nic makes faces behind your back when you talk.

In other news, I started a new book this weekend! Pride and Prejudice. I'm only three chapters in, and so far I have been able to follow along. Before starting the book, the only things I knew about it were from You've Got Mail. Heck, if Meg Ryan has a hard time following the language, I don't stand a chance! But move over Meggy, I may just have some smarts after all :) I will keep you updated.

Alyssa

There's No Place Like Home

I’ve jumped. I saw the Blog Bandwagon coming and I hopped right on. I hope it’s taking me in the right direction, and doesn’t end up being comparative to desperately needing a ride, and opting to hitchhike with some balding middle-aged man named “Ike” who won’t stop talking about his 17 cats. Although to be fair, I would rather ride with Ike than “Serial Killer Stan.”

I guess I should begin with telling about myself. My name is Alyssa, I am 24, and I am living in Missouri. I moved here just over a year ago from a small town in Kansas. You made have heard of it- Wichita? On that note, I am pleased to announce that I am now on a path to heading back home! The only problem is that this yellow brick road may end up being about 6-9 months long. But at least I’ve started walking! Anyway, I live my life for Jesus, and try to follow a basic set of rules including, but not limited to,  ‘Never consume anything artificially colored purple’ and ‘Never trust a Chinese Buffet’ .

Here is a picture of myself. Of course I put up a good one, but in the interest of unbiased information, I have also included one that makes me look like an idiot.

My passion is reading, and I like to pretend that I am a writer.  *Notice how I use the term writer, because ‘author’ would suggest that someone would actually pay to hear my words. I’m actually working on a series of children’s mystery books! (Side note- Working= Think of ideas in my head and occasionally write them down.)

As a Birthday gift from my Uncle, I received the light of my life! Her name is Daphne, and she is a 3 month old dachshund mix puppy. Other than her peculiar anxiety issues, she is the most wonderful gift I could have imagined! But she makes up for it as she has truely been a God Send, and has helped me get through a very difficult time. Here is a picture of my baby:

Well, I hope this first installment will suffice in this bizzare yet tempting effort to document my daily life :)

Alyssa