It must be great being the letter A. You are the first letter of the alphabet, the first letter most kids see when they are learning to read. A is for many of my favorite things...like apples, espically apple pie (my dads), adventures (like going to Branson for Christmas), appetizers at dinner (like fried calamari at Papadeaux's), and alligator print on shoes and purses :>).
But, what I like A the most for right now is that it represents the grades I got in both of my classes this semester :>).
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Yesterday at Starbucks I....
(during one 8 hour shift)
went through 3 bottles of peppermint syrup
made 18 pots of Christmas Blend
filled the espresso beans 6 times (we barely do it one time on a regular day)
spilled 2 cups with mocha all over my apron
Went through 10 whip creams (again, on a regular day,it's only about 3)
made I don't know how many peppermint mocha's
and complained infinitely about my hurting feet.
...and today I am working a 7 hour shift.
oh the joys of Christmas time hourly labor!
went through 3 bottles of peppermint syrup
made 18 pots of Christmas Blend
filled the espresso beans 6 times (we barely do it one time on a regular day)
spilled 2 cups with mocha all over my apron
Went through 10 whip creams (again, on a regular day,it's only about 3)
made I don't know how many peppermint mocha's
and complained infinitely about my hurting feet.
...and today I am working a 7 hour shift.
oh the joys of Christmas time hourly labor!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Self Discovery
One thing I really don't like happening is running into people I used to know from high school. You see, it's not that I didn't enjoy high school, cause I did to a degree. Like most teenage girls, I was terribly insecure and did most of the things that I did in an effort to fit in. I graduated from Grapevine High School seven years ago, and I haven't kept in touch with any of my old friends. It's not like we just lost touch...I just didn't care to have contact with my friends after I left high school. When I went to Howard Payne, it was because no one I knew was going there and I could have a fresh start and focus on being truly me. So, needless to say, when people that I used to know pop up unexpectedly, I do everything in my power to avoid talking to them. Yes...I have been known to hide behind a car when I see someone in a parking lot.
The other day I was helpless to avoid this situation, however. I have picked up some extra hours at Starbucks in Target. On Tuesday when I was working, the only one there might I add, I noticed a girl I knew from high school approaching. I froze. I did not want to see her or talk to her. It's not that I didn't like her, I just hate the awkwardness of "hi, how are you. what have you been up to?". Really...do they expect me to sum up the last 7 years of my life in 30 seconds. Anyway, being the only barista on shift, I had no choice to be serve her and play the game of acting like I cared what she had been doing with her life. The whole encounter lasted about 3 minutes. I found out she had married her high school sweetheart three years ago and has been touring with him around the country as her pursues a record deal. Then she asked me...."So, how do you like working for Starbucks?". Secretly in the back of my mind I was really hoping she would ask this question. Why? It would give me a chance to explain my situation. I desperately wanted her to know that I was doing more with my life then working at Starbucks. I wasn't just a bum in the world...I was making something of myself. So in about 10 seconds, I informed her I was married, working on my Masters Degree and only working here for extra Christmas cash. I handed her her one pump non fat mocha with whip cream, and she was on her way.
Like I do with all social situations, after she walked away, I replayed the scene in my head. As I was analyzing the encounter, I realized something. It's not that I don't like talking to people, it's not that I am antisocial, and sometimes I really DO care what people have been up to. It is my own pride that prevents me from facing these situations head on. I want people to be impressed with me. I want former friends to know I graduated from college with a real degree, worked two years in the "real world" at a job with salary and benefits, and now I am getting an even better education by being back in school. I want them to think I actually did something with my life. I don't want to be embarrassed by the fact that I am a college educated adult working at Starbucks.
So here I was thinking Pride wasn't something I really struggled all that much with, and God showed me different. While I accept the fact that right now I am in lingo and on my way to something grand, I need to be content with where I am. I need to remember that this time in my life, like my past and future successes, are all planned out and perfected by God. Instead of Pride, I need patience.
The other day I was helpless to avoid this situation, however. I have picked up some extra hours at Starbucks in Target. On Tuesday when I was working, the only one there might I add, I noticed a girl I knew from high school approaching. I froze. I did not want to see her or talk to her. It's not that I didn't like her, I just hate the awkwardness of "hi, how are you. what have you been up to?". Really...do they expect me to sum up the last 7 years of my life in 30 seconds. Anyway, being the only barista on shift, I had no choice to be serve her and play the game of acting like I cared what she had been doing with her life. The whole encounter lasted about 3 minutes. I found out she had married her high school sweetheart three years ago and has been touring with him around the country as her pursues a record deal. Then she asked me...."So, how do you like working for Starbucks?". Secretly in the back of my mind I was really hoping she would ask this question. Why? It would give me a chance to explain my situation. I desperately wanted her to know that I was doing more with my life then working at Starbucks. I wasn't just a bum in the world...I was making something of myself. So in about 10 seconds, I informed her I was married, working on my Masters Degree and only working here for extra Christmas cash. I handed her her one pump non fat mocha with whip cream, and she was on her way.
Like I do with all social situations, after she walked away, I replayed the scene in my head. As I was analyzing the encounter, I realized something. It's not that I don't like talking to people, it's not that I am antisocial, and sometimes I really DO care what people have been up to. It is my own pride that prevents me from facing these situations head on. I want people to be impressed with me. I want former friends to know I graduated from college with a real degree, worked two years in the "real world" at a job with salary and benefits, and now I am getting an even better education by being back in school. I want them to think I actually did something with my life. I don't want to be embarrassed by the fact that I am a college educated adult working at Starbucks.
So here I was thinking Pride wasn't something I really struggled all that much with, and God showed me different. While I accept the fact that right now I am in lingo and on my way to something grand, I need to be content with where I am. I need to remember that this time in my life, like my past and future successes, are all planned out and perfected by God. Instead of Pride, I need patience.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all our readers! Dave and I are getting ready to enter our busy time of the season with friends coming in town and traveling for Christmas. We hope everyone is well and will be thinking of those we don't get to see on Christmas. Love to you all!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Half way done...but it's not all down hill from here.
So last night I counted myself officially half way done with my career as a graduate student. Three semesters down, three to go. May 2009 still seems, however, very far away.
Usually when I am half way done with something, I tell myself..."good job, Karen. It's all down hill from here". When I am on the elliptical runner at the gym, when I am reading a really good book that I can't wait to see what happens, after I have finished a big presentation for work, even cleaning the house. With graduate school, though, I am afraid that it is up hill for another two semesters. While I have finished 18 hours of credit towards my degree, now it is time to start my (dun, dun, duuuuuuunnnnnnn) Masters Thesis. Oh boy, just typing the words makes me groan. To some of my readers, this may be news to you. For a while now I have concluded that I would take the graduation track that required an internship and comprehensive exams. Well, after a chance conversation and lots of thought, there is no way I would ever want to take comprehensive exams! So a thesis it is. I am counting my official start date as Dec 16 and more then likely will finish exactly one year from then. So, at a time when I wish that I could sit back, relax, and ride the wave through the end of school, it is instead time to kick it into high gear. May 2009, here I come (can you see me...I am that tiny dot running towards you waaaaaaaaaaaay far away!).
Usually when I am half way done with something, I tell myself..."good job, Karen. It's all down hill from here". When I am on the elliptical runner at the gym, when I am reading a really good book that I can't wait to see what happens, after I have finished a big presentation for work, even cleaning the house. With graduate school, though, I am afraid that it is up hill for another two semesters. While I have finished 18 hours of credit towards my degree, now it is time to start my (dun, dun, duuuuuuunnnnnnn) Masters Thesis. Oh boy, just typing the words makes me groan. To some of my readers, this may be news to you. For a while now I have concluded that I would take the graduation track that required an internship and comprehensive exams. Well, after a chance conversation and lots of thought, there is no way I would ever want to take comprehensive exams! So a thesis it is. I am counting my official start date as Dec 16 and more then likely will finish exactly one year from then. So, at a time when I wish that I could sit back, relax, and ride the wave through the end of school, it is instead time to kick it into high gear. May 2009, here I come (can you see me...I am that tiny dot running towards you waaaaaaaaaaaay far away!).
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