the rose of kiev

So many things have been going through my head lately. Mostly it feels like a stream of nonsense bouncing off the insides of my skull because some days I don't feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get in everything I need (or want) to do. Thus why I'm listening to Rascal Flatts' "Backwards" to loosen me up a smidge. It has been a whirlwind month of adjustment and kicking my own butt to be responsible with my new independence (this past sunday was the one month marker for being in the new house). I think the dust is settling some, especially as I'm getting into the swing of things and should (hopefully) have a smaller and more reasonable work schedule as of next week. But even though I've been stretched and stressed and driven to tears once or twice (for both negative and wonderful things), this past month I think I've learned a surprising amount about myself. Nothing really profound I don't think, after all it's only been 4 wee...

There are some days I'd just rather not deal with it. I will wake up on days I have to work and dread having to donate a 7-hour chunk of time to GE. Visions of the growing amount of hours weigh on my mind, pressed down by the general confusion and chaos which is the front end of the store. Our best manager? Transferred to a different store. Our other manager who has been around for a couple years? Not currently working because he's in and out of the hospital. New current manager? A woman with a stubborn vision to reform the store in the midst of this upheaval, and who plays favorites. How do you know you're an enemy of hers? If you ask to be unavailable on an inconvenient day of the week and she cuts your hours as low as possible. How do you know you're a favorite? If you work your butt off picking up slack from other front end cashiers, two-thirds of which have been hired inside the past 2 or 3 months, and come in when you're scheduled and give her plenty of notice...

I had a good weekend. Saturdays off from work and class are going to be an invaluable key to retaining my sanity and unwinding one hectic week after another. They're also my planned time to hang out with The Boyfriend, who surprised me with a trip to the Columbus Conservatory and a dinner out and (get this) all while voluntarily wearing a button-up shirt. When he came to pick me up I saw he was wearing it and heard little bells go off in my head. Since he was going through Henry withdrawal (my mother's cat, and the real reason why Dave deigns to date me) we stopped at my mother's house and ended up staying to watch the OSU football game with my mom and stepdad. After such new busyness I haven't had much time with him it seems, so a day spent talking and having fun together was a welcome treat. Tonight I went back to my dad's house to continue trying to empty out my old bedroom. My little brother has been circling lower and lower like the property vulture he is, DYIN...