blessings

Today pretty much sucked.

I woke up exhausted, after sleeping like the dead. I proceeded to make my way into work, arriving at about 7. I noticed on my drive that I was feeling rather un-Ericka-like, which, while unfortunate, happens every so often, so I know it will go away... but its still unpleasant.

So I get to work, and find the sarcastic memo that Graham and I wrote on phone etiquette on my desk. This made me smile.

I then proceeded to turn on my computer, thinking about all the things I would like to accomplish today, but can't, due to an in-service on Learning Focused.

For those of you who are teachers, Learning Focused is a web-based program which helps you prioritize the state standards and anchors, then align them to your curriculum, and then map your curriculum bit by bit.

For those of you who are computer savvy, it is applet based. And not very nicely either.

And lastly, for those of you who are neither computer savvy or teachers, its basically a small slice of hell.

Anyway, I had about an hour to get some work done in which time I answered schoolmails and Moodle messages, posted a course announcement, and actually managed to post a whole lesson. After that, Graham asked me to drive him to Kia to drop of his POS car to get fixed... again.

Walking outside to my car, I enjoyed the sunshine, and that also made me smile ever-so-briefly.

We got back and I had about 20 minutes to do more work and to set up in the fish bowl room (why it is called that, I dont know, because there are no windows and therefore no possibility of anyone ever viewing us from without). I basically gave up, went to set up... then started working on Learning Focused.

It sucked.

And, magically enough, the angle at which my body is in relationship to the table, chair, and lappy is precisely that which occurs in the Micro lab at the hospital when I work under the hood. This means my left shoulder is bugging the snot out of me. Jon tries to cheer me up online, but it did not help a ton because I was just in that rotten of a mood. He gets points for trying though.

I ask Kelly for a back massage. She laughs at me.

I get pretty close to tearing my hair out, but then it is time for lunch, so I go eat that.

Now during lunch (Fascinating though, isn't it?) I realize what caused my stomach to be extremely unhappy on Sat - flax seed.

Mind you, I ate a flax seed and almond granola bar at breakfast. And I was quite contentedly munching on some granola with flax seed in it (the original culprit) in my yogurt for lunch. Phenomenal.

At this point in my day, I just want to cry. Graham brings me bubble wrap. I snap the bubbles to vent my frustration and rotten mood. He seems to think my appreciation is not deep enough. Oh well. He leaves. I proceed to put the bubble wrap on the floor and tap dance on it to the delight of Yassara.

For the afternoon, it is back to work on Learning Focused and I make some sort of progress. Jon calls. I am annoyed because I did not have a whole lot more time to work on the stupid thing, and he asks me to come outside to talk to him. I get slightly worried. I walk outside, call him, and ask what is going on... he says "I just wanted to say hi". I sigh and feel the frustrating welling up in me when he... hangs up the phone. Fantastic. I huff and turn around, and he is there. (Lucky for him) Actually, this is the first time he has ever visited my work, and he was doing so on the way to the airport to go to Alabama.

I am pleasantly surprised and happy that he is there. Though still really tense that I am not getting the stupid thing done. But happy besides.

We go inside, I show him my cube and my deer skull. Lauren introduces herself to him because she seems to magically know who he is even though they have never met. I walk Jon back out, a long good-bye occurs. But then, that is normal.

I go back inside, Graham and his brother stop by and take a very blurry candid polaroid shot of me. They leave.

I leave, and there is a really sweet note on my car from Jon which instantly put a smile on my face. I swear, that stuff never gets old, and I never get bored of hearing it. Ever.

I finally go to class.

I hate class.
I hate class.
I hate class.
I HATE THIS CLASS.

We get our tests back. My score: 83 /130. WHAT?! Go ahead, do the math folks, thats a solid D and completely unacceptable for me. I try really hard not to cry though tears keep welling up. I keep telling myself that I am 26 yrs old and its stupid to cry over a dumb test, but with the mood I am in (oh, and my breasts hurt and I am hormonal on top) its really a very thin string that holds to my sanity.

I get to my car, and tally up my score. Thank GOD, its actually 95 / 130. This is a 73%. I feel a bit better, but still pissed that on a question that was worth 10 points, I got a 0 with no explanation... same with a 15 pt question. 0, and no explanation.

So, I have to sit down with it, pick my battles, and then go talk to him. When I will do this, I have no idea, because tomorrow I am going to see a short concert in the morning, then get a flu shot, then possibly the nutritionist... oh, and if I have time, teach. Then carve pumpkins, talk to the ob-gyn about how my cholesterol is SUPER HIGH, then go to ANOTHER CLASS where I have to turn in this essay question which I need to finish tonight.

I feel so incredibly high strung.

I go to Sears. I pick up a new garage door opener. I ask the guy if its the right one. He says yes. I check. Its different colors, but why does that matter?

I get home. My dad says its not the right one. I tell him that is all they have. He says it is not the right one. I say, I understand the words coming out of your mouth, but I checked with the guy, he said that was right. He says no, it is not the right one.

Somehow, magically, him saying it more than 3 times makes a freaking difference. I UNDERSTAND BUT THAT IS ALL THEY HAVE!

He says...

seriously...

That is not the right one.


I bite the urge to scream, go to make stuffing instead, and find that the dishwasher is full. Heaven forbid my father empty it. Obviously Star Trek re-runs are WAY more important. I empty the dishwasher, then start my laundry.

I notice there is a package for me on the table and I get very excited. Then I get worried, because I realize I cant remember ordering anything, and I wonder if I am just going insane. I open it, and it is this:


I love my brother. He is just freakin amazing. Of all the random things he could have sent me, this is just what I needed today.

I went and played on my waveboard.

I am feeling better. I am. I just need some rest and sleep and I will be cool. I promise.



So thank you Lord for all of my blessings, in no particular order:
the sunshine
Jon
Graham
bubble wrap
dancing
Chris




Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow