Ridiculous

I am frustrated, as well as completely and utterly annoyed.

Backstory:

My school is having a ridiculously difficult time with communication in nearly every format you can think of.  Part of the problem is that we know administration is going to be making changes to our benefits, but they have been absolutely dragging their feet about what those decisions are and when they are going to make them.  Clearly, this affects a great majority of the staff, and a lot of people are having trouble planning for the future because the future is one giant question mark of stupidity.

I have been accepted to Mississippi State's M.S. in General Biology program.  It is an online program that starts at the end of August and will take me two years of taking two classes per semester.  I would really like to do the program, but with baby #1 due early August, I want to complete registration and figure out HOW to do this distance ed program well in advance.  Currently, we have a tuition reimbursement program at our school that pays back 80% of tuition costs...  though that does not always come in a timely manner.  Since this program is just something I want to do (not necessary), I am happy to do it provided I am getting reimbursed for most of it.  But if my benefits are being cut, I need to really evaluate whether it is worth it to spend the money for this program (approximately $2500 per semester to take the two classes, get books, etc.) or whether I should just focus on the baby and saving money for him.

Here is how this has proceeded with trying to get an answer from HR:

May 7th ~  

Hello HR!
I realize that things money-wise are very up in the air at the moment.
That being said, I just got accepted to Mississippi State for an online MS in Biology.  I had been approved for the program and for tuition reimbursement months ago, and I want to make sure that still holds.
I would be registering for two classes starting in the fall for a total of approximately $2000.  If PALCS decides to go against their previous decision to reimburse my tuition, I may not be able to join the program.
I was not sure if the tuition reimbursement program was on the cutting table for all FUTURE applicants, or if it meant cutting tuition reimbursement for people who have already been approved (like I have).
Can you advise me on how to proceed?  I need to register soon.

 May 8th ~

Response from one HR rep:

I will know tomorrow what the CEO has approved for staff tuition reimbursement program for fall 2012.  Details to be released early next week.

May 10th ~

Response from HR rep #2:

I will let rep #1 answer this one.  As far as I know, no decisions have been made to change the tuition reimbursement benefit.

My email to HR reps #1 and #2:

Thank you!

 

If you do not mind me saying, it really sounds like you all need to talk with each other.

 

Rep #1 responded via email to me on Tuesday that he would find out from the CEO on Wednesday and let the staff know early next week.

However, at the board meeting, Peter, you directly contradicted that email and said to the board/audience that you were "waiting on the CEO" and decisions would be made "soon" with no mention of dates or times.

Meanwhile, the CEO gave the impression that he had no idea any decision really needed to be made any time soon and if there was a time frame, to "let him know". 

Rep #2, you are telling me that no decisions have been made.

 

I am sorry, but this is a perfect example of the lack of communication, clarity, and decision-making that PALCS is currently suffering from.  It is extraordinarily frustrating, not only for me, but for all staff who are taking summer courses or registering for the fall.

 Later that day, I got phone calls from both Rep #1 and Rep #2 apologizing profusely.

My second email to HR reps #1 and #2:

Thanks for your voicemail, I really appreciate it.  I know that rep #2was not at the board meeting and potentially not aware of some discussions.  I think all of it stems from the staff largely not really know what any one person does.  All I know is that you and rep #2are in HR and the CEO makes the decisions, so it was my understanding that all of you should know what was going on in terms of the benefits changes.

I look forward to hearing your decisions next week!

   

May 22nd ~

My email to HR rep #1:

You said that you would hear by last week what was happening with tuition reimbursement. When will you be making an announcement about it?

His Response:

Hopefully by Thursday.  We're still getting employee input so it could be another week before everything is finalized.

May 30th ~

My email to HR rep #1:

Any update on this?  You said you would hopefully know by Thursday (the 24th), and another week has passed.

I am sorry that I keep pestering you, and I am sure I am getting rather annoying, but I need to complete my registration if I am to join the program - it is very stressful to me to have this loose end.

 His response:

I'm sorry.

What is the latest date that you can register for the Fall?

We've asked the Congress to give us feedback on the changes. I have to contact Nate to see if we can meet with a few folks to make this happen next Monday afternoon.

Unfortunately I've been too busy on other stuff.

When is the last day that I can register for the Fall?!?!??!?!  Are you f-ing kidding me?

Part of the reason that I am a good teacher is that I am a planner.  I do things IN ADVANCE.  I prepare.  I do not wait until the last day to get something done.  I make clear, concise decisions, I communicate them, I carry them out.  I encourage my students to do the same.  Kids fail my class because they wait until the last day of the marking period to try to do their work.  

It is positively insulting to be asked, essentially, to act like a 14 yr old who cannot manage their own time effectively.  I have a whole lot more rage to put into this...

but I have to go get my glucose monitor because apparently I have gestational diabetes.  Awesome.

small breakdowns

Here we are at 27.5 weeks!  
I am slowly easing into the third trimester and I am starting to feel it.  So far, pregnancy really has not been that bad, but I am starting to get a little uncomfortable.
I have put on about 20 lbs thus far, but in the past two or three weeks, it feels like he is growing, not me, and my belly is getting heavier and heavier.  He also kicks like he is doing tae bo or zumba in there, so my ribs and diaphragm are tender.  He moves constantly which is, on one hand, nice because I know he is doing okay in there, but it can be difficult too since he is so strong.  I am interested to see what happens over the next few months as things get a little more cramped in there and he has less room to wind up before the punch or kick!  

We have started working on finding furniture and doing registry stuff.  It is pretty overwhelming.  They really try to convince moms that they need all of this stuff...  when really, you don't.  At the same time, I will be having a shower, and if I do not put things I want or would use on a registry, I know people will just get us the *stuff*!  I feel bad for being somewhat of a psycho about it, but I really do not want our house to turn into BabiesRUs Lite.  It physically stresses me out to have that much junk around.  I don't know why, but it is true.  So, I have been spending time trying to find practical things online and even registering for stuff that I know he will not use for a year or two.  

Anyway, things are pretty good.  We got up to Ithaca two weekends ago to participate in the Great Strides CF walk with Leslie, Ben, and their families.  It was a three mile walk, but I did it, with minimal huffing and puffing.  I need to start walking more, but it has been rainy the past few days.  I also got to go to Leslie's shower, which was really beautifully done.

This past weekend was a whirlwind of activity.
On Friday I saw my uncle Jack and uncle Andy, who were busy doing "trust stuff" for my grandparent's estate.  I then went with my mom to check out cribs, which was overwhelming.  That evening, we ended up staying home, and I spent about 4 hours on Amazon doing a registry.  I think by the end though I did not have much stuff on there!  Ahh well. :/  It depressed me (again, because of being overwhelmed, not because I am sad about baby boy!), so I had a rough night.  The next morning I was still feeling pretty down.

I think the thing of it is that I feel good 98% of the time.  Pregnancy actually suites me much more than I ever thought it would.  But then that 2%...  ugh... it is like uncontrolled hormone mess.  And poor Jon has no idea what to do with me.  However, there is nothing to be done except to let me be sad, give me some tissues, play with my hair, and let me cry.  I am fully aware that a) it is not ME and b) it will pass in short order.  So I do not necessarily need to be made to feel better - I just need to be allowed to be sad. 

So Sat morning was still sad, but we then went and looked at some furniture together.  Then we drove out to Milkboy for our concert.
The concert went well!  My solo was decent, there were a lot of people there to watch the show.  It was freaking hot...  but I still fit into my small Project t shirt, which was amusing.  
From there, the gang went to a restaurante and I was warm enough to eat outside, even though it was in the 60's.  That does not bode well for summer!  Eek!  But anyway, at this point in time, I was feeling much better.  Of course,that was until I ate, and it did not agree with me, so we went home.

Sunday was very busy as well. We met up with the Ney's for breakfast, which was really fun.  From there we went directly to the movies to see the Avengers with Josh, Allison, Nick, and Sarge.  It was great!  Joss Whedon should do everything!  :)  I really enjoyed it.  We then went to Ruby's to grab some food before we took off to go see the second half of the PAPA concert.  After the concert, we hung around and talked with the Shealys.  After that we rolled over to my parents for dinner and chatting.  We had been out of the house from 8:30 in the morning until almost 9:30 at night. 


One thing I would say about pregnancy is that in a strange way, it has made me more social.  And part of that is that I DO feel good.  I want to go out and see people and do things.  It is incredibly frustrating to me that several bands are coming to Philly this summer and I will not get to see them because they fall around my due date or right after he is born.  That is unlike me.  However, as far as "pregnancy changes" go, wanting to be social is a pretty good one.  Hopefully it will stick.  I do not want to become a hermit once he is born.


I realize this has been a disjointed update.  I am trying to work at the same time, so this is likely pretty scattered.  Tonight is a bit of a busy night.  I have to attend a board meeting at school, and then I am hoping to drop in and see the Pennharmonics sing.  We shall see how it goes though...