from us... and my lovely Spicer/Brownell family. :)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Hi, I'm new.
I'm sorry for the kitten picture . . . but I thought it might give a glimpse into how I've been feeling at times in the last 3 weeks in a new place. Kinda like that. A little dazed, a little new, a bit uncertain, fairly lost in a few ways, but overall still cute, right?
As a waitress in a new job (breakfast place), I play the "I'm new" card frequently to foster some sympathy at the tables I'm serving. It might also help with the tips and how often I forget to bring the right things to my customers. The current bane of my existence at work is TOAST. Who knew how aggravating a slice of crusty bread could be? Now I know. You have to time it, butter it, and battle with the other waitresses for your turn with the semi-broken toast machine, then balance the little plate way up your arm as you serve your omelet, french toast, what have you. Don't let this complaining give you the wrong impression; I'm so grateful that I have this job. In the process of applying for quite a few jobs around Chico, Dan and I met a lady at a yard sale who knew a friend... this friend happens to now be my boss at the cafe where I work. Proof (to me, at least) that God is sincere about providing for our needs, even in little steps.
So, the new thing... even though I moved around a lot as a kid, went to different schools and traveled with Dan, I don't know if I've ever felt the acuteness of being new as I do now. One would think that Korea might have topped this. It probably did, but I'll bet you the fortunate ability of human memory to get hazy while romanticizing adventures past is affecting my judgment at the moment. Familiarity of place (as in culture, language, etc) is all intact, which confuses this sentiment I've got going on in my heart right now. It could be that, as usual, I want to start a job by being perfect at it, meet people yet feel right away we're kindred spirits and hang out nonstop, get involved in the community and know exactly where to volunteer, find a group of friends, and while I'm at it, have a home with furniture that all matches!! It's strange to me that Chico might be home for the next 5 years if Dan starts pursuing a career as either a) a Physician Assistant or b) a high school teacher. Either way, he'll need to start school or medical work experience before going to PA school. I'm so used to being somewhere for a school-term period, or year-long job, that it's almost unimaginable to think I can start letting roots grow. I've been holding on to them and perhaps been cautious with putting effort into having community. Is it time? Won't we just pick up and leave in a while anyway? It's not as though we're anywhere near buying a house... THAT is way too grown up. That can wait until we're 30. I still want to be able to pack my belongings in a trailer in rows and stacks of rubbermaids [see below]. Note: this is actually all we own, although we have bought a bed, a dryer, and have a TV now, too.
On the plus side, I am loving being in California and experiencing a season besides summer here. Today is what... November 5th... and it's one of the first days since living here that the temperature has gone below 70 degrees. Yes, I am definitely ok with that. I am also more than fine with living near a huge park with gigantic oaks, living in biking distance to work and our gym, and among some of the friendliest people I've ever had as neighbors.
Oh, and we also live less than 2 hours from both Dan's sister and his parents. Family = good. Our cousin/friend Katie (seen in previous posts at her baby shower) is expecting her baby boy this week!!! Life is good even if growing is slow. Realizing that friendships and being good at my job need more than a few weeks to develop helps, too. Another plus is being able to watch all the friendly, jumpy grey squirrels around our yard:
All for now... That might be the most personal post I've ever written. On that note, if you're reading this and made it all the way to here, I probably miss you and love you. The end.
As a waitress in a new job (breakfast place), I play the "I'm new" card frequently to foster some sympathy at the tables I'm serving. It might also help with the tips and how often I forget to bring the right things to my customers. The current bane of my existence at work is TOAST. Who knew how aggravating a slice of crusty bread could be? Now I know. You have to time it, butter it, and battle with the other waitresses for your turn with the semi-broken toast machine, then balance the little plate way up your arm as you serve your omelet, french toast, what have you. Don't let this complaining give you the wrong impression; I'm so grateful that I have this job. In the process of applying for quite a few jobs around Chico, Dan and I met a lady at a yard sale who knew a friend... this friend happens to now be my boss at the cafe where I work. Proof (to me, at least) that God is sincere about providing for our needs, even in little steps.
So, the new thing... even though I moved around a lot as a kid, went to different schools and traveled with Dan, I don't know if I've ever felt the acuteness of being new as I do now. One would think that Korea might have topped this. It probably did, but I'll bet you the fortunate ability of human memory to get hazy while romanticizing adventures past is affecting my judgment at the moment. Familiarity of place (as in culture, language, etc) is all intact, which confuses this sentiment I've got going on in my heart right now. It could be that, as usual, I want to start a job by being perfect at it, meet people yet feel right away we're kindred spirits and hang out nonstop, get involved in the community and know exactly where to volunteer, find a group of friends, and while I'm at it, have a home with furniture that all matches!! It's strange to me that Chico might be home for the next 5 years if Dan starts pursuing a career as either a) a Physician Assistant or b) a high school teacher. Either way, he'll need to start school or medical work experience before going to PA school. I'm so used to being somewhere for a school-term period, or year-long job, that it's almost unimaginable to think I can start letting roots grow. I've been holding on to them and perhaps been cautious with putting effort into having community. Is it time? Won't we just pick up and leave in a while anyway? It's not as though we're anywhere near buying a house... THAT is way too grown up. That can wait until we're 30. I still want to be able to pack my belongings in a trailer in rows and stacks of rubbermaids [see below]. Note: this is actually all we own, although we have bought a bed, a dryer, and have a TV now, too.
On the plus side, I am loving being in California and experiencing a season besides summer here. Today is what... November 5th... and it's one of the first days since living here that the temperature has gone below 70 degrees. Yes, I am definitely ok with that. I am also more than fine with living near a huge park with gigantic oaks, living in biking distance to work and our gym, and among some of the friendliest people I've ever had as neighbors.
Oh, and we also live less than 2 hours from both Dan's sister and his parents. Family = good. Our cousin/friend Katie (seen in previous posts at her baby shower) is expecting her baby boy this week!!! Life is good even if growing is slow. Realizing that friendships and being good at my job need more than a few weeks to develop helps, too. Another plus is being able to watch all the friendly, jumpy grey squirrels around our yard:
All for now... That might be the most personal post I've ever written. On that note, if you're reading this and made it all the way to here, I probably miss you and love you. The end.
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