So much of the things to do

So it turns out that I've been working entirely too much to document anything that's been going on around here. I still have my empty boxes hanging out in my apartment. They're taking up some room though because in moving up here I had this grandiose idea of packing super lightly and starting off with a "simple" life. I didn't factor in more than one of each dish and one set of silverware in this equation or things like a dish drying rack, lighting (because I'm pretty sure my overhead light gives off as much light as my cell phone does), and general homey things. So about $550 later I have things to dry my clothes and dishes on, enough dishes to not have to do them everyday, cleaning things, a couple of lamps and throw pillows. I, however, cannot do anything about my blue bathtub, sink and tile. JWU's color is blue and they are not letting anyone forget about it. I also cannot do anything about how my floor squeaks if I even move a toe. Thank goodness I leave on the top floor. But y'all, it's free, it's a real ass apartment (as opposed to my fake ass apartment at LSU...or more like fake ass kitchen) there's only 3 other people that live in my building (all professional staff) and I don't have to live in a residence hall. BANGARANG.

Things I love about Providence so far (these are all food related):

1. My job comes with a meal plan. I work at a culinary school therefore my meal plan perk is afreakingmazing. Last night I had curried lamb, eggplant massurka and stewed carrots for dinner. Yes, from a cafeteria. A cafeteria that is not run by 50 year old disgruntled cafeteria workers, but by mildly bitter culinary students.

2. My meal plan includes Starbucks. I can get a free venti latte, etc. and a water FO FREE once or twice a day. Is this real life?

3. The bubble tea company. I love bubble tea and have had my fair share, but this place has ENDLESS possibilities and you have the choice of getting lychee or yogurt balls instead of tapioca balls.

4. I'm sure when the snow melts this place will be real pretty like. Right now the snow looks like poop.

Ok, so I have had no time to explore this city thanks to currently being overworked, but hopefully by the time the weather gets pretty I'll have the job more under control. So far so great with the job though.

So people around here are clueless about Mardi Gras which I find hilarious. My RAs decorate the lobbies and windows of my building per season each month. They were only going to do St. Paddy's day for March but I encouraged them to do some Mardi Gras decorations too. One of my windows currently says, "It's Mardi Gras time." It makes me laugh and I love every second of it. I seriously love them so much for attempting to incorporate some of my culture into their decoration and the phrase "It's Mardi Gras time" will make me smile every time I see it. Not, "Let the Good Times Roll" or "Laissez les bon temps roulez," but "It's Mardi Gras Time."

Also, one of the new RAs for this trimester (yes, school here is measured in pregnancy terms...gross) is from Pascagoula. Small, small world.

Twang

People here keep making fun of my southern accent, but they ALL have crazy accents. I can't really gang up on every student and staff member at the school though. Someone even described my voice today as having a twang. Seriously?? I just don't even know how they would react if they actually heard someone with a thick southern accent. Also, y'all is a very useful contraction New Englanders.

Back to the Blog

So tomorrow I get on a one way flight to Providence, RI and start a new adventure. I'll be working at Johnson & Wales University.

Basically I'm a crazy person that gets a kick out of moving somewhere in the middle of a blizzard. Sounds like a great idea, right? I bought a crazy Columbia jacket that looks like a freaking microwave on the inside (because that's how I made my final decision in buying, anything that makes me think of food is a sure winner) and some "stylish" snow boots (however that adjective goes along with that noun).

My Corolla who I not so affectionately call Sam is already in Providence. He rode on a big open 18 wheeler in style with some Lexus (Lexuses? Lexi?). He's been there since last Tuesday so I'm sure he's covered in about 10 feet of snow right now.

I really have no idea what I'm getting myself into, but here's to a new adventure and some potentially hilarious blogs about my sure to be clumsy and ungraceful transition into a new job and new region.

Suga pie honey dumplin'

I have almost always been weirded out by the use of terms of endearment, but now that I'm waiting tables I keep catching myself using them. "May I refill your tea, sweetie?" "May I take this plate out of your way, hun." So far I've only caught myself saying these things to kids, but I'm worried it could get out of hand if I don't wrangle this problem stat. It's probably tied in with my waitress slightly whorish alter ego that believes if I wear eyeliner and lipstick to work I might get a couple of extra dollars. My waitress ego also believes that the makeup might just balance out the fact that I have to wear a tie and the only white oxford shirts I can find that fit me are from the husky section in the little boys department.

I've also gotten really terrible at sleeping lately. Are my granny days of early to bed, early to rise done for? I suppose I'll have plenty of time for that in 40 years or so. Until then my brain refuses to stop turning over ideas about jobs and what I should do/am doing with my life.

Wedding Crasher

Saturday the weather was absolutely gorgeous on the Coast and I wanted to spend as much time as possible outside before I had to spend my night refilling salad and breadsticks.

So, I went for my normal ralk, wog, jalk, whatever you want to call it, over the Popps Ferry Bridge and then decided to go bring my lawn chair out to the beach and do some reading.

I definitely looked like a 40 year old divorcee: Ball cap, sunglasses, running shorts, sports bra, tank top and Chacos with a bottle of water, lawn chair and my book on the sand with my feet in the water. I'm sure Jodi Picoult has already written a book about a person exactly like me. Regardless it was awesome and I don't blame you for being jealous. :)

When I set up camp I noticed that there was a white awning set up about 100 feet away from me, but it was deserted so I just figured someone got married there earlier that day or the day before. However, about 30 minutes after sitting there I noticed people bringing in flowers, etc and literally 10 minutes later about 30 or 40 people just started piling in for the wedding. I was going to move, but then I looked to my right and about 25 feet away were workers picking up tar balls so I figured I might as well just stay where I was. However, I looked to my left again and saw the photographer start snapping shots of what I thought was me. What the hell!? Then I looked to my right and saw the bride and her father processing parallel to the Gulf towards me and the awning. SHIT. At this point it was entirely too late for me to move. So I awkwardly smiled at the bride as she walked behind me, apologized and told her congratulations in which her reply was, "Thanks! You get to be in my wedding pictures!" Awesome.... And through all this I wasn't paying attention to how long I had been out there resulting in an awesome sun burn.

It seems that I can't get away from weddings. My friends are happy and in love, what can I say? Cook/Lampton nuptials down and what a blast they were! (I know that's, right!) Next in 2 and a half months comes the Malone/Lott nuptials.

Back to a little blogging

In order to work through some of my, what the hell am I doing/going to do with my life sentiments and to share some of the happenings in my life lately that I find hilarious I've decided to blog semi-regularly again.

Things I've accomplished in the past 5 months:

1. I'm a MASTA! Hey oh! I've got a fancy pink hood and another fancy piece of paper.

2. Successfully got through some icky family stuff that after 4 years finally was resolved.

3. Been rejected from every job I've applied for except for the super awesome one I have now (total at 6 jobs and still waiting to hear back from 2)

4. Got hired at the Olive Garden as a server with NO restaurant experience by just walking in with an application. Who needs those jobs that I'm actually mildly qualified for anyway? I wear a tie everyday to work. Doesn't get much more professional than that.

5. I've become a more well read lady.

6. Sang a fancy recital with Miss Jessica Nelson on the keys in Tupelo.

7. Married off one of my best friends, not that I really had much to do with this besides planning some things and having a good time and eating entirely more than I should have.

8. Made fun trips to Chattanooga and False River

9. Made a presentation on Valuing Diversity at RYLA

10. Attended 2 other weddings of good friends and got to sing at one with Walt. Bangarang.

11. Attempted to move to NYC, but thanks to crazy ass brokers trying to screw people over the mission failed.

Ok, so looking at that list makes me feel a tinie tad bit better about myself because I haven't been a complete bum since graduation, but I still feel completely directionless. Why did I go to grad school for music again? Do I still want to move to NYC and give performing a shot? Do I want to go back to school and try to figure out a different career path? No stinking idea. Until then I plan to keep applying to jobs and enjoy what I can of life.

Who Dat!

I don't think I've ever said that phrase before in my life, but I think this is as good a time to start then ever. Living in Louisiana right now is just awesome. The spirit around this town and campus is just contagious!

When I grumpily was called out of my bed too early this morning because one of my desk assistants didn't show up to work, I immediately perked up when I went to the desk and was greeted by the custodial staff with a, "Who dat!" Hi? Hello? How are you? All of these are banished from colloquial English and are now replaced with, "Who dat!" There was also some singing of "Who let the dogs out," not too sure about that one, but hilarious and wonderful all the same. I thought the Saints winning would bring out the drunk crazies, but it seems to have just brought out the nice in everyone! :) Apparently the crime rate in Louisiana has been down like whoa in the past 2 weeks too. So there ya go, The Saints: miracle workers in more ways than one.

In other news, my nephew's soccer team are the MS State Champs and he scored the one and only goal! :) I'm a pretty proud aunt if I say so myself.

24 days until my recital! EEK! I still have 5 songs to memorize (2 of which I still have to learn). This week is going to be productivity central. So I'm getting off of this dang computer right now!