Friday, August 31, 2012
Adventures and such
Sooo it has been awhile - I was computer-less and Internet-less for a while but the good news is that it wasn't time wasted. I have has multiple Epic adventures and yeah wow... where to start? School is back in session as of yesterday, I have my amazing roommate back - Annalisa -, One of my best friends from Childhood is here doing the SALT program (EPIC), I have been taking some amazing walks in the cool of evening, I got to have one more trip to Florida this last weekend, and yeah I am really enjoying my classes (well all except the math related ones - bleh) ... lol that's it in a nut shell i suppose - i have a couple rough drafts floating in my head that i will have to type out later as I really should be going... Anyways just busy days of this life :D
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Simple day
Ever had One of those days where while nothing was particularly special and yet it was simply outstanding ? Yeah that was my day today :) book reading nature walking and great company :) perfect.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Work
So currently I am employed at Southern Adventist Universality in the Service deparment (fancy for Janitorial work) Its not the grandest job in the world I will admit, however I do enjoy it there - plenty of alone think time and satisfaction at seeing something actually get acomplished/being able to track my progress are just some of the benefits of working to keep the campus looking sparkly :) Some days can be monotonous as toilets and carpets become a blur but the ever changing factor is the people I get to briefly interact with throughout the day.
Often I'm completely invisible, and sometimes someone takes time to really make my day and just say a few kind words. other times people are just humorous with their responses to the realization of a service department worker- such as one occupant using the facilitates of the men's bathroom, urgently informing me that he was "fine" when I knocked and announced "service" before entering to clean. lol I'm glad he was fine, and it is a much better and less awkward response than indifferent silence. And yes as with any encounters with humans in general., sometimes people are just rude.
I was simply scouting a foyer area of a building that I was assigned - simple job really, check trash and examine floor to determine if it is requiring the special attention of the vacuum - it did, and so I busyied myself with getting my roaring rover out of the closet and plugging it in. However just as I was poised to click the noisy thing into action I noticed an office off to the side with the door wide open. Realizing that the machine I was about to unleash to attack the floor with might cause a disturbance I paused and walked over to the door way. As I walked up I noted that the occupant was busy at her desk - focused on her computer screen, intently reading some very important information I'm sure, I stood patiently for about 30 seconds.
"Excuse me mam'", I finally ventured as I saw no body language acknowledging my presences.
Her response? A single finger held up to silence me as she continued her important reading. Time carried on and as I watched the clock on the wall tick on her finger stayed there hovering in contempt, forbidding me to speak a word or continue on with my work. I was vexed but calmed myself with cliche "good things come to those who wait", well not in this instance at least.
I observed her office as I stood there in the stifling silence, books papers piled on both table and desk. specks of unidentified substances on the carpet, and a comfy looking blue couch.
"Fairly average" I mused as I turned my attention to the one with her finger raised.
Grandmother age, clearly focused on her work. Loose, more comfortable yet not shabby looking clothing, glasses, a wrincling brow (assuming that is from being possibly a little too focused at times) Nothing usual, except for that glaring finger of silence.
"Yes?" she finally responded as she lowered her finger and finally looked at me.
"I was just wondering if you would mind if I shut your door here while I vaccuume this hall way area" I say with a slight smile - glad that my "time out" was done and hoping to get back to my work and never ending to do list.
"Why would that be necessary? " she archly replied.
"If you didn't like me saying two words, I doubt you will appreciate the constant yell of my machine" I rationalize to myself as I respond dryly
"Well mam it is only necessary if you mind the noise"
She fretfully glaces at her computer screen and then at her phone, then at the floor.
"Well" she replies "actually if you could do a quick sweep in here too I wont mind the noise"
I fume. Most departments have their own community vacuum so that those with an office can do their own, cleaning her floor was not my job and in all honesty I did NOT want to do it and yet I evenly responded with a "yes mam" and proceeded on my way. Grabbing my vacuum I decided to do hers first - eat the frog and move on. As I did my quick sweep I read body language of disdain and uneasiness from her as she sat at her desk.
"Could you get under the couch?" she pointed asked.
I responded with a through crossing of the area, and started to back out, being more than ready to move on.
"humph" She mumbled "I wonder why that speck won't come up - I watched you cross over it"
"It's paint" I respond as i scratch over it with my fingernail.
"Oh that explains it" She sighs as she turns back to her computer and I make my escape to begin the task I had attempted to start 7 minutes ago.
"Thank you" She mumbles as I finish my vacuuming and leave the premises.
"No problem" I reply out of knee jerk habit as I sigh and count my blessing of not having to repeat this episode on a daily basis.
Now this is just one story - that really in hindsight seems a bit humorous to me... She gained nothing by being less than nice and I didn't loose that much time - just an average activity at my summer employment this year. However not everyone is like this lady, that same day as I was vacuuming another area a kind gentleman came up to me. Sensing that he wanted to say something I silenced my laboring "beast" and studied him has hair that is white as snow and big Carl Fredricksen like glasses framing his smiling blue eyes. He seems to always wear a smile, and has the winkles around the corners of his eyes to show for it.
"Thank you so much for making the world more beautiful" he cheerfully exclaims as he continues on his way.
I flash him a bright smile and mouth the words "thank you" as I continue on with my "beautifying" work.
Its the small moments like such that keep me going - Words are so powerful - while the censured ones can hurt and are irritating at times - its the kind ones that really have the power. I am still smiling and my heart is still warmed by his few words of encouragement - and at the same time I find my self challenged to "pay it forward" and help someone else along in their day.
Often I'm completely invisible, and sometimes someone takes time to really make my day and just say a few kind words. other times people are just humorous with their responses to the realization of a service department worker- such as one occupant using the facilitates of the men's bathroom, urgently informing me that he was "fine" when I knocked and announced "service" before entering to clean. lol I'm glad he was fine, and it is a much better and less awkward response than indifferent silence. And yes as with any encounters with humans in general., sometimes people are just rude.
I was simply scouting a foyer area of a building that I was assigned - simple job really, check trash and examine floor to determine if it is requiring the special attention of the vacuum - it did, and so I busyied myself with getting my roaring rover out of the closet and plugging it in. However just as I was poised to click the noisy thing into action I noticed an office off to the side with the door wide open. Realizing that the machine I was about to unleash to attack the floor with might cause a disturbance I paused and walked over to the door way. As I walked up I noted that the occupant was busy at her desk - focused on her computer screen, intently reading some very important information I'm sure, I stood patiently for about 30 seconds.
"Excuse me mam'", I finally ventured as I saw no body language acknowledging my presences.
Her response? A single finger held up to silence me as she continued her important reading. Time carried on and as I watched the clock on the wall tick on her finger stayed there hovering in contempt, forbidding me to speak a word or continue on with my work. I was vexed but calmed myself with cliche "good things come to those who wait", well not in this instance at least.
I observed her office as I stood there in the stifling silence, books papers piled on both table and desk. specks of unidentified substances on the carpet, and a comfy looking blue couch.
"Fairly average" I mused as I turned my attention to the one with her finger raised.
Grandmother age, clearly focused on her work. Loose, more comfortable yet not shabby looking clothing, glasses, a wrincling brow (assuming that is from being possibly a little too focused at times) Nothing usual, except for that glaring finger of silence.
"Yes?" she finally responded as she lowered her finger and finally looked at me.
"I was just wondering if you would mind if I shut your door here while I vaccuume this hall way area" I say with a slight smile - glad that my "time out" was done and hoping to get back to my work and never ending to do list.
"Why would that be necessary? " she archly replied.
"If you didn't like me saying two words, I doubt you will appreciate the constant yell of my machine" I rationalize to myself as I respond dryly
"Well mam it is only necessary if you mind the noise"
She fretfully glaces at her computer screen and then at her phone, then at the floor.
"Well" she replies "actually if you could do a quick sweep in here too I wont mind the noise"
I fume. Most departments have their own community vacuum so that those with an office can do their own, cleaning her floor was not my job and in all honesty I did NOT want to do it and yet I evenly responded with a "yes mam" and proceeded on my way. Grabbing my vacuum I decided to do hers first - eat the frog and move on. As I did my quick sweep I read body language of disdain and uneasiness from her as she sat at her desk.
"Could you get under the couch?" she pointed asked.
I responded with a through crossing of the area, and started to back out, being more than ready to move on.
"humph" She mumbled "I wonder why that speck won't come up - I watched you cross over it"
"It's paint" I respond as i scratch over it with my fingernail.
"Oh that explains it" She sighs as she turns back to her computer and I make my escape to begin the task I had attempted to start 7 minutes ago.
"Thank you" She mumbles as I finish my vacuuming and leave the premises.
"No problem" I reply out of knee jerk habit as I sigh and count my blessing of not having to repeat this episode on a daily basis.
Now this is just one story - that really in hindsight seems a bit humorous to me... She gained nothing by being less than nice and I didn't loose that much time - just an average activity at my summer employment this year. However not everyone is like this lady, that same day as I was vacuuming another area a kind gentleman came up to me. Sensing that he wanted to say something I silenced my laboring "beast" and studied him has hair that is white as snow and big Carl Fredricksen like glasses framing his smiling blue eyes. He seems to always wear a smile, and has the winkles around the corners of his eyes to show for it.
"Thank you so much for making the world more beautiful" he cheerfully exclaims as he continues on his way.
I flash him a bright smile and mouth the words "thank you" as I continue on with my "beautifying" work.
Its the small moments like such that keep me going - Words are so powerful - while the censured ones can hurt and are irritating at times - its the kind ones that really have the power. I am still smiling and my heart is still warmed by his few words of encouragement - and at the same time I find my self challenged to "pay it forward" and help someone else along in their day.
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.- Sir Winston Churchill
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)