Some of the blogs I follow also guest post on SpouseBuzz, so now I'm email subscribed to that too. How I'll ever keep up with all this reading I'll never know--actually, I do. The four hours of work three days a week in which I do nothing but answer the phone once in a while. Getting paid to read blogs is no different than getting paid to read a book. Or color, because I did that for a while too. Seriously, my job is boring--but I am extremely grateful to have one.
This article/blurb kind of struck a nerve with me. Not because it was poorly written or because it attacked anybody. But because I don't have a job that is an interest or passion of mine. I mean, I CAN have a job like that one day, but therein lies the rub.
( I honestly have no idea what is meant by "there's the rub", but I read it in a book and it sounded cool. Feel free to correct my usage!)
I have a degree in Criminal Justice from what is probably one of the worst universities in the union. The graduation rate for Parkside was something like 35%--because people either used it as a launchpad for the university they really wanted to go to, or because they failed out and never came back. My opinions on the closing of the university is an entire post in and of itself, however, suffice it to say that this piss-poor graduation rate doesn't help its case any.
I have several interests and or passions:
- paralegal (interest)
- dogs (interest AND passion)
- books (interest AND passion)
- helping veterans (interest, maybe passion?)
So far the only interest or passion my current job comes close to is the helping of veterans. The floor I work on houses the CVSO and an "assistant" (although the "assistant" has been here longer than the CVSO!). Greeting vets, telling them about my husband, asking about their service (which branch, any particular wars, etc), and getting them bus tickets to the VA center in Milwaukee is extremely rewarding. If Ax wasn't in the military maybe I'd not be so interested in helping veterans. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy helping others and solving problems, but without being placed in this particular situation with Ax, maybe it wouldn't mean as much to help them. Especially the homeless ones, which honestly breaks my heart every damn time.
With my CJ education (which is mostly a laughable joke at best) and strong clerical skills, paralegal would be an excellent choice of career for the rest of my working life. Problem is, I'd have to go back to school to be certified. I am so burnt out from school, papers, exams, lessons, etc. that the thought almost makes me sick.
I considered grad school for library science, but my grades are so godawful that I doubt anyone would accept me into a Master's program. I suppose for now, volunteering in a library would have to do. Forking over more money for a Master's doesn't exactly leave a good taste in my mouth either, haha.
That leaves dogs. I've watched the animal cops shows on Animal Planet, and while I would LOVE to do that...my cat allergies are too bad to go into hoarder situations. With the reactions my body has to cats, there is no possible way for me to just "work around it". If I worked in a shelter, I'd probably come home with a dog every week and then Ax would have no place to sleep when he'd have shore duty or leave. LOL
So I guess my choices for a career are paralegal or figure out how to get into the VA industry to help vets with paperwork, applications, and whatnots. Paralegal sounds like more money in the bank, but a job with the VA means helping more people. I decided that I'm getting paralegal certification no matter what I end up doing, because I can't go the rest of my life without learning. I'm just too burned out right now to get back into it. Maybe this time next year I can start some classes or something--I'll need stuff to keep me busy when Ax is playing in the ocean in his tin can. :P
Until something else comes along, I'll just keep pokin' around at work helping whoever I can, and when the local Greyhound rescue gets a haul of retired racers, I'll head down to the kennel and welcome some adorable gentle giants to a new home. Hopefully I can help find them some forever homes too. :)
Showing posts with label musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label musings. Show all posts
July 17, 2012
July 5, 2012
I'm gonna love you forever & ever, forever & ever amen.
Okay but seriously now, getting back into this. Navy life is gonna get more interesting in another month or two and I want to be back in the habit of writing so I can track it. My memory is for shit, honestly, so if it's not written down chances are I won't remember jack.
I'm planning on importing my posts from my previous blog during the weekend...hopefully I remember to backdate them so they appear in order.
For now, to keep my mind moving a bit before bed, I'll jot down what I remember from my trip about a week ago to visit the Ax.
As you may or may not know, the Ax is in CT right now going through A-School. Last I heard, he was top of his class with a roommate of his being right behind (cue gay Navy joke, ba-dum-tish?).
Out of the three or four schools he's had while in CT, it doesn't seem like any of them were too terribly hard for him. Which is good. He's a smart kid, he just doesn't always apply himself (much like me). Although now he has to, or he's out of a paycheck and a job. He takes his role as a financially supportive husband fairly seriously, so he's certainly going to do whatever the Navy asks. "Jump!" "HOW HIGH?!"
Back to the trip...flew out on a Thursday, which was his duty day. Long story short, rental car companies suck ass at renting to people under 25. After finally getting a rental, I checked into the hotel while he did GMT and then we hung around base for a while. We got subway, he showed me his new barracks (he moved since the last time I was there) as well as some of the other parts of base I don't normally drive past.
Friday he had school, so I picked him up a little while after that. General husband-wifey time, then we got dressed for dinner and headed out. I'm glad we left a bit early, as it was rainy and gross (why does it always rain on my birthday? did that last year too--in an entirely different state!) and the parking garage was almost full.
We were originally going to eat at Michael Jordan's steakhouse, but apparently they do not serve ANYTHING to a patron under 21. If you're confused by this that's okay, because we were too. So we walked down the hall and ended up at Bar Americain, a Bobby Flay restaurant. GORGEOUS. The food was amazing (would you expect less from a Flay establishment?), we ate until we could eat no more. My birthday "cake" was like an upside-down smore, except the chocolate was pudding and the "marshmallow" was rum-infused whipped cream. And the graham cracker was wafer-thin with powdered sugar on top. And my candle was wedged into a little blackberry! It was almost too cute to eat. But I ate it. Despite the dairy and my lactose intolerance. Ate that smore like it was going out of style. He bought me a Kershaw for my birthday. I love it! and the mushiest card he could probably find in the NEX, but I'll find a way to outdo him for his birthday....WATCH OUT HUBBY. I'MA GETCHU!
Saturday....I forget what we did, honestly. Probably a lot of nothing because we're generally broke after paying for a car, the flight, and a hotel. Next time I'm driving my own car, that'll save at LEAST 200 bucks if not more. We had applebee's for dinner, and I got to say hi to Brony, who is one of the Ax's friends from RTC. Brony is a guy who loves My Little Pony. I think he is the most adorable thing on the planet. I would take him home with me if I could!
Sunday was our emo day, because monday meant less time together which meant tuesday (the departure day) was right around the corner. But we wandered the Olde Mystick Village, had brunch at our usual establishment, and later on that evening saw Brave. Cute movie! Kind of your stereotypical disney plot (treat others as you would be treated, family is important, etc etc), but cute characters and a lot of funny moments.
I honestly don't remember what i did Monday while Matt was in class and PTing. Haven't a clue. I remember I was really sad that I couldn't see him until dinnertime, but I suppose with inspections on Tuesdays he was trying to get some stuff ready.
Tuesday I only got to see him for lunch, and I was sad. Really sad. It honestly breaks my heart to leave CT, because all I see in his eyes for the last time is how sad and lonely he is already. Yeah, he's got buddies and he's active on base with sports and whatever, but it's different than having your best friend and your spouse there.
I went back to the Village to kill some time before my flight, and bought mom her birthday gifts. Two jars of handmade jam and a new set of coasters. It WAS her birthday, after all. She was really excited to see me when I got back to the Cheese state...not that I didn't miss her, but CT is kind of home now. I am a military spouse and the base happens to feel most like home.
So yeah. Overall that visit was probably my favorite. I always worry on the flights out to CT that I'll be met with a husband who is vastly different than the previous time I was in his arms...but I am always unsurprised when he hasn't changed a bit. More disciplined? Sure. Less full of beer? Definitely. But he's mine, still, and I couldn't ask for more.
---
Orders should be picked pretty soon...if he's still at the top or near the top of his class, I believe he gets first dibs. Honestly I'm getting a little anxious to know where I'll be spending the next year or two of my life. Anywhere would be okay with me, honestly. Hawaii, while AWESOME, is a bit far from what little family I am close to....but I think I'd manage. I'm also hoping he picks a boomer instead of fast attack. Weighing the pros and cons on my own, I'd much prefer he play around on a boomer.
After orders comes his birthday, his A-school graduation, a little bit of leave, and then PCSing to a duty station. THEN comes a place to live, a dog (or two), and me finding a job/some kind of paying activity.
Life's reasonably quiet now....it's just a matter of time before it's turned upside-down again. And with that, I sign off for the evening since I work early early early tomorrow. Plus it's going to still be hotter than Satan's asshole.
I'm planning on importing my posts from my previous blog during the weekend...hopefully I remember to backdate them so they appear in order.
For now, to keep my mind moving a bit before bed, I'll jot down what I remember from my trip about a week ago to visit the Ax.
As you may or may not know, the Ax is in CT right now going through A-School. Last I heard, he was top of his class with a roommate of his being right behind (cue gay Navy joke, ba-dum-tish?).
Out of the three or four schools he's had while in CT, it doesn't seem like any of them were too terribly hard for him. Which is good. He's a smart kid, he just doesn't always apply himself (much like me). Although now he has to, or he's out of a paycheck and a job. He takes his role as a financially supportive husband fairly seriously, so he's certainly going to do whatever the Navy asks. "Jump!" "HOW HIGH?!"
Back to the trip...flew out on a Thursday, which was his duty day. Long story short, rental car companies suck ass at renting to people under 25. After finally getting a rental, I checked into the hotel while he did GMT and then we hung around base for a while. We got subway, he showed me his new barracks (he moved since the last time I was there) as well as some of the other parts of base I don't normally drive past.
Friday he had school, so I picked him up a little while after that. General husband-wifey time, then we got dressed for dinner and headed out. I'm glad we left a bit early, as it was rainy and gross (why does it always rain on my birthday? did that last year too--in an entirely different state!) and the parking garage was almost full.
We were originally going to eat at Michael Jordan's steakhouse, but apparently they do not serve ANYTHING to a patron under 21. If you're confused by this that's okay, because we were too. So we walked down the hall and ended up at Bar Americain, a Bobby Flay restaurant. GORGEOUS. The food was amazing (would you expect less from a Flay establishment?), we ate until we could eat no more. My birthday "cake" was like an upside-down smore, except the chocolate was pudding and the "marshmallow" was rum-infused whipped cream. And the graham cracker was wafer-thin with powdered sugar on top. And my candle was wedged into a little blackberry! It was almost too cute to eat. But I ate it. Despite the dairy and my lactose intolerance. Ate that smore like it was going out of style. He bought me a Kershaw for my birthday. I love it! and the mushiest card he could probably find in the NEX, but I'll find a way to outdo him for his birthday....WATCH OUT HUBBY. I'MA GETCHU!
Saturday....I forget what we did, honestly. Probably a lot of nothing because we're generally broke after paying for a car, the flight, and a hotel. Next time I'm driving my own car, that'll save at LEAST 200 bucks if not more. We had applebee's for dinner, and I got to say hi to Brony, who is one of the Ax's friends from RTC. Brony is a guy who loves My Little Pony. I think he is the most adorable thing on the planet. I would take him home with me if I could!
Sunday was our emo day, because monday meant less time together which meant tuesday (the departure day) was right around the corner. But we wandered the Olde Mystick Village, had brunch at our usual establishment, and later on that evening saw Brave. Cute movie! Kind of your stereotypical disney plot (treat others as you would be treated, family is important, etc etc), but cute characters and a lot of funny moments.
I honestly don't remember what i did Monday while Matt was in class and PTing. Haven't a clue. I remember I was really sad that I couldn't see him until dinnertime, but I suppose with inspections on Tuesdays he was trying to get some stuff ready.
Tuesday I only got to see him for lunch, and I was sad. Really sad. It honestly breaks my heart to leave CT, because all I see in his eyes for the last time is how sad and lonely he is already. Yeah, he's got buddies and he's active on base with sports and whatever, but it's different than having your best friend and your spouse there.
I went back to the Village to kill some time before my flight, and bought mom her birthday gifts. Two jars of handmade jam and a new set of coasters. It WAS her birthday, after all. She was really excited to see me when I got back to the Cheese state...not that I didn't miss her, but CT is kind of home now. I am a military spouse and the base happens to feel most like home.
So yeah. Overall that visit was probably my favorite. I always worry on the flights out to CT that I'll be met with a husband who is vastly different than the previous time I was in his arms...but I am always unsurprised when he hasn't changed a bit. More disciplined? Sure. Less full of beer? Definitely. But he's mine, still, and I couldn't ask for more.
---
Orders should be picked pretty soon...if he's still at the top or near the top of his class, I believe he gets first dibs. Honestly I'm getting a little anxious to know where I'll be spending the next year or two of my life. Anywhere would be okay with me, honestly. Hawaii, while AWESOME, is a bit far from what little family I am close to....but I think I'd manage. I'm also hoping he picks a boomer instead of fast attack. Weighing the pros and cons on my own, I'd much prefer he play around on a boomer.
After orders comes his birthday, his A-school graduation, a little bit of leave, and then PCSing to a duty station. THEN comes a place to live, a dog (or two), and me finding a job/some kind of paying activity.
Life's reasonably quiet now....it's just a matter of time before it's turned upside-down again. And with that, I sign off for the evening since I work early early early tomorrow. Plus it's going to still be hotter than Satan's asshole.
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