Don't sweat the small stuff.

Oh, work stories. Everyone has them. Anyone that works with the public is always going to have some crazy stories to tell. I, myself, have had plenty of encounters at work where I am left wondering, did that really happen? I say this to tell you that I definitely had one of these "encounters" today. Here's a little replay of how this particular conversation went:

(telephone rings... I answer with the appropriate greeting....)

Man: "Ummm yes. This is ______. My daughter purchased glasses there a couple of months ago, and her nose piece has fallen off. Where do YOU get off selling such an expensive pair of glasses that can just fall apart so easily?"

Me: "Well, sir, that is a fairly common occurrence with any pair of glasses, no matter the price. It is something that can easily be fixed in store. In fact, if you would like to bring those in today, we can have them ready for you in just like five minutes time."

Man: "I live all the way in gosh darn Mississippi. There is absolutely no way that I am driving all the way there for this!"

Me: "Ok, well I can understand that. If you want to take them to an optical place near your house, you are more than welcome to. Any place that sells glasses should do this adjustment for you at no cost."

Man: "I'm not doing that either! This is your responsibility!"

Me: "Ok, well my hands are kind of tied with this matter, Sir. If you won't bring them here or take them anywhere else, what do you want me to do?"

Man: "I want you to mail me the parts to fix it."

Me: "Ok.... I can try to do that for you. But, are you familiar with performing adjustments on glasses?"

Man: "I'm an aircraft engineer...."

Me: "Ok...... So you do think you will be able to handle it? It can be kind of tricky....."

Man: "How dare you insult my intelligence!!! I will definitely be taking my business elsewhere from now on if I have someone like you disrespecting me!!!!"

(Sound of phone slamming down.)

After I got over the shock of what had just happened, I couldn't help but to start laughing. I honestly feel bad for those people who walk around so angry all the time.... I'm sorry sir but if the worst thing that has ever happened to you all your life or even today for that matter is that your daughter lost a nosepiece, then consider yourself pretty dadgum lucky! Ok, there was my venting session for the day. Now, I'm done. On a more positive note, I got another interview with a different school in Philadelphia! YEAAA. I'm a traveling machine this month!! More info to come in a later post.....

Beach, Beach, Beach!!!

Ok, so I have some news. I'm trying really hard not to get overly excited and start daydreaming about various scenarios like I always do.... butttttttt... I got an optometry school interview!! WHOOO HOOOO!!! Ok, that was me being excited, which I just said I was not going to do... but I can't help it. It is at a school in Florida between Miami & Ft. Lauderdale. Here's the story:

So, I'm at work checking my mail when I get an email with the subject line: NSU Interview Invite. As soon as I saw it, my heart immediately started beating so hard, I thought it was going to literally explode. When I get excited or nervous or scared or basically any adrenaline-type emotion, I start shaking... hardcore. So, here I was trying to control my hand long enough to click on the email.... and then there it was.... my first school interview invite. I'm fairly certain I hugged everyone within a 2 mile radius. Ok, so I know that this seems stupid to be so excited about... I mean I'm not even in yet. BUT, you have to know how little I expected this to happen so soon. I mean my application is nothing to write home about... average grades, average OAT score, average everything. I'm just your run-of-the-mill average person. Therefore, I did not expect to be bomboarded with "we want you!" emails. Nevertheless, here it was....

When I finally got ahold of myself long enough to actually read the email, I found out that I had to go within the next three weeks. HOLY CRAP! My mind immediately started reeling with how I was going to find a cheap flight, hotel, transportation, etc. By the grace of God, within two days, I had found a "cheap" flight out of Memphis and a hotel right next to the school that even had shuttle service to and from the university! Therefore, on October 12th, I will be leaving Memphis and heading down to the Sunshine State for a couple of days. I'm waiting for the nerves to hit because I'm sure they will.... probably right about as I'm having "breakfast with the dean" which is first on the schedule.... Here's a little photo of where I'm heading... Oh, palm trees on campus... bliss.

Good vs. Evil....

I'll admit one thing: I'm a list freak. I wish you knew how often I visit the "productivity" section of the App Store. I have approximately 8 to-do lists apps on my phone, all of which I seem to think I will use at some point. I am also an avid "Healthcare & Fitness" searcher. Why am I telling you all this, you ask? Well, dear, I am telling you this because there is something you should know about me. In my 22 years on this Earth, I keep denying it but it is always there, staring me in the face. As much as I hate to admit it, I am not a follow through-er. I am probably one of the most organized people you will meet in your life.... on paper. If you took a gander inside my iphone right before I go to bed at night, you would find a detailed list of what I am to do the following day, complete with wake-up time, workout time, cleaning time, etc. Take today, for example. Last night before I went to bed, as always, I mentally laid out exactly what I was going to do the following day. I was to wake up at 6:00 a.m, hit the gym for an hour or so, come home, shower, make breakfast, pick up the apartment, and head to work by 8:30 am. That way, after work, I could come home and just chill out and do some laundry while watching the Bachelor Pad. Here is what happened:

6:00 am - ** Alarm Sounds ** After I realize where I am, what day it is, and why I am getting up at this hour, I begin to have a conversation with myself that plays out something like this:

Evil Fallon: "Why the heck would you EVER set your alarm at this hour?!?" Good Fallon: "Well, I thought it would be nice to get a jump start on the day. People always talk about how productive you can be if you get up at a decent hour." Evil Fallon: "Yes, but think about how amazing it would be to sleep for another couple of hours. You can always work out and clean up the apartment tonight.... or even tomorrow." As you can probably imagine, Evil Fallon ALWAYS wins. So, therefore, I re-set my alarm clock for 8:00 am and then literally rushed to get ready and get to work. AND after work? I came home, sat on the couch, and did absolutely nothing with my life.

It always seems to work out like this for me. When I was in school, I always wrote out this nice, detailed study schedule for myself that would allow me plenty of time to finish all my tasks in a respectable amount of time. Did I ever do that? No. Instead, the night before an exam, I could be found in the check out line at Kroger holding a handful of 5 hour energy drinks and enough Mountain Dew to kill a person.

I guess I'm just trying to figure out why I do this to myself? I am a smart girl with a good head of my shoulders! Why do I have no self discipline? Don't even get me started on my work-out schedule.... Unfortunately, that's usually the first thing to go. I do feel like I have an all-out war going on in my head... There's the side of me that wants to be completely lazy and veg out and do nothing with my life, and then there's the side that has the best intentions and wants me to be productive all day every day! All I know is, something's got to give. I have to be one person or the other. I'm about to google how to be a morning person.... that's how desperate I am. I'll report with my findings.....

The Art of Doing Nothing

I recently saw the movie Eat Pray Love. I honestly don't know what I thought about it. I disagree with Elizabeth Gilbert's viewpoints on several issues, especially religion. However, I am absolutely captivated by the idea of dropping everything in your life and traveling the world. I wish I had the courage (and the finances) to do something like this... to leave it all behind. There is nothing I enjoy more than reading and studying about cultures other than my own. I would give my left pinky toe to backpack through Europe with no agenda or plans. I think that's why I DID like this movie - because of all the footage of Italy, India, and Bali. There is one scene that really stuck out to me. It was when she was in Italy, talking to her Italian tutor and some strange hairdresser man. They were discussing how Americans are so driven and feel guilty every time they take a break - like they are doing something wrong. On the other hand, Italians make time for relaxation and time to basically just be indulgent. I just found this funny because I was just griping about how I felt useless and depressed because I had a week with nothing to do. haaaaa. Maybe someday I will take a month out of my life and tour the world..... just another thing to add to the bucket list.....

Home is where the heart is....

I am reporting live as we speak from the thriving metropolitan area of Selmer, TN! :)






As much as I rag on my little town, I have found that I do love coming here. If I am in a bad mood, it instantly lifts as soon as I walk in the door. There is just something about being here with the people that I have grown up with that is really comforting. I've never had what you would consider a bad relationship with my parents, even in my teenage years. Given, there were moments growing up when I thought, "Wow, they are so naive" or "Gahhhh I wish they would just leave me alone." However, I have always been supa tight with them. I guess it comes from being an only child.... Regardless, though, my love and respect for them as of late has grown even more. Sometimes, I am in awe of how lucky I am that God paired me up with them. I hear these stories about parents kicking their kids out or not giving them money or showing them no support, and I am just dumbfounded because I cannot relate at all. If there was some kind of awesome parent award, I would be the first person in line to nominate the two I have. I have found over the years that they support me more than I probably support myself. They are the first people I call when I get good news because they always make me feel so proud of myself. Not to mention how much financial support they have given me over the years..... I have never needed or wanted for anything that I did not get. I know that makes me sound very spoiled and selfish, but they have given me everything I needed while still making me learn to appreciate and count the blessings that I have. I cannot rave enough about them & I love them to the moon and back......

Me & the Pops

Me & the madre

But Wait.... I cannot close out a post on my Selmer life without including one more huge person (and I use the term person lightly).... RILEY.

This dog is my world, and I cannot get enough of her when I come home. I'm fairly certain that she does not consider herself a pet simply because she gets treated like she is one of the family. I am just slightly obsessed with her. Don't tell my parents, but nine times out of ten I'm ready to come home just to see her... haha. As we speak, she is fighting with the computer for a spot in my lap so I suppose that's my cue to wrap this up.... I suppose this post has turned into a shout out to mom & dad... unintentional, but sometimes you gotta show a little love to the rents...and the dog :):)

Stir Crazy

So... Two posts ago, you know how I was so excited about having nothing to do for a solid year? Yea, I'm over that...and it's only been one complete week. I am just not cut out for down time. I think everyone needs a little time off now & then... time to catch up on sleep and just relax for awhile. However, considering my "vacation" doesn't end, it's actually having the reverse effect on me. I'm actually kind of starting to feel useless & depressed. I know that sounds absolutely ridiculous. Why would anyone complain about free time?!? Only me, my friend...only me. However, I have always been the type of person who will whine your ear off about how busy & tired I am...but deep inside, I'm enjoying every bit of it. Working toward something & accomplishing things is what makes me thrive. In fact, I am happiest when I have a to-do list, and I can check things off. How bizarre, right? Now, if I made a to-do list, it would go something like this:

1. shower (optional)

2. watch two discs of Entourage

3. go to the gym

4. watch three discs of Entourage

5. Feed Fish

6. watch one disc of Entourage

7. Bed

Like, how Sad is that?? Therefore, I think I need a hobby. Sometime that I can work towards....but I'm just not sure what that can be. I wish my hobby could be traveling.... but that requires mucho money, and I'm not in the best position to be blowing that right now. Especially considering I just dropped no less than $500 on applicaion fees. So, here I am.... back to square one. My hobby should be staying at the gym for loooooong periods of time, but that just sounds like zero fun. I know I should be happy and enjoy my time off for I will definitely wish I had it later... blah, blah, blah. For now, though, I'm going CrAzY.