Well, for the few readers that I have, I apologize for not keeping this up to date. I will try to do better. Since graduating college and getting a job, I’m finding alot more things to occupy my time. I did get the job with Pinnacle. Even if they are a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner, it is a good place to work. I like what I do, I like the people and I like my paycheck. What more could I ask for? Not too much. Oh, and got a new car. It’s not exactly new, but it is new to me. I purchased an ‘02 Honda Civic. Last time I filled up I did the math and I’m getting 29.9 miles to the gallon. Not too bad.

I'm not going to complain about the price of gasoline because it will do no good. Look at the prices in Europe. They have been paying MUCH higher prices than us for a very long time.  I'd also like to point out that they drive small, compact cars. Part of that is their roads are narrower and space is limited, but they also must for fuel efficiency. Tonight on the news, they were talking about how the president should do something to relieve these high prices. Are they stupid? Do they think he cares? Have they forgotten that he (and his family) is in the oil business. Why do you think that we invaded Iraq and not Saudi Arabia? Of course, to protect the precious Bush oil fields. Higher prices mean more money for them. I could be way off base here. Why are we so far behind other countries in finding alternatives to gasoline? Okay, I'm done now….

I did it finally! I got the tattoo that I've wanted for a long time. It's the theatre masks (comedy and tragedy). They are on my left shoulder blade. The happy one is yellow and the sad one is blue. The lady drew if free hand so it will be (mostly) unique to me. One of Steve's friends was having a tattoo party. I guess it had been planned for awhile but he didn't think Steve would be interested and said something to him jokingly. Well, Steve isn't/wasn't but he said that I could get one since I've been bugging him so much about it. Actually Steve called me and said that he found a college graduation gift for me. I ended up paying for it, but oh well. Apparently, I was supposed to be in more pain or something cuz the lady that went before me made the comment that I didn't have the same look on my face as she did. It wasn't exactly a pleasant feeling but it didn't hurt either. It was kind of more annoying than anything. I was able to carry on a conversation while she was doing it. I was just afraid to move and mess it up. Because it was spur of the moment, we didn't take a camera but Jim (Steve's co-worker) took during and after pics that I'll be sure to post when I get it.      

Bryce – 4
Emily – 2
Olivia – 1 crawdad
Steve – 0
Tim – 0 (Yes, as in ex husband…kinda weird, but worked out okay)

Ben, Eric and I went to lunch together. It's been awhile since it was just the three of us and it was just like old times. As I drove back to campus afterwards, I realized that maybe the last time we do that. It was really nice sitting there chatting about stuff not even really related to school, instead discussing plans for post-graduation/summer. I started to get all choked up…okay, not really. But it did kind of make me sad knowing that those times are almost over. But every ending gives way to a beginning. 

First I must brag on myself..I got up and ran 2 miles Sunday morning.  I ran the whole 2 miles without stopping. Yay for me! But last night when I ran, my legs were screaming at me so I wasn't able to run the entire time. My walking breaks were short and pretty infrequent though so it was still pretty successful. This is where the slow morning comes into play…I was mentally and physically exhausted last night and I slept really hard. I had a hard time waking up; my legs were very stiff and sore but once I got up and started moving around they were fine.

I have a job interview with the Pinnacle Group on Friday morning at 9 am. My fellow classmate, Russ works there and passed on my resume. I think it is his boss that will be interviewing me so maybe Russ can let me know what to expect. Anyways, this will be my third interview plus I have another person to call back which may lead to a fourth. My stress level is pretty high with the end of the semester ominously looming in the very near future and the work load that comes with it.  On top of this, is the whole job hunt which is kind of nerve racking too. It wouldn't be so bad if I had a job to fall back on atleast for the summer but Berkey doesn't need me. I've considered asking Dave if he would be interested in having me for the summer even if it's on a part time basis. When I filled in over spring break it seemed business was picking up and with summer, Kathy and Shelley like to have days off. I don't really WANT to work there but I need some income coming in.

I actually pulled my butt out of bed before 8 am to run this morning. It's really nice and sunny plus I had my headphones on and I guess I got a little carried away because I suddenly felt like I was going to puke. Not just a little like I was going to puke; alot like I was going to puke. I'd just crossed the bridge from Island Park to the River Walk. I'm pretty sure I saw my ex husband fishing. (I say pretty sure because I was running and he had his back to me and I wasn't going to stop and stare.) And there were people coming the other way. How embarassing that would have been to be bent over the railing puking my guts out. People probably would have thought that I was a drunk sobering up from the night before. But, I slowed way down and managed to hold in my cookies…Now I feel pretty good.

That is what my legs feel like. I've been walking but that just wasn't cutting it anymore so after some encouragement and advice from a friend and a co-worker, I decided to step it up a notch and run. Yes, run or jog until I'm physically able to run. It wasn't until Monday that I got serious about it. I was wisely advised to alternate running and walking. I walked more than I ran on Monday but today, I'm proud to say that I ran more than I walked…whoo hoo for me! I could tell an almost immediate difference on Monday in my mental state of mind. It also helps that I had a job interview that went really well with a company that I'd really like to work for. Today I'm feeling really good too. Even after discovering that I'm out of money.

I'm such an idiot…I've scored my very second job interview and what do I do? I encourage a friend to submit his resume also. No good deed goes unpunished.

I'm so disillusioned anyways. My first interview was pretty much a dead end. From my end, not theirs. I know that I can not step into that position and do well. The one position IS the database admin and programming department. Six years of my friggin' life and upon graduation, I fear will have wasted my time. So I'll be $35,000 in debt and won't even be working in my chosen field. There are plenty of jobs to be had, if you have experience, which I don't have. To make matters worse, I've got NO job. The job I had, no longer needs me since the insurance agency slowed down. My plan was to work there as a back up until I found something. I just feel so down and dejected right now. Oh well.

So while at a coffee shop last night, I decide to try a drink called the red eye. It is shots of expresso in coffee. I asked how big it is and the guy shows me the one, two and three shot cups. I had almost an entire 4 page essay to write so I go for the three shot size. I FAILED TO COMPREHEND HOW MUCH CAFFEINE I WAS ABOUT TO PARTAKE. I did get alot done at the expense of a very upset stomach. I thought I was going to toss my cookies. But when it was 12:30 am and I wanted to sleep, I really regretted the three shot red eye…My stomach does still hurt a bit this morning.