Wednesday is my day to teach class at the clinic. Sometimes it is a busy day with full waiting rooms, multiple special formulas to deal with, angry clients, and topics of conversations that bring up all the crazy (and sometimes dangerous) things people do with and for their children. Other days are slow and I'm stuck lecturing on the evils of drinking a gallon of juice a day to three or four people in a room and wishing time would move a little faster so I could shuffle them out of the room.
This last Wednesday was one of those slow class days. My last class of the morning had just ended and I decided to participate in my clinic's favorite "quiet clinic time" game: talking. This particular day I had a question for a visiting program director who was working at our clinic, covering for a co-worker on leave. We finished discussing my question, then moved on to other random topics that really had nothing to do with anything. Towards the end of her time together, she asked me a question I've grown used to: Why did you move here? The simple answer is, I found a job here. Straight out of college I found a job and there was no way I was turning down full-time employment with a decent salary and more benefits than I'd find anywhere else in my field with my "level of experience." (aka I just graduated and I spent all my time in college working at a bakery!)
She dug a little deeper than most: Why did you want to move here though? Why did you move down here with no family, no friends, no roommate? She took me a little by surprise. Most people moved on to different topics when I said I moved here for work. I had to think for a second, because I didn't have an answer. After two seconds of stalling, I answered her with the only thing I could think of: Because I could. Why not? I could only move up in life! (A sarcastically funny statement born from the fact that I lived in the basement of my house for the last five years I lived at home. Literally the only move I could make was moving "up" from the basement level of the house! )
In all honesty, that is the entire reason I wanted to move to Charleston, and why I specifically looked for jobs here. Because I wanted to and because I could. Sure, I visited the area with my family. For all of two and a half days. One and a half of which were spent looking at Parris Island watching Marines explain the function and purpose of their training. So after that I plotted and planned to get down here. Everything from taking an internship at a local teaching hospital to getting a job and working for a few months before starting an entirely different course of study at a local college. Basically, anything that would get me where I wanted to go. But I had never visited the city, never did much research into the area, never made much effort to get an "in" anywhere down here for anything I wanted to do. Then I saw the job posting. Then I sent in my resume. Then I went down for an interview. Then I moved. Because I could.
Some people have a defining life goal. They want to be teachers so they can help educate children and teach them about the world. They want to be doctors so they can help heal the sick. Researchers so they can cure terrible diseases and answer the question, "Why." That is amazing. I sometimes wish I had a specific dream to pursue, some specific goal to strive for during my education and career. Perhaps I'll find a driving force in my life somewhere down the road, but at this point I am quite happy with my "because I can" direction. I already have my next "because I can" idea that I think might be fun. Whether or not it works out remains to be seen.
I know that the entire time I live here, no matter how long it lasts, is going to be a great experience. Too many little details have worked out too well for this to be just random fate. I am here for a specific reason, I just don't know what it is. Yet! It could be just so I can say I did something, "Just because I could!"
Well, it is WELL past bedtime and time for me to get some shut eye before I have to get up and go to the early service tomorrow, or today, since it's now after midnight. Since everyone in their right mind will be reading this on or after Sunday morning, I hope you had a great night's sleep and had sweet dreams about sunshine and warmth!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The local language...
I don't know about you, but I don't have an accent.
I don't know about you, but I consider myself polite when dealing with strangers/customers/clients.
I don't know about you, but I try to limit my use of "slang" words.
I don't know about you, but lately I have been paying attention to what people around me are saying, and I feel like the country cousin who has that crazy accent, no manners whatsoever, and speaks some almost uninteligible words.
Before I came down to Summerville, I told myself that I would not allow myself to slip into a Southern accent. Not that I had a problem with an accent- I truly enjoy listening to individuals native to the coastal South and how they pronounce different words, I find the accent fairly soothing. No, I wanted to steer clear of an accent because I like my Midwest accent and figure that some day I might move back, so why lose what I've spent 23 years perfecting? (Also, I have family and friends who would pounce on an accent and tease me mercilessly!!) Day 3 on the job I almost gained my Southern accent. I had been training with my co-worker all day, a lady who is from Summerville and has lived here her entire life. After I was done working with her for the day, I was set up in my office reading my training manual when I suddenly realized that the way I was pronouncing the words in my head was exactly how my co-worker had been saying them all day. It was quite amusing. What was even more funny was me practicing that accent while I was driving home that day. It didn't sound anything like the voice that was in my head! I regressed after that, partially out of natural habit and partially out of spending almost two weeks at home during Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, the other day at church I found myself drawling out a few words and sounds while I was talking with a few people...maybe I am taking on an accent! At the very least I will hopefully start entertaining people with my bad mix of Southern and Midwest accents.
I work in an office that has mostly Southern natives. They might not all be from the Charleston area, but all but two of my co-workers are from Southern states. Everyone in my office is very polite to one another (which I am thankful for every day!), but I noticed a little difference between myself and my Michigan co-worker and everyone else. While we said "please, and thank you." like everyone else, I couldn't help but notice that we seemed a little more "cold" (if that's even the right word) than the other. I paid close attention one day when it was slow in the clinic. (Slow in the clinic means no one is there. There is no middle ground in between crazy busy and completely dead!) The biggest difference I noticed was the fact that everyone referred to one another by the term "Miss" or "Mister" before using the person's name. Whether longtime coworker or new client, older individual or younger, everyone received this treatment. Even clients who come in with bouncing-off-the-walls-throwing-toys-at-your-head children will immediately pounce upon children who don't respond with a "Ma'am" or "Sir" when addressing an adult, and the kids almost always listen! For awhile I just laughed at my discovery. Imagine addressing your co-workers by titles. I mean, at my old job I would just call my boss, "Ted" and the co-workers I liked were addressed by names like Truck, Keri Berry, Craig (Not his real name!), The Einstein Brothers, The Prince of Darkness, The Bluebird of Happiness, Sunshine, Eskimo, James Allen, and Big Head. And remember, those were names for the co-workers I liked! So like I said, at first I kind of laughed at calling my boss "Miss Kristi" in front of clients, but as I became more aware of how people were addressing one another, it became more and more like calling my best friend's mom "Sarah" instead of "Mrs. Everhard" if I didn't call her "Miss" Kristi. Maybe I could be a little more polite...
Like I said, I really try to avoid the use of most slang words. Most of the time I feel like my IQ drops anytime I have to use a slang word, especially the word "like" when used in Valley Girl context (which is something I do ALL the time!). However, it is getting more and more difficult to avoid them. I have a co-worker who "fixes" to do things all the time. I want to look at her and say, "No, you aren't fixing to go to the doctor's office. You are getting ready or preparing to go to the doctor's office." I could give a few more examples of regional slang here in SC, but I would rather just end this section on a big note. My least favorite slang word is "ya'll." Also, "ya'll's" or the very best: "all(s) ya'll's." I understand this is regional slang, but I definitely cannot bring myself to say it. That being said, this is not a "bash Southerners" section. As I mentioned before, I say "like" much to often, and I can state as fact that I am the only one in the office using that particular slang. I would venture to guess that I do not always come across as professional when I say things such as, "The doctor was like, well, we could give the baby this formula but like, what if he needs a different one?" Also, my standard greeting of "How are you guys doing?" during class times or when I have a family visiting the clinic is met with veiled amused disdain. I have resorted to an even more neutral greeting of, "How is everyone doing today?" As a result of my dislike of slang words, I have tried to use more correct grammar when speaking. However, that makes me sound like a robot, so now I am trying to walk the line between being relateable and speaking my primary language in a grammatically acceptable fashion. Oh the difficulties in my life...
Well, I have set as a goal for myself the monumental task of preparing my lunch meals and clothing for the next day on the evening before, so I am off to pull everything together before I retire to my bed to read (or fall asleep as soon as I hit the pillow!) Sleep tight and don't hate me for bragging about my 60 degrees and sunshine for the upcoming weekend!
I don't know about you, but I consider myself polite when dealing with strangers/customers/clients.
I don't know about you, but I try to limit my use of "slang" words.
I don't know about you, but lately I have been paying attention to what people around me are saying, and I feel like the country cousin who has that crazy accent, no manners whatsoever, and speaks some almost uninteligible words.
Before I came down to Summerville, I told myself that I would not allow myself to slip into a Southern accent. Not that I had a problem with an accent- I truly enjoy listening to individuals native to the coastal South and how they pronounce different words, I find the accent fairly soothing. No, I wanted to steer clear of an accent because I like my Midwest accent and figure that some day I might move back, so why lose what I've spent 23 years perfecting? (Also, I have family and friends who would pounce on an accent and tease me mercilessly!!) Day 3 on the job I almost gained my Southern accent. I had been training with my co-worker all day, a lady who is from Summerville and has lived here her entire life. After I was done working with her for the day, I was set up in my office reading my training manual when I suddenly realized that the way I was pronouncing the words in my head was exactly how my co-worker had been saying them all day. It was quite amusing. What was even more funny was me practicing that accent while I was driving home that day. It didn't sound anything like the voice that was in my head! I regressed after that, partially out of natural habit and partially out of spending almost two weeks at home during Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, the other day at church I found myself drawling out a few words and sounds while I was talking with a few people...maybe I am taking on an accent! At the very least I will hopefully start entertaining people with my bad mix of Southern and Midwest accents.
I work in an office that has mostly Southern natives. They might not all be from the Charleston area, but all but two of my co-workers are from Southern states. Everyone in my office is very polite to one another (which I am thankful for every day!), but I noticed a little difference between myself and my Michigan co-worker and everyone else. While we said "please, and thank you." like everyone else, I couldn't help but notice that we seemed a little more "cold" (if that's even the right word) than the other. I paid close attention one day when it was slow in the clinic. (Slow in the clinic means no one is there. There is no middle ground in between crazy busy and completely dead!) The biggest difference I noticed was the fact that everyone referred to one another by the term "Miss" or "Mister" before using the person's name. Whether longtime coworker or new client, older individual or younger, everyone received this treatment. Even clients who come in with bouncing-off-the-walls-throwing-toys-at-your-head children will immediately pounce upon children who don't respond with a "Ma'am" or "Sir" when addressing an adult, and the kids almost always listen! For awhile I just laughed at my discovery. Imagine addressing your co-workers by titles. I mean, at my old job I would just call my boss, "Ted" and the co-workers I liked were addressed by names like Truck, Keri Berry, Craig (Not his real name!), The Einstein Brothers, The Prince of Darkness, The Bluebird of Happiness, Sunshine, Eskimo, James Allen, and Big Head. And remember, those were names for the co-workers I liked! So like I said, at first I kind of laughed at calling my boss "Miss Kristi" in front of clients, but as I became more aware of how people were addressing one another, it became more and more like calling my best friend's mom "Sarah" instead of "Mrs. Everhard" if I didn't call her "Miss" Kristi. Maybe I could be a little more polite...
Like I said, I really try to avoid the use of most slang words. Most of the time I feel like my IQ drops anytime I have to use a slang word, especially the word "like" when used in Valley Girl context (which is something I do ALL the time!). However, it is getting more and more difficult to avoid them. I have a co-worker who "fixes" to do things all the time. I want to look at her and say, "No, you aren't fixing to go to the doctor's office. You are getting ready or preparing to go to the doctor's office." I could give a few more examples of regional slang here in SC, but I would rather just end this section on a big note. My least favorite slang word is "ya'll." Also, "ya'll's" or the very best: "all(s) ya'll's." I understand this is regional slang, but I definitely cannot bring myself to say it. That being said, this is not a "bash Southerners" section. As I mentioned before, I say "like" much to often, and I can state as fact that I am the only one in the office using that particular slang. I would venture to guess that I do not always come across as professional when I say things such as, "The doctor was like, well, we could give the baby this formula but like, what if he needs a different one?" Also, my standard greeting of "How are you guys doing?" during class times or when I have a family visiting the clinic is met with veiled amused disdain. I have resorted to an even more neutral greeting of, "How is everyone doing today?" As a result of my dislike of slang words, I have tried to use more correct grammar when speaking. However, that makes me sound like a robot, so now I am trying to walk the line between being relateable and speaking my primary language in a grammatically acceptable fashion. Oh the difficulties in my life...
Well, I have set as a goal for myself the monumental task of preparing my lunch meals and clothing for the next day on the evening before, so I am off to pull everything together before I retire to my bed to read (or fall asleep as soon as I hit the pillow!) Sleep tight and don't hate me for bragging about my 60 degrees and sunshine for the upcoming weekend!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
See: Resolution #10
At the end of each one of my client sessions, I have to ask the client to write a nutritional goal for themselves. Not just any goal, but a specific goal like, "I promise to eat okra." It has to be measurable too like, "I promise to eat okra every day." And there needs to be a time frame like, "I promise to eat okra every day for the next week, beginning at my lunch meal." It gets to be a painful process.
In any case, between two of my nutrition classes in college and my job, I have gotten REALLY good at writing measurable, specific goals. So I decided that I would take this talent of mine and write some super incredible goals that will help me become a super-duper person in 2011. (I cannot believe that I just wrote 2011.)
1.) I resolve to teach my dog to find a place to sleep other than the one 4'x4' area that connects the kitchen, living room, and hallway by the end of January. I REALLY hate tripping over him. Really, really hate it.
2.) I resolve to not eat out of Tupperware at any point during the year. Another way of reading this: I resolve to keep all my plates and bowls clean so I don't have to resort to eating out of Tupperware.
3.) I resolve that beginning in the month of February, I will stop using the chair by my front door as a dumping ground when I come home. I mean, it's the ONLY chair that directly faces the T.V. It's REALLY frustrating to have to keep cleaning that chair off when I want to watch T.V.. Hmmm...maybe I should just dump all that stuff on the table instead... (Life is so hard, right?)
4.) I resolve to go grocery shopping each week, if for no other reason than it means I will have an abundant supply of plastic bags, which are useful when you have a dog, if you know what I mean.
5.) I resolve to drink or use every drop of milk I buy before the milk expires. Milk is expensive down here and I think I've used maybe a quarter of what I've bought the entire time I've been down here.
6.) I resolve to vacuum the floor every time I see my dog shed. I want to apologize now to my neighbors for having to listen to my vacuum running 24/7. Maybe I should change this resolution to, "I resolve to shave my dog."
7.) I resolve to spend at least one weekend a month at Sullivan's Island during the spring, summer and early fall, maybe more. Because it's just not right to live close to a beach and not visit regularly.
8.) I resolve to write a post for this blog at least once a week, because you know you are all interested in the mundane happenings that make up my life.
9.) I resolve to learn how to make pancakes. More specifically, I resolve to learn how to make pancakes that actually resemble traditional pancakes when I'm done cooking them.
10.) I resolve to stop procrastinating. You know, like waiting to write my resolutions until the middle of January when I really wanted to write them on, you know, the first!
Well readers, it is getting later in the evening and time to start staring down the barrel of another Monday. I should practice resolution #10 and stop procrastinating the entire process of getting ready for bed/preparing for work. Sleep tight and keep an eye out for the freezing rain that's coming! (For me anyways, might have an ice day tomorrow!)
In any case, between two of my nutrition classes in college and my job, I have gotten REALLY good at writing measurable, specific goals. So I decided that I would take this talent of mine and write some super incredible goals that will help me become a super-duper person in 2011. (I cannot believe that I just wrote 2011.)
1.) I resolve to teach my dog to find a place to sleep other than the one 4'x4' area that connects the kitchen, living room, and hallway by the end of January. I REALLY hate tripping over him. Really, really hate it.
2.) I resolve to not eat out of Tupperware at any point during the year. Another way of reading this: I resolve to keep all my plates and bowls clean so I don't have to resort to eating out of Tupperware.
3.) I resolve that beginning in the month of February, I will stop using the chair by my front door as a dumping ground when I come home. I mean, it's the ONLY chair that directly faces the T.V. It's REALLY frustrating to have to keep cleaning that chair off when I want to watch T.V.. Hmmm...maybe I should just dump all that stuff on the table instead... (Life is so hard, right?)
4.) I resolve to go grocery shopping each week, if for no other reason than it means I will have an abundant supply of plastic bags, which are useful when you have a dog, if you know what I mean.
5.) I resolve to drink or use every drop of milk I buy before the milk expires. Milk is expensive down here and I think I've used maybe a quarter of what I've bought the entire time I've been down here.
6.) I resolve to vacuum the floor every time I see my dog shed. I want to apologize now to my neighbors for having to listen to my vacuum running 24/7. Maybe I should change this resolution to, "I resolve to shave my dog."
7.) I resolve to spend at least one weekend a month at Sullivan's Island during the spring, summer and early fall, maybe more. Because it's just not right to live close to a beach and not visit regularly.
8.) I resolve to write a post for this blog at least once a week, because you know you are all interested in the mundane happenings that make up my life.
9.) I resolve to learn how to make pancakes. More specifically, I resolve to learn how to make pancakes that actually resemble traditional pancakes when I'm done cooking them.
10.) I resolve to stop procrastinating. You know, like waiting to write my resolutions until the middle of January when I really wanted to write them on, you know, the first!
Well readers, it is getting later in the evening and time to start staring down the barrel of another Monday. I should practice resolution #10 and stop procrastinating the entire process of getting ready for bed/preparing for work. Sleep tight and keep an eye out for the freezing rain that's coming! (For me anyways, might have an ice day tomorrow!)
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