A New Wrinkle

I have seen “ROFL” on several FB walls over the past several months and I have always been curious of its meaning. Today I looked it up.

ROFL = Rolling on Floor Laughing

Thanks http://www.dictionary.com/. I wonder no more!

My Five Senses

Sight: Almost legally blind, D

Hearing: Will need hearing aids someday, D

Touch: Normal capacity, C

Taste: Normal capacity, C

Smell: Nose like a canine, A++

I think sight would be the absolute worst sense to lose. And if I had to choose one sense to live without, I would choose to lose the sense of smell. Sure, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the smell of rain, homemade bread and cookies baking, but that would be a lot easier to live without than not being able see! Or taste! (Although…I sure would be a whole LOT healthier if I couldn’t taste.)

And, of COURSE, which sense do I excel in? The sense of SMELL! Figures.

Today was one of those days that I wished I was a victim of smelling loss. I’m not sure it is the time of year for fertilization, but it definitely smelled like manure at work. And it didn’t have a subtle or brief presence. Rather, it was potent and managed to linger in the air for quite some time - I’m thinking at least an hour. And the strangest thing about it all, NO one else seemed bothered. There was no mention of the awful smell. And I didn’t want to be the weird new girl who talks about poop.

Weakness

You guessed it. I have a weakness for Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeno Cheetos. And this rare and delicious snack just so happens to be one of the choices in the vending machine this week; which, if you remember from a previous post, is another one of my weaknesses.

I'm done for.

I posted the picture with the Nutrition Facts as a reminder that I need to fight my addiction and start eating healthy. Somehow I don't think this strategy is going to work.

So, my new strategy is to work out like crazy so I can eat all the Cheetos I want. I have appointments with two different gyms on Thursday.

The Week in Review

It's been a week since I last blogged, and there are several explanations as to why. First of all, I am still trying to recover from the hurt feelings I experienced when FB informed me that my blog is malicious (okay, not really). And second, Sister-Steph told me that I write about weird topics which completely shattered my inspiration to write.

I guess it might be true that I write about obscure topics hoping to make it sound like I lead this super exciting life. But, the truth is, the life I lead is quite normal, boring, and for the most part uneventful. That's not to say that exciting things NEVER happen. But rather that most are not significant enough to justify an entire blog entry. So instead of multiple "insignificant" posts throughout this past week, I have compiled all the "insignificant things" that happened into one entry, and have accepted that my life, is what it is. :)

Thursday - I rode my bike to work, made a really sweet PowerPoint presentation, and went to bed STARVING.

Friday - I passed the DDA skills assessment test, cleaned my room, and talked about boys into the wee hours of the night with my best childhood friend...just like the good ole' days!

Saturday - I asked God for help with a particular struggle, I found an earring in my Bible that I thought I lost months ago, I wondered if God listened to my prayer, and I ice-skated for two hours straight.

Sunday - I woke up sore, heard some extremely sad and shocking news, and was TOTALLY creeped out with a certain individual.

Monday - I bought a Chicago Bears hat, ate WAY too much candy, and had a sleepover with Sister-Steph.

Tuesday - I completed AECR training, ate Mexican food, and bought a Jade plant.

I admire those of you who continuously have exciting things to blog about! But does anyone else struggle like I do?

Wait, what?!

I am somewhat a creature of habit. For example, everyday when I get home from work I get on my computer and go through my list of favorite sites in the same exact order: Gmail, Hotmail, Facebook, Blogger, MySpace. HOWEVER. Today there was a slight glitch in my routine. And this, my friends, is how it went:

Gmail – as usual, i didn’t spend much time here. I only had a few messages of the business nature.

Hotmail – as usual, I spent the majority of my time deleting chain letter requests, presidential campaign propaganda, and promises to enlarge body parts that I do not and will not ever have.

Facebook – as usual, I denied various requests and notifications. I gained a new friend and read a new message. I finished up by writing on a few walls.

Blogger – now HERE is where it gets interesting. I always head over to blogger from FB because the link is accessible from my profile. It is a very efficient way of getting through my list. I clicked on the link and this is the message that popped up on screen:

The following website has been identified as malicious:

http://jenniferlair.blogspot.com/

The link you have clicked has been identified by Facebook as a malicious web site. For the safety and privacy of your Facebook account, we strongly suggest you avoid visiting this address.

I am not making this up or embellishing the verbiage. What in the world is going on? Did someone report my website as malicious to Facebook? I’m so confused.

Mr. Snowman,

Bring me a dream (please).

Make him the cutest that I've ever seen (pretty please).





















Hugs and snowflakes,

jennifer

And the Thunder Rolls

Last night I took Adam and Kyle to an NBA game. Yes, you read right. An NBA game. I'm really AM that awesome of a big sister. Each year US Bank sponsors a Minnesota Timberwolves pre-season game in Billings...

...and this year they just happened to be playing the OKC Thunder. I, of course, HAD to go and get my Oklahoma fix!

We had an outstanding time...

...even IF our seats may (or many not) have been in the nosebleed section! :)

Some of the most enjoyable parts of the evening include: (1) Spending quality time with my brothers. (2) Seeing how truly HUGE basketball players are. I mean, I knew they were tall, but seeing them in the flesh is quite impressive! (3) And last but not least, being entertained by Crunch. Not only is he adorably fuzzy and hi-larious, he has some MAD skillz as well. See for yourself...

Work Funny

Co-worker: Okay sir, I went ahead and filed that fraud claim. I have a reference number for you when you are ready.

Banker: Thank you! I’m ready.

Co-worker: The reference number is M as in Marshmallow, N as in Neptune, E as in Eye, 62392814.

E as in Eye?!! Ha! Now that’s funny!

Psalm 103:12

This song speaks volumes as I struggle to deal with the disconnect between my heart and my mind.

Battle of the Bachelors

B.B.A. – I can’t believe it is Friday already. Man, time sure flies…when you are employed! :) A month ago I started working for Banker Connection in Wells Fargo. It has been a pretty intense month, but I am truly thankful to be working for such an incredible company. The work environment is indescribable. I have never been a member of a team that is so accommodating and concerned about my personal success. And the recognition that is given baffles me. Every single person is recognized (at the VERY LEAST) weekly. WOW. How could you not love your job when you know without a doubt that you are genuinely appreciated for the work you do?

In addition to one of a kind support and working conditions, the financial benefits are insane. What a blessing this opportunity is! For the first time, EVER, I have a retirement plan. And it’s a good one. Wells Fargo matches dollar for dollar up to 6% for my 401(k) after a year of service. They will also start contributing to my very own pension after a year. And after only five years, I become fully vested. This benefit alone makes me think that I should stay with Wells Fargo for at least five years. And with the work environment as it is, it should be a very enjoyable five years.

VS.

B.S.E. – I still have a passion for teaching. I mean, I didn’t endure the hardest year and a half of my life going back to school for nothin’!

I really REALLY want to move to Alaska. It is such an incredibly beautiful state (I’m a sucker for mountains and moose), and the adventure of living there would be second to none. In addition to beauty and adventure, teachers in Alaska fair pretty well financially. Well, the teacher salary is at least significantly more than the teacher salaries in both Montana and Oklahoma. AND another cool thing is that you only have to teach for 8 years before you can start taking your retirement. How great is that?!

So, I’m thinking maybe 5 years at Wells Fargo, then 8 years teaching in Alaska. Only 13 years and I can retire and travel the world. Sounds like a good plan, eh?

Hump Day Happenings

Today is the first day of October. WHAT?!

My first task of the day was to ensure that the elementary and junior high children made it safely across the busy street of Broadwater Avenue. I was fully equipped with an orange vest and stop sign.

I heard on the radio this morning that drinking an energy drink is equivalent to drinking 12 cans of Coke. OH MY WORD.

On my way to work a bug flew into my hair and got stuck in the fuzz.

The cafeteria people at work burned something and set off the fire alarm.

I learned a couple of new words today in training. The first: PUPID. I do not like this word. It sounds gross. The second: voluntold. This one, however, is quite funny.

I saw dreamy-work-guy this afternoon when I went to buy a Snickers in the Cantina. He is 6-plus feet of pure handsomeness.

I needed to talk to a certain someone at church this evening and totally chickened out.

I’m going to end my day with some reading and sister-Steph-snuggle time.

I hope your Hump Day was as Happenin’ as mine!