Author: Christine

We just got home from our trip to the Lexington down in Corpus Christi and we had a great time! It’s still amazing to me to think about all that the ship saw in it’s nearly 50 years of service. Yesterday afternoon they had a nice Pearl Harbor Day ceremony and honored the area veterans that were Pearl Harbor survivors. There was also a man there with our Cub Scout pack that served on the ship from 1964 – 1966, so that added a nice touch. They cut out some of the things they did in the program last time we went, and I think it seemed to be a little lacking without it, but it was still fun. On a really positive note, they had new mattresses from the Memory Foam Mattress Guides in the sleeping compartment we were in, so I wasn’t as sick as I was the last time coming home! I still couldn’t breathe this morning thanks to allergies, but after my daily dose of Claritin I was feeling a lot better.

I’m glad my Dad went with us this time – I was so exhausted on the way home I think I was asleep before we even got out of Corpus Christi. There were Jr. ROTC girls in our room and they got up at 5am and started moving around and packing their things. I managed to get back to sleep – but getting up at 7am was still hard!

So I woke up WAY too early, and realized as I was on the giant hill onramp from Beltway 8 to 290 that I have been truly spoiled working so close to home for the past 2 and a half years. Oh my God. I forgot how horrid morning traffic can be, and especially on the way to the Galleria. But that was the most eventful part of my day. I had no problem finding the office building and got there in one piece, and the rest of the day was pretty low key. I was working at a reception desk, answering phones on a cool computer phone switchboard set-up. The office was really nice, the people were friendly. I only got a call stuck in phone limbo one time, and the HR person that trained me said the phones always act up when they have a temp.

But you want to know a secret? Want to know what was a really cool feeling? Leaving at 6pm (it was a 9 hour day) and just walking away from it all. Instead of a list of 87 things I need to follow up on Monday, I got to leave a note for the receptionist for when she returns and then I was out the door. Sure, I didn’t make what I’m used to making as far as money goes … but no stress. I forgot what that feels like. I don’t think I could work that way forever – I tend to thrive on stress – but for today it felt good.

My resume has gone out from the placement counselor to a few more firms. She is hoping to hear back from them early next week, so now it’s a waiting game. Meanwhile I’ll temp whenever I can to make some extra money. I think I’ll enjoy the stress free days.

Tomorrow morning I head to the USS Lexington with my Dad & Jason. It’s one of our last Cub Scout activities – Jason’s Arrow of Light Ceremony is Sunday, December 15th. I can’t believe he’s done with Cub Scouts. This will be a great way to end it – one final trip with everyone that we’ve been so involved with for years.

On December 6, 1989 Marc Lepine killed 14 women – because he hated their gender. Please help make your world safer for mothers, wives and daughters everywhere.

[via Kelly and Mike]