Friday, December 15, 2006
The Girlfriend
Things are okay here. I'm a little worried as I seem to be the complete opposite of my boss. Some unimportant situational differences--like he's always hot and I'm always cold--but also our lifestyles are as different as could be. I hate to waste food and drive more than necessary. I recycle and reuse things until they are completely worn out. I cook everything from scratch and buy only healthy food. I exercise regularly. I'm a typical Oregonian.
My boss throws EVERYTHING away despite it needing to be thrown out or not. He is so wasteful---almost throwing out my homemade refried beans which I spent all day preparing! Luckily I caught him in time. He wants to drive back and forth everywhere, not considering the gas that's guzzled up in his Hummer-like SUV! I'm worried that it'll get me so frustrated I won't be happy. To be honest I was already so frustrated I was starting to stress.
However, there's a light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Today I met my boss's girlfriend. She is closer in age to me than to him... or at least she acts like it. I was feeling a bit stressed today, but after meeting her I felt so much better. While my boss and I are pretty much opposites in terms of our lifestyle, his girlfriend is a lot like me. She eats healthy and cleans up after herself. She's easy to talk to and lots of fun. She says all the things I'm thinking!!!!
Don't get me wrong: my boss is a super guy in many ways. He's very concerned for my well-being and extremely generous. He really wants to make people happy, and is protective of his own. I was sneezing some today and he brought me a bottle of cough syrup. Now, that is a very thoughtful thing to do and I appreciate that he did it, but it's just another example of how totally different we are. I would never take cough syrup!! I know that's a silly example, and most of my examples from the day would be non-issues. However, there are a few that I feel strongly about (wastefulness, for example) and I'll struggle to keep quiet. I think this has a lot of potential--so long as I can learn to accept some of his ways, and he can learn to accept some of mine.
I am tired at the end of the day. Not really knowing the schedule and new people, places every day is exhausting. I'm hoping to write more often now that I have stories, not many close friends living nearby, and lots of people far away with whom I want to stay close. However, I did get to see DT yesterday and it reminded me how much I love my friends. Being able to have meaningful conversations with meaningful people sure is sweet!
And I miss my mom way more than I expected...
Good night all.
My boss throws EVERYTHING away despite it needing to be thrown out or not. He is so wasteful---almost throwing out my homemade refried beans which I spent all day preparing! Luckily I caught him in time. He wants to drive back and forth everywhere, not considering the gas that's guzzled up in his Hummer-like SUV! I'm worried that it'll get me so frustrated I won't be happy. To be honest I was already so frustrated I was starting to stress.
However, there's a light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Today I met my boss's girlfriend. She is closer in age to me than to him... or at least she acts like it. I was feeling a bit stressed today, but after meeting her I felt so much better. While my boss and I are pretty much opposites in terms of our lifestyle, his girlfriend is a lot like me. She eats healthy and cleans up after herself. She's easy to talk to and lots of fun. She says all the things I'm thinking!!!!
Don't get me wrong: my boss is a super guy in many ways. He's very concerned for my well-being and extremely generous. He really wants to make people happy, and is protective of his own. I was sneezing some today and he brought me a bottle of cough syrup. Now, that is a very thoughtful thing to do and I appreciate that he did it, but it's just another example of how totally different we are. I would never take cough syrup!! I know that's a silly example, and most of my examples from the day would be non-issues. However, there are a few that I feel strongly about (wastefulness, for example) and I'll struggle to keep quiet. I think this has a lot of potential--so long as I can learn to accept some of his ways, and he can learn to accept some of mine.
I am tired at the end of the day. Not really knowing the schedule and new people, places every day is exhausting. I'm hoping to write more often now that I have stories, not many close friends living nearby, and lots of people far away with whom I want to stay close. However, I did get to see DT yesterday and it reminded me how much I love my friends. Being able to have meaningful conversations with meaningful people sure is sweet!
And I miss my mom way more than I expected...
Good night all.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Day Three
I called about health care coverage today and it's going to cost minimum $309/month. Dental coverage isn't even offered to individuals... My boss offered to help pay the other day, but he didn't know how much it'd be. Also, since I haven't had coverage in over 63 days so I'd only be covered with emergency care for 180 days! No check ups, appointments or anything! After 6 months co-pay would be $25. If I want prescription coverage I have to pay almost $500/month. Ridiculous.
Today's my day off and I want to get into Boston soon. I planned on walking the freedom trail but I'll probably not have time. My boss hired Merry Maids and two young women are here cleaning. They've been here for 2 hours and are still basically just in his master bedroom. They made all the beds, but haven't cleaned anything yet. It's costing us $650 for this deep clean. I think he didn't want to pay, but couldn't stand the idea of something being too expensive for him. We got quotes for weekly cleans too, but I don't know how much they are yet. It'll be much faster once the major dust and grim are gone. Mostly kitchen floors and bathrooms need to be done every week, and then beds changed and everything vacuum every other week. I'm supposed to be supervising the cleaners, but they don't really need it.
Bostonians aren't chatty like Oregonians. Like these Merry Maid girls: I often go into a room and say something and they simply don't respond whatsoever. One is nicer than the other, but both are pretty quiet. And the oldest daughter, she's pretty quiet too. She doesn't speak in the car and answers, "Yes," "No," and "I don't know," to all my questions. When we get out of the car she goes into the house and doesn't wait for me to get out, get my bag/coat, etc. It's just different. She's nice enough when we're all sitting down to dinner, and is lively with her brother and sister. I think it's just 'cause we're strangers. I'm noticing it more and more with people around here.
My fingers are sore. Today's my day off but I am doing lots of laundry because I want to have the cleaners make the beds, and put out fresh towels and rugs. I'm probably actually saving myself time by doing the laundry today and letting them do all the beds rather than waiting for tomorrow when I'm officially working and have to do it all by myself. I actually prefer to clean now (team spirit!) and just get it done. But my fingertips are sore on my day off. That stinks.
I moved the furniture in my room today and I like the layout a lot better. Two twin beds and the two large dressers I have in my room fit awkwardly in any arrangement. I had to move things around and vacuum under everything though. The floor was littered under the bed and all the dressers. Someone else's dirty socks in my room! Yuck! I'm feeling more settled now though. I washed everything--from bed duster to comforter on both beds--and I feel much better here. It's the way I like it. I'd show you pictures, but remember a digital camera is on my Christmas list. =)
Time to grab lunch and get ready to head into the city. I'm going to do errands like open a bank account, then walk the Freedom Trail if I have time. I have to sightsee, even if it's alone. Then DT and I are going out for dinner tonight. I'm so excited to see him and relax. I think I'm going to be lonely here. I guess it's good I got used to that the last two years.
Today's my day off and I want to get into Boston soon. I planned on walking the freedom trail but I'll probably not have time. My boss hired Merry Maids and two young women are here cleaning. They've been here for 2 hours and are still basically just in his master bedroom. They made all the beds, but haven't cleaned anything yet. It's costing us $650 for this deep clean. I think he didn't want to pay, but couldn't stand the idea of something being too expensive for him. We got quotes for weekly cleans too, but I don't know how much they are yet. It'll be much faster once the major dust and grim are gone. Mostly kitchen floors and bathrooms need to be done every week, and then beds changed and everything vacuum every other week. I'm supposed to be supervising the cleaners, but they don't really need it.
Bostonians aren't chatty like Oregonians. Like these Merry Maid girls: I often go into a room and say something and they simply don't respond whatsoever. One is nicer than the other, but both are pretty quiet. And the oldest daughter, she's pretty quiet too. She doesn't speak in the car and answers, "Yes," "No," and "I don't know," to all my questions. When we get out of the car she goes into the house and doesn't wait for me to get out, get my bag/coat, etc. It's just different. She's nice enough when we're all sitting down to dinner, and is lively with her brother and sister. I think it's just 'cause we're strangers. I'm noticing it more and more with people around here.
My fingers are sore. Today's my day off but I am doing lots of laundry because I want to have the cleaners make the beds, and put out fresh towels and rugs. I'm probably actually saving myself time by doing the laundry today and letting them do all the beds rather than waiting for tomorrow when I'm officially working and have to do it all by myself. I actually prefer to clean now (team spirit!) and just get it done. But my fingertips are sore on my day off. That stinks.
I moved the furniture in my room today and I like the layout a lot better. Two twin beds and the two large dressers I have in my room fit awkwardly in any arrangement. I had to move things around and vacuum under everything though. The floor was littered under the bed and all the dressers. Someone else's dirty socks in my room! Yuck! I'm feeling more settled now though. I washed everything--from bed duster to comforter on both beds--and I feel much better here. It's the way I like it. I'd show you pictures, but remember a digital camera is on my Christmas list. =)
Time to grab lunch and get ready to head into the city. I'm going to do errands like open a bank account, then walk the Freedom Trail if I have time. I have to sightsee, even if it's alone. Then DT and I are going out for dinner tonight. I'm so excited to see him and relax. I think I'm going to be lonely here. I guess it's good I got used to that the last two years.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Christmas List and Other Important News
I think it's finally time I post on my blog.
The biggest news is that I found a job. I went out to Boston Tuesday through Friday last week to interview and I'm going out again on Tuesday to start! Now, it's not exactly what I was hoping for, but hear me out...
It's a live-in nanny/driver position for a law professor at a college in Boston. Since I'm really anxious to get out to Boston ASAP and I'm realizing it might take a little longer than I hoped for a job at the university I think it's a good compromise. It includes room and board and even a car and gas and cell phone. It sounds like there will be other perks to the job and I'll be able to save a bundle on all living expenses.
Since the kids are only at their father's house one weeknight and every other weekend the nanny role is pretty minor. The kids stay with their mother the rest of the week and weekends, but I'm still working full-time as my boss's driver/personal assistant. I think I'll end up managing all of his home life because he doesn't like to take care of those matters.
The kids are 10, 11 and 13 and I got to meet them on Wednesday night. They are all sweet and seem easy to get along with. There are no behavioral issues and they just need someone to hang out with.
I'll keep you updated as things progress.
And my Christmas List: some years I don't ask Santa for anything, but I'm feeling more needy this year!
Sierra's Been Good List
• tickets to Dancing with the Stars!
• RAM for my computer
• a subscription to Cuisine at Home magazine
• a digital camera
• gloves for the cold winter ahead of me
• cash for my student loans
No stocking stuffers really, but I could always use Aveda shampoo and my Mary Kay foundation is getting low. Just think about it... =)
Send me your wish list and I'll wish I was richer... Merry December!
The biggest news is that I found a job. I went out to Boston Tuesday through Friday last week to interview and I'm going out again on Tuesday to start! Now, it's not exactly what I was hoping for, but hear me out...
It's a live-in nanny/driver position for a law professor at a college in Boston. Since I'm really anxious to get out to Boston ASAP and I'm realizing it might take a little longer than I hoped for a job at the university I think it's a good compromise. It includes room and board and even a car and gas and cell phone. It sounds like there will be other perks to the job and I'll be able to save a bundle on all living expenses.
Since the kids are only at their father's house one weeknight and every other weekend the nanny role is pretty minor. The kids stay with their mother the rest of the week and weekends, but I'm still working full-time as my boss's driver/personal assistant. I think I'll end up managing all of his home life because he doesn't like to take care of those matters.
The kids are 10, 11 and 13 and I got to meet them on Wednesday night. They are all sweet and seem easy to get along with. There are no behavioral issues and they just need someone to hang out with.
I'll keep you updated as things progress.
And my Christmas List: some years I don't ask Santa for anything, but I'm feeling more needy this year!
Sierra's Been Good List
• tickets to Dancing with the Stars!
• RAM for my computer
• a subscription to Cuisine at Home magazine
• a digital camera
• gloves for the cold winter ahead of me
• cash for my student loans
No stocking stuffers really, but I could always use Aveda shampoo and my Mary Kay foundation is getting low. Just think about it... =)
Send me your wish list and I'll wish I was richer... Merry December!
