All my friends are gone!

Ok not all my friends, but the amount of people who evacuated the state of Florida this past month is crazy. I wish I were among them.

• Jenny moved to Baltimore and got a Guest Service manager job at the Baltimore Zoo! Jenny was my trainer in Guest Services and definitely one of my first friends in Florida. Jenny and I had a lot in common because we both grew up and went to school up north. We also always joked that another month and another one of our acquaintances would be engaged.
• Delacy left again for Ohio, with the intention of not coming back. Delacy is also one of my first friends in Florida and took care of me at work. 
• Alex from the Science Center is moving to Wisconsin to be with her beloved. Alex was my breath of fresh air. I always surrounded myself with smart enthusiastic people in NY and Boston and longed to have that back in my life. Alex and Sarah would be so nerdy/cool/funny, when we hung out, I was just happy being me. It's definitely a happiness that I've been missing since leaving Boston. I will most definitely miss laughing like an idiot with Alex.
• Brian left today for Pennsylvania. Brian and I were in the same training class, but we did not become super good friends until I started dating Johnny and he was Johnny's roommate. Brian would be my work vent buddy. I loved that he would drag us homebodies out to do things whether it be sushi or a bar. 

I am so thankful to have had these people in my life.  And leave with these lyrics from Wicked "For Good"

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

My school rules

Now that I've finished my first semester back at school, while working full-time, I have developed some habits and rules that making getting through it the second time a lot easier. Granted, my current school is much less rigorous than BU was, but needless to say, the effort must still be there. I have lofty expectations.

1. Complete all assignments a week in advance. Time flies by when you're working and going to school. If you know when your deadlines are, then you will have ample time to complete them. 
2. Reading is important, but reading the chapter summaries are even more important. Reading takes a long time, you can either read the whole thing and not absorb anything or read parts and get the bigger picture. 
3. Never lose points for spelling and grammar. With technology these days, you almost have to try to not spell something correctly. 
4. Always show up and take notes. It always surprises me how many people do not come to class and then if they do they just sit there. I have the worst memory, and have to write everything down. I rate showing up, higher than reading. 
5. Review your notes within 24-hours of class. I don't do this all the time, but it helps to really sink in the material so you don't have to study as hard for the tests.
6. OMG keep a calendar. As I discussed in "Even dolphins run out of time." I would never end up anywhere, if I didn't know where to go and what to do when I get there. 
7. Always have a pen or two on hand. This is more of a life rule. You never know when someone will call and tell you something you need to remember. 
8. Budget!!! School finances sneak up on you. 
9. Finally, keep your eye on the bigger goal. So many times, I thought, why am I doing this?? It's because I want a better life for myself and I enjoy learning. 

Good luck!

A new goal

I'm starting to become obsessed with writing. Victor has coaxed me into writing in my written journal just my thoughts. I try to post here interesting things that I want preserved for the public in case of tragedy.


About a month or two ago, I found a "five-year one line journal." I regret not buying it because it seems like such a cute and good idea. Obviously, I have a journal now; but I would definitely wants something like this in the future. http://www.amazon.com/Day-5-Year-Journal-Potter-Style/dp/0307719774/ref=pd_sim_b_4. This is just a cool way to interact with writing and keep good memories.

In class today, Attorney Gordon talked about an honor society for Paralegal students with exceptional academic ability. It's called Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX). Since I'm in such a small program only one or two people per graduating semester get picked. I have set this as my goal to achieve. Nothing will prove to me more that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I joked from time to time that I will be valedictorian, but I really want to do it and do it right. This is part of my goal of no longer being second best. Well 1.5 years left to prove my stuff.

10 things you shouldn't say to a customer service person

I've heard a lot of crazy things in my life as a customer service agent.  Here is a list of the top 10 things that do not help your case and will probably make me judge you.

1. "I have 200 friends on facebook and I'm going to be sure to tell them never to go to ____" Wow, only 200 friends.  That's the problem with social media these days, most people think they're more important than they really are.  So you have 200 friend, one or two may actually read your posts while the other 198 don't give a shit. 
2. "I can't believe your office isn't open 24-hours a day." What a noble idea to help the economy, but let me ask you this, would you like to stay up until the wee hours working? Neither do I. 
3. "I know ____, he's the owner of the company."  Oh really?! Then why are you calling me instead of him. Again, if you're so important and on his radar, then by all means go through that channel and leave me alone. 
4. "My kid has (insert mental of physical handicap) and I can't believe you treated us this way. I'm going to write to the ADA."  If we were doing something illegal, I would know.  The ADA says "reasonable accommodations," not special treatment. I understand that in some cases you may need extra assistance, but don't milk it. You're ruining it for the people that truly need help.
5. "I only want to speak to a supervisor." Believe it or not, I have the same authority as my supervisor. In fact, my supervisor is just there to make sure I don't hang myself while listening to rant.  So don't start off on the wrong foot by belittling me. 
6. "Well, no one ever told me...." Sounds like a personal problem.  Why don't you try taking some responsibility for your actions.  I don't just show up places and expect them to tell me everything I need to know.  You would end up more mad if you had to take a class every time you tried to go somewhere or do something.  A little tiny bit of effort on your part goes a long way.
7. "That will be the last time I EVER visit you, I'm going to (competitor)" Bye! I'm pretty sure you'll be back though, the next time your kids beg to come visit. And I KNOW you'll be back if I give you free stuff. Sucker.
8. "I paid in cash and have no receipt, but I swear I'm not lying" Hello red flag.  You see yourself as a brilliant actor. I see you as a mother fucking scammer. Stop wasting my time.
9. "Hi, I'm standing outside the customer service area and they're not helping me." The mommy vs daddy routine works sometimes, but most times it means that you didn't get the answer you want because what you want goes against our rules. Calling us, isn't going to help you. Talk to the people in front of you.
10. "I think I should be compensated for my pain and suffering." May I please bring this into perspective.  In your mind you may have suffered, but you should be thanking your lucky stars that you are not enslaved, sick, destitute, starving.  Instead of wasting your money on self-indulgence, why don't you do something that matters.