School, Life, and Job update

It has been awhile since I updated this….again. haha. But here is something at least.

I have officially been accepted to the University of West Florida for their online B.S. in Oceanography. Most of my credits transferred, but I still have about 48 sem hours to take to complete the degree. All but two classes are available online. The other two I will have to take at a college local to me, then apply transfer it to UWF. Luckily the two classes aren’t ones I need to do my other courses, so I can still wait to get residency to take them. With the online program, they have a way to waive out-of-state fees. Turns out, it will actually be cheaper than University of Cincinnati was. Lol.

Sally has been getting along a lot better with Aestyn and the kittys. The kittys are actually able to be out and about and within a foot of her and been fine. Aestyn and Sally still don’t play much, but they do lay up on my bed together and run around together at the dog park.

I have a new job as an office assistant for a customs broker. We handle imports and exports and such and specialize in cruise ships and yachts here in port everglades. It’s a regular 8:30-5 job with an hour lunch so I have time to go home and let the puppies out and eat lunch at home which is nice and cheap. It’s a good pay with paid holidays and benefits after 90 days. It’s a small office at this location. There are only 5 of us. I work under one lady in particular and help her with a variety of tasks. Right now its been a little slow going, but I am hoping to be busier as I get trained to do more things.

I finally met with a recruiter for the coast guard, but due to time constraints it wasn’t very informative and I still have a lot to learn. Luckily with the program I am looking at, immediate residency is not as necessary. But I still want to get some info.

The car has been surviving, though the A/C is not working right. I will have to take it to get looked at this weekend. I am still working for the dive shop, but will be doing more shop work now that I have a steady job and can afford the gas. I did my first Florida dive down here a few weekends ago. The water was rough and made me sick, I only got one dive in. It wasn’t the best dive ever, but I did get to see a HUGE goliath grouper, and a ton of jelly fish everywhere.

I got to visit Tampa with the guy I have been seeing for the super bowl. It was the first super bowl game I have ever actually watched completely. Go me! Also went to the Miami Seaquarium with him the weekend before last. Its a small place but the shows were entertaining and upclose! Got a lot of great pictures. Check them out! I posted my favs on my deviant art!

Mom came to visit for a few days. That was very nice. I am finally starting to feel that homesickness everyone warned me about, but I am handling it well. Myka will be coming to visit in a few weeks!

I am going to start trying to go to meet-up groups. One of the ones I plan to start checking out is a writer’s meet-up group. There is also a photography meetup group and an outdoor meetup group I may try to start being active in, so long as the events are free or cheap.


Well that is all I can think of for now.

~Mary~

FINALLY AN UPDATE

Sorry for the delay in an update. Things hit a bit of a snare and I wasn't in the mood to update until things settled. I ended up quitting my job at Breeder Network because of moral reasons. Too telemarkety and stressful. But I only went a week really before finding my new jobs. Yes, that is pleural! I am a server part-time to start at a new restaurant called Flip Flops. Its been open for a little over a week officially so things are slow as they get advertising going. So it won't be much money until things pick up. But once they do, its a prime spot! Its right on the water with docking for boats and close to the A1A and right next to a ton of condo buildings. I already saw a manatee come up for air right off the docking area, and my coworkers are great. The dress code is wearing a tye died shirt and jeans, so its my kind of place!

My other job I am also just starting at the American Dive Center located in Coral Springs. I will be helping them revamp their website, network, plan dive trips, and help out around the shop. Its a shop that is recovering from bad previous management and in a somewhat hard location because its a little west from the ocean and hard to spot in the shopping center its located in. My job is to try and help strengthen their name and network so that when the season for diving starts, we will hopefully be busy. In return they will pay me what they can and also help me out with deals on moving along in my certifications and diving. And once I reach instructor level I will be able to be in instructor at their shop!

I also will be writing for a website called Examiner.com which, if I generate enough popularity from viewers, I can also generate income of some kind from. Though they are a little vague as to how much, its free to join so it doesn't hurt. And I get to write about dogs, because I will be officially a Dog Examiner. So I plan to have fun with it!

Well I think that is all for now!

~Mary~

Erin's Ridin Dirty

So Erin has a motor bike to get her around, just needs to get it into her name. I am working like crazy now. 9 hour shifts on ones butt are pretty boring, but at least I get to talk about dogs and look at puppy pics all throughout. The people I work with are all rather cool too. Though some are leaving, thus the reason for new hires. When it comes to a sales job, you see a lot of rotation when it comes to employees.

So when moving down south I got a ticket for not moving over a lane when passing an emergency vehicle while going through GA. We had already been driving 10 hours, were almost there, and totally out of it. So we didn't even think to move lanes. Anyways, I finally looked up the ticket to see how much it will cost. It will be over $300. I am so happy I found a job right away *facepalm* My first check comes this Friday, though since it is an active check (as in no direct deposit) I guess I wont get it until monday unless they have them ready tomorrow. *sigh* I made $500 my first week though which is a great start.

Erin and I will be celebrating Christmas with each other and two other friends we know down here that also have families in other states that they can't visit. We are going to do a christmas dinner and not sure what else yet. We actually have presents under the tree thanks to everyone who sent some. Yay for a non-empty christmas morning!

Overall the weather has been great. Erin is already working on 2 potential jobs besides Ballys, things are really coming along!

Well, thats about it for now!

~Mary~

Job Epicness!

So my first real day was Tuesday and I made my first sale! Then yesterday, I was getting no sales, and it was about time for my shift to end. Everyone was having trouble so to encourage sales the managers offered double commissions on the next 2 sales. Well I totally got one in time! And not only was it a simple 1 dog sale, this guy bought 2 for his two sons! So I made a double sale with double commission! So I made $400 freakin dollars in one call! I am sooo happy!

As for other updates, other than work there hasn't been too much else going on. We have just been unpacking and Erin has been meeting with the managers of the two closest Bally's to find a place to work. She is also hunting for bartending jobs right now as well. The puppy is all better and wiggly as ever. Been meeting new people, went to a comedy show because someone we know scored some free tickets, and have been to walk on the beach again.

I just got in my dive gear so I am already plotting dives once money officially starts coming in and I get a better idea of how sales will go in the long run. Erin is in total love with the fluffy kitties and they are getting more spoiled then ever.

So yea updating every day doesn't seem as feasible as I hoped. Just tend to crash early after work. But I will try to update as often as I can. Miss everyone!

~Mary~

New Job!

So I officially have a new job! I start tomorrow at 9am! After that I go to pick up Erin and begin the first of many trips to bring her stuff to our new place. The new job will be working for The Breeder Network. An online dog website where breeders can sell their dogs. People put in their info to request information and my job is to call and interview them. I ask them about what kind of dog they are looking for, what their life is like, income and household situation, so on and so forth. This way I can make sure they can supply a good home, and also match them up with a dog if they are in a good suitable situation. Then if it all goes well I transfer them to the Breed Specialist and they get things finalized. It will be a commission type job but with a great base pay even if I don't make good enough commissions for the week. It will be full time with benefits. It sounds like it will be fun, I get to talk to dog lovers all day! lol Plus after 90 days I am eligible for paid vacation. So I could come visit Cincy and not worry about losing money! haha.

Last night I went out with my friend Brenda and we celebrated. Went to the Blue Martini for ladies night so she could get a cheap drink, then went to the Original Fat Cats to listen to a Reggae band play that she knew and shot pool. It was a fun night!

Today poor Aestyn is sick after getting into the trash yesterday. Its coming out of both ends. Its a good thing I got a job because I had to take her to the vet and it wasn't a cheap visit. Now I have her barricaded in the kitchen where its tile in case she has any accidents. Poor thing. :-(

Well that is the latest for now!

~Mary~

Update! I have internet! Sort of...

Sorry I haven't been on top of this. But without my own internet it has been a little hard. Now I have internet, but not wireless, and the cord is short and not at all by the couch, so it is still annoying. But at least its reliable. Anyways, here is the latest!

I had 2 interviews on Monday and another tomorrow. I still haven't heard back from anyone from the interviews on Friday or Monday but it is tradition to wait a week. I have another tomorrow as well. So its going!

I have been spending time as well going to the dog park with Aestyn. Its barely 5 min away and she loves it there. I met a girl there wearing a Skyline shirt and it turns out she is from Cincinnati and moved here in July. Her Uncle owns one of the skylines here, so that answers how they got here! She and I are going to get skyline sometime hopefully.

Today I am hopefully going to meet up with my friend Brenda who was helping us house hunt. We are going to go to the dog park again together. The cats are situating well and Aestyn is getting used to being in an apartment complex. The only annoying thing I have found is that there has been road construction on our street. Luckily I have been waking up early as it is.

Anyone who wants my new address just e-mail/call/or text me. Erin and I would both love mail!

Speaking of which, Erin is officially getting here on Friday at around 5. ShaBam!

Well that is all for now! Hopefully I will get the router in soon. They were out and will have to ship it. LAME

~Mary~

New place! New Beginnings!

So the trip was long but not nearly as long as it could have been thanks to having my lovely Myka by my side. The cats did a kitty choir here and there, but overall they were calm. Aestyn hated being in the trunk. Myka helped me drive both Monday and Wednesday, and Tuesday we rested in Georgia with her family. It was nice to take that day to rest. The next wasn’t as long. Finally arrived, reviewed the lease, signed it, and got to Erin’s and my new place! The place was still being cleaned because the tenants just moved out the day before. So we set the cats inside and went to the beach with Aestyn and Myka.

We took off our shoes and walked along the beach. Poor Aestyn. You would think she would be all kinds of crazy after being in the car for 9 hours, but I think she was so confused about what was going on, she sorta just stayed by my side and sat beside us when we settled on the beach to watch the ocean. Then we went and had dinner at a café as the newly shampooed carpets dried. By the time we got back it was dry for the most part, and we let the cats out. I was surprised to see they didn’t hide long in the bed room. They were quick to explore. I think they are getting used to moving.

On Thursday we mostly just went shopping for the apartment, came back to road construction blocking the apartment but were able to slip into the side of the apartment complex. We chilled until the construction passed and unpacked what we got while shopping. Later when it cleared out we went to Win Dixie and got some dinner. Came back and crashed early because Myka’s flight left at 6am. I took her at 4:30, came back, napped, then went out before construction started again.

I first went and got some breakfast before going to UPS to check on my shipping and print resumes, but ended up at Office Depot because the UPS stores printer didn’t like me. Went and applied to the China Grill at the Hilton first. Won’t hear back till tomorrow at the earliest because the dinner manager wasn’t in yet. Then I went to the Pelican Grand Beach Hotel and applied as a server. Got an interview after filling out the application. She said I should hear back Tuesday if I am to get a second interview. Next I went to the Cheesecake Factory on Los Olas. Got an interview immediately there as well and she said if I am chosen for a second interview I would hear back Monday. I also sent in a resume for a sale position having something to do with dogs. I got a call back today and have an interview for that on Monday. More job hunting tomorrow!

About the apartment for those curious! It a small complex with only 8 units. There is one assigned spot and a few guest parking spots. We are on the first floor but have no one above us, and a neighbor on one side. We got a corner unit. There are a coin washer and dryer and a back yard for Aestyn. The apartment has awesomely comfortable beds (no bed bugs) with beautiful linens, dressers and closets, lamps, and end tables. The kitchen and dining room have all we need with refrigerator, microwave, dining room table and chairs. The living room has a couch, coffee table, side tables, a TV and stand, and a double desk with two chairs. It’s very roomy and there is a short bar connected to the kitchen with bar stools. Fully carpeted save the laminated floor in the bathroom and kitchen.