Wednesday, January 23, 2008

to fill the time

It's my usual middle-of-the-night activity over here, listening to my son toss and turn in bed. I'm unable to go back to sleep until he does, sooo...


Saw this over at Kellie's and wanted to play along.

4 jobs I have had

Hmm...a little tricky because I think I've answered a question like this before, so let's see if I can come up with something original.

Banana Republic. My timing on this job was good. I was in grad school, ready to enter the workforce but no $ for work clothes. Enter BR with their 50% off discount. hooray! I think I still have my Banana black suit in the closet upstairs. I wore it to all of my first interviews.

Waitress. A few different places in high school, and college, and grad school. This is such a tough job, and I always thought it was stressful. Waiters & waitresses certainly earn every dollar that comes their way. Tip well, folks! (that is, if the service is good.)

Receptionist. Again, at a few different places. One post was working at the alumni office back in college. There it is in the picture above. As you can see, the office is in an older historical home that's been converted into office space. Very pretty on the inside and out. All the bigwigs worked upstairs in these beautifully converted bedrooms. My space was downstairs, right inside the foyer. There was a lovely view outside the window next to my desk. I had this job when I was a senior, and I remember many mornings looking outside, wondering where I would be the following year.

Women's shelter volunteer. No pay of course, but technically still a job. This was another chapter from college. I went through a training program to be a person who answers the telephone hotline number at the shelter. Most of the time the phone would not ring, but I remember a couple of times it did. There were a lot of students who volunteered in this position. I think we would volunteer in 2-hour increments. You would bring a book and sit at a little desk and wait for the phone to ring. If it rang, you had to talk to whomever was calling and try to get as much information you could from the caller, letting her know that she would be safe to come in. Then you had to fill out a little report on the call. I must admit that most of my shifts there I would secretly pray that the phone wouldn't ring, because I was worried about saying the right thing.


4 movies I would watch over and over again
Legally Blonde
When Harry Met Sally
Chariots of Fire
Out of Africa

4 places I have lived

Athens, Ohio

Mackinac Island, Michigan

London, England
Chicago, Illinois

4 people I email daily

This is tough. How about 'people I email often'? These are the regulars.
my sister in-law
my husband
various members of my family

4 favorite things to eat

homemade chocolate chip cookies
homegrown tomatoes
fried chicken
seasonal fruit...grapes, apples, peaches, plums...yum.. oh, summer.

4 places I would rather be

up in bed
on my porch with a good book on a warm evening
at the pool with my husband and kids (the outdoor pool)
at a great summer party with my husband and our friends

4 things I look forward to this year

(only 4? Come on!)
meeting my cousin's new baby girl twins
making a decision about school for our son
Brig's wedding in February
my next trip to the hairdresser...ooh la la...highlights
a trip to the Outer Banks with my family & extended family in August
Sex and the City hitting theaters in late spring
eating with my family out on our porch again
wearing sandals and shorts
a possible trip to Charlotte in April
getting a new bathing suit
letting my hair air dry every day
seeing the plants and flowers come back
hosting a baby shower for my neighbor who is pregnant with her first child
resuming daily jogs outdoors (too much of a wimp these days)
going to the park with my kids
spending time outside with my husband
driving around with the windows down
jumping on the trampoline with my kids
watching the fireworks in the park on the 4th
college football games in the fall with my husband

4 people I will tag

How about just 1...
Preppy Rider (bring it back, PR!)

12 comments:

Jenny said...

"Out of Africa" is one of my favourite movies too.

tulipmom said...

When Harry Met Sally ... know every line by heart, seen it a million times, and still as good as the first time.

You certainly have a lot to look forward to this year. I think it's great that many of the things on your list are simple everyday events .... thanks for reminding us to look forward to the small stuff, too.

Kellie said...

I'm glad you played along!

Mackinac Island? Is that where all the lilacs are? I want to go there...

And I miss PR's blog, so I'm sending my vote for her to bring it back too...

Libby said...

I was a waitress in college too. I think it still stands as one of the toughest jobs I've ever held.

Hang in there, spring is on her way.

Meg said...

Jenny - it's one that I'd like to be watching right now, actually.

Tulipmom - thank YOU.

Kellie - I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know if Mackinac is where all the lilacs are. I hadn't heard that before...but then again, I'm not a gardener, like you! It is worth a visit though. Beautiful place to see. And, thanks for voting for PR!

Libby - definitely! Spring is one day closer today. :)

3 Peanuts said...

I went to grad school in Athens Ohio and when I first saw that photo I thought it was OU!

Also LOVE when Harry met Sally.

k

Rosemary said...

I loved reading about you.
Have a great evening,
Rosemary

Suburban prep said...

Mackinac Island.
must have been beautiful although cold in the Winter.
Hubby and I have been trying to get there each summer but time gets away from us. Plus, I want to stay at the Grand Hotel and it is not cheap.

bethy said...

no you did not live on mackinac island! i am JEALOUS. so JEALOUS!
hmmm...you are excited about bathing suit shopping? what is your secret? do tell. and one more thought...april! really? i am going to be gone the 13th-17th. please tell me that is not when you will be here!!

Meg said...

hd - you must know Mackinac, otherwise you wouldn't be jealous! I'll email you about potential trip...this just might work out!

tommie said...

I loved working retail, I still have a few clothes from those days.

When Harry Met Sally is one of my favorite movies!!

Tres Poshe Preppy said...

I love Mackinac Island, lucky you and London, even luckier you...