Y’all know I was VERY concerned about taking so much time off work [which can be read found by clicking HERE] mostly for two reasons.
- I didn’t want to get fired.
- I was afraid I would go on a downward spiral.
Luckily?
My fears have been alleviated.
And here’s why …
My beautiful-darling-overprotective-overbearing-loving-Jewish-Italian mother holds me accountable for maintaining my daily routine by making me call her every single morning, before 9am. And if I don’t? She blows up my phone like a drill sergeant – with incessant calls/texts/emails. I swear to God she even figured out how to UNSILENCE my cell-phone, even if it’s turned OFF.
** And I’ve never appreciated THAT as much as I do at this very moment!!! **
I am also extremely grateful to my friends: Kristy, Jennifer, Claudia, Amy The Bartender, Mike & Suzy Mazz, Coach Ickes, Dr. Dugan, John B, Junk-Drawer-Kathy (yeah, I’m looking at you Frederick) – just to name a few – for checking in on me, worrying about me, supporting me, FaceTiming, texting, calling, bringing food & toilet paper & school supplies, and for keeping me safe and sane – all while cheering me on studying #BestTeamEver
I genuinely LOVE all that you’ve done for me. I will be ETERNALLY grateful.
Now, let’s get down to business.
As far as my work/job is concerned:
After a horrible bout of bronchitis this past week, obviously my doctor had no choice but to keep me out of work, for another two weeks, and he really didn’t want me back in the building while there are still active COVID-19 cases – especially since MY sickness could make THEM even worse.
According to the excerpt below, from a letter I received from corporate, I am no longer employed. But I might be able to re-apply for a new job…or even my old job – at the same location – once things settle down.
“Your job is not protected under blah blah law and you haven’t been a full-time employee for 12 months. Your leave began on 04/08 through 04/22. If you’re unable to return to work after 04/22 we will be unable to hold your position any longer. When your situation resolves, you may apply for any positions at our company, at the same location, that you’re qualified to fill.”
While I am FAR from financially wealthy/independent and I definitely NEED a paycheck – I’m just going to have to worry about that later.
Because truthfully?
I don’t know if I am able to handle working and attending classes. At the same time.
Speaking of school:
I am taking the accelerated course. It normally takes TWO YEARS to learn what I am trying to learn in just SEVEN MONTHS.
So far, I’ve gotten all A’s with the exception of one B. And that was simply because I was sick AF with foggy brains – yet I still pushed though studying and attended my online classes. Nevertheless, I was REALLY pissed off/upset about getting that grade, even though it was really a B+.
Needless to say, school has gotten much more intense than I ever expected.
It’s fascinating.
It’s challenging.
It’s interesting.
But …. it’s a bit overwhelming.
Thankfully, I currently live alone and I am not bothered with any distractions or interruptions, nor do I need to take care of anyone else. I am able to laser focus and concentrate. Seriously, I would legit MURDER anyone that got in my way right now. And besides, there’s no room inside my tiny-shitty-garage-apartment – because my house looks like a classroom THREW UP all over it. Every thing, in every room, is COVERED with notebooks, index cards, highlighters, sticky notes, pens, pencils, markers, colored tabs, gigantic books, computers, binder clips, ect.
The ONLY downside to living alone is that I am forgetting to eat, because I’m so busy studying, I lose track of time. By the time I realize class is about to start … I choke down a few cookies, or a butterscotch krimpet, purely for sugar energy! It would be nice if someone would just bring me a plate of food – twice a day – ALREADY cooked that didn’t require any action (including cleaning) on my end!
But since that’s not happening, I’ve been living off bowls of potato chips, Mac N Cheese, the occasional can of tuna, and Ramen noodles – like a kid in college. Except that I’m 45! Not 20! Probably not the healthiest nutritional choices. And also probably why I got that one B test score – I didn’t eat until 10pm when class was OVER.
Sooo…I’ve decided I have to set another alarm on my phone simply to remind me to EAT FOOD. And to STAND UP stretch my legs, back & neck.
And that’s about all for now.
Stay. Tuned.
Love,
M
(PS: Yes I am writing this blog post at 3am – because I have insomnia – because I can’t shut off my brain. And I needed to get this OUT of my head. And Friday is my “BRAIN BREAK DAY” – so I actually CAN sleep in, until 10am. DON’T WORRY MOM!!)
