Christmas morning

This was the scene in the living room Christmas morning-before the carnage began. Mom and Kathyrn go a little over the top. I will point out that the 2 biggest boxes are from me and to me.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Home for the holidays...I hope.

I'm back from a month in Canada. I got back Monday morning after 12+ hours of travel and two 3 hour layovers. I had thought I was going to have to leave again today or tomorrow, but thankfully the site pushed the install. For now, I'll be home for Christmas, but that could change in the three business days before Christmas. I'm preparing like I'll be here. Adam and I went shopping yesterday, he likes watching me spend money, and we began discussing the menu last night after a nice evening with Juliet, Dave and the kids. I miss my nephews when I'm on the road and love the hugs I get when I see them again.
I'm keeping things simple this year. I got one big gift for everyone in the house and just one thing for each of the kids. OK, one big one for William split between me and Kathryn's boys. I've realized over the last year that I don't need much and I hope my family hasn't gotten me too much stuff. As it is the TSA questions the number of electronics in my carry on bag.
I'm feeling better than my last post and I appreciate all the kind words you gave me. I'm hanging in for now but keeping my options open.

The things I miss...

When I took this job I knew I was going to be on the road at least 90% of the time. I knew I would be away from home and my family and friends (the few I have) for long periods of time. For the first eight months it wasn't so bad. I was home for a few days every couple of weeks and got to do laundry at home and sleep in my bed for a few nights before heading to my next site. I wasn't working non stop though, like so many of my co-workers. I felt like I was being held back in my work and pushed to be given more responsibility.
In October I was made a lead installer. I was happy. I felt like I had finally been acknowledge for all my hard work. I was going to be in charge of my sites from now on, not just come in at the end and do support work. Plus, leads work more and that equals more money.
I didn't realize how lonely I was getting.
For around a week I train, I don't have much time to go out and see and do things and even when I do, I am alone. I can't socialize with my students, I'm in a strange place with no one for hundreds or thousands of miles that I know. I eat out all the time and it shows. All the clothes I bought when I started are hanging in my closet in Michigan, too small to even think about.
I'm depressed, sad and lonely. My eyes well up at just the thought of being home.
This past Thursday, Thanksgiving, I was working in Canada. My dear, sweet, loving, understanding family and I thought I would be home the next day. They changed the day of celebration just so I could be there. I didn't make it. Due to problems on the site we push the schedule a day and they sent me straight to my next site even though I don't start work till Monday.
I cry a lot now. I can't remember the last time I felt this awful about my life. And the worst part is, I don't know what I would do if I quit. I don't want to go back to the front desk of a hotel. The money would be a joke after this job. But I don't know how much longer I can keep up this pace
I'm open to any and all suggestions here. In the mean time, keep me in your prayers.

Unexpected things

I have traveled, once again, to Canada. In 'the states' it's fall. The weather is cooler, but not what I would call cold. That is not the case in Slave Lake Alberta. The high temperature yesterday was 51 F. and the low was 19 F. Yes, I said 19. I forgot how cold that is. I forgot I hated cold. I forgot my secret desire to move to a warmer climate away from frost and snow and the need for long under ware and layers.

I had a 3 hour drive from the Edmonton airport to get here. I passed through one town with a McDonald's and A&W and that was it. My options for food are severely limited here. When I got to town I was told by my co-worker that there were only 2 sit down restaurants in town and a few fast food places. Turns out there was more than that. A guy came into the hotel and said he had just come from a Chinese restaurant. So, tonight I went looking for it. I couldn't stand a THIRD NIGHT OF BOSTON PIZZA! Well, I couldn't find it. I guess my directions were bad, but I looked all over and didn't see it. You know what I did find though? You would never guess, not in a million years. I did a triple take myself when I saw the sign 'Adam's Addition Fine western and Lebanese Cuisine.' The menu was huge, the kind Gordon Ramsay would have a fit over. They had everything on the menu...bar food, steak, pizza, pasta, burgers and stir-Fry's. I questioned the waitress because I looked all over the menu and didn't see any Lebanese food. She looked at me kind of funny and said "Do you want the Lebanese menu?" Of course I did-why wouldn't I? She produced a much smaller single page menu with the some basic stuff, falafel, shawarma, baba, humus...I ordered the shawarma platter. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was a nice change of pace and completely unexpected.

Tomorrow I might try and find the Chinese place again, and maybe the lake. I'll let you know.

I am a vegetable.

My last post I loved meat...today I am a vegetable. I'm home. Home for more than a day. My laundry is done and I feel like doing nothing else. Sadly, I have things to do...I have a doctors appointment in the morning and I have to take my car to the shop...the car that I don't drive...because it's making a funny noise and I fear for the safety of my family who are using it. That's my list for tomorrow. Beyond that, I've been spending a lot of time in the basement watching movies with the guys and sleeping late.
I know what your thinking. Where are the updates on where she's been, why isn't she posting pictures? Well, I'll get there...just give me another lazy day, OK?

I like meat.

I do. I love a good burger or a juicy bratwurst. I also love steak, and that's what this is all about, steak. I was in San Dimas California last week, home of Bill and Ted and their most excellent adventure, and one night I was asked where I wanted to go for dinner. I knew all the chain restaurants that I'd passed, but I wanted to try something I couldn't find off any freeway exit, so I turned to my answer for all: Google. In my search I found an entire website devoted to San Dimas Restaurants and when my thought of sushi was shot down the name Pinnacle Peak caught my eye. I took a look at the website and off we went, or we tried that is. At 6:45 PM on a Thursday the place had a line out the door! I had to be at work at 8, so we decided to something faster and try again the next day. We opted for an early start on Friday and got there before they opened at ten till 5. Would you believe they already had a line of people waiting to get in and more sitting in their cars?? They have a big window in front that looks right into the kitchen so we got to watch the guy working over the open fire grill. Once we got in the place was super fun. A big sign by the hostess stand says "STOP NO TIES ALLOWED." And they mean that too. If you come in wearing a necktie they will literally cut it off of you and hang it from the ceiling with your business card. The ceiling and walls were lined with them. The rest of the place was all cowboys and Indians and old western movie stars portraits hanging on the walls. The menu was on a paper bag that doubles as a carry out container.

Oh my! I almost forgot to tell you about the food! Well, I got the rib and steak combo. Lesson learned: don't order ribs at a steak place. They were OK, a little on the dry side for me, but they had a real nice flavor. The salad was generic iceberg mix from a bag. The bread was fresh, but the butter was cold. The beans had a real nice smoke taste, but I just wasn't in the mood. The steak? OH! Cooked to perfection, like the cook was reading my mind! No extra flavor or spice, just pure smokey meat that melted in your mouth and left you wanting more. I can't remember the last time I had a steak that good. Maybe never. I couldn't eat it all, so I cut it up into strips and took it back to the hotel. When I got hungry a few hours later I reheated it and it was just as good. I could even cut it with a plastic knife. I was like butter. Are you as hungry as I am now?

Random images...

I thought I'd share some random images with you today of things of found on my travels. Below is the only picture I took in Toronto (besides Mr. Dangles.) This is North America's largest indoor Asian market. It's in Toronto's China Town. I took a walk there one evening before going to work. It was late on a Sunday night, so none of the stores inside were open, but I had to take a picture to make my sister Juliet jealous :-p

On the left is a room key from one of the hotels I worked at. Too cute. I love monkeys and I loved the hotel too. I still dream of Andover.

The idea of direct flights is somewhat foreign to my employer. I usually have to connect at least once because it makes for a cheaper ticket, even if I end up going south then north and then east...it doesn't make much sense. To the right is a scan of a tag they put on my luggage one time. It was hot pink, not sure why it wouldn't scan that way.

Fay and other things

We'll start with most recent events first. I'm down in Jacksonville Florida working support at a new build and outside tropical storm Fay is hard at work. It's hardly stopped raining since I landed here yesterday afternoon and the winds are strong. I thought I liked the rain. Maybe I was wrong. I could take it if it wasn't so strong and the wind let up, but this is heavy downpour beating against you. The frogs seem to be happy though. They are making all sorts of noise outside tonight.
Working backward now. I turned in the keys to my apartment on Wednesday afternoon. It took a lot for me to get out of there. I have a lot of stuff. Not big stuff, but little stuff. I have more kitchen stuff then I realized, some of it has been collecting dust in high cupboards for over a year, maybe the whole 2 1/2 since I lived there. And bathroom stuff! I threw a lot away before I packed up-but I think I've had some of that stuff since college and only used it once. I've decided that I need to cut back on a lot of junk in my life and I plan on leading a much simpler life in the near future. I say that now, we shall see how long it lasts.
Somewhere in all that activity I went to the doctor. I knew I had put on some pounds with the new job, but she confirmed exactly how much I've gained in the last year. Not good. I am trying to watch my bad habits, less french fries and more fruit, more exercise and less TV. We'll see how this works out when I go back in three months.

Luggage update

I got my bag back after 11 PM on Tuesday night. It doesn't look damaged-that's a plus. I just wish I'd had a better idea of when it was coming-I stayed home all day because I was afraid they would show up and I wouldn't be here. Oh well, I needed a bum day after my travel ordeals.
Today (well, technically yesterday) I got my laundry done and spent some quality time with my sister and nephews. Sister claims that big boy asks for me all the time, but when I come over he ignores me for a good part of the visit and treats me like a jungle gym for the rest of it. That boy sure does keep my upper body strength up-he hardly lets me put him down once he realizes I'm there. Then there's little guy, he likes it when I throw him up in the air and flip him upside down. He fell asleep today as I was feeding him apple Cinnamon oatmeal baby food. It smelled good. I almost ate it.
I thought I was going to be social tonight. I planned on going to see my friend Michael's band play. I was just about to leave when he called and said the show was cancelled. So, instead I went to the grocery store and bought some fruit, milk and fudge bars.
I should go to sleep. I have to go to the dentist in the morning. I have 2 appointment. One for a cleaning and one to be fitted for a crown. YEEE!
Later.

Well, I made it home...

...but my suitcase did not. I guess the plane I was supposed to take from Minneapolis to Chicago took off eventually but got diverted to Milwaukee. So, Northwest had no idea where my bag was when I landed in Detroit at 1:30 AM (did I mention the flight they re booked me on was delayed too.) It's a good thing I don't keep anything essential in my checked luggage. So I don't wear makeup for a few days, oh well.

Delays, transfers, bugs and other 'fun' things...

I realize it has been a while since I've posted. No one has complained, furthering my opinion that no one reads this thing...but sometimes it makes me feel better to put things out into the void. Since I last posted I spent a lot of time at home. 3 weeks and 2 days at home.
Week 1 home I went to a Detroit Tigers game with dad and had a root canal the next morning. Good times. I spent time with all the other family too and decided to give up my apartment to save money and pay down my debt. This is the longest I've been home since I started this job. Before this my longest time home was 10 days. So, why keep the apartment?
After the first week I called up the old job and asked if they needed any help. Lucky for me someone had quit that week and they did need me. I picked up nearly 40 hours in my second week home-that will be some nice money next week since I only had 3 days on my last paycheck. My old friend Michael convinced me to go with him to Kalamazoo that Saturday to see The Verve Pipe (my all time favorite band.) This proved interesting since I was working that morning and the next at the hotel. I ended up getting an hours sleep before dragging myself to work. I don't know how I got through the day, but those 5 hour energy shots really work.
Week 3 home, dad and I went to Cedar Point (America's Rocking Roller Coast!) and I stewed at home waiting for something to come on my schedule.
After a few calls and emails to managers at both my company and the company I contract with I got put on a site. I got to go back to Saskatchewan Canada and did support for my friend Jen. This is the 3rd hotel I've been at with Jen plus 4 weeks of training that we spent together. I think I've spent more time with her on this job then anyone else.
The hotel was a new build, I like those the best. But this place was a little smelly. Literally. Behind the hotel was an ethanol plant, a refinery and a drainage area. It smelled like poo. And the drainage area brought a lot of bugs. I didn't go outside one night but somehow got about 5 mosquito bites. Beatles were crawling all over the lobby and moths were everywhere. All in all it was a good week though.
Now, the fun part of my job. Travel. I can't remember the last time I had a direct flight. I should buy myself a neon green t-shirt that says transfer on the front. So, what was bound to happen at some point finally has. I am delayed. A lot. They had me booked from Regina to Minneapolis and Minneapolis to Chicago, then Chicago to Detroit on a different airline. It must have been the cheapest. Storms in Chicago delayed my departure though. At that time, my connecting flight was on time, so I was able to get re booked on a direct flight to Detroit. That flight was supposed to leave 45 minutes ago. It got delayed because the crew is flying in from Chicago. Go figure. Who knows how I'll get my bag. I'll update you on that one Later.

Eating alone 101

Something I never considered before taking this job was eating in a restaurant alone. I always felt sorry for people sitting by themselves in crowded places, but now I count myself among them. It was completely unavoidable, unless I wanted to eat all my meals out of take-out containers in my hotel room. The key to a successful restaurant meal alone is to keep yourself occupied. I try and bring something to read. That has been a little awkward the last week or so since I've been reading the giant hardback Barbara Walters memoir but I did it a few times anyway. If I don't have anything to read (or I just don't feel like it) I've been known to bring my laptop along for the wait before the food comes or I play with my cell phone to pass the time.
Tonight I didn't do any of that. I didn't think walking the streets of Toronto at night with my Barbara Walters book tucked in my giant red Prada purse was a good idea and I don't dare have my phone turned on up here with roaming charges being what they are. So, tonight I did my most favorite activity. People watching. I walked a block and a half to the Greek Islands Restaurant and had them seat me towards the back. This town is so much fun. This past weekend was pride weekend and today was Canada Day so the tourists and freaks were still out in full force. Seated to my left was what looked like a nice young couple...then I noticed he was carrying a purse. OK, maybe it was a male bag, but it looked like a purse. Then they got up to leave and I saw what he was wearing. Tight, polyester, black and white checkered pants and an orange shirt with giant marijuana leaves printed on it. It was great, I wish I'd brought my camera. Then there was a young man (or an unfortunate woman) who had a bad sunburn on his/her face. He/she seemed to use a lot of napkins yet licked his fingers and hands constantly. When they brought a new basket of bread and he touched every piece in the basket twice before taking one. All in all a fun night. Off to work.

What day is it?

I get all mixed up when I work audit support. The idea that I come into work one day and leave the next just doesn't transfer from my logical mind to my inner clock. All of Saturday morning I thought it was Friday. When I did realize the day I must have forgotten almost immediately. I woke up later that day and decided to call my friend Kathy at work. When the phone was answered I knew I must have been confused because a weekend person, James, answered the phone. I said 'hi, how are you? This is Layli. What day is it?' He sweetly replied 'It's Saturday, June 28.' I don't know what bothers me more...that I forgot what day it was or that James wasn't even fazed by my complete confusion. I guess I have said it before...I'm so confused.
Off to Toronto, I think I'll be back on the 8th...but we all know that can change.

Random thoughts and observations on travel

Hello all! As you may or may not know I made it back from Tampa for less then 24 hours and headed out to Andover Mass. where I did 5 days of support and got to spend an evening with family. I had a nice week off and am now on my way to Lexington Kentucky, the start of what will be a long 3-4 weeks of travel. After this it's up to Toronto and then (as of now) back down to Lakeland Florida to do my first lead.
My flight didn't get booked till this morning, and it was a one way ticket. That always raises the red flag with the TSA for the 'additional screening.' So, I get put in another line and have to wait for a female TSA person to do my pat down. Let me just say, if I wanted to hide something on my person they wouldn't find it in my pat down. I can hide all sorts of things in my bra and they only pat down my sides and the inside of my legs. I've been know to put keys, cameras, phones, money, credit cards and ID all down the front of my bra. I could of walked right through with some plastic explosive and they never would have known. Of course, they now have those X-ray machines at some security points that can see all the way through your clothes and tell what you look like naked, but I read you can request to have an old fashioned pat down if you don't want to feel violated by the machine. So what's stopping a big busted terrorist from walking right on through with a plastic bomb hiding under her boobs? These are the things that run through my mind as I sit in the airport sipping my Starbucks.
I'm in the midst of a layover in Charlotte NC. I like this airport. I had a 20 minute stop here on my way to Tampa. They have attendants in the bathrooms with mouthwash, mints and q-tips. They also have free WI-fie Internet and nice big rocking chairs next to windows shaded by fake trees. Not little fake trees, but tall ones in huge black ceramic pots. You almost forget your at the airport until the voice comes over the intercom to remind you to watch your bags or you look out the window and see a plane go by.

Leaving Tampa

I am finally leaving Tampa. I got here almost 2 weeks ago with a one way ticket and a 2 night reservation at the hotel and I get to leave today. I can't even begin to tell you have stressed out I have been here. I was having serious doubts about my knowledge and skills for the job. Turns out it wasn't me. I had seasoned installers and support people stumped on more then one occasion. We had cases that were escalated to the development offices and the developers and at least twice I heard my installer support say 'what is that?' It was a nice hotel and most of the people were really nice but I hope I never have to go back.
I'm sitting in the airport now. My flight is delayed 20 mins. I'll have just enough time to do my laundry and repack my bag before I fly out to Boston tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to this next site. I'm working AM support so the work is easy and I'll be able to visit with some family in the evening.
That's all for now. Time to do my expenses.

Why me??

First, I would like to apologize for not posting recently. I know at least a couple people check here from time to time...just the 3 I think. Let me know if you check by commenting and maybe I'll post more.

So. I had my four days of training at the corporate offices. Everything went well and I passed my certification test with no problem. While I was there I got to visit with my pal Jodi that I trained with in Savannah. I voiced a lot of my concerns to her about being put in a lead position right away. How I was unsure of a few things here and there. She told me everything I was worried about was easy compared to what I knew I could do and that she thought I was ready.

Friday night I'm home-well, at mom's-doing laundry and check my email to find a flight and project info for a site in Tampa. I was happy. One of my dearest friends lives in Tampa and I hadn't seen him in four years. They didn't have me set for a full install, just a partial...it's hard to explain, but I felt with a little guidance I could handle it.

I got here last Tuesday, went to dinner with Eric on Wednesday day, had one of the worst birthdays ever on Thursday got released from my hell for the weekend and went to visit my Grandpa till Monday morning. I am still in this nightmare and I don't see getting out anytime soon. I could have handled things under normal circumstances, but this site has old computers that they used when they were part of a different hotel chain and they were working on an older version of the program. They brought Jodi in to do an upgrade and the system has only been up for a few hours since midnight Monday. I hate this place and I want out.

My latest drama...

First the good. I've been in Nashville since Tuesday and I've almost completely kicked my cold. I got the cold compliments of my darling nephews last weekend. I can't be mad at them though, they're cute even when they have big snot bubbles hanging out their noses.
Here is my annoyance. I'm supposed to be in training Monday in Maryland and am still in Nashville with a plane ticket from Detroit. I don't know what smart person booked my flight when they can all see I'm not home if they look at the schedule. Most of this was done after 5 on Friday so it's going to be fun for me to try and get in touch with an office person this weekend to get this all squared away and chances are I'll get to Maryland on Monday after class has started.

Northwest miles earned getting here=500

UPDATE: My manager called me just over an hour after I wrote this and told me she was going to take care of everything. Now I just have to wait and see.

Sicky Mc Sick

I feel like poo. Not just regular poo, but old poo that has started to dry out but has something growing on it. I cannot recall a time in my life when I have felt so full of snot yet dry at the same time. Does that make any sense to anyone but me??
Two days ago, if you'd have asked me if I was glad to be home, I would have said no. I would have told you I wanted to go back to work and make some money. Today I flew to Nashville and would rather be in my bed in Michigan or sitting in my big Ikea chair that I live in some days. But I need to work, I've been off for 10 days. That's 10 days I won't get paid for. So, here I am in the music city...I'm trying to make the best of it. I know one of the other people on the site and we walked downtown tonight to get some dinner and see some of the town.
I need stronger drugs to kick this cold...

Strange place...

I thought when I was in Saskatoon that that airport was small. I was wrong. Yuma is a small airport. Only 2 airlines fly out, United and US Air. You don't go through security until it's time for your flight to board and you walk out onto the runway to get on the plane. They don't have a gift shop here, just a snack bar and a bar that have the same food I think. What made me smile was the girl working the snack bar is wearing a knit cap and sweater. I tried to be slick with my cell phone and take this picture, you can clearly see the little ball at the top of her hat-and did I mention it has ear flaps! Did I mention this is Arizona?? Literally 10 minutes from Mexico and half an hour from California...I don't know what to say.

US Airways miles earned this trip 4,002

people watch

Yesterday as I sit in the Detroit airport waiting to fly out to Yuma I witnessed a classic people watching moment. In the row of seats across from me sat a couple in their late fifties to early sixties. They were sharing a newspaper and between the different sections of the paper, their coats and bags they were taking up six chairs. Shortly after I sat down a women behind them made a cell phone call. She was one of those loud talkers asking about someone named tipper or something (I think it might have been a dog.) I've learned to tune out these loud talkers and laugh at them silently in my head, however the wife of above mentioned couple has not. She repeatedly turned herself around in her chair to shoot dirty disgusted looks at loud talker and then turn the other way to make exasperated faces at her husband (who was paying no attention to either of them.) Loud talker got done confirming a ride from the airport and a phone rings somewhere in the six rows in front of me. Wife looked blankly at husband who began frantically searching a backpack for his phone. Here is what I found so amusing: Husband makes a call and talks just as loud as loud woman. He comments that he is just figuring out his phone and goes into a long recap of daughters graduation and what she is going to do now. All the wife could do was sit there with her nose deep in the paper. Her husband had become the women she was mocking!!
People make me laugh.

Home-not just where you hang your hat.

I got back from Arizona yesterday. I have to say, I love my apartment. I love that I can come back after weeks on the road and have my own place to go and get away from everyone. I miss my family and friends when I'm away, don't get me wrong, but I miss my bed and my bathroom and my big comfy chair just as much. Hotels are cookie cutter, they are impersonal no matter how hard they try to be otherwise. I don't like institutional couches and chairs. I refuse to walk barefoot in any hotel because you never know whats been on the floor and when it last got a good cleaning. I hate to get my room cleaned because the maid is always rearranging my stuff, so I leave my do not disturb sign up till I need my trash emptied or want clean sheets and towels.

I've been debating the last month or so whether or not I should give up my apartment. Lots of people I work with live with parents or adult children when they aren't on the road. At this point I can't see myself living with either of my parents again, not because I don't get along with them, I just like my personal space and I can't see getting that if I moved back in with them. I thought about getting a roommate, but I have a one bedroom apartment right now and don't really have any friends looking for a roommate at the time. The idea of moving in with a complete stranger doesn't appeal to me. How could I trust to leave my things with a stranger while I travel the country for weeks at a time? I still have a few months till my lease is up, right now I'm leaning towards the idea of keeping the place, but I'm still going back and forth.

I'm going back to Arizona in just over a week to do support in Yuma. Hopefully I'll get some work before that though.

US Air miles earned 3,342
Priority Club 28,659 pts

Hello fron the Grand Canyon State

I've been in Arizona for just over a week now doing my second phase of training. So far so good. It's a lot more in depth this time around, mainly because I knew a lot of what we covered the first two weeks in Maryland. Now we're getting into the guts of things and how to set it all up so it works the way the hotel wants it.

We all went to a Diamondback baseball game on Friday night. Just before we left my cell phone started to act odd. My screen was flickering and after a while it just went black. I could still make and receive calls but I couldn't see what I was dialing. Since the buttons on the lg chocolate are so small I'm always hitting the wrong keys. Soooo, I had to get a new phone. Saturday we all hung out by the pool and I went and got myself a different phone.

Sunday morning four of us got up early and drove the 3 1/2 hours to the Grand Canyon. I couldn't be this close and not go. I've always wanted to see it and I have to say it was amazing! I was so glad I had the chance to see it and that my co-workers were willing to go with me.

I'm due home on Saturday. That's all I know right now.

Just Chilling...

I know it has been a while since I posted-and I'm hearing about it from a lot of you.
I was in a little town called Morris Illinois last week doing cut over support for a new hotel. That means 12 hour shifts overnight. It took a bit of adjusting for me, but I made it. Not nearly as exciting as my trip to Savannah. The power did go out though. They had rolling brownouts one day for a few hours and my lights happened to go out as I was in the shower washing my hair. Thankfully it came back on before I rinsed out the conditioner.
I got home Saturday afternoon after working Friday night and only catch a 2 hour nap. I was up for 24 hours before I crashed at 5 PM. Sunday I drove down to Ohio for the Heidelberg Concert Choirs home concert and got to see a lot of old friends and hear some great music. I'm off till Sunday when I fly out to Phoenix for phase 2 of my training.
So I'm chilling and taking care of a bunch of stuff around my apartment that I've been letting pile up.

Current Miles Earned:
Northwest 6,529
Delta 1,095
Southwest 3 credits

My crazy life...

Well, my life is far from normal. No matter where I go strange and interesting things happen to me. Since my last post from Savannah I've had some excitement.

On Saturday night we had some pretty big storms come through. Around 10:30 PM the power went out in the hotel. Knowing the women at the desk was alone and inexperienced I went down to see if I could help. Jodi had the same thought. They had a high school marching band that was staying in the hotel and being open less then a week weren't prepared for such an event. After the first hour and a half the emergency lights started to go out. No flashlights to be found. We called the hotel next door and they had flashlights but no batteries so we borrowed 2 and took batteries out of the bathroom air fresheners. At one point the tornado sirens went off and we had to bring all the kids down to the first floor to take cover. In the end everything was OK and I ended up going to bed around 3 AM. The power was out for more then 8 hours though.

Sunday afternoon I went up to my room to drop off my computer before heading out to eat. The elevator dined on the third floor but the doors didn't open. I hit the floor button again. Nothing. I pressed the door open button. Nothing. I tried to select all the other floors. Not even a light came on. I pressed the call button and this is the conversation that followed.
Desk: "Thank you for calling the Wingate Inn Savannah Airport. This is Marlena, how can I help you?"
ME: "Marlena. It's Layli. I'm Stuck in the elevator."
Desk: "Oh my. You're in the elevator? OK, she's (the manager) coming to get you out. Are you OK? Do you want me to stay on the phone?"
ME: "No. I'm OK. Thanks."
Less than a minute later the doors opened. I assumed that she had gotten the key and done something. Turns out she was on the phone trying to find out what had happened to the elevator key, it was missing. They were about to call 911 when I walked down the stairs and through the lobby.

Monday evening we went to the FedEx by the airport. We walked in and Jodi was filling out the form when the fire alarm went off. Half the staff were meandering out the door-but no one seemed in a hurry. We just moved the car away from the building so she could finish filling out the slip and drop it in the box. Just as were about to pull out of the parking lot 2 fire trucks come up. One pulled into each side of the drive blocking the entire parking lot! I don't think there was a fire, but we were stuck for over half an hour in that parking lot!

I get home late on Saturday. Fly out again on Monday to Chicago. No return flight yet.

Savannah

Hey all-I'm in Georgia!! I went from the extreme north of Canada to the wonderful, warm south! It is so nice down here. I swear-this is my perfect weather. When I landed yesterday it was 72 degrees and the sun was shining.
Had a little drama in the morning when I was trying to get going. My Verizon broadband card stopped working for no reason. I called support at 6 AM when they opened and was on the phone for more then half an hour before I asked the guy "can you help me or not?" his reply was "No I can't." So, I knew I was going to a Wingate in Savannah but I didn't have the address or the phone number. I figured I'd be able to get wi-fi at the airport and look it up. Didn't bother to try in Detroit, don't know why...get to Savannah and the wi-fi signal is crap-limited to no connectivity. I found a friendly person at the information desk and she ended up letting me use her computer to pull up my email. I made it here and I'm safe, that's all that really matters. I just need to get myself to a Verizon store before long and replace the dumb internet card.
I'm shadowing again here. Not sure why, but Jodi (my lead) is super cool and we're having fun. We went downtown last night and walked around for a while. The city is so rich in history that you feel like your stepping back in time a little walking down the streets and through the squares. It was all interrupted from time to time buy the crowds of people here for the St. Patrick's day celebrations. It's the second largest celebration in the country-like a scaled back Mardi Gras (beads and all). Needless to say, we are staying away from downtown this weekend.
More to come later next week-including a picture or two maybe.

Home

Home for an unknown span of time. I thought it might be fun to keep track of a few things with this job.

Since I started I have spent 12 nights at a Springhill Suites-earning silver status with Marriott Rewards, 16 nights at a Travelodge and earned 4,970 Northwest Airline Miles.

Happy to be home-no matter how short a stay it may be.

I am a room.

I am a room and my room is empty. That's why I'm not on the schedule. They use an old version of the software to make our schedule. It's over 2,500 lines long in an excel spreadsheet. I may be going to Chesapeake Virginia to do cut over support. The site got pushed back so I don't have anything showing on the schedule. Hence, my room is empty. The only reason I know any of this is because one of my managers overheard something while walking down the hall. So, as it stands now, I go home tomorrow. Don't know much else. I don't feel like an empty room.

Happy leap year??

I'm still up in Saskatoon. On Friday we were all working hard in the basement when this giant frog walked in and wished us a happy leap year. Strange people up here-but fun. They like to talk about the weather all the time. I don't blame them, it's cold and windy and a lot of old snow still on the ground.

We've had a pretty busy week. I got here a day after the lead installer and Jen didn't get in till after midnight that night. So the two of us missed the important part at the beginning where you talk to the management and do the initial setup of the program. But we've been busy since, not getting a whole day off yet. We split up the training classes. Chris (our lead) did the morning training and Jen and I took turns leading the afternoon training classes. We've been getting some great experience here and I think I'm really going to like this job.

I still don't know where I'll go next. I plan on emailing my manager if I don't know anything by Wednesday. I'll be back home late Saturday night and will get to go two hours ahead with daylight savings-since I'm an hour behind Michigan now. If you read this-leave a comment-I want to know who's checking my blog. Peace, love and Laylibugs :-)

Toon Town here I come!

I know its been a while since I posted-but I said I would let you all know when/where I was going next. I just found out last night that I was leaving for Saskatoon this morning. I now sit in DTW waiting for my flight to board.
This whole wait and see thing is a real test for me. They told me last Wednesday that I would be going to Canada, but they didn't have it on the schedule till Friday and they had to move dates up because the computer server was stuck in customs. I hope it's not always this bad-but I have a feeling it will be and I'll just learn to live with it.
So phase 1 of training is done and now I go and shadow an install. It should be fun-Jennifer, another woman I was in training with, will be shadowing with me.
I'll keep you updated along the way.

One week down...

Well, I made it through my first week of training. The company is taking us out to a French restaurant for dinner tonight and then we have the weekend off. Not sure what were all doing, but we'll find someway to entertain ourselves.
Time has flown by this week! Maybe because we've been so busy, but it seems like it should be Wednesday. We still have so much more to go over before they send us out on our first shadow, I can't imagine how we are going to cover it all in five days.
Just looked at the new schedule and I still don't have anything listed...no idea what is happening after next Friday...this is going to be a test for me...I like to plan ahead and this job won't let me.

on the road

Hello from Maryland!
I meant to update sooner, but lost track of time last night. Got in Sunday around 3:30 PM to BWI and had a call from one of my fellow trainers that they were waiting at the rental car location for me. By the time everybody got baggage and made it to Avis we ended up at the hotel at 4:55-just enough time to drop our bags and go to our orientation. The purpose of the whole thing was to give us an overview of the company, make sure we had our paperwork filled out and get our company laptops. We ended up talking a lot about the job and life on the road while we waited on the LCD projector to come from another hotel. We didn't get done until close to 8 PM! All I'd eaten was a little salad at the airport and some Pringles on the plane so I was exhausted and hungry and we all ended up going to Friday's for dinner.
We've had a day and a half of training so far. The first day (half day) We got an overview of the software company we are contractors with and found out a little more detail about schedules and what not...we also found out what projects we were assigned to. I ASSuMEd that since I had all full service holiday inn experience that I would be on the IHG project, but they assigned people randomly and I've been put on the Wyndham project. I wasn't thrilled, but I'm trying to look at it as a new experience that will be challenging and hopefully rewarding in the long run.
I'm here till the night of the 15th, I don't know anything beyond that yet but as soon as I do I will let you all know.

Just my luck...

Life has been a little crazy for me lately. It might all be in my head, but it seems like I have lots to do and lots to buy and things keep getting thrown in my way. I had planed to spend time with all my family and friends this week but I got sick and didn't leave the house for three days. Made reservations to take my dad out for a late birthday lunch today but we decided with the big snow it wasn't a good idea. I was supposed to have some work friends over last Wednesday, but they rescheduled to today and now we have all this snow so they might not be coming. I have a few things I still need to buy before I leave for Maryland Sunday afternoon but I don't want to go out in this mess!
To top it all off I got pulled over on my way home from Meijer last night for a rolling stop coming out of the parking lot! The cop was nice and just wrote me a citation for no proof of insurance. Little fine and no points on my license! Thank you officer!

Confusion nags at me...

I am confused easily. Ask anyone who knows me. I will say at least twice a day that "I am so confused." Sometimes it's because I'm thinking about something else and not paying total attention to what's going on.
Lately I've been confused for another reason. My rational mind tells me to do one thing and my heart is telling me the exact opposite. Without pouring out the gruesome details of my inner struggle, I ask you this: What do I listen to? Do I go with my heart, The part that makes me feel warm and fuzzy and happy? Or do I listen to the over rationalization going on in my head that is telling me danger might be lurking just around the corner?
Just putting it out there in the void of cyberspace.

new years...

I don't think I will ever understand the appeal of new years eve celebrations. Maybe because I'm not a party girl. I don't drink. I like to hang out with friends and dance to good music or see a good band play. Who needs Dec. 31st to do that? You can do that any night of the week. But for some reason the government thinks we need to take the day after off. Why? Well, I worked new years eve at the hotel...we had 911 operators who were plastered before 9PM and a guy who claimed to be a certified lifeguard who with 2 of his drunk friends decided to try and sneak into the locked pool and go for a swim. When security came to kick them out he tried to hide UNDERWATER! So glad I'm leaving that place. I have a countdown going...23 days until my last day. 16 working days.
For what its worth, happy new year. Here's hoping that the new year proves less shitty then the old.