On the Job

Lifeguarding's not as boring as they say it is.

I also got a t-shirt, a tank top, AND a sweatshirt. Free t-shirts usually seal the deal for me (if you had seen me at JavaOne, you would understand), but I got SO much more.

Work-wise, I was uncertain and shy. And confused. If someone had had an underwater spinal, I think I would have had a heart attack and just added to the list of problems. But luckily, the patrons were unable to see that. A lifeguard has POWER. Some little kid wasn't minding his mother and getting out of the pool like she was telling him to. She spent five minutes trying to convince him while I looked on from far away in amusement. Finally, because it was in keeping with pool rules that nonswimmer kids can't be in the water without parents, I took one step over and looked him in the eyes. He got out.

Yessss.

I think I also started to appreciate the process of growing up a bit more. I've spent a few days cleaning up my room and throwing out a bunch of old papers, and the phantoms of reminiscence have been hovering over me for a while. Today just served to emphasize, in Mr. Dunbar's words, where I have been and where I am going. I was guarding a parent-child swimming lesson where the kids were TINY and the parents were holding them up and teaching them how to put their faces in the water. Other proud parents were standing on the pool deck and camcording and taking photos and encouraging them. It was kinda sweet.

Still, my sense of humor tends to drown out my sentimental side. I was amused at how the little kids were flailing around in the water, half-drowning. And I wondered--did I ever look like that?

IT'S ALIVE

YES THE THING I WAS WORKING ON AT WORK WORKED!

AND WORK = FxD!


Okay, enough chatter about work now.

Hmm, Quail is having serious anxiety attacks about upcoming seating auditions. It's not so much that I want a good seat; it's more like I'm concerned that I can't learn the notes in time. The conductor is as intimidating as they come.

Quail is also concerned about lack of self-control and will. RAWR. MUST FIGHT ON!

Though today was quite fun. Sometimes it's great just to leave work early and go to the swings at the park before going home. Listening to music and swinging as high as the swings will go.....
That's what I call a good time.


OH NOES SUMMER IS ALMOST GONE DDDDDD:

...

Quail is thoroughly exhausted from work compounded with bassoon practice for the upcoming tour.

Whew, it's amazing how great it feels to be tired after being (kind of ) productive all day.

A few tips for Hawk: Watch your laundry in the laundry room! Move it from the washer to the dryer and then back to your room so that you don't stop up the washing machines and so that people don't steal your clothes (that happened at CSSSA). Also, don't set the dryer too hot, otherwise your clothes will shrink. Not fun.

Bring lots of snacks! When you're back in your dorm, you get hungry. Especially if the shops are far and the cafeteria is closed. Also, don't put your food in the same place you put your bag of laundry detergent.

Hmm, if you have dorm-mates, be sure to get along with them.
Introduce yourself to everyone and don't be afraid to come off as strange!
Bring sandals. Well, unless you think you don't need them.
Don't forget a cellphone charger and stuff like that! And your laptop if you're bringing it :D

Otherwise....HAVE FUN, WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, AND UPDATE THE BLOG EVERY DAY! Or at least every other day. I dunno, you could keep a food report?

So, have you gotten a pretty bag yet? And didja get shoes?

Oh wow, Quail hasn't watched TV in years. Crazy.

So now a little update about Quail.

CYS practice right after work makes Quail really drained. Also, her bassoon was incredibly out of tune all three days because it was crazy hot.

She still has to pack for Japan

After that initial productivity spike at work, the productivity level has fallen to all-time lows. Now she plays tetris with magnetic wooden blocks and hangman with her co-intern. Also, we have 3 people in a cubicle, which means that all three people are trying to work on the same program at the same time. Crazy.


CRAZY FUN, YOU MEAN!

She still has to write an unpleasant email.

She needs to draw stuff. Lots and lots of stuff.

Won't meet her supervisor for another 2 weeks, in which time all the other interns will be hard at work on their projects D:

Is tired and needs to play more bassoon.

ALSO:
HAAAAAAWWWWWK! What's the status update on IKEA?