thursday's thoughts

I'm at work and I'm full of good anxiety because I'm stoked about this weekend.

It is the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 Round....

and my Heels are there.  But so are my nemesises: Duke and Florida. 

I'm actually going to hang out with Gator friends tonight to watch their game against BYU - and to be honest, I will be pulling (controllably, without making a rowdy scene) for Brigham-Young.  I won't cause any fights or fits with my passionate Florida friends, but I can't stand the fact that they are in the tournament - and in the easiest bracket of all.  Just sayin'.

Tomorrow night the Heels play Marquette and I probably won't sleep much tonight because I am a high-anxiety, crazy, psycho Carolina fan and I just don't do well during March.

There are reasons it's called MARCH MADNESS, ya know...

Anyways, aside from being a big basketball junkie lately I have also been spending some quality time with my Mom, hanging with my awesome friends, and working more hours this week than I have since I started my new job. I am loving it, though - the people I work with make me smile and are full of funny, happy, uplifting stories. 

Plus, when I get my pay-checks... I get a Florida Lotto ticket with it.  How cool, I so dig it!

I am really starting to become an even firmer believer in things happening for a reason.  I know that the things that make up my life now are what is meant to be because I am just over-all in a better place mentally, physically, and emotionally.  I think getting this job and having a structure to my day had a lot to do with that.  Whether it can be noticed by those around me or not, there is extreme personal  growth growing on in my heart & soul and I can find a love for myself and a peace of mind from that.  It feels good.  But not enough to subdue the March Madness anxiety. 

Another "feel good" is Momma's rose bush that always blooms so pretty every year.

She let me have one since I have been the official photographer of the blooming pinkness lately :)  I love it.  It looks perfect outside in it's natural place and by my bed - don't you think?

I've been laying out in the sunshine a lot and finally have that "natural white bikini" that I long for all winter long.  I am so glad that I have this home in Florida that the Lord blessed my family with and the ability to spend time outside and enjoy the goodness of being home.  I really do understand a lot more about who I am now that I am here - and I am definitely a North Carolina Cherokee with my fortunately easily tanning skin, and I am definitely this handsome man's daughter - because check out his shades! ;)

Love you, Daddy!

Just wanted to spread some peace & love and send some cheer your way today!

I've been an inconsistent blogger lately but that's because I've been venting and relaxing in other ways... plus, my schedule is a lot different now than it was, well, ever.

It's finally semi-normal.

Semi.

LOVE LOVE LOVE you all!

p&l

b

I STILL FIND EACH DAY TOO SHORT FOR ALL THE THOUGHTS I WANT TO THINK, ALL THE WALKS I WANT TO TAKE, ALL THE BOOKS I WANT TO READ, AND ALL THE FRIENDS I WANT TO SEE.

-JOHN BURROUGHS



EMPLOYED!!! :)

GUESS WHAT?!?

I started my new part-time job today!

Yesterday I said I was "unemployed" but today I am the newest administrative assistant and customer service representative at

VISION ELECTRONICS, INC.

a company that repairs electronic technology (mostly televisions) and is a technical service company for manufacturer's warranties and store's extended warranties. 

where I am assigned to:

- assist walk-in customers

- answer the phones (that ring off of the hook)

-create claims for new repairs, update existing repairs

- update the QSS system for warranty cases and repair claims

- call customers who are awaiting parts, whose claims are completed, and call customers to set appointments

- customer service duties. call customers after completion for follow-up

-check manufacturers websites 3 times a day for dispatches

- update the manufacturers website w/status of repairs

-complete store inventory (once a month)

- tend to voicemails, faxes, emails, and messages

So basically, what I do, is sit at this computer

with this screen in my face...

But luckily, I get little cheat sheets like this to help me out until I get it down pat...

and I deal with customers who call, usually in utter aggravation do they call, to claim a repair or installation that is needed on their t.v.  Or, I call them and let them know the status of their repairs if they have already claimed it.  I update the system for any work done, any changes in the account activity, etc. and I correspond with the customers and the technicians. 

I have to ask the basic information about the t.v. and then I have to figure out if they have a manufacturer's warranty (that came with the t.v.) or an extended warranty (that the Best Buy - or wherever - sales associate sold them when they bought the t.v.) or if they have one at all.  Then, I must file the claim with the appropriate company (manufacturer... like, Samsung or Sony & extended... like, Best Buy or Circuit City).  Then, I make sure everything is handled paper-work wise and I encourage the technical support team members to handle the claim promptly so that when I make my 'customer service follow-up call', the inconvenienced client will hopefully be in a much better mood with a successfully repaired television. 

The person training me warned me that most people

do not like to be without their t.v. so to get ready for some atypical phone conversations.  I asked her about what the protocol was for customers who are jerks and she basically said it was three strikes and you're out.

  "If someone cusses at you, tell them the language is not needed and that you are there to help them.  If they do it again, tell them you are not going to be treated that way for merely doing your job and everything that is in your power to help them.  If they do it again, hang the damn phone up."

I think this co-worker/trainer Mary and I are going to get along juuuust fine!!!

So, yay!!! I am so happy to have this job and be a part of the work-force.  I know it is not my particular dream career but my fantasy job was not what I was pursuing in my efforts to get a job right now.  I knew that a perfect fit for me would be something along these lines, so I am relishing in joy, thanksgiving, and a newfound confidence.  I think it is going to work out great for me.  I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who knew this was a desire of my heart - to have a part-time job that could help me "get back out there", earn some extra cash, build-up my innocent little resume, and give me the opportunity to prove to myself and others that I am not a quitter, that I do not give up just because things get hard, and that I am capable of making an impact by being a hard-worker who excels at her job. 

It may not seem like a BIG deal to you, but I am the feet that have walked this bumpy, rocky, long & winding road for quite some time and I know that it is up to me to make sure that the WORST IS OVER and the BEST IS YET TO COME.  That applies to everything for me...

 love, career, adventure, opportunities, self-discovery, etc.

I can't wait to tell you more about it as I learn more and experience new things at "the office."  Again, thanks for your support!

Oh, P.S. Why did I blog on Monday about job-hunting and Wednesday about being unemployed if on Thursday I got up and went to work?!?

Well, I didn't actually KNOW I had this job until one hour before I clocked in! 

My dad had found out about the opening from one of his friends at the YMCA that he works out with.  My dad seems to be a local celebrity at the neighborhood YMCA.  Friends and acquaintances inform me, on the reg, that my dad is "ripped" and a "badass" on the weights. 

We are SO NOT "like-father like-daughter" in that department ;)

Anyways, he came home from the gym today and told me that his buddy (the owner of the company) wants me to start tomorrow and begin working Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Then, about 15 minutes later he received a text ("like-father like-daughter") saying that I could come in at 11:00AM.

 

And it was "hi ho, hi ho, off to work I go..."

 

Well hello there, eye-bag lady!

I definitely forgot the eye-liner today... which, for me, is a major "no-no!"

P.P.S.  I know you are secretly wondering if I have another shirt other than this denim button-down - - I DO, I promise! 

It is pretty funny that I seem to be wearing this top when I post self-pics a lot of the time.  I guess you can tell that I like it, then! :)

I'm off to meet Momma at her store (Ann Taylor LOFT) to look at some clothes that I can rock to work!

NOW, TELL ME...

 WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING!?!

I am in the spirit of getting to know all of you better!

And if you don't totally LOVE your job or you don't even LIKE it that much just remember that it could be worse!!! 

  

PEACE AND LOVE

BAILY J. JONES

the new administrative assistant

Happy Monday!

Being back in Orlando meant that I got to visit the David Yurman store to replace some pieces of jewelry that were lost in the fire.  I lost this bracelet - except I had the pearl tipped one instead of amethyst.

Since I have had to replace A LOT of things, I find myself a little queazy at the thought of replacing things identical to what I had. 

Just because I find it difficult to buy the exact same thing again. 

I guess there are two ways of looking at it, but I find it easier to cope with it all if I can 'change it up' a little bit with each purchase.  For instance, I replaced cowboy boots but a different style.  I replaced bedding, but more 'me' than what I had bought 3 years ago.  I replaced clothes that are similar to what I had, but not the exact same.  It has just made it more fun and a whole lot easier.

I picked up Mr. Clay's present while I was at Mall at Millenia as well.  I think he's going to love it & we'll have so much fun with it!  It's right up his artsy and creative alley, if you ask me!

 I must say, he's pretty fun to shop for! :) 

While I was there I also stopped by Forever 21 to replace some of the funky jewelry that I miss dearly.

Again, I didn't replace the same exact things - but I picked up some costume necklaces (beads and turquoise of course) and some earrings and one really clunky and fabulous ring.  I've always loved my funky rings!!!

Today I get my haircut and highlighted.  Mom found a great place in Titusville, over on the Atlantic coast.  Even though it's cold outside, the famous Florida sunshine is still beaming, and I am excited about the pretty drive over there.  It is totally fun living close to water again!  Even though I am only 90 miles from the Gulf and 45 miles from the Atlantic, I am still jealous of Mr. Clay for having Myrtle Beach right across the street from his mailbox.  No wonder he has such fabulous beach wave hair!

Speaking of beach wave hair, I replaced my blow dryer with a Remington one that has a nifty little

feature that gives me some great beach wave hair. 

I'm totally rockin' them now that I'm back in the peninsula!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

God Bless!

via

peace and love

bai



greengreengreengreengreen

So apparently, today, my favorite color has been green.  In class, I grabbed the green construction paper when told to pick one from the pile.  I've never been "cHoOsY" when we are told to do something like that - I'm 23 years old for cryin' out loud!  But today... Green. Green this, green that.  I even had a very "go green" lunch consisting of a turkey and portobella panini and a side of soup consisting of spinach, pinto beans, and chicken.  It was abso-freaking-lutely delicious, to say the least, but my point here is - I'm on this green kick and it's starting to freak me out.

I'm a mustard yellow girl... a bright yellow girl... burnt orange, perhaps.  And a Carolina blue girl... what is with me and green lately.  I'm wearing it, I'm trying to live the lifestyle so that I don't feel guilty about the horrible condition of the earth later on as it only continues to worsen, and dang it if I'm not repainting my turquoise art projects into a similar to this font-shade of gReeN... bogus if you ask me.

Anywho... I remember this green Gap sweater that I had and LOVED to wear during weather like this.  Mom - Dad ... you two HAVE GOT TO KNOW what sweater I'm talking about... as we did our tour de 'the South' this Christmas (when we were the Griswald's, remember?) I think I slept, roadtripped all day, slept again, wore out to dinner, and never washed this green sweater from like the second Mom drove me home from Christmas Exams until I pulled out of the driveway on January 10th a damn National Champion.  Anywho - this shade of green reminds me of that Gap sweater... as did the construction paper lesson in class today... as does my really hilarious personal recollection of all the fun we had as the Griswalds.... hahahahahahaha.

Still laughing.

Well, I am going to try to pick up on ALL that I have missed... but I am being a busy little bee today with lots of different projects - hmmm... wonder what that is... ADHD maybe???

But bare with me, I'm playing catch-up.... and I'm not even really sure where to begin... there's really nothing crazy I must inform you of since the last time I posted (which was just as randomly thrown together as this one I DO realize)...

But in case you didn't hear...

Alabama kicked Florida's you-know-what... 31-6.
And last time they came to Bryant-Denny it was TWO stadium expansions less than it was Saturday night, which would make the crowd some odd 83,000 in 2005, and the scoare was 31-3.
But this Saturday night I was sitting with my Gator-hater Momma in the second expansion at Bryant-Denny since 2005, and I was part of the some od 101,000 ecstatic and passionate Alabama fans....(some very hyper - aka the girl beside us who snuck a RedBull behind her brother's back before the game)!!!!  No wait, !!!!!*!***!*!*!!!!!!!!!!!!***!*!*!*!*!**!*!*!!!!!!!!! (that's more like homegirl)

62-9. (that's a lotta touchdowns to a small amount of field goals)

Roll Tide

Peace&Love

Baily

mi vida, en realidad (my life, actually)

I have not been a very active blogger lately and I am completely aware of it.  Sometimes things get busy or the stars align in other ways and we are too busy living and experiencing and we have to wait until things slow down in order to update the blog and all.  That's very much what has been going on with me.  Between schoolwork and entertaining a suprise guest, I just not have found a sweet little window of time to get some things off of my chest.

In time's past, when I say I have to unload the thoughts and burdens that are bothersome, it has come out in an unorganized mess that is usually an honest depiction of the process in which most my thinking occurs.  Anywho, I have a lot on my mind to say the least: some makes me happy, some makes me sad, and some have not been figured out entirely so I'm not exactly sure what sort of affect they will have on me.  

For starters, school is going well.  I have to admit that it is sometimes aggravating having to live in what is remnants of the fire and doing the things and sort of assignments I was doing before they were items to be added to my insurance claims check. But, Forrest Gump said it best... shit happens.

Speaking of FG, I watched that movie recently.  Actually, I watched all 3 of my favorite movies this week.  Almost Famous, Forrest Gump, and (500) Days of Summer.  Wow.  I couldn't tell you the last time I watched 3 DVDs in one week.  I know I have, because I have always been a movie girl and my sister was the television show gal.  But 3 in one week?  That happened NEVER when my world was the twilight zone.  Thank goodness for having that little luxury back in my life.  And where I thought Mr. Clay was going to be my music-man, he's turned out to be a pretty groovy movie watcher, too.  I have truly missed that for a while now, and it's good to have that back!

Something that has me flustered is that, to put it simply, Dancing With The Stars is absolutely awful this year. Please give me some lovelies to look at like Erin and Pamela if the dances are going to be just as sub-par to last season as the line-up is, but compared to Michael Bolton and The Situation, I would rather watch Jake Pavelka prancing around like a pansie again.  Or, maybe not.  I do like that Sarah Palin is in the stands and that Levi Johnston is banned from the audience.  And even though I was like the very last person of people my age to jump aboard the Jersey Shore boat, and despite the grossed-out near-nausea affect that The Situ & his boys have on me, I'm with my Sissy - I am in love with Snooki.  She cracks me up... and WHO cannot LoVe the fact that she called out our Pop-star Pres on the taxing of tanning beds.  Maybe it's that or maybe it's when she goes into an all-out fit fest she reminds me I'm not the only crazy bia-bia about there. Ha, jk. Maybe.

Oh yeah, speaking of fancy-prance Jake, did I ever let y'all know that I switched to "Team Vienna" after the spectacle he made of himself when he showed us what a d-word he was?  Yes, my ex-boyfriend in high school may or may not have had his transgressions with her... but we all can change... but none of us gals deserve to be treated like that.  "Undermine me?"  Sadly, the term was used with me.  Saddest part, after Jake had already used it and it be viewed by said person accusing me of the underminement. (Is that a word?? I do not know.)

And lastly, what do you do when you can't find the words to say to somebody?  There are two people that I don't know what to say.  One, I want to say goodbye to and leave the friendship that he left behind, but I want to do it with a little bit more grace than he did.  Maybe the reason there are no words is because he doesn't deserve another try and he doesn't deserve my friendship that fuels the need to say what I feel anyway.  So maybe I will just stay silent about that.  Still, I hope he never treats someone the way he has treated me.  But at the same exact time, I hope he can be a lighthouse to another life and safely guide lost ships to shore.  That's what he was for me.  He listened to me but made me hear the music of my own uniquness and that's what gave me the bubbly life of Baily back and what has kept me dancing throughout even the saddest of songs.  But I guess he doesn't neccessarily have to be amongst the ones dancing with me.  'Tis a shame, I would have been a good friend to him and he's chosen to not only have no desire for it, but has no desire to display any decency in listening to what I have to say or to know the new me.  The one that had to roll with the punches and adapt to some major friggin' changes in life.  Some HUGE ones.  Like, Ms. Gump said 'You have to put the past behind you in order to move on' and she's never been more right in her life.  Well, other than the other uber-brilliant lines she is quoted in that extra-uber-brilliant film.  But of course I've changed, better yet - I've improved, and I think that my Faith is what has me to continue on praying for him and the absolutely unneeded dramatic situation, and above all, a life full of happiness - even though most people think I'm batshit crazy for still caring about him.  I guess, once a Bobby McGee always a Bobby McGee.  But like most songs, interpret it as you will
The other, just sort of leaves me speechless for all the POSITIVE reasons.  Just the little things in life that are noticed and put into action without structured planning of so... the laughter that I would have NEVER known was missing until I realized I truly had it back... the ability to be oneself around someone unfamiliar yet more familiar and real than you can even describe, the affirmation that everything happens for a reason, and how pretty the glow of a candle can be after all, and the simplicity of knowing that fire can, in fact, be enjoyed when it's lighting the scene for reheated leftovers with someone special enough to WANT to know me, the REAL me.  And what really leaves me speechless... I've never been so honest about myself with someone in my entire life.  I surprise myself at the things I will tell him.  But they are safe - those secrets are. And any signs of jadedness on my heart are not from him, but he respects them.  I'll be able to put it in an understandable statement one day I reckon.  'Til then, I'll live my days with the appreciation for the people who not only want to build a friendship and relationship with me but they are willing to do it with a leap of faith.  While others, they turn their back on a true intent to be friends with not only him but the people he values with love, including the obviously highly thought of girlfriend of his.  I guess I was a part of a completely different friendship and I guess no matter what I do, or say, people will think of me the way THEY WANT TO think of me. 

And then others, think of me as - to put it simply - worth it.

Oh yeah, to get you caught up to speed with other ramblings: I have a renewed zest for learning Spanish again, I am DYING to get my hands on a personal project and turn it into something that makes a BIG DIFFERENCE for a charitable organization that I am PASSIONATE about, and I can't wait to see my family and get THE MILLIE GIRL back tomorrow.  .  . yes, be prepared for a Momma who has missed 'The Pig' and who will ALSO be getting her digi-cam back and you know what happened last time, don't you? When Mildred and I were reunited post-fire, and the digi-cam was replaced the first go-round (before the Target idiot broke the brand new thing), I ended up taking boo-koos of pictures. 

But it's not like she makes it hard to 'oOoH' and 'aAaAh' over, let's be for serious now...

peace and love

baily

and there's nothing wrong with the way that she moves;

or scarlet begonias or a touch of the blues

what a perf song chico