I love to laugh, HA HA HA HA!

Ok, ok... think positive thoughts*****

BAH! I GIVE UP!! So I went for a walk to the corner store this evening. Just for something to do and to see what the snow was like...
IT COMES TO MID-WAY UP MY CALF! I walked past the bus stop I would normally grab a bus from and there is no way that busses are stopping at that stop. there is about 5 feet of snow 1+ feet deep between the bus stop and the road.

Now for those who don't live here... let me explain to you what winter weather on my part of the island is normally like... RAIN. Period. Maybe one night where it snows 5cm and stays around for maybe a 24 hour period. Not this, no. We've had snow on the ground for WAY too long. It isn't going away anytime soon either, apparently. I want my normal weather back!! GIVE IT BACK! lol

I just don't know how long its going to take me to get to work tomorrow... On a normal day I leave my house around 7:45am, take a pit stop by Wal-mart to see some friends, leave there by 8:10/15 and then get to work somewhere between 8:15 and 8:25. Tomorrow, on the other hand, I think I will leave around 7:20/30, and see what time I get to Wally world for what time I should leave there.

GUH! I just don't want to get to work and then be sent home right away. I have a feeling that the guy coming down from one of the print shops we deal with isn't still coming down to take the sales guys out for lunch. If he does, their lunch date will probably be a long time, since driving around won't be too pretty.

Well... we'll see what tomorrow brings... right now I should be trying to sleep instead of writing this blog.

Sweet dreams world! Think warm, snow melting thoughts!!

♥Nikki

Hello hello! Welcome to the lovely holiday season.

Of retarded drivers, angry shoppers and snow.

*sigh* I just plum don't understand why people have to be so angry. My sister and I went to Wal-mart today just to pick up her pictures from the portrait studio and OH MY GOODNESS! I do not miss retail one bit. Not one! These people are so very angry. I mean, I see it every year... why do people wait to do ALL of their Christmas shopping until the weekend before??? I'm not saying I'm much better. I only started my shopping Tuesday... but I was in and out. Finished. I don't know how people can stand the crowds. Oh right, they don't.... they just get super-de-dooper angry at the other people.

My friend said that today on her lunch break, (she works retail) there were people having a SCREAMING match over a parking spot. This is supposed to be a holly, jolly season. "The best time of the year". 

Say hello to friends you know and have a cup of CHEER! 

Renee and I decided that we are going to do our shopping in November. I suggested Jan/Feb since that's the deadest time in retail. haha. Perhaps that might be too early... 

If you do go out, just promise me you won't hip check  someone. Be patient... and be REALLY nice to the people who are working there... they have to deal with all the arseholes who have forgotten they are people too.

HAPPY Holidays everyone!! 

>

What to do, what to do.

So I'm sitting here, at my desk at work.

I have ten minutes left of lunch and I'm bored.... lol
I don't want to go back early because I don't have tons of work to fill my afternoon with.. so it would just make 10 minutes later in the day where I have nothing to do.

So I told Tanya and she said "Write a lunchtime blog!"

So here it is. My lunchtime blog... I still have 7 minutes... this is sad. haha

Do you remember Kymburleigh from my last blog??
She sent flowers to my work!
They are sitting here next to me. I love them! Ther are so pretty and smell so nice.

Its funny, because the person who wrote the card has the poorest writing alive.
It reminds me of the blog cakewrecks.com. I mean, if someone is sending flowers to someone, don't you think you'd want their card to look pretty too?

Apparently not.

Anyway, I've got 3 minutes left now... I can go back 3 minutes early. haha.

Talk to you all later!!

Nikki

I guess its time

I haven't written in here for a while... and I figure after bothering my family about posting in their blogs, I should post in mine.

I have had a pretty good week. Last weekend, my best e-friend Kimberly came to visit me for a couple of days. We went out saturday night and had a blast! Sunday, we went to my parents' house for lunch. It was so good. Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes, and green beans casserole. mmm, mmm good!!! 

We went shopping/sight seeing. My sister was nice enough to accompany us and drive around town!

It was awesome! Then we came back to my house and recorded a video (22 minutes long).. and went on stickam.

We talked to old friends, made new ones... and remembered the ups and downs of talking on webcam on the internet.  

Monday I had to work, but Kymbie had to work on her resume and a job application. My sister picked me up from work, and we went to Red Robin for dinner.

We came back to my house and we watched some Youtube videos, we went for a walk, swung on some swings and took some pictures.

We came back and recorded another video.... this one 24 minutes long. Now I had to edit 46 minutes of video. haha.

Monday night was Kym and I's last chance to spend time together, as she was leaving to go back home tuesday day, while I was at work. I am so glad she came to spend time with me so that we could finally meet.

She was the same in person as she was online. Which is refreshing!

Well, its lunch time.. so I'll just leave you with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1jMY70eOWo

It's the video that we made together!! *WARNING* : Watch only if you like randomness!

I'VE BEEN CENSORED.

Gotta love it.

What? Work post again? Surprise, surprise...

Well... here I am again.

I'm going to slightly lose my "new" status... when we hire someone new... newer than I.

I'm not going to lie to you. I'm worried that they'll hire someone new, someone who is more qualified than me and they'll excel at a faster pace than I and they will just plum be better at the job than me.
I'm trying my darndest to learn everything.. but I'm getting frustrated at all the little mistakes I make. I know I'm new. I realize that. That is what the first week or two is for... learning from your "teacher" and from your mistakes. I feel like I should have this down by now.

Well, the important thing is that I enjoy work.

I love Tanya... she's amazing. We keep eachother sane. We think alike... which makes learning from her simple. We get along so well its almost scary. I feel like I've been there for well over a month.. but, its hard to explain... because I also feel like when I say I've been there a month its gone by so fast!


Anyway... that's enough blabbering for today.. I'll ttyl!

♥Nikki

Waking up early on a saturday.

Hey hey all! Long time no see.

So I'm up before 10 on a saturday. I woke up because I had to pee. No big deal, I can usually go right back to sleep after. However, I decided that throwing in a load of laundry now would probably be a great idea so that I go back to sleep, wake up in an hour and do another load.
However, I got back into bed and now here I am. Unable to close my eyes.

So... let's blog! haha

I don't really have any other news other than work.
However, work is awesome. I love it there. If I didn't have to wake up early... I would love getting up in the morning. Once I'm at work... I am happy.

Currently, there is a little drama in the workplace. Which just proves to me that there can be no work environment, big or small, without it. Its actually semi-amusing to me. Only because its the ONLY drama going on. I'm used to several at once.


Well, I'm going to keep it at that. Not bore you all to death.
Just bore you until you're almost dead...with a chance of revival.

I'm a nerd.


♥Nikki

Boy don't try to front...

I have the new Britney Spears' song "Womanizer" stuck in my head...

GUH!!!

Anywho...

So I've completed a total of 6 working days at the new job. Golly gee willikers everyone!!! I love it.

I love being in an environment that there isn't all this drama. Where you have 7 people's lives to keep track of instead of 150+. AWESOME.

So, one of my favorite stories to tell so far is from friday.
Chris, one of my bosses, comes downstairs and says "Well Nikki, you've made it a week! Do you want a beer?"
Confused, I said "Uh, no...thanks.." He continues, "Well, we normally have a beer every friday to kind of...well, celebrate the end of the week."
HAVE I SAID THAT I LOVE MY JOB YET!?!
*sigh* WOOOOOT!!!

I just can't even explain how excited I am that I have this job. I am so lucky to work with this group of people and have this opportunity.

I am having a little trouble adjusting to this new sleeping pattern. The only nights I seem to really get it are the nights I'm just too exhausted to stay awake any longer.
I'm also oddly excited for my lunches this week. I baked some chicken tonight, and for tomorrow I made 2 chicken salad wraps. Tomorrow night, I'll put together a chicken salad, and then for friday, we'll just have to see which one I like more and make that one. lol

I haven't forgotten to make/bring a lunch yet (but 6 times isn't really a record...).
I love seeing Jacki in the mornings. Its nice, because eventhough its for only 7-15 minutes... I still get to see her... and its a good start to the day!

At Wal-mart friday night some man overdosed on heroin in the washroom... there was a code white call (first aid call) and if I still worked there... I would have been the first one to respond.
HOLY FUDGSICLES BATMAN!! Thank goodness I don't work there anymore... I still play over and over in my head what the heck I would have done.
I would have attempted to stay calm the whole time... but nuh-uhn... I don't think so.

Anyway... there are so many good things about not being at Wal-mart... however, I'm experiencing the downside currently... hoping that I won't sleep in too late. Seeing as how I haven't even planned my outfit for tomorrow (which is normally what saves me in the longrun.)

Ok, sleep attempt time. If nothing, I'll just lay here, doing nothing.
YAY FOR EXCITING NEW THINGS.

Talk to y'all soon!!
♥Nikki

I feel special :) !!!

So I've had two days at the new job and I'm loving it!!
I was told today that my name was put on the website!! Its official ladies and gentlemen! I work there!!! hehe.
Unfortunately, they spelt my last name wrong (and the graphic designer will fix it tomorrow appparently). So currently, my name is Nikki Tibodeau... but at least whoever reads it will pronounce my name correctly. haha.
You can check it out here:
http://www.islandprintgroup.com/contact.html
(please note that by the time you click this link, they may have already corrected the error.)

Anyway, short post today.. because I'm up WAY too late/early.
Goodnight!!!
♥Nikki

OMG GUYS, ONE MORE DAY!

Ok, Ok.... Breathe. ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, the only day left in between now and my first day at Island Print Group.
I just can't believe it!! *DEEP BREATH*

Let's change the subject.
So last night I slept over at my parents' house, on the couch. It would have been alright if the animals didn't make so much noise. Haha. The dogs would whine, make weird noises while they were dreaming. The two younger cats would run around and play. Jasmine (the older cat) this morning she tried to act as an alarm clock by meowing this meow that can only be described as the noise you'd expect to hear when the cat is DYING. So that was interesting.
Then everyone seemed to get up around the same time, and we went out to Wendy's for lunch.
We dropped Malcolm off at home and then Renee, Mom, Dad and I went to Linens and Things. They are going out of business and so there were a few things that my mom wanted to get.
My dad and I had a blast. Talking about the George Foreman Grills... you really had to be there. haha.

After Linens n things we went and picked up Brian from work, and went home. We watched a movie about Harry Houdini. I couldn't tell you what the title was, but it was really good!

Shortly after I realized that it was Saturday (I'm kind of slow, I know) and Saturdays are Laundry Day... and I NEEDED to do laundry. So I put in a load and came back to my room to prepare the next load and I realized... my room was DISGUSTING.
So, I thought I'd do something about it.
I spent ALL night cleaning my room (yup... that bad.) It was the kind of bad where I had "cleaned up" a few times before by shoving things into my closet and under my bed... and so I had to clean up those things too. However, its DONE!! All my clothes are clean, and put away properly. I just need to vacuum. I couldn't do that at midnight.

So, yup... I'm feeling accomplished. YAY!
Ok, don't forget to roll your clocks back!! I'm going to go to sleep now! Sweet dreams!
♥Nikki

HOLY 2 DAYS BATMAN!!

So I've been on holidays this week.

Holidays from Walmart that is. Yes, I put in my two weeks notice... but at the same time, I had this week of holidays already booked off.

So anyway, I'm a "free" woman now. I am currently unemployed. How does it feel?? Well, um... I don't really know. I have a job waiting for me on monday, so I don't really feel unemployed. 

The anticipation is killing me. You know when you are going on a trip and the night before you leave you can't sleep a wink? I think its going to be like that Sunday night. I mean... I already love staying up late as it is (which is why ALL of my blog posts have been between 12am-5am), but it has got to stop if I want to be able to concentrate at work.

Today, I started my day with a walk to my new work. To time how long it takes me to walk there. 21 minutes. That's how long it takes. Which is awesome. I was planning on busing there...however, my mother pointed out that its less than 10 minutes away from Wal-Mart which I already walk to. So, I guess I'll be walking. A bonus to walking (well, there are several bonuses.. but I want to point out this one) will be that I pass by Wal-Mart just about the time that My best friend should be outside having her smoke break. I mean, how awesome would that be to see my best friend everyday (ish) of the week!?! I used to only see her thursdays and then briefly (15minutes max) on Tues, Wed and Fri if I showed up an hour early to work, because that is when she got off work and was heading home.

Anyway.. needless to say... I AM SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!

I've wanted to e-mail my new work and be like " WOOOO-HOOOOO __#__ days left!!!" as a countdown everyday since I've found out... but I'm pretty sure they'd re-think my sanity.

I should probably post an entry in here more than once a week... so that you kids (Renee...ok, and Dad...lol) don't have to wade through my ramblings... but hey... I'll ramble if I want to ramble. (keep in mind I'm writing this after our "celebration") ...lol.

I went shopping with my mom today. I bought food to bring for lunches, little snacks (good for me snacks like mini manderin oranges, carrots, snap peas and sugar peas...OH! and granola bars!) Basically, I get 30 mins for lunch, and there isn't anything RIGHT there to go buy.. so I *HAVE* to bring my lunch. Which is probably one of the best things for me. An extra 12 minutes of walking (to and from work combined) a day, healthy eating (and drinking- no easy access to pop) so, let's bring on the healthy!! Healthier leads to happier (not that I'm UN-happy... but if I can get happier, I want to!!)

Ok, feeling a little sleepy... I think I'm going to curl up on this couch and sleep.

Love you bunches Mom, Dad and Renee (since you are my only readers, I dedicate this to you. haha)

Nikki

Administrative Assistant

Hello Again!

Well, I find myself back here almost exactly a week ago from my last post.
I've been back here to type quite a few times and then been distracted by something and left.

So news??? YES!! Approximately 7 hours after I posted that last blog I listened to a message on my voicemail that went something like this: (names changed so I could write "Names changed" in my blog)

"Hi! This is Kayla from Island Print Group and I just wanted to call to say that we would love to offer you the job! So if you want to come in today to go over the job description and make sure that you're happy with it, we'd be glad to hear from you!"

I was ecstatic! For my whole lunch break I just bounced around... calling people and texting people. I felt like screaming, crying, laughing hysterically, and EVERY SINGLE EMOTION you could think of, ALL at the same time.

Of course I called my mom first. Haha... who wouldn't? Then i called my new employer back and said YES. My mom told me that she would make me some chili for dinner in celebration... things couldn't be better.

So after work, I go to IPG (Island Print Group) and I talk it up with Kayla and one of the owners, I meet all the staff... I also got to read over my job description, sign this lovely paper that says "Dear Nikki, we'd love for you to work with us...etc" and then got a tour.
On this tour, they say "Oh, let's show you your desk! We start walking towards this dinky little desk in the corner of an open file room and I just KNEW that would be it. NOPE! We walked right past it!!
We stop at the most gigantic office desk one could ever imagine. I seriously don't know what I'd do with all that space (hopefully not make it super dirty.. haha).
Anywho... so they gave me the introductry wattle bottle in the colour of my choice (Pink...of course) and then told me a little more about the company.
I'm seriously just super excited. OH MY GOODNESS!!!
I start on Monday November 3rd.

Now onto my next dilemma. WAL-MART.
I had always thought that i would stay there and work the weekends or something parttime. Just until I knew I was comfortable at the new job.... So I still figured that, told IPG that and went over to my mom's house with that in mind.

So I walk into my Parents' house to the smell of chili... OH, it smelled so wonderful. I get closer to the top of the stairs and smell CAKE. My mom baked me a "Congrats Nikki" cake with PINK icing. My mom is way too good to me.
I just ramble on and on to my mother about my new job, how wonderful its going to be and how excited I am.
My mom told me several times that day how proud of me she was... and man, did I ever feel special. Then came the question (or more of a statement)
"So you're quitting Wal-mart?" She said all proudly, which I could only reply with "No, I think i'll stay there for Friday nights and Saturday days."
She got this look on her face like are you crazy!?! "Well, I can't really leave Wal-mart around Christmas time mom" "Its not your problem what time of year it is Nikki"
So then started the debate. My sister came home and talked about it too. They both told me to "Grow some balls."

Now we've been trying to get Renee to quit Wal-mart for a while now. She is going to school full-time and working part-time. She went to quit one day and then got talked into just cutting down her hours. So I jokingly said to her "Well, I'll quit if you quit." and she looked at me, smiled and said "Ok!" and walked right over to the computer and printed off her resignation letter.
So, I went right after her and printed off mine.


Now, I can't tell you how much strength it took to actually go through with this. Wal-Mart is BURNED into my sub-cranium. I know Wal-mart like the back of my hand. I am totally into it. haha. I know the culture. I know how people are affected just by one person's actions. I just don't have the function "Quit Wal-Mart" downloaded in my brain. However, I'm doing it.

Friday is my last day. This friday. Like... I have two shifts left at Wal-Mart kinda of friday.
I have almost cried at work approx. 3 times over saying goodbye to people and tomorrow (well today, due to the time...) should be my hardest day.
I have to tell my safety team that this is my last meeting--- EVER with them. I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about it.
This is *my* team. We're a TEAM... like, we don't function without all our parts.
I'm going to miss them all so much and PLEAD with them to continue our work.
I already know of one person who isn't remaining with the team because I'm leaving.... and I hope that's not a trend. This team is my baby. I've worked to develop *us* for 2 years. We work... in our own quirky little way. *sigh*

ANYWAY... I always go on for WAY too long on these posts. I'll make one much smaller one of these days. haha.

Also, I have to BE AT work in 4 hours... so I'd best be getting to sleep.
Thanks for reading! (renee.... c'mon, I know you're the only one. haha)

♥Nikki

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.

Hello All.

My name is Nikki. Some know me as Nicole. Some call me Cole, Nik, Kiks...etc. Feel free to pick one that's comfortable.
I don't lead a very interesting life, although it keeps me busy. I currently work at a Wal-Mart, and have for over 6 years. 6 YEARS!?! I know, its been a long time, but I'm on the search for a new job. Why?
Well... the fact that a kid still in highschool could do my job isn't very rewarding for my self-esteem. I've worked there since I was 15 and it has been my one and only job. I think I picked an awesome place to work for my age. When I started... MAN, it was awesome. I had responsibility, respect from my boss and money in my pocket.
However, now there's really no where to go for me. I want to do something in the Clerical/Office field. I've always loved being on computers, answering phones and filing. I don't know why, I'm just weird like that.


So far, I've had 4 interviews. One, out in Langford for a job which I was offered. I turned it down because there were no benefits.
Second interview was with Sprott Shaw Community College. Who I never heard back from, eventhough I felt the interview went without a hitch.
Third interview was with Team Sales. Wow, this was an experience. I was interviewed by two people who just seemed desperate. They needed someone ASAP, and were disagreeing on answers to my questions right in front of me. I left, feeling like I had wasted both my time and theirs, and also heard nothing back from them.
Fourth and certainly the best, Island Print group. This interview was this past Tuesday.
Now let's start with the back story... I got the call from them on Friday that they were interested in interviewing me. I had just stepped out of the car in front of WalMart, ready to work. I was taken aback by the friendliness that I could feel over the phone. When I hung up, I was super excited--- and promptly forgot what time she said to come in tuesday morning.

I had no idea what to do in that situation. I didn't want to call back right away, because that would already be something against me... and with not really any clerical experience behind me... I don't need any extra things riding against me.

So that night at work I talked it over with my co-workers, and it was my sister that gave me the BRILLIANT idea of just calling monday to confirm the interview. Problem- Monday was a holiday. So I called anyway, hoping with all hope that someone would be in the office and be able to tell me what time my interview was at.
*ring ring* Hello Island Print Group! YES! Someone is there! Oh no... they don't have access to when my interview is. So he left her a message for me. Here was the problem. I guessed that it was for 9am. Now, I had to bus there but I didn't want to bus there for 9am and it be for 11! She was getting into the office at 8:30am... and if she called right before 8:37am and the interview WAS for 9am, I could still hop on the bus and make it there. If she called anytime after that, It wouldn't have mattered, I would have hopped that bus and had to wait.

No kidding, 8:36am she calls and confirms a time of 10am. So I walk back home, and eat some breakfast, then head on my way.
I could seriously go on and on about my adventure to get there and the awesome interview I had.
All I'll say is this: I was interviewed by three people at the same time. Not only did it not feel like some sort of grilling session, it honestly felt like a conversation between 4 people. 1 person, who was new and I told them a little about me, they told me a little about them... and it was REALLY cool.

On top of all this, they mentioned that one of my co-workers cleans their building. So when i mentioned to my co-worker today that they had dropped his name, he VOLUNTEERED to call and give me a reference! Now this was suprising on two levels. ONE, Sure, I've known this guy for years, I see him on a regular basis and we smile and say hi, see eachother work..etc, but we aren't buddy buddy. SECOND: He simply just offered to give me a reference! How sweet is that!?!

Anyway... I've rambled on for FAR too long and I doubt anyone will find this interesting... so with that, I bid you adieu!


♥Nikki