Something Old, Something New

Something red, something… silver!

I started a new job yesterday. I won’t work with them again until after next week because I must finish this upcoming week at my old job. It’s still a clothing store, but smaller and much more expensive! My old job turned me into a shopaholic, but I will not shop at my new store! Too pricy! The first day went well, though. Everyone’s super nice, nothing too hard, and I got all the on-boarding done. So many manuals! I am still employed with my old job, but as an on-call employee. I confess part of that is, despite all my complaints, being my first job makes me somewhat attached to them. That, and how I like so many of my co-workers. Having a heart sucks!

One of my bosses told me this recently: “Don’t burn a bridge.”

Putting aside the hope that bridge has two sides, I have to wonder how often bridges have been burned to say that. I certainly didn’t want to leave on bad terms, but I know a lot of people just stop showing up or quit that very day. I (unintentionally) gave them only a week’s notice instead of two, partly because I had no idea how transitioning to on-call works, but they didn’t hold it against me. I’ve learned anything can happen, so for all I know, I could go back to them as part-time someday (if they let me), so I very much don’t want to that bridge to become ashes.

I think the biggest change, however, is I’m paid bi-weekly instead of weekly now. That’s undoubtedly going to take some getting used to!

Finally, some independence!

The first day of school was on Friday. It was pretty good. Best of all, I get out at 2:14 and so does my best friend. We have the same class for our final period and it’s right down the hall from the exit, so we can just go out.

Shortly before dismissal, my friend asked me if I could walk home with her from school. Not that day, but starting Monday and from then on. Our other friends leave at 4:00 (regular dismissal time), so she would be walking alone. I imagine that’s why she asked me.

It also happened that my grandfather was coming with my uncle to pick me up, which, for once, was a good thing. I introduced my friend to and – OMFG – got his permission to walk home with my friend! The overprotective granddad actually said yes!

Finally, some freedom!

My friend would go home first and then, I’d just have to walk a block alone to my house. Unfortunately, I got the “don’t go with strangers” talk from my grandfather, but I guess that’s standard.

Well, this year is off to a good start. That was worth getting up at 5:30 in the morning!