Monday, Monday... (and cue music)

(Even though it's Tuesday... I am still going to write about Monday).

My life has finally taken on some sort of schedule: I volunteer at a small non-profit here in Kalamazoo from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm, and then I drive down the street and pick Ariele (baby sister) up from nerd school (also known as KAMSC, or the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center. See?). Even though Monday essentially mirrored today in terms of activity, Monday was difficult. And today, much better.

I have found that "work" is great for working on character flaws. Kept finding myself in tight people situations at "work" (affectionately known as volunteering) yesterday and really wanted to just punch somebody in the face. My "boss" started the non-profit in 2001, and in October, their organization will be hosting their 6th annual Minority and Women-Owned Business Expo (I think I have typed/said that phrase at least a million times in the past 48 hours). I actually think the idea is really cool.

On the other hand, what I don't think is cool is when my "detail-oriented" boss pays attention to minute details that border on insanity; for instance, telling me the tag of my sweater is sticking out and should she tuck it in for me? (For real?? There are other worse things to worry about!) I found myself at my wits end at lunch time. "Um..." said she, "we don't eat at our desks..." and proceeded to lecture me about why we don't eat at our desks. I really wanted to throw whatever I was eating at her, but decided that doing so was against my better judgment. So, I retreated into break room to pace.

I knew I had a bad attitude, and that things would only get worse if I didn't do something about it. I prayed something like, "God, I don't even want to have a good attitude...!" and proceeded to ask him to help me throughout the rest of the day. Once I'd calmed myself down, my "boss" walked in a few minutes later (to which I thought, 'wow, Lord, that was quick!') and apologized for not being able to explain everything to me thoroughly, and that it was stressful around the office because of the Expo coming up so quickly. I guess people who said they'd support the Expo or sponsor haven't delivered like they said they would. And for a small non-profit, I can definitely see how that would be stressful.

Monday gave me the opportunity to see the stuff I'm really made of... very humbling, but I'm glad that at least I know more areas that I need to grow in character, more rough spots in my heart that need filing. I won't lie and say that I fixed everything overnight. Actually, by the end of yesterday, I was feeling quite wretched. I will say, however, that an attitude change and a penitent heart make a world of difference (which I will probably write about later...)

In brief, today was better because: "boss" was more gracious today (thank goodness!); connected really well with two of the women who work at the office during lunch time; heard some good news about an internship (but still have to make a decision by Monday); and Ariele passed her road test. In other news, my cousin Christine is "still preggo," in her own words, and I hope to write a post very soon about her little boy...