Tuesday
Dec082009
Two down, many many more to go
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 03:16PM
It's been two days, and people, I'm exhausted. Being in the car two and a half hours a day when it's dark on a boring highway drive is tiring. I get up earlier than I used to, and I get home much later. Last night I got home just in time to eat a few slices of pizza the Giraffe picked up before we headed out for our book club. I ditched out of that a little early just in time to get home to check my email and fall into bed. Tonight after my long commute I had to stop for gas (which promises to be an every-other-day occurrence), pick up Oberon from the vet and stop for some drive-thru dinner (because the thought of even pouring myself a bowl of cereal sounded like too much work).
The time at work is about what you'd expect on the first couple days. Monday was really busy with meeting people, filling out paperwork and sitting in on a couple meetings. Today mostly consisted of fighting with my computer, sifting through various files to see if I could make sense of anything, and rearranging the furniture in my office.
Today also happens to be my birthday, and it's been a strange one. I haven't talked to anyone today who actually knows it's my birthday. The Giraffe is gone before I get up, nobody at work knew it was my birthday as it's only my second day there, and my phone was so low on battery that I couldn't answer it nor even check voicemail (note to self: get a car charger!). I also got tons of happy birthday emails, facebook messages and texts, many of which I couldn't read until I got home just now. In fact, I forgot several times that today was even my birthday!
I don't even care though. I want to take a shower, watch a few minutes of TV, and go to sleep. Because I have to be on the road long before the sun comes up tomorrow morning.
PS - Did I mention how thankful I am for this job?
The time at work is about what you'd expect on the first couple days. Monday was really busy with meeting people, filling out paperwork and sitting in on a couple meetings. Today mostly consisted of fighting with my computer, sifting through various files to see if I could make sense of anything, and rearranging the furniture in my office.
Today also happens to be my birthday, and it's been a strange one. I haven't talked to anyone today who actually knows it's my birthday. The Giraffe is gone before I get up, nobody at work knew it was my birthday as it's only my second day there, and my phone was so low on battery that I couldn't answer it nor even check voicemail (note to self: get a car charger!). I also got tons of happy birthday emails, facebook messages and texts, many of which I couldn't read until I got home just now. In fact, I forgot several times that today was even my birthday!
I don't even care though. I want to take a shower, watch a few minutes of TV, and go to sleep. Because I have to be on the road long before the sun comes up tomorrow morning.
PS - Did I mention how thankful I am for this job?
in Giraffe, Just stuff
Giraffe, Just stuff
Reader Comments (14)
Happy Birthday and congratulations on your new job!
Shan, I'm so sad that you're already not liking the drive at all...although, I have to agree with you on multiple things:
1. I have to get gas every other day also, and I hate it so much. I've always hated pumping gas (hello - waste of time), but to do it every other day? When you already get home so late? MISERABLE.
2. Being exhausted - I thought I was crazy at first, I mean, how can just sitting in the car for 2 1/2 hrs per day make me tired? It's so tiring.
3. Cooking dinner - No way in hell. That's why Jason and I have the agreement that he cooks dinner because I'm driving so far. And that's why I get so mad when he slacks on his duties or comes home late. :)
With that being said - I think you'll get more used to it. Eventually you'll get a groove, and although you'll still be tired, it should be more bearable. I'm thinking about you girl! And feel free to call me anytime during your commute!
Wow - hopefully your body will get used to the change quickly and in a couple weeks you'll have more energy after work!
Happy Birthday! I am glad you mentioned it, because otherwise I wouldn't have known. I think you'll get used to the schedule... it's only temporary, right?
Take it from someone who spent all last year driving at least 2 hours a day and two days a week 3.5 hours, you actually may end up finding you like it. I hated it at first, but then I ended up liking the quiet, the me time. I started catching up on my phone calls in the evening, and in the morning it was kind of a meditative time. It was nice. In fact, I liked it so much that when I stopped, I kind of missed the long car rides. I did end up eating out a lot though, and gained weight as a result, but you do start to get used to it. Hopefully, you'll even find you like it, once you get used to it. Also be glad that gas prices aren't like they were last year (although pretty close). :)
Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Hopefully the exhaustion will subside some once you get used to it. And hopefully it won't be forever that you have to make such a commute. I recall being so exhausted when I was making an hour commute each way. Only to come home to cook dinner, clean, do laundry, etc. I was in bed by 9 o'clock every night and sometimes earlier. Those weren't the better days of my life so I was probably slightly depressed too. So I think that you have happiness on your side and it won't be so bad once you get used to it. ;) You should be exhausted enough to sleep well though.
I hope you love the job and find that it's totally worth it.
I can't imagine driving that far. It used to take me that long to get to work in MI just because my office was on the other side of the city and I had to drop off Ronia on the way. Now that I'm staying at home, it is hard to fathom that Victoria watched her TEN hours a day. Tack on the commute time to and from her house and that left me with like 2 hours of the day to see her, max.
I think over time the drive can be therapeutic. Sarah used to get up at 5, take the bus to the trolly, the trolly to the coaster, and ride her bike to be at work at 8. She said it was her time to herself and got some thinking done. Maybe some books on tape would be a good idea. We used to listen to the Ramona books in the car and it was always fun.
Good luck adjusting! I felt weird not talking to you on your birthday, but your card is actually in the mail. :)
Happy birthday!
I've been meaning to get a car charger for my cell phone for 2 years now... :-)
Happy b-day! I completely understand about the commute being exhausting. Although: I think there is something about starting a new job that is exhausting even without a commute. Keeping track of names/faces, being enthusiastic yet not overeager, learning tons of details big and small. It all gets easier with time.
BUT ... please do not use the commute to make phone calls (as someone recommended). I know it's tempting, but there is so much research that shows it is super dangerous. Listen to books on tape/podcasts instead!
Happy birthday!
I think it's completely understandable that you're exhausted. Hopefully once it's routine you won't be so tired.
Congratulations on your new job! A long commute gets frighteningly easy frighteningly quickly. And happy birthday!!
Hey there miss fancy pants with an office!! :) You have furniture to rearrange too?? I can't wait to get a Masters degree and be done with the shitty cubicle business...!
Hope you love your job!
Happy birthday! :)