My friend uses this expression all the time. Like, daily. Except she swaps out the ‘s’ with an ‘f’ in the 1st word. But you get the point. And I’m gonna steal her expression just this once. Cuz that’s what 2013 has been so far. And I’m not even a superstitious person really. Heck, I have a black cat, and he crosses my path every single day. Sometimes, he even darts right between my legs too as I’m walking. But I don’t let it bother me.
Where was I? Yes, 2013 has really, really sucked. Lemme explain:
January: my friend (the same one mentioned above, and with whom I shared an office at work) got transferred to a different department. She made me laugh every day. Heck, every hour. And when she moved out, another colleague moved immediately in. And she & I don’t get along as well. I mean, we’re not enemies or anything. She’s just not as fun. So basically, we work in silence.
Also in January: another colleague unexpectedly passed away. This was the same week that my friend transferred out of my department. And this colleague, well, she was my age, & we would talk often. As in, multiple, multiple times a day. I mean, it seemed she was in my office (blabbing about something or other) more than she was at her own desk. Seriously. And so, from that point on, work just got really, really depressing. I lost my friend, and I forever lost my other friend.
February: A family crisis ensued. Like, east coast family. To the point where I was on a flight within hours. (Yes, it cost a lot of money.) Thankfully, my employer was very, very understanding. So I went home to help out in any way I could. When I left a week later, things weren’t much better, and they still aren’t today. We’re talking Jerry Springer/Lifetime movie here, folks. Very uncharacteristic for my family. I don’t think I can possibly explain how this has affected me. The word ‘deeply’ isn’t deep enough.
March: I got a job promotion. Yay! Except it has really, really increased my stress levels cuz of new responsibilities. Some of my previous tasks were transitioned to another colleague, which shoulda helped, but that didn’t last long (see May).
April: Our entire department moved into another area of the building (we got too big for the old space), which meant that I got my very own {cubicle} space (and also means that I no longer share a workspace with anyone – see January). But that new workspace? Extremely, extremely small. Basically, I have to push my chair out into the aisle to get out of my cubicle – that’s how small. Sigh. I can’t win for losing.
Also in April: Another colleaugue decided she wanted to work from home (and home actually means east coast), and so I was designated to be the liaison between this colleague and the rest of my department (translation: more work with no extra pay).
May: The colleague who took over my previous job responsibilities? Well, it was too much for her, so she resigned. Yep, my old job was too stressful. And that very week, my employer initiated a {temporary} hiring freeze. Which means they can’t replace her. So, all that work fell back into my lap. And it will remain that way for the foreseeable future. So, my stress levels are through the roof, people (see February & March).
Also: January through May – I’m still continuing online classes. So, basically, I’m on the computer for a solid 12 hours a day, between work & school. And maybe that will help explain why my blog has been collecting dust bunnies lately.
Forgive me for the neglect?
