Well, yesterday was my LAST day at the law firm. After a horrible week and being accused of everything between lying to stupidity, I quit. Or, if you were one of my bosses, you'd say I was fired. I guess we'll call it "mutual."
I am so happy to never have to go back to that office again. Never in my life have I been treated in such a way by employers and co-workers.
Anyway, my last day went okay--I spent most of it with my friend (!!!) Sarah (we are officially friends now that we have traded phone numbers and email!) compiling the exhibit list for the case we were working on. It took us from 9:30a-5:15p to finish, so it was a long, busy day.
When I got home, Bart surprised me by taking me out to dinner. We went to a wine bar on Clark Street called D.O.C. It was fantastic!! The ambiance was wonderful--the walls were painted red and the lamps had red lampshades, so the lighting was dim. We sat in the back room on a couch near one of the fireplaces. Choosing food from the menu was SO hard, so Bart and I decided to share a "Butcher's Platter." For $25, we got to choose eight items off of the menu to share. And it ended up being PLENTY of food!
I ordered the Sundried Tomato, Mozzerella, and Basil Bruschetta; 4 yr. old Parmigano Reggiano, the Salami with Black Truffle, and Proscuitto. Bart got 400 day old Gouda, Goat Cheese flavored with lavender and fennel pollen, Green Apple and Brie Bruschetta, and Hot Coppa. We also got apricot marmalade, sweet and spicy candied walnuts and crusty bread to eat along with our other goodies. The food was so amazing. My favorites were the Bruschetta I ordered, the Truffle Salami (probably the best meat I have EVER eaten), and the Gouda. I really didn't think I'd like the Gouda, but it was so much better than the Parm. I ordered! That said, everything was honestly delicious--and the company was pretty good, too!
We also got "wine flights." It is a series of three small glasses of three different, complimentary wines. I chose white wines, Bart chose red. It was so fun to eat food that we would never normally have and drink wines that would normally be way out of our price range. Bart and I just talked and talked about so many different things and just fully enjoyed our evening. I felt so loved, in love and happy. It was wonderful!
Tonight we are meeting some friends at our favorite all-you-can-eat sushi place to visit and eat. I feel like we have had too many good things going on all at once, but I like it! I just hope I can fit into my pants after this weekend!
And, since I didn't get to write about our trip to the Field Museum last Sunday, I will now. It was great! We went to see the Diamond exhibit. We weren't allowed to have cameras or cell phones in there, so unfortunately I have no pictures to post. We saw a 409 carat diamond called the "Incomparable Diamond." It was bigger than Bart's fist and a very lovely orange color. We also saw the "Tiffany Diamond" which, if I remember correctly, is about 87 carats and is a "canary diamond" which means it's bright yellow. My favorite was a 17 carat diamond ring, but no matter what I did to try to convince Bart to buy it for me, he wouldn't :(
They also had some historic jewelry that belonged to kings and queens on display along with modern pieces. We even learned how diamonds are made, where they come from and how they are cut. Very interesting stuff!
Since I couldn't have that one right I wanted as a souvenir (I'm still broken hearted), Bart bought me one of those squished penny things. You put fifty cents into a machine along with a penny, turn the crank and out comes your little penny with a new picture smushed in. I chose the picture of a big diamond <3
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
I Still Hate My Job
Working at this law firm is definitely the worst job I have ever had. Ever. I absolutely hate it.
Yesterday I came home near tears because of the day I had. Monday a messenger came to deliver a transcript and he also brought three jars of chocolates with him, too. I asked who they were being sent to, and he said that they belonged to my attorney. I brought the candy and transcript to John, who was chatting with Pete. John joked that he had gotten candy and Pete didn't. John then told me to keep two of the jars because he wasn't a fan of chocolate and he only wanted one to bring home to his kids.
Now, you should know that ALL mail is supposed to go to Brenda when it arrives. Brenda wasn't around when this particular messenger came. Barbara is next in line, but she was also gone. They make sure that any important documents that come addressed to the attorneys is copied and THEN given to the attorney because they tend to write all over everything. I stayed with John while he opened the envelope and made sure that he didn't keep anything he took out, because I figured this would solve everyone's problem. Then I put the opened envelope in Brenda's box. Barb asked me about the envelope later, and when I told her what I did, she was totally fine with it.
So now we are back to Tuesday. My day started out with Pete accusing me of 1) not putting a visiting attorney in the conference room correctly--I wasn't even at work when he arrived, and 2) he accused me of being late when I told him I wasn't there--he asked me the night before to start coming a half our later and staying a half hour later at night. About an hour later, Pete called me into his office and began yelling at me about the candy. Now, the REAL issue here should have been that I was supposed to leave the mail in Brenda's office even though she wasn't there (which I didn't know). Pete, however, felt that he needed to focus more on the candy. He was furious that I took it, that I thought it was John's (even though that's what the messenger told me), and that I didn't offer it to Barb, his wife and the office manager. He actually said, "Why didn't you offer any to Barb? You know that she is a choco-holic." NO I DON'T!! I've been working at this place for three weeks! I don't know anyone's habits, likes or dislikes! And my simple apology wasn't good enough, either. He stretched the whole thing out for like 10 minutes--over MINI BLISS BARS!
Anyway, when I came out of his office, I felt horrible. Not because I feel like I did something wrong, because I don't. It was a simple mistake and no one got hurt (but me). I felt so humiliated and stupid. Pete made me feel like a greedy thief.
I went back to my desk and began typing up a letter for my attorney. Then my computer went nuts, which was perfect because EVERYONE has told me how Pete flips out when someone's computer gets a virus or breaks or whatever. At that point, I felt sick to my stomach, had to run to the bathroom, left the office for my lunch break and didn't eat anything because I was so freaked out. And do you know what the best part was? When I got back to the office, he was fixing my computer and HE DIDN'T EVEN CARE!!!! The man flips out over candy, but a computer virus that could have erased all of the files? No biggie.
After that, I decided that I need to look for new jobs again. I can't continue to work there, especially since I was THISCLOSE to putting on my coat and going home during lunch. I am never relaxed in that office and the only time anyone speaks to me is to tell me what I'm doing wrong. I wish I could quit tomorrow, but I need the money too much.
Yesterday I came home near tears because of the day I had. Monday a messenger came to deliver a transcript and he also brought three jars of chocolates with him, too. I asked who they were being sent to, and he said that they belonged to my attorney. I brought the candy and transcript to John, who was chatting with Pete. John joked that he had gotten candy and Pete didn't. John then told me to keep two of the jars because he wasn't a fan of chocolate and he only wanted one to bring home to his kids.
Now, you should know that ALL mail is supposed to go to Brenda when it arrives. Brenda wasn't around when this particular messenger came. Barbara is next in line, but she was also gone. They make sure that any important documents that come addressed to the attorneys is copied and THEN given to the attorney because they tend to write all over everything. I stayed with John while he opened the envelope and made sure that he didn't keep anything he took out, because I figured this would solve everyone's problem. Then I put the opened envelope in Brenda's box. Barb asked me about the envelope later, and when I told her what I did, she was totally fine with it.
So now we are back to Tuesday. My day started out with Pete accusing me of 1) not putting a visiting attorney in the conference room correctly--I wasn't even at work when he arrived, and 2) he accused me of being late when I told him I wasn't there--he asked me the night before to start coming a half our later and staying a half hour later at night. About an hour later, Pete called me into his office and began yelling at me about the candy. Now, the REAL issue here should have been that I was supposed to leave the mail in Brenda's office even though she wasn't there (which I didn't know). Pete, however, felt that he needed to focus more on the candy. He was furious that I took it, that I thought it was John's (even though that's what the messenger told me), and that I didn't offer it to Barb, his wife and the office manager. He actually said, "Why didn't you offer any to Barb? You know that she is a choco-holic." NO I DON'T!! I've been working at this place for three weeks! I don't know anyone's habits, likes or dislikes! And my simple apology wasn't good enough, either. He stretched the whole thing out for like 10 minutes--over MINI BLISS BARS!
Anyway, when I came out of his office, I felt horrible. Not because I feel like I did something wrong, because I don't. It was a simple mistake and no one got hurt (but me). I felt so humiliated and stupid. Pete made me feel like a greedy thief.
I went back to my desk and began typing up a letter for my attorney. Then my computer went nuts, which was perfect because EVERYONE has told me how Pete flips out when someone's computer gets a virus or breaks or whatever. At that point, I felt sick to my stomach, had to run to the bathroom, left the office for my lunch break and didn't eat anything because I was so freaked out. And do you know what the best part was? When I got back to the office, he was fixing my computer and HE DIDN'T EVEN CARE!!!! The man flips out over candy, but a computer virus that could have erased all of the files? No biggie.
After that, I decided that I need to look for new jobs again. I can't continue to work there, especially since I was THISCLOSE to putting on my coat and going home during lunch. I am never relaxed in that office and the only time anyone speaks to me is to tell me what I'm doing wrong. I wish I could quit tomorrow, but I need the money too much.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Weird Dreams.
So I have been having the weirdest dreams lately and I don't know why. I haven't been eating anything out of the ordinary and I certainly don't drink every night, so I can't blame that.
Last night I had THREE bizarre dreams. In a row. I woke up after each one and each time I was tempted to wake up Bart to tell him what I saw. Of course, I did no such thing, mainly because he would have killed me where I lay.
Anyway, I really, REALLY wish that I could remember some details about the dreams. After waking up each time, I replayed in my head what I'd seen so that I could tell Bart about it in the morning, but now all I know is that I dreamed some weird stuff. How disappointing is that?? Normally I can remember EVERY detail about my dreams (Dad and Bart find this especially fascinating and love to hear the stories).
Since I'm having trouble remembering and am dying to tell someone what I see, I'm going to keep a pen and a notebook next to my bed. I'll just scribble words down in the dark or something.
But, because I'm prepared and I want to have another crazy dream, I won't dream about anything in particular. That's just the way my luck goes!
Last night I had THREE bizarre dreams. In a row. I woke up after each one and each time I was tempted to wake up Bart to tell him what I saw. Of course, I did no such thing, mainly because he would have killed me where I lay.
Anyway, I really, REALLY wish that I could remember some details about the dreams. After waking up each time, I replayed in my head what I'd seen so that I could tell Bart about it in the morning, but now all I know is that I dreamed some weird stuff. How disappointing is that?? Normally I can remember EVERY detail about my dreams (Dad and Bart find this especially fascinating and love to hear the stories).
Since I'm having trouble remembering and am dying to tell someone what I see, I'm going to keep a pen and a notebook next to my bed. I'll just scribble words down in the dark or something.
But, because I'm prepared and I want to have another crazy dream, I won't dream about anything in particular. That's just the way my luck goes!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!
I've been thinking that this Valentine's day wouldn't be that great since Bart has to study for his finals this coming week--but it's been amazing! After his first final last night, Bart came home and decided that he was going to enjoy the rest of the night with me instead of studying (yay!!) I made Italian pasta salad for dinner and we watched "Fear" while eating. Jason left in the middle of the movie, so Bart and I actually got to enjoy an evening alone together, which was the best gift EVER!
I can't believe how much I've missed just snuggling with him on the couch while watching some show on TV and making funny comments about it to each other. We even watched an episode of "House" and Bart tried to guess what illnesses the patient had. I let Roscoe out of his cage hoping he would want to cuddle with us, but he seemed pretty intent on being a brat. All he did was act naughty and race around the living room like a lunatic because I wasn't paying enough attention to him. So back in his cage he went!
This morning, while Bart showered, I put our V-day dinner in the crockpot. We're having pulled pork with coleslaw. It's one of Bart's favorite things to eat and I thought it would be nice since it is a picnic style food and our very first V-day was celebrated with a picnic dinner on my dorm room floor.
After the food started heating up, I showered and then Bart took me down the street to that little pastry place I wrote about a couple days ago. When we walked in the owner reached under the counter and brought out a beautiful daffodil, a bag on M&Ms and a card for me! Bart had snuck over to the florist and Walgreen's while I was showering and then dropped everything off at the shop so I wouldn't know I was getting anything other than brunch!
We each ordered the Leek and Gruyere quiche (delicious!) and we shared a HUGE slice of Italian cheesecake (heavenly!). It was basically a cheesecake made out of cannoli filling, but a little bit more dense with chocolate chips and orange zest mixed in. Bart got a cup of coffee and I had a lovely cup of Jasmine tea. They serve the tea in tiny glass teapots with a steeper inside. Bart thought it was so cool that he wants one now, so we are going to plan a trip to Teavana---haha!
We just sat in the shop and ate, talked and loved each other. It was perfect <3
I can't believe how much I've missed just snuggling with him on the couch while watching some show on TV and making funny comments about it to each other. We even watched an episode of "House" and Bart tried to guess what illnesses the patient had. I let Roscoe out of his cage hoping he would want to cuddle with us, but he seemed pretty intent on being a brat. All he did was act naughty and race around the living room like a lunatic because I wasn't paying enough attention to him. So back in his cage he went!
This morning, while Bart showered, I put our V-day dinner in the crockpot. We're having pulled pork with coleslaw. It's one of Bart's favorite things to eat and I thought it would be nice since it is a picnic style food and our very first V-day was celebrated with a picnic dinner on my dorm room floor.
After the food started heating up, I showered and then Bart took me down the street to that little pastry place I wrote about a couple days ago. When we walked in the owner reached under the counter and brought out a beautiful daffodil, a bag on M&Ms and a card for me! Bart had snuck over to the florist and Walgreen's while I was showering and then dropped everything off at the shop so I wouldn't know I was getting anything other than brunch!
We each ordered the Leek and Gruyere quiche (delicious!) and we shared a HUGE slice of Italian cheesecake (heavenly!). It was basically a cheesecake made out of cannoli filling, but a little bit more dense with chocolate chips and orange zest mixed in. Bart got a cup of coffee and I had a lovely cup of Jasmine tea. They serve the tea in tiny glass teapots with a steeper inside. Bart thought it was so cool that he wants one now, so we are going to plan a trip to Teavana---haha!
We just sat in the shop and ate, talked and loved each other. It was perfect <3
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Week Two Down.
I found out yesterday that they want to keep me at the law firm. I guess that's good news, especially since I a) need the job and b) need the money. And Aunt Jayne was right; the second week did go better than the first.
The bad news, however, is that my co-worker, Sarah, told me Thursday that she gave her two-week notice on Monday. Apparently she hates the job and has a really hard time working with our boss. I haven't had to work with him one-on-one yet, but after talking to her I am really worried.
I really like Sarah and I was so hoping that we could be friends and do things together after work, like get coffee at Starbuck's or something after work. She is so nice--she's quiet and down to earth and married (!!) so maybe even Bart could have had a new friend.
She actually seemed to open up a lot to me yesterday when she talked about why she was leaving. She said that no one told her how our boss was, so she wanted me to know what to expect in the hopes that things might go better for me. Bart says that I should still pursue a friendship with her outside of work when she leaves. I think I will. She is JUST my type of person and I shouldn't give up so easily--especially in a place where I have no friends to begin with.
In other news, Bart and I will be having a very short Valentine's Day celebration since he has to study for his finals (they start Monday). I'm really bummed about it. I feel like I haven't been able to spend any time with him since we got back from Christmas. I love to just lay around and read with him, or watch movies with him. We have been planning on seeing the Diamond exhibit at the museum since I got here, but have never had the chance. I just miss having him all to myself, I guess. And who wouldn't? He is pretty darn fantastic.
The bad news, however, is that my co-worker, Sarah, told me Thursday that she gave her two-week notice on Monday. Apparently she hates the job and has a really hard time working with our boss. I haven't had to work with him one-on-one yet, but after talking to her I am really worried.
I really like Sarah and I was so hoping that we could be friends and do things together after work, like get coffee at Starbuck's or something after work. She is so nice--she's quiet and down to earth and married (!!) so maybe even Bart could have had a new friend.
She actually seemed to open up a lot to me yesterday when she talked about why she was leaving. She said that no one told her how our boss was, so she wanted me to know what to expect in the hopes that things might go better for me. Bart says that I should still pursue a friendship with her outside of work when she leaves. I think I will. She is JUST my type of person and I shouldn't give up so easily--especially in a place where I have no friends to begin with.
In other news, Bart and I will be having a very short Valentine's Day celebration since he has to study for his finals (they start Monday). I'm really bummed about it. I feel like I haven't been able to spend any time with him since we got back from Christmas. I love to just lay around and read with him, or watch movies with him. We have been planning on seeing the Diamond exhibit at the museum since I got here, but have never had the chance. I just miss having him all to myself, I guess. And who wouldn't? He is pretty darn fantastic.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Weekend
Since this past week was so horrible for me, Bart did everything he could to make the weekend great. And he did!
On Friday night Bart ordered in Chinese--my favorite! We got General Tso's, Beef and Broccoli, Steamed Dumplings, fried rice and egg rolls. Yum! Then we watched The Happening. We'd seen the movie in theaters and loved it. We can't figure out why other people seem to dislike it so much--maybe because of the plants?
Anyway, we slept in Saturday which was WONDERFUL. I didn't realize how great it was to be able to sleep in when I wasn't working. When Bart and I woke up, we decided to try this little pastry shop that is basically right outside of our door. It is such a cute little place and they specialize in European pastries and deserts. They also serve "savories," like quiche and stuff. I bought Bart a marzipan macroon and I got myself a cannoli (delicious!) and some other thing that is basically Eclair cream and whipped cream inside of a puff pastry (amazing!). The bad news is that I'm going to gain 369382947 pounds because I want to eat there all the time now!
After we ate, I went with Bart and Jason to ICO and Bart practiced doing the Slit Lamp on my left eye, and practiced B.I.O and tenometry (sp?) on his classmates. We were there for 4 hours, which was tough for me because I got bored pretty quickly. After that, we took Jason's car and FINALLY went grocery shopping. Fortunately, we hit some great deals and were able to stock up on a lot of staples for a decent price. Food is so expensive out here! I ended up making lasagna for Bart, Jason and our friend Tommy. I did the usual sausage lasagna, and, since Tommy hates sausage and I'm trying to get healthy, I made a spinach, mushroom and black olive lasagna. Everyone LOVED the veggie version.
Today was boring, so I won't write about it. Bart is calling me to come visit with him in the kitchen while he washes the dishes anyway!
On Friday night Bart ordered in Chinese--my favorite! We got General Tso's, Beef and Broccoli, Steamed Dumplings, fried rice and egg rolls. Yum! Then we watched The Happening. We'd seen the movie in theaters and loved it. We can't figure out why other people seem to dislike it so much--maybe because of the plants?
Anyway, we slept in Saturday which was WONDERFUL. I didn't realize how great it was to be able to sleep in when I wasn't working. When Bart and I woke up, we decided to try this little pastry shop that is basically right outside of our door. It is such a cute little place and they specialize in European pastries and deserts. They also serve "savories," like quiche and stuff. I bought Bart a marzipan macroon and I got myself a cannoli (delicious!) and some other thing that is basically Eclair cream and whipped cream inside of a puff pastry (amazing!). The bad news is that I'm going to gain 369382947 pounds because I want to eat there all the time now!
After we ate, I went with Bart and Jason to ICO and Bart practiced doing the Slit Lamp on my left eye, and practiced B.I.O and tenometry (sp?) on his classmates. We were there for 4 hours, which was tough for me because I got bored pretty quickly. After that, we took Jason's car and FINALLY went grocery shopping. Fortunately, we hit some great deals and were able to stock up on a lot of staples for a decent price. Food is so expensive out here! I ended up making lasagna for Bart, Jason and our friend Tommy. I did the usual sausage lasagna, and, since Tommy hates sausage and I'm trying to get healthy, I made a spinach, mushroom and black olive lasagna. Everyone LOVED the veggie version.
Today was boring, so I won't write about it. Bart is calling me to come visit with him in the kitchen while he washes the dishes anyway!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
At Least I Have A Job
It's been a while.
I began the new job this past Monday--I didn't realize what I was in for. It was so much harder, more grueling and more involved than I ever expected.
I came home crying Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I broke down hysterically Thursday morning before leaving the apartment for work. On the bright side, I didn't cry when I came home that night or Friday night.
I think the biggest problem for me is that I don't know how to be a Legal Assistant. I'm completely winging it and I feel completely lost most of the time. There is so much pressure (mainly from myself) to do the work perfectly because other people's lives/futures are on the line here. I could lose a lot of people a lot of time and money if I make a mistake.
But at least I have a job, right?
I began the new job this past Monday--I didn't realize what I was in for. It was so much harder, more grueling and more involved than I ever expected.
I came home crying Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I broke down hysterically Thursday morning before leaving the apartment for work. On the bright side, I didn't cry when I came home that night or Friday night.
I think the biggest problem for me is that I don't know how to be a Legal Assistant. I'm completely winging it and I feel completely lost most of the time. There is so much pressure (mainly from myself) to do the work perfectly because other people's lives/futures are on the line here. I could lose a lot of people a lot of time and money if I make a mistake.
But at least I have a job, right?
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