All the Jobs I've ever had...

As I look back, I realize that I have had a TON of jobs thus far in my life. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work; growing up poor forced me to become self-reliant and industrious. So...
I think this list is pretty comprehensive (listed from the most present back):

Hanesbrands, Inc. in NYC (Nov 2009 - present) - receptionist/ administrative assistant
University of Nebraska at Omaha (Aug. 2007 - May 2009) - Italian instructor
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Mesa, AZ (July 03 - June 05) - Director of Group Sales
Dobson Ranch Inn & Resort in Mesa, AZ (Jan 01 - June 02) - Sales Manager
Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau in Mesa, AZ (Aug 99 - Jan 01) - Tourism Sales Manager
Fiesta Inn Resort in Tempe, AZ (Aug 1997 - June 1999) - Front Desk Agent
Merit Medical in South Jordan, UT (summer of 1997) - label inspector, & yes I wore a hairnet!
LDS Missionary in Milan, Italy (1995-1996)
Broadway Sales Inc. in Tempe, AZ (Jan-March 1995) - catalog/ customer service rep.
Psychology Dept. at the University of AZ in Tucson, AZ (Aug 1002-Dec 1994) - office assistant
Carol's Hallmark in Tucson, AZ (summer 1992) - cashier/ card stocker
Cafeteria at UofA in Tucson, AZ (Aug 91 - May 92) - potato plopper/ soup scooper, etc.
Pretty Party Place in Mesa, AZ (1889-1991) - cashier, balloon maker, wig sorter, straightener
Ned's Krazy Sub in Mesa, AZ (jr. high and high school) - cashier, sub maker, cleaner upper girl

Wow, I'm a well-rounded individual with lots of experience in many fields! :) I'd love to see YOUR list(s), dear blog reader. Let me know when its compiled!

The Devil designs clothing

Ever seen the movie, "The Devil Wears Prada?" Its my life right now. Only, fortunately, Peter works even more than I so he's not pressuring me to quit like Andi's boyfriend in the aforementioned flick. Quite the contrary, he couldn't be happier that I work for the MAN. At least I'm bringing in cash and we're making our bills. Capisci? So, I am the receptionist/ admin for Hanesbrands, Inc. This umbrella company houses the clothing designers for Hanes, Champion, Just My Size, among others. I order all the supplies, sign for and deliver all packages (about 50+ a day), make copies, grind special imported coffee for the Boss Man, get his lunch, get the other lady's lunch, and essentially troubleshoot. In typical New York style, there was no official training for this job, so I learn everything in the moment, naturally making numerous mistakes as I figure out how often we change the water filter, how many boxes of paper we order weekly, when to get fresh flowers for particular clients, and how many gallons of milk we go through a week. Its mayhem, but sometimes I have a quiet moment to surf the internet or update my blog. Take right now for example.

Most days, my thoughts are dominated by the concept that I'm 36 and I'm grinding coffee. !? Did I just go back in time 15 years!? When people ask me about my employment, I dread the inevitable - "well, this could be a launch pad for something better," or "you gotta start somewhere"... huh? Am I getting career advice from people in their 20's? They mean well. There's just nothing to say. So, its better if people don't ask. I truly am grateful to be employed in this economy and ultimately, its all for Peter's career and he's the love of my life.

Oh, and the thing about the DEVIL... I actually have 5 people that I "report" to and they're all pretty nice. Except for one lady who makes me do petty errands for her, like get her lunch or put the candles in the Menorah each day. If she's Jewish, then wouldn't it have more meaning for HER to do it than me? Whatever. Have you ever had an experience like this? A so-called demoralizing arrangement that robbed you of your "dignity" in some way, but you had to keep at it?

Oh, and did I mention that I have the privilege of refilling the candy dish each day and that I got to decorate the Christmas tree? Yippity skippity.

Giving Thanks 2009

When your husband works on Thanksgiving Day, what do you do? You have a slumber party!!! I spent the night at my friend's Sarah's house Wed. AND Thursday nights over the Thanksgiving holiday. We laughed, we cried, we baked and cooked until we were exhausted. All so that we could gorge alla grande. Please note that we did put our turkey in the Crock Pot and it turned out very well. I highly recommend it. Doesn't take much time or thought, you just rub it down with spices and olive oil. And, of course, there's the small matter of ripping off the turkey legs and wings... not so pleasant. But I was not faint hearted. Sarah grossed out. Alla grande.

Anyway, we went and saw the teenie bopper film New Moon and it was mediocre at best. Why exactly did I read those books again? Embarrassing. We also watched Jane Eyre on Friday morning after rolling in bed for a few hours. Much better story, acting and plot!

In these pics the missionaries are featured, as well as myself and Sarah's boyfriend Miguel.

Hope y'all had a nice Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for a wonderful life, especially friends and family. Peter is grateful for the leftovers I brought him.

AND the catheter is my friend...

So, quite an adventerous month. First of all, two weeks ago, I FAINTED on the subway in Manhattan heading to work. Fortunately, I felt it coming on and started moaning. Some nice people helped me to sit down (I don't remember any of this), and when I came to - about 10 seconds later - I had missed the 14th Street exit. Everyone was staring at me and asking me if I was OK. A nice lady and man accompanied me up the stairs to hand me over to some firemen at 42nd Street. It was then that I realized that noboldy had stolen my purse! Miracle in Manhattan! So, they gave me an oxygen mask and that helped. I was getting dizzy again, just sitting down. Eventually, the ambulance arrived and took me to the infamous Bellevue Hospital. Grrr... I wish they would have taken me to Brookly, where at least the people know me (I had passed out the weekend before and Peter had to take me to Brooklyn at midnight). So, I spent the next 16 hours getting infused with two units of blood and an unnecessary gynecological exam. I yelled at the ladies in the middle of the exam, "Excuse me, why are we doing this? Its so unnecessary! I have a surgeon who's seeing me tomorrow morning and he's doing surgery on me next week!" They, startled, told me that I should have refused the ultrasound downstairs. DUH. Why didn't I think of that? I guess I just trusted them... grrr... So, they admitted me to the hospital, where I spent long, wasted hours, watching the blood drop into my body and feeling more energy with every drop. Thanks to everyone who gives blood! I have a new appreciation. :)

My sugery (uterine fibroid) was moved up to last Wednesday, Oct. 28, in light of the fainting and all...

Dr. Bradley Trivax reports that the fibroid was HUGE (5 cm) and they got almost all of it out. Yikes, not sure I can endure anaesthesia again... [please everyone pray that they won't have to go back in]... anyway, apparently, in the surgery process, they perforated the uterus and "nicked" my bladder!? So, a general surgeon had to go in laproscopicly (the spelling is surely wrong) and suture my organs up. AARGH!? A one hour surgery dragged on to 3.5. Peter reports that the surgeon came out twice to explain and to reassure Peter, but he seemed stressed. They put in a catheter so that my bladder could rest. At first I was horrified, but now I have to say that the catheter is my friend!!! With my tummy being so sore, it would have been painful to get up and relieve myself very often. They were pumping me with liquids to get that anaesthesia out of my system. I spent Wed. night and all of Thursday in the hospital. So, apparently, a catheter should be in at least a week after such happenings... now its getting old. Not so much my friend anymore.... I'm pretty sure Dr. Trivax will be taking it out Friday morning, but I have to say, after five days of laying flat in bed, I was grateful to have it!

*Postnote: Peter was an absolute angel and nurse to me! Fortuitously for me, he was on vacation and could attend to my every beck and call. My blood count is low again, but I'm on iron pills and feeling much better. Today I took a walk outside! I am so humbled and grateful to be alive! Modern medicine is miraculous. A lady like me in the Middle Ages or even a hundred years ago would just have kept bleeding and have died...

Ode to Sara(h)

If you're name is Sara(h) you're probably a kindred spirit! I was thinking the other day how I seem to be drawn to fabulous gals with said name and consistently make them my dearest of friends. Take Sarah Ehmke, for example. We sang together in Tucson Institute Chorale back in the early 90's and were part of the "9" innocuously elitist social club. What fun memories! She is a wonderful mother of five and is always pleasant, patient, forgiving, tolerant and kind to others. I'm grateful for her gentle nature and example. We currently follow each other's blogs and try to get together every Christmas for lunch. I look forward to that. Then there's my Italian amica Sara Tonon. We met on my mission in Italy (1995-1996) and were instant friends. She played the piano and we both liked singing Mormon "pop" so there began a long and enduring friendship. She came to visit me for two months in 1999, and again in 2003 for a few weeks. I've been to visit her in Torino, Italy FIVE times. Just can't stay away from this spunky and hilarious girl. She's soooo fun and bright. We've had some good times and written probably a thousand letters to each other over the years. Which brings me to Sara Swim Turley - a sweetheart of a girl with amazing piano talent. We braved the singles wards together, commiserating and laughing at a number of "linger longers," FHE's and "break the fasts"... it was fun to witness her courtship and romance to Scott Turley. We had an especially good time with our singing group, eh Sara? Your master's piano concert was AMAZING; you're so talented and positive; thanks for the memories. Next I think of Sarah Huffman, a gorgeous single from Omaha, NE who was a regular Halloween partier, a Sunday luncheoner, a weekend game player, a jewelry-attending goofball who'd always be a sport for birthday celebrations, watching General Conference at the Nelsons or movie nights. I sure miss hangin' with you Sarah, you're FABULOUS! Hang in there, Mr. Right is not good enough for you... yet. Okay, so here I am now in NYC and my two new BFF's are Sarah Fulton and Sara Orlando! Seriously, these ladies ROCK. Sarah Fulton is the RS President and blows me away with her spirituality, conversion to the gospel, and depth of character. I LOVE talking to her and laughing with her about... everything! I am so blessed by her friendship and I thank my Heavenly Father for this. She is such a beautiful person, inside and out. She regularly brings my world such joy and positive energy. Can't wait for game night and Sunday dinner with Marisol. :) A propos to blessings, I was inspired to talk to Sara Orlando about forming a singing group several months ago. She and I have also become fast friends in the early planning stage, but also as we have chatted about life's challenges, mostly health related. She is one of the most sincere and compassionate people I know. I can tell that she truly cares about my health and job problems and understands what I'm going through. She was recently assigned as my Visiting Teacher and my first reaction was, "she already takes care of me!" I am so excited to work with her in our octet and otherwise. What a lovely, talented lady!!!
Sara Morgan is the one that got away... almost! We met a few months ago and then she up and moved to AZ. In that short time, we laughed and laughed. And laughed. What a great sense of humor, wow! I enjoyed hearing her takes on life, her Jimmy Fallon stories, and listening to her insights. Oh, and she totally converted me to the Snuggie. A blanket with sleeves!? How do people live without them... seriously. I wish her the best of luck in her new life in AZ. She's missed greatly by myself and other folks here in NYC.
So, what is it about Sara(h)? Don't know, but its a great name and I just want to say that I love all you very much! Thank you for being my friend(s). It means the world to me.

Peter... on vacation

Peter finally has some "down time." He was assigned two weeks of vacation in October and two weeks again in April of 2010. We didn't complain about the assignments, given that many oral surgery programs don't allow more than a week vacation for the entire year! So, he's very lucky in that way. He's off from Oct. 15-Nov. 1. What is our happy chap doing on his vacation? Sleeping mostly, studying oral surgery, going to the gym and to the clerk's office. What, the clerk's office!!?... you're asking. Most days for several hours!? That's correct. Peter hasn't been able to put in the time on his calling that he'd like, which in his ideal world is about 10-15 hours a week. He gravitates toward clerking and organizational realms, so he's communiating frequently with the Bishop and the ward clerk about issues such as ordering supplies, cleaning up ward membership records, and GEO codes (don't ask me). He's happiest this way. Like his mother used to tell him, "a working Peter is a happy Peter." Too true. Most people on vacation in NY would be exploring the city, but our Peter, as you all know, is far from ordinary. He's very driven and focused, especially in his church callings. His brother, Patrick, is coming in town to visit this weekend and I think Peter might actually indulge in some sightseeing and brotherly bonding. Whatever happens, its a blessing to be married to this great man, and I appreciate his leadership and example. Hats off to you Petie-baby, may your vacation be everything you hoped!

Working Girl

Well, hopefully the job hunting nightmare is coming to an end. I finally went to a temporary agency two weeks ago and they have hooked me up with some no-brainer, but money-generating gigs. For two days I was a registration girl at Jacob Javitts Convention Center in Manhattan. $12/ hour to print labels and troubleshoot people standing in the wrong lines. Ironically, six years ago I attended a tourism conference at the same place as an important and dignified attendee with a business card. But no matter. Next, I filled in as receptionist at Hanesbrands Inc. (clothing designers) for a girl that was out sick for one day. $15/ hour to smile, make coffee, receive and sign for packages, distribute mail, and otherwise surf the internet. I currently find myself on a one week assignment again as a receptionist for Leucadia National Corporation; the regular receptionist is on vacation this week in Florida. So, I'm enjoying the perks of a free lunch everyday (rock on!), plenty of downtime, and friendly people. Whats in store for next week? TBD. But, I feel so relieved to have some, any income right now. And its kind of nice to have no-brainer jobs that allow you to concentrate on other things, like Italian idioms, which is the current book I'm studying here at my desk. I just had some business cards printed that say: Allison R. Nelson * Historian * Italian Instructor * Tour Guide*... why, Peter asks me, did I have these printed? Don't know... just to feel important I guess, and to remind me that I do have skills even though the economy is down and out. Bless you, Solomon Page Group (temporary agency)!!! You saved the day.