SHORT & SWEET.

My best friend told me last night of a little story that made me fall asleep on my pillow with a big, cheesy smile on my face.

Her girlfriend Kendra works in retail and majority of the time it can be a very enjoyable working environment. Kendra, however, had one of those days. For those who work or previously have in retail - we've all had them. In fact, any one who has had to deal with a portion of the human population in some form has had those days. So let's go with everyone! Every bloody body reading this blog can relate. Special mention to hospitality workers - almost every time some one tells me they are beginning work as a waitress/bar staff at a restaurant or related, I can't help but laugh inside about the ghastly time they'll have, followed closely by an overwhelming sense of pity towards them. And then lastly I am aware of my content, morbidly happy I am not them at that point in time. I then go back to laughing again, in their face this time. None of this is deliberate either, it is literally an automatic bodily response. Every. Single. Time. (note: hospitality workers that actually enjoy their line of work - that's great!)

For my story's purpose however we'll relate to those painful, infuriating, soul crushing days with a retail example. Your day goes somewhat like this...

• Every customer is horribly rude
• They try on everything in the store but leave their wallets in their bags
• Every customer that is horribly rude is also horribly ugly (sorry but it's true)
• You stub your toe on one of the cardboard boxes in storage
• You only have a shitty salad for lunch & everyone else you work with has leftover lasagne and/or your favourite meal of all time (don't get me wrong, I love a good salad but I'm talkin' shitty - iceberg lettuce, icy cucumber and some leftover ham. That's it.)
• For some reason that same day your boss decides to despise you - just for the day
• You're asked those questions you have no idea how to answer, nor do you have the authority to
• You're asked why you don't know the answer to those questions
• You stub your toe again, on the same cardboard box as before 
• You get out of work later than usual, and by that stage you're already imagining the large McDonalds meal you're going to devour out of pure rage and self pity
• You eat the large McDonalds meal
• You hate yourself

NO ONE LIKES THESE DAYS, BUT THEY HAPPEN. AND I'M HERE FOR YOU.

Anyway, for Kendra - her day was beginning to look a lot like that one. DOOOOMMM.

I don't know exactly what the customer did to her, or how he treated her - but I'm certain it was something from the above examples.

He left her feeling terribly hurt, and in belief that her day was headed for the drive through.

In the late afternoon, this particular customer re-entered the store for the second time, carrying a jar of lollies.

He apologised for being abrupt with her earlier and said he 'didn't want to be the reason for her enduring a bad day'. BLESS!

Yes, yes he started the day off negatively, and I do not condone hurting someone's feelings just so you can be a big hero and shower them with gifts later. But - this little story shows a glimmer of hope in today's society. And I don't know about you, but it definitely brightened up my mood!

The lollies mentioned in this story. Gah - stop it!

THE KOOKS KOMEBACK.

The very loved british indi rock band The Kooks have let us all in on a new track - and dare I say it, a new sound.
The song 'Down' is set to be released on their upcoming EP 'Down' on April 18th of this year.
I believe this track will have a lot of mixed reviews, and mixed emotions.
For those who have been there from the start (myself included), this is a very different sound to what they first produced in 'Inside In/Inside Out' in 2006. Perhaps because they have appointed a new co-producer alongside lead singer/song writer, Luke Pritchard to work with on the album - hip-hop artist, Inflo.
Although this is no 'Seaside' or 'Gap' (Konk 2008), I can't help but want to dance as soon as I hear it.
It's a funky & feel-good track, and it grabs you right from the start of Pritchard's distinct howl.
I think if it wasn't for his recognisable voice, you would almost be unaware that this was actually a song by The Kooks. Cue in: Inflo. I believe that factor might upset a few fans.
I am still undecided on how I feel also, I know I like the hip-hop influenced sound though; regardless of the artist.
But then a little voice in my head, (and the one in my heart/ears) keeps telling me that it is SOOOO not the Kooks I know and love.
So do I embrace the change? Appreciate the genius behind it and look forward to the EP release?
OR...Do I cross my arms, shove them into my ribs, drop the bottom lip and refuse to listen to it - and try and understand why the lyrics aren't as meaningful as they are in many of their other songs?
Bear in mind folks that I DID say I'd try and be more positive this year, and I really do love a good track when I hear one. So for that, I'm going to stand by the boys and put this song on repeat.

Hey you, give The Kooks a break. I dig em, I dig em down down diggity down. Even if those lyrics are shit.

Jess

#UNILYF

This is a photograph of my desk for Uni purposes.
Am still wondering if it is only here for good looks, or if I will actually sit here and do work.
Either way, I like it! 

ADAPTING TO MY NEW LIFE ON CAMPUS.

Is it hot in here?
Is anyone else's palms sweaty and hairline a little damp?
Have you suddenly turned mute when someone (mostly a lecturer) asks you a simple question to answer in front of a handful of people?

If you answered yes to the above questions - then I'm not as crazy as I thought I was. You, in fact - are crazy also. Or possibly normal and completely overwhelmed by the first couple of weeks of Uni and with understanding how it all operates. We'll go with the latter option. Seems legit.

I do, however, feel a particular drive in myself that I had not yet felt for quite some time. And as for my course - so far so good! I'm loving our lecturers, and the new friends & our intellects combined.

I'm beginning to find my way around campus, though at the start felt like I'd never find the SU twice, and would imagine myself often re-enacting the scene from Grease where Sandy attends a new school and is late to her first class. Everyone stares at her and she feels like a complete idiot. Horrible reference, I know. Unlucky for me, I look nothing like Sandy. Luckily for me, however, I'm punctual with my time and I'm nice and early, securing a spot in the front row to capture the lecturers attention. And to maintain my own, because if I sit up the back I'll spend two fifths of the class scoping out the talent and picturing them as a potential partner, envisioning the activities we'll engage in together. 'Easily distracted' I believe my teachers wrote on my reports.

The LMS page I'm still wrapping my head around, and I haven't even looked at the 'Harvard' referencing tool as yet. Although Mr John Benson (not intimidating at all) re-assured us it was easy.

The cafeteria has pleasantly surprised me too, with an array of fresh options for the health conscious (me) and an array of hot, fatty food for the not so health conscious (me).

To say the least, I am beginning to really enjoy my time here at Bendigo La Trobe, and am finding a sense of relief that I am finally heading in the right direction to where I'd like to be career wise.

Hope you are all adapting to semester one as positively as I am, It has been nice meeting you all and I look forward to getting to know you as well.

Jess

FALLING COMPLETELY AND CRAZILY IN LOVE WITH MYSELF...

This year, I made 27 new years resolutions. Not even kidding - 27!
I was confident I'd achieve almost every one of them with ease.
So far, I've failed miserably at more than 4, BUT! Being a positive soul (most of the time - even more so when I'm looking good on a Saturday night), I haven't let that affect my pride. Although two years ago I would have.

Originally a pessimist - newly turned optimist, I'm learning to love myself - mistakes, faults and all. I believe as long as we are all trying to better ourselves then that's a pretty good start...

This blog is about sharing my love for all that surrounds me.
I'll be talking about how through life's events I'm learning ways of treating myself & my body with respect and nurture. I'll also be adding bits & pieces about my interests & hobbies to coincide with that. Alongside a light-hearted look at my new life as a mature age full time University student & and part time worker/socialite. 

A big bunch or bullshit really. Hopefully you'll find my bullshit interesting, however.
Excuse the french.

Enjoy!

Jess X