The infamous "green paper"

A little over a year ago I applied for a job with the CA Dept of Corrections to be a Youth Correctional Counselor (YCC). For some insane reason I like working with these people. Anyways, early last week I got a call from the Sergeant down in So Cal who's handling my file. Everytime I see the call coming in, or that letter in the mailbox I get antsy in my pantsy. It's been 14 months already!!! Let's recap the last 14 months of my life, shall we? April 2007-I applied for a job as a YCC. I laid out my life story in a packet of papers for complete strangers to read and analyze. The skeletons are out of the closet & my dignity, well, that is no longer. May 2007- Spent many precious hours taking second grade reading & vocab tests, eye exams, doctors appts to correct my vision, physical tests, even getting grief from the department employee because of something I did when I was 18, cut me some slack would ya!! June 2007-waiting, July 2007-Got engaged :) (still waiting), August 2007-March 2008- Planning my fantastical wedding & still WAITING!! & wondering, do I really have that much of a "background" to research? Also, going to other random doctors appointments, and paying way too much money for one of the nurses to check a box that says "applicants left ankle is cleared to run on, and asthma should not interfere with job description. If I thought it would have, I wouldn't have applied for the position, duh!! April 2008-Getting married :) (still waiting), May 2008- I'll give you a hint, it begins with a "W", and also writing up & sending in more information about my recent nuptuals, name change, and affiliation with people in the prison system. Early June 2008- Sergeant calls me & tells me she's having trouble with my employment (past & present), are you kidding me?! Mid June 2008- Seargeant calls and says "I'm getting ready to close you're file, I know you've been waiting for awhile. You should be receiveing your green paper from us any day now." At this point in time, I'm calling Mario speaking a mile a minute about what could very well be one of the greatest days of my life, ready to pack up my belongings and move to Galt (location of the training facility), and say goodbye to Fresno. Third week of June 2008, checking the mail religiously waiting for that "green letter". It sounded so good when the Sergeant said it too. June 23, 2008, I open up my mailbox & am practically blinded by the light reflecting from this white envelope with a green letter showing through the window part, CDCR on the top left corner. This is it, this is officially my lucky day!!! I run inside, and tell Mario "my green letter, it's here!" You can only imagine the feeling I'm experiencing here. I've got a million things going through my mind, and almost as excited as I was in July of '07 when I saw Mario start to get down on one knee, girls, you know what I'm refering to here! So I open the envelope & begin to read the unfolding of the rest of my life (or atleast the next few years). "Dear Ms. Buchanan, this is to inform you that you have successfully been cleared to work for the Dept of Corrections as a peace officer. However, this letter does not guarantee employment. Please be advised that until you will be considered for the position, you are responsible to act in a responsible manner, abide by all laws, and conduct your life in a way of that of a peace officer." Are you kidding me, SERIOUSLY?! What the heck. At this point, if I had a cat I probably would have kicked it. Okay, I'm kidding, but come on?! What a let down. It's like watching the season finale of Grey's Anatomy and realizing Meredith & Derek just may make it this time, but you gotta wait how many months for the next season to start. It was almost throw myself on the ground and have a tantrum worthy, but I held back. So, I'm back to playing the waiting game. My advice to any of you applying with any federal agency is, don't get your hopes up, and be prepared to wait. Let this blog be a prime example of what you're getting yourself into. Here are some pictures of what I not only could be doing, but what I SHOULD be doing. Hope you enjoy them :) The funny part is that it looks like such a happy place to be.

I just need a moment...

Why on Earth does anyone (I don't care who you are) think that they need to drive by my house at 10:15pm and make so much freaking noise. Okay fine, you got a cruiser bike, you're cool, whatever, but lets face it, some people have to work in the morning, myself being included in those "some people." It's like clockwork with this dude, and I don't think he realizes (or maybe he does & he's a rebel) that Sierra's speed limit is not 50mph. He's probably so excited to get off work that he thinks he's exciting everyone else too. Guess what guy, you're not getting me excited, you're really pissin me off!!! I shouldn't blame this whole blog on him, because there's others. There's those people in their muscle cars who think that the intersection of Fresno/Sierra is a race track. I'm not Rich Christensen, and you're not on an episode of Pinks, so knock it off already. There's also those people who have some insane need to listen to their stereo at 1,000 decipels. Their bass is so high if I had pictures on my walls they'd probably break. I know, it's really fun to listen to your music loudly, especially when you've got a sweet system, I'm guilty of it too. But lets face it, I live on this corner, and I don't always want to hear that crap. Turning it down a little isn't gonna hurt anything, especially your image, so for the sake of my sanity, please just stop!!! It's actually quite funny how living in our condo has completely changed our attitude about house hunting. We don't care how cute the house is, if it's on a corner, forget it!! You can't pay me enough to live there. So there is my rant, and thank goodness for blogs. I feel so much better now getting this off my chest. If you "just need a moment" too, feel free to have one in the comments section. Everyone reading this, have a wonderful day!!

Very Proud Aunt

Since I have no children (thank the Lord!), and do not plan on having any anytime soon (do NOT repeat that to Mar), I have decided to make a proud Aunt blog. I became a first time Auntie on November 28, 2007. Donnie and Meg have a little girl named Addyson. She's totally precious. For those who don't know, they're my neighbors. We live in the same complex, and if I had to guestimate, I'd say we're about 30 steps from each others door. It's cool to have someone you know so close that when you're on your honeymoon you can trust them to keep an eye on your place. Even better when you get back and find out the cops have searched through your home because one day the garage was found open. Something good happens in the neighborhood, and we're not even there to see it!!! Or when someone steals your license plate right off your car & your neighbors saw nothing, hmm. Where were you on that one Richie!! Other than that, they're really good neighbors :) Point of the story, is that Addy is way cute and she gets to visit with Tio Mario and Auntie quite often. Daddy brings her over when she gets fussy at their house. We usually subject her to Guitar Hero, but she loves it. She's gonna be a little punk rocker someday. So here's just a few pics of her. Since my camera has moved from MIA status to never coming home :( I dont have any of my own pics, but Meg sent me these, just for this special occassion (what occassion you ask? I'm blogging, isn't that occassion enough?).

This pic of us was taken right after baby Adds came home from the hospital. If our attire looks familiar than good, you're paying attention!

Here's a 5 generation pic that was taken last month. Addyson, Donnie, Mom, Grandma Pattie & Great Grandma. Crazy!

Here's a pic from Easter, in her pretty dress next to her Easter basket

This is one of my fave pics of her, lookin all cute on the couch.

Last but not least, here's a cute family pic from Addy's first time at the beach (I think), they took her to Pismo. She's all bundled up in pink like daddy. Good job Rich, you look cute too.

Okay, that's my proud moment/blog. Hope you enjoyed it. I'm not sure if mom emails out pics to any of you, so if not, here ya go! Our family is finally growing :)

My first Tag!

Hey, I've been tagged by Krista!

A-Attached or Single?- Currently, I am attached at the hip :)
B-Best Friend- Mario. All we do is talk, talk, talk
C-Cake or Pie?- Cake, but please no chocolate frosting, ewww
D-Day of choice?- Saturday, I'm not working, and most of the time I get to sleep in and watch Hannah Montana & That's so Raven
E-Essential item?- I have 2, makeup & my flat iron, I'd be a hot mess without em!
F-Favorite color?- Pink, as if you can't tell!!
G-Gummy bears or worms? Gummy bears, just as long as my brother doesn't get ahold of em, he has an x-rated mind.
H-Hometown?-Fresno, Cali
I-Favorite Indulgence? SUSHI!!! If I made more money I'd eat it everyday. Sendai Sushi is the best
J-January or July?- Tough choice, I'm not a fan of either. Too cold & then too hot :(
Kids?- No thanks!
Life isn't complete without? Love-not limited to people
M-Marriage Date?-April 25, 2008
N-Number of Bro & Sis?- 1 big brother, Richie (known to most as Donnie)
O-Oranges or Apples? Apples are good cut into slices or in a salad, but oranges are so yummy!
P-Phobia and Fears? I can't handle snakes, black widows, or anything else that might kill me :) I have a fear of being robbed.
Q-Quote?- I don't do quotes
R-Reason to smile?- I'm a newlywed, I can't wait to go home ;)
S-Season of choice? Spring
T-Tag Ten People? The four on my page, and my other 6 imaginary friends
U-Unknown fact about me?- I secretly want to be a chef
V-Vegetable?- steamed corn tidbets
W-Worst habit?- Probably taking my work home with me. Not literally, but being bummed out when I should just get over it!
Y-Your favorite food? This is going to make me hungry...it could very well be sushi, chicken, or desert
Z-Zodiac sign? Libra, I'm a scale.

The BEST Day of our Lives!

So I said I would post some pics from the wedding, and technically since there is 5 here it does qualify as pic"s". My goal is to have some other ones up by next year :) The pic on the pier is one of my fave's. It was such perfect weather that day, someone was really lookin after us. We took a chance planning it for April (since it was outside), and it was perfect 80 degree weather.