Reality

I hate the term "the real world." Mostly because this infers that my existence thus far has been fake...or something less than real. If a prerequisite to living in the "real world" is that I have a job, then lets just say I'm living one foot in, and one foot outside of this so-called real existence. I work for the UW low-income taxpayer clinic. I think you can deduce from the name what it isthat I do, but for you slower readers, I assist low income taxpayers with their tax issues with the IRS. Some people owe 6,000; others owe 60,000. I would venture to guess that most of my time is spent on the phone and/or on hold with the good people at the IRS. The well-spoken, highly educated, warm-and-fuzzy IRS employees. Like a good shot of Jim Beam, they make your insides (crawl) heat up. Actually, most of the time they're alright. Some times they're big jerk faces and hang up on you after you've listen to their "on hold" music for 20 minutes and then spent 10 explaining what you would like them to do. (and that music doesn't change. like ever. They didn't even switch to Christmas music during the holidays! What's a girl gotta do to get some Frank Sinatra Christmas!?) My blood pressure spikes when I hear the words (narrated with a southern drawl) "please hold." My internal voice (ironically and unexplainably also narrated with a southern drawl) screams "UMM NOOO!" My inter child throws a tantrum. I've only been hung up on once. But it's enough to teach me to be wary of the seemingly innocent, "please hold."

Is "please hold" a question or a statement? I feel like one should always ask you to hold. Because if it were asked as a question, I might just actually say no because I don't wanna hold! (alright that's a lie. I'm a push over. But I would want to say no...)

All in all working for the clinic is rewarding and informative. I've learned more working in here than in any of my classes. Every now and then you get a client the outcome that they've been hoping for and that feels way better than acing an exam (but I think I've forgotten what acing an exam feels like...).

On a marathon note: I completed my 5 days of 3 mile runs for last week with flying colors! I even ran outside twice! Kay reprimanded me for running over 3 miles when I ran with Ian on Friday. We probably did 4ish miles. It's hard to pace yourself! I can run more than 3 miles...but I need to remind myself that if I get injured, I'll long for the leisure 3 miles. Today I pussed out on running outside when I saw snow on my car and went to the gym/treadmill. (brr!) I increase the incline every now and again to simulate the outdoors. (totally the same thing.) Afterwards I went home and did a 20 minute Jillian Michaels workout DVD. I know I know...I suck at pacing myself. bite me. I LOVE Jillian Michaels and her hellish workouts! They make me wanna cry, but then I see the killer shoulder definition that it gave me and it makes me wanna hug that mean little lady!

My next post will be about the joys of Seahawks games and tailgating...I'm just too lazy (and need to read for class tonight) to write it all out now.

Tata