Why?

I feel like I've complained about this before, but I'll do it again.

Why do people feel the need to openly judge my choice of being a server in the time I have to wait to go to optometry school? I hate it. I realize that it would be a better use of my degree to get an engineering job, but I don't want to a) get burnt out on a career path I don't want to follow anyway and b) work somewhere real for a year and then up and quit on the company.

Everyone has the same reasoning behind their logic that I should have gotten an engineering job: I'm wasting my natural abilities or as a smart woman I could "write [my] ticket anywhere". I hate that last bit, because it makes it sound like someone or something else is making me be a server and go to optometry school instead of a more lucrative engineering career. UGH.

I feel like I've made the choice that will make me most happy. And truly, I'm learning "customer service" which as a doctor is critically important! I wouldn't learn that behind a desk or in a research lab. I'm also not in dire financial straits. I make decent money, especially now that business is picking up again. I don't need to make a ton of money right now, I'm meeting my expenses just fine (even with the new car).

I wish people would keep their thoughts to themselves. It does me no good to hear them.

Things That Are Not Tips

So in the current economic woes we're experiencing, people are finding new ways to tip less but still feel good about themselves.

A couple of examples, shall we?
--Profuse "thank you"s and "you were so great"s. I mean, sure it makes me feel good inside, but 20% (instead of...11%) makes me feel extra good, and will ensure than when/if I serve you again, I'll make some extra effort. Boasting about how great I am to my manager? Nice, but again, not a tip.

--A napkin with "Jesus Loves You!" and various bible snippets written on it. Again, I can tell that you care (about me?), but only leaving 12% on the check when you've had great service can't be something God smiles upon favorably. (This is actually the first time I've had a Jesus napkin left for me. I have had pre-printed Jesus-y cards left for me...in lieu of a tip. Extra frustrating.)

So if you're inclined to leave a "tip", think of this--if your server takes that "tip" to his/her landlord, will it pay the rent? Can s/he buy a bunch of bananas with a "thank you so much for everything!!" If the answer is "no", don't be a sourpuss, leave a real tip! (I'm sure my readers aren't this type of tipper, so no offense guys!)

No Good, Very Bad Day.

Today I just feel defeated by school. Yesterday I spent ALL day working on my senior project, trying to get usable results for my poster. As is the usual, it didn't work out as I had planned. I was going to go work on it today, but after I was on the bus to go to the lab, I realized that I had accidentally left my samples sitting on my counter. Since the bus service doesn't run as frequently on the weekends it takes a long time to get where you're going. Thus I gave up working on it today and will have to work on it all day Monday. Luckily, one class is already canceled and I don't feel that bad about skipping my other one.

This whole experience makes me glad that I decided against grad school. I like doing research, but it's very slow and frustrating for the most part. Senior project would go a lot more smoothly if a) the faculty involved made sure the materials were in place before we started, and b) we had fewer classes to allow us the flexibility to work on our projects. I understand the point of the project is "real world design/research experience", but at the same time it's causing undue stress (not only on me, but on my classmates as well).

I'm optimistic that I'll get results...eventually. Unfortunately it doesn't appear to correspond with the imposed timetable that I have. At least I'll have everything I need at the beginning of Spring quarter and I can devote time to getting results instead of just prepping everything.

I'm just so frustrated, with no outlet and no end to frustration in sight. Looks like my upper lip will never stop twitching. All of my frustration with my senior project is compounded by the fact that I have 2 presentations in the next week (both are with a group), a group paper, a group lab report, homework times three, and the poster session for my project. I hate how everything piles up right at the end of the quarter.

Would you like some cheese with that whine? Why yes, I would.

:-(