Happy 2012! Thanks to my Grampy, one of my new year's resolutions is to blog once a week. I feel like that is extremely do-able and not overwhelming. Plus, it gives me a full week to allow for anything exciting to happen! What's my second new year's resolution you might ask? Limit myself to sweets only 3 days a week rather than 7. This one is going to be much harder than the first.
We Hiltunen's have a massive sweet tooth and I know that without a doubt I eat some sort of sweet or dessert every single day. Just today I had three mini Charleston Chews before my workout this morning followed by birthday cake at the staff meeting today. After the DePaul-Pitt basketball game? One of the key lime pie-flavored cookies Mom put in my stocking. And that, my friends, is just one day. And so many of you ask why I work out every day...
So, we will see how long the second on lasts. I already hit my 3 day limit today and I still have Friday-Sunday to get through. Yikes.
And how has the new year started off? Well, it started Monday morning with 17 missed calls, 36 new emails and 3 angry voicemails at work from guidance counselors and parents regarding students' applications to DePaul. While I thought I was fully ready to go back to work after 10 days off, I was not prepared for that. Its fascinating to talk to some of these parents. One mom spent 5 minutes explaining to me how, normally, she would never call a college admission office for her son. She believes that if you are old enough to go to college, you are old enough to go through the application process on your own. I was so excited to actually hear this from a parent after weeks of "helicopter" parents calling in FOR their kids.
However, she then proceeded to blame DePaul for telling her son that his application was complete when in fact it was not. In her mind, we should have received the application and someone was not telling her the truth. After further looking into the matter, we discovered that her son never hit the sumbit buttom on the online application. Then, I asked her if her son had checked our online database that shows students the status of their application. She said no because her son's uesername and password was not working. I then asked her if her son had called our Help Desk to obtain a new password and username as directed in his letter thanking him for applying to DePaul University. She said no.
So, to recap: apparently, she thinks her son is mature enough to go through the process alone, ended up blaming us for her son's incomplete application, only to find out that her son did everything incorrectly. I wish my job was not so customer service-based sometimes. I wish I could have told the mom that if son could not figure out the application process, then maybe he should be applying elsewhere and they should stop pointing fingers. But instead, I had to apologize for any confusion. I hate every minute of it.
However, the new year took a turn for the better tonight! DePaul men's basketball played Pittsburgh here in Chicago. DePaul was picked to finish last in the Big East and Pitt has been ranked almost the entire season. DePaul has not won a Big East game at HOME since January 10, 2010. That's a true statistic. Until tonight. We beat Pitt at home at the buzzer. I get a text message 30 minutes from Matt that said "that is why I sleep at the office." Not a bad excuse and not a bad start to the Big East season.
As far as the winter season goes - wait for it - I am SURVIVING! I have had to break out the shin-length coat that mom bought me, but it was so worth it. That baby is amazing! The only thing it doesn't cover is my face, but I think between the numerous scarves, hats, neck warmers, etc., I should be covered. We did have snow here on Monday morning, but it wasn't even a Virginia snow. I did break out my snow boots through just because it felt right. First snow of the season.
Funny thing though - my co-workers love to point out how mild this winter has been. One of the assistant coaches for the team even told me that once I am here for 3 or 4 more winters, I will realize how mild this one has been. Oh, and don't worry - they like to tell me how it WILL get worse.
First of all - I don't care if this is mild or not. It is by far the coldest weather I have experienced. My face literally hurts sometimes because of the cold. Secondly - I do not need to be reminded that its going to get worse. I don't want to imagine it being any colder until it actually hits me. And by hits me I mean when my eyes are watering because of the cold and then the tears freeze. Apparently that happens here...
The positive to all of this? Today it was in the high 40s and it felt like spring. You all remember one of my first posts about people being out in bathing suits in 70 degree weather? Makes sense now.
So, I'd say the new year is off to a pretty good start other than the crazy parents I am dealing with. The NBA is back on TV, college basketball is in full swing, the Patriots are going to kick butt in the playoffs and I just celebrated the new year's with some amazing friends who have made this move so easy for me. What else could I ask for? A visit from my parents next month? Oh yeah - that's already happening.
I hope everyone's new years has started off great and definitely keep an eye out at least once a week for a new post. I have a feeling there are going to be some good stories in this new year....
Big shout out to Grampy for holding me accountable for my posts. I know him and Memere are constantly checking for updates, so this one if for you two.
No comments:
Post a Comment