The Pap

I am a big supporter of checkups, physicals, self-breast exams- the whole gamut.  They’re important.  The MD’s are doing their part to keep us healthy, and our stats help us stay accountable year after year.  But just because I support them, doesn’t mean I have to like them. 

I’ll do shots (I’m talking about the ones in the arm, not the ones at the bar.  Though I’ll do those, too).  Giving blood?  Piece of cake.  But there is one exam that I absolutely despise.  Ladies, you all know the one. 

…the Pap Smear (Dun dun dunn)! 

Seriously, though.  I really hate them.  Not because of the obvious embarrassment that comes with a random doctors face in your crotch, but because IT’S OUTRIGHT PAINFUL!  I don’t care who you talk to, no one can honestly tell me that that exam is nothing to worry about.  The exam where the doctor uses a speculum that looks like it belongs in a garage.  Don’t wave your hand at me and say, “Oh. It’s no big deal”.  I beg to differ.

It’s so bad I think we need to start warning the girls in middle school so they have ample time to prepare for the whole ordeal.  We spend years talking about and preparing them for menstrual periods, and those involve little to no pain.  Pap Smears- that’s what we really should be teaching them about. 

My doctor today was great, really.  She was easy to talk to, respectful, and had quite a few years under her belt .  I thought to myself, “Ok, she’s done this thousands of times.  Maybe she’ll be better than my last doctor”. 

NOPE!

I bled for 3 hours after my appointment.  Pretty sure that’s not supposed to happen.  I’m scarred now.  Literally and figuratively. 

But, like everything else that’s good for you, you bite the bullet and deal.  Nothing is as painful as finding out you have cancer or some other incurable disease once it’s too late. 

So, everyone, after hearing a story that made you want to reconsider Reiki, I encourage you to schedule your overdue appointment today.  They suck, but they’re still good for you J

Office Space

I’m currently working a summer job that reminds me more and more of the movie “Office Space”.  Not in the sense that I’m so mad at my boss I could destroy the entire company, but in the sense that my job is so boring and monotonous that, from 8-4:30, I think about …

1)      Coffee, or any other source of caffeine that might keep me awake

2)      My low vitamin D status

3)      All the things I’d rather be doing with my time 

4)    If the stapler next to me is mine or my coworkers'

It’s been a slow process, but I’m learning the ropes.  In between the 6 digit entries and “ctrl C”ing, I’m gaining insight regarding office dynamics and personality.

For instance, if you don’t get along with someone in an office, you’re screwed.  You’re sharing an enclosed space with people for 8 hours a day.  You better learn to live with and tolerate your coworkers.  Learn to love their annoying laugh, their coffee breath, and their frantic pacing when things go wrong. 

I’ve been working in this particular office for about 4 weeks now, and there are some things that I still don’t understand.  If you want to complain to or tell someone about a problem you’re having, then just flat out tell them.  Talking to your computer using run-on, incoherent sentences and blurting out “Jiminy Cricket!” is not going to do you any good.  It’s clear that you are frustrated, but when you start verbally using Disney characters’ names in place of actually discussing the problem, we get nowhere.  Tell me what happened and what you need me to do!  You don’t hear me shouting “Mufasa!” or “Mrs. Potts!” whenever I get pissed at Excel. 

I guess what I’m getting at is this-  If you work in an office, or ever find yourself stuck in an elevator/enclosed space, be mindful of what you say and do.  Other people take notice, and your actions may cause them to consider relocating, or self-hypnosis.  Or both.   

So Call Me Maybe

I heard THE song today.  Yes, the one with that annoying girl singing about how she “just met you, and this is crazy.  Here’s my number, so call me maybe”.  

I still don’t know how I feel about it. 

Don’t lie, you’ve had the same thought.  It’s catchy!  Well, the first 2 times you hear it, anyway.  It’s got a good beat.  It’s a song that sort of grows on you, as long as you don’t hear it 4 times a day.  The lyrics, however, obviously need some help. 

She clearly just met this guy and wants to see him.  So, Carly Rae, don’t, two stanza’s later, start talking about how

“before he came into your life

You missed him so, so bad”. 

I don’t care how analytical or poetical you are, those lyrics make absolute no sense whatsoever.  You can’t miss someone you’ve NEVER met before. 

I do give her props for one thing, though.  I like that she is bold enough to stand up for herself and ask the guy out.  She makes the first move.  Not unheard of, but definitely not the norm in our society today.  Women need to stop being so scared/ shy/ timid/ (insert your insecurity here).  If you like the guy, ask him out!  Stop contemplating and fretting it.  Just do it, and then move on if it’s not meant to be. No regrets.

I’ll bet you he digs your confidence and daring personality regardless. 

Overwhelmed Much?!

Snapping  pictures in the local park.  Sipping a latte while reading a good book at the coffee shop down the street.   Hitting up area concerts in the evenings. 

This is how I envisioned the start of my summer a few weeks ago.  The entirety of my summer, actually.  I’m starting to realize that the reality of it all is completely the opposite.  Work, attempting to organize my life for my upcoming internship, weddings, and wedding planning (not for me, mind you) all while trying to maintain an appropriate budget is proving to be more trying and stressful than I had imagined.   Sad face. 

Growing up sucks as it is.  But it sucks even more when you become a full-fledged adult and have NO summer to look forward to.  Okay, that sounds a bit morbid, but there are no more free days to go to the pool.  No 5-6 days off, in a row.  Say goodbye to sleeping in or lounging around in shorts and flip flops all day long.  I mean yes, you can do some of these things on the weekends, but it’s still not the same.  Bah.

It’s true that the craziness of everyday life never ends.  I guess that’s why, I’m finding, it’s important to create your own little vacation or “escape”, even if it is the smallest of small things.  Lunch with a good friend.  Movie and popcorn night with the roommates.  Visits to the farmers market.  You get what I’m saying. 

I feel that we all need to find something that we can look forward to.  Maybe it will keep us sane, maybe it will just add to our never-ending “To-Do” lists.  Regardless, I think it’s worth a shot.  What else do we have to lose?