Well, it would seem that I have totally been slacking off on posting, these days. Why is that, you ask? Because I am exHAUSTed. What do I do all day? Physically, not a whole lot... But holy shit. My brain is going to implode.

Seriously, I have noooo idea why I am so tired, these days. Maybe it's just getting used to the schedule? Up early and functioning right off? Maybe I'm just mentally wiped out from extended (8 hours a day!) of concentrated learning. I have no idea. All I know is that by the time I get home, I am ready to pass OUT.  I am hugely in favor of adult nap-time. haha

Anyway, the job is going as well as can be expected. Starting to feel a bit more comfortable with the eight thousand programs... fortunately, being comfortable with computers and visual things in general, I am picking up the coding on the screens and the maneuvering different programs for different things, fairly easily.  There is just a lot of them. (seriously, we have somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-10 applications that we use throughout the day to function.).  However, the part that is being difficult for me is the straight up learning of the information. It's like being in school again. Be presented information. Retain information. It is particularly hard, because really, who is THAT excited about supplemental insurance policies, or co pays, etc? There's a lot of jargon, a lot of abbreviations and.... yeah.  a LOT.

But. I am doing my best. Why? because that's what I do... I have a real problem half-assing anything. Not to mention, this is the only paying game in town, at the moment. And, it seems it is a promising company to work for. However. I am setting my sights on learning as quickly as I can and doing the best that I can, because I want to be on the phones for as little time as I can. As much as I can DO that job, I know that's not something I'm going to love, forever. Seriously. Won't someone please just transfer me to Public Relations?

Outside of that... there isn't much. I am SO excited for this Friday. Aside from the fact that it is Friday... it's PAYCHECK FRIDAY!! YEEHAW. It will be my first official paycheck in....... well, a lot of months. Really thrilling.

So. That seems to be it. I'm dazzling some of the people in my 'class' with *magical* computer things, like the wonders of Alt-Tab and Ctrl-C.  Ahh. Amazing.

Anyway. I've been all efficient and made my lunch for tomorrow... now I have to hope I have something presentable to wear.... and Yeah.  BED. Definitely bed. Soooo sleepy.

I swear, Dear LJ... I will try and come up with more excitement... I promise. I sound SO boring in these updates lately. hahaha

Tags: bcbs, geekery, new job, sleep, work
You might find me at: Montpelier, VT
I'm feeling...: drained
I'm rockin' out to:: All Star - Smash Mouth

Well. I survived. (This is good.)


Last night was rough. Between just random nerves about starting a new job, coupled with my usual insomnia, I was definitely still awake at 3am (I happened to look toward the clock.).... and THEN, I got up at 6:30am. That sucked. I seriously was forced to come home and nap while dinner was in the oven. Not to mention, I had no coffee today.

That being said, all odds stacked against me... it was an okay day. My 'class' of 5 trainees is very strange... Jamaica's (anyone remember her?) best friend, Betsey... A 23 year old former bartender from Gusto's (no wonder he looks familiar!) who also knows Kasey... The 20 year old 3rd runner up for the Miss Vermont title (and incidentally, she is literally 6ft tall without shoes, and she wears heels.).... and a random, but funny, 40-something lady moving home to VT after living in Virginia Beach for 10 years. .... and ME. Talk about a motley crew.

Nothing all that exciting to report about today... we didn't do a whole lot of 'hands on' sort of stuff... a lot of listening today, really.... Took tours of the complex building (seriously, it's a maze.), met everyone and God (whose names I valiantly tried to remember, really!), got hideous ID security badges (really, how well can you expect to be photographed in a basement?), and sat through a 2 hour benefits meeting and an hour long discussion of HIPAA regulations (info security).
But hey. They gave us pens and tote bags. hahahaha OH. My.

So... That's it so far.... I've packed my lunch for tomorrow (because I'm incompetent in the morning), and I've planned my outfit (when you're working with limited resources, you've GOT to plan ahead!)... and now I think I'm headed to bed.

All things considered, it was a pretty good day. Long, but okay. All the people seem obscenely nice (if a little focused on 'Teams' and being part of one) and the working environment seems comfortable.... The only thing that is going to be a little tedious is that during training, the trainer can only move along as fast as the slowest student. Unfortunately (in a way), my computer/application skills are significantly beyond that of my fellow students... so, so far... a lot of waiting on my part (really. A tutorial on how to use Outlook, that lasted more than 1/2 hour.).  BUT. Soon I will be in the dark... we have something like 12-14 specific insurance/health care/etc. applications that we will have to learn to navigate. *gulp*

But. All will be well. Now, if that "Economy Stimulus" bonus check could roll in a little early, I'd be SO happy. SO.

To bed with me!

Tags: bcbs, new job
You might find me at: Montpelier, VT
I'm feeling...: exhausted
I'm rockin' out to:: Comfortable - John Mayer

This friends, is RIDICULOUS. Yes. I start my new job tomorrow... and I am nervous. Why? I don't know.  Probably tomorrow will be mostly paperwork and orientation. Not to mention, it is just the beginning of 8 weeks of training. I'm not even *doing* the job, tomorrow, so to speak.

Sometimes, I amaze me. I know that I'm more than qualified for the job, I know I can do the job. I know I can LEARN everything that they will have to teach me.  WHAT then, is the problem?

I don't know. Maybe it's because I haven't had a real job in... many... months. Could that be it? Could it just be jitters from not working and now having to again? (You know, akin to falling off a horse, not getting back on again right away, then being faced with riding again?).  I think mostly it is because I know that there is quite a lot riding on this job. I want (and NEED) to make a good impression. Not only that, I NEED this job. I am trapped in a sea of bills and debt - and this job, however much it may not be the job I *want*, is my only lifeline, and it MUST work out.

SO. Perhaps it is just ridiculousness, because I have had too much time on my own to ponder it all. Yes. I will say that that is it.  However, I am going to have to work real hard at sleeping tonight, as it is JUST not in me, right now. haha

However. It is only three days, my first work week... and this weekend is supposed to be good weather.  So. What's three days, really? AND, I do know Kasey that works there (and probably, if I looked around, someone else, too).... so, I'm sure there will be a familiar face every now and then.

ANYWAY. I am done pondering all that. I am going to move onto other things. Ha. I will outsmart you yet, brain!

I actually have a survey for you, Journal Land.

Here's the setup:

You have two choices, and you must pick one. You're going out for the evening with an entourage (6-8 people) to have a good, *memorable* time.

Choice A: Upscale English Pub-style, complete with stone walls and exposed beam ceilings. Serving traditional UK inspired foods, like fish and chips, bangers and mash, beef wellington, etc. with the house specialties being game dishes like wild boar ribs, rack of elk and every so often, ostrich. Claim to fame being their imported selection of beers, ales, etc.

Choice B: Upscale Swiss-cuisine, complete with a swiss decor. Serving traditional swiss foods like spetzel and weinerschnizel (yes, I butchered those spellings), with an exhaustive wine selection. Claim to fame being Fondue service - an entire 3-4 course meal of dipped foods (breads, meat and ultimately fruit and cake), causing the party to attempt fondue grace (hilarity OR disaster could ensue). Prices a bit higher than English Pub-style.

Okay. What sounds more memorable and interesting to you? VOTE!


Alright. That being said (and I eagerly await your thoughts! Comments are welcome!), I'm going to bed.

Wish me luck tomorrow! (Update to follow 4:30pm, I'm sure.).

Tags: bcbs, food, nerves, new job, party, poll, too much time to think
You might find me at: Montpelier, VT
I'm feeling...: nervous
I'm rockin' out to:: Beautiful Wreck - Shawn Mullins

So. It would seem I have a job.

Blue Cross called me today and enthusiastically offered me the job - complete with the highest pay they offer for starters (still not that great, but better than the minimum, right?).

So. I start April 30th, to begin 8 weeks of training.

.... at least I will be able to pay my bills, I guess.

Tags: bcbs, job-hunt, money
You might find me at: Montpelier, VT
I'm feeling...: indescribable