Worst Cell Phone Service EVER

So, is it me or does anyone else have THE WORST cell phone reception on campus (especially in the dorms) of anywhere besides in a valley of the mountains in West Virginia? I get so incredibly frustrated when I am trying to multi-task for example, do my work on my computer in my room and take a phone call. In addition, my phone barely works in Mcneer (not at all on the 2nd floor) and Wi-Fi cannot connect in HMSS. It is so inconvenient to completely stop what I am doing to go outside to talk on my phone, as well as send a text several times for it to go through. I am getting so fed up with my coverage here with T-mobile that I am actually asking for a new phone for Christmas on my dad's plan (Verizon). Hopefully someone has some feedback regarding if Verizon coverage is better here at Richard Bland? Because I really do not think that anything makes me more upset than to go outside alone at night in my pajamas simply to use my phone.. I don't think that is unreasonable, is it? Maybe it is just my service provider, but if not then this is very inconvenient and I really do not know how to go about this ongoing issue.

P.S. I've tried my Wi-Fi calling in my dorm.... still will not work. Can you say FRUSTRATING?!

Too Much to Handle

It is unfortunate that I JUST realized 2 days ago that I was taking 16 credit hours, and I was trying to maintain a 5-6 day weekly work schedule. I felt like I had been overwhelmed for the past couple of weeks, but I thought that was normal. When I realized how many credits I was taking this semester, I was on the verge of dropping my Gen Bio course, and the Bio Lab. Instead, I talked to financial aid and they highly recommended that I do not drop these courses due to the fact that I have already paid for them, not to mention I am passing both and have done so much work for them already. Luckily, I slept on it and called my grandmother the next day in a panic because I did not want to drop the classes. My grandmother agreed and decided that I should cut back my hours at work and she so generously said that she would help me pay for the necessities of living (gas, food, etc.) I wish that I could just concentrate on school and not have to work, but I do realize that this is just an adversity of life. Money is an issue, and I wish that it was not. But I am so very lucky to have a supportive grandma that is willing to aid me during this time of financial struggle. In the end, I am staying in my Bio courses and have cut my work days to only 2-3 days max per week. A weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I feel like I can now do my best in my courses, as well as have time to get help when I need it. I am so grateful that the lady in financial aid told me to sleep on it, and that I reached out to my loving grandmother. Now, all is resolved and I can sleep a little better at night.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

So, I just started working at Cracker Barrel about a month ago now and I think I'm diggin' it! Ever wondered what those yellow stars on the brown aprons were? Well, there are these weird PAR (Personal Achievement Responsibility) tests that are a requirement for every employee and with each test passed, you earn a star. It sounds corny, but its not just a "star" that you earn on your apron, but also a pay raise! $$ employee discounts, PAID VACATIONS, etc. It's kind of crazy because I never in my wildest dreams thought that a restaurant would have benefits and paid vacations, but anyways..... At PAR level 2 (2 stars) you can cross train to do whatever you want in the restaurant/store. And boy is there a crazy amount of opportunity there! Because you could either do Cashier, Retail, Cook, Server, Host, Dish, and there are probably more jobs other than these but GEEZ that's kind of a lot of choices! Not to mention, inside of every one of these different jobs I named are about 10 other duties that you must perform inside of that particular job.

For instance, I have trained to be a Hostess: Ok, so a Hostess' "bottom line" as they call it, is: "No Empty Tables" So if we are on a Wait List then AS SOON as a table gets up, we are to "scout" it and call the next party to be "on deck" while the busser cleans it.

 The Hostess' job is split into 4 main parts on the weekends because it gets so packed,

#1 Name Taker who is at the front of the store (outside on the porch) at a podium taking names

#2 Name Caller who is at the main Host stand and he/she calls the names on the loud speaker

#3 Seater who literally walks the people to their seats

#4 Scouter who is the person that looks for the open tables

MIND YOU that we all have headsets that connect us with one another, and to be honest it gets pretty intense on the weekends!

So stop in sometime to see me, it's the one in Hopewell/Chester! Great food, service, & a cool store!