Another year draws to a close.
A new year hovers, ready to begin.
It's been quite the year really. So much has happened. So much has changed, yet at the same time, a lot has stayed the same.
But there was one thing that changed this year.
And that...that was my ability to write.
For the first time like....ever.
I actually have written and finished stories.
More than one! Like. I have a half dozen of fics that I've written and posted and it's....like the best feeling ever.
For the first time, I have a sense of accomplishment.
For the first time I actually feel like a can truthfully tell people. "I'm a writer."
Because before this year, writing stories had always been an ideal. A dream. A hope.
I would jot down ideas, concepts, scenes, plots into notebook after notebook....
And not do a thing with it afterwards.
But upon taking a leap of faith, and venturing out to write fanfiction.
It's been like a whole new world has opened up.
I have plots. I have stories. I have tons of notes still.
But now. Now I feel like I can slowly chip away at them.
Take on those ideas and actually write them out. Do them. Finish them.
And it's just...the best feeling ever.
I can write. I'm a writer.
And it's ah. Such a glorious heady sense of accomplishment. ^^;;
I can't wait for the new year to start.
So that I may continue to grow. That I can continue to write.
That I can continue realizing my dreams one story at a time.
Happy New Years Everyone!
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 30, 2017
A Mind Blank
I had a mind blank at work today.
Which was so weird.
Because there was literally no reason for me to have said mind blank.
But I did.
The situation was that I was helping a customer out in that they wanted to return some of their fish that had died and get their money back.
Only they'd forgotten their receipt.
So I looked up the receipt on our Ipad and found it and then since the customer just wanted the money back, I took them up to an open register to do that.
And that's when I was confronted with my problem.
I went to type in my ID to log into the register.
And I couldn't for the life of me remember what it was. O.o
Which is crazy.
I mean after 5 years of being at Starsmet it's not like I haven't used my number hundreds of times to log in.
Yet. I literally could not remember it for a couple of minutes.
And when I finally did....
I was confronted with the second problem.
I couldn't remember my password.
Again, a password that hasn't changed in 5 years. *shakes head*
That took me a little longer to get.
But finally!
I was able to log into the register and do the return. lol.
Honestly. I don't know why my mind went blank.
Perhaps it's now so ingrained in me that when I actively was like "Okay what's my number and password" my brain felt like it was under too much pressure and promptly couldn't recall the info.
Who knows.
Weird that it happened though.
Like I'm pretty sure I'd used it earlier in the day...
So weird.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Which was so weird.
Because there was literally no reason for me to have said mind blank.
But I did.
The situation was that I was helping a customer out in that they wanted to return some of their fish that had died and get their money back.
Only they'd forgotten their receipt.
So I looked up the receipt on our Ipad and found it and then since the customer just wanted the money back, I took them up to an open register to do that.
And that's when I was confronted with my problem.
I went to type in my ID to log into the register.
And I couldn't for the life of me remember what it was. O.o
Which is crazy.
I mean after 5 years of being at Starsmet it's not like I haven't used my number hundreds of times to log in.
Yet. I literally could not remember it for a couple of minutes.
And when I finally did....
I was confronted with the second problem.
I couldn't remember my password.
Again, a password that hasn't changed in 5 years. *shakes head*
That took me a little longer to get.
But finally!
I was able to log into the register and do the return. lol.
Honestly. I don't know why my mind went blank.
Perhaps it's now so ingrained in me that when I actively was like "Okay what's my number and password" my brain felt like it was under too much pressure and promptly couldn't recall the info.
Who knows.
Weird that it happened though.
Like I'm pretty sure I'd used it earlier in the day...
So weird.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Friday, December 29, 2017
Polar Opposites
It's not often that I encounter both ends of the spectrum in the same day when it comes to dealing with customers.
The morning for me started, unfortunately, on the rather sour side, due to a customer on the phone.
The situation had started simple enough.
A call had come in where a customer had requested that she speak to our Greenie. -Aka our newest coworker in the store.
This coworker started working like...a week ago.
So therefore, is still very green in many things.
Like...in how to work the work phones.
Therefore, I was kinda confused why someone would be asking for them specifically...
Until I remembered that our Greenie was in training to become our new dog trainer.
and therefore, I figured it was probably a training question.
It wasn't.
In any case, I gave the phone to our Greenie, showed them how to answer it.
And left it at that.
Well....
Apparently from the customer's pov, our Greenie had hung up on her.
idk if they'd tried to put her on hold and failed, or misunderstood what she was saying and thought the conversation was over or what.
All I know, is that I eventually heard a call for customer service to the grooming salon.
Why?
Because my department phone had ended up there.
As Greenie had placed it there....
Not sure why....though from later conversation I think they weren't aware that you hand it to another coworker or keep it on you when you're done talking on the phone.
Any how, I took the phone back, went back to working on my task I was working on.
When Greenie came to find me saying that they thought that they'd been called to answer the phone again. But when I went to hand it to them, they were like "Nevermind, I think a manager got it."
....they hadn't.
The phone I had rang like two or three minutes later.
And when I answered the phone, the woman on the other side was like "Hi, may I speak to {Greenie Coworker's name}
To which I was like. "Sure, let me put you on hold---"
Yah.
Didn't get to finish that sentence because crazy lady freaked out on me.
DON'T YOU DARE PUT ME ON HOLD! YOU GUYS DID THAT LAST TIME AND NEVER CAME BACK. DON'T YOU DARE PUT ME ON HOLD.
To which I was like. O.o *blink blink* Okay?
Like...why are you yelling at me lady? I'm just trying to help.
"I'm sorry." was what I managed to get out as I was processing this lady's angry rant.
"NO YOU'RE NOT! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ALL HUNG UP ON ME AND AGAIN DON'T YOU DARE PUT ME ON HOLD"
Can I say I honestly was tempted to put her on hold there out of spite? Because. Geez. Lady. Calm down. You can't say I'm not sorry. Because I was. It's not like anyone at work purposely accidentally hangs up on people and it's not like my Greenie knew any better because guess what? THEY'RE NEW.
*Exhales*
I don't even remember what I was trying to say to her beyond that point, beyond me trying to soothe her as I was trying to find my coworker so I could give him the phone. (by now I was dying of curiosity why she wanted to speak to the Greenie so badly)
So I was like "Alright, just let me find him...I know he's here some--"
And again she was like "ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?!"
Because....I guess it didn't seem like I was talking to her? I mean, I was just kinda spouting out words as I was searching, but I guess it sounded like I may have been talking to another.
So I was like "No, I am talking to you, I'm just trying to find my coworker."
And I think I said something like. "I'm going to just need you to hold on"
"DON'T!"
"I'm not going to put you on hold." I was quick to interrupt. "You just need to hang on a second, which I am not going to put you on hold, but I'm not going to be able to talk for a second to you as I search, but you're not on hold. Okay?"
Thankfully. I found Greenie rather quickly. And in an undertone warned them that there was an angry lady on the phone.
Surprisingly I think Greenie took it rather well...I checked in on them later and they seemed unaffected by it.
And what was the fuss all about?
*shakes head*
Apparently the woman had been in the store earlier today, had bought a crate, Greenie had helped her out. She'd thought she'd bought the right size, but turns out she'd gotten the wrong size.
And all she wanted.
Was to know if she could exchange it out for a different size.
*eye twitch*
Like....lady. You could have saved yourself the hassle if you hadn't asked for a specific coworker by name.
Like I get it. Greenie coworker helped you out and you probably wanted them to remember you so that no one would think you were lying.
But seriously.
You could have just said. "Hi, I bought a crate and it was the wrong size, can I exchange it?" To any one of us.
And guess what?
We'd have been like. "Yes. Just have the receipt and the product and you can get the correct size when you come back in."
Honestly, it was a simple answer.
Though...with the Greenie they may not have known that that was alright to go. So I could see them trying to put this customer on hold to ask a someone else if the customer could do this...and ended up hanging up on them.
*exhales*
In any case. Crazy angry lady came in, and yah...Greenie was right. She was just grouchy in general. The woman had a face that looked like it could chew nails. Aka. Very grumpy.
*shudders*
I'm glad I didn't have to deal with her beyond the phone conversation though. I doubt I would have been nice to her.
Do you know how much I was tempted to actually go put myself in the line of fire and be like "Oh yes, you're the lady who yelled at me on the phone." Just to see what her reaction would be. *shakes head*
Thankfully I have a strong sense of self preservation lol.
So I didn't do that.
But yah.
That was my negative experience of the day....of the month really. *shakes head*
But I also had a more positive experience with a customer as well. :)
As a customer had come into the store at some point to pick up an online order.
Only when he'd come to pick it up, we hadn't had all the product he'd had on his order. He'd been shorted one thing of squeezey cheese. (dog version)
So what he'd done was he'd just gone and grabbed another flavor of the squeezy cheese off the shelf.
Showed it to the cashiers, and left.
Only to discover....sometime later, after he received an email about it...
That because we'd been unable to fulfill his order, the money for the item he'd purchased online had been returned to him.
Apparently...neither he nor the coworker who'd helped him had known this....
*shakes head*
Because yah...if we can't give you the product you ordered online because we were for some reason out of stock....your money gets refunded to you.
The same happens if you don't pick up your order after a certain time frame. If you never pick it up, then the money is again returned to you.
In any case.
Other people would have shrugged it off and gone "Oh well. I got this squeezy cheese anyways!"
But no siree.
This gentleman "Had been done too much good by Starsmet" -aka we'd been really nice and helpful to him. To let the fact that he'd basically stolen a can of squeezy cheese from us slide by.
No he wanted to make it right. Since he hadn't paid for the squeezy cheese he wanted to come back and pay for it.
So first he called our manager on duty at the time.
Told him the situation.
Told him he'd be in later that day.
And told him he'd pay for it.
Only...the manager had neglected to tell anyone else this was happening. *sighs*
lol.
In any case.
I helped the gentleman out...once I figured out what he was trying to do.
And grabbed the price tag off the shelf (as we had no more of the same product on the shelf) took him up to the register, and had him pay for the item he'd taken home.
And he was so happy and positive and just...thankful that he could do his part to help us out as we'd helped him out so often and been so helpful with him whenever he'd come in...
It was just...a really good feel good moment you know.
To know that there are customers who care enough about us to want to do good by us.
After all, the manager had basically told him on the phone to not worry about it. That we'd just write the item off.
But the customer was like "No. I took it. I want to pay for it."
And aww.
He deserves a lot of good karma for that act. ^^;; Just saying.
It was a good way to end the day. That's for sure. :D
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Thursday, December 28, 2017
A Timely Warning
I learned again of the important warning role of the Holy Ghost while I served in the Area Presidency in Japan.
During this time, I worked closely with President Reid Tateoka of the Japan Sendai Mission.
As part of his usual mission routine, President Tateoka planned a meeting for missionary leaders in the southern portion of his mission.
A few days prior to the meeting, President Tateoka had an impression, a feeling in his heart, to invite all missionaries of that zone to the leadership meeting, instead of the prescribed small number of elder and sister leaders.
When he announced his intention, he was reminded that this meeting was not designed for all missionaries but only for mission leaders.
However, setting the convention aside in order to follow the prompting he had received, he invited all missionaries serving in several costal cities, including the city of Fukushima, to the meeting.
On the appointed day, March 11, 2011, the missionaries gathered together for the expanded mission meeting in the inland city of Koriyama.
During this meeting a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck the region of Japan where the Japan Sendai Mission is located.
Tragically many costal cities--including those from which the missionaries had been gathered--were devastated and suffered great loss of life.
And the city of Fukushima suffered a subsequent nuclear event.
Although the meetinghouse where the missionaries were meeting that day was damaged by the earthquake, through following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, President and Sister Tateoka and all missionaries were safely assembled.
They were out of harm's way and miles from the devastation of the tsunami and the nuclear fallout.
As you heed promptings from the Holy Ghost--impressions most often quiet and still--you may be removed, without ever knowing, from spiritual and temporal danger.
-Gary E. Stevenson -How Does the Holy Ghost Help You? -April 2017 General Conference
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
During this time, I worked closely with President Reid Tateoka of the Japan Sendai Mission.
As part of his usual mission routine, President Tateoka planned a meeting for missionary leaders in the southern portion of his mission.
A few days prior to the meeting, President Tateoka had an impression, a feeling in his heart, to invite all missionaries of that zone to the leadership meeting, instead of the prescribed small number of elder and sister leaders.
When he announced his intention, he was reminded that this meeting was not designed for all missionaries but only for mission leaders.
However, setting the convention aside in order to follow the prompting he had received, he invited all missionaries serving in several costal cities, including the city of Fukushima, to the meeting.
On the appointed day, March 11, 2011, the missionaries gathered together for the expanded mission meeting in the inland city of Koriyama.
During this meeting a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck the region of Japan where the Japan Sendai Mission is located.
Tragically many costal cities--including those from which the missionaries had been gathered--were devastated and suffered great loss of life.
And the city of Fukushima suffered a subsequent nuclear event.
Although the meetinghouse where the missionaries were meeting that day was damaged by the earthquake, through following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, President and Sister Tateoka and all missionaries were safely assembled.
They were out of harm's way and miles from the devastation of the tsunami and the nuclear fallout.
As you heed promptings from the Holy Ghost--impressions most often quiet and still--you may be removed, without ever knowing, from spiritual and temporal danger.
-Gary E. Stevenson -How Does the Holy Ghost Help You? -April 2017 General Conference
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Feeling...Blue
I hit a low point today.
Which happens on occasion.
Honestly it's probably an 'after Christmas blues' sort of thing.
All the excitement that's been building up for like a month or so....
and suddenly it's done and over with.
And you're left with basically the same old same old.
Not easy.
Especially when things in life are on the antagonizing side once one gets back from Christmas celebrations.
*shakes head*
I'm not sure...perhaps I've just been absorbing too many bad moods recently.
As I've had to deal with less than....ideal situations where there are people who are frustrated/sad/unhappy etc. and it just kinda affected my whole mood as well.
Probably because I want to help whenever I hear of something not going right.
And it's frustrating when I can't always do that.
*exhales*
Hopefully though, I'll be able to shake this Blue Mood.
Because really, it's not fun at all to be wallowing in loneliness and sadness.
*fingers crossed*
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Which happens on occasion.
Honestly it's probably an 'after Christmas blues' sort of thing.
All the excitement that's been building up for like a month or so....
and suddenly it's done and over with.
And you're left with basically the same old same old.
Not easy.
Especially when things in life are on the antagonizing side once one gets back from Christmas celebrations.
*shakes head*
I'm not sure...perhaps I've just been absorbing too many bad moods recently.
As I've had to deal with less than....ideal situations where there are people who are frustrated/sad/unhappy etc. and it just kinda affected my whole mood as well.
Probably because I want to help whenever I hear of something not going right.
And it's frustrating when I can't always do that.
*exhales*
Hopefully though, I'll be able to shake this Blue Mood.
Because really, it's not fun at all to be wallowing in loneliness and sadness.
*fingers crossed*
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Clouded Glass
Okay, it's no secret that I really don't like driving in rain.
I mean...the roads get wet and all reflective and it makes it difficult to see the lines...
And yah I don't like it.
But a close second to weather I don't like to drive in...
Would be fog.
And guess what I woke up to this morning?
A very thick, twilight zone esque fog that shrouded the world in misty darkness.
A misty darkness that I didn't think would be bad to drive in....
But it was.
It's the second time this month...that it's happened to me.
You see it's been cold.
Winter and all that you know.
And I had had a layer of ice/frost that I needed to scrape off my windshield before I could go anywhere.
And I figured, scrape off the ice, turn the heat up on the defroster....
And I'd be fine.
It wasn't...fine.
You see.
Fog is evil.
Because fog likes to hit your windshield...
And suddenly ice it all back up again in the blink of an eye.
So one moment you're driving in foggy twilight zone.
And the next second your confronted with a shield of white.
Seriously.
Scariest thing ever.
The only part of my windshield that hadn't frosted over was like a two inch gap at the bottom of the glass. -Where the heat was radiating up.
And I was in a part of the road where I couldn't really pull over and stop....
And also a part of the road where if I went off road....there would be a rather unpleasant drop. :S AHHHH
Thankfully, I turned up the heat, and used the windshield wiper fluid to spray my windshield so that I could quickly clear the ice away and see again.
Such a sigh of relief really.
Because on occasion trying to use the fluid to clear the windshield only makes it worse...thankfully this time it helped rather than hindered.
And I was able to make safely to work!!! Woot!! Even though there were points where I could barely see six feet in front of me. :S
*shakes head*
At least I did better than other cars this morning....
A couple of coworkers showed me a news story where another driver hadn't bothered to clear off their windshield when they left their home this morning. (WHICH WHY WOULD YOU NOT DO THAT?! YOU NEED TO SEE!)
And they'd ended up hitting the median, ruptured their fuel line...and the sparks caused a fire...and well...the driver now doesn't have a car. :S
(No one was hurt, thankfully)
All because they couldn't spare two minutes to clear off their windshield. *shakes head*
Yah...
Fog....while pretty and ethereal, is definitely one of those weather things that I'm growing to dislike driving in.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
I mean...the roads get wet and all reflective and it makes it difficult to see the lines...
And yah I don't like it.
But a close second to weather I don't like to drive in...
Would be fog.
And guess what I woke up to this morning?
A very thick, twilight zone esque fog that shrouded the world in misty darkness.
A misty darkness that I didn't think would be bad to drive in....
But it was.
It's the second time this month...that it's happened to me.
You see it's been cold.
Winter and all that you know.
And I had had a layer of ice/frost that I needed to scrape off my windshield before I could go anywhere.
And I figured, scrape off the ice, turn the heat up on the defroster....
And I'd be fine.
It wasn't...fine.
You see.
Fog is evil.
Because fog likes to hit your windshield...
And suddenly ice it all back up again in the blink of an eye.
So one moment you're driving in foggy twilight zone.
And the next second your confronted with a shield of white.
Seriously.
Scariest thing ever.
The only part of my windshield that hadn't frosted over was like a two inch gap at the bottom of the glass. -Where the heat was radiating up.
And I was in a part of the road where I couldn't really pull over and stop....
And also a part of the road where if I went off road....there would be a rather unpleasant drop. :S AHHHH
Thankfully, I turned up the heat, and used the windshield wiper fluid to spray my windshield so that I could quickly clear the ice away and see again.
Such a sigh of relief really.
Because on occasion trying to use the fluid to clear the windshield only makes it worse...thankfully this time it helped rather than hindered.
And I was able to make safely to work!!! Woot!! Even though there were points where I could barely see six feet in front of me. :S
*shakes head*
At least I did better than other cars this morning....
A couple of coworkers showed me a news story where another driver hadn't bothered to clear off their windshield when they left their home this morning. (WHICH WHY WOULD YOU NOT DO THAT?! YOU NEED TO SEE!)
And they'd ended up hitting the median, ruptured their fuel line...and the sparks caused a fire...and well...the driver now doesn't have a car. :S
(No one was hurt, thankfully)
All because they couldn't spare two minutes to clear off their windshield. *shakes head*
Yah...
Fog....while pretty and ethereal, is definitely one of those weather things that I'm growing to dislike driving in.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Monday, December 25, 2017
Bottles of:
There's always a slightly paranoid part of Christmas, that's become more common as the internet has gotten more popular....
Of your gifts that you ordered online...not arriving on time.
*exhales*
Yah.
I had that happen to me.
Where I ordered some presents for family where I thought that they'd arrive in time....only to find out they wouldn't.
I mean, I was aware it could happen as the 'expected to arrive by' date goes into the first week of January.
But there's always that hope that they would arrive on the earlier end of that 'arrive by date' rather than the later end of it.
Which meant...
That I needed to find a standby substitution to give my family in the meantime.
What was that idea?
It was this:
Of your gifts that you ordered online...not arriving on time.
*exhales*
Yah.
I had that happen to me.
Where I ordered some presents for family where I thought that they'd arrive in time....only to find out they wouldn't.
I mean, I was aware it could happen as the 'expected to arrive by' date goes into the first week of January.
But there's always that hope that they would arrive on the earlier end of that 'arrive by date' rather than the later end of it.
Which meant...
That I needed to find a standby substitution to give my family in the meantime.
What was that idea?
It was this:
What are they?
^^;;
I call them "Bottles of Anticipation"
I went to one of the local craft stores and bought three bottles.
(As I had 3 gifts that hadn't yet arrived)
And also grabbed some beads.
-Which I tried to personalize with favorite colors and likes and such.
And placed the beads in the bottle
(which was semi more difficult than it should have been.)
And then I wrote a note on a paper and taped it to the bottle that said:
Bottle of Anticipation -Present Forthcoming
And then wrapped it up to give to my family. ^^;;
Lol It was great to see their reactions to the bottles.
Honestly, I think it would be a fun thing to do as gifts for people.
Maybe expand it out so instead of just being "Bottles of Anticipation" I could have "Bottle of Patience" "Bottle of Hope" "Bottle of Grounding."
*shrugs*
Definitely seems like a fun thing to do. ^^;; lol.
In any case.
AH.
I loved the reactions my family gave to them. The smiles on their faces. XD lol the fact that I managed to misdirect them in what they were getting XD lol.
It was great.
Ah.
I loved it.
^^;;
Yay for my last minute gift idea going over so well. ^^;;
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day! And have a Merry Christmas!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Sunday, December 24, 2017
After The Movie
One of my favorite things about Christmas Eve is that our family has the tradition to go see a Movie that evening.
Kinda whatever is the most popular thing playing at the moment.
Which at this point, is The Last Jedi.
But one of my favorite things to happen on Christmas Eve, or really, anytime I go see a movie.
Is when I go into the movie, and watch it.
And come outside afterwards to find it SNOWING!!!
WHICH HAPPENED TODAY!!!
YES!!!
It's all the more joyous because I don't think there was a forecast at all for there to be snow today...
Which I could be wrong about because I usually don't check the weather.
But there was no indication whatsoever when we went into the movie, that a handful of hours later we would be coming outside to a WHITE BLANKET!!
Ah!!!!
I love it so!!!
^^
I LOVE THE SNOW
Seriously.
It's one of my favorite times of the year is whenever there's a snowstorm. ^^
It just...makes me really happy. ^^
lol admittedly it wasn't fun to drive home in said snow storm. You can't go fast after all when it snows. Y_Y;;;
BUT OTHERWISE!!
YES!
SNOOOWW!!!
SNOW!!!
I'm so excited that we're able to have a White Christmas. ^^ Especially since it's snowed like...twice so far this year. (not including today)
So to have a White Christmas.
AH.
I love it. ^^
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Kinda whatever is the most popular thing playing at the moment.
Which at this point, is The Last Jedi.
But one of my favorite things to happen on Christmas Eve, or really, anytime I go see a movie.
Is when I go into the movie, and watch it.
And come outside afterwards to find it SNOWING!!!
WHICH HAPPENED TODAY!!!
YES!!!
It's all the more joyous because I don't think there was a forecast at all for there to be snow today...
Which I could be wrong about because I usually don't check the weather.
But there was no indication whatsoever when we went into the movie, that a handful of hours later we would be coming outside to a WHITE BLANKET!!
Ah!!!!
I love it so!!!
^^
I LOVE THE SNOW
Seriously.
It's one of my favorite times of the year is whenever there's a snowstorm. ^^
It just...makes me really happy. ^^
lol admittedly it wasn't fun to drive home in said snow storm. You can't go fast after all when it snows. Y_Y;;;
BUT OTHERWISE!!
YES!
SNOOOWW!!!
SNOW!!!
I'm so excited that we're able to have a White Christmas. ^^ Especially since it's snowed like...twice so far this year. (not including today)
So to have a White Christmas.
AH.
I love it. ^^
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Saturday, December 23, 2017
A Home Alone Scenario
There's a first for everything.
And a First happened today at work.
We had a child....who's parents accidentally left them at the store.
:S
I don't know too much about the situation as I wasn't directly involved.
But yah, I heard over our intercom that there was a child looking for their parents and if the parents could come up to the front....
Only...no one came up to the front.
Our head manager walked with the child up and down the store, searching the aisles to make sure that indeed, they weren't in the store. -As it was crazy busy and the intercom isn't always easy to hear.
And Yah. The parents were totally not there. :S
So one of my coworkers ended up watching the kid for a bit, entertaining them on the dog toy aisle as we waited for the parents to come back or call or something.
Which after a bit of time...I'd have to say like half an hour or so maybe?? (enough time to drive home I suppose)
The parents did call, asking if their child was there.
And thankfully, parents and child were soon reunited! Woot!!!
Yay for happy endings. ^^;;
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Friday, December 22, 2017
Packed
It's easy to forget how crazy it can be during the Christmas season.
Especially as the day gets closer and closer.
There just seems to be people...everywhere.
Not a parking spot to be found.
Crowds wherever you go.
Cars stacked up on the roads.
It definitely is a chaotic sort of atmosphere, where people just seem to appear out of the woodwork, demanding, needing, wanting.
I ventured out into that chaos today.
As per usual, to find those last minute gifts that I needed to find.
And boy...all the people.
All the people.
*shakes head*
I am so not looking forward to having to work with those crowds.
Dealing with customers needing things and wanting them now.
:S
I hope it's not too crazy this weekend.
But I know it's going to be.
If it's already this crazy on a weekday...
I can only imagine the madhouse it's going to be this weekend.
Here's to hoping things go well.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Especially as the day gets closer and closer.
There just seems to be people...everywhere.
Not a parking spot to be found.
Crowds wherever you go.
Cars stacked up on the roads.
It definitely is a chaotic sort of atmosphere, where people just seem to appear out of the woodwork, demanding, needing, wanting.
I ventured out into that chaos today.
As per usual, to find those last minute gifts that I needed to find.
And boy...all the people.
All the people.
*shakes head*
I am so not looking forward to having to work with those crowds.
Dealing with customers needing things and wanting them now.
:S
I hope it's not too crazy this weekend.
But I know it's going to be.
If it's already this crazy on a weekday...
I can only imagine the madhouse it's going to be this weekend.
Here's to hoping things go well.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Thursday, December 21, 2017
On the Rock
When I was about 11 years old, my father and I went hiking on a hot summer day in the mountains near our home.
As Dad hiked up the steep trail, I jumped from one rock to another along the sides of the trail.
Intending to climb one of large rocks, I began to clamber to the top of it.
As I did so, I was surprised when my dad grabbed me by my belt and quickly pulled me down, saying, "Don't climb on that rock. Let's just keep on the trail."
Minutes later, as we looked down from higher up the trail, we were stunned as we saw a big rattlesnake basking in the sun on top of the very rock I had intended to climb.
Later, as we were driving home, I knew Dad was waiting for me to ask, "How did you know the snake was there?"
So I asked, and my question led to a discussion about the Holy Ghost and how the Holy Ghost can help us.
I have never forgotten what I learned that day.
Can you see how the Holy Ghost helped me?
I am forever grateful that my father listened to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost, as it may have saved my life.
-Gary E. Stevenson -How Does the Holy Ghost Help You? -April 2017 General Conference
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
As Dad hiked up the steep trail, I jumped from one rock to another along the sides of the trail.
Intending to climb one of large rocks, I began to clamber to the top of it.
As I did so, I was surprised when my dad grabbed me by my belt and quickly pulled me down, saying, "Don't climb on that rock. Let's just keep on the trail."
Minutes later, as we looked down from higher up the trail, we were stunned as we saw a big rattlesnake basking in the sun on top of the very rock I had intended to climb.
Later, as we were driving home, I knew Dad was waiting for me to ask, "How did you know the snake was there?"
So I asked, and my question led to a discussion about the Holy Ghost and how the Holy Ghost can help us.
I have never forgotten what I learned that day.
Can you see how the Holy Ghost helped me?
I am forever grateful that my father listened to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost, as it may have saved my life.
-Gary E. Stevenson -How Does the Holy Ghost Help You? -April 2017 General Conference
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Finally the White
Guys. IT FINALLY SNOWED!!!
YESSSSSSSSSS.
You don't know how long I've been waiting for this to happen.
Like...since Halloween.
Seriously.
I've been wanting it snow for forever.
Because I love the cold, and i love the white.
And I really just like the concept of white Christmases.
So the fact that we've had no snow until now.
Has been rather irritating to me.
I mean....I know people don't like the snow.
But I really like having snow before Christmas because it just puts everything in the Christmas spirit and snow always seems more cheerful before Christmas with all the lights and such.
Getting snow after Christmas? Still nice. But it just doesn't carry the same spirit.
So I'm super happy that it finally snowed!!!
I just really hope it sticks around.
As there's nothing worse than it snowing...and having it melt away within a couple of hours because the sun was shining again.
So *fingers crossed* that the snow sticks around for a while!! :D
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
YESSSSSSSSSS.
You don't know how long I've been waiting for this to happen.
Like...since Halloween.
Seriously.
I've been wanting it snow for forever.
Because I love the cold, and i love the white.
And I really just like the concept of white Christmases.
So the fact that we've had no snow until now.
Has been rather irritating to me.
I mean....I know people don't like the snow.
But I really like having snow before Christmas because it just puts everything in the Christmas spirit and snow always seems more cheerful before Christmas with all the lights and such.
Getting snow after Christmas? Still nice. But it just doesn't carry the same spirit.
So I'm super happy that it finally snowed!!!
I just really hope it sticks around.
As there's nothing worse than it snowing...and having it melt away within a couple of hours because the sun was shining again.
So *fingers crossed* that the snow sticks around for a while!! :D
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
It's Fine
I think sometimes people don't believe how easy going I actually am.
I mean, sure there are times when I have a plan and I want to stick to the plan and do the plan!
But...over the years I've kinda learned that...well...plans never go to plan.
So while I often plan for something, I also plan for other things to do in the meantime in case the original plan doesn't work out.
That way, if it doesn't work out, I don't feel like I just wasted the entire day waiting for the plan to happen.
I can just shrug my shoulders. Go "it's alright, I'm okay if we don't do this today." and move on.
I think it often confuses people...
When I'm like that. When I say, that I'm easy going.
Because really. I am.
I have my moments. But most of the time if I say "I'm fine with either option." truly I am fine with either option.
I can go do the plan a. Or I can not do the plan a and instead go to plan b.
*shrugs*
It makes life more easier and less stressful that way.
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
I mean, sure there are times when I have a plan and I want to stick to the plan and do the plan!
But...over the years I've kinda learned that...well...plans never go to plan.
So while I often plan for something, I also plan for other things to do in the meantime in case the original plan doesn't work out.
That way, if it doesn't work out, I don't feel like I just wasted the entire day waiting for the plan to happen.
I can just shrug my shoulders. Go "it's alright, I'm okay if we don't do this today." and move on.
I think it often confuses people...
When I'm like that. When I say, that I'm easy going.
Because really. I am.
I have my moments. But most of the time if I say "I'm fine with either option." truly I am fine with either option.
I can go do the plan a. Or I can not do the plan a and instead go to plan b.
*shrugs*
It makes life more easier and less stressful that way.
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Monday, December 18, 2017
April 2017 General Conference -Sunday Afternoon
D. Todd Christofferson -The Voice of Warning
- Far from being anxious to condemn, our Heavenly Father and our Savior seek our happiness.
- To warn is to care.
- In a guilt culture you know you are good or bad by what your conscience feels. In a shame culture you know you are good or bad by what your community says about you, by whether it honors or excludes you.
- Everybody is perpetually insecure in a moral system based on inclusion and exclusion. There are no permanent standards, just the shifting judgment of the crowd. It is a culture of oversensitivity, overreaction and frequent moral panics, during which everybody feels compelled to go along.
- How much better it is to have the unchanging law of God by which we may act to choose our destiny rather than being hostage to the unpredictable rules and wrath of the social media mob.
- Do not abandon those who would welcome truth to floundering and failing in ignorance.
- Ultimately, we are all accountable to God for our choices and the lives we live.
Joaquin E. Costa -To the Friends and Investigators of the Church
- If you are confused, don't worry--remember the feelings you have experienced; they come from God.
- Experience repentance; nothing draws you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ than a desire to change.
S. Mark Palmer -Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him
- I do love you, and because I love you, I care about who you become. So I invite you to change those things that are hard for you and become who the Lord wants you to be.
- As we learn to see others as the Lord sees them rather than with our own eyes, our love for them will grow and so will our desire to help them.
- No true teaching or learning will ever occur when done in frustration or anger, and hearts will not change where love is not present.
Gary E. Stevenson -How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?
- As you heed promptings from the Holy Ghost--impressions most often quiet and still--you may be removed, without ever knowing, from spiritual and temporal danger.
C. Scott Grow -And This Is Life Eternal
- No matter how alone or uncertain you may feel at times, you are not alone in this world. God knows you personally.
- As you study the scriptures each day, alone, and with your family, you will learn to recognize the voice of the Spirit and will come to know God.
- As we seek to do God's will by faithfully serving Him and our fellowmen, we feel His approval and truly come to know Him.
- He can make of us more than we could ever make of ourselves.
- Courage; and on, on to the victory!
- God knows you and invites you to know Him.
Benjamin De Hoyos -That Our Light May Be a Standard for the Nations
- Our light also grows as we dedicate and consecrate time to finding the names of our ancestors, taking their names to the temple, and teaching our family and others to do the same.
- As we all teach and learn in His way and become more like Him, our light shines brighter and cannot be hid and becomes a standard to those who are looking for the Savior's light.
Quentin L. Cook -Foundations of Faith
- Personal foundations, like many worthwhile pursuits, are usually built slowly--one layer, one experience, one challenge, one setback, and one success at a time.
- Ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert--in anything.
- Adversity should not be viewed as either disfavor from the Lord or a withdrawal of His blessings. Opposition in all things is part of the refiner's fire to prepare us for an eternal celestial destiny.
- Fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Low Day
It's one of those low days for me.
Which isn't all that surprising considering I had 11 hours of social interaction yesterday.
I more than likely overdrew my 'social' resources and had to pull from other areas to be able to keep up the energy levels and happiness that's generally required when it comes to being in retail.
*exhales*
But I really hate it.
I mean....I want to be more perky and social and hyper.
But after such a long day.
It's hard to dredge up the energy.
And my emotional levels always take a hit as well....which means that I'm probably in a slight downward spiral right now.
Because I can sense that others are wanting more from me, and I'm unable to give it.
Because I just don't have the resources right now.
I'm tired, I'm sore, and it's really hard to fill other people's buckets with water from my bucket when my bucket is beyond empty.
But I think I overdrew my resources yesterday because a lot of people were in more of a 'woe is me' attitude yesterday.
And whenever I see someone being negative, I can't help but try and make it positive. Try to make people feel better.
It's my nature. I like to see people happy and if I can't make them happy or at least can't help them....
It's rather difficult...and I end up wasting a lot of energy....without getting a lot of it back.
*shakes head*
I dunno.
I really need to work on better using my energy....so that I don't get this drained whenever I have long shifts of social interaction....
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Which isn't all that surprising considering I had 11 hours of social interaction yesterday.
I more than likely overdrew my 'social' resources and had to pull from other areas to be able to keep up the energy levels and happiness that's generally required when it comes to being in retail.
*exhales*
But I really hate it.
I mean....I want to be more perky and social and hyper.
But after such a long day.
It's hard to dredge up the energy.
And my emotional levels always take a hit as well....which means that I'm probably in a slight downward spiral right now.
Because I can sense that others are wanting more from me, and I'm unable to give it.
Because I just don't have the resources right now.
I'm tired, I'm sore, and it's really hard to fill other people's buckets with water from my bucket when my bucket is beyond empty.
But I think I overdrew my resources yesterday because a lot of people were in more of a 'woe is me' attitude yesterday.
And whenever I see someone being negative, I can't help but try and make it positive. Try to make people feel better.
It's my nature. I like to see people happy and if I can't make them happy or at least can't help them....
It's rather difficult...and I end up wasting a lot of energy....without getting a lot of it back.
*shakes head*
I dunno.
I really need to work on better using my energy....so that I don't get this drained whenever I have long shifts of social interaction....
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Long Day
It was the vibrating of my phone that drew me out of my sleep.
Which, considering my alarms are actual sounds when It's time for me to get up, the fact that the vibrating of my phone can manage to pull me out of sleep is rather impressive.
A confused glance to the clock as I reached for my phone showed me that there was no reason why it should be making any sort of noise. I still had two more hours before I needed to get up for work....
But as I looked at the screen of my phone, I saw that it was work calling.
Not a good sign.
Though at least this time around I knew it was because I wasn't late for work.
So the only other reason for work to be calling me...would be that they needed me for something.
Turns out I was right.
Upon answering the phone, and my manager apologizing for waking me up.
I was asked if I could come into work a couple of hours early to cover one of my coworkers who was sick.
Sick enough that they couldn't stand up without throwing up.
Which definitely is sick.
The manager told me that I would be able to leave my shift early if I came in early.
Which I was all for.
So I totally agreed.
Because I don't like working evening shifts, and if I was able to come in for the morning. Even better for me lol.
So I went into work early.
Which, with our longer holiday hours, meant that I showed up as we opened our doors for customers. (not that many customers come in early)
But basically my goal was to get the department open as quickly as possible, and help customers as they came in.
It wasn't going to be a bad thing.
Only....it turned out that I couldn't leave early.
Today was projected to be the 'busiest' Saturday of the year. And the head manager wanted to have all hands on deck. Which meant, that instead of being able to leave a couple of hours early from my original shift...I would be working my entire shift as well.
Which totaled to be like 11 hours...
Which I was alright to doing.
And wasn't totally surprised by.
The thing with retail is that things never go according to plan. So I kinda just roll with the changes.
Plus the managers were sweet (and felt bad for having me stay) and so I ended up with two lunch breaks where they gave me food. ^^ Yay food!! lol.
But yah...It was basically 11 hours of me being social. Acting cheerful. Helping customers and coworkers out and basically being energetic.
And gah....it's so draining when I do that.
I got home and basically my brain died.
Because...I really am not a social person.
It drains me to have to consistently talk to people.
And doing it for basically the entire 11 hours I was at work....
Yah.
I'm pretty much nonfunctional, once I get home and can sit down and relax.
Totally crazy.
Hopefully I don't have to do it again any time soon...
...but considering I've lost/am loosing multiple coworkers....
It doesn't bode well.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Which, considering my alarms are actual sounds when It's time for me to get up, the fact that the vibrating of my phone can manage to pull me out of sleep is rather impressive.
A confused glance to the clock as I reached for my phone showed me that there was no reason why it should be making any sort of noise. I still had two more hours before I needed to get up for work....
But as I looked at the screen of my phone, I saw that it was work calling.
Not a good sign.
Though at least this time around I knew it was because I wasn't late for work.
So the only other reason for work to be calling me...would be that they needed me for something.
Turns out I was right.
Upon answering the phone, and my manager apologizing for waking me up.
I was asked if I could come into work a couple of hours early to cover one of my coworkers who was sick.
Sick enough that they couldn't stand up without throwing up.
Which definitely is sick.
The manager told me that I would be able to leave my shift early if I came in early.
Which I was all for.
So I totally agreed.
Because I don't like working evening shifts, and if I was able to come in for the morning. Even better for me lol.
So I went into work early.
Which, with our longer holiday hours, meant that I showed up as we opened our doors for customers. (not that many customers come in early)
But basically my goal was to get the department open as quickly as possible, and help customers as they came in.
It wasn't going to be a bad thing.
Only....it turned out that I couldn't leave early.
Today was projected to be the 'busiest' Saturday of the year. And the head manager wanted to have all hands on deck. Which meant, that instead of being able to leave a couple of hours early from my original shift...I would be working my entire shift as well.
Which totaled to be like 11 hours...
Which I was alright to doing.
And wasn't totally surprised by.
The thing with retail is that things never go according to plan. So I kinda just roll with the changes.
Plus the managers were sweet (and felt bad for having me stay) and so I ended up with two lunch breaks where they gave me food. ^^ Yay food!! lol.
But yah...It was basically 11 hours of me being social. Acting cheerful. Helping customers and coworkers out and basically being energetic.
And gah....it's so draining when I do that.
I got home and basically my brain died.
Because...I really am not a social person.
It drains me to have to consistently talk to people.
And doing it for basically the entire 11 hours I was at work....
Yah.
I'm pretty much nonfunctional, once I get home and can sit down and relax.
Totally crazy.
Hopefully I don't have to do it again any time soon...
...but considering I've lost/am loosing multiple coworkers....
It doesn't bode well.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Friday, December 15, 2017
Out and About
It's been a while since I've intentionally done this.
But this morning I actually got up and out of the house before 11 and ventured out to get a Taco Bell Sausage Crunchwrap.
It's been forever since I've had one. Not since like...summertime I think.
Because I've elected on my days off to often stay home. Or if I do venture out of the house...it's after breakfast time and Taco Bell's Breakfast Crunchwraps are still only served in the mornings.
But not in all locations.
:S I went to the mall this morning, since that's my usual tromping grounds to when I want to grab a Crunchwrap from the Taco Bell inside the food court....only to discover that that location no longer does breakfast. :(
lol it makes sense though. *shakes head* The mall usually only opens like an hour before breakfast is over. So there's not much point in selling breakfast...when there's no time to come get breakfast....of course maybe the food court opens earlier than the rest of the stores in a mall?? No idea. *shakes head*
But it shows how long its been since I've gotten my crunchwrap.
lol the lady at the register probably thought I was crazy...I wonder how many people come in wanting breakfast only to discover that location doesn't do it....
It's probably as often as people come into my work and ask "Do you guys sell dogs here?"
In any case.
Thankfully I found out that my usual go-to for Crunchwraps no longer carries breakfast with enough time for me to go find a different Taco Bell and find my breakfast there. ^^;;
But it was nice...to just grab breakfast and hang out there in the corner and scribble away in my notebook.
It's...been far too long since I've done something like that. Just gone to write in a public location.
I found it rather soothing and relaxing to be able to write. To watch and listen to other people who happen to sit nearby (even though the rest of the place was empty they chose a table next to mine.)
I really need to start doing that again. Just hanging out in public. Writing there.
Because it really helped to settle my head a bit. ^^;;;
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
But this morning I actually got up and out of the house before 11 and ventured out to get a Taco Bell Sausage Crunchwrap.
It's been forever since I've had one. Not since like...summertime I think.
Because I've elected on my days off to often stay home. Or if I do venture out of the house...it's after breakfast time and Taco Bell's Breakfast Crunchwraps are still only served in the mornings.
But not in all locations.
:S I went to the mall this morning, since that's my usual tromping grounds to when I want to grab a Crunchwrap from the Taco Bell inside the food court....only to discover that that location no longer does breakfast. :(
lol it makes sense though. *shakes head* The mall usually only opens like an hour before breakfast is over. So there's not much point in selling breakfast...when there's no time to come get breakfast....of course maybe the food court opens earlier than the rest of the stores in a mall?? No idea. *shakes head*
But it shows how long its been since I've gotten my crunchwrap.
lol the lady at the register probably thought I was crazy...I wonder how many people come in wanting breakfast only to discover that location doesn't do it....
It's probably as often as people come into my work and ask "Do you guys sell dogs here?"
In any case.
Thankfully I found out that my usual go-to for Crunchwraps no longer carries breakfast with enough time for me to go find a different Taco Bell and find my breakfast there. ^^;;
But it was nice...to just grab breakfast and hang out there in the corner and scribble away in my notebook.
It's...been far too long since I've done something like that. Just gone to write in a public location.
I found it rather soothing and relaxing to be able to write. To watch and listen to other people who happen to sit nearby (even though the rest of the place was empty they chose a table next to mine.)
I really need to start doing that again. Just hanging out in public. Writing there.
Because it really helped to settle my head a bit. ^^;;;
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Someone Already Has
I have recently become acquainted with a remarkable young woman named Josie who suffers from bipolar disorder.
Here is just a little of her journey toward healing as she shared it with me:
"The worst of the darkness occurs on what my family and I have deemed "floor days." It begins with sensory overload and acute sensitivity and resistance to any type of sound, touch, or light.
It is the apex of mental anguish.
There is one day in particular I will never forget.
"It was early in the journey, making the experience especially frightening.
I can remember sobbing, tears racing down my face as I gasped for air.
But even such intense suffering paled in comparison to the pain that followed as I observed panic overwhelm my mother, so desperate to help me.
"With my broken mind came her broken heart.
But little did we know that despite the deepening darkness, we were just moments away from experiencing a mighty miracle.
"As a long hour continued my mom whispered over and over and over again, 'I would do anything to take this from you.'
"Meanwhile, the darkness intensified, and when I was convinced I could take no more, just then something marvelous occurred.
"A transcendent and wonderful power suddenly overtook my body.
Then, with a 'strength beyond my own,' I declared to my mom with great conviction seven life-changing words in response to her repeated desire to bear my pain.
I said, 'You don't have to; Someone already has.'"
From the dark abyss of debilitating mental illness, Josie summoned the strength to testify of Jesus Christ and of His Atonement.
She was not healed completely that day, but she received a light of hope in a time of intense darkness.
And today, supported by a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and refreshed daily by the Savior's living water, Josie continues on her journey toward healing and exercises unshakeable faith in the Master Healer.
She helps others along the way.
And she says, "When the darkness feels unremitting, I rely on the memory of His tender mercies.
They serve as a guiding light as I navigate through hard times."
-Carole M. Stephens -The Master Healer -October 2016 General Conference
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Here is just a little of her journey toward healing as she shared it with me:
"The worst of the darkness occurs on what my family and I have deemed "floor days." It begins with sensory overload and acute sensitivity and resistance to any type of sound, touch, or light.
It is the apex of mental anguish.
There is one day in particular I will never forget.
"It was early in the journey, making the experience especially frightening.
I can remember sobbing, tears racing down my face as I gasped for air.
But even such intense suffering paled in comparison to the pain that followed as I observed panic overwhelm my mother, so desperate to help me.
"With my broken mind came her broken heart.
But little did we know that despite the deepening darkness, we were just moments away from experiencing a mighty miracle.
"As a long hour continued my mom whispered over and over and over again, 'I would do anything to take this from you.'
"Meanwhile, the darkness intensified, and when I was convinced I could take no more, just then something marvelous occurred.
"A transcendent and wonderful power suddenly overtook my body.
Then, with a 'strength beyond my own,' I declared to my mom with great conviction seven life-changing words in response to her repeated desire to bear my pain.
I said, 'You don't have to; Someone already has.'"
From the dark abyss of debilitating mental illness, Josie summoned the strength to testify of Jesus Christ and of His Atonement.
She was not healed completely that day, but she received a light of hope in a time of intense darkness.
And today, supported by a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and refreshed daily by the Savior's living water, Josie continues on her journey toward healing and exercises unshakeable faith in the Master Healer.
She helps others along the way.
And she says, "When the darkness feels unremitting, I rely on the memory of His tender mercies.
They serve as a guiding light as I navigate through hard times."
-Carole M. Stephens -The Master Healer -October 2016 General Conference
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Foggy Journey
The thing about having weather....
Is that it's often more fun to watch it from the safety of the indoors....than being out in the middle of it.
This morning I woke up to Fog.
Which wasn't that heavy when I left my house to head into work.
But as I reached the last mile...the Fog grew super thick.
My windshield iced up....I could barely see the lines...barely see in front of me because the Fog had become so thick that I couldn't see the stop lights until I was three hundred yards away from them.
:S
So it was quite the adventure getting into work this morning.
Peering through my front windshield as I desperately worked the heater to defrost my windshield.
Cautiously following the lines in the road -because construction and ahhh the lines are faint-
And finally.
Finally pulling up to my work.
It was a relief to be stopped.
To know that I wouldn't have to drive in the fog again today because it would more than likely melt away by the time I needed to go home. (which it did)
But yah...
Fog.
Cool look.
Not quite as cool to drive in in the early am.
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Is that it's often more fun to watch it from the safety of the indoors....than being out in the middle of it.
This morning I woke up to Fog.
Which wasn't that heavy when I left my house to head into work.
But as I reached the last mile...the Fog grew super thick.
My windshield iced up....I could barely see the lines...barely see in front of me because the Fog had become so thick that I couldn't see the stop lights until I was three hundred yards away from them.
:S
So it was quite the adventure getting into work this morning.
Peering through my front windshield as I desperately worked the heater to defrost my windshield.
Cautiously following the lines in the road -because construction and ahhh the lines are faint-
And finally.
Finally pulling up to my work.
It was a relief to be stopped.
To know that I wouldn't have to drive in the fog again today because it would more than likely melt away by the time I needed to go home. (which it did)
But yah...
Fog.
Cool look.
Not quite as cool to drive in in the early am.
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Alone and Untrained
I probably should have realized this properly on Saturday when I had trouble getting the department open.
But...the Holiday Shopping season is fully upon us.
I guess it hasn't really truly hit me yet though.
Mostly because we don't have snow on the ground here yet. >.<
And it doesn't quite feel like Christmas until there's white everywhere.
*exhales*
I hope it snows soon....
But in any case.
Today was....well....I'm not going to be surprised if my department is a total mess tomorrow. *exhales*
It was one of those days where things just....didn't get done.
And it's not like they didn't get done because I had a crazy amount of customers to help....though they did contribute to it. *shakes head* I mean....spending like 40 minutes with a customer at Cat Adoptions because they were adopting a cat definitely makes it difficult to get other tasks on the other side of the store done....
But it began when I walked in this morning.
And realized that I had a 'greenie' opening with me today.
It's not that this coworker is new really. They've been working in the store for a while now.
But not in my department.
So this was their first morning opening in Petcare.
-As we have a slight shortage of people in my department currently. *exhales* Yay for Holiday crazy....and such....
But it was their first morning opening in Petcare.
Which meant that I couldn't just go say "Go do this."
Because my coworker had never done the things before.
So it was a matter of showing/telling my coworker how to do a task, and letting them at it, and the checking in on them every now and then while I tried to get my own things done.
Which, that part went well enough. My coworker was able to get the tasks completed in a timely manner considering it was their first time doing the things.
But then....came the fact that my coworker ended up out of my department, helping to cover breaks and doing stocking tasks....
Which meant that the remaining tasks in my department weren't getting done because I was in the middle of my own task of cleaning the small pet cages. *exhales*
And since my coworker was out of the dept...it meant I would often have to break away to help customers....which meant the cage cleaning took far longer than it should.
I didn't finish until 2pm today...and I started the process at like 730 this morning.
*shakes head* Usually I can get it done by 1130...*exhales*
Needless to say...long story made slightly shorter....
The department didn't get fully opened today.
:( I wasn't able to do any of the fishtank tasks. The Scrubbing, the Vacuuming...
......the feeding......
Which. Wouldn't have been a bad thing. I mean, I have other coworkers who can take over and finish any uncompleted tasks in the department when I get off work....
Except.
Today.
The coworker who was supposed to come in to relieve me....
called in sick.
And with us already low in numbers in my dept in the first place....
We couldn't get anyone to come in and cover that shift.
It was desperate times....Definitely desperate times.
Because I couldn't stay late because I'm already scheduled my full hours for the week.
-Though I am surprised the manager didn't ask me to stay late anyways....
Instead, I had to do a quick crash course training with one of our newer cashiers. And leave them to watch the department until my next coworker could come in....at 7pm.... :S
Which meant for around 4 hours today...my coworker, who has barely any experience with my department (they can bag fish and crickets) was left in charge. Left to try and answer the questions customers might come in and ask, left to hopefully properly sell any animals customers may want.
Really, can you see why I'm not going to be surprised if the department is a disaster tomorrow?
I won't be surprised if I get calls from customers for the next couple of weeks either.
But hopefully *fingers crossed* Everything went well.
Hopefully my coworker was able to help any customers that did come in.
Hopefully they were able to find someone to help them out....
*shakes head*
But yah. Because my coworker is brand new and untrained, and I had like no time to train them....I couldn't really tell them any tasks to do.
Soo....anything I couldn't get done before I left....didn't get done to day.
Which meant I was unable to give those poor fish their food today. *exhales*
Note to self....work faster tomorrow.... :S
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
But...the Holiday Shopping season is fully upon us.
I guess it hasn't really truly hit me yet though.
Mostly because we don't have snow on the ground here yet. >.<
And it doesn't quite feel like Christmas until there's white everywhere.
*exhales*
I hope it snows soon....
But in any case.
Today was....well....I'm not going to be surprised if my department is a total mess tomorrow. *exhales*
It was one of those days where things just....didn't get done.
And it's not like they didn't get done because I had a crazy amount of customers to help....though they did contribute to it. *shakes head* I mean....spending like 40 minutes with a customer at Cat Adoptions because they were adopting a cat definitely makes it difficult to get other tasks on the other side of the store done....
But it began when I walked in this morning.
And realized that I had a 'greenie' opening with me today.
It's not that this coworker is new really. They've been working in the store for a while now.
But not in my department.
So this was their first morning opening in Petcare.
-As we have a slight shortage of people in my department currently. *exhales* Yay for Holiday crazy....and such....
But it was their first morning opening in Petcare.
Which meant that I couldn't just go say "Go do this."
Because my coworker had never done the things before.
So it was a matter of showing/telling my coworker how to do a task, and letting them at it, and the checking in on them every now and then while I tried to get my own things done.
Which, that part went well enough. My coworker was able to get the tasks completed in a timely manner considering it was their first time doing the things.
But then....came the fact that my coworker ended up out of my department, helping to cover breaks and doing stocking tasks....
Which meant that the remaining tasks in my department weren't getting done because I was in the middle of my own task of cleaning the small pet cages. *exhales*
And since my coworker was out of the dept...it meant I would often have to break away to help customers....which meant the cage cleaning took far longer than it should.
I didn't finish until 2pm today...and I started the process at like 730 this morning.
*shakes head* Usually I can get it done by 1130...*exhales*
Needless to say...long story made slightly shorter....
The department didn't get fully opened today.
:( I wasn't able to do any of the fishtank tasks. The Scrubbing, the Vacuuming...
......the feeding......
Which. Wouldn't have been a bad thing. I mean, I have other coworkers who can take over and finish any uncompleted tasks in the department when I get off work....
Except.
Today.
The coworker who was supposed to come in to relieve me....
called in sick.
And with us already low in numbers in my dept in the first place....
We couldn't get anyone to come in and cover that shift.
It was desperate times....Definitely desperate times.
Because I couldn't stay late because I'm already scheduled my full hours for the week.
-Though I am surprised the manager didn't ask me to stay late anyways....
Instead, I had to do a quick crash course training with one of our newer cashiers. And leave them to watch the department until my next coworker could come in....at 7pm.... :S
Which meant for around 4 hours today...my coworker, who has barely any experience with my department (they can bag fish and crickets) was left in charge. Left to try and answer the questions customers might come in and ask, left to hopefully properly sell any animals customers may want.
Really, can you see why I'm not going to be surprised if the department is a disaster tomorrow?
I won't be surprised if I get calls from customers for the next couple of weeks either.
But hopefully *fingers crossed* Everything went well.
Hopefully my coworker was able to help any customers that did come in.
Hopefully they were able to find someone to help them out....
*shakes head*
But yah. Because my coworker is brand new and untrained, and I had like no time to train them....I couldn't really tell them any tasks to do.
Soo....anything I couldn't get done before I left....didn't get done to day.
Which meant I was unable to give those poor fish their food today. *exhales*
Note to self....work faster tomorrow.... :S
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Monday, December 11, 2017
April 2017 General Conference -Sunday Morning
Thomas S. Monson -The Power of the Book of Mormon
- If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so.
- It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far.
Joy D. Jones -A Sin-Resistant Generation
- The Spirit will inspire us in the most effective ways we can spiritually inoculate our children.
- Being sin-resistant doesn't mean being sinless, but does imply being continually repentant, vigilant, and valiant.
- Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
- The call for courage comes constantly to each of us.
- Every day of our lives courage is needed--not just for the momentous events but more often as we make decisions or respond to circumstances around us.
- A succession of small, successfully kept promises leads to integrity.
- Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate.
Yoon Hwan Choi -Don't Look Around, Look Up!
- Our role can be a turning point at which significant changes can occur in positive or negative ways.
- Never permit yourself to become a weak link in the chain of your generations.
- Your faithfulness in the gospel will strengthen your family.
- Do not lose your faith because of the people around you, but build a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. Don't look around, look up!
- Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
- It is not easy for us to recognize the love of Heavenly Father when we look around with our temporal eyes.
- May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.
- It is never too late to look up to Jesus Christ. His arms are always open to you.
- Hold on to your faith in those hard times. Look up to Christ for strength, balance, and healing.
Ronald A. Rasband -Let the Holy Spirit Guide
- The Holy Ghost binds us to the Lord.
- My experience has been that the Spirit most often communicates as a feeling. You feel it in words that are familiar to you, that makes sense to you, that prompt you.
- We must be confident in our first promptings. Sometimes we rationalize; we wonder if we are feeling a spiritual impression or if it is just our own thoughts. When we begin to second-guess, even third-guess, our feelings--and we all have--we are dismissing the Spirit; we are questioning divine counsel. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if you will listen to the first promptings, you will get it right nine times out of ten.
- Now a caution: don't expect fireworks because you responded to the Holy Ghost. Remember, you are about the work of the still, small voice.
- If we pay attention to the promptings that come to us, we will grow in the spirit of revelation and receive more and more Spirit-driven insight and direction.
L. Whitney Clayton -Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It
- Those who are deliberate about doing the "small and simple things" --obeying in seemingly little ways--are blessed with faith and strength that go far beyond the actual acts of obedience themselves and, in fact, may seem totally unrelated to them.
- It may seem hard to draw a connection between the basic daily acts of obedience and solutions to the big, complicated problems we face. But they are related.
- Getting the little daily habits of faith right is the single best way to fortify ourselves against the troubles of life, whatever they may be.
- Small acts of faith, even when they seem insignificant or entirely disconnected from the specific problems that vex us, bless us in all we do.
- God will always bless us for our steadfast obedience to His gospel and loyalty to His Church, but He rarely shows us His timetable for doing so in advance.
Dallin H. Oaks -The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation
- It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf -Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
- It is true that fear can have a powerful influence over our actions and behavior. But that influence tends to be temporary and shallow. Fear rarely has the power to change our hearts.
- Our Father in Heaven's love for us, His children, surpasses by far our ability to comprehend.
- He wants us to change more than just our behaviors. He wants to change our very natures. He wants to change our hearts.
- God is on our side. He loves us, and when we stumble, He wants us to rise up, try again, and become stronger.
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Sunday, December 10, 2017
A New Place
I grew up with the commercials.
They were constantly on TV.
The jingle, even now, is stuck in my head.
"Reeeed Rooobbbiinnnss!!! Yum!!"
But before tonight.
I'd actually never gone to Red Robins.
Never really had the desire to. Or an interest in it.
Don't ask me why.
Its just one of those places that I see every now and then...but never have a desire to go check out.
Well tonight.
My family and I went there.
For most of us it was the first time.
And I honestly have to wonder....why we haven't gone before.
Because the food was surprisingly tasty. Flavorful. Delicious.
Admittedly I didn't try their hamburgers...but their BLT on a crossiant was simply delicious. ^^;;
And the oddest thing...
was their Fries and Sauce.
Like they have this BBQ fry sauce where I was like...Oh...that's....I can't decide if I like it or not.
But then Kikay suggested that I try dipping my fries in their ranch.
Which...while Ranch is delicious with a lot of things...
Ranch and Potatoes ....just doesn't seem like a good combination....It still doesn't.
But Red Robin's ranch sauce with the fries....Wow.
It was amazing.
A tingling of flavors bursting in my mouth.
lol.
Seriously I can see now why people enjoy eating there.
I may just have to see if I can return sometime in the near future and see if it was a fluke or not that the food tasted that great. ^^;;;
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
They were constantly on TV.
The jingle, even now, is stuck in my head.
"Reeeed Rooobbbiinnnss!!! Yum!!"
But before tonight.
I'd actually never gone to Red Robins.
Never really had the desire to. Or an interest in it.
Don't ask me why.
Its just one of those places that I see every now and then...but never have a desire to go check out.
Well tonight.
My family and I went there.
For most of us it was the first time.
And I honestly have to wonder....why we haven't gone before.
Because the food was surprisingly tasty. Flavorful. Delicious.
Admittedly I didn't try their hamburgers...but their BLT on a crossiant was simply delicious. ^^;;
And the oddest thing...
was their Fries and Sauce.
Like they have this BBQ fry sauce where I was like...Oh...that's....I can't decide if I like it or not.
But then Kikay suggested that I try dipping my fries in their ranch.
Which...while Ranch is delicious with a lot of things...
Ranch and Potatoes ....just doesn't seem like a good combination....It still doesn't.
But Red Robin's ranch sauce with the fries....Wow.
It was amazing.
A tingling of flavors bursting in my mouth.
lol.
Seriously I can see now why people enjoy eating there.
I may just have to see if I can return sometime in the near future and see if it was a fluke or not that the food tasted that great. ^^;;;
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Unfinished Opening
It's the holiday season.
The time of year where I end up running around like crazy at work because suddenly there's waaaaaayyy more people and still only just me trying to get things done.
Today was one of those days.
I knew it was going to be crazy when I walked in just before lunch time...and saw that my coworker was still trying to open up the department...in that they'd only accomplished like a third of the opening tasks by the time I came in. :S
*exhales*
I'd like to say that together we were able to get the department opened quickly.
But that wasn't so.
You see...my coworker was out of my department right when I came on the clock.
Which meant...that it was up to me, by myself, to open up the rest of the department.
It was a simple list.
Finish feeding the small pets.
Feed the birds.
Feed the reptiles.
Feed the fish.
Oh, and bag the crickets for customers to grab.
I'm pretty sure two hours passed.....
And I'd managed to finish feeding the small pets.
It was probably another hour before I managed to find the breathing room to feed the birds.
The reptiles...*exhales* I never got around to feeding actually. :S Thankfully though, they're fine to miss a day or so of food. So I wasn't too concerned.
Fish...it was nearly dinner time before we managed to feed the fish. *shakes head*
And that's because it was just customer after customer after customer needing help.
Thankfully it wasn't in an overwhelming 'I'm being called seven places at once' sort of customer need. It's just once I was done helping one customer, another one would be waiting to get help.
Which made it difficult to break away to do the tasks I still needed to do.
*exhales*
It also didn't help that there was a mini nuclear headache lurking the entire work shift.
But hey....I survived. :) Yay!! :)
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
The time of year where I end up running around like crazy at work because suddenly there's waaaaaayyy more people and still only just me trying to get things done.
Today was one of those days.
I knew it was going to be crazy when I walked in just before lunch time...and saw that my coworker was still trying to open up the department...in that they'd only accomplished like a third of the opening tasks by the time I came in. :S
*exhales*
I'd like to say that together we were able to get the department opened quickly.
But that wasn't so.
You see...my coworker was out of my department right when I came on the clock.
Which meant...that it was up to me, by myself, to open up the rest of the department.
It was a simple list.
Finish feeding the small pets.
Feed the birds.
Feed the reptiles.
Feed the fish.
Oh, and bag the crickets for customers to grab.
I'm pretty sure two hours passed.....
And I'd managed to finish feeding the small pets.
It was probably another hour before I managed to find the breathing room to feed the birds.
The reptiles...*exhales* I never got around to feeding actually. :S Thankfully though, they're fine to miss a day or so of food. So I wasn't too concerned.
Fish...it was nearly dinner time before we managed to feed the fish. *shakes head*
And that's because it was just customer after customer after customer needing help.
Thankfully it wasn't in an overwhelming 'I'm being called seven places at once' sort of customer need. It's just once I was done helping one customer, another one would be waiting to get help.
Which made it difficult to break away to do the tasks I still needed to do.
*exhales*
It also didn't help that there was a mini nuclear headache lurking the entire work shift.
But hey....I survived. :) Yay!! :)
Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!
-Sarnic Dirchi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)