FINALLY OVER!!!!!!!!!! (99% sure.......)

So today, June 29, 2010, at 7:30 am, was the scheduled date for the hearing with my former company Nuskin regarding Unemployment. (See this and this )

So I have literally been losing sleep over this stupid thing for the last 2-3 weeks. Essentially since I found out Nuskin appealed it and wanted a hearing, which was I think June 11th.......yeah, it's been on my mind that much. I know it wasn't/isn't a big deal, but really to me, this whole thing, well the decision that would be made, would completely validate my feelings on what happened and the whole issue. If the decision was made against me, then it's a lesson learned and I move on. If it was made in my favor, I was right and never should have been fired, and the lesson would be learned for those involved from Nuskin.

So I rolled around all night waking up literally every half hour thinking it was time to get up to face the music. I wrote things out last night that I wanted to say; points I wanted to make, rebuttals to the "evidence" they sent to me, so I was ready to go. My parents were up and we were just talking about how I needed to be calm and collected on the call and just be open and honest about everything (hmmmmmm isn't that my philosophy on life ANYWAY?). My phone rings, finally, at 7:31. On the other line is Judge *Last name* (yeah I didn't write his name down.....oh well). He informs me that he called my former employer first, and they didn't answer. He left a message and told them they'd have until 7:45 am to call him back, or the case would be dismissed. Huge smile on my face, I told him that would be great. He said he'd let me know as soon as he had them on the phone, or if they never called back. I almost jumped out of chair with excitement. My Dad just laughed. How IRONIC!!!!!!!!!! Part of the reason I got fired was because of problems with being tardy.........seriously........to not make your OWN HEARING!??!?! WHO DOES THAT!!!!!!!! There are a lot of things that could have happened. Maybe they decided it really wasn't that big of a deal since I was just a nobody at Nuskin. Maybe the CEO aka my Parents Bishop, caught wind and told them they would not continue with the hearing. Who knows. All I know, is the CASE IS DISMISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't felt so relieved, so happy, in a long time. When I got the email from the unemployment office saying I wasn't at fault, that was a great moment. However, this tops it for sure. It's an amazing feeling. The only 2% of uggghhh still, is that they can reopen the case............if they do, they have to do it in writing and submit a valid reason why they didn't make the time. THEN it will be CONSIDERED to be opened again. I'm pretty sure it's over (that's where the 99% came from).

I have work off today. I'm playing Tennis at 10 with Steve. Japan is playing (USA and Mexico both lost........World Cup........so I chose Japan as my new team ) and they're going to win. Today is my day!!!!!!!!!

Vindicated. That is all.

~~Vindicated~~

There are certain words in the English language that one can rarely find a use for. Personally, I've always wanted to find a really good excuse to use the word Vindicated.

Dictionary.com defines Vindicated as: to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like.

My last post, over a month ago (yeah I jacked up my 4/month goal.....i'll write 8 this month to make up for it), mentioned how I lost my job. I want to go a bit more into detail on the specifics of what happened, and how unfair it was; nevertheless, at this point, I am beginning to see it more as a blessing.

So Ricky Martin came out of the closet, big deal right? Well not really, I'm sure as he was losing popularity, he came out to cause a stir and be recognized again. Pop Stars, Famous People, the Media, the paparazzi, Whatever; I could care less. I was at work when one of my friends messaged me to tell me to check out a fellow co-worker/friends FB status. His status was simply "OMG RICKY MARTIN!!!!" or something to that effect. After seeing a few of the comments on the status, I decided to join in on the conversation. There was no bashing, (that I recall) and everyone commenting back and forth, the majority of which are members of the LDS church and share common beliefs, were just stating their opinions on the subject. So after work, I go home and think nothing of this. A month later (April 28th), I wake up to a text from the same friend who informed me of the conversation happening. This friend told me that everyone in her department, Distributor Support, had all been suspended for this conversation. Even those that withdrew their comments. I was informed that while asking about me, the HR rep that suspended them, told them that I would be disciplined as well. I go into work that day expecting to be suspended. I hadn't had any problems being tardy and what-not for almost a year. I was prepared to take it like a man, be apologetic, humble, and accept the consequences.

I was there for 2 hours, and get an IM from Tina. Tina isn't my manager, but basically the head of the call center. I'm thinking: This is weird......why wouldn't it be with my manager? I go in, and the HR person, with whom I haven't ever had a good relationship with, is there. I told them I knew what it was all about, and I understood what was going on. They had me sit down then proceeded to tell me why it was wrong, blah blah blah, etc. I was expecting that to be it, but then she informed me she had gone back into my chat history to see if there were any other things they could find (WTF? What cause?) and found a conversation i had had with another friend, regarding my manager and a team leader in the call center. This conversation wasn't vulgar, even though later I heard they found it to be "embarrassing and offensive." BS. But it was just about them possibly having an affair or something since they seemed to be spending a LOT of time together, in the managers office with the door closed. Then HR proceeded to tell me I had been put on a Language Action Plan (AGAIN, WTF!!! I was told EVERYONE had to do it and it wasn't just me or just the gringos......EVERYONE, was I lied to?)(This was also like the day before....) They felt, they being this specific HR person, that with all these things combined, It was enough for dismissal.

I went to the CEO, Truman Hunt, since he's my parents ward Bishop, and told him how I felt and my side of the story. He had been informed with an extremely exaggerated story, with sketchy details, and inconsistencies up the wazu. He told me he'd look into it all, and see what he could find out. I didn't expect my job back, and to be honest I doubt I'd want it back after that crap. I never heard back from him.

Unbelievable. Completely unjust and unfair. Not right. Not rectified. I could go on, but that was that.

Honestly, It was time for a change. I have been feeling stale for the past year, 2 years, maybe longer. I've lived in this house for 3 years, of which I have no regrets. My roommates are some of my best friends. But change needed to happen.

I informed my parents, of course, and then went from there. I applied for unemployment and started searching for jobs. About 3 weeks later, after being unsuccessful and even being turned down from one place because of why I was fired, I received a call from the unemployment office. She called to clear up a few things regarding my vacation pay I was paid out, and some details on what happened. She informed me what she had been told, and then asked for my side and rebuttal. Nuskin had told them/her the only reason I was fired was from the Facebook Conversation. They didn't include anything else, like tardies, or the "Language probation," or anything. Why? Because it WASN'T RELEVANT!! They also didn't mention the fact that 7 other people were involved, I know of at least 2 of which had had past disciplinary actions, and they weren't fired. Just suspended. With these inconsistencies, and crucial details, she told me she needed to talk to them again to clear some things up, and would get back to me. It wasn't even 2 days later (I think...) that I noticed an unemployment payment in my bank account!

The relieve and stress lifted from me, there is no description except one word: Vindicated. I feel completely vindicated from what happened. To make things even better, I got a letter from the unemployment office saying the following:

"Based upon the information presented to this Department, it is determined that you were not at fault in your discharge from work."

The words "You were not at fault" made me the happiest I've been in a LONG time. Something so simple, but something I knew that really made everything that had happened, feel it had happened for a reason. I'm a firm believer in that, things happen for a reason and you need to learn from whatever it is that has taken place, and go with it and take the changes with your head held high and a good attitude. Sure I was really really depressed for the first couple days after I was discharged, but looking back I know it was meant to be. I've needed to change my life around, in many areas, and I can honestly say I know this was a push from God. Some would say that's far fetched, and unlikely, but after all that has happened, I know differently.

I am currently in process of moving back home; it's not something I really want to do, but I haven't felt better about a decision in the last 3 years, as I have with this. It'll be temporary, especially after I find a job. Who knows what will happen; perhaps I will transfer to the U (totally theoretical at this point), perhaps I'll find a job that can lead into a career and take that for a while, really anything can, and i'm going to take it as it comes.

I'd like to leave you with some words. The song Vindicated by Dashboard confessional. Even though the song is really about him parting ways with a girl, or something along those lines, the part I have noted down, relates to me perfectly.

Hope dangles on a string

Like slow spinning redemption

Winding in and winding out

The shine of it has caught my eye

And roped me in

So mesmerizing, so hypnotizing

I am captivated

[Chorus]

I am Vindicated

I am selfish

I am wrong

I am right

I swear I'm right

I swear I knew it all along

And I am flawed

But I am cleaning up so well

Sorry this post has no pictures, no anything, and might be kinda boring. I promise to write more this month and to be more exciting. I just felt this story needed to be told, and hopefully someone can gain hope or inspiration from what I have gone through.

Lost

I am Lost. I have decided this tonight. I feel as if I'm at a crossroads, with 10 different directions to go, and I'm sitting in the middle with my legs and arms crossed, my head down and a hoodie over my head not wanting to look at any of the Options. The worst part of the whole situation is basically not knowing what the 10 different roads are. I know what I feel and what I theoretically want, but all in all it seems It's too late to make any drastic changes in my life as far as school, career, location go.

I've also been living in the same house for 2 1/2 years, of which I don't regret. I love my roommates, my living conditions, my privacy, and my current life is comfortable. However, I believe this is precisely where my problem is: I've become too comfortable with my current life, even if it's been on cruise control for what seems like the last year, or more. But is being comfortable really a bad thing? I just feel like I don't have any opportunity to advance in life in my current situation. A certain friend asked me a while back when I'm going to move out of this house, and my answer was "I have no reason to." I really don't, but I'm starting to feel like I have more reason than ever before. The problem is I don't know where I would go. I don't want the student housing/apartments scene. I'm over that. I'm over wanting the party life, I want to move on. But I don't even know what moving on entails exactly. I know what the next step of life SHOULD be, and I feel i'm "ready" to take that on, but I can't force that to happen, although I'm really not doing my part to speed along the process......

I just wish Moroni would come down to me and tell me exactly what to do and what direction to go. Then again, I'm not sure I WANT to know the course in life I HAVE to go, Plus I honestly don't think there's just ONE way to go for a person. I just know I need to step it up on many levels and start caring. I do care, I just have a hard time showing it.

My current major is Communication Disorders, which then branches out into Speech Language Pathology or Audiology. I chose this major because I had considered it before, heard good things about it, it sounded interesting, a Personality inventory taken during a planning and decision making class suggested it, and it seemed to be a quick major. My original thoughts were to go Audiology, which is what I still plan to do, however with my current grades I'm not sure what is feasible. The main issue here is that I have so many hours, I'm not sure the university would allow me to change majors without some kind of special permission. I don't know what I'd change to anyway.

So that's how I'm feeling right now. I'm not sure why the world needs to know this, or even cares, but it feels good to get out.

My 24th year of living, "Things Sure were different 25 years ago"

I'm 25. I seriously can't believe it; I really don't feel that much older. I suppose from October 3rd to October 4th, I'm still only a day older; but it feels like oh so much more.

I've been meaning to write, but couldn't think of anything I wanted to write. A review of my 24th year will be the best thing I think, for myself and for others.

School. I'm still in it, as much as I dislike the whole idea. I know it's necessary though and have finally decided to stick with a major. Communication Disorders, although a heavily female populated major, is what I have chosen to stick with. I started it last winter semester and even though I still didn't do that well in one of the core classes, I feel like it's where I should be at this time. I know I just need to get done with school, then move on to grad school, or whatever else life throws at me. I've already written about my classes this semester, so I won't go into depth with that. Currently I'm scheduled to graduate December of 2011, basically a year longer than I originally expected. The reasons for this vary, but the biggest is probably because i started the major so late. Byu thinks it's a good idea to offer certain classes only certain semesters, and to make you take classes in a certain order, and because of this I can only finish as fast as i can.

Mosiah 4:27 : "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and ^aorder; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."

At least I have the end in "sight," it's closer than I think, I just wish it were closer. Of course after I finish my undergrad, Grad school will happen, but I've heard grad school is alot more chill than Undergrad. All in good time.

Work. I'm still at Nuskin, still working in the call center, still a peon. I've tried to obtain and applied to various jobs, but with no success to my avail. Of course when I didn't obtain a position, and after so long, and feeling that I more or less deserve it or am at least qualified, it's been hard to be motivated to stay here. Right now in the world I live in, its a good thing to have a job at all. I've also tried to look at the whole situation in a long run/positive way. Had I obtained the last position I applied for, I wouldn't have been able to take classes this semester, and it would take me even longer to finish school. So i'm grateful to have the job that I do, get paid the amount I do, and work for such a great company. I think there's more at work than myself with this one.

Dating and relationships. Since my birthday last year, 2008, when Camille broke up with me 3 days before, I have had 2 relationships: Chelsea Wrathall, and Kat Miller. Both of them were great relationships, and I learned a lot about myself, who I am, and what I want in a future eternal companion. Dating still isn't fun, well the drama that comes with dating at least; for this reason I haven't dated much lately, but have decided I need to get back on the bandwagon and get er done. I feel like my next step in life is to find a wife, and move on. I'm 25, and even by "worldly" standards, 25 is an old enough age to be serious about finding a wife. It's been on my mind a lot and I know it's important enough to be one of my top priorities. My Mom told me the other day she was reading my mission letters, and the the last one I wrote before leaving talked about me getting married within 2 years. I've been home almost 4 (January will mark that time frame), so its time I get on it. My cousin Sterling Davis was married last week, October 1, and he hasn't even been home from his mission a year yet. If he can do it that fast, why can't I right? I have a goal to be married BEFORE Austin gets home from his mission. So before or by June 3rd 2011.

Big or significant events. There hasn't been very many significant or big events in the last year that are extremely note worthy, but I can think of a few. I think the biggest thing was Austin leaving on a mission, June 3rd, 2009. Not that I ever doubted he would go, I just didn't know much he would get into it or what the feel would be. So far, 4 months down the road, I've been nothing but Impressed. It's so amazing the change I can see and feel from him, just from his letters. Before he left I spent a lot of time at home, and many weekends just to be around and support him as he was preparing to go. Even before he left, I saw him go through some pretty intense changes that most missionaries go through after having been out for some time.All I can say is that I'm extremely proud of who he is becoming and of the spirit and power that emanate from his letters. We write back and forth sometimes just between us, personal things, and advice for one or the other. I think he is learning to relate more to me than anyone else in the family since I'm a "recent" RM. It's been a great experience for him, the family and myself as well. Other than that, except for a few trips, nothing too exciting happened in the last year. Camille is still dating Brandon, who's a good guy, I just don't know what's going to happen with that one. Brent is a genius. He nailed a 32 on the ACT, WITHOUT STUDYING......seriously, how did the genes skip me? He's 16 now, driving, and starting to date. I feel old. My parents both turned 50 this year (2009), which makes me feel even weirder seeing how I'm exactly have their age, by number at least. As my Grandma would say, according to my Dad, "Things sure were different 25 years ago"

As I continue to live life and try to be good at it, I will make goals for the next year, goals which i will complete when they are within my power. I never really make goals, and maybe that's why my life is usually uneventful. More coming soon.

Reflections

I think I may have mentioned this before, but this year has changed me a lot. I am a very different person than i was this time last year. I will probably write about all this in more detail later on, but for now this will suffice.

1. I have a career goal. For the first time since before i started college and was just excited to get back into school, i actually feel excited to start the upcoming semester. I no longer feel it is going to be a waste of time as i have for the past year or so. It's a good feeling having at least some kind of direction.

2. 22 1/2 years i hadn't ever kissed a girl, and in one year I have kissed 3. I wouldn't say I've been a player because each of the 3 girls i've kissed, have been special and meaningful. Along these same lines, having been in relationships i have learned a lot about myself. Mainly self confidence and appreciation for good quality people.

3. My Grandmother passed away on June 9th of this year. I know that people die everyday, but it was really the first time anyone actually close to me, that I've known my whole life, has passed on. I guess the main reason this has changed me is just because it's really made me realize how precious life is, and that I should spend my time better. I probably don't even listen to my own words and advice as much as i should, but that's the truth. I wish i could have spent more time with her before she left us, but I know she is happier where she is and she is watching over me.

4. Weddings. I have had so many friends get married this past year, including two of my best friends. This hasn't made me WANT to get married, but it's something I know needs to be thought about and is in my upcoming future. I really cannot even imagine being married soon or even engaged for that matter, but if it were to come along I'm pretty sure I would welcome it.

5. Spiritual wellness. I am not where i want to be, and I know I need to improve. I love my current calling in my ward, and the opportunity i have to work side by side with my Bishop. I've kind of slacked off a little bit, but i think it has a lot to do with the end of this semester. I love my Bishop though, he's amazing and such an understanding man. Sometimes i really wonder what it would be like not being a member of the church. As hard as it is to live up to some of the standards, I know it's the best thing I can do for myself.

6. Music. My appreciation has grown. I am actually writing my own songs, playing in different tunings, learning the piano (and loving it), and just appreciating it more than i ever did before.

7-10: An overall appreciation for life. I've tried to be happier, tried to be more positive, learned more about myself in this year than I ever thought possible. It's kinda crazy just to think of how much I've been through in my life, and then this year happens. It's kinda awesome honestly. I remember a lesson Rhett Gagon gave in my sisters ward about trying to live life more like Christ, to try and think daily how to be more like him in any small way. I think that if everyone tried to do that, the world would be a better place. No, I KNOW it would be a better place. Even if you don't believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, still just following his example and the way he lived his life when he was here, would resolve so many conflicts. Plus during this time of year, people are generally nicer and more giving. If we could just keep that attitude the rest of the year.


I applied for a new job. I should find out soon if i got it....I'd be quite excited if I do.