One Year Down...

Wow. I'm officially done with my first year of college, and I couldn't be happier. For most, no one really knew how hard and stressful this year was for me. Not only transitioning was difficult in the beginning, but everything in between. I've been through hell and back in one year, and I don't even know where to begin. This year seemed like it was a plot pulled out of a CRAZY, downright mangled movie. For those who know the details, I know you would agree, but for those of you who don't...you could only imagine. But, besides the bad, I did have a few good memories in there, including learning a lot about myself. 

I learned I can stick up for myself, and be my own individual. I learned that I am A LOT stronger than I thought I was. I learned that I am worth more than the way people make me feel. I learned that no matter how bad things seem, there is always a fresh start coming the next day.

 Now, two years ago, or even one year ago...If you were to ask me to admit these things, I would NEVER ever be able to. I was a flat out mess...and I will be the first to admit that. I was an anxiety driven mess. I let that downgrade who I was as a person. I let that change who I once used to be. I became the person who was scared of everything. I never smiled or laughed. I was a sad, anxious mess. I shut down, and became a literally potato. And, honestly, if you were to tell me 1-2 years ago, that I would be successfully finishing my first year of college, I wouldn't believe you. I never thought I would make it this far. Somedays, I didn't even see tomorrow. But, that's what anxiety does to you.

 I was always ashamed of it, always hiding it from others. But, this year has made me realize that it's not something to be ashamed of, it's something to be proud of. Yeah, I might have anxiety and its whole "posse", but guess what...I've overcome a lot of what's it thrown at me. And, guess what...I'm still here with a heartbeat. And, that is the most important thing. 

People who knew me, like truly knew me the last few years knew the battles I was facing and how at times I won, and sometimes I really really lost, but somehow, some crazy part of me found every ounce of courage and kept going. And, I couldn't be more grateful that I found that ounce of courage. Because without it, I wouldn't be here today sticking up for myself to people, and being so strong. 

This year has been absolutely crazy. Yeah, every single day I wish for a redo, but I know that won't happen. I just have to embrace what has happened, and move on from there. Move on from my action movie plot of a year, and only hope next year brings a boring documentary. Yeah, that would be nice. Really really nice. 

But, for now...HELLLLLOOOO SUMMMMER! 

Cashier Problems

After two and a half years of my life, I finally kissed Wegmans goodbye to help out full time at my family's business. But, with every job, you learn a few helpful tips...Along my journey of being a cashier, I've come to notice a few things that really irked me. Here they are for your reading enjoyment...

1. NEVER ever ask about someones groceries. You might not want to hear the answer.

2. If someone comes through your line with a box of condoms, and live lobsters, just ignore it. Forget about it, and ignore it. It's the best thing to do. (true story, and yes, I am still scarred)

3. Don't say "good luck" or "I hope it turns out the way you want it to" to a person buying a pregnancy test.

4. Artichokes have SHARP thorns.

5. If your going to be that customer who brings their own bags, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE clean them out. Those things are nasstttyyyyyy. They smell, they are sticky, and they are gross.

6.  If your having a bad day, stay home. Don't make your problems a cashiers problems. We only get paid minimum wage.

7. If you ask me if you hit enter or clear after you sign your name, I will automatically assume you have no common sense. 

8. DO. NOT. PUT. YOUR. SHOPPERS. CLUB. CARD. IN. MY. FACE. THANK. YOU. 

9. I have to ID everyone. So don't get sassy with me.

10. Please don't be on your phone while your cashing out. It makes the cashiers job 10xs harder. We have to assumes things, and then at the end of your 5 minute phone call, we charged you for 5 rolls instead of 4, we didn't scan your coupons, and your upset you didn't have double paper.

11. That's another thing! Don't be that guy! Paper and plastic is OK. Yeah, it's annoying to make them, and yeah it's cuts up our hands, but don't ask for anything more. Paper, paper, plastic. How about, no no and no.

12. If your complaining about how gross the meat is or how the blood is leaking everywhere, what makes you think I want to touch it. Put your meats in a plastic bag! 

13. When I'm looking up the code for a fruit or veggie, don't tell me "it's a carrot" or "its 1.69 a pound". That doesn't HELLP. I still need the code.

14. Weigh your produce people! And if you don't, that's fine! But then don't complain about how I don't know every single fruit and vegetable in the world.

15. Do not hold your hand out and ask me to pick out the change. Get it yourself, it's just ridiculous.

16. Don't make jokes about how I hand sanitize after every order. Everything is dirty, especially the reusable bags and money you just handed me.

17. If you’re buying 5 12-packs of soda, I only need to scan one. I’d rather not move every single one across the scanner, and back into your cart.

18. We have a "box" we stand in for a reason. Please don’t step into it. Personal space. Personal space. PERSONAL. SPACE. Learn it. Love it. Use it.

19. Don’t put your money or coupons on the belt with your groceries. They disappear and you can't blame me for that.

20. When an item doesn't scan initially, don't be that guy who makes "The Joke". "OHHH, I guess it's free!", no. No, it's not. It's not free. 

Side Note: Yes, all of these are situations I have experienced, and yes there are several more. But, these are the ones that made my top twenty.