YO ADRIAN...I DID IT!...i think

If you are tired of the Post Office, then skip this post... Training is over. I BARELY passed - due to family prayers - I spent one afternoon sobbing as quietly as I could - had to wipe my nose with my shirt because I didn't want to get up and have anyone notice me. VERY stressful. The day I passed I spent one of my 10 minute breaks walking around the building (outside) listening to Rocky music. I pictured myself running up the stairs of that building, exuberant and triumphant. I visualized myself passing that AWFUL test that I had already taken 28 times (no exageration). I was determined! It took 4 more tries, but I did pass it. Then I quickly passed test #37. I had 2 more tests to pass and 5 more hours to do it. It was going to be a snap! Test #38...again, again, again...AAAAAAA. I had one hour left on my time limit when I passed test #38. All I had left now was the accumulative test of the entire 2 weeks training. I no longer cared if I passed or not. Frankly, I was so stressed, I was looking forward to NOT passing... Of course, I passed THAT test the first time I tried. I tried to visualize myself triumphantly running up the stairs like Rocky...and realized I felt more like Rocky did AFTER completing 15 rounds with Apollo Creed. I had done it, but I was exhausted and beat to a pulp.
I get 3 days off to recover. Yesterday, I arrived 3 minutes late. Later that afternoon, I was pulled aside and nicely, but very clearly told that if I was late one more time I would be "let go." I am now laughing at the ridiculousness of it, but I was not happy yesterday. Today I was 3 keystrokes from quitting again, as I could not key as fast as they wanted me to. I am 98% accurate, but my best time was 4718 keystrokes an hour and they want 5200. WHAT AM I DOING IN THIS ultra-structured NAZI CAMP? Let's have a betting pool on how long it will take for me to be fired... Just for the record - I have never been fired and I have NEVER been a loser at ANY job I have ever had. I have always been a VALUABLE employee. At this job I am the third worst.

I made a list of pros...
1. In this job, I will never make a child cry.
2. I am decreasing stress on Don - who already has 3 jobs.
3. I have already lost some weight because my fast food intake has been cut in half.
4. I am now exercising 4 times a week immediately after work.
5. There is no other part-time work where I would get paid $13.12 an hour.
6. It is during school hours.
7. I have been forced to find a carpool for Daniel so THAT commute has been cut in half.

I still think it has been an adventure. I have experienced something completely out of my comfort zone. I have a lot more compassion for Don, who works 12 hours and still has to come home and be a husband and a parent. I no longer take for granted the HUGE blessing of staying at home and having the luxury of being a full-time Mom. ....And THAT's the rest of the story...so far!