Where the Heart Is

Where the Heart Is

• Thursday, February 19, 2015

Shrug: c/o Romwe   Dress: H&M  Boots: Just Fab   Hat: Target   Watch: c/o Feral Watches   Glasses: c/o Firmoo

(Hooray for low quality front-camera phone photos!)

This dress is so perfect. It's simple, fits in that perfectly loose-but-shapely way, and has a funny statement on it. It's true. I'd sleep all day if I could - and because I can't, I have a coffee in my hand at all times.

So for the extra long President's Day weekend, I decided to take off and visit home for a day. It was well needed too, because all these new changes have been taking their toll on me. What I've realized when I arrived home and was met with the warmth and love of family and friends, home is where the heart is - and each of these beautiful people have a piece of mine.

However, I'm not running away from the trials I'm facing here in Boise. Right now, I can't complain too much. While I miss the fellowship and richness of deep friendships, I'm trying to skim by on the shallow acquaintances and quick chit chats I've found here. It all takes time, and as a fairly reserved and quiet person, it'll take me even longer.

---long short, dramatic story ahead, brace yourself---

What has been causing me a lot of stress would be the hostility and venomous attitude I've been facing from a co-worker at my new job. We'll call her A, because if you've seen PLL, you'll understand. Anyway, from the first shift I worked with A, I could pick up on her disdain towards me. I didn't take it to heart at the time, because I was new and still making newbie mistakes. It's always difficult with a new hire, though I didn't think I was doing too bad since I had previous experience.

But whatever, I could tell A had a big attitude and was a sassy personality. Her impatience towards me would fade eventually. Then the next time I worked with her, her obvious silence towards me became louder. She'd chat happily with everyone else but I could have been invisible from the way she was acting. She had absolutely zero interest in getting to know who I was as a person, and the only time she'd talk to me was when she absolutely had to, such as telling me what to do or ask what a customer had ordered.

Finally, the last shift we were together, she walked through the door and blazed past me, brushing my shoulder forcefully. I was bumped to the side and squeaked out, "Sorry!?"
She totally ignored me and instead made a face of revulsion at the way I'd set up the espresso machine (for when I was making drinks).
"What the hell is this!?" she grabbed the towel I'd been using to tap excess grind out on and threw it onto the floor. "This is disgusting!"

I couldn't believe the venom exuding from her! I had to physically step back to escape the tension. Her eyes rolled over to me and with a voice full of disdain said sarcastically, "I'm guessing you made drinks this morning, huh?"

My irritation finally surfaced, and with a tone matching her's I asked sarcastically, "Gee, what gave it away?" I swooped the towel up from the floor and walked out to dispose of it in the dirty rag bin. I had to collect myself a bit before going back out to face her. The usual silence resumed, however, and I happily reciprocated it. I'd rather deal with her quietness than her outbursts.

Finally, when it was close to when I was scheduled to leave, I turned to face her. I was going to clear the air, make sure we were seeing things eye to eye, and hopefully ease whatever meaningless drama she was trying to create.

"Look, I know I'm not your favorite person to work with, and I get it. I'm new, I make mistakes, and I don't do things exactly the way you like. Just tell me if I'm doing something wrong though, and I'll fix it. I'm here to learn."

Her face creased into a look of mock confusion.
"What makes you think I don't like working with you?"

At that, my eyebrows about disappeared off my face. Seriously? Did she just say that? I may have ditzy moments, but I wasn't stupid. She was trying to play those stupid mind games on me!
"Um, well maybe I've been misreading things, but I know you're frustrated with me. So just tell me if you have a problem with me, okay?"

She shook her head in denial and looked back down at her phone. "Yeah, okay, whatever."

So. That is my current situation. I'm scheduled to close with her tomorrow, which I'm absolutely dreading. I haven't closed at this location before, so I'm certain procedures will be different, and you can guess just how much patience A will have with me...

However, I've been receiving much encouragement from family and friends, and have realized this is a perfect opportunity to try and be a positive testimony towards her negative attitude. I don't understand her hate towards me, but I intend to demonstrate love towards my enemy.

As most people would say, "Kill 'em with kindness!"

Any words of advise on this situation? I've been one of the lucky few who have never had to deal with this sort of girl drama, but looks like my luck has run out. Have any of you had to face this? What did you do and what would you say I should do?

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:20-21