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January 25, 2007
What I sound (and smell) like when I'm nervous.

Today, at noon, I will be sitting in a school district office taking a typing test in order to qualify for a position I had applied for last month.

I got the phone call last night informing me that my application had passed the screening process and that I’d need to come in for a typing test.

Every time an opportunity presents itself in my life, I sabotage it. I immediately doubt myself and my ability to succeed. I become crippled with fear, worry and doubt and I let the opportunity slip through my fingers.

I started to do that today. I even thought about skipping the test altogether because, "I'll probably fail anyway, so why waste their time?"

I often wonder how my life would be different if I “believed in myself.”

And just now, I wondered what it would feel like to punch myself in the vagina, because, seriously, THIS IS JUST A TYPING TEST.

Wish me luck, because apparently, I’m going to need it. I just did a few online typing tests and while my speed is ok (67wpm) my accuracy sucks. I made 7 mistakes and I was told by the woman from the district office that they subtract 2 points for every mistake.

Whoops, I just might fail.

But then, MAYBE I’LL PASS.

Or fail.

Or pass!

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!

Except, it totally is if I make that many mistakes.

But I’m not going to make that many mistakes! Because I am a great typist, I am a fast typist, and I can do this!

Or can I?

Ha! Ha! You think I am kidding, but this is the actual conversation going on in my head right now. Over a typing test.

It’s not easy overcoming a life time of fear and disbelief in my self and my ability to do things that normal people do every day, but, at THIRTY FIVE YEARS OF AGE, I realize that I have to find a way to break free from these chains. (OMG. Did I really just say “break free from these chains? I did, didn’t I?) I realize I’ve used my fear—real as it is—as an excuse to stay in stuck here in “my comfort zone”. And by “comfort zone” I mean “my own personal hell in which I am letting life pass me by because I’m too paralyzed with fear and self doubt to step outside of this little bubble that I live in.”

(A bubble that, at this very moment, is not a fun place to be because when Mama get nervous, Mama farts a lot. And Mama had eggs for breakfast.)

Anyway.

Two hours until test time.

Wish me luck.

Posted by Y at January 25, 2007 10:02 AM
Comments

Good luck! You will be great :-)

Posted by: demondoll at January 25, 2007 10:14 AM

Best of luck to you, Y! *sending you some typing test ass-kicking vibes*

Posted by: Dee at January 25, 2007 10:15 AM

YOU CAN DO IT! I know you can! 67 wpm?!! That's awesome!
Remember to take a couple deep breaths before going in, and just have fun.
GOOD LUCK, Y!

Posted by: Della at January 25, 2007 10:16 AM

Good Luck Yvonne, you're going to do great!

Posted by: Jessie at January 25, 2007 10:19 AM

Many, many good luck and relax vibes headed your way!! I hope it goes better then you ever hoped!

Posted by: Amy C at January 25, 2007 10:22 AM

Y, you'll be just fine. You type here all of the time! Besides, once they get to experience your wonderful personality, they won't be able to help but hire you. And if they don't hire you, well you wouldn't want to work there anyway!

Posted by: Betsy at January 25, 2007 10:25 AM

Oh man, egg farts are the worst! Be sure to take some Beano before you go because while your typing is fabulous, and you shouldn't worry about that, stinking out the potential boss is probably not going to win you any extra points.

Posted by: Marriage-101 at January 25, 2007 10:31 AM

You will kick ass, girlfriend. You are strong! YOU CAN DO THIS!!

GOOD LUCK!!

Posted by: Lisa at January 25, 2007 10:31 AM

Just practice as much until then and slow down a bit. You'll do great!!!

Posted by: Cheri at January 25, 2007 10:35 AM

Make sure your chair is well adjusted, your feet are touching the ground, and your posture is straight. You should not have any problem! If you feel you made any mistakes during the test, keep going, dont go back and try to change them. The more you type wrong or right, will help you score more points. GOOD LUCK!!!

Posted by: Gabby at January 25, 2007 10:41 AM

Good luck!

Posted by: Tinah at January 25, 2007 10:42 AM

You'll do great! Best of luck!

Posted by: gc at January 25, 2007 10:43 AM

Good luck!!

And it could be worse...we could all still be using typewriters, which are WAY harder to test on than computers. haha

Posted by: Nina at January 25, 2007 10:45 AM

Good luck! You'll do awesome. Keep us posted. :)

Posted by: Brandi at January 25, 2007 10:47 AM

GOOD LUCK, Y!!! I am terrible at interviews, but last month, I got hired at a great job - if I can do it, so can you!

Posted by: chickadee at January 25, 2007 10:47 AM

You guys are so great. Thank you for the good luck wishes and for sending some positive energy my way.

I will definitely keep you posted, even if it is to say "I failed."

haha. Failing a typing test would be funny on so many levels.

But! Failure is not an option!

Posted by: Y at January 25, 2007 10:52 AM

Just hold on for one more day! Ah, Wilson Phillips. They are so wise.

Good luck!

Posted by: -R- at January 25, 2007 11:00 AM

BEST OF LUCK! You rock!

I am right there with you, not believing in myself. I've always been that way.

After I graduated high school, I went to take the college entrance exam. My mom worked there at the time for one of the deans. I took the very long test and called her in a panic afterwards. "OH MY GOD, MOM, I DID AWFUL! I'm so scared! I am SURE I failed the English portion of the test - it was just so HARD!" (English was my best subject, so I don't remember why I panicked so much.) I cried and freaked out and begged her to ask the dean if I could retake it if my grade was really low. Instead of reassuring me, she said she'd see what she could do. (Remember - no test scores yet. She had a lot of faith in me, too, obviously. Heh.)

She calls back and tells me to calm down, that she has gotten special permission from the PRESIDENT of the college for me to retake the exam.

My test scores came back. They were so high in the English portion that I tested out of ever having to take any classes at the community college level.

Moral of the story? Quit listening to that negative tape in your head and put in a new one that says, "I AM THE BEST! I ROCK!"

XOXO
S.

Posted by: Susan at January 25, 2007 11:04 AM

You'll do fine. Just breathe.

Oh, and if you punch yourself in the vagina can you let me know if it hurts? I've been wondering...

Posted by: Karly at January 25, 2007 11:10 AM

LOL - the farting note cracks me up. Maybe you'll type faster - to avoid an embarrassing fart!

Posted by: Julie at January 25, 2007 11:13 AM

All your blogging has prepared you well for the typing test, and you will be awesome!

Posted by: Amity at January 25, 2007 11:24 AM

Don't go for speed. 50's good enough, so go for accuracy.

Posted by: MsShad at January 25, 2007 11:30 AM

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great. Just remember that even if you don't believe in yourself there are lots of us out here that do believe in you.

Posted by: dee at January 25, 2007 11:31 AM

If they fail you, egg fart on them until they offer you a job to make you stop! : )

Y - you and I are so much alike in this. But? Just like I'm realizing that I can do "anything" so can you! Good luck!!!!!

Posted by: Itchy at January 25, 2007 11:33 AM

Good Luck! They'd be stupid not to hire you!

Posted by: Jackie at January 25, 2007 11:35 AM

Y, you're fabulous. Who wouldn't want to hire you? Just pace yourself and you'll do fine.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Posted by: Brandi at January 25, 2007 11:42 AM

Good luck! You've already got that job, just go and claim it.

Y'know, I found that chatting, like IM? Helped a lot with both speed and accuracy, but that's because I'm anal about spelling and getting out every single little thing I have to say.

Refreshing every minute looking for news!

Posted by: TwennyTwo at January 25, 2007 11:44 AM

oh my. I hope you don't fart during the test!
Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great!

Posted by: Rachael at January 25, 2007 12:07 PM

Good luck!!!

Posted by: Angela at January 25, 2007 12:10 PM

oh y, You WILL kick ass. k!

Posted by: pookie at January 25, 2007 12:11 PM

just pretend you're blogging or IMing during your test, and you'll do fine! best of luck! :)

Posted by: geeky at January 25, 2007 12:13 PM

You'll do great! Have no fear and believe in yourself...we all do.

Posted by: Angie at January 25, 2007 12:48 PM

YOu will be great! I KNOW it!!!

Posted by: chris at January 25, 2007 12:53 PM

For starters, who the fuck makes you take a typing test anymore? Are you going to be sitting at a Smith-Corona? Getting your boss, Mr. Jones a nice cup of coffee with milk - 2 sugars? Take a letter, Maria? It's 2007! Not 1947! Most humans type and type pretty well. YOU my friend type all damn day writing for us. Don't even think about it -- just do it and you'll get the job.
xo

Posted by: Xdm at January 25, 2007 12:58 PM

Luck! And take tums.

Posted by: M&Co. at January 25, 2007 01:09 PM

Hey, I hope the test went well!

Posted by: Lisa at January 25, 2007 01:35 PM

I'd wish you good luck, but I'm a little late. Instead, I'll say "I'm sure you did great!"....sooo....I'm sure you did great!!!

-mouse

Posted by: barnmouse at January 25, 2007 02:00 PM


what exactly is this 'believing in one's self' that you speak of.

never heard of it.

but good luck with it, anyway.

Posted by: tiffers at January 25, 2007 11:41 PM
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About Y
My name is Y, but you can call me "Jesse's girl." I am an Aerobic Dancer and have mastered many moves, but the one I am the most proud of is "The Monkey." I have three kids. ALL FROM THE SAME DAD (Because, did you know someone actually asked me that question?) A 15 year old son, a 11 year old son and a 4 year old daughter who was not planned but who is loved more than words could ever express. I am addicted to Starbucks, reality TV and to getting really good deals through coupons and "club member" savings (Please, respect The Costco Card.) I am extremely competive and if you don't believe me, just ask my husband about the time I sold him out to win a game of Taboo. If you're waiting for the part where I speak of my love for walks on the beach or slow dancing in the rain, you're going to be disappointed because my idea of a good time usually involves things like "burping contests" and "doing The Worm".

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