Well, ever since starting my job as a pet camp counselor at Petsmart, I've noticed my mood being much higher in terms of happiness than before. Maybe it's just due to having a job, but I feel like the ability to go in and play with the dogs for a few hours and keep them entertained and exercised and happy has helped lighten my mood.

Yes, since moving here to MO and back in with my mom, my mood has been rather volatile and depression has reared itself on more than one occasion, yet I have noticed that playing with those dogs as of late helps stave off depressive attacks, or makes them much easier to quell once they come to the surface.

Now, last night I met up with my friend Jamie and ended up running into Vanessa and Bekah (whom I haven't seen in years) to watch the new Harry Potter movie in a midnight showing. Jamie went dressed in full Slytherin student costume. I was laughing. So we waited in line for 4 hours for the movie. We already got our tickets in advance, we just wanted good seats. Once there...well, I won't spoil it for those wanting to see it, but I will say the movie was good. Action, drama, comedy. Honestly, we were laughing through a lot of it.

Oh, and some old gay Santa Claus look-a-like falls off a tower...

I didn't get home from that until 3:30am and I was so happy I have today off work. :P I stayed in bed until around noonish. Sweet relief.

Well, that does it for me.

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron

And yes, insert dog breed into the space.

Well, I have a few days at Petsmart under my belt. It's been a rather fun experience and I am laughing at the fact they actually pay me to play with the dogs and cats. Although I do not enjoy the poop cleanup, but well, hopefully my senses will dull to that. Yuck.

But yeah, my main objective is to play with the dogs and cats and keep them exercised and entertained and both times I've actually done so (first day was just paperwork and a store tour) I found myself at the end of the shift going "I so want a husky" or "I so want a golden retriver" after having the privelige to interact with such a sweet dog from said breed (Mia and Chance respectively). But yet, with working at Petsmart, I've seen many many types of dogs and will actually get to know them. Everything from labs, to dalmatians, to boston terriers to newfoundlands, to corgis to shelties and everything else in between.

Must say, however, today was a short day, only a three hour shift, but proved more insane than the 8 hour shift yesterday. One word: Daisy. She was a labradoodle that was hyperactive. And a little too playful. As I entered the big dog playroom, she was already pawing into the water bowl, getting it all over the place...then Michelle brought in Ginger, a smaller dog that looked somewhat like a lab, unsure of the actual breed however...and Daisy would constantly harass Ginger and this would go on for two hours. I'd keep up my best to keep it from being a fight, but once I thought Daisy settled down, she'd be right back on Ginger. Ay caramba.

Well, break came and afterward I came back, this time Daisy let up on Ginger...but was going after another dog, A.J., a black lab. This time she wouldn't leave him alone. So there's another hour of breaking those two up. Meanwhile, Chance, a golden retriver was there today and out of the nine dogs I'd look after that day, he was the only one who would actually play with the various toys we had available. He even made a show-stealing catch when he leapt up into the air and caught the ball in his mouth after it high-angle bounced off the wall, picture perfect. :)

But the cats aren't without their cute one. Simon is a 9 month old silver/black tabby kitten that is a little ball of fuzzbutt energy. Lorraine had me play with him and keep him occupied as she cleaned out his cage...er...kitty cottage. He found the feather wand toy and just went at it with that thing. Once she was done and it was time to put him back, he would paw out through the cage bars and meow at us to let him back out....which with such a cute kitten, we had to oblige once we were done with the other cats. Adorable. :)

So yes, I am quite enjoying my job.

*big foxie hugs*
-Kameron Dylan Kendrick

Well, today was the first day of my new job at PetSmart. Well, first day of training at least. It was still paid which is good. We went through all the paperwork stuff that's necessary, then I had to watch some videos over customer service, our services and such. Vicky, our manager, already knew it would be a boring day and after the videos, it was off to do some actual training in store. I was shown around the store, and given a sort of scavenger hunt for all sorts of products and asked where they'd be, also to make suggestions for various products concerning special needs of various pets (mostly cats and dogs, although there were a couple fish, and a reptile question in there, and a few about birds) So, I was going through the store doing that little number for the next few hours. It was tiring trying to find just the right dog food, just the right collar, just the right recycling waterer, just the right cat mat...but my persistence paid off.

After that, it was time to get a walk-through on where I'd be working, the Pet Hotel. So Vicky showed me around the Cat Cottages and Dog Suites, took me through the playrooms, and the back where the laundry, storeroom, etc. are. I was actually amazed at how much was behind the doors you'd see as a customer, but hey, it's all needed. Also, I think I'd be moving to the overnight shift soon, once I get a feel for the job and Vicky approves, I'll probably jump to night shift in order to get full-time. I think I'd love this job and would hate to have to just quit to go to a full-time job that I may end up hating.

Ah well, I hope this becomes a wonderful job-experience for me. ONWARD!

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron D. Kendrick

Well, is official...I work at Petsmart! :D Yeah, it's part-time, but it is a job!

I am excited. That is all.

SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron

Either way, tomorrow I have an interview for a part time job at the boarding place for Petsmart. I was hoping initially for full-time employment, but right now, I'm willing to take it just to have some income coming in while I still search for a full-time job. Here's to hoping for that.

I also had gotten a chance to see my cousin, Mike, who I haven't seen in like 3 years. It was cool although we didn't get to see each other for long. I hope we're able to keep in touch. I'd like to see what he's been up to. From what I've heard, he's wanting to open his own restaurant once he gets out of college.

Well, that does it for me for now.

Man I wish I was at AC. :P

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron

Well, since moving here to MO from OH, I swear I can't stand the heat....but I like food so I'm not staying out of the kitchen. Really, MO weather is really humid and currently the temperature is reading 92 degrees. I'm sweating in my car, sweating outside, every day after job hunting, I hop back in the shower to rinse off and cool off. I'm sure I'll get used to it sooner or later, but right now it's like....dude...O_o

As far as the job hunt is concerned, I may actually have some leads. Petland, which could be hiring me as either a cashier or a pet counselor, Dillons (which would just put me in the same position as my last job), and Teletech as a customer service rep (they'd pay 9.50/hr. so it seems like a long shot but if I can nail that job...DUDE! :D)

So I'm just hoping that one of these job leads lands me a job. That or another lead opens up that I can follow through on. Most of the places I've applied to have been just "we're not hiring, but we are accepting applications" and well, I'm thinking I may have a shot with a few places that actually are hiring.

Well, here's to hoping!

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron D. Kendrick

One thing I've easily noticed while here is I'm only happy when not at home. If I'm out with my friends or out on the job hunt or just cruising around this city learning where everything is (even when I myself was BORN here) I am content. I go, I hang with friends, catch up with life, grab some food, explore this new store, pick up a few job applications, then find some free wi-fi hotspot and chill. It's good.

But when I get back home, it's all doom and gloom and negativity. I'm back in an environment where I no longer matter. Where nothing I ever do is good enough and everything I have accomplished is a farce. The fact I've busted my ass for 2 years for the Associate's degree? Well, that's just plain useless. It's like I have never even attended a single class. Who cares if I've accomplished anything? It's all useless to them.

Yes, my grandpa is still up my ass...he calls me every single night telling me how worthless I am because I've yet to get a job here...or have a doctorate. A fucking doctorate?!? I'm 21! Who the blue fuck has a doctorate at my age?!?

So over the course of this weekend....I hit a huge depression. I ended up locking myself in my closet each night and just crying my eyes out, wishing I could find what's wrong with me that makes me so unwanted by my family. It seems like if it was anyone else, they'd be proud, but since it's me...a mistake child...it's worthless.

I'm sorry.

-Kameron

Okay, now that I have a second to catch my breath, an update on life back in MO. It's actually going pretty well now that I haven't been home much. :P Really. Monday Tim and I (I've known him since 5th grade) go to Buffalo Wild Wings...and I got the 12 piece boneless wings....with Blazin' Sauce. :D Well, my spicy stamina must have been off that day as I only was able to put down 4 of the 12 before taking it home in a box...will nuke later.

Then, Tuesday was hanging out with Jamie. Man...we went to Petland and now I so want a kitten. I ended up having to leave my cat, Rory with my grandparents as they're moving to OK so I don't get to see him. Well, at Petland, I saw a kitten that looked like Rory did when he was little. A little silver/black tabby. He was rather playful and well...I so want that cat. :P Well...I love cats.

We also lazed around the mall. Our mall has little to no hockey stuff so getting a Penguins shirt...or anything really was out of the question. We hit up a bunch of other stores and I ended up getting a Sonic shirt out of Hot Topic. Retro favorite kid show....win.

Then today, hung out a Jamie's place. Met her new Australian cattle dog, Probie, and played Smackdown vs Raw 2009. That game is so hard if you don't understand the controls, yet the Extreme Rules matches were awesome....then met up with Kyle and Tim at Nakato's....yum sushi....*drool*...followed by much Rock Band. :D

Been trying to do some job hunting, but until I get my rear view mirror fixed (it just popped off...been trying to glue it back on, not working...may resort to one of those mirror adhesion kits)...I'm not too comfortable driving very far. Nevertheless, I have apps in at a grocery store, a gas station, two fast food places, a bistro, an inkjet printer place and two movie stores. And all that was just within 5 minutes of my house. :P I remember having to drive 40 minutes just to get to work!

All in all, I think if I can really just keep away from my mom, this will be a lot less insufferable.

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron D. Kendrick

...after an 11 hour drive. >.> That was more or less hell.

Graduation was on Friday. I now have an Associate of Arts and graduated Magna Cum Laude with Phi Theta Kappa Honors. It was crazy as I was up there for only about 15 seconds and yet, for all the work I've done for the last two years.

And hearing the Penguins winning the Stanley Cup on the same night...icing on the cake.

Anyway, now being back in MO, I'm going to have to look for another job. I hope I can find one quick.

Tim and I are going to look at apartments soon after I get a job...so hopefully that means not dealing with my mom for much longer.

Also swung by MTA Martial Arts and talked with my old Tae Kwon Do instructor Mr. Cvitak. I wonder if I can get back into martial arts again.

And yes, college at Pittsburgh will still be a possibility, if not in the fall, maybe spring or next year. I'll make it work somehow.

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron Dylan Kendrick
2009 Southern State Community College
Associate of Arts
Magna Cum Laude
Phi Theta Kappa

Well, I've already had my excitement for today and I still need to go to work. Real quick, I just wanted to post this up because this was too crazy not to post.

Well, I was sitting here in the SSCC Library minding my own business just checking Email and LJ and stuffs, internet's down at my place so yeah, and things were running smoothly until the fire alarm went off.

My initial reaction was someone must have tripped it by accident or it was a malfunction, but as I was walking out of the library to the parking lot, I smelled a sort of metallic smoke smell coming from the hallway.

Apparently it was a small electrical fire, nothing too terribly serious, fire department was in and out in probably 45 minutes. Still, it's funny....as kids we're taught to respect firefighters just because that's what they do, we never really think it's going to happen to us.

And when it does...it totally changes everything. Even if this wasn't a serious emergency, the fact it happened has heightened my respect. To the Wilmington OH FD and by extension every firefighter who day in day out risks their lives in situations where courage and insanity could intermingle...thank you.

-Kameron

Watch me go down after chugging like half the bottle in one go. :P

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron

PS: Big props to Dustin for videoing it and posting it up.

Well, it's over...it's all completely over. Friday, I graduate and 2 years here at Southern State comes to a close. Well, provided I passed my trig final. That was a bit of a train wreck to get through, a lot of that polar coordinate stuff I pretty much blanked on sadly.

But yeah....two years here and it's done. It's all completely done. English, Philosophy, Psychology, Trig, Biology, Western Civ, Art History, Computers etc....done. It's crazy. I'll miss being here, yet I know that I'm on my way to bigger and better things...like a 4-year university and my Bachelors. Yeah, I know I'm having to head back to MO to live with my mom, but I'm so making that as temporary as possible. Sorry, but my family's insufferable, and besides, I'd like to be at a 4-year university, not joining the community college there....that's a lateral move, isn't it?

I don't know where this entry is going exactly....my mind is still melted from trig. I guess part is glad that final's over, nervous about passing, reflecting on 2 years here and what I've accomplished, and trying my damnedest to ensure I move on to better things and doing what I need/want to do in my life, rather than dealing with my so called family for the rest of my existence.

BTW: Once I move off to MO, chances are the only way to contact me will be via cell phone, so if anyone who does not have my number but wants it to keep in touch, let me know and I can email/PM it.

Much love everyone,

*foxie hugs*

-Kameron Dylan Kendrick

And I'm extremely nervous about it. There's so much material to cover and math is just plain my weakest subject. Especially with proving identities, that's the toughest for me and I just can't quite figure out how to do it. Hopefully I'll have enough to at least pull off a C in the class. I just need to survive, I don't really need to pass with flying colors, I just need to survive that class.

Wish me luck.

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron

Yes, today marks my first day of finals for the Spring Quarter '09 and I have Art History III, Biology 103 and Sociology 171 on deck for today....and then Trig tomorrow. Here's to hoping I do well with those. A bit leery on Bio and Trig, but that's what I've been studying mostly this weekend, brain was all melty until the wee hours of the morning before I finally said screw it and got some sleep. I needed it. :P

And well, I hate to say it, but I think I'm pretty much screwed over. After graduation, I'm headed back to MO to live with/suffer being around my mom. I swear to God it seems like I'm moving backwards with this. So what? Are these 2 years of hard work suddenly useless now? I definitely know she'll try everything she can to hold me back. She's already screwed me out of Point Park University for the fall (although I am still trying to keep in contact with them for maybe a Spring opening) and I'm sure this means that my driver's liscence, my classes I've taken, everything I've accomplished while here (and it's been a lot) will suddenly mean absolutely nothing as I go back to living as a waste of human life.

Sucks, really.

-Kameron

...and it is an 80% B. Much better than I expected. I am happy with it. :) Now onward to the 3rd and final test in about a week...showing identities, half angle/double angle formulas, polar coordinates, trignometric equations...

So yeah, I got a B. I am happy.

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron

Alright, first off it was Thursday at work. Roughly 6 in the evening and two guys from front end, Kory and Ian were walking back to the break room with bottles of syrup in hand. I was tieing up empty milk crates in the back and I asked what was going on. Kory replied that they were having a syrup chugging contest. I don't know what came over me, but the next thing I know, I'm telling them it's a 3-way challenge and I go off to buy a bottle of the same syrup they had. 12 oz. Kroger original maple syrup.

I return, Dustin and his girlfriend, Jamie are there and Dustin has his cell phone out ready to record the whole ordeal. (he's wanting to post it on Youtube, but so far I haven't seen it on there, once it is, it's so going here.) Kory, Ian and I start...Ian couldn't even get two swigs in before he was completely done. Kory and I kept going. I'd take more of it out per swig, but need a bit more recovery time, Kory was a bit more steady paced....and it ended in a tie at 1:30. Both of us just decided no need for sudden death and let it go at that.

Make things funnier, now Mark, who was the manager closing that night, he'll joke to us about it all the time.

Changing gears...I think I may have named a semi-pro paintball team. One of my co-workers, Patrick, is huge on paintball, used to play semi-pro but doesn't anymore. One of his friends, however, is on a semi-pro team based out of Cincinnati. Patrick's been going through a dictionary picking out random words and seeing if it'd sound good (Cincinnati Velocity, Cincinnati Divinity, Cincinnati Absolution) and he came to me for ideas. I hit on the Cincinnati Axis, somehow it popped in my head and seemed to work. He texts his friend, his friend texts back that he loves it. Score. :D

Also, I finally managed to score a copy of Kung-Fu Panda. Been checking Wal-Mart off and on for the last couple weeks and they hadn't had it in stock until two nights ago. I watched it last night and I liked it, I just think it seemed a bit too short really. :P The fight scene between Po and Tai Long was rather awesome though.

Still...not as good as Bolt. :P

Oh...and of course....GO PENS!!!!!!!!

*foxie hugs*
-Kameron Dylan Kendrick

Okay, many times over my grandfather has been trying to keep me down with the usual "you're worthless, you're a failure" bullshit that I've finally just blocked out of my head because with a 3.83 GPA, Phi Theta Kappa Honors, the ability to hold down a full-time job and go to college, the fact I now have $19,000 in grants/scholarships/financial aid and that can still go up, and the fact I have followed my dream as a pro wrestler....am I a failure, hell no.

So now what? He's now going off on how everything I'm doing is now illegal. I want to know how the bloody hell going to college somewhere you actually want to go to is illegal? How come the feds haven't gotten up my ass yet? I've sent in the application, the FAFSA, accepted my admission, and if that's illegal, why haven't I been busted for it yet?

And now, he's also going off on how "being furry" is illegal. How the hell? If it's so damn illegal, how come AC, FC, Morphicon, MFF, MFM, Megaplex etc. are still in existence, especially if they would most likely need the COOPERATION of the local police in order to hold their events!

And yet...it still gets to me because there's still that part of me that wonders what if he's right? I'm not trying to do anything illegal....seriously...I'm not, and I don't want to come to find out that what I've been doing, with no malicious intent, is suddenly violating the law.

*sighs* I don't understand....

-Kameron

Ladies and Gentlemen of LJ-Land, I may be one step closer to Point Park University.

Currently, my financial aid package sits at $19,000 per year.

This is thanks to the Academic Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Pell Grant, and a couple student loans. Now, this does not count the Pioneer Transfer Grant (as I won't be eligible for that until I get my Associate's Degree, but once I graduate, that's getting sent off...another $2500....and the Departmental Scholarship I haven't applied for yet since it's an essay, but once I do, that's another $1000-3000)

They have yet to offer me work study, and there are still a plethora of 3rd party scholarships I can apply for. I think I just might be able to pull this off. :D

So, to my grandfather who is trying to get me to stay around him, sorry, got other plans.

To everyone else cheering me on....ONWARD!!!!!

*epic-sized foxie hugs*
-Kameron Dylan Kendrick

Well, during the weekend, my grandfather was down here yet again to work on the house...er, I mean, sleep while I worked on it. During this time, he's trying to get me to do quite a lateral move. So in June, I graduate from SSCC with my Associate Degree. Now, he wants me to move back in with my mom and go to the community college back there.

Okay...two things wrong with that....very wrong with that. One, wasn't the reason I moved up here to OH to get away from my mom in the first place, hence undoing everything I've done for the last 2 years?

And two, why would I need to go back to another community college if I have already earned my degree here? Shouldn't I be more concerned about transferring to a 4-year university instead?

Once again, I'm sorry, but I don't understand him. I seriously don't.

-Kameron

I'm one step closer to graduation with my cap and gown coming in today. Graduation is on June 12th and I'm just amazed at how quickly it's coming up. Funny, it seems like almost yesterday I started this Spring Quarter and now....I'm graduating in less than a month.

These last couple years have been quite crazy and full of experiences...and I'm not even at a 4-year university yet. :P I've been in easy classes, difficult classes, had good teachers, bad teachers, those assignments and tests I just blow right over, and those that challenge me. I'll miss this place once I've graduated. Teachers like Mr. Farkas, Mr. McKay, Dr. Henry, Mr. Felker, Dr. Headley...they've given me the necessary skills to help me transfer to a 4-year university and manage the coursework there. I remember some nights doing all-nighters to pull off that assignment that's due, or studying with friends before the big test. I've realized that I can even overcome the subjects that I do not feel confident in to begin with (Hey, I managed A's in Biology and Algebra) and even pull off the impossible with assignments (the three Philosophy essays from hell :P) And I have still come out on top.

I've gone through 4 quarters of straight A's, gotten accepted into Phi Theta Kappa, and have been soaking up scholarships. I'm stoked about it because I feel a little more in control of my life and I feel like I can do things I need/want rather than that feeling of worthlessness that has washed over me many times before.

Now, as I am on the verge of graduating and letting all this work culminate into a single piece of paper that will open some doors to bigger and better things...I wonder...for those who have known me for a while...have these 2 years at Southern State made me a better, more confident person? I feel like I'm seeing a change towards a more positive direction. Just wondering if others may be catching it too. :)

Oh...and sushi rules. :P

*big foxie hugs*
-Kameron Dylan Kendrick