I'M BACK!

Goodness me, I have been a super slacker with blogging. My bad. No worries, though! I am back at it again. For your reading pleasure...

Work has been great, no complaints there. Definitely a breath of fresh air to work in a positive environment. Meanwhile, over the past few weeks I've been hearing about my co-workers at my former job dropping out of the office like flies--pursuing better work environments, too! I'm really pleased to hear it, I'm glad people are looking out for themselves and telling our old boss to shove it.

I'm enjoying interacting with the clients and their families. Among other roles, social workers are often consulted to problem solve. I really love that part of the job--putting the puzzle pieces together to bring about an ideal outcome.

I've been bustin' my butt over the past week to get ahead of all my work cause I'M GOING TO ENGLAND (more on that in a moment). Of course all my clients decide to discharge at the same exact time I'm going to be out of town. How dare they! :-)

So yes, I am going to England for a week, starting tomorrow! Woot! Excited to see the fiance and his family. We're gonna be celebrating two special events over the weekend--his nan and granddad's 50th wedding anniversary (WOW) and our engagement. It's gonna be so fun, I'm looking forward to it. I haven't seen Kieran since we got engaged in June! lame! Maybe we can get some wise, sound marriage advice from them! I'm sure they can let us in on the awesome, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can't even imagine turning 50 years old, let alone celebrating a 50th anniversary. That's heart-warming stuff.

Wedding planning hit the ground running since I booked my location but now it's stalled and I dunno what to do to jump start it again!! So far I've taken care of the following:
1) Date and Venue
2) Colors
3) Bridal party
4) THE DRESS...MY LOVERRRR
5) Designed and ordered my "Save the date" magnets
6) In the process of designing the invitations
7) Submitted my immigration crap

Now I'm stuck. I dunno what to do next. Do I do the food? Or flowers? What about room blocks and wedding registry? BLAHHHH. My head is spinning and I can't quite get my feet planted firmly. Meanwhile, TheKnot.com keeps sending me daily emails with the subject lines like: "8 disastrous things that can happen at your reception" Dudes, are you for real? Cut that shit out, you're giving me a nervous tick.

The other day Kieran said to me, "So what do you wanna do when you're over here?" thinking that I had big fun plans. Sorry, lovey, we're doing the wedding registry, the guest lists, and browsing for suits. Bwahahah!! he cannot escape when I'm there! This shit is hard and he ain't getting off so easy :-D

This past weekend, I took a much needed mental vacation at the beach with my two best girlfriends--my Maid of Honor, Erica and my bridesmaid, Rachel.

Aren't they adorable?! I love these girls. We had a fantastic and exhausting time! I feel like the richest person in the world to have love in my life and friends who know how to make me laugh. I'm not ready to talk about how much I'm gonna miss these gals when I hop the pond!! :(

Alrighty, it's already 10:15pm and I still haven't packed!!!! Gotta run for now. Will update when I get home from England.

All my love,
Amanda :-)
xXxXxXx <----that's how the English express their love via the internets

Pining for the NHS!

Alright, so here's my current deal--I don't have health insurance. I don't get employment-based benefits because my current job is a temporary position. So I applied for COBRA and private insurance WELL in advance to make sure I'd be covered. And yet I am still fucked. Shocker.

Basically right now I am stuck. I sent in my COBRA paperwork almost a month ago and haven't heard a damn thing. Lord only knows if it got misplaced and it's floating around in federal government paperwork hell somewhere. Not to mention that it's gonna cost me $350 per month to keep so I am really hoping that the private insurance comes through.

Well imagine my surprise when I get a letter from the private insurance company on Friday evening (of course, when you can't call anyone) saying they can't cover me cause I have a pre-existing condition. Are you shitting me, devil company? How's about you go into your little computer of doom and see how YOU IDIOTS WERE COVERING ME FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO! Not to mention that I've been covered by your sorry company in some way shape or form since I was a goddamn fetus!

So I have been trying to channel my anger into crafting a logical and well-documented appeal. I'm trying not to be a crazy person and call those idiots. But then I get this email from them today:

Dear Amanda,

Thank you for your interest in health insurance coverage from DEVIL, INC. According to our records, you were mailed a package explaining the plan we offered you, along with the necessary explanations and forms. However, we have not received the completed forms.
If you are still interested in coverage from DEVIL, INC., you must return these forms within the next 15 days.

uhhh...once again...ARE YOU SHITTING ME?! I got your damn "offer" 2 business days ago. You are hanging on my last nerve, DEVIL, INC!!!

As I started to craft an angry reply email, I realized two things: 1) It's unlikely anyone will read this; and 2) If someone does read this I am gonna look like a total loon which won't help my appeal.

So I decided to replicate my dream reply email here on the blog to vent my frustrations in supportive environment. Perhaps others who have dealt with this bullshit can relate. I am hoping, at the very least, that getting this out will supress my anger enough so I can actually sleep.


Dear DEVIL, INC--

Thanks for the shout out! I appreciate your reminder of my recent denial. You're so thoughtful like that. I hope you're milking this whole "denial for pre-existing condition" thing before it's illegal in 3 years. How's that working out for you? I totally get that your boss is probably on your ass about meeting the yearly quota for denying folks for life-sustaining treatments and putting your hard-working friends and neighbors into debilitating debt. Sounds like a tough job! My boss can be a hard-ass, too. bwah bwah

So anyways, FUCK YOU AND YOUR 15 DAYS. Omigosh, I'm so sorry--that's my pre-existing condition acting up again. It makes me unable to filter my opinions.

Hey so remember that time when you covered me for the exact same condition like 2 years ago? Hey, that was fun! Maybe you could just do again for me---ya know, for old time's sake. And remember how my family and I have been loyal customers since the 1970's despite your asinine premiums? Well that was fun while it lasted, I suppose. I always knew you'd be a fickle friend. My mother warned me about you.

Don't you worry your deformed little head, DEVIL, INC! My appeal is on its way to you. Considering I am going to spend more than 48 hours putting it together, I think you'll be pleased that my appeal will be well thought-out and documented. I know you're anxious to receive it, DEVIL, INC--it's like waiting to open Christmas pressies!! It's so hard, I know! Time just seems to pass so slowly when you're sending out threatening letters and emails all day. That must be so hard for you!!! Are you working hard or hardly working, buddy? har har!

Anywho, you're an asshole as usual and I enjoy our love-hate relationship as much as the next American. I hope you'll consider covering me for my EXISTING condition which was KNOWN TO YOU ALL ALONG. That would be super.

Fortunately, we will only have to deal with one another for the next 9 months, as I am leaving your sorry ass for a system that won't rape my bank account. I know it hurts, babe. But I'm sure you'll be fine. You'll just find a poor old lady to harass or an infant to deny--just for shits and giggles. You will soon forget me.

I look forward to the displeasure of putting up with you for the next 9 months or so. Oh and by the way, when you get my letter, you have 7 business days to respond. Good luck!

Loveless always,
Amanda


Okay, I admit I feel a little better.

To all American Belles in England--give me the real scoop on the NHS. Can health care really be free and quality at the same time?


Whilst you mull that question over, check out this cartoon I found on Google