I need a group sport

My suit pants that I finally got hemmed are a little tight (they were roomy when I bought them). UGh!

I am 25!!!

I had a pretty good bday: nice weather, spent with friends and family.

I could go into detail but am tired. I ended up going out last night. Ironically, I had poured myself (and parents) a glass of champagne with a strawberry, thinking, "If I'm staying in on a Saturday night (before my birthday), I may as well have champagne." I had a sip when I realized a friend wanted to take me out for my bday, which was nice. 3 guys (her friend, his brother and friend) joined us. I wanted an apple martini but they don't make that. I don't know what I ended up getting but it wasn't strong. The guys offered me bday shots. I said anything but tequila which he didn't understand. I said I was afraid it'd make me sick so didn't take it. Just as well. I got less than 6 hrs of sleep and was running late in my picnic preparation.

My grandma thought I was turning 26. I hope some things will be more (positively) advanced by then, like career path and a relationship.

I got my "China fix" today at "Arts in the Park". Talked to a painter from Hong Kong and bought a print to give a friend for her bday. Bought a photo from a guy who lives in China most of the time (his wife is Chinese). I didn't write down the name of the place where the photo is taken but it's a southern province that I didn't go to, maybe Yunnan.

Saturday before my 25th

I like that I get greetings from people in China before others due to the time difference. One was from this kid I never met.. I think he had seen me on myhappyplanet.com and contacted me on Skype. He's closer to my sister's age than mine. I like looking at his travel photos (in China). Another Chinese friend emailed me with the photo taken of me 2 years ago at Yellow Mtn (where "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was filmed). I had cake for breakfast, a little one with purple icing. They asked the restaurant for a knife to cut with, and I was handed a chopping knife. So it's kinda scary, me wielding the knife. haha.

For some reason, I thought of Hohhot in Inner Mongolia today at work when I had finished most of my tasks. A Google image search produced one of a camel, which I thought of emailing as a random photo to my coworker, adding "This (of all photos) reminds me I need adventure in my life again."

Took a bike ride this evening. Was cutting it close in terms of it getting dark.

My first Saturday night free (I have Sunday morning off, unlike my schedule every other week from now on), and I am without plans. It's annoying to come up with people to contact who might have something going on.. there I go complaining. At least I make the effort, am persistent, right? :) That's my new word for my job search now that one significant part of my job is improved: persistence.

I feel so lucky right now that the evening shift is behind me. If fired, so be it. I will make do with lower-paying temp job if needed and buy a health insurance plan with a Health savings account (I know my options now after meeting w/ a professional).

There are amusing moments at work. Yesterday I was called a "womanizer" by my somewhat flamboyant male coworker. (Believe me, he's confused words worse) This was a result of him trying to jokingly insult me because I ran out of time to help him on something. Then today my older, raunchy South Asian coworker was introduced to Easy Mac thanks to me offering it. She said, "When my husband gets back from his month of work in Asia, this is what I will make him."

Concert

I went to a concert at a venue downtown I'd never been to. I went with a friend of an acquaintance who I found attractive enough to Fbook request when I met him. He said I could come over beforehand, that he had food. I figured his friends might, too. No, just us, and I had little to say at first! He had made Thai soup the night before and gave that to me with some bread, which was nice. He has a somewhat high, soft voice, which I know now I don't find attractive.

We walked to his friend's apt, and they drove us to the concert. I get social anxiety and briefly panicked (almost said outloud, "I don't know where I put my ticket." (Was in my back pocket) There was another band opening, a British woman who sounded like Amy Winehouse! She said 2x (when I could understand her) that she sounded "fucking terrible tonight." I want to find out her name. After her few songs, we went upstairs. The guy and I discovered we feel the same way about musicals: annoying and unnecessary. He's better at keeping a conversation going (more years of experience). Went downstairs, and it was a while before Citizen Cope played. I only knew one of his songs.

I had been nursing a gin and soda. (I like the word "tonic" and accidentally said "tonic and soda" to the bartender. What with social anxiety, it could have not had alcohol, and I wouldn't have known! not really, but funny thought). I saw the guy put his arms around his female friend and realized "ok, they are more than just friends." That's what I questioned from the start. Well, I've only seen them 2x. When I'm with a guy, especially alone, who I find attractive, it's hard to not just act friendly. Oh, I just need more socialization, in general, which ppl with common interests. I talk about some work things a bit and probably sound unhappy, bitter, which isn't cool. I felt a little awkward about this coupling but I was realistic for the most part that this guy and I weren't compatible; I just found him attractive when he was inebriated when I first met him!

I danced more the 2nd half of the show, mainly after playing the song I knew, which I love. We were fairly close to the stage. There was a drunk group of ppl near us, as well as some grinding HSers. I didn't realize, but this singer is known for smoking a lot of pot.

Agh, just lost a paragraph! I usually do C and P but it deleted it.
From memory: So, yay, I went out and got to know some ppl better. I'm slowly but surely determining my preferences in men (my mom jokes I'm so picky, I'll have a hard time finding one.) I like a guy who's a good listener and isn't generally checking his iPhone often; I don't want to have to guess he gets what I'm saying. There was some closure: when one communicates virtually more than directly, it's a harder/slower process to figure whether or not they are a possibility. And considering I'm kind of young in a lot of ways, I think 31 is too old for me. ~~My mom wanted to know who I was going with and when I didn't want to disclose, ("just ppl I know"), she said, "I know, it's the old guy." I heard that and thought someone in his 40's. She remembered when this guy and the 34 yr old acquaintance were going to meet up with me and my sis, and I thought it so funny my sis would hang out with men twice her age! I expressed that my sis may not prefer that!

This is stuff I would normally write in my journal but I felt like typing, and I guess, sharing.

I don't know how to find a job

If only only could "shop" around for one.

I don't like idle time at home. I need to move out but it scares me at the same time.

1st day of day shift

This always happens.. I think of things to write in my blog but when I'm actually on the site, ready to type, I don't feel like writing much.

Basically, it was a busy Monday, and I came home a bit stressed, my insides feeling compressed, and telling my mom and sis, "NOW I really want a new job."

My day off this week changed, which works out: my mom and I will go to Costco to buy baguettes and cheese for my Sunday bday picnic. Good news there: a coworker was able to swap with me. I will work 3 Saturdays in a row but it's daytime so doesn't matter.

When I told my mom I plan to go to New Haven, CT again (last time was after graduation 3 years ago) for my senior's bridal shower end of summer, she didn't think I should make the expense since I've been talking of moving out. I argued that it's important to me and I haven't made any travel plans for this year, yet.

My Ghanian coworker jokingly called me a "traitor" when he arrived at work today because I've switched shifts. I'm "no longer (his) favorite." He told a coworker my age he's "lost his only daughter." (work daughter, that is, because he has a daughter in London) He seemed a little hurt he "was the last to know" when really, I didn't tell anyone. I'd be curious to hear all the talking behind my back from female coworkers, but at the same time, whatever. I ran into a French acquaintance and told her about this situation: she said, "Be like a Parisienne." (ie, f 'em)

Want I want for my bday..

is an apartment, to move out of my parents'.

I have felt so anxious these last few days. I want some quiet. I want the TV on only when I want it on. I don't like the unnecessary noise.