5/10/10

Munday

I had to deal with concert tickets on sale today.. really dislike it. Felt malaise overall about job again and somewhat felt like leaving or putting in 2 weeks' notice and getting at job at Staples temporarily.

Finally got my mom's Tupperware back from a bake sale I volunteered for months ago.

The "Hot Mama" bread I gave my mom yesterday was good. When I came home from volunteer mtg, I chowed down not knowing she was asleep on the couch. Funny when that happens. She liked the table runner I gave her. It was only $1.50! No design, just powder blue.

Tomorrow and Wed are business casual days at work. I told myself, "3 days of waking up early, then 2 days of respite."

My thoughts feel disjointed. I want a plan in life. Is doing Myers Briggs test again going to help me figure that out? j/k.

5/9/10

Mother's Day

I didn't think yday but only this morning about making breakfast in bed for my mom. I feel I'm a little old for that. My sister has her friend over for a sleepover. I woke up around normal time as of late (~6:30) then went back to sleep.
I only have 3 vacation days.. I took 1 for French film festival. Another, I thought I'd go to DC for a book lecture but it was a friend's bday, so worked. The other 2, don't recall. They accrue over time. Would be nicer to start a new job with at least 1 week upfront so I may take a proper vacation somewhere. And with new job, no more of this every other weekend crap. I guess if it were a job involving travel (most likely local), I'd have to travel on weekends occasionally like a friend of mine does.

I want gumption, ha.

Went to Asian festival in its last hour last night. Recognized a guy from high school at the Cambodia food table. I had seen him at the post office a while back. I thought of saying hi but I think we had no classes together, don't know his name. My friend was there but we kept playing phone tag. She was with her 2(?) yr old niece, who I thought was cute. She turned to me and said something in Vietnamese, at which my friend reminded her I don't speak that. The acupuncturist I saw last year and who I emailed this week about my "mystery" bottle of pills from China called my name and encouraged me to buy some Chinese food. They were about to wrap up. On stage, there were Phillipino dance (I liked), Japanese traditional music, and kung fu performances. I hadn't seen kung fu since the show I saw in Beijing and briefly an instructor at the gym in China during an event.

Today is Russian (and former USSR) Victory Day. I may go to a celebration with Russian dance, song, and food.

Oh, completely forgot the reason I wanted to write here. I was surprised to come home to a medium-sized package from China yesterday. I knew a former colleague was sending me something but not that much nor priority! She spent almost $40 to send that weight and priority! :/ Part of what made it heavy is the aloe gel that comes with the milk tea that I requested; forgot that came with it, or I would have said that part's not necessary. She also threw in some snacks like "French cake," corn shaped gummy (not sure I like), and chicken feet (I will hide in my mom's gift as a surprise).

She sent a good variety of milk tea including some I didn't try 2 years ago: natural "relish," taro (glad she sent this, as it's not common here), wheat, "green," and one with the dried pearls. I feel so lucky. Dan from China wrote that he doesn't recommend eating it since China doesn't have a good record of food safety. Yes, well, there were things I didn't trust there but I kinda went with "ignorance is bliss." She spent so much money, and the fact it was sent from a fellow American, I feel I can trust it.

5/6/10

I so need to move out

Living with my sister.. I've just had enough. This is definitely where our 7 yr age difference is too much.

My friend's brother, who I could almost call my brother except I somewhat crushed on him, said hi to me on Fbook. I asked if he knew anyone needing a roommate, and he re: he does; in fact, two. It might be strange living with him. I'd prefer to live with a female, I think. Not sure it's the safest neighborhood. I went there 1x a few yrs ago.

I know a student who says she has a room free until late July, central location. That might be nice. Will see if I can see it soon.

5/5/10

Hump day

I actually dislike that term but it is Wednesday. Doesn't really apply in that I'm off today. I met with a workforce counselor on the Southside of the city. Felt like a spoiled, rich girl walking in there. Most people in there are out of work and probably don't have college degrees. The guy probably doesn't usually help people in my situation. He's going to make some contacts to put me in touch with.

I am tired because it's hot and I stayed up until 1:30am talking to Sasha on Skype. I love how it sounds like the person is right there. She thinks of studying in France this fall for a year or more-- I could visit her next spring! I forgot I told my Norwegian friend I'd like to visit him on such European trip but reminded me Norway's expensive everywhere ; /. I'd really be doing Norway (or at least, Trondheim) on a shoestring! There are 3 possible people to visit in Germany. I know 1 the most. Germany doesn't hold much appeal for me but it is such a big country, and by golly, those Krauts (derogatory?) speak excellent English!

Have to prioritize: I somewhat regretted from my year in France not making it to Spain, and Germany, a little. Looking at the map, one of the friend's cities isn't too far from Amsterdam, which I've heard is a must-see. I could be there when the tulips are in bloom! But now I think I'm talking a mucho expensive budget and timeline. I want to go to Southwestern France, particularly the city Biarritz, a coastal town. From there could make my way into Spanish Basque country. I would be staying at hostels, of course, when not with friends. And cheap meals, if not, going to the grocery store and eating in a parc, weather permitting. I could meet some awesome ppl along the way. Was talking to Sasha how travelling alone opens you up to meeting ppl; in a way, you're more approachable. I think I'd want to travel in Spain with someone, however. Amsterdam, too; think it'd be safer and more fun. Sasha would be in Grenoble, which is near Geneva, which I've already seen and don't care to again. Speaking of which, I should write the woman there I know. She was so hospitable. I met her in Czech Republic on a tour to Karlsbad. Oh, we shall see. I've decided even if I have to put some of this on my credit card, it would be worth it. One must take advantage of connections before the link is weakened by time.

5/4/10

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!

5/2/10

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.

5/1/10

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."