A sad reality check: I guess I don't have this Kronos thing down-pack. I got a surprise on my paycheck -- 4 missed meal penalties! =O It's a great surprise b/c I unintentionally earned an easy $70 (post-tax) on my paycheck. The potential bad surprise is that HR will likely notice, and then I'll get called in soon after. California employment law mandates that we take a lunch break no more than 5 hours after we Kronos in, if we're working at least 6 hours, AND we have to take no less than 30 minutes or else the firm looks like they're promoting a sweat shop, they get fined, etc. etc. With all these regulations and stipulations, it makes lunch stressful. =P
In any case, I maximized my lunch hour today by going to the gym for a speedy work-out. I felt like such an idiot, though. In my rush to get ready to go back to work, I stepped on my pepper spray!!! Yes, the one w/ a safety. I left about 1 oz. of the chemical on the floor. I started panicking b/c the last time that happened, I practically wiped out half of my classmates. I practically bum-rushed outta there, vividly remembering the last time the fumes sneaked into my eyes and throat. Sorry, Arco Tower 24 hour fitnessers.
The rest of the day was a drag. I'm all with what (c) said; why should we stay when we're just going to be unproductive? But I wasn't about to use my vacation hours (thanks to the new policy). Everybody left except me and Stripes, a partner on the other end of the floor that wears -- you guessed it -- stripes practically every day. Yah, I lacked creativity in coming up w/ his nickname. I felt like I was in a TV drama; I'm working away, I'm the only one in view on the floor, and I can hear (his) jazz music playing. It was nice to have some music going on...until my mind started imagining that jazz music being played on TV in an episode where somebody is seducing somebody else. I quickly wiped that thought out of my head and imagined it being played in a coffee shop. I can do jazz in a coffee shop, not jazz for seduction. I love big band jazz, though. It reminds me of one of my favorite dates w/ BF, when we went to a Harry Connick, Jr. concert. (I <3 Harry Connick, Jr.!)
I also thought about generalizations. Just b/c the jazz that was played in "Collateral" was followed by a discussion re: Miles Davis (and b/c I saw a Miles Davis CD in Stripes' office), I instantly thought he was playing Miles Davis. Ignorant generalization: all jazz that sounded like that must be Miles Davis.
The idea of generalizations was in my head from earlier on in the day when TK & I went down to 6 to get our breakfast. The receptionist also gave me a ginormous bag of SBUX French Roast -- just b/c I'm TK's baby ;). Somehow, he got to explaining a study about "generalizations" and how all Asians or Blacks or whatever races "look alike." This reminded me of 1 hypothesis that explains concept formation in young children. Flashback to WWF's COMD 456 last Fall. (Shudder.)
According to the Semantic Feature Hypothesis, a child assumes all referents (layman's term: "things") can be defined by a universal set of semantic features. Those semantic features are based on perceptual features (what the child has perceived the "thing" as). I.e. a child learns what a "dog" is -- something that has 4 legs and a tail. A cat strolls by. The child's never seen a cat. Well, a cat has 4 legs and a tail, so the child thinks: it looks like a dog...hence, it must be a dog. Therefore, the child exclaims: dog! The parent laughs and gushes about how cute his/her pumpkin is and (hopefully) corrects: no, sweetie, that's a cat. As the child matures, they kinda do some verbal math; they "add" or "subtract" semantic features from concepts until it's defined/specific.
Um, is this one of those moments where you want to ask me: wth are you talking about/what do you mean? And who really cares? (I care b/c I'm trying to review a bit here and there b/c school's starting in a few days!)
Fine, forget my tangent. Re: all Asians look alike~
In the beginning, ppl confused me with Swu from Accounting. Don't ask, we look nothing alike. She's taller and skinnier. She's in another dept, for crying out loud.
Then a Korean PL came and ppl confused me w/ her (b/c ppl often swear I'm Korean). When I told Swu, she made a brow-raising comment. She said, "what? People think you're [Korean PL]? That's like saying [R. L.] and [BSD] look alike!! I didn't know whether to be offended or flattered. R.L. is not an attractive atty. On the other hand, lotsa woman -- SANS ME -- think BSD is very cute. Unfortunately, I think he's a little racist, too. He knows TK, my Black twin, yet he never greets her, only greets me. My Floridian metrosexual Latino "twin" also told me that he tried to pick up on our co's friend at a bar -- that he went to alone -- by starting off with: I make lotsa $$ as an atty and I drive this kinda car. Lame. What is he, in HS? Homeboy has like 3 degrees from prestigious schools, and he can't come up with a better pick-up line. Anywho, so did she mean I'm comparable to R.L.or BSD? B/c I didn't think Korean PL was unattractive...but that would mean I'm unattractive! =O
But then Korean PL left, and my Asian "twin" began. Maybe ppl confuse us b/c we both have high voices. I duno. Thank goodness ppl don't confuse me w/ her friends, Ugly Schlepper (who doesn't wash her hands after using the lady's room!! And was seen holding hands with an engaged atty!!) or Missionary Bartender.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
The "PRIVATE" caller
Two incidences took place today that made me think about my blog title, again.
There are some people that I jive with from the get-go. I talk fluently (for the most part) or can make sense after a bad jumpstart. But then there are other people who, no matter how hard I try, I just don't communicate effectively with.
Point of insecurity: considering that SLP is my future profession, I really better work on communicating effectively and being superbly articulate. I swear the older I get, the worse my communication skills are. I used to write much better than the crap I've been posting since I began this blog.
So, during work hours, MP's wife calls a lot. Come to think of it, a lotta attys' wives call a lot. Some are insecure, some are housewives, some are *codependent,* some have reason to be insecure (I won't get into that just yet). I've come to hesitate answering his line whenever caller ID says "PRIVATE" b/c more than 1/2 of the time, that "PRIVATE" caller is his wife. So, out of all the times that I've answered, she's realized maybe 1/3 of the time, that it's me. Sometimes, it's after she calls me the prior secty (who supposedly flaunts how she married a rich partner and doesn't really need to work, but does p/t anyways) who left this assignment 3 months ago. Or am I (c), who's been MP's secty for 10+ years now? No, wait, it's Cheryl. So, past the "Cheryl?" we're able to have a decent chat about 1/4 of the time, but it usually gets awkward really quick -- not sure how/why -- and then she'll ask if (c) is there, since her hubby is obviously busy (or else he would have picked up his line).
Anywho, so it's gotten to the point where about 1/2 the time a "PRIVATE" caller calls, s/he hangs up. Too bad for MP's wife, I've come to suspect that it's her. After 3 months of this, I finally had enough today. So, when this "PRIVATE" caller called twice -- and hung up twice -- in literally 2 minutes, I decided to pull a Sherlock Holmes. I scrolled through my fancy Cisco phone to Placed Calls (b/c I noticed MP's line was suddenly lit up, after I told him somebody called and hung up twice)...sure enough, he had dialed 310-***-****. OooooOoooOOO!
Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions. Maybe I'm not. The pro/con about knowing you're quitting your job is that you tend to be indifferent. Sometimes, you get a little bolder, too, b/c "what are they gonna do, fire me? I'm already quitting." The firm culture just isn't for me. It's just not fun to be working w/ so many women. My poor "sister" is going through the same thought, but on another floor. It's too much drama and unnecessary stress.
Today, another secty got christened with the name of Rooster b/c whenever she walks by my bay, she looks and walks like a rooster. Poor old lady. Anyways, she's the type that will keep you on the phone for 10 minutes when she could have said what she wanted to say in 2 minutes, and I end up taking the 11th minute figuring out wth she was trying to say. Talk about "what do you mean what do I mean?" syndrome. She got me really frustrated b/c all I did was ask her some simple questions which she should have completed on the NMM in the first place.
"For the above-referenced NMM, please provide the following 411: contact's phone and fax number, what dept NMM is assigned to, and billing arrangement. Yet, she was on the brink of yelling at me as if it was my fault that the NMM was incomplete, and she was telling moi to get the 411. As if I keep copies of everyone's NMM. I even explained to her, I cannot have MP sign these until all the required 411 is provided. Then she interrogated me and looked me up in the Facebook and asked where I was located. Unfortunately, I'm on the same floor and she passes by me every time she goes to the Lady's Room. Ugh. Finally, she hung up with me.
I straight marched to (c) and explained in a nice way, what Rooster had told me. (c) immediately called Rooster up and said in the most tactful way that she needs to provide us with the 411. Actually, if I've learned anything today, it's to always use the atty to your advantage. "I know it's a hassle, but that's how [the atty] wants it done."
I'm just tired of sectys pawning their work onto the next person. That's what's great about (c). She may pawn her work on me, but at least we're a team. Once anybody else tries to pawn their work on me, she's the first to step up and say, I don't think so, homie. You better back away. So much for the "World-Class Service" that HR is trying to promote among the sectys...
There are some people that I jive with from the get-go. I talk fluently (for the most part) or can make sense after a bad jumpstart. But then there are other people who, no matter how hard I try, I just don't communicate effectively with.
Point of insecurity: considering that SLP is my future profession, I really better work on communicating effectively and being superbly articulate. I swear the older I get, the worse my communication skills are. I used to write much better than the crap I've been posting since I began this blog.
So, during work hours, MP's wife calls a lot. Come to think of it, a lotta attys' wives call a lot. Some are insecure, some are housewives, some are *codependent,* some have reason to be insecure (I won't get into that just yet). I've come to hesitate answering his line whenever caller ID says "PRIVATE" b/c more than 1/2 of the time, that "PRIVATE" caller is his wife. So, out of all the times that I've answered, she's realized maybe 1/3 of the time, that it's me. Sometimes, it's after she calls me the prior secty (who supposedly flaunts how she married a rich partner and doesn't really need to work, but does p/t anyways) who left this assignment 3 months ago. Or am I (c), who's been MP's secty for 10+ years now? No, wait, it's Cheryl. So, past the "Cheryl?" we're able to have a decent chat about 1/4 of the time, but it usually gets awkward really quick -- not sure how/why -- and then she'll ask if (c) is there, since her hubby is obviously busy (or else he would have picked up his line).
Anywho, so it's gotten to the point where about 1/2 the time a "PRIVATE" caller calls, s/he hangs up. Too bad for MP's wife, I've come to suspect that it's her. After 3 months of this, I finally had enough today. So, when this "PRIVATE" caller called twice -- and hung up twice -- in literally 2 minutes, I decided to pull a Sherlock Holmes. I scrolled through my fancy Cisco phone to Placed Calls (b/c I noticed MP's line was suddenly lit up, after I told him somebody called and hung up twice)...sure enough, he had dialed 310-***-****. OooooOoooOOO!
Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions. Maybe I'm not. The pro/con about knowing you're quitting your job is that you tend to be indifferent. Sometimes, you get a little bolder, too, b/c "what are they gonna do, fire me? I'm already quitting." The firm culture just isn't for me. It's just not fun to be working w/ so many women. My poor "sister" is going through the same thought, but on another floor. It's too much drama and unnecessary stress.
Today, another secty got christened with the name of Rooster b/c whenever she walks by my bay, she looks and walks like a rooster. Poor old lady. Anyways, she's the type that will keep you on the phone for 10 minutes when she could have said what she wanted to say in 2 minutes, and I end up taking the 11th minute figuring out wth she was trying to say. Talk about "what do you mean what do I mean?" syndrome. She got me really frustrated b/c all I did was ask her some simple questions which she should have completed on the NMM in the first place.
"For the above-referenced NMM, please provide the following 411: contact's phone and fax number, what dept NMM is assigned to, and billing arrangement. Yet, she was on the brink of yelling at me as if it was my fault that the NMM was incomplete, and she was telling moi to get the 411. As if I keep copies of everyone's NMM. I even explained to her, I cannot have MP sign these until all the required 411 is provided. Then she interrogated me and looked me up in the Facebook and asked where I was located. Unfortunately, I'm on the same floor and she passes by me every time she goes to the Lady's Room. Ugh. Finally, she hung up with me.
I straight marched to (c) and explained in a nice way, what Rooster had told me. (c) immediately called Rooster up and said in the most tactful way that she needs to provide us with the 411. Actually, if I've learned anything today, it's to always use the atty to your advantage. "I know it's a hassle, but that's how [the atty] wants it done."
I'm just tired of sectys pawning their work onto the next person. That's what's great about (c). She may pawn her work on me, but at least we're a team. Once anybody else tries to pawn their work on me, she's the first to step up and say, I don't think so, homie. You better back away. So much for the "World-Class Service" that HR is trying to promote among the sectys...
Hola Senorita!
So, incidentally, I was posting about cat-calls and stuff yesterday. What I held back on writing was that cat-calling (esp in combo w/ drive-by honkings) are one of my pet-peeves. It hasn't hap'd in a while now, but this AM, right when I stepped off the 14, some ppl were waiting for another bus, and one dude said, "hola senorita!"
Finally learning from past experiences, I know better now to just keep looking straight ahead, walk, and ignore. That reminds me of the only time I couldn't just ignore b/c I was cracking up too hard. I was probably in downtown or something, when I walked by 2 Mexicans, and one of them sang, "chinita bonita!" No one's ever referred to me as "(pretty) little Chinese woman/girl." But it was just plain funny to me.
Anywho, as I struggled to stay awake while waiting for the 10, I paced around the Taco Bell parking lot. For the past few weeks that I've waited at this stop, I questioned whether this Taco Bell was open 24/7 (are all of them 24/7?) This AM, 2 cars stopped for Taco Bell around 6:40 AM, and I thought: who eats Taco Bell when the sun's barely rising?! Weird! Then again, I know a lot of people drink soda for breakfast -- personally, not something that appeals to me. But I'm one to speak -- I'll eat chocolate and/or ice-cream for breakfast. So there, I put my "weird breakfast* out on the table. As I have my dry, wheat bagel w/ "extra crunchy" Skippy.
Finally learning from past experiences, I know better now to just keep looking straight ahead, walk, and ignore. That reminds me of the only time I couldn't just ignore b/c I was cracking up too hard. I was probably in downtown or something, when I walked by 2 Mexicans, and one of them sang, "chinita bonita!" No one's ever referred to me as "(pretty) little Chinese woman/girl." But it was just plain funny to me.
Anywho, as I struggled to stay awake while waiting for the 10, I paced around the Taco Bell parking lot. For the past few weeks that I've waited at this stop, I questioned whether this Taco Bell was open 24/7 (are all of them 24/7?) This AM, 2 cars stopped for Taco Bell around 6:40 AM, and I thought: who eats Taco Bell when the sun's barely rising?! Weird! Then again, I know a lot of people drink soda for breakfast -- personally, not something that appeals to me. But I'm one to speak -- I'll eat chocolate and/or ice-cream for breakfast. So there, I put my "weird breakfast* out on the table. As I have my dry, wheat bagel w/ "extra crunchy" Skippy.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Human roadkill
Today was a record. I almost got ran over twice!! The first time was during lunch when I was heading to the mall, and a crazy taxi driver hooked a quick right and almost made 6 of us human roadkill. Some disgruntled man yelled, "hey!" I'm sure if the taxi driver had heard, he prolly woulda just given us the birdie*.
*During Christmas, I discovered how antiquated my slang is. Apparently (which is my special cousin's favorite word), to "give the birdie" in this millenium means to offer to pour your drink into the receiver's mouth, without the drink touching the person's mouth/lips. I guess that's better than flicking somebody off. Actually, both may mean you just don't like that person and/or don't want them near you anyways. So yes, maybe the old meaning did kinda get handed down. Sort of.
Anyways, the 2nd time was after work, when I was waiting to cross west on 5th. A well-dressed White woman driving her white Jaguar careened to the right-most lane on one of downtown's many one-way streets. Well, she wanted to make a right/head north on Flower. A few of us were standing on the corner. As she started inching fwd, and it was almost time for us to cross, I heroically leapt to her passenger window and tried to tell her, Flower's a one way street! Well, she musta got scared seeing a Taiwanese girl b/c she jammed on her accelerator and almost ran me and a few Hispanics over. How racist! Jk...She was really gassing her car up Flower, so thank God there were no cars on the far East 2 lanes. She was about a quarter down the block when a cop that was heading South blew his horns and flipped his lights and siren, and they both disappeared into the J-2/Arco Parking. See? I was just trying to be nice, but she automatically assumed that I was out to key her Jaguar and jack her Jaguar hood ornament. Eh, jk.
I have to admit, I probably have the same mentality as that White woman; you just go on your own way from Point A to Point B and ignore all distractions and obstacles. Don't look to your left or right (unless you suspect someone is following you), and you move as fast as you can b/c Lord knows who's out to harass you. It's kinda like that arcade game "Frogger." Sometimes you walk faster to catch up w/ a crowd, sometimes you walk snail-pace to let a weirdo harass the person(s) ahead of you. A lot of time, I even cross towards the Library before heading to Arco Towers, just to avoid the creepy messenger bikers that congregate downstairs of Carl's Jr. They love to sit there and cat-call at ladies that pass. It's a shame that I don't feel safe at the busiest time of the day in Downtown (lunch-time), unless I have either my pepper spray** or Spyderco in my hand.
**If you go to their site, do you see how scared the shady person looks? Lemme vouch, this stuff works, dude! Last year, I accidentally sprayed it on myself just below my heinie on the right-side in a school hallway. About 20 of us were like tearing up and coughing and had no idea why. The subsequent days, I had a sore right below my right-side heinie and a weird yellow spot on my jeans. About 2 weeks later, I had the very late realization that I had set it off b/c I often hang my keys and pepper spray on a beanie on my jeans. Um, I have yet to confess to those 20 classmates that it was retarded me. I can't believe they let someone like me into a Masters program. I can't even safeguard myself from my own pepper spray!
That was just about as exciting as my day got. Well, except for clarifying w/ the 1.0 BF that we are not engaged (yet). Rather, we promise to get engaged one day. :) I have to admit, that brought about a sense of relief. Which prompted me to question whether I really am ready.
I've always known the answer at any given point, though. I know I'm ready with him. I'm NOT ready w/ the family, though. Which brings me to the next topic at hand: law school cousin and I plan to get our family on board with our own group blog.
Let's get it going, Jen!
P.S. to Jen: I was actually googling "give the birdie" + "slang" and came up with this random site. Check it out, I think you'll get a real kick out of it. The scary thing is that I was translating the first few ones in my head and telling myself: by golly, they're right! =X
*During Christmas, I discovered how antiquated my slang is. Apparently (which is my special cousin's favorite word), to "give the birdie" in this millenium means to offer to pour your drink into the receiver's mouth, without the drink touching the person's mouth/lips. I guess that's better than flicking somebody off. Actually, both may mean you just don't like that person and/or don't want them near you anyways. So yes, maybe the old meaning did kinda get handed down. Sort of.
Anyways, the 2nd time was after work, when I was waiting to cross west on 5th. A well-dressed White woman driving her white Jaguar careened to the right-most lane on one of downtown's many one-way streets. Well, she wanted to make a right/head north on Flower. A few of us were standing on the corner. As she started inching fwd, and it was almost time for us to cross, I heroically leapt to her passenger window and tried to tell her, Flower's a one way street! Well, she musta got scared seeing a Taiwanese girl b/c she jammed on her accelerator and almost ran me and a few Hispanics over. How racist! Jk...She was really gassing her car up Flower, so thank God there were no cars on the far East 2 lanes. She was about a quarter down the block when a cop that was heading South blew his horns and flipped his lights and siren, and they both disappeared into the J-2/Arco Parking. See? I was just trying to be nice, but she automatically assumed that I was out to key her Jaguar and jack her Jaguar hood ornament. Eh, jk.
I have to admit, I probably have the same mentality as that White woman; you just go on your own way from Point A to Point B and ignore all distractions and obstacles. Don't look to your left or right (unless you suspect someone is following you), and you move as fast as you can b/c Lord knows who's out to harass you. It's kinda like that arcade game "Frogger." Sometimes you walk faster to catch up w/ a crowd, sometimes you walk snail-pace to let a weirdo harass the person(s) ahead of you. A lot of time, I even cross towards the Library before heading to Arco Towers, just to avoid the creepy messenger bikers that congregate downstairs of Carl's Jr. They love to sit there and cat-call at ladies that pass. It's a shame that I don't feel safe at the busiest time of the day in Downtown (lunch-time), unless I have either my pepper spray** or Spyderco in my hand.
**If you go to their site, do you see how scared the shady person looks? Lemme vouch, this stuff works, dude! Last year, I accidentally sprayed it on myself just below my heinie on the right-side in a school hallway. About 20 of us were like tearing up and coughing and had no idea why. The subsequent days, I had a sore right below my right-side heinie and a weird yellow spot on my jeans. About 2 weeks later, I had the very late realization that I had set it off b/c I often hang my keys and pepper spray on a beanie on my jeans. Um, I have yet to confess to those 20 classmates that it was retarded me. I can't believe they let someone like me into a Masters program. I can't even safeguard myself from my own pepper spray!
That was just about as exciting as my day got. Well, except for clarifying w/ the 1.0 BF that we are not engaged (yet). Rather, we promise to get engaged one day. :) I have to admit, that brought about a sense of relief. Which prompted me to question whether I really am ready.
I've always known the answer at any given point, though. I know I'm ready with him. I'm NOT ready w/ the family, though. Which brings me to the next topic at hand: law school cousin and I plan to get our family on board with our own group blog.
Let's get it going, Jen!
P.S. to Jen: I was actually googling "give the birdie" + "slang" and came up with this random site. Check it out, I think you'll get a real kick out of it. The scary thing is that I was translating the first few ones in my head and telling myself: by golly, they're right! =X
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Centinela 14 and Santa Monica 10
Since it's my Winter break and I am car-less, I've been ghetto-bussing around town. Sadly, I think about one of my (newly) favorite movies, "Crash," where the Black kid insinuates that the bus is for poor people, and the reason why the windows are so big on the bus is so that everyone can see the poor people riding the buses. Even sadder is that I wonder whether people look at me and think I'm poor or do they think I'm a misfit b/c I'm dressed business casual? Or do they just stare at everybody that gets on?
I have to say, there are different "breeds" that ride the bus. I've encountered one breed that is chatty and friendly w/ me the 1st day and then ignore me the subsequent times -- the One-Timers. I've also observed the Rude breed. Incidentally, they're also the Scary Breed. The other day, I took a short trip to my bro's and this dude w/ a huge backpack, who almost beheaded a bunch of us w/ it when he was sitting down, impatiently sat down at this empty bench, milliseconds after the last seater got up. The dude hadn't even gotten out of the way yet, before this rude person was doing a "dance" w/ him and then said: move already! We were all in shock. But I've come to realize, this is how L.A. is. There are either outspoken bullies or there are the bystanders (like me) who watch in shock, but don't stand up to defend anybody. After all, who wants to be a victim? It's selfish, I know. Besides, nobody came to my rescue when some crazy chick wopped me upside the head in broad daylight on a busy downtown corner. And SHE ran off while yelling, "get away from me b!tch" when I hadn't done anything nor was I following her! CRAZY!
This morning, I was standing by the front bus door and an old man that always puts his backpack in the luggage area, inserted his money while commenting to the bus driver, "finally." Finally? Man, I wonder if bus drivers go postal too.
As for me, I'm not sure what bus breed I am. I think I'm a bus snob; I loved riding the Commuter Express...b/c it had nice plush seats, and it was full of less shady and rude people. I don't like the 6:56 A.M. Santa Monica 10 b/c the seats freeze my tooshie off for some reason. Plus, the headrests are so low, you can't doze off.
See? I'm a bus snob, that's what I am. BoOooOo... :( At least I'll be getting my new car soon. Then I won't be a bus snob any more. =P
I have to say, there are different "breeds" that ride the bus. I've encountered one breed that is chatty and friendly w/ me the 1st day and then ignore me the subsequent times -- the One-Timers. I've also observed the Rude breed. Incidentally, they're also the Scary Breed. The other day, I took a short trip to my bro's and this dude w/ a huge backpack, who almost beheaded a bunch of us w/ it when he was sitting down, impatiently sat down at this empty bench, milliseconds after the last seater got up. The dude hadn't even gotten out of the way yet, before this rude person was doing a "dance" w/ him and then said: move already! We were all in shock. But I've come to realize, this is how L.A. is. There are either outspoken bullies or there are the bystanders (like me) who watch in shock, but don't stand up to defend anybody. After all, who wants to be a victim? It's selfish, I know. Besides, nobody came to my rescue when some crazy chick wopped me upside the head in broad daylight on a busy downtown corner. And SHE ran off while yelling, "get away from me b!tch" when I hadn't done anything nor was I following her! CRAZY!
This morning, I was standing by the front bus door and an old man that always puts his backpack in the luggage area, inserted his money while commenting to the bus driver, "finally." Finally? Man, I wonder if bus drivers go postal too.
As for me, I'm not sure what bus breed I am. I think I'm a bus snob; I loved riding the Commuter Express...b/c it had nice plush seats, and it was full of less shady and rude people. I don't like the 6:56 A.M. Santa Monica 10 b/c the seats freeze my tooshie off for some reason. Plus, the headrests are so low, you can't doze off.
See? I'm a bus snob, that's what I am. BoOooOo... :( At least I'll be getting my new car soon. Then I won't be a bus snob any more. =P
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas!
It's as if I'm wishing myself or any random reader a merry Christmas, since I'm a closet blogger. Although, I did admit to cousin Fatyee last night (during all the "you didn't tell me you had a blog" accusations) that I do have a blog that no one knows about or has read. Maybe she'll be the first that I let in on my boring posts. =P
Christmas Eve with the seriously crazy family was a blast. This year, Cousins Dr. Gonads and Sergeant Sumfn weren't here for the holidays, but we send our love to them. Poor Dr. Gonads was on call until 2PM and had leftover Chinese take-out, and Sergeant is over in Kosovo. Re: Dr. Gonads...as we love to say behind the backs of the attorneys: That's why they (will) make the big bucks! Actually, I got to say that to Genius Cousin last night since he's a "consultant" who's on-call via Blackberry and works like 70-80 hours a week. BUT, he does get like awesome yummy snacks and beer 24/7, just like the law firm I work for, sans the beer. I have NEVER heard of a place that stocks their snack center w/ beer. What's next? They totally need like Red Bulls...or tweak. Or both. I'm sure that'd make a scary or entertaining combination.
Anywho, back to Christmas dinner. I bought a ginormous ham, since we finally decided that nobody likes turkey enough. However, all the adults cooked or bought so much food that we didn't need the ham (nor turkey). We did have a wonderful feast, though.
I told my bro that I always look forward to his gifts to me b/c man, he gives me the best gifts! BF does, too, but it's different b/c with my bro, it's always a nice surprise. BF gets me very nice, thoughtful gifts, but I usually get advanced notice b/c he needs my input. This year, I got a Best Buy gift card from Sergeant Cousin's family, another pix frame from the M.D./DDS family, a Coach purse from bro, will get a Passat from dad, cash from Grandma Pearl, a bebe knock-off from the Genius relatives, and a world-wide collected gift from Pastor Aunty with a bag of M&Ms from law school cousin. Also got an iPod Shuffle from my very nice and wealthy attys, a Vuios Luitton from future in-laws* and movie tickets from BF's friend, French champagne from BF's sister, and a nice wallet from my Lil Sis. The older I get, the more expensive and nicer the gifts get. =O
*Last, but certainly not least, BF got me a diamond ring! =O Although I knew about it, I'm still surprised! I mean, he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. It was either a buncha things on my wish list (i.e. anti-aging cream. Yes, u read right) or a diamond ring. The diamond ring graduated from a Christmas gift to a Promise-to-have-grandkids-for-Tita-Flower ring.
Christmas Eve with the seriously crazy family was a blast. This year, Cousins Dr. Gonads and Sergeant Sumfn weren't here for the holidays, but we send our love to them. Poor Dr. Gonads was on call until 2PM and had leftover Chinese take-out, and Sergeant is over in Kosovo. Re: Dr. Gonads...as we love to say behind the backs of the attorneys: That's why they (will) make the big bucks! Actually, I got to say that to Genius Cousin last night since he's a "consultant" who's on-call via Blackberry and works like 70-80 hours a week. BUT, he does get like awesome yummy snacks and beer 24/7, just like the law firm I work for, sans the beer. I have NEVER heard of a place that stocks their snack center w/ beer. What's next? They totally need like Red Bulls...or tweak. Or both. I'm sure that'd make a scary or entertaining combination.
Anywho, back to Christmas dinner. I bought a ginormous ham, since we finally decided that nobody likes turkey enough. However, all the adults cooked or bought so much food that we didn't need the ham (nor turkey). We did have a wonderful feast, though.
I told my bro that I always look forward to his gifts to me b/c man, he gives me the best gifts! BF does, too, but it's different b/c with my bro, it's always a nice surprise. BF gets me very nice, thoughtful gifts, but I usually get advanced notice b/c he needs my input. This year, I got a Best Buy gift card from Sergeant Cousin's family, another pix frame from the M.D./DDS family, a Coach purse from bro, will get a Passat from dad, cash from Grandma Pearl, a bebe knock-off from the Genius relatives, and a world-wide collected gift from Pastor Aunty with a bag of M&Ms from law school cousin. Also got an iPod Shuffle from my very nice and wealthy attys, a Vuios Luitton from future in-laws* and movie tickets from BF's friend, French champagne from BF's sister, and a nice wallet from my Lil Sis. The older I get, the more expensive and nicer the gifts get. =O
*Last, but certainly not least, BF got me a diamond ring! =O Although I knew about it, I'm still surprised! I mean, he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. It was either a buncha things on my wish list (i.e. anti-aging cream. Yes, u read right) or a diamond ring. The diamond ring graduated from a Christmas gift to a Promise-to-have-grandkids-for-Tita-Flower ring.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Lil C. Fawker's 1st Birthday
Although this post is a few days late (2 days, to be exact), I'm still just as excited reminiscing about Lil F's first birthday! On December 17, Lil F had an awesome birthday party! He had like 4 fish, while we had a nice seafood dinner. :) Party guests included Uncles B&B and Aunty Lynn. Uncles B&B bought Lil F exactly what he wanted for his birthday -- 12 colorful feeder fish! He was VERY excited (and greedy)! Daddy X even bought an ice-cream cake for the Lil Green Guy. Unfortunately, we didn't have a camera to capture the moment, but the icing on the side of the cake said "happy birthday Lil e Focher" in green (the lady misread my 'c' for an 'e'). He'll probably grow a quick inch w/i the next week, after eating all that fish!
So Christmas is only a few days away! It's weird, but I think for the past few Christmases, my bro and I say, it doesn't feel like Christmas. What do we mean by that, though? I don't quite know how to explain it. Sometimes during the year, it feels like Christmas for me. Maybe it's the cold weather one day. Or a place garnished with lots of lights. Unfortunately, it doesn't have much to do with people. It's funny b/c at Christmas, I even expect people to be in the holiday spirit -- nice, joyful, peaceful. That's hardly ever the case, especially when we do last minute shopping in the crazy malls. Although, I have to say, my bro and I had excellent customer service last night at Westside Pavilion at the men's counter in Robinson's May.
My other Christmas reflection came a few nights ago when BF asked me if I say "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays." I admitted that last year and especially this year, I'm more conscientious of being politically correct and culturally/religiously-sensitive, so I opt for the latter. Then again, when I say "happy holidays," it's also an abbreviation for "merry Christmas" and "happy new year." But he did remind me that as cliche as it sounds, Jesus really is the reason for the season. So, I'm back to saying Merry Christmas, regardless of people's religions or beliefs. I know, how insensitive of me. =P Well, we're all entitled to our own beliefs.
And yes, I do think it's strange that people who don't believe in Jesus and/or God celebrate Christmas. Well, maybe the equivalent is me wearing green on St. Patty's Day. I just vaguely know it has something to do with the Irish, but it's not like I'm Irish. I just wear green b/c I don't want strangers pinching me. People give gifts for Christmas b/c that's the popular expectation.
Well, happy first birthday Lil Focher and Merry Christmas to all my loved ones!
So Christmas is only a few days away! It's weird, but I think for the past few Christmases, my bro and I say, it doesn't feel like Christmas. What do we mean by that, though? I don't quite know how to explain it. Sometimes during the year, it feels like Christmas for me. Maybe it's the cold weather one day. Or a place garnished with lots of lights. Unfortunately, it doesn't have much to do with people. It's funny b/c at Christmas, I even expect people to be in the holiday spirit -- nice, joyful, peaceful. That's hardly ever the case, especially when we do last minute shopping in the crazy malls. Although, I have to say, my bro and I had excellent customer service last night at Westside Pavilion at the men's counter in Robinson's May.
My other Christmas reflection came a few nights ago when BF asked me if I say "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays." I admitted that last year and especially this year, I'm more conscientious of being politically correct and culturally/religiously-sensitive, so I opt for the latter. Then again, when I say "happy holidays," it's also an abbreviation for "merry Christmas" and "happy new year." But he did remind me that as cliche as it sounds, Jesus really is the reason for the season. So, I'm back to saying Merry Christmas, regardless of people's religions or beliefs. I know, how insensitive of me. =P Well, we're all entitled to our own beliefs.
And yes, I do think it's strange that people who don't believe in Jesus and/or God celebrate Christmas. Well, maybe the equivalent is me wearing green on St. Patty's Day. I just vaguely know it has something to do with the Irish, but it's not like I'm Irish. I just wear green b/c I don't want strangers pinching me. People give gifts for Christmas b/c that's the popular expectation.
Well, happy first birthday Lil Focher and Merry Christmas to all my loved ones!
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Our First Christmas Tree!
Man, I'd love a nice youthful, luxury car (aka sports car?), but that's out of my price range.
Yesterday was my first real day of car hunting, and it was pretty disappointing. The harsh reality is that it is hard to go from a Mercedes to anything else. (Unless I go to a BMW or Infiniti ;) Reality check of the yesterday: You mean to tell me all cars, by now, do not have one-touch window down/up as a standard feature??? =O
I duno. I'm missing my Platinum Tiffany right now. Dad's taking her out for her last spins before I kiss her good-bye on Thursday. Boo-hoo!! Oh, we had some awesome times her and I!
On the up and up, we got a Christmas tree today! :D Home Depot had Douglas Firs for $22.90 + tax! We also got the last tree stand and a wreath ($13). Xtn got the lights, ornaments, tree skirt, and tinsel from Rite-Aid (that place rules!). Oh yeah, we also got 2 stockings to hang over our fireplace. He said I hung the tinsel so gooood. :) It's our first Christmas tree together! With Lil C. Focher. Actually, I think it's my second real Christmas tree. Dad got us one (possibly two) when we were little. It's nice to have a fresh scented home. :)
I gotta go to sleep soon though, b/c I gotta wake up at dark o'clock to ride the ghetto bus tmrw AM. This AM, it was so crowded, and I had to sit next to somebody. I wonder if he knew I was trying to read his book since I was so bored and couldn't take a nap unless I wanted to sleep on his shoulder. Gross!! Then I stared at this other dude that didn't want to share a bench with anybody (universal unspoken distance between males rule, I guess), so he ditched his stuff in the front, and stood in the rear exit area and read. He kept losing his balance and almost falling over. He looked so weird. The more I stared at him, the more I thought that maybe he didn't want to sit next to anyone b/c he kept coughing and clearing his throat in a weird way. Of course the future SLP in me kept thinking: vocal nodules! vocal polyps!
That made me think of one of the atty's aunt who's a neuropsychiatrist or something fancy at UCLA. Basically, she assesses and diagnoses neuro stuff in kids, I think. The atty often wondered if her aunt could turn the doctor part off and just look at kids normally. Hm, I diagnose myself with a new disorder every other day. I can't even look at myself "normally."
Yesterday was my first real day of car hunting, and it was pretty disappointing. The harsh reality is that it is hard to go from a Mercedes to anything else. (Unless I go to a BMW or Infiniti ;) Reality check of the yesterday: You mean to tell me all cars, by now, do not have one-touch window down/up as a standard feature??? =O
I duno. I'm missing my Platinum Tiffany right now. Dad's taking her out for her last spins before I kiss her good-bye on Thursday. Boo-hoo!! Oh, we had some awesome times her and I!
On the up and up, we got a Christmas tree today! :D Home Depot had Douglas Firs for $22.90 + tax! We also got the last tree stand and a wreath ($13). Xtn got the lights, ornaments, tree skirt, and tinsel from Rite-Aid (that place rules!). Oh yeah, we also got 2 stockings to hang over our fireplace. He said I hung the tinsel so gooood. :) It's our first Christmas tree together! With Lil C. Focher. Actually, I think it's my second real Christmas tree. Dad got us one (possibly two) when we were little. It's nice to have a fresh scented home. :)
I gotta go to sleep soon though, b/c I gotta wake up at dark o'clock to ride the ghetto bus tmrw AM. This AM, it was so crowded, and I had to sit next to somebody. I wonder if he knew I was trying to read his book since I was so bored and couldn't take a nap unless I wanted to sleep on his shoulder. Gross!! Then I stared at this other dude that didn't want to share a bench with anybody (universal unspoken distance between males rule, I guess), so he ditched his stuff in the front, and stood in the rear exit area and read. He kept losing his balance and almost falling over. He looked so weird. The more I stared at him, the more I thought that maybe he didn't want to sit next to anyone b/c he kept coughing and clearing his throat in a weird way. Of course the future SLP in me kept thinking: vocal nodules! vocal polyps!
That made me think of one of the atty's aunt who's a neuropsychiatrist or something fancy at UCLA. Basically, she assesses and diagnoses neuro stuff in kids, I think. The atty often wondered if her aunt could turn the doctor part off and just look at kids normally. Hm, I diagnose myself with a new disorder every other day. I can't even look at myself "normally."
Saturday, December 10, 2005
The Lil Crazy Fawker
He's turning one year old on December 17! Mommy (that's me!) and Daddy are getting him a big fish for this hungry Lil Fawker. :) He may misbehave sometimes, but he is one lovable Lil Fawker. Last year, on December 17, xtn traded a DVD player for this Lil Fawker. Just for me! And even though he's been the cheapest gift ever to me (free!), this Lil Fawker is just priceless.
Delayed Response
Now that I'm in school, I think and talk in terms of Speech-Language Pathology. I feel like such a nerd. I love it.
i.e. The other day, my bro asked me, "you know what the Word of the Day was? [From Dictionary.com]... it's logorrhea! Nancy and I have been using that word all day! Hahahahahaha!"
I said, "What?! That's a *normal* word!?! Logorrhea's a technical word for somebody like with aphasia!"
And here I thought I was all cool and a smarty-panties, having a specialized vocabulary.
i.e. #2, my bro called me this AM and said, "[blahblahblah] ok?"
I paused for like 3 seconds and then said, "uh, ok."
"Did you hear me?"
"Yes. You said [blahblahblah]...and something about Grandma."
"Oh I thought you didn't hear me b/c your response was delayed."
I said, "that's called a delayed response!" (after like another 2 seconds. jk)
*point of self-diagnosing: I think I have a minor case of ADD.
Anywho, I'm still in denial that the quarter's over. You never want to get too comfortable and lazy over break b/c then it's harder to pick up the pace when the quarter starts again. I talk as if I'm like in a Ph.D. program or something, when I'm not. :(
Speaking of Ph.D. programs, my HS friend just called me! We haven't spoken in 8 years! Unless you count the very random time when my cousin, a friend (at that time), and I were standing on a corner in SF, and she whizzed by w/ her BF in her BF's (at that time) sports car, and I hear her yell, "Cher Her!" (pronounced, "cher hair," a weird nickname that a family friend that we swear is in the closet, named me).
Well, she calls me and says, "Cher Her? OMG, your voice sounds so different!!!!" Really? If anything, I thought maybe my voice is slightly deeper now (with age). "No! Your voice is even higher now!" What! I didn't think my voice could get even higher than it was in HS!!! But yah, so we shot the breeze for about 20 minutes. She recalled how we used to slack off so much our senior year and play MASH all period in newspaper. But a Ph.D.!! Wow, Dr. Ren!
I told her, y'know, I'm just over at ___LA. No big whoop. But then I told her, y'know, I used to not think much about this school, but considering that only the state universities offer this program, and the competition is insane, etc. etc., I am grateful to be in this program.
This is a small tribute to my profs. I truly feel that I am getting a great (affordable) education. For instance, I was talking to a brilliant atty yesterday at work, and I realized that I have learned a lot within the past year. Again, I was like label-dropping. "Oh! I know, you mean your nephew was diagnosed with Developmental Apraxia of Speech?"
Anywho, it's great to be on Winter Break (although I keep bringing up school), despite having to work and stress about year-end reviews and hopefully bonuses. I'm fortunate to work in this prestigious law firm that really takes care of their (lowly) secretaries. However, it'll be nice to be my own boss in a few years. It's not cool when you ask for a vacation day (to study for finals) and they turn you down b/c the firm needs you to be there to crank out the big, fat year-end bills that will contribute to the million dollar bonuses for the senior partners. Oh, and to answer phones and make copies.
Well, I'm off to pretend I'm a rich man's wife. Going to the gym in my velour outfit and then to Costco to shop for some healthy food and then go out to a fancy not-so-healthy dinner in 90210 with wonderful BF's wonderful family. It's great to be on Winter Break.
i.e. The other day, my bro asked me, "you know what the Word of the Day was? [From Dictionary.com]... it's logorrhea! Nancy and I have been using that word all day! Hahahahahaha!"
I said, "What?! That's a *normal* word!?! Logorrhea's a technical word for somebody like with aphasia!"
And here I thought I was all cool and a smarty-panties, having a specialized vocabulary.
i.e. #2, my bro called me this AM and said, "[blahblahblah] ok?"
I paused for like 3 seconds and then said, "uh, ok."
"Did you hear me?"
"Yes. You said [blahblahblah]...and something about Grandma."
"Oh I thought you didn't hear me b/c your response was delayed."
I said, "that's called a delayed response!" (after like another 2 seconds. jk)
*point of self-diagnosing: I think I have a minor case of ADD.
Anywho, I'm still in denial that the quarter's over. You never want to get too comfortable and lazy over break b/c then it's harder to pick up the pace when the quarter starts again. I talk as if I'm like in a Ph.D. program or something, when I'm not. :(
Speaking of Ph.D. programs, my HS friend just called me! We haven't spoken in 8 years! Unless you count the very random time when my cousin, a friend (at that time), and I were standing on a corner in SF, and she whizzed by w/ her BF in her BF's (at that time) sports car, and I hear her yell, "Cher Her!" (pronounced, "cher hair," a weird nickname that a family friend that we swear is in the closet, named me).
Well, she calls me and says, "Cher Her? OMG, your voice sounds so different!!!!" Really? If anything, I thought maybe my voice is slightly deeper now (with age). "No! Your voice is even higher now!" What! I didn't think my voice could get even higher than it was in HS!!! But yah, so we shot the breeze for about 20 minutes. She recalled how we used to slack off so much our senior year and play MASH all period in newspaper. But a Ph.D.!! Wow, Dr. Ren!
I told her, y'know, I'm just over at ___LA. No big whoop. But then I told her, y'know, I used to not think much about this school, but considering that only the state universities offer this program, and the competition is insane, etc. etc., I am grateful to be in this program.
This is a small tribute to my profs. I truly feel that I am getting a great (affordable) education. For instance, I was talking to a brilliant atty yesterday at work, and I realized that I have learned a lot within the past year. Again, I was like label-dropping. "Oh! I know, you mean your nephew was diagnosed with Developmental Apraxia of Speech?"
Anywho, it's great to be on Winter Break (although I keep bringing up school), despite having to work and stress about year-end reviews and hopefully bonuses. I'm fortunate to work in this prestigious law firm that really takes care of their (lowly) secretaries. However, it'll be nice to be my own boss in a few years. It's not cool when you ask for a vacation day (to study for finals) and they turn you down b/c the firm needs you to be there to crank out the big, fat year-end bills that will contribute to the million dollar bonuses for the senior partners. Oh, and to answer phones and make copies.
Well, I'm off to pretend I'm a rich man's wife. Going to the gym in my velour outfit and then to Costco to shop for some healthy food and then go out to a fancy not-so-healthy dinner in 90210 with wonderful BF's wonderful family. It's great to be on Winter Break.
Friday, December 09, 2005
The Anticlimax of My First Quarter of Grad School
Anticlimactic seems to be the word of choice (thx to my classmate) for describing how my first quarter of grad school ended. The good news is that, it's finally over!
Since last Thursday, I've been on a ridiculous caffeine marathon. I would down 3-5 cups of coffee a day, sometimes having 2 (more) around 11 P.M. just to struggle to stay up until 3 A.M. Occasionally, I pumped my body with Red Bull before class/exam. Too bad I still fought narcolepsy every time I sat down into one of those hard wood seats. Thank God for the generous classmate that provided candy canes to stimulate our minds (and consciousness).
Man, I am seriously one crazy caffeine fiending mofo. I hope I haven't turned into a Red Bull addict, too. As I remind my bro to pick up a whole case of Sugar-Free Red Bulls from his Red Bull PR friend (and to try to get a Red Bull mini-fridge).
Through the past 10 weeks of caffeine highs and narcoleptic lows, I somehow managed to crank out papers, complete projects, prepare for presentations, and take numerous exams on top of working 30 hours a week. I know it's not much to whine about b/c there's always somebody else out there that can or has out-done me.
I.e. my "lil sis" worked 40+ hours AND attended school f/t at UC Davis for almost her entire time there. Much to her self-discredit, she still, to this day (this past Christmas, to be exact) insists that her grades suffered majorly. (Much to my own self-credit/bragging rights, I've managed to keep my GPA up, including winning 2.5 scholarships -- 1 for "academic excellence." =D)
I.e. (or is it *e.g.?*) my Miamian Latino grungy co-worker "twin" is pursuing his Masters in Computer Sumfn at UCLA right now. He works f/t and takes 3 courses. (He was taking 4 until he started getting heart palpitations and his doctor said he's gotta chillax and maybe take up yoga...prolly from all those Red Bulls he drinks).
*re: e.g. ~ If I've learned anything this quarter, it's that there is a difference b/t "e.g." and "i.e." What that difference is? I still can't get it right. According to Dr. TBI, i.e. is a specific example. e.g. is a general example. Anybody beg to differ?
Back to the topic at hand (as I demonstrate *tangential* expression): the anticlimax of my first quarter of grad school. I sweated so much blood over the past few weeks just to sum up everything I learned in 3-5 pages of paper (final exam). I thought I'd be so excited to be done. Y'know, feel accomplished. But walking out of my last final, it was as if nothing changed. It just didn't settle in. Being done with the quarter was simply anticlimactic.
Maybe it just hasn't settled in because I went in for my full 7.5 hours of work today, like all the other Fridays that signified the end of another school week. Man, I can't wait to quit work. Other women at work have nothing better to do than to create drama. Me? I Kronos in (we live by it) at exactly 7:23 A.M. to avoid the incriminating red box...and to permit me to Kronos out as early as possible (3:54 P.M. vs. 4 P.M.). I've got this Kronos system down to a T. So yeah, my day consists of Kronosing and avoiding drama. Oh, and raiding the candy bowl.
I also took a different bus route today. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I definitely liked that the bus stop is literally at the end of our block. What didn't I like? I guess my princess heinie prefers the Commuter Express. It's so much plusher and cooshier, whereas the regular Big Blue Bus is just soOOoO crowded and -- well....janky. =P
OMG, I'm a bus snob! I may have to get used to it b/c I may not have a car in a few days...
Since last Thursday, I've been on a ridiculous caffeine marathon. I would down 3-5 cups of coffee a day, sometimes having 2 (more) around 11 P.M. just to struggle to stay up until 3 A.M. Occasionally, I pumped my body with Red Bull before class/exam. Too bad I still fought narcolepsy every time I sat down into one of those hard wood seats. Thank God for the generous classmate that provided candy canes to stimulate our minds (and consciousness).
Man, I am seriously one crazy caffeine fiending mofo. I hope I haven't turned into a Red Bull addict, too. As I remind my bro to pick up a whole case of Sugar-Free Red Bulls from his Red Bull PR friend (and to try to get a Red Bull mini-fridge).
Through the past 10 weeks of caffeine highs and narcoleptic lows, I somehow managed to crank out papers, complete projects, prepare for presentations, and take numerous exams on top of working 30 hours a week. I know it's not much to whine about b/c there's always somebody else out there that can or has out-done me.
I.e. my "lil sis" worked 40+ hours AND attended school f/t at UC Davis for almost her entire time there. Much to her self-discredit, she still, to this day (this past Christmas, to be exact) insists that her grades suffered majorly. (Much to my own self-credit/bragging rights, I've managed to keep my GPA up, including winning 2.5 scholarships -- 1 for "academic excellence." =D)
I.e. (or is it *e.g.?*) my Miamian Latino grungy co-worker "twin" is pursuing his Masters in Computer Sumfn at UCLA right now. He works f/t and takes 3 courses. (He was taking 4 until he started getting heart palpitations and his doctor said he's gotta chillax and maybe take up yoga...prolly from all those Red Bulls he drinks).
*re: e.g. ~ If I've learned anything this quarter, it's that there is a difference b/t "e.g." and "i.e." What that difference is? I still can't get it right. According to Dr. TBI, i.e. is a specific example. e.g. is a general example. Anybody beg to differ?
Back to the topic at hand (as I demonstrate *tangential* expression): the anticlimax of my first quarter of grad school. I sweated so much blood over the past few weeks just to sum up everything I learned in 3-5 pages of paper (final exam). I thought I'd be so excited to be done. Y'know, feel accomplished. But walking out of my last final, it was as if nothing changed. It just didn't settle in. Being done with the quarter was simply anticlimactic.
Maybe it just hasn't settled in because I went in for my full 7.5 hours of work today, like all the other Fridays that signified the end of another school week. Man, I can't wait to quit work. Other women at work have nothing better to do than to create drama. Me? I Kronos in (we live by it) at exactly 7:23 A.M. to avoid the incriminating red box...and to permit me to Kronos out as early as possible (3:54 P.M. vs. 4 P.M.). I've got this Kronos system down to a T. So yeah, my day consists of Kronosing and avoiding drama. Oh, and raiding the candy bowl.
I also took a different bus route today. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I definitely liked that the bus stop is literally at the end of our block. What didn't I like? I guess my princess heinie prefers the Commuter Express. It's so much plusher and cooshier, whereas the regular Big Blue Bus is just soOOoO crowded and -- well....janky. =P
OMG, I'm a bus snob! I may have to get used to it b/c I may not have a car in a few days...
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