May 28, 2009
Living Life
I saw this written somewhere, and I love it. It describes exactly what I've been feeling these past few days.
Like Sunday, for example: Art's parents came up to visit, and the whole family was over, and we played bocce ball, and ate a lot of good Filipino food that Art's mom made, and we played board games, and I purposely didn't take out my camera to take pictures so I could blog about it. I didn't want to stand on the sidelines, photographing my life as it happens in front of me. I wanted to be in it.
Same with yesterday. I had my birthday party yesterday, (I turned 24 today), and, with the exception of my birthday cake, I didn't take any pictures, and I didn't try to compose a blog post in my head about what was going on around me, like I tend to do.
Instead, I made food, had some great conversations, played games, opened presents, and laughed at my friends who drank espresso when they really didn't need any caffeine. That was definitely THE craziest, loudest game of Rummikub I have ever witnessed. (It was mostly just Wayne shrieking and singing opera. Kind of.)
So that's been my life, and philosophy of, for the past few days. My job is going really well, by the way. I think I'm catching on pretty quickly, which is what I prayed about, because I want to impress them so much that they keep on as a full-time, NON-seasonal employee. Also, I enjoy it.
The end. We're leaving to watch a movie at Wayne and Sozan's. I hope you enjoyed my birthday as much as I did. :)
May 26, 2009
A Housewife No More (Starting Tomorrow)
So I'm working 9-1 the rest of this week, and then 8-4:30 starting next week. Carpooling should be pretty interesting.
I found out that the other new girl that started the same day as me has been helping out in other departments. They've been holding back on her training so that they can train both of us at the same time. I feel bad that her job has been affected by my SSN hassles, but at least it was only for a week.
So I'm quite happy about that. But for now, I'm very preoccupied with cleaning my house, because we had family over on Sunday, so all the cleaning I did on Saturday was almost for nothing. And now I know that I won't have as many hours tomorrow to prepare for the party as I thought I would. So I have to get it all done today. Shouldn't be too difficult. If I can manage to stay off the computer.
Oh, and Mom: I got your card. Thanks a bunch! Tell Grandma thanks for her card as well.
May 25, 2009
And the Flowers...
Here is the latest status on my rhododendrons.
This one is the first to bloom in the front yard! They don't get as much sunlight, so they're slow, but they are coming in!
This one is blooming right in front of our living room window. You can't see it very well from outside, but I can stare at it all day long when I'm inside.
And these magnificent blooms are in the backyard. Oh, I am happy!
Remember the first bright red/pink rhododendron I showed you a while back? And I said it was earlier than all the rest? This is the plant where that solitary flower grew. I guess I did quite a bit of trimming on it, because no other ones showed up. But see all those shoots? They'll be full of blooms next year.
This is in the back corner of the house, where nobody can see, so these ones almost go to waste. Also, they're freaking huge, and I wish I could trim them, because they are growing out of control. But I can't reach that high.
This is the whole back of the house.
Sozan had a great idea: the blooms in the back corner won't go to waste because I clipped some off and put them in vases!
May 24, 2009
Beach Days
There will be many more of these days to come, as the weather has been simply gorgeous, and will probably stay that way for the next three months. Also, the fact that we live right by the beach helps a lot.
Art and Wayne were bouldering. It's like rock climbing, but on a much smaller scale. And you don't need any equipment (like ropes). Just some climbing shoes.
I asked Art to post for me when he got to the top. What can I say? He's good-looking man.
These are pictures from the first time the guys went swimming. And no, the water is NOT warm.
I love how far the tide goes out. And then how shallow it is, even further out. The water is only up to their thighs.
Ah, summer.
May 23, 2009
Ladies Retreat Pictures
It's time for a whole bunch of picture posts in a row! I'm attempting to deep clean my house in preparation for my birthday party next week (by the way, my birthday falls on a Thursday. Party is on a Wednesday).
So I'm going to be creating and scheduling a bunch of picture posts to keep you all occupied, and to keep me less busy on the laptop.
We're going to start with a few pictures I took on the first weekend in May, when I went on the Ladies Retreat. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of actual people who were there, but I did capture some of the beautiful scenery, up at Mount Baker.
This is the chalet we stayed in.
View from behind the chalet.
A little fireplace. In the main room where we spent most of our time. And the view from that room. It was amazing.
May 20, 2009
And the Moral of the Story Is: Government Programs Suck.
(Did you actually click on it? I bet you didn't. I bet you're just waiting for me to tell you that it's the Disney website. Because it is.)
Yesterday. Oh yesterday. Yesterday was supposed to be supremely glorious. The day when I finally got to dress up. The day when I finally got to leave the house. The day when I finally felt like I was important; that I had a purpose, that I was no longer an invisible, unknown part of society.
My first day at my new job, my first job in the United States of Blessed-By-God America!!
And just when I was finally ready to prove my usefulness to the world, the world went and crapped on my happiness.
I started at 9 AM. I met some of my coworkers, my manager, and my trainer, and was introduced to my desk and my cubicle. I was there for all of two hours, just learning about how the company works, and how my department works. We hadn't even touched on the actual tasks yet.
And I was pulled out of my two hours of training (I was supposed to have four) to hear some bad news: my employment is suspended until I have a Social Security Number.
Now, the Administrative Assistant was very nice about the whole thing. But I was a little shocked, and more than a little embarrassed.
See, I applied for my greencard in February. My greencard is not just about working. It also makes me a permanent resident. At the moment, I am an alien resident. (I love being called an alien. Not.)
So when I applied for said greencard, I checked a little box on the form that asked, "Would you like us to assign you a Social Security Number?" So I assumed that when I got my greencard, I would also get my SSN.
But the other application I sent in, at the same time, was for an Employment Authorization Document. And I made a video of when it arrived in the mail. So I just assumed that the EAD allowed me to work. Because it says RIGHT ON THE CARD that I'm allowed to work.
NOBODY told me that the card ACTUALLY just allows me to go to a Social Security Administration office and apply for a SSN, and once I get it, THEN I'm allowed to work.
So I called Art, and we went to the SSA office, and I applied for a SSN (and the lady who helped me was so nice and friendly, I just love her. There should be one of her everywhere). The gave me a letter stating that I had applied for one, and I called my employer and asked if the letter was okay. Because some employers let people work as long as they have an official letter stating that they WILL get a SSN soon.
My employer said, "No, the letter isn't good enough, go back in there and ask them if they can tell you what the actual SSN is."
So I go back in there.
But I didn't get to talk to the nice happy lady. I had to talk to her coworker. Compared to her, he's a fricking grinch. I start to tell him that I was in here about eight seconds ago, and I got this letter, and then he interrupted me.
Him: *Assuming he already knows what I'm going to say* "Yes, just write your SSN on this piece of paper here, and then I'll see if I can help you."
Me: *Confused, I start again* "No, see, I was just in here, and I applied, and they gave me the letter, and then-"
Him: "Yup, that's okay. Just write your SSN on the back of this paper, hand it to me, and I'll look into it for you."
Me: *Restraining myself from telling him what a dingbat he's being* "Sir. I don't HAVE a SSN. I just APPLIED for one, like a minute ago, and then I got this letter, and my employer wants to know if you can tell me what the ACTUAL number is."
Him: *Now he's the confused one* "Wait, let me see your letter." *Looks at it w/o actually looking at it, and then asks me in THE MOST condescending RUDE voice you have EVER heard, "Good God, how is it possible that you are the age you are and you still don't have a SSN? That doesn't make any sense."
Me: *If he had read the letter, he would know the answer to his stupid question* "I'm an immigrant."
Him: "Oh. Well I can't do that for you."
[When I related this story to Wayne and Sozan, Wayne pointed out something kind of funny: "So let me get this straight: the Social Security Administration office doesn't actually administer Social Security Numbers."]
It's true. The guy basically explained to me that they send your application to the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Homeland Security is the one to give you the number. I'm expecting to see it in my mailbox in a week.
Okay, so my whole experience at that office may have been colored slightly by the fact that I was already having a disappointing day. But I got back in the car, started crying, composed myself, and called my employer.
As it stands right now, I still have a job, but my start date is pushed back indefinitely, until I get my SSN in the mail. Which isn't the end of the world. But it wasn't what anyone was expecting. And I feel bad because I guess I really impressed them in the interview, and they were planning for my employment and my training and everything, and now I have to make them wait.
So it was just kind of upsetting for a while, but it could be worse, so now I'm just praying that it doesn't take too long. Mr. Rude and Unhelpful told me that it will probably take three weeks. Miss Happy and Cheerful said that it's not uncommon for people to get in four days. I'm going with her opinion.
May 16, 2009
That's What Weekends Are For
Today we were in Seattle all day, cheering on Crossfitters from all over the Northwest, who were competing to qualify for the Crossfit "Olympics."
Tomorrow, Art's parents are coming up, and we're going to go see Star Trek. I hear it's pretty good, and I'm actually looking forward to it.
Tonight, I am going to bed, because I don't feel good, and apparently, being on the computer isn't the cure. ;)
Have a great long weekend!
May 14, 2009
Welcome to the PGGC Jenene Daily News
Mother's Day was awesome. We went to Oak Harbor, to some friends of Art's parents. They grilled up a truckload of meat, not to mention the table full of Filipino food. It was insane. There was so much left over, that it looked like nobody had eaten at all! But believe me: we all ate WAY TOO MUCH.
I honestly can't tell you what I've been doing all week, but I've been busy. Do you know how I measure my busyness? By the fact that I haven't talked to my mom this week. Well, I talked to her a tiny bit yesterday. But we normally have long talks nearly every Monday or Tuesday evening. Hopefully I'll be home tonight, and then I can call her. She better be at home, instead of running around when she's not feeling well. Feel better Mom!
I got my hair cut yesterday. I bought this coupon-type-thingy where I get four different spa/salon treatments for the low low price of $47. No seriously. $47 TOTAL. So my first treatment was a haircut. The other three treatments are a manicure, a pedicure, and a facial. Art suggested I do the next one on my birthday. I'm thinking manicure.
I can't believe that May is almost half-over already. It definitely doesn't feel like May. It better feel like it in two weeks though. Because that is when I turn 24. I am very excite! <---(Yes, I meant to write that).
We're going to Costco today. Yipee. And here's something I never ever thought I would say: I'm going to see Star Trek on Sunday. The movie. At the IMAX. Kind of a big deal. I'm somewhat excited, and somewhat scared for how dorky it's going to be. But apparently it's an awesome kind of dorky.
Okay, I should probably go. And get ready. And we should probably call Wayne and Sozan. Here I go.
May 11, 2009
Inquiring Minds Want To Know
I decided to a little Q&A post. Sometimes people ask questions in the comments, and I feel I should answer them. These questions were from various posts from the past couple of weeks.
Callie: The clam weighed two pounds? Is that pretty big? It sounds huge to me!
- Yes, Callie. Two pounds is massive for a clam. And maybe it was only one pound, but still: that’s monstrous. Usually if you order clams in a restaurant, it will not even fill the palm of your hand, and the amount of meat you would get would fit nicely on the pad of one finger. The amount of meat we got from this clam was nearly a fistful.
- Clams do not eat crabs. They siphon in water and “eat” whatever food particles came in with the water. (Kind of like that whale who filters in water through his “teeth” and eats the microscopic krill.)
The crabs that live inside the clams (or other shellfish) are called Pinnotherid crabs. They live inside a host and eat from whatever the host brings in. The shellfish puts up with the crab, and the crab doesn’t harm the shellfish. Everyone remains friends and they are happy.
We’re pretty sure our clam was a Pismo clam, for anyone who is interested. But I don’t think they are the only type of clam to host crabs.
Mom: Just a question...what if one of the other places you applied at called you for an interview in the meantime?
- Hm. That’s a good question Mom. It had occurred to me, but I never really gave it too much thought. I think I would decline the interview. I know that the other places I applied to were offering more money for those positions, but I already told this company I was going to work for them. I know that I have a choice as to who I work for, and they would probably understand. But I wouldn’t feel good about it.
Libby: How far is it to your job? Is it a bikable distance?
- Unless I want to spend three+ hours on a bike every morning, and three more in the afternoon, no, it’s not a bikable distance. My job is 30-35 minutes drive from my house. Also, I don't have a bike.
Anonymous: As for your transportation conundrum, is there a bus system at all?
- There is a bus system in the city where my job is, but I do not live in the city, so there basically isn’t a bus system around here. Art and I will just have to coordinate with his car. And I might be able to get a ride with Mari sometimes too. Which I haven't actually discussed with her yet. So Mari, now you know what I'm thinking. Let's talk.
Libby: What do you edit photos with?
- I edit photos with Picasa. It’s the easiest and quickest. (For anybody who doesn't know what I'm talking about, do a Google search on "Picasa" and download it for free. It's seriously easy to use, and you will be glad you listened to me.)
Mostly I’m just trying to learn to take better pictures so that I don’t have to edit them as much. If I take a crappy picture, there is nothing I can do to make it not-crappy.
I downloaded GIMP the other day, and I’m still reading though the “manual” to try and learn how to use it. GIMP is like photoshop, but it’s free. I don’t know if I’ll ever become comfortable with it, but I’m going to try.
I hope those answers were sastisfactory, or even better. I love your comments of course, and if I get more questions, I'll probably do another Q&A. Unless you all decide to ask me what the meaning of life is. I won't answer that one. At least, I won't answer it in any way that makes sense.
Happy Monday!
May 10, 2009
May 9, 2009
A Clam Called "Al"
A huge clam the size of her foot.
We had to keep it, of course. So we took it home in a bike helmet.
And Mari named it "Al", and I had to remind her that clams aren't pets; they are food. She took it pretty hard.
Wayne cooked it for us, because we know nothing when it comes to cooking clams.
This is what the inside of a two-pound clam looks like:
When Wayne was cutting away the meat and washing out the contents of the stomach, he found these:
Two tiny crabs that LIVE inside the clam! Apparently, it's extremely rare to find a clam with a crab living inside it, and we found TWO!
Isn't that really gross/cool?!
P.S. It tasted quite good. That's what we get when we live two blocks from the beach. Tough life, EH?
May 8, 2009
Kite Flying: Episode Two
Flat on his back...
Trying to get him up...
There he goes!
We're losing altitude...
Crash
(At first I thought the kite wasn't in the picture. But check out the shadow.)
Those ribbons are from Mari's kite.
Mari was too nervous to let her kite go very far.
Props to Mari for taking such great pictures.
