I cannot wait to go to Vegas for an extended Girl's Night Out. I'm going with my sister, BFF and nieces. We leave in only one week. Thank goodness.
Despite the Thanksgiving holiday, I still feel quite disgruntled about work. In the past, this has indicated that it is time for me to search for new opportunities in the job market. However, since I've applied for JET all I can do is wait. And the wait is killing me.
Other JET applicants are probably stressing about getting into JET. I'm not really feeling that stress. My anxiety is just waiting to hear back either way so I know if I should start looking for another job or not. I can't very well apply to other places at this point because it'll screw things up if I get into JET.
Thus, my eagerness for a trip to Vegas is really just a diversion of the inevitable waiting. I can only hope to win millions of dollars, which would allow me to quit my job. What a dream that would be.
November 29, 2009
November 28, 2009
The Cash Register Monster
I don't think of myself as a dumb person. In fact, I think I come in above average in the smarts department. But for some reason, I cannot, for the life of me, remember how to use the cash register at the JCCH. It's like the thing turns into a monster whenever I come face to face with it.
Honestly, there are so many buttons I feel about 80 years old and unable to cope with technology. But, even that's not true because some of the other volunteers probably are 80 and can work the thing just fine.
I blame it on the instant gratification generation from which I come. When someone shows me how to do it, I can do it just fine. But when I come back a week later, I have completely forgotten how to work it. It doesn't help that I only volunteer once a week and sometimes do not even have any customers to help. Then, when I do have to ring someone up there ends up being a line of people who want to cash out at the same time. Jesus!
This is why I never, ever worked a retail job in my life. This is ridiculous. At least the JCCH customers usually aren't demanding. They're mostly old people so they have all the time in the world. If I had to work at a mall, especially during the holidays, I might just give myself a heart attack from the stress.
I used to think my greatest fear was public speaking. Right about now, I would gladly stand up in front of 100 people and talk about global warming rather than use the darn cash register again.
Honestly, there are so many buttons I feel about 80 years old and unable to cope with technology. But, even that's not true because some of the other volunteers probably are 80 and can work the thing just fine.
I blame it on the instant gratification generation from which I come. When someone shows me how to do it, I can do it just fine. But when I come back a week later, I have completely forgotten how to work it. It doesn't help that I only volunteer once a week and sometimes do not even have any customers to help. Then, when I do have to ring someone up there ends up being a line of people who want to cash out at the same time. Jesus!
This is why I never, ever worked a retail job in my life. This is ridiculous. At least the JCCH customers usually aren't demanding. They're mostly old people so they have all the time in the world. If I had to work at a mall, especially during the holidays, I might just give myself a heart attack from the stress.
I used to think my greatest fear was public speaking. Right about now, I would gladly stand up in front of 100 people and talk about global warming rather than use the darn cash register again.
November 22, 2009
Black Cloud Friday
Where was I this Black Friday? If your first guess is standing in line, holding my pee and waiting for the Best Buy people to pass out numbers to get in . . . you're wrong. If your second guess is sitting in a lawn chair sipping on a Jamba Juice outside of some handbag store . . . you're still wrong, but I truly wish you were right. So where the hell was I? Ah, but of course. I was at work. Thus begins what I will now being calling Black Cloud Friday.
Is it seriously necessary to be in the office the day after Thanksgiving unless you work a retail job? I think not. I mean, unless you're in the heart of all the madness, there's no reason you need to be at work. Instead, you should be up to your neck in deals and cursing that you only have one body with which to stand in line.
So in order to silently protest my dissatisfaction with the system, I browsed the web all day and refrained from doing too much work. I mean, seriously . . . it so was not necessary to come in today.
I can only hope to hit the effin' Megabucks when I go to Vegas in two weeks. If I do, I'm never coming back to work again. Take that puppy as a lump sum and don't look back.
Is it seriously necessary to be in the office the day after Thanksgiving unless you work a retail job? I think not. I mean, unless you're in the heart of all the madness, there's no reason you need to be at work. Instead, you should be up to your neck in deals and cursing that you only have one body with which to stand in line.
So in order to silently protest my dissatisfaction with the system, I browsed the web all day and refrained from doing too much work. I mean, seriously . . . it so was not necessary to come in today.
I can only hope to hit the effin' Megabucks when I go to Vegas in two weeks. If I do, I'm never coming back to work again. Take that puppy as a lump sum and don't look back.
November 21, 2009
Technology Makes People Stupid
The following conversation occurred at Ward Theatre last night at a showing of Planet 51. This is why technology is making people stupid.
Stars of this performance: group of about eight 7-year-old girls, a mother and a father.
Mom: "Okay, so we have two Sprites . . . one fruit punch . . ."
Girl 1: "I want a Sprite too!"
Mom: "Girl 1, I counted you already."
Girl 2: "Me too."
Mom: "Girl 2, you want a Sprite or a fruit punch?"
Girl 2: "Sprite."
- More of the same -
- Dad waiting for orders -
Mom: "So, we've got three Sprites, two fruit punches. Girl 7, you said you wanted a fruit punch?"
Girl 7: "No, I wanted water."
Mom: "Ok you can have a water."
Girl 4: "I want water too."
- More of the same -
- Dad only hears a high-pitched buzzing -
Mom: "Alright, raise your hand if you want Sprite?"
- Pause while counting -
Mom: "Who wants water?"
- Pause while counting -
Mom: "And what about fruit punch?"
- Pause while counting -
Mom: "Dad, can you get four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch?"
- Dad shakes himself awake -
Dad: "Sure, four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch?"
Mom: "Yes."
- Dad walks down stairs -
- Dad turns back to Mom -
Dad: "Four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch, right?"
Mom: "Yeah, do you want me to text it?"
Dad: "Yeah, text me."
- Dad continues down stairs -
Stars of this performance: group of about eight 7-year-old girls, a mother and a father.
Mom: "Okay, so we have two Sprites . . . one fruit punch . . ."
Girl 1: "I want a Sprite too!"
Mom: "Girl 1, I counted you already."
Girl 2: "Me too."
Mom: "Girl 2, you want a Sprite or a fruit punch?"
Girl 2: "Sprite."
- More of the same -
- Dad waiting for orders -
Mom: "So, we've got three Sprites, two fruit punches. Girl 7, you said you wanted a fruit punch?"
Girl 7: "No, I wanted water."
Mom: "Ok you can have a water."
Girl 4: "I want water too."
- More of the same -
- Dad only hears a high-pitched buzzing -
Mom: "Alright, raise your hand if you want Sprite?"
- Pause while counting -
Mom: "Who wants water?"
- Pause while counting -
Mom: "And what about fruit punch?"
- Pause while counting -
Mom: "Dad, can you get four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch?"
- Dad shakes himself awake -
Dad: "Sure, four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch?"
Mom: "Yes."
- Dad walks down stairs -
- Dad turns back to Mom -
Dad: "Four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch, right?"
Mom: "Yeah, do you want me to text it?"
Dad: "Yeah, text me."
- Dad continues down stairs -
Community Service - Meals On Wheels
I just got back from our company's community service project. We volunteered to deliver healthy meals to seniors in Lanakila Pacific's Meals On Wheels program and had a great turnout of staff and their family. We covered 16 routes, which enabled all regular volunteers to take the day off. Like most events it was quite stressful especially in the morning. However, overall I think we did well and made a good showing.
One let down was that we discovered one of our routes was done incorrectly. This really rained on our parade, not to mention left seniors without vital nutrition. The seniors were not given the appropriate amounts of food and drink because this particular group did not follow the delivery guidelines established by Lanakila and reinforced by the community service project committee.
Why must there always be that one person in a group who tends to ignore all rules and do things his/her own way. It's such a shame, especially when people painstakingly plan things out to make the event run smoothly. I'm not really sure what causes these people to be this way? It's probably just the American upbringing in general that establishes independence and an almost overwhelming self-confidence. Unfortunately, this actually inhibits group work because it results in too many leaders.
To successfully orchestrate an event, it takes time and organization. When you have a loose cannon in your midst, it's difficult to keep things on a steady course. People should realize that there's a time and place to set your mark as an individual and that this trait is not always beneficial. Sometimes being a little humble and more docile generates better results.
One let down was that we discovered one of our routes was done incorrectly. This really rained on our parade, not to mention left seniors without vital nutrition. The seniors were not given the appropriate amounts of food and drink because this particular group did not follow the delivery guidelines established by Lanakila and reinforced by the community service project committee.
Why must there always be that one person in a group who tends to ignore all rules and do things his/her own way. It's such a shame, especially when people painstakingly plan things out to make the event run smoothly. I'm not really sure what causes these people to be this way? It's probably just the American upbringing in general that establishes independence and an almost overwhelming self-confidence. Unfortunately, this actually inhibits group work because it results in too many leaders.
To successfully orchestrate an event, it takes time and organization. When you have a loose cannon in your midst, it's difficult to keep things on a steady course. People should realize that there's a time and place to set your mark as an individual and that this trait is not always beneficial. Sometimes being a little humble and more docile generates better results.
November 19, 2009
Waiting Game
I've been so busy this week that I forgot to check whether or not my JET application made it to D.C. Finally got around to checking tonight and it arrived safely on Monday afternoon. Priority Mail was apparently enough to get it there in time. I was not going to pay a minimum of $17.50 to go Express Mail. If that were the case, I could've done FedEx or UPS. Crazy!
Anyway, I guess at this point there's nothing more to do but wait. I am hoping the time between now and the interviews will go fairly quickly. I am really getting fed up with work and am looking forward to a vacation soon. I dream of leaving for some European jaunt and never coming back. I may just need to settle for a quick trip to Vegas with my sis. I waiting to hear whether or not my BFF can go with us.
Anyway, I guess at this point there's nothing more to do but wait. I am hoping the time between now and the interviews will go fairly quickly. I am really getting fed up with work and am looking forward to a vacation soon. I dream of leaving for some European jaunt and never coming back. I may just need to settle for a quick trip to Vegas with my sis. I waiting to hear whether or not my BFF can go with us.
November 16, 2009
Baby Steps
Yesterday I met with my student for our first tutoring session. Apparently, she was under the impression that we were to meet at 4 p.m. We were really supposed to meet between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. It was a bit awkward but not too bad.
My student was accompanied by her friend and her friend's son. I think that was completely distracting but will let it go for the first several sessions. I want to see how she reacts to studying and learning first before I start implementing rules and regulations.
During the session, my student was easily distracted by her surroundings. However, it seemed like she was determined to learn so that's definitely a good sign. She seems to know and be capable of reading more than she lets on. I think this is because her friend is with her. She is too dependent on this friend to really take charge of her life. I guess this is something we'll need to work on.
For the first session, I think it went quite well. I am still not sure what kinds of disabilities my student possesses. It's hard to tell at this point . . . not that I'm qualified to diagnose any. One thing that is obvious is her ADHD. I think she might have some other disabilities as well that will probably become more obvious the more I get to know her. For now we're taking baby steps, and that's all that I can ask of her.
My student was accompanied by her friend and her friend's son. I think that was completely distracting but will let it go for the first several sessions. I want to see how she reacts to studying and learning first before I start implementing rules and regulations.
During the session, my student was easily distracted by her surroundings. However, it seemed like she was determined to learn so that's definitely a good sign. She seems to know and be capable of reading more than she lets on. I think this is because her friend is with her. She is too dependent on this friend to really take charge of her life. I guess this is something we'll need to work on.
For the first session, I think it went quite well. I am still not sure what kinds of disabilities my student possesses. It's hard to tell at this point . . . not that I'm qualified to diagnose any. One thing that is obvious is her ADHD. I think she might have some other disabilities as well that will probably become more obvious the more I get to know her. For now we're taking baby steps, and that's all that I can ask of her.
November 14, 2009
End of Scene Unseen Podcast
My favorite movie podcast just announced that they'll be wrapping up their show and will only be doing the blog. I don't even read their blog! It's not the same as hearing them on the podcast. The podcast I'm referring to is called Scene Unseen with Chris and Jimmy. WTF?!?! I'm at a loss for words.
These guys are hilarious and totally on it when it comes to the film world. I've watched a ton of great movies because of the DVD pick part of their show. I'm so sad to hear that they're quitting. Damn it! Every time I get into a tv show or whatever it ends up getting canceled. This really sucks.
These guys are hilarious and totally on it when it comes to the film world. I've watched a ton of great movies because of the DVD pick part of their show. I'm so sad to hear that they're quitting. Damn it! Every time I get into a tv show or whatever it ends up getting canceled. This really sucks.
November 13, 2009
Thanks, But No Thanks
I finally got a reply to my manuscript submission. Unfortunately, it was a TNT letter - thanks but no thanks. Well, I guess that should really be TBNT, but we called it a TNT letter at my old job. It looks like a form letter but at least the editor signed it herself and didn't just say from "the editor." It says that the manuscript was well written. However, due to the economy the publisher is being extremely selective with what they print. I guess you can pretty much use the economy as a reason for anything these days.
Oh well. I guess it was worth a try. I didn't feel confident in this plot anyway. It's not as smooth as my last one. Speaking of my last manuscript, I haven't heard anything about when it'll get published or what the status is on this. I wonder if they're just holding on it because of "the economy too?" I mean, I already signed the contract for that one . . . twice. It's kind of irritating actually. But what can you do? I have other things to deal with at the moment so it'll just sit there till it gets the green light.
Oh well. I guess it was worth a try. I didn't feel confident in this plot anyway. It's not as smooth as my last one. Speaking of my last manuscript, I haven't heard anything about when it'll get published or what the status is on this. I wonder if they're just holding on it because of "the economy too?" I mean, I already signed the contract for that one . . . twice. It's kind of irritating actually. But what can you do? I have other things to deal with at the moment so it'll just sit there till it gets the green light.
November 12, 2009
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
I did it. I dropped my JET application in the mail today. It should make it to DC next week. That's plenty of time to make the Nov. 24 deadline.
I'm not sure if they'll consider me. I think my essay came out okay, especially after I got some help with it. I wonder how many applicants there'll be from Hawaii? I guess that's hard to predict. I'd anticipate there'd be more this year because of the way things are going in the economy.
I don't have my hopes up. I can pretty much take it or leave it. I guess that's not a good thing to say but it's true. I have a stable job so even if I don't get in I'll still have something to fall back on. It's different for recent college grads without jobs. Still, I'd love the opportunity to go to Japan. It would be a killer experience.
I plan to still do some research on the country and get more acquainted with it just in case I do get selected. I'm definitely not looking forward to the interview, but I'm sure no one is. We'll see how it goes I guess.
I'm not sure if they'll consider me. I think my essay came out okay, especially after I got some help with it. I wonder how many applicants there'll be from Hawaii? I guess that's hard to predict. I'd anticipate there'd be more this year because of the way things are going in the economy.
I don't have my hopes up. I can pretty much take it or leave it. I guess that's not a good thing to say but it's true. I have a stable job so even if I don't get in I'll still have something to fall back on. It's different for recent college grads without jobs. Still, I'd love the opportunity to go to Japan. It would be a killer experience.
I plan to still do some research on the country and get more acquainted with it just in case I do get selected. I'm definitely not looking forward to the interview, but I'm sure no one is. We'll see how it goes I guess.
November 8, 2009
You Learn Something New Every Day
After speaking with the volunteer coordinator at Hawaii Literacy, I decided to request for another student. Since I would really like to begin tutoring and do not really appreciate being stood up for the past two sessions, I decided to give up on my first student. He apparently doesn't want to devote the time to learn to read. This is fine with me.
I was given a new student and met her today for the first time. This should be interesting. She seems very enthusiastic about learning but has a short attention span. She's easily distracted and zones out a lot. I suppose this will be good training for JET as kids are probably very similiar.
We arranged to meet up once a week since we don't live near each other. I hope we're able to have a longer meeting since it's only once a week. However, we'll have to test out her ADHD thing. Maybe she won't be able to focus that long. I'm not sure exactly what's going on with her as far as any learning disabilities. She has a difficult time pronouncing words and even forming thoughts sometimes. I don't know if she was in any kind of accident previously or if this is just biological. We'll see how it goes.
I was given a new student and met her today for the first time. This should be interesting. She seems very enthusiastic about learning but has a short attention span. She's easily distracted and zones out a lot. I suppose this will be good training for JET as kids are probably very similiar.
We arranged to meet up once a week since we don't live near each other. I hope we're able to have a longer meeting since it's only once a week. However, we'll have to test out her ADHD thing. Maybe she won't be able to focus that long. I'm not sure exactly what's going on with her as far as any learning disabilities. She has a difficult time pronouncing words and even forming thoughts sometimes. I don't know if she was in any kind of accident previously or if this is just biological. We'll see how it goes.
November 3, 2009
Visian ICL - Update
I went in for another of many follow-up visits today, and because it's been about a month since I posted an update, I figured I should say something.
I've been going in about every two weeks to get my eyes checked. The pressure in my left eye is apparently still higher than my doctor would like. Every time I go in, it's pretty much the same story. I don't see 20/20 and my pressure is slightly high. At this point, I'm only using eye drops in the left eye. The right eye is normal I guess.
Two weeks ago, the doctor took some scans and measurements of my eyes so he could take it up to a conference. He was going to show his buds and get their opinion. Today he told me that his friend from Phoenix, who has won some kind of award for doing over 1,000 Visian ICL surgeries, said that he's only had one case like me in his 1,000 patients. This is good and bad news. It's good because at least I'm not the first to experience these weird pressure problems. It's bad because, hey, I wanted to be special LOL
The plan of action after talking with other doctors is to let the eye settle itself down on its own (The other option would be to remove the lens and try a size down). I've got another appointment scheduled in six weeks to reassess things.
Interestingly enough, my doctor told me that some of his colleagues (or perhaps the Staar people who make the Visian ICL lens) said he should talk to me because of what I'm saying on this blog. Wow, who knew I had lurkers on this blog!! Maybe I should start tracking visitors and things? Anyway, the point is that it was surprising that a large company like Staar would even give a second thought to a lil' ol' blog like this. I guess that's one of the real benefits/dangers of the internet, right? People have instant access to it whenever they want it. Ah, the beauty of it all.
I've been going in about every two weeks to get my eyes checked. The pressure in my left eye is apparently still higher than my doctor would like. Every time I go in, it's pretty much the same story. I don't see 20/20 and my pressure is slightly high. At this point, I'm only using eye drops in the left eye. The right eye is normal I guess.
Two weeks ago, the doctor took some scans and measurements of my eyes so he could take it up to a conference. He was going to show his buds and get their opinion. Today he told me that his friend from Phoenix, who has won some kind of award for doing over 1,000 Visian ICL surgeries, said that he's only had one case like me in his 1,000 patients. This is good and bad news. It's good because at least I'm not the first to experience these weird pressure problems. It's bad because, hey, I wanted to be special LOL
The plan of action after talking with other doctors is to let the eye settle itself down on its own (The other option would be to remove the lens and try a size down). I've got another appointment scheduled in six weeks to reassess things.
Interestingly enough, my doctor told me that some of his colleagues (or perhaps the Staar people who make the Visian ICL lens) said he should talk to me because of what I'm saying on this blog. Wow, who knew I had lurkers on this blog!! Maybe I should start tracking visitors and things? Anyway, the point is that it was surprising that a large company like Staar would even give a second thought to a lil' ol' blog like this. I guess that's one of the real benefits/dangers of the internet, right? People have instant access to it whenever they want it. Ah, the beauty of it all.
November 2, 2009
He Ain't Got No Respect
I just got back from what was supposed to be a tutoring lesson. My student didn't show up . . . again! He didn't even call to cancel.
To this I say, EFF THIS!
Shortly after I post this update I will be emailing the volunteer coordinator to let her know I would like to take her up on the offer to get a new student. Obviously this jerk off doesn't give a rat's ass about anything but himself.
Sure, there are tons of people in the world that are like this you might say. The true irony is that this guy is supposed to be a minister/reverend/man of faith. Psh, anyway. Apparently that doesn't make a difference.
Oh, and I just wanted to add that a less secure person would take this as a slight against them. However, I figure it's his loss and not mine. You can only help someone who wants to be helped.
To this I say, EFF THIS!
Shortly after I post this update I will be emailing the volunteer coordinator to let her know I would like to take her up on the offer to get a new student. Obviously this jerk off doesn't give a rat's ass about anything but himself.
Sure, there are tons of people in the world that are like this you might say. The true irony is that this guy is supposed to be a minister/reverend/man of faith. Psh, anyway. Apparently that doesn't make a difference.
Oh, and I just wanted to add that a less secure person would take this as a slight against them. However, I figure it's his loss and not mine. You can only help someone who wants to be helped.
Being an Educator Sucks
I'm getting a bit disenchanted with this whole tutoring business. I've met my student once in a get-to-know-you sit down and once for an official "tutoring" sesssion. You can't even consider it tutoring because of how he wants to learn. It's basically memorization on his part and human dictionary on mine.
The last three scheduled sessions didn't happen at all, and I'm about to end this relationship if nothing changes. The first time he skipped out was because he got a job for the day. This is an acceptable excuse in my opinion.
The next time he missed our tutoring day was because he had to help his cousin. I have no clue what they were doing and didn't ask. This was a less acceptable but still legit excuse for missing the session.
The most recent time he failed to even call to let me know he couldn't make it. I waited at our meeting location for about half an hour before giving up. I called and left him a message informing him I was leaving and to call and confirm if he would make the following session.
Shortly thereafter, he called me and mumbled something. I have no idea what he said and asked him to repeat it. On the second go-round, I think I caught something about marital problems. Before I could process it, the line went dead. I called back thinking we just got cut off, but he didn't answer. WTF?!?!
I expressed my concerns today when I spoke to the volunteer cooridnator. She said to give it one more try and report back to her whether or not he showed. She also encouraged me to tell him to use the workbook rather than just memorizing his material. If he didn't want to use the workbook, she thought it was of no use for him to be in the program. Should he decide not to use the book, she would probably need to talk to him again. She said she would also try to find another student for me as it is not fulfilling on my end if all I am was a human dictionary.
I'm supposed to meet him tonight so we'll see if he even shows up. The coordinator talked to him and he said he was supposed to meet me tonight. At least he knows the schedule.
The last three scheduled sessions didn't happen at all, and I'm about to end this relationship if nothing changes. The first time he skipped out was because he got a job for the day. This is an acceptable excuse in my opinion.
The next time he missed our tutoring day was because he had to help his cousin. I have no clue what they were doing and didn't ask. This was a less acceptable but still legit excuse for missing the session.
The most recent time he failed to even call to let me know he couldn't make it. I waited at our meeting location for about half an hour before giving up. I called and left him a message informing him I was leaving and to call and confirm if he would make the following session.
Shortly thereafter, he called me and mumbled something. I have no idea what he said and asked him to repeat it. On the second go-round, I think I caught something about marital problems. Before I could process it, the line went dead. I called back thinking we just got cut off, but he didn't answer. WTF?!?!
I expressed my concerns today when I spoke to the volunteer cooridnator. She said to give it one more try and report back to her whether or not he showed. She also encouraged me to tell him to use the workbook rather than just memorizing his material. If he didn't want to use the workbook, she thought it was of no use for him to be in the program. Should he decide not to use the book, she would probably need to talk to him again. She said she would also try to find another student for me as it is not fulfilling on my end if all I am was a human dictionary.
I'm supposed to meet him tonight so we'll see if he even shows up. The coordinator talked to him and he said he was supposed to meet me tonight. At least he knows the schedule.
YouTubing the Night Away
Why am I up at 1:15 a.m. when I have to go to work in several hours? Well, at first it started out as well-intentioned research for JET. I was watching videos made by a girl (intro2the1) who has been in Japan on JET for over a year now. She's got a channel called Dear Life Japan, and it's pretty insightful stuff about basic things in Japan. I like that it's not only about her school life. She also covers issues in real life, cultural differences and even societal topics like abortion and suicide. It's really good stuff.
Now, for about the past hour or so, I've been listening to David Choi's videos. The boy can sing man. Gotta support the Asian talents out there, right? I came across this video he made of his grandparents and uncle singing a Korean folk song. I have no clue what they're saying, but they sound good to me. They are so cute, especially his grandmother. Here's the video:
Now, for about the past hour or so, I've been listening to David Choi's videos. The boy can sing man. Gotta support the Asian talents out there, right? I came across this video he made of his grandparents and uncle singing a Korean folk song. I have no clue what they're saying, but they sound good to me. They are so cute, especially his grandmother. Here's the video:
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