Where whims meet reality

[igotamastersforthis]

Token Minority Female

I have decided that this will be a special sub-series on this blog, which is really proving to be invaluable for cathartic release. It does require me to out myself, though - I am indeed a minority female!

Generally people mean well, but I honestly can’t tell if that makes the ridiculous (not very PC) things that happen here better or worse. I go back and forth. 

For example, I recently found out that my picture was featured in my organization’s strategic plan. Where is that picture found, you might ask? Under the objective to “recruit a diverse workforce.” 

[sosaneitsinsane]

We’ve come a long way from where we began Oh I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Oh no no no. Too many feels too late at night.

[birdandmoon]

Here’s a small comic about something that’s important to me. I grew up in Canada, and for years now, Canadian scientists have faced great pressure to stay quiet on environmental and other issues. This is no good for the beautiful country I love.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

THIS.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Go home right after work on Halloween because you're so tired. Stay up until 2 am reading Fangirl and wake up later than your friends who went partying.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

lordemusic I think our dogs are long lost twins.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

I am just having one of those weeks where, even though I did my laundry, I just don’t want to put it away so I’ve been sleeping next to it for the last few nights.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Taking a break from my life misadventures, I'm excited to wear these - perfect for the season and work appropriate! (My nails have been woefully neglected between work and setting up my apartment.)

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Life Lessons: You should remember PINs

To preface this, for my new position I need to get a background check done. The person in charge of my application is nice, but a bit of a stickler for more old fashioned methods - i.e. using hard copies and mailing things in. As part of this, I needed to go to my local police department to get my fingerprints taken even though I'd already gotten them taken digitally. 

It took a while for everything to be ready in order for me to even go do this. First, my HR person had to mail me the fingerprint cards three times before I finally received one set. Second, the local police department only offers fingerprint services three days a week for a short two hour window. 

Today, it felt like my stars had finally aligned. I had my fingerprint cards and the police department was open. I made my way over, and the first hiccup happened as I waited in line for my turn. The receptionist told a man ahead of me that they didn't accept $100 bills. My heart sank, because I only had a $100 bill. (Honestly, that $100 bill was all the cash that I had anywhere. It was the last of what cash my family gave me before I left home. I just don't deal with it in this world of credit!) I waited until it was my turn and doublechecked that they indeed do not take $100s. They don't. The receptionist kindly pointed me to the atm they had downstairs.

At this point, you'd think it'd be a simple matter to go and withdraw some cash. But nope. Not for me. Because I had long ago forgotten the PINs to both my debit and credit cards. So, after a few futile attempts with the atm, I went across the street to where my cell phone was. (Oh, right - I had to pay to use a locker to store my cell phone, since those and all other electronics are not allowed inside the courthouse. I had to ask a kind stranger for a quarter.) I got my cell phone and then called my bank. After waiting 20 or so minutes in the cold, I managed to reach a customer service representative, who told me that they would mail me my PIN reminder and it should arrive in 5 to 7 business days. Which was nice, but wasn't the most helpful in my situation. 

Then I had a (tiny) stroke of genius. While waiting to talk to someone at the bank, I was sitting directly across from a Subway. While wondering why the Hunger Games was having a promotion with Subway, it occurred to me that I could buy something at Subway and get change that way! So I ventured in, and awkwardly asked the ladies inside if they take $100s. (Some places don't take $50s, let alone $100s.) This was a bit complicated by the fact that the ladies didn't speak much English, but they managed to tell me that if I bought something they'd have to take it. So, one 6-inch sub and a bag of chips later, I had my money. Although they spent a longer-than-usual amount of time checking the bill. Can't say I blame them. Then I "triumphantly" went and got my fingerprints taken. 

This whole thing took me two hours. But at least it's over! For now - we'll see if I ever get this background check done.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Changes

Oh Tumblr, it's been so long. Since last we met, I've started a new job and moved into a place of my own. Now I'm encountering and thinking about all sorts of things - bills! furniture! cutlery! - that I have really never thought of to this extent. (What do you mean you need more than clothes and shoes to set up a place?) It was so easy living at home and I never cared much in grad school because everything was temporary. But now I have some semblance of permanence and am *gasp* trying to make a home here. So I'm trying a little bit harder. Although everything I own basically comes from IKEA, Target, and Overstock.com. On a related note, I can see why some people don't move out until they get married. Good grief would a wedding registry have come in handy! Be prepared for some "before and after" posts! And lots of misadventures too.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

On repeat.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Oddly fun and relaxing to watch. Also makes me want to return to Japan.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Donuts and bed? What are you depressed about, or celebrating?

Pete (30 Rock, Season 3 Episode 13)

The latter. Always the latter.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Reminiscing about our Orlando trip this past February. 

First up: Animal Kingdom

[mythoughtsandfancies]

It is Friday evening. I went home right after work, took a shower, and then put on a sheet mask in bed. I watched a few episodes of 30 Rock, and now I think that I'm going to read Game of Thrones before going to bed around 10:30. (Good grief, I am just so tired!)

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Misadventures in Interning: 1

I am terrible at coming up with titles. So maybe this "Misadventures in..." will become a theme every time I do a "personal" post, regardless of whether it's a (mis)adventure or not.

Anyways, the last time I interned was when I was living in NY, and the nearby supermarkets really left a lot to be desired. So I mostly subsisted in the office on the snacks that were made available (awesome) and on food I bought in the cafeteria. But now the place that I'm living in has a gigantic supermarket within a 5 minute walking distance. So I've reverted to being back in elementary school and am having a lot of fun buying food and planning for breakfasts and snacks to bring with me to work. Honestly, I feel like what I'm eating on a daily basis is also healthier than I'm used to at home. (Albeit much less delicious.) 

My best friends these days are "snack-size" or "individually packaged" items. Granola bars, hummus and pita chip kits, individual servings of guacamole(!) and peanut butter, etc. It's amazing what's available now. Although the environmentalist in me feels bad about the extra packaging, at least I'm not wasting anything by opening a container of something that I won't be able to finish within a few days. (I'm looking at you, guacamole.)

I'm also planning combinations. Like, I have crackers and apples (to be sliced at the office) that I bring with a container of peanut butter for a surprisingly filling snack. Or pretzel chips to eat with my office jar of Nutella. (Yes, I do have one of those. And it is amazing.) Or carrot sticks to eat with my extra hummus.

I even bought myself Tupperware so that I could individually portion out food items to take with me each day - like trail mix, banana chips, corn puffs. 

I also try to be well-balanced. So I'll make sure to have fresh fruits/vegetables. You really can't beat bananas for the convenience. And include some yogurt or a cheese stick or a hard-boiled (cage-free) egg. They're all quite filling and super easy to get together. 

I've realized that something I really like in the morning is juice. So I'm going to try juice boxes (I definitely had those Tropicana ones when I was in school) and filling a bottle from larger containers.  

I love Trader Joe's so much. I am most sad that there isn't a Trader Joe's closer to me. 

Is this me becoming a grown up while planning snacks like I had in elementary school? (Ironically enough, I always hated most of these things when I was young. Most days I would bring back my whole lunch bag uneaten.) But then, if I don't have plans at night, I normally justify having pizza or something terrible for me by thinking about what I had during the day. (Or a frozen meal.) So... meal planning is obviously not quite there yet. I suppose a next challenge would be figuring out how much I spend on food... One thing at a time.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

Misadventures in Renting: 1

I can get a bit neurotic about cleanliness, which has led to some interesting situations (for me) over the past year or so as I’ve ventured more into the “real world” and had to deal with renting and living with others. (Actually, today is the one year anniversary of when I moved into my last sublet in NY. That was quite terrible in terms of cleanliness.) And by interesting, I mean I go into cleaning frenzies and try to schedule them when others in the apartment/house aren’t home so they don’t feel awkward/think I’m insane.

Right now, I’m renting a bedroom (with private bathroom, thank goodness) in a townhouse. Now, the landlady is really nice, and she got a cleaning crew to come in before I moved in. This may sound terrible, but I have yet to encounter a cleaning crew that lived up to my expectations. So before I am willing to put away or use anything, I have to wash (and maybe rewash) everything.

I’ve been here for one week. The last few days, I’ve been washing the dish-ware and utensils in her cabinets and drawers. (It’s terrible. I’ve seen water and food stains on more than one.) I’m not content to just wash what I use, so I literally wash them all. And when the shelf/drawer is empty, I sanitize it. (So much dust and food bits and stains and goodness knows what else.) At first I was doing it by hand, but I’ve just started doing loads in the dishwasher. I feel a bit deceptive, though, cause I always do it when I know she’s still at work and I watch the clock if it’s getting too late. 

I’ve also washed (and rewashed) the bathmats that she had available in my bathroom. Those were super gross, so I put them through two hot water washes. 

I know it’s a bit weird, but I honestly find this to be really satisfying and sort of fun. And when I’m done, I feel more comfortable about living here and using everything. I wonder if she notices things getting cleaner, though. Or how much faster she's running out of sanitizing wipes. 

Anyways, all of this has led me to realize that, whatever comes next, I need to have a place of my own. So I can clean and organize to my heart's content.

[mythoughtsandfancies]

If I have to travel 45 minutes to get to Sephora, I'm going to make it worth my while. Or so I tell myself.