Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Wednesday Hodgepodge


1. What's something you're dealing with that might be described as tricky?
Blisters on my feet. Last week I had to power walk across 3 giant sized parking lots to my job interview because the bus driver decided to change the route, so instead of arriving early, I arrived just on time sweating and out of breath. The shoes I was wearing weren't all that comfortable, but they looked professional. That night when I took my socks off I found almost dime-sized blisters on the backs of my heals. And then I had an 8 hour day on Wednesday. The rest of the week, I had bandaids on them. Sunday, I decided I didn't need the band aids and left them off, and then mowed the lawn in bad shoes and aggravated them again. Today, I had another interview and better shoes, but not good shoes and aggravated one of them again, and developed one on the bottom of my foot, and tomorrow I have an 8 hour day. I think I will just be wearing band aids on my heels for the rest of my life.
2. What's your treat of choice?
Any kind of treat? Ice cream. I used to not like ice cream in the winter, but sometimes it just hits the spot. I try to have some in my freezer all year long.
3. Did you/will you carve a jack-o-lantern this month? Which real (living or dead) or fictional 'Jack' would you most like to meet in person? Why?
I don't carve pumpkins, I don't recall if we did it when I was young or not. I know one year, I tried to convince my ex to do it, but he didn't want to. No one comes to mind.
4. In your opinion, what's the grossest sounding word in the English language?
How about pus? That goes along with #1.
5. When did your heart last skip a beat?
Tonight when I was watching World War Z. Not so much because the zombies bothered me, I feel I've seen all the recent zombie movies, so they don't scare me, more because they'd make a sound, and I was afraid the zombies would hear it and come for them.
6. Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Picket, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, or Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters...your favorite 'scary' tune?
Totally Thriller, the music video for that is great. I love how you can hear all the sound effects in the song as well.
7. It was a dark and stormy night when______________________________.
I was born. It was, I swear. There were tornado warnings going off, they had to move my mother to the basement, so when my dad came back from checking on my brother he couldn't find her. Why do you think my name's Wendy?
It's not actually night now, but it is turning out to be a dark and stormy day. As I'm sitting here, it's getting darker, which of course I didn't notice, and I can hear the thunder. As long as it stops in half an hour when I have to leave for work, I'm good with it.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm trying to figure out if I should be:
A. Batgirl
B. Lost and Found
C. Instant Witch

I'm leaning toward Batgirl, basically it's just a Batman T-shirt I have with a blue skirt, grey leggings, and blue flats and maybe a cape.
Lost and found would be random things taped to my clothing
Instant witch: i have a shirt that says "Instant witch just add candy" I figured I could tape candy to myself.

I wanted to do the Batgirl thing last year, but I thought no one would really get it, so I just wore the witch shirt, a black skirt and a witch hat. I told my friend about my Batgirl costume and she said I should have worn it. Originally, I wasn't scheduled for Halloween, but I took someone else's shift, so now I am, and working at a library where everyone else will dress up, I feel I should, plus how many times do you get to wear a costume to work?

Friday, October 25, 2013

My week

I stepped a little more out of my comfort zone today and applied for 2 jobs. They're both jobs I want to do, I just wish I could make enough money to live on at the jobs I have already. I'm also hoping that if I get any of these jobs, I can fit them in with the other ones I have, I'd really like to not have to quit any of my jobs, but I'm flexible.
I wanna go spend some money now.
Tuesday, I planned my trip to my job interview so I would get there a little early. So, I got on the bus, anticipating to get off at the stadium and then it turned off it's route and went a different way. I had to make a 20 minute relaxing walk into a 15 minute hurried walk. I chose to wear an older pair of shoes because they looked nice. When I got home and took off my shoes that night, I had dime-sized blisters on the backs of both heels. And then standing for 8 hours on Wednesday, my feet hurt sooo much. Those shoes are in the trash. I think I've mostly recovered after doing pretty much nothing yesterday.
I'm not entirely sure how the interview went. I feel like I didn't do very well, but my friend said most people feel like that. I was discussing it with one of my lead workers on Wednesday, and realized I haven't had very many interviews where they didn't tell me they were going to hire me. That's pretty good luck there. My first job was delivering papers, that's not hard to get into. I have had 3 jobs that I've left, one I graduated college, so I couldn't work there anymore, the other two the store closed.
Onto other things....
I want to do a Halloween swap. I want to send fun things to someone and get something fun in return. I realize it's less than a week until Halloween, but would anyone want to do this with me?
I feel so deprived of swaps lately. I wanna do some.

And here's a nice picture for reading:
This was my lunch yesterday: a salmon, mushroom and cheese omelet. It was cleaning out the refrigerator day.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Wednesday Hodgepodge time, head on over to Joyce's blog to read more.
1. When it comes to good manners, what two top your list of most important?
Being on time, I hate it when I have to wait for people, I have a tendency to about 5-10 minutes early. Not checking your electronic devices when you're out with people. It's becoming normal lately to have cell phones out all the time, even when you're having supper with people. It's kinda annoying when you're trying to spend time with someone, and they keep checking their cell phone.
2. Let's open a proverbial can of worms...Common Core. Are you familiar with the term (talking education reform in the USA)? If so, care to share your thoughts? In your opinion, what is one of the biggest issues schools (in your home country) face today?
I am not familiar with that term, but I think writing is pretty important. With people being on computers so much, it seems people have a hard time writing legibly or even just writing at all. I spend a lot of time on the computer, but I still have to write things down in my job, it helps if other people can actually read them.
3. Name a celebrity whose fashion sense you admire and share why.
I don't pay attention to celebrities fashions.
4. How are you affected by the changing seasons?
The cold weather throws me off. My body hasn't gotten used to the colder temperatures yet, or it warms back up and really screws things up. I love the warmer weather but when we're at the in between time (now), I find it very hard to plan for the weather. Today, the high is in the 40's but we're supposed to get a rain/snow mix for most of the day.
5. Scariest book you've ever read?
I don't read a lot of fiction. There was a story in one book that I find scary/sad. It was about this guy who is at a park and starts freaking out about not seeing his kid. The cops come, search the park, and watch security cameras to find out that the guy came alone, so they go to his house. There they find nothing to show a kid had been there for about 3 days, and they find brain matter and blood in the drains. Turns out the guy's upstairs, comes down to find the neighbor's dog eating the kid. He chases the dog out, sees how messed up the kid is and decides to end his pain by chopping his head off, only he can't do it all the way, so he lets the dog back in to finish the job. Sounds like a horror story, right, CSI even based an episode off of it, it's a true story. True life is so much scarier/messed up than fiction.
6. What time of day are you most hungry? What's your go-to snack?
Usually mid afternoon. I'm generally at work, so I have string cheese. I try not to have snack food at home, it's generally junk food and I will sit there and eat the whole bag.
7. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others?
I try/and think I'm really independent, but with this whole move thing coming up, I've had to look for apartments, and I have found if I was actually paying rent here, I'd have to make so much more money. I pay for everything except rent, so I guess I'm kinda independent.
I don't like needy people, I notice it most when they're sick, lots of people complain and want pity. I don't get babied when I'm sick, so it really annoys me when people whine about being sick. I just deal with things when I don't get my way. I also adapt well, we had to figure out our strengths at work with a survey/questionnaire, one of mine was adaptation, and I find this to be very true. I may not like change, but I adapt to things very well.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
On that whole money/apartment thing. I've started looking at listings this week. I've been finding things I like, but I don't make near enough money for them. And by looking at other listings, I think what I can afford at this moment isn't going to give me what I want. Isn't that how life always is?
I started looking at places out of my comfort zone, in other parts of the city and I found something I really like with laundry facilities (one of my needs, I've decided), and It's a little out of my price range. I have been applying for some more jobs this week, something else I don't really want to do, but it's something I need to do. I'm trying to push my comfort zone, maybe I'll find something really great, and then be really happy.
I really do hate change, I got so comfortable here. I have so much stuff also. Way too much stuff, I realize this, but how do you really decide what to get rid of?
So much is going on in my mind lately, I wish I could get away from all of it.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

It's Holiday Fair time

Today, I went to a couple of holiday fairs put on by churches. I didn't find a lot to buy, but it was fun.
 A lace wrapped pumpkin (it looks very velvety in this picture for some reason), some Dutch letter bars, a cereal mix, an owl jar, and some cereal clusters
An owl bag, another cereal mix, an angry Santa, applesauce muffins, hankies and dessert napkins.

As you can see I mainly bought baked goods.

The rest of my day is pretty busy, I have to work, and then I'm going to a trivia event later tonight.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I want to thank Joyce for putting these questions together. Go to her blog, and see what everyone else has to say.

1. What was your biggest worry five years ago? Is it still a worry?
That would have been 2008, I'm not entirely sure. I know I had a job and a boyfriend, so I was probably pretty happy with my life.
2. Yesterday (October 15th) was National Grouch Day...what makes you grouchy? What cheers you up when you're feeling grouchy?
People doing stupid things. I work with the public and sometimes their excuses for things are just horrible. Or people ignoring me when I'm a pedestrian. Yesterday, I was walking to work, crossing a street where the cars had a stop sign and I had right of way. This SUV pulls right up and stops over the crosswalk, as she stopped she saw me and I gave her a dirty look. She was sorry, but if she's not paying attention to me on the road, what else isn't she paying attention to?
And once again, people cheer me up. Working with the public, I get all kinds, but one customer can annoy me, and sometimes the next one will make me very happy.
3. In one word, how does it feel to be photographed?
Annoying. I don't like to be photographed, I don't like how I look, so I don't want it to be kept forever.
4. Besides your parents, who would you say had the greatest influence on you in choosing your life path? Explain.
I'm not entirely sure anyone does, even my parents. I don't seem to be doing what they wish I was doing. All my jobs that I have now, I basically picked up because I needed the money, but the longer I work at them, the more I love them. Of course, I'm not entirely sure what my life path is anyway, so...
5. The crisp days of autumn are here ...what's something you like to eat, but only if it's crisp?
I don't know. I don't think of food as crisp.
6. What's the most useless object you own?
Most of the knick knacks I have around my apartment are useless. Since, I will be moving, I've been thinking I have too much stuff and I see all these things I could get rid of, I want to get rid of, but I don't do it.
7. Share a favorite fall memory.
My grandma's birthday is October 15th, and for as long as I can remember it's been one of those holidays we make sure we get together for. So, all my cousins and aunts and uncles and children on my mom's side of the family get together. We used to do it at my aunt's house, but our clan has gotten to big to do it at anyone's house and now that my grandma is in a nursing home, we have it close to her.
I remember one year, we had a hay ride. My mom's family lives mosly in the country around Iowa. So, we got to go on back country roads and see the changing colors on the trees.
This year, she turned 97. I wonder how many more we'll get to celebrate.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I applied for another job last week, next Tuesday I have an interview. I'm really excited, I'd like to work at this place. It's been so long since I've been to a job interview, I'm not sure what to wear or what I should prepare for. Normally I'd tell my parents, but they've been on me about things, and I really don't want to share with them.
I'm also planning to apply to another place in town that just opened up, I'd like to work at this place too, but I'm not sure if I can fit all my jobs together as well as I can now if I get another one. I'd love to, because I love all my jobs, but I might have to get rid of one.
I've been coming to terms with the fact that I'll have to move. My parents suggested renting my apartment from the next owners, but I wouldn't have laundry facilities if I did that. That's my biggest worry, there's only one laundromat in town and it's way on the other side of town. I just don't want to deal with all this. I wanna bury my head in the sand and ignore it.

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

It's that time again


1. The USA will mark Columbus Day this year on Monday, October 14th. What's something you need or want to explore (literally or metaphorically speaking)?
new job and new living possibilities
2. The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, or Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty...who do you most love to hate?
Totally Ursula
3. Is open-mindedness a virtue?
Virtue is about morals, I think people should be open-minded about other people's morals. Ok, I really have no answer for this, I have so much on my mind right now. Today is laundry day, so I'm thinking about that, plus sharing one of my cool pieces of artwork with one of my bosses, plus buying more bus passes, and my job, and this weekend, and my living situation, and the holidays. I have so many things on my mind. I really don't want to think about this question.
4. How often do you weigh yourself?
Most likely once a month. I know there's a little extra on me, but I'm too lazy to exercise more and too whatever to eat healthier.
5. This question comes to you courtesy of Rebecca over at Making Memories, so thanks Rebecca!
Costa Rica was recently named the happiest country in the world on the Happy Planet Index. What's the happiest country in the world to you, and what makes it so?
Peopl who are happy with most aspects of their lives (I'm not entirely sure you can be happy with everything) and who try to spread their happiness with other people. I haven't been outside the US, so I don't know what would be the happiest country.
6. Besides The Bible, what is one book you think should be mandatory reading for high school students? Why?
How about A Brave New World or 1984, just so people can see how the world might get. I recently read 1984, that's a weird world, but I could see it. Having your every move watched, and then changing you if they think you're doing something wrong.
7. I went shopping at some nearby outlets last week, and while I was there, I picked up a couple of Christmas gifts. How about you? Have you started your holiday shopping yet?
My holiday shopping generally starts in January. I find it easier to look for things throughout the year. That being said, I actually didn't start until this summer. I've been picking things up at garage sales. My dad is the worst to shop for, I'll probably end up contributing money to a shared gift. After years of watching my parents get so stressed over last minute shopping, when I started shopping, I decided I wouldn't do that. Also, after spending tons of money every year on more stuff for people, I told my family last year, I wouldn't be spending as much, they would probably be getting small presents this year.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I have two.
There's a reorganization of roles at my job coming up soon and I'm afraid I might have to quit and get a full time job elsewhere. I guess the events of late just prove you shouldn't get too settled into anything. I had hit the point in my life where I loved my job a little too early, so I think I'll have to get to the point where I'm ok with my job but I'm making enough money.
I signed up for a fall swap last week because I love swapping things with people. Unfortunately the swap disappeared, and I really want to swap with someone. Anyone wanna do a swap with me?

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Wednesday Hodgepodge


1. What's one thing you learned in September?
Go the extra mile, it makes people happy and doesn't give me more work
2. Acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, yellow squash, zucchini squash, or blech! hold the squash... what's your favorite squash? What's your favorite way to prepare your favorite squash?
I don't eat squash
3. The older I get the_______________________________.
less my body works like I want it to
4. What's your favorite television theme song ever?
Cheers, I have the long version on my Ipod and every time it comes on I have to stop and listen to the whole thing
5. What do you wish you'd spent more time doing five years ago?
Working, actually saving my money better and not spending/buying things I didn't need
6. What item do you most need (or want) to add to your wardrobe this fall?
Leggings
7. On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts cartoon was introduced to the world. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
My first thought was Garfield, and then I re-read the question and noticed it said cartoon, not comic.
Transformers. I love seeing them being changed into movies. My brother had all the toys from an older version and then a newer version, and it's so interesting how the toys and cartoon are so different from the movie.
X-Men, I have the theme song for that on my Ipod as well, I can remember which character is on the screen during each part of it. I also love how it's been turned into a movie, though I can't say I like the third one, or the new Wolverine movie.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I've decided I have too much stuff. I have to move someday, and laying on my couch staring at my apartment, I just keep thinking I don't need 90% of this stuff. I don't want to go through the effort of doing a garage sale though. I have not bought any material stuff since this revelation, and have decided when I go to a garage sale, I'm only buying things for gifts. I only bought three packs of paper at the Octagon Art Festival (a local festival with about 200 artists selling their work), I couldn't find anything I really wanted to spend my money on.
I need to save money, which I'm doing a good job at so far, but it's weird not buying things I don't need. There is a local garage sale tomorrow, plus I have an annual church thing I go to, so we'll see how this not spending money works for that.
I also might have to find a new job because of this blow of information I learned a few weeks ago, I'm not looking forward to that.