I am in the full swing of things with classes right now and boy are they challenging. One class is particularly rough and is keeping me busy. For the first assignment I worked continuously on it for ten days just to hand something in. Because of the time consuming nature of the homework I was a little anxious about this week since I would have not only this classes homework due but also the other class's hw.
Surprisingly though, it was all pretty manageable. The one problem I had was that I had to remember how to code in Matlab. And by remember I mean learn because even though I thought I had learned Matlab before I definetly hadn't. The coding I was doing was terrible. I kept on getting these infinite loops which freeze my computer and make me very upset. I was trudging away at all of this in the lounge on campus when I talked to my friend Briana. She lives about an hour away from me and she had the great idea of going to get sushi. I told her I just wanted to work on the program for a little while longer and then I would head out. I was getting pretty frustrated when suddenly I heard the magical voices of two males disputing the null hypothesis of a statistical inference. If they knew what a null hypothesis was then they probably knew a little about Matlab too. So I turned around and explained to them my problem and asked if they could help. One of them said that they knew the code and could email it to me. Sweet! I am getting homework and help and meeting more people on campus. Now that's multitasking.
I packed up my belongings and headed out to Fusion Sushi in Manhattan Beach and ate until my stomach hurt. And since Briana is a happy enabler of my need for material items we then went to ikea where I bought a really sweet chair. Then I decided that I needed a flat screen tv. Off we went to Circuit City. There was a really good one on sale but of course the Circuit City we were at was out of stock. Have no fear, Briana is on a mission. We hop in the car, find the nearest Circuit City, and buy me a new tv 2 minutes before closing. Now that's shopping.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
And Another Week Down
This week was the first full week for me, I went to class and worked 20 hours. Since I have both of my classes on Monday I basically spend the rest of the week doing the homework. I am putting a lot of effort into this first homework because I want to make sure my proofs are right. This homework is kind of like my first impression on the professor. He's heard me talk about math experience and now it's time for me to show it. I know, I know, it's just one homework assignment, but this is me and this is how I roll.
My job is pretty great. For fifteen hours of the week I just get to mess around a computer looking for articles and burning picture cds whenever anybody asks. The other five I do filing and apparently I am really good at it. The other intern went up to the boss and mentioned how fast I was. Who knew that was something I could put on my resume? Really fast filer.
The only downside to the job is that I have to dress up. By dress up I mean no jeans, no plaid shorts, no t-shirts. I have come a long way from 365 in '05*.
Tomorrow I am going to the LA County Fair again. This time I am going to try fried coke (the soda not the controlled substance; no Hollywood nose bleeds for me thanks). OH and I signed up for Yoga classes. The first one is next Wednesday...I will let you know how that goes...let's just say I'll be taking bean-o to circumvent my fears.
*365 in '05 was a dream of mine for my senior year of college. I hated to doing laundry throughout my undergrad. You never knew who was peeing or puking in the machines the night before. It got to the point that I would go an entire semester without doing laundry. If I ran out of something, like socks, I would just buy more. I also have a love of free t-shirts. Part of the reason I became an RA was because I knew that I would get lots of free t-shirts. I volunteered because each new project usually meant a free t-shirt. Let me break the math down for you:
Hatred of Laundry + Love of Free T-Shirts = 365 in '05,
an idea that I would wear a different t-shirt everyday for the entire year of 2005. The stipulation was that these t-shirts had to be free or bought at a salvation army. I did manage to acquire about 100 t-shirts but then a lack of closet space and a love for certain t-shirts caused me to stop the campaign.
My job is pretty great. For fifteen hours of the week I just get to mess around a computer looking for articles and burning picture cds whenever anybody asks. The other five I do filing and apparently I am really good at it. The other intern went up to the boss and mentioned how fast I was. Who knew that was something I could put on my resume? Really fast filer.
The only downside to the job is that I have to dress up. By dress up I mean no jeans, no plaid shorts, no t-shirts. I have come a long way from 365 in '05*.
Tomorrow I am going to the LA County Fair again. This time I am going to try fried coke (the soda not the controlled substance; no Hollywood nose bleeds for me thanks). OH and I signed up for Yoga classes. The first one is next Wednesday...I will let you know how that goes...let's just say I'll be taking bean-o to circumvent my fears.
*365 in '05 was a dream of mine for my senior year of college. I hated to doing laundry throughout my undergrad. You never knew who was peeing or puking in the machines the night before. It got to the point that I would go an entire semester without doing laundry. If I ran out of something, like socks, I would just buy more. I also have a love of free t-shirts. Part of the reason I became an RA was because I knew that I would get lots of free t-shirts. I volunteered because each new project usually meant a free t-shirt. Let me break the math down for you:
Hatred of Laundry + Love of Free T-Shirts = 365 in '05,
an idea that I would wear a different t-shirt everyday for the entire year of 2005. The stipulation was that these t-shirts had to be free or bought at a salvation army. I did manage to acquire about 100 t-shirts but then a lack of closet space and a love for certain t-shirts caused me to stop the campaign.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Things I love right now
Private Schools:
They apologized for making me wait five minutes to see a financial aid officer AND they gave me a cookie while I waited. Then I actually met with the woman and she knew my name and pointed me into the direction of where I could find a job on campus. Poof! Two days later I am employed.
I work for the Office of Communications and primary job is to search the web for stories that mention CGU or any of our professors. I also upkeep their photo database and provide the photos for the brochures and things that are made for the campus. I also get to help proof read the university magazine and apparently I might have to write for it too (yikes). The people are ok. They are a little stand-offish right now but I think what it is is that they are just low key people who don't talk a lot, boy are they in for a surprise with me. Everyone working there is a student which means they are really flexible around class schedules, always a bonus.
BBQs at Private Schools:
Yeah the burgers were burnt and the cookies were a little stale, but there was beer! and wine! As much of it that you wanted to drink for free! I also got to meet some more people on campus. Everyone seems really nice and a lot of people are in the same boat that I am in, just adjusting to moving here and trying to find our respective niches. It's always good to have a few more people know your name.
My Landlady:
She hasn't rented her house out before and you can tell. She's trying to find that line between hovering mother and responsible landlady. I didn't come home one night and she told me the next day that she decided not to worry unless I didn't come home for three days in a row. I told her I appreciate her worry and her restraint on panicking. All I can picture now is me out and about and she frantically calling Jersey saying I am lost. Oy.
She also is on every health kick published on the internet. She bought this jug of Aloe Juice. I thought it was something that you pour down clogged drains but apparently you drink it to encourage something or other in your body. I watched her drink it and let me tell you, it did not look appetizing. It looked like she just too her first tequila shot of the night. A day later she sent me an email about the bad effects of sodium benzoate which is in the lovely diet soda that I drink constantly. Fortunately, sodium benzoate is also in that aloe juice so she had a reason to throw the jug out without drinking the whole nasty substance.
TiVo:
I've always loved tivo but now I have one of my very own.
Beaches:
They are everywhere! I got to make my own work schedule and it just so happens that I get off of work by noon on Fridays. Thus Friday is my beach day. I got to the beach, sleep, tan, read, do anything I want. It's pretty glorious. The great weather everyday isn't bad either, I try to spend a couple of hours outside everyday. There's this great walking trail right by the house that I've been using that's pretty good. I don't mind exercising, as long as I am getting a tan to boot.
Oh and I guess classes:
My classes seem pretty interesting. They are def going to be challenging but I think(hope) I can do it. The profs seem really accessible so I just need to utilize them. I am taking two classes, both are stats and one has to do with using stats to predict the functions of certain molecules in the body based on their molecular composition. It sounds pretty interesting.
I guess you can say I am settling in quite nicely.
They apologized for making me wait five minutes to see a financial aid officer AND they gave me a cookie while I waited. Then I actually met with the woman and she knew my name and pointed me into the direction of where I could find a job on campus. Poof! Two days later I am employed.
I work for the Office of Communications and primary job is to search the web for stories that mention CGU or any of our professors. I also upkeep their photo database and provide the photos for the brochures and things that are made for the campus. I also get to help proof read the university magazine and apparently I might have to write for it too (yikes). The people are ok. They are a little stand-offish right now but I think what it is is that they are just low key people who don't talk a lot, boy are they in for a surprise with me. Everyone working there is a student which means they are really flexible around class schedules, always a bonus.
BBQs at Private Schools:
Yeah the burgers were burnt and the cookies were a little stale, but there was beer! and wine! As much of it that you wanted to drink for free! I also got to meet some more people on campus. Everyone seems really nice and a lot of people are in the same boat that I am in, just adjusting to moving here and trying to find our respective niches. It's always good to have a few more people know your name.
My Landlady:
She hasn't rented her house out before and you can tell. She's trying to find that line between hovering mother and responsible landlady. I didn't come home one night and she told me the next day that she decided not to worry unless I didn't come home for three days in a row. I told her I appreciate her worry and her restraint on panicking. All I can picture now is me out and about and she frantically calling Jersey saying I am lost. Oy.
She also is on every health kick published on the internet. She bought this jug of Aloe Juice. I thought it was something that you pour down clogged drains but apparently you drink it to encourage something or other in your body. I watched her drink it and let me tell you, it did not look appetizing. It looked like she just too her first tequila shot of the night. A day later she sent me an email about the bad effects of sodium benzoate which is in the lovely diet soda that I drink constantly. Fortunately, sodium benzoate is also in that aloe juice so she had a reason to throw the jug out without drinking the whole nasty substance.
TiVo:
I've always loved tivo but now I have one of my very own.
Beaches:
They are everywhere! I got to make my own work schedule and it just so happens that I get off of work by noon on Fridays. Thus Friday is my beach day. I got to the beach, sleep, tan, read, do anything I want. It's pretty glorious. The great weather everyday isn't bad either, I try to spend a couple of hours outside everyday. There's this great walking trail right by the house that I've been using that's pretty good. I don't mind exercising, as long as I am getting a tan to boot.
Oh and I guess classes:
My classes seem pretty interesting. They are def going to be challenging but I think(hope) I can do it. The profs seem really accessible so I just need to utilize them. I am taking two classes, both are stats and one has to do with using stats to predict the functions of certain molecules in the body based on their molecular composition. It sounds pretty interesting.
I guess you can say I am settling in quite nicely.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
It's my turn
Meryl and Harold are back on the east coast and not sweating nearly as much as they were this past week. They picked me up at the airport on Tuesday and since then it's been a whirlwind. I will let them fill everyone in on our sightseeing adventures.
The first thing we did was go to the house where I am renting a room. I found the room for rent online and agreed to rent it sight unseen. Needless to say I was pretty anxious about finally seeing it. The move has been pretty effortless on my part so I was waiting for the downside, such as I mistakenly rented a room in a crack den and my room would be a cardboard box. Luckily this was not the case. The house is beautiful, a typical California ranch, and my room is pretty awesome. I knew it was fully furnished, one of its major selling points, but what I didn't know was that my landlady was nice enough to supply me with pillows, sheets, and a comforter,...and a tv....and satelitte connection...and a dvd player....and a walk in closet. Whoo hoo!! I was relieved.
The people I am sharing the house with are pretty cool. One is a junior and the other is a senior at undergrad. Then there's my landlady and the two dogs. It's pretty cozy. I only share a bathroom with one other person which is really nice. All in all, as of right now, I really lucked out.
My parents met my landlady, Kim, and they really liked her. When my mom got up from the couch she did her typical "Oy". Later that night Kim knocked on my door and asked me some random question then she hesitated and asked "are you Jewish?" I replied my usual way where i say it's kind of complicated and that my mom is Jewish but I was baptised and confirmed Christian but we basically still celebrate everything. She then told me that she is Jewish and that maybe that would make my mom feel better about leaving me here. ha! so cute.
I've been to orientation and have already picked classes. I am taking two classes and they are both on Monday and since this past Monday was labor day I don't have classes until next Monday, pretty sweet. Now the question is what to do with my time? I have thought about walking around with a sandwich board around my neck that reads "From New Jersey, need friends." but I decided that that is pretty tacky and ranks up there with the time my parents walked around a store up at UMass and shouted "This is our daughter, will you be her friend?" Instead I will bide my time looking for a job AND laying on the beach. We are in the middle of a heat wave right now...It hasn't been under 100 degrees since I got here so I am either in air conditioning or driving to the coast, where it is at least 20 degrees cooler, no lie.
I am still trying to work out the internet kinks at the house so my access is spotty at best but that should be figured out by the end of this week. Miss me lots!
The first thing we did was go to the house where I am renting a room. I found the room for rent online and agreed to rent it sight unseen. Needless to say I was pretty anxious about finally seeing it. The move has been pretty effortless on my part so I was waiting for the downside, such as I mistakenly rented a room in a crack den and my room would be a cardboard box. Luckily this was not the case. The house is beautiful, a typical California ranch, and my room is pretty awesome. I knew it was fully furnished, one of its major selling points, but what I didn't know was that my landlady was nice enough to supply me with pillows, sheets, and a comforter,...and a tv....and satelitte connection...and a dvd player....and a walk in closet. Whoo hoo!! I was relieved.
The people I am sharing the house with are pretty cool. One is a junior and the other is a senior at undergrad. Then there's my landlady and the two dogs. It's pretty cozy. I only share a bathroom with one other person which is really nice. All in all, as of right now, I really lucked out.
My parents met my landlady, Kim, and they really liked her. When my mom got up from the couch she did her typical "Oy". Later that night Kim knocked on my door and asked me some random question then she hesitated and asked "are you Jewish?" I replied my usual way where i say it's kind of complicated and that my mom is Jewish but I was baptised and confirmed Christian but we basically still celebrate everything. She then told me that she is Jewish and that maybe that would make my mom feel better about leaving me here. ha! so cute.
I've been to orientation and have already picked classes. I am taking two classes and they are both on Monday and since this past Monday was labor day I don't have classes until next Monday, pretty sweet. Now the question is what to do with my time? I have thought about walking around with a sandwich board around my neck that reads "From New Jersey, need friends." but I decided that that is pretty tacky and ranks up there with the time my parents walked around a store up at UMass and shouted "This is our daughter, will you be her friend?" Instead I will bide my time looking for a job AND laying on the beach. We are in the middle of a heat wave right now...It hasn't been under 100 degrees since I got here so I am either in air conditioning or driving to the coast, where it is at least 20 degrees cooler, no lie.
I am still trying to work out the internet kinks at the house so my access is spotty at best but that should be figured out by the end of this week. Miss me lots!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Meryl & Harold Road Trip - What stays in Vegas
Well, some of you may have noticed it has been a couple of days (nights) since our last blog. We busted our horns driving 13 hours on Thursday so we only had a 5 hour drive on Friday to reach LAS VEGAS. And after checking in to the Excelsior (don't do it), we found there is a $13.95 charge to connect to the secure internet. Being extremely cheap, I decide you would just have to wait to read about our further adventures.
After checking in, Meryl's stomach started acting up. We decide to try a buffet in the hotel for dinner. It turned out the only thing Meryl was able to eat was Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream, go figure. $15.99 for dessert (notice a pattern). We walked around the casino for a bit and decided it was like being in Disney World on Steroids.
Saturday morning Meryl is reading this Entertainment Magizine and sees that Earth, Wind & Fire are playing at the Hilton that night. She then recalls her former coworker, Darryl, was supposed to go with them as their road manager. So she finds his phone number and when he answers asked him where he was. "Vegas," he replied. "Me too," she says. Turns out he could have gotten us front row seats BUT I had already purchased 2 tickets for Penn & Teller for that night.
So what the heck, we'll meet up with him after the show. The Penn & Teller show is at the Rio, so we decide to go there for dinner so we can pick up our tickets 1 hour before the show starts at 9:00. Meryl's stomach still beibg a bit squeamish, we go to the All American Cafe at the Rio for a $9.95 Burger. While we are waiting, we go through the casino and they have a show in the middle of it. Blaring music male dancers with no shirts, female dancers in skimpy costumes, and Mardi Gras floats moving along tracks from the ceiling.
Penn & Teller put on a great show. A lot of laughs, magic tricks, and some pointed observations. And they take pictures with any and all as the audience leaves. We then go over to the Hilton and meet up with Darryl around 11:30. All the shows have ended so we go to a Deli/Diner for some desserts. Next thing we know its 1:30 am. Those of you who know Meryl know this is way past her bed time.
As we are heading up to our room, one of the guards mentions to us that Sunday morning check out at 11:00am is a mad house. And leads to a huge amount of traffic on I15 headind south to California. So with this in mind we get up aand check out by 8:00am. We get on the road, and there is some traffic but we are traveling across the Mojave at the 75MPH speed limit, which is sweet. We made it to our next and last Holiday Inn in Corona California. And here we shall stay for the rest of the week.
Oh, and by now you should have figured out that what stays in Vegas is your money. We played a couple of slots. Quarters, Nickels, and even Penny. And I won. I even have a pay-out ticket to prove that I, Harold the cheap, won 4 cents on a penny slot.
After checking in, Meryl's stomach started acting up. We decide to try a buffet in the hotel for dinner. It turned out the only thing Meryl was able to eat was Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream, go figure. $15.99 for dessert (notice a pattern). We walked around the casino for a bit and decided it was like being in Disney World on Steroids.
Saturday morning Meryl is reading this Entertainment Magizine and sees that Earth, Wind & Fire are playing at the Hilton that night. She then recalls her former coworker, Darryl, was supposed to go with them as their road manager. So she finds his phone number and when he answers asked him where he was. "Vegas," he replied. "Me too," she says. Turns out he could have gotten us front row seats BUT I had already purchased 2 tickets for Penn & Teller for that night.
So what the heck, we'll meet up with him after the show. The Penn & Teller show is at the Rio, so we decide to go there for dinner so we can pick up our tickets 1 hour before the show starts at 9:00. Meryl's stomach still beibg a bit squeamish, we go to the All American Cafe at the Rio for a $9.95 Burger. While we are waiting, we go through the casino and they have a show in the middle of it. Blaring music male dancers with no shirts, female dancers in skimpy costumes, and Mardi Gras floats moving along tracks from the ceiling.
Penn & Teller put on a great show. A lot of laughs, magic tricks, and some pointed observations. And they take pictures with any and all as the audience leaves. We then go over to the Hilton and meet up with Darryl around 11:30. All the shows have ended so we go to a Deli/Diner for some desserts. Next thing we know its 1:30 am. Those of you who know Meryl know this is way past her bed time.
As we are heading up to our room, one of the guards mentions to us that Sunday morning check out at 11:00am is a mad house. And leads to a huge amount of traffic on I15 headind south to California. So with this in mind we get up aand check out by 8:00am. We get on the road, and there is some traffic but we are traveling across the Mojave at the 75MPH speed limit, which is sweet. We made it to our next and last Holiday Inn in Corona California. And here we shall stay for the rest of the week.
Oh, and by now you should have figured out that what stays in Vegas is your money. We played a couple of slots. Quarters, Nickels, and even Penny. And I won. I even have a pay-out ticket to prove that I, Harold the cheap, won 4 cents on a penny slot.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Road Trip - We're Not In Kansas Anymore
So, last night we checked into a HOLIDAY INN across the road from Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. Who knew it was not in Kansas but in Missouri. Anyway, Meryl and I decided we would add a couple of hours and miles to today's drive. We figured we would drive through Denver and head on down to Grand Junction Colorado.
So we hit the rode at 7AM and headed west on I70. It was 15-20 minutes we were in Kansas, and began our big trek. Seven(7) hours later we were crossing into Colorado. Kansas you may have heard is flat. That does not tell you the truth. The eastern end of the state has some rolling hills, but by the time you are mid-way you realize the only time you are climbing any type of grade, it is for an over pass. I mean it was flat!
And another thing, it seems in the middle of these farms and cattle ranchs, at every cross roads about every 10-15 miles, there is an Adult Book store. And in the field behind each of these stores there is a billboard with a Bible quote about the evils of porn. As we were driving past one of these stores, the truck driver in front of us nearly ran off the road as he read they give a special discount to truckers with a certain type of license.
Anyway, we finally crossed over into Colorado. which is just as flat as Kansas on its eastern border. it then became rolling hills, which is what it was as we drove into Denver. Meryl was driving at that point. We had decided to switch every 2 hours, which was working pretty good. Then Meryl decided to drive through Denver. I think the 75 MPH Speed Limit had something to do with this.
WELL, the western side of Denver is right into the Rocky Mountains. She did pretty godd until we came to a down grade that had warnings for the trucker to put it into their lowest gear, that the grade was 7%, and winding. And we are in a rain storm at this point. About midway down I heard Meryl saying "oh, S**t!" As if answering her prayer an exit appeared and we were off the hill. At the traffic light at the bottom of the exit she asked me which way to turn, and I replied "I don't know. I've never been here before." Lucky, my door was locked because Ithink she would have left me there if she could have.
We changed positions and I took over the driving for the rest of the trip. All I can was is that I70 from Denver to Grand Junction is possibly the most beautiful road I have driven on. The roadway hugs the sides of canyons formed by a creek, then the Eagle River and then the Colorado. Denver is known as the Mile High City at 5,340 feet above sea level. The roadway climbed to 11,300 feet where we went through a tunnel and then began decending a 6% downgrade, without the rain this time. Beautiful.
So we hit the rode at 7AM and headed west on I70. It was 15-20 minutes we were in Kansas, and began our big trek. Seven(7) hours later we were crossing into Colorado. Kansas you may have heard is flat. That does not tell you the truth. The eastern end of the state has some rolling hills, but by the time you are mid-way you realize the only time you are climbing any type of grade, it is for an over pass. I mean it was flat!
And another thing, it seems in the middle of these farms and cattle ranchs, at every cross roads about every 10-15 miles, there is an Adult Book store. And in the field behind each of these stores there is a billboard with a Bible quote about the evils of porn. As we were driving past one of these stores, the truck driver in front of us nearly ran off the road as he read they give a special discount to truckers with a certain type of license.
Anyway, we finally crossed over into Colorado. which is just as flat as Kansas on its eastern border. it then became rolling hills, which is what it was as we drove into Denver. Meryl was driving at that point. We had decided to switch every 2 hours, which was working pretty good. Then Meryl decided to drive through Denver. I think the 75 MPH Speed Limit had something to do with this.
WELL, the western side of Denver is right into the Rocky Mountains. She did pretty godd until we came to a down grade that had warnings for the trucker to put it into their lowest gear, that the grade was 7%, and winding. And we are in a rain storm at this point. About midway down I heard Meryl saying "oh, S**t!" As if answering her prayer an exit appeared and we were off the hill. At the traffic light at the bottom of the exit she asked me which way to turn, and I replied "I don't know. I've never been here before." Lucky, my door was locked because Ithink she would have left me there if she could have.
We changed positions and I took over the driving for the rest of the trip. All I can was is that I70 from Denver to Grand Junction is possibly the most beautiful road I have driven on. The roadway hugs the sides of canyons formed by a creek, then the Eagle River and then the Colorado. Denver is known as the Mile High City at 5,340 feet above sea level. The roadway climbed to 11,300 feet where we went through a tunnel and then began decending a 6% downgrade, without the rain this time. Beautiful.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Meryl & Harold Take a Road Trip - Part Deux
Ok sooo to set the record striaight I read the stupid map...I gave Harold the name and exit to get off ONCE. Those of you that know Harold well , know that if yiou tell hi something more than once he tends to get a little testy...so I thought I was done and did go into my world.
Heres day two: We got up very early to get a jump on the day.I went to go take a shower and there was no hot water. To say the least I was not very happy and.............upon checking out voiced my concern about the lack of hot water. Moral those who complain necley don't get chrged for the night. ( Harold was vwerrrrry happy about that)
Our mission was to get to Kansas City. We left columbus around 7am ( Oh almost forgot I only had a 1/2 cup of coffee)
This part are for my two favorite ladies in Dayton Ohio. Harold said that we wouldn't be near Dayton. Guess what he was WRONG this morning we drove past Dayton. He feels very bad we would have loved to have dinner with you two. Hope all is well and that you love being home.
On with the story: Harold started driving, so,, around 10 I started whining coffee (thank goodness we needed to get gas so we stopped and again I was very Happy. I then took over driving we drove from Ohio thru West Virgina (speed Limit 75 miles an hour Yippeee, Indiana, Illionois, Missouri ONLY PROBLEM IS THE STATES KEPT CHANGING SPEED LIMITS. BUT THEY DIDN'T GET ME, I PAID ATTENTION!!! I got to drive on Route 66 how cool is that, then over the Mississippi River. It was really pretty uneventful. We are really having a good time and I can't believe we are getting the opportunity to drive cross country. We haven't even tried to drive off leaving one of us at the rest stop. So I think all in all we are getting along pretty good.
We arrived in Kansas. the hotel is right across the street from The Kansas City Chiefs football Stadium.We will be hitting the road again in the morning. I think Colorado is the next stop....but I have to check with my tour director.
Meryl,
Heres day two: We got up very early to get a jump on the day.I went to go take a shower and there was no hot water. To say the least I was not very happy and.............upon checking out voiced my concern about the lack of hot water. Moral those who complain necley don't get chrged for the night. ( Harold was vwerrrrry happy about that)
Our mission was to get to Kansas City. We left columbus around 7am ( Oh almost forgot I only had a 1/2 cup of coffee)
This part are for my two favorite ladies in Dayton Ohio. Harold said that we wouldn't be near Dayton. Guess what he was WRONG this morning we drove past Dayton. He feels very bad we would have loved to have dinner with you two. Hope all is well and that you love being home.
On with the story: Harold started driving, so,, around 10 I started whining coffee (thank goodness we needed to get gas so we stopped and again I was very Happy. I then took over driving we drove from Ohio thru West Virgina (speed Limit 75 miles an hour Yippeee, Indiana, Illionois, Missouri ONLY PROBLEM IS THE STATES KEPT CHANGING SPEED LIMITS. BUT THEY DIDN'T GET ME, I PAID ATTENTION!!! I got to drive on Route 66 how cool is that, then over the Mississippi River. It was really pretty uneventful. We are really having a good time and I can't believe we are getting the opportunity to drive cross country. We haven't even tried to drive off leaving one of us at the rest stop. So I think all in all we are getting along pretty good.
We arrived in Kansas. the hotel is right across the street from The Kansas City Chiefs football Stadium.We will be hitting the road again in the morning. I think Colorado is the next stop....but I have to check with my tour director.
Meryl,
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Meryl & Harold Take a Road Trip - In the Beginning
So, many of you know Elyse is enrolled in Grad School in California. Why you ask? Because she did not enough money to return to New Zealand, and California was as far away from us that she can go, without leaving the continental U.S. So I volunteered to drive her car, with all her worldly goods out to California, rather than having her make the drive by herself. But Meryl would not let me go by myself, She was afraid I would just buy a couple of bucket of KFC and drive straight through, as if. Anyway that is how Meryl and I came to be driving across the country, together, , , for a week, , , so we can be at the airport in Ontario CA when Eylse lands.
So today, August 21st, we left Middlesex at 7:00 AM. The middle of August is called the "Dog Days" because it is Hot and Humid. Except it was 58 degrees this morning and raining. As we drove through the mountains in Pennsylvania the clouds were so low we were above the rain and it was falling up!
So I am driving the first leg of the trip, and Meryl is so proud og herself because she has finally figured out how to read a road map. True it was a AAA Road Trip Map but she was reading it. And she knew what highway we were on, and which one we were looking for, and even knew the exit number. real good right. Except she took a side triop to "Meryl's World." You that place where the bunny rabbits all sit at the side of the road sign to you as you go by. So that is where Meryl was when I asked "What was the exit number again." She start fumbling with the papers and turns and points out the side window and says "That one."
Meryl of course denies this version of the events and will have her chance to tell her side of the story later. More to follow. - Harold
So today, August 21st, we left Middlesex at 7:00 AM. The middle of August is called the "Dog Days" because it is Hot and Humid. Except it was 58 degrees this morning and raining. As we drove through the mountains in Pennsylvania the clouds were so low we were above the rain and it was falling up!
So I am driving the first leg of the trip, and Meryl is so proud og herself because she has finally figured out how to read a road map. True it was a AAA Road Trip Map but she was reading it. And she knew what highway we were on, and which one we were looking for, and even knew the exit number. real good right. Except she took a side triop to "Meryl's World." You that place where the bunny rabbits all sit at the side of the road sign to you as you go by. So that is where Meryl was when I asked "What was the exit number again." She start fumbling with the papers and turns and points out the side window and says "That one."
Meryl of course denies this version of the events and will have her chance to tell her side of the story later. More to follow. - Harold
Saturday, June 09, 2007
It's been awhile
I had all the intentions of writing these amazing blog posts about my vacation and work and moving.....but I am a Fosse and procrastination and lack of internet got to me. Hence a really condensed version follows:
I took two weeks off in April and I tried to make the most of it. Amanda and I took a trip to Niagara Falls. It was amazing. The falls were beautiful and the area itself is like a jersey boardwalk that threw up over five city blocks. Casinos, unhealthy food, ferris wheels, Ripley's Believe it or Not, screaming kids with soft serve. I was in heaven.
After the Niagara trip I drove to Jersey and then flew to Cali to hang with Briana for a couple of days. I had found out that I got accepted to Claremont Graduate School about a week before and the Dean of the school was able to meet with me during my stay wth Briana. So basically I got off of the plane, went to B's, borrowed her nice clothes and then she drove me to Claremont. She also sat in on the meeting with the Dean and I thank my lucky stars she was there. I was asking all the academic questions and I was getting wicked excited about the program and I completely forgot to ask the other important questions like housing. But luckily B-diggs was there to throw on her former supervisor cape and save the day. After the meeting I knew I was going to go to Claremont. The area is very cute and collegiate, like a mini Northampton. With the meeting over with me and B enjoyed my next three days by going on a much deserved shopping spree.
After Cali I stayed in Jersey for the rest of my break and caught up with friends and family. Cinqo de Mayo occurred. Jenna graduated. It was good times.
AND I walked in the MS Walk with the UPS Store clan. We were called the Fighting Fitzgerald's and it was a fun time. It had everything a walk should have...hair transplants, lost 12 year olds, irate mothers, and cookies.
The last month has been a whirlwind of graduations and trumpets. The international trumpet guild decided to hold their annual conference at Umass this year. Two days after graduation 1000 trumpeters descended upon the campus. Because I was finishing my year long job and starting my summer job I got hit with a double whammy. Not only did I have to help register all of these horn blowers I had to house them too. I don't mind my job and I like the details of it, but I do mind how sometimes we lose perspective and start to think that our job is the most important in the world. It's not like anyone will ever not be able to go the conference or not be housed. I mean no one is ever going to have to sleep outside of the dorm because of a mistake. Everyone gets housed and registered whether or not we have an aneurysm. Therefore I prefer to not have one whereas sometimes my bosses like to put on that song and dance. But hey it's just a summer job and after August 17th it will all be memories.
So until August 17th my life is a string of work days, usually 15 in a row and then one or 2 off. Yes it sucks and is tiring but I have dollar signs in my eyes.
So there it is, the past couple of months of my life condensed like Campbells tomato soup.
AND I almost forgot the best thing...I bought my ONE WAY plane ticket to Cali a couple of days ago. I will be moving on August 28th. I don't have an apartment yet but that will fall into place. It always does.
I took two weeks off in April and I tried to make the most of it. Amanda and I took a trip to Niagara Falls. It was amazing. The falls were beautiful and the area itself is like a jersey boardwalk that threw up over five city blocks. Casinos, unhealthy food, ferris wheels, Ripley's Believe it or Not, screaming kids with soft serve. I was in heaven.
After the Niagara trip I drove to Jersey and then flew to Cali to hang with Briana for a couple of days. I had found out that I got accepted to Claremont Graduate School about a week before and the Dean of the school was able to meet with me during my stay wth Briana. So basically I got off of the plane, went to B's, borrowed her nice clothes and then she drove me to Claremont. She also sat in on the meeting with the Dean and I thank my lucky stars she was there. I was asking all the academic questions and I was getting wicked excited about the program and I completely forgot to ask the other important questions like housing. But luckily B-diggs was there to throw on her former supervisor cape and save the day. After the meeting I knew I was going to go to Claremont. The area is very cute and collegiate, like a mini Northampton. With the meeting over with me and B enjoyed my next three days by going on a much deserved shopping spree.
After Cali I stayed in Jersey for the rest of my break and caught up with friends and family. Cinqo de Mayo occurred. Jenna graduated. It was good times.
AND I walked in the MS Walk with the UPS Store clan. We were called the Fighting Fitzgerald's and it was a fun time. It had everything a walk should have...hair transplants, lost 12 year olds, irate mothers, and cookies.
The last month has been a whirlwind of graduations and trumpets. The international trumpet guild decided to hold their annual conference at Umass this year. Two days after graduation 1000 trumpeters descended upon the campus. Because I was finishing my year long job and starting my summer job I got hit with a double whammy. Not only did I have to help register all of these horn blowers I had to house them too. I don't mind my job and I like the details of it, but I do mind how sometimes we lose perspective and start to think that our job is the most important in the world. It's not like anyone will ever not be able to go the conference or not be housed. I mean no one is ever going to have to sleep outside of the dorm because of a mistake. Everyone gets housed and registered whether or not we have an aneurysm. Therefore I prefer to not have one whereas sometimes my bosses like to put on that song and dance. But hey it's just a summer job and after August 17th it will all be memories.
So until August 17th my life is a string of work days, usually 15 in a row and then one or 2 off. Yes it sucks and is tiring but I have dollar signs in my eyes.
So there it is, the past couple of months of my life condensed like Campbells tomato soup.
AND I almost forgot the best thing...I bought my ONE WAY plane ticket to Cali a couple of days ago. I will be moving on August 28th. I don't have an apartment yet but that will fall into place. It always does.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Yes this is a work rant
I am going to admit right off that in the grand scheme of the universe my job isn't that bad. I sit, I answer phones, I work on the computer and I get paid. There are worse jobs...like cleaning out a sewer or working retail BUT this job does have it's moments.
There are conferences that come to the University and part of my job is to print name badges for each person. In order to do that I need the perforated name badge paper. My boss ordered the paper and a week later it was delivered. I signed for it and put it on the side of my desk. I week after all of this my boss asked me where the box of paper was and I looked at the side of my desk and the box was no longer then. The rest of my day went like this:
Person: "What are you looking for?"
Me: "A box."
Person: "What was in the box?"
Me: "Paper."
Person: "You lost a box of paper?"
Me: "Yeah, I can't find a box full of paper." (in my head at this point I am repeating the words "go away" as fast as I can)
The next day went a little like this:
Person: "Did you ever find that box of paper?"
Me: "Nope"
For two days my conversations for eight hours revolved around a box of friggin paper. It turns out that the person who cleans the office mistook the box of paper for recycling and dontated $130 worth of name badge paper to the Head Start program at the local school. So we ordered more and that box never came. Here we are now two weeks later and we just found out that the box was delivered and has been sitting downstairs. I don't know if the absurdity of this story translates very well but MY LIFE HAS REVOLVED AROUND A BOX OF PERFORATED PAPER FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS.
I think the thing that scares me the most about this story is that my boss became obsesessed about this box of paper. Everday I would get asked if I signed for the box of paper and everyday she would ponder for at least five minutes about where it could have gone. A new person has started at the office and the first thing he was told about was this box of paper and how it got donated and how we are waiting for the second box of paper. It's paper. Yes, it's colored and perforated so it's semi-special in the pecking order of paper but it's still just a sliver of tree that has been refined and dyed. And it has ruled my work life and now is worthy of a blog posting. A true sign that I should not work here much longer (another sign is that I flat out told my boss that if I was staying in the area for another year I would be looking for a different job right now).
Luckily it's spring and when it's May I will be switching back to Summer Conference Housing...still not my dream job but at least I get to rock plaid shorts and a maroon shirt AND there are no name badges. I am clearly movin on up.
There are conferences that come to the University and part of my job is to print name badges for each person. In order to do that I need the perforated name badge paper. My boss ordered the paper and a week later it was delivered. I signed for it and put it on the side of my desk. I week after all of this my boss asked me where the box of paper was and I looked at the side of my desk and the box was no longer then. The rest of my day went like this:
Person: "What are you looking for?"
Me: "A box."
Person: "What was in the box?"
Me: "Paper."
Person: "You lost a box of paper?"
Me: "Yeah, I can't find a box full of paper." (in my head at this point I am repeating the words "go away" as fast as I can)
The next day went a little like this:
Person: "Did you ever find that box of paper?"
Me: "Nope"
For two days my conversations for eight hours revolved around a box of friggin paper. It turns out that the person who cleans the office mistook the box of paper for recycling and dontated $130 worth of name badge paper to the Head Start program at the local school. So we ordered more and that box never came. Here we are now two weeks later and we just found out that the box was delivered and has been sitting downstairs. I don't know if the absurdity of this story translates very well but MY LIFE HAS REVOLVED AROUND A BOX OF PERFORATED PAPER FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS.
I think the thing that scares me the most about this story is that my boss became obsesessed about this box of paper. Everday I would get asked if I signed for the box of paper and everyday she would ponder for at least five minutes about where it could have gone. A new person has started at the office and the first thing he was told about was this box of paper and how it got donated and how we are waiting for the second box of paper. It's paper. Yes, it's colored and perforated so it's semi-special in the pecking order of paper but it's still just a sliver of tree that has been refined and dyed. And it has ruled my work life and now is worthy of a blog posting. A true sign that I should not work here much longer (another sign is that I flat out told my boss that if I was staying in the area for another year I would be looking for a different job right now).
Luckily it's spring and when it's May I will be switching back to Summer Conference Housing...still not my dream job but at least I get to rock plaid shorts and a maroon shirt AND there are no name badges. I am clearly movin on up.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Snow Day
True sign that I am becoming a grown up: There is a snow day at the University but I still had to go to work. Sadness.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Thank you Wikipedia
Friends...our debate is solved. Read this exerpt from Wikipedia and rest assured that in the end we were ALL right.
"For many years, Big Bird was the only character on the show who saw him (he only came along when Big Bird was alone). The main adult characters teased Big Bird when he said he had seen the Snuffleupagus, because they didn't believe there was such an animal, often despite evidence to the contrary (such as an oversized teddy bear that Snuffy had left behind or segments in which Snuffy interacted with other characters, such as a street scene where Snuffy was seen playing London Bridge with some of the neighborhood kids). This was modeled in part on the imaginary friends some young children have.
By the late-1970s, the storylines had the adult characters becoming increasingly frustrated with Big Bird using Snuffleupagus as a scapegoat whenever something went wrong while they were out of the room. In one episode, newspapers on Sesame Street carried the front page headline, "Snuffy's got to go!"
Revelation
This running gag ended with the November 18, 1985 episode of Sesame Street, which was also episode 2096 and the 17th season premiere, when the adults finally met Snuffy. Big Bird is sick and tired of not having the grown-ups believing him when he tells them about Snuffy. So he decides to arrange for them to come to his nest when he yells the signaling word, "Food". When Big Bird calls out the word, Snuffy runs off to tell his mother about it, so once again the grown-ups just miss him. Gordon tells Big Bird he needs someone to help him keep Snuffy in his nest and Elmo offers to be the one. So when Snuffy returns, Elmo holds on to his snuffle so he can't go, Big Bird yells, "Food", and one by one the adults come and see Snuffy for the first time ever. After Snuffy introduces himself, Big Bird does an "I told you so" routine, prompting the adults to apologize profusely.
The Children's Television Workshop decided on this storyline largely after high-profile (and sometimes, graphic) stories on pedophilia and sexual abuse of children on shows such as 60 Minutes and 20/20. Concerns were raised that the running Snuffleupagus gag, where the adults refused to believe in Snuffleupagus despite Big Bird telling them about it and despite the fact that Snuffy had already been revealed to other Muppets, children, and even a few celebrity guest stars, could make children fear that they would similarly not be believed and therefore make them reluctant to tell an adult if they have been sexually abused."
So there you have it.
"For many years, Big Bird was the only character on the show who saw him (he only came along when Big Bird was alone). The main adult characters teased Big Bird when he said he had seen the Snuffleupagus, because they didn't believe there was such an animal, often despite evidence to the contrary (such as an oversized teddy bear that Snuffy had left behind or segments in which Snuffy interacted with other characters, such as a street scene where Snuffy was seen playing London Bridge with some of the neighborhood kids). This was modeled in part on the imaginary friends some young children have.
By the late-1970s, the storylines had the adult characters becoming increasingly frustrated with Big Bird using Snuffleupagus as a scapegoat whenever something went wrong while they were out of the room. In one episode, newspapers on Sesame Street carried the front page headline, "Snuffy's got to go!"
Revelation
This running gag ended with the November 18, 1985 episode of Sesame Street, which was also episode 2096 and the 17th season premiere, when the adults finally met Snuffy. Big Bird is sick and tired of not having the grown-ups believing him when he tells them about Snuffy. So he decides to arrange for them to come to his nest when he yells the signaling word, "Food". When Big Bird calls out the word, Snuffy runs off to tell his mother about it, so once again the grown-ups just miss him. Gordon tells Big Bird he needs someone to help him keep Snuffy in his nest and Elmo offers to be the one. So when Snuffy returns, Elmo holds on to his snuffle so he can't go, Big Bird yells, "Food", and one by one the adults come and see Snuffy for the first time ever. After Snuffy introduces himself, Big Bird does an "I told you so" routine, prompting the adults to apologize profusely.
The Children's Television Workshop decided on this storyline largely after high-profile (and sometimes, graphic) stories on pedophilia and sexual abuse of children on shows such as 60 Minutes and 20/20. Concerns were raised that the running Snuffleupagus gag, where the adults refused to believe in Snuffleupagus despite Big Bird telling them about it and despite the fact that Snuffy had already been revealed to other Muppets, children, and even a few celebrity guest stars, could make children fear that they would similarly not be believed and therefore make them reluctant to tell an adult if they have been sexually abused."
So there you have it.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Imaginary Friend
After I got back from dinner last night I mindlessly turned on the tv and started flipping channels. "Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird" caught my attention. This is the movie where the bird social worker thinks it's in Big Birds best interest to go live with a bird family- the Dodos who live in Illinois. Big Bird dislikes it there and decideds to walk home (he/she also decides that it should only take three hours since it took two hours to fly there). While Big Bird starts walking home the Sesame Street crew divide up into groups and travel different routes to see if they can find Big Bird. The point of this post is not to talk about how great this movie is or about the cameos in it that you only get when you are older, but rather the point is to discuss a very important question that hit me while watching a scene in the move: is Snuffalupagus Big Bird's imaginary friend?
I'll admit. The thought never crossed my mind that Snuffalupagus was imaginary until someone informed me about it very matter-of-factly about a year ago. They told me in such confidence that I didn't dare think that I was right. Now, though, I am not so sure. As I was watching the movie I texted a very important question to some friends: If Snuffalupagus was Big Bird's imaginary friend then how come he couldn't follow Big Bird to Illinois? Some of the responses I got were:
"I'm peeing"
"Thought Snuffy was real"
"R u sober?"
"He wasn't imaginary and the bird was advised that he/she was on a one bird mission."
"Imaginary friends...unlike invisible friends need two forms of id to cross state lines and Oscoar was always hiding the dmv shit because he was difficult...obviously"
Through these comments I re-affirmed my original childhood assumption that Snuffy was real and that everyone could see him. Then I thought about a little to long and fell into another trap. If everyone could see Snuffy then when a letter from Big Bird came why didn't anyone tell Snuffy? Instead he overheard the letter through a wall. If I sent a letter to everyone on the block I know someone would holler to my best friend to let them know about it. Also, if I remember correctly, Snuffy wasn't divided up into one of the groups to go find Big Bird. Now that could be just because he already decided to go visit Big Bird (he wrote Big Bird a post card which a mailman delivered...which is proof towards the idea that Snuffy is real). So is Snuffy real or not?
Some light was shed onto the subject by a friend's girlfriend who said that snuffy was imaginary in the beginning but eventually the character changed so that everyone could see him. So a child psychologist is to blame for the confusion. Someone at some point thought it was unhealthy for Big Bird to have an imaginary best friend and changed him to so that everyone could see him. This is the theory that lets me sleep at night and I am sticking to it.
I'll admit. The thought never crossed my mind that Snuffalupagus was imaginary until someone informed me about it very matter-of-factly about a year ago. They told me in such confidence that I didn't dare think that I was right. Now, though, I am not so sure. As I was watching the movie I texted a very important question to some friends: If Snuffalupagus was Big Bird's imaginary friend then how come he couldn't follow Big Bird to Illinois? Some of the responses I got were:
"I'm peeing"
"Thought Snuffy was real"
"R u sober?"
"He wasn't imaginary and the bird was advised that he/she was on a one bird mission."
"Imaginary friends...unlike invisible friends need two forms of id to cross state lines and Oscoar was always hiding the dmv shit because he was difficult...obviously"
Through these comments I re-affirmed my original childhood assumption that Snuffy was real and that everyone could see him. Then I thought about a little to long and fell into another trap. If everyone could see Snuffy then when a letter from Big Bird came why didn't anyone tell Snuffy? Instead he overheard the letter through a wall. If I sent a letter to everyone on the block I know someone would holler to my best friend to let them know about it. Also, if I remember correctly, Snuffy wasn't divided up into one of the groups to go find Big Bird. Now that could be just because he already decided to go visit Big Bird (he wrote Big Bird a post card which a mailman delivered...which is proof towards the idea that Snuffy is real). So is Snuffy real or not?
Some light was shed onto the subject by a friend's girlfriend who said that snuffy was imaginary in the beginning but eventually the character changed so that everyone could see him. So a child psychologist is to blame for the confusion. Someone at some point thought it was unhealthy for Big Bird to have an imaginary best friend and changed him to so that everyone could see him. This is the theory that lets me sleep at night and I am sticking to it.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The "Mall" thing
To Whom It May Concern,
Recently I was driving around in my automobile trying to get to the Edison train station. There is no way to do this without having to pass by the so-called Middlesex “Mall”. I put mall in quotations because I truly believe that we are kidding ourselves and doing a great injustice to the mall industry by labeling the set of stores on Stelton Road a mall.
One obvious reason why this “mall” isn’t really a mall is that you don’t have to go inside to access any stores. People go to malls not just to shop in the stores they see from the outside but also to explore the smaller stores inside. There’s no excitement when one enters the Middlesex “Mall.” No merry-go-round, no random Irish store, nothing. One already knows what stores are in the “Mall” without having to go inside. Where’s the excitement in that? Even the dirt mall deserves the mall designation more than the Middlesex “Mall.” There’s always excitement there.
Thinking of this persuasion leads one to believe that the Middlesex “Mall” could just be re-classified as a strip mall but problems still exist. The electric sign, for example. The sign stands proudly over Stelton Road, supposedly letting consumers know that this is the place to shop. Well, see, the thing is…the sign is NEVER fully lit. I have lived in Middlesex for 13 years now and I have yet to see that sign glowing brightly with all of the letters lit up. I am sure I am not the only one who giggled with their friends when we drove by and saw “SEX ALL” lighting up the night sky. When the sign says “MID MLL” why bother to even light it? Therefore, if we let the “mall” be re-designated a strip mall the sign would still have every right to burn brightly and wrongly for eternity.
Furthermore, why does this “mall” have to tarnish the name of Middlesex Borough? I get it that it’s named for Middlesex County but still I can’t help but think that our little 3.5 mile2 town does not need the added burden of trying to explain away this “mall.” Our mascot is the frigging blue jay for goodness sake. Rename it the Stelton Strip Mall. There’s alliteration and 3 more letters that can be lit or not lit, depending on how the sign lighting gods feel. Or if Middlesex must be in the name why not Promenade instead of Mall? It worked for Bridgewater.
People living in New Jersey can name at least three malls that are within a half hour of them. I don’t know one person within a half hour driving radius of the Middlesex “Mall” that would actually count it as one of their three. Just try to compare the Middlesex “Mall” to a real mall like Menlo Park. It’s like comparing a White Castle cheeseburger to a three-course meal. They just aren’t of the same caliber.
As a New Jerseyian I am proud of our malls and for that reason I take the mall designation very seriously. We must join together and do what we can to eliminate such false idols that mar the image of our malls. No more “SEX ALL”!!
Recently I was driving around in my automobile trying to get to the Edison train station. There is no way to do this without having to pass by the so-called Middlesex “Mall”. I put mall in quotations because I truly believe that we are kidding ourselves and doing a great injustice to the mall industry by labeling the set of stores on Stelton Road a mall.
One obvious reason why this “mall” isn’t really a mall is that you don’t have to go inside to access any stores. People go to malls not just to shop in the stores they see from the outside but also to explore the smaller stores inside. There’s no excitement when one enters the Middlesex “Mall.” No merry-go-round, no random Irish store, nothing. One already knows what stores are in the “Mall” without having to go inside. Where’s the excitement in that? Even the dirt mall deserves the mall designation more than the Middlesex “Mall.” There’s always excitement there.
Thinking of this persuasion leads one to believe that the Middlesex “Mall” could just be re-classified as a strip mall but problems still exist. The electric sign, for example. The sign stands proudly over Stelton Road, supposedly letting consumers know that this is the place to shop. Well, see, the thing is…the sign is NEVER fully lit. I have lived in Middlesex for 13 years now and I have yet to see that sign glowing brightly with all of the letters lit up. I am sure I am not the only one who giggled with their friends when we drove by and saw “SEX ALL” lighting up the night sky. When the sign says “MID MLL” why bother to even light it? Therefore, if we let the “mall” be re-designated a strip mall the sign would still have every right to burn brightly and wrongly for eternity.
Furthermore, why does this “mall” have to tarnish the name of Middlesex Borough? I get it that it’s named for Middlesex County but still I can’t help but think that our little 3.5 mile2 town does not need the added burden of trying to explain away this “mall.” Our mascot is the frigging blue jay for goodness sake. Rename it the Stelton Strip Mall. There’s alliteration and 3 more letters that can be lit or not lit, depending on how the sign lighting gods feel. Or if Middlesex must be in the name why not Promenade instead of Mall? It worked for Bridgewater.
People living in New Jersey can name at least three malls that are within a half hour of them. I don’t know one person within a half hour driving radius of the Middlesex “Mall” that would actually count it as one of their three. Just try to compare the Middlesex “Mall” to a real mall like Menlo Park. It’s like comparing a White Castle cheeseburger to a three-course meal. They just aren’t of the same caliber.
As a New Jerseyian I am proud of our malls and for that reason I take the mall designation very seriously. We must join together and do what we can to eliminate such false idols that mar the image of our malls. No more “SEX ALL”!!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Thanksgiving
Since people in NZ don't really care about the colonists and the native americans breaking bread (or raping and pillaging) it's been over a year since I celebrated a good carbohydrate filled thanksgiving. And this thanksgiving lived up to all of the hype that I built up. I got home wednesday and did the local bar hop which is always fun and interesting. Then I got to go into NYC and see the parade on 37th!! I was in an office building which was even better. I had to go in by myself which kind of sucked but since I am a social butterfly I made friends quickly and enjoyed the parade. The breakfast club was fun as usual (I heart luigi) and tonight I am going to see some family and Umass peeps. It was a good trip home, but have no fear I will be invading msex again soon!! Christmas I will be home for a week and more ruckus will be created. Below are the parade pics. Enjoy!!
The Parade!!
His head is gonna fall off!!
Gobble Gobble
Snoopy
I can't imagine walking in that thing the whole parade.
Pretty
Big Bird
Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down!
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends float
Scooby Doo and his big butt.
Rhino
Energiser Bunny
Hess Float
Harlem Globetrotters
SuperGroverrr!
Hairspray float
Mr. Potatoe Head (His nose was walking around in front of him!)
Cheerleaders!
The Polar Express float
All the floats and balloons have past...now just waiting for Santa.
You better not shout. You better not cry...
Santa!! Now there are only 25 shopping days until Xmas. Whoo hoo!
Now Everyone Run for the Train!!
The Parade!!
His head is gonna fall off!!
Gobble Gobble
Snoopy
I can't imagine walking in that thing the whole parade.
Pretty
Big Bird
Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down!
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends float
Scooby Doo and his big butt.
Rhino
Energiser Bunny
Hess Float
Harlem Globetrotters
SuperGroverrr!
Hairspray float
Mr. Potatoe Head (His nose was walking around in front of him!)
Cheerleaders!
The Polar Express float
All the floats and balloons have past...now just waiting for Santa.
You better not shout. You better not cry...
Santa!! Now there are only 25 shopping days until Xmas. Whoo hoo!
Now Everyone Run for the Train!!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Aaaaaaaahhh!!!
My boss has been on vacation for the past week and a half so I have had the office to myself with not a lot to do. It was inevitable that I would drive myself crazy.
The job is good. We just finished our busy season. At one point I was working thirteen hour days. Now I can barely find enough work to last me two hours. I don't deal with transitions like this very well. It's like working out and then being all energized afterwards but with nothing to do. I don't enjoy. To keep me busy I have been looking into grad school again. Good, but bad idea.
It's a good idea because I do need to get my but in gear and get things in order for next September. I will NOT be in the amherst area. It will ruin it all for me. I want to leave here with the good memories I have. I don't want to leave clapping and doing the dance of joy that I am out of the valley. I want to miss it.
Ok, anyway, yeah researching grad schools is a great idea, except I get all hopped up and stressed out. What if I don't get in? What if I don't get funding? eek what if no one likes me? For reals though I just think I secretly liked to get this worked up about things. Otherwise I just wouldn't get this worked up ya know.
I did get into UC San Diego and it is still my first choice, but funding is wicked hard to find. They don't offer funding to masters students within the math department so I have to look outside of the department. Translation...I have no clue what I am doing. I looked into their residence life program to see if they have any graduate positions and they don't. I feel like I am walking through a wicked dark tunnel with no flashlight and I don't like it. I finally resorted to emailing some poor math grad student who posted their email address and asked them for help.
Part of this is just me being lazy and just wanting someone else to figure everything out for me. Another part is me probably not really wanting to move on. It would be nice to not change zip codes every year. BUT no one is twisting my arm and making me do this. If someone even mentioned me not going to grad school I would become all indignant. I do want to go to grad school that's for sure.
I just need to calm down and remember the NZ attitude. Everything will work out and in the grand scheme of things life is going well for me. I live for free with good friends. I have a car. I have friends (note the priorities hahaha jk). I have some moolah. and I am damn good looking. It could be worse...I could be thinking about bungee jumping again (Oy). Seriously never again with the bungee.
The job is good. We just finished our busy season. At one point I was working thirteen hour days. Now I can barely find enough work to last me two hours. I don't deal with transitions like this very well. It's like working out and then being all energized afterwards but with nothing to do. I don't enjoy. To keep me busy I have been looking into grad school again. Good, but bad idea.
It's a good idea because I do need to get my but in gear and get things in order for next September. I will NOT be in the amherst area. It will ruin it all for me. I want to leave here with the good memories I have. I don't want to leave clapping and doing the dance of joy that I am out of the valley. I want to miss it.
Ok, anyway, yeah researching grad schools is a great idea, except I get all hopped up and stressed out. What if I don't get in? What if I don't get funding? eek what if no one likes me? For reals though I just think I secretly liked to get this worked up about things. Otherwise I just wouldn't get this worked up ya know.
I did get into UC San Diego and it is still my first choice, but funding is wicked hard to find. They don't offer funding to masters students within the math department so I have to look outside of the department. Translation...I have no clue what I am doing. I looked into their residence life program to see if they have any graduate positions and they don't. I feel like I am walking through a wicked dark tunnel with no flashlight and I don't like it. I finally resorted to emailing some poor math grad student who posted their email address and asked them for help.
Part of this is just me being lazy and just wanting someone else to figure everything out for me. Another part is me probably not really wanting to move on. It would be nice to not change zip codes every year. BUT no one is twisting my arm and making me do this. If someone even mentioned me not going to grad school I would become all indignant. I do want to go to grad school that's for sure.
I just need to calm down and remember the NZ attitude. Everything will work out and in the grand scheme of things life is going well for me. I live for free with good friends. I have a car. I have friends (note the priorities hahaha jk). I have some moolah. and I am damn good looking. It could be worse...I could be thinking about bungee jumping again (Oy). Seriously never again with the bungee.
Monday, August 28, 2006
The plans for the rest of my life (well for at least September)
It's been awhile. I have spent much of my time catching up with old friends and keeping in touch with the ones I made in NZ.
Sometimes it feels like I never left. Because I traveled by myself there's no one around to remind me of the things I did. No one turns to me and says "Remember that time that you took your bra off and we won a $50 beer tab? that was awesome." It's not a bad thing, it's just something that is different from all of my other travels. I have a picture of me on the Franz Josef glacier as my wallpaper on my desktop at work. That picture grounds me. Whenever I forgot about my awesome trip I get to look at that picture and a smile automatically shows on my face. Franz Josef was by far my favorite day. I felt so calm and I felt a real sense of accomplishment and adventure when I was on that glacier.
I graduated from UMass over a year ago now (eek). I never could have guessed where my life would wind up. I am back on campus and I will be here for the year. I got a job with conference services for the whole year and I somehow put my friends under a spell so that they would want me to live with them for the whole year. I am a very lucky girl.
Things are changing lots. Friends are moving away and some are choosing to move out of touch and I guess in a way I am making those choices too. I miss NZ everyday and everyday I am extremely glad that I went.
Sometimes it feels like I never left. Because I traveled by myself there's no one around to remind me of the things I did. No one turns to me and says "Remember that time that you took your bra off and we won a $50 beer tab? that was awesome." It's not a bad thing, it's just something that is different from all of my other travels. I have a picture of me on the Franz Josef glacier as my wallpaper on my desktop at work. That picture grounds me. Whenever I forgot about my awesome trip I get to look at that picture and a smile automatically shows on my face. Franz Josef was by far my favorite day. I felt so calm and I felt a real sense of accomplishment and adventure when I was on that glacier.
I graduated from UMass over a year ago now (eek). I never could have guessed where my life would wind up. I am back on campus and I will be here for the year. I got a job with conference services for the whole year and I somehow put my friends under a spell so that they would want me to live with them for the whole year. I am a very lucky girl.
Things are changing lots. Friends are moving away and some are choosing to move out of touch and I guess in a way I am making those choices too. I miss NZ everyday and everyday I am extremely glad that I went.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Back Home
I have been back in Jersey for a week now. After I left New Zealand I went to Fiji for a week which was great. I didn't leave the main island but I did go into town lots. Let's face it though, mostly I just laid out by the pool and enjoyed the sunshine and the heat. I was still staying at a hostel but I booked a room for myself which was a nice little treat for the end of my trip. It was cool because most of the people there were either beginning their trips or ending it so everyone just sat around and shared stories or asked questions. I also tried kava which is a ground up root mixed with water. It tastes like bad medicine but it makes your tongue numb and if you drink enough of it you will drool with knowing it. Any amount of kava results in a great night's sleep. A good time was had. When I got off of the plane in NY, not only were my mom, dad, and bro there but Aunt Lynn and my cousins J and Jenna were waiting for me too! It was a great surprise. Many hugs were given and I even got some Queens bagels to take home (whoopee!). Being home is good. I have just spent the week catching up with people and enjoying the fact that I am not living out of a backpack anymore. So what's next? For the time being I am just hanging in Jerz enjoying being home and catching up with everyone. At the end of May I am moving back to UMass. I got my summer job back and I get to live with my friends and just chill back at college. Not a bad deal. I got accepted to the math grad program at UC San Diego, but I am going to defer for a year. I am not ready to move to the west coast yet. Essentially (that one's for you Ed) I have no idea what I am doing from Sept 2006 to Sept 2007. I'm not worrying about it though because it will all work out. Who knows? Maybe I'll just pack my bags again and travel some more (with my imaginary money). The blog will stay up but I don't think I will add much until I travel again. If I haven't seen you yet we must get together because I have missed everyone and I want to know what's going on in everyone's lives. That is all I have to say (for now). The end.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Goodbye NZ
Before I say goodbye to NZ let me back up and fill you in on what I have done for the past week. St Patrick's Day was pretty fun. It was no NY with a parade but I did drink lots and sing Irish songs and just hang out with a good group of people that I met on my East Cape trip. When Sunday rolled around I hopped on the bus and headed to Auckland. The plan was to only spend the night in Auckland and the next day head further north to the Bay of Islands. Well the bus to the Bay of Islands was full so I was stuck in Auckland for a day. And I had a pretty bad cold. Combine these two things and I was one cranky girl. To add to the crankiness I checked my flight info and found out that my flight to LA from Fiji had been canceled and I had been booked onto one for the day before. This is all fine and good except for the fact that I still wasn't leaving LA to go to NY until the 2nd which meant one night in LA. Let me tell you, I don't want a night in LA. I want to be home in my bed. Finally today I was able to straighten everything out so it's all good now. I will be in NY at 1230am on Sunday, April 2.
Anyway, I sulked my way through my day in Auckland and hopped to the Bay of Islands the next day. When we got to the Bay we drove another half hour to Nafu springs. These were natural mineral baths. Basically it's a mud pit full of bubbly hot water that comes from underground naturally and you spread the mud all over you as an exfoliant. Since the earth's crust is so thin in the north island these natural springs are abundant...but these were the only ones that were free. The only downside is that the springs give off a strong sulfur smell which in turn sticks to your swim suit, even after washing. So for the rest of this trip, including fiji, my swim suit is going to smell like rotten eggs. I think I will live, I may not make many friends but I will survive.
The only other thing I did in the Bay of Islands was take a day trip to Cape Reinga. The cape is the northwestern corner of NZ and it is where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet. The bus left at 7:15am and we headed north. We drove along 90 mile beach which is a beach but also a highway. It's not really 90 miles and if you want to know how they thought it was 90 miles I'll explain in person. It was pretty cool to drive along the beach. Once we got down the beach enough to make sure we could get off before tide came in we hopped off and waded in the water. The driver showed us how to pick shellfish and we had a nice little snack of raw shellfish on the beach. We hopped back on the bus and got off of the beach via a stream.
Halfway up the stream we stopped to look at some really high sand dunes. When I say really high I mean 80 meters (about 240ft) and when I say stopped to look at I mean we walked up the dune and used a boogie board to ride back down. It was a pretty cool ride and sand got everywhere. It was a good way to spend an hour. Afterwards we hopped back on the bus and headed to a beach for lunch. We hung out again and then finally made our way to the Cape.
The Maori's believe the cape is the departure point for spirits to head home so usually there are some families grieving. It is a very spiritual place. You can actually see where the two bodies of water meet. The tasman sea is very green and the pacific ocean is very blue so when they mix it's a pretty cool site.
Seeing the Cape was very important to me. It marked the end of my trip in NZ. It was the last thing that wanted to do. I have spent much time in the Tasman Sea and much time in the Pacific Ocean since being here and I finally saw them both meet. It meant a lot.
Now I am back in Auckland and I am staying at Ana's place again. That's where I stayed for Big Day Out. Today is Friday and I fly to Fiji on Sunday. Tomorrow, I am going to see The Living End play one more time. One of Ana's flatmate's sisters is going and she said she would give me a ride. So I am going to spend my last full day in NZ seeing my favorite band play again. Not a bad gig.
The plan for Fiji is to work on my tan so everyone is jealous when they see me for the first time. The rumor is that internet in Fiji is pretty expensive so most likely this is my last blog until I am home. I can't really process this trip yet, that's what I hope Fiji is for.
I am looking foward to seeing familiar faces and hearing familiar voices and just being around everyone again. I can't wait to not live out of a backpack or sleep in bunk beds. I am sad that this trip in NZ is over but I am thankful for the time I had here and I can't wait to be in Jerz.
Here are some pics:
Anyway, I sulked my way through my day in Auckland and hopped to the Bay of Islands the next day. When we got to the Bay we drove another half hour to Nafu springs. These were natural mineral baths. Basically it's a mud pit full of bubbly hot water that comes from underground naturally and you spread the mud all over you as an exfoliant. Since the earth's crust is so thin in the north island these natural springs are abundant...but these were the only ones that were free. The only downside is that the springs give off a strong sulfur smell which in turn sticks to your swim suit, even after washing. So for the rest of this trip, including fiji, my swim suit is going to smell like rotten eggs. I think I will live, I may not make many friends but I will survive.
The only other thing I did in the Bay of Islands was take a day trip to Cape Reinga. The cape is the northwestern corner of NZ and it is where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet. The bus left at 7:15am and we headed north. We drove along 90 mile beach which is a beach but also a highway. It's not really 90 miles and if you want to know how they thought it was 90 miles I'll explain in person. It was pretty cool to drive along the beach. Once we got down the beach enough to make sure we could get off before tide came in we hopped off and waded in the water. The driver showed us how to pick shellfish and we had a nice little snack of raw shellfish on the beach. We hopped back on the bus and got off of the beach via a stream.
Halfway up the stream we stopped to look at some really high sand dunes. When I say really high I mean 80 meters (about 240ft) and when I say stopped to look at I mean we walked up the dune and used a boogie board to ride back down. It was a pretty cool ride and sand got everywhere. It was a good way to spend an hour. Afterwards we hopped back on the bus and headed to a beach for lunch. We hung out again and then finally made our way to the Cape.
The Maori's believe the cape is the departure point for spirits to head home so usually there are some families grieving. It is a very spiritual place. You can actually see where the two bodies of water meet. The tasman sea is very green and the pacific ocean is very blue so when they mix it's a pretty cool site.
Seeing the Cape was very important to me. It marked the end of my trip in NZ. It was the last thing that wanted to do. I have spent much time in the Tasman Sea and much time in the Pacific Ocean since being here and I finally saw them both meet. It meant a lot.
Now I am back in Auckland and I am staying at Ana's place again. That's where I stayed for Big Day Out. Today is Friday and I fly to Fiji on Sunday. Tomorrow, I am going to see The Living End play one more time. One of Ana's flatmate's sisters is going and she said she would give me a ride. So I am going to spend my last full day in NZ seeing my favorite band play again. Not a bad gig.
The plan for Fiji is to work on my tan so everyone is jealous when they see me for the first time. The rumor is that internet in Fiji is pretty expensive so most likely this is my last blog until I am home. I can't really process this trip yet, that's what I hope Fiji is for.
I am looking foward to seeing familiar faces and hearing familiar voices and just being around everyone again. I can't wait to not live out of a backpack or sleep in bunk beds. I am sad that this trip in NZ is over but I am thankful for the time I had here and I can't wait to be in Jerz.
Here are some pics:
A car on 90 mile beach that didn't make it out before the tide came in. It's been there for two months and all of the damage done is due to the Tasman Sea.
The bus takin a break on the beach/highway
The dunes and us boarding down them
The streamwe drove through to get to the dunes and off of the beach
The Tasman Sea
The Pacific Ocean
Where they meet. The white water is the different waves from the two bodies of water meeting
The final thing I wanted to see can now be crossed off
See you soon!!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
What a week it has been
I left Taupo on Monday to begin my trip around the East Cape. The East Cape is probably one of the most beautiful spots that I have seen in NZ. The bus was nice because instead of being 35 of us there were only 20 so we were all able to just relax and get to know each other. The first night we stopped in Gisborne which is the surfing capital of NZ. Unfortuanetly the weather was crap so no surfing was done, just lots of wine drinking. I was sitting at the table eating dinner when I turn around and see my friend Andrew. I hadn't seen Andrew since my first week in Auckland but we had kept in touch via text messages. It was great to see him since we were able to catch up on all of our experiences over the past six months. It definetly felt to me with seeing Andrew that I had gone full circle on this trip which was nice.
From Gisborn we went to a farm in Rangituka. We stayed at the farm overnight and had a blast. I rode a horse for the first time. His name was War Lord and he was fantastic. We rode on the beach and up in the hills for about two hours before dinner. It was so relaxing and I had a smile on my face the whole time thinking how great it was that I was finally riding a horse. Les, the horse guy, told me that me and War Lord fit each other and it was totally true. I felt completely comfortable on him even when he started to gallop. The only awkward part was getting on the horse. I am not very graceful when it comes to stepping up onto high things. It was a sad sight that involved me basically leaning over the horse and then Al, the kiwi bus driver, pushing my butt onto the saddle. Not graceful I admit but it got the job done. After the horseback ride we sat around a fire on the farm and just chilled out. It was really relaxing. We were at the easternmost point of NZ which means that we saw the sun rise first in the hemisphere. Well we would have saw it first if it wasn't foggy, but we were the first to know that the weather was going to be crap all day in the southern hemisphere.
The next day we went to possibly my most favorite place. It was a home stay in Te Kaha. This guy Paul O'Brien is half Maori and half Irish and he opened up his home to us to enjoy. It was beautiful. The house is set right on the shore and there is a hot tub that sit right on the beach so you can fish and watch the sun set all from the hot tub. I swam in the Pacific and then warmed up in the hot tub until after sunset. Then ate a delicious meal that Paul's mom made for us. It was so good. Al, the bus driver, went out fishing and caught snappers which we had for breakfast. It turns out that I love fish. I woke up and had my coffee (instant, boo) down by the beach and then had some fish. It was a perfect end to my east cape trip.
I am back in Taupo to celebrate St. Patty's day tomorrow. Then I am off to Auckland for a day and then off to my last stop on this trip, the Bay of Islands. It should be good. This trip is almost over but I am not processing any of it right now. I am just enjoying the moments and I figure I will think about it all when I am in Fiji. Here are pics from this past week. Happy St. Patty's Day!!
From Gisborn we went to a farm in Rangituka. We stayed at the farm overnight and had a blast. I rode a horse for the first time. His name was War Lord and he was fantastic. We rode on the beach and up in the hills for about two hours before dinner. It was so relaxing and I had a smile on my face the whole time thinking how great it was that I was finally riding a horse. Les, the horse guy, told me that me and War Lord fit each other and it was totally true. I felt completely comfortable on him even when he started to gallop. The only awkward part was getting on the horse. I am not very graceful when it comes to stepping up onto high things. It was a sad sight that involved me basically leaning over the horse and then Al, the kiwi bus driver, pushing my butt onto the saddle. Not graceful I admit but it got the job done. After the horseback ride we sat around a fire on the farm and just chilled out. It was really relaxing. We were at the easternmost point of NZ which means that we saw the sun rise first in the hemisphere. Well we would have saw it first if it wasn't foggy, but we were the first to know that the weather was going to be crap all day in the southern hemisphere.
The next day we went to possibly my most favorite place. It was a home stay in Te Kaha. This guy Paul O'Brien is half Maori and half Irish and he opened up his home to us to enjoy. It was beautiful. The house is set right on the shore and there is a hot tub that sit right on the beach so you can fish and watch the sun set all from the hot tub. I swam in the Pacific and then warmed up in the hot tub until after sunset. Then ate a delicious meal that Paul's mom made for us. It was so good. Al, the bus driver, went out fishing and caught snappers which we had for breakfast. It turns out that I love fish. I woke up and had my coffee (instant, boo) down by the beach and then had some fish. It was a perfect end to my east cape trip.
I am back in Taupo to celebrate St. Patty's day tomorrow. Then I am off to Auckland for a day and then off to my last stop on this trip, the Bay of Islands. It should be good. This trip is almost over but I am not processing any of it right now. I am just enjoying the moments and I figure I will think about it all when I am in Fiji. Here are pics from this past week. Happy St. Patty's Day!!
My horse War Lord
The lovely beach that I swam at.
Another view of the beach
The view of the hot tub from the top part of the backyard
Sunset from a hot tub. Sweet as.
The Kiwi crew in the backyard.
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