Whoa...long time

A new friend at Target mentioned that she read some of blog..."Blog?" I thought to myself.  What blog?  Ahhhhh...Xanga.

Hello old friend...In the midst of losing my job as a teacher and getting fired from the mall...going to Hawaii and working odd jobs, I totally forgot about posting here.  I doubt that any one reads my Xanga anymore, since we all post updates on FB.  However, so that I can look back on the latter part of 2009, I should post something.

During the summer, I taught summer science camp in Hacienda Heights and Pasadena.  Working in Pasadena allowed me the chance to live with George for a few weeks. It was nice to go to sleep and wake up next to him every day.  However, we discovered that with my work schedule and volunteer commitments, I still left first and arrived home last, so it didn't seem like I was really staying with him.  I also worked for the Ringling Bros. Circus for a couple of weeks and sold cotton candy.  I hand-made cotton candy at a 1 year old's birthday party, too.  Summer came and went quickly.  I collected unemployment and shared my gov't gift with family and continued to support the economy through my shopping efforts.  Once school started, I took a long-term sub position and started part time at the new Target in Brea.  I am now working long term as a Title I Intervention teacher and part time at Target.  Both jobs are a lot of fun, but I really miss having my own classroom.  My parents might actually miss it more, considering that the contents of my classroom are strewn all over our house.  =]  Sorry Igarashi's!

I am a year older, maybe a little wiser, definitely more tired.  We gotta do what we gotta do make this world go round.  The holiday season has arrived and Christmas cheer is pushing those turkeys right into the ovens to make way for Santa.  It seems like it is all going to fly by in a flash.  Look out 2010, you'll be here before you know it.

Currently Sugar of Lead By Almer John Davis see related

Hawaii

George and I had a wonderful trip to Hawaii.  We stayed up late, woke up late, and ate whenever we felt like it.  Due to my love of walking, George got a lot more exercise than he bargained for.  You'll see how and why in the recap of our trip.  If anyone is interested, pictures are posted on FB.

Tuesday-arrived in Hawaii a couple hours late due to a late departure.  went straight to our hotel, showered and changed just in time to get picked up for dinner at Zenshu.  enjoyed a little, okay a lot, of food and a drink or two.  moved on to Champions for a few more drinks with the best kind of company.

Wednesday-headed out to the USS Arizona Memorial after walking to a local lunch spot.  took the bus back, and went to the International Marketplace.  after many hours of shopping (for gifts to bring home) and a little snacking, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.  walked a couple of miles to meet the CB hospitality guys at TJs for pupus and once again, good company.

Thursday-hiked to diamond head crater to hike up diamond head crater. this would sum up to about 4 miles of walking up hill.  George was a trooper, but we decided to take the bus straight back to the mall.  We still had to find a few gifts for the people back home.  Went back to the hotel to get ready to join Ryan and Jon for some Karaoke.  The clubs were closed that night, so we ended a bit early, but no one was complaining.

Friday-spent all day walking around waikiki and spent some time at the pool.  Ryan got us later that night to take us to a grand opening of a sports bar.  met a few more locals and enjoyed some dart playing and lots of people watching.

Saturday-spent the day at a friends house for a BBQ.  i watched more movies that day than I think watched all year.  Coraline, wolverine, the fast and the furious, and mission impossible III.  Another day with delicious food and amazing company.

Sunday-finished up the last of our shopping needs, tried to catch some sun by the pool and then grabbed dinner with my favorite person on the island.

Monday-checked out of our room and did our best to stay cool before we departed the island later that night.

The trip was wonderful and coming back was hard.  I've started filing the unemployment paperwork and am looking for work.  I am not good at not working.  I'm a workaholic and I'm having withdrawls. 

An interesting turn of events...

There will no longer be any posts about the mall on my Xanga.  After six years of service to the Guest Services of Brea Mall, I have been fired.  I wonder what I will post about now...

Leaving for Hawaii next week, I'll post about that when George and I get back....aloha!

3 Days in a Row!

I have worked at the mall 3 days in a row.  I can't remember the last time something like this happened.  I think it was back when Santa Claus was still here.    Speaking of...Christmas is only about 6 months away.  That's a little scary isn't it?

So, here is an update on my life...(I am trying to avoid doing my final final)

• I got my official lay off notice.  I will be packing my classroom on Thursday, June 4th. If anyone is available to help me cart home my stuff, I'd appreciate it.
• I graduate this Saturday and have to be on the grass at 7am!  I'm thinking maybe a campout on the grass.  7 am on Saturday is kind of early. 
• I am "running" for Nikkei Bridge Community Service Chairperson.  I think I am running against myself...again.  I am looking forward to the Steak Bake in August.  Keep August 1-2 free, I'll be needing volunteers to help the MISers.
• I have joined the Nisei Week Queen Committee to help with training of the new candidates.  I feel a little old.
• Speaking of old, the 2004 Court is getting together next weekend to celebrate our 5 year anniversary(?...what else would you call it?)  Woo hoo!  Haven't seen some of the girls in a long while.
• It's Monday night at the mall and no one is bothering me.  I have accomplished quite a lot.  I hope to finish my final before I go home.  =]
• Ooooh!  I get to sleep in an extra hour tomorrow, because I have a meeting to attend instead of teaching school.  I love sleeping in and I know my class is in good hands with Kristen.

So, at 9:20, mind you the mall closes at 9:00, the security guard comes into the management office and says, "Good you're stilll here.  Do you have the ID for the wheelchair?"  First, I didn't know anyone had a wheelchair, because it was taken before I got to the mall.  Second, it was 9:20 and wheelchairs were due at 8:30.  I had already clocked out and was ready to head home.  I have been working since 7:30 AM with my only break being in the car on the way from one work to the other.  I was not happy about having to help another customer.  Turns out this customer was a mall employee.  Soooooo, she should have known that the mall closed at 9:00!!!!  WTH!  So, I can't keep my mouth shut and inform her that it is an inconvenience for me, because I am off the clock and need to get home.  She proceeds to ask if I can walk with her to her car so that her friend doesn't have to walk.  Ummmmm....no.  You should have thought of that before turning the wheelchair in, maybe?  ArgggghhH!  I know...horrible customer service, but I was off the clock and the mall closed 20 minutes ago!  Luckily, the security guard, still on the clock, took the wheelchair and the girls.  I went home.  But, not before the girl could make her smart remarks...ie. What is my friend supposed to do?  Crawl?  (fine with me)  Sorry that she is such a pain.  (No, actually you are).  Sigh...Can't wait for my vacation.  I am such a brat!  I hope I come back nicer. 

Sunday People on a Saturday

Bonnie and I were "working" and assisted one of Brea's best...

B(Bonnie): Hi.  How are you?

G(guest): I need to buy a giftcard.

B: This is the American Express card, it is $2.  This card is $3 and supports Susan G. Komen and this one is $3 and goes to CHOC.  This blue one is $2 and is a Visa.

G: What do you mean its $2?

B: That's the fee for the card.

G: I don't understand.

B: If you want a $50 card, it will be $52 or $53 depending on the card you purchase. 

G: Well, that's stupid.   I don't really have a choice, do I?

B: If you don't want to pay for a card, you can go to a specific store.

G: If that's what I wanted, I would do that, but that's not what I want.

B: Which card would you like...

She proceeded to purchase the card and hopefully, left the mall.

G: (walks over to the guest services desk and begins his statement)  So, the top story of the mall must be much larger than the bottom story, huh?

B: No.  They are exactly the same size.

Guest walks away.