Delivery

I think it's funny that the lady in charge of deliveries (I know this because she wore a t-shirt with the word 'DELIVERY' on it) at Skool Lunch is very pregnant.

Sleepless Night(s)

 

I don't really have many sleepless nights anymore, but I can totally relate to this cartoon.  Besides, I don't think there's such as thing as too much sleep, right?

Unless you pay for it, it's not yours!

I have a boss who pay extra money each month to have a reserved parking spot in a prime area near our building.  As she usually comes in to the office around 9:30 each morning and the parking lot is pretty full by then, this is a cost that she doesn't mind incurring.  Unfortunately, because the space is very convenient, a few people in the building have taken to ignore the "RESERVED PARKING" sign and park their vehicles in her spot on more than one occassion. Today was not an exception ...

My boss, LC, ran late to work today because of an errand she had to run before work and by the time she got in the parking garage, the place was packed and someone had parked in her spot.  She got some information off of the vehicle parked in her spot and took it to the people who handle such matters.  This person's office was notified and her assistant said that she would come down and move the car ... 20 minutes later, no assistant and LC had to come up and start on her day, noting that she is to be notified when the delinquent parker is ready to move her car.

Two hours later ... the receptionist notified me that someone was at the office looking for LC to move her car.  LC was in a meeting and couldn't get to her right at that moment.  She threw a fit! Sure, she was tall and thin, but with all that make up and one too many fake bakes, she was SCARY!

Illegal Parker:  "Can't you get her keys and move the car?"

Me:  No, I will not rummage through her purse and move the car!

Illegal Parker:  "How long is she going to be?"

Me:  I have no idea, she is in a meeting (just like you claim to be when you refused to move your car from her spot two hours ago).  She knows you're here and when she is at a point when she can walk away ...

Illegal Parker:  "I have a lunch appointment and I need her to move her car!"

Me:  (Well, then ... you shouldn't have parked in a spot that's not RESERVED for you!)

WHAT A WITCH!

I ♥ hankies ...

This handkerchief is 18 years old.  That's right, 18 years old!  If it was a child, it'd be graduating from high school and starting college.

I bought a set of probably six hankies within the first couple of weeks of my mission in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.  This is the last of the set. You don't see many women using handkerchieves anymore ... I want  to find a few more.  I love the feel of a clean and freshly pressed handkerchief ... with a  bit of perfume sprayed on it.

Liver and Onions

Last night I got together with a couple of friends to celebrate our birthdays by dining at a Salt Lake institution, Ruth's Diner. Neither friend opposed me in ordering the liver and onions, so I got it! I know, I know half of the people reading this is cringing at the mention of the word, "liver", but I love it! It was the first time I had the dish at Ruth's and truth be told, while it wasn't bad, I like the way the dish is made at Lamb's better.

And while I like the way Americans cook liver and onions, nothing beats the way my mom cooks liver, the Indonesian way ... Sambal (Chili) Goreng (Fried) Hati (Liver)!  Yeah, yeah, yeah, everyone says that their mom's liver recipe is the best and that if you try theirs you'd learn to like liver, but I'm not kidding about the cliche this time.  Now, I just need to write mom and ask her for the recipe so I can make me some after all the birthday dining out is done .... liver and some tofu ... doesn't that sound like heaven?

Officially 40-something ...

So, I'm officially 40-something this past weekend.  I had a great birthday and am so lucky to have such great friends who make me feel so loved.  Took Friday off of work, somewhat slept in, got a massage, went to lunch for some wonton noodle soup with Kent, got a hair cut from Tuan, went to dinner Tracie and Janeen for some TGIFriday's Jack Daniels flat iron steak and dessert at Gourmandise, birthday party at Mo Bettah Steaks on Saturday, dinner and Masterpiece Theater at Brenda's on Sunday, and sushi with Pat on Monday night ... I'm sure I'll be celebrating some more in the coming days, weeks and months ... I'm so feeling the love ♥♥♥

Life's Mistakes

A few years ago, I had walked away from saucepan with some oil on the stove top and created a grease fire. I attempted to turn off the range but I couldn't get to the knob, so I tried to remove the saucepan from the range ... that was when the flame came toward me and I burned my hands, arm, singed some hair and left my face looking like I had a terrific sunburn. A blister started to form on my right arm and I knew that I wouldn't be able to drive since it hurts to even try to make a fist.  A friend helped get me to an InstaCare and I was able to get some medical attention I needed for the first and second-degree burns I suffered.

The process of healing took a while.  It involved multiple visits to the doctor's office and lots of pain medication.  During a follow-up visit, a painful procedure had to be done to pop the blisters and remove the dead skin, leaving raw flesh exposed.  I was in so much pain, but this was necessary for proper healing.

Of course, I was limited in my mobility during this healing period.  I had to keep the dressing dry, so I couldn't take showers for the first few days.  Baths were out of the question because the still waters could harbor bacteria that might infect the wounds.  I couldn't give myself a sponge bath with both hands bandaged and didn't want anyone else to give me one.  It took me an average of 90 minutes to get ready for the day. Being right-handed, having to do everything with my left hand was a challenge. The wound itched like crazy, but that was a good sign of healing.

This incident came to mind, because I have a friend who is struggling as a consequence of her poor choices.  This friend had committed a felony some years ago, served some time and had made the restitution asked of her. She was recently fired from a job because she had failed to disclose this crime on her job application.  She is frustrated that she should "continue bear the punishment" inflicted on her after she had made restitution.  I can't help but see the similarity of her experiences to my grease fire incident.  In life, we will make mistakes.  We will go through some painful experiences as consequence of our poor choices and judgement.  However, time and proper attention to the situation will heal the wounds we've inflicted upon ourselves.  While we will eventually be able to go on with life, some scars will remain with us forever and that is not something that can always be hidden.  My scar in the picture above is barely visible, but I'm glad to have it on my hand because it serves as a reminder to me that we are to learn from our past mistakes.

OMG!

The other day, I was waiting to cross the street, when I noticed a man standing around the corner smoking.  No big deal, until he turned around and I saw that he had an oxygen tank attached to him.  Some people just can't wait to die!

On a side note, they have been airing an anti-smoking  campaign ads on TV and radio where different people read "Dear Me" letters telling their stories of how they started smoking and how tragic their lives are because of the nasty habit.  They all end by saying, "No one can make me quit, but me." I think these ads stupid and annoying! I know I'm being mean when I say that they brought it on themselves and deserved their fates ...

Middle Aged?

Marilyn Manson's 41st birthday is today. NPR, this morning, referred to him as "a middle-aged rock star".  Really? I'm only 17 days younger.  I mean, REALLY? Middle-aged, huh?

Welcome 2010!

Well, despite my best efforts and good intentions, the holiday newsletter I started soon after Halloween missed the Christmas deadline altogether and it is now a New Year’s Newsletter. Can you believe that another year/decade is coming to an end? If you'd like a copy which includes my 2009 highlights (either by email/snail mail), please let me know and I'll try to send it to you before 2010 ends. Otherwise, I hope this condensed and edited blog entry finds you and yours in good health and that you’ve had much success and happiness in 2009.

Once again, I’m finding myself very lucky, especially in this economy, to still have the same job I’ve had for 14 years to keep me productive and support my addiction to food and shelter, a car with four NEW tires to transport me this winter, necessary debts I am able to pay off on a regular basis, and great friends to keep me company and laughing. I am grateful to those who tell me that I am NOT fat, just voluptuous and now that I’m 40, I am as fabulous as two 20-year-olds. Once again I find myself lacking nothing and blessed with more than I deserve.

I wish you and yours the very best in 2010. May you continue to be blessed with the happiness, health and prosperity you so deserve.

Happy New Year!
Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Selamat Tahun Baru!