Welcome to my Randomness XX

I had two stories to tell now none come to mind. Wow…talk about getting old.

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I remember!

Anyway, I was reception relief yesterday since my subordinate didn’t come to work. I haven’t been up to the reception desk in about a month or so?

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A client calls. Need to speak with Jack, please (Names changed, of course)

Me: I’m sorry Jack is out of the office for an event. Would you like to leave a message or be transferred to his voicemail?

Client: That’s what you told me last week. Did you ever give him the message?

Me: I’m sorry, this is the first time I’ve been at the reception desk since last month. I work in the accounting department and we’re short-staffed at the moment.

Client: Oh. Well, when will he be back?

Me: I’m not sure I know he had training last week and there’s an event this week. If you leave a message I’ll e-mail him your information. Jack returns phone calls accordingly.

Client: Ok, I need a loan and I was referred by Wells Fargo…

Etc. So goes the conversation.

Sometimes you can tell someone is prolonging the conversation. I was getting that type of feeling with this guy. Hey, what can I do? A client is a client right? Go with the flow, keep him engaged, interested, and portray that I really care about his needs and how our services can meet those needs… yada yada.

Yup, I was right. He just wanted to prolong the conversation. Unfortunately, he asked for my name and yes I gave it.

His conclusion/goodbye. Ok, sweetie thank you so much.

GAG.

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He was probably in his mid-thirties. Not that anything is wrong with that age. It’s definitely not the age for me. 🙂

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We were supposed to have an Alumni Volleyball game tonight. We aren’t having one. It got canceled. I’m totally disappointed.

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I was so looking forward to this game!

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At least tomorrow I still have my Saturday league. I’m going to need to find something after this Saturday league is over though.

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November 1st starts the end of my life. Not that I’ve had a life right now anyway. For sure, I’m going to start studying again. This time I’m determined. Studying 3/5 week nights I’m available. Saturday afternoon studying. Sunday afternoon reviews.

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Let’s hope I stick with it. I have 2 months planned out. I also have a weekly to-do list. I also have a daily to do list: M, T, W, S/S each day has several goals.

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Since I love lists and crossing things off my list…this should help me stay motivated and determined. I’ve also accounted for Holidays.

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The second story I really wanted to share has completely eluded my mind.

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OH MY GOODNESS! I remember now! I think I remember at least. Vegetable oil. Everyone uses vegetable oil, right? Well, we also have olive oil, virgin olive oil, etc.Sometime this week in the evening I was really itchy. I couldn’t figure out why. I took Benadryl and it somewhat subsided. The next evening I was looking at the ingredients for pan de sal. Filipino bread. AMAZING taste. Anyway! It said vegetable oil. I randomly thought to look at the ingredients for vegetable oil just because I was in a weird mood. I don’t know what I was expecting but definitely not what I found out!

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There was only one ingredient for vegetable oil: SOYBEAN OIL

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I immediately stopped eating. That further complicates things considering almost EVERYTHING is cooked in vegetable oil. I think fewer people would actually use vegetable oil if they called it what it really was: soybean oil-sounds weird.

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This morning I came into work later than usual. I was actually able to talk to my dad. I don’t ever see my dad because I’m usually out of the house by the time he wakes up. He was awake a little earlier because he’s attending this online trading seminar. I opted to go into work late just to chat with him even if it was for 15 minutes. I love my dad. He’s always smiling. Honestly sometimes its hard to tell if he’s serious or not because he has those smile wrinkles.

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The only downside to this Saturday evening volleyball league…I’m unable to go out-of-town. My family is visiting my grandpa (he lives 3 hours away). I haven’t seen him since…oh dear. I don’t know when. Probably the summer time. Because in August my skin wreaked havoc and in September my volleyball league started. I miss him. My dad is just like him… lol.

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Any randomness you care to share?

Bad Habit #2

I wrote about a bad habit of mine awhile back… Click here to read about it.

 

Now here’s bad habit #2.

 

I occasionally drive on empty or close to empty.

 

I don’t know what it is about making sure I absolutely need gas in my car. I need gas either way if it’s empty or not empty. Somehow I feel better about myself if I put gas at the last possible mile to see how far I can stretch my gas for the week.

 

It’s a bad habit. My dad has talked with me several times about this already. Sometimes, I’m running late and can’t stop for gas. Sometimes, I don’t even look at my gas gauge until the need gas light comes on. Sometimes, I need to stretch out my gas a little further so I can stretch out my money. (I know, I paid off a student loan so I can very well put gas in my car)

 

It’s quite a jump from filling up on less than $30 to now having to fill up at $40. My car tends to be the car everyone wants to ride in and personally sometimes I’d rather be the driver than some other people. No offense or anything.

 

Bad Habit #1 People Watching

Bad Habit #2 Driving on empty

 

What’s yours?

 

So much for remembering…

My brother’s football tournament was today.

My brother asked me to print off directions for my dad. Before I left for work.

I did. I couldn’t remember exact directions from the last time I dropped off my brother. So I went on google maps.  Instead of giving the bare minimum of directions based off google maps. I wrote extra stuff down, i.e. pass Ramona Blvd don’t pass Central. 2.1 miles from your last turn, etc.

When I handed my dad the directions I relayed the information I wrote down with a bit more detail. “You’ll pass Ramona and you keep going straight. It will look like you’re lost but you’re not. Monte Vista will be a small street-you’ll stop at a stop sign, etc.” My dad says, “Yeah, I’ll remember when we get closer.”

Fast forward 10 minutes…

My dad and brother are in the truck pulling out the driveway…

I’m in the kitchen getting ready to leave as well.

Hm, there’s this sheet of paper with my hand-writing on it…

OH MY GOODNESS! It’s the directions!

Hurrying out the door to catch them…I shake my head as my dad is smiling as he opens the car door.

 

Fast forward 30 minutes….

I randomly check my phone for any messages as I’m getting ready to exit the freeway

I got a missed call from John.

My thoughts: “Oh dear…what now?”

John: Never mind…we’re here.

I walk into my office and check my phone.

Text message from John: Nvm we found it lol we had to make 2 U-turn; haha.

So much for remembering…

 

Funny e-mail from my mom:

As soon as this happens…..

Retire with dignity…

Welcome to my Randomness XIX

This whole week has been a gloomy-sky kind of week.

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But today the sun actually played peek-a-boo…

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Oh and I don’t like gloomy skies. I would rather have it bright and sunny or completely dark. None of this gray and in-between stuff; be one or the other please.

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Still no word from any interviews about second interviews or job offers; this is getting really discouraging.

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A blessing in disguise about my job though it has allowed me to pay off two student loans. I think when I get my retroactive pay from the last 2 pay periods I’ll cut the remaining loan in half.

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I’m glad I still live with my parents. I’m not planning on moving out anytime soon since I love traveling and plan to travel quite frequently.

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I must confess my posts have been nothing substantial and I must apologize…I’m finding myself withdrawing from everything and everyone. I apologize, please forgive me. I’ll do better, promise!

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Funny conversation a few nights ago….My friend, Donnie, (name changed, of course) texted me. Basically saying he was done with girls for right now and “these things get more complicated as ppl get older….”

Me: Oh yeah. My thoughts are focused on self right now and that’s not a good thing. Because I’m getting used to it and thinking about someone intruding—bad thought

Donnie:  Well you can focus on me! I’m having the issues right now haha

Me: Lol and who will you be focusing on?! Haha. I’m so against being intruded upon. I think the only relationship I’d want is long distance.

Donnie: Haha….well I’ll be long distance…wink wink. BAHAHAHAHAHAHA

End of conversation

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Danny and I were supposed to attend Longoria’s event at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre last night for her Documentary Premiere. Unfortunately, we got stuck in traffic and weren’t able to go. To console ourselves we went to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.

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Yes! I know I went there last Saturday but this fried chicken is sooo gooood!

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I am picky about fried chicken… and fried chicken with waffles and syrup.. AMAZING!

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Don’t you dare comment and say ew..gross, either. We cannot be friends if you do not even try this stuff!

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The other day I went to Albertson’s to stock up on some snacks. (I keep the snacks in my car or leave them at work because my brother will eat them in a day) Anyway…as I was walking out of Albertson’s I hear someone’s car alarm go off. I reach my car and it is still going off… I’m now looking for this car…

 

Oh...that's why ....

 

 

End of story.

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Enjoy your weekend and hope you enjoyed another segment of welcome to my randomness!

My Experience with Student Loans

I paid off another student loan! One more to go. Let me share a few things I’ve learned, maybe it will help you.

Read your statement. I got my loans through Sallie Mae. It has all the information about your loan, interest rates, monthly payments, automatic withdrawal, etc. Read it! Find out how many loans you have, what are the interest rates on each, when are the due dates, etc.

Research. Find out if you can consolidate your loans-I had 3 different loans and all three had different amounts and different interest rates. There are requirements for lowering interest rates or consolidating your loans. Find out if you qualify!

Do the math. Sallie Mae conveniently worked out a payment plan to my demise. If I had paid less than $100 every month for the next 10 years, my three loans would have been paid off. Of course, they didn’t mention how much in interest I would be paying. If I tripled the amount every month for each loan I would have paid off the loan in 3 years with more of my payments being applied to the principal rather than the interest.

Pay extra. It doesn’t hurt to go on spending fasts every now and then to apply the money “saved” to your loan. You’ll feel better about yourself.

Pay attention. If you’re planning to pay extra I strongly advise you to pay 2-3 days right after you paid your monthly payment. In that way, the extra payment will be applied directly to your principal. Pay attention. Check your loans several times a month to monitor when the interest kicks in and starts accruing.

What’s your interest rate. I had three different loans. I had three different interest rates. Two were fixed rates and one was a variable rate. Read about the variable rate. What causes it to fluctuate, how to steer away from fluctuating rates, etc. Always pay off the highest interest rate first.

Use your savings. I don’t make that much money. My yield on my savings account does not exceed  my interest rate on my student loans. If you’re able to pay off a good bit of your loan with your savings DO IT! Chances are you don’t have a savings account yielding 5-6% to cover for the interest accruing on your student loan.

Make extra payments. It doesn’t hurt to make extra payments. That kicks back your due date for your monthly payments. It doesn’t mean if you made two payments in November you don’t need to pay in December. Pay in December! Only use up that extra month if you’re in an unforseen financial bind.

I enrolled in automatic withdrawal for each loan. I specifically made extra payments to the loan with the highest interest rate. I went on spending fasts-no eating out, no clothes, no buying anything-all that extra money went to the loan with the highest interest rate.

If you have any further questions-ask away. I hope I can help and hopefully these tips will work for you!

“Well my mom said!”

I’ve been on the new employment radar…

Lately I’ve been losing weight.

Actually, I’ve lost weight and I’m not trying to purposely lose anymore. I’m more on the maintenance side of the weight issue.

A few days ago my mom said… “People don’t like it when you’re too skinny. They won’t hire you.”

 

For the record, I eat. I love eating but my list of untouchable foods encompasses a lot of the food my family eats daily. I’m stuck with veggies and rice.

By the way, they had salmon last night. My mom is planning to cook more salmon tonight. What will I get stuck with? Brussels Sprouts. Don’t get me wrong, I love veggies! My mom also knows if I don’t have anything to eat, I won’t eat. It’s a lose-lose situation for mom when she’s trying to get me to gain weight. They love their soy sauce 🙂

Thank you! Thank you!

Received another award October 9th. Unfortunately, I was unable to relish in this award until now BUT better late than never! 🙂

Thank you Princess Diaries for such an award and the kind words that went with it!

 

As a side note but one along the lines of thanks and compliments, I received an indirect compliment yesterday. I say indirect because it wasn’t said to me, to my face, but relayed to me by a trusted source. I say trusted because the compliment-or and the trusted source are good friends, to say the least.

I digress, the compliment: The guys are missing out… Melanie is a good catch.

Welcome to my Randomness XVIII

Friday all I did was drive.

At least that’s what it felt like: drive to work, drive to Long Beach Community College, drive to Target, then drive home-only to find out my brother is expecting someone to take him to his game.

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I take a 40 minute nap. Drive my brother to his game in Chino, drive back home, quickly get ready for a family gathering, drive to Pomona for family gathering, then drive home. FINALLY.

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Later on today, Saturday: Drive my sister to a bridal shower (West Covina), run company errands-yes, on a saturday, pick up my friend Courtney from ULV (University of La Verne, pick up my sister from West Covina, drive to Americana at Brand, drive to Griffith Observatory for the sunset, drive to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles for dinner off Sunset Blvd, then drive home. I’ll probably have to drop Courtney off at ULV too.

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If Friday’s drivers are going to be the same kind of drivers on Saturday I may have my sister drive.

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I emailed him and invited him to a Saturday game. I told him if he wanted to come to text me if he didn’t want to come. A text is unnecessary. Is that rude?

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This weather is killing me. It’s cold then hot. Friday was drizzling/spitting and in the afternoon it was warm and sunny THEN in the evening was cold and breezy.

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California weather please make up your mind. My allergies go berserk and so does my health!

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Honestly, if I wanted sporadic and spastic weather I would move to Greenville, South Carolina. There is sporadic and spastic. In one week I could experience all four seasons!

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I’ve got an Interview on Monday at 1:30. I haven’t heard anything from USC yet. I’m planning on calling them Monday to see how the interview process is going for all the applicants and if I’m still in the running.  

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I’ll be updating my Resume and adding a whole lot more responsibilities and duties to my current job description.

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Thursday I was not feeling well at all. Wednesday night was a horrible allergy night. I think it’s from the egg rolls I ate, they had carrots in them. It’s really hard to remember I’m allergic to veggies-celery, carrots, and potatoes.

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I digress, so Thursday I call in sick. I’m exhausted. My allergies/sinus are kicking in. Menopausal weather does not help. I’m expected to come into the 3 pm meeting. The meeting lasted 30minutes. Honestly, they should’ve called my home phone for this meeting.

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This is getting ridiculous. I’m really in need of a sabbatical.

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What I really want to do though is get alone. No distractions and no people. Just sit, contemplate, pray, read, relax, and fast. Maybe I only need 1 day, or maybe 2-3 days. I just need a couple of days to refocus and reenergize.

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It doesn’t look like that can happen anytime soon. Praying it does though. I need it.

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Until then this will be my happy thought….

It’s not the first time…

I had dinner with friends on my day off Monday.

Of course they asked my outlook on the dating scene-am I looking? interested? leery? fed up?

Honestly, I’ll gladly take the stage 1 of relationships: the flirting, the compliments, flattery, no DTR talks, (Defining The Relationship) or better yet…bring me to stage 3 where we’re madly in love and have put in the hard work, sacrifice, and time. Where we’re just enjoying each other without the ups & downs, etc. Where basically, I’m just waiting for my ring.

Hint at going to stage 2 and I will disappear. Even if YOU don’t hint at it, if I feel it….I will run away. I’ll put up the walls. I’ll be sarcastic and mean.

Contemplating relationships, it isn’t worth it right now. As much as I miss being in a relationship-I won’t lie its fun but it also is a sacrifice of everything you have. Of course, eventually I would like to get married, key word: eventually.

Couple the above with the factors of not knowing what I’m doing in life-job, career, etc. I wouldn’t want anymore complications. Nor do I need anymore!

Granted, I feel this way because Mr. Man hasn’t shown up on my doorstep yet. Then again, I’m also suffering from tunnel vision and tunnel hearing. Even if he were pass my way I probably have already missed him.

I digress so I finish my spiel and he comments… “That’s such like a guy…”

It’s definitely not the first time I’ve heard that said about me… nor will it be the last, no doubt.

 

Welcome to my Randomness XVII

I’m in interview overload at the moment. I interviewed with Metro for an AP Clerk position specifically under the union. I had an interview with ExEd in West LA yesterday for Accounting Analyst. Today, I had an interview with USC for Accounting/Cash Managing/Database system.

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Confusing I know. I will tell you regarding USC, I feel blessed: About 200 applicants were screened by HR and passed onto the Hiring Manager. The Hiring Manager has interviewed 10 people so far.

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To be quite honest, the fact that I interviewed with USC is pretty cool. Of course, my expectations aren’t parked there. I will do my best preparing for each interview but whatever happens, happens and I will be grateful no matter what!

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Moving on to the non-serious aspect… uhm, is this weird to you?

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I was just wondering if anyone else thought it weird.

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Oh I’m also wondering who else gets Columbus Day as a Holiday? I do. I think it’s weird since we don’t observe Veteran’s Day but then again we also celebrate Cesar Chavez day.

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Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining.. Give me all the Holidays you want! I’ll take them! 🙂

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Oh goodness this LA weather is crazy! It rained Mon, Tues, and Wednesday. Today, Friday its about 85 degrees outside.

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Sorry, my brain is moving quite slowly while thinking of all the randomness that’s happened in my life. I’m still stuck on interview mode and today’s interview was at least 45 minutes which is the longest interview I’ve been through.

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Granted I’m enjoying polishing my speaking skills and thinking on my feet. This is as close as it’s getting in a classroom setting for me, at least for now.

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Can i just say I love blogging?! It’s quite therapeutic for me. 🙂

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I must say, my faithful readers and commentors (is that a word? What’s the proper term for that?)… I appreciate YOU! Yes, you! Whenever I see a comment it makes me feel quite special. Not to mention I love reading YOUR blog as well!

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Well its leave at 3pm day because of the expected Holiday traffic. I must finish things up before I leave.

Oh and those of you who live in LA & Orange County.. it’s flashing all over the freeways. Child Abduction.

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Have a most wonderful weekend! I’m hoping to capture some parking fail pictures this weekend 🙂

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Hopefully I don’t encounter anymore random bathroom flushing signs…