View From the Top

Today was my last day before this very long and hopefully relaxing weekend.  Ahhh!  I’ve already done most of my chores (i.e. dishes, laundry, cleaned kitchen and bathroom and thrown out the trash) and I’m planning on sleeping in tomorrow, and enjoying the next couple of days just sitting back, relaxing.  After all, I deserve it.

Here’s a snapshot from our window at work. 

I zoomed in closer and found that guy hanging outside the building.  Maybe he cleans the windows, maybe he’s checking the structure, who knows.  But he sure was way up there, wasn’t he? 

Asti! – my new battle cry =P

All caught up with schoolwork.  Woohoo!  I sit and celebrate with Martini & Rossi – BFF for life, okay?  I am looking forward to a good night’s rest and tomorrow after work I will be kidnapping Becky and taking her to the Pumphouse maybe.

For now I want to introduce everyone to Betha.  My house plant.  Everyone, including the Dillon’s “plant” guy says these plants have a short life span but Lookie! she is still alive. 

We’ve had a couple scares already.  First, around the third month when she started getting taller than what the specs label said she should be she started leaning.  I guessed it was because she was attracted to the light coming from the window.  I got a skewer stick and stuck it beside her to keep her growing straighter but soon enough she got taller than the skewer stick.  Then after I started classes I sorta forgot to water her and she started drying up.  I stuck her under the faucet and almost broke the top bloom.  I secured it with a string for the night and the next day she was good as new.  So a little bit of care, we’re still in business.

BTW, I named her Betha which is a name of Celtic origin meaning life. Just because she has lasted so long. Her normal life expectancy would only have been a month or two, and here we are going on 4 months. I would be happy if she makes it through the winter season.

So guess what we did…

I had the pleasure of attending two special wedding this summer.  One was in Tulsa for our friends Kyle and Carly, and the other in Wichita for Anthony and Julie.  I know I never shared any pictures, but here are a couple as proof.

Kyle and Carly’s wedding

Anthony and Julie’s wedding

This mini blog update was brought on by our most recent dinner double date with Kyle and Carly.  (Hey, guys!  It was awesome.)  They joined us at Abuelo’s for dinner tonight, and we had the best catch up conversations.  It’s these little moments with friends that help you stop time and just enjoy life.  I know I’ve been ranting about all my good fortunes but I think I’ve failed to acknowledge that through my bad times, I’ve always had good friends to push me on.  So a little thank you to everyone for all their support.

Speaking of friends, my long lost buddy Becky is in town for an externship so you’ll be hearing more about our shananigans for the next few weeks.  Stay tuned!

Holy Mother of Rockstars!

Yes, life’s been hectic.  I was normally hired in to work 2nd shift at the Wichita PD.  And being the newest person there I didn’t get a bid on getting the weekends off.  So, it was a hustle and bustle trying to get my schedule arranged just so.  Having enough time to do school work, trying to figure out which days I’ll be able to drive to Derby to see my son, when the best time to clean the house and do laundry, etc. etc. etc.  As it so happens, yesterday I was advised that they wanted me to train during first shift for a couple of weeks.  6:30am to 3pm?  My kind of day! No problem. Oh, and my trainer has weekends off, so I was advised that I didn’t even have to show up again until Monday.  God, was winking at me, and I was just waiting for a big booming voice to say “You’ve been punked!”  So after all the arranging and rearranging I have the best schedule ever!  Of course it’s only for the next two to three weeks, but I’ll take it anyway. 

Really the way it’s going nothing can go wrong.  I keep wondering what I did to make my luck turn around so much, but I don’t want to overanalyze lest my luck decide to leave me. 

Ray and Endo

Sing Along Time!

Crazy – Gnarls Barkley

I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that phase.
Even your emotions had an echo
In so much space
And when you’re out there
Without care,
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn’t because I didn’t know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy
Does that make me crazy
Does that make me crazy
Probably

And I hope that you are having the time of your life
But think twice, that’s my only advice
Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you think you are,
Ha ha ha bless your soul
You really think you’re in control

Well, I think you’re crazy
I think you’re crazy
I think you’re crazy
Just like me

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember is thinking,
I want to be like them
Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun
And it’s no coincidence I’ve come
And I can die when I’m done

Maybe I’m crazy
Maybe you’re crazy
Maybe we’re crazy
Probably

************

I think I spent an entire night just randomly breaking into song.  I’m a mobile musical in a small Asian package.

Currently blogging because I can’t fall asleep.  Too many things on my mind. 

Me, doing great and greater.  Work rawked tonight.  And I finally got all my books for this semester.  So, even though I planned on sleeping in tomorrow, I will be getting up early to do dishes, some laundry, take out the trash, and do some reading.  That’s the plan.  =D

I guess I’ll be in Records for awhile, until the rest of the new hires come in and we can all train together.  Unfortunately Records is short staffed as well, so while I wait I sit and help there as much as I can.  Eventually I’m actually supposed to be in Case Desk, so as long as I’m not taking a pay cut being in Records I’ll do it.  I’m kidding, it’s actually not bad, and everyone’s been really nice and helpful.  I told them that since they’ll be needing help still until they get some new hires I’ll keep helping them even after I transfer since I’m already being trained in it anyway.  They’re always busy. 

Oh, I’m not sure if I already posted where I work.  I know I mentioned the city, but specifically I work for the Wichita PD.  So everyone try to stay out of trouble.  More than not wanting the awkwardness of handling a case with a name I know, and not wanting to be put in that situation, I also don’t need to extra paperwork.  Find a hobby and get out of the way.  Seriously folks, this is freakin’ Wichita, Kansas, behave like the good suburban kids that you know you really are.  And stop asking me to look you or your friends up, the entire department have drilled it in my head NOTHING GETS OUT and I think they really mean it.

With all that said, I know my friends are good.  The warning was more for the general public, the stalkers that read this site and do not let their presence known.  I do have Blog Stats and I see you. Muah ha ha ha ha!  Yeah, I’m crazy!

The Orientation – Not As Planned

My orientation for my new job was at 8:30am this morning.  I had anticipated pictures taken for the badge so I got up extra early to primp.  My luck, it was pouring outside.  I actually wore Ray’s robe to the car and into Quik Trip to get coffee.  I did not find out what a mess I looked until my badge was given back to me.  Of course, an hour had passed before I got my badge since I had to get all sorts of clearance working in the city hall. 

After 4 hours of filling out paperwork, I thought I was ready to head home and get the stuff from my to-do list.  Unfortunately I was advised by personnel to report to my department.  They were going to start me today.  Wee!  I had another picture taken for the Police Department website and this one turned out better, thank God!  I was fingerprinted given the tour and temporarily placed in the 6th floor to relieve the Chief’s secretary.  Filled out more paperwork, read a gigantice manual, and sold my soul. 

The great part is that everyone is really laid back and it’s a very fun environment considering the situation.  The worst part, I’ll be in the know on the entire population’s business, probably heard more information today on other people’s personal lives than I’ve ever known on anyone my entire life, but I can’t tell a soul.  Someone’s playing a joke on me =P

Anyway, Ray had to work extra today again and since I was unable to get home early to prepare dinner I’ll be ordering take out from McAllister’s, the new restaurant on Maple, to feed us both.  Tomorrow is back to work again, but it shouldn’t be stressful for another 3 weeks.  I got hired on a week earlier than two other people so I’ll be just hanging out getting paid until they come in and then we’ll all start training together. 

Since I was unable to get school stuff done, I will still be getting up early tomorrow to knock some of those to-do’s because they are fairly important.  Let’s all wish it doesn’t rain again.

Sunday Night Recap

This will be the post with the most camera captures yet! It is necessary to get the full picture (no pun intended) of the weekend that was.

First Ray was delayed at work and did not make it home until around 2pm. We cancelled our dinner plans at Sumo’s and opted instead for PF Chang’s. On our way there huge black smoke was spotted just half a block southeast of the Auburn Hills golf course. Ray took spics while I passed by. I guess the fire was just recently spotted because we passed the fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances on the way to Kellogg.

PF Chang’s was packed as always. We weren’t seated until 15 minutes past our reservation time but it was all worth it. We had our usual entree with the Chicken Lettuce Wrap appetizer. I was stuffed before the fortune cookies ever hit the table.

After Chang’s we went to Liquid and played the pseudo Megatouch machine by the bar, which Adina tried to steal.

Saturday was Carla’s Birthday party. It was our first time at their house and we got lost. We actually sat our car in the street until Ching and Brian got there and followed them to the house.

Paul spent the entire day preparing Thai cuisine, which was way too much for everyone there. We were all full and unable to leave our chair before the actual four or five entree were even garnished. Three different appetizers, about four different entrees, and two different desserts. The worst part was that they were all so good I couldn’t admit I was full and I ate more than I would normally eat in an entire week. And I eat A LOT!

We also bonded with their dogs, Endo and Chewie. They are so absolutely mellow and cuddly, even Ray bonded with them. Carla made us take the pet compatibility test and we have both agreed on a Shiba Inu. Not quite sure if Ray has agreed on letting me have a puppy but I will definitely have one eventually, regardless.

The rest are taken by Ching with her camera phone:

So there it is and I’m sure this is going to make a fairly long blog. I have to head to bed and get an early start tomorrow. The agenda goes as follows:

• Orientation
• Buy two more books
• Start reading assignments for all four classes
• Send off vocational forms for all four classes
• Install software needed for all four classes
• Get started on all assignments due
• Sort out all my stuff (i.e. clothes, paperwork) that have accumulated in my car from living in two different houses at once
• Plan the week ahead

Fun stuff! Yet, I’m grateful. Now more than ever, everything seems to be falling into place. I landed an awesome job, I’m succesfully knocking out courses I need to get my degree, I finally got a book published, and I have an awesome support system of family and friends. (And I always look good regardless of the scene or situation =P) There’s really nothing left to ask for. Except maybe a Shiba Inu, oh, and a pic of that to end the blog would be fitting. ‘Til next blog.

Friday Morning Quickie

Ran to WalMart real early this morning.  I’ve been wanting to make another batch of sweet tea for days but have been too lazy to go out and buy sugar.  I finally have so whoever is thirsty it’ll be cold and ready by this evening.  Though we might not be home.  Ray has planned a sushi and sherbert night for me at Sumo’s.  Yay!

Currently I am at Mom’s grabbing some clothes from my closet (remember I’m supposed to be living at my parents so I do stil have a room here) to wear tonight.  Really going shopping every weekend has killed it for me.  There’s not much new stuff left at the stores when you frequent them so often. 

Regardless, everyone knows the drill.  I’m pretty much MIA on the blog thing all weekend unless something mind blowing occurs.  But as always I will be back Monday to post any camera captures and share a recap of all that was. 

Speaking off Monday, my orientation at work will be at 8:30am so I might not be checking in until much later.  I’m not sure how long the whole thing will last.  Supposedly it’s to go through my paperwork, apply for benefits, fill out W-4’s and such.  The HR lady also mentioned something about being fingerprinted.  Tough crowd!  I assume they’ll be taking my picture for my work badge as well so there will be a considerable amount of prepping to do =P Until much later then kiddos…ciao!