Hey folks.
I have internet--it is even wireless.
I do not, however, have my blackberry. I did buy a crappy little phone and swapped sim cards--so I am still reachable.
Thats all, nothing too exciting. It's raining here in the rain forest.
I have a new appliance--a toaster oven. I have never had one of these things before and I have to tell you I will never be without one again.
The dogs are doing well--still spoiled. They go everywhere with me, Life's big ol' head hanging out the side window drool flying. I think I am starting to be known as the dog lady. Oh well, I've had worse nicknames--heck, in college I was snake lady.
*hugs*
-H.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
***IMPORTANT NOTE***
I am cut off from people. My blackberry died. AAHHHHHH!.
I will let you know if and when I get it working again.
Sorry!
I will let you know if and when I get it working again.
Sorry!
Friday...
So as we are all aware, I do not have an exciting life--hence the posting I should have titled, "what I ate today" by Heather Wilkes. (LAME!)
But--here is the latest update from my 'hood.
My landlord calls me this morning to tell me he lost a day. I don't know how he lost a day but he seemed shocked that it was friday and not thursday. Anyway, that was not the main purpose of the call, I just thought it was kind of an odd thing to be told--he was telling me the update with his other tenant and how he has told her to get rid of her dogs and he will put the pet deposit towards her back rent. I have mixed feelings about this but in all honesty these dogs are not treated correctly anyway. But I could hear her crying in the background of this phone call.
Then, about 20 minutes later, he called again. Yeah, I couldn't make up this much drama.
So, remember her boyfriend, you know--the one that had a different girlfriend. Well, right after the landlord gave her her second notice (you know, that three step process towards eviction?) the boyfriend called and BROKE UP WITH HER. I know, shocking. A guy, cheating on his girlfriend (wife?), would treat a woman he was cheating with poorly? who knew that could happen. *sigh*
Well, during this phone call I could hear her howling. Yes, howling, in the background.
Methinks I don't wanna go home tonight.
*gulp*
I feel bad for the lady, I really do. Her life totally sucks right now.
But, since I don't have cable...
(Dang, I am so cynical!!!)
On the bright side of things--I may be getting internet tonight!!!! In my house. :)
AND
if I buy a router, that means I would be able to talk on the phone IN MY HOUSE.
I am quite excited.
Have a great friday, a great weekend, and I shall chat with ya'll later!!!
*hugs*
-H.
But--here is the latest update from my 'hood.
My landlord calls me this morning to tell me he lost a day. I don't know how he lost a day but he seemed shocked that it was friday and not thursday. Anyway, that was not the main purpose of the call, I just thought it was kind of an odd thing to be told--he was telling me the update with his other tenant and how he has told her to get rid of her dogs and he will put the pet deposit towards her back rent. I have mixed feelings about this but in all honesty these dogs are not treated correctly anyway. But I could hear her crying in the background of this phone call.
Then, about 20 minutes later, he called again. Yeah, I couldn't make up this much drama.
So, remember her boyfriend, you know--the one that had a different girlfriend. Well, right after the landlord gave her her second notice (you know, that three step process towards eviction?) the boyfriend called and BROKE UP WITH HER. I know, shocking. A guy, cheating on his girlfriend (wife?), would treat a woman he was cheating with poorly? who knew that could happen. *sigh*
Well, during this phone call I could hear her howling. Yes, howling, in the background.
Methinks I don't wanna go home tonight.
*gulp*
I feel bad for the lady, I really do. Her life totally sucks right now.
But, since I don't have cable...
(Dang, I am so cynical!!!)
On the bright side of things--I may be getting internet tonight!!!! In my house. :)
AND
if I buy a router, that means I would be able to talk on the phone IN MY HOUSE.
I am quite excited.
Have a great friday, a great weekend, and I shall chat with ya'll later!!!
*hugs*
-H.
a note about comments...
Because I love ya'll but I still know ya'll I have all the comments set to moderated. This means I get to see them before they get published. My family reads this after all! :)
I'm just letting ya know so that if you send a comment, it won't show up right away.
*hugs*
-H.
I'm just letting ya know so that if you send a comment, it won't show up right away.
*hugs*
-H.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
breakfast...
This morning I went to the cafeteria and purchased breakfast.
It was 2.00 and a tasty breakfast sandwich it was indeed. I may never cook breakfast again.
Very important sidenote: diet pepsi with spanish writing on it advertising something in 2008 is not good. Don't try it.
Additionally I feel a certain cell phone company characterized by three letters and an & between the 2nd and last letter may in fact be the devil.
Just fyi.
More on _ _ & _ later.
It was 2.00 and a tasty breakfast sandwich it was indeed. I may never cook breakfast again.
Very important sidenote: diet pepsi with spanish writing on it advertising something in 2008 is not good. Don't try it.
Additionally I feel a certain cell phone company characterized by three letters and an & between the 2nd and last letter may in fact be the devil.
Just fyi.
More on _ _ & _ later.
wednesday...
Hola folks.
Well I'm home after a long wednesday. I don't know what it is but the weeks are freakin' long here. And the weekends are freakishly short.
For those of you picturing me living an exotic lifestyle I want you to know I live a very boring life here on this island. It goes like this pretty much every day:
Wake up-early. Usually by 5.
Make breakfast-- including coffee (I've developed a serious love of coffee--I don't know why, but there is just something about Dunkin Donuts artificially flavored vanilla coffee.) Let dogs out. Feed dogs. Let dogs out again. Eat breakfast. Give dogs leftover breakfast.
Get dressed--wardrobe choice is limited to Nomex, or Nomex. I now have 2 colors to chose from, beige or blue. I own 3 old beat up, torn, stained beige colored nomex--but it is super light. I own 6 pairs (thanks Rob!!!) of dark blue "dress" nomex. I'm not going to lie--I look darn good in the blue (well, not like, wear it out to the club good, but you know, professional looking) but they are THICK!!! Thick means warm. But they weren't as bad as I had feared. They kind of feel like denim.
So then I leave for work. Sometimes I skip breakfast and go straight to work and eat a granola bar. (I know how boring this is--wait, its gets worse)
The sun rises as I drive towards the twinkling lights and towers of the refinery.
I turn off my radio (ipod) and roll down all my windows (so security can search the truck). Smile and make nice with security and hand over badges-one for the car, one for me, one for my laptop.
Then off I go to my office. Which is located conveniently at the top of the fire station. There I either gather equipment to go monitor people, or fiddle with my lab stuff, or a billion or one other things that are all fairly interesting.
Somewhere between 11 and 1 I grab lunch. Either eating in the cafeteria or getting it to go. I sit with a group of fairly smart dudes...they argue philosophy, safety issues, and sometimes like today they chat about different types of soda and food that were available "back in the day". I usually say nothing (I know, weird huh?) and eat.
Then I either finish up monitoring, go to meetings (there are a lot of meetings), talk asbestos, test asbestos, argue with my co-worker (we have a darn good sarcastic banter between us--that is something that doesn't go over well on the island. Since James is from New York and me being me--well, a little sarcasm makes the day better. ), and then ship off samples, write reports, etc.
End of day comes and I leave the gate the same way I came in. Then I fight some traffic, stop at my mailbox in the hopes someone has loved me enough to send me somethin, then home.
Where I am greeted by happy well rested dogs. We take a little walk where they relieve themselves and then I make dinner--for them and me.
Then shower and some dvd before bed.
Boring as heck, right?
Probably it will get more exciting eventually. :) but now I must sleep! :)
Well I'm home after a long wednesday. I don't know what it is but the weeks are freakin' long here. And the weekends are freakishly short.
For those of you picturing me living an exotic lifestyle I want you to know I live a very boring life here on this island. It goes like this pretty much every day:
Wake up-early. Usually by 5.
Make breakfast-- including coffee (I've developed a serious love of coffee--I don't know why, but there is just something about Dunkin Donuts artificially flavored vanilla coffee.) Let dogs out. Feed dogs. Let dogs out again. Eat breakfast. Give dogs leftover breakfast.
Get dressed--wardrobe choice is limited to Nomex, or Nomex. I now have 2 colors to chose from, beige or blue. I own 3 old beat up, torn, stained beige colored nomex--but it is super light. I own 6 pairs (thanks Rob!!!) of dark blue "dress" nomex. I'm not going to lie--I look darn good in the blue (well, not like, wear it out to the club good, but you know, professional looking) but they are THICK!!! Thick means warm. But they weren't as bad as I had feared. They kind of feel like denim.
So then I leave for work. Sometimes I skip breakfast and go straight to work and eat a granola bar. (I know how boring this is--wait, its gets worse)
The sun rises as I drive towards the twinkling lights and towers of the refinery.
I turn off my radio (ipod) and roll down all my windows (so security can search the truck). Smile and make nice with security and hand over badges-one for the car, one for me, one for my laptop.
Then off I go to my office. Which is located conveniently at the top of the fire station. There I either gather equipment to go monitor people, or fiddle with my lab stuff, or a billion or one other things that are all fairly interesting.
Somewhere between 11 and 1 I grab lunch. Either eating in the cafeteria or getting it to go. I sit with a group of fairly smart dudes...they argue philosophy, safety issues, and sometimes like today they chat about different types of soda and food that were available "back in the day". I usually say nothing (I know, weird huh?) and eat.
Then I either finish up monitoring, go to meetings (there are a lot of meetings), talk asbestos, test asbestos, argue with my co-worker (we have a darn good sarcastic banter between us--that is something that doesn't go over well on the island. Since James is from New York and me being me--well, a little sarcasm makes the day better. ), and then ship off samples, write reports, etc.
End of day comes and I leave the gate the same way I came in. Then I fight some traffic, stop at my mailbox in the hopes someone has loved me enough to send me somethin, then home.
Where I am greeted by happy well rested dogs. We take a little walk where they relieve themselves and then I make dinner--for them and me.
Then shower and some dvd before bed.
Boring as heck, right?
Probably it will get more exciting eventually. :) but now I must sleep! :)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
fastest posting ever...
Hey everyone, sorry it has been a while since I have posted. I know you worry.
:)
Yesterday (monday) sucked. It was a hot icky day, I had to deal with the politics of the place I am working, the place I work for, the place where I live (landlord, neighbor stuff), and people broke my shit. Okay, it wasn't my shit--but when an air pump is destroyed it still irritates the crap out of me.
It probably didn't help that I didn't get any sleep Sunday night--and just because I couldn't sleep, not because I was doing anything fun. *sigh*
Anyway, I have to make this short--turns out my wonderful "use my blackberry as a modem"-thing may not be so wonderful after all. :( :( :(
I'm going to try this weekend to get internet in the house.
I will say one thing for STX. Nothing is done easily.
FYI: for those of you who are following the soap opera, "Heather's Neighborhood" here is the update. Last night the neighbor cooked dinner for me and the landlord, it was very tasty. I know the landlord is having $ problems and he mentioned to me that my neighbor owes him $3200 in back rent. HOLY CRAP. The landlord drove the neighbor around yesterday to try to find her a job...it did not work. The neighbor may be sueing her ex-boss (the place she just quit) for sexual harassment and lack of payment. So, that's this weeks' episode of "Heather's Neighborhood" the place where there are 5 dogs, 3 humans, 2 wild roof dwelling iguanas,and 50 bazillion lizards (geckos).
I seriously need a field guide for this place...
:)
Yesterday (monday) sucked. It was a hot icky day, I had to deal with the politics of the place I am working, the place I work for, the place where I live (landlord, neighbor stuff), and people broke my shit. Okay, it wasn't my shit--but when an air pump is destroyed it still irritates the crap out of me.
It probably didn't help that I didn't get any sleep Sunday night--and just because I couldn't sleep, not because I was doing anything fun. *sigh*
Anyway, I have to make this short--turns out my wonderful "use my blackberry as a modem"-thing may not be so wonderful after all. :( :( :(
I'm going to try this weekend to get internet in the house.
I will say one thing for STX. Nothing is done easily.
FYI: for those of you who are following the soap opera, "Heather's Neighborhood" here is the update. Last night the neighbor cooked dinner for me and the landlord, it was very tasty. I know the landlord is having $ problems and he mentioned to me that my neighbor owes him $3200 in back rent. HOLY CRAP. The landlord drove the neighbor around yesterday to try to find her a job...it did not work. The neighbor may be sueing her ex-boss (the place she just quit) for sexual harassment and lack of payment. So, that's this weeks' episode of "Heather's Neighborhood" the place where there are 5 dogs, 3 humans, 2 wild roof dwelling iguanas,and 50 bazillion lizards (geckos).
I seriously need a field guide for this place...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Dear Liver...
Dear Liver,
I am sorry. I know I haven't prepared you for living here. I should have spent my last few months training--instead I drank water. Silly, I know. Liver, I appreciate all that you do and I care about you greatly. You are important to me--I need you! Please don't give up on us, try to remember the good times. With just a little effort on your part and a smidge of moderation on mine--I think we can make this work.
Love always,
Heather
I am sorry. I know I haven't prepared you for living here. I should have spent my last few months training--instead I drank water. Silly, I know. Liver, I appreciate all that you do and I care about you greatly. You are important to me--I need you! Please don't give up on us, try to remember the good times. With just a little effort on your part and a smidge of moderation on mine--I think we can make this work.
Love always,
Heather
Tuesday 01/20/2009
Evening everyone,
How’s things? It is 7:30 PM here which means it is 5:30 for most of you. I am exhausted. Almost stupid tired and in all honesty I don’t really have that much to say.
It has rained here the past few days, needless to say it has not improved the road to my apartment. Ooooh, oooh, I do have news. Well, it is not news it is more interesting tidbit of info. Remember back in the post where I explained how to get to my apartment –well, if you recall the super ugly blue house with the super ugly blue concrete fence with eagles on it painted ugly blue with faces painted to look like seagulls??? Well, turns out that used to be a whorehouse. Nope, not kidding. An actual whore house. The owner (pimp?) apparently died a few years ago and now someone lives there as if it were an actual house. All I could think was how many times do you have to bleach the bathroom in an old whore house before you would feel okay not wearing shoes in the shower or sitting all the way down on the toilet seat?
Yeah, I don’t think I could live there either. But who knows (I say as I’m looking around my apartment), anyone could have lived here before.
I also wondered what happened to all the old prostitutes who lived there when the old dude (pimp?) kicked…do you think they had somewhere to go, are there now free-range prostitutes running around…do you see what I start to think when I am stupid tired??? I warned ya’ll.
I have a neighbor drama update. She was sobbing when I got home. Again. I wish I didn’t sound so cynical but if someone sobs every day it sort of loses the effect (aka sympathy). Apparently the boyfriend didn’t show up to pick her up from work. This is the same man who apparently has another girlfriend who just doesn’t understand him (uh huh – do they ever understand?), is planning on taking her to Italy—she just has to get her passport (uh huh), and is going to bail her out of this “rent problem” (you know, the not paying it part). I keep trying to talk to her using logic. It is not working. Her car is totaled and she needs $700 to fix it, she works at a bar during the day but they often send her home early, and she is behind in rent. Did I mention the husband whom she is separated from? It is horrifying to watch, but I don’t know how to help her. Anyway, enough about that—maybe I am just cynical, perhaps this guy is her prince charming and will sweep her away from all this.
Hey, if someone does sweep her away from all this I can rent the place next door for when people come to visit. It attaches to my apartment with a door and then people could have their own little place to stay.
There is no garbage service to the house. When the landlord is around he takes the cans but he has been gone for a while. I tried to find the dump today, and failed. I know I have been there before—I think they moved it on me. :o)
Goodnight all, I will try to have something more interesting to write tomorrow.
*hugs*
How’s things? It is 7:30 PM here which means it is 5:30 for most of you. I am exhausted. Almost stupid tired and in all honesty I don’t really have that much to say.
It has rained here the past few days, needless to say it has not improved the road to my apartment. Ooooh, oooh, I do have news. Well, it is not news it is more interesting tidbit of info. Remember back in the post where I explained how to get to my apartment –well, if you recall the super ugly blue house with the super ugly blue concrete fence with eagles on it painted ugly blue with faces painted to look like seagulls??? Well, turns out that used to be a whorehouse. Nope, not kidding. An actual whore house. The owner (pimp?) apparently died a few years ago and now someone lives there as if it were an actual house. All I could think was how many times do you have to bleach the bathroom in an old whore house before you would feel okay not wearing shoes in the shower or sitting all the way down on the toilet seat?
Yeah, I don’t think I could live there either. But who knows (I say as I’m looking around my apartment), anyone could have lived here before.
I also wondered what happened to all the old prostitutes who lived there when the old dude (pimp?) kicked…do you think they had somewhere to go, are there now free-range prostitutes running around…do you see what I start to think when I am stupid tired??? I warned ya’ll.
I have a neighbor drama update. She was sobbing when I got home. Again. I wish I didn’t sound so cynical but if someone sobs every day it sort of loses the effect (aka sympathy). Apparently the boyfriend didn’t show up to pick her up from work. This is the same man who apparently has another girlfriend who just doesn’t understand him (uh huh – do they ever understand?), is planning on taking her to Italy—she just has to get her passport (uh huh), and is going to bail her out of this “rent problem” (you know, the not paying it part). I keep trying to talk to her using logic. It is not working. Her car is totaled and she needs $700 to fix it, she works at a bar during the day but they often send her home early, and she is behind in rent. Did I mention the husband whom she is separated from? It is horrifying to watch, but I don’t know how to help her. Anyway, enough about that—maybe I am just cynical, perhaps this guy is her prince charming and will sweep her away from all this.
Hey, if someone does sweep her away from all this I can rent the place next door for when people come to visit. It attaches to my apartment with a door and then people could have their own little place to stay.
There is no garbage service to the house. When the landlord is around he takes the cans but he has been gone for a while. I tried to find the dump today, and failed. I know I have been there before—I think they moved it on me. :o)
Goodnight all, I will try to have something more interesting to write tomorrow.
*hugs*
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
01-21-09
Dear Redwing boots: I love you. You are the comfiest boots I have ever owned. You are a "double wide" size, which although appears unnatractive it certainly makes life worth living while running around in hot weather.
You were worth every penny over the boot allowance.
Dear Refinery Cafeteria: I love you. You feed me daily, providing sustenance (and vegetables) and air conditioning in one convenient location.
As if that were not enough, you take my tray and wash my dishes.
Dear Beige nomex: I hate you. You are hot, scratchy, and make me look like a giant beige weeble wobble.
Dear hard hat: see above. You don't help the image thing and you give me acne as soon as you touch my skin.
You were worth every penny over the boot allowance.
Dear Refinery Cafeteria: I love you. You feed me daily, providing sustenance (and vegetables) and air conditioning in one convenient location.
As if that were not enough, you take my tray and wash my dishes.
Dear Beige nomex: I hate you. You are hot, scratchy, and make me look like a giant beige weeble wobble.
Dear hard hat: see above. You don't help the image thing and you give me acne as soon as you touch my skin.
*sheesh*
Okay people, I have talked to 3 of you in the past 24 hours and I have heard 3 complaints that I don't update enough. I am sorry, I have been slackin'
I had most of the weekend off and I concentrated on doing very little. Turns out I am good at doing very little. :)
I had Monday off too! (MLK day)
I wrote an entry last night but haven't had a chance to connect to the internet and post it.
Just to let you all know, I am doing pretty darn well. Getting tired of my neighbor's drama, but work is going ok. Learning new stuff
every day.
I'm writing this on my bberry at break.
Hugs to you all.
-H.
I had most of the weekend off and I concentrated on doing very little. Turns out I am good at doing very little. :)
I had Monday off too! (MLK day)
I wrote an entry last night but haven't had a chance to connect to the internet and post it.
Just to let you all know, I am doing pretty darn well. Getting tired of my neighbor's drama, but work is going ok. Learning new stuff
every day.
I'm writing this on my bberry at break.
Hugs to you all.
-H.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, 01/18/2009
Happy Sunday people.My first full week of work was last week. I don't know if I feel as ifI accomplished much, but I certainly ran around a lot and learned afew things.I learned that crappy pizza gives me heartburn, sushi with a lot of jalapenos hurts my stomach the next day, and this island is VERY big on drinking. Okay, so I knew the last part. :)
Groceries are wicked expensive, I swear I have no food but every timeI go to the grocery store its $100.
Random weird side note-to work in a restaurant here you have to poop in a cup and get checked for intestinal worms.
Yes, they told me this as I was eating--no, it didn't help my appetite. :)
The road up to my house is worse after the rains. I am not shocked bythis but I thank my company every single day I make it up that thingfor getting me a truck.And the highlight of my saturday (ready?). I bought a DVD player. Iwatched tv like a normal person. It was quite soothing to have it on in the background.
The TV that my co-worker gave me is starting to die. In the upper left corner its going green and it the upper rightits going purple. The purple is less noticeable but every once in awhile a person shows up in the upper left completely green. This leads me to shout "ALIEN" - every time.
I'm glad I find myself amusing,someone has too! :) :)My apartment is clean and I rearranged my furniture. I covered my couch with a couch cover. It made it much comfier. I had trouble sitting on it imagining God knows how many sweaty butts had sat on it before me.
(I know, ewww. This is kind of a gross post between the worm check and the sweaty couch sitters. Sorry bout that!)
Well, much love to ya'll. I'm starting to feel more settled in--the bugs still freak me out, but I'm gettin there.
The dogs on the other hand settled in pretty damn quick. Life is currently blowing her undercoat. That makes lovely dog hairtumbleweeds that blow around with the ceiling fan :(. They love going to the beach with me for long walks and jump in the car whenever possible. Teak has reverted to a "wild doodle" and runs around like a fool. He has found a nest of "something alive" and whenever possible he runs over there to point at it.
I don't know what it is but he has definitely confirmed it as a "nest of interest".
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
Groceries are wicked expensive, I swear I have no food but every timeI go to the grocery store its $100.
Random weird side note-to work in a restaurant here you have to poop in a cup and get checked for intestinal worms.
Yes, they told me this as I was eating--no, it didn't help my appetite. :)
The road up to my house is worse after the rains. I am not shocked bythis but I thank my company every single day I make it up that thingfor getting me a truck.And the highlight of my saturday (ready?). I bought a DVD player. Iwatched tv like a normal person. It was quite soothing to have it on in the background.
The TV that my co-worker gave me is starting to die. In the upper left corner its going green and it the upper rightits going purple. The purple is less noticeable but every once in awhile a person shows up in the upper left completely green. This leads me to shout "ALIEN" - every time.
I'm glad I find myself amusing,someone has too! :) :)My apartment is clean and I rearranged my furniture. I covered my couch with a couch cover. It made it much comfier. I had trouble sitting on it imagining God knows how many sweaty butts had sat on it before me.
(I know, ewww. This is kind of a gross post between the worm check and the sweaty couch sitters. Sorry bout that!)
Well, much love to ya'll. I'm starting to feel more settled in--the bugs still freak me out, but I'm gettin there.
The dogs on the other hand settled in pretty damn quick. Life is currently blowing her undercoat. That makes lovely dog hairtumbleweeds that blow around with the ceiling fan :(. They love going to the beach with me for long walks and jump in the car whenever possible. Teak has reverted to a "wild doodle" and runs around like a fool. He has found a nest of "something alive" and whenever possible he runs over there to point at it.
I don't know what it is but he has definitely confirmed it as a "nest of interest".
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday, January 14...
or, TOMORROW IS PAYDAY!!!!
Soon my friends, soon I shall get to eat food that I didn't cook. Was anyone aware that I am not that great of a cook? I wasn't either. I mean, it's all edible--it is just such a pain in the butt to cook for one person--especially without a microwave (yep, tomorrow I shall buy a microwave) and then you have to wash all the dishes.
Actually, I shouldn't complain - I got taken out for sushi last night. And it wasn't bad--in fact it was quite good.
However, and this is an important tidbit for everyone, if you know you have to wake up at 4:45 in the morning to get to an oil refinery by 5:30 at the latest to perform science-y type calibrating stuff do not stay out until midnight enjoying a fine glass of wine (or 2) with some co-workers-- even if it is very tasty wine. I say this because I found it to be unpleasant this morning. AND I found out I am stuck here until 4 because of RAM training. What is RAM training you ask? why it stands for Rapid Air Monitoring. I know, I thought we did it as fast as we could too...who knew I was performing Slacker Air Monitoring. Hmmmm, Slacker Air Monitoring...I wonder if I can get patches made for my nomex?
The highlight of my day so far? There is a dude named Otto. His office is between my IH lab and my asbestos lab. He is a definite fixture around these parts. Anyway, he had this tiny little pocket knife. I commented on it, he said they were super cheap (0.99). Anyway, he went out of his way and bought me one. Gave it to me this morning. It was so nice of him. Yes, its a crappy little knife, but crappy little knives come in SO handy. Should you care mine is yellow. :)
Soon my friends, soon I shall get to eat food that I didn't cook. Was anyone aware that I am not that great of a cook? I wasn't either. I mean, it's all edible--it is just such a pain in the butt to cook for one person--especially without a microwave (yep, tomorrow I shall buy a microwave) and then you have to wash all the dishes.
Actually, I shouldn't complain - I got taken out for sushi last night. And it wasn't bad--in fact it was quite good.
However, and this is an important tidbit for everyone, if you know you have to wake up at 4:45 in the morning to get to an oil refinery by 5:30 at the latest to perform science-y type calibrating stuff do not stay out until midnight enjoying a fine glass of wine (or 2) with some co-workers-- even if it is very tasty wine. I say this because I found it to be unpleasant this morning. AND I found out I am stuck here until 4 because of RAM training. What is RAM training you ask? why it stands for Rapid Air Monitoring. I know, I thought we did it as fast as we could too...who knew I was performing Slacker Air Monitoring. Hmmmm, Slacker Air Monitoring...I wonder if I can get patches made for my nomex?
The highlight of my day so far? There is a dude named Otto. His office is between my IH lab and my asbestos lab. He is a definite fixture around these parts. Anyway, he had this tiny little pocket knife. I commented on it, he said they were super cheap (0.99). Anyway, he went out of his way and bought me one. Gave it to me this morning. It was so nice of him. Yes, its a crappy little knife, but crappy little knives come in SO handy. Should you care mine is yellow. :)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January 13, 2009
Yesterday I worked. I mean actually ran around and did stuff. That felt pretty good. Although once the workday was done I felt a little down. I miss everyone. There are nice people here--I actually really like it here. But I miss my husband, friends, and family.
This morning is meeting after meeting after meeting. I will let you know at the end of the day if I actually accompolish anything. :)
*hugs*
oooh, hey...I forgot to tell you. Big drama out on the hill. My landlord threatened to kick out my neighbor unless she got her rent caught up by the end of the month. So she was crying ALL NIGHT. I will let ya'll know whats happenin'.
This morning is meeting after meeting after meeting. I will let you know at the end of the day if I actually accompolish anything. :)
*hugs*
oooh, hey...I forgot to tell you. Big drama out on the hill. My landlord threatened to kick out my neighbor unless she got her rent caught up by the end of the month. So she was crying ALL NIGHT. I will let ya'll know whats happenin'.
January 11, 2009
January 11, 2009
It is Sunday, I have no plans today (but only 4 days until pay day!!!!). It is kind of overcast—but still beautiful. I have a confession to make, I just spent 2 hours watching the worst movie ever…I knew it would be bad, I mean, anything named Lake Placid 2 had to be bad. But this took the cake.
It is Sunday, I have no plans today (but only 4 days until pay day!!!!). It is kind of overcast—but still beautiful. I have a confession to make, I just spent 2 hours watching the worst movie ever…I knew it would be bad, I mean, anything named Lake Placid 2 had to be bad. But this took the cake.
January 10, 2009
January 10, 2009
It is Saturday or as I like to think of it 5 days until pay day. :o) Today I went into Fredericksted twice; once to drop off my neighbor at work and once to pick her up. I know, I know…I’m a soft touch. She bought me a cup of coffee in the morning…it was nice although odd to sit at a bar at 9AM for coffee. I got to hear the story of the bartender owner. He was talking about how he spent twenty-something years in San Francisco as an executive chef and went to school for 5 years or so. His coffee was good. :o) However, and here is where I am trying to be diplomatic, he may have been a touch misogynistic. Or a lot misogynistic, since he also told us the story of how his twenty year old girlfriend (he seemed about 50) needed to shape up or he was going to kick her to the curb and bring over a new girlfriend. *sigh* Some men really deserve to be punched in the nose (or lower). It is not always easy for me to hold my tongue in situations like these but being new to the island it is a prudent thing for me to do. I told him he was an asshole but I did it with a smile on my face—he laughed *sigh*.
Yesterday (or was it Thursday) I was discussing dogs (I know, I am totally a crazy dog lady) with a fireman (as I have said, my office is in the fire station). He was very much into dogs and told me all about his. It was a great conversation which suddenly took a horrible turn. I am going to paraphrase here because my brain kind of shut down,
“so there I was at the dog fighting pit, and one of the owners gave their dog some kind of drug that made him uncontrollable so I climbed a tree to avoid what I knew was about to happen. All my friends made fun of me until the dog went bat-shit crazy and attacked a bunch of people.”
All of you who know me know that I saw purple (far past red) when he talked about this. But, I was diplomatic. I said nothing, changed the topic to something bland and tried to forget. This may be a US protectorate but it is certainly its own culture with its own customs—and it is not my place to judge. But when I am alone in my car it is my place to cuss like a roughneck. I almost made the paint peel.
So, between dog fighting and women treated as objects—I may have my work cut out for me in the fitting in on the island front.
Please keep in mind that although there is a darker side to the island there also beauty, kindness, and courtesy. With the good there will always be the bad—such is nature and such is life (the concept, not the dog.)
Life (the dog, not the concept) is doing a damn fine job on the protectiveness front. She remains at my side even when off leash and although she is friendly to all she does not like it when strange people approach. There is a certain security when having the 119lb dog next to you when walking downtown, on the beach, or going to a bar. Yes, Teak (the other dog) is also there but in all honesty he is more into self-preservation. He remains on high alert in case some food or other item is dropped or passed to him. Teak remains, as always, beloved excess baggage. :o)
It is Saturday or as I like to think of it 5 days until pay day. :o) Today I went into Fredericksted twice; once to drop off my neighbor at work and once to pick her up. I know, I know…I’m a soft touch. She bought me a cup of coffee in the morning…it was nice although odd to sit at a bar at 9AM for coffee. I got to hear the story of the bartender owner. He was talking about how he spent twenty-something years in San Francisco as an executive chef and went to school for 5 years or so. His coffee was good. :o) However, and here is where I am trying to be diplomatic, he may have been a touch misogynistic. Or a lot misogynistic, since he also told us the story of how his twenty year old girlfriend (he seemed about 50) needed to shape up or he was going to kick her to the curb and bring over a new girlfriend. *sigh* Some men really deserve to be punched in the nose (or lower). It is not always easy for me to hold my tongue in situations like these but being new to the island it is a prudent thing for me to do. I told him he was an asshole but I did it with a smile on my face—he laughed *sigh*.
Yesterday (or was it Thursday) I was discussing dogs (I know, I am totally a crazy dog lady) with a fireman (as I have said, my office is in the fire station). He was very much into dogs and told me all about his. It was a great conversation which suddenly took a horrible turn. I am going to paraphrase here because my brain kind of shut down,
“so there I was at the dog fighting pit, and one of the owners gave their dog some kind of drug that made him uncontrollable so I climbed a tree to avoid what I knew was about to happen. All my friends made fun of me until the dog went bat-shit crazy and attacked a bunch of people.”
All of you who know me know that I saw purple (far past red) when he talked about this. But, I was diplomatic. I said nothing, changed the topic to something bland and tried to forget. This may be a US protectorate but it is certainly its own culture with its own customs—and it is not my place to judge. But when I am alone in my car it is my place to cuss like a roughneck. I almost made the paint peel.
So, between dog fighting and women treated as objects—I may have my work cut out for me in the fitting in on the island front.
Please keep in mind that although there is a darker side to the island there also beauty, kindness, and courtesy. With the good there will always be the bad—such is nature and such is life (the concept, not the dog.)
Life (the dog, not the concept) is doing a damn fine job on the protectiveness front. She remains at my side even when off leash and although she is friendly to all she does not like it when strange people approach. There is a certain security when having the 119lb dog next to you when walking downtown, on the beach, or going to a bar. Yes, Teak (the other dog) is also there but in all honesty he is more into self-preservation. He remains on high alert in case some food or other item is dropped or passed to him. Teak remains, as always, beloved excess baggage. :o)
Friday, January 9, 2009
January 9, 2009
I’m still breathing and I am totally having a mainland moment…BUT WHY THE HELL WON’T THE INTERNET WORK FOR ME. AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Okay, I’m over it. J it will work eventually. (please??????) meanwhile I am off to a meeting.
Hopefully, later, I will be able to post these. :)
Okay, just fyi if you see a random J in a posting it was a smiley face in word. *sigh*
Today (as you can see) I finally have internet. (YAY!!!!)
We can thank a wonderful lady at my office who very nicely made it go. :)
Thank you Sarah!!!!
Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!! I don't have any plans other than laundry so I should get some rest. :)
*hugs*
-H.
Okay, I’m over it. J it will work eventually. (please??????) meanwhile I am off to a meeting.
Hopefully, later, I will be able to post these. :)
Okay, just fyi if you see a random J in a posting it was a smiley face in word. *sigh*
Today (as you can see) I finally have internet. (YAY!!!!)
We can thank a wonderful lady at my office who very nicely made it go. :)
Thank you Sarah!!!!
Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!! I don't have any plans other than laundry so I should get some rest. :)
*hugs*
-H.
January 8, 2009
Gack Gargle Flurgity Poop!!!
Ok. Mild frustration.
I can’t get on the internet. I haven’t been on the internet (blackberry excluded) since I have been here. I have to be honest—ITS DRIVING ME INSANE. I haven’t been able to do banking, get my email attachments, post my blog, expense reports (which means no money is coming back to me) or anything.
Then today, I had a brilliant idea (or so I thought)—using my phone as a modem. Sadly, I don’t have the software and cannot get it until I am online. *sigh* Stupid catch 22.
*deep breathing*
Ok. Mild frustration.
I can’t get on the internet. I haven’t been on the internet (blackberry excluded) since I have been here. I have to be honest—ITS DRIVING ME INSANE. I haven’t been able to do banking, get my email attachments, post my blog, expense reports (which means no money is coming back to me) or anything.
Then today, I had a brilliant idea (or so I thought)—using my phone as a modem. Sadly, I don’t have the software and cannot get it until I am online. *sigh* Stupid catch 22.
*deep breathing*
January 6, 2009
Today was my first day at work…you know, real work. Well, again, there was very little “hard” work but I did set up my laboratory and clean it. Boy, was it dusty. And I got a TV, a co-worker had an extra one they wanted to get rid of, hey a free tv is still a tv even if it is not a flat screen. J
Today there was a fire at the refinery, and I was definitely aware of it—my office (lab) is located in the firehouse (picture a mechanical voice saying over and over again for a half hour, “fire, fire, fire in blah blah blah…fire, fire, fire….”) but unlike the last time I was here I was not sent out to the fire. I think they were trying to be nice to me on my first day, they said I would be sent out soon. For family members concerned, etc. don’t worry, it is part of the job—I would sample the firefighters and make sure there were no toxic leaks etc. Being stuck in the lab while everyone else ran around felt kind of lame. But field work starts tomorrow. J Although hopefully there will be no fires.
Well, in case anyone wants to visit my apartment I am going to give you the same directions I was given, ready? From Queen Mary Hwy you are going to head North on 64 which you take until 70 and then you head West (sounds normal so far, right? Wait for it) then you drive until you see a sign that says “Whim” on the left—it’s light blue and you can’t miss it. You take a right onto the next street. You continue going down that street until you see 2 stone pillars in front of you as the road curves to the left—you take a right at the next street. You continue down that road until you see a crappy chain link fence which connects to a better chain link fence which then leads to rocks on the road (this is all on the left), you take a right at the road which is perpendicular to the rocks. You travel down that road until you come upon a REALLY ugly light blue concrete wall with ugly concrete eagles on it which are painted to look like seagulls and you take a right (the wall is on your right) you continue down this crappy road which turns into gravel until you hit a row of mailboxes and then you take the crappy road to the right. You continue traveling up up up the deeply f’d up road and when it forks again you take the left fork…you then go and go and go until the road dead ends…there is my apartment. Welcome!!!
Today there was a fire at the refinery, and I was definitely aware of it—my office (lab) is located in the firehouse (picture a mechanical voice saying over and over again for a half hour, “fire, fire, fire in blah blah blah…fire, fire, fire….”) but unlike the last time I was here I was not sent out to the fire. I think they were trying to be nice to me on my first day, they said I would be sent out soon. For family members concerned, etc. don’t worry, it is part of the job—I would sample the firefighters and make sure there were no toxic leaks etc. Being stuck in the lab while everyone else ran around felt kind of lame. But field work starts tomorrow. J Although hopefully there will be no fires.
Well, in case anyone wants to visit my apartment I am going to give you the same directions I was given, ready? From Queen Mary Hwy you are going to head North on 64 which you take until 70 and then you head West (sounds normal so far, right? Wait for it) then you drive until you see a sign that says “Whim” on the left—it’s light blue and you can’t miss it. You take a right onto the next street. You continue going down that street until you see 2 stone pillars in front of you as the road curves to the left—you take a right at the next street. You continue down that road until you see a crappy chain link fence which connects to a better chain link fence which then leads to rocks on the road (this is all on the left), you take a right at the road which is perpendicular to the rocks. You travel down that road until you come upon a REALLY ugly light blue concrete wall with ugly concrete eagles on it which are painted to look like seagulls and you take a right (the wall is on your right) you continue down this crappy road which turns into gravel until you hit a row of mailboxes and then you take the crappy road to the right. You continue traveling up up up the deeply f’d up road and when it forks again you take the left fork…you then go and go and go until the road dead ends…there is my apartment. Welcome!!!
January 5, 2009
Hello everyone, I am sick of trying to type on a blackberry so I am writing a word document which I will post next time I am online.
Today was my first day at work; please note I am using the term work loosely. It was basically a lot of waiting around, talking to different people, and waiting some more. I finally received my badge after 3:30PM and then went to my boss’s office now that I had clearance to enter the property. He was glad to see me, probably certain that I had disappeared to go live on the beach somewhere. We chatted a little about the work I would be doing and I am not going to lie, I am excited. I will be working with what appears to be 2 very laid back nice guys. I heard that my name was mentioned in the morning meeting—here’s hoping I shall go on to impress folk. Tomorrow I will be setting up my laboratory (insert evil scientist here!)
I attempted to connect to the internet tonight and failed—so instead I went to the beach with the dogs. It was their first time ever seeing the ocean. They ran up to the water, took a lick, and looked at me with a serious “What the Hell!” expression. Then as a wave came up---they ran like fools. All in all, they were underwhelmed with the Caribbean Sea as it was salty and tried to get them wet!!! But, the sand was nice to dig in and poop on. And I am pretty sure I parked my jeep next to 2 people who were totally doing it! Yep, my dogs pooped on lover’s lane…I wonder what that says about me? J
Following the beach I met my downstairs neighbor at a bar—she needed a ride home and I figured I could celebrate my first day at work with a little rum. I also had some decently cheap pizza—yeah, I am pretty sure that the place was kinda dirty, but the pizza was not too bad AND I got to bring the dogs in. So far, the seriously high point of my trip was going to the beach and getting to hang out with my dogs at the bar.
My downstairs neighbor it turns out is not sleeping with the landlord, but not for lack of him trying. J At least that is the story I am hearing. My neighbor is totally batty and has more drama in her life this week than I have had in my entire life—but she is a hoot! And she danced on the bar and then fell off her bar stool. What more can you want in a companion at a bar?!?!
So, once I was home I settled the dogs down and came out onto the patio, lit a candle and wrote this story…it ain’t much—but it was my day.
Take care everyone! *Hugs*
Today was my first day at work; please note I am using the term work loosely. It was basically a lot of waiting around, talking to different people, and waiting some more. I finally received my badge after 3:30PM and then went to my boss’s office now that I had clearance to enter the property. He was glad to see me, probably certain that I had disappeared to go live on the beach somewhere. We chatted a little about the work I would be doing and I am not going to lie, I am excited. I will be working with what appears to be 2 very laid back nice guys. I heard that my name was mentioned in the morning meeting—here’s hoping I shall go on to impress folk. Tomorrow I will be setting up my laboratory (insert evil scientist here!)
I attempted to connect to the internet tonight and failed—so instead I went to the beach with the dogs. It was their first time ever seeing the ocean. They ran up to the water, took a lick, and looked at me with a serious “What the Hell!” expression. Then as a wave came up---they ran like fools. All in all, they were underwhelmed with the Caribbean Sea as it was salty and tried to get them wet!!! But, the sand was nice to dig in and poop on. And I am pretty sure I parked my jeep next to 2 people who were totally doing it! Yep, my dogs pooped on lover’s lane…I wonder what that says about me? J
Following the beach I met my downstairs neighbor at a bar—she needed a ride home and I figured I could celebrate my first day at work with a little rum. I also had some decently cheap pizza—yeah, I am pretty sure that the place was kinda dirty, but the pizza was not too bad AND I got to bring the dogs in. So far, the seriously high point of my trip was going to the beach and getting to hang out with my dogs at the bar.
My downstairs neighbor it turns out is not sleeping with the landlord, but not for lack of him trying. J At least that is the story I am hearing. My neighbor is totally batty and has more drama in her life this week than I have had in my entire life—but she is a hoot! And she danced on the bar and then fell off her bar stool. What more can you want in a companion at a bar?!?!
So, once I was home I settled the dogs down and came out onto the patio, lit a candle and wrote this story…it ain’t much—but it was my day.
Take care everyone! *Hugs*
Thursday, January 8, 2009
grrrr!!!! internet
So. I still don't have internet. Hovensa is working on it, I'm working on it.
Someday, I will be able to post the stuff I wrote on my computer. :)
Just a quick note-all is going fairly well. I am tired, but that is normal after traveling and working.
I got my car yesterday, and it is beautiful! It is easily the biggest vehicle I have ever driven.
I LOVE it. I will write more soon, I promise.
*hugs*
Heather.
Someday, I will be able to post the stuff I wrote on my computer. :)
Just a quick note-all is going fairly well. I am tired, but that is normal after traveling and working.
I got my car yesterday, and it is beautiful! It is easily the biggest vehicle I have ever driven.
I LOVE it. I will write more soon, I promise.
*hugs*
Heather.
Monday, January 5, 2009
my First Day
I forgot. I did. I thought I remembered but I didn't. Things take FOREVER here.
I began my day at the startlingly early time of 4:30AM. Made breakfast, fed dogs, washed dishes.
Took the dogs out even though they were wondering what the hell we were doing up. At 5:40 AM I was off,
Bumping down the steep road knowing that I had to get to the training before 7 AM or I was screwed.
So I went around the refinery twice (I am not known for my unerring sense of direction. :)
And finally found the training place. Yes, I have been there before, but it was a long time ago. :)
Anyway, arrived at 6:40, and at the crack of 7:30 the people who worked here started to arrive. *sigh*
Island Time. :)
So I sat through what felt like 2 years of refresher training and then skipped off to get my card.
Received card number 1 no problem. The badge though, well, it turns out no-one put in a badge request. So,
I ran to Kmart and bought cereal. Then I went to a feed store and bought dog food ($67!!). Then I got ahold of
the boss-man and he called to check on the badge. Then, I came back to the badge place but it hadn't cleared security
yet! So I am a'waitin.
Once I get the badge I'm going to go in and see the guy I am working for!
I began my day at the startlingly early time of 4:30AM. Made breakfast, fed dogs, washed dishes.
Took the dogs out even though they were wondering what the hell we were doing up. At 5:40 AM I was off,
Bumping down the steep road knowing that I had to get to the training before 7 AM or I was screwed.
So I went around the refinery twice (I am not known for my unerring sense of direction. :)
And finally found the training place. Yes, I have been there before, but it was a long time ago. :)
Anyway, arrived at 6:40, and at the crack of 7:30 the people who worked here started to arrive. *sigh*
Island Time. :)
So I sat through what felt like 2 years of refresher training and then skipped off to get my card.
Received card number 1 no problem. The badge though, well, it turns out no-one put in a badge request. So,
I ran to Kmart and bought cereal. Then I went to a feed store and bought dog food ($67!!). Then I got ahold of
the boss-man and he called to check on the badge. Then, I came back to the badge place but it hadn't cleared security
yet! So I am a'waitin.
Once I get the badge I'm going to go in and see the guy I am working for!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
anyway...
so I land, I get the rental car which turns out to be a jeep wrangler which I have always thought I wanted. Turns out it is really hard to fit all my crap including a dog in a crate. But we did it and then I followed my landlord around and up a mountain to my new home.
I live way in the middle o' nowhere. I am about 30 electic polls past a paved road. Or 30 poll past the pave. :) however you wanna say it.
The apartment was a little disappointing at first. I had that panicky I am alone in the middle of nowhere and I have nothing feeling. So I called my
husband and cried at him (poor bastard) and sent some gloomy texts out to my family. my mom and my sister cracked me up. My mom immediately sent back--get bleach, start in the bathroom and do the rest tomorrow. My sister immediately got one
of her friends who will be out here in a few days contact info to me. What can I say, I am loved!!! :)
Now, here is where it gets kinda funny. So my landloard offers to go with me to the grocery store, which is good cause hell, I don't know where I am and it was dark.
So we are driving down the steep, rocky, crazy hill that is my home and we see a tiny little woman trying to hike it in flip flops. My landlord states that is your neighbor.
So we pick her up, she is a bartender, who was left by her jerk of a husband, and her car is totalled. Oh yeah, and she was SLOSHED. It suddenly occurred to me that 1. My problems are few. And 2. My neighbor drama here is going to be WAY better
than I could have hoped for. :) :) :)
Oh. And it took me a little while to realize that her car was totalled a couple weeks ago immediately after the car was totalled. Well, I'm not positive about the timing, but any which way, it was interesting!!!
I am sitting on my deck, 2 exhausted black dogs at my side, my neighbor just went back to work, all is peaceful, and my view is freaking stunning. :)
That is it for now, I will write more when I can.
*hugs*
-H.
I live way in the middle o' nowhere. I am about 30 electic polls past a paved road. Or 30 poll past the pave. :) however you wanna say it.
The apartment was a little disappointing at first. I had that panicky I am alone in the middle of nowhere and I have nothing feeling. So I called my
husband and cried at him (poor bastard) and sent some gloomy texts out to my family. my mom and my sister cracked me up. My mom immediately sent back--get bleach, start in the bathroom and do the rest tomorrow. My sister immediately got one
of her friends who will be out here in a few days contact info to me. What can I say, I am loved!!! :)
Now, here is where it gets kinda funny. So my landloard offers to go with me to the grocery store, which is good cause hell, I don't know where I am and it was dark.
So we are driving down the steep, rocky, crazy hill that is my home and we see a tiny little woman trying to hike it in flip flops. My landlord states that is your neighbor.
So we pick her up, she is a bartender, who was left by her jerk of a husband, and her car is totalled. Oh yeah, and she was SLOSHED. It suddenly occurred to me that 1. My problems are few. And 2. My neighbor drama here is going to be WAY better
than I could have hoped for. :) :) :)
Oh. And it took me a little while to realize that her car was totalled a couple weeks ago immediately after the car was totalled. Well, I'm not positive about the timing, but any which way, it was interesting!!!
I am sitting on my deck, 2 exhausted black dogs at my side, my neighbor just went back to work, all is peaceful, and my view is freaking stunning. :)
That is it for now, I will write more when I can.
*hugs*
-H.
ok sorry posting with blackerry with spotty signal
I just wrote a crapload of words and can't get that one to post. I am here. I am safe.
I will write much more later today.
*hugs*
I will write much more later today.
*hugs*
I have so many words...
First off, I am here and I am safe. I know the majority of ya'll were worried!
Secondly, wholy moly do I have stories... And I have only been here 1 night.
Beginning with the travelling: I set my alarm for 4:30 AM CST on Friday but that was really unnecessary as I
didn't go to sleep the night before. Insomnia kicked in really bad and I ended up with no sleep. However my sainted (this week :)) husband
stayed up late and got up early with me. Wilkes and I arrived at O'Hare a solid 2 hours prior to flight time flagged a skycap, kissed goodbye (not the skycap, the husband),
and away I went to paperwork hell, I mean the ticket counter. Much shuffling later we dropped Teak (small dog 66lbs) at the luggage security. I had to take him out of his crate
(For searching). Thankfully he balked only slightly about going back in. Then with a prayer, 2 carry-ons, and Life (bigger dog 112lbs) we set off for human security. I will be
honest, it could have all gone wrong at this point. I had to take Life's collar and leash off and walk her through. No, not kidding. Thankfully she is a very good dog and after
getting everything searched except body cavities Life and I made it to the gate where we slumped in a puppy pile and waited for boarding.
Boarding the plane went fine. We were in a normal seat row where Life took up the floor. She slept and was perfectly behaved. We arrived on time in Miami and I tried to get Life to pee
in the planter in the outdoor smoking area but after a look at me like I was nuts we went off to our gate. It was hot and crowded so I slumped to the cool tile floor and Life lay in my lap.
Many people enquired, petted, smiled and chatted and Life was her usual charming self. I was drained, I just wanted plane (where I knew we were bulkhead seats) and sleep. An older
gentleman started asking about Life and chatting with me about the island. He said something about how I must have a nice landlord. That is when the voice clicked and I realized HE was my
landlord. His wife works for American Airlines and was able to get him on the same plane (same seat row) as me. So much for sleep, but Life immediately took to him and slept with her head on
his foot the whole way, well, except for when the 1st class flight attendant brought her a steak. Oh, me? Yeah, I had some $4 chips, I was fine, thanks for asking. :( stupid spoiled dog. :):)
So I picked up the rental car
(where, btw, they do not take debit cards, at all, so I had to do some fancy money shifting on my blackberry--thank God for technology)
Secondly, wholy moly do I have stories... And I have only been here 1 night.
Beginning with the travelling: I set my alarm for 4:30 AM CST on Friday but that was really unnecessary as I
didn't go to sleep the night before. Insomnia kicked in really bad and I ended up with no sleep. However my sainted (this week :)) husband
stayed up late and got up early with me. Wilkes and I arrived at O'Hare a solid 2 hours prior to flight time flagged a skycap, kissed goodbye (not the skycap, the husband),
and away I went to paperwork hell, I mean the ticket counter. Much shuffling later we dropped Teak (small dog 66lbs) at the luggage security. I had to take him out of his crate
(For searching). Thankfully he balked only slightly about going back in. Then with a prayer, 2 carry-ons, and Life (bigger dog 112lbs) we set off for human security. I will be
honest, it could have all gone wrong at this point. I had to take Life's collar and leash off and walk her through. No, not kidding. Thankfully she is a very good dog and after
getting everything searched except body cavities Life and I made it to the gate where we slumped in a puppy pile and waited for boarding.
Boarding the plane went fine. We were in a normal seat row where Life took up the floor. She slept and was perfectly behaved. We arrived on time in Miami and I tried to get Life to pee
in the planter in the outdoor smoking area but after a look at me like I was nuts we went off to our gate. It was hot and crowded so I slumped to the cool tile floor and Life lay in my lap.
Many people enquired, petted, smiled and chatted and Life was her usual charming self. I was drained, I just wanted plane (where I knew we were bulkhead seats) and sleep. An older
gentleman started asking about Life and chatting with me about the island. He said something about how I must have a nice landlord. That is when the voice clicked and I realized HE was my
landlord. His wife works for American Airlines and was able to get him on the same plane (same seat row) as me. So much for sleep, but Life immediately took to him and slept with her head on
his foot the whole way, well, except for when the 1st class flight attendant brought her a steak. Oh, me? Yeah, I had some $4 chips, I was fine, thanks for asking. :( stupid spoiled dog. :):)
So I picked up the rental car
(where, btw, they do not take debit cards, at all, so I had to do some fancy money shifting on my blackberry--thank God for technology)
Friday, January 2, 2009
January 2, 2009
Well, today is the big day. You may be asking yourself, "gee Heather, why are you writing at 3:40 in the morning on the day you are leaving?" the answer is unfortunately, I can't sleep because in less than 2 hours I will be leaving for the airport with 2 suitcases, 2 carry-ons, and 2 dogs. I am not going to lie, that is a lot of things. :/ We can barely fit it all in the car. Needless to say, I shall be tipping some skycaps during my travels this day.
I am all packed up, have about 10 boxes to ship (once I get a mailbox--there is no home delivery mail, I have to get a P.O. Box kinda thing), and Wilkes has to pack up about 5 more.
So, yesterday was New Years Day, (oh yeah, Happy New Year everyone!!!) and disturbingly there was a LOT of stores open. I don't know if I just noticed more this year because I was out and about (didn't go out the night before, minimal drinking, no hangover--lame new year's eve but I accompolished a lot more on the day after :) ) but I found it both incredibly convenient and yet kind of sad that almost every store had people working, I was able to get the dogs groomed, buy groceries, go to a bookstore, and go out to breakfast. It was as if there was no holiday to be celebrated and no real "rest" from the holiday rush that the new year is supposed to bring.
But then again, I had a lot of crap to do and was able to get it done, so I am mixed on the whole topic. I still felt the need to appologize to everyone who was working...
Sorry, I am rambling. Right at this very moment at 3:51AM CST (or 5:51AM St. Croix time) it is 68 degrees F in St. Croix. Whereas here in Chicago it is 26. The weather is something I am really looking forward to.
Alright, everyone have a lovely January 2. I shall (hopefully, if all goes smoothly, and there are no problems) arrive in St. Croix at approximately 4:30PM St. Croix time which is 2:30PM CST.
*hugs*
-H.
I am all packed up, have about 10 boxes to ship (once I get a mailbox--there is no home delivery mail, I have to get a P.O. Box kinda thing), and Wilkes has to pack up about 5 more.
So, yesterday was New Years Day, (oh yeah, Happy New Year everyone!!!) and disturbingly there was a LOT of stores open. I don't know if I just noticed more this year because I was out and about (didn't go out the night before, minimal drinking, no hangover--lame new year's eve but I accompolished a lot more on the day after :) ) but I found it both incredibly convenient and yet kind of sad that almost every store had people working, I was able to get the dogs groomed, buy groceries, go to a bookstore, and go out to breakfast. It was as if there was no holiday to be celebrated and no real "rest" from the holiday rush that the new year is supposed to bring.
But then again, I had a lot of crap to do and was able to get it done, so I am mixed on the whole topic. I still felt the need to appologize to everyone who was working...
Sorry, I am rambling. Right at this very moment at 3:51AM CST (or 5:51AM St. Croix time) it is 68 degrees F in St. Croix. Whereas here in Chicago it is 26. The weather is something I am really looking forward to.
Alright, everyone have a lovely January 2. I shall (hopefully, if all goes smoothly, and there are no problems) arrive in St. Croix at approximately 4:30PM St. Croix time which is 2:30PM CST.
*hugs*
-H.
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