The answer was yes

I'll let you guess what the question was...

Sparkly pictures and the whole story to come later, so stay tuned!

Big steps and little 'uns

Today I gathered lots of stuff that needs to be mailed to Germany. Not in time to make it to the post office before 5pm, but it's all assembled, addressed, and ready to go tomorrow. I've spent so much time reading the materials (some in German, of course... that takes longer) that I no longer remember where a particular bit of information came from. I've got a file folder an inch thick already, and SO much more to do... and of course I'm deathly afraid that I will do something wrong and wind up with nowhere to live, or be sent home in disgrace for sheer inability to arrange my life. Plus there are the classes, lab, the whole "mastering a second language" thing, and other variables that I'm sure I haven't even considered yet...

I've decided that I can't let the myriad details and loose ends stymie my sense of purpose. Deciding and doing are two different things, but it's nice to have a mantra, of sorts.

The loose ends over there notwithstanding, I've got some more items to take care of... Thank you notes for graduation gifts and also for the privilege of learning from some great people, for instance. Having a for real conversation with my folks about a timeframe for my wedding (that doesn't end in "not yet." I have yet to find a way to have a positive discussion about plans, but I'm working on it.) Request days off for my last real family vacation... plus deal with what that means. Schedule time to see my friends.

I take heart in what's been said about a journey of a thousand miles... but making sure to take all the rest of them is just as important.

P.S. Anyone who can identify the origin of today's title deserves a pan of homemade brownies.

Resolved

I got my $9.95 back.

Common Sense

I'm no Thomas Paine, but the title applies. Let me tell you about a little adventure I had yesterday...

So I was utilizing the goods and services of the local movie rental outfit (shall remain nameless, rhymes with "clockduster.") By the way, the "new" anti-late fees campaign is a scam. All new releases have been reduced to two-day rentals, which are included in the week-long "grace period" during which late returns are not penalized... but after noon on day 7, the consumer is required to pony up an additional $12 and buy the movie. That's right, you accidentally forget that you grabbed "Phenomenon" or some other badly-written snoozer, and now you OWN it, for a grand total of $15 including the rental cost. This is NOT a better deal. In fact, for most of the movies in the store, it's outrageous. But anyway, end of rant, on to the story.

I'm in line with "I [heart] huckabees," looking forward to a nice evening at Mike's house. The new checkout jockey is kind of cute, so when he asks if I'd be interested in hearing about the rewards program I automatically nod and "mhmm" affirmatively. He gives his little spiel: free rental after 5 paid, free coupons, one free rental a month automatically... hmm, he seems kind of new at this, and I haven't seen him before... more encouraging noises and semi-unconscious head bobbing. It gets to the upshot, and he asks if I'd be interested in enrolling.

Nowhere, and let me reiterate, NOWHERE in the spiel is a word said about cost. Neither anywhere on the pretty brochure I'm handed. Probably company policy. Part of me figures that it's got to cost something, but at this point he's ringing me out and signing me up (um, does that sound wierd? Never mind.) I've got a five in my hand for a three-dollar rental, when what pops up on the screen but $12.94. Grr. Back in the wallet for another ten. At least I get coupons and a snazzy new card out of this, I guess. As I hand over the money, checkout cutie flashes me a look that's half "deer-in-headlights-the-jig-is-up" and half "getting away with it," which momentarily puzzles me... ah yes, handing over money. Pay. Get change. Exit. I'll just gut it out, take the coupons, and chalk it up to experience.

Then it hits me. I WON'T be getting coupons. My parents will, which they will either pitch or save until they all expire, because I will be in out of the country as of August 11. Okay, the store may be franchised to Göttingen, but am I going to buy a VCR or DVD player and TV while I'm over there, and stay in my apartment watching movies? I doubt it.

And then... I see the print on the little cardboard thing the card is attached to... "for a low annual fee." Ay, there's the rub. I've just spent $10 on a yearlong service I can't even use. AND I'm on their mailing list. Ah, craptastic.

When I return the movie I'm going to ask for my money back. I haven't punched the card, the two (2) keyring tags, or first free rental token out of the plastic backing, so I think I may have a case. But blast it all, now that I'm on the system I bet they'll still send me junk mail. Hmm... they'll send my parents junk mail. Oh well.

In short, don't be fooled by cute clerks. There's no such thing as a free lunch, and sometimes that little voice in the back of my head is the voice of common sense. I should start listening.

My young man is awesome

First and foremost, it makes me happy when he's around. Okay, I'm not a big sad sack when he's out of range, but my baseline good moods pale in comparison to the bliss that is being in the SAME TOWN.

And then there's the fact that he listens to my rambling, ranting monologues. Provides helpful feedback, even. This highly prized ability was also present in my fabulous roommates (and best friends) at college, every last one of them. This should come as no big surprise to any folk who actually read my web-diatribes, but I'm a verbal person who talks through problems and worries, and needs a good outlet for that process. Even when I'm dull, he listens. It's great!

I suppose I should include a word about cuddling, as smushy-gushy as that is. Happy sigh.

PLUS, we went shopping yesterday. Very special shopping. For something very sparkly, and exceedingly exciting. More updates as news develops...

Reasons I like my new(er) job:

• I still get to hang out with cool geriatrics!
• Familiar faces: Ned still plays piano, Marie and Marie still compliment my smile on a daily basis or ask me to sing a song, Pauline still enjoys her beer, John K. still wheels around, John N. still talks anyone's ear off, Bill still obsessively cleans whatever he can reach...
• New folks: I met Emma on Friday. She's in for a couple of weeks of therapy. She's orignally from Germany (outside Stuttgart) so she helped me practice a bit, and was tickled pink when I followed the conversation pretty well. It's nice when people tell me I've made their day.
• Learning new things: One day a week I'm assisting the social worker with new admits and whatever else she needs done. I get to interview lots of new people, assess how together and aware they are, and in some cases hear cool life stories.
• Retaining old skills: Welcome back, bus-tub arms! I'm also working a couple days as a "hydration tech," which is a fancy way of saying water girl. I also help out at meals and with cleanup. It's been a while since I bussed a table, but at least this time I can't get stiffed!

I was hoping to get my full-time gig in activities back, but even when I help other departments I think I'll still be "borrowed" every now and then for sing-alongs and projects. The most important thing is that I'll still be interacting with the residents. Many of them remember me, so it's fun to catch up.

I'm needed downstairs... We're having my little brother's graduation party this afternoon and folks are starting to arrive!