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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Alabama: Not so bad.

Hello Blog-o-sphere!
As usual, I took forever to write my next blog, but I have a few stories for you all.
First things first,
I am Brunette now. I have been walking around with Jerry Springer-esque trashbag hair now since I moved here. My hair was a nice rainbow of every color of box-blonde on the market. I decided to dye my hair brown to get all the orange and brass out, and I have an appointment at a salon on Saturday morning to go back blonde.

My job at True is going really well. I love everybody, the job is great, and for the first time in a long time, I have job I do not dread going into. Unfortunately, I have been constantly broke. I joined on to True right in the heart of their slow time, and so I have been making enough to barely meet my bills with no extra money what-so-ever. Even though I tried to avoid it, it was inevitable for me to have to pick up a second job. So I searched Craigslist for part-time work, and found the Bienville Business Club in Downtown Mobile. The Bienville Club is like a Country Club, but without the Golf. Companies or individual people pay to be a member, and then they can dine there. It is fine dining restaurant, and it is on the top floor of a skyscraper. I signed on to be a Special Events Server, so I am hoping to make some extra cash. Here is something you can appreciate...on New Year's Eve they drop a huge Moon Pie off the side of the building :o) For those of you not familiar with a Moon Pie is a giant Southern Marshmallow Treat. Haha Classy. Lol I just need to make enough cash to dig myself out of debt, and get a couple hundred in the savings account, and then I will go back down to just school and True again.

One thing I love about here is how polite the men are to women, even guys my age!! When I am on campus, looking so BUSTED in sweatpants, a baggy tshirt, glasses, and no makeup, guys still hold open doors for me. They let girls on the elevator first, and hold the elevator open so girls get off first. If a guy cusses in front of a girl down here they apologize. They hold open doors for girls, and if a girl is walking up to a door a guy will stop what he is doing, walk over and open the door for you. No I am not making this up. This happens everyday when I am on campus.

Now that I am getting more used to my school, I recently submitted a writing sample to the school newspaper, so I can start writing for them on a regular basis. I am also looking into joining the Student Government. I will keep you posted on how that goes.

I have been religiously going to class, without skipping, and it has made such a great impact on my grades. I just took my midterms, and did great on every single one, including MATH which is a miracle for me. So I am adjusting well.

I am on the fitness bandwagon. I have been working out in my workout facility every night, and eating healthier for the most part. I cut out all fast food, and substituted water for pop. I am really trying to shed some of the pounds I packed on by eating wayyy to much soul food. I was working out the other day in the workout facility, and had my IPOD turned up. I thought I was alone, but all of sudden felt someone grab me on the arm. I screamed so loud. I turned around and there was an older black man behind, who was offended by my reaction. He said "Umm, I was just trying to tell you the elliptical machine was off track." I was still breathing heavy from being startled, I thanked him but told him he scared the hell out of me. He was still offended and said "You didn't see me come in?" Clearly not. I am so frightened all the time of being robbed or murdered. I don't think most people are as on-edge as me. Haha




Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Kicking Ass and Taking Names


 A few days ago, a wave came over me where I literally power cleaned and organized our entire apartment. I cleaned, organized, dusted, rearranged, unpacked, and got this apartment in prime time shape. It felt great, and I was FINALLY able to take pictures of my room for you guys, and the apartment.

So my oldest sister Rachel, the one I lived with in California, has been out of the country living in Australia for the summer, and just got back to San Jose, CA today.  She came back to a half empty apartment, and no doggy-woggy aka Sonny. We have been talking about letting her take Sonny to live out there with her to help keep her company. Rachel and I adopted Sonny together, and he is equal parts mine and hers, so I think it will be good for the both of them to spend time together, and keep each other company.

The weather here is finally gorgeous. The Fall time has brought a cold front in that kills the humidity, and it is just beautiful and sunny everyday. We have been able to turn off our A/C, and have the windows open for the first time since living here.

I have been trying to get creative on how I can trick myself into exercising more. I have been taking Sonny for walks in the historical home district of Mobile. I get to see the most beautiful Southern homes, all the while getting exercising with Sonny.

I took midterms today! I feel like I did really well on both, so this semester is rolling along, and I feel like I have been doing a good job balancing work and school.

Unfortunately, it is super slow for the restaurant industry down here, so I have been researching getting a second job. I will keep you all posted on what I decide.


Desk Area in my room

Vanity area in my room

Living Room

My bathroom/ vintage pinup girl theme

My bathroom
Dining Room/Kitchen

My bathroom
Enjoy the pictures!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Dogs are good, Beer is Great, and people are crazy

It has been a little chaotic these days....
First of all, I am heading into midterms next week, and on top of all that studying, I am in the process of training at my new job. I am having to memorize a lot of different stuff all at one narrow window of time and it is overwhelming.

The dogs were sick last week with a respiratory infection, and so there was a lot of sneezing, coughing, and late night hacking. After some medication, rest, and some holistic remedies, they are back to good health.

As I have been reporting in my blogging, Sonny has been putting on pounds since living down in the dirty. He isn't used to so much heat and humidity, and usually will just run over to the shade and lay down when we try and exercise him. One thing that has been working is fetch, he loves it, and he still tries to lay down but will usually chase the ball and bring it back before laying down for a break. So yesterday Olivia and I took him out to the field behind our apartment complex, and he ran down to get the ball he sliced his back right paw open on  some rocks. Olivia and I didn't notice he was bleeding until we got back in the apartment, and he was bleeding really bad. We put him in the tub, and ran water on it, and there was so much blood we still couldn't see what happened. Eventually we were able to find where he sliced his paw, and bandaged him up. The picture above is his little make shift cast we put on his back right paw to help stop the blood. My poor baby angel is doing better, and we were able to take off the bandage today.

So I have to tell you guys this story about my new job at True. So yesterday, I had the night off work, but when I got out of class my boss called me and said "First off, I want to apologize for calling you on your day off, but Eddie has bronchitis and can't work tonight, and we could really use your help tonight because we are going to be really busy." I told her yes, for sure I can help out. So I came in, and she thanked me profusely for helping out, and kept telling me throughout the shift how good I was doing. Then at the end of the night she was like "Hey, you can go, but before you leave, I want to buy you dinner for coming in and helping out" I told her she didn't have to do that, and she said "No, I want to, you really did us a favor by coming in on your day off. So what can we make for you? Whatever you want on the menu, do you want the lamb? Steak? Whatever you want." They literally cooked me a Filet Mignon, that they even fully plated, with mashed potato and asparagus. I was eating in the back with a glass of water, and my boss came up and handed me a glass of red wine to drink with my meal.
YES! I seriously have never worked at a place that is so polite, accommodating, and grateful to their employees in my life. Everyone is so nice to me, and my bosses seriously go above and beyond. It is now a cliche, that everything happens for a reason, but seriously, the garbage that went down around me leaving, Noja happened for this reason, to bring me an even better job! Quitting was a blessing in disguise. This new job is so great, and the management is so professional and generous. I know serving is just temporary until I graduate, but you have no idea, when you are in school, it sucks if you have to pull full-time credit hours, and hate your job. Life is good if you can just worry about getting good grades, without having to worry about dreading my job too. So, as I said before, when you follow your heart, and do what us right, the universe will ALWAYS take care of you. I knew I couldn't swallow shit, and even risked quitting my job suddenly, without a backup plan, but it turned out for the best.

One story I forgot to mention in my blog, was the night I quit Noja, a girl I served with there named Kelly and I hit the town that night to celebrate. We went to almost every bar in downtown, and drank our feelings! Haha We had such a blast, and...brace yourself...I went to my first Southern Gay Bar!! Yes, a gay bar in the bible belt, so you KNOW it is a good time. Lucky for us, they had a drag show that night! The only thing more fabulous then a Drag Queen, is a Southern Drag Queen. They were all so fierce, over the top, and we literally had the most amazing time. There was even a Drag Queen that came up singing a techno version of Sweet Home Alabama Haha It was great!!

In other news, my obsession with big Southern homes, has continued. Olivia, Dave, and I took a drive through a random neighborhood with cute Southern homes. Unfortunately, it was completely down pouring so the pictures are not as clear, but you get the point! I will keep snapping photos of beautiful homes!!







As for my financial status, Unfortunately, I have been making training wages thus far, so I am probably the brokest I have been in years. Once I start getting steady paychecks, it will be good, but right now I am feeling the pinch. Tonight is my first night on the floor on my own, so I will start making the cash I am used to making. Well...cash sort of. They tip pool out here, so you don't get cash, it all comes in your paycheck that is paid out weekly on Fridays. I have been pondering getting a second job for a little while to help me catch up on bills, but we will see.

One great Southern phrase that I love is "Don't be ugly." or "I don't want to be ugly but..." In California people will usually start a sentence with "Not to be a bitch but..." but here they use "ugly" lol Which usually refers to gossiping or saying something mean about someone or something lol Another thing is everyone will say "You have a blessed day now" instead of "good day" which I think is cute, even for an atheist like me lol

Ok bloggers until next time!!