Overheard in the bedding isle, one woman to another:
'My husband says our bed is getting too small, but I just tell him 'No dear, your just getting too fat, and that's why the bed feels small!' As a result, I need a bigger blanket, because his body takes up so much of it. I also can't tell him that this new blanket is bigger, it will just hurt his feelings.'
I chuckled to myself as I walked away. The sounds of a true marriage right there!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Cultural Assimilation
I am all about 'fitting' in to my new surroundings. I love this new home, and don't want to stand out as the arrogant Californian, or however it is we are perceived outside of our home state. Granted, I am merely in a different state and not a different country, but the cultural differences are prominent. And a few of those differences I just can't get behind. I will never be able to call a plastic grocery bag, a sack. I will always call it the freeway or highway and will not refer to it as the interstate. And soda will never be pop. Sorry Nebraska.
I understand the necessity of being sensitive to other cultures' customs, and I really am trying. For the most part, it has been an easy adjustment to this mid-west way of life, but occasionally differences come up that present a slight tug-of-war. Case in point; the parking lots here make no sense, and lack a sensible amount of entrances/exits. But this frustration, I found out, should be kept to myself. For, when I mention it to the natives, they get offended and feel like I am lecturing them in a holier than though tone. I'm really not, but regardless, that is a 'Omahan' cultural norm I am trying to be quiet about, well except for the fact that I am broadcasting it all over the internet, but that is beside the point!
Part of wanting to 'blend-in' is to somehow avoid the whole 'Oh-you're-from-California-why-on-God's-green-earth-did-you-move-to-Omaha-especially-in-the-winter!?!?!' comments. At first, I kinda wanted people to know my special secret. That a Californian was in their midst. You know, my small claim to fame, in an area filled with people that so desperately want to visit/live in California. But that novelty soon wore off and I just wish the subject wouldn't come up anymore. I want people to assume that I am from Nebraska. I guess I really should change my license plates and license in order for that to be truly effective!
I guess there will always be bumps along the road, or potholes in this case. But for the most part, this culture suits me just fine. I love the slower pace, the friendly faces, the multitude of children everywhere, the low cost of living, the upbeat attitude, and the knowledge that I am home.
I understand the necessity of being sensitive to other cultures' customs, and I really am trying. For the most part, it has been an easy adjustment to this mid-west way of life, but occasionally differences come up that present a slight tug-of-war. Case in point; the parking lots here make no sense, and lack a sensible amount of entrances/exits. But this frustration, I found out, should be kept to myself. For, when I mention it to the natives, they get offended and feel like I am lecturing them in a holier than though tone. I'm really not, but regardless, that is a 'Omahan' cultural norm I am trying to be quiet about, well except for the fact that I am broadcasting it all over the internet, but that is beside the point!
Part of wanting to 'blend-in' is to somehow avoid the whole 'Oh-you're-from-California-why-on-God's-green-earth-did-you-move-to-Omaha-especially-in-the-winter!?!?!' comments. At first, I kinda wanted people to know my special secret. That a Californian was in their midst. You know, my small claim to fame, in an area filled with people that so desperately want to visit/live in California. But that novelty soon wore off and I just wish the subject wouldn't come up anymore. I want people to assume that I am from Nebraska. I guess I really should change my license plates and license in order for that to be truly effective!
I guess there will always be bumps along the road, or potholes in this case. But for the most part, this culture suits me just fine. I love the slower pace, the friendly faces, the multitude of children everywhere, the low cost of living, the upbeat attitude, and the knowledge that I am home.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Labor of Rest
A case of the Mondays. Wednesday, hump day. Friday, the quitting-time alarm.
Phrases tossed around, bemoaning the dreaded workweek. Phrases that attempt to capture the hum-drum, exhausting, and overpowering workweek. By the time Monday rolls around, everyone is already counting down the days until the weekend, where they can sleep-in and relax. All this sounding familiar? But wait. I realized something about going from un-employment to employment: Life is so much more exhausting when you have nothing to do. The oxymoron of the year, I know, but follow me on this one. When your mind is left to focus on nothing. When your day has no real purpose. When there is no mental activity, things get rusty and slow. That slower pace leads to blah, and then BOOM! You are exhausted. Minutes of inactivity pass by and it feels like hours. Counting down the minutes until you have something to do, anything! And guess what? I know it's everyone's dream to sit around with nothing to do all day, but it is much more tiring than actually being productive. I promise you. I have some experience on this issue and am a credible source.
This realization occurred to me on my first two days at the job. The roommate had a guest in town and had planned a couple of days off for the visit. For the first time in, well, ever, I had a job to go to and the roommate...didn't. It was a strange switch that neither one of us were prepared for. I got up early and left for work, while he snoozed the morning away. I came home from work the first day to find them somewhat sluggish, which is to be expected after a day of zoning, relaxing and recharging. But day two is when my realization smacked me in the face. I came home from work, giddy, excited, energetic and ready blast off! I bounced in the door, and called out the obligatory-walking-in-the-door-from-work-greeting, 'honey I'm home!' even though he actually isn't a 'honey.' Dazed on the couch, I barely get a grunt for a hello. I initiate conversation with this couch potato, disguised as my roommate. I looked at his blood shot eyes and overall disfigured disposition and said,
'Geez, I've been working all day, and I'm the one with all the pep and energy! Your eyes are all blood shot and you don't look good! Wait, is this what I looked like when you got home from work everyday?!?!'
Not being shy with insults, he informed me that I looked even worse than he did. Wow! The truth can hurt, but beyond even that, I realized in that moment that inactivity/unemployment takes a bigger toll on a human than we realized! It would seem that rest and inactivity would be healthy and relieve stress, and in moderation, that is true. But that's the key. In moderation!
So with excitement, I take on this new labor. A labor that hopefully won't be so draining. With great joy, I say goodbye to rest and hello to wonderful work!
Phrases tossed around, bemoaning the dreaded workweek. Phrases that attempt to capture the hum-drum, exhausting, and overpowering workweek. By the time Monday rolls around, everyone is already counting down the days until the weekend, where they can sleep-in and relax. All this sounding familiar? But wait. I realized something about going from un-employment to employment: Life is so much more exhausting when you have nothing to do. The oxymoron of the year, I know, but follow me on this one. When your mind is left to focus on nothing. When your day has no real purpose. When there is no mental activity, things get rusty and slow. That slower pace leads to blah, and then BOOM! You are exhausted. Minutes of inactivity pass by and it feels like hours. Counting down the minutes until you have something to do, anything! And guess what? I know it's everyone's dream to sit around with nothing to do all day, but it is much more tiring than actually being productive. I promise you. I have some experience on this issue and am a credible source.
This realization occurred to me on my first two days at the job. The roommate had a guest in town and had planned a couple of days off for the visit. For the first time in, well, ever, I had a job to go to and the roommate...didn't. It was a strange switch that neither one of us were prepared for. I got up early and left for work, while he snoozed the morning away. I came home from work the first day to find them somewhat sluggish, which is to be expected after a day of zoning, relaxing and recharging. But day two is when my realization smacked me in the face. I came home from work, giddy, excited, energetic and ready blast off! I bounced in the door, and called out the obligatory-walking-in-the-door-from-work-greeting, 'honey I'm home!' even though he actually isn't a 'honey.' Dazed on the couch, I barely get a grunt for a hello. I initiate conversation with this couch potato, disguised as my roommate. I looked at his blood shot eyes and overall disfigured disposition and said,
'Geez, I've been working all day, and I'm the one with all the pep and energy! Your eyes are all blood shot and you don't look good! Wait, is this what I looked like when you got home from work everyday?!?!'
Not being shy with insults, he informed me that I looked even worse than he did. Wow! The truth can hurt, but beyond even that, I realized in that moment that inactivity/unemployment takes a bigger toll on a human than we realized! It would seem that rest and inactivity would be healthy and relieve stress, and in moderation, that is true. But that's the key. In moderation!
So with excitement, I take on this new labor. A labor that hopefully won't be so draining. With great joy, I say goodbye to rest and hello to wonderful work!
Friday, February 5, 2010
The hunt is over
Careerlink.com, see ya! Monster.com, adios! Craigslist.com, done (well at least the 'job' tab). I am thinking of banning job board websites from my computer, at least for awhile. Because, I don't need them anymore! The search is done. I have landed a job. I started last Monday, as an Administrative Professional at a small company a few miles away from my house. I am so excited, that I don't know what to do with myself. It's been said, that searching for a job is actually a full time job. That statement is spot on! So essentially, I am changing careers. I quit my 'job' of looking for a job, and now I am actually going to get paid at this new job! Bonus! More details to come.
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