Highlights of living at home:
(1) My mom, the sports freak: my mom opened the paper, grabbed the sports section and say, "Che! Lost again! Goddy goddy." (And then realized it was last Sunday's paper.) Also, she's randomly obsessed with "So You Think You Can Dance". I think that says it all.
(2) My dad, Speedy Gonzales: my father leaves the car in such a rush, while I'm always rolling up the window, taking off my seatbelt, adjusting my messenger bag. Once, he rushed off so quickly that he left his door open. And forget about keeping up with him in the store - unpossible. You just have to hope that through some Brownian motion/chaos theory/happenstance you happen to cross paths again before he decides to andale andale, arriba arriba back to the car.
(3) Little bro, #2. There's no easy way of explaining this. My mom, when feeling deeply put-upon, sighs and says (somewhat phonetically) "Iswara, deva mai." Recently, Mom sighed deeply - and little bro #2 said "Sharaddi, eh Mom?" There was a noticeable pause, hangtime while Mom and I figured out what the hell he was talking about. Yeah, that was his attempt at what she always says. Mom laughed so hard she had to hold the stitch in her side, I had tears in my eyes. Really shocked that he wasn't willing to repeat it for Dad. [Incidentally, the Iswara is also a Malaysian car.]
(4) Little bro, #1. Really needs to get with the program, hasn't done anything that funny - just been nice and helpful. BOOOORING!
P.S. - 2 weeks, mes p'tits!!
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
how do you catch the sparrow?
All the girls walked by dressed up for each other
Slicking on some lip gloss and checking to see if my mascara had clumped, I realized this was the most makeup I'd had on in weeks, if not months. In fact, this was the most trouble I'd taken regarding my appearance in quite some time - and it was all to meet a girlfriend. There's a lot of truth in that line - my girlfriends are the ones who notice (and appreciate) the new shoes, and know your wardrobe well enough to have a favorie shirt. It's for them, and myself that I dress.
The night was just about perfect: bookstore time with vapid women's magazines I'd hate to support by actually buying, wide-ranging conversation, frites, and a very productive car confab. (Whenever I drop this friend off, no matter how late, we always seem to end up chatting for another hour.)
The evening distilled down to this perfect prism that I'll hang in the bay window of my mind, to reflect on at stoplights and airport gates.
Slicking on some lip gloss and checking to see if my mascara had clumped, I realized this was the most makeup I'd had on in weeks, if not months. In fact, this was the most trouble I'd taken regarding my appearance in quite some time - and it was all to meet a girlfriend. There's a lot of truth in that line - my girlfriends are the ones who notice (and appreciate) the new shoes, and know your wardrobe well enough to have a favorie shirt. It's for them, and myself that I dress.
The night was just about perfect: bookstore time with vapid women's magazines I'd hate to support by actually buying, wide-ranging conversation, frites, and a very productive car confab. (Whenever I drop this friend off, no matter how late, we always seem to end up chatting for another hour.)
The evening distilled down to this perfect prism that I'll hang in the bay window of my mind, to reflect on at stoplights and airport gates.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Moving/Sanity: How to keep more of the latter while doing the former
Moving is painful, logistically as well as emotionally. Here are some things I've learned from my recent experience:
(1) Make a plan as soon as you know you're moving. If possible - timeline backwards. Moving on this date, when will packing be done? Do you need to make a trip to the new location to apartment hunt? Count on packing taking longer than you think. What services do you think you'll need? Cleaners, movers, carpet shampooing, etc. etc. Start emailing your friends for referrals.
(2) List companies/addresses that will need your new mailing address. This is easiest if you start a few months before your move: utilities, banks, investments, magazines, Sallie Mae, etc. etc. As your mail comes in, add addresses to the list. Having it all in one place will kick much ass later.
(3) Go through your crap. If you've lived in one place for a while, this will be especially sucky. I divided it up by doing one area each weekend (one closet, one bookshelf, etc. etc.) Triage into throw away, give away, and take with you. Goodwill will pick up, if you have enough stuff and you schedule sufficiently early. Look into other local charities that accept donations. Check out animal shelters - they often need shoeboxes, as well as towels, linens, etc. Many charitable organizations dealing with domestic violence take cell phones. Also, look for charities that accept business clothing, for example Dress for Success.
Here's where the emotional stuff tends to kick in. Remember that everything you are going through is perfectly normal. Try writing, or bitching to friends (even though you will be worried about wearing our your welcome, in that regard.) Take time for yourself as much as possible. Keep a countdown - it is at once a source of stress, and relief.
(4) Collect packing materials. You can often get packing materials from friends, or off of Craigslist. Boxes, packing tape, scissors, newspaper, markers. Keep the things you'll need right away at your new location apart - shower curtain, trash bags, cleaning materials, toilet paper, a towel, etc. Not being able to take a shower after moving - not cool.
(5) Contact the post office and others on your list from #2. You can even change your address with the USPS online. Some subscriptions etc. take 6 weeks to change your address, so get in touch as soon as you know your new address.
(6) Pack. This is a good time to do more triage. Mark each box with the room it came from, and the contents. If you're really geeky - color code.
(7) Cleaning Or: how to get your security deposit back. Consider hiring cleaners. If the budget won't allow, use your bucket of cleaning materials and hop to it. For white walls, you can use (white) toothpaste to fill in the holes where you hung your artwork collection. For carpets, use ammonia and a brush with plastic bristles (dollar store, baby) to get up the worst of the stains. Rent a carpet cleaner (I got mine from my grocery store) and use Oxiclean detergent in it (skip the expensive stuff they try to sell you at the store.) (For both the ammonia and the rug cleaning, test an inconspicuous spot first.) Take pictures of the place when you're done.
(8) Unpacking. Thankfully, this process is about 5 times faster than packing. Stop at the grocery store for snacks and a flat of water. Make sure your new place is as clean as you'd like. Move boxes into the rooms they have been marked for. Use your "set aside" box to to set up your shower (trust me, you'll need it.) Do as much unpacking as you can the first day, because otherwise the task can suddenly stretch on for days/weeks/indefinitely (we still have packing boxes in our basement from when we moved from Geneva - i.e. when I was 7.)
(9) Pizza and beer. Hey - it's a moving tradition!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update:
Donating eyeglasses
If you have enough time, consider holding a garage sale to get rid of some of your stuff (maybe pool together with other friends who are also moving/looking to scale back.) Another option: use Craigslist or EBay to make some $$ off your unwanted stuff.
(1) Make a plan as soon as you know you're moving. If possible - timeline backwards. Moving on this date, when will packing be done? Do you need to make a trip to the new location to apartment hunt? Count on packing taking longer than you think. What services do you think you'll need? Cleaners, movers, carpet shampooing, etc. etc. Start emailing your friends for referrals.
(2) List companies/addresses that will need your new mailing address. This is easiest if you start a few months before your move: utilities, banks, investments, magazines, Sallie Mae, etc. etc. As your mail comes in, add addresses to the list. Having it all in one place will kick much ass later.
(3) Go through your crap. If you've lived in one place for a while, this will be especially sucky. I divided it up by doing one area each weekend (one closet, one bookshelf, etc. etc.) Triage into throw away, give away, and take with you. Goodwill will pick up, if you have enough stuff and you schedule sufficiently early. Look into other local charities that accept donations. Check out animal shelters - they often need shoeboxes, as well as towels, linens, etc. Many charitable organizations dealing with domestic violence take cell phones. Also, look for charities that accept business clothing, for example Dress for Success.
Here's where the emotional stuff tends to kick in. Remember that everything you are going through is perfectly normal. Try writing, or bitching to friends (even though you will be worried about wearing our your welcome, in that regard.) Take time for yourself as much as possible. Keep a countdown - it is at once a source of stress, and relief.
(4) Collect packing materials. You can often get packing materials from friends, or off of Craigslist. Boxes, packing tape, scissors, newspaper, markers. Keep the things you'll need right away at your new location apart - shower curtain, trash bags, cleaning materials, toilet paper, a towel, etc. Not being able to take a shower after moving - not cool.
(5) Contact the post office and others on your list from #2. You can even change your address with the USPS online. Some subscriptions etc. take 6 weeks to change your address, so get in touch as soon as you know your new address.
(6) Pack. This is a good time to do more triage. Mark each box with the room it came from, and the contents. If you're really geeky - color code.
(7) Cleaning Or: how to get your security deposit back. Consider hiring cleaners. If the budget won't allow, use your bucket of cleaning materials and hop to it. For white walls, you can use (white) toothpaste to fill in the holes where you hung your artwork collection. For carpets, use ammonia and a brush with plastic bristles (dollar store, baby) to get up the worst of the stains. Rent a carpet cleaner (I got mine from my grocery store) and use Oxiclean detergent in it (skip the expensive stuff they try to sell you at the store.) (For both the ammonia and the rug cleaning, test an inconspicuous spot first.) Take pictures of the place when you're done.
(8) Unpacking. Thankfully, this process is about 5 times faster than packing. Stop at the grocery store for snacks and a flat of water. Make sure your new place is as clean as you'd like. Move boxes into the rooms they have been marked for. Use your "set aside" box to to set up your shower (trust me, you'll need it.) Do as much unpacking as you can the first day, because otherwise the task can suddenly stretch on for days/weeks/indefinitely (we still have packing boxes in our basement from when we moved from Geneva - i.e. when I was 7.)
(9) Pizza and beer. Hey - it's a moving tradition!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update:
Donating eyeglasses
If you have enough time, consider holding a garage sale to get rid of some of your stuff (maybe pool together with other friends who are also moving/looking to scale back.) Another option: use Craigslist or EBay to make some $$ off your unwanted stuff.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Station Identification
So, unexpected shoutouts from Amardeep and Sepia Mutiny. Wow - thanks, y'all.
I've achieved a few of my goals from the La Vie en Rose list: road trip to Lake Tahoe, shopping with Mom, spa trip (although, um, I may need a refill.) More of these goals to come, along with sweeping blog changes including (FINALLY) updating my blogroll.
I've achieved a few of my goals from the La Vie en Rose list: road trip to Lake Tahoe, shopping with Mom, spa trip (although, um, I may need a refill.) More of these goals to come, along with sweeping blog changes including (FINALLY) updating my blogroll.
Mojo Rising
The mojo is coming back on line, kids, and thanggod for that.
I spent a good part of yesterday trying to chat with my neighbor's mom. Since she's from Senegal, the French comes in handy - but not entirely because of the whole Creole/Patois thing. I'm not entirely sure what we talked about but I think that she castigated me for moving without saying goodbye to her (I begged off that I haven't moved yet), she told me that she would pray for me, and then promised to marry me off. Or possibly she was praying that I'd get married. (!!)
Today, even more Home Deepa-age. My favorite moment: I asked a clerk for remnants of 1/2" drywall. The guy raised an eyebrow at me. Oh HELLLLLLLLL no! Don't let the pigtails fool you - I will linoleum tile your ass, mofo!
I'm starting to really enjoy the do-it-yourself thing. I feel like I've forgotten so much about what I was like pre-lawschool, but I used to love putting things together. Apparently, I still do. And you know what? I love IKEA - and I'm not going to feel guilty/cheap about it. Ain't no shame in my game. I love their design sense, and I love putting the furniture together. Mmm.... Allen keys galore. (Aside: from putting together an entire houseful of IKEA furniture with Saj - never try to outthink the Swedes! Follow the damn pictorial instructions.) And I'm fine with just giving it away and starting over when I move. Is that wrong??
20 days, mes p'tits.
I spent a good part of yesterday trying to chat with my neighbor's mom. Since she's from Senegal, the French comes in handy - but not entirely because of the whole Creole/Patois thing. I'm not entirely sure what we talked about but I think that she castigated me for moving without saying goodbye to her (I begged off that I haven't moved yet), she told me that she would pray for me, and then promised to marry me off. Or possibly she was praying that I'd get married. (!!)
Today, even more Home Deepa-age. My favorite moment: I asked a clerk for remnants of 1/2" drywall. The guy raised an eyebrow at me. Oh HELLLLLLLLL no! Don't let the pigtails fool you - I will linoleum tile your ass, mofo!
I'm starting to really enjoy the do-it-yourself thing. I feel like I've forgotten so much about what I was like pre-lawschool, but I used to love putting things together. Apparently, I still do. And you know what? I love IKEA - and I'm not going to feel guilty/cheap about it. Ain't no shame in my game. I love their design sense, and I love putting the furniture together. Mmm.... Allen keys galore. (Aside: from putting together an entire houseful of IKEA furniture with Saj - never try to outthink the Swedes! Follow the damn pictorial instructions.) And I'm fine with just giving it away and starting over when I move. Is that wrong??
20 days, mes p'tits.
55 Fiction Fridays: Twinkle Twinkle
Friday!
Since she was a child, she’d do it: the quick glance up into the night sky, pick a winner, and scrunch up her eyes and wish for the first thing that came to mind. With the words to the rhyme on her lips, she opened her eyes. The star moved –yet another wish on airplane.
Since she was a child, she’d do it: the quick glance up into the night sky, pick a winner, and scrunch up her eyes and wish for the first thing that came to mind. With the words to the rhyme on her lips, she opened her eyes. The star moved –yet another wish on airplane.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Bambi
You think "watching paint dry" is just an expression, but you're wrong - I spent a few hours held hostage by a newly painted front door. The door should have dried in four hours, buuuuuut it was full dark and insects were wandering in to my house and the paint was STILL sticky.
A phone call from brimful helped me pick my chin off my chest, and I set off for "home"....only to realize that I had forgotten my bag containing my wallet etc. at my house. Turn around. Repeat.
Have you ever had an out-of-brain experience? What I mean is that you know that you are processing away on some problem or issue, but at the same time, it's like your brain is floating in the corner of the room observing you deal with the situation? Maybe some kind of cranial astral projection.
I was bone tired on the last little stretch, and feeling sorry for myself. Not a good combination, but I really have too much on my plate and not enough space for perspective. I had my cerebral out-of-cranium experience when I saw the deer: I was braking and steering away from it at the same time as I thought, "wow, I'm actually reacting and in enough time to avoid a problem." It all felt so slowed down. The sound of my brakes engaging. Tightening my grip on the steering wheel. The headlight illuminating half her body as she swerved away from my car, and then back towards it. My front left wheel just crossing the double yellow, thinking that I could correct and get back over in more than enough time.
As I was congratulating myself on my reaction time, I realized that I was steering away from Mama Deer...and towards Bambi. I couldn't see the fawn at first because the curve of its spine fell just below my headlight. When it turned to follow Mama, its leaf-shaped ear caught the light.
I didn't hit either of them, and no one hit my car. I drove the next 2 minutes one-handed, the other hand pressed flat against my mouth, holding it all in. Here's what I realized: even at my most drained, I am lucky. My day was bookended by nature. This morning, I watched an irridescent midnight blue and black butterfly sun its wings on my front step. Although I would have preferred to have skipped the encounter with the doe-eyed, I had the opportunity to be (wo)mano-a-deero, and you don't get that every day. Also, near-synchronicity is an eerie, eerie thing.
Savor where you are - there are moments and ideas to be absorbed at that very spot.
A phone call from brimful helped me pick my chin off my chest, and I set off for "home"....only to realize that I had forgotten my bag containing my wallet etc. at my house. Turn around. Repeat.
Have you ever had an out-of-brain experience? What I mean is that you know that you are processing away on some problem or issue, but at the same time, it's like your brain is floating in the corner of the room observing you deal with the situation? Maybe some kind of cranial astral projection.
I was bone tired on the last little stretch, and feeling sorry for myself. Not a good combination, but I really have too much on my plate and not enough space for perspective. I had my cerebral out-of-cranium experience when I saw the deer: I was braking and steering away from it at the same time as I thought, "wow, I'm actually reacting and in enough time to avoid a problem." It all felt so slowed down. The sound of my brakes engaging. Tightening my grip on the steering wheel. The headlight illuminating half her body as she swerved away from my car, and then back towards it. My front left wheel just crossing the double yellow, thinking that I could correct and get back over in more than enough time.
As I was congratulating myself on my reaction time, I realized that I was steering away from Mama Deer...and towards Bambi. I couldn't see the fawn at first because the curve of its spine fell just below my headlight. When it turned to follow Mama, its leaf-shaped ear caught the light.
I didn't hit either of them, and no one hit my car. I drove the next 2 minutes one-handed, the other hand pressed flat against my mouth, holding it all in. Here's what I realized: even at my most drained, I am lucky. My day was bookended by nature. This morning, I watched an irridescent midnight blue and black butterfly sun its wings on my front step. Although I would have preferred to have skipped the encounter with the doe-eyed, I had the opportunity to be (wo)mano-a-deero, and you don't get that every day. Also, near-synchronicity is an eerie, eerie thing.
Savor where you are - there are moments and ideas to be absorbed at that very spot.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
I Saw You
You: grey t-shirt, and running shorts. Me: Indian girl bombing through the side streets to avoid traffic. I saw you at the end of your run, hands on knees, sucking in DC's soup-like air. You looked up as I passed you, my radio cranking out "Enter Sandman." I watched you in the rearview - you kept looking, mouth open, confused, and finally laughing. That totally made my day.
So, same time next week? Maybe I'll play some Patsy Cline? Or some Tupac?
- the girl in the Sinatra
So, same time next week? Maybe I'll play some Patsy Cline? Or some Tupac?
- the girl in the Sinatra
The Parent Trap
I was not cut out to live with people. I can be the life of the party, and on occasion I enjoy meeting new peeps - but, generally, I just want to be left alone. I know I've alluded to it before, but seriously - lots and lots of alone time everyday. To the point where my romantic fantasy is to meet someone amazing that I want to share my life with....and have them live next door.
And I'm currently living with my parents. (STRRRRRIKE 1) As my dad and I fix up my place to get it ready to sell. (STRRRRRIKE 2 and 3 and let's make it an even 4, batter.)
I'm a quagmire. My father is helping me out immeasurably, and yet I'm annoyed on at least an hourly basis. Sometimes, I can tell I'm being a bitch as I'm saying something, but I can't bite back the words. I hate this, I really do.
So, some of it is me - and I readily acknowledge that - I'm 30 years old, and have lived on my own for 13 years. Moving back home, even for less than a month, is not going to be easy. But some of it definitely comes from my parents. Here's a little tip (or possibly a note to self, if I ever decide to have kids): whatever your kids are like at 27 - that's it. You're done. No amount of nagging, cajoling, lecturing, or other parental forms of browbeating are going to result in any character-building or breakthroughs on their part. Let. It. Go. And remember that you do not see your adult children the way other adults do: it was nearly amusing to be told this morning that I'm horrendously forgetful, disorganized, etc. Hmm...I managed to graduate from law school, I must be capable of doing something right.
Aargh. I'm booking my flight to California this week. I think it best for everyone's mental health.
And I'm currently living with my parents. (STRRRRRIKE 1) As my dad and I fix up my place to get it ready to sell. (STRRRRRIKE 2 and 3 and let's make it an even 4, batter.)
I'm a quagmire. My father is helping me out immeasurably, and yet I'm annoyed on at least an hourly basis. Sometimes, I can tell I'm being a bitch as I'm saying something, but I can't bite back the words. I hate this, I really do.
So, some of it is me - and I readily acknowledge that - I'm 30 years old, and have lived on my own for 13 years. Moving back home, even for less than a month, is not going to be easy. But some of it definitely comes from my parents. Here's a little tip (or possibly a note to self, if I ever decide to have kids): whatever your kids are like at 27 - that's it. You're done. No amount of nagging, cajoling, lecturing, or other parental forms of browbeating are going to result in any character-building or breakthroughs on their part. Let. It. Go. And remember that you do not see your adult children the way other adults do: it was nearly amusing to be told this morning that I'm horrendously forgetful, disorganized, etc. Hmm...I managed to graduate from law school, I must be capable of doing something right.
Aargh. I'm booking my flight to California this week. I think it best for everyone's mental health.
Friday, August 19, 2005
55 Fiction Fridays: V-day
Friday...
He tried to be nonchalant as he opened up the shoebox. It wouldn’t do for people to think he was overly nervous, or anxious. The key was to not draw attention to yourself at all, blend into the crowd. But there was no hiding the disappointment: 30 kids in his class, and only 9 valentines.
He tried to be nonchalant as he opened up the shoebox. It wouldn’t do for people to think he was overly nervous, or anxious. The key was to not draw attention to yourself at all, blend into the crowd. But there was no hiding the disappointment: 30 kids in his class, and only 9 valentines.
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