Two Dollars A Day

Photos and thoughts from the past and present and dreams about the future.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005


Picture of the day: Park in Oslo, summer 2004. I used to remember the artists name (that the park was named after). It has all these great stone statues everywhere and they are so fluid and full of emotion. In the center is this HUGE pillar of bodies. It was one of my favorite places on this trip, and I loved Oslo. Posted by Picasa

Working for a Living

I must tread carefully. It is common knowledge (or at least it should be) that if you blog about work, you best not broadcast your name or business on that said blog if you want to keep that job. (This will prove to be interesting after I am sworn into service).

I have no complaints about where I work or who I work for, and I am extremely thankful that I have been able to find something to do for the time inbetween grad school and the Peace Corps. It just occurred to me today when I was getting some order slips to run through a credit card machine today how long it's been since I've had to do the kind of work that I am doing.

I have not had an office job since May 2001 when I worked at WCU, and I have not needed to rely on the newspaper since before even that. It's been a long time. And I found working at WCU to be not rewarding in the slightest, other than meeting some really nice people. I actually enjoyed working at the Local more, because at certain times the job that I did held a certain level of importance. I was a go-between, a mystery solver, a soother, and had a lot of responsibility. Granted, this level of importance was really only me thinking that I was important, but if you can at least see your job as having a greater purpose or having some meaning, I think that it adds a value to it.

Here I know that I am easing the work of others, which does have its own benefits, but after being a VISTA and setting up college kids with underprivileged elementary students, hosting various community service activities, and being involved in higher education (which was absent in my prior university job where my primary responsibility was to answer phones), a lot of things pale in comparison. Even graduate school was difficult for this reason. It was hard for me to justify all the time being so self absorbed with my "work" which was just reading and writing. Really, graduate school was boring. I liked classes and enjoyed teaching, but that was not my full time job. My full time job was to read books and relate them in some way that interested me. That job was difficult, because reading postmodern theory and then relating it to my thoughts about politics or poverty was... impossible. It all seemed so... unimportant and French, yet the stress of getting good grades and not being perceived by my peers as a flunky was enough to have me play as much of the game as I could. Which was really not at all.

I remember sitting in a class that I really did enjoy and thinking to myself "I could be volunteering right now. I could be going to a soup kitchen, helping out in a woman's shelter," etc etc. Those thoughts made the rest of the night class just seem so pointless and stupid and actually made me angry, because I was never great about reading fast or being able to bs enough so that I could spend more time doing those things instead.

Happily, I don't feel that way when I work. I suppose it's because it's somewhat mindless work (although it does involve enough thought to keep me interested) and I get paid I don't think about volunteering as much as I do about... well nothing really. Working sort of just makes my brain go "blah blah blah blah blah." I no longer ponder about Bradgelina or Ukraine or my mom's cute cat or e-mail. I just become a drone and work and work work work work. And I suppose that I fear that. The more that I sit at that chair running credit card numbers, the more I think about a life of selling advertising and how "glamorous" that might be. How easy it would be. Not easy in that meeting goals and deadlines do not involve pressure or stress or hard work, but that I would have to think about much of anything when I was working and that a job like that would be perceivably more easy to leave behind at the work place, something that I was never able to do as a VISTA or a grad student and I doubt that will never be possible as a Peace Corps Volunteer, as you are constantly reminded of your status as foreigner.

Anyway, I'm working for a living, for the next few weeks, and I like it and the honest to goodness simplicity that it brings me. I just wish that it would be a bit more stressful (as long as I'm not messing up stress, just keeping me busy and on my toes stress) to make the day go by quicker. And that the air conditioning would get fixed.

To all of you with the 9 to 5, I would like to hear your two cents about your thoughts on work and what you think about during work, because man, I just turn into a drone.

Monday, August 29, 2005


Picture of the day: the Steinheim, Alfred, NY. Winter of ???? Posted by Picasa

Back from Boston

After much traffic in the greater Boston area and into Connecticut (which I suppose is the greater Boston area) I finally arrived home as the hour neared midnight.

Thankfully, I had wonderful company on the way down, and I'm glad that I was able to spend time with some close friends of mine as my own hours of departure are gathering near.

All of us had an excellent time in the city, visiting with old friends, playing pool, drinking, and just being ourselves.

It is things like this past weekend that make me realize just how much I will miss being in the United States. While I do not get a chance to see my friends all that often, I love when I do and the get togethers are often tons of fun.

As such, I have decided to plan something here in the West Chester area for the last weekend in September, the last weekend in the United States before taking off, and hopefully it will be more successful than my yard sale/drink my booze deal in Bowling Green, in which one person showed up and commented that he had no idea how unpopular I was. (I do believe that it was in jest, or perhaps just a fragile ego talking...) I still have to figure out exactly what kinds of things would go on at such an event, but that should be easy. Maybe.

I do wish that I had been able to see more Boston folks while I was there, as it was essentially an exclusively Alfred weekend, other than seeking refuge for the night elsewhere so that I could get a good nights sleep whilst the boys played poker and other people feel asleep on the couch.

Thursday, August 25, 2005


Picture of the day: Me on the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Lake Michigan behind me, July. Posted by Picasa

Thursday night already?

My my! I had my own doubts about a possible trip to Boston this weekend, but it looks like it will be happening. Unfortunately if you blink, you will miss me. Someone is having a bachelor party (yes, you are reading that right, and no, I am not the entertainment) which I am assuming will take place most of Saturday evening into the wee hours of the night. Should be fun--lots of folks from Alfred (ladies, I will see you there, it seems). As for those other folks in Boston, I am hoping to work out something, evening if it's an e-mailed "hey, let's all do brunch" on Sunday, which means that hardly anyone will be able to come.

I am still not sure if I'll be able to come up on Friday after work (if I can leave early) or on Saturday a.m. Again, details will hopefully follow, even though again, I know that it is crazy short notice here, guy.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005


Picture of the day: Church of the Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, summer 2004. Posted by Picasa

Things are Never as they Seem

Well, obviously things did not go according to plans for the newspaper job, which I am upset about. There really is no one at fault here, although it seems that they do not have a whole lot for me to do, and so after being taken there, my mom and I stayed for an hour (she was going to help me learn their system) and then she promptly took me home. Thursday I will try again. Unfortunately, I could have been working the rest of this week with the temp agency, who I will most likely have to call back and beg them to take me back, as I don't see how this is going to work out for all of September.

So, I am upset about this, as I need the cash, but kinda put myself in this situation. Yuck.

I did make an appointment with the consignment shop though, so today is not all for lost.

Monday, August 22, 2005


Picture of the day: Jack and his posse, winter 2004. Posted by Picasa

Ah but plans can fall through....

...and time is against me now....time is against me now.

Okay, so I have done it. I have done the most horrible thing possible on a blog. I have used a Smiths song lyric to describe the way that I am feeling. No, don't call the suicide hotline, this is temporary and simply stemming from frustration.

It turns out the job with the newspaper is not quite as much $$ or time as I was originally told. I'm still happy that it's anything, however the temp agency would have paid less this week, but fed me and I would have walked to the place if I wanted. I'll now have to drive up to the Main Line and try to find a place to park and probably pay for parking in addition to the gas. So, is the more money (50 cents more an hour) actually worth it in the long run? It's hard to say. I should be thankful, I know, it's just disappointing, that's all.

*Sigh*

We shall see what is like tomorrow. So it's early to bed early to rise for me.

Sunday, August 21, 2005


Picture of the day: The Liberty Bell. In honor of getting off at the wrong exit on my way to my friend's apartment, I ended up doing the scenic tour of Philadelphia from the Ben Franklin Parkway taking in just about every major attraction in town. But at least I didn't get lost. Posted by Picasa

This Weekend

Successful weekend was had. Got to see one friend on Friday night and go over to another friend's house for dinner. On Saturday I ventured into the city and saw off another friend who is moving cross country. Before that, my mother informed me that it was Clover Day at Strawbridge's, a local department store here in the tri-state area. This meant that she was willing to purchase goods that I need for my departure seeing as how I did graduate and whatnot and my birthday and Christmas will be missed this year. I was not expecting the level of generousity that I received, so it was very nice indeed. So, I am set with a piece of luggage that will hopefully be adequate. I decided to forgo a bit on size in an effort to have better control. The Peace Corps packing motto it seems is pack less. This is mostly because you have to be able to physically carry all of your luggage to and from various sites. Considering that we will be moving around a lot during the first six months, it's definitely something to take into consideration. I'm debating on what kind of carry on, if any, I should get, and how I will take over my lap top. I have a carrier for it, but should that be my carry on?

She was also kind enough to purchase a winter coat and a nice lined rain coat. Both look professional and will do the trick for the Ukrainian winters that I have a feeling will be similar to Ohio and Western New York and Boston. I'm not scared. Bring it on.

Today I then searched online for professional looking durable boots. After a friend suggested shopping at http://www.zappos.com I found a pair of boots that I thought would do the trick. But they didn't come in my size. So after continuously searcing, I found them at a lower price somewhere else, but not refundable, so if they get here and they are not quite what I want or need, I'm screwed. But for that there is always e-bay.

I still have a lengthy list of things needed and I am quickly realizing that I need to step this search up, but I think that after the boots are gotten, I will be almost set. Another pair or durable professional shoes for the rest of the year need to be acquired, and I'm a picky shoe person, so this could be a pain in the ass.

For the evening, we went to go see the Wedding Crashers since just about everyone I know has been talking about how hysterical this movie is. It was pretty funny, I admit. Raunchy, but I was definitely laughing out loud at this comedy.

In other news I have decided to cancel the interview scheduled for tomorrow morning regarding another temp agency. I will find out tomorrow whether or not the newspaper job will be on and if it's not, I'll go with the first temp agency that found me something for this week. I hope that the former comes through though, it would make my life easier.

Saturday, August 20, 2005


Picture of the day: Copenhagen, Denmark summer 2004. Posted by Picasa

Uh-oh

I have been experiencing a tingling feeling in my left hand after typing for some bit. I believe that I have what is commonly referred to as carpul tunnel syndrome. It's crazy. I thought that things like that were exaggerations. I'm bummed. But it means that I should be taking it easier with the amount of time that I'm on the computer--which may be difficult when I plan on working.

Last night was nice visiting with friends. Dinner was great as was the company. Today I'm off to say goodbye to another friend who is leaving the area. This time, instead of another country to two years, it's the other side of the country.

Friday, August 19, 2005

UPDATE

*Cue the Unsolved Mysteries music*

While I was sitting filling at the paperwork at the temp agency my mother calls me and informs me that her boss the publisher (who I asked to be a reference for me, I've worked for her as well over the years) has something for me to do. Mom says, "so, it should be all cleared on Monday. You can walk out if you want to." Considering that perhaps, well, what if it doesn't go through, I stay. It was super easy and quick and they told me that they had something for me on Monday. I tell them that I have an appointment on Monday and so, they say, fine, Tuesday. For the next couple of weeks. Working near West Chester U, where I have worked before. Stocking books and working the cash register at a local book store where students get their books. $9 an hour. They feed you. Dress casual.

Wow. It's. All. Happening. So. Fast.

I'm too honest for my own good and tell them that while I was sitting filling out application, I might have another job. We shall see. Either way, it looks like I'll be covered. With my mom, it will be more money and steady work. And I still have an interview on Monday morning. So I always end up putting myself in these moral quandries--am I wasting these peoples' time? Should I go to cover all the bases, even if it means that I have to turn down work and therefore make me undesirable to call up in the future? What is the proper procedure for this whole thing? I have no idea, not having been a successful temp before (in Boston I went, did a test and the whole nine but never got any jobs. The economy was worse then). At any rate, I'm excited about not sitting around the house anymore and making some dough before I leave. I hope that it works out.


Picture of the day: The City of Brotherly Love, summer 2004. Posted by Picasa

Temp to Hire

So today I am finally getting some goals done. I have scheduled two appointments with several local temp agencies: one for this afternoon and another for this Monday. I have yet to hear from the consignment store, but may have to hold off due to the preparations needed for the temp agency (contacting people to use as recommendations, reworking the resume a bit, printing it out, etc). I'm hopeful. I want something to do during the week. Well, honestly, I want something to do that will pay me money. Otherwise, I'm somewhat content just watching Dawson's Creek or the Discovery Channel (yesterday I saw some special about a genius sperm bank that was all into eugenics. It was pretty weird and one of the men was all about "spreading his seed" as far and wide as possible. Ugh).

I have also something to look forward to, as I will be seeing Leah later this afternoon and perhaps going to visit another friend of ours.

Also, I have been thinking that it will be impossible to do all the things that I want to do before I leave (which basically means traveling to visit everyone before I go). What is appearing is that I am going to sit down and plan out something to do HERE in the West Chester area and people will have to come and see me before I go. Otherwise, I'd be way too stressed out and spend way too much money. I just wish that I had more room to put people up or some sort of exciting thing to do, but shoot, seeing me should be excitement enough for you, right? So, keep a lookout for details and whatnot, I'll probably be sending out a preliminary e-mail about this soon.

Wish me luck at my "interview" and getting in touch with people that I worked with on a Friday!

Wednesday, August 17, 2005


Picture of the day part deux: Me with Sting, circa June 2003. Posted by Picasa

What did you do today, Molly?

Well, since you asked, I will tell you. First, I checked my e-mail, which has become a really lengthy process as of late, not because of how s-l-o-w it is here compared to my broadband connection from Ohio but because more people are joining the Ukraine 29 yahoo group that some folks set up. It's cool to read and find out more information about those who are going, what they can share with all of us, and so on. But it becomes a staggering process of something like 25+ e-mails a day. When I used to be a VISTA this would be nothing, but it is time consuming.

So, after that and watching some Dawson's Creek a few other things, I call the consignment shop in town and ask them to send me their guidelines. They say that they'll e-mail me around 2pm. Perfect, I think, because I should be back from my other errands around that time and then I can set up an appointment for this afternoon, take the clothes there, and hopefully make some money in the upcoming weeks. Sure! No problem.

I make a stop along the way to check out if I can replace some things that I lost in the moving process, but the office is closed until 2pm. Go figure. I press on through town.

I got to the bank and hand over the signed copies of the forms they needed--I put my mother's name on this account, as I figure that she will be handling my bizness for me whilst I am in Ukraine. I leave. I suddenly see the AAA across the street and decide to head there and pick up some maps. I'm a member, it should be easy. They have no maps of Ukraine, but I get some US maps and a PA/NJ map (they are combined? Ew!) I press on...

I make it to the Driver License Center and this is where all progress ends. I read all the instructions when I enter, get a number (C974) and try to find the form that I need that the woman told me over the phone would be available for me there.

Nope. It's not anywhere.

So I go to see what number they were currently serving. 889.

Okay, I think, that's not so good, but really, it can't be that bad, can it? It says on the ticket that it should be about a 43 minute wait. I look around for an empty chair and wish that I had had the foreknowledge to bring a book.

So why am I there in the first place? Well, many years ago, when I lived in Massachusetts, I was sent a driver's license with a little light blue box that read "Valid Without Photo" in the corner where my picture should be. I told everyone that it was my Amish ID, which a lot of people believed. Silly guillble people who know nothing about the plain people. I mean, I was wearing clothing with zippers and my head wasn't covered. At any rate, I recalled then when I got the puzzling ID it had some disclaimer that once in PA for 10 consectutive days, I needed to get a photo. Well, true enough, I have been in PA for longer stints than 10 days before, but it was always over the holidays. One does not think about heading out to the DMV after Thanksgiving dinner, you know? So I never bothered. Until today.

I waited for at least an hour, when they were finally up to 904. My hunger took over and I went to one of my favoritest places in the area: the Salad Stop. I ate moderately quickly, heaven forbid I miss my chance, but also realizing that the likelihood of that happening pretty slim. I was hoping that they'd be around 920 when I returned. Oh, if only I had been so lucky. When I returned, at least a half hour later, they were only on 909. 909. I wanted to cry. I waited for awhile longer before calling my mother and informing her that I might have to kill someone or at the very least pen a letter to Pennsylvania's finest Ed Rendell (our governor who's lovely picture was right there in the DMV). I would suggest to him that he not display his photo in such a place where hard working citizens of the Keystone state sit and wait hours on end to do something like get a license renewed. It's not the best evidence of your taxdollars at work, you know?

Needless to say, I waited nearly three hours for them to finally get around to my number. So, also suffice to say, that was my day, sitting around waiting at the DMV. I got my bizness taken care of though, a new photo was taken and I re-registered to vote PA, which was exciting. The gentleman who took my picture asked me what my situation was, and I told him before I left. Not sure what all he heard, as I'm not into publically telling people my plans (I always feel that people judge you--like if you join the Armed Forces it's heroic and patriotic--which it is, but doing something like the Peace Corps is just... well... being a crazy hippie. And people, I bathe.) Regardless, he told me to have a nice trip. I guess that is their way around hostility. That once you finally accomplish what you went in there to do, they are super polite and nice to overcompensate for the long-ass wait you just had. Well, perhaps it worked.

That was basically how I spent my day. At the Malvern Driver's License Center.


Picture of the day: Me in front of a church in the Kremlin Posted by Picasa

Glad I'm American!

Yesterday, while not reading, cleaning, sorting, unpacking, calling temp agencies, or learning Ukrainian, I was watching cable programming. But it was educational--I swear. There is this channel that my mother gets called Discovery Times and they had some fascinating documentaries on yesterday afternoon that pertain to my departure, so I thought that I should watch and learn. The first was about Russian wives and the creepy American men who go over to get them. It was a sympathetic view of this practice, focusing mostly on the women who decide to join these different agencies in hopes of meeting someone to love. Nothing about financial gain or getting the heck out of Russia, which was interesting. Most spoke English very well too and were single mothers. They indicated in Russia, men are not so willing to stick around with a woman who has a child by another man, but in the United States it's not so much of an issue for dudes. Interesting, I guess. Plus, the average lifespan of a Russian man is 55-56 according to this documentary (which I did not get the date of its release) due mostly to hard work and alcoholism. So, these women look forward to a long life alone. I don't need to comment on the kind of men who were looking for Russian brides as I believe that you can figure that one out for yourself. However, the women they featured in this documentary seemed very happy.

The next documentary was on bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic that is land locked in Central Asia (borders on China). Most women are married by their mid-twenties and in rural communities, some crazy amount of women are kidnapped right off the street by dudes families who wish to marry her. The argument is that it's cheaper than paying for her dowry, or perhaps just simpler than asking for her hand from her family. Sometimes the women do not even know who her kidnapper is--it could just be an admirer who saw her once-- or even just on that day. They showed about 3 or 4 different kidnappings, and several that did not work, meaning that the women refused to marry the groom, to which she faces the prospect of shame and disgrace. Sounds like fun, huh? Sometimes the women are raped and sometimes they are killed. They told the story about one woman who committed suicide (or so the family was told) as a way to leave her captures. Her family has tried to get an investigation going (this practice is illegal in Kyrgyzstan, but local authorities tend to turn a blind eye), but they have not been successful. These women are kidnapped by men, but typically "compelled" to marriage by the groom's female relatives who are constantly telling her to put on this scarf, which is a symbolic gesture of her submission into marriage. Some of these kidnappings are successful and in the follow ups, the couple seems quite happy.

In the cases where the women have refused (in addition to a girl's father coming to the family and telling them that he refuses to permit the marriage) the women are allowed to leave. In both cases, the women frequent the city--one girl works at a vodka and beer stand and the other was taking classes to become a teacher. These women have been "westernized" as much as anyone in the middle of Central Asia can be, and have different expectations of their life. Of course, I cried a bit when watching these scenes of these young girls crying and asking to be let go while all these other women (older women) are cajoling her to marry their son, nephew, brother, cousin, neighbor, etc. But they also make it seem like refusal is also a part of this ritual, even with the women who finally submit.

Of course, watching this with Western eyes makes it easy to see how "wrong" all of this is, especially as a woman who is older than her mid-twenties, easily a spinster to this culture, one who eschews traditional roles in her own culture. This is clearly a human rights issue. Why are these women being kidnapped and harmed? However, who I am to judge someone else's culture and rituals? Someone could watch some of the things that we do on a daily basis and be put off by it. As I mentioned earlier, my beliefs and values would probably appall them, as would some of yours, dear reader, I am sure. At any rate, watching that made me exceedingly happy that I was fortunate enough to be born in a country that does not have those sorts of expectations for me, and if something like that was done, I would have the law on my side.

The third documentary was called something like 'Seoul Mates' and it was about two Korean women in love with American men who were stationed over there in the military. It focused on the cross-cultural experiences of the couple, one of whom were married in the eyes of the law, but not by Korean custom. The dude refused to do it the Korean way, some young kid from Scranton. He also refused to eat their food or even do what her parents considered respectful--he made feeble attempts to learn the language, etc. Ah, what a bright portrait of our nation's finest, I swear! But again, he was really young, and he finally did concede to do things the traditional "Korean" way, and the family was very pleased, as they could now tell their relatives that she was married and not living in sin. The interesting part of this documentary was the USO Korean "Bride School." Yes. I kid you not. You realize that that is our tax dollars at work, right? I wonder if they have a "Groom School," huh? So this school trains them how to be June Cleaver's, learning things from table manners and how to cook a Thanksgiving dinner. For their graduation, all the dudes come in and judge their cooking up against Mom's. I do not know if this school teaches them other things, like how to do their taxes, job prospects to expect in the United States, or other things that might help them to assimliate into American Culture more than "don't put your elbows on the table" and "don't stuff the bird the day before, it will go bad." These are important things, I suppose, but as the documentary said, the divorce rate for such couples is 8 in 10. Yep, 8 in 10. Maybe they should be teaching these women some things about US Law and Immigration so that they can focus on their own, or some other ways to cope with the cultural differences to help their marriage last. Anyway, the documentary could have skewed what the USO was teaching them, I am aware of that.

So that is essentially what I did all day yesterday. And then I watched Tommy Lee Goes to College, which was brilliant and likewise made me happy to be an American.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005


Picture of the day: Jack the cat from December 2004. Posted by Picasa

Business As Usual

Well, I figured out how to get my computer hooked up to my mother's AOL, which does not necessarily make it much faster, but it is enough, plus this means that I can indeed have access to photos again! Which pleases me.

Today has been slowly devoted to cleaning and thinking about doing some things like calling a temp agency and seeing if the consignment store in town still exists. I also have lost something in the move and it has been really annoying trying to figure out where I put it. I have to assume that it's gone. Blah.

I also need to devote less time to Dawson's Creek reruns and more time to Ukrainian language training. Or even simply reading. If it was not raining outside today I would think about going down to the pool and taking Crime and Punishment with me. But for now, it looks like hijinx with the kids from the Creek are what will keep me entertained.

Monday, August 15, 2005

Technical Difficulties

Did I just post or not? I can't tell and this computer is so slow and it does not seem to publish my entries, even though they come up in my history--so this is a test. But hopefully this will work?

Clutter

I ask you, what would you do if you had moved from your own apartment into one room, which already contains a lot of junk that may or may not belong to you, and this room is smaller than your own (old) bedroom?

My room here in West Chester looks like a diaster area, but what am I supposed to do? I am trying to get things in order, but it's difficult to figure out what should go where before I am technically ready to start packing for the Peace Corps. I also have yet to find the TV remote... No idea where that is. But I am trying to still get things put "away" so that my mother will not have a fit when she comes home from work. I appreciate her neatness, don't get me wrong, but I would love to have just a little understanding. So my shoes don't get thrown at me if they are left in the living room, for example. Or I don't get yelled at when I am trying to figure out where my cds should go in my room for the next two years. It's frustrating and yelling does not really solve any problems, I've found.

So, for these next 6 weeks or so (I have yet to really sit down and do the math... A part of me just does not want to) I have to figure out how to make this work--and so does she. As it is I already have to make compromises WITH THE CAT. Yes, you have heard it here first. The stereo can not go on the bureau top because there are plants there that the cat likes to chew on. Things need to be put away immediately because the cat likes to sleep on the bed and look out the window. You'd think that this cat was a minor prophet or something. I love the cat myself, don't get me wrong. I spend hours hanging out with him, entertaining him, petting him, brushing him, etc, but darnit, I don't think that he *needs* to chew on plants for the next 6 weeks, you know? The kitty isn't going to die if he is not allowed that one luxury so that I can at least walk to the bathroom at night without falling over something.

Anyway, I still have yet to bring in all my stuff as it is, so I should be off gathering everything! I also need to work more on my Ukrainian and try to find a temp agency to take me.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Life in West Chester

Earlier today someone asked about the blog--whether or not it was going to continue here in PA. My mother has dial up, which is a huge pain and a deterrant from the internet in general. I do plan on maintaining it, but life has become even more boring than usual. My mother also has digital cable and an entire crap load of movies available. Yesterday I watched Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen do a riveting performance in New York Minute. After that I watched some more crap until Calendar Girls came on TV. That movie was sweet and funny and made me cry. Yes, it did. Anyway, that was what I was doing instead of opening up a bank account OR putting clothes away OR getting crap out of my car.

Today I have cleaned up some, but not enough. I have a guest coming down, which I am very excited about, but as it is only my room that looks like a cyclone hit it, I'm not all the motivated to clean it up. But I should bring in the rest of the stuff and get myself to a bank. I will also on Monday start calling some temp agencies. It's time to make a bit of money. In the meantime, I'll be hanging out this evening, and heading to Western PA for the weekend--family reunion.

Also, the lack of being able to post photos really makes me lose interest in this component of the blog. Until I get to Ukraine, I suppose.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Embarrassing Situation

So, yesterday, as you know, I moved out of Ohio. I got help cleaning till the wee hours of the night, got myself three hours of sleep, had a tasty McDonald's breakfast and headed to the library to write stuff down here. After that I sat and waited in the parking lot until 10:30am. My check out was for 10am and I was wondering what kept them so long. It then occurred to me: I was to check out on the 10th. Yesterday was the 9th.

I then pondered for a minute, should I just stay for an extra day, go out and have that big last bash (and totally last minute) that I had wanted to do? I looked behind me at the mass of my belongings in the car and thought about what a pain in the ass it would be to do something as simple as find a clean pair of underwear, and also about calling my mom and disappointing her. So I called up the agency and the line was busy and just decided to drive over there and see if they could see me, which they were able to do (thankfully!) and checked me out. I was on the road by 11am.

Since I only had three hours of sleep though, it was not long before I was too tired to drive and had to pull over at service stations to sleep for a bit. Unfortunately, in Ohio, they don't have nice rest stops, they are in a circle with no trees or shade and it was terribly hot. Therefore, it was impossible to sleep, so I went inside looking for a restaurant where I would be waited on. Max & Erma's it was. I must have looked like death warmed over as I sat down in the booth and gazed over their short menu and asked for more time as the soda kept coming. I could not believe that a damn salad at a turnpike stop would cost me over $8, but there it was. The sandwiches were $9, so I was stuck. There was nothing on that menu for under $4, and the appetizers were as much as the salad, so I had no choice. Thankfully, it took awhile and I leaned against the wall a bit until I thought that people were watching and would snap back up again. I made several other stops and was actually able to sleep for about 15 minutes somewhere before PA. Somewhere along the way in Pennsylvania (after Bedford, I believe) the radio kicked back in (it's tempermental like that) and I was able to wake up more, scanning through the stations looking for some dance/pop tunes. I really had a craving for some upbeat Gwen Stefani tracks, and got to listen to "Hollaback Girl" a bit, but it was never very clear.

Anyway, I made it home and was super excited because I forgot that my mom has a cat (she got him this year, and I always do tend to forget for some reason). I still have to empty out the car because I feel asleep when she was watching 24 and woke up for real around 10:30am or so. Ah, such is the life, right?

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

No more pics of the day

Sorry folks, but when I'm using my mother's computer at home, I probably will not be able to do what has become for me the most fun thing about having a blog. Posting pictures. I might be able to hook up my lap top to her AOL dial up, but doesn't that just sound like torture. Oy it's so slow.

So, until I figure it out, or find other means it looks like just a boring ol'me blog without the fun photos. Leah, however, will keep us entertained with her photos, won't you Leah?

It's Over

So that is it. No more school. No more Bowling Green. No more Ohio. No more apartment.

Graduation was wonderful and really gave me some time to reflect on my life here and was an opportunity to evaluate my experiences, expectations, and work. I think that the best part about it, besides having my father there, was that during the actual ceremony I was able to sit by some of my colleagues who came in at the same time with me. We had conqueored this thing together and it felt good to share it with others. It was nice to be able to share that experience with them as well as catch up on what people are doing after graduation. Different directions. Different endings. Different beginnings.

There were undoubtedly many things that I disliked about this place, and I felt horribly lonely a majority of the time, but upon reflection, a lot of that was probably self inflicted, so I have no one to blame but myself. And time marches on anyway.

The packing and cleaning of the apartment was a vast nightmare. "Bobby" did eventually show up and pay me not $300, but $250 because someone had given him a couch for free. I am still a little angry about this, because a deal is a deal and I honestly just think that he thought about it and just didn't want to pay that much. But whatever. I gots my money, and that is all that matters. I also short changed the cleaning by $50, because I know that the agency is not going to clean anything really, and I did a decent job, just not a super job. However, that being said, I did have a lot of help last night as some friends came over to get the bed and stayed to help me clean. It made me regret that I didn't think things out better and wait an extra day and have some kick ass party somewhere, but at the same time, I know myself, and I like to leave out the back door and quietly. Although I still would like to do something like that East Coast style, but unfortunately all of you who are reading this live in various freaking parts of the country (or not even), so the best I am going to have to do is try and go see as many of you as possible. Boston would more than likely be the best play for a night out, but then I'd miss out on going to Vermont and Maine... We shall see. I still have no funds so this is so irrevlant anyway.

Despite frustrations, the loneliness, the heartache of November, I actually find myself somewhat sad about leaving Bowling Green. I know, whoda thunk it? But that's always the best way to go, isn't it? Don't stay too long or wear out your welcome. I still miss Lasell and certainly the girls, but I wasn't really all that sad about leaving Newton, even though Massachusetts completely rocked. I had stayed my two years, tried to instill some stuff, and moved on, albeit cautious about the new person coming in and having a hard time letting go of those close connections that I had made. But I knew it was time. One of my favorites commented about my name plate coming off the door a month or so before I left. "Leave it," she said, "it's a sign. It's time to go."

About a month ago, a photo I had up at my wall in Lawnview Apt. number 1 that has been a featured picture of the day (me at the Bowling Green stop in NYC) fell to the ground. I knew then I'd have to be ready.

Sunday, August 07, 2005


Picture of the day: Serenity Now! Serenity NOW! Posted by Picasa

Good Things and Bad Things

Good thing(s) consist of graduating this Saturday. I enjoyed the whole experience more than I thought that I would. The speaker ended up being some dude who served in the Peace Corps in Afganistan and had done lots of need peace keeping missions and foreign service-type work. He talked a lot about traveling, experiencing life, and how the Peace Corps had changed him. During his speech, he asked anyone who had volunteered during their time at BG to stand up, and I was very proud to be able to stand, having participated this fall semester in America Coming Together, along with some other small things that I have done while I was here. It was enough to make the little VISTA still inside proud. After that, he asked if anyone had done a study abroad to stand, and likewise, I was excited to be able to stand for that too, having studied in Russia last summer and having the experience convince me that the Peace Corps was something obtainable and desirable. He mentioned during the ceremony that he hoped that at least one person before him would join the Peace Corps, and I was certainly smiling at that moment, because amongst the crowd there was at least one: me! I'm thinking of sending him an e-mail (if I can get his address) thanking him for his words and letting him know that I'm about to begin my own journey this fall.

The bad things are numerous and frustrating. The yard sale was successful yesterday and full of incites. Today things were tragic and scary. This place is swarming with creepy folks. And yes, I say that in the least judgemental way possible. One lady would not buy my $1 lamp (yes, remember the pride I had yesterday about my items? GONE) until I showed her that it worked. This was when I had been talking to some strange fellow who told me that he was e-mailing this lady in Ukraine who was a "massage therapist" and that he was moving there and we should keep in touch. Who picks up and moves to Ukraine? France, sure. England, of course! But Ukraine? From America? No background in the language, culture, etc. Just some lady who is hot to trot, I guess. And he talked a lot about guns. So, this is going on when the lady who wants the lamp stops by and all I can think is, "Jesus, this is it, they are in it together and they will kill me and that will be that." But they didn't. And they weren't, and the fellow was kind enough to stand on the other side of the truck so that I could see him whilst I was inside with the woman who talked to herself and seemed... well, unstable. But she bought my lamp and I hope that it brings her warmth.

So, besides the sketchy folk and the people telling me "you'll never sell your bed. This week people can take their stuff out to the curb and people are picking it up." Everywhere people are dumpster diving for stuff left behind from people like myself. So I still have the bed, which is big and WILL NOT be coming home with me, which means that I won't get 25 cents for it, let alone a couple hundred dollars. And to top it all off, the kid I sold the furniture to, who I spoke so nicely about a few weeks ago, NEVER SHOWED UP. I leave on Tuesday morning at 10 am. He called and said that he'd be here this weekend to give me my money. I called twice and I have not heard back from him and I AM SCREWED if he doesn't give me the money. There is nothing that I can do about it, other than pee on it. Which I am tempted to do if he does not pay up.

While that is definitely my major concern, I'm also worried about getting everything into the car. A friend suggested and looked into taking extra stuff to a women's shelter, which I am totally down with, and will do. I am excited about that, because I'd rather my things go there than to the dumpster divers. I'll be damned if they get everything! If I do end up throwing my bed out, I'm totally going out of my way to throw different parts of it in different dumpsters. F*** them. If they wanted it, they should have paid $25. Oh yeah, and I'm going to pee on it.

Friday, August 05, 2005


Picture of the day: The assembled bed. This is still for sale, and looks like it will be coming home to Pennsylvania with me, although someone just inquire for photos from craigslist (I posted in Ann Arbor and Detroit). We shall see, but please cross your fingers for me. I don't want to transport it back home (it'll be a big pain in the neck) and I want someone who is willing to pay at least a couple hundred for it. Posted by Picasa

Yard Sale

So, today I learned a lot about Bowling Green. And I got rid of a lot of stuff, which is nice. I met my goal, of making $100, and exceeded it a bit. The sun is finally setting and turning the sky a beautiful rosy, orange, and purple that is to die for.

But back to the yard sale---what exactly did I learn? All sorts of cultural stuff. I already knew that there were people who yard sale professionally, who cruise the papers and go all over towns looking for the best deals, either for resale, or for...well, I don't know what? But there were also some folks that I was unaware of. Apparently Bowling Green has a Chinese population, and while I may be generalizing here, they are always looking for a deal, and if you don't give them a deal, they won't buy. Super friendly, chatting to each other a mile a minute, and then look up at me and say "I pay x!" when x is a lot less than what is marked. Lower in some cases than I was willing to go. So, in one case, when I was swarmed with a group of five youngsters, I was able to cut a deal. They wanted some furniture and I wanted it gone, so great, it worked. The second time I had already reduced some stuff, and again, about 5 or so, friendly, but pointed out the hole in one of my lampshades and was like "there is a hole, I pay $2!" Yeah, but the base is crystal, and I marked it at $4, and I'll give it to you for $3. I'm just not impressed. You can replace lampshades. It's a nice lamp. Maybe it's me who has the problem with realizing the little value my belongings have to others. Like I need to dazzle them with my wares or something. I don't know.

The other observation came earlier in the morning when I was selling an item that three people (in two different cars) commented on. I was selling it for $5. They both went back to their cars. Little did I know that they were both getting the money. The woman who approached me asked if I'd take $4 for it. Sure! I thought, because that is one less thing I'll have to carry back up the stairs at night, right? So she repeatedly says "bless your heart" and happily takes her new treasure. Immediately after the women from the second car come and they have the $5 in their hand, but it's too late, and I lost a buck. But I wasn't upset, because she acted like I did her a real favor or something. That's the way to work it I guess.

So, in another hour, a couple arrives and they look around and on occassion I would tell people the deal: I'm leaving the country, joining the Peace Corps, going to Ukraine, yadda, yadda, yadda. These are one of those people. They don't buy anything but the dude talks to me about Belorus and how awesome it supposedly is. "Yeah, right" I think. You've got to be kidding me. But apparently he knows or something. He's never been but knows someone, and anyone who's anyone goes there and makes money or something. I know what you are thinking, but no, I don't ask questions about what the f*ck he's talking about. I don't want to know. They get back in the car eventually and turn around. They take awhile. He gets out of the car and gives me $5 and tells me to keep it, that I'll need it where I am going. (Could he mean hell?) Who am I to argue?

So, really I learned today that it is all about karma, I guess. That giving one person a deal, means that somehow you will be repaid for your generiousity. Or that there are some strange folk up in here. You be the judge.

Thursday, August 04, 2005


Picture of the day (again, part deux): Some flowers near the dunes. Posted by Picasa

Freaking Out

Can you believe that I'm stressed out about my yard sale? But goodness, I am. Combine that with stressing over the move, and my stomach has been upset all evening. Because everything has been so last minute, I didn't have time to advertise in any of the local newspapers, which would have obviously been the smartest thing to do. Plus, when I asked the land lady she didn't seem too psyched about it, which automatically gives me feelings of guilt, even though that is totally lame, what do I have to be guilty about? I just want to get rid of some (most) of my crap? Taking apart and schleping my loft bed is not fun either. Actually, none of it is fun. I hope that I am able to unload some of my stuff and I'm not sitting around alone most of the day, although I have a feeling, a strong feeling, that is what I will be doing.

Ugh.


Picture of the day: The Civilian Conservation Corps monument and museum near Roscommon, Michigan (I think?) Posted by Picasa

Losing Momentum

Went out last night and had a good time. However, I am paying for it this morning, as I am having a hard time getting motivated for this yard sale. Plus, my living room is surrounded with boxes (mostly just filled with books) and it's hard to figure out what I can pack up now and store, as my father is coming for graduation and will take as much stuff as possible home.

Yard sales end up being a pain in the ass, I am thinking. I did this whole thing sort of last minute, so I was not able to advertise it, other than putting those flyers around town (which I should probably post more of today too) which will probably not work. I also went and bought some signs and some stakes. I also will need to go to the bank to get some change before tomorrow morning. I haven't even started yet and I'm already in the hole.

I also have to take out all of my clothes from these crappy plastic drawers that I have and dump them somewhere, I'll have to dissemble the bed to take the frame out and leave the mattress inside. My storage unit will also have to be cleaned out. I also don't have any tables to speak of, other than a coffee table, which I will have to try and take outside, otherwise my belongings will be just on a blanket or in a box on the ground, which isn't really attractive. Someone has already spoken for some items, which is good, and hopefully some other people will come by and at least inquire about the furniture. It is also supposed to thunderstorm, joy of joys.

Cross your fingers that I can gather $100 in profits and get rid of the bigger stuff. Also, I hope that I can get rid of the bed... Otherwise it will be very difficult to transport back to Pennsylvania, where I have a feeling that it won't be as difficult to sell, even in West Chester.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005


Picture of the day: Denmark. Some old fort in Copenhagen. I packed away my guides, so I'm at a loss. Posted by Picasa

Taking a Break

Even though it's not deserved.

I made some flyers for my yard sale and put them up around campus before meeting up with the Prof the Director of the PS department put me in touch with. He is a bevy of knowledge and contacts and I am so glad that I followed up on that. He took me to lunch (which is a treat all to itself) told me about all the work that he does, which relates mostly to working with teachers and teaching them about teaching (got that?) civic education. Totally interesting stuff. He's traveled a lot and clearly loves Ukraine, which is awesome. He was very upfront with the challenges that I will face and realistic about how careful one must be, and seems to be excited about my opportunity, as depending upon where I am placed, I may be able to help work with some of this colleagues, which would be fantastic.

So after that lunch, I continued to post flyers around campus and ran out of staples. So then I'd go up to the big board kiosky things and look all sad and try to find thumb tacks to pull out and post my yard sale sign. I still need to go out to town and continue this venture, heading to grocery stores and some other places that will allow such things. I also need to do some grocery shopping myself and get more boxes. I need to do tons more packing and also start pricing my items and putting them together.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005


Picture of the day: Fall 1999. London. I'm waiting for Charles, who we learned was at Costco that day. Posted by Picasa

Ah, the Joys of Moving

Yet again, almost too soon for my taste, it is time to move again. Since graduation in May of 2000, I have moved no less than six times. That's more than once a year. And then there were the intermediate moves: packing up and storing things before heading off to Russia, or prior to 2000, moving from West Grove to Alfred to West Chester. Or the moves that have left me with no where to be inbetween other assignments. Like this one.

But I am making some progress: I figured out what I need to do to close the bank accounts, and cancel the cable. Electric will be shut off. Mail will be forwarded. Keys to campus have been turned in. The first set of boxes have been procured. Books are currently being put into boxes and carely labelled with lists. Because I am moving to Ukraine and will not have access to said books for over two years, I figured it would be in my best interest to label all boxes as thoroughly as possible with what contents are inside so that if I find that I need a book, it will be easy for someone else to find it. Or that is the idea.

I called the land lady who has agreed to allow me to hold a yard sale this weekend. Flyers need to be made, e-mails need to go out, so forth and so on. Hopefully I can sell the rest of my furniture and some house wares.

Tomorrow (I believe) I shall meet with a professor here on campus who has connections to Ukraine who has an interest in teaching about civics and education. Sounds interesting and I'm looking forward to the meeting.

Also on the agenda: oh geesh, just about everything. Cleaning, packing, calls, e-mails, decisions: what to throw out, what to keep. Organizing... Etc.

This however, is the first time that I can remember being glad to get out of town. When I was leaving Massachusetts there was a lot of hestitation involved. I knew what and who I was leaving behind: A job that I loved despite its numerous challenges, faculty who were always one hundred percent supportive, and of course those kids. I was excited about the challenge of graduate school, but that quickly deteriorated. I'm happy that it's finished and I have no reservations about leaving. I just can't wait to skip town. Because I will skip out of here as fast as my legs can take me.

Monday, August 01, 2005


Picture of the day (part deux): Another shot from the Grand Sable Dunes. Posted by Picasa

Prophets....

...Found in small folded cookies...

Last night I ordered Chinese food but didn't get around to eating the Fortune Cookies until this afternoon. The first one read: You will travel far and wide, both for pleasure and business.


Picture of the day: The log shute on the Grand Sable dunes. It's a looong way down... Posted by Picasa

How Time Flies

After visiting the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, we headed further west to Pictured Rocks area, ending up at Hurricane River camping ground, which provided me, dear reader, with the most entertaining evening on the entire trip.

We found a nice spot to set up camp and the sun was beginning to set. As our camping guide suggested, there was a short trail that would lead to the mouth of Hurricane River where it meets Lake Superior. I said, "let's go down to the lake and see the sun set on the water." We set out on a fairly quick walk through the woods and came across the river as it emptied out into the lake. There was a small bridge that provided a nice photo op, and my company set about taking my picture. While he was getting ready, I complained that I was getting bitten by flies. We finished up and set out to the beach, just about 20 feet from where we were. We saw an older couple by us, sitting at a picnic table, trying to watch the serene sunset. The man was using a branch as a switch to ward off the flies that I was ever more noticing. We walk out onto the beach and I want to take my sneakers and socks off to get my feet wet and take some photos. I had finished the process and took just a few steps when I begin to hear him panicking. He starts telling me that we have to go, that the flies are biting him and they are all over. He starts pacing like a crazy person muttering that we have to leave. I am too busy laughing at him that I can't even put my socks back on. He insists that it's not funny and why am I laughing and so on. I can't help but to laugh at the sight, he's acting like he has terrets or something with the occasional obsenity slipping through, "f***, s***! Let's go. Let's GO!" I tell him that he could go on without me, but he, like a good solider, refused to leave me behind. I finally got my shoes back on and we started setting back off, before I even got a chance to take a picture.  He was still flipping out and the older couple we saw earlier are now clearly amused at his crazy outburst. In his defense, there were HUNDREDS of flies on both of us and we were both getting bitten. On the way back to the campsite, we took turns smacking each other to ward off possible other attacks by flies. It was unpleasant, but as I was not as bothered, I wanted to go back and watch the sunset. After a long heated discussion, even questioning my ability to help a friend in need (to which I responded, trust me, you'll laugh about this later--who's right now?) a compromise was struck: he would drive me down to the picnic area, I would get out and take my photos, and if they flies attacked, I would walk back, otherwise I could get a ride.  He stayed in the car watching the sunset, I went back to the beach, but there were just too many flies around to enjoy myself. Without his outbursts to keep my mind off of how I was getting bitten, it just wasn't as much fun. I did see over a half a dozen people further up the beach watching, strolling, etc. I couldn't figure out how the flies were not eating them alive. I did take a few shots and then ran back to the car, but knew that there were just too many flies (my jeans were covered in them) for me to get in.  He insisted that I run around for a bit and get rid of them, which I did, so only about three made it in the car. The rest of that evening was relatively uneventful camping. However, he made a comment about putting the cooler in a car as he had noted the bulletin board at the head of the camping ground loop that all food should be stored in a hard shell vehicle as to AVOID THE BEARS. Bears? Bears? What? At this point, it's getting dark, and with the bear talk, I'm ready to put all food in the car and just close my eyes tightly in hopes that I will not be bear food. While I thoroughly enjoyed camping outdoors, the thoughts of bears cramped my camping style and from that point on, I was always ready to get tucked in as soon as it was dark.

The next day I awoke in one piece, and it was another unseasonably hot day for the UP, but we took in the north end of the National Lakeshore, which included some gorgeous and huge sand dunes as well as a waterfall that we were able to cool off in. This was at one point a large lumbering area, and we saw the remains of what was referred to as a "log shute" or something to that effect, where they would have boats down on the lake, and the lumberers would send lumber down the dunes (over 150 feet high) which would slide down the dunes at etremely high speeds. Visitors can run down the dune in a matter of seconds but signs warn that it could take up to an hour to get back up. The dune was made to be extremely steep, so you can only imagine how difficult it would be to climb such a height in loose sand. But people were doing it! Not us though, we had other things to take in on the other end of the park. This end was near Grand Marias (spelling?) and included the Au Sable Waterfall and the Grand Sable Dunes. It is the lesser visited portion of the park, although in so many ways it embraces so many wonderful views.

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