Novembrrrr

You should definitely turn on Christmas music to read this because Christmas is amazing and less than a month away.

I can’t believe how quickly November has flown by. It’s been full for me but you wouldn’t know that because I haven’t written for super long.  I hope my absence hasn’t caused you to fall into depression. 

The first weekend in November I learned how to compost and make Chilean food and got food poisoning.  I hadn’t really eaten out so evidently I poisoned myself, but I learned one of two lessons either that pasta sauce doesn’t keep forever in the fridge or don’t buy meat at WalMart.  It only took me a day and a half to work my way up to saltine crackers and I went on a walk with my friend down by the Rio Grande, I took some pictures because Albuquerque makes a beautiful fall.

The second weekend I got to go on a surprise trip home to meet my newest niece, Stella, and see the rest of my family too.  It was grand.  Because grad school is like a legitimized extended vacation I was able to be home for almost an entire week with no academic repercussions.  

The third weekend I pretended to do homework.  Which means I did anything I could think of other than homework.  I did get a free meal at Sizzler on Sunday after church, O the memories. 

The fourth weekend started early in honor of Thanksgiving.  My roommate’s family was staying with us so we were fed constantly and it really did feel like a holiday.  One day we took the longest aerial tram ride in the world to the top of Albuquerque’s Sandia Mountains.  It rises almost 4,000 feet but we didn’t die.  I got invited to like six Thanksgiving dinners and I opted for one Thanksgiving breakfast with the group I usually have a Thursday night Bible study with and a dinner cooked by my roommate’s mom at our house.  

That covers the weekends but there has been all sorts of other excitement too:

• I’m really New Mexican now, I got one of their really cool turquoise license plates for my car. It is strange to no longer be a Californian but the plate was voted best in America by “The Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (we take what we can get).
• My friend Morgan discovered this super cheap Goodwill reject store.  We went last week and I got books, clothes, a board game and a cool wall hanging for $3.60.  You fight through mobs of people and fill your cart and then they weigh your stuff and you pay $.40/pound.  Except for heavy stuff they price cheaper. 
• Along those lines of me being super cheap I’ve decided to stop grocery shopping.  This actually doesn’t have to do as much with being poor as me trying to be less wasteful.  Since I’m leaving for Christmas on the 9^th I figured I could probably get by with just what is in my cupboards.  It’s been excellent.  Last week I got like 11 free meals and mostly from legitimate sources.   This week has been progressing nicely as well, tonight I’m going to eat free salmon and mystery squash (thank you Morgan).  I have some things lined up for next week too.  I volunteered to wrap presents for the Rescue Mission’s Christmas party three days next week and they’ll feed me lunch.  Some people might think it’s weird I eat lunch at the homeless shelter but I did it once before and it was pretty good.   The only problem that has arisen is I’m out of eggs and I’m supposed to bring cookies to a thing on Saturday night, maybe I’ll meet someone with chickens.
• I have my first final tomorrow and I think I’m getting more or less into the swing of school.  Evidently I’m not all the way accustomed, last night I didn’t have a pen and had to take notes with a blue highlighter.  I borrowed a pen before the quiz portion of the night; I thought the professor might appreciate it.  I should be all the way done with finals by next Thursday!  And am flying back to California next Friday for five weeks.
• I got a job.  Evidently Dowd and Guild has really been lacking in the ambassador of goodwill department so they hired me back.  I don’t know what that actually means, but I figured since I am an expert procrastinator already I might as well get paid for it.
• It might SNOW this weekend.

Happy Fall

Wow it’s been a while since I’ve written and I’ve been getting more and more immersed in New Mexican life.  I’ve been making friends and really enjoying fellowship with a few groups of believers here.   Here is a list of some of the things I’ve done since my last update.

1. New Mexico State Fair – The fairgrounds are about a 10 minute walk from my house and the night we went I saw a New Mexican band (very similar to Mexican music) and a Navajo comedy act.  So very cultural of me.
2. Greek Festival – I think New Mexican’s should stick to New Mexican cultural events.  I’m just a little spoiled because the last one I went to at home was super fancy and pricy, this one was just pricy
3. Replaced My Ashtray Recliner - With a free one I found on the road, it is WAY better
4. Balloon Fiesta – The balloon fiesta is a huge deal here. Ten’s of thousands of people come just for it.  It was pretty inspirational.  Next year I’m hoping to go to more of the events there. 
5. Philadelphia – I got to go visit one of my college roommates, Katharine, and her husband and see a real city with trees and tall buildings.
6. Lancaster County – One day Katharine and I went to Amish country.  It’s so cool. She’s been a lot so knew the good places for fresh baked pretzels with crusty butter shells and ice cream.  I’m considering converting.
7. New York – After Philly I went to New York and stayed with some friends Joe and Carrie and their 2 girls.  I do love that city but it’s expensive, theoretically, Joe and Carrie paid for everything so I don’t really know.  I had some good food and a great time with them. 
8. Midterms – Yup, I’m in school so I have midterms.  I got A’s on those I got back. I did write a paper but the professor is overcommitted this semester so he said we’ll get it back by Thanksgiving.
9. New Mexican Food – Like New Mexican music, NM food is very similar to Mexican food, except EVERYTHING has red and green chilies.  When people from church take me out to lunch they take me to New Mexican food so I’ve had some good stuff (and on my own some not so good stuff).  They also serve sopapillas for free with the meals. Sopapillas are fried poofy breads that you eat with honey.  Highly recommended.  
10. Roller Derby – Last weekend I went to the roller derby finals.  I haven’t processed that yet, but it was great to get to know some girls from a small group Bible study I’ve been going to.
11. Ladies Barbershop Quartet Costume Party – I’m not sure how this one happened on Friday.  I was invited and I try to say yes to new things to gain exposure.  It was fun.  My dollar tree tiara and wand didn’t win me any prizes.
12. No on Genetically Modified Seeds Lecture – The ungraded paper I wrote was on this topic and yesterday I went to a lecture on campus.  It is an interesting environment when the least hippy person there is from Berkeley.
13. Pie Making Contest – Tonight I went to a pie-making contest at the little brethren church I’ve been going to.  There were 17 entries and now I feel a little sick (but my typing is a little faster).
14. Got Shoes – There is a church by my house that has a rummage sale every weekend and I stop in there every few weeks.  Last weekend I saw this older gentleman (80ish) I know there so now every Sunday he wants to talk to me about the rummage sale.  This morning we were taking about prices and I told him I bought a pair of shoes (cowboy boots, to be exact) for $1.  He took that as me saying I’m poor and in need of shoes so he asked me the very personal question of what size my feet are and got really excited because they are the same size as his deceased wife.  So tonight he brought me a huge box of his wife’s shoes for me to look thorough.  I now own 5 pairs of pumps.  I don’t know when she passed but he is still very emotional about it and has all of her stuff. Evidently we are a similar size so he said he’ll start bringing me her clothes because she would be happy that it is going to a good home.

My new Mexican life

I’ve been in New Mexico just over a month now and you may be wondering if I’m alive, I am.  

I’m a fairly adaptable person and tend to forget that my life wasn’t always what it is now.   But, on analysis, I can see some differences and will share them with you.

In my past life I had a job, that job required me to get up daily, get dressed and commute.  Now I am a full time student.   Once a week I have to get to campus by 12:30, and that is my early day.  Wednesdays and Fridays I have absolutely no agenda. To combat this I try to make plans to force myself out of the house.  Today I am at a coffee shop.  I would have gotten a fancy coffee drink but they have a minimum price to use a debt card and I only had $2 cash.  I settled for an iced tea.  Within this outing my goals are to write this email and read though a packet on how to preserve my 401K.  Usually on Wednesdays I do my laundry.  One load with all the colors together, maybe I’ll do that later.

 Also in my past life I ate more normal meals, either at my parents’ house or my sister’s house.  Sometimes I would cook, using groceries that someone else purchased.  When I talk to my sister on the phone she usually asks me what I am planning on eating for the week.  Cereal was on sale so yesterday I bought 8 boxes.  Does that count?  It’s not that I don’t know how to cook, I just can’t stay motivated.   I’m really welcome to your suggestions. 

I used to only socialize with my family, now I have friends.  The problem with making friends is usually some level of small talk is involved.  I don’t do well with small talk. I am so miserable answering the questions about myself that I really don’t think it is fair to turn them around onto the other person.  Unfortunately, this makes me seem uninterested and one-sided.  But don’t worry I have a trick.  Say someone asks me what my hobbies are, I respond that I don’t have any with a sarcastic tone.  See I honestly don’t have any but if I said that normally people would find out right away that I am a dork.  But when the sarcasm is added they assume I am kidding and there is really something mysteriously cool about me.  I know this sounds ridiculous but it totally works. I have the social life to prove it.   

Last weekend I went with my roommate, April, to the town of Las Cruces in southern New Mexico.  She’s from there and one of her nieces was having a 5^th birthday party.  I keep forgetting New Mexico is legitimately part of the US and that staying at someone’s house is not going to be like the crazy chicken house Luz and I visited in Mexico.  I honestly considered bringing my own toilet paper, I’m glad I didn’t because that probably would have been offensive.  Well the house was totally normal and the drive down and back was really pretty.  New Mexico has tons of amazing rock formations and I took a picture.  

 I’m also adding a picture of my bedroom. It is huge and white.  I made some flags to add some color and bought the chair.  The chair was only $15 because it is peppered with burn holes and mystery animal hair and smells like an ashtray.  Boy do I know how to barging hunt.

Now onto what you really care about…the weather.  It’s really nice.    The days are sunny and warm (between 80 and 90) and every night it cools off an average of 20 degrees.   Last night I rode my bike home from class at 9:30 and it was perfect out.  When I first moved here it was pretty humid out, you could tell because the doors in the house wouldn’t shut.  Now it is dry out, I can tell because a) the doors in my house shut and b) my lips are constantly peeling. 

That’s it for me.

Love, Joy

Life Thus Far

I am now a New Mexican.  Once I get my drivers license in the mail I can prove it to you.  Everything is just great here.   And I’m not really joking.  Here are some ABC’s on my new life

A – So when I visited in April I thought ALBUQUERQUE consisted of Central Avenue, and that’s all.  When Julie and I went to every thrift store and garage sale in the city we learned that it is much bigger, but for the most part everything I need is very close to where I live.  This week I only drove 50 miles total, that is about what I was driving every day in my other life.

B – To get to school I’ve been taking the public BUS.  It is free for students and I’ve gotten to talk to all sorts of people.   Usually the seats next to the more questionable characters are empty so I sit there and have had some great conversations/counseling sessions.   On Monday I thought I would try my luck on the #5 bus and see if it took me close to where I live.  It didn’t take me very close at all but an hour and a half later I made it home.

C – I’ve gone running with my roommate twice and only ran into a CACTUS once.  She pulled out the spike for me but it still itches some.

D – At one of those Albuquerque garage sales I got a really nice DRESSER, and the old owners were from Concord, small world.  I have most of my furniture now and my house in general is very homey.

E – Since I’m here for an EDUCATION I guess I should mention that.  I started school last Monday and now have had all four of my classes.  We have to do a lot of group projects so that should be interesting.  So far school is way less time consuming than working full time but that might change eventually, as of now I feel like I’m on vacation.

F – I should probably make some FRIENDS. I know a few people and my roommates are great but probably riding the bus isn’t the best way to fulfill my need for social interaction.

G – This morning I went to church at a place called GARFIELD GOSPEL HALL (can you guess the denomination?)  Anyways it was nice and I met lots of old men.  My favorite was George, he gave me his information on a paper from his nursing home that also lists his allergies.  I’m a little confused because under likes it says “lemons and tangerines” but he is allergic to citrus.  Rough life.  I also met Robert(?) and his niece Daisy, she’s 65 so he’s no young chicken.

H- HOW are you?

here comes adventure

I’m moving on Wednesday.  I have today and tomorrow to pack and am not thrilled about the prospect.  Additionally I have a cold, I took Nyquil last night at 6:50 and slept for over 12 hours.  Since I am currently avoiding packing I will tell you what other stuff I have been doing.

2 weekends ago I went to a Giants game with Jenn.  They won so that was exciting.   

This weekend was Katie Rystom’s wedding extravaganza.  I should attach a picture from that but I didn’t take any and am relying on others to send them out eventually. It was great getting to see my college roommates, I don’t remember the last time I’ve laughed that consistently.  There aren’t too many people who think it is a great idea to make nun habits out of plastic garbage bags and wear them in public while singing personalized renditions of Sound of Music songs.

Last Wednesday I finished my career as Dowd and Guild’s ambassador of goodwill.  So far I’ve decided retired life is quite lovely.  Except for the paycheck factor.  Once I get settled in Albuquerque I’ll be looking for a job.

Here are some fun facts about my upcoming move:

I’m moving to Albuquerque to get my MBA at UNM.

It is a 2 year program and I start next Monday.

I’m going to live in a 3 bedroom duplex with 2 other girls, I’ll meet them on Thursday.

I got a bed on Craigslist, $50 including delivery.  Some might think that is sketchy but I think it is a provision from God.  Everything else either is fitting in my car or I’ll be buying it when I get there.

I’m leaving bright and early Wednesday with my loaded up Honda and my sister Julie (sans children).

I have a new address let me know if you want it and then you can mail me something. Maybe you’ll get some New Mexican artwork in return.

Happy Birthday America!

It has been quite long enough since I've over-informed you of my life so I'd thought I'd give you another thing to celebrate this 4th of July.

Work:
I'm still working full time and today is a paid holiday, so was paid for the nap I just took.  I'm planning on working until August 10th or 11th, that will be my 2 year mark. Crazy how time flies.  I hosted a big event a few weekends ago, it went really well until my boss and I debriefed and I discovered we were on completely different pages.  He apologized, paid me more money, and promised not to volunteer me to drive strange men to the BART station again. It worked out fine but some people are a little too honest about their criminal records.  And needs for a wife.

Even after 2 years I am still completely fascinated by my coworkers.  Last week I decided to clean out the common fridge to make space for our 4th of July potluck food.  I found plenty of expired food and then, in the freezer, a pork shoulder, a pork loin and a steak all purchased in April.  I sent out an email assuming someone bought it during a lunch break and then forgot to take it home at the end of day.  Is that what happened? No.  This lady bought it because it was on sale (along with 5 frozen meals) and knew she didn't have any space in her freezer at home so has just been storing at work.   

School: 
I start the University of New Mexico MBA program on August 22nd.  I registered for 4 classes and sometime before August 21st I fully intend on finding out what those classes are.  I am all up for moving but I was getting annoyed not knowing where I was actually going to live.  I wasn't really worried for the obvious reasons but mainly because I need to establish residency and need an address to do that  I have been praying for God's provision and "knew" that He would meet my needs, and He has (as of this morning)!  I had a few leads but nothing worked out then a few weeks ago I saw an ad on Craig's List and felt prompted to respond to it.  They were interested so Morgan hung out with them last week and gave the initial OK then we talked on Skype Saturday and they asked for a few days to decide between me and another girl.  This morning they said it was mine.  Sheesh, I don't know how those Bachelorete's do all that waiting for the rose ceremony.  It seems PERFECT, they are both active Christians, we have a lot in common, rent and utilities is less than I'm paying my parents currently (although I doubt one of them is going to volunteer to do my laundry), and it is a short bus or bike ride to campus.

Library:
A few weeks ago I saw a made for TV movie based on a book so I wanted to read the book.  I decided to try my hand at checking out from the library.  I know I used to run a library but I haven't had a Contra Costa Library card in a long time.  So it took me one day to get a card then I wanted the book, I saw they had it at the library by my sister's house so I put it on hold there.  Then the next day I went to pick it up and they said it was "in transit." What? Does it take that long to transport a book downstairs and put it on the hold shelf?  They say they don't necessarily pull holds from the library you're picking up at, they just pull them from the first library that comes up on the computer.  I was definitely a little frustrated by this, especially since I wanted to take it on the family camping trip.  Oh well, it came the next week.  Last week I went to the library by my office to check out another book someone recommended.  I checked on-line ahead of time and saw they had it. I did not put it on hold.  Then I went and couldn't find it in the fiction section. So I went to the computer and saw they had it but it was in the paperback fiction section.  How am I supposed to know if they have a hardback or paperback copy.  So I sound ranting but you know what, the library is FREE, and that is amazing. In conclusion, in spite of these minor annoyances it is definitely a great value.

Other:
Last month I joined my family in the annual camping trip. I hadn't gone in 6 years and it is much better than I remember.
Last July I made salted peanut butter ice cream sandwiches and they were a complete disaster. I did a variation yesterday and they were much better. Sometimes recipes are helpful, although not as adventurous.

Name that State

I went on a trip last week. Can you guess where? Here are some pictorial clues:







Other hints:
It is super windy, has a total population of less than 2,000,000 and is where I am moving in the fall.
New Mexico! I know exciting right? I mean is it Mexico or not, I’m still not sure. All I know is it is the place to go to be saved from all those tribes and tongues.
My friend Morgan (with the donkey) moved to Albuquerque a bit ago and said I should too. So then I started looking into UNM’s MBA program and it’s not bad. And, did you know that across the board New Mexico is much cheaper than the Bay Area?
School starts on August 22nd so unless something big comes up before then (which could happen) hola mexico/usa.
On other news I’m enjoying my new job (same company, much more relaxed desk). Yesterday I was assigned another manager to assist. He’s one of my favorite people in the company so it really doesn’t bother me when I have to pick up his lunch and dry cleaning -- he paid me back. May should be exciting, Cinco de Mayo again and spring exercise challenge, double points if you walk with someone from work. Oh and for Good Friday find the egg the pre-Easter Bunny hid in your desk.
Speaking of the Easter Bunny. He may not be real but Easter is and that is pretty amazing that because of Christ’s death and resurrection I, and you, can have eternal life.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— Colossians 1:21-22

Spring Newness

Those winter days I sat outside and typed this in the sunshine are gone. They have been replaced by spring torrential downpours. My free umbrella did not take well to the wind and, in efforts to fix it, I’m sure I got more wet than if I would have left it closed and made a mad dash for my car.

I got a new job. Or at least I got rid of my old job. I started training my replacement on Monday and she’s already comfortable enough to make personal calls from her desk so I guess that is a good sign? I didn’t get fired or quit or anything I just requested a demotion and it was approved. Starting next week well see what that actually looks like but I foresee a lot of carwashes in the future.

There are lots of benefits that come with this demotion but the main reasoning behind it is to make the transition easier for the company when I go back to school in the fall. Already people are getting a little teary eyed that I’m leaving but I personally think 5 months is plenty of warning. I still don’t know where I’m going.

Last night we went bowling as an office. I am a terrible bowler, really. Fortunately we weren’t keeping team scores so I wasn’t taking anyone down with me. After we finished bowling there was the option of sticking around in the bar/cocktail lounge. I passed. There’s a little too much family history wrapped up in bowling alley bars. And I don’t drink.

I discovered that you can use sick time to go to doctors appointments so I’m all up on my vaccinations and teeth cleaning now. I caught a glimpse of my dental bill before I gave it to the HR lady at work. After my cleaning with the hygienist, I sat in the dentist’s chair to make small talk with him while he counted(?) my teeth (they’re all there), that took less than 5 minutes was $43! Yikes maybe I’ll become a dentist instead of getting my MBA. Except teeth are gross.

What’s new with you?

my trip to England

Now that I’ve been back from my English holiday for a whole week I possibly can just sort out highlights instead of you hearing every detail. But maybe you’re just wondering how the weather was. It was cold and damp but didn’t rain. So if that’s all you want to know you can stop reading.
I flew to London on a redeye after work one Thursday. I was equipped with my aunt’s Kindle

and a really good chocolate bar from my chocolatier (long story). There was no one sitting right next to me and the guy on the aisle shared his coconut M&M’s with me. Did you even know there was such a thing? I didn’t but I just Googled it and you can buy them on Amazon. Altogether it was a pretty great flight.
When I landed Keiz (one of my college roommates) and Aaron were there to meet me. Right when I got in the car my alarm started going off telling me to wake up for work. But guess what…I didn’t have to go to work! We drove around for a while with the aim of seeing Stonehenge. It was closed by the time we got there but fortunately it is right on the side of the freeway so we still got some pictures. Here is a bit of conversation leading up to the excitement known as Stonehenge…
“Oh I think that’s it”
“No, maybe that’s some trees”
“Wait, yes, it’s Stonehenge.”

We still don’t know what Stonehenge is but at least we know it is in England (news to me)
After Stonehenge we took the scenic route, passing lots of “tank crossing” signs and went to Winnersh to spend the night at Salena and Joel’s. Salena, Joel, Keiz and Aaron all went to high school together and somehow all ended up in England. Us girls all went to college together so it was fun to catch up.
On Saturday morning Keiz, Aaron and I took the train from Winnersh to London. We went on a walking tour and saw the palace…and Big Ben…and Westminster Abbey…and lots of other British looking things.

That night Salena and Joel met us and we went to see the queen. Or at least the musical based on Queen’s music, “We Will Rock You.” My boss recommended it and now I can’t quite look at him the same way.

Sunday we went to see the changing of the guard. We couldn’t actually see much so we left and went to Harrod’s department store, we spent most of our time in the food section. I will refrain from showing you 100 pictures of their food displays but I will tell you that you can buy lemonade with 24 karat gold flakes and that is cool.

We also went to the Victoria and Albert museum. I think we spent more time looking at Harrod’s food than this whole museum. After the museum we headed back to Keiz and Aaron’s house in Harrogate.
I love Harrogate. There are lots of surrounding farms but the town itself is metropolitan. From Keiz’s house you can walk to the downtown and I could have spent my whole vacation and savings account wandering in and out of the shops. I limited myself but I did get in one English tea and a few shirts.

At one of the used shops we bought the movie “Relative Values,” it was pretty hilarious. And although it’s in British the accents were manageable and the humor was actually funny. Overall I think my Spanish is better than British.
Tuesday we went to Fountains Abbey. It was freezing but beautiful.

Monks used to live there back in the day and when the monks got the boot it became a public garden, which it still is. In theory it would be a great place to spend the day and have a picnic. But like I said, it was freezing, so we kept moving. That night we went to Ripon. Every night at 9PM since 866 the town crier has gone to the town square to blow his horn and say that all is well in the town. Then he goes and finds the mayor and blows his horn some more and passes the message on to him. Since 866! Wow, that’s a long time.

Wednesday we went to York. We walked around, got some food, saw a local production of To Kill a Mockingbird and went to Minster Abbey. I liked York. We got to walk on top of the original town wall. The Abbey was having an auction selling off old stonework.


We didn’t get any. To Kill a Mockingbird was interesting. It was well done but you could see the struggle the actors were having trying to mask their accents and sound southern.
Thursday we went to a castle. It was cool but I don’t remember what it was called. We couldn’t go in because it was closed for the season.
 
The good thing about that is we saved $20 entrance and parking and were able to walk around the gardens for free. Then we drove to a dairy to meet the cows that made our ice cream.

Friday was my sad day of departure. We left the house at 4AM England time and I got home at 11PM California time. So yeah it was a long day and no one had coconut M&M ‘s to share with me.
Altogether it was brilliant. Now I am back at work which is less brilliant but change is in the air.

February Facts

Welcome Back! I missed you in January, but here is a little about what is going on.
I hear in parts of the US there are blizzards going on. San Ramon is not one of those parts. I’m sitting outside in short sleeves right now and not one bit chilly.
My newest nephew was born last week, Raymond Joel. He’s not a small baby I guess I wasn’t either. I think bigger babies are more human-like anyways. Here is our picture.

Another thing that was born was my salt and pepper shakers. I think the gestation period was about the same.

I’m going on holiday next week to England. I’m excited. Why?
1) I get to see Keiz
2) I get to see England
3) I get to take time off work

Work is fine. We’re having a Super Bowl celebration on Friday. Last year I won $25 so I hope that happens again.

This morning I was decorating the bulletin board for February.

While performing research I discovered something fascinating about conversation hearts. Every year they have add them with a theme. Like one year was “A menu for love” so they added things like “Table 4 Two” and “Honey Bun.” And another year was “Animal Attraction” so they had “Take a Walk” and “UR A Tiger.” When they first stated they said longer things like “Please send a lock of your hair by return mail.” I think I’ve found my calling.
Evidently you didn’t miss much in January