My new way to keep entertained at work is by giving rewards and treats. The rewards have the potential of costing the company a lot of money but usually people don’t participate in my challenges so they are pretty pointless.
Here are some recent ones:
I put a suggestion box in the kitchen any suggestion and I give the person a $5 gift card. Do people write down their suggestions? Rarely, mostly they just complain.
We’re thinking if switching the coffee in the kitchen, it has been a very dramatic process. Since I don’t drink coffee I told people to try my 4 samples and give feed back and they would get participation prizes. I gave $5 gift cards to each person that turned in at least one response. Only 7 people got them.
We have a new girl Kayla, with new people I like to put a fun fact and their favorite ice cream on the board in the kitchen. She told me that she is boring and couldn’t think of one. I told the office that they have until today to ask her one question each and whoever gets the most interesting response wins a $5 gift card. So far I’ve only received 4 facts and one of them is that she has “a brown dog that is kind of large.”
Today when the World Cup game (which I really have no interest in) ended at 9 I set up snacks: orange slices, Capri Suns, and Quaker granola bars. People really liked it but only about 5 people understood the correlation between the foods I brought and soccer.
I’m going to keep doing these things for the remnant (and for myself).
The other day when I was proofing BBQ invitations for my boss I caught that it asked people to bring appetizers and hors D’vours. I had to double check fist that they were in fact the same thing (I never know about rich people rules) then I told him. He and his wife both separately expressed their gratitude, maybe I’ll get a raise.
I’ve been continuing to pursue being social…
I’ve been talking on the phone more lately, and not just to my sister.
Last night I went to dinner with one of my Davis roommates she only lives an hour away and we hadn’t talked since December.
Last week I emailed this girl from work to see if she wanted to go out to coffee when we got off. She never responded.
Last Saturday I went to a wedding by myself and actually stayed for the reception. I was talking to this girl (white like me) and this black man asked if we were sisters, that is the second time that I have been asked that this month.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
On hair and taxes and other things unrelated
As you may remember, a few years ago I stopped brushing/combing my hair, then some time after that I stopped conditioning too. I picked backed up the conditioner thing after a five-year hiatus because when people give me shampoo it often comes with the matching conditioner and I don’t like it when one bottle gets finished before the other. Last weekend my friend Amaris encouraged me to give the brush another chance. As I discovered my hair does look a little smoother when it gets brushed with a brush instead of my fingers. I don’t want to become vain so I wasn’t sure if actually buying one would be a good use of my money but then my aunt was just giving one away so I took it as a sign and snatched it up. Now in the past week I have used it at least three times. Literally I think that is more times than in the last probably 8 years combined. Amaris assures me that now the boys will swoon. I personally am excited that if I brush out my hair maybe I’ll find less of it on my clothes, in my car, in my sheets, etc. (it works for my dog). We’ll see how long it lasts, old habits die hard and all that.
Recently my car did not pass smog. I was quite a bit bummed but the lovely people told me about a government assistance program to subsidize the cost of smog related repairs. To qualify you either have to be poor (which I guess I’m not anymore) or have a car that they expect to fail. Me and my ‘92 Accord fell into the latter category. So thank you tax payers! I got $540 worth of repairs for $108.
And speaking of ’92 Accords, do you have one? Because I swear every person that I have driven lately either has one, or had one, or their mom has one, or their brother has one. So when I’m driving people from work that now drive 7-series BMWs I give them an opportunity to reminisce about the years they spent in a boxy Hondas. It is very equalizing.
Now some other fun facts.
-Memorial Day I was in San Diego, it was great.
-I switched up the coffee at work today, I expect there will be a strong reaction tomorrow morning.
-I’ve made a few non-related friends recently – it only took 17 months.
-Today is my oldest brother’s birthday – Happy birthday Jeremy, this is your gift.
-Is summer here? – I think it is getting closer
-I think you’re great!
Here is a picture of me at my friend Lora’s wedding with brushed hair.
Recently my car did not pass smog. I was quite a bit bummed but the lovely people told me about a government assistance program to subsidize the cost of smog related repairs. To qualify you either have to be poor (which I guess I’m not anymore) or have a car that they expect to fail. Me and my ‘92 Accord fell into the latter category. So thank you tax payers! I got $540 worth of repairs for $108.
And speaking of ’92 Accords, do you have one? Because I swear every person that I have driven lately either has one, or had one, or their mom has one, or their brother has one. So when I’m driving people from work that now drive 7-series BMWs I give them an opportunity to reminisce about the years they spent in a boxy Hondas. It is very equalizing.
Now some other fun facts.
-Memorial Day I was in San Diego, it was great.
-I switched up the coffee at work today, I expect there will be a strong reaction tomorrow morning.
-I’ve made a few non-related friends recently – it only took 17 months.
-Today is my oldest brother’s birthday – Happy birthday Jeremy, this is your gift.
-Is summer here? – I think it is getting closer
-I think you’re great!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Good Works
The weekend getaway was lots of fun. We wandered around and looked at hippies, ate and solved life’s problems. I’ve attached a picture of my view on the ride up there.
One of my bosses is really into philanthropy so I get opportunities to be into that too. Just last week I went to a super nice wine and food festival sponsored by the Rotary club. I went with my cousin and sister-in-law, we were way underdressed but got to eat some fancy “hamburgers” (note the attire of the man the background)
Also along with the philanthropy we got to paint doors at the San Francisco Rescue Mission. I think about 1,000 pictures we taken so everyone will see how good we are. On that note my doorframe got very high marks.
This weekend we’re going to feed the homeless in Oakland. It is recommended to go to these things so that we feel good about ourselves. Fortunately last weekend on the way to painting I read this in John 6,“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom I sent.’” It is fine for me to go around doing good works but I can’t confuse that with what God is asking me to do.
D&G also recognizes my neediness, sometime soon I need to make an appointment at a day spa by my work and put it on my boss’s tab.
What’s going on contigo?
One of my bosses is really into philanthropy so I get opportunities to be into that too. Just last week I went to a super nice wine and food festival sponsored by the Rotary club. I went with my cousin and sister-in-law, we were way underdressed but got to eat some fancy “hamburgers” (note the attire of the man the background)
and some amazing bunt cake.
This weekend we’re going to feed the homeless in Oakland. It is recommended to go to these things so that we feel good about ourselves. Fortunately last weekend on the way to painting I read this in John 6,“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom I sent.’” It is fine for me to go around doing good works but I can’t confuse that with what God is asking me to do.
D&G also recognizes my neediness, sometime soon I need to make an appointment at a day spa by my work and put it on my boss’s tab.
What’s going on contigo?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Seis de Mayo
I know some of you have been concerned that my Spanish is not being practiced in my new lifestyle. But don’t you worry, I used it THREE times in the past week:
1) My boss’s wife called because her gardener just had a son, Mateo, she wanted to know if that had one T or two.
2) Different gardener, my dad needed help with a word, completely unrelated to gardening – no surprise there, he likes to talk to people.
3) I was inspired to throw a Cinco de Mayo party at work. I labeled all of the foods with their names in Español and English.
1) My boss’s wife called because her gardener just had a son, Mateo, she wanted to know if that had one T or two.
2) Different gardener, my dad needed help with a word, completely unrelated to gardening – no surprise there, he likes to talk to people.
3) I was inspired to throw a Cinco de Mayo party at work. I labeled all of the foods with their names in Español and English.
Speaking of Cinco de Mayo…a few weeks ago my boss asked me what the next office celebration should be and I picked Cinco de Mayo (or pretzel day). On Friday I got the go ahead and I went ahead. Instead of getting it catered, like every other employee would have done, I decided to cater it myself. I think the best part of my job is no one really knows what I’m supposed to be doing so I get to make things up as I go along. Thus the catering…much more exciting than whatever the last person at the front desk used to do. I did a classic taco bar with this amazing vegetable tray…
I don’t think people really got it, they aren’t as clever as you. They did really like the fiesta and the shredded sweet and spicy crock-pot chicken. People can’t stop talking about it; it’s very awkward.
I think there will be many more of these parties to come because it was announced last week that we got our “mojo” back. What that translates to in the chemical sales field is we just signed the biggest contract of D&G’s history. What that means for me is:
a) More mailings (I worked an hour late today compiling addresses)
b) More perks (I recently earned $25 for Starbucks and $25 for Jamba Juice)
c) More decision making (should we stick with Folgers or switch back to Starbucks in the kitchen)
Tomorrow I am going away for the night with my sister (Julie) and sister-in-law (Cristina) for the 2nd annual mothers-day-weekend-girls-trip. My payment for catering is getting off work 3 hours early tomorrow. Julie’s goal is to eat a lot and Cristina’s is to stay up late and watch movies. It’s bound to be a blast even if we have no clue what there is to do in Sebastopol. More on that next update, for now I’m going to get ready for bed.
I think there will be many more of these parties to come because it was announced last week that we got our “mojo” back. What that translates to in the chemical sales field is we just signed the biggest contract of D&G’s history. What that means for me is:
a) More mailings (I worked an hour late today compiling addresses)
b) More perks (I recently earned $25 for Starbucks and $25 for Jamba Juice)
c) More decision making (should we stick with Folgers or switch back to Starbucks in the kitchen)
Tomorrow I am going away for the night with my sister (Julie) and sister-in-law (Cristina) for the 2nd annual mothers-day-weekend-girls-trip. My payment for catering is getting off work 3 hours early tomorrow. Julie’s goal is to eat a lot and Cristina’s is to stay up late and watch movies. It’s bound to be a blast even if we have no clue what there is to do in Sebastopol. More on that next update, for now I’m going to get ready for bed.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Happy Earth Day!
In effort to be less work-oriented I went to Davis the last two Saturdays. The first time I was able to eat at my favorite deli, Zia’s. The second Saturday I went to Picnic Day. I’ll attach a picture of Katie H and me in front of a helicopter.
After Picnic Day I took Amtrak home. I like riding trains. Not driving is so relaxing.
I think 2010 has been a good year for chemical sales so far. I partially know this from preparing YTD comparative 2009-2010 reports. The other reason I know it is because we get a lot more spontaneous (between typing those 2 words I just spit coffee all over myself) treats that I get to exercise discretion in buying. To celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection everyone got Starbucks and candy filled plastic eggs. Last Friday we got lunch from this café by the office. I really like picking up lunch there for everyone because they have those frequent buyer punch cards and so far I’ve earned 3 free meals. On Monday instead of having our quarterly luncheon at the pizza place that we have to bring our own plates, straws, lemon wedges and trashcans, we get to have it at a real restaurant.
I also like ordering lunch for people because you learn a lot about them. The more I learn about the people I work with the more I am convinced that I am normal and there is such a thing as being abnormal. I will now tell you my favorite order. Tuna Salad (a salad with tuna on top with blue cheese) w/out the tuna or cheese. And why didn’t she want the tuna? Because she brought her own from home.
I guess some people might think I’m weird too. At least 3 lunches a week I sit in my car and eat instant oatmeal. Today I added pecans for a little excitement/protein. But I have really good justifications.
Now to follow-up on things from my last update:
After Picnic Day I took Amtrak home. I like riding trains. Not driving is so relaxing.
I think 2010 has been a good year for chemical sales so far. I partially know this from preparing YTD comparative 2009-2010 reports. The other reason I know it is because we get a lot more spontaneous (between typing those 2 words I just spit coffee all over myself) treats that I get to exercise discretion in buying. To celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection everyone got Starbucks and candy filled plastic eggs. Last Friday we got lunch from this café by the office. I really like picking up lunch there for everyone because they have those frequent buyer punch cards and so far I’ve earned 3 free meals. On Monday instead of having our quarterly luncheon at the pizza place that we have to bring our own plates, straws, lemon wedges and trashcans, we get to have it at a real restaurant.
I also like ordering lunch for people because you learn a lot about them. The more I learn about the people I work with the more I am convinced that I am normal and there is such a thing as being abnormal. I will now tell you my favorite order. Tuna Salad (a salad with tuna on top with blue cheese) w/out the tuna or cheese. And why didn’t she want the tuna? Because she brought her own from home.
I guess some people might think I’m weird too. At least 3 lunches a week I sit in my car and eat instant oatmeal. Today I added pecans for a little excitement/protein. But I have really good justifications.
Now to follow-up on things from my last update:
- I did not go on that weekend trip
- After some heated debate with Barns &Nobel’s automated customer service desk the majority of my books shipped.
- I ended up failing at the coupon thing and buying deodorant at Safeway one night at like 9:30
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Happy Thursday!
Welcome to my update.
Work recently has been particularly busy. For the most part I don’t believe in getting stressed but this week (Monday especially) that belief was not particularly evident. On the bright side I’ve been getting paid overtime. And again I’m learning more and more what it means to pray continually.
One of the projects I’ve been working on is sending out a letter to promote these All Plastic paint cans we distribute. I wrote the letters, assembled a mailing list, stuffed envelopes (at home), and then finally on Monday I mailed them. Yesterday I got my first call from someone who got the letter and is interested in buying the product. It was very exciting to see that what I did will actually bring money.
A lady just asked me where I got the shoes I am wearing. She loves them. I am not a huge fan but I had to throw away my favorite shoes yesterday so these are backup. I guess when you buy shoes at Payless in Nicaragua you can’t expect them to last more than 2 years.
Speaking of shopping, I really don’t like shopping online. I’ve been trying to order some books from Barnes and Nobel and even though I consider myself fairly computer savvy it definitely would have been quicker for me to just go to the store. The order status is saying that my books will be shipped August 24th. I’m a little bitter. I don’t want to talk about it.
A few weeks ago I was bored so I went to this class on how to use coupons. It was very fascinating learning how much money you can save when using coupons. On the other hand it was a quite a bit overwhelming. For example I really need to buy some deodorant but the lady was insisting that deodorant is one of the things you should never pay full price for. So now I feel like I can’t buy any until it is on super sale so I’m stuck using this stuff I don’t like until I can get it for “practically free.”
I’ve been going to this Bible study bi-monthly for the very spiritual reason of having a social outlet and making new friends. I think that it has been working and possibly I could call these people “friends!” Here is my problem whenever they invite me to do things I say no. My intention isn’t to play hard-to-get but I usually have really good excuses. Like going to an 8:30 movie on a Wednesday night would keep me up past my bed-time. They also asked me if I wanted to go on a weekend trip they are planning. Woah that is moving a little too fast, don’t you think?
Ok on a more upbeat note. My cousin Eric and his wife Jamie had a baby girl yesterday – that’s exciting. I stopped by to say hi today after work and stayed for dinner. Normally it probably isn’t kosher to mooch a free dinner off of people that just had a baby but I did bring over a really good cake.
How are you?
Work recently has been particularly busy. For the most part I don’t believe in getting stressed but this week (Monday especially) that belief was not particularly evident. On the bright side I’ve been getting paid overtime. And again I’m learning more and more what it means to pray continually.
One of the projects I’ve been working on is sending out a letter to promote these All Plastic paint cans we distribute. I wrote the letters, assembled a mailing list, stuffed envelopes (at home), and then finally on Monday I mailed them. Yesterday I got my first call from someone who got the letter and is interested in buying the product. It was very exciting to see that what I did will actually bring money.
A lady just asked me where I got the shoes I am wearing. She loves them. I am not a huge fan but I had to throw away my favorite shoes yesterday so these are backup. I guess when you buy shoes at Payless in Nicaragua you can’t expect them to last more than 2 years.
Speaking of shopping, I really don’t like shopping online. I’ve been trying to order some books from Barnes and Nobel and even though I consider myself fairly computer savvy it definitely would have been quicker for me to just go to the store. The order status is saying that my books will be shipped August 24th. I’m a little bitter. I don’t want to talk about it.
A few weeks ago I was bored so I went to this class on how to use coupons. It was very fascinating learning how much money you can save when using coupons. On the other hand it was a quite a bit overwhelming. For example I really need to buy some deodorant but the lady was insisting that deodorant is one of the things you should never pay full price for. So now I feel like I can’t buy any until it is on super sale so I’m stuck using this stuff I don’t like until I can get it for “practically free.”
I’ve been going to this Bible study bi-monthly for the very spiritual reason of having a social outlet and making new friends. I think that it has been working and possibly I could call these people “friends!” Here is my problem whenever they invite me to do things I say no. My intention isn’t to play hard-to-get but I usually have really good excuses. Like going to an 8:30 movie on a Wednesday night would keep me up past my bed-time. They also asked me if I wanted to go on a weekend trip they are planning. Woah that is moving a little too fast, don’t you think?
Ok on a more upbeat note. My cousin Eric and his wife Jamie had a baby girl yesterday – that’s exciting. I stopped by to say hi today after work and stayed for dinner. Normally it probably isn’t kosher to mooch a free dinner off of people that just had a baby but I did bring over a really good cake.
How are you?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Happy Springtime!
Are you enjoying spring? I love it. It is finally warm enough to sleep with my window open – now maybe my room won’t smell like dying dog. Literally my dog is dying and I feel bad for her and let her sleep on the floor in my room she smells and likes to pace my room in the middle of the night.
Work is fine. I got a top-secret raise. It came the same paycheck as my 401k started being taken out so my take-home dropped, but that is life. I’m still waiting for my performance review but I think my job is safe.
Yesterday someone came to me because the printer was broken. I told her that since it was only 8:05 it was probably still in sleep mode. She assured me that wasn’t the problem. I walked over to it pressed the on button, and miracle of miracles it worked.
On that note I am not a very internally kind person. Some of you may not think I’m kind externally either but I try really hard to suppress outward expressions of my distain in the work place. Working with people is hard! It is amazing how quickly I get annoyed by people. It is really good I have a 40-minute commute so at least I have time to wake up before I get bombarded with conversations that I have no desire participate in. Anyways that was my venting – don’t hate me. I’m waiting for the internal transformation but am learning self-control in the meantime.
On Saturday I went shopping. I bought 9 items 5 of them were cardigans.
Saturday night I went to the drive-ins with my friend Keri. We saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Alice in Wonderland. The first one was pretty hilarious we were going to leave during Alice but we couldn’t figure out how to get out of the parking lot. Over all, the drive-in experience was better than I was expecting. The bathrooms were closed so I had to use the port-a-potty. I just coached myself though it by reminding my self that people all over the world use grosser bathrooms that those all the time.
I’ve been watching “The Celebrity Apprentice.” Reality TV is totally addicting so I usually avoid it but this is job research. My goal is to be the receptionist on that show. Sending people in to meet with Donald Trump. Maybe God has me at D&G to prepare me for that position.
Well lunch is almost over and now it’s time to go to the store to restock my boss’s supply of Pepsi.
Love, Joy
Work is fine. I got a top-secret raise. It came the same paycheck as my 401k started being taken out so my take-home dropped, but that is life. I’m still waiting for my performance review but I think my job is safe.
Yesterday someone came to me because the printer was broken. I told her that since it was only 8:05 it was probably still in sleep mode. She assured me that wasn’t the problem. I walked over to it pressed the on button, and miracle of miracles it worked.
On that note I am not a very internally kind person. Some of you may not think I’m kind externally either but I try really hard to suppress outward expressions of my distain in the work place. Working with people is hard! It is amazing how quickly I get annoyed by people. It is really good I have a 40-minute commute so at least I have time to wake up before I get bombarded with conversations that I have no desire participate in. Anyways that was my venting – don’t hate me. I’m waiting for the internal transformation but am learning self-control in the meantime.
On Saturday I went shopping. I bought 9 items 5 of them were cardigans.
Saturday night I went to the drive-ins with my friend Keri. We saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Alice in Wonderland. The first one was pretty hilarious we were going to leave during Alice but we couldn’t figure out how to get out of the parking lot. Over all, the drive-in experience was better than I was expecting. The bathrooms were closed so I had to use the port-a-potty. I just coached myself though it by reminding my self that people all over the world use grosser bathrooms that those all the time.
I’ve been watching “The Celebrity Apprentice.” Reality TV is totally addicting so I usually avoid it but this is job research. My goal is to be the receptionist on that show. Sending people in to meet with Donald Trump. Maybe God has me at D&G to prepare me for that position.
Well lunch is almost over and now it’s time to go to the store to restock my boss’s supply of Pepsi.
Love, Joy
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