21

It's official. I'm sick. I have that weird feeling in the back of my mouth; the last time I had that feeling was on Guam, and I suspect that I accidentally ingested meat. I don't know where this feeling is coming from, but last time I got sick. I have this mega cold that decided to take over when my immune system wasn't watching. Thanks, immune system. You guys can suck it! My eyes are all red and puffy, and I have the sniffles. I've been sneezing non stop for the past hour. To kill time as this stupid cold passes (which better be soon), I've been tormenting Jamie. He's had the Outkast song, "Hey Ya", stuck in his head for literally a week. I started singing that stupid lambchops song. His friend Dan added "My Humps". He has declared his hatred for the both of us. To retaliate, I added the "1..2..3..4.."
If you don't know what that is, it's part of the "Hey Ya" song. In the beginning, the singer counts off, then starts. Muahahaha!

I went shopping with my mom, and I have to say that I can never work at a Ross. There were so many kids running around, I almost hit them with my cart. There were too many people crowding the aisles; you turn around and you bump into someone. The entire store's a mess. Hell no! If I were one of the employees, I would announce that I will not be held responsible for running your child over, because you decided to be neglectful. Is it bad to say that it's mainly the hispanics who do that? Well, it's the truth! Watch your damn children! I got a pair of wayfarers, plain black ballet flats, a purse, and a blouse dress thing. I have a pair of tights at home, so I have a new ensemble. I wore my wayfarers around the house, and sat still on the couch for a while. Maxx came up to me and jumped on my leg. I then jumped out of the couch, screaming. Maxx bolted across the living room, and into the kitchen HAHAHAHA!!! I then took my glasses and did this:
He proceeded to hide his head under the couch. I think he hates me for this hahahaha!

beinte

So my dad scared me this morning after his meeting with the lawyers to settle our financial issues. He told me that basically we would have to sell two cars, and the house HAS to be put up as collateral. I looked at him and yelled, "WHAT!?!?!?!" I sat back on my bed and started to look around my room. My dad started telling me more about the meeting, and I broke down crying. He started to ask me why I was crying, and I just looked at him. He started laughing and said that he was joking. He reminded me that he made sure that the house would be a secure thing, because we can make mortgage payments. I wanted to smack him for that! I asked him if the thing about the cars is true, and he said "no. As far as the lawyer and I are concerned, we don't have to get rid of anything." We proceeded to talk about how our family is nowhere to be found when we started asking around for help, yet they were so quick to run to us when we were able to help them. Thanks, guys. I'll be SURE to remember you later! The other day my dad and I talked about who were the primary financial beneficaries of the entire family where there were crisis'; my grandma's funeral for example. He and Tommy's mom were the only ones who were able to take care of the expenses, while everyone was so quick to talk about inheritance. There was a lot of jewelery that was meant to be split up equally amongst the grand kids, but my dad has a sneaking suspicion that Tommy's mom is saving it all for Zoe. I told him that it's no really fair to give all of it to her, when she didn't even know our grandmother. Secondly, it was meant to be distributed amongst everyone, not just one person! Typical family, always playing favorites, but deny it when they're confronted! He told me that there was a custom made black ring in the pile that was supposed to be given to me by my grandmother. She had it made for my dad when we all went to the Philippines in '99. He doesn't have the heart to tell that to Tommy's mom. I told him that they can do whatever; she gave me jade earrings, necklace and two rings that were made in the Philippines, and a crystal jewlery case for one of my birthdays. I have my share and the memories. She's done so much for me that no amount of jewelery can replace it. It's funny, my grandma and I have the same mentallity. We did believe it saving money, but at the same time we also believed in spending it. She would always tell me, "What's the point? If you like, go get it! You can't eat your money, and you surely can't take it with you when you're gone!" I was never one to allow greed to take over. I feel like that's another trait I have inherited from her. What's the use of envy; once you have the object or whatever it is you're covetting, what are you going to do with it now? I know my grandma is completely appalled with the way things are going in this family. They need to take their own advice; age ain't nothing but a number! Just because you're in your 40's and 50's, doesn't mean that you rule the world. To us you're still the 4-5 year olds that you would tell us about, always fighting and always getting into trouble.

Today was day two of my return to Cold Stone. Diana was managing today, so that meant tormenting the co-owner and being on our feet at all times. She was awesome and bought us pizza. There were so many notes everywhere about the new rules, I felt like I was in Tommy's house a few years back. We talked about a lot of the new rules, the free ice cream deal being one of them. So it was true, a lot of people were taking advantage of the free ice cream policy, and the winter months really killed us in sales. John couldn't let all that money walk out the door once we had all clocked out. He didn't want to take away our ice cream privileges, so he gave us 50% off. That now includes sodas and cakes as well. That means if I feel the need ot buy a $30 or $50 cake, I can get it half off! I think this applies to the cupcakes as well. Those are $12 cupcakes. Hmmm....
While the crew and I were enjoying our pizza, a mad rush came in to the store. From 8:00 to 10:03 PM, we were swamped! Every time I thought I could go back and finish my pizza and earl grey latte (that tea is amazing!), more customers would come in. There were a few pain in the ass people; one girl made a love it order and put it in a dipped waffle cone. The customer asked if there were any regular cones, and my coworker explained the options. She said that she wanted her ice cream in the dipped waffle. As soon as my coworker handed it to her, she decided that it wasn't what she wanted, and she was forced to throw it away. This other guy was trying to pay with a gift card, and I don't understand what he was trying to argue about. I heard bits and pieces of the argument; something about a quarter or a $1.05...I don't know. Then there were the many customers that I got who wouldn't speak loud enough when the store was clearly loud. I had to ask them several times what they wanted. People, I can only read lips to a certain extent! Freakin speak up! Then there are the other customers who say they want their order in the waffle size. I have to explain to them about 10 times that we don't go by scoops, you have to chose one of the three sizes infront of you to putin the waffle. They continue to argue that they just want it in the waffle. Jesus Christ! The only two highlights of the day was that this guy had all of his kids tip us one by one, it was $4 right there. We only had to sing twice. Diana told us that earlier this morning this customer brought her elderly parents. They've never been to a Cold Stone, and don't know how we operate. They tried pretty much everything, and asked a lot of questions. Whoever was handling them was being really cool, so as soon as they finished and paid, their daughter came back and thanked the staff for being extra nice to her parents. Then she tipped us *drumroll* $10!!!! HELLS YEAH! After the nightmare that was our closing shift was over, we still had a few problem customers. We had locked the doors, and there were still people trying to get it. Yeah, we locked the doors for a reason. I was resuming my post in the backroom, so I thought it was another repeat of the white trash hicks from Damascus. They were a couple of our last customers, and they needed the bathroom. Seriously, you couldn't have gone before we closed? I finally got a black work shirt before I left. Hallelujiah! No more of the ugly white shirt that looks so disgusting. Tonight was brutal. By the time I had gotten back to my pizza, we were cleaning up and it was already cold and yuck. The good news is that I have all of next week off. I need to go back in tomorrow and change my request to get a day off. I accidentally put in July 17, but I really meant the 15. The girls and I made plans to go to the midnight premiere of HP, and I accidentally put the wrong date in. Crap! Oh well, tomorrow. That way I can get my tips for tonight hahaha!

In other HP news, I have finished my Cho (Ravenclaw) scarf. My hands hurt. I'm still trying to finish up the HP (Gryffindor) scarf. I tried to work on it some more as soon as I got home, but my hands started cramping up. Thank God no one else has requested for me to make anymore scarves. I think I would have to murder them with my knitting needle if they did. With that last note, I'm going to kill time by knitting the HP scarf, and "waking up" to rush down to CS later and change the date on the request note.

nineteen

DC adventures, now featuring my parents! I almost died of shock when they both said that they wanted to hang out in DC for the day. My feet hurt, I'm exhausted. I've been chugging water like the world's supply is going to end. I haven't fallen asleep on the metro since the inauguration. SO let me document my trip in a few pictures and some commentary.

Das White House. Let me just say how stoked I was to find this place. I saw it from the distance while I was walking through the Washington monument area. I saw the Elipse, but I got to get up close and photograph the south lawn.Official White House squirrel. He didn't wish to comment and requested that no pictures be taken. I told him not to run away from me. He did. Bastard.



Washington monument stage. This stage will forever have a place in my collection of memories. The year that Latin band was getting really big at school, we got a gig to play here along side the MC Jazz improve group.

The Elipse. It just screams all kinds of awesome. The WWII Memorial. Herrr ees da Pilipines! Let me just say how froud I am of my pipoles and my pamily who hab pought in dis warrr. (to get a better understanding of the Filipino FOB English, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFBBMweWwys)

The wall. Nothing really to say.

Fat ass squirrel. I have to say that DC squirrels don't really give a damn about who's sneaking up on them. My mom was paranoid about me getting closer, she said that the squirrel would jump on me.

6x3

What a day. The interview with the Disney store went really well, I hope to be getting a call back. They pay $7.25 starting, so it's not too bad. It'll be close to Towson if I want to remain there during the school year. I'm still praying to hear back from Whole Foods. After the interview, Adrienne and I walked over to Muvico to visit our uncle. We talked for a little bit, and asked us what movie we wanted to see. I feel bad that he's always getting us in like that. We ended up watching Angels and Demons. We missed 20 minutes of it I think. The parts we missed, I had already seen online. I didn't have the patience to actually wait for the movie to load on my laptop. I have to say that Angels and Demons made me love Ewan McGreggor even more. Adrienne kept cracking all these Star Wars jokes throughoutthe movie; such as the classic line, "YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE!!!!" I didn't finish the book, so I didn't see that twist coming at the end. I could've sworn that particular priest was a sure choice to be the next pope. I was really amazed at what the story reveals about the Vatican. I knew about their archives and what they contained, but I didn't know they had a vast library containing the sketchbooks of Bernini, Michelangelo, Signorelli, etc. I really want to see this now, but like the story, it'll be next to impossible to get clearance. I knew the back story about the construction of St. Peter's square and the basillica; how it was built over the old Vatican, over the spot where St. Peter was martyred. How I know all this? From taking art history II. Yup! I've studied the construction, and the alter above the crypt containing the bones of St. Peter and the former Pontifs. I briefly got to see Michelangelo's ceiling in the movie. It was exciting to see some of the sculpture and paintings that I've studied in class. The most amazing one, besides St. Peter's, was St. Theresa in ecstasy. The scene in the movie itself was disturbing, but to see it on the big screen was cool! I would like to see it in person, some day.

After the movie I went to hang out with my only reader of this blog, lol! Al took us and Faye to cold stone, where I got to hear Malloy make an ass of himself trying to sing a new song that no one knew. We stood outside while Al told us stories about bitches, motherfuckers, and sons of bitches that come in to his work HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Seventeen

Battle of the "Single Ladies"

Justin Timberlake

VERSUS

Sixteen

Put up or shut up. Better yet, how about you just shut up.

Fifteen

I've had an interesting weekend. First my internet dies out on my during the storm Thursday night. Friday morning Tommy's mom calls me asking if I had received the email she just sent. I told her that I don't have internet, and she told me that she planned a surprise birthday party for my dad the next night. I had to be there with my family by 7:00 pm. I tell my mom, who in turn tells my dad that we need to go to their house the next night to see our family who's visiting from NYC. It turns out that he was called into work, so that just killed the plan. Seriously, would they like to tell me in advanced, rather than plan something the night before and EXPECT me to be there. Jeeze! About an hour later Adrienne's dad called me asking if I could take pictures of a confirmation being held that night. He said that all the photographers he called backed out, and he'll make sure I'm taken care of. Convieniently there was another bad rainstorm that night, so I was stuck in front of the Olney theater for a good 40 minutes. I was late to meet up with her dad, but I forgot that I had to go through inspection to get through the base. The guy was really cool and let me through when I said that I'm the photographer for the confirmation. I took a lot of great pictures, and I was paid $60. After the confirmation, Adrienne and I went to the 24 hour Walmart on 174 and hung out for a good couple of hours.

Saturday:

I tell my family the night before that we can't make it to their party, because my dad was called into work. None of them believed us, so it's not my problem. My mom and I went shopping when she came home from work.

Sunday:

Celebrated my dad's birthday. He's now 51 years old. We went shopping for a dryer again. It'll be in tomorrow! Yes!!!

Monday:

Hung out with Adrienne and went job hunting. We hung out at Panera first and got some ice cream after. We filled each other in on what the family has to say about us behind out backs. Basically someone in my extended family is spreading the rumor that I'M the reason why my parents are broke! I have a basic idea of who is spreading this rumor; these two people are two to talk! One doesn't have shit to her name, yet she can talk smack but can't take it. The other has a sorry excuse for a husband. Adrienne's dad then went on to saying that I don't deserve to be at Towson. His argument was that Towson is a serious school. Adrienne argued that I'm a serious student. He says that he doesn't think photography is a real major and real career choice, therefore I'm just a waste of space. He also says that I'm milking my mom and dad for their money, and it's why they're broke. I should be on my own already. First of all my parents don't want me to move out. Secondly, they told me to concentrate on school, rather than work. Learn the facts before you accuse! It's funny that he says that when he calls me in a panic for a photography job. Hmm...to counter his argument, being a secretary in the air force isn't a real job, but he doesn't see me verbally abusing him every chance I get. Adrienne proceeded to tell both her parents that they are the last two people who should be giving life lessons. She tells me that the family says, "the reason why (I) don't show my face around family functions anymore is that I know I did something wrong and don't want to hear their lectures." No, I don't show my face around, because I'm sick of their hypocritical criticisms and I'm tired of the negativity! I don't need any more negativity in my life. They are seriously the last people to be giving criticisms when they know their lives have gone to shit. Really. They are so fake, yet they can talk a lot about you behind your back. They act so tough, why can't they say it to my face?! Better yet, don't ask me for favors if you don't think my career choice is real! They did the same thing to Brandon and now they're kissing his ass. I told Adrienne that I'm not appologizing for who I am or what I am. They don't support me, they're not putting me through school. I don't own them shit! I've excommunicated myself from the family, and frankly I'm happier this way. It sucks that I won't be able to see my cousins as often, but it's a price I'm willing to pay.

Angel made an appearance on Saturday, and Josh's dad made a snide comment about how she's only there for the food. What, is she not supposed to eat? Isn't that what you do at a party? I'm so tired of this family. I've burned my bridges a long time ago. I've always been the black sheep, what else is new? I just hope they realize that they better not come to me for anything. I tolda Adrienne about how her parents and the family said that she deserved every misfortune she got up until now. My dad was the only one to stick up for her. He said that if anyone abused me in any way, he would've kicked their ass so hard that they would be in a wheelchair. Everyone kept telling him that it's not worth it, what's done is done. He got pissed at everyone, especially her parents for letting this happen. It's like saying rape is okay.

Amongst our bitching breaks, we did a good round around Arundel Mills. I put out a bunch of applications, and landed an interview for the Disney store on Friday with Adrienne. The manager said that they only have 5 people on staff, and they need more for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I may not have a life on the weekends, but at least I have a job *hopefully* After the mall closed, we hung out in Toys R Us for the fifteen minutes that they were open. I saw the bike that I wanted, but it's $190. Boo! We drove back to Cold Stone and sat outside talking for a good two hours. After that we moved it back to Ft. Meade and sat in her car talking. I learned something new about my girl cousins. I knew three of them werent virgins, but it turns out that my golden child cousin isn't one, either. I freaked out in the car, exclaiming, "WAIT! SO I'M THE ONLY VIRGIN!" I feel so proud of myself! I've always been one to be different from the rest. I told her it's by choice, I don't want to be some guy's on nighter, or his go to girl when he feels the need. All the girls, except one, have been tools. I wasn't meant to be a tool.

Tuesday:

Drive around submitting more applications. CRAP!!! I just realized that I forgot to check up on my Shoppers application. I went to deal with MC again, and got the same bitchy councilor. What are the odds? She tells me that I was supposed to get permission to take this class, or take a specific class that was to be assigned. That's not what I was told before I left. I'm so done with MC. I go around getting more applications. I submitted a good 4 today. I go back to CS and ask John to put me back on schedule. His genius mind hired too many people, so now there's a full house. I put myself on the call list, so I got a shift this Saturday. I work from 3-7 pm. Whole Foods in Rockville is hiring for part time only, but their start at $10-15 an hour. Hell yes! I hope I get that job! I applied at Petsmart, I have to apply at Old Navy. I'm pretty much set right now.