Encouraged

I'll write more about it later, but I am blessed and encouraged this weekend. Kinda nice when an absolute stranger has a dramatically positive impact on personal life perspective. Have crazy homework/papers/practicing to do for next week finals and juries, but I'll get there...just a matter of time. More to come about all this next week...

Busy Week List

- I got my phone fixed today (yeay)
- Got car insurance again (after a 2 month lapse...yikes, but need to have pictures taken again)
- Getting apartment ready for a moving out inspection
- Fixing an error on my IRS Return =(
- Fixing an error on my home phone bill =(
- Fixing my student loan ( Need to talk with Wells Fargo and Financial Services at SJSU. They started to bill me early) =(
- Send tux shirt for dry cleaning for concert Friday
- Practicing for master class performance tomorrow night
- Practicing for concert Friday night
- Working 36 hours this week (yikes)
- Doing tons of homework and papers
- Cooking/cleaning/laundry/bills

Ugh...almost home...gotta get there

People Are Funny - Part 1003

I forgot to write about this, and those in customer service will find a good laugh from this story (I'll write in the present tense, though this happened a couple weeks back).

Today I was 'drink engineer,' making drinks on bar. A little chica came in and (I guess) she thought it to be a good idea to show off her 'cute' dog by walking it right on inside the store. [Note: I still don't understand why people bring animals inside public buildings]. Not having her attention yet, I said, "That's a cute dog (which was far from the truth, but I needed to be nice), but we actually don't allow animals inside the store because..." And right before I could finish my sentence, the dog lifted his leg and peed all over our display and floor. I finished my sentence with, "...for that very reason." The girl didn't say anything, just tugged on the dog to make him stop and waited outside until her boyfriend came out with their drinks. There was no, "I'm sorry...can I clean that up for you," or anything of the sort. I'm sure you all could imagine what I was thinking. People are funny I guess <--- put nicely. "Ooops, you needed that 6 shot espresso so you could stay awake to write that paper?" I'm kicking myself that I thought she wanted decaf...sorry.

Aye yai yai

I'm all homeworked out. Today I started my homework journey at 12:30pm in Cupertino's Starbucks, and just finished (6:50pm). I'm pooped. Gotta go home to practice, clean, cook, do laundry, taxes, financial aid, and get some days off at work for June. Dang...does it ever end? I probably won't get to all of those, but it's my never ending list of "stuff". Gotta go and start another crazy week. As Levar Burton would say, "I'll see ya next time."

But I'll Try Focusing on the Good

Today I went riding over to the Cupertino Starbucks I usually visit. On the way, my backpack came unzipped so I pulled over on the side of the freeway. As I was ready to get back on the road, a car pulled over in front of me. At first I was going to go, but the thought, "He might be pulling over for me," crossed my mind. The man stepped out of his car and started walking towards me. As I pulled forward to meet him, he asked, "Everything alright?" "Yeah, thank you for asking, everything's fine," I responded. I told him why I pulled over and blessed him for pulling over.

The rest of the way to Starbucks, I kept repeating, "That totally blows my mind!" I thank God for that moment. It lifted my spirits. Ok, so there are good people, and I'll gladly accept what happened today with open arms.

Ok . . . a little about me, maybe considered venting...wait let me get my soapbox. I wish we could wear our values on our sleeves. One that I would wear is, "Values Kept Promises." If I make plans or tell someone that I'm going to do something or be somewhere, I plan to follow through with it. I grow tired of folding or flaking becoming "the norm." I value my time and I value other peoples' time.

Last week I was given the invitation to a movie. It just so happened that I had the evening free (the first time since January). I was looking forward to getting out and enjoying some time with friends, away from my busy schedule. When I called to finalize the plans for the evening, my two calls and texts went unanswered. I waited about four hours and still no response. Urgently, I called my friends to fill the extracurricualr time void. Luckily, one of my friends did not have any plans, so I secured some time. (To this day, I never heard back from this person).

This says two things to me...1) "I don't think you're time is important." 2) "I don't think you're important for an apology." Excuse my french, but these two slaps in the face pisses me off. I graciously accepted an invitation and made time for someone, and this is the thank you I receive. If this happened once, I would chaulk this speach up to an over-reaction. But it is not the case. Time after time my plans are discarded as nothing more than an inconvenience. I am becoming annoyed with the non-shalaunt [spelling??] attitude and trend of flaking. Making a promise is the same as attaching a personal stamp-of-approval or signature on something, which should be followed through. Especially upon seeing that person again. Grow some, and apologize. Flaking says so much about someone (more than they know or can comprehend).

This brings to question what do values mean? They are something that someone holds close to his/her heart. I understand that I cannot "force" my values on someone else. All I can do is stick to mine. When someone doesn't uphold similar values, I accept that. But when someone's values aren't respected, it's not respecting that person; and that's ultimately what I have a problem with. So, let me put this as ""socially acceptable"" as I can..."It's not the other person's problem that you're having a problem with that person's value differences." Which is nothing but a big pile.

I know that I am preaching to the choir, and that this isn't news to any of you; but it is something that I wish I can tell people about me, right-off-the-bat. My mood for this week, if you haven't guessed, is "Disappointed With People;" because it's becoming absolutely rare to find people who follow through. I guess this would be a good time to tell Joe that I'm sorry about not showing up for rock climbing in Yosemite 5 months ago. (Satire in italics)

The Life of a Student

The past couple of weeks have been super busy with work, school, and keeping up with my weekly responsibilities. Last Friday night, I actually found time (3 hours + no rain) to go to dinner and get in some bike riding with my friend, Brian. Good times. To keep this (and how needed/valuable it was) in perspective, that was the first time I've gone out since school started, back in January. I'm starting to get overwhelmed with everything, but I just gotta keep driving through it. I'm thinking about giving private saxophone lessons to bring in some extra money to ease finances. So I'll keep ya posted about that. Today is the first day of no rain since that day and it's supposed to be sunny until next Wednesday, so that'll lift my spirits big time. That's all for now, gotta get back to homework, practicing, and getting ready for our concert tonight.