Three Hundred Thirty-Ninth Entry
Today is September 15, 2009. Not a particularly memorable date. September 15, 2008, one year ago today, two major things happened that have had a profound effect on the way my life is today. A year ago today, I accepted a job with OptiSolar, Inc. a promising start-up solar energy company. A year ago today, my parents separated.
It has been a very tough year, and I've had a hard time dealing with my parents separating as well as losing my job, and it's hard to know which event has had more of an affect on my life. I think initially the emotion of the separation was offset by the excitement of a new job. But once I lost my job, I was in the thick of it all.
My mom has been living here in San Leandro for the last year. She was a complete wreck the first few months, especially with the holidays and everything. That's pretty much why I cooked for the holidays. She didn't want to at all. She has gotten much better about everything, especially after I convinced her that she had to talk to someone about all this. I couldn't convince her to see a counselor or anything, but I did get her to open up to her brothers and sister. It took about a month before she was ready to talk to them about it. I would go to work worried about if she would get out of bed at all, what she would eat(if anything), how much she would cry. It was nice knowing there would be someone else who could call her to see how she was doing and maybe stop by for a visit during the day.
My mother was fiercely secretive about all that happened, except to me and my brothers. We heard it all, but were in turn sworn to secrecy. I think I was the only one who didn't tell anyone for a while. That's why most of you reading this haven't heard about this, at least not from my lips. I only told one person, and that was Amy. And that was maybe two or three months after it happened. Amy has been very understanding and patient through all of this, and I must say it has brought us closer together. I suppose a thank you and I love you are in order... Thank you, and I love you, Amy.
The first couple of months she was very depressed. My mother cried everyday and really relied on Freddy's company, and eventually my aunt and uncles. I would get two or three calls at work everyday with her crying and being incoherent and I hate to think what would have happened to her if Freddy wasn't around. That annoying, shameless and loud dog really was a godsend. His usefulness has passed though. Now he just craps and pees everywhere.
My dad is staying at the ranch and I talk to him about once a week. He's doing fine and going on because that's just what he does. He keeps going. There are cows to feed, work to go to, books to read, TV to watch. I don't visit too often because my mom somehow finds out and ends up in a mood for a couple of days. And I don't like her moods...
Being laidoff has compounded the issue. I'm home all the time and hear about everything from my mom. It's bad enough I lost my job, but do I have to have this extra punishment? She complains to me, yells at me, argues with me and is just mom-ish. It seems amplified because I'm home all the time, and I'm the only one here. But I've come a conclusion, and I kind of think she's always been this way, and it's just my turn to deal with it. **shrug** But seriously, the second I have a job, I am so outta here.
So, my apologies to everyone if I have seemed a bit distant or distracted the past year, but I've had a lot "on my plate". And it's been tough to write this post because I still have trouble talking about the whole situation. I just thought I owed everyone an explanation.
As much as I'd like to talk about how Kanye West ruined the VMA's for Taylor Swift, or how Wendy Williams is hilarious, I don't have the strength. Maybe next time.
9.04.2009
Three Hundred Thirty-Eighth Entry
Yesterday I attempted the coq au vin again. It was better. More salt this time, the process was much smoother and everything just gelled. The leftovers were better than the original. Mmmm... I made the same tarts again and they were just a good as the first time! I finished off the extra puff pastry by baking it by itself, and filling it with a mascarpone, sugar and peach schnapps mixture. Pure pleasure.
I signed up for a couple of classes yesterday. Carina convinced me to take French with her on Wednesday nights at Chabot. I've missed three weeks, but I don't think that will be too bad. Carina missed the first two weeks before adding so I'm even less worried. I went down to the bookstore today and bought the book for the class. $15 for a thick-ass book. Not too bad! I am also taking the beginning cake decorating class that Amy took. She's taking it again so she'll be able to do the work for me...LOL. Of course, I have yet to find out which night(s) the adult confirmation class at St. Leanders is going to be. If it conflicts, then bye-bye cake class and au revoir French. Or both if it's a two night a week class!
My addiction on Facebook (FB to those in the know)has grown exponentially in the last few days. I am now playing yoville, mafia wars and pet society. I'm being pressured into playing vampire wars, but I'm trying to resist. Mafia Wars is way more fun than I thought it would be. You don't see any gun fights or robberies or anything, it's all icons and text. But it's still fun buying tommy guns and armoured cars and the like. Muahahahaha!!! I hatched a chick on Country Story. It looks like a peep. I think it's going to starve to death since I don't have any of the wheat it needs to eat, and no plots to grow it in. Oh dear...poultricide!
Tomorrow is a big swim day in SJ at Amy's sis's house. It's gonna be fun!!!
Yesterday I attempted the coq au vin again. It was better. More salt this time, the process was much smoother and everything just gelled. The leftovers were better than the original. Mmmm... I made the same tarts again and they were just a good as the first time! I finished off the extra puff pastry by baking it by itself, and filling it with a mascarpone, sugar and peach schnapps mixture. Pure pleasure.
I signed up for a couple of classes yesterday. Carina convinced me to take French with her on Wednesday nights at Chabot. I've missed three weeks, but I don't think that will be too bad. Carina missed the first two weeks before adding so I'm even less worried. I went down to the bookstore today and bought the book for the class. $15 for a thick-ass book. Not too bad! I am also taking the beginning cake decorating class that Amy took. She's taking it again so she'll be able to do the work for me...LOL. Of course, I have yet to find out which night(s) the adult confirmation class at St. Leanders is going to be. If it conflicts, then bye-bye cake class and au revoir French. Or both if it's a two night a week class!
My addiction on Facebook (FB to those in the know)has grown exponentially in the last few days. I am now playing yoville, mafia wars and pet society. I'm being pressured into playing vampire wars, but I'm trying to resist. Mafia Wars is way more fun than I thought it would be. You don't see any gun fights or robberies or anything, it's all icons and text. But it's still fun buying tommy guns and armoured cars and the like. Muahahahaha!!! I hatched a chick on Country Story. It looks like a peep. I think it's going to starve to death since I don't have any of the wheat it needs to eat, and no plots to grow it in. Oh dear...poultricide!
Tomorrow is a big swim day in SJ at Amy's sis's house. It's gonna be fun!!!
9.01.2009
Three Hundred Thirty-Seventh Entry
Congratulations Lisa and Greg on Baby Kean! I knew the baby was gonna be a boy! Welcome to the world Kean!
In the past three weeks I have become addicted to facebook and it's applications. My favorites are Restaurant City, Farmville, Farm Town, Country Story and Farkle. I'm considering joining Mafia Wars, only because everyone and their mother is playing Mafia Wars. Just planted my raspberries on Farmville. They'll be ready in 2 hours.
Last week was eventful. I went to Fresno and Tulare to visit the fam. Hernani's house in Fresno is very nice and he is making all the right changes to it. It is going to look great when he's done. I stayed there a few days in the 100+ degree heat. Blech...thank God for air conditioning. Then I went down to Tulare and spent a few days there with my cousins. We played Rock Band practically all weekend. I love that game. On the way back to the Bay, I stopped again in Fresburg and went swimming with Hernani. He doesn't have a pool. We broke into his old apartment complex's pool. It was hella hot that day, and there was noone there! Idiots!
Inspired by swimming in Fresno, I took advantage of Amy housesitting for her sister and went swimming at the pool in her complex. Three times. Each time fun. The last time we went, we were the only ones in the pool for the entire time we were there. It was very cool. I practiced my diving skills...scored a few 9's (Amy was the judge).
While in San Jose, we had pizza from Angelo's, this little hole in the wall Italian place in the Lucky's shopping center near Katie's condo. It was sooooooo good!! Very delicious pizza. We went again later that weekend, and tried some pasta and were non-plussed.
Amy started her new job at the Hayward airport yesterday! I'm so excited and happy! She's done with the evil Safeway! To celebrate I cooked her dinner last night. My mom made herself scarce and we had a nice quiet meal, at home, alone. It was almost romantic. I made Coq au Vin, with a turnip and parsnip mash and a honey apple nectarine tart for dessert. I had seen this same meal on TV Sunday morning on the Food Network. It was pretty good, even if I do say so myself. Per usual, I undersalted (it's an affliction). I like salt, I just can't ever seem to get enough in.
I had three interviews last week with two companies. Two were phone interviews, and one was in person in Richmond. They all went well. I am going to fill out another 4 applications online today. Hopefully something comes of these. We'll see. I don't want to get my hopes up...
In my daily job search I look up various governmental agencies in the area, and that includes water companies, sewer districts, counties, cities and towns. I had a big laugh this morning when I opened up the recently revamped Town of Colma website and saw their slogan. LOL!!!!
Congratulations Lisa and Greg on Baby Kean! I knew the baby was gonna be a boy! Welcome to the world Kean!
In the past three weeks I have become addicted to facebook and it's applications. My favorites are Restaurant City, Farmville, Farm Town, Country Story and Farkle. I'm considering joining Mafia Wars, only because everyone and their mother is playing Mafia Wars. Just planted my raspberries on Farmville. They'll be ready in 2 hours.
Last week was eventful. I went to Fresno and Tulare to visit the fam. Hernani's house in Fresno is very nice and he is making all the right changes to it. It is going to look great when he's done. I stayed there a few days in the 100+ degree heat. Blech...thank God for air conditioning. Then I went down to Tulare and spent a few days there with my cousins. We played Rock Band practically all weekend. I love that game. On the way back to the Bay, I stopped again in Fresburg and went swimming with Hernani. He doesn't have a pool. We broke into his old apartment complex's pool. It was hella hot that day, and there was noone there! Idiots!
Inspired by swimming in Fresno, I took advantage of Amy housesitting for her sister and went swimming at the pool in her complex. Three times. Each time fun. The last time we went, we were the only ones in the pool for the entire time we were there. It was very cool. I practiced my diving skills...scored a few 9's (Amy was the judge).
While in San Jose, we had pizza from Angelo's, this little hole in the wall Italian place in the Lucky's shopping center near Katie's condo. It was sooooooo good!! Very delicious pizza. We went again later that weekend, and tried some pasta and were non-plussed.
Amy started her new job at the Hayward airport yesterday! I'm so excited and happy! She's done with the evil Safeway! To celebrate I cooked her dinner last night. My mom made herself scarce and we had a nice quiet meal, at home, alone. It was almost romantic. I made Coq au Vin, with a turnip and parsnip mash and a honey apple nectarine tart for dessert. I had seen this same meal on TV Sunday morning on the Food Network. It was pretty good, even if I do say so myself. Per usual, I undersalted (it's an affliction). I like salt, I just can't ever seem to get enough in.
I had three interviews last week with two companies. Two were phone interviews, and one was in person in Richmond. They all went well. I am going to fill out another 4 applications online today. Hopefully something comes of these. We'll see. I don't want to get my hopes up...
In my daily job search I look up various governmental agencies in the area, and that includes water companies, sewer districts, counties, cities and towns. I had a big laugh this morning when I opened up the recently revamped Town of Colma website and saw their slogan. LOL!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)