Today I applied for a Texas driver's license.
DMV lady: Are you White, Black, or Asian?
Me (bewildered): I'm not any of those.
DMV lady: You're White, right?
Me: No, I'm from Guam--Pacific Islander. Is Pacific Islander listed?
DMV lady looks at computer. Are you White, Black, Asian, Indian, or Other?
Me: I guess I'm Other.
I finish the transaction with DMV and walk away feeling very confused; I have never been mistaken as White before.
And of course, when I get to work, a friendly customer stops me before I open my office door and asks if I'm Filipino.
I almost yelled, "No, for goodness sakes, I'm Other!"
2.26.2008
2.25.2008
Busy bees
I subscribe to many "librarian" blog feeds, and I am consistently amazed at how often some librarians post throughout the day. There's one dude who posts about three (long, essay-ish) entries per day, and he makes me want to call him up and say stuff like:
Don't you have laundry to do?
When do you shower?
Do you eat meals?
You know, you need some sun.
Come on, boy, take a break.
It is evident these bloggers are very smart, and I admire their research skills and knowledge, but really ...
Don't you have laundry to do?
When do you shower?
Do you eat meals?
You know, you need some sun.
Come on, boy, take a break.
Don't you have laundry to do?
When do you shower?
Do you eat meals?
You know, you need some sun.
Come on, boy, take a break.
It is evident these bloggers are very smart, and I admire their research skills and knowledge, but really ...
Don't you have laundry to do?
When do you shower?
Do you eat meals?
You know, you need some sun.
Come on, boy, take a break.
2.21.2008
Lazy-schmazy
I've been lazy about posting. I like that word. Lazy.
I remember being lazy when I was a little girl, but that was because I trained myself to need the bathroom each time my mom and dad bought hundreds of dollars worth of groceries at the commissary, the place upon which my parents forced my sister and I to accompany them EVERY freakin' Saturday morning. (I figure that's why I hate spending more than 20 minutes in any grocery store--post-traumatic stress disorder, you see.)
Upon arriving home, the car heavy with a variety of groceries, my trick was to carry in two bags (out of 70 probably) on the way into the house, announce very loudly that I needed to pee, then sit on the bowl (and sometimes actually pee) while enough time passed for the other family members to carry the rest of the bags in, start unpacking, and storing. I could tell when the whole process was near completion because the bathroom window was conveniently next to the garage. Plus our house was tiny, so the progress was easily and auditorily monitored.
And like a new person, I'd stroll out of the restroom refreshed, while the refrigerated and canned items were stowed and the bags folded and put away. Hey, thanks.
So there you have it, familia. Another secret divulged. I was Lazy with a capital L!
If it makes you feel better, I think God punished me one time. One Sunday morning, I walked into Grandma's house in my pretty-girl church clothes thinking that I'd just need to amen/nora and be on my merry way to brunch with you all. As soon as I stepped into the house with my white stockings and shiny, white Mary Jane shoes, Auntie told me to mop the floor.
I remember being lazy when I was a little girl, but that was because I trained myself to need the bathroom each time my mom and dad bought hundreds of dollars worth of groceries at the commissary, the place upon which my parents forced my sister and I to accompany them EVERY freakin' Saturday morning. (I figure that's why I hate spending more than 20 minutes in any grocery store--post-traumatic stress disorder, you see.)
Upon arriving home, the car heavy with a variety of groceries, my trick was to carry in two bags (out of 70 probably) on the way into the house, announce very loudly that I needed to pee, then sit on the bowl (and sometimes actually pee) while enough time passed for the other family members to carry the rest of the bags in, start unpacking, and storing. I could tell when the whole process was near completion because the bathroom window was conveniently next to the garage. Plus our house was tiny, so the progress was easily and auditorily monitored.
And like a new person, I'd stroll out of the restroom refreshed, while the refrigerated and canned items were stowed and the bags folded and put away. Hey, thanks.
So there you have it, familia. Another secret divulged. I was Lazy with a capital L!
If it makes you feel better, I think God punished me one time. One Sunday morning, I walked into Grandma's house in my pretty-girl church clothes thinking that I'd just need to amen/nora and be on my merry way to brunch with you all. As soon as I stepped into the house with my white stockings and shiny, white Mary Jane shoes, Auntie told me to mop the floor.
2.13.2008
The bun gave it away
I internally freak out when a stranger (away from the actual library building) comes up to me and says, "So you're the new librarian!"
Immediately, this goes through my mind:
What the ... ? Dude, I'm just here to see the Payroll lady. How the hell did you know I was a librarian?
But I respond cordially with:
Yes, I'm Raquel. [shake hands] What's your name?
And blah, blah, blah, we talk about how I'm settling in and welcome again and aw, nice to meet you, blah, blah, blah.
This happened to me today, and I think it was because my hair was in a bun like this lady.
Immediately, this goes through my mind:
What the ... ? Dude, I'm just here to see the Payroll lady. How the hell did you know I was a librarian?
But I respond cordially with:
Yes, I'm Raquel. [shake hands] What's your name?
And blah, blah, blah, we talk about how I'm settling in and welcome again and aw, nice to meet you, blah, blah, blah.
This happened to me today, and I think it was because my hair was in a bun like this lady.
2.12.2008
8 mile
(This entry is nothing profound (like it ever is), but a mere yes-I'm-still-alive notice to you.)
Today I check out of lodging and sign a lease for an apartment. This is bittersweet because for the past three weeks, I've only had to walk across the parking lot to get to the library. That meant extra sleep and less gas and mileage!
My new apartment is about eight miles away from work which isn't so bad, I guess. I will just miss the conveniences of living next door, doing laundry in between the work day and snoozing during my lunch hour.
My household goods haven't arrived yet, therefore I will be using the bare minimum to live in my empty apartment. My coworker lent me his air mattress, and today I plan on buying the essentials: water, shower curtain, toilet tissue, handtowel, soap, alarm clock, blanket. And snacks! Can't forget the snacks.
I'm thinking I'll need to buy an iron, but I'll be saving the box because I will want a refund once my iron arrives.
Did I miss anything?
Today I check out of lodging and sign a lease for an apartment. This is bittersweet because for the past three weeks, I've only had to walk across the parking lot to get to the library. That meant extra sleep and less gas and mileage!
My new apartment is about eight miles away from work which isn't so bad, I guess. I will just miss the conveniences of living next door, doing laundry in between the work day and snoozing during my lunch hour.
My household goods haven't arrived yet, therefore I will be using the bare minimum to live in my empty apartment. My coworker lent me his air mattress, and today I plan on buying the essentials: water, shower curtain, toilet tissue, handtowel, soap, alarm clock, blanket. And snacks! Can't forget the snacks.
I'm thinking I'll need to buy an iron, but I'll be saving the box because I will want a refund once my iron arrives.
Did I miss anything?
2.05.2008
Into the groove
I'm working, sleeping, eating, exercising, reading, driving, and "settling in"--basically getting into the groove of all things U.S. again. It's been somewhat ... a re-learning experience.
For the past three years overseas, my exposure to American television commercials has been extremely minimal, almost nonexistent. Now I am simply in awe as I watch the ads for Viagra--the men in the commercials wear such cheesy grins while the women nearby bite their lips thinking I wanna piece o'that. I think the innuendo is hilarious!
And how come nobody ever told me that salad dressing spray exists? Two calories per spray! You know I went out and bought some that night. When was that invented?
Shopping for clothes has definitely improved. And the price on the tag requires virtually no calculations in my head.
Japan has trained me well--I still find myself walking towards the right side of the car, wanting to drive on the left lane, and looking right-left-right. 'Beware' is all I can say.
Lastly, this Texas weather is just plain weird. One day it's 45 degrees, the next 75 degrees. Some days I have to watch for hail and be wary of freezing bridges. Other days I want to open the windows.
One more thing--WTF is this new rash on my forearm, Texas?! I'm delicate.
One more thing, and this is positive. The water's been good for my hair, and I have no complaints in the shitting department, which equates to the food being agreeable with me.
By the way, Girls, I've seen some good-looking country boys in these here parts.
For the past three years overseas, my exposure to American television commercials has been extremely minimal, almost nonexistent. Now I am simply in awe as I watch the ads for Viagra--the men in the commercials wear such cheesy grins while the women nearby bite their lips thinking I wanna piece o'that. I think the innuendo is hilarious!
And how come nobody ever told me that salad dressing spray exists? Two calories per spray! You know I went out and bought some that night. When was that invented?
Shopping for clothes has definitely improved. And the price on the tag requires virtually no calculations in my head.
Japan has trained me well--I still find myself walking towards the right side of the car, wanting to drive on the left lane, and looking right-left-right. 'Beware' is all I can say.
Lastly, this Texas weather is just plain weird. One day it's 45 degrees, the next 75 degrees. Some days I have to watch for hail and be wary of freezing bridges. Other days I want to open the windows.
One more thing--WTF is this new rash on my forearm, Texas?! I'm delicate.
One more thing, and this is positive. The water's been good for my hair, and I have no complaints in the shitting department, which equates to the food being agreeable with me.
By the way, Girls, I've seen some good-looking country boys in these here parts.
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