thrifty. vs. waaaaant it.

I'm usually pretty thrifty.

But I LOVE LOVE LOVE Piper and Paisley hats. Love.

In fact, the one time I bought one I think I wrote them a love letter.

Or at least told them how much I loved the hats.

Maybe I'll go put on the one I own so I don't buy another one.

Because I love them.

chocolate graham monsters

What was I doing??

More part-time work stories...

girl: Do you have the chocolate covered grahams?

me: You know.. I haven't seen them in awhile. I don't think we know what happened to them.

girl: Oh.

me: I mean, we don't know what happened as in we don't know if we just haven't received them in awhile or if they're going to stop selling them all together. I mean, it's not like we don't know what happened to them and think a monster came and ate them all or something.

girl: Oh.

me: I'm sorry. I guess the short answer was, no, we do not have them.

girl: Ok.

double barking

First, you should know that the parking lot at my bucks is normal. There is nothing special about it. Although it is rather small and there aren't usually parking spots.

What IS special about this story is that PSLman ordered a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I made it, I called it a couple times- and as I went to go talk to him directly he asked "how long does it take to make a pumpkin spice latte." Which is when I got to explain that it had been sitting there since about 43 seconds after he ordered it.

So 20 minutes later I'm not all that excited to see him in my store again.

PSLman: You can't double park here?

lowly barista woman (me): I'm sorry?

PSLman: I didn't know you couldn't double park here and I just got a ticket (shows me the ticket). Do they enforce it?

LBwoman: (completely confused he is holding a ticket and asking me if they enforce it) I guess so.

PSLman: There aren't SIGNS that say you can't double park.

LBwoman: (thinking I must have SOMETHING wrong) What do you mean by double park? You parked behind someone so they were unable to get out?

PSLman: Yea, can't you do that? Other people were doing it so I did it. I didn't know I couldn't.

LBwoman: I don't know many parking lots where you can double park.

PSLman: Well there should be signs up so people know that you don't allow that.

LBwoman: I will mention it to my manager.

WHAT??

australian typos

I was just chatting online with a friend from Australia (10:30pm Thursday here, 1:30pm Friday there).

She asked me to "keep her in the look." I noted the saying in my head as another thing that Australians say that we don't say, and said that I would make sure to "keep her in the look."

Come to find out she meant for me to "keep her in the loop." Typo.

That saying, I know.

remember when the us was like fiji sometimes?

Remember when I thought it was pretty normal in Fiji when my/Amie's taxi driver asked us to "wait for five minutes so he could go buy a pizza" and then left us in the car with all our stuff and Amie said "what is he doing" and I said "I think buying a pizza" as if this was a normal everyday occurrence. When he came back with a pizza I asked him what kind it was. Mozzarella. For his girlfriend.

Well my cable man just set up my cable. Of course no one from Comcast told me I needed a letter from my landlord so that they could install cable in my roommmate's room- which is the biggest reason they were scheduled to come to the house in the first place. They also had to install a cable box in my house so that we get the channels we are paying for. (*Insert my extreme distaste for Comcast here.)

He installed it the cable box and went to show me how to use it, but Punk'd was on. So we finished that little segment and then he showed me the "guide button."

Life is fabulous.

special drink maker person

There is a person that comes to our Starbucks that has 5 houses but no "home" because that person spends so much time in the air, in other cities, and in other countries.

The person is a hair consultant.

So I started thinking of any special skills that I have that someone would fly me around the world to perform. Basically, I could either be there for them OR I could memorize their drink and make it to order EACH time they go to Starbucks. I'd just wear the Sbux uniform so the Sbux would let me behind the bar and then wander into whatever Starbucks they happen to be near- and then make famous/rich person's drink for them so they don't have to order it.

Because you KNOW that someone who is flying a person all around the world to do their hair- also has at least 10 modifications to their Starbucks latte. And no matter how loud they order their drink or how slow or how snotty- some poor barista isn't getting it right.

I could save that barista.

innovation.. for others

This kind of stuff is my favorite. And important.

my congratulation cake

We have green apron cards at work. It's like mail, but free. Actually you're supposed to say things like "really great job on the floors" but I like to make mine more fun. With pictures and other non-job related things.

So I wrote one to Kaitlin, my co-worker, telling her I was ready for my graduation cake whenever she wanted to make it. She asked me if I really wanted one and I said no, I was just bored on my ten. She told me she'd make me one. She asked me what color, I said maroon (for U oc C).

She came back with THIS. That's the U of C crest thing! Holy cow. I can't even cut it yet because I don't want to ruin it. But I bet it tastes good too. Such dilemmas!!

busy day

I think today was busy. It could be that I'm just not USED to being busy anymore so today FELT busy but I think it actually WAS busy.

I had an interview. I got in the area too early so I got some essentials at Target. Then I had the interview. It went well.

Then I headed to my cousin's to visit with her and my aunt while holding my new, cute baby cousin (technically cousin's kid but we call everyone a cousin- confusing or not). Went to visit my friend Katie at her new Starbucks. Ate at a place with Mediterranean food that she suggested called... well.. something... and asked them to recommend my meal. He took the time to tell me what was in it and ask me what I liked. It was SO very delicious. I wish I would have asked him how to order it again- but maybe I'll just ask the next dude to make me whatever as well. Anyway, added Baklava to the ticket.

There was baklava in Turkey. I do NOT remember it tasting that delicious in Turkey. Although I remember that Jake loved it though- so maybe it was.

Then went to visit Lynn. Helped her with laundry. Caught up. Came home.

And now it's sleeping time. I love sleeping time.

jobless

I don't know if all of you people are wondering what I'm doing with my time now since I've finished grad school. Finishing grad school has equalled a LOT more time. And although some of that time is filled with making coffee, a lot of it isn't.

Do you think I'm filling out applications with all that free time? Because you'd mostly be wrong. I've done some, don't get me wrong. But it's not enough to feel bad for me at all.

Here's some of the things I've done this (July 4th weekend):

1. Made a lot of delicious food with my friends Brooke and Ed. And ate it, of course.

2. Had races in pools. Not "who can swim the fastest" races. But races such as: who can hop the fastest in the water, longest hand stand, fastest runner in the water, etc. It is a blast.

3. Just had Indian food.

So... basically... I will be sad to have a real job. Although I do have a real job interview on Tuesday, and that is exciting. There are positives and negatives to almost anything!

learning about australia

Things I learned about Australia today:

1. It gets cold there. Amie came over to help me back because she was concerned I didn't believe her (I still don't, really. Always sunny and warm. I know it!).

Amie: Think about what you'd wear walking around downtown Chicago in the fall, and pack it.

Krista: Jeans, a tshirt, and a hoodie. Done.

Amie: Okay now think about what you'd wear to go out on the town in the fall, and pack it.

Krista: Jeans, a tshirt, and a hoodie. Already done.

2. There are a LOT of poisonous and dangerous things that can harm me. Plus side being that it's not third world and the doctors speak English... so no worries, mom.

Krista: I should get a book of all the poisonous things so that I can be on the lookout for them and not be scared of everything.

Amie: You probably don't want to do that.

3. There is apparently coffee everywhere.

Mmmm... coffee. Lucky for Amie I won't have to be crabby all the time! I think we're also taking some Via. Anyway, I've got no quotes between me and Amie for this one, but I read the "coffee everywhere" fact in a book called "In a Sunburned Country."

a little stressed

I'm a bit o' stressed about this roommates thing. I'm thinking God may force me on to something else. I only have about 8 days to find a roommate. I'm still trying to talk one girl into it (she's really great, but moving is a huge decision for her and probably not the best financial one).

(Before I put the sentence on that last paragraph I got a call from what I am pretty sure would be a very weird roommate.)

So if God wants something else for me I hope that he also helps me pack this entire house, move it, and simultaneously pack my stuff for my month of vacation..... in 13 days.

lsw

So, since Social Work is a profession, I want to get my license. Then in 3 years or so I have to get my clinical license, but let's focus on the license because that alone is driving me nuts.

I think that filling out this 10 page form is harder than my entire 2 year education.

I'm not counting the PAGES of instructions, either. You know, the ones that repeat themselves and don't help fill out the actual 10 page document.

Maybe the secret is that if you fill this out correctly you don't have to take the actual EXAM.

In that case, I better plan on taking the exam...

the acceptance, and completion.

Two years ago, minutes before I boarded a bus for Royal Family Kids Camp, I handed an envelope to my friend's mom and asked her to put a stamp on it for me and send it. I had been carrying the envelope around with me because it was a very big decision and then got busy and didn't send it- but it had to be sent. Good thing for moms.

In the envelope was my acceptance to attend University of Chicago's Social Service Administration.

Today, 2010, I officially became a graduate at University of Chicago's 503rd Convocation Ceremony. Tomorrow, I leave for Royal Family Kids Camp. I think it's a good way to celebrate.

(Flowers from my parents, cards, SSA's champagne and appetizers, and my cousin's wedding reception wasn't bad, either.

sleepy, but not sleeping

My current state of "sleepy, but not sleeping" makes me think that possibly I absorbed more than just the coffee smell today.

I worked at two different Starbucks. 8-2 and 6-9:45. I only drank one coffee at 8am. Yet I can't sleep right now.

After working at Starbucks (or even visiting) there is a very distinct smell that lingers on you afterward because it seeps into your pores. I already knew that. But now I have come to the conclusion that the caffeine also seeps in there with the smell. Because I should be able to sleep right now.

I suppose that it also COULD be the fact that tomorrow is my last day of grad school, that I need to find 2 roommates, and that in general- almost everything in my life is kind of on the edge of changing a lot.. or not. I don't have a lot of control over it at this point.

I do, however, have control over my library selections. I made some good ones that included Our Lips Are Sealed (Mary Kate and Ashley, filmed in Australia), Fiji travel guide, information about Australia, and some FICTION!

fried rice

I'm pretty sure that "fried rice" I just made was wrong. I'm not sure the smell should remind me of 4-H. You know, like visiting-my-friends-in-the-barn-during-the-fair-4-H.

Next time I will listen to the directions more carefully and ask questions or I will look up the recipe online. Or order from Gum Rai. With crab rangoon. Yummy.

remember in turkey?

picture stolen from this site, compliments of a Google search. Dear Google, love, Krista.

I'd see women with flowers to their face in Turkey all the time. I wondered why it was. Until I rode the buses and other transports, then I found out.

I remembered this today on the bus to school. The smell could have been coming from me. I think today might have been shower day.

I did deodorize, though.

free coffee?

Who wants to go pick this up for me? Just come to work and get my keys from me, k? K.

distractions

I definitely didn't need any more distractions. But I am very glad to know about this new one.

I also didn't need any more skirts, but I just can't pass up Goodwill, apparently.

Time to start homework.

After some Chicken Nuggets, maybe.

my best buy? perhaps...

Also I've decided that I would like a new camera which is unfortunate because I am trying to save money FOR Fiji. But I need to take good pictures IN Fiji, right?

If this happens.. I have to decide if I want to rely on my little camera (which I like but has low megapixel and zoom) for a pocket camera and get a camera with a big zoom, fancy features, and big megapixels. Or "replace" my pocket sized camera with this camera or camera or camera with big megapixels and a good zoom.

So far I am leaning toward this camera or this camera.

In case you were curious.

hamaca

You can't see it in this picture, but our hammocks are hanging from a hook put in the wall, specifically for hammocks (which is probably a good thing since we decided to double bunk our hammocks).

I want hooks in my wall that are for my hammock (isn't it pretty and wonderful?). I asked Dick's Sporting Goods if they had one and they thought I was crazy. I tried to explain that having a hammock hook in Mexico was like having a window in your house. You know, common and necessary.

Sarah would understand. Right, Sarah? (She's my Mexican roommate. She is also all things non-white. The "United Nations" as she would tell you.)

So... hammock hooks? In the walls? Is it possible on US soil?

craiggy and will

Craigslist and Goodwill.

I need a truck for all of the things I want to buy. I also need money for all of the things I want to buy.

So maybe it works out.

stories from another bux

I didn't change Buxes.

But I've now worked at three different Buxes (four counting mine). It was my second time working at the one I worked at today. It reminded me of better days when our manager was fun and knew what he was doing.

Stories

1st- I saw one of my regulars. Which is pretty amazing considering our Bux is open now and this one happens to be about 30 minutes from it. She gasped and whispered something about "working here now." I assured her that I was just helping out and she seemed relieved which made me feel good. She is so flighty and one of my very favorites. (I have quite a few, and that is okay).

2nd- I saw someone that I met over a year ago. It took me awhile to figure out how I knew him (because I only met him that one time, in a huge group of people). The world is kind of small but also huge, of course.

3rd- Two easter dressed children came in

and I asked them if they had animals in their house this morning (the easter bunny, of course.) This is the conversation that followed.

Children: Animals ate our candy.

Me looking to mom for interpretation

Mom: The easter bunny forgot to shut the gate so when they went to search for their eggs and candy it was half eaten and all over the place.

Me (laughing): I'm sorry I find it so funny. I know it probably isn't to you but what a hilarious story.

Mom: No, I know it is funny but we have to get some more candy, now.

Sidenote: The "3rd" story reminded me of how mean (funny) my parents are. Also found in some of these Christmas stories. I used to find eggs by my pillow and be SO MAD I didn't wake up to see the easter bunny.

Here's a question for "all" my readers: How did you picture the Easter Bunny? As an actual bunny? Or a human in a bunny costume? I'm pretty sure I pictured the easter bunny a "costumed bunny" which now seems really weird to me that I wasn't extremely CREEPED out and that I was okay with this costumed bunny roaming around my house, placing boiled eggs around.

ALSO: Easter is not a good day to be late to church. I'll try to remember this around Christmas time, too.

my math

Will someone do my math for me?

I'm taking a class pass fail.

I've received these grades at these percentages of my grade:

EBP skills (20%)- 16/20

Lit Review (40%)- 37/40

Measuring Intervention Implementation and Outcomes (10%)- 8/10

My final is worth 30%. Do I have to turn in anything of worth?

they hate us

I've been trying not to post a lot about my situation at work because I don't really know how corporate feels about you bashing your manager on a "public" site.

However, I do know that my manager is terrible, and that no one seems to care. I thought our district manager did, because I know that she knows that he is terrible. I think someone even with half of my manager's brain (which is saying a lot, because his brain really doesn't function) would be able to know that he is terrible. Just drink some grounds in your coffee or notice the look of death on our faces if he is anywhere near.

We had a meeting last night that we were all hopeful about. I brought a few things up and each time I had to defend myself. I guess I get that, she doesn't know me from anyone else. However- I'm not the one lying all the time. I'm not the one that has terrible work ethic. I'm not the one that consistently shows up late. I'm not the one that every single person in the store is calling to complain about. I'm not the one that our customers look in the window and walk away when they see.

Nope. That would be our manajerk, who apparently gets to keep getting paid for making our store worse.

I would have told you that this company really cares about its partners, because that is what they say. That is what the reports say.

I don't feel that anymore.

again with the glasses

For all five days that I was waiting for the glasses I was VERY concerned that I would look like this in ALL of my pictures because I didn't remember asking about/paying for Crizal lenses.

I think it turned out okay. Again, why do I spend so much time worrying about crazy things??

my eyes

My eyes hurt for some reason (particularly my right one). Pick your favorite/best guess as to why.

1. I'm tired.

2. I want an excuse to take a nap and stop reading/doing homework.

3. I got one of the many cleaning products I used to clean the bathrooms this morning in it on accident.

4. I didn't really drink coffee today and my eyes are lazy and used to having caffeine to help them stay open.

new glasses

Yesterday was shower day and today is homework day (which I'm clearly working on diligently), so I'm not looking my best in the shots from today.

But these are my new glasses!!

I received my first pair of glasses when I was in the 2nd grade. I was a novelty because I was the only one. My friends held their fingers up across the room to see if I could tell how many they had. I informed them smugly that I "wasn't blind." There is now now way I could even tell WHO was standing at the end of the room much less if they HAD fingers.

Anyway, in fifth grade I got contacts and have since that day mostly only worn my glasses to bed.

Until now. I'm going to try to wear these every day. So far? Fine (I got them yesterday). I'm worried about the months in the summer when the sun is out and I want to wear sunglasses. These aren't transition lenses and the flip ups aren't going to do it for me either.

P.S. I love my eyedoctor people.

renewed love

I don't want to ruin the surprise but you should go to a Starbucks tomorrow and buy yourself something to drink (A TREAT, that drink you feel have to talk yourself into or find an excuse to buy. I told you you had to go- so you have to go).

Then look at your cup.

I've lost some of my faith in this corporation I work for. I have loved my job the entire time, but some things have made it a little tougher and we've felt a bit stranded by the higher-ups for quite some time now.

But the cups!!

Love. Love for Starbucks. Which reminds me that my Starbucks card is out of money again. Which may tell you how addicted I am... considering when I'm working my drinks are free and I usually work least 3 times a week. Whoops.

flies

I have in my possession:

Plane Tickets.

They're going to take me places that I am very excited to go. With my friend Amie whom I am very excited to travel with.

research

I have my pass/fail sheet filled out.

Today, while my TA was teaching, my professor fell asleep.

Want to know the fun part? I lean more from my TA. So if she's falling asleep while HE's talking.....

Oh well.

texteomos! (flick wand upward slightly right)

BB: Is Neville in Harry's life for awhile? Or just a little here and there.

KB: He's always there. They share a room.

BB: Good. I like him. He's so goofy with his toad.

KB: ARE YOU READING (Harry Potter)?

BB: Yes. All the time. I'm half way through the first book.

I feel excited for her. And a little jealous that I can't read them. Although, at this point I'm not doing a lot of my reading for school so maybe I should at least read something....

attitude adjustment

I know people that just have a great attitude about life and are always okay. They'd know and feel the blessing of being able to go to school to do what you want to do.

I'm not really that person although I'd like to be. I told myself not to be grumpy. Suck it up and realize you're a big baby.

Here I am. I'm still grumpy about this class. That I have to be here. That it started 10 minutes late. That I found grammatical errors in the required reading.

Blah. Blah. Blah.