Saturday, September 30, 2006

A good weekend

It's been a good weekend so far. I actually left work early Friday because I was afraid of missing the train. I took the train out to the beach house to meet someone who was interested in buying my board. Big Dave kindly picked me up at the station and the timing was perfect—he pulled up as I walked out of the station. Since I was tired and sick with a cold, I just went straight to Neil's room with my new cabinet shelf from Ikea and rearranged the cupboard. Yes, that Martha Stewart-side of me enjoys and finds relaxing organizing cupboards so that the snacks, dishes, and glasses are placed for maximum efficiency. I was in bed by midnight (good girl) and slept in. I meant to do yoga this morning, but when you're sick, it's more important to sleep in, right? ;) The potential buyer came, liked my board, and bought it - yay! Relaxed some more, folded laundry, and caught the afternoon train back to Taipei. On the train I finally updated some spreadsheets on my laptop. This afternoon I did another load of laundry, folded the clean laundry that's been sitting around my room, and was surfing the Internet when the place where I get facials called to say that a space had opened up (I was on the wait list). So now I've actually crossed many things off my to-do list, and I'd probably could cross more if I'd stop surfing the 'net...hmm...time to get off...

Friday, September 22, 2006

Anthropologist in the Kitchen

Today I found out a friend, Tzu-i, has started her own blog chronicling her cooking school adventures. It's in Chinese, so it will be good practice to read...when I have the time to sit down with a dictionary. :P

Friday, September 15, 2006

The tallest building in the world

Thanks to all who sent kind words about my vent on Monday. Today I went inside the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101. I've been to the attached mall several times, but today was my first into the offices section. When you enter the building, the security guards direct you to these computerized kiosks, where you can look up you destination location by company name or floor. Originally I found the system difficult to use since I managed to overlook the "English" button, but I eventually managed in Chinese. After you select the office, the kiosk rings the office, and if the receptionist gives clearance, the kiosk spits out the access card. Then, you go to the turnstiles (just like in subways), and feed your card into the reader, and then are finally directed to the elevators. The elevators are very swish, and I was up at the 24th floor faster than the hokey elevator in my office building goes to the 6th floor. Unfortunately, stepping out of the elevator, you're in a corridor that looks a lot like a mausoleum since the other elevator shafts are clad in granite. But now I can say been there, done that.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Monday morning blues

I hate my job. I truly do. Every Monday, I have a hard time getting out of bed. Not necessarily because I'm tired, but because I don't want to go to work. So of course, I'm often late on Monday - two to three minutes late. But, to add insult to injury, if we're late we have to pay a fine into the employee entertainment fund. I think I've contributed to about 30% of the fund. But if the kids are happy, fine. Whatever.

I still hate my job. The pressure, the work. I'm always torn because right now I'm getting managerial experience in an entrepreneurial environment which should be good for my career development. But sometimes I could give a damn about the product and our customers. I just want some time for me and to plan my wedding. It's sucking the life out of me, and the worst is that I can't quit because I have a wedding and a future to pay for. To further pile on the suckiness, this morning while rushing to work I slipped on a puddle and now my knee and toe are bruised. Wah! >_<