I suppose I should begin writing again - this is a good warm up.
The interviews I mentioned last time, they both went. One well and I got offered a job and the other, not so much - however, I did not feel bad because it was a low-paying job that did not even require a high school diploma so eh, I just thought I could have fun for once, but it didn't happen and I'm glad for it. However, I did not take the other job either because that same day, I had a quick impromptu phone interview for a way more prestigious (I make or may not be using sarcasm) position - one whose job description actually requires a Bachelors Degree. Anyway, I interviewed and was offered the position immediately. I work part time and have a flexible schedule, but the best part is that I get paid relatively well. Frankly, in this economy I can safely say that I get paid really well - especially for the amount of work I actually put in. So basically I work less than what's considered 'part time' and get paid about the same as someone working full time at an admin position or retail position (which is what most of my classmates are doing). Anyway, it's not my ideal job, but I'm putting my noggin to good use and tutoring/teaching elementary school kids. I am incredibly grateful for my job. I'm also going back to school. After the traumatizing post-graduate experience, my life turned upside down. It's too long (and boring) of a story so I'll skip to the end: I'm studying to become a registered nurse. This is the tangibility I've been seeking. This way, I will be part of an extremely needed (and scarce) pool and I can actually, tangibly help, be it in the 'first' or 'third' world. I feel good about my decision.
Besides working, I help my cousins (one who's in college and the other a senior in high school) with school work all the time. I help with various subjects: AP Statistics, chemistry, college English, history, psychology, and even college applications. It's been really nice helping out. Although I don't miss college yet, I do miss learning - I discovered a love and fascination for math and science that I never knew I had. I love when my cousin texts me that she needs help with chemistry homework or her take home statistics exams because I quickly delve into relearning all the lessons in order to teach her. Her grades have greatly improve and I feel so happy I could help. Mostly, though, I get this tingly feeling inside, know that I slightly remember learning all this, but since then, it was for a grade (and to get to college) the material was overshadowed by the obsessive idea that it was all just a tedious stepping stone to bigger and better things (ha!). I, now, love going to Barnes and Noble during my work breaks and reading the AP Chemistry and Statistics books for fun. I'm extremely excited about taking biology classes for the RN program (although I can't seem to get into these pesky community college classes, they're all full. Here's to crashing classes for the first time!). What I mean to say is, contrary to whatever my last (ranting, depressing) post says, I love learning.
I've been studying for the GREs as well, though not as much. I will do so in time and will apply to a Masters program that I feel good about.
Other than that, my days are filled with family, Mexican & Salvadoran horchata and lots and lots of television. I truly love the idiot box - I allow this, mostly, because I actually believe that I'm not an idiot so it's okay. I probably am, though. Breaking Bad, Californication, Big Love, The Amazing Race, Two and a Half Men, India (along with the obvious Gossip Girl, 30 Rock, It's Always Sunny, The Soup, Real Housewives, etc etc). Anyway, basically I consume copious amounts of television, it's almost therapeutic, the numbing, and I'm okay with it. I read, too. I still love literature (again, contrary to what other posts may say).
You know what I miss? Pompous professors. Kyle, Theobald and my final English professor (whose name slips my mind currently) are seriously missed right about now.
Oh, I also spend my afternoons fighting housewives for good parking spots when I pick up my little brother from middle school; I actually kind of hate housewives-they're vicious when it comes to parking. Kind of reminds me of the old Asian ladies who push through anyone in order to get onto the BART and Muni first. My sister refers to them as 'her competition'. Ah, it's noticing the little things in life that really make it just a little bit more special. Do I sound like I just got out of rehab? I sort of just did, in a sense; I'm trying to fight the depressive and manic thoughts that ednos brings. The mind-consuming, obsessive, addicting thoughts are still here, I'm just dealing and living.
I'm trying to remember why winter was my favorite season for so long - I love and miss summer so much. The desert makes it all that more depressing. I've learned to love living here though. If anything, driving through the vastness of Joshua Trees while Voxtrot or Girl Talk play on those sporadic sunny days - makes me appreciate this life more and more.
Once in a while I really really really miss Santiago de Chile. The picture accompanying this post is just one of the funny, ridiculous memories my roommate Lidia (the most amazing Russian girl I've ever had the pleasure of living with) and I shared on a cold July Santiago night. Our room lacked the proper tools to open a cheap bottle of Chilean wine but it was almost 12am, time to leave for the bars, and we did not want to spend a million bucks to get shwasted so we looked for any resource possible to open that damned bottle - a make-up (we thought) would do the trick. Poor cleaning ladies the next morning who had to deal with wine splattered all over our bathroom (The counter, the toilet, the walls, the ceiling). Our frugality lead to us downing the entire bottle with the cork floating about the bottle and the make-up brush still stuck inside. I don't share this story because it's wild or insane (because I have plenty of those, too, but why) but because it's one of my favorite stupid, fun, cute memories with my old roommate who is currently off in Geneva, getting her Masters. I'm so incredibly proud and inspired.
Anyway, I'll leave it at that. Off to get exactly one hour of sleep before I have to be off to meet my best friend. We're going to a taping of Let's Make a Deal! And yes, we're dressing up: he's a flying pig and I'm a koala. Oh, to live in Los Angeles. Pictures forthcoming.
PS, just to get this off my chest, Blogger. I've sort of been cheating on you with Tumblr for the past month. No worries, though, I mostly reblog pop culture things - totally different, sort of.
-melidee
