Buenas!
Well, it's my last day here at ExOfficio. It's crazy how fast time seems to be moving. I still feel like I'm "new" around here, lol. It's been just over 9 months already! I have been saying my goodbyes and I will say a bunch more. People are a really nice and I'll miss seeing them. A few of my coworkers went out to a really delicious bakery nearby and got some goodies for us in honor of my last day. So sweet of them!Change is good though and I'm ready for a new adventure.
I've got a lot to look forward to and that makes me really happy. I must admit though, I'm getting increasingly more nervous about my adventures in Spain. Mostly I'm excited but as the time to go draws nearer, I get more and more nervous. That's normal I assume.
These last few weeks before Spain are bound to be a whirlwind. Thursday is an Aquasox game with my cousins and Smiley. Ross Lake is this weekend, and then dad and I are going backpacking. The last Harry Potter movie comes out so I've got to find time to go see that next week too. Can't wait! After that, more packing and moving will have to happen and I've got a long to do list of stuff to take care of before I leave. Moving is a pain! There are too many address changes to make and such. Se vale la pena though (it's worth it)! Just thinking about everything makes my head spin. I'm so looking forward to a night of vegging out and watching the All Star game with Smiley. Tomorrow is another world cup game for the USA women's team and I'm looking forward to watching before having lunch with Grandma. Of course, I'll be multi-tasking some of the time and packing stuff up.
Anyway, this entry is none too exciting. More exciting things to come soon. Fingers crossed for warm weather and good fishing this weekend!
Ciao,
Ashlita
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Sevilla here I come!
Hola!
Well, plans are being finalized for Spain! The admin woman for my course has been in touch with me and given me more information. Seems I'll actually be able to get into my housing on the Saturday before class instead of Sunday. I already paid for my hostel so I guess I may just lose out on the money for the second night. When I booked the room, you had to book it for 2 nights at a time and so I did because the first bit of info I was given said I could not get into my housing until Sunday.
In an email I received yesterday morning, I learned several new things. One is that there are only 6 of us enrolled in the course! This could be really nice or it could kinda suck. All depends on how well we mesh as a group. I want friends!! Hopefully whoever I room with (yup, that's another thing-we don't get our own bedrooms...so much for that plan) will be cool. And hopefully everyone will be because apparently the 6 of us are sharing a house together. I'm actually pretty excited about that! I've not done that since summer 2005, which was the worst summer ever, but not because of my roommates. My roommates that summer were just fine. As I recall, the only thing that made me mad was when one of them helped himself to the scones I had just baked and I only got to eat one of them! That's not a big deal really. No, that summer was tough because my grandfathers had both just passed away that spring and I was living in Tacoma to do some classes at PLU. My roomies were gone a lot and I was lonely and missing my grandpas.
Anyway, I digress. I'm really excited for this new adventure and a little sad about leaving Seattle. I started to do some packing last night and it just felt surreal. Mostly, I'm just trying to pack my apartment up early so it's not so stressful at the end.
So maybe some of you who read this have 2 cents for me about an option I just found out about. Apparently I can choose the option of paying 260 euros to have breakfast and lunch provided for me each day during the month of my class. I'm trying to decide if I should do this or not. So naturally, I've created a pro/con list. Here it is:
Pros:
Less grocery shopping during a time when I won't have much free time.
Won't have to think about finding food so much.
Cons:
Costs a lot and won't get my money's worth (I'm a small eater)
If my classmates aren't on it, it would feel awkward...but same if they're ALL on it and I'm not.
May not get to eat what I like/prefer
I'm really leaning towards not doing it because I think I could eat breakfast and lunch for under the 10 euros a day that the plan would cost. Still, I wonder if my classmates will all opt for it. Help me out here folks!
That's it for now. I'm finishing up my job at ExOfficio. My last day will be Tuesday the 12th. I can't believe it! It will be nice to take a few weeks off before I leave though. Fishing and backpacking are coming up amidst trying to see friends and pack up. Life is good!
Besos y abrazos,
Ashlita
Well, plans are being finalized for Spain! The admin woman for my course has been in touch with me and given me more information. Seems I'll actually be able to get into my housing on the Saturday before class instead of Sunday. I already paid for my hostel so I guess I may just lose out on the money for the second night. When I booked the room, you had to book it for 2 nights at a time and so I did because the first bit of info I was given said I could not get into my housing until Sunday.
In an email I received yesterday morning, I learned several new things. One is that there are only 6 of us enrolled in the course! This could be really nice or it could kinda suck. All depends on how well we mesh as a group. I want friends!! Hopefully whoever I room with (yup, that's another thing-we don't get our own bedrooms...so much for that plan) will be cool. And hopefully everyone will be because apparently the 6 of us are sharing a house together. I'm actually pretty excited about that! I've not done that since summer 2005, which was the worst summer ever, but not because of my roommates. My roommates that summer were just fine. As I recall, the only thing that made me mad was when one of them helped himself to the scones I had just baked and I only got to eat one of them! That's not a big deal really. No, that summer was tough because my grandfathers had both just passed away that spring and I was living in Tacoma to do some classes at PLU. My roomies were gone a lot and I was lonely and missing my grandpas.
Anyway, I digress. I'm really excited for this new adventure and a little sad about leaving Seattle. I started to do some packing last night and it just felt surreal. Mostly, I'm just trying to pack my apartment up early so it's not so stressful at the end.
So maybe some of you who read this have 2 cents for me about an option I just found out about. Apparently I can choose the option of paying 260 euros to have breakfast and lunch provided for me each day during the month of my class. I'm trying to decide if I should do this or not. So naturally, I've created a pro/con list. Here it is:
Pros:
Less grocery shopping during a time when I won't have much free time.
Won't have to think about finding food so much.
Cons:
Costs a lot and won't get my money's worth (I'm a small eater)
If my classmates aren't on it, it would feel awkward...but same if they're ALL on it and I'm not.
May not get to eat what I like/prefer
I'm really leaning towards not doing it because I think I could eat breakfast and lunch for under the 10 euros a day that the plan would cost. Still, I wonder if my classmates will all opt for it. Help me out here folks!
That's it for now. I'm finishing up my job at ExOfficio. My last day will be Tuesday the 12th. I can't believe it! It will be nice to take a few weeks off before I leave though. Fishing and backpacking are coming up amidst trying to see friends and pack up. Life is good!
Besos y abrazos,
Ashlita
Friday, July 1, 2011
27 days until Spain!
Saludos!
Wow! So only 5.5 days left at ExO (counting today). I can't believe it! It's been a ride, that's for sure. Customer service has taught me a lot and I am glad to have had the opportunity to hone my listening skills, dealing with upset people skills, and not taking it personally skills. I will not miss the early mornings and long hours in front of a computer though. I don't think a job like this is quite my calling because I really miss being up and about all day, like you have to be with teaching. Working at a computer and being on the phone all day is a different kind of tired than teaching...still tiring but more mentally than physically. Anyway, I'm happy to be moving on to a new adventure. I'll miss my coworkers, and the free clothes, but it's time for a positive change.
So I keep trying to decide when it will be the proper time to pack up my apartment. Now? in 2 weeks? My plan has been to purge little by little so that when I do pack, it will literally just mean putting stuff in boxes, rather than throwing stuff out and packing all at once. So far this plan seems to be working, as I've gotten rid of a bunch more clothes (things just don't fit the way they used to!) and I'm trying not to be sentimental about stuff I truly don't need. It's hard because I do like my stuff, but I am becoming aware of random odds and ends that I probably don't need. Plus, my new rule is that if I haven't used it in a year or so, I'm probably not going to and it needs to go (sorry "Friends" trivia game). I don't want to move any more stuff than I absolutely have to! Little by little, progress is being made on The Big Move.
Well, soon this blog will be a whole lot more exciting because I'll be writing to you from Sunny Spain! Or rather, Sunny Sevilla, Spain. How's that for alliteration? For now, it's a little on the blah side. I need to teach myself how to add pictures and such. All in good time!
Happy 4th of July and happy summer!
Ashlita
Wow! So only 5.5 days left at ExO (counting today). I can't believe it! It's been a ride, that's for sure. Customer service has taught me a lot and I am glad to have had the opportunity to hone my listening skills, dealing with upset people skills, and not taking it personally skills. I will not miss the early mornings and long hours in front of a computer though. I don't think a job like this is quite my calling because I really miss being up and about all day, like you have to be with teaching. Working at a computer and being on the phone all day is a different kind of tired than teaching...still tiring but more mentally than physically. Anyway, I'm happy to be moving on to a new adventure. I'll miss my coworkers, and the free clothes, but it's time for a positive change.
So I keep trying to decide when it will be the proper time to pack up my apartment. Now? in 2 weeks? My plan has been to purge little by little so that when I do pack, it will literally just mean putting stuff in boxes, rather than throwing stuff out and packing all at once. So far this plan seems to be working, as I've gotten rid of a bunch more clothes (things just don't fit the way they used to!) and I'm trying not to be sentimental about stuff I truly don't need. It's hard because I do like my stuff, but I am becoming aware of random odds and ends that I probably don't need. Plus, my new rule is that if I haven't used it in a year or so, I'm probably not going to and it needs to go (sorry "Friends" trivia game). I don't want to move any more stuff than I absolutely have to! Little by little, progress is being made on The Big Move.
Well, soon this blog will be a whole lot more exciting because I'll be writing to you from Sunny Spain! Or rather, Sunny Sevilla, Spain. How's that for alliteration? For now, it's a little on the blah side. I need to teach myself how to add pictures and such. All in good time!
Happy 4th of July and happy summer!
Ashlita
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Hostel is booked!
Hola!
One more thing is done of my looooong list of things that must be done in preparation for Spain. I did my homework and researched the hostels that are listed in my travel books. What I discovered is that one of them in particular is almost perfect for my needs! I promptly booked myself a room there and for a really good deal, got a single room for 2 nights. I figure that I'm going to be up at all hours due to jet lag, so may as well not disturb others. Besides, the price I am paying is actually less than or equal to what Meg and I paid in one of the hostels last summer, and we had to share the room with 4 other women! So, I'm pretty excited! This place has free wi-fi in the lobby and A/C. It's in a quiet neighborhood, about 15 min from the sights of Seville (still not entirely sure what those are besides the obligatory cathedral). I'm sure my room will be about the size of a stride rite shoe box, but I'm fine with that. It's only 2 nights. Then, I'll move into an apartment with people in my class.
Those first few days in Seville promise to be nerve-wracking, but hopefully exciting too. I've learned about myself that I do enjoy time on my own to explore and wonder through new places. I'm going to need a map ASAP because anyone who knows me knows that I have limited directional sense. Oh ok, fine. I have no directional sense. At least in Seattle, if I know which body of water I'm near and where exactly it is, I know which direction I'm going.
That's the update for now! I'm down to 12.5 days of work left at ExOfficio! Crazy, but true. Time is a flyin'. I just hope there will be time to do everything I want to before it's time to leave. I'm sure packing will be a total time suck. It always is when it comes to moving or packing for a trip. And I've got to do both. At least I'm loaning most of my living room furniture to Jess, so there's less furniture to move out. If anyone wants a nightstand or small bookshelf, let me know!
Besitos y abrazos,
Ashlita
One more thing is done of my looooong list of things that must be done in preparation for Spain. I did my homework and researched the hostels that are listed in my travel books. What I discovered is that one of them in particular is almost perfect for my needs! I promptly booked myself a room there and for a really good deal, got a single room for 2 nights. I figure that I'm going to be up at all hours due to jet lag, so may as well not disturb others. Besides, the price I am paying is actually less than or equal to what Meg and I paid in one of the hostels last summer, and we had to share the room with 4 other women! So, I'm pretty excited! This place has free wi-fi in the lobby and A/C. It's in a quiet neighborhood, about 15 min from the sights of Seville (still not entirely sure what those are besides the obligatory cathedral). I'm sure my room will be about the size of a stride rite shoe box, but I'm fine with that. It's only 2 nights. Then, I'll move into an apartment with people in my class.
Those first few days in Seville promise to be nerve-wracking, but hopefully exciting too. I've learned about myself that I do enjoy time on my own to explore and wonder through new places. I'm going to need a map ASAP because anyone who knows me knows that I have limited directional sense. Oh ok, fine. I have no directional sense. At least in Seattle, if I know which body of water I'm near and where exactly it is, I know which direction I'm going.
That's the update for now! I'm down to 12.5 days of work left at ExOfficio! Crazy, but true. Time is a flyin'. I just hope there will be time to do everything I want to before it's time to leave. I'm sure packing will be a total time suck. It always is when it comes to moving or packing for a trip. And I've got to do both. At least I'm loaning most of my living room furniture to Jess, so there's less furniture to move out. If anyone wants a nightstand or small bookshelf, let me know!
Besitos y abrazos,
Ashlita
Thursday, June 16, 2011
It's really happening!
Saludos!
Well, the cat's outta the bag. I told my boss about my plans on Monday. So now he knows that I'm quitting soon. My last day will be July 12th. That's only 16 days left! I realized that would allow me time to get all my stuff done and still go fishing and backpacking in my beloved northwest before it's time to go. I'm overwhelmed thinking of all that's going on before I leave, but relieved that my plans are now out in the open. Several co-workers are asking me about my plans and are actually really excited for me.
I've got a lot to look forward to in the upcoming weeks and a lot to get done. I'm trying to decide which furniture to part with (my parents' house doesn't have space to store it all), and think it's looking like I'll be parting with more than originally planned. I have a really nice bookshelf that I had no intention of selling, but I want a fresh start upon my return and may as well get rid of stuff like that. Maybe I can sell it? I've got to head to Goodwill soon because I've got piles of stuff in my bedroom just waiting to get donated. Operation: Get Rid of Excess is coming along nicely! Seems to me that it won't be so hard to get rid of stuff if I do it a little at a time.
That about sums it up. I'm so ready for a day off where I don't have to do anything or be anywhere, where I can just be home and get things accomplished there (or not). Weekends have gotten too busy lately and that stresses me out. My sick days are taunting me. Would it be so horrible if I took a mental health day? At this point, I really need it. That about covers it for now!
Hasta pronto!
Well, the cat's outta the bag. I told my boss about my plans on Monday. So now he knows that I'm quitting soon. My last day will be July 12th. That's only 16 days left! I realized that would allow me time to get all my stuff done and still go fishing and backpacking in my beloved northwest before it's time to go. I'm overwhelmed thinking of all that's going on before I leave, but relieved that my plans are now out in the open. Several co-workers are asking me about my plans and are actually really excited for me.
I've got a lot to look forward to in the upcoming weeks and a lot to get done. I'm trying to decide which furniture to part with (my parents' house doesn't have space to store it all), and think it's looking like I'll be parting with more than originally planned. I have a really nice bookshelf that I had no intention of selling, but I want a fresh start upon my return and may as well get rid of stuff like that. Maybe I can sell it? I've got to head to Goodwill soon because I've got piles of stuff in my bedroom just waiting to get donated. Operation: Get Rid of Excess is coming along nicely! Seems to me that it won't be so hard to get rid of stuff if I do it a little at a time.
That about sums it up. I'm so ready for a day off where I don't have to do anything or be anywhere, where I can just be home and get things accomplished there (or not). Weekends have gotten too busy lately and that stresses me out. My sick days are taunting me. Would it be so horrible if I took a mental health day? At this point, I really need it. That about covers it for now!
Hasta pronto!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
"Flight Schedule Change"...not an email you want to receive
Buenas!
So, the above is what I found in my email inbox first thing this morning. I won't be a drama queen about it because it's really not that big of a deal. However, being informed that your flight from Madrid to Seville is now leaving 3 hours later than planned kinda sucks. Taking a train would probably be faster, but I'm already scheduled on the flight so I'm going to stick with it. So now instead of arriving in Seville at 9:50AM, I'm not arriving until 12:50PM. I'm sure it'll be fine but it's going to take some planning to pull this off without going insane from lack of sleep. Maybe I'll take a teensy dose of one of my sleeping pills so I can sleep on my long trans-Atlantic flight. We'll see. That coupled with it being middle of the night PST when I arrive in Madrid may be a recipe for disaster. I'm also going to try to book a spot in a hostel in advance so I'm not left to traipse around Seville in a sleep deprived trance.
Anyway, the journey is part of the fun! I'm down to 25 days of work left in this gig! It's insane thinking of it that way but there you go! I'm getting to the point where I really have to tell my boss. Ugh. Given that he's the first manager I've worked for who is really good at what he does (no micro-managing, or deceit from him), it actually feels a little weird to be quitting. I mean yes I'm not terribly fond of customer service, but I work with cool people. Our office is not perfect, but I have friends here and enjoy having people make me laugh after I deal with a crappy customer. So I'll miss the people here, but not the tough job itself. I think my last day will be July 14th. I'm not positive though because I'm going fishing the weekend of July 15-17th and I may need a few more days to get everything done before I leave. Gotta look at my calendar and make a decision.
Nothing else to report here. Things are going well. I'm looking forward to some more warm weather and fun in the sun!
Besitos y abrazos,
Ashley
So, the above is what I found in my email inbox first thing this morning. I won't be a drama queen about it because it's really not that big of a deal. However, being informed that your flight from Madrid to Seville is now leaving 3 hours later than planned kinda sucks. Taking a train would probably be faster, but I'm already scheduled on the flight so I'm going to stick with it. So now instead of arriving in Seville at 9:50AM, I'm not arriving until 12:50PM. I'm sure it'll be fine but it's going to take some planning to pull this off without going insane from lack of sleep. Maybe I'll take a teensy dose of one of my sleeping pills so I can sleep on my long trans-Atlantic flight. We'll see. That coupled with it being middle of the night PST when I arrive in Madrid may be a recipe for disaster. I'm also going to try to book a spot in a hostel in advance so I'm not left to traipse around Seville in a sleep deprived trance.
Anyway, the journey is part of the fun! I'm down to 25 days of work left in this gig! It's insane thinking of it that way but there you go! I'm getting to the point where I really have to tell my boss. Ugh. Given that he's the first manager I've worked for who is really good at what he does (no micro-managing, or deceit from him), it actually feels a little weird to be quitting. I mean yes I'm not terribly fond of customer service, but I work with cool people. Our office is not perfect, but I have friends here and enjoy having people make me laugh after I deal with a crappy customer. So I'll miss the people here, but not the tough job itself. I think my last day will be July 14th. I'm not positive though because I'm going fishing the weekend of July 15-17th and I may need a few more days to get everything done before I leave. Gotta look at my calendar and make a decision.
Nothing else to report here. Things are going well. I'm looking forward to some more warm weather and fun in the sun!
Besitos y abrazos,
Ashley
Monday, June 6, 2011
A successful auction = re-living my childhood
Saludos!
So last night we had the auction to benefit Rick Teal, a family friend of ours who was injured playing softball last summer. He tragically became a quadriplegic when a player on the opposing team barreled into him and broke his neck. You can check out an article about him here. Seattle Times columnist Steve Kelley wrote it so we could get the word out about the auction. The goal was to raise enough $$$ to buy Rick a van so he can get around without it costing a fortune every time. To use a transportation service is very costly, but people with the kind of disabilities he has need a specially equipped van to get out and about. I don't know how much money was brought in but last I checked, it was at least enough to buy a used van, which would be totally fine (doesn't really matter if it's brand new or not).
The Teal family lived across the street from us for 25 years when we lived in Bothell. My parents moved out of that house last summer, just weeks before Rick's accident. In fact, he loaned my dad his truck and helped move some furniture for us. Being neighbors for all those years, my parents became good friends with Rick and Robin, as well as the other parents in the cul-de-sac. When it became evident that this injury and new lifestyle was burdensome financially, my parents and another couple who we've known since I was a kid decided to put on a fundraiser. It was decided that a silent auction would be the best.
Most of those families who were neighbors of ours when I was growing up are still living in the Bothell neighborhood and most were at the auction last night. I had not seen them in years and it was like a neighborhood reunion to suddenly be in the same room together! The bartender (the auction was in a private room at Redhook Brewery) was a guy I went through high school with, but when I went up to buy a beer, I could not recall his name. I had to ask my mom! Am I really that old? The answer is yes, apparently. Two of the boys I grew up with have recently married, one girl had a baby, and everyone else looked "about 10 years older," to quote my brother. It was a lot of fun to catch up with the "kids" I grew up with. And of course their parents all said hello as well.
Of course when you don't see people for a long time, the first thing they ask you is, "what are you up to these days?". That is a hard question as I admit I feel some shame about not doing anything super exciting...I never thought I'd be doing customer service over the phone after going to college and it's been very humbling indeed. I think I saw customer service providers in a much different light before working for ExO than I do now. I was honest though and told them about my job but then got to talk about Spain. I feel like I explained my plan to go to Spain about 100 times, though I'm sure that's an exaggeration. Everyone was really encouraging though and seemed excited for me.
It's interesting how when you're growing up in such a tight knit community as our little cul-de-sac was, you realize only later just how lucky you were to have kind neighbors who always had your back. While none of us kids have really stayed in touch, my parents still hang out with several of the couples whose kids I grew up with. In chatting with the "kids" last night, it became evident that we all still have good memories of growing up in the 'burbs. It also became evident that we're all getting old!
Abrazotes,
Ashley
So last night we had the auction to benefit Rick Teal, a family friend of ours who was injured playing softball last summer. He tragically became a quadriplegic when a player on the opposing team barreled into him and broke his neck. You can check out an article about him here. Seattle Times columnist Steve Kelley wrote it so we could get the word out about the auction. The goal was to raise enough $$$ to buy Rick a van so he can get around without it costing a fortune every time. To use a transportation service is very costly, but people with the kind of disabilities he has need a specially equipped van to get out and about. I don't know how much money was brought in but last I checked, it was at least enough to buy a used van, which would be totally fine (doesn't really matter if it's brand new or not).
The Teal family lived across the street from us for 25 years when we lived in Bothell. My parents moved out of that house last summer, just weeks before Rick's accident. In fact, he loaned my dad his truck and helped move some furniture for us. Being neighbors for all those years, my parents became good friends with Rick and Robin, as well as the other parents in the cul-de-sac. When it became evident that this injury and new lifestyle was burdensome financially, my parents and another couple who we've known since I was a kid decided to put on a fundraiser. It was decided that a silent auction would be the best.
Most of those families who were neighbors of ours when I was growing up are still living in the Bothell neighborhood and most were at the auction last night. I had not seen them in years and it was like a neighborhood reunion to suddenly be in the same room together! The bartender (the auction was in a private room at Redhook Brewery) was a guy I went through high school with, but when I went up to buy a beer, I could not recall his name. I had to ask my mom! Am I really that old? The answer is yes, apparently. Two of the boys I grew up with have recently married, one girl had a baby, and everyone else looked "about 10 years older," to quote my brother. It was a lot of fun to catch up with the "kids" I grew up with. And of course their parents all said hello as well.
Of course when you don't see people for a long time, the first thing they ask you is, "what are you up to these days?". That is a hard question as I admit I feel some shame about not doing anything super exciting...I never thought I'd be doing customer service over the phone after going to college and it's been very humbling indeed. I think I saw customer service providers in a much different light before working for ExO than I do now. I was honest though and told them about my job but then got to talk about Spain. I feel like I explained my plan to go to Spain about 100 times, though I'm sure that's an exaggeration. Everyone was really encouraging though and seemed excited for me.
It's interesting how when you're growing up in such a tight knit community as our little cul-de-sac was, you realize only later just how lucky you were to have kind neighbors who always had your back. While none of us kids have really stayed in touch, my parents still hang out with several of the couples whose kids I grew up with. In chatting with the "kids" last night, it became evident that we all still have good memories of growing up in the 'burbs. It also became evident that we're all getting old!
Abrazotes,
Ashley
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