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
Thursday, June 23, 2011
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
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Watching sports helps a frazzled Seattle girl.
Well, it was a great weekend for Seattle sports! The Sounders came out with a win against Real Salt Lake, a team who is having a really good season. The Mariners won 2 of their 3 games against the Yankees which felt really good. Gotta love beating those guys! As frazzled as I have been trying to get ready for Spain (both mentally and otherwise), it was really relaxing to just chill out in front of my beloved Sounders and Mariners and cheer them on. Yesterday, I made it to the ballpark and watched as the M's beat the Orioles 4-3. I didn't realized how much sitting in front of a game helped me to relax until these past few days, where I watched 3.5 baseball games and a soccer game. Sounds like a lot of TV time, but the weather here is still pretty cold and gray so I don't feel too guilty. I did take walks and get out when it was nice.
Also, I went up to the beach and spent a few days with my parents. We discussed my plans for Spain and I began to read my Lonely Planet Spain travel book to see what it had to say about Seville. I need to reserve a spot in a hostel for those first 2 nights. I'm a little nervous to be alone for a few days but hopefully it will work out fine. I had not considered until recently how much mental preparation I'd need for this move. It's time for a big change and while change is not easy for me, sometimes in life we need to step out of our comfort zones in order to grow. Spending those first few days all alone will be tough for me but I know it'll be fine in the end.
My pastor recently talked to me about how I would probably want to consider finding some sort of church while there and I figure she's right. My mental and emotional health will need it! However, Spain is very Catholic historically (well after they took over the Islamic roots of the country), so I don't know what I'll find in terms of a church that is more mainstream. I doubt I'll find anywhere as hippie liberal as my beloved UCUCC. I mean hippie liberal as a term of endearment, I promise! If nothing else, I'll listen to sermons from home off of our church website.
Well, this is getting long and my workday is finally coming to a close. Hope everyone is happy and healthy.
Abrazos y besitos,
Ashley
Also, I went up to the beach and spent a few days with my parents. We discussed my plans for Spain and I began to read my Lonely Planet Spain travel book to see what it had to say about Seville. I need to reserve a spot in a hostel for those first 2 nights. I'm a little nervous to be alone for a few days but hopefully it will work out fine. I had not considered until recently how much mental preparation I'd need for this move. It's time for a big change and while change is not easy for me, sometimes in life we need to step out of our comfort zones in order to grow. Spending those first few days all alone will be tough for me but I know it'll be fine in the end.
My pastor recently talked to me about how I would probably want to consider finding some sort of church while there and I figure she's right. My mental and emotional health will need it! However, Spain is very Catholic historically (well after they took over the Islamic roots of the country), so I don't know what I'll find in terms of a church that is more mainstream. I doubt I'll find anywhere as hippie liberal as my beloved UCUCC. I mean hippie liberal as a term of endearment, I promise! If nothing else, I'll listen to sermons from home off of our church website.
Well, this is getting long and my workday is finally coming to a close. Hope everyone is happy and healthy.
Abrazos y besitos,
Ashley
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Plane ticket: $$$, Jet Lag: Lame, Spending time in Sevilla: Priceless!
Hola!
It's official now. I'm going to SEVILLE (aka SEVILLA)!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last night, I bought my plane ticket from cheapoair.com. I've never bought a ticket through them and am still figuring them out, but they had the best fare by a lot, and it's all the way thru to Sevilla. I was contemplating flying to Madrid and then taking a train or local Spanish airline/Ryanair (yeah I know) to Sevilla, but I found a good deal on actually getting to Sevilla. I'll fly through Chicago and Madrid on 2 different airlines (American and Iberia). I'm psyched to fly on a Spanish airline and see what that's like. It's likely the exact same but still. They may have some neat Spanish touches, like British Airways does on their flights. I flew them last summer and had a good experience with them. I will need to research how movies work on Iberia air (cuz on a 8 hour flight, they're kinda crucial).
So it's happening. I'm going from uber excited, to terrified, then back to excited. This is going to be a grand adventure and I'm looking forward to personal growth, learning more about Spanish culture, improving my Spanish, making new friends with people from lots of countries, and the Mediterranean climate. Let's not forget sangria. Mustn't forget sangria!
I'm going to miss home a lot and that makes me nervous. It's also scary having no idea when I'll be back. I bought a one way ticket because of this. Many people have told me that it's "gutsy", "courageous" and "brave" to do this, but I've never actually thought of myself that way! I am afraid of speed, heights, and rides in general. Truth be told, I'm kind of a wimp and certainly not extreme. I suppose they are right though. It takes a lot of something to go all alone to a foreign country where you don't know anyone. I do speak the language and know the culture moderately well. I figure if crisis strikes, I've got Megan and Brian in Germany and that's a lot closer than Seattle. Let's hope all goes well and that I can find work so I don't have to decide between depleting my savings and leaving. Also, I'm praying that I meet awesome new people in a hurry! The first 2 nights I'm there will be spent in a hostel because I don't think I can get into my apartment until the Sunday before class. We'll see. On that note, fingers crossed for cool roomies!
Well, thanks everyone for support as I made my journey to this decision to go abroad and follow my heart to Spain. I'm fascinated with this country and excited to experience new things. More updates to come as I make further preparations. If anyone has advice on Sevilla, or Spain in general, I'm all ears!
Besitos y Abrazos,
Ashley
It's official now. I'm going to SEVILLE (aka SEVILLA)!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last night, I bought my plane ticket from cheapoair.com. I've never bought a ticket through them and am still figuring them out, but they had the best fare by a lot, and it's all the way thru to Sevilla. I was contemplating flying to Madrid and then taking a train or local Spanish airline/Ryanair (yeah I know) to Sevilla, but I found a good deal on actually getting to Sevilla. I'll fly through Chicago and Madrid on 2 different airlines (American and Iberia). I'm psyched to fly on a Spanish airline and see what that's like. It's likely the exact same but still. They may have some neat Spanish touches, like British Airways does on their flights. I flew them last summer and had a good experience with them. I will need to research how movies work on Iberia air (cuz on a 8 hour flight, they're kinda crucial).
So it's happening. I'm going from uber excited, to terrified, then back to excited. This is going to be a grand adventure and I'm looking forward to personal growth, learning more about Spanish culture, improving my Spanish, making new friends with people from lots of countries, and the Mediterranean climate. Let's not forget sangria. Mustn't forget sangria!
I'm going to miss home a lot and that makes me nervous. It's also scary having no idea when I'll be back. I bought a one way ticket because of this. Many people have told me that it's "gutsy", "courageous" and "brave" to do this, but I've never actually thought of myself that way! I am afraid of speed, heights, and rides in general. Truth be told, I'm kind of a wimp and certainly not extreme. I suppose they are right though. It takes a lot of something to go all alone to a foreign country where you don't know anyone. I do speak the language and know the culture moderately well. I figure if crisis strikes, I've got Megan and Brian in Germany and that's a lot closer than Seattle. Let's hope all goes well and that I can find work so I don't have to decide between depleting my savings and leaving. Also, I'm praying that I meet awesome new people in a hurry! The first 2 nights I'm there will be spent in a hostel because I don't think I can get into my apartment until the Sunday before class. We'll see. On that note, fingers crossed for cool roomies!
Well, thanks everyone for support as I made my journey to this decision to go abroad and follow my heart to Spain. I'm fascinated with this country and excited to experience new things. More updates to come as I make further preparations. If anyone has advice on Sevilla, or Spain in general, I'm all ears!
Besitos y Abrazos,
Ashley
Friday, May 20, 2011
Random thoughts about a job in customer service/hideous things customers said
Hello!
So I'm so excited to be near the finish line at work with Spain on the horizon. I feel very strongly that everyone should have to work in a job like mine or in a retail job when they are young. Some countries require their citizens to go in the army, and I think we should have our citizens take a turn working customer service. It'll never happen but I can still wish. I think this would be beneficial because people make lots of assumptions about those in customer service related jobs and are just downright awful sometimes. Here are the assumptions that seem to have been made about us:
To show you about those who are less than wonderful, I will now quote several of the humorous, dumb and ridiculous things that customers have said to me over the course of this job.
"The only thing that is well loved is my women...and your men-because I'm sure you do that"
(In this case I had told a gentleman wanting to return 5 year old pants that his pants seemed to be in bad shape from being well worn and loved).
"You went to college? Then what are you doing in a job like this?"
"I don't know if my husband wears boxers or boxer briefs. What's the difference?" (Really, lady? Just...REALLY?)
"Don't you people realize that Americans are just getting bigger?"
(In response to my reply that we don't carry plus sizes. I've gotten this complaint several times. My reply to her comment was that our company wants to encourage a healthy lifestyle...was that bad?)
"I don't care about anyone else's order but my own. I just want my order in time for Christmas. I don't care how hard they're working in the warehouse. What are you people thinking having a company party at the holidays?" (Ok that's a slight paraphrase but those are all points she made)
I know there have been many more but I cannot come up with them off the top of my head. I'll have to add them in later as they come to me. I've learned a lot in this job, especially about how to deal with people. That is a good thing and I appreciate it.
So I'm so excited to be near the finish line at work with Spain on the horizon. I feel very strongly that everyone should have to work in a job like mine or in a retail job when they are young. Some countries require their citizens to go in the army, and I think we should have our citizens take a turn working customer service. It'll never happen but I can still wish. I think this would be beneficial because people make lots of assumptions about those in customer service related jobs and are just downright awful sometimes. Here are the assumptions that seem to have been made about us:
- We are stupid and unintelligent
- We are not well educated, let alone college educated
- We don't listen
- We don't know what we're doing
- We're out to get our customers
- We don't know what we're selling
- We're super strict about returns/exchanges
To show you about those who are less than wonderful, I will now quote several of the humorous, dumb and ridiculous things that customers have said to me over the course of this job.
"The only thing that is well loved is my women...and your men-because I'm sure you do that"
(In this case I had told a gentleman wanting to return 5 year old pants that his pants seemed to be in bad shape from being well worn and loved).
"You went to college? Then what are you doing in a job like this?"
"I don't know if my husband wears boxers or boxer briefs. What's the difference?" (Really, lady? Just...REALLY?)
"Don't you people realize that Americans are just getting bigger?"
(In response to my reply that we don't carry plus sizes. I've gotten this complaint several times. My reply to her comment was that our company wants to encourage a healthy lifestyle...was that bad?)
"I don't care about anyone else's order but my own. I just want my order in time for Christmas. I don't care how hard they're working in the warehouse. What are you people thinking having a company party at the holidays?" (Ok that's a slight paraphrase but those are all points she made)
I know there have been many more but I cannot come up with them off the top of my head. I'll have to add them in later as they come to me. I've learned a lot in this job, especially about how to deal with people. That is a good thing and I appreciate it.
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