Erincita

Friday, October 31, 2003

Happy Halloween everybody. My life is decidedly more boring than before. It's now been over a month since I lost my job, and the unemployment is getting to me. Still high hopes for the job in Ann Arbor, and I still feel somewhat purposeful, being able to take care of somebody who appreciates it. I can't believe how much more fun it is to prepare food for people other than yourself. I love having guests over too. I think I'll make a good housewife when the time comes. I bought a little Halloween candy for the trick-or-treaters tonight, but living in a locked apartment complex makes me doubt that we'll have many takers. Chris thought it would be better if we went over to his parents tonight and helped hand out candy over there. I'll probably be spending most of the weekend there too, since Chris has drill this weekend and will be gone for the better part of both days. I guess I feel kind of like Dana now. Wish I had more stimulating news. However, on Dana's behalf I think I speak for everybody that there are very few people who adore every aspect of their job, and she's still learning the ropes. Dana is providing a valuable service and that's what she's paid to do, there's no shame in it. I love her and miss her bunches and bunches of oats.

9:11 AM |

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

This is an e-mail I wrote to a college buddy. Thought it would make a good post. Of course I've edited it so it ends abrubtly (I'm not going to tell the world everything!):

I seem to be the only person I know who went
through 4 years of college, enjoyed them, and have
never had a yearning to go back--at least not as a
student. My sister is considering going back, and the rest are going on to graduate
school or medical school or law school. I have my
little degree in anthropology which does nothing for
me besides giving me the right to say that I have a
bachelor's degree from a good university, and believe
it or not, that's enough for me. I can't think of
anything I want to advance in that my extra-curricular
experiences haven't accomplished for me already. I'll
admit however, that I still miss the hubbub of a
college campus, which is why I'm applying for jobs at
the University of Michigan. I turned in a resume and
cover letter for "International Student and Scholar
Advisor" directly to the International Center last
week. I called today and although I know I would love
the job--and I'm fully qualified for it--I'm competing
with upwards of 200 applicants. If I can score an
interview I'll be thrilled.
To answer your question, I don't live in Detroit,
but I'm very close. I'm about 20 minutes away from
it, but I haven't seen much of the inner city besides
dinner at Greek Town before I moved here. Chris and I
live in Belleville, about halfway between Detroit
(Chris works for Customs on the Border) and Ann Arbor
(where U of M is located). It's a nice apartment,
close to everything but far enough off the highway
that it's nice and quiet, plus we were lucky enough to
get a unit with a nice view of the park instead of the
parking lot. It's starting to get cold here and I'm
considering getting a covered spot for my brand new
baby lexus (that's the name my dad and sister gave
her--she's actually a toyota corolla). The snow and
salting of the roads eat up cars here, and the roads
themselves have cracks and potholes that could sink
your car. I'm excited about the prospect of a White
Christmas and thoughts of wassel (spiced cider) and
hot chocolate. The best part of snow is the beauty
and being thankful for a warm home to sheild you from
the elements.
What do I think about your plans? I think you
know what's right for you so I won't be presumptious.
With that said, if I were you, I'd think it was too
expensive to go back and would prefer to enter the job
market with my education and experience under my belt.
If you want to go into tourism, you could slip right
in with Holland America, like my sis, and her major
was in Animal Science. But she wants to go back to
school too so maybe she's not the best example. My
advice is to work part-time in a field you want to go
into eventually, and CWU could probably help you find
one if you attend their classes.

11:07 AM |

Monday, October 27, 2003

God commented on my site. So glad He's taking an interest. I'm feeling somewhat guilty but l'd be visiting my hunny so much that not living with him would be simply ridiculous. It's not like we're sleeping together or anything. . . And by the way, if someone decided to "play God" and use the Almighty's name for kicks, shame on you! I guess it wouldn't help my effort to be serious about that statement by admitting that I laughed out loud at the comment.
Some of you may be wondering about the one-and-only comment posted by a certain Officer Addison. Blast from the past I guess. One of the people I met at FLETC who I lost contact with long ago but apparantly still knows what I'm up to. Kinda creepy. . .
Anyway, thanks for the comment Kris.
So what's happening with Erincita these days? Against my better judgement I will post the fact that last week I applied for "Erincita's perfect job" which she is totally qualified for and will be sorely disappointed if she isn't even called for an interview. The job is at the University of Michigan and the title is International Student adn Scholar Advisor. My dream job. Department qualifications include "BA degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some familiarity with a university environment. . . Some basic experience or understanding of F and J immigration statuses. . . Microsoft Office experience. . . comfortable working in an intercultural environment." Let me ask you, how many people off the street are going to be familiar with F and J immigration categories and have actual experience with the SEVIS Real Time Interface? SEE!!! You don't even know what I'm talking about (unless you're Officer Addison, of course)! I am so totally into this job. Chris was dumbfounded to see me going after this job the way I am. Anyone who has seen my slug-like resistance to look for work would be. I'll let you know how it goes. Congratulations to Dana who is well on her way to becoming the next Customs employee if Holland America doesn't work out. . . kind of a twisted compliment but she'll understand. Erincita is signing off. Thanks for reading.

11:15 AM |

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Okay, I feel compelled to give another update. Though they are always boring compared to Dana's witty entries, my few opportunities to use a computer must be utilized to their fullest. Chris decided to take two days off in a row and yesterday he decided that we were going to the Detroit Science Center. I was like, "Cool, the Seattle Science Center is fun and awesome and I'll bet Detroit's is just the same." I was wrong. Upon paying five bucks just to use their lowsy parking lot and going inside, I was like, "I'm not paying admission for this. Look! It's all kids! This is for kids." My final conclusion was that I hate kids for the time being and we convinced the parking attendant to give our five bucks back as we went in search of adult entertainment . . . no, we didn't end up at a strip club. We ended up at the Henry Ford Museum and according the the brochure, it is "America's Greatest History Attraction". It was very impressive and I was pleasantly surprised that it was alot more than just old cars. Mr. Ford was quite a collector. There was all kinds of stuff...old stoves, dollhouses, sewing machines. I guess it's cooler when you see it for yourself. The coolest thing was seeing the chair that Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assasinated. I wasn't expected to see that. I didn't even know he had been sitting down. The exhibit stated that the chair was specially designed to accomodate his large frame. Yay for tall people! The brochure said that they also had the limo that Kennedy was sitting in on that fateful day in Dallas but we got tired and left.
Earlier this week we went to Greenfield Village, a park that was started by Henry Ford. He had alot of money. Chris and I and some of his friends went to their little pre-halloween shindig for good times and great oldies. I'll bet there were at least a thousand jack-o-lanterns lighting the path. Security caught us straying from the path because it was just too crowded for my liking. They told us to go back to to path in an irritated tone that reminded me of a flight attendant when I was headed to Paraguay over 7 years ago. Over 40 amigos volunteer were running around the plane and the poor woman was almost in tears shouting, "The seatbelt sign is ON!!!" I hope she didn't lose her job last year with all the airlines going bankrupt, she earned her wings on that flight. Anyway, after Greenfield Village we have a stash of candy in the freezer and a few memories.
Mom and Dad stopped by again! They were only here overnight. I made dinner for them and they hung around awhile so I could show them around Belleville. We had lunch with Chris when he got home from work and they were on their merry way again. They should never go to St. Louis again because they always have car trouble.
I saw Kill Bill. It is indeed a very good twisted flick. I especially liked the flashbacks and Uma Thurman's voiceovers. Last night we had pizza with Lisa, Scott, Dave and Rob and watched Full Throttle...comparable to the first Charlie's Angels, and 28 Days Later, which was surprising good. I was told that it was reminiscent of Resident Evil but I haven't seen that movie. I'd be curious to know Dana's opinion if she rents the movie.

10:55 AM |

Tuesday, October 07, 2003

I had to cut my last entry short so we could go to church. It will remain nameless as we were very disappointed and will not be visiting that place again. Anyone wishing to know more about Mom and Dad's visit with MCI's parents can go to my parent's website, which has a great photo of the family and a freakish image of me in the lower right-hand corner. It's great to know that the folk's trip has been unproblematic since they left Michigan. MCI has an awesome circle of friends that we've been visiting between trips to the apartment and time with his parents. I haven't got words to describe how wonderful Jim and Terry have been to us. They're just great people and have been so generous in helping us get established here. At dinner with my parents the line from Moulin Rouge's Harry Zidler kept running through my head: "Everything's going so well!" I even wanted to do Zidler's little dance. If only Dana understands this that's good enough for me. Jim and Terry's home is lovely. Terry shares Mom's obsession with fake plants and the house just has so much character! Little collections everywhere. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a museum. Terry and I did a little shopping two days ago and I'm comfortable having a little mix of my mom's taste and hers when it comes to decorating. MCI and I purchased a queen size mattress with Mom's help and moved almost everything into the apartment yesterday. Hopefully we'll be able to sleep there tonight. Jim was a great help with the heavier stuff and I finally unloaded baby lexus. There's tons of boxes and things will be chaotic for a few days but I'm hoping to get everything in order soon. I've been able to spend a little time with Chris's friends as well and like his parents they make me feel welcome.

8:54 AM |

Sunday, October 05, 2003

It's my first Sunday in Michigan and I've been online looking for a church to attend. It's frustrating knowing that I won't feel at home at any of the churches here yet and I expect to do alot of church shopping in the coming weeks to find one I can see myself participating in. Anyway, I know that at least one person is interested in an update so I will do my best to bring you all up to speed. MCI's flight came in on time. We spent a little time bumming around and taking care of odds & ends like picking up baby lexus, turning in the keys for my now ex-apartment and packing everything. I'm pretty surprised by how much we were able to fit in the car, and nothing has been unpacked because we only just finished signing the lease for an apartment in a nearby city called Belleville. The cross-country trip was far less grueling than anticipated. We had pleasant weather and nice scenery and the driving had a few nice reprieves in South Dakota when we stopped at Mount Rushmore and Wall Drug. We finally arrived in Woodhaven on Tuesday, 10/30 and had a nice dinner with his parents before crashing. I've been adapting slowly but surely, getting to know the streets and stuff. Before the unexpected circumstances that allowed me to make the move I had planned to spend a week at Dinsney World with MCI and his crew, and that's why I haven't been able to catch up with any of his friends yet. I think they should all be home by tonight.
The biggest surprise so far is that Mom and Dad have already come and gone and I am so pleased by how well they got along with MCI's parents...not that I'm surprised. They're wonderful people and I've enjoyed every minute with them so far. Problems with the van have been plentiful but we're hoping the mechanic here did his job well so Mom and Dad can make it to New England and complete their trip, albeit off schedule, and see all the things they had previously planned on their itinerary.

6:38 AM |