Responses

This morning work got hectic for a while. There was a lot to do. Then I finished them. So back to job search I went. I emailed a couple of places around noon and received responses back right after. The hiring managers wanted to see my portfolio first. I had not thought of putting my work online, I should have. Although I own some domain names, I don't have them hosted anywhere. I was looking around for different options today, yes free options. I came across a Gmail feature that might work: Picasa Web Album.

I won't be able to upload PDFs on Picasa, as they are larger in size and there is a storage limit. So I will convert them into JPGs and organize them into different groups. It's not exactly the best way to create and host my portfolio online, but for now this option works.

And if the prospect companies like what they see and wish to see them in better detail, I can always bring the PDF files on a flash drive when I go in for an interview.

Short memories. Bad back.

After a long nap last night I was channel surfing and caught this movie that I had seen a while ago. It's called Tomcats. I knew it was a movie I saw with Eric, but for some reason it was like a new movie to me. I didn't remember the most of it and yes I knew it was not a good movie, still it was so weird watching it thinking "I saw this!" and "Why don't I remember the plot?" at the same time. It happened again now. Casino Royale is on and I watched it on DVD last year. I even remember thinking about burning a copy of it because I liked it a lot. And now, I don't know what's going on with the movie. Why is he chasing that guy? Why is he after the scary looking French guy? And why is the girl bad news? What is happening to my memories?

Yesterday my bad back returned. I didn't do anything to make it worse, it just came back and I have been suffering once again. It's not as terrible as before where I could not move around easily or sleep comfortably. It's between level 5 and 6 in my painfulness scale. I hope it calms back down somehow. I have been careful with everyday activities and of course gym exercises. I never expect it to recover 100% - It is kind of my skin flare-ups. I know I will always have it.

It sure isn't fun getting old.

A masquito bite? A 99 Ranch sighting!

Somehow I've gotten this itchy red bump on my lower back, above my right butt cheek, that has been bothering me for a couple of days now. I have applied "maximum strength" cortisone on the spot thinking it would help, not so much. I have also used this Chinese or Japanese ointment called MOPIKO-S on it before bedtime, still it does nothing. At first I thought it was acne, now I think it's a masquito bite. I can't sit or stand or move without thinking about it - SO VERY ITCHY + ANNOYING!

I saw one of my high school friends in 99 Ranch Market today. She didn't see me. I didn't want her to see me either. I always think it's awkward to say hi to people that I have not been in touch with for a long time. They have changed, so have I. Of course I feel I have become less attractive (OLD), I have accomplished little (No money), and I question if there is any real connection left (WHO is this person?) - So I stay far far away, hide behind any person or any object, or turn my head away casually or even if the situation requires, squat down suddenly, just so I can avoid that awkward "Hi!" Come to think of it, I actually have had more than one blast from the past at various 99 Ranch throughout the years. Strange.

Thank goodness Dave wasn't there today. Whenever he finds out I'm hiding from someone, he goes after that person and tries to "help" us reconnect. Nope, let things be please.

Unless I look better than that person, seem richer than that person, and I can tell he or she totally remembers me - I don't want to reconnect. Yeah I am bad like that.

In My Hand

Last night I received the actual green card in the mail. I was beyond ecstatic and overwhelmed. If the time wasn't 11 something, I would be calling people.

In my hand I saw a thin piece of plastic that I spent years waiting for and working towards to since I arrived in the States - the frustrations, the pain, the madness and endlessness of it all, this card represents all. This glorious day is finally here. Holding it close I know that I have overcome and completed that journey. It's been a humbling lesson.

However, if I must nitpick, my picture on the card is awful. Think a sad bald oops-I-just-got-caught criminal, that's how bad I look. I clearly remember I didn't feel well that day. I actually took a day off because I had stomach flu and I was dizzy all afternoon while waiting for my turn at the finger print / photo verification center. I wish I look nicer in this picture, this green card symbolizes such a big personal momentum for me and my not-quite-attractive photo on it dampens that joy just a little bit.

Still - I have it now. In my hand. La ~ la ~ la.

Starting

Work has been slow lately. I was able to finish saving most of my work in PDF and then burning them onto 2 DVD-Rs yesterday. Today I am starting to look at jobs online more seriously. I even had a chance to send out my cover letter and resume to 2 different companies. Of course I feel weird and guilty doing this at work. I try to stop that train of thought. I tell myself since I do not have much to do this week, I might as well work on my next step, plan ahead my exit strategy, daydream about my future, etc. I will not over-do it, only apply for 2 - 3 jobs a day if I have time.

Little progress

I received the Welcome New Permanent Resident notice yesterday. Reading that notice sure felt awesome. Before I left work yesterday I also burned the first disc containing lots of my work. I will probably make another disc before the weekend. It's a little progress everyday.

Today I posted my resume on Monster.com too. I am always working on something daily, moving forward in small steps - It feels good knowing every step I take brings me closer to leaving and landing a better future. I'm so very happy.

S. O. M.

As usual I went to the gym after work today. There was just one spot open for elliptical machines and I went for it. Soon there were a few more became open then filled by others. 3 minutes into the run all of sudden I smelled something vaguely familiar. I turned to my right and screamed "Oh NO!" in my head. There he stood, the one with the unique aura, I wish I came in late and had picked one of the machines towards the back.

Yes, Stinky Old Man, S.O.M. as I refer him, was standing proud behind me and the guy to my right. I have encountered this particular S.O.M. many times since I joined this gym. Although he possesses a very fit body for his 50+ age, his sweaty musk combined with a strangely sour skunk-like odor makes exercising next to him a truly miserable and terrifying experience. Once I gave up the machine I waited for because he was sweating and sharing his scent all over his area, even 3-4 machines away! Thick, sour, sweaty funk. Yuck!

Today the gym was busy and many machines were out of order. He stood there and waited while I tried hard to breath and kept going. I wished someone else left and he went towards the back. No, S.O.M. stayed on until I was done. How could he not use some type of deodorant? Was I the only one with a nose? I just don't get it.