Happy Saint Patrick's Day. Wish I was in Ireland. Last year I went for nine days. I kissed the Blarney Stone and then got cut from my teaching job. But, that is fine, I will teach again next year. :) So, speaking of luck, I am going to reflect on all the things I am lucky for from this past year since hanging upside down over the edge of Blarney Castle and kissing the Blarney Stone.
1) I have a job. Actually, I have three jobs. I know the unemployed of Chicago really hate me; I account for a fifth of the workforce of Chicago currently. I work for Barnes and Noble as Children's Lead Bookseller. I give advice on how to read good kid's books and how to read books in general. I clean up after sloppy nannies and listen to children scream and cry because they cannot have a book (and really...this is not a bad thing...at least kids want to read). I work for Gap. Mindless labor where even a minute could feel like an eternity. Here, I put Boyfriend jeans on sadistic housewives who spend money as a career. Then, I dress dirty old men at the Lyric Opera during large operas.
2) I have money. I mean money enough to barely live. I have learned how to budget. Even though it seems like I should have more than I do, my expenses far outweigh what I make per month...and these are necessary expenses. I am lucky to have parents that care enough for me to know things are going to be better and help me where they can.
3) I am lucky I have not run over the natives of Howard Street.
4) I am lucky we have a treadmill dancer at Bally Fitness. It brings me great joy and a lot of schadenfreude when he is there. I laugh so much, but it makes for an amazing workout.
- Speaking of working out....I am lucky to have Brian, Dexter and Brandon to workout with. These people are big enough to keep me motivated and certain that I cannot lag behind. They make a lot of people at the gym look like little girls.
- I am also fortunate to be in relatively good health and have a body that draws attention.
6) I am lucky to have wonderful friends. Even though this past year has been tough and I have been MIA, a lot of people have stuck around and a lot have not and that is ok. It is hard when someone is out of sight, out of mind.
7) I am lucky I was able to fly home. I am lucky that when I go home I can see my family, friends and former students sometimes. I was also lucky to be able to travel the state of South Carolina and go into North Carolina and I am lucky Neyler rode all the way down with me home form Chicago and Stephanie, Sophia and Carolyn rode back.
8) I am lucky to live in a city so many people covet and would love the opportunity to live in. I know is stressful sometimes, but I am truly blessed to be here. Things will get better. I will have a steady career and I will be able to truly enjoy the Chicago that I used to enjoy. I am so fortunate to at least live on the beach and get to enjoy the aspect of having Lake Michigan in my front yard. I am so lucky to have public transportation and resources in a relatively reasonable distance. Even though apparently we are all going to die in Rogers Park, I think it is a good place. Remember, because it is so dangerous here, when we all get punished in 2012, Rogers Park is the first to go.
9) I was lucky to get to go to Ireland. Amazing trip that I have never really shared that many details with people. I loved it and was so fortunate to have such a wonderful friend, Jube, go with me.
Blarney Castle...Home of the Blarney Stone! :)So, these are some things I am so fortunate to have an so lucky to have had happen to me this past year. It has been quite a ride. I would have never pictured experiencing all I have experienced. I have grown so much and learned so much from all of this. There are so many things that never would have happened to me if I were not in the situation in which I am in. I know sometimes it hurts, but in the long run...this will make me much stronger. I have learned so much about human nature and how much the North Shore wishes it could have slavery. People are really interesting. I think when all of this is said and done...my last days of Gap and Barnes and Noble...I want to put together a book on all of the lessons I have learned from the past year...financial, relationships, friendships, planning, time management, travel, North Shore idiots, education horror stories and stories about my horrible ex co-worker. I want people to be aware of how incredibly exciting life can be even when you think you are not living it. I sometimes think because I am not experiencing Chicago everyday or traveling everywhere that I am not doing anything fulfilling or experiencing anything worthwhile...but look, I am able to write MASSIVE blogs on the things I experience each day. I get to write about how books affect me and make me feel. Obviously I am living a life I hadn't quite discovered. I am creating my own existence that is molded from a pre-fabricated form. I probably have more to talk about in a given day than someone who has a career that pays 20 times more than me. I am lucky.
Today's reading was brief. I got through lots of dialogue between Alexander and Foer. Apparently they are related. It is becoming more and more evident. Alexander is slowly learning the nuances of the English language. He is embracing all of those things American and hoping to someday reach America to live a more fulfilling life. As they travel together, more hilarity ensues. Foer's documents and everything are eaten by the dog. Grandfather's temper heightens. Alexander still messes up translations..."He unclosed the door." There are so many things happening. Grandfather points out Foer does not eat meat and is stupid because he is a Jew. There is a really funny breakfast scene that centers around the fact he eats no meat. They cannot stand it. The book is still very good and I am having a great time reading it.
Obviously, my book blog is going to take more than 26 weeks. I thought about changing the title to 26 Authors who inspired me to look within. This is what they are causing me to do...but I have already read around 15 books even though I am only on letter "F." It is so much fun absorbing the cultural contexts of all of these writings and learning about the human mind through the distinct writing styles of each author. They have challenged me to look within.
This has been a LONG day. I got to see treadmill dancer this morning at gym...videos of him will be uploaded in the morning...as well as pics of Ireland from last year. I worked at Gap for markdowns this morning at 6AM. That was not fun. I was singled out as usual and had to work alone. I had to do Men's by myself while Women's had four workers. Then, I was blamed for being too slow. Not even true. I did all of my work. Just because I had to scan the entire damn men's section from every style of sock to boxer to blue jean to sweater does not mean that I am going to work at lightning speed. A lot of stuff had to be re-marked down. Many of the jeans were on Final Sale which means they got three new markings to their tags. My manager told me I was being too slow and she did not care what was going on in my life or if I was tired. Well all I have to say is that I am probably one of the best damned workers they have ever had or ever will have.
Well, until tomorrow...sleep well. Have a wonderful day! Check back in this afternoon for videos of treadmill dancer and pics of Ireland!!!
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