I'm keeping it sweet and simple, living a simpler life.
I'm setting out ti send more cards this year, just to make the people in my life smile when they open their mailbox.
I've started by using Cardstore as I love their options!
Aloha!
Friday, January 3, 2014
Monday, November 25, 2013
Making a Change
Recently, I started getting a vibe from the owner of the shop where I work, a "things aren't quite right" type of vibe. The manager of the Ka'anapali shop also started seeming more distant, and occasionally openly discouraging. I suggested some changes, modernization type things, to processes that would make the shops run more efficiently and better enhance the flow of information from the owner downward. "Leave her alone and let her run her own business," she told me. "She doesn't need your help."
I sensed my time with the galleries might be a bit shorter than I would hope. When the owner presented me with a spreadsheet showing my average sales per shift, and another with numbers I would be expected to hit, unachievable numbers based on the shifts I'm allowed to work, the writing on the wall became clearer. I needed a new job soon.
Luckily for me, a new outlet mall opens next month. This means that dozens of retail shops are hiring. People leave their current jobs for new opportunities, opening up even more positions I might be able to land in. I had The Hubby polish up the resume, I fired up craigslist, and I started applying for jobs.
I started receiving calls within an hour! It seemed I no sooner had hit submit on the final app I intended to complete that day than my phone rang from that very company. By noon the next morning, I fielded four phone calls and agreed to three interviews. I would need only one.
On the morning of my birthday, I piloted the Jeep over to the Cannery Mall for an interview at a small table outside the Starbucks. Being dressed appropriately, a small step above business casual, I found myself surprised when I shook the hand of a kid nearly half my age clad in board shorts, a striped t-shirt, and a newsie hat. I suppose I hid my surprise well as the interview seemed to end favorably.
Two days later, I accepted an offer from the kid - probably shouldn't call him that since he's my boss, but he really is young enough I could be his mother - I interviewed with and scheduled my orientation. I cancelled all of the other interviews I had scheduled. This job feels right. I told The Hubby I'd be working at The Gap and he mentioned an article he had read just the day before citing The Gap as being 9th on a list of ten best companies to work for.
I carpooled with the GM and one of his assistant managers to orientation, held at the Old Navy store on the other side of the island. I was quite thankful for the car ride. Orientation started at 8am and the earliest I could get there by bus would be 8:15. Bus? Yes, bus. The Jeep was out of commission that day.
Both the carpool - well, more like the conversations had during the drive - and orientation reinforced my feelings about taking the new job. I believe I will really enjoy working for The Kid, and for the company. I'm excited.
At orientation, I learned I would need to be 100% available during the week prior to the mall opening. Holding a Grand Opening on Dec 6 means a ton of work needs completed and the entire staff needs to be available for set up every day. They need so much help that week that even The Hubby will be working for them for a week!
The availability issue left me with choices that needed to be made. In the end, I decided that trying to juggle my schedule at the gallery to enable me to work what is needed at The Gap, and then trying to juggle two jobs on a longer term basis, would simply be too difficult for me. I tendered my resignation upon arriving at the gallery this morning.
I parted ways with the gallery on amicable terms - both sides knew the fit wasn't there - and they asked me to not work my remaining shifts this week so, in a sense, I'm unemployed for a week. Just a little tweak to my Maui adventure, one that might find me riding in The Jeep to Hana later this week!
After that, time to get knee deep in cargo shorts and polo shirts :)
Aloha!
I sensed my time with the galleries might be a bit shorter than I would hope. When the owner presented me with a spreadsheet showing my average sales per shift, and another with numbers I would be expected to hit, unachievable numbers based on the shifts I'm allowed to work, the writing on the wall became clearer. I needed a new job soon.
Luckily for me, a new outlet mall opens next month. This means that dozens of retail shops are hiring. People leave their current jobs for new opportunities, opening up even more positions I might be able to land in. I had The Hubby polish up the resume, I fired up craigslist, and I started applying for jobs.
I started receiving calls within an hour! It seemed I no sooner had hit submit on the final app I intended to complete that day than my phone rang from that very company. By noon the next morning, I fielded four phone calls and agreed to three interviews. I would need only one.
On the morning of my birthday, I piloted the Jeep over to the Cannery Mall for an interview at a small table outside the Starbucks. Being dressed appropriately, a small step above business casual, I found myself surprised when I shook the hand of a kid nearly half my age clad in board shorts, a striped t-shirt, and a newsie hat. I suppose I hid my surprise well as the interview seemed to end favorably.
Two days later, I accepted an offer from the kid - probably shouldn't call him that since he's my boss, but he really is young enough I could be his mother - I interviewed with and scheduled my orientation. I cancelled all of the other interviews I had scheduled. This job feels right. I told The Hubby I'd be working at The Gap and he mentioned an article he had read just the day before citing The Gap as being 9th on a list of ten best companies to work for.
I carpooled with the GM and one of his assistant managers to orientation, held at the Old Navy store on the other side of the island. I was quite thankful for the car ride. Orientation started at 8am and the earliest I could get there by bus would be 8:15. Bus? Yes, bus. The Jeep was out of commission that day.
Both the carpool - well, more like the conversations had during the drive - and orientation reinforced my feelings about taking the new job. I believe I will really enjoy working for The Kid, and for the company. I'm excited.
At orientation, I learned I would need to be 100% available during the week prior to the mall opening. Holding a Grand Opening on Dec 6 means a ton of work needs completed and the entire staff needs to be available for set up every day. They need so much help that week that even The Hubby will be working for them for a week!
The availability issue left me with choices that needed to be made. In the end, I decided that trying to juggle my schedule at the gallery to enable me to work what is needed at The Gap, and then trying to juggle two jobs on a longer term basis, would simply be too difficult for me. I tendered my resignation upon arriving at the gallery this morning.
I parted ways with the gallery on amicable terms - both sides knew the fit wasn't there - and they asked me to not work my remaining shifts this week so, in a sense, I'm unemployed for a week. Just a little tweak to my Maui adventure, one that might find me riding in The Jeep to Hana later this week!
After that, time to get knee deep in cargo shorts and polo shirts :)
Aloha!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
2 Days of Reunion
Let the emotional rollercoaster begin.
Yesterday morning I set out to catch a series of buses to Kahului where I would be renting the biggest possible SUV Avis would rent me, and then pick up the dogs at the Hawaii Dept of Agriculture.
As I headed out my neighbor offered me a ride. So I was pretty early for the whole process.
Brian, my direct-release agent between the DOA, our new vet, and myself, showed up early too. We did all of the paper work ahead of time so that as soon as he checked the dogs in all I needed to do was sign a paper.
The dogs showed up on one of those luggage cars, curtain drawn shut. The TSA agent drew back the curtain and first revealed the boys crate, him inside quivering. I called out to him and fear became excitement. They had to bring him in inside the carrier. Then she drew back the curtain the rest of the way to reveal a very calm cool and collected blind dog. I called out her name and her head popped up like she thought "Mom, holy shit I thought you are dead!" And the tail wagging began. They repeated the process of moving crated dog into the building.
The TSA agent left and the vet agent opened Lexi's crate first, he inspected her general health and sent me out with her on the leash to let her relieve herself and stretch her legs. Repeat procedure with Ricky. But when we were opening his the water bowl splashed all over us.
Both dogs checked out quickly. I loaded the dogs in the SUV, then We managed to get the crates in the SUV and we headed home. The pups were very happy to be with me again, the remains of the day consisted of many puppy kisses.
I needed to get to sleep early but I was entirely too anxious for this morning to come.
I woke up at 5am and shortly after headed to Kahului again. I returned the SUV and took a shuttle to the airport baggage claim zone. I had about an hour to wait around. I paced the airport.
I got texted from The Hubby while he awaited his connection in Honolulu. Before I knew it he was on Maui. I stood up high on a ledge where I could see over people and obstacles...
As soon as I had him in my sight, I jumped down, I took about 3 steps which quickly turned into a sprint. I couldn't wait to have him back.
<skipping the mushy stuff>
We grabbed his luggage and headed to get something to drink while we waited at the bus stop.
We had nearly an hour of waiting for a bus. No big deal, we were just happy to be together.
Three bus rides and 2 blocks of walking, with wheel-less luggage, later, we were home. You could see the joy in the pups body language to have us all back together again.
We tried to nap. Fail. So we took a walk with the dogs to get some lunch at No. 1 BBQ.
Then when we got back it was for sure nap time.
After our nap, we walked with out the dogs to the bike shop, looked for a bike for The Hubby, didn't buy yet. Then on to grab a Monster Energy Drink and along Front Street to look for new slippahs for him. We found some at the Billabong shop.
We headed home to feed the pups and chill a bit before finding food for ourselves. We went to a local smokehouse for kalua pig. It was OK.
A quick trip to ACE for batteries and hangers before coming home to chill out some more before bed time.
Tomorrow's a new day.
Aloha!
Yesterday morning I set out to catch a series of buses to Kahului where I would be renting the biggest possible SUV Avis would rent me, and then pick up the dogs at the Hawaii Dept of Agriculture.
As I headed out my neighbor offered me a ride. So I was pretty early for the whole process.
Brian, my direct-release agent between the DOA, our new vet, and myself, showed up early too. We did all of the paper work ahead of time so that as soon as he checked the dogs in all I needed to do was sign a paper.
The dogs showed up on one of those luggage cars, curtain drawn shut. The TSA agent drew back the curtain and first revealed the boys crate, him inside quivering. I called out to him and fear became excitement. They had to bring him in inside the carrier. Then she drew back the curtain the rest of the way to reveal a very calm cool and collected blind dog. I called out her name and her head popped up like she thought "Mom, holy shit I thought you are dead!" And the tail wagging began. They repeated the process of moving crated dog into the building.
The TSA agent left and the vet agent opened Lexi's crate first, he inspected her general health and sent me out with her on the leash to let her relieve herself and stretch her legs. Repeat procedure with Ricky. But when we were opening his the water bowl splashed all over us.
Both dogs checked out quickly. I loaded the dogs in the SUV, then We managed to get the crates in the SUV and we headed home. The pups were very happy to be with me again, the remains of the day consisted of many puppy kisses.
I needed to get to sleep early but I was entirely too anxious for this morning to come.
I woke up at 5am and shortly after headed to Kahului again. I returned the SUV and took a shuttle to the airport baggage claim zone. I had about an hour to wait around. I paced the airport.
I got texted from The Hubby while he awaited his connection in Honolulu. Before I knew it he was on Maui. I stood up high on a ledge where I could see over people and obstacles...
As soon as I had him in my sight, I jumped down, I took about 3 steps which quickly turned into a sprint. I couldn't wait to have him back.
<skipping the mushy stuff>
We grabbed his luggage and headed to get something to drink while we waited at the bus stop.
We had nearly an hour of waiting for a bus. No big deal, we were just happy to be together.
Three bus rides and 2 blocks of walking, with wheel-less luggage, later, we were home. You could see the joy in the pups body language to have us all back together again.
We tried to nap. Fail. So we took a walk with the dogs to get some lunch at No. 1 BBQ.
Then when we got back it was for sure nap time.
After our nap, we walked with out the dogs to the bike shop, looked for a bike for The Hubby, didn't buy yet. Then on to grab a Monster Energy Drink and along Front Street to look for new slippahs for him. We found some at the Billabong shop.
We headed home to feed the pups and chill a bit before finding food for ourselves. We went to a local smokehouse for kalua pig. It was OK.
A quick trip to ACE for batteries and hangers before coming home to chill out some more before bed time.
Tomorrow's a new day.
Aloha!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
2 days, 10 hours, 25 minutes *SCREAM!*
I can hardly contain my anticipation.
I think I am getting on my coworkers nerves. We started rubbing each other the wrong way today, nearly bumping heads. Hopefully when the dust settles and my family is reunited my vibes will be a little less defensive.
I am not going to get into the pettiness that is lingering in the gallery lately. But thankfully today was my friday and I have 4 days off in a row.
I actually cracked a beer today. I was holding out, I was saving them for the Hubby. I had to have one, afterall theres no Xanax is my reach :)
My new hand painted Bike Bell came today.
Cool huh!
Oh, the computer came yesterday! I am very glad to be typing this on a real computer.
I set it up in the window shelf in the bedroom, with a plastic crappy patio chair that is very uncomfortable but it will do until I get my desk chair I guess. Better than laying on the bed trying to type on the tablet.
Tomorrow I get everything ready. Aside from housework, I've got to call the vet and go over the info on what to do friday morning when it is time to pick up my pooches.
I'm gonna finish this beer and watch some Supernatural and then go to sleep!
Aloha!
I think I am getting on my coworkers nerves. We started rubbing each other the wrong way today, nearly bumping heads. Hopefully when the dust settles and my family is reunited my vibes will be a little less defensive.
I am not going to get into the pettiness that is lingering in the gallery lately. But thankfully today was my friday and I have 4 days off in a row.
I actually cracked a beer today. I was holding out, I was saving them for the Hubby. I had to have one, afterall theres no Xanax is my reach :)
My new hand painted Bike Bell came today.
Oh, the computer came yesterday! I am very glad to be typing this on a real computer.
I set it up in the window shelf in the bedroom, with a plastic crappy patio chair that is very uncomfortable but it will do until I get my desk chair I guess. Better than laying on the bed trying to type on the tablet.
Tomorrow I get everything ready. Aside from housework, I've got to call the vet and go over the info on what to do friday morning when it is time to pick up my pooches.
I'm gonna finish this beer and watch some Supernatural and then go to sleep!
Aloha!
Monday, October 7, 2013
T Minus 4 days, 8 hours, 51 minutes
I'm getting very tired of writing posts with the tablet.
I'm also very distracted and because it's annoying I can easily forget to do it.
I should have the computer any day now. Hoping for tomorrow. It is at the post office, I believe, awaiting me to pick it up.
Anyway, yesterday was an artful day. So you won't hear much about it here, and I'm not ready to show what I made yet so there's nothing new on TripleC.
Today I worked in the Lahaina gallery. I worked the manager shift and I get along really well with the gal who worked commission. She was on cloud 9 all day because she just became a first time grandmother last night. She could hardly contain her joy. I was not far behind her... I'm so eager for this week to be over, as with the last 3 months, I just want my ohana to be together again.
I'm working the next 2 days. I have Thursday off to prep for Friday and Saturday, which of course I have those days of too, for collecting of my ohana.
I'll try keep up here, the best I can!
Aloha!
I'm also very distracted and because it's annoying I can easily forget to do it.
I should have the computer any day now. Hoping for tomorrow. It is at the post office, I believe, awaiting me to pick it up.
Anyway, yesterday was an artful day. So you won't hear much about it here, and I'm not ready to show what I made yet so there's nothing new on TripleC.
Today I worked in the Lahaina gallery. I worked the manager shift and I get along really well with the gal who worked commission. She was on cloud 9 all day because she just became a first time grandmother last night. She could hardly contain her joy. I was not far behind her... I'm so eager for this week to be over, as with the last 3 months, I just want my ohana to be together again.
I'm working the next 2 days. I have Thursday off to prep for Friday and Saturday, which of course I have those days of too, for collecting of my ohana.
I'll try keep up here, the best I can!
Aloha!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
T Minus 5 days, 20 hours, 36 minutes
Well yesterday was interesting.
I didn't get scorned for switching the koa wood display.
But it seemed like the boss lady decided to write me a list of things not to do, and she recited them to me. Jesus F Christ!
Apparently I left the computer on the night before. Therefore Pandora was still playing. I listen to the Jack Johnson channel, and she doesn't like JJ, so doesn't want me to play it. I'll just have to remember to turn off the computer and cover my tracks, coz that's about as easy going as I get, musically speaking.
I looked up something for a visitor on the web, apparently she saw that in the history and didn't like it. Told me the gallery owner would fire me. I told her she needed to watch Miracle on 34th street.
And there was a handful of other stupid things. Closed minds are the worst. Oh well.
I had few sales for myself. I was eager to get to today... A day off.
Aloha!
I didn't get scorned for switching the koa wood display.
But it seemed like the boss lady decided to write me a list of things not to do, and she recited them to me. Jesus F Christ!
Apparently I left the computer on the night before. Therefore Pandora was still playing. I listen to the Jack Johnson channel, and she doesn't like JJ, so doesn't want me to play it. I'll just have to remember to turn off the computer and cover my tracks, coz that's about as easy going as I get, musically speaking.
I looked up something for a visitor on the web, apparently she saw that in the history and didn't like it. Told me the gallery owner would fire me. I told her she needed to watch Miracle on 34th street.
And there was a handful of other stupid things. Closed minds are the worst. Oh well.
I had few sales for myself. I was eager to get to today... A day off.
Aloha!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
T Minus 6 days, 20 hours, 37 minutes : but whose counting
Yesterday morning I was just taking it easy with my day before heading to work. I had no particular plans.
Then I got a text message from the boss lady who wanted me to come in a bit early.
In the mean time I was watching twitter feed new posts pretty frequently of The Hubby trying to wedge the jeep into the shipping containment. That was nuts! I will get to watch him unload it in a few weeks.
I was thinking about how it would be a long day at work... But the AC in the gallery is quirky and has condensation leaks in a few places in the gallery. One of those places is over a koa woodwork display, and the boss lady put a vase where most of the drippage occurs to catch it. Yesterday someone picked up the vase to see its price and spilled the water all over many koa pieces... The good news is she bought the vase.
While cleaning up the water I saw where some of the pieces were getting ruined by the water. I took it upon myself to switch the koa display with a pottery display. At least pottery is naturally water proof. I'll probably get hell for taking liberty like that, but I bet the owner will appreciate my actions.
So that process, which also involved cleaning the shelves, took up over half of the shift.
Sales weren't bad but weren't good either. It is like working for tips, you can't expect or count on them.
When I got home my neighbor was outside. I talked to her for a few minutes and then I decided to ask her if she had a table lamp I could borrow. Turns out the last resident of this condo asked her the same thing and so she let me use the same lamp. How funny is that. So I have light in my bedroom again. It has a 60 watt bulb in it, brighter than I'm used to for bedside light.
Having light last night didn't do much for me. I got home at 10pm and just went to bed. But tomorrow on my day off, I'll be glad to have it if I'm being artful into the evening hours.
Aloha!
Then I got a text message from the boss lady who wanted me to come in a bit early.
In the mean time I was watching twitter feed new posts pretty frequently of The Hubby trying to wedge the jeep into the shipping containment. That was nuts! I will get to watch him unload it in a few weeks.
I was thinking about how it would be a long day at work... But the AC in the gallery is quirky and has condensation leaks in a few places in the gallery. One of those places is over a koa woodwork display, and the boss lady put a vase where most of the drippage occurs to catch it. Yesterday someone picked up the vase to see its price and spilled the water all over many koa pieces... The good news is she bought the vase.
While cleaning up the water I saw where some of the pieces were getting ruined by the water. I took it upon myself to switch the koa display with a pottery display. At least pottery is naturally water proof. I'll probably get hell for taking liberty like that, but I bet the owner will appreciate my actions.
So that process, which also involved cleaning the shelves, took up over half of the shift.
Sales weren't bad but weren't good either. It is like working for tips, you can't expect or count on them.
When I got home my neighbor was outside. I talked to her for a few minutes and then I decided to ask her if she had a table lamp I could borrow. Turns out the last resident of this condo asked her the same thing and so she let me use the same lamp. How funny is that. So I have light in my bedroom again. It has a 60 watt bulb in it, brighter than I'm used to for bedside light.
Having light last night didn't do much for me. I got home at 10pm and just went to bed. But tomorrow on my day off, I'll be glad to have it if I'm being artful into the evening hours.
Aloha!
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