So, today, I realized that my Vonage account was still active from Peace Corps. Why? Well, I could blame it on my continued reintegration to the luxuries of the first world and the new shock of American culture, but really it's more my sheer laziness and lack of desire to deal with automated robotic systems and ironically-labed "highly qualified" phone technicians. I remember when United Airlines was one of the pioneer companies in phone robotics, however for some unidentified reason, many companies have decided to undergo this irritating and ridiculous change. For instance, when I called and talked to the phone robot (let's call her Peg), she asked me for all my account information. Fine. Peg and I had a nice long (annoying) chat where she repeated everything I said at least twice. Great. Thanks Peg. Well, when Peg was finished using and abusing me, she transferred me to Casey in account management. Casey, a human nonetheless, had none of the information that Peg and I had spent countless minutes discussing. Nothing. This of course leaves me questioning, what the hell is the point of the automated robotic system if it does not expedite the process? I could go on to explain my opinions with the interjection of numerous expletives, but I'm not even going to go there.

So, Casey and I start from square one, as I use the minimal patience I have left to repeat all my account information, verify my identity, whatever. I explain to Casey that I would like my account canceled in plain English. What happens next are many minutes of Casey trying to convince me to "give my vonage adapter to friends and family so the service can be continued" or "keep the account so I have a phone whenever I have wireless internet". This was countered with statements from me such as, "I'm not interested in keeping an account", "I don't want to give this to friends and family", and even, "Do I need to speak with your supervisor?" To the latter, Casey responded with something about how she's in the highest realm of customer service and is completely qualified to handle this call. Sad. So after much back and forth, I finally (less patiently) explained that I did not want her to try and sell me more services, did not want ANY more bills, and just wanted her to cancel my account, dammit. (OK, fine, I didn't say dammit). I guess she finally took the hint, because I was put on hold for 2 minutes and then she came back saying that as long as I verifed that I wanted the account canceled, she would deactivate the service, which meant there was no turning back. She treated this in a rather over-the-top dramatic fashion much akin to giving your sick puppy the "injection". Without a breath, I said, "Cancel it." I think she might have continued with a whole long spiel about how Vonage was happy I was a customer and other long-winded BS that I didn't really want to deal with. As soon as she said my account was deactivated, I deactivated her.

Long story short...you will not be able to reach me on 847-656-3368 anymore. THANK GOD.

a good hug, seeing an elderly couple holding hands, daisies, walking through fall leaves, riding my bike, playing piano, reading a good book, the smell of fresh rain, listening to a good song, sunshine, a cozy bed, dancing to great grooves, playing frisbee with my dog, taking pictures, a good runner's high, found money in a pocket, giving someone a present, singing, exploring a new place, sitting in the sand, trying a new recipe, strolling through a park, drinking a nice glass of wine, watching a great movie, swimming in the ocean, a good snuggle, helping others, visiting antique/vintage stores, a warm smile, laughing so hard it makes me cry, driving in the country, stolen kisses, retro diners, milkshakes with the metal cup, making others happy, playing a board game, baking chocolate chip cookies, good surprises, meeting a new friend or reconnecting with an old one...

Until literally about 30 seconds ago (when one went dive bombing at my head), I was under the impression that in no way could cockroaches fly. I mean, beatles fly, other horrible insects, birds, but cockroaches? That is totally unfair. I mean, cockroaches are wretchid enough, and yet somehow they were given wings.

I've heard cockroaches can fly, sure, but always thought that the people telling me had no real concept of the differences between cockroaches and other flying hard-shelled nightmares. Oh, how I was wrong. Like I said, mere minutes ago, one went aiming to kill me. Of course, in a matter of quick whacks (with the shoe on my foot), it was saying it's last prayers, and continued it's slow death swirling down my toilet. Gross. Really gross.

It's official. My friends in Grenada rock for throwing me an AWESOME surprise birthday party last night with the added bonus of late-night karaoke! I heart you all! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

So the word on the street is out...I've been cast as one of the lead roles in a new world premier musical here. It's a Cinderella story and I am one of the very evil step-sisters...the evil-er one!  It's a great part and the show should be wonderful. If anyone is interested in coming out, just let me know!
(Shows TBA soon...sometime in late April)

So this week I was asked by  the most notable actor/director/playwright here to be in a new  musical he wrote! He has written and starred in numerous productions worldwide, including Broadway. I'm pretty stoked to be one of 8 cast members in the ensemble. Look forward to details as they come....rehearsals start in a few days and it should open in April.
(Grenada is hosting World Cup mid-April, so we have to wait until after...)

This morning I went for a run at minutes to 8. I really dislike running the same path back and forth, so I'll usually run as long as I want and then walk back. After a good 30-40 minutes of running, I was walking back. I passed a woman Mrs. Theresa that lives in the area. She met a group of us PCVs the other day and invited us to stop by anytime. She was struggling with a good 50-60 lbs of market bags so I helped her home. We sat around talking for awhile and I met her husband. On my way out, she gave me a sack with a mango, papaya, avocado, banana, orange and cucumbers. I was really grateful for the fresh fruit, most of which were grown in her own backyard. She said something that I found really inspiring. She said that she grows a lot and if she gives some of it away, she'll have even more grow back! What a positive attitude--and great way to start my Saturday!

So I just watched  "Before Sunrise" and it was the greatest story ever. I totally want my life to be like a romantic movie...traveling around Europe...meeting someone on a train...deciding to take a chance at something you have no idea will work or not. There's a great scene in the film when Ethan Hawke's character is talking about looking back on life in 10 years and wondering "what if", thinking about what your life could have been with someone else
It's so beautiful.

Ok, yes, I'm a hopeless romantic...it's obvious.

    Top 10 Ways You Know You've Finished Your First Year of PC

10. You have resorted to text messaging as much as possible in order to save money.

9.  Office supplies have become even more exciting than they were back home.

8.   Paper towels are a luxury.

7.   You know how to cook about ten different meals just using canned beans.

6.   You forgot what it was like to not battle mosquitoes and sand-flies all year round.

5.   You have learned that arriving to a meeting on time means leaving to get there when the meeting is called to start.

4.   Your clothes have grown three times in size without the luxuries of a clothes dryer.

3.   Although you may not be allowed pets in your apartment, toads, lizards and insects are provided at no extra cost!

2.   Who knew the dented can shelf was capable of such possibilities?

1.  You drink milk out of a box (or can).

 

 

 

Do your bus drivers have names like:

-Slam (short for Slam Jam)
-The Rock
-Chow Chow
       OR
-Dragnet?

No. I didn't think so. Rock on Grenada!