Home Sweet Home

Home can mean so many things to so many people. My mom didn't have a "home" for quite a few of her growing up years. I've lived in the same "home" all of my 25 years. And WNY really is my home. I love traveling to new places and discovering new "homes", but part of going is looking forward to returning again.

I've found many places where I feel at home. Like

when I go there, I become convinced that I could live there forever. And I don't think its a naive conviction either. Romania and Vietnam are the main 2. Actually the only 2 outside of WNY. I spent loads of time away from the tourist hubs in each of these countries, and I am convinced that I really could live in either country.

Today I miss Romania. I miss being there so much that I just want to sit here and cry. Which is strange, as I don't know anyone that lives there and I really only spent time in a small area of the country. But I miss it just the same.

And just like WNY, there are many things I don't miss about Romania. The racism for one. Every time I think about how bad it is here, I try to remind myself that at least its not like Romania. But also just like WNY, there are so many positives. Many more than I can list here.

Frustration

I like my job. I really do. Some days I have to remind myself of this frequently. Today is one of those days.

I just don't get one of my bosses. Last Friday, a bunch of us grunts were in the hallway chatting when she came in. Her first comment was actually "good morning", but her second comment followed quickly: "Why are you all standing around talking? Are the computers down?" None of us were clocked in. We each have an hour of break time during the day, and I don't recall anyone giving me a specific time that I could take it. So why can't I take it during the day. Actually, we get yelled at for talking too much all the time. We got an e-mail today telling us to stop discussing things amongst ourselves if we're wondering about something and to come to her. Thats kinda funny actually, since when we do come to her she either makes herself unavailable or she'll shoot us down. And I've heard her several times directly imply that someone was either lying or purposely making something up. Its like she feels that we are only here to screw with her life and her perfect office. She doesn't realize how much she screws herself up.

And its a darn good thing that she was lucky enough to become partners with Bob. And she was lucky to hire such great people for me to work with. Cause they're the only reasons I'm still here. She certainly isn't doing anyone any favors around here; that would require being nice, and that is too close to being weak. And we certainly can't admit to a weakness or to being not perfect or to making a mistake. Oh my, that would be bad.

Travelling

I spent a long weekend in Washington DC recently. I was very enjoyable. I was concerned with whether or not I would be able to relax adequately during 4 days, but I shouldn't have worried. While in Vietnam, I purposely worked on being able to relax. It came in handy while in DC, as I made the mental switch to vacation mode basically overnight. I would like to share a few of my experiences from this trip:

1. I got lost as soon as I came out of the Chinatown metro exit. I took one look at the Friendship Arch, knew that I had to go through it, and for some odd reason I turned right around and went the other way. It didn't take me too long to realize that I was lost, but I couldn't for the life of me get unlost. I wandered around like a mad woman for 1/2 an hour before I finally figured it out. During this period of wandering, I passed a black guy leaning up against a wall. He watched me as I walked by, and after I had passed him he said "excuse me" very quietly. I wasn't sure whether it was directed at me or not, so I just kept walking. I turned a few corners, realized I had gone the wrong way again, turned around again, and saw him again. It almost freaked me out to realize that he was following me, but he wasn't terribly close to me so I couldn't be positive that he was following me. But as I went by him again, he started walking with me. "Hi, I'm Donnell", he says. "I'm Aimee. Nice to meet ya. Know where the Verizon Center is?" "Nope. I'm from Leesburg; I have no idea where it is. Can I call you sometime?" At this point, I was a bit confused...is he a stalker, pick pocket, rapist, creeper, etc? "Ummmmm...no. Sorry." "Oh, ok. How bout you call me?" "Um. No. Sorry." "Ok, bye." That was the last I saw of him. I love random, innocent encounters.

2. The guys who ride the horses that pull the state funeral carriages at Arlington all seem to be young and good looking. And apparently they just drive their carriages out to some obscure area during the lunch hour and enjoy a picnic. I stumbled upon the black horses while wandering around Arlington. The 4 good looking guys I met let me pet their horses. It was wonderful ;)

3. While eating at a really really small El Salvadorian restaurant, an older French dude sat next to me (I was eating at the bar). He was apparently really big into the "free love" ideology from the hippy era, as it only took him 20 minutes to start trying to talk me into accepting the keys to his apartment. Wowza. I was very glad when one of the ladies staying in my room at the hostel came in...I don't think she expected to be used as a wingman that night.

There were many more random encounters, including a night out at The Reef with Chris, Daniel, Simon, Andre, Kent, and an Argentinan who's name I couldn't catch. Super fun. I should get to work now though :(

For my next trip, I'm thinking either Toronto for the Royal or Oklahoma for Bedlam. Or maybe both.