thoughtful shopping

I can always tell when I'm thinking about something hard and maybe deep, because that's when I go wandering--and eventually find myself in a clothing store. I went into my favorite thrift shop and saw this wonderful wonderful bamboo coffee table that would look great in a real apartment but would never fit in ours. I waded into the Gap, and waded out again. Honestly, I can't imagine paying 50 for a khaki skirt, no matter how cute it is! I looked at Express but didn't go in. I went to Old Navy and bought a pair of p.j.'s. (My old pair has finally bit the dust after two years, and the newer pair needs a buddy.) Then I wandered around some more, rode the bus awhile, debated about whether or not to go to my second-favorite thrift store and decided yes once I saw the creepy guy who commented on my chest wasn't there. I'm so glad I did. I came upon, almost immediately, this jacket that looks like one of those worn by men in the 1700s. It comes nearly to my knees, has this raised velvent thing going on, and has sleeves that have a little silky ruffle at the wrist. I was worried because there was no price tag on it, but when I brought it up to the counter, the very nice and polite Jamaician man said twelve dollars without hesitation. I was willing to pay twenty! I'm a regular there, so I'm imagining he gives me special prices.

There is a point to all this.

I went to Sunnyside in Queens today for a job interview as a teacher's aid in ESL. It is at a community service organization that has a senior center, afterschool programs and adult ESL classes. The job is only six hours a week at twenty dollars an hour, so it's not much. It sounds like I'll mostly be a go-fer or stand-in when the teacher is ill. I feel the interview went okay. I rambled a bit, which is my wont when I'm nervous. I felt okay about it. In some ways I hope I don't get it, because the hours are so few. I could work it out if I got another part-time teaching gig earlier in the day or later Monday thru Wednesday. I am just worried that it'll conflict with a better opportunity or a full-time job. I would feel so bad about quitting.

So, that's what I've been thinking about this afternoon. I won't know for a week or so, so I'm not going to wait. I'll just be pounding the pavement in cyberspace and hope for the best.

hippie dress

I did go outside yesterday, and spent money. I have a wedding to attend next weekend, and I was feeling I ought to wear something new. I've shopped off and on for this--and found this Jackie O. kind of dress (navy w/ polkadots), but I just didn't feel right in it. It seemed like something I'd only wear once and never again--unless I go to some similar wedding. Then I found a hippie dress and a little crochet cardigan and I bought that. Now, the whole point for the spree was to get something a little more dressy, since this wedding will be dressy. And I go and buy something not so. I don't know if I'll wear it or not. I decided I would wear something I already have if I decide not to wear it.

Anyway.

The wedding's in PA, near Lancaster, so I'll be staying with the illustrious R and H. Which will be very excellent. I've been to Lancaster before, but only for one night with an older couple who I'd never met in my life. Tom and I were there for another friend's wedding, and they put us up for the night. We weren't married yet, but I guess S hadn't told them either way, so they put us in the same room. The entire time they tried to pry it out of us, but we were very evasive with our replies. This was a nearly Old Order Mennonite couple, so you see why they were so concerned.

God must've been watching, because we got terribly lost on the way home, and had to drive through DC to get back to Harrisonburg.

back to life

Here I am dear faithful readers, if any still remain. My class ended yesterday (I realized when looking at my last blog I made it sound like a five-week course, but it was four), and I slept off and on till around 11 am. I say off and on because it has been damn hot these past few days. I've felt I haven't really slept in our unairconditioned bake box, just lost consciousness for a few hours.

I must've slept a little though. Last night I had a nightmare about the TESOL class--my first one ever. I dreamt that instead of a lesson planning course it was a cake baking class. The time had come for the critiques of our cakes, and I was yet to bake one! I tried to make a cake using just flour and water, but it wouldn't work. Then five cake mixes appeared by the stove! So I was rushing around, and my classmates were trying to stall our teachers and I was cutting strawberries for the top...it was crazy.

I'd never had one of these during the class. I guess my dream-mind decided it was safe to come out and play.

The apartment is a disaster area, and I've had thoughts of cleaning but nothing more. I've had thoughts of going outside as well. It isn't supposed to be as hot today. You can't really tell in here.

My responsible mind has said: It's time to stop stalling and look for work. And oh, hey, there's that book I slaved over for two years. You'd better dust that off as well.

But the irresponsible mind says: Forget work! Forget writing! Go out and play! Or stay in and let your mind rot on TV!

I'm thinking the latter will win, at least for today.

About the photos:

The first on the left shows Tom (the Canadian-Ted-lookalike trainer), me and Cindy. The second shows Yira, Jim and Rose. This is at a bar we haunted throughout the course. With ridiculously priced beer, might I add. The third shows Andy (the Ukrainian trainer), Jim and Sadie in the back, Yira, me, Cindy and Rose in the front.