I'll give you a hint...Nature won, hands down.
I spent Memorial Day weekend doing something I haven't done since high school--going on a church retreat in the woods.
Although the accomodations were really very viable, I was not prepared for the havoc that general camp environs would wreak on my poor, frail, old body.
The last day of camp saw me riddled with all kinds of immunodeficiences--I had a giant zit between my eyes, a cankersore on the inside of my mouth, a cold sore on the outside of my mouth and, the piece de resistance, the most wicked sore throat that ever erupted from the bowels of hell.
Oh yeah, and I was slightly constipated and totally bloated from the preservative-laden camp food. And perhaps legitimately fatter...probably wasn't all "water weight."
Next time I go I'm taking super-bionic-old people vitamins!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
It Really Works!
During this time of horrible economic downturn, I thought I would look for a silver lining through rent reduction. Surely, I reasoned, with property values dropping like flies, I could get a humble rent decrease?
So I did some research and read this article in the WSJ, which came complete with a form letter the author used to reduce her rent.
Inspired, I decided to write my own letter loosely based on hers:
To Whom It May Concern:
We are writing in regards to the impending expiration of our lease at [REDACTED, Oakland, CA].
On June 18, 2008, we, M. and C. moved into the aforementioned property. Our one year lease term expires on June 30, 2009, at which point we would like to extend the lease under a month-to-month tenancy as provided in the terms of the lease.
However, given the ongoing decline in property values in the Bay Area, instead of continuing our tenancy at the current rent of $1750 per month, we request that our rent be reduced to $1700 per month, effective July 1, 2009.
We have confirmed that several units nearly identical to ours are being offered for rent in the Oakland area below $1700 per month and thus feel it is reasonable for our rent to be lowered to $1700 per month, especially given our flawless rental history. [Of course I didn't mention that identical units in our complex were asking for $1850 a month on Craigslist!]
We look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Sincerely,
M. and C.
After a week of waiting, the property manager called to say, "Yes." Yes! Sweet sweet victory--yes! I've been renting my whole life since moving out of the freshman dorms and for once, for just this ONCE, the rent is going DOWNward.
Nevermind that the actual amount I saved is not that much...it's about the simple joy of getting a break (must be the cheap Asian in me).
Try it out for yourself...let me know if it works for you too!
So I did some research and read this article in the WSJ, which came complete with a form letter the author used to reduce her rent.
Inspired, I decided to write my own letter loosely based on hers:
To Whom It May Concern:
We are writing in regards to the impending expiration of our lease at [REDACTED, Oakland, CA].
On June 18, 2008, we, M. and C. moved into the aforementioned property. Our one year lease term expires on June 30, 2009, at which point we would like to extend the lease under a month-to-month tenancy as provided in the terms of the lease.
However, given the ongoing decline in property values in the Bay Area, instead of continuing our tenancy at the current rent of $1750 per month, we request that our rent be reduced to $1700 per month, effective July 1, 2009.
We have confirmed that several units nearly identical to ours are being offered for rent in the Oakland area below $1700 per month and thus feel it is reasonable for our rent to be lowered to $1700 per month, especially given our flawless rental history. [Of course I didn't mention that identical units in our complex were asking for $1850 a month on Craigslist!]
We look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Sincerely,
M. and C.
After a week of waiting, the property manager called to say, "Yes." Yes! Sweet sweet victory--yes! I've been renting my whole life since moving out of the freshman dorms and for once, for just this ONCE, the rent is going DOWNward.
Nevermind that the actual amount I saved is not that much...it's about the simple joy of getting a break (must be the cheap Asian in me).
Try it out for yourself...let me know if it works for you too!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Say hello to my little friends...
It seems like everyone has a blog these days--celebrities, publications, professors...
But ironically it also seems that the era of the personal blog--the little, unknown Joe Schmoe blogger--is coming to its demise.
I remember the heyday of the Joe Schmoe blogs--Blogger was all the rage and people were jumping ship from LiveJournal like it was going out of style (cuz it was!). Ah 2003--when my list of blog links was long and yielded many hours of voyeuristic pleasure.
Now most of those links have been taken down and the ones that are still there reveal cobwebbed sites that haven't been updated for months (even years!)
What happened? Why have people become so disenchanted with blogging after being seemingly enthralled by it just a few years ago? Is personal expression not all it was cracked up to be? Did they just run out of things to talk about?
Or did they get a real life?
For whatever reason, it's a rare thing for me to find new personal blogs to follow. But here's a few I've stumbled across recently (and added to my right-side menu):
Enjoy 'em before they go the way of all personal blogs...
Writer, Dieter, Friend
Cool single gal pal from Boston talks about life in general and exercise and nutrition in particular.
Angry Asian Man
Don't know this guy personally, but love that he tries to break Asian stereotypes. But really, can we ever break away from science, math and the pursuit of higher degrees?
Not So Angry Asian Woman
Thoughtful commentary on the modern Asian-American female experience and contributing author of a book on the same.
The Seoul Diaries
A friend in search of his soul(mate?) in Seoul.
But ironically it also seems that the era of the personal blog--the little, unknown Joe Schmoe blogger--is coming to its demise.
I remember the heyday of the Joe Schmoe blogs--Blogger was all the rage and people were jumping ship from LiveJournal like it was going out of style (cuz it was!). Ah 2003--when my list of blog links was long and yielded many hours of voyeuristic pleasure.
Now most of those links have been taken down and the ones that are still there reveal cobwebbed sites that haven't been updated for months (even years!)
What happened? Why have people become so disenchanted with blogging after being seemingly enthralled by it just a few years ago? Is personal expression not all it was cracked up to be? Did they just run out of things to talk about?
Or did they get a real life?
For whatever reason, it's a rare thing for me to find new personal blogs to follow. But here's a few I've stumbled across recently (and added to my right-side menu):
Enjoy 'em before they go the way of all personal blogs...
Writer, Dieter, FriendCool single gal pal from Boston talks about life in general and exercise and nutrition in particular.
Angry Asian ManDon't know this guy personally, but love that he tries to break Asian stereotypes. But really, can we ever break away from science, math and the pursuit of higher degrees?
Not So Angry Asian WomanThoughtful commentary on the modern Asian-American female experience and contributing author of a book on the same.
The Seoul DiariesA friend in search of his soul(mate?) in Seoul.
Spot those Sandals--The Answers
Gladiatorial Glory (66% got it wrong!)
I can't blame you guys. Although Sandal A looks kind of low-rent, it's actually a very pricey $675 at Saks!!! Sandal B, on the other hand wins in both beauty and budget, a mere $40 from American Eagle Outfitters.
Python Perfection (50% got it wrong)
This comparison is just ridiculous-if you didn't think pricing could be totally arbitrary before, then this has got to be a mind-blowing eye-opener. The pricey sandals--A are $800 from Saks, while the cheapie sandals--B are just $16 at Forever21! That's right, we are talking about an exponential difference that people won't even notice! Talk about getting your money's worth!
Grecian Goodness (50% got it wrong)
This is the entry that started it all. I just happened to see these two exact sandals in one day and thought--ha ha, there's got to be some kind of copyright infringement here...they are exactly the same style!
But Sandal A is $50 from Nordstrom's and Sandal B is a more friendly $20 from good ol' Old Navy.
And now you are officially ready for Summer--go forth and shop wisely.
I can't blame you guys. Although Sandal A looks kind of low-rent, it's actually a very pricey $675 at Saks!!! Sandal B, on the other hand wins in both beauty and budget, a mere $40 from American Eagle Outfitters.
Python Perfection (50% got it wrong)
This comparison is just ridiculous-if you didn't think pricing could be totally arbitrary before, then this has got to be a mind-blowing eye-opener. The pricey sandals--A are $800 from Saks, while the cheapie sandals--B are just $16 at Forever21! That's right, we are talking about an exponential difference that people won't even notice! Talk about getting your money's worth!
Grecian Goodness (50% got it wrong)
This is the entry that started it all. I just happened to see these two exact sandals in one day and thought--ha ha, there's got to be some kind of copyright infringement here...they are exactly the same style!
But Sandal A is $50 from Nordstrom's and Sandal B is a more friendly $20 from good ol' Old Navy.
And now you are officially ready for Summer--go forth and shop wisely.
Friday, May 08, 2009
The Self-Sufficiency of Mom
This week we learned about the self-sufficiency of God in Sunday school, among other things, and I couldn't help but shout, "Eureka!"
In some small way, I think I know exactly how God feels.
As I rapidly approach my thirties and my anniversary celebrating six wonderful years of wedded bliss (no sarcasm, really), my mind drifts to the B-question more and more.
When should I have a baby?
Many of my peers already have kids or are actively trying but I'm still floating in a pool of indifference. I just don't feel it--the drive, the maternal instinct, the biological alarm clock, the whatever it is that is supposed to make you get out there and procreate!
I feel very 'meh'. I could take it, leave it, either way. It's not a big deal for me to have kids, now, next year, or ever. Why? I'm not sure, but when I heard of this interesting attribute of God, I thought, maybe that has something to do with it...
In a nutshell, God's self-sufficiency is such that he doesn't need anything. He didn't create man because he was lonely, or needed praise, or love or adoration. He was perfectly happy living in the blessed community of his triune persons. He was complete already.
That's how I feel--complete. I don't need a child to love, care for, give to, get from, teach, learn, grow, etc. I mean, objectively, I probably do need a child to shake me out of my consummate self-absorption. But subjectively, I really feel no need.
I'm so happy with the way things are, just the two of us. I love my life, my extended family, my friends--my days are filled with meaningful and joyous hopes and plans. Who needs a kid?
But don't get me wrong. I love kids. I think kids are great! But I just don't need one.
It's like a Lexus, a Louis V purse, a trip to Prague or, perhaps more appropriately, a puppy...all nice and wonderful things that I just don't feel the urge to have.
But maybe I should feel the urge...is something wrong with me?
In some small way, I think I know exactly how God feels.
As I rapidly approach my thirties and my anniversary celebrating six wonderful years of wedded bliss (no sarcasm, really), my mind drifts to the B-question more and more.
When should I have a baby?
Many of my peers already have kids or are actively trying but I'm still floating in a pool of indifference. I just don't feel it--the drive, the maternal instinct, the biological alarm clock, the whatever it is that is supposed to make you get out there and procreate!
I feel very 'meh'. I could take it, leave it, either way. It's not a big deal for me to have kids, now, next year, or ever. Why? I'm not sure, but when I heard of this interesting attribute of God, I thought, maybe that has something to do with it...
In a nutshell, God's self-sufficiency is such that he doesn't need anything. He didn't create man because he was lonely, or needed praise, or love or adoration. He was perfectly happy living in the blessed community of his triune persons. He was complete already.
That's how I feel--complete. I don't need a child to love, care for, give to, get from, teach, learn, grow, etc. I mean, objectively, I probably do need a child to shake me out of my consummate self-absorption. But subjectively, I really feel no need.
I'm so happy with the way things are, just the two of us. I love my life, my extended family, my friends--my days are filled with meaningful and joyous hopes and plans. Who needs a kid?
But don't get me wrong. I love kids. I think kids are great! But I just don't need one.
It's like a Lexus, a Louis V purse, a trip to Prague or, perhaps more appropriately, a puppy...all nice and wonderful things that I just don't feel the urge to have.
But maybe I should feel the urge...is something wrong with me?
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Spot those Sandals
Now that summer is upon us, it's time for some fierce summer sandals. Can you spot the cheapie next to its pricey twin?
Gladiatorial Glory
Python Perfection
Grecian Goodness
Gladiatorial Glory
Sandal A
Sandal B
Python Perfection
Sandal A
Sandal B
Grecian Goodness
Sandal A
Sandal B
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)