Why is anything Oprah Winfrey so bureaucratic???  I mean I think her talk show is great and all the work she does is great, but it's so hard to actually talk to someone that works for her and can give me information.  *ugh* 

I'm still at work.  Technically, my last day was on Tuesday to coincide with the "end of January."  It's been interesting to see the flux of different emotions that I've been feeling since leaving on Tuesday till now.  On Wednesday, I woke up wanting to go back to work.  My boss and I have this saying when we start missing each other.  She told me over Christmas that she had "Maida" withdrawal.  I, in turn, on Wednesday had a case of "Jen" withdrawal.  Arianna (IV friend from SC) and I were on our way to an art gallery when she gives me a call around 2:00.  She tells me that Jessica, the high school senior, that was working on graphics for the kids book was named "Cool Kid" of L.A.  She nominated Jess sometime in September for the award.  Now, ABCnews wants to do a story on her.    I was definitely excited for her.  She definitely deserves it after spending most of her summer working with us. 

Anyway, after Arianna and I went to the art show, we were driving on Wilshire and passed by the Variety building.  Justin Chang, another USC/TCF alum and friend works there, so we thought to stop by and surprise him.  Our visit was cut short as he was working against a deadline, but he told me another interesting bit of news.  Emili Reis had seen/heard of a PR/ marketing internship posting I put online through Annenberg.  I had only seen and met Emili on a few occasions, but knew who she was.  Justin said she seemed really interested in it and would tell her that I bumped into him.  I eventually tracked down Emili's number through the TCF website and gave her a call.  We're set to meet up sometime next week. 

It's funny how those type of things work out.  Even though I struggle a lot with my faith, it was one of those bigger picture moments when it's like God's cool!!!  I remember Rob (my other co-worker who has since left the company) and I working so hard to find ways to promote the company, sending out press releases, tracking down librarians and features editors, and out of nowhere comes ABCnews wanting to do a story on Jessica.  It was one of those moments when that reminded me that I needed to rely on God more than rely on myself.  It also reminded me to be more humble.  Hearing the news about Emili also was a big picture moment.  Emili evidently heard about the internship through a friend that is in Annenberg and receives those daily job lists that they send out.  I wasn't really planning on hearing that anyone from SC, let alone someone I know as an aquaintance be interested in interning with our company.  It's cool though.  That coincidence definitely wasn't my doing, but of some "higher power" out there.  

So anyway, I was feeling pretty pumped up on Thursday.  I was definitely thinking about returning to work full time.  Non-profit work is usually touted as a job that requires a lot of work with little in return.  I was definitely feeling worn out from the amount of energy I put into work, in all the events, in all the long hours. But then when you hear great news or have funny coincidences, it just makes it worthwhile. 

And then there is today, Friday.  I came back to work on the website, but ended up going between working on the website and the expenses.  I was then reminded why I had thought about leaving again.  I had worked on both companies' expenses during the holidays.  After spending a good month on them, I was ready to leave.  My cohort, Yoshi, and I were given the responsibility to figure out a year-end budget.  Needless to say, with having no experience in accounting, working on such a task became frustrating fast.   I've played a lot of different roles in the company.

So now, I'm just tired and wondering what my next role should be.  If I were to come back, I definitely don't want to be given the position of being business manager, and I would want to wear less "hats" in the company, so to speak.  We'll see where I am in a month.

Xin nian kuai lei!!! Sun nin fai luo!! Happy Chinese New Year

I've never understood the concept of road rage.  Still don't.  But had my first experience with it today.  I was at my second work event today, just hanging out with everyone.  I was over at 1st Ave in Arcadia (the unsucessful downtown area of Arcadia).  When it was time to leave, I helped load up my boss's car with all the stuff that we brought.  One of the students decided to go to the cross walk to get back to the coffee house. I decided to just run across the street.  Anyway, I see some cars, but only started darting when I don't see any cars coming from the opposite side of the street.  Unfortunately there was one.  Luckily I stopped and she stopped before anything was happened.  After she passes, I continue my trek to the other side of the street only to hear cars honking.  I look around to see what the commotion was about and the women who stopped apparently stops her car in the middle of traffic, gets out her car, and starts yelling at me.  She's like "What the hell were you thinking?!"  I simply say I'm sorry, still shocked and surprised that this women is so mad that she stops her car to yell at me.  There was a part of me that wanted to say something smart like, "Gee, I thought it would be fun to get myself run over by a car," since that was what she was insinuating, but I didn't.  It probably would have made her more pissed off than she already was. 

Long story short, I didn't see the car coming.  Granted I should have probably looked a little bit longer or even walked back to the cross street, but I didn't.   If I could change the situation, I would.  It was a stupid move on my part where my absent-mindedness kicked in. 

I still can't believe she got out of her car.  Most of the time when someone cuts in front of me, or someone suddenly walks across the street that I don't see, I put on my brakes and hope nothing happens.  If nothing happens, I simply continue my drive.  If I think the person who cut me off or walked across the street was really stupid and rude, I simply honk my horn just to give him the warning to be more careful next time.  There is no point to start yelling or even start cutting the other person off.  I seriously doubt that anyone who jay-walks or cuts another person off does it with the intention that they want to get themselves in an accident.  If they do, then that's being stupid.