play by play

So I thought I'd fill you guys in on my daily routine. I don't like your unpredictable imaginations, so I'm leaving you no margin for creative thought.
These days I'm getting up around 7, getting ready for work and having cereal. There really isn't much change in that routine except on my days off where I might find something else to eat. Weekdays it's cereal. Then I head down my long hill to work. Traffic is pretty crazy around the 8:30 time I join it. I have to merge onto the Pali Highway and its already backed up past my exit. I squeeze my way in and throw a "shaka" out the window, as that is the highest sign of respect for the commuting locals. :) It's crazy cause when I was riding my bike I made it the same distance at half the time, cause it was so early in the morning and there was no traffic.
I park my car on the 6th floor of a parking garage, my spot has an ocean view. I call it my spot, cause it's actually mine, it says #63 QKSVR, and I'm the only one allowed to park there. My car has never had it better, and I never have to get into a hot car anymore.
Then I walk over to the store and unlock the doors, I'm always about a half an hour before everyone else, getting things ready for the day. I say good morning to the fish in the aquarium, they are all really funny and have distinct personalities. When I come in they all swim towards the glass cause they know I'm going to feed them. The blow fish is rediculous and I've never seen him looking at the other fish or around the big tank, he is always looking out and seems to be watching me, but it doesn't creep me out. One of the greatest part of being the manager is that I am also the dj, Let me tell you, we play good music at my store, when you come to visit you won't want to leave, today was an assortment of 80's classics "catch me I'm falling", in the morning, some old hip hop like Beasties and stuff, and then some Postal Service and classic rock in the afternoon. And the owner wants it to be loud, she always is turning it up, so sometimes I feel like I am a Dj. Just so you know, my dj name is Miss. Gela.
Then I work until around 6, everyday is a little different depending on how much I have to do, but always till at least 5:30. I usually try to pack a lunch, (mr.noodles) pretty much everyday and sometimes I'll go to starbucks and get a bagel and creamcheese cause it comes to only $1.92 which is the cheapest thing you can get for miles.
It's been staying light longer which is nice, it has always gotten dark earlier here (cause we are closer to the equator) time to brush up on the geography (everyone who called to wish me happy new years at 8pm my time) .
Today after work I had tennis lessons. I go to tennis on Monday nights, it's across the street from my work at Ala Moana Beach Park. It's fun, I make you guys proud with my skills and skirts :) One of the coaches is a funny old Chinese lady who always likes to use me as an example. I only get it right half the time.
Evenings I get to relax mostly, at least once a week we go to the $1 theatre, all the movies are about a month behind the theatres, but we always say that we are saving money going, cause what else can we do for a buck? I'll pay anyone a buck to keep me entertained all night. I know I'll regret saying that.
We go to Costco a lot too. Cause dinner is only $1.50 if you have a hot dog. And they have really good sushi. Justin said tonight that he looks for sushi everytime he goes to Costco at home, it's a hawaii thing.
I'm editing a wedding video right now, which always takes so much time and it's sort of always in the back of my head as what I should be doing. I'm reminding myself that they will watch it once and put it on the shelf for 20 years, they can wait.
I haven't gotten into the habit of surfing before work, because I have to get up so early, but hopefully as the days get longer I'll do more on work days. For now I try go on my days of Wednesday and Saturday.
umm pictures here are some random ones from lately...
My roomate Christina and friend Penelope at Ala Moana, across from my work, also where I play tennis















these are from my house after it rains, when the sun comes up it makes all the rain that just fell evaporate and it looks like clouds are coming up from the ground



















this was a wedding I took pictures of last month

vancouver

Today it is raining. Quite fiercely in grey sheets. The fog surrounds the city so it is only dimly outlined to my view. I miss the rain. Honestly, I don't even feel like I had ever noticed it in Vancouver. Like when people from other places would comment on how they couldn't handle living in Vancouver because of the rain, I'd always think "what rain?". Does it really rain that much? And is it such a bad thing. Wear a coat.
I've been hearing that it has been raining a lot, so I'm sure this is ill placed timing telling you how wonderful the rain is. But check out that grass, have you seen anything that green? My friend Niko from back home sent me a short skateboard video he made from around downtown vancouver this winter. I am devouring it, I watch it everyday pretty much. That huge grey sky. Everyone looking so cool. I'm telling you, here people don't have steeze. I'm hungry for fashion and inspiration, good music, and trendy places to sit. I can't wait till May!
So I guess this is a postcard from Hawaii telling you how good you have it. Maybe some of you will get inspired and drive to yaletown for me.
If I had this weekend I would go down to Tangerine in spanish banks for breakfast, I'd get waffles cause I don't think I've had a waffle since summer, and that is really all I want. Then head over to english bay and get myself a box of cupcakes, then I'd sit on the steps of the art gallery all afternoon watching everybody, studying them, and probably taking pictures of them.
They would all have their hoods on and they would be walking close to eachother. Last time I was there I had a little crush on a guy playing his guitar and singing john mayer, so I guess he would probably be there.
Maybe I'd give some of my cupcakes away but not the 'diva' ones with the strawberry jam inside. I'd probably walk over to that cappuccino place across the street, Karlin would probably be there, she always seems to be.
Then I'd shop, loving every cent of the canadian dollar.
Maybe then we'd all meet up and do something mongolian, cause that's always fun. Then we'd go see some live music, and eventually drag our butts back to Shine where we would dance till we couldn't anymore, and my favorite dj joel would play me ballroom blitz.
It wouldn't stop raining. The next day I'd go snowboarding.

4 on the floor

yah, I got my tickets. If you are coming and forgot to tell me, hurry up and get yourself some tickets.

My first week of work was really good. I think this will be a great fit for me.
After years and years of dressing unappreciative brothers, the size 10 mannequin is strangely familiar. There is less yelling when I force a collared shirt, but I guess that is because our mannequins don't have heads. Sometimes I feel like I'm playing barbies, I just get to pick out outfits all day.
Probably about half of our customers are Japanese cause our store is a stop on the "trolley tour". Yesterday three girls came in and were so funny, I gave them free stickers and they were ridiculously shocked and thrilled. Their faces looked like I had given them $1000, or like maybe they had just walked into their surprise birthday party "tank you, tank you". I love it.
We have this enormous aquarium (like 8 feet high) in the store with all these big local fish, the kids tend to gravitate towards it and yell "nemo".
So I've got the weekend off, I'm ready for a break. It's a bit cloudy this morning so i'm waiting for it to burn off and I'll go to the beach.

but first....Dallas "tagged me" to share some weird habits, it's easier to just share weird stuff or facts, but I'm going to try to stick to habits.

1. I have a really hard time throwing away shopping bags, so I usually "tuck them away" thinking maybe I could use these again. I know full well that I will never use 15 large pier 1 bags.

2. I take pictures of people I don't know

3. I always spend too much money, and food is the last priority. This week for instance I have a sweet new cowboy hat and 4 floor tickets to U2 and I will be eating Mr. Noodle for lunch everyday!

4. I am a sucker for what they sell me, for instance on amazon I will always buy something extra I wasn't planning on, just so I can get free shipping.

5. On my radio here, the only stations I like are programed into the #1 and #6 I don't even know what stations these are. It's #1 or #6 in my head.

I apologize for the mediocre weird habits, the whole "unique" image I try to send out is a farce. I'm pretty predictable and only moderately weird.

I just heard the news today...

U2 is coming on April 8th, book your plane tickets accordingly :)

Went into work for the first time today, got the look at the store(s). On the same block there is a Roxy store and a Quiksilver Youth store that carries kids clothes. I will be working with both stores but managing the youth store. It's very exciting but I'll have a huge learning curve. Right now we are ordering the summer clothes so that will be fun.
I have four supervisors working under me who I can deligate to, and they will be on the floor. A lot of my time will be spent in "my office" looking after orders and schedualing etc.
The downer of this responsibility is that I will get little vacation time this year. I will hopefully be able to swing Rachel and Laura's weddings, but only if I come home for the weekends. This is sad, my dreams of another summer at home are dashed. But life happens and I have to do what I have to do.
I hope April looks good for everyone, I will be expecting you(2).

New everything

I am so excited to share my news! As of today I have been hired as MANAGER of the Quiksilver store! This is really amazing and I'm so thrilled to start. This is a salaried position and I'll be making almost twice what I am making at P1.
I feel like God just handed me this, and I am so willing to take it and run through this open door.
More news as I start next week!
Cheers and happy new year!