Yay!

Fall 2010 semester is over. I did pretty well. Grades have not posted yet, but I know I have to "A" and the other two are at LEAST an "A-" maybe, maybe, maybe even "A"!

And my TSA paperwork finally went through. (Started the application 5/14/2010, we'll see if anything comes of this before I get a 'real' job!)

School

Some of the hard stuff is over. One little paper and a group project due on Monday. Quick, easy presentation on Tuesday. Then a final on Thursday, but with two whole days to study with nothing else going on, it should be good!
And then school is over for the semester! A week later I head home for Christmas, and have off until around the 23rd of January.

Ronaldo

Not much newsy stuff to talk about today, so here's Cristiano Ronaldo in his underwear.

Thanks

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I hosted again. Shaun came with Ian and her sister LaTiegrie plus baby Tora. Phil came - slightly hobbled by an appendectomy. Lance was there. Mykael came late, and Ronny was also a late arrival because he went to a TG at his ex's boss's house (and *surprise* bumped into the ex) first.
I made turkey with giblet stuffing which turned out very good, and gravy. Made cran sauce again, but forgot it in the fridge, so nobody ate any. Crescent rolls. Peas and carrots with crumbs, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, beets, and salpicao (brazilian chicken salad). I also did sangria, tiramisu, and apple-pie (the family recipe version that's more like hostess fruitpies).
Nauber got a headache and was not very participative. Lance got into a strange agrument over logic with Ian (the compu-sci PhD student). We played a little Catan.
Today Nauber and I met Shaun et al at the aquarium, but Tora started getting fussy right about then, so we saw them for all of 3 minutes. But Nauber got to see his penguins again. And then I got to follow him around shopping. By 4pm the stores aren't as insane.
Should be playing D&D tomorrow at Phil's with Brad and Rick.
So, let us give thanks. Here's one more thing to give thanks for:

Cozy

Nauber has been sleeping in my room consistently for a couple weeks now. This is unusual, especially in that I have not been asking. Writing it will probably jinx it, but oh well!

Cake

Nauber's birthday was nice. Even vegetarian Mykael enjoyed the churrascaria meat buffet. He did not have meat, of course, but there were plenty of tasty other options - he particularly liked the kale, beets, and fried bananas. Then we came back to the house for cake. The cake was a gift from the Brazilian lady in Worc who makes all our party food for us all the time. Nauber's request was "fruit" and other than that she had complete freedom to be creative. The cake was very good, and I rather liked the extra dense (incorrectly leavened?) layer on the bottom, but it was not very fruity. Some coconut sprinkled on top, and a creamy layer in the middle that may have had some passionfruit in it, but zero chunks of chopped up fruit. Which is especially odd because they normally throw chopped strawberry in all their cakes just for fun. Cris had two cakes, a white cake with strawberries, and a chocolate cake that also had some strawberries in it. We were also an hour and half late doing the cake for Nauber because we had to wait for Ronny. He said it was Mykael's fault, though Maykael said it was Masam's fault. Who knows...

So, here's a (probably Brazilian) birthday suit!

Brazilian Birthday Month

November is here. That means birthday parties this weekend. Saturday is Cris's in Worcester. Sunday is Nauber's at the Cafe Belo churrascaria.

Grumbles

Drama at home again. Every now and then I seem to get exasperated with Nauber's cold indifference. I wish he paid more attention to my desires.

Pizza Pizza

Went to a 'new' churrascaria for lunch on Columbus Day, and there was a sign for $8 pizza buffet. We asked when the pizza was, and the waitress said after 7pm. So, last night (yes, last night was Friday, sorry I'm late), we headed there in anticipation of stuffing ourselves silly with pizza, but there was none. They told us the pizza buffet is only on Mondays. So, when we asked on Columbus Day (a Monday), they didn't bother pointing out that Monday is the ONLY day. So, we stuffed ourselves silly on meat (Garlic Beef!!) and will have to go BACK sometime. Damn...

Whistle

Monday was a holiday. Tried a new churrascaria that also does pizza buffet (not while we were there). Then it turned into a busy busy week at school. Tomorrow I have to spend all day in another project team meeting. The reason I always hesitated going back to school while I was working was because of the spill-over. Work is over when you leave, but school has homework...

Yum

Just this

Throat

Nauber's antibiotics were causing diarrhea so he stopped taking them. We will see if his throat was far enough along to have healed, or if there is a relapse.

School is getting busy. I actually met with my GA prof and have a task to complete. He wants me to write a business plan for an idea he had. Not sure if it is official GA work or not, but whatever. I am in an entrepreneur class this semester, so it is possible I could have project partners help me with it!

Lack of Severity

It was tonsillitis again, as it was in January, but not nearly as advanced. Last time, he got antibiotics orally, intravenously, and injected, plus a trip to the ear-nose-and-throat guy. This trip only required the IV. (Take home prescription both times, too.) I am not sure if it the fear of death that happened in January but not this time, but he is much more resistant to taking the antibiotics this time around. Ronny says I should stop babying him and let him skip the pills if he wants. Since I am the one that will have to spend another entire day stuck watching him get treated at the ER, I'd rather get it cleared up. I am assuming that if he had insurance, their first words would be tonsillectomy. The doctor back home in Brazil apparently told him once that the tonsil is "catching" the bacteria and viruses before they can get into his lungs, so he would get sicker, more often, if they were removed. So, here we sit...

Hotter and Grumpier

Nauber seems to acclimating to the new apartment. He is not as angry anymore.
Unfortunately, he is now literally feverish. It appears to be a repeat of the throat infection he had caught a few months ago. See January's episode. Resistant to going to the hospital. Not sure what will break him of that this time.

And I missed posting on Friday. Oddly, I kept thinking there was something I forgot, but completely did not think of it until today.

Hot and Grumpy

We finished moving into the new apartment on Sunday. This whole week has been about 95 degrees. Since the new place has central air, Ronny and I took advantage of the amenities to avoid being horribly uncomfortable. Nauber, of course, 'hates' A/C so was in a horribly grumpy mood all week because he wanted the windows open. He also said it was too hot.

He claims to hate everything about the apartment. Mind you everyone else loves everything about the apartment. The people who helped us move all said it is such a great improvement over where we were before.

Transition

Summer classes ended this week. I have next week off, and then school starts up again the following Tuesday (after Labor Day). And once school starts I will be "working" part time as a grad assistant.

Tomorrow I pick up the keys and we spend the weekend moving. So, a lot of stairs again. The new place is on the second floor, with my room being the third floor. Most of the furniture only needs to go up one flight, though.

Moving

Signed a new lease. Nicer place. More expensive...
Nauber has not actually been to see it, yet, and is already unhappy with it. We shall see how things work out.

You're a Workin' Girl Now

You may not recognize the Anna Madrigal quote used for the subject line, but I got the details of my assignment. It is a 1/4 assistantship (meaning 4.5 hours per week at about $21 per hour, plus tuition waiver and 1/4 approx discount on fees and insurance) with one of the marketing professors in the College of Management. He is from China and has some way to go to make fluency in English. I may end up being mostly an editor. He has already asked me to proof-read a paper for him. Officially I do not start until classes begin, day after Labor Day.

Look - shiny!

Really?

Ronny has become friends with Sergio. They work out at the gym together all the time. Apparently, Sergio has made the comment that he "tries to be friends" with me but I push him away.

Excuse me??????????

My take on it was that when I called him (couple times) and emailed him (couple times) and he never answered or replied, I gave up. I was sick of being "dumped" by Sergio, and decided to stop giving him opportunities to do so. Ronny is aware of this. He claims that all happened in the past, and things are different now. I asked how they are different. He said he's friends with Sergio now. So, Sergio will stop being a callous, self-absorbed ass to me now that he's befriended an ex of mine who treats me properly. Really? I'm supposed to make the leap of faith AGAIN??

Rejected

Officially heard from the TSA that I am no longer under consideration.

I am supposed to have heard by (the end of) today about the GA position at school; still waiting.

And now people posting apartments for rent on Craigslist are not returning my messages, either.

Job

I may have a job...
I got an email from UMB College of Management saying I have been awarded a Grad Assistant position. Doesn't pay too much, but grants free tuition. Checked at the financial aid office, and I can then use my loan awards for living expenses. Probably don't need a tie, either.

(And yes, I am a day late, but Nauber actually had the whole day off yesterday.)

Curitibano

Nauber's best friend from back home in Curitiba is visiting. Marco.
Of course, Nauber used up all of his time off to go to PTown for the 4th of July, so Ronny and I are in charge of entertaining. He did meet some guy in NYC, though, so he doesn't plan on staying in Boston for very long.

Hunting

Started apartment hunting. Not really going well so far. Everything is "full fee" these days. Meaning one month rent spent just for the benefit of signing the lease.

Otherwise, trying to survive the humidity.

Camp

Nauber and Mykael just left to go to PTown to go camping for the 4th weekend. I have little interest in camping, and little interest in spending excessive amounts of time burning to a crisp on the beach, so I did not go. Putting together a few game-day options for the weekend.

Gol!

We are in the midst of World Cup soccer. My Brazilian roomies were interested in the game today (Brazil v Portugal - last group H game). I watched a little bit of it. Boring match. Even for soccer. Both teams were already guaranteed a slot in the next round, so they were both playing defensively. Final score 0-0 after 96 minutes. Brazil won!! Wuhoo! *a-hem*

Cristiano quick took his shirt off as soon the game ended. He knows...

And Pride

Pride was kind of boring. Mykael showed up for about 5 minutes, then left before we even got to meet up with him. It was cold and raining. Clubs have apparently lost their appeal for me. It is just a "what's the point" feeling.

So, we are not going to any other prides this year. Nauber plans to go to P-town for the 4th, at a campsite. No thank you. We'll see what ends up happening.

Another Year

The birthday party was a little underwhelming. A bunch of people did not show up. The food was good, tho!

Thursday Lance took me out for a birthday dinner. Him driving, and him paying for dinner. It was a reversal of history!

Friday Jennifer was in town, so I met up with her downtown for a little while. She's 8-months pregnant. A little worried about money (new house, baby on the way, maternity leave), but doing well.

Tomorrow the pride celebrations begin! Let's wave little flags...

Another party

Tomorrow is my party. My birthday isn't until next Wednesday, but with Pride season approaching, this was the best option. I'm making my own cake. Two, actually. One will be poppyseed. I'm hoping I don't have a pre-employment drug screen any time soon!

Choose Wisely

I had an interview at the bank on Tuesday that went very well.
Wednesday I took the computerized screening test for the TSA. I thought I did poorly. I know I missed a couple of the knives in the suitcases. I also missed some pens, a rubber boot, a hammer, and potato-masher, but I figured the knives would be the most damning.
I got an email later that evening that I passed!
Don't know which one will offer me something, yet...

Step 2 Finished

Spring Semester is now over. I have two grades posted out of 4, both are "A".
The Brazil trip is being formed right now. There's a chance it will happen, but a chance they won't hit minimum enrollment.
Summer classes start June 1.
I have a birthday party developing for June 5. I would have done the 12th, but that is Pride, and not a good night to try to have a BD party.
I have an interview this afternoon with TDBank for a teller position.
I have a computerized exam on Wednesday with the TSA for an airport screener position.

Busy, busy, busy. So, here's a happy little distraction. Lady Gaga's latest song, "Alejandro," is out now, and sounded like a latin lover. The cover photo impmlies bullfighting, which would be Spain or maybe Mexico. The GUY in the photo is Brazilian. Of course...

What am I forgetting

I kept thinking on Friday that there was something I was forgetting about. It dawned on me this morning that I hadn't done my blog post.

So, Nauber is up to three jobs now (KFC, Bertucii's, and a local place called Rudi's). I just applied as a bank teller and airport security screener. We'll see if either of those happen!

Ronny is contemplating taking on a second job, too. Busy, busy, busy!

Another Quiet Week

Days Go By

Two more weeks of school. Then a couple tests/papers. Then the first year of my MBA will be done. Meanwhile, the job market seems to showing slight improvement.

The summer-abroad program to Brazil is still in limbo. They haven't even gotten a sign-up sheet together. By this point, I think it's going to fall apart. That will be a shame, because what better way to take a to Brazil while unemployed than to put it on a low-interest student loan!

Reminder

Cold and Rainy

It's about 45 and rainy right now. Last week we hit 90. Earlier this week we hit 70. Consistency would be nice. Maybe I wouldn't have this cold!

Interesting Dream

It's been a while since I've posted a dream. And this one isn't even about sex. But I need to document it anyway!

I was talking to some random guy, who started in on his theory about people. He said there are only two tasks people engage in that are essential: eating and working. Both of those activities he finds disgusting. If you have ever looked around you at a buffet, you'd tend to agree that eating is not a visually pleasant activity. And no one thinks fondly of work. So, I guess that makes some sense. He then postulated that any other activity, since it is not essential, can be categorized as art. Might be a stretch, but somewhat logical. He then pointed out that he, and everyone else, dislikes things other people may like, leading to a lack of tolerance for each other's tastes.

The whole thing boiled down to him claiming that people are "artistically intolerant, essentially repulsive". I googled the phrase, and it didn't turn up as a quote anywhere. I have no idea where my subconscious mind dredged this one up. It doesn't strike me as a moral philosophy, since it only describes a condition, and doesn't create a guideline to making decisions like moral and ethical doctrines would.

The phrase is somewhat resounding, though. It stuck clearly in my mind even after waking up. Maybe I'll have to start a facebook club or something!

Ricky Martin came Out

I sold the car this week. We randomly hit 90 on Wednesday, so I got to drive a little with the top down before the buyer took it away on Thursday. It is nice to not have those payments anymore, but it's a little sad to not have the car anymore. No more car insurance, either, is really really nice!

On the bright side, I found out this morning I have ANOTHER extension to the unemployment benefits, and will receive money for another 3 months.

I am sure you have heard by now the not-so-shocking news that Ricky Martin admitted on his website that he is gay. I've known since 1997 when I met his then-boyfriend Jaime. Now that it's not a secret, it's not so special anymore that I knew all along.

And Now It Is April

My statistics professor yesterday went through how little time is left before the end of the semester. It's all happening so fast! I just need to sit down...

Down the Rabbit Hole

I'm late. I'm late...
Nauber's friend Darryl has been staying here the past few days. His drive shaft broke, and got stranded in Boston. I haven't had any time to catch up things for a little while...

Spring Break '10

This week was Spring Break. Spent a little time doing homework, a little time hanging out downtown, a little time playing games with Brad and Phil. Low key, and not too expensive!

Ummm

Can't think of anything interesting to say, so here's a hunky Brazilian!

Misfire

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

End of February

Today is Ronny's birthday; tomorrow we are hosting a party. Should be a huge crowd.

In school news, I got an email from my ethics professor inviting me to a pre-speaker-presentation dinner. It said I was chosen because I'm one of the best students. I don't know how many that includes, so I may be the top half, top quarter, top 5?? Either way it is good to know I'm on the "A" trajectory. I also figured that since participation is 20% of the grade, the acceptance was a given.

Little Bit More

Snow Day

There was a major snowstorm attacking the east coast, so they canceled school on Wednesday. DC got another foot of snow. New York got about a foot of snow. Boston got about a trace of snow. I had a feeling it would turn out like that when the announcement was emailed to everyone, and it was raining at the time.

In follow-up to last week's post, we did talk. He didn't concede anything, but we're fine. Even Ronny noticed how lovey-dovey we've been.

Trivialities

Nauber and I are "fighting". I was getting a little tired of his "did you brush your teeth?" every single time I went to kiss him. And Monday, I had JUST brushed my teeth, went to kiss him, he asked, I said I just did, and his response was "so you didn't brush your teeth the whole time before that - ewwww" and wouldn't kiss me. I got a little PO'ed and said he was just making excuses.
This morning I took a shower and brushed my teeth while he was having breakfast. He still would not even acknowledge me. So, I was right. I was just an excuse.
What to do about it, though? He is a bit childish, selfish, and arrogant. And I'm tired of having to "chase" him all the time. But I think confrontation will be better than stand-off. Even though he won't concede.

So, here's a pretty distraction:

I know you...

Ronny, my ex with whom I am still friends and currently roommates, switched to the Gold's Gym next to where he works, which is walking distance from where we live. Some Brazilian guy asked him something the other day (like "you using that machine?" kind of stuff) and Ronny recognized him from pics he had seen on my computer.
"Are you Brazilian?"
"Yes"
"From Bahia?"
"Yes"
"Are you Sergio?"
"...yea..."
He lives a couple blocks in the other direction. Didn't ask Ronny who he was. I assume he figured it out after Ronny mentioning he moved here from Worcester.

And of course Ronny's comment to me was, he's looking old - and he's getting fat!
Aren't friends great!

Carefree

Looking at my bank balance, I think it's time to get a job. The carefree life is coming to a close.

New annual fee, without your asking!!

I got a new debit/ATM card in the mail from my new bank, Citizen's (signed up in September). The previous debit card shouldn't have been old enough to need replacing, so I looked it up. The old card was in the Greensense program which promotes online banking, e-statements, and other paperless initiatives. And has no annual fee. The card they sent me gives you a miniscule cash-back on purchases, but charges an annual fee.

The lady on the phone says "the system" did this on its own, so they waived the first year's fee. But I didn't ask for it. So she launches into the sales pitch. I repeat I didn't want it. A bunch of annoying security questions later (which were oddly enough not needed until I wanted to cancel a service) she is about to email me the enrollment form. Since you can only be in one program at a time, the system had to drop me from the first program to put me into the new one.

Really? You dropped me without my permission, and now I need to re-enroll? Alright, just put it on a plain ATM card with no programs.

The best part, though, was the security question. Which branch? I asked to clarify if she wanted the branch I opened the account with, or used most recently. She eventually understood my question, and said the one I opened it at. I said it was on Mass Ave in Dorchester around the corner from the Stop&Shop (which has a branch itself, which is why I mentioned that) but I didn't remember the address. She says that's not what "it shows". Since my computer is on, I pull up their location finder on their website. The stars on the map do not link to the list below the map, so you have no way of identifying which location is which. Eventually, I zoomed in close enough to see that the street the branch is ON was not labeled, but the next street over was Newharbor, so it must have been the Newbarbor location on the list. Luckily it was. So the branch inside the grocery store at the shopping center is listed as being on Mass Ave in Dorchester. The branch actually on the road instead of inside the shopping center, however, and yet a mere few yards away, was Newharbor Street, Boston. A perfect storm of unfriendly coincidence.

So, the new card should be arriving in an unreasonable amount of time. I have this sinking feeling that it was not be usable as a debit card, since I did make the specific mistake of asking for an ATM card. And all of this is because my old bank, which is pretty good, just has no locations in Boston, despite funding the athletic center (which has like 6 machines inside, so the huge list of local 'locations' really doesn't mean much) and calling themselves "America's most convenient bank." It's now about a 30 minute subway trip to get to a branch, because the one machine I did find that was reasonably not too distant doesn't take deposits. Convenient!

I was going to eventually phase out the inconvenient one for the one around the corner, but the one around the corner is starting to show some annoying tendencies.

Feverish

Well, Nauber is now on a full antibiotic regimen. And has to go back next Wednesday to the otolaryngologist. Turns out he did have an abscess. That was not pleasant to watch, so I'm sure it was not pleasant to have done. Three needles, a knife, and a spreader were all involved. Nauber liked playing with the suction, though, and wanted to have one at home.

His fever has been coming and going, yet. He just started the antibiotics, though, so I'm not worried about that.

And the scary part was that the otolaryngologist was younger than us. I am now older than doctors. It was the first time I was in the presence of a doctor who is visibly younger, and it definitely came as a "gettin' old" moment. Yeesh.

Otolaryngology

Nauber has been sick. I convinced him to go to the hospital because he was not getting better on herbal tea alone. His throat was bothering him, and he could barely swallow or talk anymore.

The doctor said his right tonsil is so swollen it is close to choking off his airway. It is not abscessed, however, and should be treatable with antibiotics. They want him to stop in at the ear-nose-throat guy tomorrow morning just to be sure, though. He was on an IV, got a saline drip and an anti-inflammatory. Got an antibiotic injected into his butt. And is on oral antibiotics.

Ordinarily, he refuses to take anything resembling modern pharmaceuticals. Not even a vitamin or aspirin. I think they scared him a little with the whole you could have died comment. He's taking the pills they gave him!! Even the Tylenol-3.

Rusty

Take one month off, and suddenly I can't remember to post on Fridays!
Please forgive me...