bit of a recap

I suppose it's time for an update. I can't believe it's only been about three weeks. It feels like much longer.

I was offered a temporary data-entry position about 5 minutes away from the apartment. I work full-time during the week, and the job will go through to September. It's tedious, boring, and the permanent workers obviously don't want us (the temps, 4) there. I've never had an unpleasant work experience before, but the other temps are great and it pays well, so it's all good with me.

G is finally back and we're adjusting to our routine. The refrigerator was finally replaced about a week ago, Friday, and it's amazing how the smell immediately disappeared. We now have groceries and a fridge and a place that doesn't smell. The washing machine is also fixed, and we can do laundry. The carpet people came in and replaced the foam underneath, but they have yet to stretch the carpet fully out to the wall--there's about 2 inches of exposed floorboards under there but all in all it's an extremely minor problem. I'll call them Monday and remind them.

My dad has emailed and called, and my mom occasionally texts and calls me. They leave voicemails but I delete them right away. I just don't want to deal with it. They're being really nice but my dad is still working with the guilt and pressuring me to come home. I can't imagine being there again like I used to. It's still really strange for me to go out or do anything without having to give a huge heads-up to them. My sister randomly texts me, and that's the strangest thing, since she and I had a falling out on Christmas and didn't speak. I have a suspicion that my parents tell her to message me. I respond to some text messages but I don't answer calls. I still need time to adjust and figure out what I want to say to them. I feel bad when they call but I can't bring myself to answer just yet.

I can't believe how hard it is to find work. It seems like if you don't know someone, you won't get hired. I'm going to get in touch with the alumni chapter here and see if they can do something for me. I'm also thinking about getting my teaching certification. According to some people I've talked to, it's not hard to get after you have a degree, so I'm planning on doing some research and figuring that out. If anything, I can substitute teach--my substitute teachers always just played movies. I've applied to the county and the two universities in town; I constantly apply to things on craigslist; I'm thinking of seeing a staffing agency. Do you have any ideas for where else I could look? The job market is very discouraging.

The lack of diversity here is depressing. Coming from the Bay Area, I'm shocked at the lack of different people. This is a college town too, so I don't know what explains it. Maybe once school starts up, it will change. The food isn't as interesting either--I'm having a very hard time finding good Asian food. I'm going to try and be a little more healthy, because I sit at the desk all day working, and this isn't a path I want to go down. All of my coworkers are obese and are always drinking soda and eating at the desk, and I've found myself drinking sodas during the day now too. I've never had soda, it used to be once or twice a month if that, and now it's becoming a regular thing, so I want to be more careful. Maybe I'll walk the dog every night after work, just to get moving.

I did find a really interesting cafe that's on the way to work. It's really quirky and seems completely out of place here. The cafe tables outside are populated by old men who show up at opening, 6am, order coffee, and put out a label on the tables: "Reserved for murder's row." The guys behind the counter have earrings and tattoos and look and talk and act like the people in Davis. It gives me a bit of hope.

I don't know how to make friends outside of classes. I'm trying to meet people at work but they're all at least 10 years older than me. G's friends are nice but they're all guys, and it's making me see that I need female friends badly. I didn't think there would be such a difference but there really is.

Considering this is a college town, no one is ever outside. They don't have outdoor concerts or anything. There are very, very few sidewalks, which is something I find bizarre. It's summer but it's the same kind of heat I'm used to, but I don't want to stay cooped up in the AC all day. The culture here is frustrating and hard to adjust to. I'm happy with my decision, and honestly I can't imagine not having done it, but I don't like the location. Once G is done with school, hopefully we can move to a more urban place.