12/19/2007: "[At Work] If you've got resources, use 'em!"

Burning 20 copies each of two cds (40 total) is a bit of a hassle, but at least when one copy is burnt, you can still use the same digital copy on the pc to make another. Burning 1 copy of 22 different cds is a unique hassle in its own right. Fortunately for me, I'm left with a computer lab with 24 computers, all of which have a cd burner on them. Setup 8 computers to rip and burn, and you can get done in about an hour and a half. Now that's progress! Randomly, doing it one by one should've taken an estimated 5-6 hours (you do lose some efficiency having to run back and forth between the computers, unfortunately, but still a win overall).

So far, my grades are doing okay. Could've been better.. but considering all the drama that came down this semester and my not really caring a whole lot for 75% of my classes, an S, A, and two B's is pretty decent. Still waiting on one grade, but I expect that to be a B or A. Could be better, could be worse. Life goes on, and no one really cares about your GPA when you graduate anyway.

Finally got both the Japanese and Korean girls back to their respective countries, after much going wrong, might I say. Both actually missed their flights by about 10 minutes, but the Japanese girl was able to catch another one and still make the flight for Japan from CA. The other one.. not so lucky. The next flight got her to the airport 30 minutes before the flight left for Korea and.. well, I'm sure most of us know that getting through LAX in 30 minutes WITH having to pick up bags from the carousel AND go back through security.. well, that's just not going to happen. To make a long story short, I spent about an hour or so on the phone trying to figure all this out, looking up prices online and trying to find something that left from LA to Korea on the same day. This is how I ended up buying a ticket for Korea (websites don't oft accept Korea credit cards, unfortunately. But I'll be getting the money back, don't worry) and had my bank call me at 7 at night asking if my card was stolen, since I suppose me buying a same day, one-way ticket to a far-away country with someone else's name on it is just a tad suspicious. Bonus points to my bank for catching that one!

So, barring the fact that some of the people I was rather close to are no longer in the country and that many of the other people I know well aren't in the state, I'm doing all right. Just busy with work and keeping occupied. Meeting with someone today to practice Japanese conversation (even though 80% of the Japanese I know are no longer in town, I actually did find someone), and need to mail out some Christmas letters while I'm out. It's pretty fortunate that the campus has just about everything you could possibly need, except good shopping opportunities. The only things around here are markedly expensive places (Urban Outfitters and American Apparel) where you'd only pick up one or two things and not a whole wardrobe. Oh, and no decent grocery shopping. Convenience stores are your only choice. Not my problem since I don't live on campus, but it is kinda inconvenient.

Tomorrow, I'm going to a Korean/Taiwanese going away/Christmas party after work. Should be fun.. I'm likely to be only one of about 2 Americans, but that's no problem. Of course, I speak neither Mandarin nor Korean.. hmm.. At least they all speak at least decent English.

Friday.. I don't think I have any plans. If I do, someone should really remind me so I don't blow them off on accident. If I am free, then I need to make plans so I can not be free. That's important, you know. Starting Monday is enforced closure on the university's part for a week, so I'll have my whole week of winter vacation before coming back in after New Years! I also have Christmas and a birthday somewhere in there, all on break (kinda convenient, huh?), but plans are kinda sketchy (even if I do already know I will be doing things). I think I'll be doing a combo birthday party thing with the Taiwanese girl who's having the party tomorrow, since our birthdays are so close.

Anyway, I should get back to work. Here for a few more hours, and then off to sprachen der Japonese.

OH, and yes, I'm going to Korea over Spring break for about 8 days. I'll let you know the dates when I have them (should be within the next month). Now if only I can fit Taiwan in there somewhere, I'd be set...


School

On Thursday, December 20th, Kat said:

Sounds like a busy and interesting time.
Busy for me too...don't know about interesting.

I have forced school closure that leaves me without work for a week too : (