Random Thoughts from a Random Girl

So this post will be filled with lots of random events and thoughts that have been floating through my head as of late. And by that, I basically mean today.

First, I got back today from a business trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. This was my second time to that city, so it wasn't anything spectacular or new. I did, however, learn that Charlotte is the largest city in both North and South Carolina. Plus, Charlotte is a banking mecca, since 4 large banks are headquartered there. Another thing I noticed was the way that I'm treated whenever I go anywhere south of Chicago. Maybe Asians are just rare down in those southern parts of the US, but I've always been asked the same question. Whenever I'm in the airport, at the car rental agency, or in a cab, I'm always asked, "Where are you from?" Now the first time that I heard this, I figured they were asking where I was traveling from, since that question seems to fit with the scene. When I respond with Chicago, they make it obvious that that was not the answer they were looking for. They always follow up with, "No, but you look Korean/Chinese/Thai." This is usually when I have to explain that I really was born in Chicago and have, in fact, never been to China before. This seems to ruffle their feathers and put them in a frenzy, because they just can't seem to understand how an asian girl could be from Chicago. Does this ever happen to anyone else?

In addition to returning from Charlotte, I seem to also have brought back a stomach virus with me. I've spent most of the day either flopped on the couch or with my head over a toilet. Pleasant, let me tell ya. I haven't really been able to hold down any of my meals and have seen each of them one time too many. Not only do I feel extremely dehydrated, but I'm also starving. I normally need about 6 meals to exist, and now I can't even hold one down. This is not keeping the tapeworm happy.

This past week, my company had a re-organization and my department was essentially wiped out. Now, don't worry, I still have a job. I have a new boss and a new department. There are many good and bad things associated with this. I'm a bit sad that my old department has dissolved, since I felt that we were a really cohesive group that just worked well together. All of our personalities complemented each others and we had good rhythm together. We were all congratulated for doing such an excellent job. Apparently, we did such a good job that they didn't need our department anymore. I am, however, excited about my new group. My new boss is actually my ex-boss's wife. I'm fairly good friends with her and I know that she thinks very highly of me. In fact, she said that she has wanted me on her team for the past 2 years, but was never able to provide a good enough trade to get me on her team. Interesting to think that managers attempt to make trades like professional sports teams. She has promised me that I'll be involved in a lot more design work and that I'll be getting all the "fun" assignments. I somehow tend to think that she and I probably have different definitions of fun. But regardless, I think that it's going to be a good next step in the career.

Last, I would just like to say that I have the best boyfriend in the world. While I was bed-ridden for most of the day, I received a fabulous package from him that made me smile. He had previously told me that he had sent me something, but for some reason it took over 2 weeks to get to me. Maybe somehow, things worked out such that it would be delivered when I needed it most. So now, I have acquired a new zoo of animals, soap, a magnet, and a bobblehead. Nothing could make me happier. :)