30 April 2017

in

Someone I met today... Is no one. Maybe a newer version of myself?

I stayed home today, which is why I can't remember anyone. I guess it's a good time to reflect on this project, which I've been doing for the better part of 3 months. It's difficult meeting new people all the time.

I think by nature I'm slightly introverted. I don't like talking to strangers in environments where I'm the new person. I can think of all the large group settings where I've done poorly when I'm the new kid on the block. Crazy right? 

I don't know if people ever guess that of me, but it's true. Although, my curiosity overrides a lot of this. It's also something I've learned that it's something I've always done. 

But I'm a weirdo, and I accept that. 

29 April 2017

in

Someone I met today is a firefighter.

I went to an event where there was a lot of STEM activity... And firefighters. They were showing the kids at this Boy Scouts event how a firetruck looks like inside and let you use the hose!

I got to shoot one of the hoses. The hose was about 2 inches in diameter and is easier to handle that some of the larger hoses. From what I learned, they carry a multitude of different hose sizes and liquids. The liquid I got to shoot is a foam that's supposed to be a good fire-retardant, and is more effective than water. The trucks themselves carry about 750 gallons of water (or foam).

I also learned that they usually use 2 people to man a hose, or use the larger hoses in defensive strategies. Overall, pretty cool, but nothing exciting. 

28 April 2017

in

Someone I met today is the owner of a school.

I was doing a presentation for teachers today, and this guy came in late. He asked a lot of questions, but I moved through the presentation like normal... Even if he was being a little disruptive. At one point he sidetracked a few teachers, but I was able to reel the room back in and continue what I was doing.

At the end of the session, he approached me and apologized for interrupting my session. I acknowledged that the questions are necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the presentation.

It was later revealed to me he's the new owner, and he does it to everyone. That made me feel better... Although to me, no matter who you are, it's rude to be late and then disruptive.

27 April 2017

in

Someone I met today... Was no one. I called out sick because I had the shingles. :| 

Instead, I stayed at home with my face on fire, and played video games. I'm a little ashamed because I spent 11 hours playing video games. That said, this is an appropriate time to talk about the people I met on Sunday.

The husband/boyfriend/guy was purchasing a Surface Book for himself. I asked him what he does. He used to draw monsters and creatures for card games and video games, but since moving back to Hawaii... He has been doing more independent work.

He said he likes the independence but misses the constant work. His wife/girlfriend/girl is a nurse, so I know they at least have some kind of steady income. Moving from a place of more to less, whether it's opportunities, friends, money, is a tough choice. Whatever his reason for moving home, he definitely seemed happy with himself and the people he's with.

That's the most important part.  

26 April 2017

in

Someone I met today was the new nurse at my gynecologist's office.

My gyno is a nice guy, and I highly recommend him to anyone who asks. Really, he's great. Super friendly and very mild-mannered. When his nurses are a little grumpy or gruff, it makes me wonder why he hired them. Then again, he does share his practice with 2 other doctors... So maybe one of the other ones are in charge of hiring.

Who knows, but A+ to the lady bits doctor. He gave me my follow-up hepatitis A shot. He's the real MVP. 

25 April 2017

in

Someone I met today designed sound systems.

I feel like this is an in-demand ability, but so oddly specific. One of my acquaintances from high school does this for Disneyland, or something like it. I understand you have to understand how sound moves in a space and what tools you can use to amplify/take away certain qualities in the room.

I wonder how people who does this get into it, or how do you decide that's a thing you want to do? There are a lot of really interesting occupations out in the world, but the people who end up in them sometimes didn't plan to be there at all. 

24 April 2017

in

Someone I met today... Well I didn't really meet anyone today. I had a lot of training to do and preparation, so I was kind of buried in the content.

The day before, I met a girl I went to school with in college. I asked if she went to UH and we talked about different subjects, and many of hers overlapped with mine. It turns out that instead of doing biology, like what she was studying originally, she ended up deciding to open her own Etsy shop for soap.

I thought that was really cool! I respect that people change their approach and pivot towards something that they maybe prefer more. Not everyone is as brave to be able to do so. 

23 April 2017

in

Someone I met today is a teacher.

He came into the store asking for something, and he was a little ruddy. His attire told me he wasn't from here, as he wore jeans and a collared shirt on a humid and rainy spring day. That's not a normal choice, for anyone. I'd be wearing slippers and as little clothing as possible. That is a fact.

"So what brings you to Hawaii."
"I'm here for a conference."
"What kind of conference?"
"The conference is about magnetic resonance imaging."

Pause.

"So you do MRIs?"

He gave me a pause and a quick blink, and replied, "Yes." We talked about it a little more, and he's been a teacher in Texas for 30 years. This conference is held around the world every year, from Singapore, to Kyoto, and Montreal. 

I mean he was nice, and that was all cool to hear. I just thought it how he said MRI was so interesting. I guess some laymen wouldn't understand the acronym, but making that assumption that all of them don't could make you look pretentious.  

22 April 2017

in

Someone I met today is an exercise instructor.

Jeanessa heavily recommended I come to her pure barre class, The Bar Method, so I did. The facilities there are super nice, and the instructor I met was very friendly! It's a very welcoming environment.

When I had mentioned Jeanessa and I have known each other for a long time, she was wondering about the stories I knew about her when we were younger. I told her Jeanessa wasn't that awkward, but it's always eye-opening to see how other people view your friends. It's not often you get to experience someone you already know through a new lens.

Unfortunately for me, I had been feeling a little sick that morning and had to leave early... But it was a good experience overall.

21 April 2017

in

Someone I met today told me what to do when I lose my receipt at Sam's Club.

We went to Sam's Club for my parents and had a snack in their foodcourt. As we were leaving, I realized I had misplaced the receipt. Like seriously misplaced it right after I very audibly said:

"I need to give this to my parents as a business expense."

Yeah. So I'm scanning my pockets and I see a couple near me share a small chuckle.

"Did you lose your receipt."
"... Yeah."
"Oh, you can go customer service and they'll reprint you one. We did it before too."

So of course I went and waited as they printed me a receipt. What they have to do is pull the digital journal and print it via computer. I felt really dumb. 

Me forgetting stuff happens once in a while. I completely misplaced a movie ticket like 5 minutes after receiving it, so it doesn't surprise me... It's just really unbelievable when it happens. 

20 April 2017

in

Someone I met today was very proud of his wife.

I noticed he strolled in and out of the store a couple of times and ended up talking with him. He was impressed about our products, but I turned the conversation to ask about what his wife did since she was the one buying the computer.

She's a software engineer for a company in Japan that's expanding here. The company is apparently doing so well now that they were buying their employees new computers.

It was just nice to hear a guy so proud of his wife and did not talk about himself at all, only when asked. I think having a supportive partner is important and it's cool that they do a good job at it.  

19 April 2017

in

Someone I met today is a shopkeeper.

I went to House of Aria today because I saw the following dress on sale. I wanted to try it on, so I headed over to their relocated spot in Ward Centre. It was cool and all, but the shopkeeper was just kind of disinterested and a little bland. Considering that it's kind of empty in Ward, I don't blame her... But wouldn't that make you excited to see people? 

I didn't even get recommendations or anything. The dress was alright, color wasn't that great on me. Didn't buy, may not be back.

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18 April 2017

in

Someone I met today returned my keys to me.

I've probably written about this place before, but Kona Coffee Purveyors is really great! They have such good kouign amans, I don't know what else to say. 

What I do know is that Chinese tourists generally get a bad rap, but today was really nice. We went to get coffee and breakfast here. Keep in mind, I wear tight jeans, so my pockets are often small. After standing up to leave I hear a heavily accented, "HELLO, HELLO!"

The Chinese-speaking tourist who took my seat was returning my keys to me. To be fair, I noticed my pockets weren't as bulky so I did notice they were missing. It was just nice to see someone being kind.

But then it begs the question, what is the go to phrase by tourists to get someone's attention? If it's hello in English, and fairly easy to guess in European countries, what about Asian ones? What's it like in China, where it's super crowded and everyone is vying for attention?

 

15 April 2017

in

Someone I met today was just weird.

I was leaving work and this guy approached me. He was close to my height, and was average looking. 

"Do you think I'm ugly?"
"Um..."

I looked behind him and saw that there were other people.

"I don't know these guys, they didn't put me up to this."
"You don't know these guys?"

The guys behind him shook their heads.

"Well, I don't really feel like answering that question."
"Is it because I'm ugly?"
"No, it's because it's an inappropriate question to ask a stranger. It's weird and it's awkward. Bye."

13 April 2017

in

Someone I met today has his own business. That's pretty standard for a lot of people I meet... Although, after talking with him today, I just wonder what you expect from customers when you're the business owner... And how that differs when you're on the customer side. 

I suppose there's some cognitive dissonance around what your expectations are for yourself vs. what they are for other people. 

12 April 2017

in

Someone I met today is a work acquaintance.

We work together occasionally and we met for lunch. I sometimes worry about hanging out with people outside our normal setting because it can sometimes be date-ish. That was not the case.

We ended up speaking about the Growth Mindset and what training tools and strategy he can use with students. The conversation also glazed over the differences between non-profit and for-profit schools, and the ideological differences between the two. 

Overall it was a good conversation. To me it was weird, because I've never had a professional contact before that I've cultivated on my own! Yay me!

11 April 2017

in

Someone I met today works for the military police.

He was bald and clean cut, wearing a black polo and khaki pants. We were walking around and talking when he shared he had just finished work. It explained the slippers I saw him wearing... Which revealed a his deep, glittery, purple toenails.

"Do you paint your toenails yourself?"
"No way! I have someone else do it."
"Huh, I guess my dad likes pedicures too. Although, he doesn't like when they massage it because it tickles."
"Yeah... I don't like the scrubber."

My dad always says to look at people's toenails. It's the last thing most people think about cleaning, and they often forget. I can tell you though, this guy definitely didn't forget.