Post Office Fun

So the title isn’t an oxymoron. It’s true. I went to the post office to mail my momma a package. I went to the counter and asked the postman to please ship the package as slow as possible. I didn’t want to have to take out a loan to pay for the shipping. He smirked and retorted “Why don’t you ship it UPS then?” I laughed. It was funny.

I mentioned that if possible the package could go via pony express. The postman asked if I knew how long the pony express was in operation. I thought surely the efficient pony express system had been in operation for no less than 45 years. Nope. The postman told me it was closer to 18 months. Huh. Who knew? He then asked me what state had the most post offices. At this point my transaction was over. The postman on the other side of him and I both answered in unison “California.” You know. Biggest state. Most post offices. Nope. So I shouted Texas. Nope. The other postman answered Alaska. Even I knew that was wrong.

At this point other customers started answering “Florida” and “Oklahoma”. Finally the entire post office was shouting answers: “Colorado”, “Illinois”, “Utah”, and “New York”. The postman kept shaking his head. Finally he said “Connecticut”. The entire post office went silent. We were all very surprised. I have tried to verify that this is correct but have been unable to. I love that little post office and no, I’m not telling you where its at. It’s rarely busy because no one seems to know where its at. The workers are so nice and its my secret.

What?

Once again, I apologize for my lack of communication lately. Andy and I have been really busy lately. And you all know that I can be kinda lazy sometimes. Especially during allergy season. This years pollen count is higher than the previous years and I look like I am either sick or hungover. It’s been lovely!

I’m curious as to why the most popular post on this blog is “Baba Ganoush Recipe”. It has gotten twice as many views as other posts. Anyway, I will be writing on Andy’s graduation, his hydrogen torch, and an update on what Andy and I are up to.

End of the Term

Yes, it is once again, the end of another term of school. Andy is in full swing getting all of his projects finished, papers written, and tests studied for. He graduates from Portland Community College with his Associates Degree on June 12th at 7pm. Both myself and Shannon, Andy’s mother will be in attendance. As soon as I am able to, I will post video of Andy’s hydrogen torch in action. I’m busy finishing up non-school projects and finishing up my InDesign class.

I’m Not Mrs. Andy

So I know that it used to be popular for married women to be called Mrs. (insert husbands first name) (insert married last name) aka Mrs. Barack Obama. But folks this ain’t the fifties anymore, I’m not in pearls and an apron, and I have have and exercise all of my constitutional rights.

I am not an extension of Andy. I am his partner, his friend, his lover, and his wife. I am Aleta. I understand that my grandmother, great grandmother, and Andy’s grandmothers address letters, cards, and other correspondence to Mr & Mrs. Andy Fullenwider. They grew up in a different time. But for all you other folks out there, please stop doing it. Seriously. It really gets under my skin.
Thank you!
So after writing and publishing this post, I’ve realized that my tone was very harsh. For that, I apologize dear readers. Sometimes in my eagerness to express myself, I forget that in this medium (Internet) you all cannot see me wildly waving my hands around only to calm down after I’ve made my point. So I apologize for my harsh tone but not my opinion on this subject. I’ve still yet to receive a letter addressed to Mrs. & Mr. Aleta Fullenwider-Good night!

Letter to My Younger Self

I’ve been concentrating on my other blog, school stuff, and an important project. Andy is stressing out that half of Spring Term is over. He has so many important projects to complete: hydrogen torch, poster for Microbiology, and a national test he has to take for chemistry. We’ve been so busy that we’ve both been going into school on Saturdays! Andy goes into open lab and I make use of the computer lab to complete my InDesign homework.

I’ve been trying to think up a good, positive blog post for all the loyal readers out there. I decided to write a letter to my younger self. Okay, okay I got the idea from watching two minutes of “Lake House” (before I turned the channel to something worth watching). I thought how interesting it would be if I could warp time and space and send a letter to the Aleta that is ten or even fifteen years younger. What would I say? Well, let’s take a look:

Dear My Younger Self,

Don’t freak out. This is a letter that is defying both time and space to give you important advice. Pay attention and focus. First off, that outline you created at age sixteen detailing what you would accomplish at certain stages of your life wasn’t too realistic. Take it out, laugh at it, and put it aside. You aren’t going to win the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature by age 24. I’m sorry. And that also goes for the Pulitzer too. Maybe at age forty or fifty.

Second of all, it doesn’t matter if your family understands you or not. They love you. That’s what is important. Get over all the petty injustices that your brother and sister put you through. It doesn’t matter. Remember that you aren’t the center of everyone’s universe and everyone is basically figuring this stuff out as they go along. Most people are just doing the best they can. Give ‘em a break.

Learn all you can about different pieces of software and computers. It will come in handy when you get older especially the spreadsheets. Say you’re sorry when you mess up. Sometimes that’s all it takes to make amends. Don’t listen to all the naysayers. Follow the path that you are interested in. In the end, it’s your life.

Don’t spend all your cash on beer. Buy stock in companies like Exxon Mobile and ConocoPhillips but stay away from a company called Enron. It’s too good to be true. Go to more concerts (but wear some earplugs when you stand near the speakers!!) and remember that life is a marathon not a sprint. So be good to your knees!

There are tough times ahead of you but there’s a hot guy that you haven’t met yet. You’ll know him when you see him. Try to buy him a beer.

Try to get more sleep and quit smoking as soon as possible. It’s a nasty habit.

Yours,
Your Older Self

More Writing

I read something either online or in one of the many books I have recently checked out, that free writing can help you break through a creative block or just help you get started. So I decided to give this a try with some funny consequences.

Yesterday I got irritated that we keep losing our internet connection so I decided to run some errands. I grabbed my little blank book (I’ve been jotting down story ideas in it), wallet, phone, and keys and leave the house. As I was starting my car, I had some words running through my head so I stopped to write it all down.

My creative juices were flowing, things were going great. I kept writing and then after I got it all, I read it back to myself. It sounded pretty good. As I was mentally and maybe physically patting myself on the back, I looked up and realized that not only the man who goes through the dumpster was staring at me but also my neighbor who was in his vehicle. There was also a young couple with a leashed down and a baby carriage also looking over my way.

I’m not sure what exactly my process looked like but obviously it was interesting enough for a few people to stare. I imagine it was probably the talking and then laughing to myself (and possibly the physical pat on the back) that provided some entertainment.

I went and got my hair cut which provided a weird experience (Vietnamese barber shop with Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting for You” being sung by Vietnamese Jet-Li look a like and hot African guy). After that I also sat in my car for about fifteen minutes writing down the experience I had just undergone. I realized as I finally headed over to Fred Meyer that it must take some aspriring writers a really long time to get anywhere….

What Am I Grateful For?

Last Friday I had to return to the dentist for follow up work on a molar. While I was settled comfortably in the chair, I looked up at the poster tacked to the ceiling. It was one of those cheesy “What Am I Grateful For?”

The poster contained approximately 25-30 different items that the author deemed worthy enough to be grateful for. On the list there were things like: rainbows, unanswered prayers, answered prayers, etc. As the dentist called for the condenser, (I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting, but the tiny sharp little spear wasn’t it. I’m still not sure what it was condensing.) one of the items that the author was grateful for was English Gardens. What!? Who’s grateful for an English Garden? Furthermore, what is an English Garden? According to Wikipedia.com

The term English garden or English park (French: Jardin anglais, Italian: Giardino all’inglese, German: Englischer Landschaftsgarten) is used in Continental Europe to refer to a type of natural-appearing large-scale landscape garden with its origins in the English landscape gardens of the 18th century, especially those associated with Capability Brown.

Okay. Whatever. Here’s my list of what I’m grateful for:
1. Short lines at the grocery store
2. Dealing with customer service who actually provides service
3. Good coffee
4. Saturdays
5. Modern medicine
6. Full tanks of gas
7. My family and friends
8. Good movies
9. Sleepy kitties
10. Hot showers

There are so many more things that I am grateful for. I don’t want to spend my whole weekend telling you about them. By the way, the tooth is good. Have a good weekend!

Books I’ve read recently

In the beginning of December, I went to visit my family in New Mexico for a few days. My wonderful mother, sent me home with a few books as she usually does. Besides Eric Clapton’s biography, she sent me home with a few random books including the first of the Twilight books. Now I had no plans on reading Twilight as I had heard all of the teenage girls were reading it and I, being in my thirties, was much too intelligent to get involved in that sort of thing.

But of course, I picked it up and thirty pages later looked up and realized I was hooked. The next couple of weeks were a blur of frantically reading and Andy making fun of me in his dorky lisp voice. There was an emergency trip to Barnes & Nobles to purchase the third book. I was able to calm down and buy the fourth (and last book) from a great seller on Amazon.com.

One of my Twitter friends recommended another series of books House of Night. This series features a young woman who ends up becoming Marked as a vampyre and has to attend a school for young vampyre’s. I’m currently waiting on the fourth book. I’m not sure how many more there will be. My same Twitter friend (who is a librarian) also recommended Meg Cabot’s “Mediator” series. This set of books protagonist is a young woman named Suze who can see and communicate with the dead.

Do you see the disturbing pattern here? How can a woman of my education and fine upbringing like this subject matter? I’ve always been drawn to these types of stories. I remember reading Edgar Allen Poe before I really understood all of the themes and nuances and being absolutely fascinated with his work. I’ve endured a lot of ribbing from my family and now Andy, but I like the darker side of life. Especially when it comes in the form of juvenile fiction.

Top Wellness Tips

I read a lot of blogs and have noticed that many have their own lists of top wellness tips. After reading several of these lists, I think I can do better.

10. Sleep
Americans average less than the recommended eight hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep can lead to difficulty in concentrating, irritability, and poor judgment. Taking a warm bathe before bed, listening to relaxing music, and doing yoga can help you relax before bed.

9. Water
A few weeks ago I started tracking how much water I was actually drinking and found that on average I do consume the 8-8 ounce glasses a day. But on the weekends I wasn’t. I know that I am more prone to headaches when I don’t drink enough water which usually leads to crabbiness.

8. Say No
I tend to over commit myself at times scheduling too many activities which sometimes leads to stress. I recommend saying no more often. No, I cannot work late tonight or no, I can’t clean out the closets this weekend. Take a little time for yourself to relax. Go to the movies or take a bathe. Even laying on your bed reading a book is a great way to enjoy a little me time. Andy recommends petting a kitty.

7. Exercise
We’ve all read all of the studies about the benefits of exercise: stress relief, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, stronger bones, and higher body image. Go for a walk before or after work or enjoy a run on the weekend. You’ll feel better.

6. Wash your hands
I admit that I don’t wash my hands enough. I’m sure the cold I have now could have probably been avoided if I would have washed my hands more often.

5. Eat less meat
A great way to save money and calories is to eat less meat. Skip the pepperoni on your pizza and go for spinach, onions, and tomatoes instead. Personally (even though I still eat meat) I’ve found that I prefer my spaghetti without meat. My point is give it a shot, you never know.

4. Bring your lunch
I’ve found that bringing my lunch to work saves me a lot of money and is WAY more healthy than buying it every day. I often eat leftovers which also saves me money because food isn’t getting wasted.

3. Get regular physicals
If you have health insurance, then use it. Many Americans don’t have the luxury of good health care so take care of yourself. Physicians can help diagnose a potentially serious problem if you visit them on a regular basis.

2. Quit tobacco
I think we’re all in agreement on this one.

1. Cook good healthy meals
Before Andy went back to school, we ate a lot of our meals out. Now, we’re cooking almost all of our meals at home. It was hard in the beginning to cook on a regular basis. Sometimes it was really a pain. But like everything else, practice makes perfect. The internet is a great place to find quick and easy healthy meals. Food Channel, Food Network, NY Times, etc. all have links to healthy easy to make meals. It’s cheaper and better for you.

A Quick Lesson In Customer Service

Here’s a quick lesson for all businesses out there. Your customers understand when forces beyond your control prohibit the delivery of goods and services. What your customers will not forgive is lack of communication.

Andy and I had a dentist appointment scheduled with (my legal council has advised me against providing the doctors name) on Tuesday morning. As I have mentioned numerous times, Portland has been experiencing poor weather since December 13th/December 14th.

Andy and I have been going to Dr. X’s office for a few years now and have always been pleased with the level of service that we’ve received. The Dental Hygienists are very friendly, the reception staff always remembers past conversations they’ve had with you, and Dr. X is very gentle and pleasant.

On Monday, I starting worrying about the dental appointment as the weather was really nasty outside. Normally the reception staff calls you the day before your appointment to provide a quick reminder. By 4:00 pm I still hadn’t received any call. I did a quick Google search and found their website and called the office.

There was no outgoing message alerting patients to any cancellation so I figured that the appointment was still a go. I called during normal business hours but there was no answer. I left a detailed message explaining my situation and provided my name and phone number as I requested a call back.

The next morning, Andy and I woke up early to get dressed and trek the fifteen plus blocks to the office. I didn’t really feel that great and was very hesitant to make what I thought would be a futile journey. I called the dentist office again and still no outgoing communication. I left another message and went to finish getting ready.

At approximately 7:20am I called the after hours number and left another message. With no communication, Andy and I felt that we should honor our commitment and head over to make our 8am appointment.

There was no dentist appointment that day. Andy suggested that we continue on our way and walk several more miles to get some groceries. At approximately 9:05am on the day of our appointment, Dr. X did return my call and left me a long message explaining that the staff couldn’t make it into the office. I will admit, that I was so annoyed that I could barely hear his words.

I understand that he and his staff couldn’t make it into the office to call each customer to cancel their appointment. What I don’t understand is why an outgoing message explaining that all appointments from Y day to approximately Y day were canceled due to the weather. I also don’t understand why there wasn’t information on his website that communicated this as well (there is information on the site now).

I think this highlights a unique opportunity to investigate different pieces of technology and how they could improve customer service. Maybe they use Twitter, maybe they use Salesforce to gather customer info (such as email addresses) and send out emails alerting their customers to delays and cancellations. Or maybe utilize the outgoing message they currently have.

Technology has provided businesses with many low cost (and free) ways to communicate with their customers. Businesses need to ensure that they are communicating with their customers the way that those customers want to be communicated with. Glen Manchester writes:

So, highly effective, compelling customer communications are really all about preference, channel and context. Getting personal means communicating in your customers’ preferred languages. It means embracing your customers’ preferred communication channel or channels. It means bringing context — based on the customer information you already own — to each and every communication.

I think that says it all.