After a charming Italian dinner to send-off my charming Italian roommate, I returned home a bit tipsy to find a brown spot running into the corner behind my bed. I kicked the bed and watched the brown spot run across to another hiding spot. There aren't many place to hid in my room, so when I kicked the suitcase the furry animal had no choice but to run back behind the bed.
At this point, I finally connected the dots that there was a mouse in my room. I wasn't sure what I was going to do about it, but I figured I needed shoes to do it. I went out to the foyer to put on a pair of black loafers sans socks. They looked like the type of hard-soled shoe that could both protect my feet and stomp the life out of a mouse. Granted, I didn't think that I was actually going to break any mice necks with my shoes, but to be on the safe side I wasn't going to chance using soft, rubbery running shoes.
All I really wanted at that moment was the mouse out of my room. Sure enough, when I re-entered and kicked around all the piece of furniture and closet space, there was no mouse to be found. It's a small room made out of concrete, tile and wood for the doors and shutters. There aren't many places to hide.
I then proceeded to check all of the house that I could and still no sign of the mouse. Tired from a full meal, I decided that there was no mouse in the room and it was time to go to sleep.
I was a bit worried that the mouse was still in room, but the thought only kept me up for an extra 15 minutes at which point I slumbered peacefully. That is until the hour of 4 AM, when my subconscious went into overdrive. It is highly likely that what I felt moving over my shoulder was the wind from the fan. However, there remained a distinct possibility that a mouse had just run over my shoulder blade. My subconscious wasn't going to have any of that.
At this point, I freaked out a bit. Over turning every piece of furniture, I worked myself into a frenzy that completely eliminated any possibility of a return to the sleep that I desired so much. Sleep deprived days at work make me irritable and grouchy. All I can say for sure is that there will be mousetraps in my house before nightfall.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
A Poem from my Bubba Lu and Other Reflections
From me to you
Here's a going away gift
I hope when you use it
It give you a lift
You've been back to Burien
Your American home
You've lived with friend Tom
But now you must roam
To travel afar
You have no phobia
So now you take off
To your job in Cambodia
Being in the US was a blast. Among the highlights were re-exploring Seattle's artistic side, experiencing California with Conor and Jam, returning to synagogue with my parents, hanging out and living with Tom and Lily, eating berries, visiting my favorite elementary school teacher, meeting Khmer-American students at the UW, cool and rainy NW weather, beautiful mountain settings, Mexican food, enjoying local beers with friends, meeting new people in casual settings, live theater, Daniel's bachelor party, board games, running through parks, walking on a beach with my sisters, the pride festival in SF with friends I haven't seen in years, bagels with jalapeno cream cheese, and having dinner with my immediate family.
Transitioning back to Cambodia has taken a bit more time than I expected. I am not sure if the emotion I am feeling is a longing to be back in the US or a longing for something new. Currently the hotel where I work is under reconstruction, which lends to a general feeling of flux.
The hotel closure also means I have a bit more spare time. It also means that I need to be more self-directed. While that is an ideal environment for some, I find that I accomplish less when I have less to do. Deadlines and demands get me moving. Open-ended tasks are encouragements to delay for a bit longer. I cannot say why I am wired this way, but it has held true in the past.
In the past few weeks, there have been some events that have lit a fire underneath my ass, but nothing strong enough to keep me running. Whatever it is that needs to kick me in the keister, I hope it happens soon so that I can get back into the swing of things.
Here's a going away gift
I hope when you use it
It give you a lift
You've been back to Burien
Your American home
You've lived with friend Tom
But now you must roam
To travel afar
You have no phobia
So now you take off
To your job in Cambodia
Being in the US was a blast. Among the highlights were re-exploring Seattle's artistic side, experiencing California with Conor and Jam, returning to synagogue with my parents, hanging out and living with Tom and Lily, eating berries, visiting my favorite elementary school teacher, meeting Khmer-American students at the UW, cool and rainy NW weather, beautiful mountain settings, Mexican food, enjoying local beers with friends, meeting new people in casual settings, live theater, Daniel's bachelor party, board games, running through parks, walking on a beach with my sisters, the pride festival in SF with friends I haven't seen in years, bagels with jalapeno cream cheese, and having dinner with my immediate family.
Transitioning back to Cambodia has taken a bit more time than I expected. I am not sure if the emotion I am feeling is a longing to be back in the US or a longing for something new. Currently the hotel where I work is under reconstruction, which lends to a general feeling of flux.
The hotel closure also means I have a bit more spare time. It also means that I need to be more self-directed. While that is an ideal environment for some, I find that I accomplish less when I have less to do. Deadlines and demands get me moving. Open-ended tasks are encouragements to delay for a bit longer. I cannot say why I am wired this way, but it has held true in the past.
In the past few weeks, there have been some events that have lit a fire underneath my ass, but nothing strong enough to keep me running. Whatever it is that needs to kick me in the keister, I hope it happens soon so that I can get back into the swing of things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)