What I Had Sensed From the Beginning

Proof it's them.

Now, the mystery can be put to rest and the babes, teenagers at the time of their murder, can physically join their family in the Peter & Paul Cathedral; as they have already done so in heaven.

April Shelter Duty 2008

It was a fairly average night tonight. There was a bittersweet moment when I discovered that the person whom I got to know a little better the last time I had shelter duty, wasn't there that night. As much as I was disappointed, I hope this signals that housing has finally been procured for this individual.

The (Eco) Bag Lady

While out shopping a few weeks ago, I couldn't resist purchasing an EcoBag. It was only $4.95 and hanging there, pleading, "buy me, buy me". I relented as I only have one large size canvas shopping bag, and that's the one I received free for showing my student ID at Whole Foods. While it's a nice size and serves a great purpose, it's emblazoned with the Whole Foods logo and is bulky, making it difficult for regular errands. I like to keep things low key. Very low key. The EcoBag stays on the down low and is sturdy and roomy. Perfect for my grocery and errand running needs.

I had been looking for more canvas tote options, desperately wanting to limit the amount of plastic shopping bags the shops use. I will only accept one (or two) to use for my regular garbage and feel that even this could be improved upon by using small biodegradable garbage bags.

It's all about doing the best one can do to help the planet. On this day, Earth Day, the goal should be about moving forward with change and thinking outside the box.

Savings & Moans #1

Today, I made out like a bandit for all my health and beauty product needs. This feat was accomplished by using my CVS ExtraCare card. As an extra bonus, that few minutes pouring over and cutting coupons from the newspaper inserts I had acquired over time also paid off for this particular shopping excursion.

Once the transaction was complete, the register spit out my receipt with several other "dollars off" store coupons attached to use for future purchases. Because that particular branch didn't have enough of the fish oil vitamins I like in order to take advantage of the buy-one-get-one-free offer which was currently running, I was able to use one of the dollars off coupons I'd just received ($4 off a total purchase of $20, to be exact) at a different CVS branch.

Another major benefit was that I was able to carry everything home in a canvas bag. Not one plastic tree was harmed during this coupon/savings card extravaganza.

Subtotal for both stores: $101.40
Savings using coupons, buy one get one free deals, and the store card: $42.95

$101.40 - $42.95 = $58.45 total!

Saving loads of money buying things you already use and need. Priceless.

I am such a deal whore!

Done and Posted - Part Two

You can file this one under - "Holy Crap!"

Just last week I posted my sob story about getting my first passport and how this past experience was causing me anxiety through the renewal process.

Yesterday, I received an e-mail from the passport center. A lump quickly formed in my throat, along with a huge knot in my stomach. It's only been a short time, I thought, something must have gone wrong. Right? After saving that e-mail for last, what should my wondrous eyes be met with when I finally did open it up?

"We have finished processing your passport, and it has been mailed to you."

Even better, both my new and (now) expired passports (each sent separately) were waiting for me when I came home today.

Frailty of Life

Leaving work yesterday, right outside the building, was a scene of pure carnage - a gruesome accident involving a bicycle rider and a DHL truck. Thankfully, I had stepped out as the ambulance was pulling away, sirens blaring, carrying this poor nameless soul off to the closest hospital. Walking over to the scene of the accident, complete with yellow police tape and gathered crowd, what I witnessed in the aftermath of it all, left me sick to my stomach.

Those who saw the whole thing, including a friend who happened to be outside immediately after the collision, surmised that the rider had perished. By the looks of the deep river of blood filling in the crevices of uneven pavement, sadly, I could only agree. This morning, as reported in two of the local papers, he did.

Done and Posted

It was inevitable. It had to be done. There simply was no way out. With much trepidation, I tediously filled out the form, making sure to dot every single "I" and cross every single "T" and made the pilgrimage to the US Postal Office to renew my passport. Right now as we speak, my lifeline is in the hands of the U.S. Post Office to be sent off, invalidated, and returned along with a brand new replacement. Perish the thought!

I remember it as if it were yesterday. I had fallen in love with the man whom I thought I would marry and have 2.3 kids with. Little did I know, after years of hassle and cruel cold feet on his part, it would never come to be. Anyway. Since we had met (by accident) on my turf, it only made sense for our next meeting to be on his. In England. I had always wanted to visit the UK and this was my chance. Since my father was born and spent his childhood there, I was always curious about the land of my heritage. That I was in love with someone who lived there only helped intensified the feelings more. The trip was less than two months away, and I would need a passport. The events that occurred after submitting my paperwork still boggle my mind to this day. I am always one to fall between the bureaucratic cracks. This time would be no different.

The problem, which would haunt me from the beginning to the end of the process was that I had been in NYC for a little over a year and had only acquired my photo identification card a few months prior to submitting my passport application. That I had a brand spankin' new ID card and no other official photo identification from my state to prove who I was, raised a red flag with the passport people. Had I submitted everything in my home state (where I had many forms of photo identification), I wouldn't be writing this today. But since I had been resident in my current state at the time for fifteen months already, I was afraid of any possible legal implications. It was a Catch 22.

Pleading with the employees at the post office and tearful phone calls to the passport hotline (on my dime) did nothing for my case. I was screwed. Time was ticking and two months turned into one. One month turned into mere weeks. Thankfully, in my favor, they went ahead with the processing, but I would have to come up with another form of acceptable ID to retrieve it. With my trip a little more than one week away, my mother express mailed my high school yearbook for me to bring down to the expediting office. It was touch and go considering the person behind the counter could easily declare my evidence as not worthy. On a wing and a prayer, it worked. In my hands, all navy blue and brand new, was my first U.S. passport.

So, one can imagine how nail biting this renewal process is going for me. I sent everything out via certified mail, but that still doesn't do much for the nerves. I'm never settled from past experiences. Come to think of it, to this day I wonder why I had to show them my high school yearbook and why they wouldn't allow, as evidence, the various forms of picture ID that I still kept (and were still valid) from my home state. The government continues to boggle my mind.