Brighter Days

I'm in much better spirits today. I met with a counselor and she pretty much agreed with my interpretation of the law. After my letters to the property owner and Better Business Bureau, I hope this matter will be resolved. If not, the Small Claims Court is an option. Yes, my life turned from uber boring to uber dramatic in a span of 7 days. That's what happens when you interact with horrible people! How interesting though that my first big lesson had to do with the law. Is law school calling me? ;P

So, in a nutshell, I will not be moving out. I decided not to pursue my plans of living in the city for now. Yes, please tell Bayong and Christian that they still will not be able to come to my place anytime soon. LoL!

And what may have made me a little bit happier today: I'm going to Belgium next month! My new boss e-mailed me, asking me if I would like to join the staff in Belgium for a tradeshow. Hello?! Of course! My passport is ready to be stamped!

This means Belgium in April and Hong Kong in May. I was hoping that my first business trip will be to Japan so that I can snag a brand spankin' new digital camera to catalog the rest of my trips, but that is clearly not going to happen. I went to Best Buy yesterday and in fairness, the digital cameras being sold in the U.S. are quite tiny now. Hmm, I guess we know what I'll do if I get my money back from the wretched woman! But anyway, I'm going to Belgium! ::jumping up and down again:: Oh man, what language to they speak there?

Justice for All

I've never been the assertive type. When I've been wronged before, I don't make a big fuss over it. I simply walk away and forget that anything ever happened.

Well, $500 isn't that easy to forget.

I'm putting away my new 12-piece stainless steel cookware set, green and yellow dishes, tiramisu-scented candles, and the dream of living independently. For now, my armor consists of the Washington State Landlord-Tenant Law, my checking account statement, and your boss' home address that I got from the phonebook (I hope it's correct).

In the last few days, I wished so much that I had a friend who was a lawyer. But today, I realized that this is *my* battle. I picked this one on my own and I'm ready to fight.

I'm not willing to spend anymore money on you, but I'm willing to sacrifice my two weeks off for this cause. I just want to make sure that your boss knows what you've done (or been doing to others before me). Maybe he would like to give me back my money.

I have learned my lesson. I hope that you will, too.

And I Thank You

After one whole year, I'm finally free. I have reached the end of a very, very dark tunnel. I wish I'm in a better emotional state to celebrate, but hey, we can't have everything.

Isn't it amazing though that we only find out how others feel about us when it's time to part ways? In the last few years, I've learned to show my gratitude towards others. I don't use "Thank you" sparingly anymore because I'm truly thankful for those genuinely nice people that I come across. It is so hard to find nice people these days. Trust me.

I think this is why I value the following entry written about me one year ago: I think it's the first time someone told me right away what he thought of me. I completely forgot about this entry since I didn't bother to document it on my very own website. But thanks to the power of entry archives, I was able to find it again on his site:

March 7, 2004

last night, just when i was doing my last minute checking of emails, blogs and forums. i saw this girl online on my ichat. i added her few weeks ago after reading about her blog but totally forgot about it. i send her a greeting telling her that i like reading her and that the design of her blog was "cute". she replied and the next thing i know, it's almost 4am.

just like her blog, she's funny, interesting and it was so effortless to talk to her.

woke up and saw her online again. by that time, it seems that i've known her for 10 more years in the span of 7 hours of sleep (ok fine, i woke up past 11am, it's a sunday!) we chatted a bit more but i had to leave for a shoot in makati.. interesting person.

Now if only I could find a guy in Seattle who thinks that way about me, man, I swear I won't be single. How in the world did this topic come back to my being single?! LoL.

Anyway, my point is simply to value the good people in your life. Maybe this is my way of trying to find a reason to smile again, but in the last 24 hours, I'm really thankful for those who were there. They weren't able to take the pain away, but at least, I know that there are good people in this world. ::group hug:: ;P

O, happy days, where the heck are you? *SIGH.

Growing Up Pains

At the end of the day, I only have myself to blame.

I signed on the dotted line. I wrote the check. I have to face the consequences.

I made a big mistake. I hope I have learned my lesson.

I'm trying to find some comfort in the fact that it was "only" money, that God has seen everything, and that tomorrow is a brand new day.

It hurts like hell, but I'm going to be okay.

What Would MiNA Do?

I never knew I was capable of being an impulsive shopper.

• 750 square feet apartment
  
• 1 block away from Green Lake
  
• 1 block away from Starbucks
  
• 3 blocks away from a grocery store
  
• Washer/dryer in unit
  
• Full-size kitchen
  
• LOTS of closet space
  
• Open plan
  
• Water/sewer/garbage included in the rent
  
• Basement level (Shut up, Rick! LoL)
  
• $50 off the asking price (Because the landlady wanted to go home after 2 hours)

What would you do? Would you pay the $25 application fee? Would you pay the deposit? Would you tell people that you did all of that?

I did all of the above.