to do

My mom's coming to visit next week for the holidays, and as with any guest, it's a catalyst for doing the things I've being putting off for awhile. This week (amidst the flurry of daily Christmas concerts at school) I need to accomplish the following:

1. Have my stove repaired so that Mom and I can do our holiday cooking. (I've been making due with an electric skillet as of late, which is fine when cooking for one, but not much more than that.)
2. Pick up my Christmas bonus gift card at school so I can go to Megamaxi and buy a toaster oven, new mugs, and new pillows.
3. Set up the Christmas tree. (This has been delayed due to the fact that fresh trees here are not placed in water EVER, and so I'm waiting until closer to Christmas in order to not burn down my house.)
4. The general cleaning of house, which falls to me as my bi-weekly housekeeper is traveling to visit her family. (I know you're all crying for me right now.)
5. Plan a Christmas menu that does not include turkey or ham, as I don't think I can squeeze either into the toaster oven I'm planning on purchasing (see #2.)
   

humbug

Forget this job searching business. I'm just going to marry Josh Groban instead.

(Josh, if you're reading, now is the time!)

tales from the usa

I'm in the States for the weekend, chasing possible job opportunities for next year. Yesterday I stepped off the plane here in Atlanta after some 12 hours of travel, and proceeded to the first Starbucks in the airport. (I've decided to be indulgently North American on this trip.) I ordered a small eggnog latte, and was immediately corrected by the girl taking my order. I forgot that Starbucks has their own sizing system, and that a small is actually a tall. Then I asked for my latte with skim milk, and was yet again reminded that at Starbucks, skim milk is called a skinny.

I guess I'm a bit out of the loop.