When you know you have a long week

Here are symptoms you are having a long week:

• Saying your co-workers wrong name.
• Give a raise to the person, yet the salary stays the same.
• Someone is heckling about contracts (not 5 people all at one time, but the same person comes in every ten seconds).
• Seeing documents as puzzles.
• Sleepy and cranky
• Ready to go home early.

The funny thing about this is I had a 5 month vacation before going starting work. I think God is forcing me to make up time. I don’t mind the work because I am actually learning all aspects of HR the hard way; but having all the workload, plus the heat wave, plus the variables equals summer school. Oh, if you want to help me and your in human resources, got http://www.counterpart.org and apply. Like a pledge drive, I need your help, fast!

Tracy’s Random Thoughts July 2006 Edition

I’m tired, so let’s get this over with:

1. The Middle East

The Middle East has become a nightmare and there is no solution to it. There are a bunch of battles or wars going through; Israel, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, and Iraq. It’s like a puzzle to figure out which one is which. All I know is Palestine is upset at Israel of taking their area 60 years ago, Israel is shooting down Lebanon because Israel is accusing the Hezbollah for kidnapping two Israeli soldiers. Then you have Iran and their nuclear capabilities, Pakistan and the issue with the India bombings, and we know of Iraq. This topic would require writing a book and a paper that could easily pass an International Relations course. Almost all of this is connected to the United States, and sadly the fighting countries might be right. Link here is a transcript from NPR’s Morning Edition with the two guys, Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer, who wrote that Israel’s lobbyists are influencing U.S. foreign policy because of money. From this research, I understand why the other countries hate us because the U.S. is favoring one country from the rest of the Middle East and that is Israel. Countries like Pakistan, Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, and other Arabic countries see the U.S. play favoritism and that is why the people vote against the grain to “America’s views.” That is why the Hezbollah is in Lebanon and Hamas controls Palestine. People over there are smart enough to know and believe that the U.S. wants to turn the Middle East into the Bible Belt. Let me say on my view, I shouldn’t think the U.S. should be in the middle of anything and everyone has their right to believe. Now, the most important is I don’t condone violence and wars will solve any problem and the problem is that could be the only solution. This is like World War III, but with different players. In this case, there are no heroes or villains, just the act of two sides playing for power.

2. North Korea

To be honest, I’m not sure how to make of this. Yes, Kim Jong-Il has nuclear weapons and has tested them and the missiles has the potential to reach the United States and the other countries are worried North Korea is firing at the big boys. My only question is do you take him seriously because I don’t see him as a threat, but more of a joke playing games with us.

3. The World Cup

I thought the whole tournament was kind of dull since defense was the name of the game. Congratulations on Italy for winning the World Cup after all the troubles the Italian teams had, but shockingly the World Cup will be overshadowed by Zidane and the headbutt heard around the world. Ok, if he can’t stand a simple insult to the Italian player, then he has issues, but from what I am hearing if the Italian did say “terrorist whore,” I understand his reaction, through he needed to be smart at that time. Oh, am I the only one who thought the Italian player acted that he got headbutted in the chest? It seemed he came back sooner.

4. My iTunes playlist

For those who are interested and I should give thanks to Rachel for giving this idea (Her website: http://www.duke.edu/~rar11) Take a look at my playlist. If you have suggestions, please make a comment and I’ll check it out. Here’s my playlist.

Thanks for reading, and now I need sleep to prepare for work and the heat wave that is coming.

This might take some time

This is ten days since my last post here and might be another 10-14 days or longer. This week, my other co-worker from HR resigned and took a better job at AED. So, for the next few weeks or a month, I’ll be controlling the HR department for Counterpart. I might be lucky to have this post and energy, but after every week, I’m going to be one tired bulldog, so be prepared for a stretch of hiatus (or not).

Fourth of July

Honestly, I’m not an “out to the city” guy, but yesterday was probably the most exciting day I ever had.

10-11:30 AM: Went sightseeing to Washington DC to take pictures. It was very hot and I was sweating like a water fountain. Needed several water breaks and towel off with napkins. The places I went that morning made me feel proud in a sense that these people not only sacrifice their countries, but other countries as well like Vietnam. From my parents’ perspective, the Vietnam War was the right thing to do and I believe them (just look at my father, he had scars all over from that war).

11:30 AM-1 PM: Caught the Independence Day parade. Only celebrities I met: Chief Charles Ramsey and Garfield The Cat.

1 PM-3:30PM: Had lunch early because I was that dehydrated. At 2 PM, I had lunch with former NPR interns Claire, Rachel, and Joy at Clyde’s at the Gallery Place. We discuss about our careers, other NPR intern careers, current events, jobs, and so forth. It was very exciting to see some the faces because the whole 50 interns , including myself, had something special and we shared that bond to today, which I think never happens that long, but it has continued and I’m happy about that.

3:30 – 5 PM: The fun begins. I got off the Vienna Metro and made the decision that I’ll walk from the Metro to my house, which is around 3 miles away to get some activity (remember, I don’t drive and buses were limited because it was a holiday). For one hour, it went smoothly, then when I approach Fairfax High School, the rain was starting to come in and ran from Fairfax High to Bif Furniture store. Then for ten minutes, hurricane conditions came in and I got hit. Also of note, I did not carry an umbrella or wearing a poncho. All I had was myself. I went to the nearest safe spot and it was a car dealership. During all of this, my cell phone had no reception because the rain penetrated my phone and couldn’t call my parents, who were near by (Oh, I had to pay an additional $250 for another cell phone because I didn’t have insurance for my cell phone, but that’s for another story) and a lighting bolt struck a car about two blocks of where I was standing (yes indeed I prayed). Storm ended ten minutes later and I got a ride home. Although I was drenched, having small headaches, and water in my ear, I had fun in that storm and would want to do it again (although with a cell phone cover)

5-5:30 PM: I couldn’t believe Italy scored two goals at the last minute of extra time to beat Germany at their home turf.

9-10PM: Saw the fireworks at Fairfax High after I cleaned up. I used to be fawned of fireworks, but as age goes, it has become commonplace. The only reason I want to go: take pictures of my new camera.

That was my Fourth of July. Yesterday, I felt like a patriot. A nutjob patriot, but still a patriot nonetheless. The photos are posted on my Facebook site (on your right) if your interested.