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Thursday, September 27, 2012

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 50


Real People, Real Emails...

Subject: an important question
Message: i have an important question that im trying to get answered so that ill know what my options are.


......?
What is your question.....?
LOL
(and I only "LOL" when something is really funny!)

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Disneyland

**Side Note...
This is a very photo intense post...
I hope you enjoy!

Yes this is over a week late...Sorry!

So I have to admit...
I have not been to Disneyland since I was in high school...
It had been a very long time!

When Rich asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, I told him that I wanted to go to Disneyland with my best friend and her fiance!

We went on a Sunday and it was not that busy or hot, which was great since it was right after a hot heat wave in LA.

Rich and I woke up early, headed over to our coffee shop for some 'pick-me-up' coffees and then hit the road.
It is about a 45 minute drive.


We parked and took the tram over to downtown dinner where we met up with the BF and her Fiance. 
We bought our tickets and headed inside - not before we lathered on the sunscreen!





Laura is a seasoned Disneyland goer, so we let her lead the way. 
We started the day off by getting some fast passes. 
We got a fast pass to Splash Mountain.
We then road Pirates of the Caribbean - the line was non existent. We got right on, so we couldn't pass it up!
Then we rode Thunder Mountain. I would say that this was one of my favorite rides..we ended up riding it, I think 4 times! ha!


Our first rollercoaster ride - pure joy! :-)
The Happiest Place on Earth!
 Rich was wearing his Zermat shirt which was perfect for the Matterhorn! 
We couldn't not take a picture!



The Rides we rode:

Space Mountain

I missed the memo on "looking bored"
No Frowns allowed!

Buzz Lightyear

The Matterhorn


It's a Small World


Peter Pan
(We rode this one twice)


Splash Mountain
(We rode this one twice)

Ride 1 on Splash mountain
 Goofy- One of my favorite Characters!


Then we headed to lunch Downtown Disney.
We shared a large pizza and had yummy cold adult beverages.

After we ate, we headed back to the park for more Disney Fun!


The Jungle Cruise




We were very sad because Indiana Jones was closed!

Thunder Mountain Round 2

Thunder Mountain Round 2

Splash Mountain Round #2 
Haunted Mansion - it was decorated as the Nightmare Before Christmas


Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion
 Space Mountain Again...
Rich and I were supposed to kiss...but I was just too excited...
I didn't mean to leave Rich hanging..!

Space Mountain Round 2





Then we headed to dinner in Downtown Disney.
We had Mexican and margaritas.
We made it back just in time for the Fireworks!


If you look closely, you can see Tinker Belle!
A great firework show!


After the firework show we rode Thunder Mountain 2 more times!
And then headed back to our place, showered and PASSED OUT!

What is your favorite ride at Disney??

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Endeavour's Final Flight

I had been hearing all about the Space Shuttle: Endeavour and its final flight through California.

I sadly had to work on Friday so I figured that I wouldn't get to see it.

I was pleasantly surprised!

I went to lunch and sat outside on the patio and overheard coworkers talking about it and that it was heading our way.

Again, I figured I wasn't going to see it...

Then everyone started getting excited, pointing and yelling.

All of a sudden it was overhead!
We were all staring at it in awe and clapping.



What an amazing site to see!
Did anyone else get to see it on its final flight??

Monday, September 24, 2012

Veggie Menu (Week 10)

These are tasty! 
I didn't have any zucchini or cornstarch...and they still turned out tasty!


I liked these, but probably wouldn't make them again.
Rich isn't a big fan of corn...
And instead of just corn, I used the corn and chili salsa from TJ.
Tasty and add more flavor!


Tuesday: Everything but the Kitchen Sink Pasta
Pasta
2 cloves of garlic
1 Shallot
1/2 cup of chopped sun dried tomatoes
1/2 cup of chopped artichoke hearts
1 red bell pepper
Red Wine Vinegar & EVOO - enough to make a light sauce
Salt & Pepper & Red Chili Flakes to taste

Boil the pasta according to the package and mix everything together and serve!
This would be really tasty with some feta cheese on top!

We had to make/use what we had in the fridge, so I through everything together and created a pasta dish
It was tasty and light
Definitely good for a warm summer night!


This was pretty tasty. 
We didn't add any olives.
Another light, summer meal.
I sliced a few pieces of bread, drizzled it with EVOO added a dash of salt and pepper and toasted them - definitely delicious with this salad.


Thursday: Fontal Polenta with Mushroom Sauté
I made this at the beginning of our meatless menu.
The polenta is delicious!!

I had to go into a Japanese Market to find the While Miso.
Everything was in Japanese and I still found it!
I am quite proud of myself!
We really liked this!
It is hearty but not heavy.
The Miso dressing is tasty!
And we used the Chile & Onion Tortillas from TJ. Next time I may get a different wrap.
They were good!
(We had to eat them like tacos...)


Saturday: We went out to dinner
Swate Night :-)
(Sweeter Date Night)
Milo Olive
Delicious pizza and you must get the garlic knot!
We are going to make this on our own...I'll let you know how it goes!

Sunday:  Barley and Sweet Potato Pilaf
 Sadly, I had to use chicken broth.
And we topped it with Parmesan Cheese.
I found that I had to add a lot more liquid than what was listed in the recipe.
Keep an eye on it and add water if it starts to stick to the bottom.
Stir occasionally.

Also, I used Sweet Potatoes...not yams...
I am going to do some research on the difference because it is one of my pet peeves when I make something that calls for sweet potatoes, so I get sweet potatoes and then you look at the pictures and they are using yams!
EEEK! ;-)
(Yes, this is my issue now and YES I do feel blessed!;-))


Cheers!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 49 (UNedited)

Real People, Real Emails..

If you are offended by strong language, please do not read this post...

"Subject: Your fucked up web site. 
Message:What the fuck is up with your fucked up web site?  I have more fucking trouble with the stocks on the move screen than any other area on your site.  Often when I click on the green or red arrows there is no fucking response. Or, it takes a mother fucking long time to show the results.  IS your sitefucking overwhelmed?????

Also, your site is fucking slow to respond to cliks in various areas. Get your fucking act together. Vector Vest does not have this problem.  

I am utilizing a new computer and high speed internet via Comcast.  So, the fucking problem is not me. 

Sincerely,

fucking pissed off cutomer who is going to suspend his subscriptions."

Either (A) you just learned this word and are over excited about using it or (B) you don't know any other words!

Do you talk to you mother with that mouth?!
And if you are writing emails like this/think you can talk to our agents like this then we would rather not have you as a subscriber, so you threatening your subscription status doesn't work... FYI

Quote

What a fantastic quote!
I hope you all have lots to smile about today!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Veggie Menu (Week 9)

MondayTofu Tostadas

How I made them:
I used the Trader Joe's Chile & Onion tortillas, popped them in the toaster oven and toasted them.
We grated extra sharp cheddar cheese and put black beans (that we re hydrated), red bell peppers, spinach and avocado. I then made a little dressing to put on top - some salsa, red wine vinegar salt and pepper - and I drizzled that on top!
It was tasty!



Tuesday: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread & Salad

I used the sauce from this recipe
We had our friends over for dinner and they have 3 small children. I figured that you can't go wrong with garlic bread, salad and spaghetti in a marinara sauce.
I was wrong...ha!
It was hit among the adults, but too spicy for the kiddos...oops!
They ended up eating noodles with butter, EVOO, salt & pepper
They LOVED the garlic bread, though!

Wednesday: We had leftover pasta from Tuesday


ThursdayGratinéed Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi
This was really tasty!
We actually made the gnocchi on Wednesday and put it all together on Thursday.
I think if I was to make it again, I would add garlic to it, it seemed to be 'missing' something.



Friday: I was in Denver for work.
I ate at the hotel restaurant Zink
The food here was delicious!
This was the first time I had ever eaten at a restaurant by myself.
It was glorious!
I didn't have to entertain anyone buy myself and I didn't have to keep conversation with anyone.

My international ginger ale...

Lemon Drop and Caesar Salad



Champagne and Dessert 
Red Wine & Spaghetti




















SaturdayGemelli Salad with Green Beans, Pistachios, and Lemon-Thyme Vinaigrette
This was also very tasty!
We, sadly, did not have any parmesan cheese..Oh well, it was tasty non the less!



Sunday: We were at Disneyland (Post about that later this week)

Friday, September 14, 2012

Liebster Award


I was nominated for a blog award by Kingsley
Thanks Girl!

1. What is your greatest success?
Professionally: Graduating College and Getting a "Real" Job
Personally: Teaching my brothers to be good kids (to the best of my ability), staying strong and true with my beliefs, morals and values and  always learning

2. In a perfect world, what do you want to be when you "grow up"?
I would love to do Marketing for a Nonprofit Organization....Anyone know of an organization who is hiring?? :-)

3. Do you prefer sweet or salty?
This is a hard question...since I have a giant bag of peanut M&Ms and Sea Salt & Vinegar chips in my desk drawer... ha!



4. If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
I would live in Bassano Del Grappa in this villa!


5. What is the first memory that comes to mind when asked: When were you last the happiest you have ever been?
The first thing that comes to mind was last weekend when Rich and I became an Auntie and Uncle!
I had no idea that I would react the way that I did.
I want to jump on the next flight and smother my little nephew with kisses until my lips get chapped! ;-)

6. If you could go back to school (or go to school), what would you study and why?
I have been thinking a lot about this recently.
As you have seen in previous posts, I want to change/save the world.
I have been thinking that I want to go to school and get a nursing certificate.

7. What is your favorite feature about yourself?
I would say my eyes - even though people compliment me on my beautiful "green" eyes
(They are blue...)

8. If you have read the book, what is your love language?  
Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation
Rich and I don't have the same ones... He is Personal Touch and Quality Time
So we cover all of them in our daily lives!

9. What makes your heart smile?
My Sweet Husband
My Sweet brothers
My Family
My New Nephew
My Friends

10. If you could change one thing, what would you change?
I would turn all of the hate in the world in to Love :-)
I think all of the countries should have a big group hug before each meeting!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 48

Real People, Real Emails...

"Why Can't You Provide Service to East Coast Customers as you do For West Coast?
I've been awake since 4:00am waiting for my paper. This is the second day of my subscription and I have no paper. The deliverer has arrived and left my wife's Wall Street Journal w/o my IBD. You don't open for another 3+ hours for me to make the problem known. If you provided East Coast customers with the same courtesies I could have you remedy the problem before the deliverer left the planet. By the time your office comes online my chance of reading my paper today is zilch.
This tends to happen with the paper A LOT. I was assured it changed when I switched from electronic version to paper delivery.
Adding another paper 365 days from now is easy for you to say but what about today? I can't even get into the electronic edition without paying a higher premium!"

Pretty sure you are being a little bit dramatic...

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Why NOT to Use Your Microwave

I know I mentioned here that I would tell you why you should not use your microwave.
Yes, I am a day late, but better late than never!

I know that this is a word intense post, but you should really read it and understand the implications of using your microwave!
Once you understand, STOP using it!

You can also read this article

Below is a Science fair project presented by a girl in a secondary school in Sussex.
In it she took filtered water and divided it into two parts.
The first part she heated to boiling in a pan on the stove, and the second part she heated to boiling in a microwave.
Then after cooling she used the water to water two identical plants to see if there would be any difference in the growth between the normal boiled water and the water boiled in a microwave.
She was thinking that the structure or energy of the water may be compromised by microwave.
As it turned out, even she was amazed at the difference, after the experiment which was repeated by her class mates a number of times and had the same result.


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It has been known for some years that the problem with microwaved anything is not the radiation people used to worry about, it's how it corrupts the DNA in the food so the body can not recognize it.
Microwaves don't work different ways on different substances. Whatever you put into the microwave suffers the same destructive process. Microwaves agitate the molecules to move faster and faster. This movement causes friction which denatures the original make-up of the substance. It results in destroyed vitamins, minerals, proteins and generates the new stuff called radiolytic compounds, things that are not found in nature.
So the body wraps it in fat cells to protect itself from the dead food or it eliminates it fast. Think of all the Mothers heating up milk in these 'Safe' appliances. What about the nurse in Canada that warmed up blood for a transfusion patient and accidentally killed him when the blood went in dead. But the makers say it's safe. But proof is in the pictures of living plants dying!!!


Ten Reasons to dispose off  your Microwave 
From the conclusions of the Swiss, Russian and German scientific clinical studies, we can no longer ignore the microwave oven sitting in our kitchens. Based on this research, one can conclude this article with the following:

1). Continually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term - permanent - brain damage by 'shorting out' electrical impulses in the brain [de-polarizing or de-magnetizing the brain tissue].

2). The human body cannot metabolize [break down] the unknown by-products created in microwaved food.

3). Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved foods.

4). The effects of microwaved food by-products are residual [long term, permanent] within the human body.

5). Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all microwaved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down.

6). The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens.

7). Microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths [tumours]. This may explain the rapidly increased rate of colon cancer in UK and America .

8). The prolonged eating of microwaved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood.

9). Continual ingestion of microwaved food causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations.

10). Eating microwaved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability, and a decrease of intelligence.


The above information is from:

FORENSIC RESEARCH DOCUMENT
Prepared By: William P. Kopp
A. R. E. C. Research Operations
TO61-7R10/10-77F05
RELEASE PRIORITY: CLASS I ROO1a