9 September 2017

in

Today I didn't meet anyone new, but was reminded of a couple I encountered.

My family and I went to Marukame Udon for food. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, so you stand in line, and grab a table where ever you can find one. There was one time I was here and I saw an older Chinese couple in front of me. As soon as they got their food the husband and wife exited the line. I had a feeling that they would be coming back to the line. 

Tam and I already exited, and we saw the man was trying to get into the line. I went back to help him and helped him pay at the register. Using my terrible Tagalog, I was able to get the cashier's attention. 

He ended up paying successfully, and he and his wife thanked me. I definitely have to admire the bravery that they had for going to a country where they don't speak the language at the age they are. I know my parents aren't always the best with the apps that could help them get around, so I imagine they'd be the same. Still cool though. 

8 September 2017

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Today I interacted with an events coordinator.

The reason why was because I needed to plan a family reunion in 3 days. Sounds easy enough... Not. Everyone was picky about the food, where, who to sit with... The events coordinator was only for the restaurant I had chosen, Side Street Inn.

We had been going back and forth, and I'm sure a lot of the correspondence would have been better over the phone. I also asked a lot of stupid questions... I often wonder what these people think of who's interacting with them. 

Either way, we got the event booked despite the short timeline (thank god).

7 September 2017

in

Today I met the owner of an engineering firm.

We went to the Hawaii Literary Foundation pauhana, which is just a drinks and food fundraiser. The tickets came from a friend of Tam's, so we attended to keep them company. Since there was a raffle, Tam pitched in $20 with a bunch of his friends to get tickets. 

Our friend's boss, the engineering firm guy, pitched in with us too. We ended up splitting the tickets... And eventually won the restaurant one! The boss jokingly said, "You guys should split it up."

We did, and our friend was holding the two movie tickets we were going to give him. We don't go to the movies very often, so it didn't really make sense to hang on to them. He was stoked, I mean winning stuff for a good cause. Why not, right?

6 September 2017

in

Today I met one of the corporate people who work on security for the military.

He and I were talking about how frequently he comes to Hawaii for work... And that he wished it were more often. It turns out he goes to Okinawa pretty frequently.

So I, being the person I am, told him about taco rice. It's an Okinawan dish inspired by the American forces being present on the island during WWII. It's basically taco stuff over rice, since they didn't have tacos but missed it. Since then, it's basically been adopted into the cuisine.

He said he'd try it the next time, so I hope he likes it.

5 September 2017

in

Today I met a salesperson at Sephora.

I was looking for a new eyebrow pencil, and asked for some recommendations. The guy I asked looked like he was busy... But I also know that customers tend to come first. He did stop and give me a recommendation... About something I was already looking at.

"... Can you recommend something else?"

He eventually did, and I liked what he showed me. Since I've worked in retail so long, it's funny that I notice these small things. 

3 September 2017

in

Today I met a bartender at Lucky Strike Social.

Some places have someone checking IDs at the door, and that's it. When I went to order a drink, the bartender asked to see mine too.

"Oh? Again? I just did it."
"Really?"
"Yeah the guy outside checks them."
"Oh, I didn't know someone did. It's a force of habit either way, you always have to check."
"I see."
"Yeah, you never know who's part of the liquor commission."

I didn't really have problems with it, but funny how not everyone knows everything going on even in the places they work. 

1 September 2017

in

Today I met a server at Highway Inn.

We took my dad out for lunch today, and had the nicest server ever. I've always thought that people are generally very kind in Hawaii. She was super sweet and called my family auntie and uncle as if they were her own. 

I also appreciate her patience because it was taking everyone forever to order food. I personally get mad at that because it'll take me that much longer to get mine... 

31 August 2017

in

Today was my dad's birthday, so I was home. 

I met up with Dylan, a friend of my brother's since he works at the cake shop adjacent to my workplace. He decorated the cake I was going to be giving my dad. We always chat about how he's doing or what my brother is up to. I recall that when I was younger, he had called the house once. In a rush to give the phone to my brother, I fell up the stairs and ended up fracturing my big toe. 

Random, but that's what it is. 

30 August 2017

in

I don't remember what I was talking about with my auntie, but I suspect it had to do with work. It then reminded me about one of the first customers I had ever had. 

He was complaining to me about how his warranty wouldn't be extended beyond the first year, even though he was getting a replacement device.

"Why not? Apple is right there, aren't you guys better than Apple?"
"I didn't say that, I'm just saying we're not extending your warranty."
"I bet they'd do it over there."
"Nope, you're welcome to walk and ask them, but they won't extend it there either."

I recall that the customer fumed over it and walked away while we continued talking to his wife. I think I've learned that as much as I don't want to deal with confrontation, I also enjoy it. 

29 August 2017

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Today I actually talked to the waiter I always get at Tonkatsu Tamafuji.

He dropped into the store looking for a keyboard, so I asked if he worked at Tamafuji. He said, yes, but he didn't remember me. Of course not, I said, you turnover tons of tables every day. 

Turns out he was looking for something we didn't sell, but he did share that he's only one of two full time workers at Tamafuji. During the day, he goes to school at KCC, so he enjoys his Tuesdays off. 

It would be the last time I'd be seeing him for a while, especially considering I didn't know when my next trip would be. 

27 August 2017

in

Today I met my lower school principal! 

When I say lower school, I meant elementary school. I haven't seen her in years, so I asked if she remembered me. She asked me for my name.... And then exclaimed, "Oh how's your mom?!"

She remembers how much my mom helped out the school during my elementary years. This is also during the time when she was building her career, and we were relatively new immigrants to the country. She and mom spoke to each other in Tagalog and built their connection that way. 

We talked about our families and how they're doing, and she invited me back to school sometime. I'm inclined to take her invite, since I've not been in a while. 

26 August 2017

in

Today I met some prepubescent boys.

We host League of Legends tournaments at work, which is fine... But as with prepubescent boys, they also sometimes haven't learned about the magic of deodorant. That's less ok.

During the event, we have rules about conduct... Like not swearing. Easy enough. Except some kids did and I had to "mom" them once I heard them swear. 

"Hey, you guys heard what he just said about conduct right?"
"Yes."
"And you don't want to get disqualified right?"
"No."
"I mean, it's not just you who gets disqualified but your friends will be too, right?"
"Yes."
"Don't do it again, I would hate for that to happen to you."
"Ok."

They looked genuinely remorseful, so I couldn't help but be amused. I guess I'm old enough to be "mom"-ing people. 

25 August 2017

in

It's been like a solid month since I've kept up with this so wish me luck.

I met the clinicians who volunteer with me at the Special Olympics every year. It was our "thank you" dinner for volunteering at the event. It's always fun to see these people because they feel so passionately about helping out the special needs population in Hawaii.

I heard from one of them that Hawaii legally legalized selling hearing aids over the counter, so that was kind of cool. I also heard that one of them would be transitioning out, maybe to retire. It's crazy because the program has been around for about 7 years, and it's still running pretty strong. Most of the people had been participating for the whole time, and the dedication is definitely admirable. 

24 August 2017

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Today I met some nice young workers from Restaurant Ireh.

The first few times I went to the restaurant, a pair of older Korean women helped. This time, it was a younger pair of boys, I assumed that they were maybe their sons. They were probably the most polite kids I've ever met running a restaurant by themselves. 

They filled our waters, and were super polite even as we spilled sauce all over the table and asked for extra napkins. 

I mean, granted they messed up my kimchi takeout order, but that's more my fault than theirs. I need someone else to order my food all the time. 

23 August 2017

in

My market manager came to visit today. 

Last time he came to visit, we were speaking at the front of the store. I had given him a lei, which is customary for visitors... And a few minutes after, an older woman approached him and asked, "I'm your birthday present!"

She gave him a hug and I looked at him. I mean, he's a good looking guy, so I'm sure it happens often. Though, even I've not seen something so brazen.

"So what's going on for your day?"

I tried to interject with activities going on in the store, and the woman looked at me with a blank stare for what felt like 10 minutes. She then ignored me and asked him, "What do you have planned for later?"

"Not much, just hanging out with the team here."

I tried to rescue him, really I did, but he was on his own. He was very polite and didn't take any of her advances before she smiled at him saying, "I'll just be sitting over here."

My manager and I ended up picking up our conversation where we left it... But damn that was something else. 

22 August 2017

in

Today I met a cashier at Foodland.

I had just gone to the post office, where I had seen a woman ripping out pages of her notebook and putting it into an envelope. The woman was extremely nice, going as far to use terms of endearment like "honey" and "love."

I don't commonly hear terms of endearment like that, so it was a little weird for me. It reminds me of my Animal Crossing game, where the villagers had tag lines exactly like that... And would ask you to change it if they didn't think it was cool anymore.