airing my grievances

I have a $200 Travel Voucher Exchange Coupon expiring the end of January. I'm thinking "Great! I'll use it to go visit my buddies in Denver."

I couldn't figure out how to use it on-line so I called. (PS - In general - I hate, hate, hate talking on the phone.)

I just finished speaking with the airline representative - and BOOOOOO to their policy on redeeming Travel Vouchers.

After I got the flights & seats picked (and it takes FOREVER on the phone compared with the two minute on-line process), I tell the rep that I have the voucher and she tells me -

"I will put your reservation on hold and you will have 7 days to send the voucher to us by CERTIFIED MAIL."

I THINK - "WHAT? Are you crazy? I mean - Is your company completely insane? Why do you print all these codes on the coupon if one of them won't validate it in your fancy computer system?"

then...

I THINK - "First you inconvenience me so much that you offer me a voucher to compensate.... then when I try and use it you make it difficult!!!! I know your game.... you give us these vouchers so we don't make a scene....then you make it impractical so use it so we don't bother and you don't have to loose any money!"

then...

I SAY - "I understand that is the policy. But that is REALLY frustrating."

"Sorry Ma'am - that is our policy. You could also take it to an airport and redeem it at the ticket counter."

Oh yeah...well still completely rude, but my closest airport is a mere 5 minutes away.

Take that Frontier!!!

Speaking of BC

A few months ago BC introduced me to pupusas (a traditional Salvadoran dish.) BC knows I like cheese and I remember her emphasizing the fact that they would be stuffed with "cheesy goodness". So since I've been more adventurous lately - and I'm willing to try anything once - we went for a Friday lunch.

It just so happens that BC's favorite pupusaria is about a five minute drive from my office. Bonus! I'm not the best at descriptions - but "cheesy goodness" almost covers it. Combine that with a crunchy cabbage topping and a tangy sauce and folks, you have just described my new favorite food.

I'm pretty sure I could eat these everyday. Lucky for me they are only $1.50 each!

Dear BC

Dear BC - This is why you are one of my favorite friends...

- You have a never ending supply of hugs.
- You encourage me to be better.
- You help me look toward the positive side of life.
- You can be silly.
- You can jump really high.
- You can sleep for 10 hours.
- You can sing like an angel (and you are very entertaining).
- You listen when I need to cry.
- You read scriptures with me.

- You have been on two cruises with me.
- You are an amazing missionary.
- You are always kind to me.
- You make time in your life for me.

There is more to this list, but these are my highlights today. I love you!

A Summary

I often feel like I spend all my time at work. Weekends seem to speed by, as do vacations - let alone just an evening, where I need to pack in errands, movies & TV, dinners, baking, visiting teaching, institute, exercising, volunteering at the temple, important chats with friends, etc. If you take in to consideration my strong desire to travel (everywhere!) and spend more frequent quality time with my family, I could probably quit working all together and still be crazy busy.

I know work is important. I understand the need to support myself. Health insurance, a paycheck and a feeling of contributing - these are all good things. But this feeling that I live in a crazy world - working FIVE out of seven days a week seems a bit much. Wouldn't it be better to work three and have off four?

And yet looking back at 2010 - all these feelings aren't even based on reality. I only worked 50.7% of the year. Check it out -

185 days working in the office
104 days for the weekends
30 vacation days
18 CWS days
11 holidays
9 days (out of the office) in Training
4 snow days
4 sick days

So go ahead - tell me I have a good life. I actually already know, and I feel blessed.