Truck Counting

I'm lucky enough to have a job that lets me participate in different projects in the Bay Area. I am provided with the opportunity to get out of the office and get some field experience and hands on knowledge of some pretty cool stuff. There are just some things that you can't learn from books or experience in an office. I'm glad that I get the chance to be in an office and also have an option to do more in the field (if I so choose). My latest project was a truck count survey in West Oakland.

Sparing details, I took on the role as a truck counter. I was posted at an intersection in West Oakland compiling data on the types of trucks (drayage vs. non-drayage trucks, axel information, license plate data, etc.) that pass through my intersection, what direction the trucks were coming from, and what direction they were headed. Before the project began, I was excited about having the opportunity to get out of the office and learn/try something new. Well, I'm happy to report that I enjoyed the experience much more than I imagined I would.

Truck counting was actually quite an interesting experience. And trust me, truck counting is a skill that works the back muscle in your brain...the one I forgot I had until it started to hurt. Truck counting sounds (and looks) super easy to do, but once I started, I realized that it actually takes a lot of work and concentration. Not only are you looking for specific truck information, but you are looking at what direction the truck is coming from and where it is headed...couple that with a four lane intersection, and you have your work cut out for you. At times, it was overwhelming since there was always moving traffic and there isn't too much time for a break...just when I thought I could take a short break, I realized those turn-on-red trucks weren't waiting for anything and if I blinked, I missed...like three of them (those truckers sure can take a curve super fast). Try this exercise out for a few hours and I bet nothing will make you happier than returning to an office. But like I said, it was definitely something that was new and exciting to learn and try.

After completing my shift, I realized that I didn't feel so well. It appeared that standing/sitting near a busy intersection full of diesel trucks and exhaust fumes may not have been the most healthy place. After a number of hours counting trucks, my eyes were watery, my throat was sore, and I was light headed. I immediately wanted to change my particulate matter covered clothes, wash my diesel covered face and scrub my exhaust fume filled hair. Truck counting was definitely a cool experience, but most definitely not something I would quit my day job for.

End Of The Olympics

After a semi-relaxing weekend, I’m not super excited about heading back to work tomorrow…is that a surprise?

Over the weekend, I enjoyed some nice family time with my parents and a Giants game with some friends (and they won…too little too late for this season…but hey, still nice to see them win). As I now prepare to watch the closing ceremonies of the Olympics, I’m anxious to see what the ceremonies will include (considering the opening ceremonies were so awesome). As sad as it is to realize that the 2008 Olympics is coming to a close already (it seems like it went by so fast), it would be really nice to return to my regular schedule. I can’t tell you how tired, drained, and completely out of it I’ve felt these last few days due to lack of sleep. Granted, some of that strain can be blamed on other things besides the Olympics…but still.

So as we get ready to say goodbye to Beijing and hello to London in 2012…I’m thinking it would be nice to schedule a vacation to Beijing and another one in London. Doesn’t that sound great?

Pets

I got into a discussion with some of my fellow co-workers today about pets. Now, as most of you know, I’m not the biggest animal lover…which, I know, is the biggest understatement of the year.

One lady has three cats and another guy has two dogs. They playfully argue over which type of pet is the best and most practical (i.e. which animal they like the best). Well that’s great. I keep my animal hating comments to myself and let them talk amongst themselves. Of course, the conversation turns to me and my preference of pets. I start off by saying that I’m allergic to most pets due to their pet dander (which is true) and I’m not really much of a pet person (which is, most definitely, true). They goad me into joining the conversation and try to persuade me to look at pictures of their pets. Which, by the way, why do people do that? Right after I specifically say that I’m not a fan of pets, people seem to think that they (and their pets) are exempt from what I have just said and try to convince me that theirs is the most cutest/smartest/nicest/well-behaved whatever. That’s so annoying. Anyway, I digress…

Well after much goading, I finally admit that, yes, I hate pets. They each give me matching stunned stares as they try to determine whether I’m kidding or not. As I soon point out, yes, you heard me right, I hate all animals…I try to reassure them that I don’t discriminate, I hate them all equally. But somehow, that didn’t make them feel better. Go figure.

So world, be warned, Kristina does not like pets.

Sweating The Small Stuff

In order to save my sanity, I always try to put things in perspective...so that I don't drive myself completely crazy everyday. I don't always succeed, but nevertheless, that's what I strive for. One of the biggest pet peeves that I have about myself is trying not to stress over the small stuff. There are many things (and I do mean many things) that bug me and I'm definitely not shy about letting people know what they are. I mean, I figure life is too short to be mad about things forever, so if something bothers me, I say my piece, get it off my chest and hope that things improve...and then, most importantly, I try to let things go. I try my best, nowadays, to do what I feel I need to do (or say) so that I don't have any regrets about how things turn out and then try to move on with my life.

With all that said, normally, it is not that hard for me to let things go and move on. But there are some rare occasions (...or dealings with some people, for that matter), which bother me to a point that I feel that I can't just let things go. I know that sounds totally counterproductive and contradicts what I have just said in the first paragraph, but hey, I'm being honest. Recently, I have come to the realization that I don't want to become one of those people (and you all know what kind of person I'm talking about) who keeps everything bottled up, lets things fester, and then explodes over why things aren't perfect. That's not healthy and not a trait that I want to have.

So, why am I telling you people all about this? Well putting it in writing for the world to see makes my focus a lot more real and makes me all the more determined to do things right for me. And...if I don't conquer this soon...it might kill me.

Vacation Anyone?

Haven’t the Olympics been awesome? Since I only follow a couple of events, it has been way too easy for me to get swept up in the excitement.

I have been spending a ridiculous amount of time watching the Olympics this past week. This comes as quite a shock to my system, since I’m typically not really a television watcher…sitting on the couch for endless hours watching television doesn’t really appeal to me. But this past week, I’ve been constantly in front of my computer or television watching the Olympic games. When I’m not working…I’m watching the Olympics. When I’m not sleeping…I’m watching the Olympics. I’m pretty sure that my body is paying the price for my unusual behavior. I mean, during the afternoon hours, I can feel my eyes start to twitch from being glued to my monitor and the rest of my body shutting down from lack of sleep.

Good thing the Olympics are only a few weeks every four years because I don’t know if my body can take much more than this. And it doesn’t help that the games are so exciting. Michael Phelps’ races alone are worth staying up late and watching…without taking into consideration all the other events going on.

Watching the Olympic games makes me want to go to Beijing. Of course, I’ve always wanted to plan a vacation to go visit Beijing one of these days, but watching the games on television, makes my desire to go even stronger. So…who wants to go…? Anyone?

Opening Ceremonies

So I just finished watching the opening ceremonies to the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, and despite being quite tired, I feel the need to post something.

Knowing about the many controversies leading up to the games, the unsettling current world order, and some shaky Chinese politics, I'm glad (for the sake of China, the Chinese people, and people around the world) that the opening ceremonies went off without a hitch. If anything, the ceremony blew everyone away. I can't imagine anyone who wasn't moved by, at least, some portion of the ceremony. When I was watching the ceremonies tonight, I have to say that I felt a strong sense of pride, belonging, and awe. The Chinese did an amazing job. Complete synchronization. Very beautiful. And really unbelievable.

If you missed it and want to check it out (which I highly recommend), please do so.

It was awesome. No, better yet, it was fuckin' awesome!

Olympics

Tomorrow is the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing. Yay!

I’m excited. Since the summer games only happen every four years, I hope to watch as much as I can. And it is an added bonus that the games are in Beijing this year. I mean, how awesome would it be to be able to go to Beijing? With or without the Olympics, I would jump at the chance to spend some time over there.

Oh, speaking of which, on my way to work this morning, I heard on the radio that some of the athletes are already complaining about the food that is being served in Beijing. Surprise, surprise (I was expecting this story and just waiting for it…). There was an athlete interviewed who was worried about her chances of winning a medal since her diet has been “completely thrown off” due to the unusual foods served to the athletes. Another athlete said that he was surprised by the vast differences of food that can be found at Olympic Village. He said that he found it so surprising that shark fin soup was served and is so popular among the local elites….I’m glad these athletes are really enjoying their experience in Beijing.

Anyway, the summer games are always so exciting to watch. I’m a big fan of swimming, diving, track and field and gymnastics. I’m not too familiar with any of the athletes or the favorites this year. But it still should be fun to watch. So I plan to park myself in front of the tube for the next couple of weeks, and I think you should do the same.

My Blog

Over the weekend, someone felt the need to inform me that my blog doesn’t provide any/enough “personal” information about me. Apparently, it doesn’t contain enough personal details about my day-to-day activities to satisfy some of my readers’ curiosity (i.e. my last blog didn’t include any personal vacation details). So…surprisingly enough, my response was…so what?

This may come as quite a shock to some people, but my blog isn’t the best way to find out personal details about me. Is that such a surprise? I mean, everyone and their mother has access to the web and my website and I assume that everyone wouldn’t think that I would post my personal thoughts on the web for anyone to read. As for personal details, if you have to ask, then no, I guess I don’t share personal details with you.

You have to excuse me if it may seem that I am taking the defensive on this issue…because, well, I am. As with most bloggers out there, I don’t blog for any other reason than because I want to. This blog doesn’t serve some greater purpose since I don’t feel the need to share details with anyone or keep an ongoing archive of my past thoughts. I just use my blog as an outlet to voice my opinion on a variety of subjects, for whatever they might be worth, to whoever chooses to read them. It is up to you as to whether you want to read my blog. And if you don’t like what I blog about, well hey, no hurt feelings, but you don’t have to read it anymore. Simple, right?