ATL so far

Atlanta's suburbs must be THE most convenient places to live in the world. I swear to God (and I don't swear...or believe in God...but I always capitalize the "G" juuuust in case). I've never seen so many shopping plazas. Every year I come home there are more and more.

Got in late Friday night. My poor parents picked me up at the airport at 1:30am. They're troopers. I've been shopping my ass off. I actually feel normal-sized here vs. HK where I feel like the girls in the stores look at me and think, "The baby in her tummy must be ready to come out any day!" So I'm like a kid in a candy store here.

Went to the movies with my dad. One of my favorite things to do. And he still insists on paying.

Went to a girls gift exchange and had great food and conversation(thanks again, Haywood).

Then last night a bunch of people came out to celebrate my birthday with me. It felt really good. I didn't get much one-on-one time with everyone but at least got to say hello and catch up quickly and give/get hugs and see their faces. I'll be here for awhile so I'll get more QT with everyone.

Switching gears - The company I work for is so unorganized. There have been about 6 different events where they've given me the wrong information or something to that effect. Then yesterday I received an email that said they accidently put over $12,000 into my checking account. They were only supposed to put in about $950 to reimburse me for my November expense report. I tried the "Thanks for the birthday present" response but no-go. So now I have to write a $12,000 check and FedEx it to the accountant.

Then today another accountant gave me a wrong credit card number and caused a whole long confusing chain of emails. Then the HR chick told me that I have vision insurance if I'm in the states. So I went to the eye doctor today for a much-needed exam and new glasses and they said they couldn't find me listed with my insurance. Sure enough...after calling the HR woman she said, "Oops. I was wrong...you don't have vision insurance." So $600 later I left the doctor's office.

Then the travel agent gave me wrong information that caused about an hour's extra work for me.

It just never stops with these people. It's a multi-billion (with a B) dollar company. You think they'd have the best people working for them. Of course, I'M working for them and I'm a lazy piece of shit so I guess that's their "thing".

Back to birthday - I received a sweet email from a guy named Aaron that I had a crush on in high school...then briefly dated in LA when we were both there. Then he left after 9/11 and moved back to ATL and has been here ever since. I replied to his email last night and gave him my number and he already called me today. Ohhhhhh yeeeahhhhh. Will have to tell my parents I'm "spending the night at a friend's house" one night soon ;)

Also got a sweet email from the 40-year old Swiss/Persian guy from Hanoi, Pascal. I don't know how he or Aaron knew my exact birthday. Usually I'm obnoxious and tell people but I didn't do that with them. I love those surprise birthday emails you get every year. Makes up for the assholes that forget.