Night 34: The time we tried to see if Jenn could fit in her laundry hamper...

 You be the judge.

Day ## --Ongoing

Dear studious readers of "Those Girls",

In our absence of the internet, we have had many adventurous living together in our new apartment.

I would like to start out this particular post introducing a new segment that will be coming up periodically throughout our time at the "Those Girls" apartment and blog. It is.....

"Dealings with 'D'"

To begin, 'D' is the hired cleaning and caretaker of the condo complex that we are renting out. We have had many interesting interactions with her...and by "we", I mean...I (Lena) has had many interesting conversations with her. Every time I see her, there is a fun little tidbit to share with the whole community. 

Another fun fact is that 'D' LOOOOOVVVESSS to chat. Even when you are trying to go somewhere...like to your car, she loves to talk to you. Which is dangerous because...I love to listen. I often end up at work 20 mins later than planned because I've been talking, or rather, listening to D.

Here are a few fun interactions.

1) Jenn: When Jenn was outside talking on the phone by the water fountain (or more "an odd water feature") that is located on the inside of the condo complex that we live in, D came up to Jenn and started to talk to her...while Jenn was still on the phone. Jenn doesn't know how the conversation turned from "oh, you're new here right?" to "THE BIBLE SAYS THE WORLD AND EVERYONE IS GONNA BURNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!"

2) Lena: On the day after Thanksgiving, when everyone was supposed to be at home and NOT working, D decided to come in to work anyways to empty the trash bins because...they weren't going to empty themselves. This is a woman who is truly dedicated to her job. Well...while I was getting into my car, D said that she had her dog with her and asked if I'd like to meet him. Naturally I said 'yes' and proceeded to go to her car where the cutest furriest little creature came out to greet me. I asked what his name was and D said it was "Mr.Bingley". "MR.BINGLEY!?!?!?!?! Like in....." and while for the life of me I could not muster the words Pride and Prejudice out of my mouth, D filled it in for me..."Like in the movie!!!" Yes....like in....the movie...Pride and Prejudice.

3) Lena: One day while I was on my way to work, D stopped me and mentioned that one HER way to work that day she saw someone by their car...doing something....mmmm...[insert favorite euphemism]...in public. Now I'll spare you ALLLLLL the details that she went into but she basically called the cops and chased him down in his car and got his license plates and said that she hopes he goes to jail and his life is ruined. (Which is interesting to say considering she herself has been in jail...but that's another interaction). And then not only did she tell me everything that happened, but she even did the hand/arm gestures that went along with said favorite euphemism. I then got in my car...very confused...and went to work.

4) Lena: D often wears a panda hat to work in the mornings when it's cold outside.

5) Lena: After Christmas break I was on my way to work (are you sensing a theme? Her cleaning closet is in the garage and located right next to where I park). I asked how her holidays were and she told me that she got together with her kids and it was nice (after telling me about her boyfriend who used to be married to a jehovah's witness and therefore got used to not celebrating christmas in the way that we capitalist americans do). I then asked if her kids lived close by (note to self...beware of questions like this). And she proceeded to tell me about how when she was in her 20s she dealt drugs and went to prison and etc. and her kids ended up in foster care for 13 years before she got them back. Essentially they grew up in it. But she had a great conversion story to God about reading the Bible and promising God that if He gave her her kids back that she would change her life....and it took awhile, but it all happened. She truly is a special woman.

These are just some fun interactions and are in no way to degrade D to be made to look bad. But just to show how wonderful she is...and we're looking forward to more interactions with her.

~Lena

Day 84

The Coffeecake:

Jenn has an extreme affinity for Costco Coffeecake.  The downside is - the coffeecake is a total of 2.6 pounds, in true Costco style.  The other downside is that Jenn might be addicted, considering she has eaten half of the 2.6 lbs in the last day.  The last 24 hours she has consumed, approximately 1.3 pounds of coffeecake.   She usually heats in the microwave for approximately 30 seconds, just so it is a warm cinnamony buttery delicious piece of heaven. 

You might wonder how she talked herself into getting the coffeecake.  When you enter the Sunnyvale costco, you have first fought the terrible drivers of cars in the parking lot, then you have to fight the terrible drivers of massive carts in the aisles.  The coffeecake is located just at the point of no return, the furthest depths of the store.  When Jenn thinks, I have made it thus far, I should get myself a treat, I could take the rest to work.  She never did take the rest into work.

Jenn once got costco muffins, thinking that it would be the same, but no - the costco muffins are definitely not the same.  They do not have the same cinnamon buttery taste, the fluffy texture, or detectable topping.  She had to push the muffins on every visitor that came that week. 

Please stop by apt 133 to try this delicious coffeecake.  Jenn will for sure offer you a piece so she can claim she didn't eat the whole 2.6 pounds by herself.  The coffeecake is available for a limited time only, at the rate she is consuming, it will probably last another day and a half.

Day 80

New rule in the house - we can only listen to broadway songs if someone sings along.   Also please ask Lena for her five minute rendition of West Side Story, complete with song and dance.

Day 71

The internet.

Lena’s version – Finally, can avoid Jenn.  Jenn has promised every week to get internet for the past three months, and finally it is here!  I installed it after Jenn claimed that AT&T didn’t work. I will be able to watch something other than Nicholas Sparks and Twilight.  I won’t have to answer and write all my emails at work.

Jenn’s version – Lena once again proves that she isn’t as inept of a roommate as she lets on by setting up the modem (even though she isn’t a mechanical engineer). Thank goodness the reliable brand name of “Clear” internet came through and sent us a modem that worked. Lena is the greatest roommate ever.