Visa debit and loan update

Yesterday, I paid off my loan in full. It is the first time that I have done it within two days of opening the loan account up. It feels weird, but I'm glad that I am not paying it off in 48 months.

My bank is setting up its bank cards with Visa debit. I have requested a new bank card. I was invited to make the request. I'm not sure if everyone who has a bank card gets invited and it's just a formality, or the bank is rolling this update out to customers in waves. It's be great, as I can use my debit card as a credit card should I making online transactions.

I'm waiting for the equity from my secured loan to get deposited into my account. It takes up to five business days. This loan is officially closed. I'm pleased.

Q is for questions and questioning #AtoZchallenge

It has been an interesting Monday. I'm beat, but I'm still going.

At work, I get a bunch of questions fired at me from various folks. My co-op students take some coaxing, though. I have to ask them whether they have any questions for me. They seem more comfortable asking me through e-mail. It's a different generation, I suppose.

Tomorrow, I am attempting to get my tourist visa for China. I have spent some time filling out forms. There are a few questions that confuse me, so I'll need to ask someone about them. Ah, the joys of figuring out what people truly mean.

On Monday, I also spent some time creating documentation builds with my students. I like how everything we did worked and made logical sense. The problem was working with the software build person. She wanted the old documentation build, to be safe. Luckily, I am the type who plans everything. I had archived the old version. For me to quickly recreate the old documentation build was straightforward.

I am working from home tomorrow, which allows me to visit the Chinese consulate and relax. I do tense up more at work these days.

I am waiting for a free, new blood pressure monitor to arrive at my doorstep. It's one of the benefits of being on blood pressure medication, being the optimist. Still, I'd like to see how my blood pressure is doing these days.

Visa photos, manicure, and price comparisons

I got a couple of errands out of the way on a soggy, rainy Tuesday. It felt good.

My first errand was to go to Costco to get photos taken for my tourist visa application for China. My guy and I had a talk about photos the other day.

"I always go to Costco to get my passport photos done. It's cheap at $6.99. I don't know whether it does visa photos," I said.
"It does. You can indicate what size you need and the place will do it for you. I went there to get my visa photos for India," my guy replied, being the seasoned traveller.
"Oh, good. I'll go to Costco," I said, with a hint of relief.
"You can't go wrong with that price. It is cheap bastard-approved," he stated proudly.

He was impressed that I have been going to Costco to get my passport photos done. He was also thrilled that I knew how much it cost.

After that, I went to redeem my about-to-expire Groupon for a shellac manicure. My manicure would take an hour, which was roughly the time that my visa photos would be ready to pick up.

I do like my nail polish. It's peach with glitter. Yes, I'm in a girly mood.

I got hungry and went to a Japanese restaurant within the same plaza. The lunch special was great. I had chicken ramen with salad and miso soup. I also got gyoza and a Diet Coke.

After lunch, I went back to Costco to pick up my photos. Sadly, I can't smile in them. At least I don't look like I just broke out of jail!

I then visited Staples to get some graph paper, which was an unplanned errand. Coincidentally, you can get passport photos done there. The price? It's double that of Costco.

My guy is so proud of me that he nearly called me a good girl. Nearly.

Seat sale on a flight and approval from my guy on my plane ticket

I have two more days of vacation left before I go back to work. I wish that I could be so relaxed like I have been so far.

During the holidays, I managed to book my flight and hotel to visit Shanghai in late May. Yes, I am planning my next block of time away from work.

I have been thinking about doing this trip for three years. Thanks to a Boxing Day seat sale, I managed to nab a decent price.

I told my guy about how much I paid for my round-trip price. He was pleased.

"That's cheap," he replied.
"It's cheap bastard-approved?" I asked him.
"Yes, you're a good CB apprentice."

My next task is to get a photo taken for my tourist visa. Ah, the joys of paperwork!