you only see these things working in retail...

So the other day, I was one of the cashiers and I look up at the line that had quickly formed and I see a mother and son. The mother has some beauty product and the son was looking down at what looked like was a portable game. I then realized it was a cellphone and he was looking so intently at it,  I wondered what he was playing. Then his mother says to the boy " great job! You did it" at this point I was still clueless what he was playing. A girl, in her twenties, was waiting behind the boy and the mother and her boyfriend was looking down at his iPhone so intently just like the son was. I didnt think anything of it and the mother said something to the son about angry birds, and the boyfriend behind him, piped up and said "oh im playing that too". After saying that  he quickly got back to his game. This whole conversation made me giggle and made me wish I had a camera because it was just like a kodak moment to see a young boy and a grown up playing angry birds so intently.

Also, Im trying to think of a way to make some cash on the side of working retail and hopefully my full time job in the fall. I want something that i can make my own hours and do something that is worthwhile and people would pay for.

So goodnight moon,
And goodnight you,
When you're all that I think about.
All that I dream about.
How'd I ever breathe without...

-elle

hey did you go.....

Today was a good day, before i went into work this afternoon, I stopped into Old Navy to return a pair of pants I bought online but they ended up being too big! (ahhhh yess!!) So I walk in and hop on line with 3 people in front of me. I had my iPhone in my hand and I anxiously was looking at it making sure I was keeping track of time. Luckily the 3 people in front of me didn't have really complex or complicated purchases so I am standing behind this man who is looking at the gift cards and then there is me, standing there in all black clothes, my bright teal bag and a small brown shopping bag with the pair of black pants, the cashier, a boy, looked at me while the man buying the gift card was swiping his credit card, said to me "oh you can put your bag up here, its alright" with my shyness, smiled and obliged. The man who bought the gift card left and this was the conversation that transpired:

cashier boy: hello
me: hi, i bought these online but they didn't fit
cashier: oh okay i can take care of this for you
cashier: ::::looking at the receipt, punching keys on the keyboard:::
me: :::smiling uncomfortably:::
cashier: okay $25 will go back on the card
me: :::rummaging through my HUGE bag::: do you need the card?? ::my voice trembling at this point::
cashier: did you go to _____? :::as he is finishing up the transaction:::
me: ::::stumbling over my words and super surprised:: uh uh yes  i did
cashier: i thought you looked familiar
me: :::racking my brain to think of something intelligent to say because I am so surprised by what he said:::  ::smiling and my face is probably red::: what year did you graduate?
cashier: 05
me: :::smiling:: 06
me: i'm gabrielle ::smiling thinking if that was okay to say:::
cashier: i'm nick :: as he is handing me the receipt:::
me: well it was nice to meet you, see you around
cashier: you too have a good day.

I walked out of Old Navy beaming, things like this happen but never to me and it got me excited and i bounced over to my job. I wouldn't say it was busy because it wasn't but I wouldn't say it was slow either. Today brought in a lot of foreigners that were quite mean and rude. I didn't mind their rudeness because I kept trying to think who this Nick character was and how did I know him besides seeing him at Old Navy.

Hmm, I'll have to see where this one goes.

Other than that I was feeling a lot better today until dinner when i ventured to eat chocolate ice cream =( oh well, i have been really doing well with this whole gluten free diet/lifestyle. Friday will be the one month mark.

with sparkling eyes, look for the beauty in everything.
-elle

ce que vous voulez???

Today was an interesting day. I was met today with four customers who, I'm guessing are on vacation here in the states, who spoke nothing but this foreign language and I had no idea what they were saying. I had to resort to pointing , thumbs up, thumbs down, shaking head yes or no, feeling the fabric etc. It was quite hard and frustrating at first but after a while we got the hang out it. I had to help other customers and the four foreigners went out with their browsing  and other associates tried to help them and kept complaining how annoying they are because they didn't speak English. After a while (read:1 hour), the one man pointed towards the register, here is where I interact with them again and then the man looked at me, I was probably frazzled looking said to me with a smile "Tu parle l Français?" I somehow knew what that meant  and giggle to myself and said " no, Italian tho." Three Hundred dollars later the strangers from France had finally left. That started my morning off great.

The rest of the day flew by and by 4 pm I was ready to go go go.
On my way home, I stopped by the library and picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I have been looking at it for a hour.

Rizzoli and Isles was awesome last night and I am re-watching it right now. It's going to be a good season.

we were caught up in a southern summer.
-elle

My first two days back in my retail job went actually really well.  A mother and daughter came and they were in desperate need of a bathing suit top. The daughter was extremely self conscious and they couldnt find a bikini top to fit her correctly. Luckily after about 8 bikini tops we finally found one that fit her perfectly and she felt so much better. The mother was so thankful that I took time and helpped them out because the mother was running out of options and the daughter was having a graduation (high school) pool party on Sunday and they had no idea where else to turn. The daughters outlook from the time she came in to the time the mother and daughter left had completely changed for the better. The mother and daughter told my manager that i took time to really help them and they appriciated it so so much and the daughter said it made her summer. ::cue a tear coming out of my eye because i was so touched by this:::
Other than that retail really didnt change that much other than the product placements and new products.

My stomach , on the other hand is still wonky. =( 
I had a lazy day today that consisted of playing angry birds on my iPhone, watching the sentencing of Casey Anthony, Cops, Jail, and sleeping. it was fantastic. I love my lazy days.

Hopefully tomorrow I will get to the gym, Staples to look at a new desk chair and CVS to get my Quartley extrabucks. exciting life right!?

You gotta keep your head up...

-elle

Happy Birthday America!

Yikes I cannot believe today is the 4th of July! I wasnt very patriotic today because my gluten free creamy mac and cheese made my tummy very upset.  This is the one thing I dislike about my new gluten free diet is the trial and error part. Sometimes the packaging says that it is gluten free but the actual item might be made in a factory where other gluten products are made so there is cross-contamination. Its so frustrating.

I start my retail job again tomorrow- i have mixed emotions about it since my tummy is upset but I'm excited to finally be making money.

OHHHHH I have some fun news! I took an old skirt and turned it into a dress! I will post the photos tomorrow or the next day. =D

I believe in the sand beneath my toes.
-elle