The ICC called and my luck ran out

THE REGISTRY

Vacancy No. 07-LEG-013-PR

Vacancy Title
Associate Legal Officer (P-2)

The Hague, 29 May 2007

Dear Ms. *****,

We thank you for your interest in working with the International Criminal Court.

We regret to inform you, however, that due to unforeseeable circumstances the Court had to cancel the vacancy announcement for the position of Associate Legal Officer in the Presidency.

We appreciate your understanding and invite you to consider applying for other positions with the Court.

With best regards,

Human Resources Section

Vacation Recap

I realized that I never did a vacation recap in my journal. And since the vacations are so few and far between this year, I really should relish the one I had and write about it hopelessly. I just remember that sunken feeling I got when I realized it was over, by the time it was Saturday I was so exhausted and broke that I found myself falling asleep in the mall. My feet hurt, my wallet was rebelling, I needed a good night's rest on my bed and everything was just tired, I was ready for it to be over that I stopped moving, I started counting down the hours, went to the Westfield mall in Union Square and just sat there and fell asleep for a bit. I had done done it, expended myself. I remember some things about the places I went to. And the good bits will always put a smile on my face.

Fresh food in SF. Even the food court had the freshest food I've ever tasted. The Thai food I had was fresh, I could tell it was fresh, and I had to remind myself it was mall food it could have passed for any high end restaurant in Atlanta. It was that tasty. They don't know how lucky they are to have that kind of fresh food. Every street corner from Van Ness to Union Square had "Authentic Thai Food." Good thing I arrived with a craving for Thai food. The highlight was the Ferry Building Marketplace, me taking a million pictures of the Bay Bridge thinking it was the Golden Gate Bridge. The food tasting so great. The antique tranquil texture of that place is so real. Not plastic at all. It has that unique value, the food, the look, the little things you can do to keep yourself busy, the sights. I keep saying Atlanta is not like that. I drove around today looking for something to do, sometimes I wonder would it be the same if I lived in SF, I would always find something to do, some place to walk to. Just on Saturday walking to Westfield Mall, I walked from Van Ness Ave through Post Street, I saw so many galleries, filled with black and whites of the city I had to stop myself, literally stop myself not to go into anymore so I wouldn't be tempted to buy anything. I also remember the Embarcadero, the shops underneath the office building my friend works, walked to the Ferry Building Marketplace from her office, and then passing through this beautiful park, plush lawn, There was a guy actually practicing his Tai Chi there. Like a moment in the hustle bustle when you can stop and breathe. Today in Buckhead, I had to avoid getting hit so many times, it gave me a headache trying to save gas by walking. And mind you there are no trusty lawns. None at all. I remember the little things, the pictures of the moments that I remember will always remind me of what I was thinking when I took them. When the dust settles, I'll do it again. Minus the large number of homeless people on the street and the shitty weather, it felt like it for me. Who knows it just might be.

One day I'll get to writing about the Las Vegas trip. Even though I don't talk that much about it, it was actually a good time for me. I enjoyed it more than I gave it credit for. But for now, there's something about SF that will always remain with me.

what did we do last year?

For the life of me I cannot remember what I was up to last Memorial Day? I know right after Memorial Day things took a decline in my life, so much that they ruined my birthday vacation/celebration, but on the day itself, I cannot remember what I did. I remember my sister and I checking out this townhome development in Duluth, because she wanted me to rent a house, and I spent the day convincing her that I was moving to the city, end of story. But what did we do, I cannot remember. Nothing about it was probably memorable. I cannot remember any holiday that's been. All I want to do is just chill and not have to think about work, that's enough for me. That's a wonderful holiday if I ever saw one. So, I cannot remember what I was up to, at all, just chilling.

Today I went to a different church. Not on purpose. I was in Buckhead and it was time for church and I thought you know, why don't I just check out the Catholic church they have over here. It was a different church, different crowd, different atmosphere, but the same priest I had from my days in Duluth, had actually moved to Buckhead to be their priest. Isn't that something? There was this very adorable guy behind me that I hoped was checking me out. We shook hands twice, and I tried to tail him after church but I couldn't bring myself to say anything, not even the obligatory Hi. He seemed to be in a hurry to check his voicemail. Maybe his girl was calling him. But the whole debacle seemed interesting enough to convince me to check out that church again next time I am in the neighborhood. I would all the time except for the toll downtown. So that was my Memorial Day.

In summary, went to Buckhead, saw some of the sights, drove around a bit bored out of my mind, could have tried some of the spots but my funds are too limited to do anything crazy, and besides don't know which one to choose, saw a church decided to stop by, saw cute guy couldn't talk to him.

Remember this for next year.

Summer living

Since I moved to this area that is at the "heart" of Atlanta, I haven't really done any browsing. and it's sad that I am choosing to do it now, 10 months into living in the city and my lease is almost up and I am not sure if I can still afford to live in the city, so at the last minute, I am deciding, maybe I should get to know the joints around me, maybe I might stick around a while longer, who knows.

So I went to Roswell road, the Sandy Springs end, for the first time yesterday. Went to Trader Joes, (my first Trader Joes was in Norcross not knowing there's an even closer one to me) I love so many things about that place - wine, orange juice, salad mix, much cheaper than Wal mart, but don't tell them that. Then, I went to Whole Foods for the very first time in my life. I have always seen these celebrity pictures of stars shopping for groceries and it always has to be at a whole foods, and I've wondered, "Okay, isn't there a Wal Mart by where they live." But then, now I know why. It's overpriced, and it's only for the people who LOVE to eat and feel like they are eating healthy. They don't have anything that you can find in the conventional grocery store. But they have some good stuff. I got their chicken salad, and the "naked" rotisserie chicken (which I am yet to try). But from the taste of the salad and the Indian cuisine they had, I just may be back, when I am feeling a little richer in the pockets. I had to keep it simple first time around. But it is a good store. I totally understand the fascination.

So that was my weekend sojourn. I couldn't believe all these great finds were about 5 miles from my current location, and all week, and some weekends, I just sit at home, cuddling the remote and doing nothing. Then, I went to Eclipse de Luna on Friday, good music, bad service. Female bartenders and me just do not mix. Like they don't understand that us strong women can drink alone. But I won't bore you with the details.

Gosh, it's 8 o'clock and it's still bright as day outside. Summer is awesome. Awesome.

Deliver Us This Day

Our Father
Who Art in Heaven
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Will Be Done
On Earth As it is in Heaven
Give Us this Day
Our Daily Bread
And Forgive Us our Trespasses
As We Forgive Those
Who Trespass Against Us
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
But Deliver Us from Evil


I just felt the need to say that prayer out loud.

Lord help me. Please...

in some time and place

This is one of my favorite shots from San Francisco. There so many good shots. The picturesque look of that place makes my shitty photography look almost manageable. But this was me walking around aimlessly, suddenly stopping, looking across the street, and there it was --the Apple store in SF that I have heard so much about. Thrill.

I have been ill for the last 3 days, since Monday night actually. Went to work on Monday even worked extra time and then, bam, at night I felt my nose start to clog up, I was literally up from 1:30 to dawn, went to work doped on caffeine, but the fever took over me and I had to go the doctor. It was hard being that ill, it cost me a whole lotta money too. For the last 3 months I have been broke. Actually since December, I have had very poor money management skills. All of a sdden, I look at my account, and I am overdrawn, and I am scrounging around for money so my last check doesn't bounce. It's been that bad. I don't know where my money goes it. One minute I think I am on budget and the next I am not. It's mainly because I went from gettiing paid on the 15th and 30th/31st to bi-weekly. I had so many bills lined up to be paid on the 15th, and now that I may or not get paid on the 15th, it just fucks up the sequence. And no shit the sequence of bi-weekly payments sucks. You get your first payment on the 6th, well, rent is late by the 5th. And then the next payment on the 29th, well, my car note is due on the 19th. It is just aligned badly. And my money management skills are working over time to try and rectify it, sometimes badly. Most times, badly.

This is one of those posts that really have to do with nothing except, I've been sitting in front of this TV since 10:30 am and I thought a post was only proper. If I felt better, then I owuld go riding my bike, on this beautiful Saturday. It sucks to be ill.

a little flashback...

In San Francisco, I decided to stop by and visit an old friend of mine from college. To better explain this story, let me explain our friendship. Ever have that friend that gets jealous because you have other friends, that expects you to give them too much of your time, that promises to keep your secrets but does not, while you keep hers, that blames the world for all the things that happen to her, her failing her college finals, not getting a good boyfriend, the state of her wellbeing. To better explain this, her parents got divorced when she was very young, so she hates the world, people, has a hard time trusting, is just in incredible distaste about everything, and everyone regards her as Debbie Downer, and avoids her, but you are still her friend. You try not to be when she gets on your nerves, but all of a sudden she calls you on New Years Eve and says, I want to make amends, I want us to be tight again. Like she can't make up her mind. Just a screwed up woman who in the modern world you would suggest therapy, but in this world, you just say she is sad, she needs to get laid, and she will get her satisfaction from life eventually. But this girl is a tough one, and to complicate matters I thought, since I am in San Francisco I might as well stop by and just say, hey, we haven't seen each other in about 8 years so why wouldn't she want to see me? It left a bad taste in my San Francisco high. Really bad taste.

So I was in the neighborhood of the Embarcadero and remembered that the law firm she works for is in one of the buildings, building No 4 actually. So I said, hey, let me say HI. I had sent her a couple of emails about me being in the neighoborhood but got an out of office. But I didn't get the last email she sent saying "she would pass." So I went there with tweedle-dee-dum-de-tweedle look on my face, and boy was that a shocker when she left me sitting in the waiting room, while they paged her, etc. She sent an email back saying, I am not available. That was cold. Then, she sent me an even meaner email. So the email string below is us back and forth and me trying not to let it ruin my vacation.

Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 23:48:32 EDT
Subject: I just got in
From: "Anita
To: Ola
I just got in to town....do u want to meet up?

Subject: I just got in
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:07:17 -0700
From: "Ola>
TO: Anita

Just incase you did not get my previous email. I will not be able to meet with you. I hope you have a great time visiting the city by the bay.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ola
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 8:42 AM
To: 'Anita'
Subject: RE: I just got in

No I think I will pass. Enjoy your trip.

After my visit...

Hi Anita,
I got your first email which I did not respond to and was hoping that would let you know that I was not interested in meeting up with you. I also received the email you sent on Wednesday April 11, 2007 which I responded to. I told you that I would not meet up with you and wished you the best on your visit. I think its was most unprofessional of you to show up at my job in the middle of the morning to ask to see me. This is not Nigeria and people don't do things like that here. And I believe you have leaved in the states long enough to know that.
Ola

From me...somewhat pissed but trying to be the bigger person in the land of the children.

Hey. I wasn't sure u got my earlier email since I received ur out of office. I stopped by ur office becos it is facing one of the popular SF sites. I am well aware that people don't do that in this country but I am nigerian. And thot it wld be a nice surprise. Just like I wld like u to stop by if u ever get to atlanta. I didn't get ur response to my wednesday email, so I had no idea u were still acting like a teenager. Anyway, I am not angry that u felt the need to snub me instead of just stopping by to say hi and bye. I know the world is a very small place and maybe one day I may have the oppty to snub u too, even tho I know I wldnt becos I am the bigger person. Uve taught me that people like you never change, no matter the country, or the age or how successful they are. U'll always be a sour puss, always. I don't know why I thot you'd be different by now. Its time to let those sour issues
to rest. seriously. Goodbye.

She went on feeling the need to put in her last bit of venom.

Anita
I don't know why you need to use such language in your response and still claim to be the bigger person. I guess it just shows how immature you really are. I did not snub you I just don't do things for the sake of doing them any more. That is a lesson in life you might want to learn. I won't just pop up and say hello to you because I am in Atlanta etc. You and I said our goodbyes a long time ago and most especially because I realized that we where not friends merely acquaintances. People that hung out in college and who have since gone thier own way. And your manner and demeanor have proved me right. I sent you an email from my hotmail but you choose to respond to my work email. Because you are immature and want to lash out and be spiteful. Well I bid you Goodbye and I wish you the very best and hope you find that which you are looking.

Ola Ojigbo

I just felt like calling her out here and now. After all it is my journal.