Dumpster Diving

My 24th birthday came and went. As tradition, my very generous aunt gave me a check for a very generous amount. I thanked her and put the check in my wallet...or so I thought. A few days later I planned to take a trip to Wells Fargo to deposit the fruits later realizing my check was nowhere to be found. I tore apart my room knowing full well it was gone. I realized that the check was left in the envelope in which I received the card, which was in the same trash that had been taken out to the dumpster the day before. I was completely convinced it was gone from the clanging and banging of the garbage truck that seems to wake my slumber every morning at 5am. My mother informed me that if I were to have my aunt cancel the check I would be out $35, which I would of course pay for. I thought to myself, "Maybe the trash hadn't been picked up yet".

"I'm going diving!" was the text I sent my mother after my epiphany.

It was 8:30 am. I creaked my roommate Anna's door open to find her in a groggy morning stumble.

"Wanna do me a huge favor?" I asked her with a grimace.

"What is it?" she said giving me an unsure look.

I explained my pickle and she laughed while saying, "only you, Hannah"...this I could not argue with. After realizing what a ridiculous favor this was I told her she did not have to come, but she refused saying, "Oh you are not going out there alone, I don't want people thinking you're some crazy woman stealing people's identities" (I later thought to myself, if I were to find someones social security number on an old bank statement, I sure as hell wouldn't know what to do with it.) What a good friend she is.

As we made the trek down the stairs to Grand Ave., my stomach attacked me with nervous flips. I felt like The Goonies in search for gold, not knowing if it exists or not, but having faith nonetheless. I lifted the rusty door of the dumpster only to find it half full. A huge rush of relief washed over me because I knew at that moment the trash had not been taken that day. Anna boosted me into the smelly abyss while I screamed, "aaahh I'm in the garbage!" At that, a woman in her car pulled up next to us as she waited to turn onto Grand. When she saw me swimming in filth she gave us a uneasy look, rolled down her window and asked us nervously if we lived here. We both laughed and explained what was at stake. She smiled and belted, "Oh, well that makes sense...but it's a good thing I'm moving out this week". I didn't know whether to be offended or laugh it off.

I saw the target bag of which I threw in just the day before and excitement filled my face. Of course people began to come from every direction and gave us equally apprehensive looks but were quickly rest assured when we explained our hobo behavior. I removed a big medal object imprisoning the bag I needed and began digging. After shuffling through ripped up receipts and other important documents my mother insists should be shredded I found the envelope which I was lucky enough not have ripped in half. As I propped open the rigid top I saw the creased check sitting ever so pleasantly in the bottom. I screamed, "I got it! I got it!" while Anna clapped and laughed at my ridiculous feat.

As I climbed out of the metal bin I looked down and realized I was wearing flip-flops and my feet were naked while I trekked through the rubbish. At that point I really didn't care, it was totally worth it.

Things Fall Together

Apparently, in order for things to seem unclustered you must go through a period of chaos where everything doesn't seem to fit. My life is a series of chaos ironed out all at once. I was offered two jobs this past week along with another interview which I am waiting to hear back from. I'm pretty sure I nailed it. The position is editing documents that have been translated into English from other languages, so I would put my editing experience to good use. The job is in the translations department which, coincidentally enough, is at my mother's company, Merrill Corporation (she had nothing to do with the opportunity). When I arrived for the interview I was greeted by my temp agent who lead me to the department. She quickly introduced me to Michel (pronounced Mee-shell), the department head, and from the get go I immediatly liked him. His heavy swiss accent was a form of comfort to me because I love meeting people from places that I have visited in the past. After a very simple and laid back interview with Michel I offered to show him my portfolio which includes published articles, edited articles and photography. He was so impressed with my book he called over a couple of the other Merrill employees to show them my work. Although I can't deny being really proud of my work, the modest part of me felt uncomfortable showing the entirety of the office staff. They oohed and ahhed at my photographs and expressed their jealousy as to how many places I have been able to travel...I couldn't deny that fact, I've been pretty damn lucky to go where I have gone. At this point I felt as if I immedieatly fit in. Fingers crossed.

As much as I love my parents and their company, moving out was something I knew I needed to do. I love my apartment and there is always a natural sense of independence that follows being on your own, even though I've been on my own for the past 4 years. This move helped to push things into full swing. I also have a new found love for St. Paul to boot! Ironically, I've found a lot of aspects that I loved about Los Angeles sewn throughout the Grand/Summit stretch of St. Paul. The people in particular seem all around more friendly. It's almost as if I've moved to an entirely new state but a part of me feels that way even though my parents house is a quick hop down 280. Experiencing the city in which I grew up in has been a great one in the two weeks that I've lived here. It just seems like it was the puzzle piece I was missing to help finish the picture.

I've been accepted to Hamline's TEFL program today and I am so excited about the possibilities this opportunity will create.

More to come! Stay tuned.