Category: Daily Life

  • Oct ramblings, 2023

    An exhausting month with a happy ending!

    New door installation: One day, S was tired of the old door’s color and decided to give it a fresh coat of paint. So, he started by stripping off the old paint, but that left the door’s surface rough and uneven. The attempts to smooth it out and change the colors turned into a disappointment. He tried two different colors, but each attempt made it look worse, to the point, I even joked, “We don’t need to decorate for Halloween this year.” We had the Halloween-like door for a few months, and eventually, we decided to buy a new door at SSHE. The new door came finished, but a glass door next to it wasn’t. This led to a time-consuming and frustrating process of mixing stains, trying different shades, and making countless errors to finally achieve a perfect match. Then, S had to make trims, and go through the staining and sealing process again. S did the entire project himself. The effort, commitment and determination he put into are truly admirable.

    Deep cleaning: First, I started indoors: I touched every corner, closets, cabinets, drawers, baseboards and hidden nooks and crannies; decluttered and dusted…Next, cleaned the outdoor areas, including yards, doors, and overhang areas…

    Shopping: S and I took several trips to outlets, malls and supermarkets, all in search of looking for gifts and everything I needed for my upcoming trip. I had rarely gone shopping in the past couple of years since the start of the Covid pandemic and my IVF treatment. Plus, being at home most of the time, I didn’t really need many clothes, especially those for dressing up. However, this trip to VN wouldn’t be only for medical purposes but also a chance to reunite with my family and friends, and recharge my energy. Therefore, I want to live a soulful and aesthetic life this time, just like I used to be. I’m excited to enjoy some precious “me time” at coffee shops. Spending time at coffee shops whether alone, with friends or for work, is a very typical pastime in VN. I can’t wait to experience it again.

    Paperwork: I took detailed notes of my medical records, which were quite time-consuming, but I wanted to make sure I had enough information for doctor consultations during the trip; updated my SSN; changed my DL; sorted out 2023 receipts and arranged them in categorized folders…

    Flight to VN: I had to pay $100 for a second checked luggage for my American Airlines flight to DFW. Right before checking in, S found out I would have to make a detour to NRT after landing at HND, then take the next flight to HN. In HND, I would have to claim my luggage, and the whole transfer would take at least 3 hrs in case everything went smoothly (on-time arrival from DFW, quick luggage claim/check-in, no missed buses, etc.), leaving me just half an hour before the next flight. I could tell I had mentally prepared myself for missing that flight.

    S tried to contact American Airlines to switch flights so that I could skip HND and fly directly to NRT from DFW. However, since my luggage was already on its way to HND, I would have to go there.

    He then contacted JAL to see if they could offer special assistance, but it was already late evening in Japan. He was very worried; unsure how I could handle the transfer alone. Honestly, I was nervous about my trip, but it wouldn’t have been a nightmare if I had delayed or missed the flight; I was mainly upset because I had made S worried. He only had one or two hours of sleep before taking me to the airport, and he had to stay awake afterwards due to my issue. However, when we came up with an idea to switch the flights so that I could travel directly from HND to HN, instead of from NRT, a miracle happened.

    I received an email from JAL, informing me that I had been booked on an alternate flight to HN due to the delay of my reserved flight. It was great that the alternate flight would be from HND. I also didn’t have to claim my checked luggage. It was such a stroke of luck! I really thought my prayers on the way to the airport had been heard and Higher Powers were looking out for me.

    I arrived in HN one day before my mom’s birthday. My sister’s family greeted me at the airport with a bouquet of beautiful roses. So blessed!

  • Sep ramblings, 2023

    A rough month!

    Fri, 9/1/2023

    Braised pork and tofu, ​using a recipe I ​improvised. S loved it. 

    Combed Dozer’s and Sam’s fur to catch loose hair, and cleaned Sam’s litter box. I noticed as Sam gets older, he becomes more particular about cleanliness and comfort. I bought him calming treats in the hope that they would help him be less fussy after meals. ​

    Sat, 9/2/2023

    – traded for a nicer car

    – took hours to get the payment and paperwork done

    – had no time for a sit-down meal; got swiss burgers from a local burger and seafood to-go restaurant on the way home. Cost 40$ excluding tips for 2 portions. Everything was not cheap anymore. ​While waiting for the food, I took a photo of an abandoned shopping mall nearby, a sharp reminder of the profound changes overtime when nowadays online shopping reigns supreme, pushing shops and stores into vulnerable positions. I wondered if, one day, in-person shopping would become a luxury, with a hefty price tag attached, to savor the hustle and bustle of human life that these places offer, an experience that can’t be replicated through online shopping.

    – would pick up the car on Monday, hopefully would have more time to explore NOLA.

    Mon, ​9/4/2023

    Made a brief stop in NOLA but couldn’t explore the city much as it rained dogs and cats. By the way, visited HEX, a witch shop, where we had a 30-min tarrot and palm reading for a couple, which cost $90. It was fun! The shop also had an eclectic mix of spiritual products but the prices weren’t friendly. 

    On the way home, I took some photos that look cinematic. They reminded me of supernatural troops from Hollywood superhero flicks, rescuing the Earth.

    ​Thurs, 9/7/2023

    Traffic lights, electric lines and poles are something very special to me in this country:

    Sun, 9/10/2023 – Making a painting frame

    S finally finished the painting frame though it took several months since he hadn’t worked on it continuously. Making it was a PITA. At first, the size of the trims was small, disproportionate compared to the large painting. S had to make another frame to attach to the original one, but, for some reason, it left part of the unpainted canvas exposed. He continued making a smaller frame to attach to the current one, yet, again, it somehow didn’t entirely cover the unpainted canvas. At this point, I decided to “fill in” the remaining blank space. I had never tried oil-painting before, though I used to paint. It had been decades since my last attempt, but I gave it a try. Fortunately, the areas to be filled didn’t require any detailed painting. All I had to do was mix colors to match the right shade of blue and black with the existing ones. I was a bit nervous, but I managed to do it successfully. The colors blended seamlessly.

    The painting was about Arroyo Hondo’s nature on a moonlit night. The image was captured by S from our yard and we hired an artist from China to “transform” it into a painting. What captivates me in the artwork is the tranquility and authenticity of the scenery, evoking a sense of peace every time I look at.

    Fri, 9/15/2023

    Pain

    Sun, 9/24/2023

    Purchased a flight ticket to VN. S would be flying separately in the ​second half of November. 

    Dined at a Chinese buffet.

    Tue, 9/26/2023 – Busy day with a sweet surprise by the end

    Cooked crawfish in gravy from scratch. It was my first time trying this dish ​on a whim. The process involved sautéing onions and garlic until they were perfectly brown, then adding crawfish and frying for four minutes. Then, I transferred this ​into a bowl. Using the same pan, I made roux, combining beer batter flour, olive oil, and butter in equal parts, stirring over low-medium heat for about 12 minutes (not sure about the amount of time as I forgot to track). When the roux turned brown hue and blended perfectly, I added square pieces of sauteed bell peppers and 1.5 cups of water, and cooked it over low-medium temperature. The food was surprisingly delicious, being another dish in S’s favorite list. 

    Later, I visited the IVF clinic to return borrowed medication when the pharmacy’s delivery was delayed. I also signed a form requesting my complete medical records for my upcoming treatment in VN. It would take at least a week for the documents to arrive as they needed to be reviewed and signed by doctors before mailing them out. After that, I reviewed medical receipts from 2021 for the tax audit purpose. 

    Next, I contacted medical service providers for missing receipts and completed a visa application. After failures to get any support from Vietnamese consulates, regardless of numerous attempts to call, email, and messages, I stumbled upon this website, which allowed for e-visa applications. I was hesitant to use the website at first but felt more secure after reading Reddit comments indicating the site was legitimate. The website was strange somehow as it kept automatically changing the dates I input whenever I reviewed the application. However, I finally managed it and the single-use visa fee was 25$. 

    Then I headed to Rouses for grocer​ies. When I got back in the car, somebody knocked on the window. ​I ​turned to see a bouquet of flowers ​against the glass​ ​and a ​man holding it. The view was limited so I couldn’t​ make out who that gentleman was.​ A flash thought ran in my mind, “Is there someone so taken by the woman in her unglam house outfit that he’s ready to pull off a grand romantic gesture?​ But such a cinema​tic moment ​swiftly ended​ when I realized it was​ S​. Don’t get me wrong. He generously buys me flowers and gifts every now and then, but the romantic moment he knocked on the window with the flowers in his hand surely wasn’t his plan but purely a coincidence because it wasn’t typical of his usual behavior. I know my man. But that surprise made the gifts even sweeter.

    Wed, 09/27/2023

    – Tended to neglected plants. 2 heucheras died. 

    – cleaned Sam’s litter box

    – contacted a license commission office but it was closed

    – stopped by a dental office to pick up the payment history

    – suffered a low back pain, specifically around the sacrum spine area. It had been bothering me since the morning, but I couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause. I used a hot pad and massage devices to alleviate the discomfort. The pain eased temporarily but still persisted.

    ​Fri, ​09/29/2023

    Love it

    Sat, 9/30/2023

    Took care of various tasks: cooked breakfast for S, made pots of tea and coffee, put away dishes, ran the dishwasher, did the laundry, took supplements, and went shopping at Walmart. The large number of items left me a bit overwhelmed but I was happy to have found some Persian blue throw pillows that perfectly matched my home decor. I also found cute gifts for my nieces and nephew for my upcoming trip. One piece of good news was S successfully obtained an e-visa in just 4 days, which was surprisingly quick. Considering past experiences with administrative procedures, there has been a significant improvement in the Vietnamese government’s handling of such services.

  • August ramblings, 2023

    ​A regular month, some rough days.

    Thurs, 08/03/2023B learned English

    I had a really fun English class today with B, B and H. I had B play the role of a customer and H act as a waiter. H’s job was to take B’s order and ask, “Is there anything else?”. The game started and it turned into a hilarious pattern where every time H asked the question, B ordered more, and it went on and on without a signal to stop. The funny thing was that B had no clue how to indicate she’d had enough. So instead of saying “No, thanks!”, she kept ordering more, because all she knew was names of food. How cute she was! 

    After the class, I did some yard work. I pruned a compact Japanese holly, deadheaded blanket flowers, sprayed fungicide on azaleas, cleared away dead leaves around ornamental grass bushes, and watered plants. Then I cooked tahi-mahi. I wasn’t really in the cooking mood, but the fish had already thawed, so I quickly seasoned it and popped it in an air-fryer. Done! Later, I helped S a little bit with his main door installation project and then cleaned a small patio. It had been completely untouched for years. The patio was a mess, littered with broken ceramic pieces, leaves, twigs, and layers of accumulated dirt. Some wooden planks have bent and warped, leading to an uneven and unstable surface. First, I removed the broken ceramic pieces, leaves and twigs; then I used an electric vacuum to suck up dirt and a flat screwdriver to remove stubborn dirt from the edges between planks, and again continued sucking until the patio looked decent. S would transform it into a yoga spot or a peaceful retreat to unwind, or simply a place for some “me” time. It’s sweet to envision that way but the reality would probably be not fun as mosquitos definitely would not let me alone. Anyway, it’s still early to think about this since S already has a long list of projects, and renovating the patio isn’t his priority.

    Had mixed thoughts about our marriage and the parenthood-seeking journey.

    Sat, 08/05/2023 – Chores

    Loaded the dishwasher and put away the dishes; did the laundry for clothes, bedding and throw blankets and ran the dryer multiple times; fixed the stair carpet by knotting and securing the loose loops caused by Sam’s and Dozer’s claws. The knots blend seamlessly with the carpet’s 3D diamond texture.

    Boiled water for a drink.

    Refilled the sugar dispenser and Sam and Dozer’s water bowl.

    Tidied up the living-dining area.

    Reorganized the pantry.

    Pulled the weeds; the soft soil after the rain made the work easier. Despite the overwhelming sight of numerous weeds, I tried to be patient and distracted myself by looking at the bags of pulled weeds to remind me of what I have accomplished instead of focusing on the parts I haven’t touched. This helped my task be less burdened.

    Sun, 08/13/2023 – New bed

    Bought a new bed frame with a headboard and storage footboard on a bit of a whim. The store was about to close for good, and the discounted price was very tempting, but the high total cost made me feel like the original price had seemed inflated before the generous discount was applied. The bed set looks ok though quite formal while I prefer a touch of rustic charm. S agreed to build floating nightstands to add a more casual element to the room. Not sure how they would turn out but hope that their matte brown stain would create a warm, cozy and more natural look to balance out the shiny, almost black color of the bed set. 

    Also, the headboard’s height of 67.5″ blocked the view of the window while an ideal height I need should be 55″. S said he couldn’t lower it to that height because it would make the bed uneven due to the attached non adjustable footboard. However, he could craft new legs to bring the headboard to a more manageable level. A new pair was quickly made and installed; the original pair was put away for potential future use.

    Another issue was that the new bed required a box spring, so instead of paying extra for a real one, we used our metal bed frame as a box spring. It perfectly fits inside the bed frame. S’s wonderful idea has saved us from the hassle of selling it and purchasing a separate box spring.

    Sat,08/19/2023 – Daily life

    My morning began with a trip to Lowe’s with S. We needed to buy trims for the new door, sandpapers, and a sponge. Since we took Dozer with us, we went to the park after that. It was a sunny day, great for spending time outdoors. The park had swings, slides, and other recreational equipment. 

    A swirling slide looked fun but I was hesitant to try at first, primarily due to my fear of height. S encouraged me, assuring me that it was a simple ride down. I decided to give it a try. It wasn’t scary at all like I imagined. It slid a bit but very slowly and the slide was actually short. Felt ashamed a bit but to be honest, it was for kids. 

    On our way back from the park, we stopped by Subway to grab some sandwiches. As we arrived home, I remembered that I had some thawed meat in the fridge, so I decided to cook it to avoid any waste. I started with chicken and braising seemed like an easy option. I cooked chicken in coconut juice and chicken broth, seasoning it with sautéed onion, turmeric, cayenne, and crushed bay leaves. I added garlic salt, nuoc mam (fish sauce), and mushroom seasoning to enhance the flavors. After simmering for about 30 minutes, I squeezed in a touch of lemon juice, which added a bit of tanginess to the dish. 

    At the same time, I cooked catfish nuggets by simply braising them in a mixture of turmeric, crushed ginger, nuoc mam, and garlic salt for half an hour. Yummy! Braised catfish is my all-time favorite. 

    Then I continued by steaming shrimp and frying shrimp heads – my favorite part of the shrimp. I particularly enjoyed their crunchy and juicy texture, and also the moment of taking a photo of shrimp heads and sent it to MK to see her “ewe” reaction. Another Vietnamese dish that I teased her with a photo of is sweet and sour chicken feet. Haha! She said she might consider trying it only when she is really starving. 

    After cooking, I tried to open a dried coconut which had a hard shell as its fibrous outer layers had been removed. I had never done it before. In my memory, my mom got juice out of this kind of coconut by placing a chopstick on a soft spot at the top and hammering it down to make a hole. I did the same but unfortunately, the chopstick broke, and I was left with the coconut with a broken piece stuck in the hole. S showed up and easily opened the coconut with just a drill. 

    How clever of me!

    In the afternoon, text messages from a lady who was interested in getting free catnip from me were so confusing. She seemed unsure about my address and mentioned something about following a guy at a gas station to find her way to my house. I initially didn’t question her purpose when I first shared her my address until receiving her subsequent messages on both my phone and the app. Why didn’t she just send a text from either one?!? I started to feel uneasy about meeting her. But when she arrived, I realized my previous suspicions had been a bit overly cautious. She was nice and we had a pleasant conversation.  

    Sun, 08/20/2023 – Enjoyable Sunday

    The lady I had given catnip and the playhouse to sent me a nice text to thank me for the wonderful gifts and shared a sweet story about how much her cat loved the toy. I was glad that my gifts were useful. 

    The heat in August was still scorching. I watered plants and pulled out weeds; noticed one heuchera was looking particularly sick.

    Before noon, S & I went to a nearby casino. We wanted to have lunch at the steak restaurant inside the casino that we missed once, but it was closed. How disappointing! We chose buffet instead, which was quite a unique experience. Instead of the typical self-serve style, the buffet had staff members serving the food.

    The food there was quite diverse. I chose gumbo, fried clam strips, and steamed shrimp for my first round, while S went for a massive meatball sandwich loaded with cheese. For the second round, I had sushi rolls, fried rice, green beans, and a delightful tiramisu for dessert. The shrimp and tiramisu were especially delicious.

    After our meal, I tried my luck on a slot machine inserting a couple of $20 bills. The sounds, lights, and images on the screen were enjoyable, even though I didn’t win.

    When we were back home, I looked at S’s recent blood test results. He has pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and triglycerides. I worry about his health, especially knowing his habits of indulging in sugary and fatty snacks, smoking, and consuming energy drinks. We discussed his plans to go to the gym and find an indoor tennis court in a nearby state. It’s nice to see his intentions to make positive changes for his health.

    Mon, 08/21/2023 – Lesson ingrained

    Today, I had a minor burn on my left hand. I handled a hot pan from the oven with a mitt, then took it off. In a hurry to continue cooking, I placed the pan back on the stove, forgetting that it was still scorching. Right at the moment I grasped the pan, a searing pain shot through my hand. I instinctively pulled it away, cradling it in shock. S quickly stepped up, submerged my hand in a pack of ice water for 15 minutes, then dried it off and applied cream, typically used for soothing the pain caused by cosmetic industry acid injections. It may have seemed like an unusual remedy, but it worked wonders. This is a hard-learned lesson for me which I would likely never forget: always use a mitt when handling a hot pan.

    My forgetfulness continued. I kept boiling water and let it cool, only to realize I hadn’t put tea in. And it wasn’t just once; it happened four times. Can you believe it? I did it so many times that I became frustrated with myself. 

    In the evening, I pondered the meaning of life, the choices I’ve made, the paths I’ve taken, and the impact I’m making. There’s a feeling of being trapped in my comfort zone and a sense of urge telling me it’s time to take action. Sometimes, finding myself caught between the awareness of the need for change and the stressful anxiety of not feeling ready is extremely hard to bear.

    Wed, 8/23/2023 – Colonoscopy

    S had a colonoscopy and the operation went well. We headed straight to Golden Corral after leaving the hospital for his first meal after almost 2 days of no food. Of course, his plate was full of carbs, meat, and cheese.

    Fri, 8/25/2023 – Chores

    Watered plants and grass, did the laundry (clothes and bathroom rugs), cleaning Dozer’s bed covers, vacuumed the downstairs, and folded clothes. Next, cooked instant noodles for S with eggs, beef and mixed greens, boiled sweet potato for myself, put the dishes away, cleaned the kitchen, and wiped off a stain from the stair carpet. Then, went to Walmart for groceries and coffee filters (8-12 cups). Later, went out for dinner at a Greek restaurant, which I chose quite randomly with the belief that Mediterranean food rarely disappoints. The place has a unique “factory” design, offering a buffet-style service where you could customize your own meal from an array of options. Despite my initial hesitation, I had a culinary adventure with a bowl of mixed lamb, grilled chicken, green beans, rice, feta cheese, yogurt ranch, salsa, and assorted nuts. It was flavorful but I believe if I order next time, my choice would be better. S, on the other hand, enjoyed a steak sandwich with his characteristic quick-eating style.

    Sun, 8/27/2023 – Fun at Buc-cees

    We picked up an assortment of goodies at Buc-ees. S’s selection was filled with bold flavors – ghost pepper jerky, various sandwiches, cheese cakes, and more. Meanwhile, I opted for a burrito, dried beef and kolaches. They were all delicious. 

    Returning home, I stained painting frames. The original honey teak shade turned out to be a far cry from what I had envisioned, so intolerable that I decided to fix it. I applied a coat of Province 211 to tone down the color, which definitely looks much better. Making a frame is a painful task as it requires a lot of patience, details, and precision. There are so many steps involved and usually you have to wait between steps, including staining, sealing, gluing, clamping, etc. I really admire S for the enormous effort he put into this project. 

    Wed, 8/30/2023

    Did yoga, took supplements and wore a hydrating facial mask. The mask was infused with hyaluronic acid, known for its skin-nourishing properties. It was a natural product that contained pear extract and plant squalane oil, promising to intensely hydrate and boost skin’s moisture levels.

    Went to the clinic for baseline and blood tests. Thankfully, the results were positive, showing a count of 10 on the left and 6 on the right. This meant I was given the green light to begin the stimulation drugs starting tomorrow. I also asked the nurse if it was safe to use Lupron as I noticed small bubbles in the jar, which I was afraid was due to the heat during transportation caused by my broken car air conditioning. She assured me it was fine to use.

    Back home, taught BBH English and then made stuffed burgers. I flavored lean ground beef with steak seasoning. Using a press, I created a patty with a hollow center to place Colby jack cheese and olives. Then, added another layer of beef and pressed them down using the lid of the press.

    Next, I stewed beef with nutmegs and dried mushrooms; the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas.

    After cooking, I moved on to some chores including checking the list of IVF drugs to order, folding the clothes, doing the laundry, spraying pesticides and fungicides on sick heucheras, and cleaning Sam’s litter box.

    Thurs, 8/31/2023

    Whipped up lunch with fried potatoes as an improvisation since I was out of milk to make mashed potatoes. Partially cooked in the microwave, heated oil, tossed them in, sprinkled beer batter and fried them to crispy perfection. Then, added some garlic salt and melted a generous layer of Colby jack cheese on top. It turned out S’s favorite dish. But actually any food loaded with cheese and butter would automatically be his go-to choice.

    Nothing else to write down for today. Just a regular day of doing chores. 

  • Navigating with righteousness

    Throughout any conflict, her abiding goal has consistently been to avoid passing judgement. The idea of casting blame has never crossed her mind. Instead of pointing fingers, her focus has been on uncovering underlying issues. Her conversations don’t dwell on the concepts of right and wrong but rather strive for a more transcendent pursuit of enlightenment and mutual understanding.

    Their continued cohabitation in the midst of discontentment births a fundamental question of her presence in this relationship. “Those words” make her ponder her place in his thoughts, wondering who she truly is in his mind. Irrespective of the persona she is given, she acknowledges her inability to control his perceptions.

    Her only agency lies in safeguarding the sanctity of her soul and her heart. She’ll exert effort for mutual understanding, but she will no longer resort to defending herself to disprove unfavorable characterizations. She’s come to realize that previous efforts suffice.

    Don’t succumb to fear when others wrong you. You are not a victim. Righteousness bestows upon individuals the unassailable fortitude and indomitable resilience necessary to weather life’s trials.

  • To do – Thurs, 10/11/2023

    • Personal care (Shower, breakfast, supplements, avocado and drinking water)
    • Put the dishes away and load the dishwasher
    • Bake bacon, make burger for lunch and take it to S
    • Fold clothes and do the laundry
    • Dust furniture
    • Vacuum, wipe and seal the couch
    • Wipe all the baseboards
    • Study (1 hr)
  • To do – Tues, 10/10/2023

    • Personal time (shower, skin care, yoga, taking supplements, coffee & breakfast)
    • Clean Sam’s litter box, water plants, and spray fungicide
    • Make lunch (zucchini, fried rice and BBQ pork ribs) and take it to S
    • Go to Walmart
    • Clean the fridge and microwave, and put groceries away
    • Study (2 hrs)

  • She was wrong

    Her inquiry, “Do you love me?” was inane. How redundant it is to pose such a question to an individual who doesn’t make you feel loved any more.

    Beyond this, she proceeded to divulge her emotional state, notwithstanding her admonitions not to, just a day prior. She had firmly reminded herself that remaining silent was her sole means of self-preservation. Yet, she transgressed her own determination. She found herself in a state of profound fragility, teetering on the brink of emotional implosion, and eventually succumbing to it. Her initial belief in her strength and resilience was erroneous. However, she knows life would give her numerous forthcoming trials to assay her inner fortitude, so it’s permissible to falter this time.

  • To do – Fri, 10/06/2023

    1. Take supplements, drink water & eat grapefruit, avocado and banana
    2. Sort out and categorize papers
    3. Make a list of gifts
    4. Wash clothes and donate them
    5. Sort out clothes
    6. Review an agreement and have S sign it
    7. Go to Publix
    8. Order curtain rings
    9. Upload stuff to ND
  • Castle on sand

    Her mind is blank. Her emotions exist nameless but deep within, numbness takes roots. She has been no longer in the mood for conversation. The solid, unrelenting pain has transmuted her into an unfeeling rock. The darkness and silence are embracing her, offering equanimity after a recurring tornado. She resides in a castle built on sand, yet can’t find strength to make a decision on her own.

    Photo by Eftodii Aurelia on Pexels.com
  • Messy Walmart online return experience

    Last week I had quite an embarrassing shopping experience at Walmart all because of my careless online order.

    It all started when I arrived at the designated pickup spot after placing an online order. I checked in on Walmart’s app, providing my parking spot number and car color, and then waited.

    When two Walmart employees came over with the delivery, I was taken aback by how many items there were. I couldn’t believe I actually ordered all of those, I even started to wonder if they would all fit in my small car. Honestly, I was in a hurry while placing the order, so I couldn’t recall what I bought and I already had a hectic day when I went to pick up my items, so my mind was fried, leaving me unsure what to do or unable to think straight at first.

    It was only when I took a closer look at the stuff that I realized there were too many energy drinks. I checked the order, obviously the amount they brought matched what I ordered. Still, I had no clue how I ended up with this many. I decided to return the extras right there but one employee said they were just in charge of delivery, and couldn’t assist with returns. I tried explaining that it didn’t make sense to haul them home just to bring them right back. There had to be a way to handle this at pickup.

    Then a manager got involved. She instructed me to take the excess energy drinks to the service center inside the store for the return. All I needed to do was show a staff member there an order bar code sticker, which was attached to a delivery container.

    Feeling somewhat relieved, I peeled off the sticker, hurriedly pushed a cart full of drinks to the service center, and showed an employee there the order ticket. However, she said the ticket wasn’t valid. Since I’d ordered online, I had to start the return online as well.

    Well, it started to sound complex, especially when the lady couldn’t give me clear steps. The thought of lugging a cart full of drinks home pushed me to sort this mess out. I went to my order on Walmart’s app, clicked the return option, and chose the items as well as quantities I wanted to return. For one type of drink, since I was only sending back one pack, I was promptly refunded without needing to physically return the item. However, for the other type, since the return quantity was much larger, the refund was pending. Soon after, I got an email saying I needed to return the items to any Walmart store and show the staff the return barcode included in the email. Since I was already in the store, I showed the barcode to the lady, and she scanned it, giving me a refund receipt. Though she wasn’t exactly the most helpful, she was nice and generally supportive, so I handed her the pack that I was initially told I didn’t have to return, for her to keep.

    Look at the insane number of drinks I mistakenly ordered, only for S.

    What a messy experience! But it clearly pointed out how prone I am to making mistakes when rushing. A reminder for me to be careful and stay calm, especially in a hurried situation.