Read Reid's Blog

June 27, 2004

I got up really early today (7AM) and got ready for the Express meeting at 8AM.  I wore my new Producer pants, yellow polo shirt, and new belt, all from Express so dress to impress for work.  It was interesting to get to the Galleria so early.  Nobody was there so I got an insanely good parking spot.  Of course, Express was busy with all of the associates and management already there.  We had Krispy Kreme donuts, which were nice and fresh.  We sat down in the back of the store and waited a while for late people to show up.  Surprinsingly, some people didn’t dress up and others showed up late.  Although the management people commented on how that wasn’t how we were supposed to dress, no punishment was given, but I guess it just makes those people look bad in their minds. 

The meeting itself was pretty interesting.  Holly talked about sales and how the store itself is doing.  She talked about the sales and how we should approach that (sell and make sure the store looks nice, etc).  Most exciting was the information about Express Design Studio, the new Fall 2004 line the store is rolling out in August.  We got some nifty booklets detailing the new line, the new approach to selling and some nice guides to how to match specific clothes within the store and matching body types with different styles Express has to offer.  We also watched a really cheesy video talking about the new approach to selling.  The lines were obviously staged by the associates – “But how should they sell clothing?” and “Wow, I really like your shoes today!” and “How’s the weather outside?”  Imagine that in a monotone voice and fake smile and you know what I mean.  Nevertheless, the video got its point across.  I just hope I’m a better sales associate than that.

So, after the meeting, I went home, talked online, sat around the house, and watched the red hot Cardinals start their third interleague game against Kansas City.  I took a nap and woke up in time to see the end of the game.  I’m seriously so excited for the Cardinals.  This is the year baby.  If we stay healthy, this is the year.  If we can continue being red-hot after the All-Star break, and make some good acquisitions with the extended roster at the end of the year, I really think we can go all the way.

My Dad showed me how to use the grill and we made steaks.  I rubbed in Hawaiian salt in the steaks, then we seared them and finished them on the grill.  My mom made carmelized onions and mushrooms to put on top and we ate it all with rice.  Food is damn good when you make it yourself.  I’m glad my Dad showed me that – a little father-son bonding if you will.  We talked about our family history.  I found it interesting to know where my family has come from, and how our experiences fit within the larger scope of Asian-American history.  I found out my Auntie Hisako used to be part of Stanford faculty way back in the day!  That was probably the biggest shock to me.  My Grandma’s brother also used to work at Moffet field, a small airport visable from Stanford if you walk up to the Dish and see the two giant hangers that hold blimps.  I guess it’s interesting to know how many interesting things family members did, specifically in Hawaii.  One family member was a beekeeper for the largest privately owned cattle farm in the US on the Big Island, another owned a soda factory on Maui, and in regards to military, one served as an interpreter in the Pacific theater during WWII, another was a member of the famed 442nd/100th battalion, and another has a Purple heart.  I came off feeling pretty proud of my family, and where we have come the past 100 years, carving out our lives in the United States.  Amidst all that has happened in this country, war, economic depression, and changing cultures and acceptance of ethnic minorities, I get the impression that all of my relatives have been extremely vigilant at pursuing what’s best for the children, emphasizing education foremost and making incredible sacrifices for that.  I can’t thank them or my parents enough for that.

So, the rest of the night I hung out with Andrea.  Then I went home and talked online.  Yay.