Sometimes I'm just not interested in making small talk.
Sometimes I'm just not pumped about cleaning my room.
Sometimes I'm just not really excited about journaling.
Sometimes I'm just not motivated enough to get up and get lunch.
Sometimes I'm just not terribly excited about going to class.
Sometimes I'm just not worried that I haven't fully caught up on work email.
Sometimes I'm just not willing to pay hundreds of dollars for invitations.
Sometimes I'm just not hungry.
Sometimes I'm just not ok leaving the house without making up my bed.
Sometimes I'm just not disgusted by the state of the bathroom.
Sometimes I'm just not horrified to leave the house without showering.
Sometimes I'm just not upset that I can't please everyone.
Sometimes I'm just not embarrassed that I haven't washed my jeans in 2 weeks.
Sometimes I'm just not willing to sit down and make a five year plan.
Sometimes I'm just not satisfied with 4 cups of coffee.
Sometimes I'm just not.
No worries. I'm totally fine. I promise. Just a little introspective today. How are you?
Monday, January 30, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Neighbors - we have a problem:
Until recently, our side of the duplex and their side cohabitated peacefully. We came and went at our own leisure, not really disturbing one another. We even occasionally brought in each other's trash cans. Sure, there was the occasional loud-stereo-featuring-Mariah-Carey-at-8-in-the-morning event from their side, but those were few and far between, so nothing too noteworthy.
However, the atmosphere is slowly changing. My sleep quality is slowly degrading, as are, I fear, our friendly neighborly relations. Let me set the scene:
It's late at night. I've just come home from a very long day, starting with a 6AM workout and ending with a 3 hour class until 10PM. I'm oh-so ready to have some quality time with my pillow. I enter my room, ready for bed, and I hear a very subtle sound coming from somewhere. I figure that it's just a car or a plane, and dismiss it. Upon crawling into my bed, I settle in between the featherbed and the down comforter (overkill I know, but soooo comfy). All is well and I turn the lights off and shut my eyes. But wait! There it is again. That dreadful noise! Whatever could it be? No. It couldn't...it CAN'T be! NO ONE SNORES THAT LOUD!!! It's coming through the wall. It's invading my quiet, peaceful room!! It's loud, irregular, and did I say loud? and.it.lasts.all.night.
Seriously. This guy (I'm assuming it's a man - sue me) needs some professional help! It's there when I go to sleep, it's there when I wake up. The snoring just won't cease. I put the pillow over my head, but no, this guy has some serious decibel power going on over there. Sure, there could be worse sounds coming through the walls. But the snoring is just excessive.
I'm contemplating anonymously mailing some of those nose-strips. I've even mentally composed a customer letter to accompany the box that I would slip into their mailbox. Would he get the hint? What's a girl to do? I can't just get up, waltz over there in my PJs and ask him to kindly roll over, can I?
Whew. Now that the snoring issue is out of my system, it's onto my next soapbox: an open letter to the owner of the low-rider truck that constantly parks in front of our house. Dude - you can't even go over a simple speed bump in that thing because the ground clearance isn't even higher than the bottom of the rims on the low-profile tires you've got on it. What's the deal? Please, please, get a real car. We're begging you. And when you do get a real car, please park it in front of your own house. We thank you in advance for your efforts to help keep our neighborhood at peace.
However, the atmosphere is slowly changing. My sleep quality is slowly degrading, as are, I fear, our friendly neighborly relations. Let me set the scene:
It's late at night. I've just come home from a very long day, starting with a 6AM workout and ending with a 3 hour class until 10PM. I'm oh-so ready to have some quality time with my pillow. I enter my room, ready for bed, and I hear a very subtle sound coming from somewhere. I figure that it's just a car or a plane, and dismiss it. Upon crawling into my bed, I settle in between the featherbed and the down comforter (overkill I know, but soooo comfy). All is well and I turn the lights off and shut my eyes. But wait! There it is again. That dreadful noise! Whatever could it be? No. It couldn't...it CAN'T be! NO ONE SNORES THAT LOUD!!! It's coming through the wall. It's invading my quiet, peaceful room!! It's loud, irregular, and did I say loud? and.it.lasts.all.night.
Seriously. This guy (I'm assuming it's a man - sue me) needs some professional help! It's there when I go to sleep, it's there when I wake up. The snoring just won't cease. I put the pillow over my head, but no, this guy has some serious decibel power going on over there. Sure, there could be worse sounds coming through the walls. But the snoring is just excessive.
I'm contemplating anonymously mailing some of those nose-strips. I've even mentally composed a customer letter to accompany the box that I would slip into their mailbox. Would he get the hint? What's a girl to do? I can't just get up, waltz over there in my PJs and ask him to kindly roll over, can I?
Whew. Now that the snoring issue is out of my system, it's onto my next soapbox: an open letter to the owner of the low-rider truck that constantly parks in front of our house. Dude - you can't even go over a simple speed bump in that thing because the ground clearance isn't even higher than the bottom of the rims on the low-profile tires you've got on it. What's the deal? Please, please, get a real car. We're begging you. And when you do get a real car, please park it in front of your own house. We thank you in advance for your efforts to help keep our neighborhood at peace.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
How I became a coffee snob
It was innocent enough, at first. I used to be just fine with popping open the Folgers and brewing a few cups here and there. Sure, it wasn't the best thing in the world. But it was cheap, easy, and widely available. And plus, haven't we always been told that the best part of waking up is indeed Folgers in your cup? So yes, I subscribed to that worldview....until recently.
You see, my friend Jim started roasting and selling his own coffee awhile back. I didn't initially give much serious thought to purchasing from him, though I was tremendously excited to see his business grow, as I am with other friends who are earnestly trying to turn a passion in life into something financially productive.
I emailed Jim a bunch of brainstormed ideas about publicity for his emerging brand. I had grand visions of coffee tasting parties and the like. And I liked reading a bit on his site about what he was up to, roasting-wise. But I hadn't ever purchased anything from him.
This past weekend, however, things changed. I helped host a girls brunch for our career class at church. I had asked various people to bring brunch items: fruit, eggs, biscuits, etc. I got to thinking a bit, and it occurred to me that this would be a neat time to try some McClarty coffee. I'd have enough people to warrant buying 1/2 a pound, and if it was a hit, a bunch of people would enjoy it and they might buy from Jim. I never expected it to turn into anything more serious.
So I emailed Jim about the order, and I headed over to his place on Saturday morning to pick it up. Much to my surprise, he handed me a Bell jar of whole coffee beans. Well, I wasn't prepared for such a delivery. Somewhere in the back of my head, I guess I had thought that it would already be ground. So from his house, I headed off to buy a grinder. "Why not?" I asked myself. I'll need it someday.
Soon, the coffee and the grinder were in hand, and the brunch was underway. One of the girls taught me how to grind the beans appropriately, and the aroma of fresh coffee filled the room. I could tell that people were excited to try the coffee, so we wasted no time in filling mugs for everyone once it had brewed.
To get the word out a bit, I made these little notecards with Jim's website on them, so that people could place orders if they were fond of the coffee. Several girls, after sampling their beverages, took the cards. I put in many good words for Jim :) The girls were quite fond of the coffee, and there was some mention of the appropriate use of essential oils during the roasting process....this comment was lost on me. I drink the coffee, I don't make it. But good for those who know more about it than me...
Anyhow, I took about 1/2 of the coffee beans home with me, because unfortunately for us, the coffee maker stopped working after 2 pots. Ha - more for me! Or so I thought. The coffee was safely stowed away in my fridge for the remainder of the weekend, and I informed my roommates that they were welcome to try it. When I came home the next day, Malita was raving about it. She said that after her first two cups, she almost made more because it was so good.
Alas, I cannot settle for Folgers any longer. You should give it a try too. Just for a week. And yes, this is an infomercial ;)
You see, my friend Jim started roasting and selling his own coffee awhile back. I didn't initially give much serious thought to purchasing from him, though I was tremendously excited to see his business grow, as I am with other friends who are earnestly trying to turn a passion in life into something financially productive.
I emailed Jim a bunch of brainstormed ideas about publicity for his emerging brand. I had grand visions of coffee tasting parties and the like. And I liked reading a bit on his site about what he was up to, roasting-wise. But I hadn't ever purchased anything from him.
This past weekend, however, things changed. I helped host a girls brunch for our career class at church. I had asked various people to bring brunch items: fruit, eggs, biscuits, etc. I got to thinking a bit, and it occurred to me that this would be a neat time to try some McClarty coffee. I'd have enough people to warrant buying 1/2 a pound, and if it was a hit, a bunch of people would enjoy it and they might buy from Jim. I never expected it to turn into anything more serious.
So I emailed Jim about the order, and I headed over to his place on Saturday morning to pick it up. Much to my surprise, he handed me a Bell jar of whole coffee beans. Well, I wasn't prepared for such a delivery. Somewhere in the back of my head, I guess I had thought that it would already be ground. So from his house, I headed off to buy a grinder. "Why not?" I asked myself. I'll need it someday.
Soon, the coffee and the grinder were in hand, and the brunch was underway. One of the girls taught me how to grind the beans appropriately, and the aroma of fresh coffee filled the room. I could tell that people were excited to try the coffee, so we wasted no time in filling mugs for everyone once it had brewed.
To get the word out a bit, I made these little notecards with Jim's website on them, so that people could place orders if they were fond of the coffee. Several girls, after sampling their beverages, took the cards. I put in many good words for Jim :) The girls were quite fond of the coffee, and there was some mention of the appropriate use of essential oils during the roasting process....this comment was lost on me. I drink the coffee, I don't make it. But good for those who know more about it than me...
Anyhow, I took about 1/2 of the coffee beans home with me, because unfortunately for us, the coffee maker stopped working after 2 pots. Ha - more for me! Or so I thought. The coffee was safely stowed away in my fridge for the remainder of the weekend, and I informed my roommates that they were welcome to try it. When I came home the next day, Malita was raving about it. She said that after her first two cups, she almost made more because it was so good.
Alas, I cannot settle for Folgers any longer. You should give it a try too. Just for a week. And yes, this is an infomercial ;)
Friday, January 20, 2006
Week in review
So to keep tabs on myself after I outlined some goals a few days back, here's a status check on how I'm doing.
Read More
Right. Here's the hard one. Haven't quite yet picked up the Piper book this week. Maybe some downtime this afternoon or over the weekend.
Sort my mail
Thanks to some much needed prompting by Malita, I have kind of kept up with this one. I'm hoping to pick up a filing box this weekend and start putting things in their proper place. But the mail basket hasn't overflowed to the extreme that it did last month. So I consider this a mild success.
Get into shape
Thanks to my old roommate and personal trainer Lindsay, I've worked out 3 times this week so far. Twice we did weights, and then I did some light cardio. Several of my muscles were actively complaining, but they'll just have to deal with it. Was it hard? Yep, at times I really wanted to put the weights down and walk away. But I know that I have to stick with it.
Take better care of myself
Thanks also to Lindsay, I've been trying to stick with my meal plan this week. I haven't done a stellar job, but I have eaten more than I usually do. I've also tried to concentrate on the "smaller meals more frequently" idea, and I'm liking that a lot. The hardest part is the lunches and dinners. I will give myself kudos to the breakfasts and snacks :)
In other news, I've got a new roommate. She's probably 80% moved in. It's fun to change things up a bit, and I'm excited about the new house dynamics :)
This weekend I'm hosting a girls brunch for church, and given my love for all things breakfast, and my desire to get to know some of these girls better, it should make for a good Saturday morning. Oh, and I'm looking forward to my Christmas gift from Lindsay, which consists of a chef-prepared meal at her new house. Very yummy! Other than that, it should be a low-key weekend, which I'm excited about. The only bummer is that it's likely going to rain the whole time :( Yes, we do need the rain, but why does it have to come on the weekend. Bummer.
Read More
Right. Here's the hard one. Haven't quite yet picked up the Piper book this week. Maybe some downtime this afternoon or over the weekend.
Sort my mail
Thanks to some much needed prompting by Malita, I have kind of kept up with this one. I'm hoping to pick up a filing box this weekend and start putting things in their proper place. But the mail basket hasn't overflowed to the extreme that it did last month. So I consider this a mild success.
Get into shape
Thanks to my old roommate and personal trainer Lindsay, I've worked out 3 times this week so far. Twice we did weights, and then I did some light cardio. Several of my muscles were actively complaining, but they'll just have to deal with it. Was it hard? Yep, at times I really wanted to put the weights down and walk away. But I know that I have to stick with it.
Take better care of myself
Thanks also to Lindsay, I've been trying to stick with my meal plan this week. I haven't done a stellar job, but I have eaten more than I usually do. I've also tried to concentrate on the "smaller meals more frequently" idea, and I'm liking that a lot. The hardest part is the lunches and dinners. I will give myself kudos to the breakfasts and snacks :)
In other news, I've got a new roommate. She's probably 80% moved in. It's fun to change things up a bit, and I'm excited about the new house dynamics :)
This weekend I'm hosting a girls brunch for church, and given my love for all things breakfast, and my desire to get to know some of these girls better, it should make for a good Saturday morning. Oh, and I'm looking forward to my Christmas gift from Lindsay, which consists of a chef-prepared meal at her new house. Very yummy! Other than that, it should be a low-key weekend, which I'm excited about. The only bummer is that it's likely going to rain the whole time :( Yes, we do need the rain, but why does it have to come on the weekend. Bummer.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Quick (semi-rhetorical) question
Would it be considered rude to anonymously mail someone a card to a therapist? It would be a gesture of love wrapped in slight sarcasm (with a stamp and an envelope, of course!).
Ok. Yes. I know the answer. But it at least felt good to write about it. There. It's outta my system.....sort of. And no, it is not for any of you. Promise.
Ok. Yes. I know the answer. But it at least felt good to write about it. There. It's outta my system.....sort of. And no, it is not for any of you. Promise.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Not so much resolutions, per se...
There's a growing list of things I'd like to accomplish during 2006. Rather, a list of things I'd like to improve about my life in general. Seeing as it's the season to make lists, and everyone else is doing it, I'm going to (temporarily) jump on the bandwagon.
Read more
Everywhere I look, people are putting out lists of things that they read last year. Some of these lists top 40 books or so. And some of their goals for 2006 are even higher. And now that I'm engaged to a voracious reader, I feel that I have to jump start my own personal reading life. Last year I read practically nothing. But when I did finish a book (which happened with very low frequency) I felt so good! I read a book! Yes, I felt like a first grader, but it was still a good feeling. I have a few on my list that I'd love to tackle. Keep me accountable, people.
Sort my mail
In a mad dash to locate my healthcare card, I did a clean sweep on my room this past Sunday afternoon. After an hour and a half, I had filled an entire "tall kitchen" trash bag full of junk mail, catalogs, mass mailings, utility bills and the like. Typically, my pattern as of late has been to avoid the mail basket for as long as possible until 1) I desperately need an important legal document (i.e. insurance card, health card, etc.) or 2) something interesting comes in (i.e. wedding invitation, Christmas card, etc.). Well, I refuse to let it get that bad again. My goal is to go through all of my mail at least once a week. My stretch goal is to do it everyday. We'll see how it goes.
Get into shape
Yes, I know that everyone spends all of January working off the holiday pounds, so this goal isn't necessarily revolutionary by any means. But I have a different problem. Some people consider me lucky to be fighting to gain wait. But I don't see it as any kind of luck. Yes, I'm underweight. And yes, it's a health problem. Within the first year after college, when I started my first "real job," I lost 15 pounds. I don't have 15 pounds to lose, however, so this wasn't necessarily good. Instead of responding to stress by eating a lot, I tend to do the opposite. I quit eating. So as of yesterday, I gave a local gym and a former roommate-turned-personal-trainer a lot of money. I am hoping to gain healthy weight, put on some muscle, and get into the kind of shape I was in when I played sports constantly.
Take better care of myself
This goes hand-in-hand with the "get into shape" goal. I want to eat healthy, filling, regular meals. So along with the working out, I will be pairing that with meal planning by the aforementioned former roommate. I'm also going to quit biting my fingers/fingernails. This is also stress-related, like the eating. I've done it for as long as I can remember, but now that I have some fancy new jewelry to show off, I need to get my hands into shape, too.
I think that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Here's a summary of the first 10 days of January:
Read more
Everywhere I look, people are putting out lists of things that they read last year. Some of these lists top 40 books or so. And some of their goals for 2006 are even higher. And now that I'm engaged to a voracious reader, I feel that I have to jump start my own personal reading life. Last year I read practically nothing. But when I did finish a book (which happened with very low frequency) I felt so good! I read a book! Yes, I felt like a first grader, but it was still a good feeling. I have a few on my list that I'd love to tackle. Keep me accountable, people.
Sort my mail
In a mad dash to locate my healthcare card, I did a clean sweep on my room this past Sunday afternoon. After an hour and a half, I had filled an entire "tall kitchen" trash bag full of junk mail, catalogs, mass mailings, utility bills and the like. Typically, my pattern as of late has been to avoid the mail basket for as long as possible until 1) I desperately need an important legal document (i.e. insurance card, health card, etc.) or 2) something interesting comes in (i.e. wedding invitation, Christmas card, etc.). Well, I refuse to let it get that bad again. My goal is to go through all of my mail at least once a week. My stretch goal is to do it everyday. We'll see how it goes.
Get into shape
Yes, I know that everyone spends all of January working off the holiday pounds, so this goal isn't necessarily revolutionary by any means. But I have a different problem. Some people consider me lucky to be fighting to gain wait. But I don't see it as any kind of luck. Yes, I'm underweight. And yes, it's a health problem. Within the first year after college, when I started my first "real job," I lost 15 pounds. I don't have 15 pounds to lose, however, so this wasn't necessarily good. Instead of responding to stress by eating a lot, I tend to do the opposite. I quit eating. So as of yesterday, I gave a local gym and a former roommate-turned-personal-trainer a lot of money. I am hoping to gain healthy weight, put on some muscle, and get into the kind of shape I was in when I played sports constantly.
Take better care of myself
This goes hand-in-hand with the "get into shape" goal. I want to eat healthy, filling, regular meals. So along with the working out, I will be pairing that with meal planning by the aforementioned former roommate. I'm also going to quit biting my fingers/fingernails. This is also stress-related, like the eating. I've done it for as long as I can remember, but now that I have some fancy new jewelry to show off, I need to get my hands into shape, too.
I think that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Here's a summary of the first 10 days of January:
- Reading: still working on "Don't Waste Your Life" with a goal to finish by the end of the month (I figure I'll start slow and then ramp up)...post other reading suggestion in the "Comments" at any time, if you have them :)
- Mail: haven't fallen behind yet, but looking to get a formal filing system in place soon
- Working out: joined a gym yesterday, workouts to commence next week
- Taking care: fingers at about 90% good (10% per finger [so all are in good shape except one, for now]); meal planning is starting this week
Monday, January 09, 2006
News to me
Apparently I'm already supposed to have the entire wedding planned. Yep. Engaged for 13 days, and it's supposed to be ready to roll. In the past 2 days alone, no less than 4 MEN have asked what my colors are. What the heck? I don't have colors yet. Are you insane? Or am I just missing something?
I don't have colors. I don't have a date. I don't have a place. I don't have a wedding party. I don't have a dress. I don't have a florist or a photographer. Nor do I have shoes, showers, registries, or all of the other accoutrements that are supposed to go along with all this.
Oh, and as of 8:15 this morning, I have no half and half for my coffee.
BUT - all is not lost. What I do have is time. And for that, I'm thankful :) I'm also thankful that God continues to remind me that I am surrounded by some amazing friends!
I don't have colors. I don't have a date. I don't have a place. I don't have a wedding party. I don't have a dress. I don't have a florist or a photographer. Nor do I have shoes, showers, registries, or all of the other accoutrements that are supposed to go along with all this.
Oh, and as of 8:15 this morning, I have no half and half for my coffee.
BUT - all is not lost. What I do have is time. And for that, I'm thankful :) I'm also thankful that God continues to remind me that I am surrounded by some amazing friends!
Friday, January 06, 2006
Seemingly insurmountable task on my doorstep
That's what it seems my primary task at the office seems to be today: the dreaded end of year self assessment. I.e. "How did you do over the past 12 months as measured against the stuff we asked you to do based on these metrics and objectives?" So basically, since I haven't quite kept detailed notes on everything I've done since last February, I'm wracking my brain, digging in my archived folders, and doing a good bit of creative writing.
But heck, I like writing, especially when I get to use buzzwords freely. Some of my favorite today seem to be: ensure, effectively, leveraged, interfaced, requirements, communicate, and last but not least - foster. Yes, it's fluff. But it's the bubble wrap that surrounds an important list of vital facts that management should handle with care. It's fluff with a purpose, and that purpose happens to be that I remain employed.
Everyone - cross your fingers.
P.S. I discovered last night that I'm now increasingly covered in small red spots. More on this breaking news as it become available.
But heck, I like writing, especially when I get to use buzzwords freely. Some of my favorite today seem to be: ensure, effectively, leveraged, interfaced, requirements, communicate, and last but not least - foster. Yes, it's fluff. But it's the bubble wrap that surrounds an important list of vital facts that management should handle with care. It's fluff with a purpose, and that purpose happens to be that I remain employed.
Everyone - cross your fingers.
P.S. I discovered last night that I'm now increasingly covered in small red spots. More on this breaking news as it become available.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
A new year
It seems that with the start of the new year, the internet is virtually littered with "My year in review" and "My top 10 of 2005" lists, with the occasional "My resolutions for 2006" and on, and on. No offense to any of those people - those lists are all worthy of gracing browsers globally. So originally, I thought that I would rebel and post absolutely nothing of the sort. No review, no top 10, no list of promises to myself that I'll eventually break. Nada.
Then I started thinking about my year in review. Life was busy. Life was packed with stuff and people and things and places. Life was both good and bad, easy and hard. All in all, a lot happened over the last 12 months. I don't know if I'll make a top 10 list, or define a specific set of resolutions I want to make for 2006. But I do think that it's valuable to reflect on where you've been.
That's the same reason I keep a prayer journal. It's so neat to be able to look back and see how God has grown, challenged, matured, pruned, encouraged, guided and protected you. And looking back at 2005, I can see all of that.
There were breakups and makeups (and then breakups again)...
There was travel between continents...
I saw my family brought together by near tragedy and divided by sheer joy...
I saw a 50 year old man get a wedgie at family Christmas...
And I saw God continue to refine me and show me how much he loves me...
Oh, and I saw a beautiful diamond ring get slipped on my finger a few days ago...and I said yes!
So as the new year starts, just like everyone else, I want to read more, to be healthier, to enjoy life more, to cherish relationships more, and all that jazz. But mostly, I want to grow. I want to mature. I want to be refined again and again.
I just realized that this little blog is almost a year old. Hopefully I'll remember to get it a card or a little present. I'm always bad at remembering birthdays...
Then I started thinking about my year in review. Life was busy. Life was packed with stuff and people and things and places. Life was both good and bad, easy and hard. All in all, a lot happened over the last 12 months. I don't know if I'll make a top 10 list, or define a specific set of resolutions I want to make for 2006. But I do think that it's valuable to reflect on where you've been.
That's the same reason I keep a prayer journal. It's so neat to be able to look back and see how God has grown, challenged, matured, pruned, encouraged, guided and protected you. And looking back at 2005, I can see all of that.
There were breakups and makeups (and then breakups again)...
There was travel between continents...
I saw my family brought together by near tragedy and divided by sheer joy...
I saw a 50 year old man get a wedgie at family Christmas...
And I saw God continue to refine me and show me how much he loves me...
Oh, and I saw a beautiful diamond ring get slipped on my finger a few days ago...and I said yes!
So as the new year starts, just like everyone else, I want to read more, to be healthier, to enjoy life more, to cherish relationships more, and all that jazz. But mostly, I want to grow. I want to mature. I want to be refined again and again.
I just realized that this little blog is almost a year old. Hopefully I'll remember to get it a card or a little present. I'm always bad at remembering birthdays...
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