I've rediscovered why I ought to read.
Trust me, I've been a lifelong fan of reading; I've probably read more books than I've seen movies, and I could tell you more about fictional history than I could about real events. I love meeting new characters and immersing myself in someone else's journey.
Thanks to the job I started in January, however, I've had to re-prioritize the things I spent time on. And for the last several months, I've gone through far fewer books than I normally would. I'd felt a little guilty for spending so much time on things that weren't real. On people and places that weren't real.
But over the last few months, as I've still not had much time for fiction, I've noticed some things. I feel a little lackluster at times. I have less excitement about life. I have less desire to go out and do things. And I have less energy for, well, kinda everything.
There are a few things that I really appreciate about fiction--I said I'm a fan, but to be honest, I'm a bit of an addict. I'm one of those who'll stay up late finishing books. I may have stayed up till dawn, on a few occasions, in order to finish a book. Just maybe. One reason, then, that I appreciate fiction is that I get excited about reading. I get really excited about it. And that excitement carries over into the rest of my life; I have more energy for everything.
I learn so much about people, and about life, when I read. I guess the advantage of reading about a situation, rather than living it, is that I can reflect on it and think about it without having to participate and decide how to act. Being outside a situation, I process it emotionally, easier than I process my day-to-day experiences--and by processing these fictional situations I've often come to understand my own feelings better.
Characters in the stories I read often evoke my sympathy, or my empathy. They awaken the emotions I don't often employ when reviewing invoices, check copies, lease agreements, or reconciliation schedules. And when I don't have anything that really evokes my emotions, they lay dormant. So it seems that when I don't read as much, or when I don't have something that evokes my emotions or my charity, I just don't really feel anything.
So it turns out, I might just need reading, in order to balance out the impact of all my calculating, reviewing, summing, and balancing--rather, just the impact of all the work I do. If I don't have an outlet--or an inlet--for emotions, it seems I just cease to feel.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Pinto beans have bacon!
So today I ordered a veggie salad with pinto beans from Chipotle. Being the conscientious people they are, they wrote me a little note:
My interpretations:
1. They think I'm vegetarian, and they're scolding me for cheating. Hence the exclamation point.
2. They think I'm cute (which I would have to be, with a name as awesome as mine). Hence the smiley.
My interpretations:
1. They think I'm vegetarian, and they're scolding me for cheating. Hence the exclamation point.
2. They think I'm cute (which I would have to be, with a name as awesome as mine). Hence the smiley.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Busy Season: The Refresher Course
Often when we take a subject in school (or rather, when I used to do that whole school thing) we'll gain sufficient mastery over the material and benefit from that knowledge, but eventually we begin to forget a few things. Hence the refresher course.
At the beginning of the year I learned quite a few things while working long hours, but it turns out I needed a refresher course because I'd forgotten some of them. My firm graciously accepted my need for the refresh and gave me the chance to brush up and sharpen those skills I' learned in the winter, such as the following:
I did learen a few more impacting things, though:
At the beginning of the year I learned quite a few things while working long hours, but it turns out I needed a refresher course because I'd forgotten some of them. My firm graciously accepted my need for the refresh and gave me the chance to brush up and sharpen those skills I' learned in the winter, such as the following:
- Murphy's Law--if you don't check to make sure a food order is complete, the most senior person on the job will end up without food.
- One can never bring back too much hot sauce. Or any sauce.
- Going home before sunset is for sissies.
- All those things you thought of as necessities are actually optional (socializing, grocery shopping, laundry, bathing, etc).
- Changing straight from work clothes to pajamas is a move toward efficiency (as long as you do it at home). Jeans are overrated anyway.
- Your Facebook feed is only interesting the first time you scan it.
- A watched blogger doesn't blog.
- Pressure makes any work more interesting.
- Auditors, when left unattended, may develop cabin fever. At any sign of cabin fever, be sure to increase your computer-locking vigilance, lest you be Hasslehoffed* or otherwise pranked.
- As the audit-time continuum progresses, the number of sodas consumed by an audit team will increase exponentially.
I did learen a few more impacting things, though:
- Having a light at the end of the tunnel helps morale immensely. During this last audit, we worked 55+ hours each week, but that was going to last only 4 to 6 weeks; I had the added carrot of a two-week vacation at the end of the long hours, and that especially helped me focus during work.
- Taking time during the month before the audit to mentally prepare myself for working all day definitely helped; when the work started and the hours became long, I was ready for it. Getting home with enough time to sleep 7 or 8 hours each night especially helped me cope.
- Physically preparing to have (almost) no free time also helped--getting in doctors visits, car repairs, and shopping done the weeks before the audit started was hugely helpful.
- Making a priority of personal things I wanted to do each day helped me make sure to do them.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Pool Runnings
So I got to do a 10K mud run in June (which I walked a good chunk of, for the record). Afterward I tried to keep up with the new and improved exercise regime, and I got up to a 5 mile run the week before Independence day this year--but then my knees started hurting every time I walked up or down stairs (and if you've been to my current home...well, it's pretty much all stairs. We have four levels in our home). Eventually, I went to see a doctor, who decided that because he couldn't see anything else wrong and because I felt pain on stairs, I must have bruised the underside of my patella.
So, I have bruised kneecaps.
I'm supposed to do physical therapy, and I'm supposed to refrain from running. And since I've been working on a June 30 year-end client, I'm pretty much refraining from all exercise. Finally last night, my roommate Erin and I decided to give the exercise thing another try. Only, I couldn't run, and she didn't have a bike, so we headed to the pool. We did pretty good swimming for a bit, but then my bruised patellas made themselves known. So we then started jogging in the pool. Maybe not the most exercise I've ever had, but I was impressed nonetheless--it was just the right amount of exercise for someone who's been a bum for a while. The whole troupe of teenagers that was sharing the pool with us probably thought we were a little crazy--but that's okay. We probably are. At any rate I've found something relatively fun to do that I can tell myself is a form of exercise.
So, I have bruised kneecaps.
I'm supposed to do physical therapy, and I'm supposed to refrain from running. And since I've been working on a June 30 year-end client, I'm pretty much refraining from all exercise. Finally last night, my roommate Erin and I decided to give the exercise thing another try. Only, I couldn't run, and she didn't have a bike, so we headed to the pool. We did pretty good swimming for a bit, but then my bruised patellas made themselves known. So we then started jogging in the pool. Maybe not the most exercise I've ever had, but I was impressed nonetheless--it was just the right amount of exercise for someone who's been a bum for a while. The whole troupe of teenagers that was sharing the pool with us probably thought we were a little crazy--but that's okay. We probably are. At any rate I've found something relatively fun to do that I can tell myself is a form of exercise.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Visiting Teaching!
Last post tonight, I promise. Last post for a while, actually, as work will be picking up again soon.
So another thing that happened while I was in Denver--I was asked to be president of the ladies organization (called Relief Society) in my local congregation. I've had a good amount of time to think about the responsibility on my shoulders. In accepting, I've agreed to serve as an example of trying to live according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've agreed to be a ready friend to every single woman in our congregation--to those who do come every week, as well as to those I've never met. I've agreed to help shoulder their burdens and to do all I can to help them. Essentially, I've agreed to walk in the footsteps of my hero and Savior.
One of the ways that I get to help make sure that the sisters are cared for is to visit a handful of them each month and to share or teach them a lesson. It's a system of watching over each other and making sure that our needs are met; it's known as "visiting teaching." I love it, because it's a chance for me to visit sisters that maybe I never would have met otherwise; it's a chance for me to build trust with these sisters and to learn what I can do to help them. It's a chance to learn to love people I may have not even known for a month.
I wish I had more time, so I could visit every sister in our congregation. Since I don't have quite enough time for that each week or even each month, I love that the sisters in our congregation were all assigned visiting teachers so they can each find out how the other sisters are doing, and let me and others know how the branch can help need their needs.
I respect all religions and I am grateful that we may choose to follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that our Savior love each of us which is why He died for us--to help us come back to Him, and to help us through the many struggles we will be facing throughout our lives. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are both the word of God, and I know that when I put into practice the principles they teach, I am happier, more relaxed and much more at peace. I love that I have been able to grow up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and learn more and more about my Savior.
And I love being able to share the gospel with the sisters that I visit teach.
Harry Potter!
Opening night. In 3D.
When it ended, I got about 3 hours of sleep, then staggered into work.
I was disappointed by the first half of Harry Potter VII, so I had reservations about seeing the second half; I had really big reservations about seeing it opening night, since I wouldn't have any time to recuperate. But the night was a blast, thanks to the fantastic company, a well-made production, and some very large, caffeinated sodas. Very large sodas. At a fairly crucial scene, I had to run across the lobby to the restroom, then run back to the theater, because I couldn't wait any longer. I hope I at least amused the theater employees who were lounging around.
When it ended, I got about 3 hours of sleep, then staggered into work.
I was disappointed by the first half of Harry Potter VII, so I had reservations about seeing the second half; I had really big reservations about seeing it opening night, since I wouldn't have any time to recuperate. But the night was a blast, thanks to the fantastic company, a well-made production, and some very large, caffeinated sodas. Very large sodas. At a fairly crucial scene, I had to run across the lobby to the restroom, then run back to the theater, because I couldn't wait any longer. I hope I at least amused the theater employees who were lounging around.
Mud Run!
Around the middle of May, I got an email at work requesting a response from those interested in running on the firm's team for the Camp Pendleton Mud Run. I furiously dashed off an email expressing my exuberant interest and then waited with baited breath for a reply. For about five minutes. Then I looked up the mud run and realized that it was a 10K. And I had signed up for it with only three weeks notice. Ohhh crap.
I had fair confidence in my ability to do a 5K, but I had never run that much in my life. Plus, the team from our office competes with the team(s) from the San Diego office each year, so that was extra pressure to not drag down the team with my presence. Still, I'd wanted to do a mud run for the last couple years. So my self-interest held out over my concern for the good of the team and I didn't quit, like I was tempted to do.
I managed to train a little for the run, but I was definitely one of the slower people in the whole race pack. But I got muddy, and nasty, and disgusting, and exhausted...and had one of the best days of my year.
The morning of the race, one of our team members unfortunately couldn't make it--so we almost got disqualified. But another coworker who happened to be awake at 7:00 am was able to save the day--he drove down to Camp Pendleton with no advance notice or training, and joined us behind the starting line about ten minutes before the race officially started. And, of course, he was one of the first on our team to finish.
That was a day of many firsts for me: first 10K, first timed race, first mud run, first time in a communal shower...oh what a day, oh what a day.
I had fair confidence in my ability to do a 5K, but I had never run that much in my life. Plus, the team from our office competes with the team(s) from the San Diego office each year, so that was extra pressure to not drag down the team with my presence. Still, I'd wanted to do a mud run for the last couple years. So my self-interest held out over my concern for the good of the team and I didn't quit, like I was tempted to do.
I managed to train a little for the run, but I was definitely one of the slower people in the whole race pack. But I got muddy, and nasty, and disgusting, and exhausted...and had one of the best days of my year.
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| My friend Alejandra and I, after the race |
The morning of the race, one of our team members unfortunately couldn't make it--so we almost got disqualified. But another coworker who happened to be awake at 7:00 am was able to save the day--he drove down to Camp Pendleton with no advance notice or training, and joined us behind the starting line about ten minutes before the race officially started. And, of course, he was one of the first on our team to finish.
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| Chris, our hero of the day |
That was a day of many firsts for me: first 10K, first timed race, first mud run, first time in a communal shower...oh what a day, oh what a day.
Denver!
Just under a month ago, I flew to Denver to see the one and only Sadie Lee (well, the only one I know. That has red hair, anyway). Sadie and I have had some pretty awesome experiences together--we were roommates during the Timpanogas Lemonade Stand which we both attended. We rocked the 80s scene
Together we celebrated our last first day of school, and our first last day of school. But she went east, and I went west, and we both ended up in cool places where we spent the first few months just scrambling to figure out life and make friends. A few months ago, we decided it was time for a reunion--so at the end of June I fled the state of CA and visited her in Denver.
We sang, we danced, we laughed, I probably cried at some point...and we definitely played the piano.
Scattered around the 16th Street Mall in Denver are several pianos. They're painted in crazy patterns, and definitely aren't in tune--but they're a fun combination of art and self-entertainment. Ms. Lee entertained me with the piece she played above...and then she played a piece upside down. She was upside down, that is. And I do have a picture of it, but she'd kill me if I posted it (those interested in seeing for themselves may send me $5 and a SASE).
We also explored Red Rock, and the Red Rock Ampitheatre. A few highlights there:
I learned a few new games while I was out there--one was called Crud. It's the equivalent of Horse, but involving a billiards table. That game resulted in more than a few scrapes and bruises. We had to keep the eight ball moving on the table, but sometimes that meant running to a different side of the table. And because everyone else wanted you to lose a point, they would block you from getting where you wanted to go--and sometimes just block you from moving altogether.
The other game I learned was an old game...Signs. At first, I was scared that this would be like most games of Signs where I absolutely dread getting caught and being in the middle. In fact I thought it was going to be even worse than normal signs--because we were playing signs in pairs. It sounded like a recipe for disaster. But it ended up being awesome. Sadie and her partner started off in the middle, and their sterling example of teamwork must have inspired us all.
How do you play Signs in pairs? Well, first you pair up. Half the ward was at a giant casual group date that evening, so we were all set there. Next, you pick a sign that you and your partner can do together, like so:
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| What were the 80s were really all about? Total Eclipse of the Heart pretty much says it all. |
Together we celebrated our last first day of school, and our first last day of school. But she went east, and I went west, and we both ended up in cool places where we spent the first few months just scrambling to figure out life and make friends. A few months ago, we decided it was time for a reunion--so at the end of June I fled the state of CA and visited her in Denver.
We sang, we danced, we laughed, I probably cried at some point...and we definitely played the piano.
Scattered around the 16th Street Mall in Denver are several pianos. They're painted in crazy patterns, and definitely aren't in tune--but they're a fun combination of art and self-entertainment. Ms. Lee entertained me with the piece she played above...and then she played a piece upside down. She was upside down, that is. And I do have a picture of it, but she'd kill me if I posted it (those interested in seeing for themselves may send me $5 and a SASE).
We also explored Red Rock, and the Red Rock Ampitheatre. A few highlights there:
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| Walking where Igor Stravinsky walked |
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| People watching at its finest |
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| Red heads in their natural habitat |
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| Finding Pride Rock |
I learned a few new games while I was out there--one was called Crud. It's the equivalent of Horse, but involving a billiards table. That game resulted in more than a few scrapes and bruises. We had to keep the eight ball moving on the table, but sometimes that meant running to a different side of the table. And because everyone else wanted you to lose a point, they would block you from getting where you wanted to go--and sometimes just block you from moving altogether.
The other game I learned was an old game...Signs. At first, I was scared that this would be like most games of Signs where I absolutely dread getting caught and being in the middle. In fact I thought it was going to be even worse than normal signs--because we were playing signs in pairs. It sounded like a recipe for disaster. But it ended up being awesome. Sadie and her partner started off in the middle, and their sterling example of teamwork must have inspired us all.
How do you play Signs in pairs? Well, first you pair up. Half the ward was at a giant casual group date that evening, so we were all set there. Next, you pick a sign that you and your partner can do together, like so:
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| Signs may involve contact, or may just involve awesome gestures from bygone generations |
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Then, of course, you have to pass the sign. Together. To a pair who will receive your sign. Together. And a couple in the middle, looking to see who has the sign. Together.
I think that Team Signs was a success because the group knew each other fairly well (except for me) and because we'd had a rousing game of Crud before we played...thereby breaking down any inhibitions against such awkward things as giving each other high fives, or other such frightening physical contact. But having someone else looking to receive the sign definitely made it fun--having to communicate with your teammate in an incognito manner added a new dimension to the game--and my favorite part was having someone else help me when we were "it", in the middle. I hate that part...oh how I hate it.
Other highlights of the trip included
- The location of Sadie's house. She lives near a prison...and hers is the first house you'd pass if you happened to be escaping the prison. That gave me a little thrill some nights.
- Bunny rabbits! I felt like I was experiencing the Curse of the Were-Rabbit...except, of course, without the were-rabbit. They would come out of nowhere, lazily hop across their chosen path, and then disappear again.
- Despicable Me. Saw it for the first time, and thought it was awesome.
- Focaccia and Ciabatta baking extravaganza. We got excited about Italian breads, and started making focaccia...and since we were going to be up anyway, and we had a movie going anyway, we decided to get fancy and make ciabatta also. They were delicious. Kudos to Sadie and her Bosch.
- Two naps a day. I blame it on the altitude (Denver being the Mile High city and all)...but really I was probably just exhausted anyway and feeling extra lazy.
- Widespread panic at Red Rock. Err, Widespread Panic, that is. We didn't see their show but Sadie was telling me that there would be widespread panic at Red Rock that day, and my first thought was, how do you even schedule that?
- Eating at SAME cafe. The idea is that you order a meal and then pay what you feel is a fair price. If you don't have money, you can volunteer for an hour to earn a meal.
Dolphins!
I had an adventurous 4th of July weekend. Our firm gives us four-day weekends for certain holidays, and Independence Day is one of those holidays. So I was all set to enjoy a full weekend of relaxation--until I got invited to count inventory on the Friday of that weekend. But what I missed out on that day, I made up for on Independence day.
My dad will often go sailing, and on this particular weekend, he was planning to journey out to Santa Cruz Island, which is one of the channel islands off our coast (The island is the one with the "B" balloon. Just in case you were wondering.)
We left early in the morning, met up with three of my dad's friends and their three respective daughters, and headed for the sea. Along the way we said hi to some of the locals,
picked up some traveling companions:
and eventually arrived at our destination:
I know, we probably could've picked a prettier destination. But we wanted to do some kayaking, and I wasn't quite ready for this trip yet.
A few kayaking tours were taking place around the island, and my dad and I just happened to show up when the groups were going through a few different caves. As a result, we explored several sea caves that didn't look like they existed. We also found some on our own (mostly as we were looking for the ones we went through the first time). Here's a fun arch we found:
The island had a pretty cool visitor's center; part of it was a replica of the type of ranch house that was on the island when it was used for raising livestock. Not many people come to the island, so the center wasn't staffed, but it was equipped with motion sensors, and the center came to life when a visitor walks through the door.
I think my favorite souvenir from the trip was my wet suit tan. While I did make sure to put sun block on my feet, I guess I didn't reapply as needed. I have a distinct line by my ankles that shows exactly where the wetsuit stopped and where the sunburn started. Seeing as I'm going into hibernation again as of this week, I doubt I'll be anywhere sunny for the rest of the summer. I didn't achieve my flip-flop tan this summer, but I guess I'll settle for this--a semi-permanent memory of an awesome day with my dad and the dolphins.
When we came back from the island, though, the adventure didn't end. While hauling the boat out of the water, we heard a CRUNCH SCRAAAAAAAAAPE type noise. The trailer that holds the boat ended up breaking at a fairly critical point on the main shaft.
After my dad and his friend scratched their heads (and all us daughters stood looking useless...especially me with my camera), someone suggested they make a splint for the trailer. Luckily, they were able to find wood and webbing (something similar to it, anyway) and jimmy-rig a splint that held long enough to bring the trailer back to the boat yard.
Good thing they were there...if I were in charge of the trailer, I'd probably still be down at the harbor wondering what to do. Three weeks later.
My dad will often go sailing, and on this particular weekend, he was planning to journey out to Santa Cruz Island, which is one of the channel islands off our coast (The island is the one with the "B" balloon. Just in case you were wondering.)
We left early in the morning, met up with three of my dad's friends and their three respective daughters, and headed for the sea. Along the way we said hi to some of the locals,
picked up some traveling companions:
and eventually arrived at our destination:
I know, we probably could've picked a prettier destination. But we wanted to do some kayaking, and I wasn't quite ready for this trip yet.
A few kayaking tours were taking place around the island, and my dad and I just happened to show up when the groups were going through a few different caves. As a result, we explored several sea caves that didn't look like they existed. We also found some on our own (mostly as we were looking for the ones we went through the first time). Here's a fun arch we found:
 |
| Photo courtesy of these guys |
The island had a pretty cool visitor's center; part of it was a replica of the type of ranch house that was on the island when it was used for raising livestock. Not many people come to the island, so the center wasn't staffed, but it was equipped with motion sensors, and the center came to life when a visitor walks through the door.
I think my favorite souvenir from the trip was my wet suit tan. While I did make sure to put sun block on my feet, I guess I didn't reapply as needed. I have a distinct line by my ankles that shows exactly where the wetsuit stopped and where the sunburn started. Seeing as I'm going into hibernation again as of this week, I doubt I'll be anywhere sunny for the rest of the summer. I didn't achieve my flip-flop tan this summer, but I guess I'll settle for this--a semi-permanent memory of an awesome day with my dad and the dolphins.
 |
| Add caption |
When we came back from the island, though, the adventure didn't end. While hauling the boat out of the water, we heard a CRUNCH SCRAAAAAAAAAPE type noise. The trailer that holds the boat ended up breaking at a fairly critical point on the main shaft.
After my dad and his friend scratched their heads (and all us daughters stood looking useless...especially me with my camera), someone suggested they make a splint for the trailer. Luckily, they were able to find wood and webbing (something similar to it, anyway) and jimmy-rig a splint that held long enough to bring the trailer back to the boat yard.
Good thing they were there...if I were in charge of the trailer, I'd probably still be down at the harbor wondering what to do. Three weeks later.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
S'mores!
Over the last few months, I've had the chance to play with food a little. In order to encourage socializing at church, a friend of mine* decided to start bringing treats--so people could munch on something after church, and mingle. This activity is inventively called munch & mingle (where do people come up with these names?). Somehow I got roped into being the sous-chef for this project--and it's been fun. We've made forays into the realms of orange rolls (and strawberry rolls), pretzels, cream puffs, and the occasional cop-out cookie; but about a month ago was the pièce de résistance. S'mores.
No, wait, you don't understand!
So, we did buy the chocolate. But we made these marshmallows and these graham crackers.
And they ended up looking like this:
And yes, that is a moose. Who may have been nibbled on.
It was a messy project (I think marshmallow goo ended up in a few random places around my kitchen...and on my clothes...and in my hair) but the marshmallows weren't very much work. I did get to see my Kitchenaid beat the marshmallow cream for 12 minutes, on high. That was an impressive sight. (I'm sorry...I'm a total geek. I don't think anyone else gets excited about seeing their mixer work that much.)
The graham crackers were very delicate in dough form, but with a little coaching from one of my cooking mentors** (pictured below) the task of rolling the dough and transferring them to the pan became easier.
*Names have been avoided to protect the guilty. We will call this person A. Wong, or Alex W. for short.
**Those dark marks on her arms are temporary tattoos. No children were bruised in the making of these crackers.
No, wait, you don't understand!
So, we did buy the chocolate. But we made these marshmallows and these graham crackers.
And they ended up looking like this:
And yes, that is a moose. Who may have been nibbled on.
It was a messy project (I think marshmallow goo ended up in a few random places around my kitchen...and on my clothes...and in my hair) but the marshmallows weren't very much work. I did get to see my Kitchenaid beat the marshmallow cream for 12 minutes, on high. That was an impressive sight. (I'm sorry...I'm a total geek. I don't think anyone else gets excited about seeing their mixer work that much.)
The graham crackers were very delicate in dough form, but with a little coaching from one of my cooking mentors** (pictured below) the task of rolling the dough and transferring them to the pan became easier.
*Names have been avoided to protect the guilty. We will call this person A. Wong, or Alex W. for short.
**Those dark marks on her arms are temporary tattoos. No children were bruised in the making of these crackers.
Bloggapalooza!
Warning: I haven't blogged in a few months. Some cool things have happened since then. You may experience blog post overload in the next few minutes.
You have been warned.
You have been warned.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
This last week...
1. I went to the dentist this week for the first time in a while (yay insurance...). I got the deep cleaning special. They had to do half my mouth on Wednesday, and half on Friday. Having only half a clean mouth was such a weird feeling.
2. My firm has a community softball team; we played on Wednesday, and I got a kick out of our game. We lost badly, but we all supported each other. But each of us was mourning our lack of ability--that was what I chuckled at the most, I think--that we all said each other did just great, but we each were so hard on ourselves. I think I was the most justified...I can't even throw from home plate to the pitching mound (anyone want to teach me how to throw?).
3. A duck blocked me in the intersection this week. I honked at him, but it didn't even ruffle his feathers. He finally waddled into the next lane, letting me squeeze by.
4. I went hiking on Saturday. I stayed mostly unburned, except for the backs of my legs. The fronts of my legs didn't get burned though.
5. I think I have motorphobia. If, that is, motorphobia can loosely be translated as fear of being run over by a semi. I'm not the only one who dislikes driving alongside a semi, but in the last month or two I've caught myself tensing up when a semi pulls up behind me...I just wait for it to plow me into the car in front of me. Anyone else feel that?
2. My firm has a community softball team; we played on Wednesday, and I got a kick out of our game. We lost badly, but we all supported each other. But each of us was mourning our lack of ability--that was what I chuckled at the most, I think--that we all said each other did just great, but we each were so hard on ourselves. I think I was the most justified...I can't even throw from home plate to the pitching mound (anyone want to teach me how to throw?).
3. A duck blocked me in the intersection this week. I honked at him, but it didn't even ruffle his feathers. He finally waddled into the next lane, letting me squeeze by.
4. I went hiking on Saturday. I stayed mostly unburned, except for the backs of my legs. The fronts of my legs didn't get burned though.
5. I think I have motorphobia. If, that is, motorphobia can loosely be translated as fear of being run over by a semi. I'm not the only one who dislikes driving alongside a semi, but in the last month or two I've caught myself tensing up when a semi pulls up behind me...I just wait for it to plow me into the car in front of me. Anyone else feel that?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Man cannot live by cookies alone
My 26th birthday was a great one. First of all, it was an even year--and turned out to be a really good year. Second of all, it so happened that I had been in the same apartment complex (Courtside) for the summer before, and so when my birthday came around I actually had friends to celebrate it with. Third of all, it took place on Labor Day which meant that I got to join the masses and hike Mt. Timpanogos in Orem, Utah. My friend Jared W. decided that it was a good year to host a lemonade stand on Timp, so I got to join in those festivities and pass out free lemonade to passersby
But after we made it down the mountain again, it was still my birthday. So we went home and made several cakes. I think we made five. I definitely had made friends over the summer, but not enough to eat five cakes. So I ended up eating cake at breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week after. Turns out, when you do that, your stomach hurts. Funny how that happens.
Today, I didn't make five cakes. I did make two batches of cookies to share at church...but when I got to church I found out that four other people had also brought cookies to share...and I may have eaten cookies for breakfast. And I may have eaten only one small non-cookie meal today. Alas, today was a refresher course in my best lesson learned from my 26th birthday. Eating cookies all day, every day may sound like a lot of fun. It may even come about as we try to emulate our role models
But in the end, it's a bad idea. A very tasty bad idea. Which is why the very last thing I ate tonight (about half an hour ago) was milk and cookies, and why for the next two days I'll be regretting every last one. Mostly regretting, anyway.
But after we made it down the mountain again, it was still my birthday. So we went home and made several cakes. I think we made five. I definitely had made friends over the summer, but not enough to eat five cakes. So I ended up eating cake at breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week after. Turns out, when you do that, your stomach hurts. Funny how that happens.
Today, I didn't make five cakes. I did make two batches of cookies to share at church...but when I got to church I found out that four other people had also brought cookies to share...and I may have eaten cookies for breakfast. And I may have eaten only one small non-cookie meal today. Alas, today was a refresher course in my best lesson learned from my 26th birthday. Eating cookies all day, every day may sound like a lot of fun. It may even come about as we try to emulate our role models
But in the end, it's a bad idea. A very tasty bad idea. Which is why the very last thing I ate tonight (about half an hour ago) was milk and cookies, and why for the next two days I'll be regretting every last one. Mostly regretting, anyway.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Ch-ch-ch-changes
2011 is apparently a year of change. New job, new roommates, more new roommates, new ward, another new ward, new home...another new home...and, wait for it: another new home.
Remember the quaint little home I first posted? Moved from that in February. Remember the fantastic new place we found? Yep...soon (or maybe not so soon) we're being booted from our beautiful Irvine home. Our landlord has decided to sell his house which means we need to start looking for a new place to live. There's no telling how long it will take the house to sell, either, so we will be keeping the town house looking beautiful.
I'm sad. My roommates have worked to make this little townhouse into a home, our neighborhood's beautiful, and I've settled in well here...and here's another uprooting coming my way.
Remember the quaint little home I first posted? Moved from that in February. Remember the fantastic new place we found? Yep...soon (or maybe not so soon) we're being booted from our beautiful Irvine home. Our landlord has decided to sell his house which means we need to start looking for a new place to live. There's no telling how long it will take the house to sell, either, so we will be keeping the town house looking beautiful.
I'm sad. My roommates have worked to make this little townhouse into a home, our neighborhood's beautiful, and I've settled in well here...and here's another uprooting coming my way.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Odds and ends. And evens.
While I was in Bolivia about five or six years ago, I was teamed up with a girl from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Some time while we were together, I learned that she was biased against odd numbers. She only liked even-numbered things. I thought that was a really strange preference to have.
Well, it turns out, I'm the same way. My favorite years of age were 24, 26, 18, 14, 10...my favorite years in school were 8th, 2nd, 12th...my favorite straight-up years include 2002 and 2010 (though it didn't hurt that I graduated in both those years. Except maybe that was fate). But it's not just that those are all my favorites; it also happens that I disliked 2003, 2005 was maybe the hardest year of my life, my 7th grade year was probably the worst school year ever (except maybe in 5th grade when the kid who was my desk buddy refused to sit next to me. I guess I was ugly or something). (Oh, there was also first grade. That was a bad year too...I got yelled at by my teacher for talking in class so when I really needed to go to the bathroom I was too scared to ask permission to go...and my mom had to bring me new clothes to change into.)
There are lots of other even-numbered things I like, and plenty of odd-numbered things I don't like. And some things I can't make up my mind about (for example: do I have four toes, or five? Do I like my toes, or not?). I guess the only thing I really have discovered is that I shouldn't laugh at other peoples' preferences, because they may be contagious.
Well, it turns out, I'm the same way. My favorite years of age were 24, 26, 18, 14, 10...my favorite years in school were 8th, 2nd, 12th...my favorite straight-up years include 2002 and 2010 (though it didn't hurt that I graduated in both those years. Except maybe that was fate). But it's not just that those are all my favorites; it also happens that I disliked 2003, 2005 was maybe the hardest year of my life, my 7th grade year was probably the worst school year ever (except maybe in 5th grade when the kid who was my desk buddy refused to sit next to me. I guess I was ugly or something). (Oh, there was also first grade. That was a bad year too...I got yelled at by my teacher for talking in class so when I really needed to go to the bathroom I was too scared to ask permission to go...and my mom had to bring me new clothes to change into.)
There are lots of other even-numbered things I like, and plenty of odd-numbered things I don't like. And some things I can't make up my mind about (for example: do I have four toes, or five? Do I like my toes, or not?). I guess the only thing I really have discovered is that I shouldn't laugh at other peoples' preferences, because they may be contagious.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Early to bed, early to rise, eat all your veggies and throw out your pies.
Busy season left a lasting impression on me for a few reasons, but one of its hopefully delible repercussions was making my pants too small. I think my clothes all got together and decided that they would play a joke on me. Since things have settled down, I've been eating better and sleeping better. And I've learned a couple things:
1. It's not my body that craves those brownies. Turns out, my body's pretty chill as long as it's fed and watered.
2. When I'm used to not eating sugar all the time and I do have a craving for something sweet, I can have a taste and that satisfies me.
3. My mind is my body's worst enemy. Especially when I'm grouchy. All I want on those days is chocolate. But as it turns out, because it's not something my body (or mind) actually needs, my body (and mind) aren't just satisfied with a bite or two.
4. When I'm sleeping at consistent times and getting up at consistent times, I start feeling something I haven't felt in years. I feel awake! It's a totally different feeling...I think I can get used to it.
5. When I'm not tired, I don't crave junk food. My mind doesn't crave it and my body doesn't want it. And life goes on, my pants get looser, I'm less crabby, and everyone is happy.
6. Contrary to common belief (well, my commonly held belief), I can get out there and exercise. And while it hurts, it starts to hurt less and feel better every time I go.
I guess what I've really learned is that the human body's pretty amazing. And that I, as the driver of the body, would do a lot better to just sleep when I'm tired, drink when I'm thirsty, eat when I'm hungry, and get out and exercise...my body likes it. But my mind's not always sold. So in the end, what I've been needing is a change of mindset and regime. And common sense.
1. It's not my body that craves those brownies. Turns out, my body's pretty chill as long as it's fed and watered.
2. When I'm used to not eating sugar all the time and I do have a craving for something sweet, I can have a taste and that satisfies me.
3. My mind is my body's worst enemy. Especially when I'm grouchy. All I want on those days is chocolate. But as it turns out, because it's not something my body (or mind) actually needs, my body (and mind) aren't just satisfied with a bite or two.
4. When I'm sleeping at consistent times and getting up at consistent times, I start feeling something I haven't felt in years. I feel awake! It's a totally different feeling...I think I can get used to it.
5. When I'm not tired, I don't crave junk food. My mind doesn't crave it and my body doesn't want it. And life goes on, my pants get looser, I'm less crabby, and everyone is happy.
6. Contrary to common belief (well, my commonly held belief), I can get out there and exercise. And while it hurts, it starts to hurt less and feel better every time I go.
I guess what I've really learned is that the human body's pretty amazing. And that I, as the driver of the body, would do a lot better to just sleep when I'm tired, drink when I'm thirsty, eat when I'm hungry, and get out and exercise...my body likes it. But my mind's not always sold. So in the end, what I've been needing is a change of mindset and regime. And common sense.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Coming out of hibernation
Hello! It's me again--I'm happy to report that I am still alive. Busy season ended about a week or two ago, and I feel like I'm slowly waking up to life again.
I think that the last two or three months really have been a sort of hibernation. I saw almost no daylight, I was certainly fattened up, and I might as well have been holed up in a cave for the amount of social activity I had.
And now spring is here, and with it really comes an awakening. With the last week or so of freedom, I've re-learned a few things:
I think that the last two or three months really have been a sort of hibernation. I saw almost no daylight, I was certainly fattened up, and I might as well have been holed up in a cave for the amount of social activity I had.
And now spring is here, and with it really comes an awakening. With the last week or so of freedom, I've re-learned a few things:
- Normal people don't have to change straight into pajamas once they get home (they may choose to, but not because the immediate next step is to dive into bed)
- Normal people have food, other than just cereal and milk. (unless your entire diet always composed of cereal and milk)
- Normal people get to see the sun.
- Normal people have friends!
I think that the days were always the hardest when I rolled onto a new job, because the first couple days would always be the set-up process. Once I had a project or two underway, I was focused and I was fine (except for the occasional whining). I would become engrossed in whatever I was doing, and some days just flew by.
If I didn't have a task that had to be completed that same night, I sometimes was allowed to go home earlier than the rest of my team. I appreciated it, of course--but when I started staying later with the other team members, I felt like I'd become one of the big kids, getting to stay up late.
The hours were generally hardest to handle when I'd had a day or two on the weekend to relax and maybe, maybe do something social. Or, more likely, I got to work from my couch rather than the client's office. But I would start to remember life before January, and then Monday morning would come and I'd get to go back into my audit cave and start anew.
While I definitely was fattened up, I had a reverse hibernation in that sense...I ended up building up my "energy stores" (more widely known as love handles) rather than burning them off. But perhaps by the next time I head into busy-season hibernation, these first ones will be gone.
So here's to spring--and here's to blogging. Maybe I'll post again before another two months roll by!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Just when I had it all figured out...
Last saturday, I moved again. One month ago I was congratulating myself for moving to Orange County a month before my job started, so I could get all settled in and start making new friends before busy season hit. Rent was cheap, the room was great, the beach was a walk away, and my congregation at church was pretty good sized.
Then about three weeks ago, my roommates and I were informed that we would need to leave the place, because the bank was repossessing it. Oh, and they wanted us out quick. Oh, and I work from 9 am to 10 pm, or so...left to my own devices, I'd probably be living out of my car, or maybe a box somewhere nice. My roommates took charge of the situation and started looking for places to live, and we started packing up, but we were supposed to be out of the old place on a Tuesday, and even by the Thursday before (aka a week ago), we didn't know where we were going to live. At the last minute, someone accepted our rent applications, and three days before the bank was going to kick us out, we managed to get our stuff moved thanks to huge amounts of help from awesome people in the area.
So at least now we have a place to live! It's not by the beach, and the congregation for church where we are now is much smaller--but it's a pretty place, and while I'm still living out of boxes, I'm not living in a box. And I'm grateful for that.
In other news, work is good. Long, very long, but good. I'm getting humbled for sure--I don't know anything about what I'm supposed to do, and my coworkers know I don't know anything--they don't expect me to know anything. I'm used to being a smarty pants, so not knowing anything is a new experience...I think it'll be good for me. Like vegetables.
Then about three weeks ago, my roommates and I were informed that we would need to leave the place, because the bank was repossessing it. Oh, and they wanted us out quick. Oh, and I work from 9 am to 10 pm, or so...left to my own devices, I'd probably be living out of my car, or maybe a box somewhere nice. My roommates took charge of the situation and started looking for places to live, and we started packing up, but we were supposed to be out of the old place on a Tuesday, and even by the Thursday before (aka a week ago), we didn't know where we were going to live. At the last minute, someone accepted our rent applications, and three days before the bank was going to kick us out, we managed to get our stuff moved thanks to huge amounts of help from awesome people in the area.
So at least now we have a place to live! It's not by the beach, and the congregation for church where we are now is much smaller--but it's a pretty place, and while I'm still living out of boxes, I'm not living in a box. And I'm grateful for that.
In other news, work is good. Long, very long, but good. I'm getting humbled for sure--I don't know anything about what I'm supposed to do, and my coworkers know I don't know anything--they don't expect me to know anything. I'm used to being a smarty pants, so not knowing anything is a new experience...I think it'll be good for me. Like vegetables.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
I think I'm an accountant now...
So. This week I started training, and it's been really fun. There's about 20 to 25 people training with me who are all great, the instructors are great, and the learning's been good. (Can you tell I'm a little happier about life than the last time I posted? Ahh, that's right, it's also not 2 am.) Life is good and I'm really glad I'm here.
Today during training, I had a moment that really cemented for me the fact that I've become an accountant. We were discussing a fictitious business and the possibility that this business was simply not recording all of its expenses, in order to make its profits look much better. My gut reaction: I was positively horrified at the thought that someone wouldn't record all their expenses.
I'm starting to get really excited about this new adventure. I may not post much for the next several weeks--you may not hear from me at all. Have no fear, I'm probably alive--I'm just going to be busy :) I hope you all enjoy your holiday next weekend--think of me while you're vacationing and playing; I'll be dutifully plugging away on my laptop.
Today during training, I had a moment that really cemented for me the fact that I've become an accountant. We were discussing a fictitious business and the possibility that this business was simply not recording all of its expenses, in order to make its profits look much better. My gut reaction: I was positively horrified at the thought that someone wouldn't record all their expenses.
I'm starting to get really excited about this new adventure. I may not post much for the next several weeks--you may not hear from me at all. Have no fear, I'm probably alive--I'm just going to be busy :) I hope you all enjoy your holiday next weekend--think of me while you're vacationing and playing; I'll be dutifully plugging away on my laptop.
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