2010 Achievements

Happy 2011 everyone!

If you remember, I set forth some goals for myself at the beginning of the year.  So here's what I've achieved:

1.  Go to gym/lose some poundage/get healthy(skinny)  Yes!  I joined the gym across the street from my house and started doing yoga and Weight Watchers in September.  I lost around 15 pounds, and would like to drop a little more.
2. Start a blog. Hi!  Thanks for reading my mostly mindless ramblings!
3. Pay off credit cards. I've got one left to go, and it should be done by April.
   
4. Get passport.  I did this the Monday after Christmas (nothing like waiting until the last minute!), so I'll be getting it in a few weeks.
   
5. Cross 2 items off life list.  I started yoga and bought vouchers for rock climbing and aerial acrobatics.  I haven't used the vouchers so much, so I guess I didn't completely achieve this one, but it's okay.
6. Find an apartment.  I'm putting this one off because I have to get a new car and I want to continue to pay off debts.  Maybe this will happen next year if I can find a roommate.
7. Get organized (I'm terrible at keeping stuff in it's "home").  This is a continuing goal.  I've gotten a lot better about things.
8. Volunteer (My main cause is the National MS Society, but I'm interested in finding others as well).  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to do this.  Between working two jobs and still trying to have a social life, it kind of fell through the cracks.  I did, however, donate to the USO, the Kristen Brooks Hope Center, and took part in the James Garfield miracle, so I think I did alright.
9. Clean out clothes.  Also ongoing, but I did donate two big bags of clothes that I don't wear to one of those clothes drop boxes. This one happened to support the MS Society.
10. Go through boxes from last move.  I did this some, but I hate going through old stuff.  I don't know if it's stirring up bad memories, or deciding what's not important any more, but I don't like it.  I'll finish in the Spring.  I'll make myself get into one of my cleaning moods.     

 
 
I hope that everyone had a happy and fun New Year.  I spent mine watching a drag show at a gay bar.  So. Much. Fun!  I'll be sure to post soon with my 2011 goals.  I just haven't 100% decided what I'd this year to bring yet.

I Think I’m An Adult Now

…or at least I’m getting there. It’s a very adult-ish week. Here’s why:


1. My mom is sending her will to me. I’m the executor for both her and my step-dad. I have to sign it and get it notarized. I don’t even know how to do that. Good thing there’s a notary who works in accounting.

2. I’m excited to get paid tomorrow. So I can pay bills. I’ve been paying off credit cards and such and saving for a car down payment as well. Hello being responsible.

3. I’ve been getting my job #2 clothes together the night before. Trust me, this is a big thing.

4. I’ve been better about not buying things that I don’t need (shoes).

5. I’ve grown some will-power. I don’t know if this is considered “adult”, but I feel a little accomplished, so I’m throwing it in there.

And while I still don’t have an apartment of my own, I’d like to think that I’m headed somewhere. I don’t want to go into a lease until I figure some stuff out. Maybe I’ll move. Facebook told me that I should live in San Francisco. Perhaps I’ll plan a trip to Cali—I’ve never been to the west coast!

I hope that everyone has a great weekend and a very safe Halloween. I have to work Sunday night, but I’ll be sporting some devil horns under my stupid visor. At least until I get in trouble.

I've Reached a Plateau

I’ve lost around 10 pounds. Which is great, but now I’m hovering.  I didn't drop anything last week.  (I didn't gain anything either!) It could be due to the plastic pumpkin that’s taken residence in my office that keeps being refilled by my coworkers (which is very nice of them, but bad for my will power.  Hello Reese's cups!), or the fact that I went to a sushi buffet Friday for dinner. I think I ate my body weight in sushi. Then I topped it off with a crepe. Because why wouldn’t a Japanese sushi buffet have crepes? Who cares? They’re delicious.


That’s my problem though. If it’s there, I will eat it. This is true of anything I find yummy-not just baked goods. I’ve been known to pick at the bowl of green beans while talking after dinner at the table. And it really REALLY doesn’t help that my second job is at a bakery. I have a bad habit of taking a bit of something and throwing the rest away. Unfortunately I do it with 5 things that I think look good that day. I really am on working on that. I’ve been munching on pickles (no points on Weight Watchers) instead of cookies.

I’m going to try to lose a few extra points than where I’d like to be before the holidays. That way I can eat all the deliciousness and not feel too guilty about it. Seconds on pie? Please and thank you!

Mice Are Gross, But Now I'm Much More Organized-Silver Lining?

This weekend kind of blew. I wasn’t feeling well Friday, so I didn’t go out. Instead I watched Jersey Shore and World of Jenks on MTV (World of Jenks is actually pretty good.) and went to bed early. Saturday I spent the day running around, went to Target, the gym, did laundry—that’s my version of GTL. I got the third season of The Big Bang Theory on DVD. I was watching it Saturday night when I heard a rustling in the next room over. I didn’t think much of it. I thought a bag was settling since I was organizing a bit over there (as per my 2010 goals). But then I heard it again. So I turned on the light and I see a mouse.


I HATE MICE. That’s the one thing that gets me. Spiders and other assorted bugs don’t bother me, but anything rodent-like grosses me out. I was keeping some baking supplies in that bag. It got into the graham crackers I had to make my not-yet-world-famous s’ mores brownies. So I threw all that away and anything else food-like that was up there, even if there was no sign of vermin invasion. (PS I googled getting rid of mice and they don’t like the smell of mint. Good thing I usually have a pack of gum in my purse and/or on my night stand). Anywho, that sparked a cleaning spree like I haven’t had in a while. Including dusting.

On the bright side, I got that room organized and some boxes cleaned out, and most of my bedroom done before I had to go to work. Next I have to tackle the boxes I have stored in the other rooms. (We have a big house. I’m on the third floor. There’s my bedroom, the room that has the stairs and my books, a store room that has bulk items-shampoo, toilet paper-and assorted Christmas decorations, and another bedroom that currently is filled with boxes of who knows what).  Also, my house is over 300 years old.  We were bound to get a mouse at some point.

I won’t be able to do that this weekend because MY MOM’S COMING TO VISIT! I have off Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from BOTH jobs. Exciting. And I’ve scheduled myself to get a massage Thursday. Happy Birthday to me!

PS The mouse was caught. It was in the trap when I got home from yoga last night. I may have gotten my aunt to take of that for me. ( I don’t touch rodents-dead or alive.)

Firsts

Saturday night I went out with a guy from match, M. We need to pray to the dating gods, people, because I actually liked this one. He’s 27, an engineer for the Navy (he’s not in the Navy, though), lives in a nice little section of the city, and is going to grad school. And he’s funny. Definitely the best date I’ve had since starting this whole thing. I’m giving him until tomorrow before I forget about him.


Last night I went to my first ever yoga class. I’ve done some yoga at home, so it wasn’t my very first experience, but it was my very first experience doing it correctly. It was nice to have the teacher there to adjust me as needed. I have issues with not keeping my "shoulders in my shoulder sockets" and with not keeping my hips straight. And also with my balance apparently. The class is at a dance and gymnastics studio, not a yoga studio, so it’s interesting to see what else I might be able to take there. There were only 4 of us in the class, so it was really a steal for almost-private classes. Oh! And they cranked up the heat in there. So that was a whole new experience as well. I’ve got 9 more classes on my class card, and I am excited. I felt myself improving a little with the teacher’s help, so I’m excited to see how well I can do in 9 more weeks.

My aunt, uncle, and I have also started on the Weight Watchers points system thingy. I don’t want to drastically lose weight, but I do want to get in a healthier range. I lost a couple of pounds last week (even with eating my weight in sushi at the buffet). Between WW, yoga, and the gym I am very optimistic about meeting at least one more of my goals.

Fall and Birthdays and Rants, Oh My!

The touch of fall we're having today is reminding me of everything I love about the change in the seasons.  One of my favorite things about each of the seasons is how it smells.  I love the smell of snow in the winter, the flowers in the spring, fresh cut grass in summer, and the smell of the leaves in the fall.  Yes, I can smell the difference when they're changing.

I get excited for the chance to wear boots and sweaters again.  And scarves!  They take the place of necklaces in the winter because my office is always freezing.  Usually I'll miss the beach, flip-flops, and the sun on my skin.  But this year (and I think it's pretty universal) I can't wait for it to cool off. 

September's a big month.  My birthday is coming up.  I'm turing 25.  I don't think I'm wear I thought I'd be at 25, even though I don't really have a life plan.  My mom's visiting for the bday (mine and my brother's (his is the day before mine)).  I'm hoping 25 is a big year.  I really want to cross some stuff off my life list.  Like driving cross-country.  I've never been to Vegas or California, so I'd love to hit both those places on a road trip.

Also, the change in the seasons is remind me how badly I'm doing with my 2010 goals.  I really need to get on that stuff...


Also, I need to fit in this mini-rant:

I have been incredibly out of sorts the last few days. Yesterday, I went over to the mall to pick up new yoga pants ($15 at Old Navy), and went into Charlotte Russe to get a super cute owl necklace (I've been obsessed with the idea since Salt did her Hooty giveaway). Turns out I forgot my wallet. I have never forgotten my wallet in my adult life. So I had to leave my awesome parking spot (it was raining) and run home and grab my monies. Luckily I live all of 5 minutes from the mall. Then I get my necklace, get my yoga pants and run to the bank. I got home and took a shower and talked to Big Pappa (almost-doctor-guy) for a while. I got to remove the tags from my yoga pants and one pair was an extra small-on a medium hanger. So now I get to go back. UGH. On the bright side, they're ridiculously comfortable, and I'm excited to start yoga in a couple of weeks!

Strange Goings On in the Gym...

First of all, I get there and there are people on the machines that I like.  The girl on my #1 choice machine (which I use unless creepy pony tail guy is there or there's someone on a machine right next to it) is probably the preppiest girl I have ever seen in real life.  She was wearing pearls.  To work out.  On my elliptical.  PEARLS.

Then another creepster gets on one of the sit-down bikes (chair attached to a wheel and some pedals). I wasn't aware that one could get off merely by riding a stationary bike.  I had to work out for 20 minutes 2 machines over from this guy who was breathing quite heavily, grunting, and letting out a much too loud "Oh God!" every few minutes.  Uncomfortable is an understatement.

On a brighter note, I did see a couple of not creepy guys there today.  Unfortunately, I always see them when they're leaving.  Not really sure where they were when I got there.  Also, I look like a hot mess at the gym, so I doubt I'll meet the future Mr. Beckles there.  Unless guys are going for the hot mess look these days?  I really wouldn't know...

Update or something

This is going to be scattered.  No intro, just gonna dive right in.

1. Goals 2010: nothing new really. 
a.  I've managed not to buy too many new clothes since cleaning everything out.  I've also managed not to remember to put them out on morning when Purple Heart is supposed to be here.  Maybe I'll just take them to Goodwill. 
b.  I have been keeping up with the gym and consequently eating more and also things that are bad for me.  That's just how my brain works.  "I went to the gym...mmm cake!"  I have put on some muscle.  My lower body is looking pretty awesome.  Thank you crossramp!
c. I'm still blogging.

2.  I'm so sick of seeing the trailer for the new Miley Cyrus movie.  If I ever met her, I'm pretty sure I'd punch her in the face.  That's not a threat...swearsies.

3.  The universe decided to make me be super busy workwise at both jobs because I'm off next week.  Awesome.  I'm training someone at job#2 and I'm pretty much the worse trainer ever because I don't really know the new way to do.  They changed protocol and whatnot in the two years since I was there.  Annnd I have like 4 boxes of product to get through at job#1 and like 3 meetings this week.

4.  I haven't been sleeping well.  Going to try to get some shuteye after I'm done posting.  Tylenol PM has been my biffle this week.  NABM (new annoying boss man) asked me if I was "in a mood" the fifth time he came in to bother me today.  I might have to shut my door to get through the rest of the week.

5.  I've been watching Top Model and Tyra has worn a jumpsuit (one piece outfit that's like a dress except the bottom has pant legs instead of a skirt) every episode.  I know you're skinny again, sweetie, but no.

Goals 2010 Status Update

So far 2010 is off to a roaring start, and I'm pretty proud of myself.  I've started my blog, although sometimes I feel like I had more ideas about what to write before I actually had it.  I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that ideas and posts will come more easily to me once I get more comfortable.  I'm very sarcastic (I speak sarcasm fluently), but it doesn't always come across that way in writing.  I'll work on it.

I've also cleaned out my clothes.  I've bagged up the stuff that I know I absolutely will not wear again.  And I have a smaller group of stuff that I could wear again after I get to the gym more.  So I'll save those to try on later.  My dresser drawers actually close all the way without me cramming and stuffing my clothes in, so I'd say mission accomplished.  (BTW, the clothes that I'm getting rid of are either going to Purple Heart or if I can find somewhere that will take them for the Haitian relief effort.)  Now I just have to try not to shop.  I accidentally bought 2 shirts on Monday.  I bought a couple of things at H&M.  They are taking monetary donations and matching them penny for penny.  So 5 cents becomes 10 cents, and $10 becomes $20.

I'm very excited that my gym is open!  It's only on limited hours because they're still working on some parts of the place, like the locker room and showers.  But since I live across the street, all I really care about is the equipment.  I've gone twice this week so far, and I'll go on Saturday as well.  I have a bad habit of being gung-ho about stuff and then the weekend comes and all my resolve goes out the window.  I need to get myself into a schedule and I'll  be fine.  Practice makes perfect (or something encouraging).

My gym goal next week is to get on the weight machines.  They intimidate me.  I don't want to use them wrong and then have other gym-goers wonder what the eff I'm doing.  I'll also probably hurt myself.  Is appropriate to have a spotter when I can only manage about 10 pounds.  Okay, okay...maybe 15.

Why I'm Not Already Skinny-Minny

Things that are detrimental to me getting skinny:

1. My gym isn't exactly open yet.  They're supposed to be open on the 18th, so here's hoping.
2. Anything that is dark chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, or delicious covered in Nutella.
3. Job #2 is in a bakery...yeah.
4. I really like food.  Ergo, I'm bad at dieting. I'm ok with maintaining my weight as it is right now, so I figure if I make some adjustments and add in exercise, I can meet my goal.
   
5. I like to bake....it's a stress reliever for me.  So when I bake, I eat.  I eat, feel fat, get stressed. Vicious cycle.
6. It's too cold to go to the bike trail.
   
7. I really enjoy being lazy/watching tv/reading.

What I really need is for someone to yell at me to go work out.  

Goals for 2010

I never keep resolutions.  Ever.  So this year I decided to set goals for myself.  I'm hoping that in taking this different approach I'll be able to accomplish some of the things I really want overall in my life.  So here's my goal list so far:

1.  Go to gym/lose some poundage/get healthy(skinny)
2. Start a blog (I'm a winner already) 
3. Pay off credit cards
4. Get passport
5. Cross 2 items off life list 
6. Find an apartment
7. Get organized (I'm terrible at keeping stuff in it's "home")
8. Volunteer (My main cause is the National MS Society, but I'm interested in finding others as well)
9. Clean out clothes
10. Go through boxes from last move

I don't know how I ended up with 10.  My list is pretty concise.  I like how Allie did her list.  I should have tricked myself as well, but I'm clearly not as sly as she is.

Later I'll put up my life list...maybe.