Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I speak Russian. Do you speak Russian?

"I speak Russian, too." in english. Best phrase overheard today.

Sent from my iPhone

One more note on health

I worked out again today. I am slowly working up with more calories burned, harder settings and longer "runs" (currently using the elliptical since my running shoes suck). It felt good and it helps make me feel more awake and "with-it" in the morning. HOWEVER I ate cream sauce and pasta for lunch. The truth is that I want to be able to eat without thinking and just burn it off. I know its not that easy. I refuse to commit my life to working out for long spans each day. I am working up to 45 minutes (from a current 30) but anything more than an hour and I start to feel all that time I could be doing other things: Like eating with Merissa, Mashari, Samantha and Janet. Ok, I get it, eating is what got me to my "gently rounded" size right now.

The doctor didn't say I was fat. She did tell me my BMI was edging into overweight (ok, the "edging" language is mine) and that my good cholesterol was low and the bad was up. So I am determined to return to a previous version; the end Children's-Hospital-Malia size. Healthier. I am already getting happier than I may have ever been. Time to bring all the elements together. After I eat something disgustingly fantastic and buttery for dinner.

Wasting the day away

So today is one of those days: little to do and lots of time to do it in. I actually have no projects or tasks to complete right now. I just finished a masterpiece of employee motivational imagery (cool poster) and some spreadsheet details. The posters I will have to work on additionally but until I get the photos from the Public Affairs office (I've been waiting since Thursday; how hard is this people) I can't really do much. Tomorrow I will be photo treking through the different divisions of employees with my program office so people can feel connected and see themselves and really helping with the mission and vision of DHS/our component. But right now I have 2.5 hours to kill doing something. Hopefully for taxpayers and myself I will do something marginally productive. But its not looking super likely. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and a little more interesting.

I think I am going to raid the supply closet for now. . .

Friday, March 26, 2010

Its hard to stay when no one else will. . .

Specifically the office. My new clients do tend to stay 'til later hours and then actually leave their work at home (no midnight emails yet). But right this moment its 5:02 pm on Friday night. I want to bolt but I really need to stay an few more minutes. My work so far has been rather limited in scope and interest but I am hopefully that my tasks become more complex and the people will stay friendly and without personality disorders.

I worked out this morning. I am so proud since this has almost become a habit. Unfortunately for every workout and healthy meal, I eat almost commensurate amounts of the junk. Ironically it was easier to eat better before I started trying to eat better. Today my project manager brought in cookies: oatmeal-raison, chocolate chip and sugar cookies. Not super fantastic (actually the oatmeal was rather excellent) but I still ate quiet a few. Ugh. If I truly had stopped to ask the question, "is this really where I want to spend my calorie budget today?" the answer would be "No."

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tired

Life's full of ironies: you get what you want but you don't want it
anymore and you are too tired to enjoy it.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Evolve

Our government agency program office has been trying to "Evolve" for some time: increase process and procedure, creation and adherence; improve customer service satisfaction; etc. There is a little metro map that goes along with this. Someone has rebelled.

Nothing says "process and performance improvement" like a nuclear blast.

Last day. . .here at least

Today is the last day of our contract here. The Ides of March, how odd. What a bizarre day to choose to end a contract. I had never planned to be in DC this long. I had really hoped to be back in Seattle by now. But life (and the Lord) has a way of making Robert Burns true: "best laid plans o' mice and men gang aft aglay." Truly, it has not been a bad thing. In fact, I have learned a great deal.

But tomorrow it's a new position, with new responsibilities. Ostensibly, the same as the one I currently occupy. So hopefully I will still be able to learn and grow.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Next Chicken Dinner

America's Test Kitchen Chicken Picatta. For sure.

How did I make it to Friday?

Life seems to be whirling by. Days get longer, months get shorter. How does that happen? Just another time paradox. I can't tell you how lovely it is to have warmer weather here in DC. A balmy 55 and Samantha pulls out her flip-flops for getting to work.

Even the rain today is wonderful. It makes me feel at home away from Seattle, plus it is significantly whittling away at those large piles of snow still left from the February storm. One of the piles has been blocking the path to the bus stop for more than a month and forces every one to climb over it or step straight into the muck.

Last weekend, my friend Aaron and I went biking ride around the Mall. We talked about going again tomorrow morning but I think the rain and "urban flooding" (otherwise known as large puddles) may keep my exercise indoors. I convinced Merissa to try this yoga place in DuPont that I still haven't even been to yet! I have never done yoga actually so trying it out tomorrow should be funny for all the on lookers, at the very least.

I am starting in a new position with my same company, in the same building. Different folks but still working for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). It will be a whole new challenge. I am getting very excited to start full-time on Tuesday (my current position closes on Monday, March 15, the Ides).

And I am really excited for my birthday this year. March 22 I will be 27 years old. That isn't too bad. I have made it this far without completely messing up. I like being older and growing in confidence and hopefully wisdom. Thank the Lord we don't have to stay 12 for our whole lives

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Monday, March 8, 2010

Some how happy despite one of those days

You know those mornings when you have a hard time dressing yourself? yeah, that was this morning.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Apparently getting married?

A good friend at work, one of my government clients, announced to a branch meeting that my moving jobs was good timing since it was just in time for us to get married. I may have laughed a little hard . . . and long. Sorry Bob. It was just so unexpected. But thanks for the compliment.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I didn't plan to be here, but that's ok

I didn't plan to still be in DC. I planned to be happily returned home to Seattle by now. Except now its more than just me in the US location with licenses plates "Taxation Without Representation." I joined Hope and Terry and Payton and Hailey. My friend from UW, Samantha, moved down from New York. Now Merissa has moved out and so has her best friend Mashari. Suddenly I am surrounded with family and friends. And I have wonderful friends from work: Rebecca and Kristen. God has truly taken away my loneliness for friends that I felt so deeply last winter.

And so I find myself actually living in DC. And apparently staying for while. School ... there are lots of questions there. In a week from Tuesday I will be starting with a new contract, a new client, doing something hopefully a little more interesting and challenging. Still a contractor for the federal government supporting Immigration Customs Enforcement. How completely odd to say that! It has been a learning experience. I hope (I believe) my patience and understanding has increased.

I don't know where I will be in 10 years (I hope I will be doing something I love). It is nice to feel that I may actually be where I am supposed to be for while. For me this is a huge step forward.