Oh yeah, it’s 2010

So about 20 days ago we rang in the new year and it’s about time that I said something about it. Well, Happy New Year is a good start I suppose.  I also thought I’d ramble a bit about the whole resolutions thing.

Throughout the years I’ve always made resolutions. I’ve also bit my tongue when that clichéd person would say “I don’t make resolutions, I don’t believe in them.” Ok, great, you are soooo unique *rolls eyes* But I turned into that person this year! Eek!

Why? Why have I turned into that pretentious naysayer of resolutions? Well, it all starts with what I accomplished last year and how it wasn’t at all related to New Year’s Eve.

See, in April I joined sparkpeople.com (yet again) and started a new profile name and actually started using it regularly. But August I’d lost 10 lbs and by November I’d lost 15. In 6 months I’d gone from Obese (damn those BMI people) to just good ol’ Overweight.

And this accomplishment was not a New Year’s Resolution. Nope, it was a middle-of-April resolution and actually more like a weekly resolution. Every week, and sometimes just on any given day I would be committing myself to weight loss and making better choices. 

I also started the Couch to 5k program and actually finished it! I mean, that was the first time in my life that I probably stuck to something (er, other than college and ok, maybe a few things).

So yes, fitness was a “goal” in 2009- but the resolve that brought it on was a constant reminder. It was a daily motivator. It was honestly a mental challenge at times. I mean, it really takes that brain power to run 5k and resist that piece of cake.

So no, there will be no resolutions this year.  Only the same things I’ve been telling myself every day when I need to find that inner drive and motivation. That every day is a new start. That I can be a better person- kinder to others, more forgiving, less judgemental. That I can find the stamina to run more and run a 10k race this year. That I can keep logging my food and being accountable to myself. That I can fit into size 8s again and feel better about my body and my self-image. Yada yada yada.

Wait- does this make me completely hypocritical to be writing about not making resolutions and then citing off all the areas I want to improve in? Hmmmm.

I like to move it, move it

I ran, and ran, and ran! I started the Couch to 5k running program in September/October and after 9 weeks, ran my first 5k.

What is the Couch to 5k? Well, for starters it’s a wonderful way to work past shin splints and learn how to properly warm up and also how to pace yourself and actually learn to run.

Secondly, it’s a program that turns a regular couch potato into a runner.  I should note tha I’m not really a couch potato, but I certainly was no runner and I was missing my jogging days and cursing my shin splints enough to say “darn it, myself, let’s do this!”

I followed the Chubby Jones podcast – which I humbly believe has much better music than the conventional Couch to 5k programs you’ll find online when you first look this puppy up.  Not only do I prefer Chubby’s (aka Mia) music selection- but her personality is refreshing.  For the first 3 weeks it was like she was running beside me, complaining yet pushing me on.

So I have finished the program and ran 5 k. But I’m no where near done. My list of goals include running a faster 5k, training for 10 k and over all increasing my speed and endurance.

My only complaint is that after running the first 5k, there wasn’t that push to run it again. The 9th week podcast was set up like it was your only run- she kept talking about how “you can do this” and I sort of never did some more runs in that week. I also discovered that she was running at a pace of 6 mph, which I was pretty far from accomplishing (I usually jog at 4.5 to 5 mph) so I didn’t accomplish it in the 30 minutes she gives you, but instead in 41 minutes. So, I have some work to do!

Get a hair cut and a real job

Wow, more than 2 months since my last entry. What can I say- I’ve been so busy enjoying life that I forgot to write about it!

While autumn officially started last week, today it finally broke. It’s a little above 0 here (celcius) and quite windy. I let the dog out at about 4 a.m. this morning and couldn’t help but think of the Guns and Roses song “November Rain” because it was this icy rain hitting our deck.

Yesterday I sat at my computer and was going to send out some emails but of course got distracted with ol’ Facebook. I saw an ad for Graphic Design stuff- something about using this site to set up your free portfolio and get assignments. So I checked out the site- meh, not great. But I ended up googling “graphic design assignments” and spent a chunk of my afternoon doing well, graphic design assignments.

While I want to go back to school and am waivering between just starting working now towards my BA in Communications and a distance ed. Graphic Design course, I figured this was a great way to teach myself some more.

I love how technology has made our lives simpler (er, and more complex in some ways). But isn’t it great that we can just search for free lessons and teach ourselves things? I’ve also been trying to teach myself guitar (ack, with no success) and use the interweb regularly for online tutorials for photoshop and illustrator (mostly for cool desktop design ideas).

Isn’t it crazy how when you’re having an argument with someone about “who that was in that movie” and “who sang that song” you can just google it and find the answer, right there! No cracking open encyclopedias or agreeing you’ll just never find out.

Sure, this has been around for a long time now, but I guess I just never cease to be amazed at what resources are out there. But mark my words, when I have kids they will have encyclopedias and they will have to go to the library at times.

That’s my little rant for today- if you read this, share what you use the internet to learn about. Take photoshop tutorials too? Learning the saxaphone or how to draw?

Yello

So yes, as I said in my last post, I think I am the world’s worst blogger. I don’t know why I keep this thing. Every since I lost my original “blog” (or as it was known in the 90s, Online Journal) things just aren’t the same.

So what has been transpiring in my life? Well, lots I suppose!

My hubby and I are still trying to make a baby and well be seeing a fertility clinic in 4-6 months (takes a long time to get in there!). But our friends are having better luck! Two of our bestest friends are having a baby! It’s very exciting- we got to see the ultrasound the other day, already into the 2nd trimester.  We can’t wait to see our friend full on pregnant too, and help them with whatever they need. I secretly hope we get asked to help paint the nursery, but of course I understand that sort of thing is usually nice to do with just your spouse.

Though we are on their “call list” when she goes into labour, in case he’s working – we’ll be there to rush her to the hospital and pace down the hallways.

What else… well, work is going well. Been here 3 months now. I’m proofreading a report today and got sidetracked by remembering I have a blog. Sometimes when editing I just get pulled away from my task at hand- gotta focus!

Been working on the annual report and happy to say it’s almost done after a few last translations to be made and final changes.  And yes, work is going well. I woke up at 2 a.m. today though, worrying about my performance evaluation. I don’t know why I’m so worried- I guess I just feel like somehow everything good will get pulled out from under me. Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t blog on staff time.

Holy Shpadoly

I’m the world’s worst blogger apparently!

So much has happened since I last blogged.  Mostly good, but some bad.

1) Started my new job! I’ve been here for almost a month now (started April 14). So far, so good. Frustrating at times because of little things, but for the most part I love it. I love how as each day comes, more happens. Now I’m doing the Annual Report (writing, layout, coordination, etc), website updates, various committees, starting a monthly newsletter, oh goodness lots of stuff! Sometimes I get in that position where I work too fast, but I’m learning to pace myself.  I also need to stay super-organized here and so far, so good.

2) New hair cut! Ok, not drastic and this just happened last night. But I got a trim and then some highlights and lowlights. I feel very sexy and saucy today.

3) Finances have improved so much! Mostly of course due to the increase in my salary. I also got a nice little commission cheque and vacation time paid out from my old job. We paid off a bunch of stuff and are taking a trip to one of our nearby cities this weekend. So far our plans include a nice (but moderately priced) hotel room and a hockey game on Saturday night. 

I hope to pick up a few items in the city. A messenger bag, bike lock, new black boots for work, some kitten heels so that I can start wearing skirts already, maybe a couple of shirts and a new skirt, and I really need some gym clothes.

4) One different is also our dog. We got him an anti-bark collar and wow, we have a totally new dog!! He has turned so passive and sweet these past few days! It’s awesome! I think that, and the new halti collar we got him, has made him less aggressive and his training is kicking in.  Mike and I actually love our dog these days. Yes, still a few messes during the day, but meh, we’ve adjusted now.

5) Bad new on family front. My dad officially has cancer. We were back and forth for a few months and nothing was certain, but as of last week we know it’s cancer in the head and neck area. It’s been hard but we’re oddly enough doing well. Been spending a lot of time with my parents and awaiting news about the upcoming surgery.

The surgery is the scariest part (after that comes radiation treatment and then chemo). The sugery has risks like losing his voice, losing muscle control, etc. So yeah, sometimes it takes a lot not to cry, but we’re doing everything we can as a family to make sure we talk about everything and stay positive.

With my dad’s cancer it really makes me want to get pregnant soon. It scares me to think of something happening and him never meeting any grandchildren. Ugh, k, better stop writing before I start crying!

It figures…

So my Monday started out with the dog deciding to run across my face. He stepped on my eye and immediately it began watering and of course I saw a big flash of light. Thankfully, my sight is still in tact. Though I must admit my eye has been aching all day. Kind of like a dull, migraine-like pain.

And then, voila, we stop for coffee on our way to work this morning and I find a $20 bill on the sidewalk.

Whaddya know? Maybe the universe felt bad for the dog incident and decided to try to cheer me up.  

PS- I spent the majority of my day thinking of what to do with that $20. I didn’t want to just spend it frivolously - it had a deeper meaning and a karmic tag attached to it. So I first got donuts for my coworkers. And then used it to buy a magazine and coffee. I also threw in a “little extra” into the work coffee fund.

You take the good, you take the bad

Holy schmoly- talk about a neglectful blogger! In my defense, I’ve been busy.

How? you ask yourself… well, here’s my recent happenings.

Bad new first- my dad has cancer. It’s been very frustrating lately with this. First it was suspicious of cancer, then it wasn’t cancer and we were all relieved. Well, now it is. But we don’t know what kind or what’s going to have to happen. My parents will be traveling to see a specialist on April 20, so hopefully that results in more answers. We’re remaining positive in this of course, so we’ll just see what happens.

The good news, kind of seems inappropriate after announcing the bad news… but here goes nothing. I got the job! Which means I start on April 15 as a Communications Officer. 

This is the job title that kind of motivated me throughout journalism school. I knew I didn’t want to be a reporter, so I majored in creative writing and publishing. I wanted to work in publishing, but of course those jobs are few and far between (and a ton of competition). So my other route I pursued was communications. It seems like a very dotted line to get here, but finally I have a chance to hopefully bloom in a career I’ll love.

I keep trying to tell myself it’ll be great, but of course I’m nervous! It’s a new position in a very large company, so my tasks include establishing a communications plan and perhaps a communications department one day. Plus, it’s in healthcare, so I’m freakin’ nervous about how much I’ll have to learn about not only the organization but the whole health field. I’m terrified that I’ll fall flat on my face and be fired during my probation period. But that being said- my fear will only motivate me to read and learn as much as I can and not be afraid to ask questions and immerse myself in this new job.

Just a side note- who knew that a year of freelance factchecking would train me for learning about a subject super fast and help me later on in my career?

One thing I’m kind of getting used to is the fact that I actually got the job. When I was fresh out of college I applied for these kinds of jobs everywhere (and I mean, everywhere- southern Ontario, Manitoba, etc) and of course “didn’t have the experience.”  Throughout my career so far I sort of keep surprising myself. I end up in places that seem to prop me up. Which is great- except I always wonder if I’m good enough or smart enough (or doggonit, do they like me?). 

This new job will hopefully be one of those great steps in my career that show me that I am capable. I mean, obviously the hiring committee thought I was! Heck, I just found out yesterday when talking to the person giving me some “light reading to go through before my first day” that I’ll be senior management and will be spending my first day working out the work plan with the executive director. This after I applied for senior management and my current workplace and didn’t even get an interview.

Anyhoo, so yes, I’m nervous and terribly excited. Finally it feels like my education paid off! It’s like I had to prove myself for the past 5 years just to finally hear from someone “you have a very impressive resume” and “we look forward to your expertise.” 

So yeah, anyhoo, whew, can’t wait to see how the job is and if indeed I’ll love it. In the meantime, still about a week left here in advertising. Lots to organize and clean up. ANd oh, our dog gets neutered tomorrow! Poor little guy. But hopefully it just calms him down a tad bit and makes him less aggressive. NOt that he’s some vicious beast- but he’s got some issues with the cats and also anything within reach that he can shred.

Music sellouts or just good marketing

There was a commericial for Outback Steakhouse the other day on TV and it’s been really bugging me. The little jingle  at the end is obviously a redo of the song “Wraith Pinned to Mists” by Of Montreal. So of course now I keep singing that song and thinking of Outback every time! 

This reminded me of the website site adtunes.com, which is a great site to go to when you hear a song in a commercial and you want to know, nay HAVE to know, where it came from.  Check the site out by the way, great resource!

I digress, should we as music lovers be angry when a cool indi band (or really any cool band) sells their song to a product line to be butchered and turned into a catchy promo for that product?  I’m actually going to say no, even though normally one would think I would be the type to say yes.

Did we throw our arms up when we were kids singing “Cheese whiz adds personality, mmm, personality, so many ways to use it every day…” or for Air Canada (I think it was Air Canada, may have been a different airline) singing “You say goodbye, I say hello…?”  Heck no! We sang those songs because we heard those commercials every freakin’ day and then of course we found out who originally sang them and what the proper lyrics were.

Does that make those artists sellouts? Hmm, not really. I mean, they made money on a cheapened version of their song, yes this is true. But in some ways they really just got exposure for their music. Kind of a rediscovery of the song. Where people are saying “aw man, I can’t believe they sold that song!” but then are found humming the tune later that day and wanting to give the album a listen again because “I forgot how good that song was.”

Now I’ll go back to humming the Of Montreal tune and will probably be listening to that very album tonight. I’d go eat at Outback Steakhouse too, but alas I live in a small rural area and can’t indulge.

The waiting is the hardest part

I don’t want to get into details per-se (and no, I’m not pregnant) but I’m waiting on some news right now and geez, it’s killing me! I was hoping to hear last Friday and yup, still waiting. 

I started up a new blog by the way. It’s dedicated to my fitness goals and my experience with Chalean Extreme, which I start tonight. My arms are so sore from just the fit test last night. I should have drank a recovery drink! I won’t post the link to that yet, but I will share with you eventually.

The end of the week

Today is Friday. It’s an exciting day for all. The weekend is almost here, which means we can all take part in such activities like sleeping in, cleaning up the house, going on a really long walk/hike, napping, watching a couple of movies, yoga, napping, etc. 

Here’s a history of the weekend, for anyone who has some time to kill.

History of the Weekend