Of This You've Had Enough

I know you are all sick of hearing about the Double W. I get it. I’m going to give it another go this week and see what happens next week. If I haven’t seen some positive results, I’m going to reassess the situation. You won’t hear about this again until next week- - I promise.

I don’t even think I’ve told you the most exciting news we got the day vacation started. My sister is moving to NYC when she graduates in May and she’s been down here interviewing at places that offer the same program I’m in. She actually interviewed at the school that I work at but I didn’t want to get my hopes up because the likelihood of her being hired at the SAME place as me wasn’t great. BUT. (you knew that was coming…) she DID get a job offer. AT THE SCHOOL WHERE I WORK! WOO! She accepted, so as of right now (pending one more thing) she will be working with me next year! It is really so exciting! I’ll have family here! I’ll have someone to hang out with all of the time!

I have also come to the conclusion, in the last two days, that my summer is going to blow. I’ll have class every M-Th from 4-10pm in June and July and an EXTRA class in the morning for two weeks in July. At least after that I’ll be ready to student teach in the fall and will be done with grad school in December. Is that not the BEST news EVER?!? Of course it also involves an ungodly amount of loans but… who’s counting?

Really WW? REALLY?!?!

I just got back from WW. I gained 3lbs this week. This is incredible. I'm the poster child for NOT SUCCESSFUL.

I've been doing this since January. I work out 7 days/week. They keep recommending I work out more... I'm like... I run 6.5 miles/day. I lift weights. I teach jazzercise 3x/week. I do hip hop abs every night before I go to bed. Could I BE anymore active??!?!

I haven't had one slice of pizza or one hamburger or cheeseburger since January. I am starting to think that I need a new plan.

Email to my Family

Because I like to share that I am, certifiably insane. And because it's easy to copy and paste. :)

Hello All,

I had the day off today so I decided, like the responsible student I am, to spend some time reading through books/articles for a paper that I'm writing for my Child Development class. As some of you know, my topic is how birth order and family placement affects personality. I got to the sections about Oldest Sisters of multiple sisters (two fingers point to THIS GIRL RIGHT HERE) and I think you, those who know me best, will REALLY appreciate some of the characteristics of this category of people.

I was slightly horrified at some of the findings (I've italicized those for your reading pleasure) and didn't think they applied to me AT ALL, but D has assured me that they are indeed, accurate.

Highlights from the chapter:

"The oldest sister of sisters likes to take care of things and give orders. She wants to know what's going on around her. She wants people to report to her, to be up to date and in control...

Material wealth and property as well as cultural and intellectual goods are less important to her than responsibility and power over those people who were entrusted to her...She can work hard for a good cause and sometimes tends to over-exert herself. She is tough and enduring. She does not take it easy and expects others, especially her charges, to fulfill their assignments and accomplish things. Her subordinates and colleagues rather dread than love her, even though she is convinced that she means well, and she would not be able to understand how anybody could possibly be afraid of her.

Not infrequently she gives men the impression of being an unconquerable fortress. She appears efficient, strict, and straightforward, and thus discourages many men from flirting with her or courting her.

Among her relatively preferred professions are those of teacher, principal, head nurse, missionary, sister superior of a convent, director of a children's home or of a kindergarten, manager of a theatrical agency or movie star.

Her pride tends to be her undoing."


I'm not sure that any of my coworkers DREAD me and I wouldn't necessarily describe myself as an unconquerable fortress, but other than that... I'd pretty much have to agree. :)

Love,
M

P.S. Pretty sure I'd benefit from a paper topic on Narcissism next.

BLAH

I weighed in today and gained 1.4lbs. This is getting ridiculous. I'm following the plan and have only lost 7.5lbs to date. I'm getting REALLY mad.

Heading home first thing tomorrow morning for a few days of relaxation in VT. Being here and on vacation isn't quite relaxing with all of the laundry and dishes and dog walking that is to be had. I can't wait to be home again.

It's Been a While

The first week of my vacation has flown by. It's incredible how fast the days go when you have "nothing" to do. My mom arrived on Sunday and we spent the week hanging out, working out and shopping. It was incredibly awesome. I have lots of stories to share but I think they'd be better served with individual posts. The one I've allotted to this post- - is awesome.

On Sunday evening my best friend from home who lives in the city met me, my mom, my sister and my sister's boyfriend at their new apartment for happy hour. We had a nice visit but my mom and I had to drive out to CT so we ended the evening a little early and offered to drop my friend off at his apartment on our way. (Which was not on our way at all, but my mom isn't familiar with NYC geography... yet.) So, the three of us are waiting at the parking garage for our car to be driven out when who gets out of their car?







That's right. Sam Waterston of Law and Order fame.

I had my first NYC celebrity sighting! Woo!

Teary at the News

I just got teary watching the news- - about the school in CA who posted on You Tube "Is Anybody Listening" and then having President Obama acknowledge that, yes. He is listening.

This country that we live in, is an amazing place.

Really? Twice in 2 months?!?

I think this is the second Friday the 13th we've had in two months. Good thing I'm not superstitious.

My sister has been down here all week moving into her new place and going to interviews. They've all gone really well which is encouraging in this economy.

I'm on spring break for the next two weeks (WOOHOO!) but going somewhere warm and tropical wasn't really in the cards. My mom being the saint she is, offered to fly down on Sunday and spend next week with me. How awesome is that? So... for the next few days I'll be hanging out with my mom and sister and I'll be on vacation. Life is so good sometimes. Even on Friday the 13th.

Bad Mood

I was determined to have a great week eating wise for weight watchers and last night I had my weigh-in. I had to use the scale that I hate. And? I gained 1lb. I'm so pissed.

Random Updates

The guy I went out with last week called and asked if I would like to go out again this weekend. I wasn’t going to say yes, but kind of decided… why the hell not? He’s polite, funny-ish, and calls when he says he will. At this point in my life I don’t really have any other standards.

He tells me that he wants to meet for a drink downtown then head to this (ridiculously awesome) pizza place. I said that sounded great but then called my friend to lament about the fact that pizza? Doesn’t really fit into my whole diet plan. She on the other hand, can’t even get PASSED the idea that he wants to go out for PIZZA. ON A SECOND DATE. THE HORROR. To appropriately empathize with my dilemma. I think my plan will be to act like I’m having the BESTTIMEEVER at the bar so we’ll stay there for dinner instead of leaving for the pizza place. That’s my goal and I’m sticking to it. Of course, last time we went out my plan was to have TWO glasses of wine and we all know how THAT turned out.

So, this friend that I talk about all of the time? Well, I drunkenly confessed to her at the bar one night that I? Have a blog. Since then she’s been HOOKED. She also, using the stalker-machine that is facebook, realized that another one of our co-workers has a blog and now we both stalk that too. (Although, I have to be very careful because that OTHER blog sort of runs in the same blog circles as MY blog and I don’t want my co-workers finding out about my blog and realizing how funny I am and then have them wanting to be friends with me. That would be too stressful.)

She’s asked me to help her create her OWN blog and I need to figure out a name for it. She might have some suggestions herself. I wouldn’t know, I didn’t ask her. I thought it would be more fun to put it to the blogging GENIUSES. Here is what you need to know about her: She’s blonde, fabulous, stylish, hilarious, originally from MA, has a serious bf, loves rap music, is a total prep (but secretly thinks she’s a thug), loves to get down, likes dogs, and loves to read (for real and celebrity gossip). I know, she sounds perfect. Like she could be your best friend. She probably could, but she’s mine, so don’t get any ideas.

Let the brainstorming…BEGIN! Blogger with the winning suggestion will receive a FABULOUS, STYLISH, AWESOME treat from the both of us. Not that you needed any extra motivation.

A Ridiculous Day in the Life

I don’t talk too much about my co-workers because when you’re in your own classroom every day, you don’t really see them enough to have great stories. That has been true for the majority of this school year—until today. The kids left after ½ day due to conferences so we, the teachers, had about a half hour to run down and grab some lunch.

Usually our lunch consists of coercing six elementary students into eating whateversonthetable, doling out appropriate amounts of the frys and pepperoni, assuring someone that YES the banana does have spots but NO it’s not rotten, and encouraging the table curmudgeon to USE their napkin, while simultaneously convincing them that you don’t have to eat whateversonthetable because you’re an adult. And adults? Need something OTHER than whateversonthetable. Today though, we were kid-less so I anxiously awaited lunch with my friend. Somehow I MISSED her sitting in the cafeteria and sat down with a few of my coworkers. Two of whom work in the classroom adjacent to mine.

I am sitting down, enjoying my lunch when Male Coworker plops himself next to me. After rolling up his sleeves, wiggling down in his chair, popping his arms out a couple of times, and awkwardly jutting his chin from right to left in an attempt to crack his neck, he was ready to eat. Apparently. Just as he’s about to take a bite of his, It’s BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH DAY sausage, egg and waffle medley, he glances over at my plate and says, “Wow. Do you always eat so much at lunch?”

((dead silence.))

Me, “Um, actually. Yea.”

Him, (realizing that he MIGHT have said something very, very offensive), “Oh, well, I mean. I’m just asking because well, you know. I mean. I’m just usually, well, at lunch time? I’m just so like, jazzed up about the kids. Or, you know, thinking about what we’re going to do for the afternoon and excited about a lesson. I mean, I just don’t usually eat that much at lunch. I have too much. GOING ON.”

As if to imply that I don’t have a lot on MY mind. Excuse me for EATING. Excuse me for TAKING ADVANTAGE OF FREE LUNCH. Excuse me for making lunch my exciting meal of the day because, dinner? Will be undoubtedly microwavable due to the fact that my apartment DOESN’T HAVE A KITCHEN. Luckily for him I’m not an insecure waif who would have been HIGHLY offended by that rude and inappropriate question but STILL. STILL. Who the HELL does he think he is?

And? I SEE him walk in every morning with a greasy DD or McD’s bag and a large, whole milk, 8 sugared iced coffee. So yea, TOUGH GUY, that double waffle egg mcmuffin probably DOES last you through lunch.

After that debacle I settle in to visit with two other coworkers who are discussing their gym routines and personal trainers. The weird co-worker is explaining a rudimentary exercise move IN DETAIL. LIKE IT’S ROCKET SCIENCE and I’m biting my tongue so I don’t yell out, “OMIGOD SHUT UP ALREADY. WE GET IT. WE GET IT.” The other coworker says, “Yea, and I hear that this one kickboxing class is awesome. I’d love to try it.” And the weird one gets this look on her face, like she’s trying REALLY hard to think about something and goes, “Kickboxing? I’m unfamiliar with that. Do you stand? On a box?”

I wish I were kidding.

P.S. In case you’re curious about the AMOUNT of food that I had on my lunch tray today? I had: a bowl of soup, a bowl of salad, and one plate with a spoonful of potatoes and a spoonful of vegetables.

I Promise

This won't turn into a dieting blog, BUT (you knew that was coming) I went to the WW meeting tonight and lost .2lbs. That's POINT 2 pounds if you don't have your glasses on. (AHEM MOM.) Not exactly stellar or what I was going for, but certainly better than staying the same or gaining. Of course, my friend who goes with me lost slightly over 2lbs which is awesome. For her.

I kid, I kid.

I have now lost a total of 8lbs. I came home and had the leftover hibachi vegetables I've been saving that were SO good and dessert. It was kind of like the last supper. I'm going to try this week not to use my 35 extra points and not to eat any dessert-y items. I love dessert. That? Does not matter anymore. HELLO fruit for dessert. (Which, in my opinion is an oxymoron.)

Right after weigh-in I text my mom to let her know my progress, and she's a little hopped up on morphine right now due to a surgery she had today, but you'll appreciate the convo anyway.

Me: lost .2
Mom: that's great!
Me: I guess
Mom: How did Friend do?
Me: 2.4. She totally kicked my a$$.
Mom: Tell her if she does that again I'm going to kick her a$$.

(edited to add- - just got off the phone with my mom, she couldn't see the . and thought it was 2 lbs.)

So, tonight at our meeting, our topic was the stages of progress. Or something like that. We were discussing what prompted us to join WW and my friend raised her hand (she's a total joiner and loves to participate. It's wonderful.) to tell everyone what prompted her to join. It went something like this:

Friend: "Okay, my reason is like, totally superficial but..."
Group: (encouraging smiles and head nods)
Friend: "I'm going to turn 25 this year..."
Group: (consisting of mostly 45+ females) ((stares))
Friend: "...and I *know* that's not old..."
Group: (laughs)
Friend: "but I was thinking. I'm going to be TWENTY-FIVE and this is supposed to be the PRIME of my life. I'm supposed to look back on being this age and be impressed with myself and think that I'm a hot babe. I mean, it doesn't get any better than this, right? And I was thinking, if it all starts to go downhill from HERE? Well, I'm not in a very good place to go down from."
Group: (uncontrollable laughter).

She is *so* funny.

Okay. Back to our regularly scheduled program. No more dieting talk. For now. Ooooh... I don't think dieting is the proper WW term. I meant, lifestyle change.

One Week

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a week since I last posted. I don't know where the time goes! Today was a glorious snow day here in southwestern Connecticut and I couldn't have enjoyed it more! I was still up early but I stayed in my pjs and ate breakfast and got a bunch of grad school work done all before 10am.

This afternoon I headed to the gym with my friend and banged out 7 miles on the treadmill- - the time went by so quickly it hardly felt like an hour. I love when that happens.

There is so much to update all of you on so forgive the chopped up, bulleted post, but I've got a lot to say!

• My sister was here for the weekend moving into her new apartment! She and her boyfriend are moving in together (yea... I didn't realize that was an option either) when she graduates in May but their lease started this month so they got started on moving in this weekend. It's a GORGEOUS two-bedroom apartment in mid-town Manhattan with views to kill. I? Live in a garage apartment without a kitchen. And walk a dog and do someone elses laundry and dishes to barter the rent. I don't know how she does it. I'm so excited for them though and even more excited to have her closer to me in a few short months. She is actually applying to the same jobs that I did last year when I made my big career move and has three interviews next week. Please, keep your fingers crossed.

• I joined Weight Watchers. Have I mentioned that yet? I think I've been holding out on you. I did. I decided that I needed to do something and that seemed like a great choice. I did fantastically the first two weeks but have only lost 2lbs in the last 3 weeks so I'm not sure what's going on. I'm following the rules and I work out a TON but I'd like to be seeing results a little bit quicker. I'm going to give it until the end of March and reassess where I'm at. I don't know why it's not working better. Now? My life is regulated to point-counting.

• I got an 84 on my math final and ended up with an A- in the class. Go me!

• Friday night I went on a date. (!!!!) I met this guy at a party I was at last weekend and he got my number from a mutual friend and called me. We met at a local restaurant and had a drink at the bar then headed into the dining area for dinner. He had made reservations. My plan was to have two glasses of wine, one before and one during dinner but he ordered a bottle of wine with dinner so, that was three. After dinner he asked if I wanted to grab another drink somewhere so I said yes... and three martinis and the end of the date later I found myself on my friend's doorstep, calling her to let me in, and telling her that I was too drunk to drive home and had to stay on her couch. I had a nice time though, and I think he thought I was funny so, we'll see what happens. Maybe he'll call me again. The funny thing is, I don't really care either way. It was just really nice to go out and visit with someone.

• I have a weigh-in tomorrow that I am *NOT* looking forward to. I don't think I've lost any weight this week and it's really just starting to make me angry. Oh? Did I already mention that?

• Next week is spring break at grad school. It is NOT however spring break at real school. That spring break is the FOLLOWING two weeks. Not having them coincide is a real pain in the butt. I'm trying to plan a small vacation somewhere but I'm not sure that it's really going to work out.

• I love blogging-love and get that everyone tries to comment and be "friends" and everything but lately there seems to be a HUGE push to get people to be "followers". Is this a very big deal? Do I need to worry about this? I only have 4 and I don't think that I follow anyone. I think that makes me the lamest blogger EVER. (Not that I blame you- - I do this for me, not you).

It's a short week this week as today was a snow day. We'll have tomorrow, Wednesday, 1/2 day Thursday and conferences on Friday so... woo!