Upon the Completion of My MBA

I've been looking forward to this for months -- so imagine my surprise when I could not contain my tears.

I had just finished my final (FINAL) exam, the project was already turned in, and as I packed up my laptop (slipped into my soon-to-die Hello kitty case), I was feeling odd. I thought I would feel immense relief and joy at my accomplishments over the past two years; hard work pays off. Instead my feelings are so mixed, I find myself sitting here -- thirty minutes later -- still crying.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Oh wait, I know.

1. I am now a grown up. Ahead of me I have endless possibilities. I suppose my education has been a stop gap for the inevitable risks and fears the future holds, as well as a stepping stone into a brighter future. Learning is so solid, so structured. Something I love. I can feel the pressure of "success" and finding a high paying job weighing down on me so heavily, it's a wonder I haven't had a panic attack. Now that I have an MBA, I have no excuses to not succeed, therefore, I MUST succeed or I'll be a failure.
2. I will miss all my classmates. I had a team of four guys that were my saving grace. They helped me, or carried me, through a couple of my classes. Without them, I would have either sunk or killed myself through the technical courses. I will miss the classroom itself. A place where we all come to learn and unwind from work. Snack night. Cracking a Diet Coke mid class to stay awake. Sharing the markers in economics for the graphs. Studying on Sundays. I will miss the professors. I've never had teachers and students work together so well to enhance the learning experience. 
3. I will miss the school work. I have a love/hate relationship with homework. I love to be lazy, but I can't stand it. And I love to work hard -- but only after I've delayed as long as possible. School work is not like work work. You can procrastinate and procrastinate and then feel the biggest satisfaction when it comes back: A. I will miss writing papers with a cocktail. 

But the future is bright, friends. And my tears are just a manifestation of the immense promise ahead.

I am learning French. I will be fluent someday.

I will learn to play the cello.

Someday I'll have a couple beautiful babies.

I will write the next great American novel.

Besides, (sniff sniff) my husband is still in school so I can live vicariously through him. 

Habit Journal Entry #3

So bag going to the gym in the afternoon. I thought it would help to lose the excuse of being "too tired" to go but instead I find it makes my experience horrible. Here are my grievances:

1. It's too crowded
2. Waaaaay too many bros
3. I can't do my workout in the order I want because equipment is occupied
4. Sweaty people
5. Tired, even though it's the middle of the day!
6. Hungry -- but can't eat because I don't like to workout with food in my tummy
7. Unnecessary distractions: I literally watched a man with tiny tiny legs, like ANT legs, do bicep curls for 20 minutes. His upper body was enormous! He looked physically deformed ... except he did it to himself. 
8. I like to be completely selfish at the gym. Focus completely on myself. I want to be able to look in the mirror and not feel bad/weird/vain. 
9. I don't want to feel self conscious about how weak I am or how old and gross my workout clothes are. 
10. The girls that go to the gym in makeup and perfume -- because I hate them and seeing/smelling them makes me completely irate, and that's energy I could be using on an effective workout.

I just don't need these kinds of distractions while I'm at the gym. 

Hence why I am returning to the 4AM gym time.
The quiet gym time.
The private gym.
The not-hungry-yet-because-it's-too-early-to-be-hungry time.
You wake up and go to the gym and it's like a dream, like it never happened.
Nothing ever distracts you because nothing is going on at four in the morning.

161 Days

As you know, I am a person who needs to commit and recommit (and possibly commit again) to goals that I have set for myself. One of my biggest goals is to lose some weight and lock in healthy eating habits before my 30th birthday. Well folks, we are down to only 161 days to my birthday. 23 short weeks.

Here it is by the numbers:

• 115 workouts: 23 yoga classes, 23 cycle classes, 69 days of cardio & weightlifting. 
• 23 potential BONUS workouts.
• 161 breakfasts.
• 161 apples.
• 158 days of eating within my caloric total. (Minus Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. I refuse.) 
• 23 weigh-ins.
• 362 liters of water

And some fun things I want to do on my birthday as a reward for all my hard work:

• I will do 5 complete pull-ups. (Current count: zero.)
• I will run (no walking) 5 miles without stopping.
• I will wear the dress my husband gave me when I was 17.
• Drink all day.
• Hug and kiss everyone I love.

Wish me luck!

Upcoming

I have several projects in the works. I hope I can make them ALL come to fruition, not typical Johanna fashion where it's half started, half finished, forgotten.

*Number 1*
Ladylike Ladies Night
A party with ladies in which we will visit the UMFA, have a classy dinner, finishing with card playing and cocktails at my place. Do you think it's too much to ask guests to wear gloves, a day hat, and a long skirt -- a la Downton Abbey?

*Number 2*
Christmas Preparedness!
I am notoriously horrible at preparing for Christmas -- SO this year I am all about the online shopping. I already have several items waiting in my cart, to be ordered en masse (EARLY mind you) and then I can spend weeks beautifully gift wrapping presents for loved ones. I also am making my papa a blanket for Christmas so I've promised myself I will devote Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday evenings to working on it. Don't forget decorations: they'll be up by the 1st! I have the entire last week of November (after the Thanksgiving madness) to purchase and decorate. Ta da.

*Number 3*
Etsy Shop
This may take me a little longer ... and I'm allowing myself to say that this project might bleed into next year ... but I am starting an Etsy shop! The shop will have beautiful doodles of flowers hand-doodled by moi and then made unique and beautiful with watercolors. I will have stationery, personalization available, and wall art. I've been thinking about it for a while and I'm very excited to see if anything sells. My MBA program is robbing me of all creativity; gotta amp up the left side of my brain.

*Number 4*
Fabulous Holiday Party
Nothing says fun like the holidays. So of course you must have a fabulous party. I want to have lots of embarassing games, and I know white elephant can be so lame, but with my group of friends I think it will be hilarious. Good food, lots of drinks, and warm company. Love it. Just what everyone needs to survive the Christmas season.

Accomplished by Six AM

• 25 minutes of cardio
• biceps and triceps worked out
• made my lunch
• and the hubs' lunch
• made coffee
• showered
• dressed and out the door on time

Prepping for the Big Three-Oh

So. In just six short months, I will be (shhh) thirty. And I've been telling my husband and everyone: "OH! Thirty is SO YOUNG!" and "Age is nothing!" and telling myself that thirty won't effect me because I still look young (staying out of the sun and Asian genes have helped) and I'm healthy (thanks to vegetarianism) and I'm in a great place in my life (so happy, tra la la). I will have my MBA next year. My husband is still my best friend. I have a great job. I have awesome friends and family.

Whatthefuckever.

I can feel, deep in my gut, the ticklings of panic.

I

will

be

30

And now I'm telling myself that by thirty I should have done so much more with my life. I should already be published. I should already be making six figures. I should own a home. I should have a super fit fantastic body.

Obviously it's goal setting time. Here are four things I want to accomplish next year, not necessarily by the time I hit thirty, but before I'm thirty-one (i.e., absolutely ancient <--- I'm totally kidding. I think).

Goal 1:
Get a new job. I enjoy the job I have now. I love my coworkers and I feel valued in my workplace as someone who is reliable and competent. But I've been there since 2002 and it's time to move on. It's time to expand my knowledge and hopefully my paycheck.

Goal 2:
Get a new body. I enjoy the body I have now. It is cute and fun and gets me from A to B. But now, I need to have a rocking body because, let's face it, it may now begin the period of loosening and sagging that comes with my age. I don't want to have a young looking face and a crap body. So this means I've got to commit to controlling my portions and working out. A lot. I can do it.

Goal 3:
Get published. I always talk about blah-blah-be-a-writer and blah-blah-be-famous and guess what? That shit ain't gonna happen unless I a) write and b) submit it for publication. I'm not saying I want to have a fucking NOVEL done by next year, but I do need to heft up my portfolio and COMMIT to writing. Less TV, more reading and writing.

Goal 4:
Save more money. I don't want to buy a house necessarily but I do want to have gobs and gobs of money in savings that I can take lavish vacations, feel safe, and whenever I feel like it, buy a house.

Like all control freak, OCD, type A personalities, setting goals and making lists makes me feel as though I have a handle on my fate. I can make anything happen if I just work hard enough. And if there is one thing I know in life, it's how to work hard for things that I want.

The Here & Now

I have been so busy living my life this summer that I haven't written since my birthday.
I am very negligent.
But I've been having an oh-so awesome summer.

1. We were forced to move out of our adorable little cottage into an even bigger cottage. (Will post pics later and tell the horrific story of the moving-out situation ... or maybe never; I'm trying to forget the trauma.)
2. Progress towards my MBA is moving right along.
3. We went to Cancun and -- literally -- did nothing. We just read and read and read and ate a little and drank and met fun people and swam in the ocean and snorkeled and played beach volleyball. Best. Vacation. Ever.
4. The puppy turned 3.
5. Tom turned 29.
6. We celebrated 9 years of marriage. Go us!
7. With the bigger house we've been enjoying lots of company. Movie nights, dinners, parties. It's fantastic to have the space to entertain ... something we didn't have in the old house.
8. My favorite person moved back to the USA.
9. My brother and I had an awesome sister-brother date.
10. I got kinda fat ... working on it!
11. My wonderful friend C gave birth @ 41 to a beautiful baby boy. I cried when she called with the news. I never do that but her story is an amazing one.

And -- I hate to say it -- I didn't blog AT ALL. Too busy reading and watching gobs of trash TV, and good TV, and just loving the awesome weather and all of my ultra fab friends and family.

So sorry if you've been missing me. Chances are if you read this blog, we were actually hanging out so you weren't missing much.

Coming up -- fall and winter. Gag.
But!
I am working on a new blog for the puppy which is part of a whole move to exploit/market my little dog.
I am working on an update to this blog ... possibly an actual .com address.
I am working on my body for my up and coming 30th birthday (AAAHHHH!).
I am now getting eyelash extentions. It's one of the most wonderful things to happen in my cosmetic life.

XO.

Information

Remember these questionnaire emails?

1. What is your middle name? Rose
2. How big is your bed? Full
3. What are you listening to right now? 'Catching Fire' audiobook
4. What was the last thing you ate? Raspberry Milano cookies
5. Last person you hugged: Tom
6. How is the weather right now? Sunny
7. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My manager
8. Favorite type of food: Asian
9. Do you want children? I think I do ...
10. Do you drink? Wine and vodka are my staples
11. Hair color: Dark dark brown with artificial red tint
12. Eye color: Boring dark brown
13. Do you wear contacts/glasses? Glasses
14. Favorite holiday: Christmas
15. Favorite season: Summer
16. Last movie you watched: Sliding Doors
17. What book are you reading? 1Q84
18. Piercings: One hole in each ear
19. Favorite movie: Too many, move on
20. Any pets? Marie Antoinette, the fabulous French bulldog
21. Favorite flower: Don't have one
22. Have you ever fired a gun? Yes; a gigantic shotgun
23. Do you like to travel by plane? Definitely
24. Right handed or left handed? Right
25. If you could go any place right now, where would you go? Paris
26. Do you have a tattoo? Nope and I never will
27. What is the wallpaper on your cellphone? Fruit Loops
28. Did you get enough sleep last night? No.
29. First thing you thought about this morning: Hit snooze
30. What do you have handy at your bedside? iPhone charger, lamp, glasses, book, water.
31. Favorite song: Case of You
32. First thing you'd save in a fire: The puppy
33. Favorite color: Pink
34. What do you always take with you? Lip gloss
35. Color of your sheets: Aquamarine
36. When is your birthday? April 19th
37. What chocolate is your favorite? Dark
38. Jeans or skirt? Skirts in summer, jeans in winter
39. Shoe size: 6
40. Do you have any strange fears? Open kitchen cabinets
41. Have you ever broken a bone? No -- although my elbow has been pulled out of the socket
42. Favorite TV show: Friends
43. Favorite pizza topping: Green peppers and roasted red peppers
44. What foods do you hate? Onions
45. Do you smoke? NEVER
46. Did you brush your teeth this morning? I did

Today's Grievances

1. I made spoon pens (pens with spoons super-glued to them as an anti-theft device) for the office, upon which I drew little friendly faces; the one with the kitty has already been stolen. People are such assholes.
2. I look super fat in these pants.
3. I can't stop thinking about The China Study and how I must stop myself, family, and friends from eating animal protein so that we may all live long, healthy lives.
4. My hair has a weird bump in it.
5. The library charged my late book as "lost" so now I have to fight with the librarians.
6. The coworker I hate has been put in charge of a project, making him very snarky.
7. That terrible JLo song "On the Floor" is stuck in my head.

But on a lighter note ...

Adorable Baby Sloth
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How to Party and Wake Up Feeling Awesome

I now consider myself a complete professional when it comes to partying all night (i.e., drinking and dancing) and waking up in the morning loving myself. I know all the tips and tricks to never having a hangover and never being sick. For example: I danced in 2012 with a Diet Coke vodka in my hand, went to bed at 3AM, then woke up 4 hours later feeling, you guessed it, AWESOME. Here's how:

1. Prepare with hydration. Drink. Water. Lots and lots and lots of water. Not like a binge gulp right beforehand, but all day long. Not anything but water; no artificial anything, no Powerade, Gatorade, Lifewater, SoBe, energy drinks. Just water and lots of it.

2. Eat a well balanced dinner.

3. Add no sugar to your alcohol.

4. Dance and stay active while drinking. If you just sit around it's much easier to believe you're not as tipsy as you actually might be.

5. Drink some more water.

6. Don't ever over do it. No "good time" is worth that left-for-dead feeling the next morning.

7. Know your limits and don't be afraid to say, "no more for me, thanks."

Cheers to your partying success.

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Commitments 2012

Sort of like a resolution, more like a goal.
A promise to DO.

1. Write
2. Read
3. Be body healthy
4. Survive school
5. Treat loved ones better
6. Get a new career
7. Learn how to knit
8. Wear red lipstick
9. Declutter



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Year in Review

Before things get crazy and I party in 2012 like a mad woman, I figured I'd best make ONE teensy post in December and close out the year we all have come to know and love: 2011.

• I went back to school for my MBA. I took the scary GMAT. I wrote the stupid entrance essay. I found the money ... despite no help from my employer. And I survived the first semester. Now I'm just 5 semesters away from a six-figure salary and the glorious life of someone really important.
• I gained some weight. Not awesome, but still noteworthy, I think.
• I met a new side of my mother-in-law.
• The puppy turned 2.
• Tom and I celebrated 8 years of marriage.
• I finished making my mom's afghan that I started 3 years ago.
• We went to San Diego and beached and sunned and funned our little asses off.
• My left knee got sunburnt.
• We watched the entire Sopranos series beginning to end.
• None of the people we liked won Survivor.
• My friend, who's been wanting one her entire life, decided to get a nose job. I don't think she needs it.
• My brother is almost as tall as me.
• I started using Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook ad nauseum.
• I got a pedicure every month.
• Our best couple friend split up.
• We had sex nearly 200 times this year. Not bad for an old married couple.
• I read 34 books. 37, actually.
• We tried lots of new restaurants.
• Our landlord installed a new dishwasher that sucks.

Come on 2012.

I'm just waiting for more school,

new books to read,

new people to meet,

new movies to see,

good TV to veg out with, 

...

another year of love and loved ones and life in general.

Stuff I Need. Seriously.

I love to shop but I hate shopping when I really need something -- because it feels like a chore and inevitably you don't find what you want. Case in point: black t-shirts. Costco has some great ModBod ones but they are, of course, always sold out in the size and color I would like. Others I find are too thin, not black enough, or stupid. And I need black t-shirts. Lots of them. So the list of things that I really really need to replace is growing. And I'm cutting my nose to spite my face because as the list grows, I start to hate looking for the items, and then I need the items even more because more time has elapsed and that means, I hate shopping for them even more. It's a vicious cycle.

1. panties
2. very sexy push-up bras
3. work pants
4. white t-shirts
5. black t-shirts
6. a purse
7. jeans
8. boots
9. tights and tall socks
10. sweaters/jackets

And for fun ...

1. a few more scarves
2. a couple more cardigans

Guarantee: I will buy more scarves and cardigans.

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Grumpy Gills

SO.
I started my period yesterday and it turned me into a mean monster.

Usually my time of the month comes and goes with nothing more than a slight disruptance in my love life. I tend to be tired and a generic cloud of ennui follows me around. But I have noticed that when I'm not eating much and exercising hard (like I am now), the hormonal changes seem to effect me more.

The morning started out with cramps but I managed to do my hour of cardio okay. Oh but wait -- mid-workout I had to make an emergency trip to the bathroom because I had begun menstruating which jumpstarted a day filled with things that annoyed me.

• the movie theatre was cold
• my husband kept getting up to pee during the movie -- a record THREE times
• I didn't/shouldn't/couldn't get fries at In N Out
• Target no longer carries the pet carpet cleaner I like
• I was hungry all day
• when we laid down to take a nap, the puppy kept making a throw up noise
• which made me have to take the puppy outside but not before she threw up on the carpet
• and I have no good pet carpet cleaner (see item four)
• friends came over for the basketball finals ... enough said
• friends brought over red wine which I don't like
• on period and couldn't have sex
• didn't sleep well; had a crick in my neck

And now it's morning. I'm at work. I'm feeling better. But man oh man. Yesterday was one of those days when I should have just quarantined myself away from all humans and read a book. I hated everything and everything pissed me off. Thank all the gods my husband is understanding and has a sense of humor. Before our nap he told the puppy: "you and mom have one thing in common: you're both bitches."

And I actually laughed a little before I rolled my eyes and kept being one.

Sometimes it's therapeutic to be a bitch.

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Evolution

My birthday is coming up.

For the most part, I'm one of those insanely happy, content people that smiles all the time and laughs heartily when entertained. And I have an insanely happy, content life that makes me smile all the time and laugh heartily every day. That said, I cannot let my happiness make me complacent because with complacency comes unhappiness and stagnation. I intend to always strive to improve myself (a la Julia Child) and learn new things and meet my trials head on. One thing that I hate about myself (well, hate it too strong a word, and in reality I sort of love the fact that I'm a little spacey because for most other parts of my life I am ordered, reliable, and responsible) is that I suck at follow through. I blame my seeming inability to finish projects or meet goals on being an Aries (and when I say "Aries"  I mean that I don't believe in astrology at all and I'm simply using it as a scapegoat ... a role it has been given for centuries). But. I'm fighting all those urges and making a concerted effort to finish what I start and accomplish goals.

Projects
I will not begin any other craft projects until the following are complete:

• Kenley's Baby Blanket: She turned four this year. I intend to either make the quilt myself or turn over the materials -- whichever is preferred.
• Mom's Afghan: I started this about 2 years ago and it is very close to completion. I will give it to her for Mother's Day THIS YEAR.
• Blue Bedroom Quilt: This beautiful quilt is also almost complete. All the squares are already sewn into rows; all I need do is sew the rows together, back, and bat it.
• Picnic Quilt: Lowest priority. I bought the material at Christmas and haven't touched it. I will continue NOT touching it until the above projects are taken care of.

Graduate School
I am hoping to be enrolled in the MBA program in the fall. However, in order for that to happen I need to apply and be accepted. I also need to take the GMAT. So.

1. First things first. I will buy a GMAT study book before the end of the week.
2. I will take the GMAT before May.
3. I will have my application complete and submitted before the end of May.

Writing
I will meet with my mom once a week and work on writing her story.
I will write one poem per month.
I will continue to blog regularly.
I will read voraciously.

Lifestyle
I will walk the puppy every day, weather permitting.
I will eat healthy foods in appropriate portions.
I will exercise.
I will improve my correspondence.
When my square footage allows, I will play the piano every day.
Before I die, I will learn to play the cello.

A List of Things You Should Never Do to Your Face

Look what my sister-in-law did.
And it inspired this list.

1. Never shave anything on your face. And I mean anything -- not sideburns, not mustaches, not those couple-of-chin-hairs. You're a girl and that means NO five o'clock shadows or stubble. This also means that you will have to use depilatory cream, wax, pluck, or laser hair removal. And if you have some facial hair that's bothering you, don't be afraid to nix it in the appropriate manner. And don't be afraid to talk about it. We are mammals, after all.

2. Never over pluck your eyebrows. Better to have a few stray hairs than to look like an eyebrowless freak. You want to have brows that fit your face, meaning as close to natural as possible, just cleaned up around the edges. When in doubt, see an aesthetician for an initial "shaping" and then you can just maintain it. Plus, as we age our eyebrows become thinner and they won't bounce back from a vigorous sprucing as they do now. Remember your granny's penciled on eyebrows? Someday that could be you ... if you over do it.

3. Never sleep on your face. The human head can weigh as much as 12 pounds. Ask yourself: would you lay a 12 pound weight on your face? Of course not; that's a sure way to wrinkle yourself up during beauty sleep. But if you find yourself constantly waking up smooshing some part of your face, you should invest in a satin pillowcase. The smoothness will help eliminate waking up with angry red marks on your face.

4. Never leave without schmearing some SPF on your pretty face ... and really, that SPF should be in your moisturizer ... and you should be using that moisturizer at least every day. Nothing damages skin like sun. Do you really want to look, at forty, like a handbag and hate yourself? Or do you want to look like Nicole Kidman at forty? Stay away from sun damage. Protect your face. I can't say it enough. Sure, it's fun to get tan and look like you're just so carefree and loving life. Well you won't be loving your cracked old lady face in 10 years if you keep doing that shit. We're going for life long beauty, not just beauty when we're young and our faces can take the heat.

5. Never "invest" in permanent makeup. Makeup is supposed to make you up; it is NOT a permanent fixture, it's a fashion statement. Your face is your face, flaws and all. It is beautiful and unique to you. Don't screw it all up by adding something that doesn't belong. And remember, what is once in fashion can be out just as quickly. You don't want to be stuck with eyeliner and look "soooo 2011."

That's my advice.
And while we're at it, I challenge each of you to go an entire week without wearing any makeup.
Because something you should ALWAYS do is show off your au naturale beauty.

The Youth List

Things I will do today to keep me young for tomorrow:

1. Sleep on my back
2. Moisturize
3. Drink half my weight in ounces of water
4. Hug my puppy
5. Love my husband
6. Eat an apple
7. Read a good book
8. Gab and cackle with my friends
9. Organize my time
10. Forgive my shortcomings
11. Drive fast with the radio loud
12. Wear sunglasses
13. Laugh heartily at anything I find funny
14. Take a nap and then go to the gym
15. Sing show tunes
16. Brush and floss my teeth
17. Daydream

Celebration

August is a big month for us; it's our anniversary and Tom's birthday. So we had to have a fun celebration with the two of us. Vegas is like our mini-vaca spot. It's becoming a tradition and we really know how to party there. We have specific things we do every time.

[First]: you must walk the strip. Vegas = walking. That's what makes it fun. No cabs, no bus, no monorail. You walk and walk and walk until you're tired and you want to sit and drink and gamble. Then you walk around slightly inebriated and laugh at the funny people ... or yourself. Whichever.

[Second]: you must play the penny slots. You find an entertaining machine, turn the volume all the way up, put in your happy dollar, and then proceed to play one line at a time, one credit per line. It's awesome. $1 buys you 100 spinnings of the reel. And if you go slow, you can get like 3 drinks in a dollar's time. How fantastic is that? Plus, you win fairly often; it's not a lot of money, obviously, but winning means the fun will last longer. I'm telling you, Vegas is only fun when you don't lose too much, and when the odds are stacked against you (because they always are in a casino) why not maximize the fun on the least amount of money?

[Third]: you must have loud sex to disturb your hotel neighbors. We hear it -- we hear the people in the middle of the night and when you walk down the hallway. You may as well contribute.

[Fourth]: you must nap. Napping provides essential energy for the aforementioned necessary activities. Besides, you're on vacation. You're on vacation in Vegas; the ultimate indulgence town. Take a nap and then you can walk all night, play the penny slots until all hours of the morning, and end the evening with some loud sex.

[Fifth]: go see a show. I know the tickets can seem a little pricey, but they're worth it. Tom dragged me to see Carrot Top (I so did not want to go) but it was the funniest show ever. We both laughed so hard the first half hour we were worried for our well being. We've also seen nearly every Cirque du Soleil show. Fantastic.

[Sixth]: eat at a buffet. You never get your money's worth and the food is usually middling to fair. You feel super fat after all the desserts. But you need energy! You're here to party and let go -- that requires food. Plus, food will help with the hangovers. Nothing cures a hangover like three plates of eggs benedict and hasbrowns.

[Seventh]: you must buy a frozen drink from Fat Tuesdays in the Miracle Mile Shops. I don't know why. The heavens demand it. My personal favorite is mango and strawberry. They're alcoholic. They're portable. They're frozen. Perfect for Vegas.

As you can see, we're old pros.
We love it and you should love it too.
So start planning your trip and get out there. I might run in to you ...

10 Things That Piss Me Off

1. Pink tights every day in ballet
2. Everyone driving the same speed, and the speed is LESS THAN 50
3. Irrational reactions to a misunderstood situation
4. Doubt
5. Fear of looking old -- I shouldn't be afraid of looking old
6. People who think hamburgers should cost $1
7. Comments made by others in faux self-deprecation that are meant to belittle you
8. People who say they "hate" TV; please join the social world
9. Sunny skies but cold temperatures
10. Dirty fingernails

24/7

I don't know how I survived the week.
In addition to tackling new projects at work --
Monday: Bought a new car.
Tuesday: Signed the lease for our new house.
Wednesday: Ballet -- last day in the "baby" class.
Thursday: Attend Advanced Class, then go to dinner with Caitlin and Cam.
Friday: Advanced class again, this time with pointe. Then dinner and Iron Man 2, followed by an after party that lasts until 5AM.

I was awake for 24 hours. I haven't done that for a very long time.
Now it's time to tackle the hated mountain of laundry.