Categories: uncategorized
Date: 02 January 2010 07:37:15
While I wish all of you a very happy & blessed new year ahead, this will not be a year-in-review. I will, however, update you on what I've been up to since I last stopped by. (let me digress: have you read some of the spam messages? they're hilarious. One said i write like a journalist; another wrote that he/she/it just had to stop by & say hi because it grabbed his/her/its attention... thank you, spam computers, for taking the time to be so kind.)
I arrived home from almost 2 weeks in my parent's city - shortly after I arrived, approximately 24" of snow fell at my parents' house. We would shovel the front walk - by the time we got to the end we could no longer see the brick (and, um, it's not very long)...we tried to keep up with it every hour or so, although the day I dug the cars out, the city had already cleared the streets, so it was more like 3-4 feet of snow to shovel. My shoulder & back muscles are still recovering ;) It was a great visit - saw some dear friends, visited a fantastic research institution/hospital (a place at which I'd love to be affiliated in the future should the opportunity & job opening present itself), hung out with family, decorated, wrapped gifts, read a few books (including Harry Potter book #7 for the second time... re-read the final battle a few times, just to etch it in my brain. After reading the whole series last year, I see so many Christian themes in her books...especially how she tied it all together at the end... what a storyteller, I tell you). Since I've been back, I have not wasted any time - nosiree. Watched the US's version of The Office, seasons 1, 2, 3 ,4 & 5... well, most of the episodes - only watched the ones I missed (which was a lot). Although I probably didn't have energy for much else because my asthma was not great... luckily I've got a bit more energy and have been organizing my office today - tomorrow? The living & dining rooms.
Ok, so updates. The food thing is going pretty well. My taste buds have changed significantly, so really rich or sweet foods dont' taste great AND they make my stomach ache. Which is great - because I haven't binged in a long time. Unless you call chowing down on kale chips or extra helpings of tempeh & quinoa a binge. I don't - not now. My mom was really supportive during my visit, and tolerated me making kale & quinoa, women's-health-raspberry-tea, kale chips, tempeh reuben sandwiches, rolled oats, smoothies w/ bananas & kale & berries, sprout grain bread, oat milk (my favorite), agave nectar, Stevia sweetener, and so on... She tried my favorite miso soup, however she's very sensetive to salt. I don't think it's salty, but she did - my sister in law was just too happy to take it off my hands at the end of the visit. Anyway, I was pleased the food thing went so well while I was out of town. It was pretty easy, actually. I wonder if it was easier than when I'm here at home? Maybe because my choices were so limited? Perhaps I should employ that strategy here and see how it goes?
There's an enzyme I'm supposed to take to help my body digest things... however I remember about 25% of the time. Had some blood tests a few weeks ago re: sugars, thyroid panel, etc. and everything came back normal except a vitamin D deficiency....so I picked up a supplement today, and that's it. Just keep doing what I'm doing... although, I'm experiencing a great deal of discouragement because after all the work I've done, all the changes I've made in what I'm putting into my body on a regular basis, the scale has not moved. Now, I know it's about health vs. a number. I'm aware. I'm also aware that I carry a great deal of extra weight, and my body would be healthier with a reduced amount of "extra". My scale doesn't quite go as high as I am right now, but I check approximately once/month - at some point, I anticipate my scale will begin to register my weight once again. when that day comes, it will be Point? [rain]. I'll pat myself on the back for that one. Kerensa also recommended some books for me - I ordered two & they arrived just as I was heading out of town, so I haven't broken the binding yet, but will share the information that works for me as I digest it (pun intended) ...thank you Kerensa!
On a different note, I'm continuing to network and *think* about my future job, the job I'd like to have in the future, and how I think I can get myself in a place to have/obtain/interview for that job. A girl's gotta have a plan. So I'm working on it. The idea of working with children still appeals to me, although the medical setting is looking very nice & shiny. Professional. I've spent the last 10 years doing a lot of other stuff besides providing therapeutic services to young children (wiping noses, bathrooming, cleaning tables, recess duty, all the things you do when working in a trans-disciplinary team setting). The medical setting is scary because it's not something I have done long term before, and there would be a sharp learning curve. However, the good news is that I am certified. So it's just a matter of job training. I have the information and foundation...would just need to brush-up & learn specific new things.
The idea of working for a travel company is very appealing. 3 - 12 month assignments would give me an opportunity to check out a new job while they also are seeing if their company/organization is compatible with me. Are we right for each other? A mutual job interview, long term w/ pay & benefits. I could find a company who could place me in several different settings in my new city so I can figure out where I'd like to work long-term without the pressure of making a decision before moving.
Another idea is to follow my head and apply to a few places which make my heart go pitter-pat. Like this one. The only problem I'm concerned about is am I ready for such a switch? What about a few dry runs in different job placements to get me ready for such a major career change? What about learning more about the medical components of my job before jumping in feet first? These are the thoughts that keep me company when I'm unable to sleep at night. Tonight, for example.
On that note, my yawn just cued me - time to rest.
[edit] Take care & be well... and happy twenty ten.
p.s. tomorrow? rain will declutter her living room. and dining room. and tackle the kitchen - reorganize! I can do it! really, truly, honestly... I can! (just need a bit of caffeine and loud music w/ a great bass beat... tea & chocolate with Bon Jovi, anyone?)