There's not much to be said this time around---I've not done a lot in the last week. I've read a lot, mostly, and will probably meet my Goodreads goal for this year quite soon (i.e., before September is out). But I've not got much other work done. This is partially because I've been spending a good amount of time with friends, and partially because I've been reading so much. I'm trying to bring myself back to working, but it's hard!
I have, however, done a lot of thinking. Some of it is of the deep philosophical variety: What do I really want out of my career? What do I want out of my life? Some of it, however, is much less deep. For this reason, I'm adding a goal to my list: Make my hands better. You see, I've had an RSI since high school, which I finally got diagnosed this past year. It's not a small thing; if it gets too much worse, I will actually be unable to type at all. As it is, typing hurts.
The goal is really a multi-part one, of course. I need to make some more appointments with the hand therapist, and basically set everything up exactly as she says. It would be nice to avoid a situation in which I'm forced to have surgery so that I'm not entirely crippled.
Otherwise, I have---most excitingly---managed to cross a goal off my list! I've been berry-picking twice this summer. A friend of mine lives up in the mountains near here, and there are blackberry and raspberry canes near her. She's a generous person, and has invited me up twice to go picking with her. It's so enjoyable. Sun, and being outside, and eating warm berries right off the cane.
05 September 2012
29 August 2012
Roundup AND Focus! (Wednesday)
Today is a bit of a combination post. I've not posted in so long---two whole weeks!---that it'll be good to get the head screwed back on, all around.
My focus, really, is very simple---get back to keeping track of what I'm eating (and eating healthier), spend some more time exercising, and otherwise just keep keeping on. I need to find an easy way of keeping track of this, and of reminding myself to do it---something portable, private, and non-silly.
Also, I need to write more.
As far as the roundup goes:
1. White afghan: This has been going slowly. My hands have been acting up (rather nastily), and so my crocheting has slowed to a standstill as I try to get them back into working condition. I think I'm going to focus on finishing up a couple other projects which are, at this stage, just needing some fine-tuning to be finished.
2. Yarn bin: I gave away some scrap yarn, as I said in the last post, but then I also thrifted some yarn the other day. Oh darn.
7. Perfecting the noms: So making hopjesvla again soon. I have all this coffee leftover that I can't drink because ow. I'm in need of a few other good puddings/custards, though. There's a nutmeg and maple custard I've been eyeing over at Smitten Kitchen, which I messed up horridly the last time I tried it. (This, I think, is my story with custards and puddings: Fuck up horribly the first time, make it great the second.)
12. Nail polish: Very excited to be doing a girls' night with one of my housemates and a friend. Toe-painting will be happening.
13. One new dish: I tried "Java Jacks" from The AntiCraft yesterday. I used double-strength coffee, but still barely got any coffee flavor(!), and the pancakes were pretty dry. Not making these ones again, I think, although I do love the idea of coffee + sweetened condensed milk in a pancake.
14. Capsule warddrobe: Having such problems here! You see, I like black. I also like grey, navy and brown as base colors. The last of these three are very easy to match with a wide variety of colors---those neutrals are pretty interchangeable. Black, on the other hand, I find to be a pretty stark color that, well, pretty much only goes with... black (and grey and white). So, I'm torn between being colorful and turning corporate goth.
15. Key interest: It remains below $3000, and I've had the luck to get it lower and lower each month. Barring disaster, I might even be able to pay it *fully* off if I do it right.
19. Emergency fund: I've expanded it to 4 months (relatively generous) living expenses. Ideally I'd like it to be at six months before I graduate, but we'll see how that works out. It's quite difficult to keep that much money aside when you make 16.5k a year.
Then again, the idea of graduating (without a job) and needing that money is also god-damned terrifying.
21. Fruits and veggies: Yeah, whoops.
22. Exercise: Ditto.
24/26. Dentist/brush/flossing: Doing fine, and again looking forward to clean teeth in early October.
28. Calling the 'rents: I've been calling them! And it's awesome! It makes me happy!
32. All music: 3509/6354.
36. Lang practice: I started out very strong this August, and then poof! None. I'm feeling the craving again, though, which is good.
37. Making the bed: Being going strong on this. It's nice to have a neat bed (especially when my books decide to escape their bookshelves, i.e. I don't have room for them on my bookshelves).
85. Japan: This is not happening, as it turns out. The paperwork got messed up and I would only be able to be there for about three weeks---and I can't quite justify the ticket for that right now. I'm sad, but I think I will just go visit my parents and N. instead.
91. Dissertation: I'm almost done with the first draft of the first chapter! We'll see how this goes....
95. Charity: Donated $100 the other day---a friend of a friend desperately needs a life-saving surgery, has no insurance, and is already broke from medical bills.
My focus, really, is very simple---get back to keeping track of what I'm eating (and eating healthier), spend some more time exercising, and otherwise just keep keeping on. I need to find an easy way of keeping track of this, and of reminding myself to do it---something portable, private, and non-silly.
Also, I need to write more.
As far as the roundup goes:
1. White afghan: This has been going slowly. My hands have been acting up (rather nastily), and so my crocheting has slowed to a standstill as I try to get them back into working condition. I think I'm going to focus on finishing up a couple other projects which are, at this stage, just needing some fine-tuning to be finished.
2. Yarn bin: I gave away some scrap yarn, as I said in the last post, but then I also thrifted some yarn the other day. Oh darn.
7. Perfecting the noms: So making hopjesvla again soon. I have all this coffee leftover that I can't drink because ow. I'm in need of a few other good puddings/custards, though. There's a nutmeg and maple custard I've been eyeing over at Smitten Kitchen, which I messed up horridly the last time I tried it. (This, I think, is my story with custards and puddings: Fuck up horribly the first time, make it great the second.)
12. Nail polish: Very excited to be doing a girls' night with one of my housemates and a friend. Toe-painting will be happening.
13. One new dish: I tried "Java Jacks" from The AntiCraft yesterday. I used double-strength coffee, but still barely got any coffee flavor(!), and the pancakes were pretty dry. Not making these ones again, I think, although I do love the idea of coffee + sweetened condensed milk in a pancake.
14. Capsule warddrobe: Having such problems here! You see, I like black. I also like grey, navy and brown as base colors. The last of these three are very easy to match with a wide variety of colors---those neutrals are pretty interchangeable. Black, on the other hand, I find to be a pretty stark color that, well, pretty much only goes with... black (and grey and white). So, I'm torn between being colorful and turning corporate goth.
15. Key interest: It remains below $3000, and I've had the luck to get it lower and lower each month. Barring disaster, I might even be able to pay it *fully* off if I do it right.
19. Emergency fund: I've expanded it to 4 months (relatively generous) living expenses. Ideally I'd like it to be at six months before I graduate, but we'll see how that works out. It's quite difficult to keep that much money aside when you make 16.5k a year.
Then again, the idea of graduating (without a job) and needing that money is also god-damned terrifying.
21. Fruits and veggies: Yeah, whoops.
22. Exercise: Ditto.
24/26. Dentist/brush/flossing: Doing fine, and again looking forward to clean teeth in early October.
28. Calling the 'rents: I've been calling them! And it's awesome! It makes me happy!
32. All music: 3509/6354.
36. Lang practice: I started out very strong this August, and then poof! None. I'm feeling the craving again, though, which is good.
37. Making the bed: Being going strong on this. It's nice to have a neat bed (especially when my books decide to escape their bookshelves, i.e. I don't have room for them on my bookshelves).
85. Japan: This is not happening, as it turns out. The paperwork got messed up and I would only be able to be there for about three weeks---and I can't quite justify the ticket for that right now. I'm sad, but I think I will just go visit my parents and N. instead.
91. Dissertation: I'm almost done with the first draft of the first chapter! We'll see how this goes....
95. Charity: Donated $100 the other day---a friend of a friend desperately needs a life-saving surgery, has no insurance, and is already broke from medical bills.
14 August 2012
Roundup (Tuesday)
1. White afghan: I finished all but one of the required panels. I then started stitching together some of the panels, and realized that although the length was exactly what I wanted, the width was not. So, I'm now making four more panels, in order to make the afghan larger. Looks like I'll need to order more yarn. . . again.
2. Yarn bin: I gave away some scrap yarn to N.'s mother, as she knows some ladies who make scrap afghans. Now I've not got to deal with the stuff, and I still have plenty left for making hats and the like.
22. Exercise: Totally haven't been doing this. Totally should get back on that wagon.
23. Breast exam: Complete for August! And entirely because I was l
ooking down my list and went "oh, I should do that". Go this project. 25. Skin: Doing okay with this one. My skin really does feel better post-moisturizer.
26. Brush/flossing: Doing fine. Looking forward to my next cleaning.
28. Calling the 'rents: I haven't done this as much as I'd like to. I had a great hour-long call yesterday; I want to do that more.
32. Music: 3414/6367.
34. Fruits/veggies: I've decided I'm going to start some up over the winter---perhaps some herbs. I'm not quite sure what, though. I'll want something that can handle colder nights here on the coast.
36. Foreign language practice: I've been doing this! I've also added in some Old English, for the hell of it. I'd like to learn a bit more about the history of my language....
37. Bed-making: Starting this back up again, now that N. is gone (sad) and I won't have to kick him out of bed (not consolation).
44. Lang-8 has been going well: I've managed it so far for most of the summer.
70. E-mail inbox: Down to 44 unread out of 1498. This is actually a significant improvement over before....
74. Camera: I've been checking out cameras, and girding myself to throw down the $200 that it will cost.
85. Japan: Plans have gone awry. At this point, I'm not certain if I'll be going or not, as paperwork on the other end has gotten wonky; I wouldn't be able to go until mid-September, and would still need to be back fairly early for NELS/the Vigo conference. It would be maybe a three-week stay, at that point, and I'm not sure what to do (both for financial and other reasons). I'll need to make this choice soon, though, as in this next week. Ack.
2. Yarn bin: I gave away some scrap yarn to N.'s mother, as she knows some ladies who make scrap afghans. Now I've not got to deal with the stuff, and I still have plenty left for making hats and the like.
22. Exercise: Totally haven't been doing this. Totally should get back on that wagon.
23. Breast exam: Complete for August! And entirely because I was l
ooking down my list and went "oh, I should do that". Go this project. 25. Skin: Doing okay with this one. My skin really does feel better post-moisturizer.
26. Brush/flossing: Doing fine. Looking forward to my next cleaning.
28. Calling the 'rents: I haven't done this as much as I'd like to. I had a great hour-long call yesterday; I want to do that more.
32. Music: 3414/6367.
34. Fruits/veggies: I've decided I'm going to start some up over the winter---perhaps some herbs. I'm not quite sure what, though. I'll want something that can handle colder nights here on the coast.
36. Foreign language practice: I've been doing this! I've also added in some Old English, for the hell of it. I'd like to learn a bit more about the history of my language....
37. Bed-making: Starting this back up again, now that N. is gone (sad) and I won't have to kick him out of bed (not consolation).
44. Lang-8 has been going well: I've managed it so far for most of the summer.
70. E-mail inbox: Down to 44 unread out of 1498. This is actually a significant improvement over before....
74. Camera: I've been checking out cameras, and girding myself to throw down the $200 that it will cost.
85. Japan: Plans have gone awry. At this point, I'm not certain if I'll be going or not, as paperwork on the other end has gotten wonky; I wouldn't be able to go until mid-September, and would still need to be back fairly early for NELS/the Vigo conference. It would be maybe a three-week stay, at that point, and I'm not sure what to do (both for financial and other reasons). I'll need to make this choice soon, though, as in this next week. Ack.
06 August 2012
Roundup (Monday)
It's been quite a while. I've been to a wedding and a birthday party the past two weekends, and have been spending as much time as possible with N. before he heads back to the other coast for school. So, I've not quite had the time for this. That being said, here's a brief roundup!
1. White afghan: Got new skeins, and am so close to getting this thing done! I'm almost done with my current panel, and have two more to go after this. We'll see if I can still get it done before Nihonland....
7. New cooking: The second go at hopjesvla was immensely tasty, and I will certainly be making it again. Nom!
12. Nail polish: Played with a new bright coral on my toes. Fantastic color.
15. Key interest remains below $3000. I'm feeling very good about this goal, pending any financial blowups.
19. The emergency fund, however, might get dipped into for tickets to Japan/the fact that we still haven't found a fifth housemate for September. I might be paying quite a bit of extra rent if we can't fill that last room. :(
21/22. Fruits, veggies, and exercise have unfortunately gone down the pipe these past few weeks. I'm trying to make this work better again soon.
26. Flossing/brushing remains okay, although I flaked a night a few times this past week---fell asleep reading and couldn't get my ass up to do it.
28. Calling the parentals has also been a total flake recently. Again, time to do better at this.
36/44. Regular foreign language practice has been going well, though, because I've been playing a lot with Lang-8---huzzah! It really helps just with remembering vocab and recognizing (if not really knowing) kanji.
46. N. and I watched Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands this past week. I'd never seen either movie (I know! I know!) and we figured I had better get educated. I definitely enjoyed both to no end, especially Beetlejuice---what a riot. I also watched Nana, which is a Japanese film based on a manga by Yazawa Ai. Very cute, very typically Japanese. As usual, I was able to understand about 1/2 of the movie with the help of subtitles; I need so many more vocabulary. But, that hits B, E and N.
85. Japan: I'm checking on plans, but if this works, I go very, very soon. I'm somewhat terrified.
95. This isn't directly related to the charity goal, but it's something I'm somewhat happy about---I've taken the initiative to start donating more to charities (in particular, to Wuqu Kawoq', a group which provides medical care in Guatemala, and to a local food bank). The goal here, of course, is entirely separate from this; all the same, I want to remind myself here to keep donating. I might not believe in religion, but if there's one good thing I learned from being raised Catholics, it's to try to do good works. I can at least start here.
7. New cooking: The second go at hopjesvla was immensely tasty, and I will certainly be making it again. Nom!
12. Nail polish: Played with a new bright coral on my toes. Fantastic color.
15. Key interest remains below $3000. I'm feeling very good about this goal, pending any financial blowups.
19. The emergency fund, however, might get dipped into for tickets to Japan/the fact that we still haven't found a fifth housemate for September. I might be paying quite a bit of extra rent if we can't fill that last room. :(
21/22. Fruits, veggies, and exercise have unfortunately gone down the pipe these past few weeks. I'm trying to make this work better again soon.
26. Flossing/brushing remains okay, although I flaked a night a few times this past week---fell asleep reading and couldn't get my ass up to do it.
28. Calling the parentals has also been a total flake recently. Again, time to do better at this.
36/44. Regular foreign language practice has been going well, though, because I've been playing a lot with Lang-8---huzzah! It really helps just with remembering vocab and recognizing (if not really knowing) kanji.
46. N. and I watched Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands this past week. I'd never seen either movie (I know! I know!) and we figured I had better get educated. I definitely enjoyed both to no end, especially Beetlejuice---what a riot. I also watched Nana, which is a Japanese film based on a manga by Yazawa Ai. Very cute, very typically Japanese. As usual, I was able to understand about 1/2 of the movie with the help of subtitles; I need so many more vocabulary. But, that hits B, E and N.
85. Japan: I'm checking on plans, but if this works, I go very, very soon. I'm somewhat terrified.
95. This isn't directly related to the charity goal, but it's something I'm somewhat happy about---I've taken the initiative to start donating more to charities (in particular, to Wuqu Kawoq', a group which provides medical care in Guatemala, and to a local food bank). The goal here, of course, is entirely separate from this; all the same, I want to remind myself here to keep donating. I might not believe in religion, but if there's one good thing I learned from being raised Catholics, it's to try to do good works. I can at least start here.
23 July 2012
Roundup (Monday)
1. Afghan: I'm still working on that fifth panel (and the last skein I have); this will probably get finished tonight at a friend's stitch and bitch. I've got plans to get a few more skeins this upcoming week; the goal is to get this thing finished before I go to Japan.
2. Use up yarn bin: I've got a slipper planned for my mom, which should help me use up some excess wool I have from the last two pairs of slippers. This should be a fun little project.
4. Revamp wardrobe: Some revamping has been done in the form of an interview suit (charcoal grey, CK, all three pieces) and a new red-and-white shirt with a fun collar. It's all very grownup, very professional, and should be very useful. The suit, alas, needs some tailoring---but that's to be expected.
7. Perfecting new cooking: I tried to make a coffee custard today (hopjeslva for the Dutch-oriented), and although it tastes delicious, it failed to set. I'll have another go at it later this week; for now, our stitch and bitch tonight is going to have coffee custard sauce for ice cream.
13. New dish: I made a new curry recipe today---absolutely delicious. It tastes and smells a lot like standard Japanese curries, except one doesn't have to pay 5 bucks for a box of curry roux. I'm very glad about this.
23. Breast exam: Did one for July here. I'm not doing so well on trying to make sure I do this. Admittedly, I figure that every time I remember is better than what I would do if I weren't trying.
75. I realized that I sort-of completed the `new computer' goal. I say `sort-of', because it is neither a new computer, nor is it a laptop (which was my intention). However, I have acquired a new-to-me desktop, still in quite good shape, for less than $200. It's sitting happily in my office.
I also wanted to note a number of things that I need to get done before I go off to Japan (as it will simply make my life easier):
2. Use up yarn bin: I've got a slipper planned for my mom, which should help me use up some excess wool I have from the last two pairs of slippers. This should be a fun little project.
4. Revamp wardrobe: Some revamping has been done in the form of an interview suit (charcoal grey, CK, all three pieces) and a new red-and-white shirt with a fun collar. It's all very grownup, very professional, and should be very useful. The suit, alas, needs some tailoring---but that's to be expected.
7. Perfecting new cooking: I tried to make a coffee custard today (hopjeslva for the Dutch-oriented), and although it tastes delicious, it failed to set. I'll have another go at it later this week; for now, our stitch and bitch tonight is going to have coffee custard sauce for ice cream.
13. New dish: I made a new curry recipe today---absolutely delicious. It tastes and smells a lot like standard Japanese curries, except one doesn't have to pay 5 bucks for a box of curry roux. I'm very glad about this.
23. Breast exam: Did one for July here. I'm not doing so well on trying to make sure I do this. Admittedly, I figure that every time I remember is better than what I would do if I weren't trying.
75. I realized that I sort-of completed the `new computer' goal. I say `sort-of', because it is neither a new computer, nor is it a laptop (which was my intention). However, I have acquired a new-to-me desktop, still in quite good shape, for less than $200. It's sitting happily in my office.
I also wanted to note a number of things that I need to get done before I go off to Japan (as it will simply make my life easier):
- Finish afghan.
- Finish slippers.
- Get suit tailored.
- Get bloodwork done.
- Finish drafting paper.
- Finish stock job materials.
- Start drafting dissertation (i.e., outlines, etc.).
- Write recommendation letter for a student.
- Get credit limit upped.
18 July 2012
Focus Post
I've not written a focus post in a long time, and I think it's time. One of these reasons for this post---and something that makes it different---is that I don't just want to focus on ``things I should be doing'' this week. The answer is always going to be the same, I suspect: I should be eating well, exercising, working harder, what have you.
Rather, what I want to focus on is attitude.
It seems that there's a tendency for our motivations to be built on fear. If you don't eat well and exercise, you'll get fat! If you don't work until all hours, you'll never get a job! If you don't. . .! I won't discount the fact that fear can be very motivating. For example, being terrified of gingivitis can definitely be a good motivation to brush your teeth. All the same, motivation built solely on fear is draining. First, you feel horrible: You are simply always guilty.
More perniciously, our fears are often in many ways too abstract, and the consequences of our actions are too far off. The fear of a heart attack at 65 is a fear I should (and do) have: I have a family history of high cholesterol and heart attack. All the same, this fear is not particularly good at motivating me to take better care of my body: It's simply not on my mind every morning when I wake up and ponder whether I should go for a run; nor is it on my mind every time I decide what I want to have for dinner. Frankly, I don't want it to be. I don't want to spend the entirety of my life constantly fending off potential heart attacks.
What I do want to do, on the other hand, is feel healthy every day. I want tons of energy, I want to feel the endorphin high from running, I want to revel in the deliciousness that is fruits and veggies. I want to have happy clean teeth. I want the satisfaction of having written things. I want the excitement of travel. I do not want to be constantly nagged by you should and if you don't. It's exhausting.
I'm not saying that there's not going to be plenty of motivation by fear here in this old noggin. I just want there to be some motivation by joy, too.
Rather, what I want to focus on is attitude.
It seems that there's a tendency for our motivations to be built on fear. If you don't eat well and exercise, you'll get fat! If you don't work until all hours, you'll never get a job! If you don't. . .! I won't discount the fact that fear can be very motivating. For example, being terrified of gingivitis can definitely be a good motivation to brush your teeth. All the same, motivation built solely on fear is draining. First, you feel horrible: You are simply always guilty.
More perniciously, our fears are often in many ways too abstract, and the consequences of our actions are too far off. The fear of a heart attack at 65 is a fear I should (and do) have: I have a family history of high cholesterol and heart attack. All the same, this fear is not particularly good at motivating me to take better care of my body: It's simply not on my mind every morning when I wake up and ponder whether I should go for a run; nor is it on my mind every time I decide what I want to have for dinner. Frankly, I don't want it to be. I don't want to spend the entirety of my life constantly fending off potential heart attacks.
What I do want to do, on the other hand, is feel healthy every day. I want tons of energy, I want to feel the endorphin high from running, I want to revel in the deliciousness that is fruits and veggies. I want to have happy clean teeth. I want the satisfaction of having written things. I want the excitement of travel. I do not want to be constantly nagged by you should and if you don't. It's exhausting.
I'm not saying that there's not going to be plenty of motivation by fear here in this old noggin. I just want there to be some motivation by joy, too.
10 July 2012
Tuesday Roundup
1. Afghan: Finished a fourth panel. I'm now into the last of the skeins I'd already bought, and need to go acquire more. Only three panels to go, though. The goal now is to get it done before I leave for the end of the summer---so, one more month to go.
21. 5 servings: I've been quite bad this week; it's been a lot of carbs. Tried to get that started going the right way again by eating some salad tonight.
22. Exercise 3x a week: I've been walking a lot still, although my actual running/biking has lessened quite a bit. My knees and feet are doing better, though, so I hope that I can get out a bit more now.
25. Skin: Still mostly doing well on this.
26. Teeth: Also doing quite well on this still. If there's anything I'm happy about it, it's that I've been taking care of my skin and teeth better. This is definitely a positive change.
37. I've been doing a bit better with the bed-making recently, too. It helps if I go for a run when I get up---usually N. is up by the time I get home and out of the shower.
44. Lang-8: Doing pretty well.
85. Japan: I got my paperwork in to go this August. Now I just have to wait for it to get processed some. . . and to buy the tickets. ::nervousexciteds::
90. Conferences: I got into a conference in Spain for this November (in Galicia). I'm beyond excited, especially as N., M.B., and L.V. also got in!
I'm hoping to get a bit of a focus post in soon---I've been waffling a bit too much this past week, and so need to get my mojo back in order.
21. 5 servings: I've been quite bad this week; it's been a lot of carbs. Tried to get that started going the right way again by eating some salad tonight.
22. Exercise 3x a week: I've been walking a lot still, although my actual running/biking has lessened quite a bit. My knees and feet are doing better, though, so I hope that I can get out a bit more now.
25. Skin: Still mostly doing well on this.
26. Teeth: Also doing quite well on this still. If there's anything I'm happy about it, it's that I've been taking care of my skin and teeth better. This is definitely a positive change.
37. I've been doing a bit better with the bed-making recently, too. It helps if I go for a run when I get up---usually N. is up by the time I get home and out of the shower.
44. Lang-8: Doing pretty well.
85. Japan: I got my paperwork in to go this August. Now I just have to wait for it to get processed some. . . and to buy the tickets. ::nervousexciteds::
90. Conferences: I got into a conference in Spain for this November (in Galicia). I'm beyond excited, especially as N., M.B., and L.V. also got in!
I'm hoping to get a bit of a focus post in soon---I've been waffling a bit too much this past week, and so need to get my mojo back in order.
05 July 2012
Thursday Roundup
1. Afghan: I finished a panel and a skein, and have started on another of both! Flying high here, and perhaps on track to finish before the summer is over. On the other hand, I also have to go buy more yarn.
5. Cookbook: I've added a few of my recent recipe conquests. Very nice.
13. One new dish a month: The babka muffins mentioned last time were quite nice, and held well. Additionally, I also have my July dish in: Homemade buttermilk bread. Very good, keeps well and is excellent toasted.
15. Interest is still under $3000, although just. I need to be careful the next few months and oughtn't pay too much.
21. Doing middling-to-good still on the fruits and veggies. As usual, fruit is easy, veggies are not.
22. Exercise: Been doing poorly this last week, partially because I managed to make my metatarsals very, very sore for a good week---not pleasant. But, I'm still trying to get some sort of exercise in every day, if it's only biking down to the coffeeshop to get some work done.
25. Skin: I've been doing well in the mornings, though I've been neglecting night care again the past few weeks.
26. Teeth: Doing well.
28. Call Mom and Dad: Been doing middling-to-okay on this, not great.
36. Foreign language practice: Besides some Lang-8ing (which I've been good with), I'm making some plans to practice with a few people from my class this last week. This would be very very good.
37. Making the bed: We managed to do it a few times! Go us! It really does make everything look better.
44. Lang-8: Making goals.
46. 26 movies: I recently watched The Pink Panther: A Shot in the Dark, which I had never before seen and which I'm counting as my S movie. It was entertaining, although at times somewhat painful (it's that kind of comedy).
85. Go to Japan: I'm making plans! It looks like August--October is actually going to happen. I'm kind of terrified, although also excited.
5. Cookbook: I've added a few of my recent recipe conquests. Very nice.
13. One new dish a month: The babka muffins mentioned last time were quite nice, and held well. Additionally, I also have my July dish in: Homemade buttermilk bread. Very good, keeps well and is excellent toasted.
15. Interest is still under $3000, although just. I need to be careful the next few months and oughtn't pay too much.
21. Doing middling-to-good still on the fruits and veggies. As usual, fruit is easy, veggies are not.
22. Exercise: Been doing poorly this last week, partially because I managed to make my metatarsals very, very sore for a good week---not pleasant. But, I'm still trying to get some sort of exercise in every day, if it's only biking down to the coffeeshop to get some work done.
25. Skin: I've been doing well in the mornings, though I've been neglecting night care again the past few weeks.
26. Teeth: Doing well.
28. Call Mom and Dad: Been doing middling-to-okay on this, not great.
36. Foreign language practice: Besides some Lang-8ing (which I've been good with), I'm making some plans to practice with a few people from my class this last week. This would be very very good.
37. Making the bed: We managed to do it a few times! Go us! It really does make everything look better.
44. Lang-8: Making goals.
46. 26 movies: I recently watched The Pink Panther: A Shot in the Dark, which I had never before seen and which I'm counting as my S movie. It was entertaining, although at times somewhat painful (it's that kind of comedy).
85. Go to Japan: I'm making plans! It looks like August--October is actually going to happen. I'm kind of terrified, although also excited.
02 July 2012
Having tea
I'm forgoing a focus post this week, as I'm feeling pretty focused right now.
However, approximately two weeks ago I went out to an actual afternoon tea with friends. I grew up in a place where tea is not a particularly popular beverage---and where the dressing up to go out for afternoon tea makes you an elitist asshat with notions of standing. As I now live in the Great Godless Liberal Utopia (as my family likes to call it), there's quite a few more folks with a penchant for dressing up to have tea and plenty of delicious, delicious foods.
It was really a fantastic time; about eight of us went to a small English teahouse in a nearby town. The teaware was beautiful (especially the warmers---a friend of mine definitely fell into teawarmer lust); I had some which had purple Sweet William and white morning-bells on it. Very lovely. The tea was quite nice. I'm rather spoiled by my own stockpile, but a good Darjeeling never goes amiss. Likewise, delicious---and I mean really damn delicious---savories and scones will also never go amiss.
On the whole, an excellent experience, and something I would like to do again (not to mention the idea of having teas at home).
However, approximately two weeks ago I went out to an actual afternoon tea with friends. I grew up in a place where tea is not a particularly popular beverage---and where the dressing up to go out for afternoon tea makes you an elitist asshat with notions of standing. As I now live in the Great Godless Liberal Utopia (as my family likes to call it), there's quite a few more folks with a penchant for dressing up to have tea and plenty of delicious, delicious foods.
It was really a fantastic time; about eight of us went to a small English teahouse in a nearby town. The teaware was beautiful (especially the warmers---a friend of mine definitely fell into teawarmer lust); I had some which had purple Sweet William and white morning-bells on it. Very lovely. The tea was quite nice. I'm rather spoiled by my own stockpile, but a good Darjeeling never goes amiss. Likewise, delicious---and I mean really damn delicious---savories and scones will also never go amiss.
On the whole, an excellent experience, and something I would like to do again (not to mention the idea of having teas at home).
27 June 2012
Wednesday Roundup
Here's a mildly belated roundup post. I've been doing okay about getting work done, although I've not been sticking perfectly to the schedule I wanted. However, since I'm still getting a significant Pile of Things done---and even starting to make my own crazy goals for the week---I feel okay about it.
With respect to non-work-related things:
1. Afghan: I have now moved on to another skein, and should (I hope) be done with this afghan panel sometime this week. I need to give my hands a bit of a break, though, I suspect.
4. Revamp wardrobe: I have acquired two vaguely-khaki-esque pairs of pants that are infinitely more grown up than my jeans. I consider this an immense achievement, although I admittedly probably can't wear either pair with black shirts and not feel funny.
13. Cook one new dish: My June repertoire has been excellent, what with having more time after school let out. There were, of course, the previously mentioned cheesecake and failed puddings; however, I've also added a strawberry cake and a raspberry buttermilk cake, both of which are delicious recipes found on Smitten Kitchen. Highly recommended. I also have on my list what I can only call `babka-muffins', also from Smitten.
21. I'm still doing okay-but-not-perfect on fruit and veggie servings. As usual, the problem remains getting the veggies, not the fruits. Fruits are delicious and easy; vegetables involve cooking, and cannot typically be consumed as part of a cake.
22. I'm also doing okay on exercising! I've gone out a couple times each week, either with biking or running. I'm also doing a lot more walking, as N. and I have been going downtown a lot and he hasn't got his bike here; I've therefore been walking a good three miles a day on average, which cannot be anything but good for me. It's definitely helping me feel more energized, which is fantastic.
25/26. Skin and teeth: Holding strong and doing well.
28. Failing at calling Mom and Dad regularly enough. Need to do this tonight.
29. CMV reading: Reading Fairyland right now, and enjoying it immensely.
36. F-lang practice: Not often enough.
37. Bed-making: Managing to get it done if I can N. out of bed before 11.
44. Lang-8: Managing it so far.
57. Tea: I did it! I went to afternoon tea! More on this later, as it's worthy of having its own entry.
And that's about all she wrote, as it's said. I've had a full week, and I'm feeling happily energized right now---it's an excellent feeling, and I have this project and the onset of summer to thank for it.
With respect to non-work-related things:
1. Afghan: I have now moved on to another skein, and should (I hope) be done with this afghan panel sometime this week. I need to give my hands a bit of a break, though, I suspect.
4. Revamp wardrobe: I have acquired two vaguely-khaki-esque pairs of pants that are infinitely more grown up than my jeans. I consider this an immense achievement, although I admittedly probably can't wear either pair with black shirts and not feel funny.
13. Cook one new dish: My June repertoire has been excellent, what with having more time after school let out. There were, of course, the previously mentioned cheesecake and failed puddings; however, I've also added a strawberry cake and a raspberry buttermilk cake, both of which are delicious recipes found on Smitten Kitchen. Highly recommended. I also have on my list what I can only call `babka-muffins', also from Smitten.
21. I'm still doing okay-but-not-perfect on fruit and veggie servings. As usual, the problem remains getting the veggies, not the fruits. Fruits are delicious and easy; vegetables involve cooking, and cannot typically be consumed as part of a cake.
22. I'm also doing okay on exercising! I've gone out a couple times each week, either with biking or running. I'm also doing a lot more walking, as N. and I have been going downtown a lot and he hasn't got his bike here; I've therefore been walking a good three miles a day on average, which cannot be anything but good for me. It's definitely helping me feel more energized, which is fantastic.
25/26. Skin and teeth: Holding strong and doing well.
28. Failing at calling Mom and Dad regularly enough. Need to do this tonight.
29. CMV reading: Reading Fairyland right now, and enjoying it immensely.
36. F-lang practice: Not often enough.
37. Bed-making: Managing to get it done if I can N. out of bed before 11.
44. Lang-8: Managing it so far.
57. Tea: I did it! I went to afternoon tea! More on this later, as it's worthy of having its own entry.
And that's about all she wrote, as it's said. I've had a full week, and I'm feeling happily energized right now---it's an excellent feeling, and I have this project and the onset of summer to thank for it.
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