Today's Consumption

I just thought this was a wee-bit humorous so I thought I would share my consumption so far today:
a banana
10 pretzel thins
seaweed (snack pack)
vitamin water

Today's score

+1 for awesome weather including a 60-degree morning!
+3 for super productivity at both work and home
+2 for getting a pass into zumba class (college girls are crazy in January!)
-1 for not being able to see the instructor from the back of the class
-1 for having to put up with screaming zumba instructor who insists we smile (I'm sorry, but I'm there to work out, not perform... sheesh)
+1 for relatively quick commute home (under 1.5 hours!!)
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Today's Total: +5

Feelings of failure

Wow. I don't know what hit me today. By the time I left work today, I felt like such a failure. As I walked from the venue to the gym, I actually started crying a little. I really don't know exactly what was affecting me, but I think it was some compilation of a new, demanding schedule, plus the realization that the next four months at work are going to be quite intense. In addition, I went into the office today for one particular meeting and felt like a dismal failure in that meeting. And, then after that meeting, I worked on another project for an hour that I feel I've completely mismanaged. Put that all together and I guess you get some tears. The good news, though, is that I did get to the gym for a brief workout and I feel much better about things now. I'm going take the rest of the evening "off" and then dive into studying head-first in the morning. My goal is to do as much as possible tomorrow so that I might have a little time to play on Sunday.
Moving on.

2010 Suggestions - Update 2

I am chipping away at my objective to read 8 books this year. As of today, I have finished two books in 2010. I just finished reading Good to Great. I decided this book should finally move off my reading list and onto my "finished books" list, most especially because I am starting my MBA this week. I didn't want to show my face up in an MBA program without having read that book. And, actually, it was really quite good. Not only was it a good read, the points they made through the research are quite compelling. I would actually recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve anything - an organization, a team at work, a volunteer effort, a sports team, anything at all. It gives a really simple, focused way to look at things. And, if you're in a hurry, he gives summaries at the end of the chapters so you could really sit down and get the gist of the book in an hour if need be.
So, there we go - book 2! (I figured I'd need a head start since I probably won't have a lot of time for personal reading while the semesters are in action.)

Suggestions update

I have an update on two of my 2010 suggestions. So far, I've finished one book: Primal by Mark Batterson. It's a book written by our lead pastor about getting back to the "primal" basics of Christianity - loving God with your heart, soul, strength, and mind. It wasn't bad. Since I get to hear him speak all the time, I had heard a lot of those thoughts at various times over the last few years, but there was also new material in there, too. I was pleasantly surprised. So, that's one of eight. (Sneak Preview: I'm more than halfway through my second book!)
By the way, my assigned reading for school doesn't count toward my goal of reading eight books.
Also, I am keeping up on my Bible reading. So far, so good. However, this chronological reading plan quickly took me out of Genesis and through the entire book of Job. That is one onerous book, let me tell you! In fact, I keep meaning to take a little time and dig up some commentary on it or read it in another version because so far, I'm not a big fan. And, I'm sure there's something good to learn there.
The health suggestion -- doing ok. Better on the working out than the eating well. 1% better every day. I need to remember that.
Eating out - not too bad. I think I'm roughly on target in that category. Yay! However, this means that I desperately need to go grocery shopping this weekend!

Generosity

I just gave my GMAT study book away to someone via Craigslist. I put it in a plastic bag for him, but, generously, didn't charge him for the bag. How nice of me! I considered making a joke about it, but I think he's from VA so I didn't know if he would get it.

Notes from today

New Word of the day: re-fangled (not new, just rethought)
Weird Happening of the day: Same boy that allegedly tried to hit on me at the gym yesterday was sitting at the same place in the gym tonight when I was there and gave me a similar look. This time, I fiercely avoided eye contact.
Accomplishment of the day: I ran for the second day in a row with very few walking breaks. My calves were killing for the first .5 mile, but then it was fine. I guess I just have to get past that. Will I ever actually "like" running? I have my doubts.
MBA News of the day: I got an email about orientation. Not only do I have to wear professional dress, I also have to read case studies and be prepared to discuss them at orientation. Pre-homework! Seriously, what is this about!!??

Today's slip-up

(Preface: The big street that runs North/South through Philly is Broad Street. The big street that runs North/South through DC is North Capitol Street.)

Me: So, I have a Dr. appt tomorrow.
Other person (OP): Oh yeah, where?
Me: Up on North Broad
OP: -silent pause-
Me: Did I just say North Broad?? I meant North Capitol!

I guess I subconsciously miss Philly!

How the Bag Act will discourage Hyla from recycling

The new "Skip the Bag, Save the River" law seems like a great idea. Encourage reusing and recycling and use the profits to clean up the river. If you haven't heard about this, it's our Great District's latest revenue generating scheme. Now, every time we visit a store or restaurant, we'll have to take our own bags or be charged 5 cents per bag. There are lots of arguments against this, as you can imagine. However, I have an argument that is perhaps less obvious. I use the paper bags from Harris Teeter and Trader Joe's to hold my recyclables, but if I'm not getting paper bags anymore, then I don't have anything to hold my recycling. This will actually discourage me from recycling! Ok, fine, I suppose that I can buy a new bin or something.
So, happy New Year and welcome to the newest tax in the District. Wait, what? What was that you said? Taxation without Representation? Oh, yes. Pile it on.

2010 Suggestions

This year, I will call the things I would usually label resolutions, "suggestions". Setting resolutions is a really good way to set myself up to feel like a failure. So, instead, I am making "suggestions". Here are the few I can remember right now.
1. Read through the Bible chronologically this year. I'm hoping that will help give me some perspective on the story.
2. Read eight books this year. I've realized that I've become an underperforming reader. This is particularly deplorable for a girl that has three hours of commuting several times a week.
3. Lose another 10-15 pounds. Continue to get healthier. Work out a minimum of 4 times a week.
4. Eat out less! This is to help me reach my health goals and my financial goals. Eating out soaks up a lot more of my income than it needs to. I'm going to attempt to eat out no more than three times a week. This doesn't count lunches at work, though, because I can eat for $5 and I still have to carry two meals with me since I am gone for such a long time each day.

I think there are more, but I can't think of them right now. I'll add them as they come to me.

Happy New Decade!