Funny Entry…

I figure I haven’t written a funny entry in awhile, so here goes. Well, it’s kind of satirical but it’s meant to be a joke. So please, don’t take this seriously or personally, hehehe.

Reasons for saying “No”

1. I’m busy. Really, I am. For everyone who knows me well, I have a tendency to plan ahead, so most of the time, if you call me an hour before dinner and ask if I’m free for dinner, there’s a 75% chance that I’ll already have plans. And I don’t like to break pre-made plans…unless you’re my sister or Jeffrey Donovan.

 2. Inclement Weather. I’m not a fragile creature or anything and most of the time, I don’t mind rain or snow. However, if what you’re proposing requires a certain type of weather/temperature and Mother Nature is less than generous, it’s unlikely I would be at your pool party when it’s raining buckets/less than 80 degrees. 

3.  You have a bad rep. And this can be anything from breaking plans at the last minute, always being super-late, non-stop talking, acting overly dramatic, binging alcohol, etc, etc. And while it’s nothing personal, I just prefer to hang with people who can make me….happy. So, if I have hanged with you in the past, then I have made mental notes about my time with you. And…if you forced me to listen to your endless complaining about your mother’s new boyfriend during the outdoor jazz festival, it’s unlikely I would call up you when my favorite band is in town. 

4. We’re just too different. Really, it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the way the cookie crumbles. Hmm, cookies. So, if you don’t like cookies, then don’t blame me when I have a lovely outing at my favorite bakery and “forget” to invite you.

If you think you fall into one of these categories…don’t worry about it! Hehe. I probably fell into one if not all of these categories at one point or another, haha.

Work Drama…

So, between grants and contracts, I’ve been faced with fair share of drama. Someone at the budget office raises and eyebrow, and all our grants jump out of the system. Two of mine were pushed back to me for a complete re-do. This was last Thursday. Since then, the budget office changed their minds twice, and my grantee changed their minds twice. That 4 mind changes in one short measly little week. I finally got everything routed today. Hopefully my supervisor will appreciate it.

Then, just when I thought everything with part one of my working contract was ok, the contracts officer tells me that my paperwork needs a re-do due to new regulations this year. It’s July. I’ve had this contract since March. She just had to wait till now to tell me. Then, my other co-worker dumped some extra, soon-to-expire money on me right before July 4th. And of course, it was holiday, so while I processed my paperwork, there was no one higher up doing their work. The money got dumped on another contract and I’ll have to move some mountains to get them back. Oy.

Plus, people are going on vacation so how much work can get done without key players? Yeah, thought so.

Outside of work, this week has been….intriguing. My little 4 hour hike last week was catching with me. My stomach turns into a bottomless pit and I have control all my cravings. Of course, the up-side is that I’m so used to walking long distances, hoofing around this city is really no big deal.

Just spent the last two days in a training for making more effective presentations. The person told me that presenting is like acting. I didn’t realize he meant acting fake if that’s what it takes to put on an entertaining presentation. Some people’s personalities just don’t work well on stage. I can act, I just feel a little fake sometimes. And my vocal chords are designed for up to a certain decibel, beyond which I can yell all I want and the volume just tapers off. Oh well. Practice makes perfect, I suppose. We had to make presentations on something we were passionate about and I chose organic personal care products. It was  great talk, hehehe.

Another 4th

Wow, another 4th of July. I was never really one into fireworks. This year, I only heard fireworks; didn’t get to see any. Oh well.

I visited my family for the long weekend and as much as I like traveling, I hate sitting on a train/train station for long periods of time. Someone needs to invent teleporting or something. Though I got to relax over the weekend. Friday, USANetwork had a “Burn Notice” marathon. I could hardly contain my excitement as I sat through like 4 episodes of Jeffrey Donovan and Gabrielle Anwar. It’s such a great show. I also managed to shoot through 4 loads of laundry; my parents’ huge washing machine is good for something.  

Saturday, my parents surprised me by saying they wanted to go kayaking. Now they are two people who never do anything adventurous, so naturally, my interest was piqued. Then I realized that the kayaking they were talking about was on a very still lake. It was still fun, sharing a kayak with my mom, but there were no waves. There was a sailboat in that lake, but there was hardly any wind, either. I may consider doing more kayaking in the future, perhaps in a more “moving” body of water.

I came back to the city with a bunch of stuff on Sunday. And to the frantic demands of my friends, I baked up a batch of cupcakes for the shelter across the street. I discovered that frosting cupcakes is quite relaxing. It’s also very artistic. I think I’m going to start practicing fancy icing techniques the next time I bake.

Blueberries are finally in season. I’m so excited. Those little berries really pack in a punch of anti-oxidants. I stlll feel that the summer is not quite in full swing. I need hot weather!

On the plus side, I think I may have found a new pair of shoes to sustain me for a couple of miles. I’m not ready to make purchase yet…but it’s under consideration….

Summer…

First, summer shoe shopping is very difficult. I mean, it’s not easy finding a pair that I like, let alone a pair that I can walk in for long periods of time. And then, you’ve the old pair stinking up the closet. Even after you throw it out, the summer heat and humidity just retains the smell. I have got to get some air freshener.

Anyhoo, summer brings in its fair share of picnics and such. I try not to eat too many unhealthy things, but at a BBQ, even the salads are laden with fatty dressing, mayonaise, oils, etc. What’s a girl to do? Although, I love burgers and hot dogs. It takes a lot of control not to go all out. This past weekend, I baked cupcakes for this one picnic.  

 

My secret? This was my first time baking cupcakes! I know, crazy, right? I mean, I’ve done cakes, cookies, brownies, strawberry shortcakes, cornbreads, etc in the past, but not cupcakes. Mostly because I never had the pan for it. But this time, I bought the pan, I bought the paper cups (though I really didn’t need them) and the milk-chocolate frosting (which I’ll be making myself in the future) and I got these lovely cupcakes. And they were quite good. They were actually a swirl of vanilla and chocolate, with milk chocolate icing. Yum. Well, now I know where I’m getting my chocolate fixes from now on….

One Year Anniversary!

It’s my one year anniversary in DC and at EPA! Yay!

Come to think of it, I was quite naieve when I first moved out here. I mean, I have lived in big cities my whole life, but this was the first time I was working and completely free from the parents. Although they still find ways to control my life…in fact they’re doing that right now. Oh well. Parents, they mean well, even though sometimes, they just come off as mean.

This year’s changes:

1. I’m part of a terrific dance community

2. I wrote a 50,000 word novel

3. I got a promotion and an award at work

4. I verified a technology and learning to manage 4 grants

5. I’m a part of history as we are working with Stimulus Act money

6. I am a part of two wonderful church communities

7. I cooked at homeless shelter

8. I am doing some lomography

9. I learned a lot about relationships from the people around me

10. I learned that managing people is actually a lot harder than it looks

11. I adopted a sister!

Things that will always be the same:

1. My faith and church family will always be a part of my life

2. Family and friends will always come first

3. Personal health is very important

4. I am always learning, changing, and growing

Quite a momentous year. And this past weekend, I spent many hours selling tickets and dancing at the DC Salsa Congress, and yet, I don’t feel all that tired…

Mission Trips…

It seems most of my friends from church are going on one mission trip or another…sounds exciting ot travel to different countries but I’ve feeling I won’t last a week! We had a lovely going away party for Mel last night….though I’ve only been a part of the group for a short period of time, I was sad to see her go. That group really knew how to make me feel welcome.

I went and saw Up! this weekend. I think Pixar’s abilities have trememndously improved. I still would prefer the hand drawn movies I had seen as a kid though. Perhaps the Frog Princess will bring back some of that sentiment.

I cannot decide which type of dance I prefer…or perhaps I just like to dance in general and I should just try out every dance out there. Good thing I’m not considering dance competitions or anything. And top of all this, I’m shoe shopping. It’s very hard to find the perfect pair that fits well, is comfy, looks good, and within my price range. I guess I’ll just have to keep shopping….

Ah memorial day…

I never get what I’m supposed to be memorial about….something about war and troops and such. Then again, I don’t understand some national holidays….

Anyhoo, this was probably the most expensive weekend I’ve had in….months. I feel a little like Rebecca Bloomwood. But, in an effort to redeem myself, I’ve made a list:

Reasons I went shopping twice this weekend:

1. My old stilettos broke. The soles came off. Plus, they were like 2 years old and I had to replace them cause every working girl needs at least one pair of formal/businessy stilettos.

2. I needed new active wear. All my old stuff is falling apart and range between 3-6 years old. I never invested too much money on active wear before but now that I do yoga regularly, I needed more suitable clothing.

3. I needed new socks. For some reason, I go through socks like water. I’m probably not the only one.

4. Target has cheap ice-cream. And Cool Whip. Ok, my sweet tooth is more tame, but that doesn’t mean it’s going anywhere. Ever. And I need mild sweets to satisfy it. Actually, I got frozen yogurt, which is just as good, but a lot healthier.

5. I need Swiffer wet pad refills. I tried the generic ones from CVS and I could never get my floors completely clean. They just weren’t durable.

6. I wanted another dress. Ok, ok. For everyone who knows me, I have too many dresses. But not all of them fits me well and I realized that I had too many formal dresses. So, I got a dress that could easily go either way. Ok, I won’t wear it to an actual formal occassion, but it might work.

With clothing, I tossed out a bunch of old stuff this year, so that entitles me to some new things. And the cash gift from my grandparents was a great incentive!

Reasons I ate out 3 times this weekend.

1. I hadn’t seen my one friend in over five weeks and neither of us was in the mood for anything but a nice, relaxed dinner.

2. I wanted to try brunch with the church bunch.

3. I got stuck in the rain and felt like trying Italian. Although the veal ravioli was good, it reminded me of dumplings, which is a good thing.

I admit, I’ve been eating more junk than usual and my body is reacting by being sluggish. So I try to detox in between and keep up with extra workouts. My energy level hasn’t dropped too much although my appetite is a bit suppressed. Must be the weather.

Of course, there are other miscellaneous expenses that I’ll discuss once I secure the premises….

So proud…

I got my bound novel today! I’m so proud. I feel like I’m dreaming. I mean, yes, I wrote the thing in 30 days (think 160 pages in 30 days). I didn’t even have a plan for like the first five days. And then, I edited it once all the way through and put together the cover and back cover in practically a day. So, it’s really rough. I go through it now and I still see mistakes. I mean, it’s just a proof copy. But still! It’s my very own words. My feelings, my thoughts, my experiences, bounded together with a nice glossy cover and picture of me on the back.

You know, I’ve written a lot things since high school, some good, some not so good. And there comes a point in every artists mind when he or she wonders if what they’re creating is real or valid. And with this novel especially, since it’s so closely based on my life, I did wonder many times if this is actually real. And now, I took the extra step to get it bound, seeing in black and white, like a real book, it’s so real! Ah, I should do this more often. I should consider publication. And I am making plans for a second book.

Oh, so happy. It’s like my child; it’s got my spirit.

Frustrations

A rather frustrating chain of events. I don’t think I’ll ever volunteer for a wine tasting ever again. And baking soda doesn’t work that well on red wine stains. And people never cease to disappoint me. I do think I’m rather judgemental at times, but there’s a difference between making a judgement in one’s head and verbalizing that judgement in a narrow-minded. Sometimes, I do think that having great listening skills is not a common gift.

At least my 4 hours of dancing on Friday was extremely fun and rewarding. I learned so much, although I do need to practice some more…

Perk No. 385 for living in the city…

I get to poke my head out my 6th apartment window and see a lovely parade. Although, I had no idea what it was for because most of the signs and yelling were in Spanish. A large part of me wishes I had taken Spanish in high school. It’s probably not to late to learn…I just lack the patience. Although, one of the staff workers in my building doesn’t speak very much English. I find this disheartening since we do live in English-speaking country. I mean, c’mon, how can you not pick up the language? I guess some people are just good at sheltering themselves….

Life with allergies is…crappy. I normally don’t mind  until I start losing my taste buds. Yeah. That just pisses me off. If I were to choose one sense I simply cannot live without, of course, sight would be number one, but taste will be a close second. Because, c’mon, what’s the point of being able to see when you see beautiful, glorious food but not be able to taste it?

I went to my first kick-boxing class since college. It was different because we actually got to wear the mitts and hit something. I thought it was great because it’s one thing to learn shadow-boxing and it’s something else to actually hit a target and feel the resistance. Of course, I have some pains in my arms now…but it’s the good kind. Hopefully it’ll all go away in due time.

I led small group for the first time yesterday. I was rather ecstatic…though the group did surprise me. In a good way, of course. Perhaps I will lead more in the future….