Hard Day

Friday:

I had a super busy day at work. Deadlines were suddenly brought forward to, like, RIGHT NOW, and it left me feeling a bit frazzled. And I had lunch an hour late to finish some urgent work, and not getting my regular calories always affects me. But most of all it is that TOM. I can't call it PMS because it isn't pre-, it's during-. I feel miserable and dazed and achy.

I got out of work late and had 11 minutes to do the 25 minute brisk walk to the school to pick up the kids. I hate being more than a few minutes late so I walked as fast as I could and even broke into a jog for a while (in work clothes and wearing my backpack). I was a little late but not too bad. But I felt exhausted by the time I got there. I asked my boy if he minded skipping gymnastics for once (he didn't mind) so we went home and I got in a hot bath then had a cup of tea.

I had this panel thing tonight, I was supposed to be one of five editors answering questions from local authors. I don't know why I ever agreed to it, I'm rather shy so the whole thing was very scary. But I was determined to fulfil the commitment even though I was feeling horrible. I had to have dinner very early, then Tim would get home and make dinner for himself and the kids while I went out.

Then I drizzled balsamic vinegar over my salmon instead of soy sauce.

I hoped for the best, maybe it would go ok with the lemon, chilli and garlic. So I put it in the oven. And overcooked it to dry blackness. And the vinegar did not taste good. So I had to throw my dinner away. My mind clearly was not working. I just couldn't cope. I emailed the panel convener with my apologies although I felt very guilty and defeatist.

My husband got home, having rushed to be here about two hours earlier than usual. He was concerned about me not going to the panel. So I cried a bit.

He made dinner and I ate it and feel a little better. But I still just want to crawl into bed, and will do so soon.

So nothing very terrible happened but it was a hard day and I am glad it is over. Or at least at the stage where I can just sit and stare blankly at the TV.

Checking in

Wednesday:

Just checking in. Don't have a lot to say. Working. Walking briskly an hour a day. Eating winter-lard-promoting foods.

I dreamed I had to land a plane when everyone else on board came down with food poisoning. I'm pretty sure it was a metaphor for my workplace.

Maintaining

Monday:

I was quite excited about being back in an office. By Friday afternoon I was over it. Sunday afternoon I realised I had to do it all again ... and again ...

But today I felt refreshed again so I should be good for at least a few days before the next end-of-week slump.

Had a quiet weekend at home. Maintaining my weight at 78 kg so walking for an hour a day must be offsetting the slump back into bad food. So far, anyway.

Back in the office

Thursday:

I've had two full days back in the office after ten years at home with chronic pain, then with kids, and then working from home. I'm loving many aspects of being back. The work is a little dull but by no means horrible, and I'm back with people! Adults, even! I haven't done much chatting but it's great to be surrounded by people. Much less lonely than at home. And I feel kind of important, too, striding around a multi-story office building with my security pass and my semi-corporate clothes. Frowning thoughtfully at TWO computer screens on my desk.

Wednesday is the only day I can work longer than school hours so yesterday was both my first full day at work and my long day. By the time I had walked home (and having to go right around the school to get in to pick up the kids from after-school care in the hall because all the other gates were locked by that time) I was truly exhausted. I made dinner then collapsed. I am still fighting off the germs from last weekend but I think it was mainly just that I am not used to working all day!

I walk to and from work so that is quite nice exercise each day but being in an office again is terrible for my diet. I'm taking my lunch and snacks but I'd forgotten the temptations of vending machines and people selling chocolates for charity. Today I saw a birthday one section over, no doubt I'll eventually be involved in those too at some point. Oh, and did I mention we are right next to the area's major shopping centre? So if I want to pop out at lunch time for anything, anything at all, I can. So far I haven't done very much resisting. I guess I'm going to have to start climbing a lot of stairs!

Caught

Tuesday:

I worked from home today but hopefully will get back into the office tomorrow. All the security forms are completed and lodged.

I didn't really mind staying home as I wasn't feeling that well. I'd been sick all weekend but better yesterday. Maybe it was just the excitement of a new job as I felt yuck again today. I didn't eat anything until nearly lunch time. I walked to the local post office (1 km away) and was exhausted by the time I got home, which is why ...

A zombie caught me!

I had often wondered what happens if a zombie catches you. I was going to tell you; but just in case you want to use the app, I won't.

I was just walking slowly and listening to the story when I got a warning that a zombie was 50 metres away (I walked a bit faster), then 20 metres away (faster still), then it was moaning in my ear which actually made me look over my shoulder and break into a trot even though I was feeling a bit sick. I had been told that speeding up was enough, you didn't have to run, but it caught me so maybe that isn't true.

Liebster Award

The Liebster Award

Jennifer from It's Just Jennifer has tagged me for The Liebster Award. No idea where that name/concept comes from.

Here are the rules:

1) Post 11 random facts about yourself

2) Answer the 11 questions the tagger has asked you
3) Choose 3 deserving bloggers, and ask them 11 new questions
4) Don't tag the person that nominated you

 Eleven Random Facts:

1) I love to sing and used to perform in a lot of amateur theatricals and karaoke competitions. Once I sang Eponine's soulful "On my Own" in an audition and got cast as a sassy aging stripper. Not the look I was going for!

2) I hate coffee, even the smell which most people like.

3) I'm scared of heights and creepy-crawlies. But I could hold a snake or cuddle a rat no problems. And I love snuggly enclosed spaces.

4) My grandmother had a pet kangaroo, not really that common in Australia. It was rescued as a joey when its mother was killed by dogs. It loved my grandmother but hated everyone else; growled like a dog and tried to kick and scratch you. I was scared to go into her backyard.

5) I just got glasses today! Love them. Everything is so sharp and clear.

6) I would love to write a novel one day. Fantasy fiction. There are plenty of times when I do have the time to work on it, but don't "get around to it".

7) I have a degree in Linguistics and learned little bits of five languages (including Latin) but can't remember much of any of them. Undergraduate Uni was a long time ago. My husband's brother married a Chinese woman so my husband recently suggested we should learn that. It's a tricky one because it's tonal.

8) I had an identical twin sister who died when we were babies. Once I was hypnotised and taken through a visualisation and was supposed to meet myself, but it was her.

9) I don't believe in ghosts, even though as a child both my brother and I saw my elder brother's ghost several times soon after he died (he was run over by a train when he was ten). It wasn't scary at all -- he was my brother! Still don't believe in them though. I was only six.

10) I like planning more than doing.

11) I have super powers. I can block my nose without touching it by squeezing the inner muscles, and I can dilate my eyes so I can see better in the dark.

And your questions are...

1) What is your favorite food?

Duck as a favourite main-course, chocolate as dessert, salty chips as a snack.

 

2) Sweet or salty?

Definitely salty.

3) Can you roll your tongue?

No.

4) What was your clique in school (prep, misfits, jock, band, etc.)?

We don't really have cliques in Australia. I don't even know what "prep" means. I was one of the smart kids but my group of ten that I sat with at lunch was a very eclectic mix. Probably the only point of commonality was that none of us was sporty.

5) Do you have any pets, or what would you have if you don't have any?

We only have goldfish at the moment but want to get a puppy soon. We haven't had fluffy pets before because my mother is allergic and it would cause problems when she visits overnight, but wanting a family pet has started to tip that balance. We'll have to visit her more often instead. Just waiting to get the fences fixed first.

6) If you had unlimited funds, and a month of free time, what would you do?

Tour Europe and Japan.

7) Who is your celebrity crush?

Don't have one atm. As a kid I loved David Bowie as Jareth from Labyrinth, and I've always thought Johnny Depp is gorgeous. Orlando Bloom as Legolas in LotR. Can you see a fantasy theme here? But I'm not really a fan kind of girl.

8) Do you collect anything?

No. Used to collect unicorns a bit as a teenager.

9) What size shoe do you wear?

6 and a half Australian (6 is the smallest adult size. I am short with little feet.)

 

10) Favorite color

Purple. And it's spelled "colour" here!

11) Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?

I sleep on my left side.

To pass this on, I nominate:
Jill from The Sassy Pear
Fat Guy Winning
Kathleen from 27 years old and 27 kilos too heavy

And your questions are:
 
1) Tea or coffee? With or without milk and/or sugar?

2) How old are you really, deep down inside?

3) Should you be working right now instead of doing this (I know I should)?

4) What is your favourite cheese? And could you tell brie and camembert apart in a taste test?

5) Are monkeys cute, or stinky poo-throwing monstrosities who would rip your face off as soon as look at you?

6) If you had to live for the next year in a country other than your own, where would it be?

7) If you could shorten your life by one year to magically lose 5 kilograms/10 pounds right now (with suitably tightened skin etc), would you do it? How many times? Is there anything physical about yourself that you would pay years of your life to change?

8) What would be your dream job if you had the aptitude/courage? Remember that if you are famous people go through your garbage and tell lies about you on the front cover of magazines. But you get lots of adulation and money and yachts and stuff.

9) Paper books or electronic?

10) Did you ever write teen-angst poetry, or any other kind?

11) Do you dance like no one is watching? Or like you are on stage and everyone is watching? Or do you shyly and awkwardly shuffle on the spot and hope no one is watching? Or stand in the corner while other people dance?

First day at work, sort of

Monday:

I walked to my new workplace this morning. It was probably just above freezing by that time, but I was snug enough walking briskly and wrapped in my coat and scarf and beanie and gloves. My new pants had been shortened to just the right length and they were comfortable and all was good with the world. I didn't even listen to music until the last bit, I just walked. I was a little worried about the heavy cloud cover, but it cleared up later.

The first morning was taken up with finding out that no one had computer access, and in fact we didn't have security access either so had to be escorted everywhere around the building. Even to the toilet, apparently, although I just ignored that and went by myself -- it was maybe twenty metres away from my desk and I was in full view all the way to the door. My boss was only there for about half an hour because she had to go to a funeral. I was one of three starting today, all women in the prime of their lives. We were given some reading material but then were herded from floor to floor with stops to fill out forms, trying to get us access. Then they sent us home at lunchtime so they wouldn't have to escort us everywhere anymore. I will probably be working from home tomorrow, I've already been emailed some work to do but in fact was finishing my security clearance stuff until late. Hopefully we will be able to go in Wednesday. Had to laugh about being sent home and asked if I minded -- I only took this job to get out of the house!

Before going home I picked up my new glasses, which only took a week after all. I'm used to wearing sunglasses a lot so they don't seem intrusive, and I love wearing them. My eyes are still pretty good, it's only 0.5, but everything looks so much sharper. And I look (even) smarter.

I listened to the introductory session of the Zombies, Run app on the way home, but it was the same as the intro to the C25K version. Still good, though.

There is a stairwell at work! I'll be able to do some stair climbing in my breaks. And an hour walking each day is nice. As long as it doesn't rain. There is no parking left by the time of morning I get there.