Problems packing

Why does it take me so long to pack? I started preparing for my trip days ago, I got out a suitcase, I tried on some clothes, I threw some charges, papers and other things I needed in a pile...and it has been sitting on my living room floor for at least 4 days.

But I can't pack too early because I don't want wrinkles, I need makeup and other things; this process is too long!

I wish I had the ability to just throw things in a bag without trying them on or wondering if they go together. And of course the shoes are perfect for whatever is inside the bag.  I envy those people.

What about the weather...umbrella, light jacket, gym clothes?, realistically how much 'free time' and how does that translate into # of outfits.  Do I really need to pack two black suits,  and a blazer (and skirts and 1 pair pants), but then again I need four work outfits and a dress.

I love traveling.  My last job was easier because the trip duration was different, but after over packing this trip, I will have a better understanding for my future trips. 

Tea leaf reading: take three

I headed down to Katie's Cottage for another tea lead reading; I am averaging every six months.

This time I wasn't thrilled with it, but it could be that 70% of my reading was about Man Friend - how we met, where we hang out, the type of 'relationship' we have & why, that he is an honest and genuine guy, his job, etc.  Then she said "don't get mad at what I am going to tell you", doesn't that get you curious?  She continues "he is not the man you will marry" so I smile and laugh and say I know that!  And she continues that I need someone more intellectually stimulating, and that my intelligence far exceeds his (which I have been noticing this past month and became another red flag). 

She told me I will have a great summer, and will meet the future husband soon.

I will sell my condo and buy a two bedroom place much faster than I think.

As for the job, she reassured me this was a great move, that I am really good at what I do, I have ambition and want to climb the ladder. I will gain the respect of coworkers and clients and make $125,000 in next few years (quite a large difference from now, in case you were wondering).

She said my mental and physical health are fantastic, and that the mental part improved drastically in the last year or two.

I will enjoy my free time in Montreal (I am not sure if she was alluding to me meeting fh there), and something about going to a beach and buying a red bikini.

The others in my group had good readings, everyone was very happy.  Now it is time to wait then look back to see how much was true.

Even though this was my third time, the husband thing has been very consistent as has been that I will be financially stable.  There was no mention of a future wedding, family, or relocation this time, but I am OK with that since other parts are starting to fall into place.

For past posts on the tea leaf readings, click on 'fun' on the tags

A constant headache

I used to be a headache sufferer. It was bad; headaches almost daily for weeks at a time. Then I was in the rebound headache cycle where my body was reliant on pain medication and if I didn't take anything my headache would come back.  This went on for years. 

About 3 years ago I broke this cycle. I started suffering through the headaches refusing to take anything.  Soon enough the daily headaches started to go away.  I was shocked with how much better I felt, and was saddened when I realized that I allowed the headaches to take over my life and cause me to stay in bed.

Sure, I still had a few migraines and other headaches but they were less frequent. And when they went away my life got back on track.

Unfortunately the last two weeks I am experiencing the headaches again.  I haven't taken anything but I lost a whole day today because of the pain.

So why did they come back now?
Is it allergy related? I've been wondering that for a while. Many people get watery eyes or sneeze, I think I get headaches.
Is it man related?  Sure the last three weeks have been more up and down then I'd have liked. But I really hope a 'friend' doesn't cause me that much stress as the last man.
Is it dietary? I have been so busy the last three weeks that my do.need have been filled with carbs or sugar.
Is it hormonal?

What I need to remember is to not let them take over my life again and maybe next year I'll get a brain scan.

My BMI

My company had a health fair, it was very lame, but I did wait in line to get my BMI.  There was a guy in front of me who appeared trim, and his score came pack high, so I started getting nervous. I have been battling my weight since my mid 20s. I have been trying to eat better, but I don't exercise.  My weight has fluctuated +/- 6 pounds each month this past year. And I have massive breasts.

I provide the lady my height and weight and then I hold this device with both hands and a few moments later a number appears. (I am very curious how this works)

My number was 27.3% body fat. The healthy range for my age is 21-33%. And I have 23.5 pounds of fat in me - half of which I hope is boob. 

Lifestyle Board

Back in October my book club decided we were going to make lifestyle boards.  The first quadrant (top right) is career and ambition, the second is family and entertainment, the third is travel & leisure and the fourth quadrant is nostalgia.

Essentially you are selecting pictures that represent items in the categories (example: I might have a skyline of NYC but it might represent a large city or certain games - but it represents any board games, not necessarily one or two of them).

When we started out I thought the hardest quadrant would have been nostalgia, but I was wrong, the hardest part for me was my career & ambition.  I really don't know what I want to do, sure I want to volunteer more, but what else? I struggled with this for months.  The easiest quadrant for me was travel & leisure, and I still didn't have enough room.

This exercise was fun and really made me think.  I recommend that you make one too.

Bad electronics week

I think my Roomba is dead. Well, he turns on, but be does not move. I am not sure how to fix him, and I am sad that soon I'll have to push a vacuum around my room.

Then on Monday as I was two sentences into a blog post, my computer clicks at me, freezes and then does something similar to electronic death, only two and a half years young.  The laptop was in great shape, for the most part I was the only one to use it, I didn't abuse it or drag it with me everywhere I went.
At least my phone & iPad still work so I will be able to post something short once in a while.
But isn't it always the worst timing? Here I am trying to pay off my credit cards, the last thing I needed was to make these purchases, so I probably won't for now.

Then tonight, I took my work computer home, so I can do some work and become familiar with remote access for an upcoming meeting, and it took me an hour before I was able to get the thing on/working. I was stressing out that I broke a work computer too. 

I really need someone in my life to help me troubleshoot.  Sorta ManFriend is a little help, but he likes Apple, and my brother in law is awesome, but very busy (he gets my personal laptop this weekend).  I hope my fh has some knowledge in these areas.

Of course, train

I snuck out of work early and caught an earlier train, but as a lesson, fate had the train loose power not once but twice.  We were told to get off the train and wait for the next train.  I will probably get home only 5 minutes early instead of the 60 minutes.  Of course.

free babysitting still requires courtesy

When you ask me to do a favor, babysitting from 5:30 - midnight on a Saturday...the least you can do is either have some dinner there for me to eat or leave the takeout menus and at least a $10 bill so I can order dinner when the kids go to bed, and supplement the cost.  I sacrificed an evening and I don't eat dinner at 4:30 on a weekend.

I'm just saying.

What doesn't kill you

I don't listen to the radio very often, but today while I was getting ready I did, and I heard a Kelly Clarkson song about being stronger and I started to sing along.

It is a little poppy - but the message is clear and simple: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  We all have life experiences that are difficult, and some how we make it through.  When we do, we are a little stronger and we have new knowledge so when something happens in the future, we can be a little more prepared.

I think everyone can relate to this.

Kelly Clarkson - What Doesn't Kill You

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on, over you

You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You try to break me, but you see

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking about me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

[2x]
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

(When I'm alone)

Taken from AZLyrics.com

Yankee Stadium not e-reader friendly

I can't say I am a huge baseball fan, but my ManFriend is, so I bought some Yankee tickets.

Unfortunately I got to the game about an hour late (yikes) because I ended up on a local B, that didn't go all the way up, and it took 15 minutes so for the D train.  Then on top of that, at bag search, my Nook was rejected...so I had to pay $10 to keep it in a store across the street.  I think it is insane that other things are allowed inside the stadium (Camera, sealed bottle of water, personal snacks) but a nook/kindle is not - I have the first edition that doesn't even have Apps on the device.  I read with it on my commute everyday, what a hassle, but at least I know for the next games - and will read a paperback that week.

I was told that taking the 'train to the game' was easy...but turns out it does not start until May 17th.  So it took about 90minutes - 2 hours to get home.

Oh, and bottled beers are $9 and draughts are $12.