mid-february already?

So after being absent for over a month, I feel the need to explain myself.

This can really be done in one word: Work.

I've been working. Working. A. Lot.

But this week was better, and hopefully upcoming weeks will be just as fine.

Now onto the present.

Not to be confused with the presents I will not be receiving for Valentine's Day. It's overrated anyway. Well, at least until I actually have a Valentine. :)

Anyway, the things that are currently consuming my life since work has calmed down are the following:

1. Completely and utterly obsessing over finding a new place to live. And then mentally moving myself in. Imagining new furniture and decorating. Feeling heartbroken when it doesn't work out. And then repeating the cycle.

2. "Training" for a 10K run. I don't exactly have a race to run yet, but I've been "training" for a week now. I ran 3 miles outside today and loved the sunny weather! I'm following Hal Higdon's 10K for the Novice Runner.

3. Thinking about the two aforementioned topics in varying quantities.

stress mitigation.

I could perhaps be described as a "worry wart."

I realize that stress is all relative, and I thought I was getting better about appropriately dealing with the stresses in my life. 

However, this week and last have been out of control.

I need tips to deal with these feelings.

{Because I assume losing sleep, making myself sick, and avoiding contact with the outside world is not an appropriate way to cope...}

I try to go to the gym regularly to relieve stress, but am left getting home around 9pm with an overwhelming amount of stuff to finish before the next work day.

I try to get enough rest, but can't fall asleep thinking of all the items looming on my "to-do" list.

So, please help! What helps you deal with the stress in your life? How do you get it all done? And how do you deal with the feelings of failure that accompany not being able to get it all done?

The Blah Blahs

It's an inat7outat7comehomeandworkmore kind of week, and I don't see life slowing down any time soon.

Say something to make me laugh ~ I dare ya!

Several things that are making me smile at the moment:

• The thought of me walking in to Ann Taylor to return another cardigan something THREE times (on separate days) and changing my mind each time. Indecisive maybe? Those cardigans are so good but so bad all at the same time...
• All the posts about our NYC trip on Casey's Blog ~ she can depict the weekend prettier than I can, she's in advertising :)
• Knowing that my mom is coming up on Saturday.
• Visions of outdoor dining in nice weather.
• This hilarious video. Who would ever videotape this and then proceed to post to the internet!? Lord only knows {well, I guess my mom knows too} how I acted when I got my wisdom teeth out. I swear I thought I was being totally normal ~ I was craving a chocolate milkshake afterall...doesn't that sound like me?
• These disgust me and make me LOL at the same time.

Ok, this is clearly procrastination at its finest...off to be productive...

Happy Friday Eve to all!

Sweet Surprises

On my way home at 10pm last night, after 13 hours in the office on a Sunday with Mr. Big Guy {the boss} and no lunch or dinner, I had a slight lapse in my quest to maintain a positive attitude...focus on the good stuff...blah, blah, blah...


THEN, I came home to a surprise hanging from the door to my apartment.

Just the pick-me-up I needed!

My friend left a goodie bag full of brownies, pictures, new socks {labeled with the days of the week to fuel my OCD tendencies}, and tattoos {which, as she described, were in case I need a reason to get fired}. 

The tattoos made me laugh out loud. All I could picture was rub-on tattoos on my cheeks during our reviews with the President this week. She's right...probably wouldn't go over well.

I am so thankful for friendships and RAKS {random acts of kindness}!

What a Week!

My Miserable Schedule this week:

Monday - Office 7-7:15, gym, dinner, workworkworksleep

Tuesday - Work 7-8:30, Dinner at 9, Gear up the laptop and work til 12:30

Wednesday - Work 6:30-7:15, Dinner, Suffer through more work, Sleep at 12

Thursday - Work 6:30-7:15, {quick} date, work until 11:45

Friday - Work 8-6, Happy Hour, completely CRASH

I'm so exhausted. Now I am focusing on relaxing. And gearing up for a fun day in the office with the boss on Sunday...Grr. Is it March yet? I can't keep this up much longer...And I'm pretty sure if I calculated it, my salary would equal about 62 cents/hour at this point.

However, by continuing to focus on the positive I am actually feeling pretty happy. 

The good stuff:

• The guys at work have been cracking me up lately. We are a random bunch...the token black guy, the 23 year old klutz {me}, the brainy Harvard grad, the white Republican, and the mexican. Our differences teach me so much, and I appreciate the humor that each individual brings to the group.
• Somehow I forgot to bring money to the cafeteria twice this week when I went down to grab lunch...distracted a little I guess. Luckily, random guys in line behind me offered to buy my lunch for me. How kind :)
  
• I went on a really fun date last night! It made me realize a) I don't really have a social life, b) I miss feeling wanted, and c) I still have a passion for BBQ Chicken Pizza. He also reminded me that I am still young, and work is not my entire life.
• I get to sleep in tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited. I might also treat myself to some retail therapy.

Life is what you make it, so I'm choosing to focus on the good stuff!

Wine Tasting

So, this post is going to be very fast because I have at least 3 more hours of work ahead of me for tonight {can you say week from hell?}. I have been working no less than 14 hours a day. Plain awful.

Anyway, tomorrow there is a new hire event {first I've been invited to in my 6 1/2 months with the company..better late than never ;) } and it is a wine tasting. Everyone brings two bottles of the same type of wine - one is used for tasting and the other is given to whoever's bottle of wine gets the most votes. Read: A lot of FREE wine to the winner!!

Now the question is what to bring....Franzia doesn't come in bottles...so I guess it will be "2 Buck Chuck" from Trader Joes {although the price has now increased to $3.79}. Does anyone have other suggestions before I embarrass myself at this event!?

Ok, back to work...ahhhh, I don't want to! But tomorrow is Friday, thank goodness.

Teen Mom

I am ashamed to admit I LOVE this show. Probably because it is just so stupid. Mindless entertainment. Is anyone with me on this?

Each girl is extremely annoying...except Maci, she's sweet.

What's up with Catelynn's mom being married to her boyfriends dad?! And Butch being in jail all.the.time.

Amber has the most annoying whine I've ever heard. And she's lazy.

Maci's boyfriend is also lazy.

Farrah should clearly not have a baby. She gets more dates than I do and she's a baby momma. Something's wrong.

...Hopefully I have something more entertaining to write about tomorrow....work is all that is on my mind right now and this show is my attempt to distract myself. My apologies for filling your thoughts with this garbage :)

Seriously looking forward to the weekend.

What Summer?

I cannot believe today is the last day of August! I went to the pool a total of twice this summer..and each time was for less than 2 hours. Pathetic. I'm looking a bit sickly because my skin lacks any color. I guess this is what happens when you work full time...

However, I LOVE cooler weather and everything that Fall brings. College football season, pretty changing leaves, winter clothes, my BIRTHDAY(!!!), Thanksgiving...I could go on and on...I can't wait!