That Which We Persist in Doing

Went to eat hotpot today.  My friend and I convinced four other innocent friends to come eat with us, spinning tales of comfort food and good conversation while you cook and eat your food.

The restaurant was all-you-can-eat and somehow the waiter didn't quite explain portion sizes because he brought our food out on the largest plates I've ever seen.  It was about that time that we started getting nervous about the food waste tax called out on the menu for excessive leftover food.  As a result, we all dug in, eating as though our lives depended on it.

It stopped being delicious heaven about halfway through but I kept on pushing myself to eat more.  I can report, I left very little left on the plate.  It was only after we left, when my friend and I were bemoaning our overstuffed bellies and impending food comas, that we contemplated whether it would have been just better to actually enjoy the meal, even if it meant paying the extra fee.

In other news, I'm still working on doing a new thing every week.  Here is the report:

Last week: I wrote a violin descant and harmony to a piece of music.   I like the result.  Not sure how it will play out (pun intended).

This week: I attended a training seminar for what to do in an armed violent encounter.  As a rule, I don't like guns or violence or watching guns or violence so it was one of those "face my biggest fears" kind of experiences.  I also got to practice throwing a few punches - also a first.  Along with contemplating my mortality, I'm also contemplating getting some more training. 

Spring decided to have a first this week, too.  Weather got up into the 70s yesterday!

And a work first: One of the new hires at work smiled yesterday.  This was his first smile in the two months he's worked with us.  We were so excited, my coworker and I applauded and cheered.  And then he blushed AND smiled.  :)

Kirtland, Apr 2018

Sleep Less, Do More

Last week, I attended a Women in Leadership symposium.   The panelist speakers were excellent.  One gave this advice: Stop watching mindless TV.  Sleep less, do more.

That was my mantra and my new experience for the week.  Rather than curl up to a good book or a good movie during my evenings, I pushed myself to get work done.

As a result, I hand-drew and colored a bunny for a pin-the-ears on the Easter bunny game and dyed a dozen Easter eggs.  I worked an evening from home and wrote checksheets for work.  I even cooked a beef brisket on the stove in an attempt to make Dduk Guk, which turned out merely edible.

I'd say this new experience was something I'll keep doing.

Something New

New goal this week: try something new every week (until further notice)

This week?  Vegan Lemon Tart.

The result? Eh.  I apologize in advance to the people who are eating it for our refreshments tomorrow.

I probably shouldn't have used raw almonds in place of raw cashews (but they were so much cheaper!) 

I probably should have also gotten a much stronger food processor (also new this week!) that could have creamed everything more.

I probably should have used a different recipe with not so much coconut oil.

In other news, I just realized this week that a plant that I inherited from a coworker when he changed jobs is still alive!  It's been at least 3 months.

Its name is Jade

Hi, It's Me

Turns out I still have a blog.

I think my brain is broken.  It saddens me.  But at least it's not a broken heart or a broken soul, or maybe it's all of those.

In any case, it's sometimes quite easy to forget about my broken brain.

I don't remember it when I'm watching the cryoceiling at work get lifted 45 feet into the air.
I don't remember it when the sun is shining and when the deer watch me cautiously as I walk to my car.
I certainly don't remember it when I'm at the library, trying to find an appropriately "intellectual" movie to borrow along with the guilty pleasure Hallmark movie in my hand.

I really only think about it when I'm driving home and thinking back on my day and realizing, "Hey, you, those negative thoughts, those despairing thoughts?  Those aren't the thoughts of a normal brain."

So I try to be kinder.  "It's okay, brain.  You worked really hard today and no one thinks you should quit your job or that you aren't smart enough to handle it."

I pray that the kind words are the true ones.

Gulf of Mexico + Me, Mar 2018