Cake, Pain, and Critters

Yesterday was such a wonderful day at work because my Lead & Supervisor treated me and a teammate to the Main Street Casino Station Buffet to celebrate our 100% WOW Call!  I'm very happy I got one in March because I got to include it in my Zappos resume for the specialty team I applied for.  I just did a written test for that position and I'm waiting to hear back on a possible interview... *fingers crossed*

And then later on my Lead surprised our team with this super delicious Tiramisu cake from a local bakery!!  A couple weeks ago, I started this running joke/rumor.  Every night our Lead gets ready to leave and he asks, "Anyone need anything before I leave?"  I always answer "Yes!" very seriously and then add.... "I need a tiramisu."  And then he's like "Yeah.... I'm going to go work on that."  So, the late-nighters started telling the earlier peeps that he gets us tiramisu at night, which made them jealous...  MUTINY!!!!  hee hee hee...  We were SO SURPRISED and didn't even believe him when he rolled up with a white cake box and told us he got us a tiramisu cake!!!  LOL

Today was another story.  I woke up super, duper, insanely, out-of-this world sore from the Body Pump class that I took at the Las Vegas Athletic Club with a friend yesterday.  There's like... *Oh yeah! I worked out HARD!* kind of sore... ... ... and then there's... *I want to get a doctor's note for a temporary wheelchair* kind of sore.

I'm pretty sure this could be considered a kind of minor injury. However, I'm pretty happy that my back doesn't hurt! Usually that is my weakest link... but I've been doing exercises to strengthen it, so they must be helping! My whole spinal column feels fine and I have no sciatica pain, so I'm not too worried. My quads, inner thighs, and glutes are screaming bloody murder though! :( It's ok, tomorrow is my weekend, I will rest.

On another note, as I was slowly waddling around my house today, I noticed a new Forrest habit.  He usually warms himself up in the patch of sunshine that comes through our upstairs window.  He'll just hang out in the loft and follow the rectangle of sunlight around.  He just *LOVES* sunbathing!  Today, he found a very narrow strip shining down to the bottom floor (I think it's a new patch of light created by the shift in the sun's afternoon location).  And he just curled up in the middle of it, desperately trying to catch the rays before they went away - so cute!

Afterwards, I waddled over to the fish tank and just stared at all my little critters for a while. The tall spiral shell in the front with the weird thing protruding out the left side is my nassarius snail - I call them all Snorkies (because of the snork - they use it to smell).  The one in the background is also a Snorkie... they troll the substrate (sand) of the tank for leftovers and algae and such.  They keep the substrate aerated to prevent growth of bad bacteria.  The big shell on the right is actually the back half of Big Claw III - he has blue and black legs... but I didn't catch him in the picture, oops.

Another thing I noticed is that we have a gigantic colony of copepods!  We first introduced copepods to the tank when we had a Scooter Blenny "Scooter"and my 6-Line Wrasse "Marcy Darcy" living in the tank.  They have since then unfortunately succumbed to either: Ick, Popeye, or Starvation.  Scooter needed a special diet of copepods but we didn't have enough to support him, so we think he may have starved to death (O.o SO SAD!!!!!)... and Marcy Darcy got this weird discoloration in her scales and then just died one day.  Anyway, the surviving copepods must've stayed in the sand and live rock crevices and reproduced.  I saw a whole bunch of them fighting for little food pellets at the bottom of the tank!  I'm thinking now I can get another fish whose diet is mainly composed of copepods.  So, we shall see.  The Summer of 2013 tank annihilation (we lost Bean *boy clown*, Marcy Darcy, and Scooter - as well as Kevin Tran the Starfish and all my little corals) really made me too sad to get any new fish... but we may start again soon.

Anyway, I have a new gardening project lined up for this weekend - expect an update soon!

When It Rains... It Pours

I've been so busy that I haven't really had a chance to blog. I'm in Week 13 of my Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certificate program... I'm kind of running out of steam but I started out really strong so I'm riding on a strong 90%+ grade to the end.  I've lost track of time and just didn't have the *umph* to complete assignments a couple of times.  So, I won't be finishing with an A+ or anything... but I only need a passing grade of 70% to get my certificate. I still have 3 weeks to go and a final exam, so wish me luck!

My days have been so bizarre since I started my 2:45pm - 11:30pm work schedule.  I like the fact that I get to hang out with Will every day before I go to work.  We've been having so much fun and just have a smoother relationship overall because we can communicate efficiently (i.e. talking face-to-face), instead of texting over many hours due to opposite schedules and then waiting days in between to finally see each other.  We get to eat lunch together every day... we can run errands before I go to work... we walk the dogs... we do all sorts of things!  I'm sure the normal-scheduled couples are probably like... *duh*... but those are definitely newfound gems of treasured time for us.  I think 11:30pm might be a taaaaaaad too late, so I might try for like 10:30pm end time for my next shift bid. 

Even though I love my new schedule because of the benefits, I don't think I've transitioned too gracefully.  For example, just this past week I thought it was Wednesday pretty much the ENTIRE day until about 6pm... when I finally figured it out it was, in fact, Thursday!  I had missed my 12pm deadline for my homework assignment and told all my customers the wrong delivery date (Friday when it should've been Monday). 

Luckily, it didn't affect my quality check for this month... I got another 100% WOW call!  I am soooooo happy about this because I feel it helps me look like a super strong candidate for the specialty team I just applied for.  I'm also happy because my Lead, Supervisor, and Manager all take me out to lunch whenever I get a WOW call.  So far, I've been to Hash House, Serendipity 3, Nacho Daddy... and I'm waiting to see where I'm going next week for March's WOW call.  *Eeeeeee*

Even with all the awesomeness happening, my brain was really started to get a little crazy.  I also blame the monsoon season weather - the stormy weather really sends my sinuses into a tailspin and that kind of messes up my mental powers.  The skies have cleared up a bit and it's getting warmer again, so maybe that will be the end of that weirdness.

My dad's health has also been a topic of intense scrutiny these past couple of months.  It's been difficult to try to be a translator between him and his doctor, but its my familial duty and a priority - even before work.  It sucks and I wish it wasn't happening - but I have to be there for him and have my wits about me.  So, it's been a huge load of unexpected stress but it will be fine.

On a brighter note, I'm really happy with my sessions with the personal trainer.  She has a regimen set up for me to follow and it's challenging but adjustable to my needs at the same time.  She was really understanding about the limitations that my scoliosis places on my activity level - so she made sure there's nothing high impact and added weight machines that strengthen my back muscles.  My determination to get in better shape is motivated by the need to get my PCOS under control, once and for all.  The endocrinologist said that if my hormone levels look good in 3 months, then I can experiment with stopping my medications.  PCOS put me on a hormonal, emotional, and physical rollercoaster - and I'm ready to get off.

Lastly, in the middle of all this chaos... I've discovered a new little passion.  I was thinking about this really awesome pesto that I made like a year ago.  It was pretty basic: olive oil, garlic, walnuts, spinach, and basil.  It was delicious!  And then I thought about how disproportionately expensive fresh basil is compared to all the other ingredients.  I had this brilliant thought!  Why don't I just GROW MY OWN BASIL?!  Will and I took a trip to Home Depot - I bought a little pot, organic soil, gardening gloves, a small garden trowel, and a packet of organic basil seeds!  I should see in about 8-10 days if there will be any little sprouts... ^____^

P.S. - Will really wanted to buy this lucky bamboo... mostly because his zodiac sign is a sheep.  It's working, he's won the last 3 times he played poker! YAY

Do you spy a little Bodhi in this picture?

Whole Foods and a Sanctuary

Right after Christmas I started doing Pilates on the Reformer (machine illustrated in silhouette) regularly about 2-3 times a week.  It totally strengthened my entire body, especially my core.  I stood taller with greater posture and I felt so much stronger each day.  Anyway, I lost the momentum during the big move and I didn't want to fall back into my old lethargic ways.

I started looking right away for Pilates studios in LV but I didn't see any that I either liked or could afford... so then I searched for my 2nd favorite mind/body practice - Yoga.  I found BAREFOOT SANCTUARY online and decided to give them a try since they offered a first time student special pass for $40 - unlimited classes for one month.  Last night, I attended the Beginner Yoga & Meditation class to get back in the swing of things and the small studio was a very tranquil space and the class did the trick by straightening me out from my computer desk slouch (that's the sacrifice of writing these highly thoughtful and entertaining posts, duh).

It's located inside the biggest Whole Foods I've ever been to in my entire life.  This place is decked out!  It has a Pho Station (Vietnamese noodles) as one of their Hot Food Bars and their usual deli station is expanded to an entire side of the enormous market and offers a fresh Juice Bar, Asian Cuisine, Italian Station, and picnic tables by the seafood section... like you're going to buy a a whole fish and then enjoy some fresh Sashimi on the spot??  Hmmmm

At the end of the Yoga/Meditation class we each drew a card from a deck that contained our Animal Spirit Totems.  I was the Sausage Fruit Tree.  I am NOT making this up.  It's apparently a card of passion and creativity... so, hopefully I can embrace those two qualities and excel in my new job on Monday, yay!

I also spoke to one of the other students at the end of my first class and she is actually the caretaker of the large reptiles at the Shark Reef in the Mandalay Bay!  Yeah, she feeds the crocodile and komodo dragon in the exhibits by the front entrance of the aquarium.  Meeting her was like meeting a celebrity (for me) the coolest thing that's ever happened to me at Yoga!  Woohoo... LOL

So my first night in the room was a little rough because I wasn't used to sleeping with all these electronic gadgets all around me... so each time I woke up I had to turn something off to keep the lights from keeping me up.  Next, I got rid of the rickety bed frame that kept waking me up in the first place... something's gone loose in it and I'm not handy enough to go all DIY, so I removed it and put my box spring on the floor.  Problem solved.  New problem: I totally forgot that the wood grain gnarls in a way that seems to make this creepy insectoid face... like a possessed praying mantis demon creature, riiiiiiight???

Now I just have to ignore the fact that it will be watching me in my sleep.  No problem at all!  I got my butt handed to me in Expressive Yoga tonight, so I think it's time to call it a night to get ready for my 5:30am wake up call & practice run to Zappos office tomorrow morning.  Sweet dreams time!  =)

Buttocks!

$UKI DAY $PA
(will the $$ keep me from being sued for libel?)
I have a monthly membership at this little spa place a few blocks from my house.  The Boss Lady (owner? manager?) is so annoying. She pushes products and services like no tomorrow... to a point where it's insulting!  She keeps telling me I need to use a bleaching face cream to reduce my freckles because they are "sun damage" and "early aging."  I told her I don't mind my freckles and she said "You liiiiiiiiiiiiiiike them???!?!!!?!?"  Her tiny little asian eyes almost fell out of her face.  *grrrrrrrrr*

So, Minion Facial Girl is like hardcore trying to get me to buy special shampoo for asian hair... face cream... sunblock lotion... whatever.  She has also been pushing me to do the Vitamin B-12 Injection for at least 3 months now.  She was trying to work the weight loss angle but then really honed in on the fact that I have been feeling soooooo exhausted lately.  I politely declined and also kept to myself:  *well, if you would shut up and let me relax... I could be catching a catnap right now... INSTEAD, I am listening to a 50 minute product presentation while contemplating my chances of contracting Legionnaire's Disease from that grungy looking steamer that's blowing possibly deadly vapors onto my face*

I told her I didn't want to do it because it will hurt. She said it doesn't hurt.  I told her that I used to work at an animal hospital and the cats definitely thought the B-12 injections were highly uncomfortable.  She swears it doesn't hurt.  *back and forth, back and forth*

Long story short(er)... I'm lying there with a mud mask on my face and a happy, bouncy, old asian man walks in with his pleated trousers pulled up to his chest and thick spectacles over his nose - a capped syringe in one hand and a cotton ball in the other.  "Hi! I am Dr. Chan!! Don't worry... this will not hurt at all!! I've done it a thoooooousand tiiiiiiiiiimes!!"

It HURT!  He gave me a shot in my right buttocks and it was just as uncomfortable as I had imagined it to be.  I didn't want it... so I think psychologically that made it worse.  Later, I discovered that Dr. Chan is an "eye doctor" as Minion Facial Girl calls him.............. I am not suuuuuuuuuure what goes into the education of an Optometrist (I shall have to get my friend, Jennifer's, thoughts on this) but whatever medical school he attended - judging from the height of his belt and thickness of spectacles - it was at least 35 years ago.  What business does this man have sticking needles into people's buttocks!?!?!  And he does Botox injections too!

Oh.  At check-out... Boss Lady was trying to tell me what a great deal I got for the injection because they also put B-6 in there, blah blah.  I feel so violated!  And then she tried to sell me eyelash extensions - which I already bought a Groupon to do somewhere else - so then she tried to get me to do a chemical peel.  Um, no thank you, I like ALL the layers of my skin.

Since when was it ok for a spa to inject people with vitamins??  And I see these things being advertised at our local grocery store - Sprouts!  There's no regulation on this?  I know they say he's an "eye doctor" but I'm starting to feel like Dr. Chan might have the same credentials as Dr. Pepper!!! 

-_________-  FAIL

SHAKE WEIGHT!
On quite another note... I've been going to the gym whenever I have extra time after work to try and tone those arms before the wedding.  I realized that from the chest down I will look amazing because my dress & jewelry will steal the show... and from the neck up I have 2 professionals working on makeup and hair.  That leaves just my flabby arms...

You are the weakest link.  Goodbye.

Since, I am (as stated above) exhausted - and quite pressed for time nowadays - I have been just doing some exercises with light dumbbells.  No, not like: heh heh... I'm being modest "light" - I'm talking 3lbs.  Don't judge me!

My coworker sweeeeears the shake weight works.  So, I used my Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon and bought myself a shake weight.  It is every bit as silly and humiliating as one would think it is... but not NEARLY as degrading as the parodies make it seem.  Hilarious South Park video, courtesy of Nancy: http://www.noob.us/humor/south-park-shake-weight/

I will be sure to keep everyone updated... but I will most likely never upload a video of myself operating this thing... much to the disappointment of a few.  LoL

Office Carbs

If you have ever worked in an office any nature, shape, or size... then you know that there are ALWAYS occasions for people to bring in all kinds of homemade or store-bought baked goods.  Any reason at all.  Birthdays, Holidays, Retirements, Babies, Promotions, Going Away Send-Offs, etc.  It's good and it's terrible at the same time.

However, the point here is: don't give in! Everyone believes these office events give them a free-pass to shove otherwise unthinkable amounts of sugar loaded, tasty, doughy treats into their faces.  And because everyone is jovially sharing this wonderful social experience together, it will feel accepted and justified. You also feel HIGH from all the sugar and probably caffeine.

One catch.  If you decline... your apparent display of reason and self-restraint makes them feel GUILTY. You've just destroyed everyone's happy place.  Good job, Ace.

They will try to convince you to "just eat one... because it's [name]'s [occasion] and there's soooooo much [items] and we shouldn't waste it."  And when their efforts fail, they try to make you feel bad and write you off as a freak.  "Well, you don't know what you're missing out."  "You're no fun."  "You suck."

It's not your fault if you don't want to carb-out and eat like 1,800 calories in one sitting.  And why undertake the inevitable crazy sugar spike and risk falling asleep during the meeting with the entire office watching as you fall out of your chair.  You're an informed adult.  Make good decisions.

But with all that said... I freaking LOVE brownies.  And I would have happily shoveled them one right after another into my happy little face.  Except I just didn't bring any toothpicks and didn't want brownie bits all over my braces.  Crisis averted.