How crazy life is...

So, I JUST finished my last post about how I REACT to things and tend to lose my brain a little.  I posted it and then decided to read a little before going to bed.  This is literally the paragraph/topic I open my book to:

"We keep ourselves in crisis state - adrenaline flowing and muscles tensed, ready to react to emergencies that usually aren't emergencies.  We jump to the first feeling that comes our way and then wallow in it.  We think the first thought that comes into our heads and then elaborate on it.  We say the first words on our tongues and sometimes regret them.  We do the first thing that comes to min, usually without thinking about it.  That is the problem: we are reacting without thinking - without honest thought about what we need to do, and how we want to handle the situation.  Our emotions and behaviors are being controlled - triggered - by everyone and everything in our environment."

... "Reacting usually does not work.  We react too quickly, with too much intensity and urgency.  Rarely can we do our best at anything in this state of mind."

"We react because we're anxious and afraid of what has happened, what might happen, and what is happening.  We react because we think things shouldn't be happening the way they are.  We react because we don't feel good about ourselves.  We react because most people react.  We react because we think we have to react.  We don't have to.  We don't have to be so afraid of people.  They are just people like us.  We don't have to forfeit our peace.  It doesn't help. ... We don't have to take things so seriously.  We don't have to take other people's behaviors as reflections of our self-worth." (Melody Beattie)

Interesting stuff!  It's just so fascinating to me that the one night I choose to write about that, about how I want to be as cool as a polar bear, there some help/advice is waiting for me on the page.  Life works in crazy ways.  For some reason this quote just popped in my brain - "Everything will be all right in the end... if it's not all right then it's not yet the end."  Not sure how much that relates, but seems like a nice way to end this post.  And if you didn't like that quote, here's another cute little animal for you :) 

Want. to. hug. just. can't. quite. reach. 

carpe diem, hakuna matata, no day but today... redhead OUT.  

Namaste

Starbucks Misadventures 2 - how I handle awkward situations

Tonight was really slow.  Since when did a little misty rain stop people getting Starbucks?  It seems to work well for Seattle...  I tried to get my manager to close early, but no such luck.  So instead we all were just chatting behind the bar.  I was standing on the far end, my supervisor was standing down at the other end, and sitting behind her were two very attractive, tall guys, who come in quite regularly (and yes, I blush every time I take their order... so smooth).  I am mid-convo with Nancy, and I say, "Nancy, what about you, are you dating anyone?"  The cute boys must have missed the 'Nancy' part (or perhaps it was a childhood nickname to which they were used to responding), and they both look over and say, "US?! Are you asking us?" I turned 50 shades of red and looked at Nancy desperately.  I laughed awkwardly and mumbled something about, 'No, I was NOT talking to you...' and then proceeded to run to the back room to safety.  FAIL!  I didn't even get their answer... 

Me, apparently... 

This seems to be a common theme, that has become apparent to not only me, but my coworkers.  The other day I spilled hot coffee on myself in front of two customers, and, instead of reacting like a normal human, I just mumbled something about refilling it for them if they wanted, and then ran away, my hand burning from hot coffee, leaving them completely bewildered.  My coworker still laughs at me for that one.  And the poor guy this weekend who had the courage to ask me to brunch, I thanked, but said I had plans and that I had to get back to work (a polite excuse to run away)... and probably more mumbling, of which I can't be sure. 

What I will be, eventually 

What this has made me realize is that I let myself panic, unnecessarily, and then just escape from the awkwardness.  I instead need to take a moment in these situations and just let them happen.  Just go with it.  Flow with the flow, breeze with the breeze.  Embrace the awkwardness.  Bask in the chaos with everyone involved.  BREATHING will help, as will letting my brain take a moment to process the situation before physically or mentally running away.  I'm going to work on this until I can stay as cool as this polar bear here.  Just being aware that I do this has helped a bit already.  It has also made me aware that sometimes I simply just look like a crazy lady talking to myself.  I'm okay with that at times... but I'm also okay with finding out what opportunities may come from NOT running away :) 

carpe diem, hakuna matata, no day but today... redhead OUT.  

Namaste

Starbucks Misadventures

Tonight I flooded the back room of Starbucks.  I mean, no Katrina, but we're talking about 2 inches of water all over.  And not just water - soapy, foamy, bubbly mop water.  All around all our supplies.  Luckily it was Allison-proofed and most everything was off the ground.  How, you say?  Well simple.  

I have the memory of a fish.  I started filling the mop bucket, and then decided to go out front.  I'm so productive that way.  Talk about out of sight out of mind... my supervisor asked me to do something, so I did, of course.  Then at least 10-15 minutes later, he goes back and screams.  I have a moment where I think, What's he being so dramatic about now?  It clearly has nothing to do with me.  Then BOOM, I remember.  Ooops.  This miiiiight have something to do with me.  

I appear at the scene of the crime... water everywhereeee.  My coworker looks so flustered that he can't handle it and runs to the front, leaving me to assess this wonderful situation.  I use my best detective skills and see that there's one little drain, so I figure I must get all the water to that drain.  Clever, I know.  So I spend the next 15 minutes sloshing around like a baby deer on ice and manage to squeegee a majority of the water and bubbles into/toward the drain.  I think I did them a favor by deep cleaning the entire floor.  I should get a raise.  I also should have gotten a photo.  I promise if this ever happens again to get one. 

carpe diem, hakuna matata, no day but today... redhead OUT.

30 Day/12 Month Challenge - December/January

30day/12month

Okay, so I've kind of failed at keeping up with my 30 day challenges.  I would like it known that for November I ended up doing NO CHOCOLATE MILK for the entire month.  This was such a good exercise for me... this is the girl who used to come home from school and would get headaches if I didn't have my chocolate milk.  And when I say chocolate milk, I mean milk with about 1/2 inch worth of Hershey's syrup.  I now am not quite as addicted - though yes, for all of you who just snorted at that, those who have seen my crazy necessity for the substance, I still do have massive cravings that cannot be appeased by anything but the milk de chocolate... just not every day.  Anyway, I made it a whole month without it and it actually wasn't too bad.  It's true that the less sugar you have, the less you crave it.  

December I did the getting in touch with people.  I sent out some postcards and saw some old friends.  I know December was weaksauce, but it just was busy with holidays and work.  

January has proven a bit difficult, and seeing as it's halfway over, I think I have quite failed this month.  I might make this a work related challenge, since that is something I have already been doing.  I am going to say that I have to recruit 150 patients by the end of January.  That seems a little ambitious, but we're already at about 85, so I think it can be done.  Let's see! 

Just to be clear - when I say recruitment, I mean that I sit in a doctor's office checkout area and basically sell my body.  I mean study.  I have to walk up to people and ask if they want to do my study.  This means a lot of rejection.  I tell myself this is character building.  It also means that I have to remember that I have a voice that only dogs and small children can hear.  The other day I walked up to an elderly man, who happened to be reading a book.  Standing about a foot away from him, I said, Hello sir, excuse me.  (NO response... I speak up)  Excuse me, sorry to bother you (nothing).  I look, completely flustered, at the checkout lady, who has witnessed this whole situation, and quietly and quickly run back into my safe little interview room.  Yes, I win the award for most awkward person in the world every single day.  

I do enjoy recruitment though - I get to talk to so many great, new people every day, and many of them share such wonderfully inspiring stories with me.  

My other goal for January is to start writing stories of things that happen to me daily - mostly these will be recruitment and Starbucks misadventures, because some are just too great not to share with the world.    

carpe diem, hakuna matata, no day but today... redhead OUT. 

30 Day/12 Month Challenge - November

30day/12month
It's already November!  How does this keep happening? I suppose that's what working so much can do... makes time fly by.  I see now how people can just get stuck in their busy, daily routine and go day to day without stopping to evaluate what they are working toward or examine the level of fulfillment that life is giving them.  I am trying to keep my goals in line and know that I am saving up to travel and make some changes next year! 

Anyway, that's not what you bargained for when you began reading this post - I'm guessing you're waiting with great anticipation to know what November will hold for me!  But first, let's evaluate October.  

I knocked October out of the park, if I do say so myself, which I do.  I did not eat meat the entire month - this was actually not very hard and I only had a few occasions where this was difficult.  The first was when we were sampling the new food at Starbucks, and I had to explain that I couldn't eat the bacon wrapped dates or chicken skewers (because yes, those are 2 new foods at Starbucks Evenings... State and Ohio... check it out!).  The other times were when I ate at Subway, I had to reevaluate my 'usual' order and when I was buying pizza at the grocery store, I had to make sure I was buying vegetarian.  Pretty simple adjustments.  The last time, and perhaps the most comical, was when my brother and I went to a lovely tapas bar on Halloween... aka October 31st... my last day!  He couldn't believe that I couldn't help him eat meatballs, more bacon wrapped dates (which the place is known for), or chicken paella.  (He overcame this by just ordering and eating all the dates himself :)  

Overall though, this was not very difficult and I really did not find myself missing meat.  I'm going to continue being a vegetarian for the most part, but won't be super strict if a social situation arises where someone made a dish or offers something with meat in it... it don't want to cause extra stress or make a big deal out of not being able to eat it.  I did find that just by having some sort of limitation on what I could eat made me much more conscious about what I was ordering and the food I was putting in my body.  I enjoyed that.  

The other thing was packing my lunch - I am proud to say that I did not buy my lunch out ONCE during the entire month.  I did have to buy salad dressing one day, but seeing as that's not a lunch, I thought that was okay.  And it wasn't because I forgot it from my house... it was because I was legitimately out of dressing, so had to buy it anyway.  I would also like to continue this habit as well.  

All of us at the conference in Bethesda  

My presentation went pretty well at the health conference, so I view that as a success, just by the mere fact that I didn't vomit or cry or run away :)  We had a really great trip and enjoyed exploring DC/Bethesda.  I am still finding balance between jobs and only got to yoga a few times, but think I did okay this last month.  We'll see how it all goes once my research study picks back up... 

SO ... drumroll ... NOVEMBER! Which it is already the third day of! 

1.  I am going to start a little apartment cleanse, especially before the holiday season when I will bring more stuff back IN to my apartment...  For November, I am going to get rid of 100 things.  Things that someone else might want will go to Goodwill or friends, everything else will be recycled or tossed.  I've already started and found about 5 old reusable bags that I am going to get rid of (I have a lot of other ones to still use...).  I also will get rid of some old magazines, sort my clothes, old jewelry, and get rid of little crap things that I've held on to for far too long.  I will keep track of the items and keep you updated! 

2.  I am going to connect/reconnect/stay in touch better with friends and family.  This will include postcards, letters, calls, etc.  If you'd like a postcard, feel free to send me your address!  :) I especially like doing this before all the holiday madness, since that is a time of reconnection as well.  The first few catching ups are tomorrow I am skyping with my lovely friend in England, Hannah, who I haven't spoken to in foreverrrrr.  Then next weekend I get to go to Austin, TX (first time in Texas!) where I get to see lots of people I studied abroad with.  Can't wait to catch up with them all... some of whom I haven't seen since Spain, which was 4.5 years ago!  Yay, reunions! 

3. Goal -  I am going to write in my journal more.  Which really means, I am going to start writing in a journal.  I have a lovely journal that my amazing friend Heidi gave to me, so I am all set.  (It's full of great quotes, like the thought for the day below:)  I actually have written entries the last 2 nights, so so far I'm doing well on that front.  Let's see if I can keep it up! 

I also want to start my Christmas shopping asap... I want to financially be on top of that game, as well as lower the stress and craziness that comes with waiting until the last minute.  

I also need a haircut and need to do laundry... oh, oops... now we're just getting into today's to do list.  Better go get started on all of this!  And again, feel free to share your 30day challenge if you're doing one! 

carpe diem, hakuna matata, no day but today... redhead OUT. 

30 Day/12 Month Challenge - October

30day/12month
Hello there folks!  Happy October!  Hard to believe how quickly this year is flying by, isn't it? October definitely snuck up on me.  

So, how is the challenge going, you might be thinking, right?  Since I never wrote any updates during the month... but like I said, October snuck up!  That sneaky little month.  Well, September went pretty darn well, if I do say so myself.  1. Physical Activity: As promised, to honor Yoga Month, I did a lot of yoga, both in studios and at home, and some with my brother on our vacay in Wisconsin.  He also encouraged me to do things like run stairs, and, well, run.  I did run 3 of the days we were there, and it made me realize that even though I do pretty strenuous yoga classes, I was pretty terrible at cardio.  I believe my brother said that if my life depended on me running away from something, I would definitely die... and, sadly, he's right.  So, I made a mental note that in the future I have to do a combination of the two if I want to be actually fit, and so that I can survive whatever is chasing me :) 

I also am proud to say that I rode my bike everywhere last month.  I only rode the bus 2 times in the whole month and I think took 2 taxis.  That's pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.  I did count this as physical activity since, let's be real, it's not always easy.  I got drenched from the rain more than once and they don't call this the windy city for nothing... I had a few times where I almost got blown over/blown into a curb/and nearly blown into a parked car.  Always laughable moments and (knock on wood) I haven't hit anything yet.  This next month is going to get trickier, as it starts getting colder and windier.  We'll see how well I can do! 

I did have about 3 days where my workout was questionable.  I rode my bike about 40 minutes on these days, but then did things like train for 5 hours for my new job, or shopped for 2 hours.  Depending on how strict you want to be, you could say those days I didn't quite fill my hour, but I think they were definitely close.  

2. Mental:  I read some of my book every day except one day. This was poor planning on my part.  I usually read when I go to bed, but on this particular Saturday, I didn't read, then went out, then didn't read when I got home... SO I missed one day.  I am currently on page 286, plus the 28 pages of prologue that I read, which means I read 314 pages in the month of September.  I said I wanted to read 10 pages a day, and since my average is over 10 pages a day (barely), I think that's pretty great!  I did say it would be nice to finish my book... but turns out that was quite ambitious.  I am only halfway through, so will try to finish it this next month.  Reading more also didn't really cut down my Friends time... so maybe I'll have to work on that (as I turn my tv on... :). 

3. Goal:  I succeeded in getting a job!  Two, actually.  The first has been in the works for the last few months, but I actually started this month.  I am doing some freelance graphic design work for my cousin's business, iTextUSA Mobile Marketing.  I started my first project with them and have enjoyed having some creative, design work that is different from what I do at Northwestern.  I am thankful to be doing that! 

I also got hired as a part-time Starbucks Barista about 3 weeks ago.  I started training all last week, which means I've had to cram a bajillion recipes and processes and register entries into my brain in a mere 3 days.  They train you well though, with lots of step-by-step instructions and hands on experience, which is really helpful.  A lot to take in though as a newbie!  I am realizing just how complex some people's orders are and have responded more than once with a complete deer-in-headlights look.  Oh, and yesterday I had my first person make fun of/mimic my voice... lovely old man... whom I wanted to punch in the face... :)  

I am thoroughly enjoying it so far though and think it's really going to be great.  I work tomorrow for the first time at my actual store... so hope everyone is nice!  I will be working at a Starbucks Evening, the third to open in Chicago, where they will serve beer, wine, and some real food, as well as have weekend live music.  All very exciting, and fun to be part of a new thing that such an established company is trying - it's really admirable to me how Starbucks continues to grow and expand, even when they're already so successful.  (I suppose that's WHY they've been so successful... )  They started out just selling whole beans! 

As all my emails do, this post has turned out to be much longer than intended - so, let's get to October!  Since it is already here! 

October:
1.  Physical - This is the month!  I'm going to go veg... or, really, I should say pescatarian.  I don't really eat a lot of fish, but I think it will technically be allowed if it comes up.  I think I will most miss a. cheeseburgers, b. Trader Joe's chicken apple sausage, and c. pepperoni.   

2.  Mental - I am going to attempt to only buy my lunch 1 day per week, and when I do, it has to cost less than $8.  I already pack my breakfast and coffee every day, but have gotten slack about packing lunches.  This challenge will make me think ahead and be prepared to pack my lunch, which means also making sure I have groceries.  

3.  Goal - My goal is quite straightforward this month.  My goal is to find a good balance between my jobs, while maintaining some sort of social life.  I have definitely already had to make adjustments to my daily routine and took an hour nap tonight to catch up from the weekend (which I'm happy to say was a good balance of social and work).  I don't want to run myself too thin and want to make sure I am still focusing on each job, while remaining as cheerful as possible!  I also still want to be able to have fun and do yoga.  Oh, and I'm presenting at a health conference toward the end of the month, so another goal would be to have that be completely successful and not make a fool out of myself :) 

Happy October and sending you the best!

carpe diem, hakuna matata, no day but today... redhead OUT. 

30 Day/12 Month Challenge - September

30day/12month
For the past few months I have been wanting to do one of those trendy, 30-day challenges.  The problem was, though, that I wasn't sure what challenge I wanted to do.  My brother in Seattle is currently doing 30 days of yoga, no coffee, and no alcohol mostly to recover from being ill, but that didn't seem right for me, mainly because I enjoy my coffee IV drip every morning too much.  So, now the summer has gone by, and I've finally found the challenge I want to do.  I kind of like that it's fall - I'm going to call it Fall Focus.

Now, I wish I could say I thought of this idea myself, but I have to admit that I just got it from another blogger this weekend.  But I suppose that's the point of blogging - sharing ideas!  Anyway, this blogger is doing 12 Months of Lent - she picks a challenge to do each month, switching it up every month.  Some examples of her challenges were to pick up every piece of litter she saw, do more yoga, not make any trash, and wear the same 6 pieces of clothing for a month.... anyway, you get the point.  And she's been doing this for 4 years!  Here is a link to the lulu post about her blog - http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/a-30-day-challenge-a-month-challenge/?sli=1

So, first of all, why am I doing this?  I believe in making goals for ourselves, in order to grow and change.  I do NOT believe in making a laundry list of New Year's Resolutions that last about a week and expect you to turn into a completely new person each year.  For this reason, I like to try new things throughout the year and constantly analyze ways to shape my life to become more of the person I envision being.  This is why this particular challenge idea is perfect for me.

This will be a great way to try different lifestyles, different activities, different priorities - knowing that it's only for 30 days.  That makes it completely doable and much more approachable, right?  Instead of saying, I am now a vegetarian forever and ever, I can now say, I'm a vegetarian for a month, and then will see how I feel about it.  Obviously I had this option before, but this makes it easier to wrap my head around and I won't feel like a failure if I eat meat after a month.  Thirty days is long enough to get past the 'honeymoon stage', and to really get in the habit of doing these different challenges (or not doing them).  It also will draw my attention to that certain aspect of my lifestyle, so that even if I miss a day, I will still be focusing on that activity or change, and therefore become more present in making decisions that relate to that.  So even if I try to do 30 days of eating more fruits and vegetables, and I miss a few servings one day, it still brings my focus on learning ways to increase those foods in my diet.  Then, after each one, I can decide how much or how little I want to incorporate that challenge in my every day life.

I will announce each month's goals in my blog, as well as post progress updates throughout the month.  It is said that writing down goals helps to achieve them, and I'm guessing that by announcing to the world that I'm doing this, there will be some social pressure to complete my goals as well.  Since September had already started when I decided to do this, I had to pick challenges for this month that I'd already done September 1-2.    

Now, on to
My Rules:  

Each month I am aiming to do two challenges, picking from the categories mental, physical, or social.  Then I will also set one main goal to accomplish that month.  I can't tell yet if this is overly ambitious or not, but it's what I am doing for September, so we'll try to keep it up.
_________________________________________________

OK, the challenge for
September:
1.  Physical - September is National Yoga Month, so in honor of that, I am going to do 1 hour (or more) of physical activity each day.  It can be anything from yoga, running or cross-training to cycling, volleyball, or swimming, but I am anticipating to do a lot of yoga.  I even just ordered a new mat, since mine is falling apart.

To start the month off, I did a yoga bootcamp at TruHarmony on Saturday and then I did the community yoga class at lululemon yesterday, each an hour long.  Today I biked for 45 minutes and did 15 minutes of pushups and ab work.

2.  Mental - I am going to read at least 10 pages of a novel each day, hopefully finishing my book by the end of the month (although it's 782 pages, so that might take 2 months... but we'll try).  I am currently reading "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt."  I just finished the prologue (about 28 pages) and will read some more before going to bed tonight.  This challenge will also theoretically reduce the time I watch Friends reruns every night, by making me read instead :)

3.  Goal - My goal is to get and start a part-time job by the end of September.  I work full-time, but am looking for some extra hours on weekends and some evenings.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Well, here we go!  I wonder what I will have tried by this time next year!  We shall seeeeee.

Here are some of my ideas for possible future challenges:
- Pick up at least 5 pieces of litter each day (yes, got from the other blog)
- Compliment someone every day
- Write a certain amount of postcards/letters to friends and family
- Be vegetarian or vegan
- Go a month without chocolate milk... AH! That might be the hardest one!
- Perhaps even a month with no chocolate at all...
- Veg/fruit juice every day/a certain amount of fruits and vegetables
- No processed foods
- Sign up for a dating site
- Join a club or choir or dance class... a community group or activity
- Ride my bike to work every day (easy now, but going to do later in the fall or early spring)
- Don't buy anything new/budget finances...
- Get rid of 30 things from my apartment

That's a start, but will add/adapt these as I decide each month's challenges!  If anyone else is interested in doing this, feel free to tell me your own challenge!

All righty, off to read by book, before Friends comes on :)

carpe diem, hakuna matata, no day but today... redhead OUT.