A Lucky Duck

I am one.

Lately I’ve traveled, I’ve made new friends, I've learned many things about union and contract negotiations, activism, beginner Spanish, how to surf, a technique called appreciative inquiry, about Parelli horsemanship,. 

And I’m getting better at sorting the chaff from the wheat in life. 

I really appreciate that I’ve had the opportunity to see and do and learn.  And that when that opportunity came - that I took it. 

Time flies when... you’re living life

I find blogging is a habit and I got out of it, I'd like to get back into it. 

The pros

• I still have a job.
• I’ve kept up with tkd and bellydance classes and enjoy each sooooo much.
• I met a fella, had a crush and did some making out.
• My hair is legitamate pony tail length now.
• I’ve started to learn Spanish (slowly).
• I’m planning a trip, time to take that overtime that has built up.  

The cons

• My job has changed, I enjoy it less now though I’m happy to still be around my coworkers.
• I got hurt in tkd and it reminded me I no longer bounce like I did at 17
• I’ve been feeling discontent and having a major urge to make a change (job, apartment, city?)
• I haven’t heard from crush (above) in over 2 months.
• I’ve been pretty boring with food and recipes - everything I cook seems to turn into the same dish (lots of turnip and cabbage)
• I’ve tried unsuccessfully to plan a few outings with friends, and they are no-shows. The same friends who say there is never anything to do in our small town and that they don’t see me much.

Anyway, overall things are good. I can build on the pros and mitigate the cons with both my actions and reactions.  So yah, that’s what I’m going to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IP9h40z0sk 

looking forward (lessons from TKD)

Last week at taekwondo we worked on a partner drill.  She’d throw a front roundhouse at me and then I’d throw a back-kick at her and she’d hopefully have skip-stepped to the side out of the way.  

I have a solid back-kick but they were not working well that night - biggest thing I wasn’t turning my head fast enough or at all (to actually look where I was kicking) so was basically kicking blind. 

When my coach pointed that out I said - but then I don’t get scared about her next kick coming at me. Then I laughed (a little, nervously) at how little sense that made - that I’d rather not see something coming so I don’t have to react to it, almost guaranteeing a nasty surprise.  

The next day at work I scheduled an appointment with my boss to discuss what’s happening with my job.  Not so I worry excessively, but so I can be prepared and ready to respond (and sidestep any metaphorical kicks to the head).

So that's me - the last couple of weeks have been busy at work and I alternate working my tail off and swinging to not giving a damn. But I know neither are healthy options; professionally, physically or mentally. 

So here's to looking forward and facing what comes!  Assah!

Counter back-kick here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XLpHO7AdGM

need to vent - having a mope

My boss told me today funding for my job has been cut. She prefaced this by saying she’s working figuring out something so I’m not likely unemployed in the next few months. I trust her and I know she values my work. 

So there’s the future unemployment (or down to part-time) worry facing me, but right now it’s the ego hit. 

It’s hard to not take it as a judgement on me and take it personally. The idea that my work is deemed unnecessary, unworthy of funding, makes it seem like the effort, stress, creativity, energy that I’ve put in is well unworthy. 

Anyway, I’ll take a day or two to mope and then move on and keep doing what I so, so enjoy as long as I can. 

bike ride proof

Finally found the cord and got this uploaded. 

where to go for a 5km ride?

Well today was busy at work and though it rained in the morning (and I got wet in light grey pants on my way to the office) it was lovely by end of day so I knew I had to get in my bike ride for Julie's challenge.  Thanks for the reminder Julie

First obstacle, finding a 5km route wasn't going to be simple since I was avoiding the highway and didn't want to repeat many hills. I made a loop or two some side streets but got to about 5km. (#smalltowngalproblems)

At the moment my memory card is stuck in my camera but I'll try and hook it up via the cord at my work and upload pics from the ride.

Today was a great day - met the new group, had some laughs and surprised my mom with a pair of earrings she had been looking at on the weekend.

Promises, promises

I am sitting in my office, about to head home, it's midnight and I work 9-5. But today, because work is getting busy and people are on vacation, I needed to put in extra time.

I promised last semester that I wouldn't get into this habit again, but here I am.
I did take a break today from 5-8pm for food and taekwondo (so much fun, he had us doing fun relays and games) so that is part of the promise I made myself - to not miss out on the good stuff, the important stuff for work.

So it is a half-kept promise and I'm working on it.
Also working on getting through the ups and downs. The last few weeks have connecting with friends and family and enjoying the bike rides, bellydance, beach and different work projects.  And then Monday was a blah day, so was Tuesday and yesterday - I had a time shaking the feeling that something wasn't right.  So I gave myself a little peptalk - said this would pass and it did.

So while I'd rather not be sitting here - it's ok, and I'm heading home now.