One of our good friends at the dog park is a dental hygenist. She is adorable, bubbly and everything you expect from a people-oriented professional. But we only interact at the park, with our canine buddies. However, as things go, the subject of teeth cleaning came up. We all had our gripes and moans about dentists (the scraping noise, the drooling...you know), but she acted as a perky reminder to shame me into flossing regularly. Even though I'm not quite to an every day floss routine yet, it's at least every other day which is a start. :-)
Supposedly, all your health starts in (and with) your mouth. You don't have to take my word for it either. The Mayo Clinic says so. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001
Moral of the story: brush, floss, and take care of your health!
30 November 2010
25 November 2010
Just the two of us
We spent Thanksgiving in Atlanta as is our habit. I'm lucky that J and I agree that traveling over the 4-day holiday is just stressful and not that much fun. We adopted our friends' dog from Tuesday through today, and had a houseful of black and red fur that alternately tumbled, tussled, and slept their way through the past week.
One of the advantages to staying at home for Thanksgiving is complete control over the menu. After last year's intimate Thanksgiving dinner, we ate turkey for almost a full week! We decided that, as much as it's tradition, neither of us like turkey enough to experience that again. So it was a roast chicken (lemon, white wine and rosemary) with green bean and portobello mushroom casserole, sweet potato with marshmallow, and an apple caramel crumble to top it all off! We just finished the apple crisp this afternoon, but the rest of the food was polished off yesterday for lunch. The resulting food coma was also present.
I have also discovered (in some post-thanksgiving cooking) that I love making soups! The latest few were cauliflower soup, and this evening was a sweet potato soup, after last night's dinner out inspired me with an acorn squash bisque. So creamy without much of the calories makes it a guilt-free cold winter meal!
One of the advantages to staying at home for Thanksgiving is complete control over the menu. After last year's intimate Thanksgiving dinner, we ate turkey for almost a full week! We decided that, as much as it's tradition, neither of us like turkey enough to experience that again. So it was a roast chicken (lemon, white wine and rosemary) with green bean and portobello mushroom casserole, sweet potato with marshmallow, and an apple caramel crumble to top it all off! We just finished the apple crisp this afternoon, but the rest of the food was polished off yesterday for lunch. The resulting food coma was also present.
I have also discovered (in some post-thanksgiving cooking) that I love making soups! The latest few were cauliflower soup, and this evening was a sweet potato soup, after last night's dinner out inspired me with an acorn squash bisque. So creamy without much of the calories makes it a guilt-free cold winter meal!
23 November 2010
Rips, tears, and sweet potatoes
...that's how I go through magazines!
I love to keep pages that inspire me (fashion, food, crafting, doesn't matter). As those closest to me can attest, I always have stacks of random glossy pages running around my living space. But I can honestly say that I do use them, maybe not in a very functional way, but again and again I will peruse my favorite pictures for good old inspiration purposes.
With recipes it's a lot the same way. Since we have been getting Cook's Illustrated magazine (must recommend it too!), I have increased the amount of food-related pages in my possession. But that has been where it ended. Until recently. Sometime last week - I don't remember when or why - I got the bee in my bonnet to actually start trying some of these hoarded recipes. I started off with a flourless chocolate cake for a labmate's birthday. It turned out pretty darn delicious - more dense chocolate brownie than cake, but it still disappeared. Then this weekend I found a cauliflower soup recipe that begged for the two heads of said vegetable that had been lingering in the refrigerator. It's nothing big or super complicated - onions, milk, chicken stock, cauliflower - but it was soul-satisfying and yummy. And it's kept my eyes open for the next opportunity to cook up something from a torn page.
This week, we're doing sweet potato souffle to complement the roast chicken, garlicky green beans, french onion soup and caramel apple crumble for our little Thanksgiving dinner. Not a torn out recipe, but copied from the Internets via The Kitchn. Between that and the candied sweet potato marshmallows, I might have tuber overload!
I love to keep pages that inspire me (fashion, food, crafting, doesn't matter). As those closest to me can attest, I always have stacks of random glossy pages running around my living space. But I can honestly say that I do use them, maybe not in a very functional way, but again and again I will peruse my favorite pictures for good old inspiration purposes.
With recipes it's a lot the same way. Since we have been getting Cook's Illustrated magazine (must recommend it too!), I have increased the amount of food-related pages in my possession. But that has been where it ended. Until recently. Sometime last week - I don't remember when or why - I got the bee in my bonnet to actually start trying some of these hoarded recipes. I started off with a flourless chocolate cake for a labmate's birthday. It turned out pretty darn delicious - more dense chocolate brownie than cake, but it still disappeared. Then this weekend I found a cauliflower soup recipe that begged for the two heads of said vegetable that had been lingering in the refrigerator. It's nothing big or super complicated - onions, milk, chicken stock, cauliflower - but it was soul-satisfying and yummy. And it's kept my eyes open for the next opportunity to cook up something from a torn page.
This week, we're doing sweet potato souffle to complement the roast chicken, garlicky green beans, french onion soup and caramel apple crumble for our little Thanksgiving dinner. Not a torn out recipe, but copied from the Internets via The Kitchn. Between that and the candied sweet potato marshmallows, I might have tuber overload!
21 November 2010
Some of my favorite things
As I approach the ripe old age of 28, I am taking ownership of my opinions. Not just the random thoughts on life - that's just who I am - but the littler things, like my favorite body wash, whether or not I like capers (I don't, at least the edible kind), and my diet choices. Here's the beginning of my list of those things:
1. TreSemme Curly Hair shampoo and conditioner. I love it (and the fact it's $3 for a HUGE bottle doesn't hurt either!)
2. J&J Lavender and Chamomile body wash - one of my new discoveries
3. Biore. Period. Nose strips, warming face wash, dual moisturizer. It is all fabulous.
4. Butter. Salted variety on sourdough toast is perfect.
5. Bloody mary tomato juice mix. It's the only way I like tomato juice, and a standard order on the airplane now.
6. Nail polish. As an outlet for my obsession with color.
7. Vodka. I love flavored vodka with soda water. Nice and simple.
8. Making caramel. Now that I mastered the art of the caramel, it gives me a lot of satisfaction to make it.
9. Pencil skirts and statement heels. Classics with a punch.
10. Organizing. This is no surprise to anyone who knows me. But I have come to accept it as a strength, something that is a real asset in the workplace as well as at home. I love being able to find things easily and have a place for everything.
1. TreSemme Curly Hair shampoo and conditioner. I love it (and the fact it's $3 for a HUGE bottle doesn't hurt either!)
2. J&J Lavender and Chamomile body wash - one of my new discoveries
3. Biore. Period. Nose strips, warming face wash, dual moisturizer. It is all fabulous.
4. Butter. Salted variety on sourdough toast is perfect.
5. Bloody mary tomato juice mix. It's the only way I like tomato juice, and a standard order on the airplane now.
6. Nail polish. As an outlet for my obsession with color.
7. Vodka. I love flavored vodka with soda water. Nice and simple.
8. Making caramel. Now that I mastered the art of the caramel, it gives me a lot of satisfaction to make it.
9. Pencil skirts and statement heels. Classics with a punch.
10. Organizing. This is no surprise to anyone who knows me. But I have come to accept it as a strength, something that is a real asset in the workplace as well as at home. I love being able to find things easily and have a place for everything.
20 November 2010
Flash mob!
A few weeks ago one of my friends from my (long abandoned) dance scene here in Atlanta posted about needing a dance partner for this "flash mob" thing that was going on. Somehow I decided to volunteer, and now we are "spontaneously" dancing in the middle of Atlantic Station this afternoon!
The idea and choreography were first started by Damon and Lisa D'Amico (of Houston, TX west coast swing fame!!!). I guess I can't escape my roots. :-)
Here is the link to the Houston flash mob event. Look for videos from this afternoon coming soon too!
The idea and choreography were first started by Damon and Lisa D'Amico (of Houston, TX west coast swing fame!!!). I guess I can't escape my roots. :-)
Here is the link to the Houston flash mob event. Look for videos from this afternoon coming soon too!
18 November 2010
Bioethics and other political hot buttons
Last night J and I attended what was supposed to be a dialogue on Bioethics from the chair and vice chair of Obama's Bioethics committee. These leaders happened to be the president of U. Pennsylvania, and the president of Emory, respectively, which was why we had gotten invited to attend. We were both excited to hear what these scholars were going to say on sticky bioethical issues that affect our research and our field.
The biggest disappointment was realizing that they had no intention of actually discussing facts and debating issues for the benefit of the audience. In sum, they barely touched on any bioethical issue and spent the better part of 80minutes lauding each other for the outstanding roles the schools play in leading this discussion and engaging their student bodies in ethical awareness. Bluntly put, we listened to an hour of political posturing and self-gratifying blather.
Community members who we schmoozed with at the reception beforehand were not in the field at all but were curious to hear informed opinions and arguments on these hot button issues which stay in the very near subsurface of all bio-related research and clinical trials. For non-scientists who don't get exposed to pertinent facts and opinions about these issues (or maybe don't know how to seek them out), presenting clear and direct arguments based on scientific evidence is crucial to their ability to make an informed decision about any bioethical issue. We, as scientists in this community also have an obligation to play better PR for our research. Half of opposition comes from a lack of understanding by the community we serve, and that is definitely at least half our fault.
This committee, however, missed a huge opportunity to play an advocate role for these factual, informed and civil discussions before they are interrupted by political, religious or other interests. What better way to change society than to set an example? If I could tell the chair and vice chair only one thing, I would tell them to spend time discussing issues rather than padding their egos.
The biggest disappointment was realizing that they had no intention of actually discussing facts and debating issues for the benefit of the audience. In sum, they barely touched on any bioethical issue and spent the better part of 80minutes lauding each other for the outstanding roles the schools play in leading this discussion and engaging their student bodies in ethical awareness. Bluntly put, we listened to an hour of political posturing and self-gratifying blather.
Community members who we schmoozed with at the reception beforehand were not in the field at all but were curious to hear informed opinions and arguments on these hot button issues which stay in the very near subsurface of all bio-related research and clinical trials. For non-scientists who don't get exposed to pertinent facts and opinions about these issues (or maybe don't know how to seek them out), presenting clear and direct arguments based on scientific evidence is crucial to their ability to make an informed decision about any bioethical issue. We, as scientists in this community also have an obligation to play better PR for our research. Half of opposition comes from a lack of understanding by the community we serve, and that is definitely at least half our fault.
This committee, however, missed a huge opportunity to play an advocate role for these factual, informed and civil discussions before they are interrupted by political, religious or other interests. What better way to change society than to set an example? If I could tell the chair and vice chair only one thing, I would tell them to spend time discussing issues rather than padding their egos.
16 November 2010
My dream kitchen
I ran across this fantastic blog a few weeks ago called Apartment Therapy. They have all sorts of wonderful tips, decorating ideas, and online resources that I can highly recommend. They also have a sister blog called The Kitch*n.
This month has been focused on all things entertaining, and I have definitely gotten dragged into the fantasy of a spectacular holiday dinner party. (Would that I had that kind of space!) Some of the tips which resonated with me - keep a stack of glass cocktail/dessert plates on hand, cocktail cloth napkins, and enough wine glasses for a really good time - got me thinking about how I would want to design and stock my eventual dream kitchen.
I can't complain about my current cooking environment much. Although it's pretty cozy, it is very functional and we have all the tools that we really like or need to use. But what we don't have is room for extra dishes/napkins/wine glasses. Maybe if I completely redesigned our space to maximize storage EVERYWHERE, we might fit these sort of things in, but we are moving in less than a year, and don't have seating for more than 8 people in our living/dining room anyway, so it's almost a moot point.
But...here are some ideas that are on that list for when we move to a real house. someday...
This month has been focused on all things entertaining, and I have definitely gotten dragged into the fantasy of a spectacular holiday dinner party. (Would that I had that kind of space!) Some of the tips which resonated with me - keep a stack of glass cocktail/dessert plates on hand, cocktail cloth napkins, and enough wine glasses for a really good time - got me thinking about how I would want to design and stock my eventual dream kitchen.
I can't complain about my current cooking environment much. Although it's pretty cozy, it is very functional and we have all the tools that we really like or need to use. But what we don't have is room for extra dishes/napkins/wine glasses. Maybe if I completely redesigned our space to maximize storage EVERYWHERE, we might fit these sort of things in, but we are moving in less than a year, and don't have seating for more than 8 people in our living/dining room anyway, so it's almost a moot point.
But...here are some ideas that are on that list for when we move to a real house. someday...
15 November 2010
Daylight Savings Time (and other excuses)
So last week was a little haphazard in the blog posting arena. I would like to just clarify that it wasn't for lack of thinking about it, or even having writing materials. I was just really discombobulated.
This comes from our almost-fanatic commitment to our dog and her dog park time. With DST last week also came pitch black darkness by 6:30pm, about the time we had been getting home in recent weeks. Obviously, before DST it wasn't dark, so Em got her playtime in before dinner just fine. However, now that was going to be an issue. So we decided to be radical. In to work by 7am (or earlier), home by 4pm, with plenty of time to get her to the park, fix dinner, and be in bed by 11pm to start the cycle all over again. But this meant changing our alarms too.
We had been enjoying the flex schedule of a grad student. Wake up by 8:30, leisurely prep time and be at our desks by 10am. Not bad, really, but then you arrive at the same time as everyone else, which also means we are all starting lab work at the same time and that can be hectic. So the earlier wake-up call really is a blessing in many ways. We can be productive in the first 3 hours of the day when no one else is in lab, we leave before traffic gets too bad, and still have some daylight to enjoy as well. But 5:30am is not easy. Even with DST making it feel like 6:30, it still came as a bodily shock to be up while it was dark out. But this morning I felt good waking up, bounding out of bed to make breakfast and walk the dog. I'm even feeling super productive instead of lagging like last week. Keep tuned for more regular posting!
This comes from our almost-fanatic commitment to our dog and her dog park time. With DST last week also came pitch black darkness by 6:30pm, about the time we had been getting home in recent weeks. Obviously, before DST it wasn't dark, so Em got her playtime in before dinner just fine. However, now that was going to be an issue. So we decided to be radical. In to work by 7am (or earlier), home by 4pm, with plenty of time to get her to the park, fix dinner, and be in bed by 11pm to start the cycle all over again. But this meant changing our alarms too.
We had been enjoying the flex schedule of a grad student. Wake up by 8:30, leisurely prep time and be at our desks by 10am. Not bad, really, but then you arrive at the same time as everyone else, which also means we are all starting lab work at the same time and that can be hectic. So the earlier wake-up call really is a blessing in many ways. We can be productive in the first 3 hours of the day when no one else is in lab, we leave before traffic gets too bad, and still have some daylight to enjoy as well. But 5:30am is not easy. Even with DST making it feel like 6:30, it still came as a bodily shock to be up while it was dark out. But this morning I felt good waking up, bounding out of bed to make breakfast and walk the dog. I'm even feeling super productive instead of lagging like last week. Keep tuned for more regular posting!
11 November 2010
Dreams, Fears, and other motivations
two nights ago
this is more stream of consciousness rather than inspiration, but here goes...
Yes, I will admit here in black and white that I - like almost every other single (as in "not engaged", don't get worried y'all!) gal out there - fantasizes about her future wedding. Ideas will come and go, plus add the inspirations from all the random wedding-oriented shows on tv now and you've got yourself some serious subconscious wedding dreaming.
So what was so weird about this dream was that it was definitely my wedding, but it was SO Not my wedding either. We were in this adorable Craftsman house, with warm honey-colored wood floors and a brick fireplace. Then it panned to a back bedroom with my mom - hair in curlers (really?!) - helping me into my "dress". But it wasn't a dress. It was a floor-length black taffeta ball gown skirt. Maybe there was some sort of creamy white shirt on top, but that detail got lost. And my hair was flat and terrible. Somehow it wasn't quite what I pictured it being like...
I was definitely disconcerted when I woke up. It was the weirdest snap shot of what I instinctively knew was The Big Day (in my dream). Plus, I hadn't been really thinking about weddings much recently either, so just weird. In general.
this is more stream of consciousness rather than inspiration, but here goes...
Yes, I will admit here in black and white that I - like almost every other single (as in "not engaged", don't get worried y'all!) gal out there - fantasizes about her future wedding. Ideas will come and go, plus add the inspirations from all the random wedding-oriented shows on tv now and you've got yourself some serious subconscious wedding dreaming.
So what was so weird about this dream was that it was definitely my wedding, but it was SO Not my wedding either. We were in this adorable Craftsman house, with warm honey-colored wood floors and a brick fireplace. Then it panned to a back bedroom with my mom - hair in curlers (really?!) - helping me into my "dress". But it wasn't a dress. It was a floor-length black taffeta ball gown skirt. Maybe there was some sort of creamy white shirt on top, but that detail got lost. And my hair was flat and terrible. Somehow it wasn't quite what I pictured it being like...
I was definitely disconcerted when I woke up. It was the weirdest snap shot of what I instinctively knew was The Big Day (in my dream). Plus, I hadn't been really thinking about weddings much recently either, so just weird. In general.
10 November 2010
I never knew ....
...that bedazzling your shoes had an official name: strassing.
Recently I have been feeling the need for more femininity, mainly in the form of fashion. One chick's blog I came across had this wonderful pair of sparkly pink Louboutins. Except they weren't originally sparkly - sorry, I meant "strassed".
Quite honestly, having never had a pair of Louboutins on my feet, I can't imagine why you would spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of plain-looking shoes (but I hope they feel way better than the more affordable ones that grace my phalanges). Maybe not the point.
Anyway, she bought these Barbie pink peep toe shoes, and then started to grace them with hundreds of tiny, hot pink Swarovski crystals. The result is pretty fantastic.
I kind of want to do it myself - just not to Louboutins. Maybe these though (on Zappos, if you are interested):
Stay tuned!
Recently I have been feeling the need for more femininity, mainly in the form of fashion. One chick's blog I came across had this wonderful pair of sparkly pink Louboutins. Except they weren't originally sparkly - sorry, I meant "strassed".
Quite honestly, having never had a pair of Louboutins on my feet, I can't imagine why you would spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of plain-looking shoes (but I hope they feel way better than the more affordable ones that grace my phalanges). Maybe not the point.
Anyway, she bought these Barbie pink peep toe shoes, and then started to grace them with hundreds of tiny, hot pink Swarovski crystals. The result is pretty fantastic.
I kind of want to do it myself - just not to Louboutins. Maybe these though (on Zappos, if you are interested):
Stay tuned!
08 November 2010
The Power of ...
I have found my commitment to calorie counting and diet restriction fleeting at best when I don't have my partner in crime on board. It's easy enough to not buy something when you live alone, but if there is someone else around, it gets complicated. Sometimes the temptation of chocolate is just too much!
Luckily, I have finally convinced him to join me in a return to our Lent diet of the past two years. We gave up refined sugar and refined flours for 40 days, which leads to about 5lbs easy weight loss in that time. Just not filling your body with as many wasted calories, and substituting useful stuff, like yogurt, berries, celery, and almonds, really makes a difference.
Gearing up for the start of the diet did lead to some last-minute sugar binges on both our parts. However, my inherent sweet tooth probably took the cake. I grabbed a big bag of sour gummy worms from Target, some leftover Halloween gummies (not so great - I ended up tossing half of them), and a box of cherry cordials (delicious, even considering the super sugar headache afterward!). During this weekend's sugar fiasco, however, I realized something: I physically can't handle such intense sugar anymore. Mentally, though, the battle still rages.
When we were kids, candy was associated with reward. Once every so often, my mom would let us go to Walgreen's to get a selection of our favorite goodies. (Quick Aside: Walgreen's still has the best selection of candy in my opinion, at least here in Atlanta) So, the expected good feelings from eating candy now - that reward center of the brain - really fall short with the reviling sugar crash that comes with it. It just doesn't do it for me anymore. But I still mentally crave that reward.
So the goal - until I reach my goal weight especially - is to focus on retraining my mental habits. Disassociating the "reward" from the pleasure center will take some serious effort, but in the long run I know it will all be worth it.
Luckily, I have finally convinced him to join me in a return to our Lent diet of the past two years. We gave up refined sugar and refined flours for 40 days, which leads to about 5lbs easy weight loss in that time. Just not filling your body with as many wasted calories, and substituting useful stuff, like yogurt, berries, celery, and almonds, really makes a difference.
Gearing up for the start of the diet did lead to some last-minute sugar binges on both our parts. However, my inherent sweet tooth probably took the cake. I grabbed a big bag of sour gummy worms from Target, some leftover Halloween gummies (not so great - I ended up tossing half of them), and a box of cherry cordials (delicious, even considering the super sugar headache afterward!). During this weekend's sugar fiasco, however, I realized something: I physically can't handle such intense sugar anymore. Mentally, though, the battle still rages.
When we were kids, candy was associated with reward. Once every so often, my mom would let us go to Walgreen's to get a selection of our favorite goodies. (Quick Aside: Walgreen's still has the best selection of candy in my opinion, at least here in Atlanta) So, the expected good feelings from eating candy now - that reward center of the brain - really fall short with the reviling sugar crash that comes with it. It just doesn't do it for me anymore. But I still mentally crave that reward.
So the goal - until I reach my goal weight especially - is to focus on retraining my mental habits. Disassociating the "reward" from the pleasure center will take some serious effort, but in the long run I know it will all be worth it.
06 November 2010
Finding my drama...
...tic color. I was given a copy of David Zyla's new book "The color of style" by a dear friend of mine, and once I picked it up, I couldn't set it down. David has been a fashion stylist and adviser for lots of famous shows, but I won't bore you with his resume. The point is, based on his experience he has come up with a way to analyze your own personal colors - finding the colors that will absolutely be the best shades for you to wear - and more importantly, describing how those colors function in your life.
For example, one of your colors is your "essence" color. This is your skin tone, your best foundation makeup color. This is a very open, vulnerable color to wear, which is why this is a bad choice to wear in a job interview or any place where you should exert energy and authority. But it's great if you want to meditate or share deeper emotions with a friend.
Right now I am on the search to find my perfect "dramatic" color. According to the book, this color is found in your veins, so look at your wrist and find the deepest color as your inspiration. For me, it's a midtone clear blue with turquoise undertones. Given that I love jewel tones, this fits right in with my instinctual color style, but somewhat uncharacteristically, I am really doubting that I have really found that perfect color. However, here are some fashion thoughts that have started to inspire me:
For example, one of your colors is your "essence" color. This is your skin tone, your best foundation makeup color. This is a very open, vulnerable color to wear, which is why this is a bad choice to wear in a job interview or any place where you should exert energy and authority. But it's great if you want to meditate or share deeper emotions with a friend.
Right now I am on the search to find my perfect "dramatic" color. According to the book, this color is found in your veins, so look at your wrist and find the deepest color as your inspiration. For me, it's a midtone clear blue with turquoise undertones. Given that I love jewel tones, this fits right in with my instinctual color style, but somewhat uncharacteristically, I am really doubting that I have really found that perfect color. However, here are some fashion thoughts that have started to inspire me:
05 November 2010
Order-disorder and other random Friday thoughts
My personality (as described in my previous post) loves order. I am very structured about how I keep most of my things, and it will drive me to distraction when certain things are out of place. Not quite OCD but I'm sure there are tendencies there.
Recently I have noticed that some of my labmates like to take pipette tips at random rather than following a set order of removing tips. This is a small detail to some, but when you stare at tip boxes all day, it becomes a thing. So, usually I will keep my own tip boxes orderly but look the other way when I see a more "modern art" approach.
In the spirit of self-improvement and development that I have recently been embracing, I decided this week to embrace the disorder. It is a small step, but it's almost naughty fun being haphazard about my tip selection. Yes, maybe I have been in lab too long when this is fun...it comes with the territory. :-)
Recently I have noticed that some of my labmates like to take pipette tips at random rather than following a set order of removing tips. This is a small detail to some, but when you stare at tip boxes all day, it becomes a thing. So, usually I will keep my own tip boxes orderly but look the other way when I see a more "modern art" approach.
In the spirit of self-improvement and development that I have recently been embracing, I decided this week to embrace the disorder. It is a small step, but it's almost naughty fun being haphazard about my tip selection. Yes, maybe I have been in lab too long when this is fun...it comes with the territory. :-)
04 November 2010
Just like taking vitamins
I have always had a hard time remembering to take my multivitamins. The hard, dry horse pills don't always taste good, and are not pleasant to swallow in the morning either. In a previous post I applauded vitamin makers for giving us gummy vitamins, and I will say it again, thank goodness for gummy adult vitamins!
Those gummy vitamins have also helped me keep on track with taking my glucosamine and NSAIDs to manage my OA daily too. Well, that and the inevitable discomfort that I get when I haven't taken my advil are both good motivation. :-)
After so many months of taking daily vitamins/supplements, it is now a habit rather than a chore to remember. Most days I barely think of it before I've already downed the horse pills. So it got me to thinking, this NaNoWriMo has inspired me to commit to writing in this blog every day, and 30 days is definitely long enough to make a habit of it. So look forward to more posts now, and past the end of November too!
Those gummy vitamins have also helped me keep on track with taking my glucosamine and NSAIDs to manage my OA daily too. Well, that and the inevitable discomfort that I get when I haven't taken my advil are both good motivation. :-)
After so many months of taking daily vitamins/supplements, it is now a habit rather than a chore to remember. Most days I barely think of it before I've already downed the horse pills. So it got me to thinking, this NaNoWriMo has inspired me to commit to writing in this blog every day, and 30 days is definitely long enough to make a habit of it. So look forward to more posts now, and past the end of November too!
03 November 2010
ESFJ
Some of my friends took the Myers-Briggs test for a leadership program exercise, and I got curious into which personality category I fit. So I took a (free) online version and was placed in the ESFJ category. Here is what they say it means:
I am a (slightly expressed) people person - i.e. extrovert. I am warmly interested in others, and *want* to like people. I (supposedly) have a gift for bringing out the best in others too.
I'm warm and energetic, sensitive to others, and freely give practical care. :-)
The ESFJ side of me tends to want to control my environment. I like structure and seek closure. I'm good at tasks which require concrete concepts, personal analysis, and creating structure (Mom, can you say amen here?!).
We ESFJs are - at best - warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful and down-to-earth, practical, consistent, thorough, organized, enthusiastic and energetic.
I like my personality!
I am a (slightly expressed) people person - i.e. extrovert. I am warmly interested in others, and *want* to like people. I (supposedly) have a gift for bringing out the best in others too.
I'm warm and energetic, sensitive to others, and freely give practical care. :-)
The ESFJ side of me tends to want to control my environment. I like structure and seek closure. I'm good at tasks which require concrete concepts, personal analysis, and creating structure (Mom, can you say amen here?!).
We ESFJs are - at best - warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful and down-to-earth, practical, consistent, thorough, organized, enthusiastic and energetic.
I like my personality!
02 November 2010
Useful tips
When I find something useful, I almost compulsively need to share it with someone. My parents are both teachers. I am a (mini) teacher now. I feel like I can't escape my destiny. So here we are, my (tiny) captive audience, my first foray into blogging my new information.
Thought of the day: If you don't like (or just can't) remembering coupons, but like using them, there is a most useful website for us!
Check out Shortcuts.com: you can load e-coupons onto your Kroger/Randall's/Etc. cards and have them automatically apply to your purchases. No thinking, no forgetting coupons, just easy. :-)
Thought of the day: If you don't like (or just can't) remembering coupons, but like using them, there is a most useful website for us!
Check out Shortcuts.com: you can load e-coupons onto your Kroger/Randall's/Etc. cards and have them automatically apply to your purchases. No thinking, no forgetting coupons, just easy. :-)
01 November 2010
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