Cleaning AGAIN

Why does it feel like I'm always cleaning? Maybe because I cook most meals and that my cats do not pull their weight. I really liked living in my Davis apartment. It was super small and much easier to keep clean. I mean if I didn't clean it, I would be tripping over shit all day - or at least when I was home.

So, this afternoon I was set to pick up Claire, one of Jess' dancers, at the airport and bring her up to Davis. However her plane was delayed FIVE HOURS. Is that not crazy? So we anticipate that she may want to crash here in Berkeley tonight and I will drive her up in the morning. Hence the need to clean my apartment.

I am now headed out to clean my car since she has one large bags and 2 golf bags for her crutches. Oh gosh, it's getting dark!

Gratitudes:
1. blue cheese
2. a washer and dryer in the apartment
3. hot water in the shower (FINALLY!)
4. ginger snaps
5. Food Network

Daily tasks

Well, I have been fairly successful with my daily tasks. I have only missed one day of flossing and I "made that up" by flossing twice the next day. I have also had my water bottle with me at all times. Therefore I have been more conscious about drinking. I have however been less successful with the exercising. I hoped to get a little shimmy pop in today, but I spent most of the day (surprisingly!) on the couch getting the welcome packet for the dancers ready. I did bike the mile to Office Depot and Walgreens to get some supplies and make copies, but it really wasn't enough.

I am also down to few groceries so I didn't eat as healthy as I hoped. Eggs on an english muffin for breakfast, butternut squash ravioli with spinach and tomato sauce for lunch and leftover veggies with one of Trader Joes indian packets over brown basmati rice for dinner. But then I was still hungry. So, I saw some Vienetta in the freezer and had a glass of wine while I waited for Jess to stop by and pick up some blankets and other materials.

I am now completely exhausted and will head to bed. Tomorrow I will shimmy and drink water before the airport run to get Claire and drive her to Davis.

My dreams last night were rather violent. A "little shop of horrors" type of plant that was a death trap for cats, and an intense gun shot to my head and tail I bet caused by my pre-sleep reading of the Barteneiff Fundamentals. I wonder what tonight will have in store.

But what am I grateful for, you ask?
1. a bike with a working air pump
2. a gas heater in the living room
3. sweets - Vienetta and ginger snaps with lemon cream (sigh)
4. people who enjoy Word Twist - like Christine's daughter, Emma
5. a brain that thinks administratively and artistically

Full Day of Goodness

I am back on the couch with a glass of wine, but I am proud to say that I was out all day. I drove up to Davis and met Jess at the rental unit at 9AM. Well, I got there late, but at least I called first.

Jess and I got on the same page and 90 minutes later I was on the road. First stop was Safeway to get some food staples and then to Amy Champ's house to say hello and pick up bedding, towels and some furniture pieces. My last stop was the ASPCA thrift store for some kitchen gear. I then headed back to the unit to do a bit of cleaning. Jess came in as I was vacuuming and commented on doing a little clean up with a masters degree.

Well, an employed gal just can't complain.

I have a few things on my list to complete tomorrow, but for the most part we are pretty much ready to welcome these dancers. I had a little time to stop for the yummy Indian buffet at Kathmandu Kitchen on G Street. Then to campus to get another copy of my transcript for one of the faculty applications.

I drove back and got on my bike to get to The Beat for my work study shift. Classes were on the smaller side so I was able to get my reconciliation done and head into Sarah's class 30 minutes late. I was not truly prepped to take the class. In fact, I wore my camo pants and they were a tad tight. ButI had on a sports bra, so I said, fuck it. I found a headband in one of the baskets behind the desk and jumped into the warm up.

Wow. The class just rocked. It was total mix of my styles. A little modern, a little jazz and a little hip hop. Some really great plie combos and then a house combo. It's a kind of hip hop I just don't do. I am super excited about taking this class regularly.

Here's to seven days of some exercise. Monday: yoga, Tuesday: hip hop Wednesday: perhaps a little shimmy...

Gratitudes:

1. employment and potential employment

2. nice people - in this case the woman at the registrars office and the landlord team of the rental unit

3. Indian food cooked right

4. sleeping kitties

5. a dance studio close by

I DON'T like big butts, and I cannot lie!

I was going to update my facebook profile yesterday with the title of this blog post, but opted against it. My pants are again a little tight and I really need to do something about it. I saw this blogthings quiz and found it necessary to post. Mostly, because I really need to trim down my badunkadunk.

Yeah, I said it.

Your Butt Says You're Laid Back

You are an easygoing, trusting person. You don't get too worked up, because everything usually works out in life. You are not afraid to flirt and show off what you've got. At times, you can be a bit full of yourself. You find close relationships and romance difficult. You don't feel like you'll ever meet your true soulmate. You are outgoing and confident. You are proud of who you are, and you are brutally honest. You tend to be a serious, straight laced kind of person. It takes you a while to warm up and let loose.

What Does Your Butt Say About You?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Back to Business

Today is the first business day of the year. Lots of people were waiting for this day to come. To finally end their vacations and get back to work. I kind of feel the same. I am starting to see the wheel turn and while I am still on the couch, I won't be here for long. I will be applying for 2 more faculty positions today and sent my resume to a local restaurant yesterday.

I played phone tag with Shy, the instructor for the yoga certification program and after finally connecting today all is a go. Even though he did not remember our email conversations or meeting me in person - my application was strong enough to snag a slot. Or at least he said he enjoyed reading my application.

Whatever that means.

What excited me most is that everyone that applied was not accepted. Some did not have a strong enough background and others have not taken a class with Shy. I had both. Go me!

Second, I finally heard back from the owner of the belly dance studio. I gave it one last ditch effort and texted her. I am so glad I went with that option rather than the nasty email I was going to send about her not contacting me. This was the email I received yesterday.

I like your energy and your persistence. After working with you, I am concerned that you are not familiar with the songs that we use in Shimmy Pop as the whole class is based on the teachers ability to relate to the music. Do let me know if you want to proceed :)

The music??!!! That's what your concern is? Crazy. I got the link to the class videos and sent her this reply after 2 cocktails and a glass of wine at Hugh Groman's holiday party. Luckily, I kept it short and sweet.

I do want to proceed and yes, I do know the songs better than you think. I can sing along with the best of them.

H

So, as I plan for my trip to Davis tomorrow to get ready for the arrival of Jess' dancers, I will get myself off the couch and on the yoga mat. And then I may throw in some hip shimmies for good measure.

Day Two!

It's a nice and quiet start of the new year. My resolutions are nothing new. I have been conscious about drinking water and I have indeed flossed for the past 2 days. Unfortunately my mouth hurts since it's been a while since I flossed last. I added both the task of drinking more water and flossing every day to 43 Things. The folks that got the flossing thing to work did so at night. So, that's what I am doing as well. I also added getting into shape and one more that I just cannot remember. That's not a good sign, is it?

For the last 2 days, I've carried my water bottle around with me. When I took the Mission Mural tour today I ran out rather quickly. I guess it would have helped if the bottle was full when I started. However, I refilled since I've been home and have been drinking with my leftover dinner of tuna, roasted sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts saute.
Hold up, I just learned something new.

I didn't realize the correct spelling of brussels. Since it is always followed my the S of sprouts, I never knew there was an S at the end of brussels. Hm. Fascinating.

Due to my lack of income, I have been staying home lots. However, there is a website called Johnny Funcheap that lists some cheapy events. There were a few interesting places to go in the last few days, but to be honest, I really did not want to go by myself. I jumped the box today and decided to take one of the free City Tours. They offered 17 different tours around the city. I couldn't get my ass in gear for one of the 10AM tours, so I opted for one of the 11AM ones. I found out today that the organization offers 45 different tours. Since I am not sure how long I will be living here in the Bay Area, I think I may need to create a list similar to the one when I left Atlanta. All of the places I wanted to visit. These tours are at least a start. The tour ended around 1:20PM and I was a little hungry. I completely forgot to do a double duty and research the 100 SF Food List items in advance. There were a few near 16th Street that I knew about, but none close to 24th. So, I decided to hit Roosevelt Tamale Parlour. I ordered a chicken tamale

and a shredded beef enchilada. However, halfway through I realized they were BOTH chicken. So, they apologized and brought me a shredded beef enchilada. Wow. It was delish. Super fresh and smoking hot. I am so glad I asked. And like usual, there's leftovers for tomorrow!

If you have not guessed. I've included Highlights from today - Murals from the Mission District.

Gratitudes:

1. the Food Network

2. free walking tours

3. my ipod

4. blue skies

5. leftovers

Begin as the Ending

I watched the entire season of The Next Food Network Star over the last 2 days. I updated the news section on my website and I think it's high time to start on my blog. Just as I ended 2009 with a blogthing quiz, I begin 2010.

Something silly to get things going.

I got a late start today and therefore it may be a while until I eat again. However, I am fresh from the store with some collards and black eyed peas. This will ensure good luck and prosperity in the year to come.

You Are Sophisticated and Well Mannered

You're the type of person who can sit all day entertaining guests with witty banter. You believe in presenting yourself in the best light possible. You like to be seen as classy. You give a first impression of being upper class and even a bit snooty. And you're the first to admit you're a little guilty of that. You are an armchair critic. You can detect quality easily, and you want the best things you can find.

The Chair Test

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity