Last weekend, as I was cleaning out and organizing my closets, I found a picture that was taken of me about 3 years ago. I was skinny! It really made an impression on me, and I decided right then and there that I have to commit to eating more healthy and smaller portions and get this extra weight off for good.
A friend of mine calls it "flipping the switch." She is battling her own weight issue and has, as many women do, gone up and down the scale. But she told me once you truly decide, it's like flipping a switch inside your head. Basically, you make it a priority, and it therefore outweighs any silly urges.
I was doing really well until this trip. After that nice steak dinner and a dessert, which I rarely if ever allow myself, we ate dinner with our client last night and had rich, creamy pasta at a local Italian restaurant.
I guess my switch got temporarily switched off. I'm resetting it at the breaker now.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Travelling Again
Today I'm in Indianapolis. My coworkers and I arrived yesterday evening, in time for a nice dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House and several hours for reviewing our presentation for today. I've never eaten at a Ruth's. It was delicious. I had a petite filet, and we split potatoes au gratin and sauteed spinach. Oh, and there was dessert. I had an upsidedown chocolate souffle. Mmm.
We're staying at the Westin, which is one of my favorites. They boast the "Heavenly Bed" and the "Heavenly Bath." I'm sitting here blogging in the Heavenly Robe. I feel so ethereal.
I'll be home again late Thursday, and Saturday, Steve and I will drive down to Austin for my niece Anna's 5th birthday celebration. I can't believe she's FIVE! (Today, actually.) In addition to all the excitement and activity for Anna, Steve will get to meet my sister, bro-in-law and parents for the first time.
We're staying at the Westin, which is one of my favorites. They boast the "Heavenly Bed" and the "Heavenly Bath." I'm sitting here blogging in the Heavenly Robe. I feel so ethereal.
I'll be home again late Thursday, and Saturday, Steve and I will drive down to Austin for my niece Anna's 5th birthday celebration. I can't believe she's FIVE! (Today, actually.) In addition to all the excitement and activity for Anna, Steve will get to meet my sister, bro-in-law and parents for the first time.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Yard Exercise
My favorite kind of exercise is the kind that doesn't seem like exercise, like gardening. And then afterwards, you sit down and feel your muscles go "Ahhh..."
This was the first weekend in four weeks that I've been home. My house definitely needed some attention. Also, my digital video recorder was full of all my favorite shows. One I like to watch on the weekends is "Gardening by the Yard" with Paul James. My brother-in-law Anthony got me hooked on it. James is quirky and goofy, but it helps you remember things. Yesterday I watched three in a row! It must have inspired me, because today I tackled the backyard.
It's amazing what a little mulch does. It really makes the areas around the trees look neater. And I found some large rocks in the back corner of the yard that I used to border the patio and garden. I think it turned out pretty nice.
This was the first weekend in four weeks that I've been home. My house definitely needed some attention. Also, my digital video recorder was full of all my favorite shows. One I like to watch on the weekends is "Gardening by the Yard" with Paul James. My brother-in-law Anthony got me hooked on it. James is quirky and goofy, but it helps you remember things. Yesterday I watched three in a row! It must have inspired me, because today I tackled the backyard.
It's amazing what a little mulch does. It really makes the areas around the trees look neater. And I found some large rocks in the back corner of the yard that I used to border the patio and garden. I think it turned out pretty nice.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Almost a Nice Weekend
Last weekend, Steve and I visited some friends of his in Los Angeles. They actually live in Huntington Beach. After a long flight and a delay with the rental car company, we were VERY hungry. We then got to experience LA traffic firsthand and went an average of 20 miles an hour. Then, unfortunately, the directions the friends gave us had one little mistake...it said to turn left instead of right on the road we exited. Oops...twenty miles later...
Their house was nice, (he's a builder), and has several nice features. However, they also have three very smelly labrador retrievers. I like dogs. I'm slightly allergic to them, but it's not something I mention to dog owners. It just means I have to blow my nose more frequently, and I'm very careful to wash my hands after petting them. These dogs were sweet, if a little hyper. They jumped on us. Every day. So much for the nice clothes we packed.
Their dogs mostly live in the kennel in the backyard, but they let them in every evening. Everything smelled like dog. They are allowed on all the furniture, people and beds. And there was a layer of dog hair and dust on everything.
Our bed was an inflatable mattress with a built-in pump. And a slow leak. Steve woke up at least 6 times to fill it back up. I would hear the hum of the pump and slowly feel the bed rise underneath me.
Saturday morning we had a very nice brunch on the patio. I really liked the landscaping and tile, the koi pond and umbrellas. But I could have done without the strong smell of dog poop while we ate.
Am I getting too picky? I sound like an ungrateful guest. We were both sick of travelling by the time we got there, and I guess I was just yearning for my clean house.
But did I mention the towels had stains...?
Their house was nice, (he's a builder), and has several nice features. However, they also have three very smelly labrador retrievers. I like dogs. I'm slightly allergic to them, but it's not something I mention to dog owners. It just means I have to blow my nose more frequently, and I'm very careful to wash my hands after petting them. These dogs were sweet, if a little hyper. They jumped on us. Every day. So much for the nice clothes we packed.
Their dogs mostly live in the kennel in the backyard, but they let them in every evening. Everything smelled like dog. They are allowed on all the furniture, people and beds. And there was a layer of dog hair and dust on everything.
Our bed was an inflatable mattress with a built-in pump. And a slow leak. Steve woke up at least 6 times to fill it back up. I would hear the hum of the pump and slowly feel the bed rise underneath me.
Saturday morning we had a very nice brunch on the patio. I really liked the landscaping and tile, the koi pond and umbrellas. But I could have done without the strong smell of dog poop while we ate.
Am I getting too picky? I sound like an ungrateful guest. We were both sick of travelling by the time we got there, and I guess I was just yearning for my clean house.
But did I mention the towels had stains...?
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Dolphin Encounter
I did make it back home. For a time, anyway. I just didn’t have a spare moment to blog about the rest of my trip to Hawaii. In fact, I’m writing this from Pittsburgh.
We arrived back in Dallas, did several loads of laundry, got slammed at work with hundreds of emails and questions, and I learned I was travelling to Pittsburgh for the end of the week. From here, Steve and I will be going to Los Angeles to visit with some friends of his. (I used my accumulated frequent flier miles to go to Hawaii, so I’m trying to replenish my account.)
Steve and I agreed the best part of the trip was our underwater experiences. In addition to snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, we went snorkeling with dolphins. We made reservations with the excursion company for Thursday, and I was disheartened that the weather was at its worst during our visit that morning. Still, the money was already spent, and there was no option to reschedule, so off we went.
The boat took us to a cove off-shore that was frequently visited by local Spinner dolphins, so called for their propensity to leap out of the water and spin. We got into the water in groups of five. The shock of the water and the adrenalin made me catch my breath, and I was comforted that Steve grabbed my hand as we swam together towards the pod of dolphins.
We saw them, briefly, but they swam on and avoided the strange creatures floating at the surface gaping at them. Steve and I were both silently concerned that might be the extent of our interaction, but fortunately, our excursion team knew about another cove.
This second stop had a pod of 40-50 dolphins that swam in circles all around us. They come up for air every 7 minutes or so, and you could hear their communication of squeaks and clicks even before you saw them. It was a magical experience.
We arrived back in Dallas, did several loads of laundry, got slammed at work with hundreds of emails and questions, and I learned I was travelling to Pittsburgh for the end of the week. From here, Steve and I will be going to Los Angeles to visit with some friends of his. (I used my accumulated frequent flier miles to go to Hawaii, so I’m trying to replenish my account.)
Steve and I agreed the best part of the trip was our underwater experiences. In addition to snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, we went snorkeling with dolphins. We made reservations with the excursion company for Thursday, and I was disheartened that the weather was at its worst during our visit that morning. Still, the money was already spent, and there was no option to reschedule, so off we went.
The boat took us to a cove off-shore that was frequently visited by local Spinner dolphins, so called for their propensity to leap out of the water and spin. We got into the water in groups of five. The shock of the water and the adrenalin made me catch my breath, and I was comforted that Steve grabbed my hand as we swam together towards the pod of dolphins.
We saw them, briefly, but they swam on and avoided the strange creatures floating at the surface gaping at them. Steve and I were both silently concerned that might be the extent of our interaction, but fortunately, our excursion team knew about another cove.
This second stop had a pod of 40-50 dolphins that swam in circles all around us. They come up for air every 7 minutes or so, and you could hear their communication of squeaks and clicks even before you saw them. It was a magical experience.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Chinatown
Oh, how quaint! Honolulu has its own Chinatown! (I thought.)
I've been to New York's and San Francisco's Chinatowns, and it's some of the best Chinese food I've ever eaten. So I encouraged Steve to go with me to Honolulu's for a late lunch after we had snorkeled at Hanauma Bay.
By the time we got there, (let's just say we didn't take the most direct route) we both had to go to the bathroom and we were VERY hungry. Many establishments here have signs stating "No public bathrooms," but we thought we could find a restaurant and use theirs. Unfortunately, the first three eateries we stopped at didn't take credit cards. We intentionally didn't bring much cash with us that day since we were going to the beach. We decided our bladders were more important than our stomachs, and set off to just find a public bathroom. We found one, but it was locked! (I'm dancing at this point, and looking with interest at the trees and bushes nearby.) Steve spotted a security guard and asked him where we could find a bathroom. He said they're locked (no, really?) and the merchants must let you in. I think I rolled my eyes (still dancing, too), and Steve mentioned we REALLY had to go. The guy had pity on us and unlocked the doors for us.
Now, wouldn't you know, there's a LINE in the women's bathroom! I'm third back. There are two stalls in there, but someone stayed in one of them the whole time, flushing often. So that left the one for the other three of us.
I'm sure I was turning yellow. Steve got a glimpse of me waiting when someone left the bathroom, and his look of astonishment and sympathy was so sweet!
After we took care of that, we again looked for a restaurant that took credit cards. We found a nice looking one called "Good Luck." We were served complimentary hot tea and seated at a nice, clean table. The place had one of those menus that doesn't give the ingredients of the various dishes, just the names. So, you kinda have to guess what you're getting. I decided on a chicken in black bean sauce (something I've had before at Chinese restaurants in Dallas), and Steve got duck.
Now, I realize why they named it "Good Luck."
Good luck finding something you'll like!
Mine was sinewy pieces of chicken that almost didn't seem cooked enough, with large pieces of uncooked onion and bell pepper. I'm allergic to bell pepper, and raw onions upset my stomach. So basically, I feasted on the rice.
Steve didn't fare much better. The duck was EXTREMELY fatty, and he kept exclaiming, "oh, gross! Look at this!" After four or five times, I politely told him I really didn't want to look anymore. It was disgusting.
Needless to say, we decided not to return to Chinatown for any other meals.
I've been to New York's and San Francisco's Chinatowns, and it's some of the best Chinese food I've ever eaten. So I encouraged Steve to go with me to Honolulu's for a late lunch after we had snorkeled at Hanauma Bay.
By the time we got there, (let's just say we didn't take the most direct route) we both had to go to the bathroom and we were VERY hungry. Many establishments here have signs stating "No public bathrooms," but we thought we could find a restaurant and use theirs. Unfortunately, the first three eateries we stopped at didn't take credit cards. We intentionally didn't bring much cash with us that day since we were going to the beach. We decided our bladders were more important than our stomachs, and set off to just find a public bathroom. We found one, but it was locked! (I'm dancing at this point, and looking with interest at the trees and bushes nearby.) Steve spotted a security guard and asked him where we could find a bathroom. He said they're locked (no, really?) and the merchants must let you in. I think I rolled my eyes (still dancing, too), and Steve mentioned we REALLY had to go. The guy had pity on us and unlocked the doors for us.
Now, wouldn't you know, there's a LINE in the women's bathroom! I'm third back. There are two stalls in there, but someone stayed in one of them the whole time, flushing often. So that left the one for the other three of us.
I'm sure I was turning yellow. Steve got a glimpse of me waiting when someone left the bathroom, and his look of astonishment and sympathy was so sweet!
After we took care of that, we again looked for a restaurant that took credit cards. We found a nice looking one called "Good Luck." We were served complimentary hot tea and seated at a nice, clean table. The place had one of those menus that doesn't give the ingredients of the various dishes, just the names. So, you kinda have to guess what you're getting. I decided on a chicken in black bean sauce (something I've had before at Chinese restaurants in Dallas), and Steve got duck.
Now, I realize why they named it "Good Luck."
Good luck finding something you'll like!
Mine was sinewy pieces of chicken that almost didn't seem cooked enough, with large pieces of uncooked onion and bell pepper. I'm allergic to bell pepper, and raw onions upset my stomach. So basically, I feasted on the rice.
Steve didn't fare much better. The duck was EXTREMELY fatty, and he kept exclaiming, "oh, gross! Look at this!" After four or five times, I politely told him I really didn't want to look anymore. It was disgusting.
Needless to say, we decided not to return to Chinatown for any other meals.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Aloha from paradise
Just logging in for a post from the island of Oahu in Hawaii!
Steve and I arrived to a soft but steady rain on Friday. I guess it must have been a slow news day stateside, because both my mom and my friend who is checking on my cat Sabrina mentioned the flooding in Oahu. It happened a couple days before we arrived, and was only in a small section on the West side. (We are staying on the south beach, Waikiki) Anyway, no worries! And by Saturday, we had seen 3 rainbows.
By today, we finally feel adjusted to the time change. We have been going to bed earlier and getting up earlier than we do back home, but it's nice because we have breakfast on our patio and watch the sun come up.
We went snorkeling in Hanauma Bay on Saturday and again yesterday afternoon after Steve finished his work. On our first excursion, we saw at least 20 different fish and an octopus. The octopus was blinking his eye at us, and we enjoyed watching him until he squeezed himself into a crack in the coral and shut his eye. We would have missed him like that. It's incredible how much he blended in to his environment.
Yesterday, we went into a different part of the bay, and again saw many fish. My favorite was a new one (not one we had previously seen) who was also hidden among the coral. I also enjoyed watching a little fish pop his head in and out from his hidden spot in the coral. I kept thinking about Finding Nemo and giving each fish different characteristics in my mind.
Our biggest joy was seeing a sea turtle. Wow. How majestic and graceful. It was truly awesome.
Honolulu is as expensive as I remembered. Our first meal (on Friday) consisted of two cheeseburgers, an appetizer and 1 beer. $40! Being a Downward, I know how to be thrifty, though. We have cereal and fruit in our condo each morning, and I've bought sandwich makings for some lunches. We also brought a bottle of wine with us to have before we go out in the evenings.
We've also enjoyed searching out the local restaurants that are off the beaten path. Last night, we found a sushi place that was CHEAP and really good. We ate like kings, and spent less than we did on those just-satisfactory cheeseburgers. The Ahi tuna here is so fresh, it melts like butter in your mouth!
Today is my second day on my own, as Steve is actually here for work. Yesterday I rented an umbrella and read a whole book cover to cover, listening to the waves. I've been very careful with my pale white skin, slathering on the sunscreen multiple times a day and hiding beneath a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, but alas, my foot must have been sticking out from the umbrella and got burned! It's just the left one. I'm wearing sneakers today and will likely spend most of my day perusing the shops. Gotta give my skin a break from this intense sun.
The internet cafe I'm in is also quite costly, but I have lots to write about so I'll probably post again soon. Miss you all!
Steve and I arrived to a soft but steady rain on Friday. I guess it must have been a slow news day stateside, because both my mom and my friend who is checking on my cat Sabrina mentioned the flooding in Oahu. It happened a couple days before we arrived, and was only in a small section on the West side. (We are staying on the south beach, Waikiki) Anyway, no worries! And by Saturday, we had seen 3 rainbows.
By today, we finally feel adjusted to the time change. We have been going to bed earlier and getting up earlier than we do back home, but it's nice because we have breakfast on our patio and watch the sun come up.
We went snorkeling in Hanauma Bay on Saturday and again yesterday afternoon after Steve finished his work. On our first excursion, we saw at least 20 different fish and an octopus. The octopus was blinking his eye at us, and we enjoyed watching him until he squeezed himself into a crack in the coral and shut his eye. We would have missed him like that. It's incredible how much he blended in to his environment.
Yesterday, we went into a different part of the bay, and again saw many fish. My favorite was a new one (not one we had previously seen) who was also hidden among the coral. I also enjoyed watching a little fish pop his head in and out from his hidden spot in the coral. I kept thinking about Finding Nemo and giving each fish different characteristics in my mind.
Our biggest joy was seeing a sea turtle. Wow. How majestic and graceful. It was truly awesome.
Honolulu is as expensive as I remembered. Our first meal (on Friday) consisted of two cheeseburgers, an appetizer and 1 beer. $40! Being a Downward, I know how to be thrifty, though. We have cereal and fruit in our condo each morning, and I've bought sandwich makings for some lunches. We also brought a bottle of wine with us to have before we go out in the evenings.
We've also enjoyed searching out the local restaurants that are off the beaten path. Last night, we found a sushi place that was CHEAP and really good. We ate like kings, and spent less than we did on those just-satisfactory cheeseburgers. The Ahi tuna here is so fresh, it melts like butter in your mouth!
Today is my second day on my own, as Steve is actually here for work. Yesterday I rented an umbrella and read a whole book cover to cover, listening to the waves. I've been very careful with my pale white skin, slathering on the sunscreen multiple times a day and hiding beneath a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, but alas, my foot must have been sticking out from the umbrella and got burned! It's just the left one. I'm wearing sneakers today and will likely spend most of my day perusing the shops. Gotta give my skin a break from this intense sun.
The internet cafe I'm in is also quite costly, but I have lots to write about so I'll probably post again soon. Miss you all!
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