Not Oliver's gruel - though thank you Mr. Dickens for the line - I want more weekends like this one. It was absolute perfection.
My trainer was out of town this weekend, so I got an extra work-out in Thursday. Thus allowing me to sleep in a little on Saturday. I ran to the hospital for quick rounds, and then headed off to Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall with a friend. Between the wonderful weather, great company and President's Day sales, I was hard-pressed to leave. Finally made it home just as the sun was setting with a very loaded trunk. Wonderful dinner and a cute Jen Aniston chick flick and the night was complete.
Sunday was a day off work, so a lazy start. Pulled it together by early afternoon to head down to the pool. Two hours of the most perfect weather, great music and complete idleness - I could so adapt to that lifestyle. Quick visit to the nail salon for much needed mani/pedi, then out for another great dinner with friends. Why can't all weekends be exactly like this one?
Back at work today. The hospital is taking President's day off, but the University isn't. Therefore I am at work, but can' get anything accomplished. Very frustrating. Planning to leave early and do a little more sitting by the pool. If I keep up this pace, I may even have a tan by summer. Fingers crossed.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Perceptions
Isn't it interesting how two people can witness the same accident and have two entirely different stories. Many different factors both conscious and unconscious play into how each of us perceive the world around us. Two recent examples:
First - As many of you know, I haven't been overly enjoying my work environment lately. My unhappiness bled into discontent with my non-work self. An old friend came into town a couple of weeks ago. She had a medical conference nearby, and decided to spend a couple of days on the beach before heading back somewhere cold. She regaled me each evening when I got home with her great relaxing sun filled days. She walked on the beach, laid by the pool, read on the day bed - some days she didn't even have to leave my building. It sounded so good that I even left work early a few days to get in on the fun. It only took a limited amount of time, and the presence of a friend to change my perception. I was able to let my happiness at living outside of work color a better attitude for work.
Second - Valentine's day. It is not my favorite holiday. I perceive it as a day where smug couples point their fingers and laugh at those of us who are single. I recognize that my perception is influenced by my being not part of a couple, and less about the actual holiday. I don't think I personally have anything against St. Valentine, but will admit that I have said some unflattering things about him today. I have many friends who love Valentine's day. They spend weeks planning, they decorate, they buy gifts, etc. etc. These friends are all part of a couple. I am sure that also greatly affects their weird affinity to a Saint - particularly since most are not Catholic.
One only needs to look at my text from today to see both sides of this coin. My coupled friends and family have all texted me wishing me a Happy Valentine's day. Many of my single friends have also texted, but we will just say it wasn't to wish me a Happy Valentine's day. Bitter - party of one
First - As many of you know, I haven't been overly enjoying my work environment lately. My unhappiness bled into discontent with my non-work self. An old friend came into town a couple of weeks ago. She had a medical conference nearby, and decided to spend a couple of days on the beach before heading back somewhere cold. She regaled me each evening when I got home with her great relaxing sun filled days. She walked on the beach, laid by the pool, read on the day bed - some days she didn't even have to leave my building. It sounded so good that I even left work early a few days to get in on the fun. It only took a limited amount of time, and the presence of a friend to change my perception. I was able to let my happiness at living outside of work color a better attitude for work.
Second - Valentine's day. It is not my favorite holiday. I perceive it as a day where smug couples point their fingers and laugh at those of us who are single. I recognize that my perception is influenced by my being not part of a couple, and less about the actual holiday. I don't think I personally have anything against St. Valentine, but will admit that I have said some unflattering things about him today. I have many friends who love Valentine's day. They spend weeks planning, they decorate, they buy gifts, etc. etc. These friends are all part of a couple. I am sure that also greatly affects their weird affinity to a Saint - particularly since most are not Catholic.
One only needs to look at my text from today to see both sides of this coin. My coupled friends and family have all texted me wishing me a Happy Valentine's day. Many of my single friends have also texted, but we will just say it wasn't to wish me a Happy Valentine's day. Bitter - party of one
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
And now a word from our sponsors . . .
Yesterday morning I pressed pause on the drama that is my life. The original plan was to compete in the Warrior Dash in Orlando this weekend. My plan was to drive up on Friday and enjoy the weekend. Plans changed when my partner decided to leave town on his weekend on call. However, I refused to concede my day off.
I started the day with a leisurely breakfast and a little Matt Lauer. I then headed off to the gym. My trainer was going to the Warrior Dash so I had changed my Saturday workout to Friday morning. It was a much better idea before I had to reschedule my Wednesday workout to Thursday night. I would not recommend two hard circuit sessions within 12 hours, but I survived. After a little time in the steam room and a hot shower I was off again.
Needed to stop by the VA briefly - am covering Cardiac surgery there next week (Don't ask). Work accomplished - off to the mall. Theoretically I needed conditioner from the Aveda store, but in reality I needed retail therapy. Unfortunately the stores didn't get the memo. I couldn't really find anything that I wanted. After leaving with only a lone skirt, cuticle cream and the needed conditioner, it was time to head back to the gym.
No, I am not a masochist - it was not another workout. It was a massage, and not just any massage. I had booked a 90 minute deep tissue with David. It was truly much needed torture. I didn't realize how knotted up I was until David decided to unknot me. Although painful at the time, I now feel like a million bucks. I topped the evening off with a great book and a bubble bath.
Today has been mostly catching up on paperwork that I have been avoiding for weeks, and a grocery store run. It has been a fantastic hermit weekend. (Don't worry I still hate cats and actually am headed out to dinner with a friend tonight.) I push play on the work world again tomorrow, but at least I had a much needed commercial break.
I started the day with a leisurely breakfast and a little Matt Lauer. I then headed off to the gym. My trainer was going to the Warrior Dash so I had changed my Saturday workout to Friday morning. It was a much better idea before I had to reschedule my Wednesday workout to Thursday night. I would not recommend two hard circuit sessions within 12 hours, but I survived. After a little time in the steam room and a hot shower I was off again.
Needed to stop by the VA briefly - am covering Cardiac surgery there next week (Don't ask). Work accomplished - off to the mall. Theoretically I needed conditioner from the Aveda store, but in reality I needed retail therapy. Unfortunately the stores didn't get the memo. I couldn't really find anything that I wanted. After leaving with only a lone skirt, cuticle cream and the needed conditioner, it was time to head back to the gym.
No, I am not a masochist - it was not another workout. It was a massage, and not just any massage. I had booked a 90 minute deep tissue with David. It was truly much needed torture. I didn't realize how knotted up I was until David decided to unknot me. Although painful at the time, I now feel like a million bucks. I topped the evening off with a great book and a bubble bath.
Today has been mostly catching up on paperwork that I have been avoiding for weeks, and a grocery store run. It has been a fantastic hermit weekend. (Don't worry I still hate cats and actually am headed out to dinner with a friend tonight.) I push play on the work world again tomorrow, but at least I had a much needed commercial break.
Monday, January 24, 2011
I choose happiness
A while back, my best friend sent me a necklace with a pendant on it that said "I choose happiness". She is incredibly great that way. She seems to always know when I need a pick me up and I will get a random card or package in the mail. It is always a little reminder that there are people in the world who have my back. Oprah may have her Gayle, but I'll keep my Kris.
This necklace has become especially important as of late. To say that things have been a little strained at work is something of an understatement. It has nothing to do with patients, and everything to do with politics. We have had intrigue, collusion, conspiracy and deception - all add together to make for a great book, but not such a great working environment. It would be very easy to get caught up in the "plot" of it all, and must admit that I was for a couple of days. Then I found my necklace.
I was rooting through my jewelry drawer looking for a necklace to wear when I saw it. I mean really saw it. I read the pendant and to take the Oprahisms a little further - had my "aha" moment. At the end of the day, happiness is a choice. There are times of absolute sorrow, fear or anger, but most of the times we can take our emotions where we want them to go. We can choose to get caught up in the pettiness going on around us, or we can say "I choose happiness." I choose to believe that things happen for a reason, and at the end of the day we all get back what we put out into the world.
I will continue to be the best me that I can be. I will accept that the only person that I can control is myself. I will choose happiness and the rest of the chips can fall where they may.
Thanks Kris.
This necklace has become especially important as of late. To say that things have been a little strained at work is something of an understatement. It has nothing to do with patients, and everything to do with politics. We have had intrigue, collusion, conspiracy and deception - all add together to make for a great book, but not such a great working environment. It would be very easy to get caught up in the "plot" of it all, and must admit that I was for a couple of days. Then I found my necklace.
I was rooting through my jewelry drawer looking for a necklace to wear when I saw it. I mean really saw it. I read the pendant and to take the Oprahisms a little further - had my "aha" moment. At the end of the day, happiness is a choice. There are times of absolute sorrow, fear or anger, but most of the times we can take our emotions where we want them to go. We can choose to get caught up in the pettiness going on around us, or we can say "I choose happiness." I choose to believe that things happen for a reason, and at the end of the day we all get back what we put out into the world.
I will continue to be the best me that I can be. I will accept that the only person that I can control is myself. I will choose happiness and the rest of the chips can fall where they may.
Thanks Kris.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Having A Moment
I'm having a moment - and unfortunately it's not a good one.
Very long story not worth getting into, but let's just say life in the real world isn't everything it is cracked up to be. Sometimes I wonder if I work at a hospital in an "academic" center or I accidentally took a job with five year old children at an elementary school.
I am a 37 year old woman. All I ask is that all the people older than me (which is almost everyone that I work with) act their age. Simple enough right?
Trust no one, and start looking for an escape hatch.
Very long story not worth getting into, but let's just say life in the real world isn't everything it is cracked up to be. Sometimes I wonder if I work at a hospital in an "academic" center or I accidentally took a job with five year old children at an elementary school.
I am a 37 year old woman. All I ask is that all the people older than me (which is almost everyone that I work with) act their age. Simple enough right?
Trust no one, and start looking for an escape hatch.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Weekend Wrap-up
Even though it started off with a less than stellar date, I am happy to report the weekend turned out pretty great especially for a call weekend.
I won't bore you with the date details, and believe me bore you it would, Saturday dawned warm and beautiful. After a morning of rounding and interviewing surgical candidates, I headed for a quick trip to the bookstore. Not only picked up a couple of books on photography - my new hobby, but also got my first of twelve "real books" to read this year.
I am starting with Decoded by Jay-Z. Surprised? Me too, very pleasantly so. It was so beautiful on Saturday that I curled up on the day bed for a couple of hours and dug in immediately. The book so far is fascinating.
I was finally able to pull myself back inside and got a few things accomplished. Laundry, dishes, etc. (I lost my cleaning lady over the holiday so need to either find a new one or find a mop. Bet you can't guess which way I'm leaning.) Made a quick trip to Steve Madden for some new sandals I had seen in a magazine as a reward for the cleaning. Motivated by Kris, I even got a mani/pedi and my eyebrows now actually look like eyebrows. A quick stop by Whole Foods for some dinner that was consumed while watching Julie and Julia on TV.
Today back to the hospital which took longer than it should and resulted in my missing church, but at least everyone ended up alive and well. This afternoon, I finally tackled the huge stack of papers on my dining room table, and finally made my budget. It really wasn't as painful as I thought, although my mom did point out that the making of the budget isn't the hard part - it's the keeping of the budget.
Ended the afternoon with some Spanish lessons and catching up with my cousin who I hadn't talked to in a while. Another quick trip to the hospital to hold the Pulmonologist's hand, and now I'm snuggled up on the couch with a mud mask watching Oprah's All Stars.
All in all (and I realize this officially makes me old) a good productive weekend. Let's just hope I can continue the good behavior into the coming week.
I won't bore you with the date details, and believe me bore you it would, Saturday dawned warm and beautiful. After a morning of rounding and interviewing surgical candidates, I headed for a quick trip to the bookstore. Not only picked up a couple of books on photography - my new hobby, but also got my first of twelve "real books" to read this year.
I am starting with Decoded by Jay-Z. Surprised? Me too, very pleasantly so. It was so beautiful on Saturday that I curled up on the day bed for a couple of hours and dug in immediately. The book so far is fascinating.
I was finally able to pull myself back inside and got a few things accomplished. Laundry, dishes, etc. (I lost my cleaning lady over the holiday so need to either find a new one or find a mop. Bet you can't guess which way I'm leaning.) Made a quick trip to Steve Madden for some new sandals I had seen in a magazine as a reward for the cleaning. Motivated by Kris, I even got a mani/pedi and my eyebrows now actually look like eyebrows. A quick stop by Whole Foods for some dinner that was consumed while watching Julie and Julia on TV.
Today back to the hospital which took longer than it should and resulted in my missing church, but at least everyone ended up alive and well. This afternoon, I finally tackled the huge stack of papers on my dining room table, and finally made my budget. It really wasn't as painful as I thought, although my mom did point out that the making of the budget isn't the hard part - it's the keeping of the budget.
Ended the afternoon with some Spanish lessons and catching up with my cousin who I hadn't talked to in a while. Another quick trip to the hospital to hold the Pulmonologist's hand, and now I'm snuggled up on the couch with a mud mask watching Oprah's All Stars.
All in all (and I realize this officially makes me old) a good productive weekend. Let's just hope I can continue the good behavior into the coming week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)