Tonight, I really wanted a Chipotle Burrito Bol.
I wanted one so bad, that twice I attempted to convince innocent friends that they, too, wanted to go to Chipotle. Which wouldn't seem so bad, except I wanted to go at 8 p.m. It was calling to me...
The little Betty Crocker noodle bowl seemed so typical, so blah. After being rejected by TreevHuggin' Hippie and Casanova, I convinced myself it would be ridiculous to put off the commute home for another thirty minutes just so I could stuff myself with delicious rice, sour cream and cheese...
Now that I'm home, stuffed full of four cheese macaroni, I am glad I packed my meal... and ate it!
Showing posts with label Quest #7. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quest #7. Show all posts
Monday, October 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Thoughts
1. Yesterday was daughter's first day as a sophomore! It was strange to take the first day of school picture on the porch without the teenager. But, daughter looks so grown up. We are having some great Mother-Daughter moments in the morning. Today was a sad moment, when she needed a hug because she missed the teenager. Also, since daughter and I pack our lunches together in the morning, I have packed a lunch for two days straight!
2. Yesterday, between classes, I ran to the U of M to drop off 50+ mini-bags of puppy chow that husband and I prepared together for a sorority picnic (I'm on the alumni board). Teenager walked down and I gave him a bag filled with things, mostly food, that I forgot to bring Monday. I tried to be brief. Almost everyone I talk to has given me a mini-lecture about "letting him go," that I need to stop visiting him so often and communicating with him, etc. So I've made a pact with myself that I will not initiate contact so that he has his space. (But teenager, if you're reading this, I will respond when you contact me! I just can't initiate it!!!!)
3. Yesterday, I also got to spend some time with Hol-dog and her sister, B-dog. Hol-dog was one of my closest sorority sisters. We are kindred spirits. When we are together, we laugh until we cry. Her sister, B-dog, is a U of M upperclassmen who promised she would look out for the teenager. In light of my new pact, I am very thankful SOMEONE is looking out for him, even if it is the wild-and-crazy B-dog, who very well might introduce teenager to more trouble than if he was left to his own devices... (Just kidding B-dog!)
4. Today I was a reader for St. Thomas' Interfaith Blessing. I was honored to be asked, and read Phillipians 4:4-8.
5. I am really tired. I am currently a slave to my schedule. I need to start saying no or I'm going to burn out before the month is over!
2. Yesterday, between classes, I ran to the U of M to drop off 50+ mini-bags of puppy chow that husband and I prepared together for a sorority picnic (I'm on the alumni board). Teenager walked down and I gave him a bag filled with things, mostly food, that I forgot to bring Monday. I tried to be brief. Almost everyone I talk to has given me a mini-lecture about "letting him go," that I need to stop visiting him so often and communicating with him, etc. So I've made a pact with myself that I will not initiate contact so that he has his space. (But teenager, if you're reading this, I will respond when you contact me! I just can't initiate it!!!!)
3. Yesterday, I also got to spend some time with Hol-dog and her sister, B-dog. Hol-dog was one of my closest sorority sisters. We are kindred spirits. When we are together, we laugh until we cry. Her sister, B-dog, is a U of M upperclassmen who promised she would look out for the teenager. In light of my new pact, I am very thankful SOMEONE is looking out for him, even if it is the wild-and-crazy B-dog, who very well might introduce teenager to more trouble than if he was left to his own devices... (Just kidding B-dog!)
4. Today I was a reader for St. Thomas' Interfaith Blessing. I was honored to be asked, and read Phillipians 4:4-8.
5. I am really tired. I am currently a slave to my schedule. I need to start saying no or I'm going to burn out before the month is over!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Day 10: $8.95
This week started off a little better than last week. Co-clerk, Intern and I had a fun lunch of Greek salads. I really should just pack my lunch... but I don't want to...
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Day 9: The total climbs...
My bookend days - Monday and Friday - did not bode well for the grand total. I exceeded my Monday total with a whopping $26 (including tip - as a former waitress as long as you make a reasonable effort I tend to do 20%). Met up with some Law Journal Alumni at a favorite seafood grill - Crab salad was pretty yummy! My alumni friends, Interrogator and Buffer (so named because Interrogator once questioned me to tears, and Buffer is the arbitrator when Interrogator and I cross from collegial friendship into adversarial bickering) just finished the bar exam. Amongst other topics, it was interesting to discuss the "acting" aspect of being a lawyer - I want to reject the idea that I can't be my quirky self AND be a lawyer... but popular opinion in the lawyer community is that a professional image is EVERYTHING. Sigh!
So this week's total was $45. Last week was $20.51. So in theory, to even it all out to my $20 per week, next week needs to be negative five dollars. Someone has to pay me $5 to go out to eat... Oh dear.
An additional fun story is that I missed the bus for the first time. I wanted to catch the 4:39 home, and darn it if those buses weren't running like clockwork Friday afternoon! I was a block away and I saw the bus cross the intersection. I ran full speed; I checked my watch and yes, it was 4:40 so it was definitely my bus. I got caught at the light, but as soon as the traffic subsided I ran across - but the bus now had a green light.
In the past, I have watched people sprint to the bus, and seen the utter look of defeat as the bus drives away. I internally judged and mocked those people. With that in mind, I kept running past the initial bus stop. Part of me thought, maybe I can catch the lights right, run the next two blocks, and catch the bus at the next stop. Most of me thought, I can't let these people see that I missed the bus! So I ran... and ran... and ran until I was at one of the last downtown bus stops.
It was relatively deserted and I felt my pride was safe.
So this week's total was $45. Last week was $20.51. So in theory, to even it all out to my $20 per week, next week needs to be negative five dollars. Someone has to pay me $5 to go out to eat... Oh dear.
An additional fun story is that I missed the bus for the first time. I wanted to catch the 4:39 home, and darn it if those buses weren't running like clockwork Friday afternoon! I was a block away and I saw the bus cross the intersection. I ran full speed; I checked my watch and yes, it was 4:40 so it was definitely my bus. I got caught at the light, but as soon as the traffic subsided I ran across - but the bus now had a green light.
In the past, I have watched people sprint to the bus, and seen the utter look of defeat as the bus drives away. I internally judged and mocked those people. With that in mind, I kept running past the initial bus stop. Part of me thought, maybe I can catch the lights right, run the next two blocks, and catch the bus at the next stop. Most of me thought, I can't let these people see that I missed the bus! So I ran... and ran... and ran until I was at one of the last downtown bus stops.
It was relatively deserted and I felt my pride was safe.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Day 8: Random Thoughts
This morning I was crabby. I knocked a precarious tower of remote controls, DVDs and cases, and other random crap off of the dresser this morning; I was critical of daughter's breakfast choice (a peanut butter sandwich, and trail mix that she was dipping into peanut butter) and I yelled in the teenager's face (First I yell for him to get up from the bottom of the stairs... then I pound on his door while yelling... then when he opened his door I just yelled AAHHHHHHH! Why can't he just set an alarm?).
Despite the day's rough beginning, it took a delightful turn at noon: Another free lunch! My work mentor took me out today.
This evening, CampingBride complimented my blog - and I didn't even know she was reading it! Thank you CampingBride!
Finally, the teenager informed me that when my parents stopped in yesterday to pick up my sister's luggage (she loaned it to me for Europe), the first thing they did was check out the scary room to assess its progress. Then, when they saw my pile of scrapbooking pictures, they told him I would never get to the scary room.
I'll show them. I'll get my Europe pages done AND the scary room. By the end of the month.
Despite the day's rough beginning, it took a delightful turn at noon: Another free lunch! My work mentor took me out today.
This evening, CampingBride complimented my blog - and I didn't even know she was reading it! Thank you CampingBride!
Finally, the teenager informed me that when my parents stopped in yesterday to pick up my sister's luggage (she loaned it to me for Europe), the first thing they did was check out the scary room to assess its progress. Then, when they saw my pile of scrapbooking pictures, they told him I would never get to the scary room.
I'll show them. I'll get my Europe pages done AND the scary room. By the end of the month.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Day 7: Monday's Lunch
Today I ate Monday's packed lunch. Italian pasta salad, one of two dishes that I make well (the other is cheesy hamburger bake). I was in a hurry, so the fact that my lunch was solely the pasta salad didn't seem significant until I returned home at 7 p.m. FAMISHED. Husband decided to try making home-made Bruschetta, and the sweetie that he is he waited for me to get home and made me my very own, personal-and-fresh batch. It was fabulous!
I just spent the past hour or so perusing online scrapbook stores because my Europe pictures arrived today and I am SO excited to relive the trip! It is now WAY past my bedtime...
I just spent the past hour or so perusing online scrapbook stores because my Europe pictures arrived today and I am SO excited to relive the trip! It is now WAY past my bedtime...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Day 6: Will Present For Food!
Today I served on a panel at law school to share about my experience in the OCI (or "On Campus Interviewing" process). LawLady was also there, and I'm sure we confused everyone because our strategies couldn't be more different! She is essentially the poster child of Career and Professional Services - she has great grades, a great interviewing personality, wears pearls and a black suit to interviews, and is focused on the work. I am the rebel applicant. I'm me... maybe a little "too" me. I wore big jewelry, I dared to utter the words "work-life balance" in my cover letter, and once at the end of an interview I told the firm representative (politely) that I would save him some time and withdraw from applying, because I didn't think we would be a good fit. We both got jobs... so what does that tell you?
Anyways, lunch was provided - always a plus!
border="0" alt="Hit Counters">
Web Site Hit Counters
Anyways, lunch was provided - always a plus!
Web Site Hit Counters
Monday, August 2, 2010
Day 5: Double-digit lunch....
Well...
In my defense, I owed co-clerk lunch. She offered to do a project for me when I was leaving for vacation, and then while I was gone the project turned into weekend work for her... I love my co-clerk, and thus I shower her with food (like Triolade).
We both brought lunch today. Yes, I actually packed my lunch today! Step one - check. BUT I failed on Step two - eat lunch. Instead, co-clerk and I went to Masa for lunch. The three items for $10 is very economical and tasty... but you can't go to Masa without getting their white rice. I asked if white rice could take the place of a mini-entree, and apparently I asked a little too eagerly because they said no, just knowing I would succumb and purchase the rice anyways.
And tax and tip. For a grand total of $33. Even if we subtract co-clerk's bill, my week total is already at $19.
Oh dear.
On the plus side, I asked Husband if he was appalled at how much I spent in Europe, and he responded he didn't know yet because the amounts were all still in foreign currencies. So I probably should use my credit card now, before Husband and his new Swiss Army Knife get a hold of it after the bill converts into dollars...
In my defense, I owed co-clerk lunch. She offered to do a project for me when I was leaving for vacation, and then while I was gone the project turned into weekend work for her... I love my co-clerk, and thus I shower her with food (like Triolade).
We both brought lunch today. Yes, I actually packed my lunch today! Step one - check. BUT I failed on Step two - eat lunch. Instead, co-clerk and I went to Masa for lunch. The three items for $10 is very economical and tasty... but you can't go to Masa without getting their white rice. I asked if white rice could take the place of a mini-entree, and apparently I asked a little too eagerly because they said no, just knowing I would succumb and purchase the rice anyways.
And tax and tip. For a grand total of $33. Even if we subtract co-clerk's bill, my week total is already at $19.
Oh dear.
On the plus side, I asked Husband if he was appalled at how much I spent in Europe, and he responded he didn't know yet because the amounts were all still in foreign currencies. So I probably should use my credit card now, before Husband and his new Swiss Army Knife get a hold of it after the bill converts into dollars...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Day 3 & 4: $11
Thursday was a free lunch, although I didn't get to enjoy it much since I was presenting with co-clerk to the rest of the firm. There were some fun moments (I like presenting) and some awkward moments (when I answered an audience question and the response was essentially, No that's not what I asked... oh, and when I was looking for something in my notes while the audience waited. And waited. And waited).
Friday was lunch out with co-clerk, funintern, and a young associate. I spent $11 on the fabulous salad bar at Skyroom. I love Skyroom because I feel like I'm making an effort to eat healthy - lettuce, broccoli, mushrooms, peas - and then I make it as unhealthy as I can with several different kinds of cheese, salad dressing, hard-boiled egg, and don't forget one or two pasta salads on the side, plus bread, and maybe even a cheesy cream soup. Sigh - Quest #1, only eat until I'm full, definitely comes into play (somewhat).
So, the week's total for four days was $13.87. I checked my receipts and on Monday I got a sandwich for $6.64, so for the week I came in at $20.51. I am happy with that number - if I could limit myself to $20 worth of lunch spending per week, Husband would be overjoyed!
Friday was lunch out with co-clerk, funintern, and a young associate. I spent $11 on the fabulous salad bar at Skyroom. I love Skyroom because I feel like I'm making an effort to eat healthy - lettuce, broccoli, mushrooms, peas - and then I make it as unhealthy as I can with several different kinds of cheese, salad dressing, hard-boiled egg, and don't forget one or two pasta salads on the side, plus bread, and maybe even a cheesy cream soup. Sigh - Quest #1, only eat until I'm full, definitely comes into play (somewhat).
So, the week's total for four days was $13.87. I checked my receipts and on Monday I got a sandwich for $6.64, so for the week I came in at $20.51. I am happy with that number - if I could limit myself to $20 worth of lunch spending per week, Husband would be overjoyed!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 2: Two lunches for $2.87
My first lunch was unexpected, and free, courtesy of an office baby shower.
My second lunch, while planned, consisted of a brownie. I was meeting LawLady, and while the piggy in me could have downed a second sandwich, I held true to the quest and got an overpriced brownie. At the time, I was so proud of myself for spending so little that it didn't hit me that I was spending over $2 for a BROWNIE.
On an unrelated note, the teenager has been assigned a college roommate... from WISCONSIN. Great. Just great. :-)
My second lunch, while planned, consisted of a brownie. I was meeting LawLady, and while the piggy in me could have downed a second sandwich, I held true to the quest and got an overpriced brownie. At the time, I was so proud of myself for spending so little that it didn't hit me that I was spending over $2 for a BROWNIE.
On an unrelated note, the teenager has been assigned a college roommate... from WISCONSIN. Great. Just great. :-)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Quest #7: Eat Cheap
My next 10-day quest is to see how cheaply I can eat. My lunch receipt pile is not only thick, it is dense in terms of money spent. My mom always said I had expensive taste, and sadly it has become a literal truth.
Some methods I am going to use to trim down my big lunch spending: packing a lunch (ideal), foregoing the extra sides and drinks, and using coupons, giftcards, punchcards, etc.
An optimistic bonus is that eating less expensively might translate into eating more healthy!
A quick update on the other quests:
Quest #1: 30 minutes of exercise and not eating when full. I am 0/2 today (we had macaroni and cheese and hotdogs, and there was NO mac and cheese in Europe!)
Quest #2: Punctuality. I am still riding the bus, and throughout Europe I was generally pretty punctual.
Quest #3: 12 Days of Graduation. Our last summer! Daughter tells the Lord each night that she is sad her brother is going to college. Tear!
Quest #4: The Daughter Dare. While jet lag is not good for my patience level, absence does make the heart grow fonder - In Germany, I saw a teenage girl with Down syndrome, walking very slowly as her father more or less pulled her along, and deep down I wish I was pulling my daughter around the streets of Rotenburg!
Quest #5: The Scary Room. Is still scary. Sigh!
Quest #6: Europe... was amazing!
Some methods I am going to use to trim down my big lunch spending: packing a lunch (ideal), foregoing the extra sides and drinks, and using coupons, giftcards, punchcards, etc.
An optimistic bonus is that eating less expensively might translate into eating more healthy!
A quick update on the other quests:
Quest #1: 30 minutes of exercise and not eating when full. I am 0/2 today (we had macaroni and cheese and hotdogs, and there was NO mac and cheese in Europe!)
Quest #2: Punctuality. I am still riding the bus, and throughout Europe I was generally pretty punctual.
Quest #3: 12 Days of Graduation. Our last summer! Daughter tells the Lord each night that she is sad her brother is going to college. Tear!
Quest #4: The Daughter Dare. While jet lag is not good for my patience level, absence does make the heart grow fonder - In Germany, I saw a teenage girl with Down syndrome, walking very slowly as her father more or less pulled her along, and deep down I wish I was pulling my daughter around the streets of Rotenburg!
Quest #5: The Scary Room. Is still scary. Sigh!
Quest #6: Europe... was amazing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)