Gatecrashing

I enjoy my escapism as much as the next girl and well a good piece of chick lit can be in order from time to time.

I have a penchant for the author Sophie Kinsella who also writes under her real name, Madeleine Wickham. So while I was travelling for work I picked up "The Gatecrasher" in the hopes that Ms. Wickham would provide me with an entertaining easy read.

And to be honest, I enjoyed the book quite thoroughly. That is until the last 30 pages or so.

I found the characters genuinely likeable; they were both flawed and honest (by times). Wickham managed to weave an intriguing story that kept me reading. But the last 30 pages struck me as a rushed ending, an author who was struggling to get to make a deadline, hoping that her readers didn't miss the storytelling left untold.

I certainly missed the ending the book should have had.

My Arms Shake

And, honestly and truly, are shaking as I type.

It's day 2 of the 30 Day Shred and I am not sure I have ever loved and hated someone so much, as I love and hate Jillian Michaels right now!

The description of the video is deceiving. Two minutes of cardio, two minutes of strength, one minute of abs. Repeat! A couple times over....

Seems easy enough?!?

Umm, not so much!

Must admit I'm proud of myself though! I'm sure you would be too if you tried the workout!

I highly recommend, just don't hate me when you're swearing at your tv.

Dealing with the Cobwebs

So I have spent the day trying to clear the cobwebs out my brain, cause yes, the new job still has me so busy that most days I am discombobulated upon returning home to the nest.

So I've made up my mind that this weekend is all about unwinding, relaxing and finding ways of permanently dealing with the discombobulation.

Right now, all the physical activity I'm enjoying is the running around the office I manage to do. And well, as fun as pitching it down to files in the basement to dig something up for the lawyer and then running it back upstairs because we're working on a 20 minute deadline is, it's not quite enough physicality to help me sort out my head at the end of the day.

But the problem is...I hate working out! I enjoy dancing but I'm no longer attending dance class cause it's just too late at night. I enjoy yoga but it doesn't really get your heart rate up. I generally enjoy a good aerobics class but I REALLY hate getting myself together to go the gym, you have to pack a bag, leave the house 20 minutes before the class at least, get to the gym, change, make friends in class, chat with people afterwards...and you know, all I really want is that workout!

So that got me thinking, there's got to be something I can do at home. So today I ordered Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. So many people have commented about what a great workout it is. And you know what - being able to work out in my living room just might be the best thing for me.

If anyone has any advice, suggestions about what to check out, comments about how to find inspiration and keep me motivated - I would greatly appreciate it. I am looking for things that are going to kick my butt! Seriously! It's why I have set my sights on the 30 Day Shred as my first attempt in the workout dvd world.

I figure a good workout each day will help me clear my head. Right?!?

It's got to! I need me some order!

Wish me luck?!?

So Far

So far I've sorted through my digital picture collection...I managed to get some good ones over the Christmas holidays.

In my mind that's some headway!

Now on to a new goal and a new brain to sift through the muddle that's in my head currently. That would be a joy in all honesty!

January Goals

I have decided to make my monthly goals public knowledge in the hopes that writing them down and sharing them with my blogging world will make me accountable.

Thanks Modite for inspiring me to become pro-active in accomplishing my - sometimes well intentioned but not followed through with - goals.

1) I'm attending a large wedding show at the end of the month with my cousin, I'm standing up as a bridesmaid in her wedding this August. I am going to help her prep, try to lighten her load (she's in nursing school right now, with the second semester just starting she's incredibly busy) - so to that end, I will do whatever she needs, I will book the hotel rooms, try to map out a path of what booths needs to be hit up while there, make restaurant reservations etc.

2) I am going to organize all my December photos. I want to make sure those that need to get printed actually do get printed and make sure that the pictures that need to be shared get shared with the appropriate people.

3) Plan February Ski Trip

4) I started a new job recently and the new schedule has wreaked havoc on my ability to attend dance class. At this point I have pretty much given up. My class is a late night class 9:00 - 11:00 pm on Tuesday nights and I just can't do that any more. So I need to find a new class of some sort. Maybe back to yoga! We'll see what I turn up!

Sleepy Kitten!

So I am no longer unemployed; I'm currently "overemployed" to be honest.

I was contacted by a local non-profit to take over a contract position until the end of December. I accepted eagerly because it's a group I feel passionately about. I love the work they do, I enjoy helping them however I can.

A week into my contract I was offered a full-time permanent position in the private sector (it's a strong, vibrant, community minded business with a fabulous philanthropic sense).

So now I am working on contract, trying to get up to speed in my evenings for the new position starting in January. It's only a few days in but lordy am I am ever TIRED!

I guess it's back to dreaming about sleeping in!

A Day for Love*

I love

... the smells of autumn, crisp air, holiday baking, pine needles. I love cooler weather... I adore snuggly sweaters, tights, scarves, beautiful boots. I enjoy being in that perfect outfit, wandering downtown, christmas shopping before the crowds set in.

... my morning routine. It calms me. I wake up, get ready for the day, I check email, read my morning news, immediately handle anything that can be taken care of quickly. I just love that sense of catching up, feeling informed, and being in charge of my day.

... that moment when you're reading a new book and fall in love. For me it's an instant, one minute I am kind of enjoying the read and then I am loving the read. Sometimes it's love at first site, other times it takes me a chapter or two to fall so deeply, other times I never fall, and every once in a while I walk away before I'm done. And there's a part of me that enjoys that too, the knowing when a book is not for you and it's time to walk away.

... singing, dancing, giggling with abandon but I also love being in charge, knowing what's happening next, managing the details of a project, and seeing said project through to completion.

... that sense of accomplishment you get when things go off without a hitch. Whether it's the perfect dinner party with friends, a night out with the girls, a job well done on a project at work, or a volunteer event I've helped organize. I love when life's easy, when everything's lined up so the events of the day to day are seamless.

... dreaming about my future, planning, strategizing, figuring out what the plans could, should and will be. I want to make a difference, impact people's lives for the better, and I love making plans so I can accomplish just that. Sometimes it feels silly but then I tell myself how can something that I love so much be silly! Figuring out how I can have greater impact??! I say it's a great thing.

*I challenge you to make your own list or leave a love of yours in the comments. The only catch? You can't include a single person you know on your list. No "I love the way my husband laughs" or "I love hearing my little girl call for me." It'll be tough, I know. But this particular little exercise is about stripping away everyone who defines you and figuring out what you (not his partner; not their mother/daughter/sister/friend) love.