Random Thoughts

I think Kirkland Signature Chocolate Chunk Cookies from CostCo are probably my favorite cookies EVER! It's the right kind of soft and it lasts like that, it's not like it's only good when it first gets out of the oven. One cookie, however, is 210 calories. Probably 2/3 of the calories I burn when I do my Jane Fonda video. This makes me very sad. It's a good thing I don't make it to CostCo that often since apparently I have to spend at least $100 when I go there (~$230 when I went there with Murph last weekend). There is no such thing as a quick CostCo run.

I was looking at my LinkedIn profile today (because I like to Google myself, probably waaaaay too much). And realized that I've been working for 9 months, today. I'm not sure how to commemorate that, but it feels like an accomplishment. I wonder if it's because I'm a woman.

It truly amazes me how complicated I've made my financial life, that if I were to die, whoever is dealing with my stuff will have a difficult time figuring it out...unless you knew my passwords. Then it would be slightly better since most of it is compiled and recorded someplace.

I hate that WSJ has added Sports coverage...actually I just hate that they feel the need to deface the front page with this announcement, who cares if they added it or not?!

There are advantages to working in a French bank. 1)Things aren't melting down all over the place. I feel highly insulated from any "bad bank" fears. 2)A man was just walking past an office and said "Bonjour" to his French friend. And it made me think of the beginning of Beauty and the Beast. Then I briefly sang the song to myself as I pretended to be Belle.

I'm really looking forward to my car being paid off in June. Then the Title will be given solely to me (my mama is on it with me now) then I can have NY plates.

I know my hair would look better if I blow-dried it....but I haven't done that regularly in 5 years and am not about to start up again.

I'm not sure what my love languages are anymore. Haven't had to think about it in a long time. I think it's because I've been more specific as of late, and have not found the generalizations as useful as before. Is it possible to graduate from the basics?

Dave likes to call me "The Mayor" becomes I seem to know a lot of people. That's only because I've been on this project since the beginning. I think back to July when we were having meeting after meeting with these people, and I struggled to figure out who everyone was. ESPECIALLY, when they would be just some voice on a conference call. I realize now how important it was for me to follow John around those first few weeks. Now, someone will ask me where so-and-so sits and I can usually tell them or at least figure out who to ask. I like to know everything that's going on. It's a strength of mine to find the connections between things and I enjoy doing it.

Food Tracking and More about Art

Grace told me about The Daily Plate and it's pretty amazing. It's this free online tool (connected to the Live Strong organization with the yellow bands for cancer) that tracks the calories you eat and the calories you burn. I'm guessing they make money from advertising, and the people who become "Gold" members. It isn't perfect, but the database of food and exercise is really amazingly complete. Here is my profile so far! And if you really get into it, you can also do some of the online community stuff, and there's a "Daily Food Diary" where you can blog about food and how healthy you feel, etc. Tracking things can be really fun.

Dave told me that some French dudes were kinda checking out my desk when I wasn't here. He commented that they were probably looking at my pictures and that the way my desk is laid out has a good vibe to it. I'm not sure what that really means, but man, if pictures are making people look at my desk, that's kind of creepy/cool. Every other person's desk I see is usually pretty bare, especially the consultants. But I guess I'm just the kind of person who likes to nest. Anyway, more likely the French dudes were just waiting to go see someone in an office. I think this bank has the best art put up that I've ever seen. That's against the 3 other financial institutions I've worked for. I've always wondered though how people decide to put one in a specific office. What if you were assigned an office and then you really didn't like the painting? I'm sure that's not really a problem though, considering most art they choose are innocuous.

It's a life goal of mine to own a Bob Ross painting. I used to watch the Joy of Painting in the Philippines because it was on early on Saturday mornings before the cartoons. They're just so peaceful and beautiful.

Happiness is...

Ben and I made it to the new Jollibee by Little Manila in Queens last Saturday!!! Only, there was a long ass line so we didn't get to go in. BUT, I am insanely excited to have one so close to me for it is like the article says, Filipino soul food.

We also saw He's Just Not That Into You.....and oh my goodness, I never thought a secular chick flick could get it so close to the truth. Something that what said several times was something like, "If a guy wants to date you, he'll do anything he can to make it happen. If not, then get over it and move on." Such a simple idea, but sooooooo many implications. Seriously, what a frustrating problem of idolatry. The statement is simplistic and doesn't really offer much hope. But I think it was when I realized that this is a practical way to guard my heart, that I was free to love God more, to seek Him more. I figured out that if I didn't get confirmation of interest that I wasn't playing that emotional dating game anymore. No more phone calls, no more exclusivity, no more drama. And OMG, amidst the emotional anxiety and counseling, I just didn't need it. I'm not saying I'm not as crazy as Gigi (who is awkward in her desperation and needy-ness) anymore, because I very much back slide all the time, I'm saying if Jesus is my hope and my salvation, my sanctification is on track and I ain't so crazy all the friggin' time. Cause honestly, that's always a very real and weighty question. Is Jesus my Lord and Savior? It never goes away, single, dating or married. So basically, the movie lays out some basic truths that all modern, young women should think about.