Pouring

My dad emailed me today that he was shocked to hear it's rained all week in L.A. I replied:

"Normally I laugh and say it's not raining here, but it's rained all week! I may need a life raft!"

Because, usually, the news gets the conditions wrong like you wouldn't believe.

This week:

• Uneventful at work. Though things are getting a little more hectic now that I only have 2 months left.
  
• I confess: I have carpal tunnel syndrome. Wikipedia had this to say about it:
  

"Studies have also related carpal tunnel and other upper extremity complaints with psychological and social factors. A large amount of psychological distress showed doubled risk of the report of pain, while job demands, poor support from colleagues, and work dissatisfaction also showed an increase in the report of pain, even after short term exposure. A minority viewpoint holds that stress is the main cause, rather than a contributing factor, of a large fraction of pain symptoms usually attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome."

I do not think I have pain because I don't like my job. That being said, I don't really appreciate the sympathy pains people say they have. A little twinge in your wrist is not quite what I'm experiencing. From experience: it's a very real injury and it's horribly painful.

• Yesterday I went to the gym (good girl!) and who was next to me on the stair machine but my new manager! I talked to him today, and he's a very nice person.
  
• Lately my wedding planning has basically been reading True Bride Confessions. I haven't posted any "me too"s because I don't want to confess. That being said, my ring is looking exceptionally pretty right now. I like it.
• I wish school was this laid back all semester.
  
• I've been very good about cooking and bringing lunch to work, and generally not shopping, to recover from my trip. My taxes are just about done, and so far it looks like I'll get one of those $300 checks from the government this year!
  

Ahhhhhh,,,,

I had nothing planned this weekend, and that's exactly what I did. All school weekends should be this relaxing.

Friday we spent watching the Office online, eating ratatouille (so much better with the eggs and cheese), and drinking Consilience wine. We ate light knowing that we had a big birthday bash the next day. OK, so we had one thing planned for the weekend.

Saturday we still had breakfast, despite the big dinner waiting for us. We did laundry and I finished up some mini tarts. On top of that, I finished about half my reading homework, ran 4.25 miles, cleaned up, put on my new super-cute dress, and went out to Greenfield churrascaria. There's nothing like a 4-hour meat-filled dinner to make you never want to eat again!

Sunday, again, was kind of a bum-around day. I read magazines, did some reading homework (paging through a chapter called "Basic Excel Skills"), made a chicken, ratatouille, and pasta dinner, and reorganized my sock drawer. I can't tell you how long I've been meaning to throw out all those lonely socks that haven't had mates in years.

Tomorrow, I have to WORK. That's right, while you're enjoying your day off, I'm working. I don't have class, but I have to go next Saturday for a make-up class (which oddly works out, for reasons I'm sure I'll post later).

Blocked

Sad news.

Tomorrow is the last day our Disneyland Annual Passes are valid. I'm super bummed, because we're blocked out all weekend for the holiday (which we don't even get off work!).

In other news ... I started my tax return today. How, you are probably wondering, are these two things related? The sooner I get my tax return, the sooner I can blow it on renewing our passes. And maybe the half marathon. Maybe I should just make my tax return check payable to Disneyland, and save myself the trouble. $170 per pass, plus $70 for parking, plus $100 for the half marathon, equals $510.

Yup, Department of Treasury, just make that rebate payable to Disneyland.

Targeted

Sigh... Overstock.com sends me emails Friday - Sunday with special deals, knowing just what I like.


Luckily I know I don't need a $130 coat. On the other hand, I can't help but scope out potential bridesmaid dresses ...

Cooking

MO

Let me just start by saying I don't mean to offend anyone from Missouri. It's just that once you get outside Missouri, let alone the midwest, people act weird. Outside of the midwest, people see it as a black hole between coasts.

When I went to college, we had signs on our doors with our names and hometowns. The majority of students were from the Chicago area; in fact, I think I learned where most neighborhoods and towns are in relation to each other even though I've only been there once! My sign didn't actually say St. Louis, because that wasn't really my mailing address, so I think there was at least one person who asked if I was from England. But I had more than one awestruck floormate ask why I left Montana. For the record, Missouri's state abbreviation is MO; Montana's is MT. And there isn't even a city called St. Louis in Montana.

A lot of people don't realize the difference between St. Louis and East St. Louis. That's understandable. Cities that are on state borders are a little confusing, even when you know where they are, because people expand in all directions. Honestly, all of New England is a mystery to me. That being said, I still can't hide my offense when people say St.
Louis is in Illinois. No, I am not from Illinois. Which I almost always follow up with an explanation why it's offensive.

The humor of Missouri sounding like "misery" is not lost on me. It's just not as funny after 8+ years.

There have been very few - less than you can count on one hand - that are surprised we're having the wedding in California rather than Missouri.

Yes, St. Louis was voted the most dangerous city. In 2007. Detroit has recovered that honor, thank you, and no, my family does not live in fear of their lives.

"Do you think you'll ever go back?" I can't tell you how many people have asked me this question. At first I was totally dumbfounded - I had just moved, why would I undo all that less than a year later? It's been almost 4 years now, but people still ask, I'm sure just to make conversation or be polite. Normally I just smile politely back and say "No." No attitude, no eye rolling, no joke. On occasion I'll throw in a little attitude, if I'm feeling especially pestered.

Good

I've been looking forward to today for a couple of weeks.

• I got my first pick rotation! I get to go to business systems in March. The new manager told me a little bit about the job, and it sounds a lot like my database class from last semester. Great stepping stone!
  
• I was really wedding-stressed lately. Then I decided, I'd rather put in some of my own money and have something I love and won't feel disappointed about later. This means a lot of money, but I haven't regretted any of my recent big purchases lately.
• Business law is going to be easy. We even got out early! (Shh...)
• USC has a free mixer on Thursdays with free beer & food.
  
• My classmate from last semester is in my law class, and is having a little girl! She also offered to help myself and another classmate with some of the work in my Spreadsheets class.
• I have a short list of non-stereotypical MBA student friends, and that is awesome.
  
• The school week is over!