OtterGirl537

are the best! Hope you enjoyed it. 4 months ago

For texting with G this morning. Waking to thoughts that make me smile. A very good way to wake.

For the little things like making the bed and cleaning the kitchen.

For finally recrafting my résumé for the PPFA job. It’s submitted with a cover letter and references. Yay.

For having leftovers for dinner meaning no cooking and easy clean up.

For hot cocoa with marshmallows. MMMM. 4 months ago

And no excuse. Didn’t want to get out of bed and the rain reinforced that feeling. I’m also feeling a little repetitive with the Insanity followed by the Treadclimber. I’m missing swimming and biking and running. I’m missing variety and being outside. I’m missing the snowboarding.

I at least got some résumé work done and cleaned up the house. I need that. 4 months ago

I know where I want to be, know that I have the skills to do it, know I have the background, know what I want. I’m just having problems conveying that to the people who are the gate keepers. How do I convince these people who don’t even know me to hire me? How do I convince them that I can fit there need?

And this is the question on getting a place to live as well. How do I convince these landlords and property agents that I’m the right person for the home I want? My employment status got in the way once, and may be getting in the way again… Perhaps in another city, this wouldn’t be a problem as much but DC is more transitory than I realized.

So I struggle with convincing people to let me have what I want. 4 months ago

For lovely thoughts from G to awaken to.

For still going to the phone bank even though I didn’t want to get out of bed and slept past even my mandatory wake time.

For 5 hours hanging out and talking to interesting people.

For a chance to reminisce about New Orleans while giving travel tips to Ga for her trip next week. 4 months ago

I was exhausted this morning… So I still hit a wall at 3 days in a row. I had a very productive day otherwise so I think tomorrow I’ll be back without issue. 4 months ago

For being awake when G’s text came in this morning at 5 AM. Being there when he was thinking of me is priceless.

For a walk in the sunshine with the dog.

For catching up with AP and talking about lunch in the near future when she’s in Alexandria.

For a delicious, healthy dinner that neither AK or I had to cook and that AK brought home baklava for dessert. 4 months ago

Which shut Europe down 3 years ago. It’s so crazy to see it as such a lovely photograph. 4 months ago

I almost didn’t today. I was exhausted from looking at apartments yesterday (who knew it was so tiring?) and didn’t get out of bed until 9. I got in good breakfast and lunch to give me energy and then a walk in the sun with the dog for motivation.

For this one, I’m finally doing more. The Basketball drills still kill me but the first half of the workout is getting to the point of just hard instead of INSANE. Tomorrow is an easy, short day which is good given I’ll be actually doing something productive for most of the day after. 4 months ago

a tough one given I’m just figuring things out here. The deadline is more of G’s than mine, but if he decides he wants to keep me in his life it will probably involve a ring. So then I will have to decide if I want to go live in Alabama for 3 or 4 years…

Good luck with your decision. Remember the ring is just a symbol; it’s the commitment which it represents you really want. Your man sounds great and if he makes you happy… 4 months ago

So here’s the real question I have to answer about whether things will work between G and me: can I live anywhere with him or will the places he’ll have to go work break my my mind? I came across this question as I meandered along the Barrack’s Row today, looking at amazing shops and restaurants and theaters. I felt like I belonged and this is what I was looking for when I decided to come to DC and do all this stuff: to feel like I’m in my life.

Now that G knows he’ll be moving to Alabama in July of 2014, I now have to ask: Will I be able to give up this sense of belonging for the sense of belonging with him? Which is more powerful? Which will truly make me happy?

The hardest part of this, that I really need to know this answer before June. Because I either need to go all in or fold and walk away by then and I never was much of a gambler… 4 months ago

For getting up before 7 again and getting my workout done first thing. I wanted to stay in bed and ignore everything until the very last moment but the Rider actually got the Elephant on her side this morning.

For making all 5 of my apartment viewings today and meeting some very nice people.

For finding what looks like the perfect place and turning in the application before I left so I’m first in the queue. The price is good, the location works and it whole thing just feels so “me”.

For a tasty lunch of butternut squash and caramelized apple soup and some delicious kind of chicken, white cheese and pepper sandwich.

For walking around the Marine Barracks, seeing the Commandant’s house and remembering what it’s like to love being where one is. 4 months ago

Every day a little better. One day, I’ll be able to do these all the way through but right now, I’m just happy to get most of them for a lot of the time. Happier still that I got up and got this done first thing and that my day is on track with the workout done. 4 months ago

For getting up before 7 this morning and through my 2 workouts by 10.

For setting up 3 appointments for apartment viewings tomorrow with 2 more still in the works. All the places look great; now will somebody let me sign a lease?

For taking the metro into DC for training. It was so nice to not have to navigate into DC during rush hour.

For the PP training, meeting like-minded women and getting even more excited about how to get involved. One of them even offered to let me stay in her spare room until I find a place locally. Amazing women.

For hearing from G. He’s been offline for the last 2 days and finally responded. Bad things in his life and I’m so far away feeling helpless. But now I know and can support him as best I can. 4 months ago

Better and better. Was able to all 4 exercises in each rotation for the first time. I still can’t do everything continuously, but I don’t have to skip one exercise to do the next one. 4 months ago

For Super Bowl Commercials. The single best time of year to watch them. Taco Bell and Big Bang made me laugh. Budweiser Clydesdale made me cry.

For focusing enough to do my Insanity work out.

For peace and quiet with AK gone another day. The dogs only bark at me when she’s here so the last 3 days have been wonderfully bark-free. 4 months ago

This one is going to be my favorite: The Big Bang Theory

Classic. Enough said. 4 months ago

It looks like I have the 1400 calories a week down, so I need to change this up a bit. Basically, once I hit 1400 last week, I lost motivation. I need that not to happen, so I’ll make this a 2 part challenge: a minimum of 1400 calories AND 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 6 times a week.

TC #1 – 352 Cals/33 minutes
TC #2 – Tuesday morning/30 minutes (Skipped)
TC #3 – 425 Cals/40 minutes
TC #4 – Thursday morning/40 minutes
TC #5 – Friday morning/40 minutes
TC #6 – Saturday morning/30 minutes

Dog Walk #1 – 100 Cals/21 minutes

Total – 877 Cals4 months ago

Almost pushed to Monday… But I didn’t. There was improvement across the board once again. I was able to do more in the first 30 seconds but would get winded after that. The overall change wasn’t as significant as after the first 2 weeks but I think I was REALLY out of shape when I started.

Switch Kicks 97
Power Jacks 53
Power Knees 104
Power Jumps 35
Globe Jumps 8
Suicide Jumps 15
Push Up Jacks 14
Low Plank
Obliques 45 4 months ago

I took the day of rest today. I got up early enough but decided Sunday would be better for me. I’m also thinking about making space to do the workouts in AK’s basement. It wouldn’t be as noisy and I might be able to do it while AK sleeps in on the weekend. 4 months ago

For one of the greatest movies ever made. I love Bill Murray in this movie and it always makes me smile.

For a quiet day in. The dogs were quiet all day and that is truly a blessing.

For a brisk, chilly walk with the dog. It was good to get out of the house.

For spaghetti and salad with wine for dinner.

For 30 minutes on Skype with G. I told him I’d have it up and he called :) 4 months ago

We have so much here and now. We should celebrate it and honor it. 4 months ago

For starting over. This one is also from Begin with Yes

Practice using fear to your advantage. Don’t let it paralyze you; let it motivate you instead. Because being scared isn’t the problem; letting it stop you is. 4 months ago

A friend shared this on Facebook today. She got it from Begin with Yes

When you choose to love even when you’re struggling, even when your heart is breaking, even when your challenges seem almost more than you can bear, you are choosing power and hope that will hold you steady thru the difficult days. ♥ 4 months ago

It appears I end up skipping twice a week… I had no energy today and no motivation. AK has gone to visit family for the Super Bowl weekend and I had no appointments today so I had no schedule to meet. It probably doesn’t help that I’ve decided to do 2 more weeks of the first level of Insanity as I don’t feel I’m prepared for the longer, more intense month 2. So I’ll workout tomorrow and then do a fit test on Monday. 4 months ago

For the cinnamon rolls for brunch. So very tasty and cheering.

For online ordering of pizza so that I didn’t have to figure out what was for dinner and where I would get it.

For the arrival of my new boots. I finally found replacements for my 3-year-old ones which were due for replacement but well loved. These look great out of the box and FIT! I also found them on sale and saved about $50!

For getting my taxes filed easily with H&R Block. 3 weeks from now, I’ll have my return.

For clementines, which are tasty and a perfect small snack. 4 months ago

These are the random e-mails I get which I’m not sure are real. This is just a copy/paste below. I haven’t had an interview or talked to these people at all so I don’t believe it’s real. Anyone have any thoughts?

Dear Applicant,
We are happy to put you on the fact that you have successfully passed the preliminary selection among the applicants on the portal www.CareerBuilder.com.

Since we’ve considered C.V., we are happy to let you know that we have selected you to work for us. The position we are offering is Assistant Manager.

We are happy to offer you this position. We strongly believe that your knowledge, skills and experience will be among our most valuable assets.

Our company is engaged in various IT services, support, and outsourcing, applying diverse knowledge and skills, general consulting, current data in the sphere of industry and comprehensive investigation of the leading companies, we cooperate with multi-level clients to assist them with promoting their companies on a higher level.

If you accept this job offer in the role of assistant manager, you will be expected to carry out the duties and responsibilities described in the enclosed job description. Please study it thoroughly.

1. Job description:

Characteristic: permanently. You are offered a long-term job. Your general duties will be to provide reliable support to our customers, check a variety of databases, perform the duties of administrator, carry out the control over the finances and operations of the company, including reports and reports of domestic use.

2. Terms of payment:

You will be on a trial period for 14 days. Initial salary consists of the basic salary and later includes additional benefits and supplements and is issued in the amount of $4475 per month. Probation period will be compensated by $1775. Our company ensures the exceptional opportunities of cooperation to our staff, which will have a possibility to participate in the implementation of the main commercial contracts, including additional benefits. Additional compensation may amount to several thousand dollars.

3. Benefits and Pension:

Being an official employee, you will be eligible to get access to the Company`s system of privileges for the state including a complete medical and dental insurance, 401k riterement package, paid vacation and sick leaves. These kinds of benefits also imply paid National holidays of the United States, sick leave, pension, health insurance and vacations.

Please fill in the Contact Information Form below to indicate your acceptance of this offer:
- First and last name:
- Cell and landline numbers:
- State;
- E-mail address:

We look forward to welcoming you in our team and are sure that you will play an important role in our company’s expansion into national and international markets.

HR Department 4 months ago

Fridays remind me of where I am in the week and this Friday is especially hard. It’s been a month. I am still homeless. I am still jobless. I have had good prospects and they haven’t come to fruition. It’s getting harder to stay motivated. I’m lonely. I miss human interaction. I miss my things.

I want to stay positive. I want to stay energized. I’m just having a harder time finding that within. 4 months ago