Freaky Friday

What a day! I was up late last night after seeing a friend's play and not getting into bed until midnight. I did not have the energy to pack my day bag or lunch before crawling into bed. I watched Leno and part of Jimmy Fallon before falling asleep. I woke up with tummy issues (blaming it on the Panera Bread cinnamon roll I ate last night- which btw they now list calories next to every item menu... pretty scary seeing just how much you are consuming) but set my phone to let me snooze for 20 minutes after my alarm clock went off early. I was just laying in bed and never heard my phone go off... after what seemed like the longest 5 minutes, I ended up oversleeping 20 extra minutes and my phone showed that the alarm had gone off and was waiting for me to tell me to snooze or shut it off. So, I got up and was 10 minutes late out the door than usual, but then the bus was 20 minutes late so I was 30 minutes late to work. At work, the was major transportation issues with the cab I called to get the Dean over to MIT. Another Dean going next to MIT took the cab I called for our Dean and the other Dean's car service car wouldn't take our Dean over there so I had to call the cab company who said they already picked up and dropped off our voucher call at MIT and I was like "no". So he ended up being late for his meeting. Then I received a scroll in the mail and that damn thing won't stay open and I didn't want to fold it or smash it. Ugh! I am so ready for the 3-day weekend! It's much colder today than yesterday, no sun. Yesterday was sunny with blue skies that made it look so beautiful out. We didn't get above 28° today. It's one of those day's I'd like to start over, but be afraid as to what else would happen. Anyway, fun night out with friends for a bowling party and YAY for BLUE CHEESE CHIPS! We got a free huge plate of them thanks to Suzanna talking to the manger (guy in suit) who was the one who took them off the menu! Of course, now my tummy doesn't feel so great, but man they were good!

[photo taken yesterday- day after snow day- HMS Quad]

Goodbye Nashi

One can never expect the unexpected. Today was a beautiful day. Rode to work with a friend and had some time to catch up. Got quite a lot of work done before getting a text and phone call that my mom was at the vet with my cat.

My 19 year old and 9 month old cat, who was rescued by my next door neighbor's greenhouse, abandoned by her mother after a day and nursed back to health, became my cat when I was 10 when my parents surprised us with giving us Nashi (aka Nashers). She was my baby. Growing up my sisters and I would dress her up in doll clothes, push her around in our baby stroller, snuggle with her. She was there for me through the bad boyfriend break-ups and would crawl ontop of my chest as I cried myself to sleep, purring like crazy, comforting me. She would follow me every night at bedtime and would curl up between my legs for the night. A few years ago we learned she had a mass near her spleen that we monitored with yearly ultrasounds. A few weeks ago when I was home I brought her in for a check-up and they did the usual blood tests.

Well today, I got a few texts and a phone call before lunch that my mom had to take her in b/c of the swelling and hard stomach. Throughout my workout at lunch I was getting updates. I get out of the gym and get the call from our vet who has taken such great care of her and said that it was not good. In the past 2 weeks her red blood cell count went from 24% to 14% and that her organs were shutting down and her kidney was covered in tumors. The mass we have been watching had grown, but was not what caused her body to shut down. I was told they would have to put her down today, which came as a shock and hit me hard right before I got back to work. I had a hard time pulling myself together. I know she is in a better place and is not suffering and that she wasn't suffering that long either. I wish I could have been there to say goodbye one last time, but am so thankful I said goodbye to her and told her I loved her before I left to come back to Boston after New Years. My niece who was taking care of her and loving her in my absence had asked my mom where Nashi was after they put her down and she was told playing where all the other sick doggies and kitties go. So my niece said to me that she was in heaven. It was hard on our vet too b/c he has known her for so long. I ended up deciding to get her cremated and I will get a nice little box with her remains and a certificate. I think it's going to be hard next time I go home and not see her laying on my bed. I don't know what life was like without her. We gave her a wonderful life and it was her time. I will probably cry myself to sleep tonight, but anyone who has had a special pet, will understand.

Nashi is survived by her husband of over 13 years, Mr. Boots who knew that she was sick and in her last few days he gave her space, knowing she was sick. Also, by a fat cat named Midnight who never really got along with her, but with Nashi's passing will take the seat on the throne as the Queen of the house. She was the best cat any girl could have and put up with a lot without complaining. She will be greatly missed.

Snow Angel for a Day- 1st SNOW DAY!!

I woke up to a winter wonderland. 9 inches fell overnight and was still snowing when I get out of bed at 9:45. My very first snow day and I totally had a blast! I had a neighbor over for brunch and a movie. Waited for the T which was running and got to see snow plows plow the roads for the first time. I was such a kid today! I saw people carry snow shoes, skis and one guy had his snowboard. I arranged a group to meet at the Boston Common for snow angels, sledding, and snowball fights. I finally got to use my red plastic roll-up sled I brought from Cali. It was so much fun, but I didn't realize we were supposed to get another storm in the afternoon which hit us as we first hit the slopes. We had a blast going over the bumps down the slope and I only had a few near run-ins with people. We did snow angels and went to warm up with some drinks at Beantown Pub, where another friend joined us (he actually worked today). After a few drinks we went back out in the dark and hit the slopes again. This time not as many people (or kids) were out (unlike this afternoon) and it was icier. We had another friend join us on the slopes and I even went down headfirst down the hill and raced down against a friend (of course he won every single time). What a blast! After the slopes and on our way to dinner we got into a major snowball fight. At the end of the day I spent a total of 7 hours playing in the snow and warming up with drinks, totally taking advantage of my first snow day! Thanks to Nick, Bobbi, Suzanna, Eric and Mike for making my first snow day memorable. Photos can be viewed at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=105309&id=1266379266&l=4c37b45639
It was fun being a snow angel for a day. Now its time to get out of my wet clothes and take a warm bath and swallow some Advil. Lord knows I'm gonna be sore in the morning.

Preparation

First I have to say I'm SUPER EXCITED about having my first snow day tomorrow! We didn't have those in San Diego and last winter was pathetic here. Today at work I maybe did an hours worth of work- it seemed like no one was in today. The rest of the time I was planning what I'm going to do tomorrow. Went and rented a movie in preparation for the day off. I went to the gym and burned off as many calories as I could. I finally got a hold of the people next door to tell them I need maintenance done on my radiators (my bedroom one woke me up last night hissing at 3am and the valve is closed b/c it's leaking- and yet it was gushing and steaming all night). I'm going through so many towels, it's time to get it fixed and the one in my spare bedroom doesn't even work! So thank goodness I have tomorrow off so I can get that fixed (and maybe have them change my light bulbs in my hallway which has been burnt out for 2 months now) without having to take any time off to wait for them. In Anticipation for the day off, it dawned on me that the last full week of January will be the first week of the new year that I will work a full week. And just like that, it's February! So, now I'm gonna finish cleaning the apartment so I have more play time this weekend and will make sure to fill up my water jugs and charge my cell phone and lap top in the event the power goes out with the expected 50 mph winds that is to accompany the 10-18 inches of snow tomorrow. This photo is of the HMS quad...pre-storm. On Thursday, after the storm, I will take another photo from this very spot in hopes of showing you all just how much snow we got (and b/c I just didn't snap any other photos today). Oh, and I also looked up classes for Harvard Extension school... I think I might take one in the Fall!

Forgetfulness

Part of my evening routine is getting everything ready for the following day, so I can get out the door in 30 minutes from the time my alarm clock goes off. This includes making my food and putting them in portion control containers, putting coffee and water in my espresso machines, pack my bag for the gym, lay out my medicine and pick out my outfit. I typically set everything by the door, with my keys and gloves right on my stand, so all I have to do in the morning is get up, do my morning routine and get out the door in 30 minutes. Now, today, I got up early and made it out the door to catch an earlier bus, but midway to work it dawned on me that I left my glasses on the table. I typically forget something everyday, and on occasion have had to miss the bus to run back and grab my cell phone (which I keep charging on my nightstand over night). My bag I've used since returning to Boston is a Life is Good bag that my best friend gave me for Christmas. It's bright and happy and keeps me smiling especially on days when life gives a little hiccup...because, really... my life is good...I sometimes just need a little reminder :)

Bowling Shoes

Today was an early game day, 11:34 we were bowling. After two weeks off, I came back from behind to win the first game with a 154. Now the team we played against totally beat us, but that's them breaks. The second game we did worse and my arm gave up, it's still sore. My bowling shoes I bought for my birthday last year, glow in the dark shoes! One of the teams today were admiring them. Yes, I feel cool when I wear them. :)

After the game, a few of us ate lunch together. Now, this was the first time eating out since I started my calorie counting and exercise tracking. It was tough counting calories for my meal, but did the best I could estimating what the count was based off the ingredients (comparing them to what was listed under similar items) and amount I ate...and I left food on my plate! Another thing I'm working on b/c I'm the type who would eat everything on my plate. I also started yoga tonight and played some Wii sports, but only after I took down and put away most of my Christmas stuff. Now my place looks bigger and somewhat empty.

Haymarket

After getting 11 hours of much needed sleep, I braved the cold and wet weather to go to Haymarket to buy (and save on) produce. $12 got me 2 heads of lettuce, 2 full stocks of celery, a box of clementines, 2 cartons of blueberries, 3 grapefruit, 6 naval oranges, 5 apples, 6 things of garlic, a bag of cherries and a bunch of bananas. I've never done it in winter and it was a little tricky since they covered them so we would be protected somewhat from the weather. This photo was taken on the opposite end of where I started- which is way more open and in a larger space. It started snowing as I was taking this. I hopped on the T to go home and when I was 5 stops away the T broke down do to power issues and the wire above us, so we had to sit for awhile before I was able to get home. After dropping off my produce, I headed back out to grab another Rx and some groceries and walked back in the snow. I'm not a fan of my new snow boots, not sure if they take some getting used to or what, but if they aren't rubbing on my shin, they feel like they are rubbing on the back of my leg makes me want to just throw them away and wear my old ones that aren't as warm and leak. We'll see how tomorrow goes.