One juxtaposition that I really enjoy about the Northwest is industry and nature. Like in the photo, Seattle thrives on the shipping industry as well as aerospace, technology, biomedical and retail. However, Seattle also thrives on its amazingly beautiful landscape. As much as this landscape lends itself to our industry, it also hinders it. The thousands of islands, narrow strips of land, mountains on both sides, and a huge volcano looming behind us are all hindrances. We're not another MidWest town as flat as can possibly be.
So what's so relevant about that to me? I thrive on being industrious; accomplishments push me forward, but so many times the mountainous hurdles are overwhelming.
I've always wanted to climb Mt. Rainier. At one point, I had a goal to climb by the time I was 30. Well, that didn't happen, but it will one day. In the meantime, I keep running into mini Mt. Rainier's in my journey of life. Some of them bigger than others, but hurdles none-the-less.
I've started this year with full intent on taking care of myself. I started out well in all areas including finances, diet, health, and mental health. Getting sick set me back a little at the gym, but I've recovered. I'm eating substantially better; I haven't had red meat for nearly 3 weeks. Although the M&M's laying in piles around the office are NOT helping!
It seems like I started up this mountain strong, took a period to circle it a bit and am moving back up, although a bit more slowly.
Another mountain I've run into is a huge change to my job landscape. Ownership in the company has changed, leadership has changed, everything's changing. Now, I'm all for change, but I like it to be participant driven, not driven by a single overlord. So, I'm questioning my position here. I was called by a recruiter this week and I have an interview next week for an analyst position with a huge pay increase.
However, I'm not an analyst! I'm a data geek, I love to analyze data in my uneducated way but here I am going to an interview at a company that I probably don't qualify for. However, I've jumped in over my head before and come out very wet yet alive. The only problem with that is the commitment to myself not to change anything for 2 years. I really need to learn how to live in a stable environment!
So, I'm going to go to the interview with the confidence I typically have in those situations and see what comes of it. If I get offered the job, I'll present it to Lorig before I take it. If they can't meet my expectations for job quality, benefits and salary, then I'll make the move. Besides, its the 42nd story of the Columbia Center...think of the view!
Onwards...upwards...
Friday, January 25, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Self-Care
Here we are in a new year, which stupidly signifies new beginnings. I usually shirk the false meanings that people give times of year, but for some reason a new year always starts with new beginnings. Spring does the same for me; it's one of the reasons Easter is my favorite holiday. It's another day to start afresh.
As demised from previous blogs, I'm really trying to take self-care seriously; from my general health to my mental well-being and everything in between. I've made great progress with my financial well-being and was very proud to make it through Christmas without breaking the bank.
Last week, I visited the doctor and learned that my triglycerides were off the charts, coming in at around 799 (400 is high). I'm having my lipids retested this week with a better fast, along with a glucose load test, but my cholesterol is still high. I was put on medication and after asking my family if this was common, every last member emailed me to let me know what TWO medications they were on. Now my family isn't a picture of health in any way shape or form, but I think this is mostly from genetics. None-the-less, this drove the point home that I need to take care of myself like I never have before.
I went to the gym twice this week. On Wednesday, I worked out for an hour; half on a bike and half on a treadmill. Yesterday, I went back and did 5 - 12 minute miles on the treadmill. This was the first time I've run 5 miles in my life! The exercize felt great, as is to be expected. I still feel like an idiot at the gym not knowing what to do or how to stretch or anything. As much experience as I've had at a gym, with a private trainer, etc, the place still doesn't make any sense to me. My workout partner is off to Mexico for the month getting married, so I'm on my own. I left her to her own devices for the last 8 months, so I guess this is what I get.
I'm also going to start seeing a therapist for the first time in 6 years on Monday. After 13 years of reparative type therapy, it'll be interesting to experience it from a completely different perspective. I think I have the source of my depression pinpointed; I just don't know how to overcome it. I grew up in an abusive environment and that is modus operandi for me. I don't know how to cope with a non-destructive, non-chaotic, stable environment. My job is perfect, I'm stable, I have stable friends, I don't have anyone in my life that is trying to destroy me except for me. Now that everything is working in my favor, I have no clue how to cope with life. I need to learn how to progress, succeed, and accomplish with the same vigor as I do when the whole world is against me.
So, progress is happening in my life and I think 2008 is going to be an amazing year as long as I don't self-sabotage. I haven't really made specific goals yet for 2008 (fear of failure...don't want to pinpoint it), but I'll give some general ideas:
Finances: have 3 mos salary in savings
Health: visit doctor regularly, take care of my cholesterol
Diet: avoid red meat (boohoo); reduce refined sugars by 50% (I did a whole year with none, so this *should* be achievable)
Weight: Lose 25 pounds (the amount I gained in the past 2 years)
Exercise: 3x/week and run a half marathon
Relax: Go to Hawaii for 1 week and actually enjoy myself
Education: Take a photography class, language class or take GMAT in prep for an MIB (international business)
As demised from previous blogs, I'm really trying to take self-care seriously; from my general health to my mental well-being and everything in between. I've made great progress with my financial well-being and was very proud to make it through Christmas without breaking the bank.
Last week, I visited the doctor and learned that my triglycerides were off the charts, coming in at around 799 (400 is high). I'm having my lipids retested this week with a better fast, along with a glucose load test, but my cholesterol is still high. I was put on medication and after asking my family if this was common, every last member emailed me to let me know what TWO medications they were on. Now my family isn't a picture of health in any way shape or form, but I think this is mostly from genetics. None-the-less, this drove the point home that I need to take care of myself like I never have before.
I went to the gym twice this week. On Wednesday, I worked out for an hour; half on a bike and half on a treadmill. Yesterday, I went back and did 5 - 12 minute miles on the treadmill. This was the first time I've run 5 miles in my life! The exercize felt great, as is to be expected. I still feel like an idiot at the gym not knowing what to do or how to stretch or anything. As much experience as I've had at a gym, with a private trainer, etc, the place still doesn't make any sense to me. My workout partner is off to Mexico for the month getting married, so I'm on my own. I left her to her own devices for the last 8 months, so I guess this is what I get.
I'm also going to start seeing a therapist for the first time in 6 years on Monday. After 13 years of reparative type therapy, it'll be interesting to experience it from a completely different perspective. I think I have the source of my depression pinpointed; I just don't know how to overcome it. I grew up in an abusive environment and that is modus operandi for me. I don't know how to cope with a non-destructive, non-chaotic, stable environment. My job is perfect, I'm stable, I have stable friends, I don't have anyone in my life that is trying to destroy me except for me. Now that everything is working in my favor, I have no clue how to cope with life. I need to learn how to progress, succeed, and accomplish with the same vigor as I do when the whole world is against me.
So, progress is happening in my life and I think 2008 is going to be an amazing year as long as I don't self-sabotage. I haven't really made specific goals yet for 2008 (fear of failure...don't want to pinpoint it), but I'll give some general ideas:
Finances: have 3 mos salary in savings
Health: visit doctor regularly, take care of my cholesterol
Diet: avoid red meat (boohoo); reduce refined sugars by 50% (I did a whole year with none, so this *should* be achievable)
Weight: Lose 25 pounds (the amount I gained in the past 2 years)
Exercise: 3x/week and run a half marathon
Relax: Go to Hawaii for 1 week and actually enjoy myself
Education: Take a photography class, language class or take GMAT in prep for an MIB (international business)
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