Posts Tagged "Ramblings"

On Stress

Posted on May 10, 2012 | 23 comments

Sometimes, I get tired of people (and Doctors) telling me that I’m stressed. I mean, I went to school – stress is that feeling when you have a million exams and tests piled up, right? I haven’t had that school-stressed-out feeling in a while, so I just assumed that I don’t get stressed much anymore. But lately, I’ve been re-thinking that. Perhaps stress just feels different now, especially because I stress about different types of things? I think I can finally identify adult stress as that ‘worked-up’ adrenaline feeling I get when I’m rushing and doing a million things at once. I used to think that that feeling of adrenaline was good because it motivated me to push past tiredness and get more things done. But if I’m not mistaken, adrenaline was designed for real fight or flight responses back in the day, not me attempting to shave five minutes off of my morning routine or speeding to get to a spinning class before its full.

So, the point of this rant? I’m just trying to slow down. Matt’s been telling me for years that rushing is bad for my health and yet I continue to rush to try to do it all. I obviously read a lot of lifestyle blogs with topics about ‘how to squeeze in a workout when you have 20 minutes’ and ‘how save time and money at the grocery store.’ I love the internet, but it stresses me out. I’m trying NOT to feel like I have to squeeze in that 20 minute workout and take a walk instead. I do a lot of passive relaxation (aka time on the couch), but I want to do more active relaxation, like making sure I have time to wind down at night before going to bed, getting massages every once in a while, listening to more calming music on my drive to work, and taking time to breathe.

And I need to use the time I save microwaving instead of cooking dinner to eat more slowly rather than woofing things down!

How do you de-stress?

Almost Summer

Posted on Apr 25, 2012 | 0 comments

Ya know, just a quinoa bowl with chic sausage and roasted veggies. With a little bbq sauce added later. Gotta have a big bowl of something at least once a week.

I can’t believe it’s almost summer! This became very evident at work today, when I found out about two more referrals. I’ve got six cases to go with barely five weeks left. It’s crunch time. In addition, I’ve got two really fun trips coming up in May, so this is the calm before the storm. I also know summer is coming because the Duke campus had a huge celebration for the last day of classes today (LDOC). I was oh-so-jealous to see girls running around in sundresses and huge dance parties in the middle of the quad. Matt and I thought about going, but we didn’t get wrist bands in time. Plus, it’s not that fun to be at a huge undergrad party when you’re sober and without all your college friends! So I went to the gym instead, and Matt went to the library. Speaking of the library and summer, Matt’s one week away from months of freedom. Maybe I’ll start cooking dinner for 2 again. It’s hard to believe he’s halfway through business school. We just got here! I won’t officially declare it summer until Memorial day though. And when I start sweating 24/7. Until then, I’ll just keep testing kids and shivering in my freezing office. Over and out.

Thoughts from [a run on] a Thursday

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 | 4 comments

• I don’t think I’ve been on an outdoor run since December. I don’t do winter.

• I discovered a greenway near my work and it was a great place to run. Gotta do that more often.

• Running outside really hurt my knees and I move at the pace of a snail.

• There were so many fun houses to look at. It’s funny how my taste has changed. I used to be so concerned with the size and cub appeal, but now I just want a house that’s cozy with hardwoods and character.

• The warm (but not hot) weather reminds me of being in college – this is my first spring in NC since I graduated and it brings back so many memories. It’s also reminds me of Nantucket. For some reason, I’ve been really craving a visit these days. I think it’s because we’ve visited in May the past two years, just as the temperatures on the island were starting to hit the 70′s.

• I miss living near the water.

• I brainstormed dinner while running: roasted broccoli, goat cheese, carrots, pecans, masala burger, cilantro hummus toast.

• I must have a handful of Puffins before bed.

• What am I gonna pack tonight? I’m going to see my grandmother tomorrow!

• What memories come flooding back to you when the weather gets warm?

Thoughts from a Thursday

Posted on Mar 1, 2012 | 15 comments

• Matt’s finished with another term of business school!

• Boyfriend home by 5 means I got to lay in bed while he cooked dinner: roasted brussels, basmati, and a ginger marinaded swordfish from WF. A nice treat!

• The weather was also a nice treat. I think the warmth affected my grocery trip because I found my cart full of summer-y fruits and vegetables!

• Why was I laying in bed at 5 o’clock? Long story short, a headache combined with a mini meltdown about my career path. I.am.beyond.lost.

• I just got back from seeing The Artist. So cute! The silence definitely required more concentration.

• So jealous of all the people heading on spring break trips tomorrow. When I was at TJ’s, I kept hearing girls say they were stocking up on goodies for their beach trips! How fun! Matt is actually participating in a special consulting practicum during his spring break, so he’ll be MIA while he works on the project.

• Relaxation is on my weekend agenda. What’s on yours?

Today

Posted on Feb 22, 2012 | 4 comments

Enter my weekly rice bowl: sweet taters, black beans, corn, salsa fresco, avocado, corn chips. I look forward to dinner all day.

Wednesdays make my head hurt. I felt pretty bad after work, but had an Exedrin migraine, and was on the bike and sweating 40 minutes later. Caffeine works wonders sometimes, yet my stomach rejects coffee. Bodies are so weird. Today’s weather = invigorating. I saw tons of people out running, but of course, I prefer the dark spinning room. My poor instructor cracked three ribs and had to teach class standing in the front. She’ll likely have to take the rest of this year off:( And the worst part is that she can’t laugh because it hurts. Also, tonight I’ve eliminated useless TV that would be blaring in the background while I stare at my computer screen. That is all.