Mmm...chocolate

(No, I have not cheated on my diet.)

Non-sequiters

Just some random thoughts I need to get out of my head.

• I read an article about how Great Britain is no longer shipping chocolate to the United States. I'm a little depressed this might mean no Cadbury eggs this Easter (not the cream eggs, just the chocolate and shell). I was terrified enough to run to the grocery store yesterday to buy up all the eggs they have... but there is no Valentine's Day equivalent!

• I'm burned out on exclamation points. I read a missionary letter where every sentence ended in one or more (usually more). So, I've been making a conscious effort to use exclamation points sparingly. I hope people don't think I hate them without that extra oomph at the end of every sentence.

• I wonder what it says about me that I'm more worried about breaking my diet than I am about a blind date I've set up for next week. Or maybe I'm just trying to relieve the stress I and the setter-upper might otherwise put on myself.

• In a meeting at work yesterday, we spent 15 minutes shooting the breeze, and then seven people gave status updates in a 15 minute period. The rest of the hour was used up by one person. This happens often with this guy. I'm not sure he is assigned the most difficult and conversation-needed assignments, or if it's his way of presenting things. Either way, it drives me nuts.

• I dreamed the other night that I was eating some amazing chocolate cookies. I dream these sort of things often in the second half of the Personal Trainer Food diet. I think it's my body's way of tricking itself into thinking it's still consuming the sugary treats that I love. Most of the time I am horrified and feel guilty about breaking the diet -- I only ever catch myself after it's happened. However, on this night, I became lucid and realized I was dreaming, so I indulged as much as I wanted! I was still relieved when I woke up and confirmed it had been a dream, but that might also be because I dreamed some of my closest friends were treating me terribly.

• It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who thought the Serial podcast was frustrating. It helps to know it's a real case and it ended on a fairly positive note... but I'm not sure that I'm interested in listening to season 2 if there is one.

• And sometimes you get a company-wide e-mail about an award that you aren't eligible for. No, it's for people who already get bonuses and free trips but apparently deserve more. Meanwhile, those of us who actually create the product quietly take our paychecks and go home (and wonder why Christmas parties were done away with). Welcome to the middle class.

And now for some that I found in an unpublished draft from May 2013. They're out of date, and yet I see no reason not to share 'cause they were relevant at the time (some still are):

• I'm a pretty good driver. Not terrific, but not terrible. Just pretty good. But I haven't been in an accident, or even gotten any kind of ticket in at least 6 years. So it really irritates me when I give someone a ride and they immediately start "backseat driving." Then I just get jumpy and nervous and make more mistakes that prompt them to police me even more... ending in my not wanting to drive them around anymore. Please, just trust that I care as much about your life as I do my own.

• I don't think Project Manager B understands that every time she gives me a new "do this additional thing ASAP" project, it delays the ongoing writing I'm also trying to complete. Since she's also seemingly concerned about me finishing up the writing, I would think she'd ease up on the frantic ASAP e-mails. I would also appreciate if she'd stop consulting with the person who previously did the writing for her team (I already feel like I'm not doing well enough). Then again, she's just doing her job the best way she knows how. It's not her fault I don't like feeling stressed and micromanaged.

• Sinus infections: How long to they take to heal for normal people? I'm on antibiotics, a decongestant, and neti pot, and stayed in bed for the better part of eight days, but I don't seem to be making much progress. I've decided to return to real life again and hope that my body catches up quickly, because I'm not missing another week of beautiful Spring weather. What's that you say? It's supposed to be coldish and rainy this week? *Puts fingers in ears* La, la, laaaaaaaaaaa! I can't hear you!

• I've been getting shots to help immunize me against my allergies. I have to get a shot in each arm each time, because I'm allergic to so many things (thankfully not pets or dust -- phew!). I'm at the point where I only need to go about once a month (it was twice weekly for awhile there -- my pocketbook said "Ouch" far more than my arm did). Even so, every time I go, my arms swell painfully AND itch for about two days. Still, I've had a couple of testimonials that these shots will help me out. Someday soon, I'll be able to enjoy Spring, and not be sick on my birthday in the Fall. Can't wait!

• Anyone else object to automated toilets? I don't mind almost any other automated thing: faucets, doors, soap dispensers, traffic lights, regular lights. But the toilets are so iffy. The only thing worse than it flushing while I'm sitting on the seat is having the thing flush MULTIPLE TIMES while I'm just trying to put a toilet seat cover down. I feel so very wasteful! (Ew, no pun intended). Side note: I think toilet seat covers are brilliant.

• There are few things worse than knowing a secret, and not being able to tell anyone. Most of the time, I'd simply rather not know and be surprised along with the recipient. If you MUST tell me the secret, wait as long as possible. I like to think I'm good at keeping them, but sometimes I lose track of who I can say something to and who I can't. I'm convinced I outed my brother to our grandma, but to be fair he had, like, three years to tell her (he also wasn't at all concerned when I called to tell him -- he figured she already knew). 
• HOWEVER, if the secret is about me... well... I don't much care for most surprises, especially life-changing ones. I need some kind of hint that it's coming, if not a full-on conversation. I don't deal well with change that affects me personally.

C'est tout!

The most wonderful month of the year!

December is at an end and a New Year is baring down on us. I had a fun month, full of family and friends, parties, dinners, and plays, and two full weeks off from work. I'd say I cannot ask for more, but I'm still asking for a boyfriend someday soon (just putting that into the universe).

I scaled back the Christmas decorations in my condo this year, but I couldn't do without my tree or my Swedish star.
It finally feels like Christmas!

My mother made me this gorgeous angel. She reigns over my tree in goodness and peace.
My friends say she looks like me, but I think she looks like my mom (and a little like Glinda the Good Witch).

Larissa went all-out for her A Christmas Story viewing party this year. The details were perfect, from the movie-themed food to the leg lamp she borrowed from Kristen. I didn't do much movie watching, but I did manage to catch up with a lot of people I like!

Hostess Larissa, and Chris

The "soap" was molded chocolate. This face was me trying not to think about how many other people had put it in their mouths ;)

The G-unit performed in a special after-school choir over the holidays. He's a performer through-and-through, and the true child of his parents. He hammed his way through the actions and had a huge smile on his face the entire time. He even had a solo in one of the numbers. I'm proud of him!

This smile was right after he messed up the words. Luckily, the entire choir was singing, so nobody noticed except us... and only 'cause he started laughing!

When Brandon offered Nichole, Larissa, and me tickets to see him in A Christmas Carol at Hale Centre Theatre, we jumped at the chance! Nichole and I have fond memories performing in the play, and Larissa had never seen it before. It's a lovely production, and the story of Scrooge and Bob Cratchit has a message worth learning over and over. Maybe I'll audition for it next year...

My ward organized a special event where we attended an afternoon session at the Salt Lake Temple, and then ate a catered dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. My date cancelled on me, but I made myself go anyway. I knew I'd have plenty of friends there.

This was the view from our ballroom!

My table, minus Trinnette (the photographer)

I wasn't going to let Trinnette get away without a photo!

Blueberry chicken. It was different, but I liked it.

We had chocolate mousse for dessert. It tasted like frosting and was fabulous.

Terrible, terrible selfie with some of the lights at Temple Square

Peter's company rented out a theatre and had the employees invite friends, family, and clients to view The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies the night before it opened. I was the only one to dress in costume, but I couldn't not do it. It was my last chance!

The office Christmas party was at Tucanos this year. It's the one time of year that absolutely everyone comes into the office, and I'm always surprised at how many of us work from the Salt Lake office. I ate lunch with the User Experience and Marketing teams. We were surprised to see so many women together at once, since some of them work from home and others work in a part of the office the rest of us don't get to very often. I nearly blew their minds when I told them there are three other women on my development team, and one more in customer service!
We were also gifted a box of Cummings chocolates and a coupon to see a movie at the Megaplex for free. Hooray for the holidays!

I cannot say no to this chocolate cake. Not when it's free and lasts for four days (if I can restrain myself)

My two-week vacation started the next day :D

My nieces convinced me to do the unthinkable: I downloaded some games onto my phone. Now Breezy asks to play on my phone every time she sees me.

Hair Salon is Breezy's favorite, especially the "blowdryer" function.
The top left one is mine. I've accidentally shaved heads more often than I care to admit.

This Frozen Princess dress up game is also pretty fun.
These are all my designs.

Zonks's favorite is Dumb Ways to Die. I couldn't not download it when she moaned "I looooove it!" We both laugh our heads off while I read the directions and she tries to save the poor characters from grisly deaths (wow, that sounds horrible, but the game is hilarious).

I bought this cookie 'cause I was worried I wouldn't get any gingerbread this year. It tasted ok, but it prompted this amusing story:
"Dropped this cookie while walking up the stairs to my apartment (it was in a tiny bag). I exclaimed, "Oh no!" and one of my neighbors came running out to see if everything was ok. I was a little embarrassed to explain my reason, but she joked she would have been sad, too. I asked if she was the one doing laundry and she said she was, so I thanked her for the lovely detergent smell in the stairwell. Then we introduced ourselves. Nice to know another neighbor."

"For today's #creepshow, I parked for church, and these pigeons (plus a bunch more) immediately flocked to land on the street right next to my car. They then began circling and landing ON my car, so I backed up a bit so they'd get off, but they settled back in after I parked the second time. So, I drove away to park up the road. Happily, they didn't follow. But, wow, it was weird!"

I invited Larissa to join me for a day at the movies. We saw The Imitation Game, ate lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, then her husband, Rob joined us for Interstellar. It's been a long time since my last double-feature, and I loved having Larissa with me!

I love this time of year when gas prices are as low as they've been all year. I remember a time when I thought $1.99 per gallon was a rip off! Filling up my gas tank for less than $20? Yes, please!

Some other notable events were watching the entire series of Ugly Betty -- which I LOVED -- and joining Aaron, Heidi, and Dave in seeing Into the Woods, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I've been saying since day one that I was cautiously optimistic about ITW. It's a tough show, but the movie got the tone just right and that is the most important thing to me. 

Christmas was everything I hoped it would be, and New Year's Eve was delightfully spent playing board games with my besty, Kate, her husband, and his family. Such a nice way to end the year!

The perfect birthday card

I bought a birthday card for my manager, Beth, two years ago right after her birthday. I promised myself I would give it to her the next year.

The next winter, I was laid off from that company (not her choice -- she was really mad about it), so now we're simply friends, which basically means I still think Beth's ridiculously awesome, but I don't get to see her every day. Anyway, last year when her birthday rolled around I somehow forgot to give her the card.

Yesterday, Beth and I met each other for lunch, and I finally got to give her her perfect birthday card:

Beth chuckled when she read it, and then again when I presented her with a small bag of Dove dark chocolate. It's possible she was simply surprised I remembered her birthday, because that's never been my strength.

When we worked together, whenever we were having a particularly difficult day, Beth would ask if anyone needed "Dove love" and encourage us to eat something from her constantly-refilled candy bowl. On more than one occasion, she even bought me peanut buttery chocolates just because she knew they were my favorites. When I saw this card, I knew I had to give it to Beth. It was practically written just for her! I couldn't consider giving it to anyone else!

She said yesterday, "I don't think I'd have as good a quality of life without chocolate! Can you imagine?"

I can't imagine. Neither a life without chocolate or a life with Beth, one of the best managers I've ever had, and one of my favorite ladies to lunch with.

Now I think I'll go dig up the three musketeers I brought to work with me... mmm... chocolate...

Easter Festivities

You married folks or those who spend a lot of time around children may wonder: what might a single person do to celebrate Easter weekend? Well my friends, that's what this post is here to explore!

My manager Beth enlisted my help to do something fun for our teammates for Easter. Her idea was to put together a one-clue scavenger hunt and hide the treats somewhere different for each person. Since the team is so fond of chocolate, I bought mini-Cadbury cream eggs, regular-sized orange cream eggs, tiny hollow bunnies and chicks, and peanut butter eggs. What I forgot, however, was something to put all the chocolate in! I did have colored construction paper for the clues, so I ended up folding a page into a cone and drawing a rabbit face on it. Beth even found some rope we could use as whiskers. The resulting bunnies were a little scary, but pretty cute (if I do say so myself). Unfortunately, if we tried to lay the cone on its side all the candy spilled out. So, we grabbed styrofoam cups, drew pictures on them, and placed the construction-paper bunnies inside so that just the ears stuck out. Truely, we were working with what we had.

Beth and I were the lasts ones in the office Thursday night, so we were able to hide the bunnies without fear of being caught. Friday morning I miraculously arrived first anyway, so I got to hear how excited the others were when they discovered the clues and then the bunnies. It was fun! (And I get to eat the leftover candy. Thankfully, there isn't much...) Everyone ooh'd and aah'd over the bunnies. I may have missed my calling as a Kindergarten teacher; you don't grow up around my creative mom without learning a few skills!

On Sunday, I forgot it was Easter until just as I was leaving my apartment. I suppose I'm the only one who felt I looked conspicuous in my non-pastel, non-floral dress (I wore a black dress with red hearts on it), but I still felt disappointed. I had been late to church and didn't had time to change. For some reason, I had thought Easter was the next Sunday. I really couldn't tell you why!

During Relief Society, the teacher recounted the last week in Christ's life. I admit, I was distracted and endeared by the teacher's pronunciation of words, such as "crucification" instead of "crucifixion". I think she was just nervous, but she was darling! It reminded me of Galinda in the musical Wicked because she does the same thing with her words. However, I think Galinda does it because she's either that spacey or she just likes the way the words sound... who knows?

In Sacrament meeting there was a baby blessing...in my Singles' ward. Never fear, it was for the Bishopric 2nd Counselor's grandson (whose parents are married), but it was a little odd hearing the cooing during the meeting. Cute baby, though. His family was on my row so I glanced over at him. To my surprise, there was a slightly older infant nearby. I wanted so much to go over and squish their pudgy little legs -- my nieces can't come soon enough!

I hadn't seen my family in two weeks because of my trip, so I was excited to see them for dinner. I even dressed up, sort of. Turns out that was a good thing, because we had guests! My mom's mom, my sister-in-law's brother Russell, and his girlfriend Angela all joined the rest of us for dinner and frivolity. I played with Gunner for a bit and it turns out I'm a pretty neat Catwoman, and not nearly as good as he when it comes to hiding Easter eggs. Then Gunner and Peter and David all tried to get a really cool dragon kite in the air. I didn't watch so I'm not sure if they succeeded. It didn't seem to be a terribly windy day, but anything's possible.

At one point, all of the girls got together to talk about baby things. When Lindsey said she was excited to dress the girls in frilly things for Easter, my mom and I both cheered "Yay!" (I think our outburst scared everyone else in the group.) My mom used to sew my dresses and make headbands and clips for my hair --that's half the reason I am now so girly. Now we'll have not one but two little girls to play dress up with! Thank goodness Mom kept many of my costumes growing up...

Thanks again, Mom, for not making up Easter baskets this year. I snacked on the available candy quite enough; it was nice not to take any home.

You might think that my Easter fun ended with Sunday, wouldn't you? Ha! The FHE Committee decided that for the activity tonight we should do something having to do with the holiday. As I recall, I was the one who came up with the super-cool idea to play "Egg-cellent" games, i.e. games revolving around eggs. There was egg dying (and an opportunity to destroy), an egg hunt, and 7-11. I ended up playing 7-11 the whole time and winning big! Who knew I was so lucky at dice? By the end, there were three guys and three ladies at the table, and I rolled 7 and 11 enough to end up with the Twix at the end. It took forever, though. We came up with a rule that rolling snake eyes warranted Truth or Dare (well, just truth) but none of us was brave enough to actually answer. There was plenty of candy so everyone got something. When we finished, the six of us confessed our movie-star crushes in an effort to get to know each other a little better, which was pretty interesting. Seriously, good times.

One of my personal goals was reinforced this week. During Sunday School, the teacher managed to bring the discussion around to the Atonement (it was a lesson on family history). She asked us to take a minute to find our favorite scripture on the Atonement. It was then I realized I don't have a favorite scripture about the Atonement. But as I navigated through the Book of Mormon to 3 Nephi, a verse in chapter 9 caught my eye:

19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

I was reminded that I need to be better than I am. In order for me to benefit from Jesus Christ's sacrifice, I need to give my whole heart. Most days I feel like I go through the motions instead of really grabbing the opportunities given me. I read the scriptures regularly, but I only go to FHE once every couple of months. I have a goal to go to Institute at least once a month, but I don't talk to anyone there unless I already know them. My Savior hoped for more than that from me, and wanted me to gain the blessings. He not only atoned for my sins, He taught how I can utilize the Atonement to become perfect and live with Him again. Eternal Salvation is very do-able, but it takes constant focus and effort. I must do better; I will do better. I am thankful for the Atonement. I am thankful that the Western world celebrates that magnificent event, and that I know what it means. I just wish it lasted longer.

Does anyone else find it interesting that we have two months of Christmas music, decorations, and service, but on Easter we only have the one day and three hymns? Just something to think about.

Anyway, that was my single-gal Easter weekend. Was it all you expected?

100 Extra Steps

Since I don't have the desire to lay off the carbs anymore, I'm trying to move my body more than I usually would. This endeavor has been largely unsuccessful. However, I came up with a way to get at least 100 extra steps into my day at work.

My office is on the second floor of a three-story building. Instead of using the restroom on my floor, I take the stairs up to the third floor, then walk all the way to the first. I use the Ladies (sic) room on the first floor. Then I take the stairs all the way back up to the third floor and back to the second and go back to work.

This is, of course, if I'm not in a super-big hurry or with someone else. If I'm wearing flats, I jog the stairs. If I'm wearing heels I walk. It only takes a few extra minutes.

Not an exercise regiment, but it's something! And this way I feel slightly less annoyed with myself for succumbing to that Kneader's brownie this afternoon.

What am I Eating?

Ingredients in a Fiber One Oats and Chocolate bar:

Chicory root extract, chocolate chips with confectioners shellac (chocolate chips [sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, detrose, milk fat, soy lecithin], ethanol, shellac, hydrogenated coconut oil), rolled oats, crisp rice (rice flour, sugar, malt, salt), barley flakes, high maltose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, canola oil, honey, glycerin, maltodextrin, palm kernel oil, tricalcium, phosphate, soy lecithin, salt, non fat milk, peanut oil, cocoa processed with alkali, natural flavor, baking soda, color added, almond flour, peanut flour, sunflower meal, wheat flour. Mixed tocopherols added to retain freshness.

(It really was tastey. I promise. Thanks for sharing Emily A!)

Now I have a few questions:
1. Should I be worried that there was shellac in this product?
2. What is chicory root extract and why is there so much of it in here?
3. Should I be looking up ingredients like phosphate and alkali and tocopherols, or will it just scare me that I ate them?
4. Why did they have to add color, and
5. What color was it before?

See, this is why I don't generally read the ingredients in my processed, pre-packaged food. While I am excited that the first ingredient wasn't sugar, this food has made me think. I don't like thinking when I eat. I just want to enjoy my snack!

Peanut Butter Heaven

Well, it's crunch time at work, what with the latest release less than two weeks away. It got to the point this afternoon where I just needed some peanut butter. You heard me: Peanut Butter, preferably with some chocolate. I try so hard to bring healthy snacks to work to avoid these moods, but sometimes only chocolate and peanut butter will do.

Anyway, I asked Wendi and Beth if they had any, but they were going to Harmons' anyway so Wendi promised to get me some Peanut Butter M&Ms -- my favorite (and yet, they're hard to find. What's that about?). I was thinking she'd come back with a little one-serving pack which I would have been very satisfied with.

I thought wrong.

She and Beth presented me with a 12.7oz bag of the M&M's, a 5.3oz bag of mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, and a box of peanut butter Ritz Bits! They wouldn't even let me pay them back for it -- just said they knew how hard I've been working and recommended I hoard it in my desk for when I need it (which I would have done anyway as they very well know). I don't generally eat a lot of candy (usually Beth and Wendi leave their sweets on my desk because they know I won't eat it, but it's too tempting to leave at their own...) so this will last a LOOOONG time. Won't be bugging them for peanut butter or chocolate in the near future!







I pretty much lucked out in the co-worker department. I love them!

And now I better get back to work.