Things have been so hectic around here, that I have not really had a chance to blog the way that I want to, but I have a quiet moment before I take my exam tonight, so I am going to try to catch you all up as much as I can.
I have officially survived my first winter in the DMV, and it has been something else. Last year when I was making a million trips up here to see J and to find a job, it did not snow. Not once. It was never crazy cold either. But this year, as a welcome to the DMV gift, I have experienced more snow than I ever care to. This past Monday I woke up to an inch and a half of snow on the ground AFTER the official start of spring. That was just bizzare. Today was a nice 60 degrees, and I am praying that Monday was the last snow that I will see until next year....or maybe the year after that.
My career is taking off, and I am learning very fast, that it pays to network. Now, I suffer from social anxiety so, networking was hard for me when I first got here, but closed mouths don't get fed. Nasty attitudes will leave you stuck. I want to tell you all a story of how a nasty attitude almost held me back from something that turned out to be a huge blessing. I was assigned to work on contacting patients that have had certain types of vascular procedures in order to get data on how they were doing post procedure. The nurse who heads up the project, came to my office and that day I had THE stankest attitude. She made small talk and I gave one word answers and just acted like an ass. She continued to be polite, and while we were working she commented on how nice I am on Excel. Again, I have a short "Thank you" and kept going. Then she asked me if I would be interested in learning SQL programming with her and a few other people from the department. My ears perked up. SQL? I needed that. I wanted that. So I adjusted my tone and she gave me all of the info, and I am proud to say that I have just completed my first SQL class through Stanford University. Having this experience has given me more experience in data collection and credibility as I am trying to construct an education program in my department. It is also helpful that during every business meeting she throws my name out and mentions how helpful and knowledgeable I am. The lesson here, is don't let your attitude make you miss a blessing.
In the world of running, I am kicking butt and taking names. Two weeks ago I achieved a goal that I never thought possible. I ran a 5k in one setting, for free, on a weekday. I was in the gym, on the treadmill, just feeling it and I looked down at my Nike Plus app and saw I was approaching 3.11 miles. I felt so good when I finished. I wanted to run through the gym hugging everyone, but because I want to continue working out there I didn't, but it was a major accomplishment. And it was nice that I came in eight minutes faster than less than a year ago when I ran my first and only 5k. My race season is starting back up again next Saturday and I am hyped. My first race will be a 5k, then a 8k, three more 5ks and then.....a half marathon. Yes, your girl is going to finally tackle that 13.1. It was something about surpassing that 3 mile mark in one run that gave me the confidence to say, "I got this." My first half marathon will be the Diva's Half Marathon in DC Wine country, and I am approaching it more like a party versus a race. I get to wear a tiara, boa, and a tutu and did I mention there will be wine? A bunch of us from the running club I am member of are going and it is going to be a blast.
Speaking of running, I am finally realizing the importance of good running shoes. Last year, I was not going to spend more than 40 dollars and I didn't care about what said shoe would do to my feet. That was still my attitude, until my mileage began to increase. I am an overpronator (google it) and my ankles and knees were starting to feel the effects of running in a shoe that was built for flexiablity versus stability. Today I headed to the Nike store where they were having a huge sale, and for 80 dollars, I was able to get the Lunarglide +4 which is supposed to be Nike's stability shoe. I cannot wait to break them in this week, I may sneak out early tomorrow morning and grab a few miles to see how they feel.
There is one subject I haven't touched on in a while and that would be J. J is still around, and the last post I put up was in regards to him. I am not going into the whole story, but dig in the crates, find the story about Vegas, replace Vegas with wedding, and we have a ballgame. Here is a fun fact about me, I hate lying. My ex-husband STAYED lying to me about the dumbest things. The worst type of lie is the "lie by omission," which J is famous for. When you lie by omission, it raises red flags, because the question will always be, "If it wasn't that big of a deal, why did you leave that part out?" When you omit parts of your story it alters the person who is listening to the story's reality. If I told you all half truths about how I got to DC or hell, my life in general, wouldn't everything else I said be questionable? Where J and I bump heads is he doesn't think things like this are considered lies, and that is a problem for me. In a relationship, above ALL else, I have to be able to trust you. If I can't trust you then there is nothing to stand on. I will constantly be on watch mode, and that is not healthy.
Tomorrow will be our first Easter in DC, and we are ending the weekend off by going to the Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn. I entered the lottery a few months ago, and I was sure I was not going to get picked as I rarely win anything. But lo, and behold, I won and me and the Goonies are headed to the White House...lawn. I intend to take a million pictures and I am hoping to see the President, but I don't know how realistic that is as we are in the last time slot of the day. The real joy is going to be seeing both of my children's faces when they realize where they are. Earlier that day I am surprising my son with a trip to his dream workplace, The Pentagon. I have not said anything to him about it, I just want to bring him there and let him be surprised.
I hope you all have enjoyed this update, I don't know how long it will be before I update again, because I have decided to go to school during the summer as well, because the goal is to get this IT career popping by the end of the year and I am on the victory lap toward earning my degree. If I stop to take a break for the summer I am afraid I will lose my momentum and fall into complacency. Onward and upward!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment