365 questions: 317 - 325

317. When was your first impression of someone totally wrong?

Honestly, I don't know. I'm usually pretty good at judging people on a first impression. If I had to give an answer, I'd probably say when the newest manager at work started, I thought she was a little bitchy. But I've definitely warmed up to her as she's warmed up to her position, and she's one of my two favorite managers at work now.


318. How many hours a week do you spend online?

It depends on how much I'm working. I generally work about 70 hours per week, and spend a large percentage of my free time at home utilizing the internet - logging hours for clients, researching new questions and methods, and the obvious - email, facebook, blogging (though I haven't had much free time lately!), and entertainment. I would guess about 12-15 hours per week. I compose a LOT of emails on my phone, which are included in that time. 

319. What do you love to do?

I love to read. I love to practice yoga and love to sleep in. I love to hike, and travel, and drink expensive wine. I love to take bubble baths. I love to snuggle up next to the fire. I love to eat amazing food, and love to experiment in the kitchen. I love to kiss. I love lots of things.



320. What specific character trait do you want to be known for?

Integrity. It encompasses honesty, trustworthiness, and respect - three things that are of utmost importance to me. 


321. Are you more like your mom or your dad?  In what way?

I would probably say my dad. As a friend told me at my sister's wedding, I am my dad - exactly. We have very similar personalities and even look very similar. I get my beautiful red hair from him, too. :)



322. What is the number one quality that makes someone a good leader?

I would probably say integrity here, too. You have to inspire people. People have to believe in you in order to want to follow. 


323. What bad habits do you want to break?

I'm too non-confrontational. I wish I could say no more easily. I'd also like to break myself of poor communication habits.


324. What is your favorite place on Earth?

Favorite locale is definitely Innsbruck, Austria. My favorite city in the world! 


325. What do you love to practice?

I love to practice being a better person. I love to practice Bikram yoga, and I also love to practice making babies.

In my absence...

Whoops! Spring break is supposed to be a time of great relaxation and fun times, right? Apparently not to this girl. I've spent the last two weeks working 70+ hours while still trying to stay sane, not letting Raj (who I'm considering renaming Destructo) miss me too much, and making time for the important people in my life. That left approximately zero down time for me.

I did cross off another goal a few days ago. A woman on a message board I used to frequent 2+ years ago had a granddaughter pass away last week. The family was unprepared for the funeral expenses, so I contributed toward that as my random act of kindness. I've made some pretty good progress with my goals so far this month that I'm excited to announce in another week or two.

It's also been a bit emotional for me, this last week or two. I've been doing a lot of introspection, a lot of soul-searching, and taking a lot of bubble baths with a book and a glass of bubbly. Later this week, I have to pack up some furniture that belonged to my bff's grandmother who passed away earlier this year. Priscilla had a home down here, and since none of the family lives in Arizona, I've been put in charge of arranging for the shipping of household goods and heirlooms.

The cleaners come a week from today, and I have been cleaning house in preparation. Like that makes a whole lot of sense. I'm really relieved to have someone take over and deep clean so I don't have to, but that hasn't cut down my stress level.

The last day I had off was February 7th. I've been going, going, going like crazy every day since then and I think I'm just getting worn down. Between my special needs clients and the client that thinks they can ask the world of me, I am completely drained. I had really been looking forward to next Saturday, because I was taking the day off to go to the Renaissance Fair, but now it looks like I have a tutoring client that morning, a shoot in the late morning, and we might end up not going to the Fair afterall.

I've seen a correlation lately between not making time for myself and bad things happening in my life. Last time I went on vacation, I came home to something wonderful. When I stop going to yoga and life gets really hectic, things rarely work in my favor.

I'm taking a stand today to make more time for myself. Even if it means going to bed earlier so I can go to the 5:30/6AM yoga class during the week, I think I can sacrifice a little sleep to get in some good meditation and me-time.

I've been focusing so much lately on the tangible - working to pay off my credit card, pay down my loans, save up for a down payment on property - that I've neglected the last goal for myself this year. Cultivate love, even for myself. There is a fine line in love between working hard to accomplish your goals and taking care of yourself. I love that sense of accomplishment that comes from crossing a new goal off my list, or seeing my credit score jump 30 points because I've paid down my balance, or seeing a growing number in the bank. Those things are so rewarding for me. But sometimes the greatest reward is giving yourself a break.

Are you taking enough me-time?

February 101 update :)

For February, I said I would:

• read four books
• watch one old movie
• complete one scrapbooking page
• send out something special for a friend
• bring my rice total to 400,000 grain donated (donate 13K this month)

Of that, I accomplished the following! 

• read two books
• donated some rice
• paid more toward my student loans!
• went to the BB King concert! (that's 2/2! 30 goals down.)
• answered a lot more questions!
• reviewed a new restaurant
• used $7 in coupons

I crossed another goal off the list. I made a lot of progress, and I paid for another goal that I'll be starting next week. For March, I'm just going to say that I hope to cross off two goals. I won't be specific, because I haven't had a lot of success when I am. And so - to success! 

xoxo