Elated!

Today I reconnected with my friend and former college roommate Taryn. We haven't spoken or seen each other in probably 3 or 4 years! I tried to get in touch with her a couple times last year, but she wasn't on MySpace and had changed her phone number. Today we finally got back in touch, and I couldn't be happier for her. She got engaged last week and has a great job that she really loves. Congrats, Taryn! I'm so glad you're back in my life!

Peace and love.
J

2008 is all about me

I started "going to therapy" back in October, and for some weird reason I think it's motivated me to get going to to the gym. I went three times the week before Christmas, once last week and yesterday. That might not seem like a whole lot, but considering that's more than I'd gone in the past 2-3 months combined, I'd say I'm making some major progress. (I got sick last week and that's why I didn't go any more than the once. And I didn't go tonight cause my neck hurts for some reason and I just wanted to rest.) It's not that I'm discussing exercising or even losing weight with my counselor, rather I guess the discussions we are having is motivating me to do more for me. So, 2008 is going to be about doing things for me!

I'm going to go to the gym regularly. Get in shape. Hopefully lose about 40 lbs! Indulge in being creative - making jewelry and taking more photographs. Pass those last 2 pesky exams! Pay off my debt. Be more social.

It's going to be an awesome year!

Peace and love.
J

Must be nice

My favorite part of my job is getting to look through the credit card statements of some high-net-worth clients.

• $10k at a big name department store, in ONE visit, half of which was returned... Buy everything that looks good? Try it on at home? Return what doesn't fit?
• $15 - 35k per month on the AMEX card...
• Having assistants order anything you see and desire in magazines...

I couldn't even imagine.

I know who I am NOT voting for

Last night I watched "One Night. Two Parties. The New Hampshire Debates." I was kind of excited because I have not yet had time (or energy, or desire for that matter) to research the presidential candidates. So, here I was sick, lying on the couch with nothing better to do when up pops my opportunity to hear the positions of ALL the candidates! Lucky me! Unfortunately I caught the last 5 seconds of the Republican debates. While I am registered to vote under a specific party, which I will not specify here in the public arena, I don't let that dictate who I vote for. So, even though I hear the Republican debate wasn't as successful or "focused on Presidential issues" as the Dem debate (per Senator Clinton), I wanted to hear what they had to say. But there are always other debates to tune into.

Excuse me for a minute while I complain. If there is anything I hate more than tomatoes and mushrooms, it's mudslinging and politicians arguing. That makes for a very cranky Julie for, well, all of 2008 I'm guessing. A lot of the presidential candidates are guilty of it, but last night Clinton was all about making Obama out to be the bad guy. (Being a hater is never becoming on a lady, Hillary.)

Hillary Clinton's voice is so grating and obnoxious, and her demeanor doesn't do anything for her either. She seemed like a snarky little child last night, "But Obama said X and then he did Y, and then he said this, but did that..." I felt like shouting out, "SHUT UP, woman!!" and I think Edwards and Obama felt the same way.

Here's an excerpt from Edwards' comments following Obama's response to Hillary's attack:

"It's fine to have a disagreement about health care. To say that Senator Obama is having a debate with himself from some Associated Press story I think is just not -- that's not the kind of discussion we should be having.

I think that every time this happens, what will occur -- every time he speaks out for change, every time I fight for change, the forces of status quo are going to attack -- every single time.

And what we have to remember -- and this is the overarching issue here, because what we really need in New Hampshire and in future state primaries, is we need an unfiltered debate between the agents of change about how we bring about that change. Because we have differences about that.

But the one thing I do not argue with him about is he believes deeply in change. And I believe deeply in change.

And any time you're fighting for that -- I mean, I didn't hear these kind of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead. Now that she's not, we hear them.

And any time you speak out -- any time you speak out for change, this is what happens."

OOOHHH, in your face, Hillary!!

After Hillary had her opportunity to rebut, Bill Richardson said, "I've been in hostage negotiations that were more civil than this." Richardson, Obama, and Edwards all looked far more appealing than Clinton last night.

Second to Edwards siding with Obama to argue Clinton, my favorite part of the night was when Scott Spradling, political director in Manchester, New Hampshire asked Clinton, "What can you say to the voters of New Hampshire on this stage tonight who see a resume and like it, but are hesitating on the likability issue, where they seem to like Barack Obama more?"

And she responded, "Well, that hurts my feelings... He's very likable. I agree with that. I don't think I'm that bad."

And then Obama interjected in an annoyed tone, "You're likable enough, Hillary." hahaha.

Hey, I'm not the only one who finds her unlikable!

Listening to the debate was humorous at times, but often made me want to claw my ears off. At least I was able to cross one candidate off my list.

Julie

Hello 2008

So, ever since Salome left me a comment last week that I need to blog more, I've felt this overwhelming guilt and nagging obligation to write something. So here I am...

I got sick on Wednesday, spent Thursday at home, and then went back to work today even though I still didn't feel too hot. We were all moving desks/offices at work today as a result of year-end promotions. Since I got promoted, I got to move from a cubicle to an office, which I'm sharing with another Senior... so I wanted to be at work to make sure no one messed with my desk on moving day.

So anyway... now that it's the new year, my vision insurance coverage starts over and I can get a new prescription and new lenses! Yes, I'm a TOTAL dork. Who gets that excited about new glasses?! Much to my concern, my vision has become blurry and strained since my last check-up, which was only last March! Thankfully my doctor said further worsening can be prevented... I have to have 2 pairs of glasses! I feel like an old lady! Since I'm near-sighted, I'll have a pair of distance glasses for regular use. Then I'll need "computer glasses" for reading, doing work up-close and working on computers. (In case you cared, these will allow my eye muscles to relax when I'm not looking in the distance.) And because I am super sensitive to the sun, I like prescription sunglasses. AND because I'm young and want to switch it up when I go out (if ever), I got contacts. Yeah, so all said and done, I spent about $850 at the optometrist today!! My insurance covered the cost of contacts (fittings, follow-up, etc) and then I had to pay out of pocket for 3 pairs of lenses. And this doesn't even include frames. I brought in my own frames to get the new lenses "installed" in. Well, hopefully since I'll be preventing further worsening of my vision by wearing two different kinds of glasses, I won't have to spend the big bucks again next year!

I was thinking I could get a chain to go around my neck so I could hang my alternate glasses on them... You know, wearing my "computer glasses" and hanging the distance glasses around my neck so they're accessible when I need them! LOL. Could you imagine?

Sorry this was boring, but at least it was something, Salome! I'll get back to being witty when I'm feeling better.

Julie