Junie's Online Thoughts
Friday, August 16, 2002
Whew! Thank god for websites. I found out which couples did what on The Last Resort. What a relief!
Today Im back on Weight Watchers. Im both inspired by the chic in my book and because I want to feel better in my own skin. I had big dreams of being all svelte at the class reunion next week, but I am going to have to settle for a little less flabby than I am now. No matter, its a start. Its so easy to get lazy, to complain that the heat impedes my exercise, to eat out and buy ice cream, but no more. Life is short and I dont want to have heart disease or a lumpy ass. So for the few folks who read this, send me some support and tell me to keep at it, to get off my ass and exercise and to be healthier than I have been lately. Good bye key lime pie. Hello non-fat key lime pie flavored yogurt. Yeah!!!!!!!!
Today, I just want to sit at home and read my books. I have recently acquired yet another addiction, a book series by Janet Evanovich that is like literary heroin. All eight books center around Stephanie Plum, a poor, down-on-her-luck gal turned bounty hunter and her misadventures searching for criminals. Since Ive always wanted to be a private investigator, and would probably act before I thought, I think I would have much similar adventures as Stephanie, which may explain why I love these books so much. In all honesty, shes much funnier and adventurous than I would ever be, and has this great sexual tension with a cop named Joe (who is her first case in book one....he supposedly killed a man and was on the run trying to prove his innocence.) Its not as lame as those cheesy Harlequins--she's sassy and doesnt take any bullshit. Love it. Love it. Im about 30 pages from the end of book 2 (Two for the Dough) and had better pace myself considering that once I get to book eight (Hard Eight), thats it...theres no more Stephanie Plum.
Jeremy and I went out to dinner last night. We had gone to Alfredo's for our anniversary, and I remembered it being this fabulous place. I wasnt that impressed this time around and my appetizer soup (cream of mushroom, a.k.a. heart attack in a bowl) sat in my gut like a rock. After dinner, instead of being romantic, I laid down upstairs and slept all night. I certainly felt better this morning, but so much for a night of fun.
I realized this morning that I had slept through the last show of "The Last Resort." Did anyone see it? Which couples separated and which re-committed? How can I go through my day with this hanging over me? Help!
Thursday, August 15, 2002
Sooooo sleepy today.
Can you believe that Nikki didnt get kicked off????? Is there no justice in the world? At least RJ is gone. Nikki's turn will come next week, Im sure. Ug.
Thats all. Too tired to think of things to write.
Wednesday, August 14, 2002
So, for those who dont know, Im totally addicted to "American Idol." It was on last night and my favorite did okay (Kelly Clarkston). I voted for her before I went to bed. I hope she wins. Last week, she was sooooooooooo good--during the big band night---but last night Tamyra Gray was the best one. The red-headed, off-key Nikki has GOT to go. She sucked big time. If she doesnt get kicked off, I will be angry at the show.
I've recently become almost addicted to another show on the family channel--The Last Resort. No, its not like Temptation Island, but four couples fly to Hawaii for a week to find out if they want to recommit to their relationships or get a divorce/separate. Some of those couples are in a bad, bad place--they need to get far away from each other. The other two couples have a shot, I think. Its funny how long someone can stay in a bad relationship, even if their most basic needs are not being met. Such wasted time, you know? Its like, pull the plug on that one and MOVE ON.
So, I have a weakness for crappy tv shows. What can I say? Actually, when Jeremy was gone last week, I barely watched tv. There are a handful of shows that I tune into every week, but otherwise, I dont watch it much. Thats a good thing, and will be helpful when we are in Ghana and there is only one channel.
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
Chocolate is a good thing. Work sucks ass today and thank god for Snickers bars.
Tomorrow I have a market research study. I get to smell laundry detergent twice and get $65. Whoo hoo.
Too stressed. Nothing more to say.
Monday, August 12, 2002
Okay. Jeremy just talked to the last grant agency. He didnt get it. Not a shocker, but another bummer for Jeremy. We have begun negotiations on timing, details and others. Its less painful than I thought, and certainly not set in stone, but we've got a rough timeline. Thats a relief. Heres the lowdown: We've got about $10,000 to $12,000 to work with. That translates into Jeremy's tickets, insurance, shots, Visa, passport, storage, school fees and debt and leaving about $5500-$6500 for living expenses when we are there. That further translates into about 9 to 10 months of living in Ghana. I will be home in September/October for Stacy's wedding and we can plan our next steps later.
So as of right now, the plan is to leave in late November. I wont have money to fly home to WI or MN, but we can at least mail our Christmas presents there. Its some sort of holiday, right? This gives me a little more cushion in terms of time to save, pay down debt and get organized. Whew. Its amazing how knowing a relative date has lifted most of the burden from my shoulders. There is a goal. There is some structure. Hallelujah.
It's Monday. Surprisingly, the weekend didnt fly by in a blur. In fact, it seemed really long. I worked both Friday and Saturday at Noodle. Friday was a bad day, and I had to pay another server to let me go home early because I was soooooo full of bad vibes. (The reason was because I had spent all day trying to work on my own website. I got most of the initial front page done, but then Front Page started freaking out and wouldnt let me update any of my work. Because I have never been officially trained in web design, I dont know the ins and outs of the programming, so any work I do has to be the scotch-tape-and-glue method that is tedious, slow and hard. And frustrating. So I finally gave up.)
Saturday was better, and I made a ton of money. Enough to last me until next Saturday, when I work next. It felt good--Saturdays lately have been really weak.... Oh well, its back to work...soon to have staff meeting, and soon I will tell my boss that the Africa trip is looming. Im only here for a limited time--anywhere from 1 1/2 months to 6 months. Im kind of nervous....we'll see how that goes.
