An Update for Susie :-)

Things went from 0-to-60 in no time! I had two job interviews in two days, we think we have "mutual acceptance" on the offer for our home (still waiting for one last piece of paperwork to be faxed...our realtor assures us that it's a deal...I'm waiting for proof!), and I have a phone interview this afternoon! And I have a follow-up interview next week! Agh!

These interviews are stressssfullll! The last one involved a lot of "pop quizzes" on biochemistry as we were chatting...holy-crap! I haven't thought about that stuff in several years :-) I think I did a pretty good job, considering.

Today's phone interview should be equally intense. I have 4 more hours to get my mind out of "buying a house mode" and back into "science mode." Luckily I don't have to dress-up today and I can have a few cheat-sheets near by for questions :-)

I hit the treadmill yesterday for a longish run...I made it 35 minutes before my mind went numb. I'm having a hard time accepting that I can't run 7:30-7:45 minute-miles anymore...I push too much and run out of steam! At least when I'm outdoors running, I have no idea what my pace is...I think it's just the hills that do me in :-)

And everyone think great thoughts for David...he's running a marathon! Go, David, go!!

We made an offer!

Not much sleep was found in this household last night: we made an offer on a house! As first-time (potential) home-owners, everything is foreign and a bit overwhelming. I think we covered all the bases...still, it's quite scary to sign those documents.

I've been a running a bit here and there; I don't have a schedule...just fit it in when it works. Otherwise I keep myself entertained at the (free) gym next door; I like to plop down on the recumbant bike, grab a trashy magazine and crank the program to "hills." Keeps my mind off the stressful things! I have been diligent about stretching...especially the hip flexors. After only a few weeks of focusing on them, I can tell how much looser they are. Wonder if that was one of the problems last year with my hips?! Seems likely...

I also have two job interviews this week, but I haven't had much success in focusing on them. I don't know much about one of the positions and the other one, well, I don't think I'm qualified enough. Now I have to figure out how to maintain a positive attitude about my previous work :-)

Life is good right now...stressful, but good :-)

Four (or fewer!) Things

Because everybody's doing it...

Four jobs you've had in your life:
1) my first job was at TacoTime
2) housekeeping at hotel (the things I found under the mattresses...ugh!)
3) lab assistant (measuring pH of soil samples)
4) intern for Senator in Washington, DC

Four movies you could watch over and over:
1) I.Q.
2) Titanic
3) When Harry Met Sally
4) ??

Four places you’ve lived:
1) Montana (born and raised!)
2) Oregon
3) Connecticut
4) Seattle

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1) I still love ER (I'm probably the only viewer the show has!)
2) CSI
3) House
4) I'm recovering from a Law and Order addiction

Four places you’ve been on vacation:
1) Disney World/Caribbean
2) Southern Germany
3) NYC
4) does driving across the country TWO times count as a vacation??

Four websites you visit daily:
1) Yahoo
2) Bloglines
3) Weather.com, to see if it's raining here :-)
4) craigslist

Four of your favorite foods:
1) Prime Rib
2) California and Philly Rolls (sushi)
3) Ice cream
4) Pasta (filled...tortellini/ravioli)

Four places you’d rather be:
1) 1996
2) on a warm, tropical island
3) with my hunny (he's out of town)
4) running trails in Montana

Four albums you can’t live without:
1) all of Sarah McLachlan's work
2) Ten-Pearl Jam

Four vehicles I’ve owned:
1) '94 Honda Civic
2) '04 Subaru Outback

Settling in, yet unsettled...

Just returned from a run along the waterfront of Elliot Bay...a little windy, but a decent run. I now have two good routes to get in a run of about 30 minutes. I think I'm getting my running groove back! I did a good job of stretching (thanks, Dianna!) and now I'm working on the laundry.

My husband flew back to CT to finish up a few details at his old job...and I've been hanging around here alone, realizing I have a lot of free time on my hands. At first, it was a little destructive...when I'm bored and lonely, I eat. I think I was still trying to detox from the sugar-splurge of the holidays. But, I'm back on track with healthy eating, trying to remind myself that food is fuel, and that I feel like crap when I overload on carbs and sugar.

With this excess free time, I've also found myself more introspective: Who am I? What do I believe? What do I really want from life? I need some inspiration right now...maybe a book or movie recommendation? One thing I'm starting to realize about myself is that I really depend upon others for help...I no longer trust my ideas or judgement. I don't know when or where I lost that confidence, but I'm looking to get it back :-)

A post of jumbled thoughts...my mind is scattered today.

I actually went...

Yesterday, I did it...I conquered my fear of the unknown and headed out on the road for a run. It turned out to be just what I needed :-)

So, we just started looking at houses to buy in the area of my husband's work...ummm, not gonna work (no joke: a 800 sq ft, built in 1910, not really updated, 2bed/1 bath...$319,000. We thought the bedrooms were breakfast nooks! And the house was barely considered liveable). We're gonna have to look quite a ways out of the city (ugly commute) for a home in our price range or consider a newer townhouse right off a busy road with an adult video store around the corner. Fun times! We went around with the realtor yesterday...and after having these amazing dreams of owning our first home, well, I had built up just the right amount of stress and anxiety to get me out on the road for a run.

It took me about 7 minutes to hike to the top of the hill (really big hills...kinda like San Fran). After that, I found a *perfect* road that loops around the hill, with great views of the water. I was able to do about 15 minutes of running before it started to get a little too hilly, so I turned around and headed back. All in all, a fantastic run...and it helped to work-out the anxiety that had built-up.

Drippy

Yoga yesterday was about as good as it's gonna get for now! The instructor was great, the intensity was good...the only downfall is that it's held in a workout room at the gym. I have difficulty getting my mind to float since there's people on cardio machines visible through the windows and general "gym noise" going on all around. But, it's free...and right now that's a great thing :-)

See, my husband and I have different spending styles...he's very cautious (without intention, really...he just doesn't "require" much)...and I like my occasional splurges (a diet pop, a cup of coffee, some sort of little treat here-and-there). And along with other reasons, we have separate checking accounts; but, now that I'm truly "un-employed," my checking account is not having that nice lump deposited 2x a month. So, "free yoga" (when most classes cost $15 each!)...a good thing. Granted, I could ask for an "allowance" or something...but that seems wierd, right?! 5 dollars a week for my treats?! In Seattle, that may cover my coffee budget for a day or two :-)

I had glorious intentions of running outside today...I even bought a baseball cap at the store to keep the rain out of my eyes (didn't plan ahead too well when selecting my 2-month "temporary wardrobe" b/c almost everything we own is in storage!). But, the light showers of the last few days turned into "true rain" and I chickened out. I would have been a sight since my current running attire consists of shorts/wind pants and a cotton T-shirt. Sure, I could go buy better gear...but, as mentioned above...no money coming in means I have to be cautious about my purchases. On a related note: resume is finalized and job applications will be tackled tomorrow! Luckily I have several good prospects!

One more thing...anyone have thoughts/comments on buying a home? Things you wished you'd done differently?

Settling In...

I can't believe we left Connecticut about 25 days ago...I guess with the week it took us to drive here, the week of work (for my husband), the week of Christmas and New Year's with family in Oregon, and now the middle of this week, it makes sense. It's still amazing how much time has passed...and how intense the emotional rollercoaster has been.

My husband's had to deal with a lot of different Sarah's over the past few weeks: the one who is a stickler about diet/exercise, the one who wants adventure and excitement, the one who wants nothing more than to sit on the couch all day and watch TLC/HGTV, the one who obessively thinks about cakes/cookies/ice cream/breads and must eat them NOW! I've never been one that moves easily with change...I like to be in control of the situation...yet, I don't like the responsibility that comes with that control. There are days when I want to be that successful 20-something with the world in her hand...and then there are the times I want nothing more than to move back home and have my parents take control of my life again. The lack of structure over the last few weeks has been a challenge; but, I'm grateful that I do have the free time to sit and contemplate what I want/need in my life right now.

I've been trying to get myself out there on the road again...but there is fear that keeps me indoors, driving myself crazy on the treadmill. I can't go more than 20 minutes on that machine before I feel like time has slowed to a snail's pace and those 30 minutes I plugged in will never, ever end. So instead, I'll plop myself down on the recumbent bike and leaf through the latest issue of People or something. I've been dying to get out on the road now that I found a path along the waterfront...but, I'm afraid...and the list of "reasons why" is long (and mostly silly). Today I'll try a different yoga class at the gym (the first was disappointing); I need to get back into the yoga-habit, too. Routine keeps me sain :-)

Happy 2006!

Well...we made it to Seattle! Life was completely turned upside-down...but, we're here...and that's what's important :-) We were lucky to avoid a lot of bad weather on the drive from Connecticut to Seattle and actually made pretty good time (a little over 5 days for 3000 miles).

We're living in temporary housing for the time being...a job and a house are the next things on my list of To-Do's. And of course, meeting up with the Seattle contingent of the RBF!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends!