Sunday's Chicken became Tuesday's Chicken....
I'm writing at a point where I'm feeling a bit done with the weekend. It's been great and I've really enjoyed it, but I'm so ready for more human contact by this point. The only thing I'd change is some kind of reality where my boyfriend or my lover could have come and spent even a fraction of the weekend with me. Overall the week has been kind of awesome, especially on the work front.
Also, I crashed so hard Sunday night this didn't get finished, and Monday was a bit the same, so now this is a Tuesday morning affair...
Thanks to Havi for the inspiration. The point is weekly reflection on what was good and what was hard. Assess and reflect, then let go and move on to thinking about the week ahead.
The Hard
Feeling left out...
I've spent most of the weekend feeling somewhat left out, sometimes more than others. I didn't get to farewell a new friend when they headed back to London, and between Hipikat, Ral, and Fox, it seems exhaustion got the better of them and none of them were able to make it over and spend some time. I didn't have any expectation but... I was hopeful. I've actually loved being at home and having all this time to do things myself, I've been very busy. The only thing I'd change is getting to have a little more company.
Missing K and Cam...
I've barely seen them in about a month. I only realised they were heading out *THIS* week to Melbourne the night before... And I've barely heard from them while they've been away. It adds to feeling left out.
Puppy and surgery...
I've been trying to sort out vet things and surgery dates and also payment plans. It's been a bit stressful. I think that we'll be waiting for the specialist who is a part of our existing vet surgery to return from her leave, she specialises in cruciates. Additionally as she's part of our existing vet instead of being the oncall surgeon, it will be cheaper. And since we're looking at 7-8k all up, any cost saving is helpful.
Pain...
My body pain issues have been returning lately, I'm not really sure why but I have noticed over the weekend that I've been standing for too long... but I don't think that's true the whole way through... I'm sure some of it is stress but... I just don't know. It's been painful. Hah.
That's really been the hard this week... It's been a light week, and really, it's about time...
The Good...
There's a lot to be pleased with in the past week or so...
Quality time...
Spending midweek time with Ral has really just become a bit easier and because it's more settled it's easier to enjoy it without costing ourselves massive amounts of sleep (usually) in order to make the most of things... this is nice and is a bit more balanced. Ral stayed over Tuesday and then had dinner with me Thursday and got to meet
moonvoice who was visiting, which was awesome :3
Driving...
Whenever I've been with Ral and he's had the car I've been doing all the driving, and I'm becoming very comfortable driving my car and also re-familiar with the experience of driving. I expect that I am not far off being able to confidently pass my practical test. I did parking practice in the dark in South Perth last week including reverse parking! I can also extricate myself from parks too, I'm getting used to how to do corrective moves and learning bit by bit to judge things as well. I'll do more of that in relation to cars next to me once I finalise my insurance for my car :P I am enjoying driving again and am completely in love with my car.
Work...
With my boss K returning from leave everything has kind of just become a bit more shiny again. I've had awesome meetings recently with her and T that involved mention of my being a valuable member of the team and that they wish to retain me (given the new FTE ridiculousness with attached budget crap this is more exceptional than usual). Not only that, but they have offered to increase my contract rate as part of appreciation for the work I've provided and also as part of retaining me. I'm feeling pretty shiny about all of that actually. Both bosses K and T have explicitly said that I always deliver what they ask of me and to a high standard, and... I'm just not used to this kind of thing. I haven't been enjoying the work recently and I've been restless. Also, my rate for this contract is sitting on my current hard minimum so the increase is welcome for several reasons. K in particular is protective of me not getting lumped with things that I've grown out of doing and wishes to assign me other portions of work that are more challenging to me and will allow me to develop and work with other team members with experience that I'm interested in. A bunch of this happened in relation to the first ever Performance Review conversation that wasn't traumatising and panic inducing. It was okay, and more than that, I actually see how it can be of use and value and move things forward. I've never had that before, this was SO DIFFERENT and I'm finally glad to know myself what that difference feels like. Hopefully the next one won't be so scary and hard. *fingers crossed*
Spring Cleaning...
As part of my enjoying having the house to myself I've been doing a massive amount of spring cleaning - stuff that has just been hanging around and waiting to be done but remaining low on the priority list. I haven't gotten through everything yet but I am incredibly happy with the work I've done so far. Some of it is ordinary housework, which tends to be a bit irregular here atm, but I've been doing it and keeping up with it while it's just been me and the pets in the house. I love K and Cam but clearly this isn't easy to do when they're also using the space etc. So far I have de-cobwebbed the house, I've gone over the carpets and floors pretty thoroughly, and I'm also eyeing off mopping things too. I've done the massive winter backlog of laundry that is more time consuming and harder to dry (still need to fold the mountain of clean stuff).
I've completely cleaned out the pantry and fridge, and cleaned the pantry. I still want to wash out the fridge and also go through all the cupboards and get rid of the excess plastics with no lids etc. I've also been attacking K's theatre room which has been Ookami's most recent target for spraying etc, so with vet spray stuff I seem to be conquering things. They also had some suggestions for how I could prevent at least some of it. The flooring throughout the house still needs to be completely replaced, but this will help tide things over in at least one respect (nothing to be done about the wear and tear at this point, except replace).
I also want to finish going through my books, and adding things to Goodreads (sorry Library Thing...) and also go through my clothes and personal clutter and see what I can further get rid of. I also have to dispose of some furniture that is on it's last legs, and find some kind of temporary replacement... I'm loathe to spend money when the potential for moving is strong.
Pink...
I've been enjoying the hell out of Pink's new album and have been listening to my new playlist including all of her past albums etc. It's been very satisfying.
Cooking...
As part of my spring cleaning, I seem to have tripped and fallen back into the other side of domesticity where I'm cooking much more again. I made fruitcake Sunday, Tahau Goreng on Friday, Steak and awesome veggie sides etc Saturday and slow cooked paprika and szechuan chicken also on Sunday. All turned out marvellously, though next time I'll make my own peanut sauce for the Tahau Goreng. I took the excess fruitcake to work yesterday and it was greatly appreciated (the recipe is easy and so much win - google Golden Circle crushed pineapple fruitcake, it's a .pdf link with the title looking all funny). Not really part of last week's reflection but last night I made mapo tofu and it was awesome! I also want to make Chocolate Craisin Cookies this week. It's nice to be enjoying cooking again so much, I've missed it.
Spending time with
moonvoice...
Such a highlight last week! It was awesome to just hang out and talk and spend time. I love that conversation involves light things and deep things and harder things and loving things and gentle things, hopeful things. There is happy to appreciate and sometimes we hold each other's sadness or fear close to our hearts and either listen, or share or offer care and comfort. There is no responsibility involved as such, just an enjoyment and creation of something that is mutual and has it's own kind of intimacy that works for both of us. I'm so enamoured of how lovely it all feels. I'm grateful to have such friends to share my life with.
Quality time with Calli...
Calli was one of the two lots of company I had over the course of the weekend, her coming over was really welcome and it was just awesome and peaceful to talk with one another and catch up about things. We don't always get to spend alone time together in person and when we do all kinds of things are better, make more sense, sort themselves out. I'm always in awe that I get to have Calli in my life as part of my chosen family as someone who is essentially a spouse to me... there is so much richness and depth that we've created over time. We are each of us someone who knows the other better than most people, sometimes better than ourselves, I never get tired of that and I never take it for granted, it always takes my breath away. I fall in love with her often, and I never get tired of that either.
Puppy time...
Puppy is an adorable lump right now - she's not very mobile, but she's in good spirits despite her difficulty. I'm enjoying spending more concentrated time with her and being rewarded with all of that wonderfulness that is puppy adoration. She's curled upon the beanbag next to me at the kitchen table - because on the other side of the room isn't quite close enough. *melty*. Ral has almost finished making her a puppy wheelchair of sorts so that she can move about - and possibly be taken out for gentle walks so she can see something other than the inside of the house etc. He is the best boyfriend ever.
So that's the week... I'm sure I forgot things, I've been so busy or exhausted or both that I haven't been keeping on top of the internets at all. I'm not really minding this as it is a nice change.
This entry was originally posted at http://transcendancing.dreamwidth.org/870928.html
Also, I crashed so hard Sunday night this didn't get finished, and Monday was a bit the same, so now this is a Tuesday morning affair...
Thanks to Havi for the inspiration. The point is weekly reflection on what was good and what was hard. Assess and reflect, then let go and move on to thinking about the week ahead.
The Hard
Feeling left out...
I've spent most of the weekend feeling somewhat left out, sometimes more than others. I didn't get to farewell a new friend when they headed back to London, and between Hipikat, Ral, and Fox, it seems exhaustion got the better of them and none of them were able to make it over and spend some time. I didn't have any expectation but... I was hopeful. I've actually loved being at home and having all this time to do things myself, I've been very busy. The only thing I'd change is getting to have a little more company.
Missing K and Cam...
I've barely seen them in about a month. I only realised they were heading out *THIS* week to Melbourne the night before... And I've barely heard from them while they've been away. It adds to feeling left out.
Puppy and surgery...
I've been trying to sort out vet things and surgery dates and also payment plans. It's been a bit stressful. I think that we'll be waiting for the specialist who is a part of our existing vet surgery to return from her leave, she specialises in cruciates. Additionally as she's part of our existing vet instead of being the oncall surgeon, it will be cheaper. And since we're looking at 7-8k all up, any cost saving is helpful.
Pain...
My body pain issues have been returning lately, I'm not really sure why but I have noticed over the weekend that I've been standing for too long... but I don't think that's true the whole way through... I'm sure some of it is stress but... I just don't know. It's been painful. Hah.
That's really been the hard this week... It's been a light week, and really, it's about time...
The Good...
There's a lot to be pleased with in the past week or so...
Quality time...
Spending midweek time with Ral has really just become a bit easier and because it's more settled it's easier to enjoy it without costing ourselves massive amounts of sleep (usually) in order to make the most of things... this is nice and is a bit more balanced. Ral stayed over Tuesday and then had dinner with me Thursday and got to meet
moonvoice who was visiting, which was awesome :3
Driving...
Whenever I've been with Ral and he's had the car I've been doing all the driving, and I'm becoming very comfortable driving my car and also re-familiar with the experience of driving. I expect that I am not far off being able to confidently pass my practical test. I did parking practice in the dark in South Perth last week including reverse parking! I can also extricate myself from parks too, I'm getting used to how to do corrective moves and learning bit by bit to judge things as well. I'll do more of that in relation to cars next to me once I finalise my insurance for my car :P I am enjoying driving again and am completely in love with my car.
Work...
With my boss K returning from leave everything has kind of just become a bit more shiny again. I've had awesome meetings recently with her and T that involved mention of my being a valuable member of the team and that they wish to retain me (given the new FTE ridiculousness with attached budget crap this is more exceptional than usual). Not only that, but they have offered to increase my contract rate as part of appreciation for the work I've provided and also as part of retaining me. I'm feeling pretty shiny about all of that actually. Both bosses K and T have explicitly said that I always deliver what they ask of me and to a high standard, and... I'm just not used to this kind of thing. I haven't been enjoying the work recently and I've been restless. Also, my rate for this contract is sitting on my current hard minimum so the increase is welcome for several reasons. K in particular is protective of me not getting lumped with things that I've grown out of doing and wishes to assign me other portions of work that are more challenging to me and will allow me to develop and work with other team members with experience that I'm interested in. A bunch of this happened in relation to the first ever Performance Review conversation that wasn't traumatising and panic inducing. It was okay, and more than that, I actually see how it can be of use and value and move things forward. I've never had that before, this was SO DIFFERENT and I'm finally glad to know myself what that difference feels like. Hopefully the next one won't be so scary and hard. *fingers crossed*
Spring Cleaning...
As part of my enjoying having the house to myself I've been doing a massive amount of spring cleaning - stuff that has just been hanging around and waiting to be done but remaining low on the priority list. I haven't gotten through everything yet but I am incredibly happy with the work I've done so far. Some of it is ordinary housework, which tends to be a bit irregular here atm, but I've been doing it and keeping up with it while it's just been me and the pets in the house. I love K and Cam but clearly this isn't easy to do when they're also using the space etc. So far I have de-cobwebbed the house, I've gone over the carpets and floors pretty thoroughly, and I'm also eyeing off mopping things too. I've done the massive winter backlog of laundry that is more time consuming and harder to dry (still need to fold the mountain of clean stuff).
I've completely cleaned out the pantry and fridge, and cleaned the pantry. I still want to wash out the fridge and also go through all the cupboards and get rid of the excess plastics with no lids etc. I've also been attacking K's theatre room which has been Ookami's most recent target for spraying etc, so with vet spray stuff I seem to be conquering things. They also had some suggestions for how I could prevent at least some of it. The flooring throughout the house still needs to be completely replaced, but this will help tide things over in at least one respect (nothing to be done about the wear and tear at this point, except replace).
I also want to finish going through my books, and adding things to Goodreads (sorry Library Thing...) and also go through my clothes and personal clutter and see what I can further get rid of. I also have to dispose of some furniture that is on it's last legs, and find some kind of temporary replacement... I'm loathe to spend money when the potential for moving is strong.
Pink...
I've been enjoying the hell out of Pink's new album and have been listening to my new playlist including all of her past albums etc. It's been very satisfying.
Cooking...
As part of my spring cleaning, I seem to have tripped and fallen back into the other side of domesticity where I'm cooking much more again. I made fruitcake Sunday, Tahau Goreng on Friday, Steak and awesome veggie sides etc Saturday and slow cooked paprika and szechuan chicken also on Sunday. All turned out marvellously, though next time I'll make my own peanut sauce for the Tahau Goreng. I took the excess fruitcake to work yesterday and it was greatly appreciated (the recipe is easy and so much win - google Golden Circle crushed pineapple fruitcake, it's a .pdf link with the title looking all funny). Not really part of last week's reflection but last night I made mapo tofu and it was awesome! I also want to make Chocolate Craisin Cookies this week. It's nice to be enjoying cooking again so much, I've missed it.
Spending time with
moonvoice...
Such a highlight last week! It was awesome to just hang out and talk and spend time. I love that conversation involves light things and deep things and harder things and loving things and gentle things, hopeful things. There is happy to appreciate and sometimes we hold each other's sadness or fear close to our hearts and either listen, or share or offer care and comfort. There is no responsibility involved as such, just an enjoyment and creation of something that is mutual and has it's own kind of intimacy that works for both of us. I'm so enamoured of how lovely it all feels. I'm grateful to have such friends to share my life with.
Quality time with Calli...
Calli was one of the two lots of company I had over the course of the weekend, her coming over was really welcome and it was just awesome and peaceful to talk with one another and catch up about things. We don't always get to spend alone time together in person and when we do all kinds of things are better, make more sense, sort themselves out. I'm always in awe that I get to have Calli in my life as part of my chosen family as someone who is essentially a spouse to me... there is so much richness and depth that we've created over time. We are each of us someone who knows the other better than most people, sometimes better than ourselves, I never get tired of that and I never take it for granted, it always takes my breath away. I fall in love with her often, and I never get tired of that either.
Puppy time...
Puppy is an adorable lump right now - she's not very mobile, but she's in good spirits despite her difficulty. I'm enjoying spending more concentrated time with her and being rewarded with all of that wonderfulness that is puppy adoration. She's curled upon the beanbag next to me at the kitchen table - because on the other side of the room isn't quite close enough. *melty*. Ral has almost finished making her a puppy wheelchair of sorts so that she can move about - and possibly be taken out for gentle walks so she can see something other than the inside of the house etc. He is the best boyfriend ever.
So that's the week... I'm sure I forgot things, I've been so busy or exhausted or both that I haven't been keeping on top of the internets at all. I'm not really minding this as it is a nice change.
This entry was originally posted at http://transcendancing.dreamwidth.org/870928.html