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You guys were very sweet last night in getting me to talk! :) It was hilarious!! I wish I had the energy to do so, though!!
This week has been long, and so much has happened...yesterday was even more of a whirlwind, and I just couldn't remember it all, and even if I tried to, it would have been too much to describe...below is an attempt to summarize.
School has started; classes start next week, but this week was very busy with all kinds of department meetings, organization of all kinds of stuff etc..
Oh, in classic school/work fashion, they've been feeding us a lot at all these receptions and meetings. And I've tried to be good. I remembered how valiant Amryk has been in resisting it all, and I tried to follow her great example (well, almost!). Yesterday we had an all-day student orientation where I completely skipped all the pastries, bagels, and whatnots, and just had a bottle of water. Actually, by 10 am, I had already downed 1.5 L of water!! At lunch they were serving pizza, so I bailed, and instead, went and got me a subway salad (almost went for the sandwich but then decided to spare me from the carb-attack!). Did get some cheese in the salad, and opted for a ff ranch and some croutons.
In the late afternoon, there was an Honors' program fancy-shmancy reception, and I used the time to avoid all the food and instead network with the dean, provost and other bigwigs; met my students' parents etc....Had a little bit of ice tea (needed to hold something in my hand!)--this was pre-sweetened, so I just had a few sips, no more. I had a little bit of salad with some dressing, and a few cheese pieces and about 4-5 crackers (yeah, yeah, that's cheating!!)...Did resist all the greasy appetizers, but fell prey for a 1 and a half little squares of stuffed/breaded ravioli. Oh! one nice thing--the provost knows me well, and always chats with me for a bit (after the President of the university, the provost is the next bigwig in line)...usually it's flattering if they can even remember our names and chat with us--but she actually did not only that, but also looked me up and down and said, "You look good!"...so I told her I've been trying to take care of my health, and she said, "It shows!"...Well, I'll be damned!!! LOL!
More on the food-front. I drank about 3.5-4 L of water over the whole day. Came home and made Amryk's Quinoa and black bean dish, but wasn't as thrilled with it as I'd expected...so I had some more to find out what's REALLY missing....and then some more later just out of habit...and so in all I'd consumed 1/4 cup of quinoa and 1/2 can of black beans (plus all the veggies that went in it). I felt guilty at the amount I'd eaten---and rather stuffed...but points-wise, it was only about 6 pts for the WHOLE thing! So, I think I was definitely within my allocated points for the day. Yet, I didn't like the stuffed feeling.
Oh! and I didn't go to work out. I TRIED, though. As soon as I got home (a little later than planned--coz I was at work until past 6 pm---out of my own volition--damn those old workaholic habits!!), I changed into my gym clothes and was about to head out when my friend called---we'd been playing phone tag for over a month, so I decided I better take this call!! While talking to her I made dinner, and had it...and thought I might do some weights later. Howrver, after dinner, my colleague called and wanted to bitch about stuff at work (recall, this is only the ist week back! Welcome to work & politics!!)....This turned into a three-hour long conversation, and at the end of it, I was thoroughly sick of myself for ruining my evening, by a) not working out, b)wasting time talking about worthless stuff, and c)getting further behind on stuff I had to do for the night!!
I am really afraid of the symptoms I've seen this first week back to school, and need to be extra-vigilant. I have caught myself getting sucked into politics. Giving more credance other people's interest in scandal and gossip. Gettin swept up in student-related drama. Not being strong enough to say, "Sorry I'm busy; I can't talk about all that!", and not sticking to my horribly-tight work timelines. Plus, I was nervous that my working out seems to be so inconsistent still (it should be a habit and non-neotiable by this time!!).
Being a perfectionist, I am happy that I have established lots of systems over summer break, and now I only have to keep them going (and don't need to discover any new ones). However, the down-side to being a perfectionist is the anal-retentive aspect---the 100% success rate expectation. So, even if one area of my life seems to crumble, I get nervous and think it's all gonna blow!! I really have to stop this black and white thinking. I am going to try my best and stay vigilant with everything and scramble to get things done on time. Thus, avoid unnecessary chatting. But, should things go a little off-plan, I need to just re-focus and re-plan...and not worry that everything is going to disintegrate--just like that!!
Plus, if I mess up a little, I have you guys here to help me get back on my feet. I need to have a little faith---in me, in the system, and in my little private army! :)
So that's how yesterday rolled. I apologize if I caused any alarm or worry to any of you...So, now you know most of what I was going through.
P.S: On the good news side, I had a great meeting with my mentor earlier in the day and she was impressed with how much on track I am with my work and career...and I just need to keep going; juggle all those balls, and I'll be fine. It's good to know I'm on the right track--and though a little overwhelming to think of all the stuff I have taken on and how much I have to do, it is still good to know that at least I have a plan! Now, as Evelyn had once said, "Success will happen--I just need to not get in the way!" (kinda paraphrasing!)...
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