Thinspiration

I can't be spending so much time away from my blog. I have a lot to say but it seems that I never have enough time to sit in front of my computer an type all my thoughts out. I will try to do better this month. I know some people check this site religiously (read: sporadically) and others are checking each day in hopes they will see something new. So here we go ...

Work and Life ...

There has been a lot of changes in the past couple of weeks. I found out that my housemate is going back to Toronto to resume his teaching career and work on his doctorate. I have been trying to decide whether or not I should stay in the apartment we currently share or move to a new place. I thought of moving up to North Dallas so I could be closer to work, but I like living in Highland Park. I live right off the Katy Trail so I can go rollerblading, and I am no more than a two minute walk from stores and restaurants. Also, I am used to my neighborhood. I know that my neighbors are quiet, there have been only five roaches in the apartment since last June, the management responds timely to problems (for example: we reported that our fridge was leaking, and we had new on the following day), and I just like saying I live in Highland Park.

With my current salary I can afford the rent, pay my bills and still be able to put some money in the bank. I get pay raise in August, so that will be extra money put in the bank. My supervisor and manager has been given copious amounts of praise during our morning meetings, so I think they would reward me during raise time. They have given my extra responsibilities and task because they feel that I am an asset to the team. I hope all this will be rewarded with a 10%+ raise in salary because that would be great. I like going to work every morning and never dread having to come here. So if they are willing to compensate me for my work ethic, I would be greatful.

Health and fitness ...

I am on a mission to lose the extra twenty pounds I am carrying on my frame. I am currently 215 and I would like to be get back down to 195. When I was working out regularly, I weighed about 190-195. But I haven't seen the inside of my gym, which I am still paying monthly for, since October. So my first step is change my diet.

Since I moved to Dallas, I have been eating out at least 3 times a week. It is expensive and a bit unhealthy. So I am now going to bring my lunch to work because it will be more healthy and less expensive. I like to get chicken salad at this cafe in my building complex which costs $5. For $5, I can get a 1.5 lbs of chicken breast from the grocery store and it could feed me for 5 days. I started making chicken salad yesterday, and it is SO GOOD!

I broil the chicken in lemon zest and juice for 45 minutes in an aluminum foil packet, so it retains it moistness. In a food processor, I use a half an onion and four stalks of celery, and leave it in for five seconds. I do the same with the chicken, and it chops it down to the consistency of canned tuna. Combine in a bowl, add 2 spoon fulls of sweet relish and 2 spoon fulls of mayonnaise. Mix ... and viola, Chicken Salad.

Along with the diet change I will be heading back to the gym. I will start a weight training program next week, after my tennis tournament. Because if Janet can lose the weigh, so can I.

Tennis ...

My tennis group, Oaklawn Tennis Association (OLTA), will be competing against the Houston and Austin tennis clubs this weekend for the Texas Cup. I made the team this Sunday after beating a member vying for my spot 6-4, 6-1. They only take the top 24, and ranked 23 ... but I am on the team. I have been working on my serve and ithas really improved in the last two weeks. So I am hoping I can win my matches during the tournament.

James Blake's brother is a member of OLTA. If you don't know who James Blake is, then take a look at the picture below.

I love him! James is bi-racial (English mother, African-American father), but his brother is white. They share the same mother. So, I ended up skipping tennis two Tuesdays ago, and James Blake freaking showed up to watch us play. DARN IT!!! I was so mad when I heard about this because I think he is a great player and I would have liked to meet him. Maybe he will come again soon and I will finally get to meet him.

Electronics ...

I got a new 32" LG HDTV LCD television a few weeks ago and I love it. DVDs look so good on it. I watch Memoirs of a Geisha on it this weekend and it looks so good. And watch Smallville, Lost, The Office, and Law and Order: SVU in HDTV is pretty good as well.

So look for more postings soon. I am looking at updating the this site because it is looking kinda of drab. I need to give it some personality.

Any ideas?