Return of the Sunday Night Blues...

So unfortunately, my return to the workforce has been accompanied by the return of the Sunday Night Blues.  You know what I'm talking about, that doom that sets in about mid-afternoon Sunday when you realize that the weekend is over and you have five long days of work awaiting you.  Even more depressing is that fact that I only accomplished 25% of the things on my to-do list. I sure got spoiled during my month off.

You're prolly wondering about my first week at the new job. I am happy to report that things are good so far, although 99.9% of my week was spent on various forms of training, meaning I don't really have a good indication of what work will actually be like.  The trip to New York was cool, but totally exhausting. One of the most important things I learned, however, is that I get to wear jeans every Friday. That deserves a woot woot. I've also learned my closet is completely unprepared for a business casual dress code.  I basically have super nice business attire and then suuuuuper casual weekend attire. Luckily I am back in Houston, where there are actually clothing stores to shop in!

I'm baaaaaack....

After what was too long of a hiatus, Beaumont Legal is back in business.  Although I guess I should consider a blog name change because I'm now back in Houston getting ready to start work at Big Firm on Monday (!!!).  But let's face it, I'm waaay too lazy to come up with another name for this blog, so Beaumont Legal it remains.

I'm (unsuccessfully) trying not to freak out about starting work on Monday, and it's definitely hard to say goodbye to the last month of pure leisure that I've had since I wrapped up my clerkship. But, there is part of me that is ready to get back into a routine fo sho.

Here's a quick run down on how I spent the last four weeks of work-less bliss:

• Sort of started an exercise regimen.  Despite the fact that I am most decidedly NOT a morning person, I am determined to work out regularly and for it to get done, it must get done in the morning.  This will require me to go to a FIVE THIRTY AM exercise class twice a week, plus one class on the weekend.  Can I do it? Time will tell.  But I did try out a few fun classes (held at a reasonable hour) over the past several weeks, including one today called Night Club Cardio.  This class consisted of doing dirty dance moves for 1 hour.  One move actually required you to spank yourself during a booty pop while the (homosexual) instructor yelled "bad girl! you shouldn't have had that pizza last night!" If you think I'm joking, well, you'd be wrong.  But it was actually a ton of fun.
• Mini Bro-union in the land of fruits and nuts.  A few of my law school bros and I went out to Los Angeles to visit our friend R, who moved there after graduation.  Such fun was had.  She had secretly become betrothed! I had the best drink of my life (take fresh basil, mint, lime, agave, vodka, ice and blend.  Then die.) We got silly playing board games (shout out to the F-blast - if you get it, then you get it). I didn't see any celebs, but I did explain to my compadres how every landmark we passed related back to a certain episode or storyline in Beverly Hills 90210.
• I moved. Twice. It was horrible, and that's really all I have to say about that.  But, I'm finally settled in my new home and I'm loving it.
• Developed New TV Obsession. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders - Making the Team.  If you like cheesy reality TV and judging other people (like I do), check it out.

Well, that's about it for now. I've got to go pack because tomorrow I'm off to NY for Big Firm orientation Monday morning. YIKES. 

Things In My Belly

Things in my belly on this Fat Tuesday:

Breakfast:
Boiled Egg
Orange
(pretty reasonable right? Well, it's all downhill from here)

Lunch:
Multiple pieces of pre-lunch bread. Buttered, natch. (This is mostly my boss's fault because she made me wait until after 12 to eat)
Beef Tenderloin Salad from Saltgrass

"Snack"
THREE (yes, you read that right) pieces of bavarian creme king cake
1 piece of ice cream cake from Marble Slab
(Four pieces of cake this afternoon, what's wrong with me?? The kitchen at my office is where diets go to die.)

Dinner:
cheesy tortilla
pasta with cheese
pb&j saltines

Yep, it's Fat Tuesday alright.

Oh, in other news, I'm watching the Biggest Loser on TV right now. Irony, I love it.

File This Under Things I Don't Understand

Why do we need these new McDonalds "chicken nugget bites," or whatever they are called?  Are Americans really too lazy to eat two bites of a regular chicken nugget?? Which, by the way, is - by definition - already small.  It's a nugget.

I just don't get it.

WTF, Universe

So, it seems like everyone and their mom has been getting engaged lately. Seriously, I can think of four ladies off the top of my head who've had a ring put on it in the last 30 days.  Add to that the fact that my ex - who I dated on and off for 10 years - just got engaged to a girl he's been with for about five minutes (comparatively, that is), and it's sometimes hard for a single gal to keep her chin up.

Remember those games you played as a little girl? Like the one where you wiggle the tab of the coke can back and forth and recite the alphabet, and the letter it breaks off on is the name of the person you are going to marry? Or when you are listening to the radio and you tell yourself, "ok, the next song is going to be the precursor for the rest of my life." So, I decided to play one of those games tonight.

I was unwrapping one of life's greatest pleasures - a Dove dark chocolate piece (the kind with the little messages on the inside of the wrapper) - and I told myself that the message on the inside would determine my "love destiny." (I know, I'm awesome.)

Yep, you read that right - CELEBRATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

What are you trying to tell me, universe???

***UPDATE - On further reflection, I realized this post may make me sounds like a bitter, negative Nancy.  It was mostly meant to be funny. But, I just want to make clear that I truly feel happy for all my lovely friends who've found their "person." I just also wouldn't mind finding mine :)

February Update

So, it's been a month since I've listed my resolutions. Here's an update.

1 - I have definitely been making healthier choice, with the occasional splurge of course. It helps that my coworkers have been trying to be healthier too. I'm drinking regular Green Monsters and just generally eating more fruits and veggies and less junk. And, I've had 2 random ladies (my dry cleaner lady and a lady in my neighborhood) tell me that I look like I've lost weight! Although the scales tells me that I have, in fact, not actually weight.

2 - I am VERY happy to report I drink 48 oz of water *almost* every day! I generally don't do as well on weekends, but overall I'm super psyched about my progress on this one.

3 - I am also doing better at keeping my house clean. Each weekend I've been picking an area to get--and keep--in order. That seems to be a good strategy for me.

4 - Haven't paid down any credit card debt, but I have cut back significantly on using my card. Yay.

5 - I've memorized three out of the five assignments in Ryan's Project Scripture. Woot!

Ok, so maybe I'll update on my resolutions again. But let's be honest, I probably won't. For now I'm trying to psych myself up for the weekend ahead! It's a busy one - coaching UH moot court team Saturday morning, helping to throw a wedding shower Saturday afternoon, and a bachelorette party Saturday night!  Then Sunday I have church, an interview with a family I may babysit for (yay for money) and a Superbowl party at my coworker's house back in Beaumont. I'm stressed about how busy it's going to be!! When am I going to be able to fit in what I like to call my "sitting around" time??

But we will be making these babies at the Superbowl party and I Can. Not. Wait. I've seriously been dreaming about them for 2 weeks.

My Sad Life

So I've discovered that my favorite snack is no longer being sold in Texas!

Y'all - this is really upsetting me!! You have NO IDEA how good these pretzels are. I first discovered them when I was babysitting for my neighbor. (The babysitting pantry raid - you know you've done it).  Anyway, I started buying them for myself.  Then, I was at this neighbor's house a couple weeks ago and she mentioned that she can't find them in stores anywhere. So, I went online and guess what?? No Rold Gold Cinnamon Raisin pretzels in Texas anymore.  And guess what else? I CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE TO BUY THEM ONLINE. (As an aside, what the hell?? You can buy pretty much anything on the Interwebs these days. Anything, apparently, except these delish pretzels).

The bag in my pantry is almost gone, I don't know what I'm going to do. And that makes me sad about my life - because who gets this upset about cinnamon raisin pretzels?? Another thing that's sad? I am blogging about this on Friday night.

Anyway, if any of my out-of-towner friends see these at their local grocery stores, pick me up a few bags. I'll really owe you one.