Another Item Crossed Off the "Life" List...

43. Make a Great Latte

When I envisioned crossing off #43, I thought I would have to buy a good quality espresso machine and learn how to steam/froth milk.

NOT. SO.

My new office has many amenities...an awesome gym, unlimited candy, many "hip" places to sit, read, and work...but my favorite by far is the espresso machine.  When I heard that there would be an auto-espresso machine in the Coffee Shop of our new office, I imagined it would be one of those gas station "cappucino" machines that puts out a sickly sweet mix of milk, coffee flavoring, and sugar...calling itself "French Vanilla Cappucino".  Yuck.

NOT. SO.

The machine (from which we can get unlimited drinks FOR FREE) is La Cimbali Q10.  One of the better auto-espresso machines out there.  The price tag is on up there for this gem, but well worth it (especially when I didn't buy it!).  And it makes a fabulous latte.  Much better than Starbucks...and some other coffee chains.  The espresso is smooth, the milk perfectly foamy...yum.

So, while all I do is press a button.  I'm still "making" the latte.  And as long as I'm at my current job with this machine in my life...I don't think I'll be trying to make my own latte by hand any time soon.  So, I'm counting it.

Laptop Lunches

After stalking a friend's Blog, Facebook, and Flickr account for awhile (shout out to Kristi!), I noticed she has a lunch system she uses for her 4 kids called "Laptop Lunches".  Basically, Laptop Lunches is a company that sells Bento Box style lunch boxes.  A Bento Box is a Japanese type of food presentation that is typically used for sushi, tempura, etc.  But there is apparently a "Bento Box" movement for making healthy lunches.

For me, lunch is one of the most difficult meals to make healthy.  Mostly because all I ever want for lunch is Chick-fil-A.  My bad.

Anyway, in my recent quest for healthiness, I've decided I need some kind of system for lunches.  Enter Laptop Lunches.  While the Bento Boxes aren't cheap, I haven't had any type of "lunch box" for awhile.  I try to bring my lunch to work often, but usually I have some sort of leftovers in a Gladware container.  A Bento Box style lunch is beneficial for a number of reasons.

Number #1: The Bento Box is really cute.  I know, I know...a terrible reason for me to like it, but I do!

Number #2: Portions are easily controlled.  One thing emphasized by the bento box is variety.  Instead of bringing a large-ish portion of leftovers, I feel challenged to bring 4 different types of food in my lunch.  And since the containers are not very large, I can't bring "too much" of one item.

Number #3: As mentioned above, the variety makes it easy to bring fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein.  I strive to have one container of each of those food groups in my Bento Box.

I'm in my second week of taking Bento lunches...and I love them!  I feel virtuous, they taste good, and I know I am being both healthy, and environmentally friendly.  I usually prep my lunches on Sunday, and then simply pack them up each night before I go to bed for easy transport in the morning (great for us non-morning folk).

Here is my first day of Laptop Lunching:

The outer insulated case

The actual Bento Box

The selection for my first week of Laptop Lunches: Homemade gazpacho (thanks, J!), Strawberries with feta and balsamic, deviled egg, and carrots

I'm hoping that making and brining healthy lunches to work will help me be healthier, lose a bit of weight, be environmentally conscious, and help me save money (Chick-fil-A gets expensive!)

95/365

I get kind of tired of looking out this window every day.

74/365 Daily View

Welcome to my office...

66/365 Back at the Office

Strangely, I was glad to see this view again after a week of working from home during my husband's convalescence from pleurisy.

28/365 Makeover

Raise your hand if you think my desk at the office needs a makeover....

10/365 My Weekday View

Enough Said.

25/365 Monday Blues

Can I just say that I am tired of this view?  Guess I need another vacation...

The Nature of a Lunch Hour

One thing I've struggled with in my time in the workforce of America is what to do with my lunch hour. Other than eat lunch of course...because the actual act of eating only takes me about 10 minutes or so. When I lived in Spartanburg, SC, I worked at a bank 7 minutes from my house and was able to go home at lunch. I would usually watch a little tv, eat my lunch, do a couple of chores around the house, and head back to the bank. It was a great break in the middle of the day, and truthfully it helped preserve my sanity. While a solid first job, the bank was easily my least favorite job yet.

When I moved to Annapolis, I was working on the West side of Baltimore and had a 45 minute commute. Clearly not conducive to going home for lunch! However, for the first 2 years or so, I had a "lunch group" of friends that I ate with. I was probably the most talkative in the group, so lunch was often filled with my silly chorale stories, etc. I usually brought my lunch to work...mostly because I was apartment-poor from paying rent in one of the most desirable areas and getting the salary of someone living in a not so desirable area. I switched jobs 2.5 years ago, and lunch was often varied...sometimes out with friends, sometimes brought from home, and the occasionally shopping trip to Target.

Somewhere along the line, I stopped eating lunch with people and started always eating it at my desk in front of the computer. I realized that I needed the break away from my desk, so I've gotten pretty creative with my lunch time. While I miss the camaraderie of eating lunch out with friends, my finances like that I'm not dropping $10+ on lunch every Friday. They also like the fact that I've cut back on my Target lunchtime browsing. That place is dangerous. I certainly have Chick-fil-A more often now that it is around the corner, as well.

Behind our office, there is a back parking lot with some trees, grass, etc. When I drive around back there during lunch, there is a man who opens up the back of his SUV every day, sits on the tailgate with a cigar, and reads a book. I'm kind of jealous of his lunchtime routine...it's a good break away from work!

Here are some of the ways that I've recently been spending my lunch hour:

-On the leather couch in our office reading a book. This sometimes ends up with me dozing, attempting to look as if I am not sleeping.

-In my car taking a nap. This is only on days that I am flat out exahausted.

-In my car, eating Chick-fil-A and listening to an audiobook in the Chick-fil-A/Starbucks Parking Lot.

-Reading a book at Starbucks.

-Watching LOST on my iPod.

-On pretty days, I'm outside in my car with the windows down reading a book.

-Occasionally, running on the treadmill if I won't be able to get a run in any other time.

-Running errands at Target. But this is strictly if I have multiple items I NEED...like toilet paper, contact solution, etc.

Does anyone else have interesting ways to spend a lunch hour? Sometimes I'm tempted to see if I can take 15 minutes and then leave the office at 4:45 instead of 5:30...except I often have training sessions scheduled at 4 PM.

The BSO plays Disney at Strathmore

Last night, my company was the corporate sponsor of the BSO's Disney Concert at Strathmore. What more could I ask for? Music, Disney, friends, good food...it was a lovely evening! While not the most musically fulfilling performance for me, it was quite entertaining since they performed most of my Disney favorites. I had never been to Strathmore before, and was amazed by the beauty of the Hall. The pictures don't do it justice. The light wood gives it an outdoorsy feel and the acoustics were brilliant!


We began the evening in the lounge with tasty food and drink, and were able to spend intermission there, as well. Here are some of the treats available:




All in all, it was a very fun evening. My complaint (come on, it's me!) was the behavior of some of the the children there. I know it's a family-oriented show, but in my opinion, parents should use it as an opportunity to teach their children proper concert etiquette. In other words, when your child starts yelling, shush them and explain that they need to be quiet (er). Don't encourage them by carrying on a conversation.


End rant.

Office Pet Peeves

Since I've been essentially chained to my computer and desk chair for the past week, I thought I'd share a few of my pet peeves when it comes to the work environment.

• People who put their food in the microwave to heat, walk off, and don't come back for awhile. We only have 2 microwaves in our office that are supposed to serve about 150 people. The hours of 12-2 are often busy by the microwave. To me, it's common courtesy to stay by your food until it is finished, or at least make an effort to come back within a minute of when the food should be done. I always feel bad taking people's food out, but if they don't show up after a minute or so, I do. There is generally a line of folks waiting to use the microwave...
• People who walk around the office with iPod earbuds in. To me, it's fine to listen at your desk, but when you get up to go to the bathroom/kitchen, etc...it's a little excessive to leave them in. One of our developers does this...I know they are anti-social to begin with, but really? It's just rude, in my opinion. I think this is ok behavior if you are walking down city streets or on the subway, but walking to the bathroom in the office with your iPod is kind of strange.
• The bathroom cell phone talker is always on my list as a pet peeve. I've gotten to know her a little better, but I still find it odd to listen to her conversations while I'm in the restroom!
• Anyone who heats up fish in an office microwave. The smell is so nauseating...

That's it for now. Anyone else have office pet peeves?

Casual Weekdays

My office has a casual dress code. Casual as in jeans are acceptable...even the norm every day. It can be a little difficult to become accustomed to such casualness. It's always entertaining to watch someone transition from a corporate type of job wearing suits or at least "business casual" wear every day, to working at my company. I went through the process myself. You look around and see all of your coworkers in jeans...but something about getting up in the morning and putting jeans on to go to work every day doesn't feel right. But, you don't want to feel out-of-place at the office in nice business wear...so you settle for nice pants and a sweater most days, and jeans on Friday or occasionally. A few weeks/months later, you've transitioned to jeans 3 days a week, and nicer clothes the rest of the time. The final step is when jeans are the norm. That's where I am now...

I have a closet full of nice clothes that I don't wear to work anymore! I still need them occasionally...for the once in a blue moon client visit or when I want to look nice at church or a social event. But when I get up in the morning, I tend to go for comfort over looks. It's gotten so bad that some days recently I haven't even worn jewelry, and very little make-up. This is a serious change from the days when I worked at the bank and walked out of the house looking like I should be heading to Wall Street! I'm trying to get back into the swing of dressing nicely and being "put together" during the day. It's difficult, though, when most coworkers don't really seem to care! Perhaps if I can force myself to wear something nicer than jeans and a sweater 2 days a week, then I'll get out of the "look" rut that I'm in right now.

It's always funny at the office when someone dresses up though. If I wear a skirt, people start asking if I have an interview. It's kind of funny...I think, "Do you really think I'd just wear a skirt and sweater to an interview?" If I'm wearing a suit...then you should worry. But even then, I think I'd probably change in the bathroom of McDonald's or something. Usually, I'm wearing nicer clothes if I have a date. My boyfriend has a job where he is often wearing a suit...so if I'm meeting him for dinner, I try to wear something a little dressier. It's no fun to take a woman wearing jeans, a ratty sweater, and sneakers out to dinner!

At least when I look at the management here, I know that promotions aren't based on how you look or dress!

Raise Your Hand if You Can Follow Instructions...

Has anyone else noticed that people in our society can't seem to follow simple instructions? The unfortunate thing about my comment is that I'm not referring to children...but adults. One of the basic things I remember teachers trying to convey in school was the need to follow instructions. Most students seemed to have issues with this in Middle School...but as they went on to High School following directions seemed to become less and less of an issue. I think that process must reverse as people get older...

It seems that one of the consequences of email is that people no longer read anything for detail. When barraged with email after email, I think we get to a point where we skim for pertinent information and ignore details. I find this happens often with emails I send out for training sessions. I have a few sentences bolded and in red in the emails...most importantly "To ensure that you’re able to login to the WebEx session correctly, please attempt to login at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time." Well, most people login about 3 minutes late...and then we spend 10 minutes waiting for the session to load on their computer.

Other people that I work with seem to have the same issue with reading emails. I know that I am a fairly detailed person so I usually read for detail...but the unprofessional mistakes that we accept in the business world these days is astounding. Things like spelling errors (we have spellcheck now!), tardiness, missed deadlines, rude comments...I have a feeling these things would not have been acceptable in the business world 20 years ago. Maybe it's just the industry I work in, but it seems to be a common issue.

Anyway, just had to vent about some things that I've experienced today...

Globalization

A year or so ago I picked up Thomas Friedman's acclaimed book, The World is Flat. Unfortunately, I put it down (probably to pick up some trashy novel with no substance) and now I can't find it. I'd really love to finish it. Anyway, it's all about globalization and the effect us Westerners are having on the world.

I was thinking about globalization last night as I was on an online training with some clients from Asia. It amazes me that I can be sitting in my kitchen at 9PM at night (in my pjs), showing people from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia how to use an internet-based software. What amazes me even more is that even without body language, they were able to understand an ordinary 20-something Southern girl enough to ask good questions and actually understand what I was teaching.

As mind-boggling as that is, my situation last night is pretty much par for the course when it comes to business these days. Almost everything is global. Just look at Beijing...and how westernized it has become in the past few years...especially for the Olympics. Yet, 3/4 of China probably still doesn't know who Michael Phelps is (incidentally, if you want a laugh, read this story from the Onion). In the US, only those who live in a cave haven't seen his face plastered everywhere.

I wonder, though...with so many cultures adopting some form of Western culture (ok...and a lot of US culture), are we going to end up as one big homogenized world? I fear losing some of the amazing traditions that have been cultivated and preserved in countries like China. Being so different is part of what makes us human.

Anyway...I could write more on this topic, but it could take hours! It just struck me last night during that training how "globalized" our world is becoming.

Hot, a Little Tired, and Quite Busy

While I know the "official" start to summer is a few weeks off (well... the summer solstice, that is), it sure feels like summer has reached Annapolis! We've been sweltering in crazy heat and humidity! I spend some of Saturday outside at a wine and food tasting, and it was HOT! I had two swigs of water for every swig of wine. :) We finally turned the AC on at our house, but it's still quite steamy on the top level (where my bedroom is). I may have to make a trip to sleep in the basement soon...

Last week at my company's conference was really fun. I stayed out way too late, but had a good time. I may write more about it later, but here are a few funny highlights:

-One of the British guys falling into the fountain
-My manager getting knocked off her barstool by a drunk coworker
-Lots of dancing
-A bar that reminded me of scenes from Coyote Ugly
-Crazy clients
-My coworker being asked on the Metro if she was pregnant (she had her bag in front of her!)

All in all it was a fun week. I'm still trying to catch up on sleep though!

I start rehearsals for a summer opera production tonight. I'm looking forward to it, even though it involves some very long days! I had to pack 3 meals to bring to work with me today!

Ritzy

As of tomorrow, I'll be in DC for the week. It's my company's Users' Conference, and I'll be training clients most of the day on Wednesday. The conference is at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown DC. Last year, we got to stay at the Ritz...but this year, because of cost, we'll be slumming in the DC Marriott across the street. :) I am mostly disappointed that we aren't staying at the Ritz because their shampoo, conditioner, etc is Bvgalri White Tea- which is my summer scent. Maybe I can befriend a maid at the Ritz and see if I can snag some freebies...

Night Noises, Slow Orders, and Tennis in HD

As I was lying in bed last night before I fell asleep, I heard a boat horn. When I first moved into my house, I used to hear boat horns at night and wonder if that really was what I was hearing. I guess I didn't realize how close I am to the water! I love the noises that I hear at night when I have my window open- boat horns, the wind rustling the leaves on the trees, the wind chime on the deck outside, the foghorn when it's foggy...

One night Maureen and I both swore that we heard a train whistle. It was nothing like a boat horn. Believe me, growing up hearing a train outside every night gives me knowledge of the difference! We still haven't figured out what we heard- whether it was a boat horn that is made to sound like a train whistle or something else. I suppose that can be our ongoing Edgewood mystery.

I was in the drive-thru line at Chick-Fil-A this morning and got really frustrated at people who take forever to order! 2 minutes is really ridiculous for ordering breakfast. Of course, talking on a cell phone and trying to order at the same time are not recommended. That doesn't seem to stop anyone around here...

I've been spending my lunch time this week in front of the 50inch HDTV in my office building. French Open tennis is on, and there's nothing like watching it in Hi-Def while sitting on a comfy leather couch that smells good. I wish I could transport our little tv area at the office to my house! I like that the French Open and Wimbledon are 5-6 hours ahead of us....all the good matches come on during the lunch hour!

The Long Day Closes

Yikes. Today was one of those days. Nothing "bad" happened, but I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I didn't sleep well last night...woke up with a headache...had a lot of trainings and meetings...all leading me to feel exhausted right now.

Thankfully, tomorrow and Friday should not be quite the same- I'm busy at work but it's all with admin type stuff. Maybe I'm so tired because I'm still recovering from my cold. We'll see...

Sorry for the negative, boring post. Hopefully a good night's sleep will make a difference tomorrow!

Don't Flush the Toilet...I'm on the Phone!

I realized recently that I have rediscovered a pet peeve. People talking on their cell phones in the restroom. Really, it's less of a pet peeve and more of a "Really?". I'm not the biggest cell phone fan under any circumstances, but I think that having a complete conversation on your cell phone in the restroom is just plain rude. It's rude to the others you are disturbing in the restroom and forcing to hear your conversation. It is also rude to the person you are talking to...especially when they can hear flushing in the background.

My rediscovery stems from a few encounters I've had with an employee and her cell phone here at my office. My first experience was about a month ago when I walked into the bathroom and heard someone in the last stall talking. I wondered if she was talking to me...until I heard more of the conversation. I don't want to be too graphic, but there were signs that she was not just "hanging out" in the restroom on the phone. Ewww.

Last week, I pushed open the restroom door and heard someone screaming "You bleepity bleep bleep! I can't believe you bleep bleep!". There was no one in the stalls, and the voice was clearly coming from the changing room. I quickly left the restroom...not wanting to walk into the middle of a domestic spat occuring on a cell phone. It made me very uncomfortable. I went back into the restroom 10 minutes later, and the same woman was still on the phone, crying and screaming. I left again. A few minutes later, I checked again and was able to go into the restroom without being assaulted by an angry voice.

I understand not wanting to have intensely personal conversations out in the open at one's desk. But the restroom is not a private place either! Some of the same people who can hear the conversation at your desk can hear it in the restroom, too! If I have a personal call that I don't want anyone to hear, I go oustide if the weather is nice, and to my car if it is not. This woman in particular always seems to be taking personal calls, so maybe she would be spending all her time outside. She always takes those calls into the restroom- WHETHER SHE IS USING THE RESTROOM OR NOT. The restroom is not a personal phone booth or conference room for employees to hold cell phone conversations! Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I have answered the phone while standing in the restroom before if it is a family member or close friend. I usually say- "Hey, I'm standing in the restroom...can I call you back in just a minute?" I'm sure that they are thankful I don't continue the conversation with flushing in the background!

Really, I think we just need to learn to be considerate. Even if someone doesn't mind having a conversation with you on a cell phone while you are in a public restroom, it can make others in the restroom uncomfortable! So please, try to consider your fellow women and take your conversation outside.

Flexibility

I have never been particularly good at being flexible. Whether physically (I had to be the most inflexible gymnast ever... I could barely do a split!), or mentally. It's hard to find a balance between being flexible to meet the needs of others and standing up for yourself so you don't become a doormat. More often than not, I tend to fall out on the end of standing up for myself too much.

Recently, events have challenged my inflexible side. Particularly when it comes to my schedule. I live and die by the schedule on my palm pilot. With my crazy life, it's the only way I can keep things straight. My one frustration with my job is that, in a sense, I am not in control of my schedule. As a trainer, our Account Execs schedule trainings for me. So, I may come into work in the morning thinking that I have 2 trainings that day, and by the end of the day I've had 4. It's difficult to prepare mentally for those kinds of days. I'm learning to deal with it, however. I do my best to stay in control of my schedule, but often it spirals out of my control!

I think life does it's best to teach us flexibility. Just when we think we have things under control, we have to adapt and change to something new, sometimes with very little time to prepare. I'm learning more and more about this...

On a lighter note, I have a busy weekend/week coming up. I'm house sitting until Sunday, Friday night I'm going into DC for dinner with some friends from work, and Saturday is the annual Tug o War between Eastport and Annapolis. I'm tagging along with Maureen to a party she attends every year that begins at 9 AM. Next week is already full with trainings for work, and the weekend following that is pretty full as well. I guess it is all a warm-up for the Holiday season...rehearsal after rehearsal and concert after concert! Oh, and prepping for a giant party in between all of those singing commitments...