A compliment from my manager

I worked from home on Tuesday. I had a conference call with my manager. As usual, he was running late.

I decided to review a video that my student had redone while waiting for him. When he got on the call, he heard part of it.

"Is that our student?" he asked me.
"Yes, it's a video that she did for our new application," I replied.
"She sounds professional," he complimented.
"She does. She's the only person on my team who is professional," I noted, hinting at the clueless woman in yesterday's post.
"There's you, too. Don't forget to include you. You count as 1.5 people on the professional scale, which makes up for her deficiency," he said.

It was a nice compliment to hear. I paid it forward and shared the compliment that my student got from our manager with her.

An unprofessional e-mail

On Monday, I received this fine e-mail from my annoying colleague on my team:

Hello,

I am taking a half day off as I am so damn tired and sleepy. I also have to go to the passport office.

I will come to work on time tomorrow. I promise.

Professional, huh? It was addressed to our manager, me, and my student.

I have had a talk with her in the past that her e-mails are far too lax, don't show a whole lot of respect, and that she has completely forgotten what we had discussed. She did indeed come in late again, so she sounds like a broken record.

The annoying part is that she had way too much fun on the weekend that she can't handle getting back to the real world and work. This woman is almost the same age as I am. She is the complete opposite of me. It's unbelievable, but I have to deal with her immaturity.

She's a handful. That's for sure.

Enjoyable Sunday

On Sunday, I had a good day.

I gave myself a manicure and pedicure. Last week, I got rid of my old base coat. On Sunday, I got rid of my old top coat. My polish looks a lot better on my nails with new base and top coats.

I also wrote a lot. I find it therapeutic.

Sundays are enjoyable for me these days. I took a nap. I made myself breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I didn't go out. It was nice.

I now need to get through the week to look forward to the long weekend ahead.

Getting free stuff and making a cashier laugh

On Saturday, I went out to run a few errands. One of my stops was at Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM). It was having a points redemption offer.

Normally, if you have 100,000 PC Optimum points, you can redeem them towards $100 worth of items at SDM. For this entire weekend, you can get an additional $40 worth of free stuff when you redeem 100,000 points.

I took advantage of this offer. I ended up redeeming 110,000 and got $150 worth of free stuff.

I had an enthusiastic male cashier.

"It feels like I have won the jackpot today," I said.
"I wish that I had that many points. I only have 2,000," he admitted.
"It does take a bit of time to accumulate them," I noted.
"I get discounts towards snacks, so I'm getting there," he replied.
"I'd love your job!" I said, which made him laugh.

Seriously, getting discounts on snacks sounds heavenly to me.

Book on coping with a breakup and periodic thoughts about my ex-guy

A few weeks ago, I bought a book on how to cope with a breakup. I started reading the first chapter, but got busy with a couple of trips. The chapter that I did read put me at ease.

My problem isn't keeping busy. From being on vacation, and being out and about, to getting through work tasks, I don't have a chance to think about my ex-guy.

The problem occurs when I am not busy. My mind floats over to the loving moments that we had together, as well as the fact that I deserved better towards the end of our relationship. Before I go to bed, I think of him. When I am driving home and my commute is nothing to sneeze at, he pops up in my head. It just happens.

I didn't have this issue with my ex-hubby. The difference is that I loved my ex-guy. I fell out of love with the ex-hubby.

I am far from being over him. Baby steps. Gone is my mild anxiety about us not being a couple, which is a positive sign. 

This weekend, I hope to read more chapters out of this book. Perhaps my memories and thoughts of him will slowly subside.

Day off from work on Thursday and finding cheap eats

I had Thursday off from work. We had a summer work event. It was nice to kick back and have fun.

After this event, I found a small restaurant that has prices from the 60's. As an example, I had an orange ice cream float for $2. Insane!

I should go to bed. I was so tired after being out for the day that I took a fifteen-minute nap.

Busy with medical appointments, but all is well

It has been a busy couple of days with consecutive medical appointments. All is well.

My first appointment was my quarterly one with my family doctor. It was a different than the norm. She saw me, said hi, and asked who my orthopedic surgeon was. I had surgery back in 2011. I needed to do a search to find his name. Thankfully, he is still a practising surgeon.

My doctor has sciatica. I have battled it a number of times since I was 19 years of age and offered exercises to help her get some relief. It's interesting that I was providing insight to a medical professional.

On Wednesday, I had an eye injection with my ophthalmologist. I am doing exceptionally well that I am now seeing him three times a year, reducing a visit. Yay!

Stopping hunger pangs and getting soaked in the rain

After running an errand after work, I was hungry. I had dinner at one of my favourite Hakka restaurants.

The sky was grey. I risked it and didn't bring my umbrella. Bad move.

When I left the restaurant, it was pouring outside. I was parked roughly 200 metres away and was soaked by the time I got into my car. Ah, what fun!

At least I got some volume in my hair once it dried, thanks to my car's air conditioning.

Reviews, my pet fish, and the aftermath of travelling

I have had a productive Sunday. I wrote a few reviews for various businesses as my side gig. All is going well there.

I cleaned my betta fish's tank. He is the sweetest fish I have ever had as a pet. He constantly shows his excitement whenever I walk into the room, swishing his tail from side to side, and coming right up to the tank to greet me.

The travel that I have done recently, both on my vacation and for work, has made me take it easy this weekend. I feel like I need some rest!

Speaking of rest, I should get some.

Diagnosing my mom's pink eye

I visited my parents after work on Friday night. My mom asked me to take a look at her left eye. It was all red where it should be whitish. It made me think that she has pink eye, which is also known as conjunctivitis.

I have had two bouts of it in my lifetime. The first was a good decade ago and it was the worst. An intern at my workplace had used the washroom and didn't wash her hands. I had washed my hands and then touched the same doorknob. I probably rubbed my eye and there it was. Pink eye.

After work that day, I went to get over-the-counter pink eye drops. A few days later, my pink eye had cleared up.

After letting my mom know what I think she had, I went to the local grocery store to get the same eye drops. I told my mom to give them a try.

On Saturday, I dropped by to see how she was doing. I could see some white in her left eye. She told me that she feels better, and that both my dad and she feel that she's getting better. Cool.

I'm not a doctor, but I am kind of glad that I have experienced pink eye to recognize it in my mom. Here's hoping that she's on the road to recovery.

Tired, but happy, especially with retirement fund changes

I returned home late on Thursday night, which was the main reason why I didn't post anything. I twas too pooped!

I returned my rental car on Friday morning, got a lift home, and then went into the office late. I did two productive tasks that had nothing to do work work.

First, I have a locked-in Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). It's my retirement fund where the fund came from a past employer's pension plan. I got it transferred after I left the company and the only type that I could transfer the money to was a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).

Well, the GIC has a yearly term, which has an end date set for a day next week. I wanted it changed to something longer and gave my bank a call.

I spoke to a nice, knowledgeable advisor. He said that I could switch my GIC over to mutual funds. The latter provides a better return on investment and I don't have to think about renewing it. Nice!

I also booked an appointment to see my doctor next week. It's a regular checkup. All is well.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I need to unpack and relax.

Workshop is over, laughter is here, and packing is nearly done

My workshop ended on Wednesday. I learned a lot and am inspired by the information that I got out of it.

I decided to check out the Just For Laughs comedy festival after dinner. It was a ton of fun. I got to see a hypnotist perform.

I have done most of my packing. I am leaving later on today, driving home in my rental car. It has been nice taking a break from driving for the last three days.

Lots of learning and finding a similar me out there

This training session has been great. I continue to learn a lot about the subject matter, my colleagues, and myself.

There are participants from my office in Mississauga and in Ottawa. I have established a rapport with a colleague who works on a different floor than I do. We are incredibly similar and we get along nicely. We didn't know each other until we did an exercise and were paired up.

It's interesting when you find someone who is practically a carbon copy of your personality and life, but in different countries. It's cool.

Training, Chinatown, and reflection

My first day of my training session went well and was fun. I learned a ton. Folks in my group are nice.

I am the only female in the group. It's great if I were interested in dating someone. However, many of the guys are married and I am not in that mode.

I walked around Chinatown after work. It's funny that I have visited Montreal a number of times and never explored Chinatown until this trip.

It's nice to change things up. The last time I was in this city was with my ex-guy. That trip ended up with my ex-guy getting into a moody mode and not wanting to be intimate with me for a bit. The more I think about our relationship, the more it makes sense that it's over. He didn't really treat me as well as he could have and his actions boggled my mind.

Road trip, work, and food

I'm in Montreal. I am here for a workshop that spans three days. I'm looking forward to it.

This weekend, I did a lot of driving. I had to rent a car and felt cramped at first. It's much better now after I moved the seat further back and am getting used to it.

I'm eating my way through the city. Hopefully, I can fit in the car when I return!

I'm all packed and ready for another road trip

I feel like I haven't settled since I returned on Sunday. I'm packed at long last.

I am not bringing as much on this trip. Instead, after I get my rental car, I am buying pop, water, and soy beverage. I probably need some snacks.

On Friday, I used another two Groupons. I had a fantastic deli sandwich with fries and another dessert. Later on today, I use up my final Groupon. Yay!

My next post will be in Montreal. I hope that you have a great weekend!

Groupon mission is going well so far - three more to use up!

Success! After work on Thursday, I used two Groupons. My dinner and dessert items were fabulous.

I have three more Groupons to use before I leave on Saturday, in the afternoon. The plan is to use two after work on Friday and my remaining one on Saturday before I drive out east again.

I really should use my Groupons sooner. At least I devised a plan that works and that is achievable. They expire the day that I drive back home and the eateries are not on my way home.

Packing for a work trip and using up my Groupons

I'm starting to pack for my work trip. I leave on Saturday.

I have to rent a car. I get picked up late on Saturday morning by the car rental place. I won't be able to sleep in as late as I like, but I can still sleep in a bit.

My original plan was to see a friend along my road trip, but I decided to reverse it and see her when I drive home. It works better that way.

I have a number of Groupons to use before I leave. Ah, the fun of not using them as quickly as I should have!

Thoughts about my ex-guy

My ex-guy has written a couple of e-mails to me since we broke up and entered new territory as friends only. I haven't responded to them. Part of me wants to break free of him. I am not ready to continue on as friends, as if nothing has happened.

The other part of me feels the need to write back, just to say thanks and that's it. It simply is polite.

However, I am entitled to all the time that I need for me. He has hurt me three times too many. He also needed time for himself to come to the decision that he no longer wanted to be with me.

I am at a similar crossroads. The difference is determining whether I want to remain friends with him. Frankly, he needs me as a friend more than I do him.

I am not fully healed. I have moments where I despise him. I miss him from time to him, too. I also tear up when I think of all the intimate moments that we have spent together.

Will it get easier? Sure. It's a question of time. Time is slowly healing me. That's the catch. I don't know how much time I need, but I know that nearly 1.5 months isn't enough to get over him.

Vacation is over, but it has put things into perspective

My vacation is officially over. It was great and much needed.

I am fortunate to be working from home today and tomorrow. I am truly in no mood to go into work just to read countless e-mails.

I completely unplugged during my vacation. In the past, I used to check my work e-mails periodically. I decided not to. I didn't have any desire to read them, considering how hard I work.

Vacations always put things into perspective for me. I have decided not to log on to my work's instant messaging app on my phone, even when I am at work. Down the road, I may even consider uninstalling it.

I also have some more thoughts about my ex-guy. On the whole, my thoughts are clear. It's the mixed emotions that I go through periodically.

In the meantime, I am continuing to explore self-spanking. I like the wooden paddle that I recently got. I haven't used it just yet, but I did take it out of its packaging and like picturing how hard I can paddle my bare backside.

Back home

I drove back home on Sunday. It has been a long, but good day.

I finished unpacking most of my stuff and did a couple of loads of laundry. It's an accomplishment.

In less than a week, I do a similar road trip out east, except that it's for work.

Horny, self-spanking girl

Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night, horny. I wanted to be spanked.

I haven't self-spanked in ages. Now that I do not have anyone to help me out, I gave myself a few smacks. I made myself reach orgasm. I then went back to sleep.

I woke up happy. I like the idea of self-spanking until I find a new man in my life would can spank me again.

Some things are them, but not really

My ex-guy sent me a happy birthday message an hour after my birthday was over. He was late, which is who he is.

Some things never change. And yet, a ton has changed.

He has written a couple of e-mails to me since we broke up. I haven't replied to them. He said that he rarely checks his e-mail. He has written to me more from this account as of late.

I still need time away from him. This vacation has been therapeutic and helpful in my getting over him.

Hot, humid weather, with sunscreen applied

Goodness, being on vacation is exhausting when it is hot and humid. I spent some time outside and managed to remember to apply sunscreen.

I love sunscreen. I was out there for a couple of hours and didn't get crispy. Yay!

Birthday highlights and pedal boating coming up

My birthday was wonderful. I got to meet a friend in person after establishing an online friendship for a few years.

We had lunch together at a Vietnamese restaurant. She got me a birthday gift, which was so thoughtful of her. We walked around Chinatown. She gave me tons of suggestions and recommendations on places to go and restaurants to try out. She's great.

I took in a movie. Yesterday was great. I cried at the end. I haven't cried in a while. It felt good.

I had dinner at a Thai restaurant. The green curry that I had was fantastic.

Through my friend, I signed up for pedal boating later on today. At least I'm getting a decent workout during my vacation!

It's my birthday!

Today's my birthday. I am going out with a friend later on today for lunch and perhaps some bubble tea.

It's weird that I am single on my birthday. It has been a while. It's an observation more than anything.

For the last seven years or so, I have always been away on vacation to celebrate my birthday. I love this ritual. I hope that I can do it for many years more.

Canada Day and a sunburn

Canada Day celebrations in our nation's capital are amazing! I had a ton of fun proudly wearing a Canada t-shirt, walking around with fellow Canadians, and taking in the live music performances.

I spent far too much time outdoors, though. I have a bit of a sunburn on my arms and around my neck.

The rest of me is fine. I was out in the sun for a couple of hours. It could have been much worse.

Too bad my butt isn't tanned. Life isn't always fair.

Happy Canada Day! Have a smashing, paddling day!

I made it to Ottawa, just in time for Canada Day. Happy Canada Day to all Canadians celebrating today!

Yesterday, I saw this beach paddle set at a liquidation store. I got horny thinking about it being used on me:

I do crave a good paddling. I may need to self-administer one soon. I did buy the set.