Bye bye, Fitbit! Google Fit now get sleep information from my Sleep app

A few months ago, I got a Fossil Sport smartwatch. I love it. The only downside is that it doesn't track my sleep time.

My Fitbit Alta does track my sleeping time, as does my Fossil hybrid smartwatch. There are pros and cons with all three devices. I ended up wearing both of these devices, as the step counts differ between the two devices.

Well, great news for me. I use a sleep app that didn't sync with Google Fit for years. It finally does!

I am involved in a corporate health app. That app requires step and sleep information from Google Fit. I can finally get this data to this app with either Fossil smartwatch. Yay!

I am so happy.

Sirius XM is down - ugh!

I have been a subscriber to Siriux XM satellite radio since I had my first Prius just over a decade ago. I like it, especially when I am doing road trips. I don't have to worry about finding a radio station that has clear reception as I drive.

I like the Saturday night dance party, in which songs from the 80's are played. Sadly, the service is down right now. It's a minor inconvenience, though. I'm playing music off my phone instead.

I still listen to music on my iPod classic. I have my entire music collection on it. Party of me would like the latest iPod touch version. It has bluetooth capabilities, which my iPod classic doesn't have.

Friday lunch with good people at work

On Friday, a colleague, who is also my friend, wanted to cook for my intern and me. I was so thrilled that she wanted to feed us lunch.

She made chicken curry, which was delicious. My intern brought in rice, which was fluffy and perfect. I brought in gourmet cookies to complete our meal.

I like that all three of us came together to make our lunch work. My intern brought plates and cutlery. Good thinking!

Lunch was wonderful with good company.

Two past students meeting up

I like working with students. It's one aspect of my work that I enjoy and don't want to give up.

Last night, I had a text conversation with a former student. She let me know that she met another student from my program who was there a couple of years before she was. I joked and asked whether they were in therapy together after spending time at the workplace.

She let me know that she was on a student panel, sharing experiences of being in a co-op program at their university. She recognized the other student's name and they met. Cool!

She was kind to say that they both talked about how much they loved me. It's always nice to hear.

Busy day working from home

I worked from home for the first time in over three weeks. I like working from home. I have fewer distractions. The problem is that things tend to get busy and it was for me.

It was nice to rest my back and eyes in the afternoon, though. I took a nap and felt refreshed.

Two more workdays. The weekend is within reach.

Fixing my incompetent colleague's mistakes and enjoying Blizzards

I dislike dealing with my incompetent colleague. She showed just how clueless she is about everything. I had to undo her work, which is sadly regular work.

On a good note, I drowned my sorrows in ice cream after work. Dairy Queen offers a BOGO (buy one, get one) promotion. You can buy a Blizzard and get a second one for 99 cents. Yay!

Once the sugar high dies, I'll hit the sack.

Cake and boredom

I have not worked from home for over three weeks. I go into the office tomorrow, but will thankfully get to work from home on Wednesday.

My student is progressing well. I am thrilled about his progress.

We had a September cake break on Monday afternoon. We sat there and ate cake. I asked about a fellow student who was in a meeting with our development team earlier in the day. He looked bored out of his mind.

Our manager came over and I pointed out how bored he was earlier in our meeting. My manager indicated that he was loud the other day and wasted time gabbing with three employees. I let him know that he didn't say a peep in our meeting, which seemed amusing to us.

Perspectives are interesting. I have never asked a student to go into this meeting with me, as the information would be way over his head. I like my judgment in this case.

Sleep and rest

I slept a lot over the weekend. My student had a cold that started on Thursday. I felt like I had caught a bit of it on Saturday. I feel that I am in the clear, thanks to a ton of rest and sleep.

Sadly, it's another workweek coming up. I am looking forward to my brief trip next month. I feel refreshed from the weekend. I just want more of it!

Last summer feel when it's practically autumn

Saturday felt like a warm summer day. I took advantage of the day by heading over to a park in Port Perry and getting ice cream.

Last weekend, I was doing work. This weekend, I am focusing on relaxing and unwinding. It's quite the contrast.

It's nice that I am cooking more these days. On Saturday, I made myself breakfast, consisting of an omelette, bacon, and perogies. On Friday, I got a new container for my Vitamix where I can whip up mousse and more. I need to find a recipe and give it a try.

Booking post-Christmas vacation now

It's amusing to me that I am booking my post-Christmas holiday in the Twin Cities now. I just checked plane ticket prices and they are dirt cheap.

I went ahead and booked my hotel. I can always cancel the reservation if I need to. It will likely stick.

My intent is to spend a week there and ring in the new year. Fun!

Lonely boss and incompetent colleague - both are October babies

My manager feels lonely working at his desk. I haven't sat next to him for nearly three weeks.

My first two weeks were spent training my new student in a meeting room a few floors down from where I typically work. My incompetent colleague on my team was supposed to work on a software release, but couldn't get her act together. I took that task away from her and trained my student on it. We both split up the work, which went well.

I had a talk with this incompetent colleague. She can't commit to deadlines even though I took off major tasks from her plate. She is simply an idiot.

It's interesting that both our manager and this incompetent colleague have birthdays in October. They are polar opposites as far as personalities and work ethic go.

I get to sit at my desk later on today. It'll be a bit weird, but I look forward to the change in environment.

On Thursday, my manager had to drop by our meeting room simply to chat. Our chat had nothing to do with work. I gave him the tipoff that there was food at another meeting room. He appreciated it. It's nice that he likes our company.

Work challenges lead to a burger and beer

My intern and I have been working on a software release all week. We ran into a problem trying to run a documentation library build and it died. We couldn't proceed any further. Support needs to intervene.

We ended up switching to other tasks. Our manager, who can be a bit of a spy, came down to visit us. He ended up suggesting that we head out early and get burgers that were 50% off on Wednesdays. H bought me a beer. Not a shabby deal at all!

Wifi extender

For a few months now, I have noticed that whenever I am in the basement of my home and I am using my phone that is connected to my wifi, the signal drops. I decided to get a wifi extender. It arrived a day early.

I just finished installing and configuring the wifi extender. It was straightforward. The signal seems better so far, but I haven't been down in the basement to fully try it. However, data in apps and videos seem to load faster so far.

I am optimistic!

Wrapping up my leadership program and being thankful

On Monday, I wrapped up my final installment of my leadership program. It has been a great learning experience.

I love to learn. It was fun participating, which I wouldn't have said when I was an undergraduate student, as I didn't enjoy speaking in front of folks. It helps to contribute, as I ended up getting off the hook when it came down to doing some of the exercises. Yay!

I spent some time writing an e-mail to my instructor, saying thanks for being supportive, encouraging, and insightful. Most people don't think of taking a moment to thank someone, but I feel obligated to. I am sad that these sessions have ended, but feel empowered with knowledge and tools to make me a better leader.

My manager will be attending this course early next month. It will be interesting to see whether any of these techniques resonate with him.

Hungry and cooking

It's past midnight and I'm hungry. The debate is whether I am truly hungry or if I need to drink some water.

I know that if I have something to eat now that it will keep me up longer. I will see if it will go away.

On Sunday, I made tuna salad. I also fried up an entire package of bacon, which will last me the whole week. I also sauteed brussel sprouts.

I enjoy cooking on weekends. It's unfortunate that weekends are so short.

My first Wild hockey game!

I have booked a trip to the Twin Cities. I am finally going to see a Minnesota Wild game.

I lived in Minnesota for a couple of years. I was there during the hockey team's inaugural year.

I couldn't get tickets during my entire time there. I put down a deposit, hoping to get tickets. Well, it has taken nearly two decades. I have a ten-pack of tickets.

My first game is in a few days. Naturally, I can't go, so I'm selling that ticket.

In October, I'm going down for my first game ever. I am so excited. I spent Saturday booking everything, so I'm ready!

Buying items that I need

It's nice when it's payday and I can get items that I have been waiting to buy. I'm either replacing broken items or am about to run out of essentials.

I went ahead and bought two Fitbit Alta chargers. I spent a good $10 on them. I need a backup in case it breaks on me again.

I also ordered two boxes of contact lenses. My usual brand isn't available, so I'm trying a different brand. I'll see how it goes. I'm currently using my last pair.

It's time to go to bed. It has been a long, but good week. Here's to the weekend!

Muscle pain ruined my sleep, but a nap made up for it

Tired. This week is the second one where I have been in the office every day.

I didn't sleep well last night. I ended up with muscle pain in my foot. I slept for four hours before I had to get ready for work. I took ibuprofen often.

I came home and took a nap a couple of hours ago. I woke up refreshed, took a shower, and I'm now unwinding by writing a post.

This weekend, I am definitely looking forward to sleeping in. I have one more day of work. I can do it.

Plans to let my incompetent colleague go

I had my usual bi-weekly talk with my manager on Tuesday. We talked about my development goals, which are coming along nicely.

He talked about my problematic colleague who is on my team. He has decided that after two years of putting up with her incompetence and tardiness that he wants to let her go.

I am currently training my student intern. Things are going well. My manager is hopeful that my intern will be successful in taking over her duties, allowing my manager to let her go from the company.

It will be an interesting rest of the year. We'll see what unfolds.

Seeing my ex-guy's car triggered bittersweet memories and emotions

It took one basic trigger to make me feel sad about the demise of my relationship with my ex-guy. After work on Thursday, I was walking over to my car and saw his parked in the lot.

Memories came back. I last sat in his car to go out for lunch in early July. Although we never had quality time in the backseat of this car, it was a reminder that cars were an important part of our relationship.

We haven't talked since early June. I have basically shut communication down.

He doesn't know that I have a new car, so he likely thought that I wasn't at work. Even if I did tell him about it, I doubt that he would have wanted to contact me at work, if he had a chance. I'm glad that he hasn't. It would also cause me to feel sad speaking to him.

As of late, I have been pretty upbeat. I am sensitive, though.

Seeing his car on Thursday was a bummer. It's the downside of dating a colleague and your relationship ends, but your employment at the company does not. Luckily, he doesn't come to the office often. Still, seeing his car in the lot for a brief period conjured bittersweet memories.

I'm better now that I have written my thoughts in this blog post. My blog provides a source of comfort, to sort out my thoughts as I continue to get through this breakup.

Hot tub, buttocks, and fantasizing about being spanked

On Instagram, I was looking at my feed and found this hot tub pic. I like how exposed her buttocks are.

I keep thinking about how sore it would be to sit on that wooden hot tub rim rim after being thoroughly spanked, with my smarting cheeks matching the colour of my swimsuit.

I appreciate this photo so much.

Fitbit Alta charger died and thinking about my next Fitbit product

I have been using a Fitbit Alta for over a couple of years. The battery is starting to not hold a charge as long as it used to.

The charger has a clip that secures the Alta while it charges. The clip broke.

Part of me is thinking about getting either the Versa Lite or Versa 2. Part of me wants to continue using the Alta until it truly does not function anymore.

I can't afford to get a new watch right now. Perhaps in a few months, I will be able to save enough for it then. Leasing a car wasn't on my radar in August. I thought that I would be doing it in January!

In the meantime, I have found a charger for my Alta for $8. I'm good with this cheaper solution.

She did it! Bianca is the U.S. Open champion in women's tennis!

Bianca Andreescu, who hails from Mississauga, is Canada's first singles winner when she won the U.S. Open yesterday.

I am so proud of her that I cried seeing her win it. She's so humble and calm, which are qualities that I appreciate, especially in such a young woman. She is mature beyond her years.

Canada is so proud! #sheTheNorth

Credit update, including a credit card renewal

I have lots of good news about building up my credit rating. For a good year, I have been working hard to rebuild it. I am slowly seeing results as I continue to pay off my debt and make more than the minimum payment each month.

I got a free account through TransUnion to check my credit rating at my convenience. Since I have been monitoring my credit rating, it has improved from being very poor to poor. Although it's still not great having a poor rating, I am out of the very poor rating level, which is a huge step. I am so pleased with my progress. I hope that a year or so from now, my credit rating will be considered fair. I'll then work my way to making it have a good rating again.

Baby steps. So far, so great.

A while back, I posted about whether a credit card company will renew my card. It expires next month. I got my replacement card on Friday. I am thrilled!

When one bank decided that I was a risk and didn't renew my credit card with a low limit ($1,000), it was quite a blow to my credit-rebuilding confidence. Even though I never missed a payment with this card, this bank decided to shut down my account because my credit rating wasn't great. My track record meant nothin at all.

With the other credit card company that decided to renew my card, I am thankful. I was hoping that it would because I do like what this card does for me. As a customer, this bank has made me feel good that it's trusts me. I can only think of a couple of times where I was late with payments, but only by a couple of days. It has given me some slack, which I appreciate.

I am pleased that I have two credit cards. They serve my needs well. I won't repeat my mistake by getting multiple credit cards when my credit rating improves. It was a trap that I won't fall for again.

Anyway, I wanted to share my good news about my financial situation. Things are looking up and I am happy.

Healing and reading my book on healing after a breakup

I managed to continue reading my book on healing after a breakup. It has been helpful.

When my ex-guy told me that he wanted to end our relationship this past May, I went through a mild panic attack. When I told him the following day, he asked whether I should see a doctor to get medication. I told him that it's sorting out my feelings about losing someone that I love and that popping pills wasn't the first thing that I needed to do.

I know how I handle this type of panic attack. It's a question of knowing that I will be okay without him and that I will find happiness with someone down the road that makes the panic attack go away.

I was right. With time and the right frame of mind, I don't experience this mild panic anymore.

However, I still have moments of sadness. According to the book, it's normal. I knew that, too. It's nice to get confirmation that I'm doing just fine as I continue healing.

Menstrual cycle and foot spasms

This week has been odd. On top of the rough start to the week, my period happened just before I left work on Tuesday morning. It's roughly four days late.

Being on my menstrual cycle drains me. As of late, they have been different. I haven't experienced a ton of cramping, likely because I am out and about. Physical activity helps.

My period also takes weird pauses. It stops for a few hours and then begins again.

Training is going well, except that my student doesn't have access to an application that he needs all the time. It's annoying that one of three approvers needs to say yes and they are all out to lunch.

My foot is going through spasms. Oh, joy! Here's hoping for better days ahead.

Bumpy first day of training, but all worked out well

My first day training my new student wasn't the smoothest, but I tend to get through things as best I can.

I arrived at work safely. I found the room where I'll be for the next two weeks. I powered up my laptop and it switched off immediately.

I then play around with the power outlets in this room. Half of them don't work.

My manager typically gives the security person and receptionist a heads-up e-mail that we are expecting a new student. He sent out nothing. I sent out an e-mail to them at around 9:05 am. The security guy is away on vacation till May 6 (what?!) and the receptionist wasn't there.

I decided to simply drop down to the waiting area after I plugged in my laptop and managed to power it up at 1% battery power.

My new student and I connected immediately. He didn't check in because the receptionist wasn't there. Instead, we checked him in with the security guy, who didn't seem like he knew what he was doing.

Then, there's his laptop. We went to our IT department and there was a sign saying that it was closed for the day. Ugh!

I contacted my helpful co-ordinator. She was pretty busy with a batch of students. She found the IT guy and let me know that my student's laptop was there. Yay!

On top of all this chaos, my manager decided to take the entire day off to run errands. Weird. It was like he was asking me if I'd be okay with that. Well, he really didn't need to be at the office, other than to greet our new student. I am fine training my student. It's not like he can or will.

Anyway, we both survived. Here's hoping for smoother training sessions ahead.

First day of a new work term and a dream about French kissing

Last night, I dreamt about my ex-guy. He said that he wanted to not only French kiss me, but to put his tongue down my mouth.

It was a strange dream. I'm not sure what it signifies.

Several hours from now, a new work term begins. Last Friday, I was given the news that our new student starts today. I wasn't prepared for such a quick start. Here's hoping that his laptop is available. Otherwise, it will be my doing a bunch of demonstrations during my training sessions.

I had a great weekend. I am looking forward to my next long weekend in over a month.

Severing a friendship after being romantically involved

I have been thinking about my ex-guy more than I should be. In the past, it has been easier to sever ties with my exes.

The issue is that he wants to stay friends with me. I find it difficult when friends often care about one another. He has hurt me by severing our relationship as a loving couple.

I feel that I need to sever the friendship or what's left of it. It makes my moving on easier. Luckily, he doesn't come into the office all that often, so it's easy. I also haven't been answering his e-mails. Again, it's easy.

Healing takes time. It's not all that easy, but it gets easier as I continue to heal.

New hairdo

I got my hair cut on Saturday. It is shorter at the back and is cut at an angle where it's longer in the front.

I used to sport this style a few years ago. It was nice of my hairdresser to suggest returning to it.

Normally, I get several inches chopped off. Considering that I am late getting to the hairdresser by a couple of months, I decided to not get as much of my hair cut. Thankfully, I can still put most of my hair in a ponytail. Perfect!

I'm happy with my new 'do.