New week with more training

Weekends certainly fly by. I'm back training my new colleague. It's week two.

She's not a technical person, but I do appreciate that she's hard-working and determined.

Here's hoping that this week will pass by as fast as this past weekend.

Sewing a button

My mom asked me to sew a button on her shirt that had come off. It was a weird request because it wasn't exactly an emergency to the average person. To her, it was.

My dad was taking a nap. I was eating. She went to the awake person for help. I let her know that as soon as I was done eating lunch that I'd help her.

It took me five minutes to sew this button back on her shirt. It's a snap button, so one of the sides had unravelled and fallen off.

She was genuinely happy that her button was back. It's interesting how a little thing makes someone so happy.

Folks needing to comment and looking ridiculous during it

I got a bit annoyed with a comment that someone had left me the other day. She was responding to my review of a salad establishment.

She basically asked why I was craving salad for a month when I could have bought some at the grocery store. This person decided to nitpick one particular sentence without seeing the greater picture.

It's not like I was sitting on my salad craving for a month, which was her interpretation. If she had looked at my other reviews or photos, she would have seen salads before and after this review. 

I basically told her that it didn't make sense doing grocery shopping in a city an hour away, heading home to toss a salad with my grocery items, and returning to this city to resume my errands. I wasted time writing an explanation. It should have been unnecessary, but she truly didn't get it.

I find that with social media, folks feel the need to comment on everything. She was being mildly critical without understanding that I needed to eat lunch and decided to get some at an eatery. 

Sometimes, less is more. It's the case here.

Training a new member of our team at work

Later on today, I begin training a new contractor joining our team. I interviewed her with my manager a few weeks back.

He decided to hire her early. So, we basically got her to join our team without getting her a laptop or any account information set up. All of this craziness happened while I was on vacation, with my friend and colleague taking over my usual onboarding duties whenever we have someone new joining our team.

Luckily, she has all her software access rights in place now. I simply go into training mode, which hopefully goes smoothly.

Back from vacation and an update on my left hand

Long time, no write!

A combination of trying to rest my wrist and going on vacation for over two weeks has caused me to stop blogging. All of it was much needed.

My wrist felt good until the end of my trip. I laundered my wrist splint, so I went out without wearing it so it could air-dry. 

I visited the Aquarium Restaurant in Nashville. There's a huge aquarium smack in the middle, so you dine and watch the fish, sharks, stingrays, and more swim. I was looking right up at the aquarium by walking over to it after I was done eating. The base had this slant going upwards and the floor was sticky. I had a slight misstep and needed to balance myself with my left hand that I rested against the glass. So, my hand hurt again. Stupid, sticky floor!

I will say that my left hand's range of motion is much better, but I do need to take it easy and wear my splint all the time. I have a backup splint now, so I should be fine. Here's hoping.

It was a half-step back, but I'm still going forward.

Nashville was so much fun. It was extremely hot and humid, with temperatures at least 31°C and higher.

I hope you are all doing well!

Wrist tendonitis

I haven't been posting regularly. It's mainly because I have been resting my left wrist.

A while back, I noticed swelling in my left wrist. Two weeks ago, it was noticeably swollen. I went to an urgent care clinic to have it checked out. I had a nice doctor who diagnosed what I had as being wrist tendonitis.

I got anti-inflammatory medication and a prescription for a wrist-thumb splint. I have been wearing the splint all the time, except when I am showering or washing my hands. I'm nearly done taking all my anti-inflammatory pills.

Yesterday was the first time in ages where I didn't see any signs of swelling. I had more range of motion with my wrist. The pain isn't as bad. I am happy to see some good progress.

The rest has helped. I have learned not to use my left hand as much. It's interesting that my right hand is the dominant one, but my left wrist is the one with the problem.

I hope that I make a good, full recovery.

New panties

Yesterday, I received my new panties as part of my subscription. These ones are frilly, feminine, and meshy!

Here's the front:

The back:

I can't wait to try them and see how they look and feel.

My wedding anniversary - reflections

Today would have been my wedding anniversary. Although the marriage didn't work out, this date is firmly in my head forever.

It was a week before my undergraduate convocation. That month of June was crazy. I got married, graduated, and moved to a different province.

If I could do things differently, I would have taken my time getting married. I knew him for nearly three years at this point. I needed to know him better. It was a long-distance relationship, so I didn't pick up on some of his quirks that were red flags.

I suppose that's what happens when you are young and in love. You overlook red flags. You then spend time trying to muster the strength and finances to get out of the relationship.

I look back and I've learned a lot from my marriage. No regrets.

Paid off a credit card

On Friday, I paid off a credit card that I've had for over a decade. It felt good.

I actually had to call customer service to get the final payoff balance. I had to wait another seven minutes on hold to have the woman calculate it.

I was on hold for nearly half an hour. At least I got the payoff total that I needed.

That's one problem about Canadian banks. They aren't upfront with your final balance. You are expected to pay what you owe on your statement. You then wait for another statement that calculates the interest.

I like how my bank in the US does it. There's the payoff balance and your statement balance for credit cards and lines of credit. You know exactly how much to pay off. You don't need to call customer service to have someone calculate the payoff balance for you.

Weird, Canada.

I'm happy that I have got rid of a loan and a credit card so far this year. My financial situation is looking better.

Being in the same online meeting with the ex and hearing his voice

This morning, I had a knowledge session at work. We all connect online. 

The ex-guy was apparently chatting with a presenter whom I work closely with when I joined the session. I heard his voice. He said a single word that I couldn't make out. I have a feeling that he saw my name and reacted by saying some word before he stopped talking.

I hadn't heard his voice since June 2019. It was weird.

I was okay. I am okay. As long as we don't interact, I'm fine. 

We still work for the same employer. It helps that we aren't in the office and we are in different departments. Otherwise, it would be awkward.

Carnival and tacos

On Saturday, I visited a large park that had a carnival. It took me back to being a kid again. Every year, there was a carnival several blocks away. I have fond memories playing games and eating fair food.

At this carnival, I had tacos. I sampled birria (beef), al pastor (pork), and tinga (chicken). They were delicious!

I had a great time. I hope to return soon.

Warmer weather and salads

I must admit that with the warmer weather that I haven't been writing as much as I'd like.

I have noticed that when the weather is warmer that I don't feel like eating hot bowls of ramen or stews. I am back to craving salads. I had on last night for dinner and it hit the spot.

Yep, I'm also trying to eat a bit better. As much as I love noodles and pasta, it's also nice to not get into a carb coma and nap after a huge bowl.

I made a one-skillet chicken dish with green beans and mushrooms. It turned out nicely. It was my first time following this recipe.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Three years being single

Today marks three years since my ex-guy broke up with me. Time flies. It also heals. 

I still think of the memories that we had. I also think about how wrong it was for me to be with someone who wasn't the best fit for me. I am in tune with my emotions. He wasn't and probably still isn't. 

I severed my connection with him on a number of applications, including Skype. I recently saw that he wanted it re-established on Skype. I haven't.

Although I miss having a special someone as my partner, I am not ready. And, that's okay.

Happy birthday to my best friend!

Today's my best friend's birthday. We have been friends since we met in summer school when I had just turned sixteen years old. He is 1.5 months older than I am.

He came out to me as being gay when we were in university. I still remember that conversation over the phone. He didn't know how I'd feel I was good with it.

We caught up today when I texted him to say hi and wish him a great day. I didn't realize that his Facebook account was hacked and he had created a new account. He didn't know that my Instagram account had got hacked, either. We both weren't following each other, which is funny when I look at things now.

We sent a bunch of texts today. It was nice catching up. We hope to meet over a meal or something soon. It has been way too long!

Long weekend and loan payments are over

Last week, I got great news. I had finished paying off my personal loan five months early. I felt great.

I have been making payments every two weeks for just over the last three years. I like freeing up those payments to put towards my other debt.

It's the long Victoria Day weekend here. I have been catching up on a few things while trying to relax. It has been nice so far. 

Back from a last-minute trip back to the Twin Cities

Hello! I hope that you're doing well.

I got playoff ticket for the Minnesota Wild. Two Sundays ago, I flew down to the Twin Cities. It was the most rushed trip that I have ever done, but it worked out well.

I saw the Wild lose their first game, but win their second one. It was my first and second times seeing the Wild in playoff hockey mode. I had wonderful experiences.

Taking a break from blogging is both needed and missed. I am currently writing on a Microsoft Surface laptop. I never thought that I'd get one, but I like it so far. The touchscreen takes getting used to!

I returned home on Sunday night. I am relatively settled again to blog. I find writing here to be therapeutic, which I have missed.

Wild have home ice!

The Minnesota Wild have home ice advantage. The team is likely playing its first game on Monday.

I am waiting for the official NHL schedule. It means that I am either flying out on Sunday or on game day Monday to the Twin Cities.

I'm excited to see my first couple of Wild playoff games. The downside is getting my travel plans together. I can't until I see the schedule. There are two other games that are ongoing right now.

Waiting is such a pain sometimes!

Sports and rankings

The Toronto Raptors lost last night. The team is out of the playoffs.

The Minnesota Wild won in overtime. It's down to the wire to determine whether it gets home ice or not for the first round of the playoffs.

It's a bit of a pain for me. I am at a holding pattern to book anything. I want to fly down and see a couple of games, but I can't until I know whether the team is in second place in their division (home ice advantage) or third (they play at least games 3 and 4 at home).

It's best that the team gets home ice. They do better. However, it would be cheaper for me to fly down to the Twin Cities if they don't get home ice advantage. It means that I can fly during the weekday, which is cheaper. If they start playing next Monday, flights aren't cheap!

Such a weird problem to have. I like booking ahead, but I can't in this instance.

Farewell gift basket has been sent!

I went ahead and asked my friend for her mailing address. She gave it to me without any questions. Nice!

I bought her a spa basket with the contributions that I got from colleagues. It's such a perfect gift for her. She needs and deserves pampering! It's expected to arrive at her home on Friday.

Gift mission accomplished!

Update on my friend leaving the company, but moving to a new career elsewhere

Last Friday was my friend's final day at work. My team is horrible at sendoffs. I ended up creating an online meeting for us to say goodbye to her and solicited donations towards a farewell gift separately, if folks wanted to donate.

To explain the situation, my friend originally got a job as a project manager within the company. She was to move to a different department.

I had warned her about her soon-to-be new manager. She was toxic towards me and isn't a nice person. Sure enough, she never finalized my friend's contact and how much she would be earning. She also wanted my friend to work both was a writer and project manager for two months at her current pay.

My friend appreciated the warning that I gave her. She decided to quit. She deserved better. I don't blame her.

She does have a new job lined up and starts just over a week from now. I'm happy for her.

As a team, before this pandemic, we would normally get together for a farewell lunch. My friend isn't comfortable being in a large crowd. Instead, she'd rather have a meal with me and one other colleague. We'll be doing that soon.

I have collected enough funds to get her a spa gift basket. I need to figure out how to get her mailing address to get it delivered to her. I may need to ask my manager first. Otherwise, I may need to ask her directly, which kind of ruins the entire vibe.