Another List (and stuff)

Things I'm Learning About Myself & Stuff

(I think adding "and stuff" to any sentence displays a level of sophistication and class...lol...maybe a low level)

2009 is under way and I'm already feeling in need of a vaca [I've started shortening everything...try it! It's fun!]. Maybe I just feel like that cuz [and I don't speak proper English anymore] I've been sick for most of the new year. Don't worry, just had a cold. But I wasn't resting enough, so I've felt run down and tired a lot. I will fix that this weekend by sleeping & lounging around as much as possible.

Anyways, despite the fact that I've been under the weather and an all-around unexciting person this past week or so, I've been learning and experiencing some things. So, in the spirit of updating this blog more often and just cuz I want to, I will share.

1. I can be assertive! I've been accused of being on the more passive side and, while I just call it extremely low maintainence, I've been trying to work on that. I think my problem in confronting certain issues has been that I didn't know how to assert myself w/o being mean (read the "Jerk" blogs of early 2008). But this week, I was able to address an issue w/o being an awful person. Someone was asking me to do something and I needed to think about the answer before I responded to her via email. But she kept following up w/ me everyday asking "Did you get my email? What do you say?". That was starting to bother me (the same person had done it to me before) and making me not want to answer at all. So I confronted her and I wasn't evil. I was honest and direct. I'm learning that I can be assertive w/o being agressive. Yay for growth!

2. This patience thing isn't too bad...sometimes. Actually, I've learned over the past couple months (in a couple of areas) that patience can be a strategy. For example, when you're buying a car, it's not a good idea to buy the 1st car you see at the 1st lot you go to. And even after a dealer quotes a price, if you're patient, sometimes they will lower it. Try patience as a strategy (please use wisdom w/ this) and see that sometimes it can be fun.

[Warning: Your bills will not go away by you being patient and not paying them. Don't be silly!]

3. I can save gas by not going to work once a week. I'm being funny...kinda...But I'm really not. I filled up my tank on Monday night. I called in sick on Tuesday (I really was sick) & only drove to the grocery store around the corner from my house. On Wednesday, I went to work & came home only. On Thursday, I went to work & went home. Now, it's Friday and I drove to work this morning. Normally, I would have about half a tank of gas left or less. But I've only used 1/4 of a tank this week. What? How is that possible? [maybe no midweek service & riding to the music ministry meeting w/ Terri had something to do w/ it, but we'll pretend it doesn't] My only conclusion can be that missing work on Tuesday was not only good for my health (and the health of my coworkers), it was also good for my gas tank and my bank account. Health, gas tank and bank account - a great 3-part harmony. Test that theory out sometime and see. Maybe, if enough of us do it, they (the powers that be...under God) will shorten the work week to 4 days in this recession.

I know, I'm crazy. But you love me anyway!