Top Chef Around the World Competition.
My office had a Top Chef competition today. Everyone was placed into teams and there were five in total. Then we picked countries and had to make appetizers, main courses and desserts from those countries.
My team had Italy. How perfect for me! In true Italian form, we made too much and had lots of leftovers. Bruschetta, caprese salad, chicken parmesan (my dish), spinach lasagna, raspberry trifle, tiramisu and frozen cappuccino pie made up our menu.
But…I ate food from every country that was represented. This was a competition and we had to vote in the end. I had ginger chicken, crab rangoon, chicken tacos, guacamole, chicken curry, basmati rice, naan bread, chicken satay and baklava, just to name a few of the things that were floating around in my stomach this afternoon. Not to mention, I sampled every Italian dish my team made. I needed a nap by the time I was done eating.
In the end, the India team won, but the Italy team came in just two votes shy of winning bragging rights, a golden spoon and half a vacation day. What a blast though…I love my office.
A day off.
I have the day off from work tomorrow. My first real day off, meaning not Memorial Day or 4th of July, in three months. I’m looking forward to sleeping in, hitting up the new H&M at the mall, going to the gym and maybe getting a pedicure. And tomorrow night, I have restaurant week reservations at Stephan Pyles.
This is shaping up to be a nice start to the weekend.
An update to make up for my lack of updates.
So I have been MIA over the last few weeks. Here’s what’s been going on:
- - Work is good! Busy, but good. Things have been a little challenging with some projects I have been working on. My boss left about 3 weeks ago. But, I feel like I have learned and have grown so much in just the few months I have been at my new agency.
- - I am still going strong with the gym. It’s been about a month since I joined and I have been going 3-5 times a week. Maybe I am just on a gym high or something, but it’s sort of addicting. And it helps that there is a super cute guy there every day during the week between the 6:15 and 6:45pm timeframe that I consider my motivation. Oh, did that make me sound like a stalker? Well, I don’t even know his name and have never talked to him, but I like to consider him my gym boyfriend. Ha. Now I just sound like a crazy, desperate woman.
- - I’ve also been doing well with my diet. Weekends are tough, but I’m sticking to it as best I can.
- - Remember my online dating fiascoes last summer? Well, I ran into two guys I went out with (only once) that I met online at the same bar, two weeks in a row. I didn’t talk to them, but one had a serious beer belly, which he didn’t have last summer, and I think the other was with his boyfriend. Those were some real winners.
- - It’s hot. So hot, I haven’t been to the pool in a few weeks. So hot, I dread getting out of my car if I have to leave during the day for a meeting or run errands on the weekend because all it takes is walking from the car to the entrance of the store to start sweating. Or maybe less than that.
And that’s it. Life as usual.
Bad Tracy.
I was doing well with my dieting. Then about a week and a half ago, well two Fridays ago to be exact, I had a craving for pizza, had some and then went of the diet wagon. I got back on it again today. And I am trying to be serious about it.
My office has so many lunches and happy hours and breakfasts and celebrations and an endless supply of snacks.. I really need to learn to control myself and to say no sometimes. Sure, the occasional cookie or lunch is OK, but every day is just too much.
Back on track today.
What’s on my mind on this Monday (Memorial Day) evening…
- - I ate like a pig all weekend. Too much wine, a cheeseburger, a milkshake and almost an entire bag of chips in one sitting…and that is just a sample of all the crap I ate. Back on track tomorrow. For reals.
- - It was nice to get some pool time today with my book and some magazines. For most of the time, I was the only one out there and it was so relaxing.
- - The Bachelorette is a train wreck, but I can’t help myself, I am addicted to another season.
- - This is going to be a long week. Client meetings, team meetings and a trip out to the Gaylord Texan with my client for a media interview.
- - My first paycheck is currently pending in my bank account. And it’s a really good feeling.
- - Unfortunately, my first paycheck might be going to fix my AC, which is on the fritz. I am not in the mood to deal with fixing such a major household appliance right now, but I am going to have to get it looked at. In the meantime, I am grateful for my ceiling fan.
Today was a good day.
I had lots of client meetings, but today was the first day I felt really confident, like I understood everything and was comfortable talking about the projects I am working on. Sure, there is still so much to learn, but I feel like I have come a long way already.
Today was also my first day of being back on WW. I forgot how much time it takes to prepare meals. If I don’t make them in advance, I get really anxious about what I am going to eat. I usually put stuff together the night before so I am ready to go in the morning when I have to leave for work.
Between a good day at work and good first day of dieting, I just feel…good. And a little tired too.
Adjusting.
Besides learning 50 peoples names and a brand new client, I am trying to adjust to working a full day again. No more sleeping until 8/9am, afternoon naps or staying up until midnight. It’s just a little after 8pm and I am so ready to pass out. It’s going to take a little time to get back to a regular schedule again.
Day one.
I walked in to smiles and lots of handshakes and welcoming words. I have an office with a window (it overlooks 635 and the Tollway). I had a candy bowl with snacks and gift cards on my desk. My new colleagues took me to lunch. My office building is attached to the Galleria, which I think could be very dangerous, but I was told the shopping urge would wear off in time. I had lots of meetings and there is so much to take in, but I am ready to dive in and get started.
Tomorrow.
Is my first day at my new job. I feel like it’s my first day of school though. Went clothes shopping this week, have my outfit picked out, hoping someone will ask me join them for lunch.
I think with the start of anything new, first day jitters are normal. I’m a little nervous and anxious, but I am so ready to back to work, jump into something new and begin the next step in my career.
(*Thank you to all my tumblr friends for the congrats and well wishes! I will keep you all posted on how it goes!*)
