Happy Holidays

I get to work Christmas morning...5 1/2 hours into the shift and this is what I've done:
I caught up on all the spreadsheets I've been putting off for the last 2 weeks.
I had a lovely visit with my cousin Aimee this morning, I got her a room last night, we hadn't seen each other in about 16 years. The Internet is great at bringing people back together.
I ate a bowl of soup and a roll. I didn't want to spoil dinner.
Listened to a ton of music on Pandora (love that site)
Super poked a ton of people on face book.

Things I should be doing:
Make reservations for regular guests into next year.
Read the giant packet of paperwork that was sent by my new job.


Things I'll do instead:
Watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Word is spreading...

Tonight was the company holiday party. A few of my co-workers are my space and face book friends, so they got word of the new job last night. I walked in and almost everyone already knew I was giving my notice. I was pleasantly surprised with the congratulations and support that I received from everyone. If I think too much about the great people I'll be leaving behind I tear up a bit. A part of me is going to really miss my job, but it's time to move on. If I pass up this opportunity I'll regret it forever.

News from Layli

Some of you may know that I had two job interviews last week. I interviewed for a hospitality training specialist job and today was called and offered the job. Starting on February 3, I'll be traveling the country installing and training hotels on new property management systems. I'll be traveling most of the year (about 210 days) but I think this is a great opportunity for me and am really excited about it.
I'll have a company laptop, so feel free to keep in touch with me via email. I also still have the same cell phone number that I've had since college and would love to hear from all my friends and family while I'm out on the road.

Yes, I'm still here.

I finally got internet at home a couple months ago. The 3 people who check this know that. I wonder why I have a blog...I've never been good at forming relationships online, I always do better when I meet people in person. I don't network with other bloggers, the only blog I read is My sisters (hence the one link.) I never know what to say that would be interesting in any way. Certain things you just don't want to put out there. But I'll be starting a new job soon and I got thinking, this would be a good way to keep everyone up to date on what I'm doing and where I am. So here I go, taking another shot at the blog.

What do you think?

Does this look like me??
<---------------------- I recently got a strange voice mail from someone I used to date saying he didn't respond to my message on my space because he didn't know if it was me or not. SO, I want to know what you all think. Does the picture look like me? That is, if you know me.

Deal or No Deal?

I am one of the craziest people I know. I woke up before the sun on Saturday and drove myself up to Southfield for the Deal or No Deal auditions.
I got there about 6 AM and got in the already monstrous line. People had been camped out since the day before with chairs, pillows, blankets and coolers. I was glad I got there when I did, because it seems that people started filing in behind me real fast.
I'm a people watcher, so I had fun looking around at all the crazies in funny outfits, with crazy t-shirts and holding signs that made me shake my head in disbelief. One woman held a large yellow and white sign to the sky for at least an hour in hopes that her friends would see it on the news. Can we say "no deal." From 6 AM-8 AM it was all stand around and wait. People were even standing in line for overpriced coffee and doughnuts.
Around 8 AM the bus pulled in with all the casting people and some people started going around with a video camera and t-shirts. Totally insane. At around 9 AM they began to announce that people couldn't bring anything in except a purse, so lots of people started moving forward and consolidating stuff. It made you feel like you were getting somewhere, but we were just getting a lot closer together.
We got into the building around 2 PM and I was exhausted!! We got seated in the auditorium and I think I would have fallen asleep if it weren't for all the people yelling "Deal!!" "No DEAL!!" Just after 3:30 we got a talk from the head casting guy. He explained that we would be going in groups of 10 to talk to one of the casting people. We each had 20 seconds to prove why we should be one the show. We were told not to tell them how much we love the show or how poor we are or how depressing our lives are, but to but enthusiastic and smile. He said if they want you on the show they'll find you and that it could be next month or next year...so we shall see if Howie is in my future or...no deal.

A new Picture

I've been told by several people, some who I didn't even know read my blog, that I need to update my picture. So here is my new, smiling, self-portrait. I've worn glasses since 4th grade...no idea why I had them off in the other picture.

Wish me luck!

OK, if you know me, you know I'm always talking about how I need more money. Well, this Saturday I am going to drive myself up to Southfield MI for Deal or No Deal auditions. I'm pumped!! I know it's probably a long shot that I'll get on, but the idea of it is fun. Now I just have to find someone to go with me.

Me, weird?

So, my sister (dalian moon) tagged anyone out in cyberland to list 6 weird things about themselves. Never done a tag...don't read a lot of blogs...but here goes.

I have to fold my jeans just right, otherwise it bugs the crap out of me. I do my laundry at my moms house and if I have to leave before its done and my mom folds it for me, I take it home and refold my jeans before I put them on my closet shelf. Part of this comes from the fact that my first job was at Sears in the men's department and spent most of my time folding things...mainly jeans.

When I get upset I like to clean and cook. I baked a dozen cupcakes and washed my windows on Saturday after finding out about the death of one of my favorite guests at the hotel.

Despite the fact that I have a vocal performance degree, I don't like to sing in front of small groups of people. If I do, I sing poorly and in a silly way. I guess it keeps me from feeling judged or something...give me a crowed over one or two any day.

I have no desire to get cable TV. I don't think this is weird, but most people I know look at me in shock when I say I don't have it or want it. Bunny ears are enough. I can watch all I want on the channels I get, the rest I netflix when it goes to dvd.

When I work at 7 AM, I set myself 3 alarms just to avoid hitting the snooze button too much and oversleeping. Something I get from my dad...sad, I know.

I like to eat ice cream with tiny spoons. If I don't have a tiny spoon I eat it with just the tip of the spoon. My teeth are sensitive, plus it helps me eat slower. Something I get from my mom.

Weight loss update

I went to my weight watchers meeting this past Tuesday...I am down 53 pounds!! People at work are telling me I look happier, maybe its because I'm down 4 sizes and can start to get things at regular stores instead of plus size. I'm trying to boost my activity up so I can get my gut down more before I buy a new swimsuit. Helping my sister and her family move helped a lot, talk about muscle pain!!
Till next time...

I love a good book

I have to thank my brother-in-law for recommending a great book to me. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Dave and his mother both told me to read the book over Christmas when they were visiting and last week when looking for something to do I thought I would go to my local library.
I don't use the library hardly at all. In fact the last time I went my card had expired and they had to re-up my membership. But I am poor and I realized that its silly of me to buy a book and read it once just to have it collect dust on my shelf.
Anyway, it was a great book, loved it, think you should all go to your library and get it. I returned my copy today and picked up the authors first book, Interpreter of Maladies. I'll let you know what I think.

The Road Warrior Returns

Well, I took 5 days off this last week to visit my uncle David in Maryland. Every year at this time, my cousins come down from Massachusetts to visit him, so it was like 2 visits in one. We had fun doing the D.C. thing and a day trip to Virginia.
Just before I left my sister called and told me the good news that they were moving to Michigan! They will be moving in less then a month and buying a house. I can't wait to be able to spend more quality time with my nephew!!

Harry Potter!

I was so excited yesterday when I heard the release date for the last Harry Potter book was announced! July 21st!! I've lost track of how many times I've read all of the books...I have a tendency to re-read them all right before a new book and/or movie comes out. Sometimes I just start re-reading them all for fun. I have to thank some old college friends for getting me into Harry Potter to begin with. Becky and Darin were obsessed with them, and shortly after the second book came out in paperback and after I'd seen the first movie I got into it all. Now half the office and the majority of my friends and family are all waiting with baited breath for the last book. Who will die? Is Snape evil? I just can't take the suspense!!

What happened to work ethic?

As you may or may not know, I am a supervisor at a hotel. You see all kinds of people in a hotel, on both sides of the desk. I could tell you all sorts of stories about the people I've checked in and make your side split with laughter...But that's not what has been bugging me this week. On Tuesday I had a guy walk out on the job. A 31 year old man had a hissey fit like a child and stormed out before his shift was done and leaving a lot of cash that he hadn't counted. He had no basis for his complaints, he was simply mad because he had to do his job.

My question is, what logical adult would throw a years worth of references and walk out like that?

I'm back...again...maybe

Hello! First off, I am the worlds worst blogger.
Now that thats said, lets talk about me.

Last may I decided I was tired of being fat. Ever since puberty I have been overweight. So I convinced my dad (who was also too big) to go to weight watchers with me. He had done it once before. He lost a lot of weight and reached his goal, but then he got lazy and fat again.

Almost 8 months later I am down 46 pounds and I have never felt or looked better. I weigh less now then I did when I started high school 13 years ago. Soon I'll be able to shop in the regular sizes instead of being banished to plus size like I have been for most of my life.

This week I learned fiber is my friend. I kept up the fiber intake this past week and lost 2.2 pounds. I try and keep things updated better in the future.