Decisions, Sushi and a Japanese Lucky Cat...

I feel really lucky. I've had a lot of great things happen to me and I have so many wonderful people in my life. I've been lucky to have lunch with or spend time with friends. It is always nice to spend time with great people around the holiday season. It seems like time is so tight that having time with friends is much more special. Next week will be even better because I will get to see some friends I haven't seen in a while. People who haven't seen me since before surgery too!

This week .. well the whole month so far has been chaotic. I can't seem to get things done at work. Too many people busy with too many other things. Its frustrating because I know I am not always at the top of my game, I'm tired more often than I would like to admit and my focus is often scattered. I think I am most frustrated when I feel like I have A.D.D. I feel like everything I have to has to be done all at once and so nothing gets done. I need to relax, to sleep, to centre myself.

I extended my contract at work today. Should be for 6 months. On a new project which is both exciting and daunting. I am excited because it is something different but I am nervous about getting the opportunity to finsh the work I have already. I am working on 3 manuals and the first is taking so long (because of interruptions) that I don't know if they will all get done on time. PLUS now that I have agreed to extend my contract, I have been asked to begin splitting my focus to the new project virtually immediately. With Christmas, business paperwork(taxes), socializing and school work, my brain is numb!

So I don't really have anything to complain about and I am not complaining at all! I work at a company that does have a lot of opportunity even though they can't take me on full time yet. I work with some great people and many of my friends are close enough to where I work that we can meet for lunch or dinner.

Ok back to my day.. I went shopping today. I bought a couple Christmas gifts and 2 pairs of shoes. Nice shoes! Not running shoes! Shoes that require stockings instead of socks! That is exciting for me. I have hated being confined to runners and although the practical and rational part of me has insisted I get orthotics to fit my new stylin shoes, I am proud that I can look like a woman from the knees down too!

So after work, Lauren picked me up, we ran some errands and then went to Kinjo for sushi. Ok I have to emphasize how much I LOVE Kinjo! We sat at the sushi bar because the regular tables were full. I didn't mind because we weren't planning on staying long. We ordered the stuff we couldn't get off the floating boats (sashimi and raw oysters) and picked some items off the boats. Our server (I think the owner's son and oh so handsome...) took care of us... Gave us our free samples and the boxes of pocky that have become routine.

We finished up with what we planned but we've finally learned our lesson that if Peter Kinjo(the owner) is around, we have to leave a little extra room for whatever he gives us for free.. this time it was a tempura basket (2 shrimp and 3 vegetable). After finishing that, we got our bill and headed to the cashier.

While I was paying, Peter showed up and asked me how I was doing. I told him how great I feel and that I've lost 98 lbs. He was so happy for me. He walked over to his cabinet (where he keeps his special pocky treats - chocolate almond flavored etc..) and then stopped, said "hold on I have something special for you" and ran to the back.. When he came back he had a little ceramic kitty figurine. He put it on the counter and told me that when I lose 100lbs, to shake it and wish for whatever my heart desires to come true. He told me about how in Japan, cats in the house are lucky and bring wealth and luck to the home. The figurine is so cute and it really means a lot to me when people share their culture with me like that. I gave Peter 2 hugs and then we headed home.

So my day has been pretty good! Overall good. I need to relax and let my mind sort out what my priorities are but overall good.

On another topic, as I mentioned in my previous post, I am thinking more about dating and putting myself out there into the social scene more. With that said, I have also been seeking the advice from single and married men and women I know. I feel like I have no idea what the hell I am doing when it comes to dating and it seems like since it has been so long, I am putting too much emphasis on particular guys rather than just keeping things open. With that said, I am still not sure where/how I am supposed to meet these potential eligible men and how I am supposed to get them to notice me. Any advice is welcome as usual. I am enjoying being on the receiving end of advice for a change. I almost forgot how much harder it is to receive advice than it is to give.

I am still struggling with my body image. Nancy said it best... "Pia, you're not as big as you think you are". I remember looking at myself in the mirror at work and as if the mirror itself was liquid, my body shrunk right before my eyes. It was as if my own perception caught up with my weight loss finally. It was freaky but a huge blessing at the same time. I was able to finally admit that I really have no concept of my body and unless someone my exact size (height & weight) is in front of me, I may never understand how big I am. But then, does it matter at all??

So for now, I am going to do my best to keep doing my best. I will keep my options open with dating (I refuse to pay $80 for a speed dating session). I will get through Christmas, start acting and choir next year and let 2008 be the year I get out there and start living my life to the fullest. I've developed myself on the inside and now it is time to work on getting out there.. being the active person I have always wanted to be.

I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and New Year. I am not sure what I will be doing for New Years Eve this year but I know it will be something good. Even being at home with the kitties is good. I could use the break.