Sick days

I am very lucky.  When I get a freakish stomach ick that comes on overnight and causes me to feel tremendous gastrointestinal discomfort and bone-deep chills, I know several things:

1) I can get warmer.  I have heat.  I have a roof.  I have 8 million blankets that I can crawl under.  I can get warmer.

2) There is medicine or something I will be able to take to either relieve the symptoms or take away whatever obnoxious germ has decided to invade my body.

3) If I get up in the morning, I will be able to send a message to Mr. Bossman and let him know that I am sick and asking to take a day off.  He will not only tell me to take the day off but insist upon it.  He will then cover any necessary meetings.  Additionally, I know that if I came into the office feeling the way I feel right now and looking like I hadn't slept all night because an alien baby was clawing its way out my stomach, that he would insist that I go home and take care of myself.

4) While home, I have access to the internet and a computer, so that I can take care of anything pressing and not feel as though I am getting super behind.

I am a very lucky woman. The above four items is what privilege looks like.  I am grateful for what I have because there are many women and men that don't get to take sick days.  Or if they do, they aren't paid for them.  They don't get to take care of themselves and feel supported in doing so.  I am very lucky, indeed.

Retirement parties

Last night I went to a retirement party for a woman that has worked at the college for 36 years.  First, I find that incredible.  It is amazing to me that anyone stays in one "company" for that long.  I don't usually use names on the blog, but I think that this is important.  

Holly Sateia is incredible.  As an undergrad she pushed me through Dartmouth. She NEVER allowed me to quit and she fought for me tooth and nail.  She wasn't going to allow a system that I didn't understand, didn't recognize and had never encountered to stop me from jumping over every single hurdle there was.  She is a large part of why I graduated on time and mostly in one piece. She has been and I know will continue to be an advocate for all students but especially for those students who have the greatest disadvantages.  She recognizes that treating everyone the same does not mean treating everyone fairly or equitably.  She passionately cares for students and their lives.  She has done everything in her power to make Dartmouth and the world a better place.  I am glad to know her and to have had the tremendous honor of being her student and colleague.   

Dartmouth is not the same without her.

The internet

So, the internet is insane.  Yesterday I posted about Chobani Yogurt and my love for it.  When I looked at the blog yesterday, I had a comment from "Emily @ Chobani".  WHAT?!  That is crazy.  How did they know I posted about them?  Is there some electronic tech thing that alerts them when their product is talked about online?  Was I violating some sort of crazy trademark law?  Insane.

They seemed to like my comment and said I filled them with sunshine.  Isn't that nice?  Maybe they'll post my words on their website and I'll get coupons for Free Chobani or a years supply of Chobani.  LOL.  That would make me both very happy and laugh hilariously.

The other CRAZY thing about the internet is connected to the yogurt and to this blog.  I was flabbergasted by the comment on my post that I posted my flabbergast on facebook.  (I recognize that flabbergast may not be a noun but I think that if you can be flabbergasted then a flabbergast must make you feel such a thing.  Just like if you can be disgruntled, then you must also be able to be gruntled. IMHO.  lol)

So I posted it on facebook and in mere moments, I had 63 people view my blog.  At first I couldn't figure out how people even knew the site of my blog if I didn't tell them - then I remembered that it was on my facebook profile.  Insane.

The internet is a small and crazy world.  I would have done the same thing if someone had posted the message I posted on facebook.  I would have immediately followed the link and checked it out.  I do it all the time.

Sometimes though, I am just blown away by the rapidity of things on the internet and how absolutely connected we can really be.

Chobani Greek Yogurt

This Monday morning's post goes out to Chobani Greek Yogurt.  It is creamy.  It is delicious.  It is healthy.  It starts my day off wonderfully.

I like the raspberry and blueberry flavors the best.  I like to slice up a banana and mix it into the yogurt for some extra fruit goodness.

When it is cold, snowy and grey outside...Chobani adds some sunshine to my belly.

LOL

Oh goodness, I am making myself laugh.  But seriously.  I really like it.  Try some!

The Tudors

BFF and I have discovered a brand new television series.  We have been watching the Showtime show The Tudors.  Henry and his many wives are fascinating.  Such a great show.

The BFF has been absorbed in work lately and we haven't had tons of time to just chill out with each other and enjoy each other's company.  Tonight we were able to spend a couple of hours chatting, hanging out and watching The Tudors.

I love my BFF.

Saturday Sales

SI & drove down to Tilton Outlet Centers today and had a great time enjoying the sales.  I haven't purchased anything for myself in a long time.  Today was the day.  I needed some jeans.

Turns out that the Coach Outlet Store was having a huge sale.  I LOVE purses and wallets and other accessories.  I like scarves and shoes and other accoutrements.  I normally can't afford anything at the Coach store.  Today though...today...there was a HUGE sale.  Everything was a reduced price.  Then there was an additional 30% off everything in the store.  Then the clearance items were 50% off, plus the additional 30%.   So I bought a little clutch wallet thing.  Cost me $23!  Woo-hoo

Then SI and I travelled over to Lane Bryant and I got lots of new items for the winter-spring transition, including a hot pink trench rain coat.  I like it a lot.

yay to sales and outlet stores.  Yay to a great day with a friend.

GLEE!!!

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!

Okay, it is very difficult for me to contain my excitement.  I got tickets! BFF and I are going to see Glee Live in Concert on June 6, 2011 in Boston, MA.  I am sooo thrilled.

Monday, June 6, 2011
7:30pm
Boston, MA

I'll be in the seats cheering and singing and dancing along with the cast of Glee.

So many favorites from season 2 that I'm excited to hear. Here are a few:

I am proud!

My friends are doing such great things... I am so proud of their accomplishments.

JF just became a full professor

TC just completed her ADD coaching certificate

JP completed her dissertation and is now Dr. JP.

Bossman is making significant progress on his dissertation and will be Dr. Bossman very soon!

I am so glad to have such great friends.

Here I am!

Holy crap!  Life has been insane.

Lots of stress.  Plenty of laughs.  Lots of moments of joy.

I have missed writing in the blog and taking the time to reflect and share.  I think I'll even change the background and color scheme.