Nyanko's Basket

I still haven't gone apartment-hunting with my relocation consultant yet, because I've been so busy this week and had so many meetings that I just didn't have time to go anywhere. But I definitely need to do that soon, together with taking my written test. Probably on the same day...

I also need to watch my finances. Having about $4000 per month (after taxes) sounds like it would be a lot, but rent, utilities, buying groceries and other essentials can easily take up one-third of that amount at least. Plus I have to save for my future. I have more savings than current money now, but that's a freak result There are also some people whom I'd like to buy presents for, too, so I need to budget for that.

I had a pretty ordinary day at work, although I was still pretty tired from last night, so I didn't do a lot and left early, but I made up for it with a great dinner with itsacz at Thai Ginger in Redmond Town Center. It was really filling and definitely much better than reheated (somewhat overcooked?) turkey. ^^;;; I might even skip breakfast tomorrow

Tomorrow, it's off to the gym, after putting in a bit of time at work~

So, I didn't die after all. Instead, I did some push-ups, various exercises, and lifted some weights (2 5 pound dumbbells and a 10 pound triceps press). I also got my height and weight measured, but those are secret. :P Though if you want to know, I might or might not tell you privately

My personal trainer's also going to come up with an exercise program that's catered to my needs, so I'd likely be meeting him twice a month, and working out 3 times a week, for at least 8 weeks. The goals/areas I told him I wanted to achieve were to increase my upper body strength, to increase my stamina and to look lean. I didn't tell him why I wanted to look lean, though. ^^;;;

The workout was quite fun, and I felt better (read: less embarrassed) doing repetitions when there was someone there to encourage me. And then I couldn't remember which locker I'd used and spent nearly half an hour trying to find it. But I eventually got home around 9 am...

My next appointment's on Tuesday at 8:30 am, when I'll get the exercise plan, and I'm probably going to shower and change there before going straight to work. Hopefully my legs will cooperate, too.

Other than that, today was a pretty quiet day. And I'm wondering if I'll still be invited for dinner tonight (I was invited last week) or whether that's been called off... And I'm off to another dinner gathering, so I'll have a good dinner, hopefully. ^^;; Even if I still haven't cooked anything as yet

Oh, and my credit card had arrived in the mail when I checked my mailbox this morning! I'm not going to go crazy on it (not with a spending limit of less than $5000), especially since I actually have to remember to pay off the balance (as opposed to a debit card where it just gets deducted) but it's a good thing to have for emergencies and other things. And maybe now I can consider getting myself a desktop? :P

Well, I'm pretty sure now it wasn't caused by the flu. ^^;;;

I think it might have been either because I was cycling in the rain on Saturday or because of accumulated stress from the last few days (stress from work and from worrying about cooking an authentic mee goreng for itsacz, among other things). (My mother says that what I made isn't mee goreng, but rather stir-fried noodles with vegetables. Oh well.)

Since I'm feeling somewhat better now, I thought I'd post some links/observations over the last two days, as well as things I'm going to do over the next few days:

( List of things to do )

But I'll probably have to go in person to the nearest Yamaha/piano equipment dealer and see what options there are, anyway, as well as the touch... Of note is that some of them are not portable. :P Memories of transporting a certain person's digital piano in 2003 come back...

And once I get a keyboard (as well as headphones and a bench, if needed), I need to transport everything back and then start practicing almost non-stop ^^;;;

Apparently I can cycle to the nearest dealer (Bellevue American Music) from work, too, so I might check it out tomorrow or on Tuesday (depending on my schedule).

( Cycling directions )