Three hours of quality sleep is definitely not enough for me. It has thrown my whole day off and now it’s time for bed again! π
Sep 292013
Sep 282013
I know…it’s like a monthly thing for me lately to change my hairstyle…. So I get bored easily, what can I say? π
Although I enjoyed having the perm, I basically got tired of doing it every day and putting in mousse then walking around hair that looked crunchy – or at least to me. It was probably just fine and nice, but somehow I was not content. Of course, it was definitely fun to have had the permed hair, but I felt it was time to keep going towards a clean slate.
Some time ago, I found this picture on Pinterest –
It looked like something I would look good in and so after some contemplation on whether to go again to the new place where the lady was rather unhelpful or go back to the old place where the lady asks me annoying questions, I decided on the latter.
Although it is a bit shorter than the picture, I figure it will grow out quickly and look like it should. π
-T π
Sep 282013
Ooops meant to write this last night…oh well, better late than never, right? π
As I wrote over a week ago, I have been thinking about therapy again. For some reason, I couldn’t quite decide what was best of my options and so I kind of mulled longer than I had planned. However, I decided to go ahead and contact the woman, Karen, in LA to see what her schtick was all about. Her blog sort of weirded me out, but I thought it would not hurt to at least have a chat with her.
In the meantime, I also made an appointment with a new therapist at the old place I was going as it seemed easier to go to a place that has my files already so that I’m not starting over from zero there.
HOWEVER, last night I had my first chat with Karen and it was…amazing, interesting, positive, and more. I’m not sure how to describe it exactly, but everything she said really resonated with me. First, she explained that what she does is not therapy, but coaching. Her belief is that our minds are like super computers and viruses were downloaded into our brains from zero to 19, which negatively affect us in our lives now. So, her technique is to go into the past and remove the viruses to allow people to have better lives moving forward. What’s not to like so far?
She uses concepts from neuroscience, psychology, law of attraction and her own beliefs of past lives as well as the mystical and ethereal worlds. The latter bits I’m still skeptical about, but it seems that what she is doing is working. So, after a full hour of conversation with her telling me bits of her life and me telling her bits of my life, I felt really comfortable and ready to try out her method. It is a bit costly, but so is going to therapy for the rest of my life… ;).
Next week, I will do an initial session to begin the journey and see how it goes. If I like it, then I will continue for 9 months through the program. If it means that I can avoid the need for a therapist for the rest of my life, I think I am in! Stay tuned!
-T π
Sep 262013
Yep, I’m counting the weeks as if it will make the time go faster. I am not fully sure why since the term has actually a pretty easy one with nice students in both sets of classes and sharing classes means I don’t have to prep as much.
Still, the routine of getting up every day and going to work is tiring me out. I feel somewhat stressed from getting vented at by my friends and colleagues even though I am not really a part of any of the drama. I am glad to be a trusted listener, but listening is draining….
So, by this time next week I will be looking forward to seeing my honey again and we will be another week closer to our Eid Al Adha holidays. π
-T
Sep 252013
This is my current mantra…I feel so tired and just want to sleep…. Tomorrow is the end of the week, at last! Right after work I am heading to a massage and I canNOT wait! π
Sep 242013
I have been having some stomach problems for a while now and initially, it was due to the H Pylori bacteria. I tested highly positive back before summer began and did a round of treatments. When I went back just before the summer, the test came back negative, which shocked me. I did not really worry about it until I got back from summer break. My stomach was acting up and the same symptoms had arisen, so I went back for another test. The test again came back negative. I still am not convinced.
However, as I started to consider my symptoms, one major difference in others whom I know have it, is weight loss from a lack of appetite due to bloating. I have not had this. In fact, if anything I am going the other direction! So, I started to research other possibilities which include: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fructose malabsorption, gastritis, and more. Of all of these options, the fructose malabsorption symptoms and diagnosis seems to fit the best considering that I was drinking a lot of fruit juice whilst in Thailand, which I normally do not do.
With this realization, I also decided to do a bit of a change in my eating. A friend at work has been on the Paleo diet for some time and is really into it. I was not so sure it was something that I could do, but of all the diets out there, it seems like one that might actually suit me. It requires taking out grains, legumes, dairy, most sugars and ingredients with preservatives. Not so bad, right? It is called the ‘caveman‘ diet since the concept is that we should eat as the cavemen did since that is how our bodies were originally built. However, some argue that our bodies have evolved to be able to digest most of what we eat now. Still, I would argue that is not necessarily true given an increase in obesity, diabetes, and all these digestive issues.
So, since I’m already lactose intolerant it is not too difficult to get rid of dairy. Though, I do occasionally want my cheese, ice cream and yogurt, I think I can slowly move away from them and just slip now and then. π As far as grains go, I do not like bread or rice that much to begin with, so I feel okay. I did not realize that having granola in my smoothie counted though, thus, I have now removed that. One problem is pasta. Although I have not wanted to have it recently, I am not sure I will hold on to that forever. The biggest problem is peanuts and peanut butter. This is one of my greatest pleasures and I am not sure I can completely remove it or ever will. As much as I love cheese, I will trade cheese for peanut butter! π The other things are already not really a part of my usual eating anyway – using olive oil only and such.
Of course, like any diet, you can adjust here and there. So, if I have some of the things that aren’t considered Paleo, it’s not like I will die! It’s just a really nice reference and one that I can manage since it does not cut out meat! It might take a while to fully go Paleo, but in the meantime I am hoping that my stomach and body will feel better.
-T π
Sep 232013
So, it’s now two weeks (less) before R will be back. Yippeeee!!!
However, I had planned to have my literature review chapter finished by the time he got back and now I am not sure that is going to happen. Plus, my supervisor has stopped contacting me, probably waiting on me to get something done….
Why am I having such a hard time getting myself to sit down and do some work? I dunno….
Tonight, I am going to get something done!!! I am determined.
-T π
Sep 212013
Stayed in bed until 11…would have stayed longer if I had not thought I should do something more productive today…
Sep 202013
Somehow I thought that I would write more this week, but it seems that I have been keeping a busier social schedule than I should or planned. Of course, I love having someone to have dinner with regularly and go out and do things with, but it does not lend itself to me getting other things done! hehe. Oh well.
Anyway, work-wise, the week was fine. There were some interesting moments at the ZOO with our ‘convocation’ – if it can truly be called that – with our president not saying a single word in English thus alienating about 2/3 of the faculty and staff who do not speak Arabic. It was a clear message: Β our time is limited here, so we better enjoy it and in the meantime we will need to be held accountable and responsible to follow the policies and procedures set before us (that was the part that was actually translated on the large screen). So…with that in mind, I am more and more focused (yes, it takes this kind of motivation) to get my finances in order and ensure I am safe to leave when the time comes. Classes are good though and the students are starting to bother us as is typical of week 2. π Just another 3 before our next holiday, so I think I will make it. π
Life-wise all is also good. I’ve been spending a lot of time with P since she is single in AD during the weekdays and spends her weekends in Dubai with her honey. Since I’m without my own honey, we’re living it up as single ladies. π This week was lovely with our dinners and ladies’ night out. I’m cooking a bit more and actually relaxing for the most part.
Emotionally, well, I miss my baby a lot. We talk regularly though, which is good and so this phase will pass eventually and he’ll be back to driving me nutty at home again.
Mentally, I’m still in processing mode. So, updates will come as the processing works through.
So…that’s the weekly update. Maybe I’ll be more focused this next week…. π
-T π
Sep 162013
i wonder if i have used this title before???
Lately I have been wondering if I should consider seeing a therapist again even though my last one seems to have disappeared on me with no word left on where or why. It is very difficult for me to start all over again as it has been hard enough to start in the first place.
R’s aunt recommended a life coach based in LA who will do Skype for sessions, but could cost a wee fortune and I’m not sure if a life coach is exactly what I am looking for or how they differ from a psychologist. Another friend recommended a couple based in a nearby hospital, which is apparently covered by our insurance, but I cannot find any information on the counselors there and so I hesitate. Of course, I could go back to where I was going and start with someone new, but has my file already. It’s a tough choice, but perhaps I just need to take the plunge again.
It’s not that I am out of control exactly, but I do feel a bit ungrounded. Maybe because R is not here as well and although I cherish and love my friends dearly, it’s just not the same to tell them my deepest, darkest woes as it is with R or a third party. So…I am not sure. It’s been going around and around in my head. I think I will give it until the weekend and then make a choice first thing next week. π
Overall, I am okay, but still a bit down without my honey around. Strangely, I do not always miss having him around in terms of taking up shared space or thinking about his needs. However, I miss the desire to take care of someone, share my thoughts with regularly and to just be comfortable with another being. I had forgotten what it is like to really be ‘single’ physically and mentally. Emotionally, I am totally not, but it is interesting how it seems to outweigh the other two….
Anyway, I ramble as it is so way past my bedtime! Time for some zzzzzzs…..
-T π
