I made the switch

I recently migrated to a new forum, please check me out at:
http://catchingamy.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/new-forum/

Article on making decisions for your best life (not to sound too Oprah-ish)

I just read a great article on decision making for women when it comes to the careers, and life in general, by a very promising blogger:

http://www.emilystoddardfurrow.com/

Emily discusses making decisions based on your actual likes and dislikes, rather than just going with the flow based on your career ladder, and 'saying yes' to everything. Her article is based on an article that she read and is commenting on.

Of course, this topic is not just limited to women - men could get something from this too. I'm sure that at least one quarter of the population in the US is guilty of implementing their parents's dreams for them, which are generally contrary to their own, or blindly climbing the corporate ladder in a career that they care nothing about or have grown tired of. Obviously the current job market is not an ideal one for making sudden changes and experimenting toward the ideal career, but it is still worth thinking about.

I've been thinking about this area lately, what with not working and planning for the future when I am able to work again. Do I want to go back to Navision, or perhaps learn another ERP tool so that I can find a job with good security in Houston, and live close to my parents? Lately I've been taking for granted the fact that I don't currently have to work, and can be supported by my parents and husband. I would prefer to work again in the near future, but I do want to make sure that I am going into a career that I enjoy and can manage the stress level for. I'm not sure how easy it will be to manage a career and this ridiculous disease. The thought does worry me.

So I continue to dawdle, play a lot of lexulous (scrabble on facebook - at one point I counted 11 games at one time in my queue), play the mafia game, watch movies, read books, browse the web, and unpack and organize our stuff. And worry about finding a place for the cats, and start to take over all of the tasks (like insurance and bills) that I've been deferring to my dad, mom, and husband for a few months. I've made good progress on these tasks this week, so I am grateful - my health is definitely on the mend!

Oh, and for those of you that are interested, the sambar that we made was quite good! The lemon rasam - not so great, we'll have to make some additions to the pot next time.

Later,
A

Organizing is fun

I'm currently in the process of sorting through all of my clothes and other stuff that were sent from California. Throwing out all of the old crap that I have somehow held onto for years has been really fun! I am currently figuring out where everything will go in my room, as I will probably be here for at least a few more months, possibly through the end of the year. The recovery is going slower than I had hoped, but we did go to Chicago last weekend to see my sister (her and her husband just purchased a condo there). Getting out of town was fun and so freeing.

Other than that, just playing a ton of lexulous (scrabble on facebook) and watching lots of movies. I'm a new fan of the probiotic yoghurt thing, so we will probably go to one of the places here after dinner tonight. Mom and I are trying out a new recipe for sambar - I'll let you know how it goes!

TTYL,
Amy

Positivity and Updates

I'm on this new positivity kick lately, after reading "The Secret" yesterday afternoon. In case you are not familiar with this phenomenon, which was first written about over 100 years ago, it has a lot to offer to the world today. The Secret is also known as 'The Law of Attraction' and using positive thoughts and the process of visualization to summon positive outcomes.

From the website www.thesecret.tv:

The Secret teaches us that we create our lives, with every thought every minute of every day. Living The Secret offers tools and ideas to help you live The Secret and create the life of your dreams

So far it seems to be helping with keeping a positive outlook. At first it was really hard to focus on and banish negative thoughts, but I used the recommendation of summoning feelings of gratitude, if nothing else. I will post later in terms of results - but so far so good!

I never updated regarding the move. We are still waiting for the pod with our stuff to arrive. The tracking details show that it is in Houston, I just don't the delivery date to us. The cats are currently being boarded right now nearby, and I visit them when possible. Hasan flew with them from California to Houston after he packed the pod and had it sent off. He is in the UK right now visiting his little sister.

On the book front, I just finished a series on King Henry and Eleanor by Sharon Kay Penman. I'm currently reading a book by Sandra Gulland on Louise, the commoner wife of Louis the 16th.

I've also been catching up on Hindi movies lately, and getting back into the swing of things with Navision accounting. We do 30 minute walks once or twice a day for exercise - I can't wait to be back in the gym! Overall things are going well..I went up on the meds, but am hoping that that also translates in to a full recovery.

TTFN,
Amy

On their way

So my cats and husband are going to be here tomorrow evening! I'm excited, stressed, and nervous, all in one, but I think that's a good thing! It's like two worlds are coming together - my California family and my Texas family, which was been hard to do!!!

In other news, I'm still reading a lot. "The Russian Concubine" was a fabulous book - I highly recommend it. I'm currently reading a Jude Deveraux trade book, "Return to Summerhouse", and next up might be "The Photograph."

The next few days will be a bit busy, so I will try to post again when I have some free time.

The latest update

Again, sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been away from the computer a bit while I brush up on my physical therapy and wii fit exercise, and of course plenty of books and movies. I've been reading a LOT of Rosamund Pilcher - her books are just to easy and relaxing. The complexity level of her plots are just the right amount - no major twists or sudden new characters, or mysterious murders. Just what I need right now! I also finished "How to be Cool" (good book) and another recent one from Anne Rivers Siddons, I forget the actual title. It was decent.

We saw the Duchess last weekend - that was a good film! I have yet too see Slumdog due to the subject nature, but we might see The Changeling this week.

Hasan is currently in the process of getting the cats to Houston, once he sends his car off. The exact date of his arrival at this point is unknown, but it might just be tomorrow, if all goes as planned!

I'm back with a recommendation for some of you

Hi all! I'm back, sorry for the time between posts. I actually wrote up a review of the "Story of India" BBC series about a week ago, but the website ate it. After that I was hesitant to write another one again.

I have been looking on the web for interesting sites, and found the following:

http://workingwithchronicillness.com/
http://www.findingeq.com/

The first contains tips on working with a chronic illness. The second is by a professional blogger who is recently out of school - I really like her writing style. She writes about various aspects of living and working with a chronic disease, in her case the illnesses are IBS and sleep apnea.

The issue of working with this illness has been on my mind a lot lately, and I know that others of you might find some helpful information in her blog. Chronic illness, particularly the auto-immune variety, requires a lot of stress monitoring and management.

This blogger also has links to some other interesting sites. I believe that I found her through Brazen Careerist.

In other news, I've been keeping busy with books, working out, movies, and visiting friends.
Basically, nothing too new to report. Hasan gets in to town next week with the cats, so we will soon be busy unpacking and reorganizing the stuff from our California apartment. That should be fun! I'm planning to finally get rid of a LOT of stuff. Can't wait!

What are you all up to? I haven't heard from you in a while, drop a note or comment when you get a chance. Or better yet, send me an email!

Love ya,
Amy