Awkward and Awesome

Happy New Year!

Yes, you've probably been wondering where I've been. Well you know me, I blog consistently for awhile and then...nothing. Chirp. Chirp.

Well, I'm back! 

And what better way to start than with my awkward and awesome moments for the week (ok, and maybe the past few weeks to bring you up to speed) (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

Awkward

• Reading the blog of a breast cancer survivor who I follow to find out that she has decided to stop her treatment. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer at 21 (no family history) and has continued to battle cancer and all of its complications for over 6 years. I don't know her, yet I feel like I do. Please say a prayer for her, her husband, and family and friends.
• The senseless massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, CT. Listening to the condensed obituaries every day on the morning news wasn't the best way to begin my day. To think about all of the young lives who never had a chance to really live is just heartbreaking.

Awesome

• My PINK Family! The word spread quickly about the blogger who decided to stop her cancer treatment. Someone arranged 'A Pearl for Bridget' for everyone to send a pearl to her to let her know that she will never be forgotten, which is one of her fears. The response has been AMAZING! I've lost count of how many people, including me, are sending in pearls.
• My Mom making me feel special for Christmas since I wouldn't be spending it with family this year. Her care packages and beautiful cards were way more than I could have ever expected. Saying thank you doesn't even begin to express the love that I feel in my heart due to her kindness and love for me.
• Spending Christmas with my work family and making new friends. Four of us took in a movie, had a great dinner at a seafood restaurant, and then ended the evening with bowling! (And yes, I am a horrible bowler although I had a ton of fun!)
• Going ice skating with friends. No, I'm no Dorothy Hamel and yes, I have bruises to prove that I'm not.
• Going to Times Square for New Years Eve! Definitely a once in a life time opportunity and experience. Would I do it again? Probably not.
• Preparing to meet some of my family in Miami for the Orange Bowl game. (Go ND!)
• Returning to Weight Watchers (again!). On my second weigh in I lost 5 pounds. (Don't know how but I'll take it!)

Yes, I've had a lot of great moments over the past few weeks, and many moments that have left me wondering why. The 'why moments' have left me wondering how I can be a better person and if I'm living my life to its fullest potential. The 'why moments' are making me appreciate more the many things that I take for granted.

My hope for 2013 is to be the best person that I can. A better daughter, sister, friend...a better Shannon. 

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook): (All and all I have to say is that I had a GREAT week!)

Awkward

·         Having maintenance in my apartment while I gone and someone taking the liberty to use my bathroom!

Awesome

·         Being able to be a Walker Stalker for the Dallas 3 Day Walk.

·         Being able to meet some of my social media friends at the Dallas 3 Day Walk.

·         Finally being able to get a pedicure after months of 3 Day training and my walk. Believe me, it looks like I have new feet!

·         Getting a First Class upgrade on a three hour flight this week.

·         Receiving an email that American Airlines has a special promotion until the end of the year for double elite qualifying miles and points for every flight until the end of the year. Hopefully I’ll make Platinum status for next year!

·         Receiving a poor quality product from an online vendor. When they called to see if my order met my expectations and I told them that it didn’t, they offered me a merchandise credit for a future order. Love when I receive good customer service and it's initiated by the company and not me.

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

Awkward

·         Thinking that I was going to just ‘run in’ Wal-Mart during my lunch hour. Funny how the Speedy Checkout lane isn’t really speedy.

·         Learning the hard way that if someone in Wal-Mart offers to let me go ahead of them in the checkout line that I should jump at the offer and not say “Thanks, but I’m fine.”

·         Going to a nail place and receiving shoddy work. The nail tech already knew her paint job was questionable as I saw her looking at it. Then she wanted to act offended when I asked her to correct the problem.

·         One of my favorite chick lit authors writing an essay for Allure magazine and it leaving me feel a mix of emotions about her thoughts and myself.

Awesome

·         Going to Starbucks and having the Barista know my name. What’s awesome is that this isn’t my local Starbucks and I have only been inside this particular one two times.

·         Booking my plane ticket to leave my current work assignment.

·         Picking up a postcard to send to a friend’s nephew who is learning about the states in school. Hopefully he doesn’t already have one for the state of Missouri!

·         This time next week I’ll be in Washington, DC walking my yearly breast cancer walk!

·         Receiving additional donations this week for my breast cancer walk.

·         Making a weight loss pact with a good friend of mine. Our first goal is lose 25 pounds before our department annual meeting in January. (Stay tuned for more updates!)

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

Awkward

·         The reality that ‘awesome’ moments can turn into ‘awkward’ moments. A co-worker had his 3 month checkup for throat cancer, received a clean bill of health and graduated to 6 month checkups. The next day he received a call that his doctor wants to see him in 6 weeks for a follow up appointment.

·         Writing a blog post about leaving for the 3-Day in a week, when it’s really two weeks away.

Awesome

·         Finding out that my friend/co-worker’s mom’s cancer is in remission…Woo Hoo!!!

·         Being in the Midwest and being able to see the fall foliage slowly begin to appear.

·         Taking a 9 mile training walk on a beautiful trail in Columbia, MO.

·         Receiving two more generous donations for my upcoming 3-Day breast cancer walk.

·         Having a surprise visit from a friend while on a work assignment.

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

Awkward:

• Another week passing that I haven't written any new posts for my blog.
• A near miss car accident. As I attempted to make a left hand turn after a car passed the intersection, the car decided to slow down. I don't know if she was deciding to make a left hand turn at the last minute or if she wasn't certain that I saw her or not. I honestly have no idea what happened, but I do know that there wasn't an accident!
• Learning that a co-worker's mother has peritoneal cancer. Cancer sucks!

Awesome:

• My birthday was this past week! In true Aries fashion, I love my birthday. My current work assignment has me 3 hours from where my family lives at, and my mother, sister, father and stepmom visited me for my special day. I had a progressive lunch with them and it was one of the most memorable and best birthdays that I have had in a long time.
• Getting a release date for my current work assignment. This means that I will be headed home for a much needed break (and will hopefully get back to writing for my blog!).
• Ordering coffee at Starbucks and the Barista telling me "From the looks of things I don't think you need much coffee this morning!". For some reason that day I woke up in a great mood, there was good music on the radio and nothing was going to stand in my way to have a good day.
• Receiving a goodie box of Canadian chocolates from a friend who lives there. Yum!

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

 Awkward:

• Not posting on my blog all week long. How do I go from posting nearly everyday last week to not posting at all this week? I have to manage my time better to be more consistent.
• Exiting the elevator at the hotel and smelling marijuana in the hallway. What's even more awkward is that I called the Front Desk and they didn't seem to be too surprised about it. Hmmm...

Awesome:

• Seeing a friend of mine who I haven't seen in a couple of years. It was also on her birthday! (If all goes well, I'll see her tonight for sushi!)
• Getting a dozen cupcakes delivered to me at work. Did I fail to mention that tomorrow is my birthday???
• Walking 4 miles two different days this week. (OK, I know I could have done better and walked more days)
• Getting a step closer to being released from my current work assignment. Although that might sound like a bad thing, it really isn't. This means I'll get some downtime and some much needed rest!
• Seeing some more friends from Indy for sushi last Saturday night. Dinner was great and the conversation even better!

Here's to an even better next week!

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

 Awkward:

• Writing an awesome book review to post on my blog, only to accidentally delete the content AND not have a back up copy of the post. Ugh!
• I was waiting for the elevator at the hotel with a man and 5 little girls (probably from ages 3 - 13). They looked like they were returning from swimming. I asked him "How did you get so lucky?", implying that he was took 5 little girls to the pool. He responded "They're all mine although they're adopted." Then I noticed that each girl was a different ethnicity. It never crossed my mind that the girls weren't related, I just thought he was brave to take 5 girls to the pool by himself!
• Deleting my Project365 and Daily Photo accounts. Although I really want to focus on my love of picture taking and taking better pictures, I am finding that I don't have time to take a picture a day for two different platforms that don't cross share information.
• My 4Square app. Every time I try to check-in someplace, I don't receive any points because 'my device thinks I'm too far away'. I cant figure out if the problem is with the app or my phone. Either way, I'm real close to deleting the app since I am so frustrated using it.

Awesome:

• Having dinner with friends in Indy that I hadn't seen for 5 years. It was great to catch up over good food and even better conversation. I really miss Indy and my friends here.
• Having lunch with one set of my parents as they traveled through Indianapolis on their way to Florida. I've seen them twice in the past two weeks!
• Raising almost $1,000 in a week toward my Susan G. Komen 3-Day fundraising account! I am so overwhelmed with the generosity and support that I receive from my friends and family. (And if you would like to make a donation too, please click on the following link: www.the3day.org/goto/ShannonUnderwood
• A co-worker surprised me and brought me back Coffee Crisp candy bars from Canada. I had mentioned how good they are in passing and he picked me some up. I love random acts of kindness!
• Instagram is finally available for Android! I don't what it's all about, although I'm looking forward to adding some cool effects to my pictures. If you want to follow me, my user name is: indygirl_1997.

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

Awkward

·         An impromptu office poll that revealed way too many people talk on their cellphone or home phone while in the restroom AND don’t see a problem with it. Ugh! Note to self: don’t use anyone’s cellphone anymore! (And just in case you missed my initial thoughts about restroom cellphone talking here's a link for you)

·         My stepfather and stepmother both experienced complications with their recent surgical procedures and had to seek medical attention. Fortunately they are both doing fine again.

·         Realizing that I have waaaay toooo many TV shows set to record on my DVR. When I was home for the weekend, I had to delete some recorded shows and cancel some series altogether. Sigh.

Awesome

·         Realizing that at least one person in my current office agrees with me that talking on a cellphone phone while in the restroom is a NO-NO!!!

·         Using the first class upgrades that I earned to fly first class this week!

·         Being warmly welcomed back by my co-workers after taking the past weekend off. I don’t know if my replacement was just that bad or if they really did miss me and my winning personality.

·         Officially starting my 3-Day fundraising! After sending out the initial email to previous (and hopefully future) donors, I generated $520 in donations in less than 24 hours!

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

Awkward

• A friend committed suicide. Still trying to understand how someone who appeared so happy and full of life decided to take their own life. Sometimes people are dealing with so much more than their outward life appears. He will be greatly missed by so many people.

Awesome

• The absolutely beautiful weather Indianapolis has been experiencing! Unseasonably warm weather in the 70's and record breaking temps.
• My stepfather being released from the hospital after his heart transplant 3 weeks ago!
• Having dinner with a friend who I haven't seen in 7 years! The conversation was easy and it was like no time at all had passed since we last saw one another. And since I will be in Indy for several more weeks we should be able to get together a few more times.
• The lady/mother of two who shared the available washing machines with me at the hotel laundr facility. Although I thanked her profusley, I don't think she had any idea how much that meant to me.
• Even in the mist of tradegy and loss, awesome things can still happen.

Awkward and Awesome

Here are my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

Awkward:

• Working in a mobile trailer that is probably designed to have 3, maybe 4, people in it at any given time, and having to share it with 7 people. And let's not forget the number of people who are in and out of it all day smelling of fresh air and the warm food smells that come from the garbage that is supposed to be used for recycling.
• Purchasing an air fresher for my portion of the trailer and have people ask, "Did you really purchase an air freshener?!" I think the look on my face gave them the answer they needed.
• The previously mentioned trailer doesn't have a bathroom. Instead of using the port-o-potties I walk across the parking lot to use Lowe's facilities. I figure my company pays them enough for the parking lot space for the trailer that I should be able to use the restroom.  (P.S. - I don't use random port-o-potties. The only time I use a port-o-potty is during the 3 Day!)

Awesome:

• Having breakfast at one of my favorite Indy spots, Cafe Patachou. I drove to one a location a little further away because I liked the atmosphere, only to arrive and find it it has totally been redesigned! It has expanded in size, has lots of windows and natural light, and these big chalkboard walls! Way cool interior and the food was a great as I remembered it!
• Taking an hour walk with a friend that I haven't seen in about 6 years! It was great to enjoy the beautiful, unseasonably warm weather Indianapolis is experiencing right now, and catch up with a friend while doing something healthy!
• Leaving Lowe's after my potty run and having a man tell me, "Wow, you are beautiful!" Definitely made my day since I wasn't feeling any part of beautiful that day.

Awkward and Awesome

Here's my awkward and awesome moments for the week (Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook):

Awkward

• Purchasing tabloid magazines at the airport and not having a penny when the total came to $8.01. Of course I didn't have a penny (I changed purses the night before) and no one offered me one. Now I have 99 cents in change floating around in my purse.
• Being called for my next work assignment after being home for only 3 days after the previous work assignment ended. Although it's awkward, I am thankful to have a job.
• Paying $3.59/gallon for gas! And that was with a 10 cent/gallon discount.
• Working in a small mobile RV. A minimum of 7 people in it at all times, the door opening and slamming close every minute, and it smells like a combination of food in a trash car and people being outdoors. Need I say more?

Awesome

• Getting a first class upgrade on my flight this week! Two hours of uninterrupted time to my self to be lost with my thoughts. And the California Cobb Salad was pretty good too!
• Returned to one of the cities that I previously lived in, Indianapolis, Indiana. I was last in the city 5 years ago. It was such a great feeling to see the city and new landmarks as the plane descended. And I saw one of my favorite restaurants, Cafe Patachou in the airport...that will be a stop for the return trip home!
• Wearing my Sparkle Ugg boots and getting lots of compliments from men ("I like your pretty boots.") and women. (See Mom, I told you that I would wear them.)

Awkward and Awesome

I noticed an 'Awarkward and Awesome' post on one of the blogs that I follow. Inspired by E from E is Random who was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook. Here's my try at my awkward and awesome moments for the week:

Awkward

• Being over 1,000 miles away from my family this week while two step-parents had major surgeries.
• Breaking a fingernail just when all my nails were where I wanted them.
• Contacting my manager about applying for a different position. Mainly awkward since she recently offered me a different opportunity within my department and I haven't given her a response yet. The offer still pends as some final details are still pending.
• Watching Kacie B. from The Bachelor lay on a hotel floor after Ben sent her on her way for the second time.

Awesome

• My stepfather receiving a heart donor for his heart transplant.
• My stepmother had her breast reconstruction surgery from her fight with breast cancer.
• Applying for a job at my company that I think I would be perfect for.
• Finally scheduling a lunch meet up with a friend who relocated to the Dallas Metroplex.
• Absolutely beautiful spring days in Dallas this week! I wish it were like this all the time!