Five on Friday #202

EINS - Random Shit

There's a guy in my Chem class who just wants to chat with the guy beside him (who happens to be sitting in front of me).  This is not only very distracting, but I can't HEAR the professor when she speaks and his feelings are really going to be hurt when I tell him to STFU because he knows me from VX-1.

Then again, if he knows me from VX-1, maybe his feelings won't be hurt.  It's a toss up.

Also, maybe my comments throughout class are just as distracting for my classmates, so maybe I'll just keep my mouth shut.  We'll see how the semester goes.

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On Tuesday, I finally scheduled taking my Chem exam early and then I went to work and promptly purchased my tickets to fly to DC to hangout with Teh Running Bestie ALL WEEKEND.  JUST US.  No boyz.  Just us and whatever we wawnt to do.  I.CANNOT.WAIT.

We're gonna go to the St. Mary River Concert on Friday night and then we're going to do whatever the fuck we want on Saturday and then we're going to a Groomathon on Saturday evening (when the racing greyhounds come in from the track to start their retired lives and get all cleaned and microchipped and sent to foster homes) and then on Sunday we'll do whatever the fuck we want and then I will be sad and go back to DCA and fly back to Charleston in the early evening.

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After a 1.5 hour debacle/debate on Wednesdsay, I finally admitted defeat and allowed myself to "drop" my German minor.  Yes, it would have been super cool to have a BS in CS with 2 minors.. but would it be cool to torture myself for a year for a word on a piece of paper that is, as Brit put it, a demonstrable skill?  NO.

The only reason I even signed up to do the German minor was to be able to apply for the scholarship for the study abroad.  I didn't get that scholarship because I got one from the Study Abroad office, so I didn't need the scholarship money.

I also don't need that extra stress, as much as I enjoy taking German classes.

Look at me prioritizing my mental health.
I mean, I practically gave myself a breakdown making those priorities, but, ya know, slow and steady progress...

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Last week after writing the $$ part of this post, I still forgot to pay off my credit card.  I finally paid it off on Monday morning.  This isn't really significant, but I do not pay interest on the card because I pay it off before the bill comes dues because I don't like wasting money by giving it to companies that obviously don't need it.  I was cutting it close on the bill cutoff date when I forgot to pay it...

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I put all the dates of my tests and the due dates of my lab reports in myhomework app.  OCD organization at it's finest right there, Gentle Readers.  Like all of those things aren't on a weekly schedule or something... LOOOOL.  Here to be redundant for always.

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It was a difficult decision when I decided NOT to get my standard, pre-flight adult beverage.  I second-guessed myself when there was an infant and toddler at my gate.  There will be regrets, but not from my credit card bill.  That medication beverage always costs me no less than $20.

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On Wednesday evening, while I was at the gym, I received an email that my laptop was ready for pickup from Best Buy and I should make an appointment to pick it up.  BAHAHAHAHAH fuck that.  I headed straight to Best Buy to pick up my baby as soon as I departed the gym.

When I got there, I saw her sitting on the counter, waiting for me... still with my stickers on the cover, YAY!  A tech helped me and gave me my computer to check out to make sure the repairs were done.  They were not.

Thankfully, the keyboard was fixed, simple since they just had to replace the keyboard.  I also have a screen burn because the metal of the keyboard gets hot when I close the computer and the computer doesn't go to sleep.  Instead of replacing the screen, they "fixed the overheating problem"... uhhh wut?  I don't have an overheating problem.  Soooo, I still have a screen burn, which pisses me the fuck off because it takes about 3 weeks to have a computer repairs through Geek Squad when they have to ship it off.

I have a STRONG feeling that when they fix the screen, I will no longer have all my stickers on the cover when I get it back.  There probably is a way just to replace the screen and not the cover, but I imagine they won't be willing to go through all that work.

Herro, My Precious.
I missed you.

Oh yeah, I made an appointment to drop off my laptop on Monday afternoon so they can send it back to get FULLY repaired.  FUCK GEEK SQUAD.  I figured that since the T button was fixed and my laptop weighs at least 4 pounds less than my work laptop, I would use it over the weekend and have joy.

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Roux's Humom is the featured artist of the month at our gym and she mentioned this to me earlier this week when I saw her. She told me that my boy was at the gym, which at first caused some confusion. But on Wednesday, when I saw my Philbo on the wall, I almost cried.

Gentle Readers, I've been struggling this week.  Part of it is school starting.  Most of it is self-inflicted stress regarding my expectations for myself for school things.  Part of it is work things (that absence of things to do is extremely stressful).

I don't know why, but Baggins reminded me that I am doing everything I should be doing.  I'm doing my absolute best, not due to my unrealistically high expectations of myself.  Making priorities for my mental sanity over completing 2 minors.  Repeatedly telling myself that my GPA does.not.matter, despite what I tell myself.  Being at the gym at 6pm the night before a test that I needed to study for.  Prioritizing MYSELF.  Important shit.

Also, Proud by Marshmello came on at the end of my workout and it spoke to the depths of my heart and soul.  It's a new song and sometimes, the things that the important people tell you need to be told to you via music and it will speak to you in a way that you actually hear.

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I chronicle my time in public on Snapchat and I'm flying this weekend.  High quality entertainment opportunities abound, Gentle Readers.

ZWEI - Money Shit

-Victoria's Secret bill.  I had a $15 coupon and used it last weekend at the mall.  #NotSorry
-Bojangles for breakfast x2.  There was a planning snafu on the 2nd day.  Oops.
-Chinese for surprise dinner, thanks to the audiobook I'm listening that was talking about Chinese food while I was driving home from work.
-Gas
-Woot shirt.  It was a shirt with Heart and Brain by The Awkward Yeti... I could NOT refuse that opportunity because I've wanted something Heart and Brain for a LONG time.
-Power bill
-Overpriced airport snack.



-Tickets for my flight to/from DC and a rental car so I don't have to be fetched from the airport.  Although I used my reward points on my credit card to pay for tickets and rental car, so technically, it was F.R.E.E.!!!!

DREI - From My Phone Shit

Twinning with husband brings me joy.

Pinks and purples for a weekend with Teh Bestie seems fitting.

IDK why.
But it happened.

Why don't ants get sick?
They have little anty bodies.

VIER - From the Internet Shit

Your lowest moments will not hinder you from reaching the heights you have been called to.
-MHN

(This daily email arrived with the subject: you are enough.
I knew from that alone it was for me.  I wasn't wrong.)
Do not think less of yourself if you can't be fearless...
Doing it afraid is just as brave.
-Morgan Harper Nichols

You already have what it takes to breathe deep and be brave.
-MHN

Giving your all doesn't mean you have to DO IT ALL,
and you are allowed to pace yourself.
MHN

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. Getting to be with Teh Running Bestie ALL WEEKEND, JUST US.
2. Making peace with doing less for school things.
3. Seeing Baggins at the gym.
4. Free Wifi.  I take this for granted most of the time.  I really shouldn't.
5. Feeling confident about most of the things on the Chemistry test that I took early.
6. A 3-day weekend of NO SCHOOL THINGS.  Like for real.  I don't know how to handle myself with this.
7. Packing everything for the weekend into my backpack.  No suitcases trailing behind me!  #Win
8. Getting my laptop for the weekend.
9. A really good audiobook.
10. Teh German driving my car to the gym this afternoon.  It brings me joy to think about the 9Rounds gym owner seeing my car pull in the parking lot.. Even if he doesn't actually react in anyway.. Thinking of him getting tense over it brings me joy.  #PettyBitch = me.

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Five on Friday #194

EINS - Random Shit

#FirstWorldProblems: I did not bring lingerie bags to wash my bras in..  Usually, I use lingerie bags to sort my luggage, but I didn't need to this time, so I completely forgot until I considered doing laundry.  FML  (latergram: My host lady had a delicates bag she let me* use.)

*by let me, I mean she put my bras in the bag when she washed my laundry for me.  No, I am not kidding.  I came home to my underwear... and other clothes hanging on the line from the back balcony.  Didn't think I'd ever see my "bloomers" (underwear for you non-hick-folk) hangin' on the line again.. but here we are.

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I maybe should have considered that Germany was more in the winter stage of the seasons than the "Charleston spring" part of the seasons.. and by "Charleston spring" I mean full-blown summer.  It's been in the low 40°Fs around here and well.. that's kinda chilly for my unacclimated blood.  When I'm moving or inside, I'm generally fine, but it can be brisk when walking down the street (usually with wet hair).  🤷

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Now I understand why Teh German has the house shoes that he has.  I brought my Berks as house shoes, but I cannot wear socks with them, which is unfortunate since it's so chilly.  #MeganFail

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I want to buy a prepaid phone in Germany just so I can use it at a wifi hotspot so Alexa will work.  The internet at the house where I stay is a hotspot and I cannot get Alexa to connect to it since it requires a sign in.  When it goes to the sign in page, it just said that it worked and to go back to the Alexa app, but she never actually connects.  I know, #FirstWorldProblems, but I really need Alexa to play my brown noise for sleepy time so I can put my phone in do not disturb mode because East Coast primary awake/respond to text message time is in the middle of my German night.. and when you already have problems sleeping, the last thing you need is your phone going off in the middle of the night waking you up.  TRUST ME.  I KNOW.

Latergram: I enabled the wifi hotspot on my computer and then connected Alexa to my computer's wifi hotspot.  Ghetto.. but fuck if I don't make shit work #LikeABoss

Later, latergram: Since the wifi hotspot on my computer was already enabled, I connected my phone to that as well, so then I didn't have to deal with the disaster that is trying to get more than one device to connect to my host's wifi hotspot.

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I was sick for my first days in Düsseldorf and my teacher felt pretty bad for me.  I also felt super guilty for having to blow my nose a millionty times.  It was super gross and it was that or Darth Vader breathing.

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I hate trains.  Actually, I hate being inexperienced with trains.  Also, not really knowing where anything is doesn't help when you're relying on public transportation to get from place to place...
Monday, I took the wrong train from Essen to Düsseldorf, but managed to get on the right train with some help from Auntie P.
Tuesday, I took the correct train from the flat to the Institut, but I confidently took the correct train, but in the wrong direction after class was over.
By Wedneday, I had my shit straight.
But really, fuck trains.

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When my host lady told me that I shouldn't read any English books while I am here and then offered me 5ish children's book in German, I just accepted them and thanked her.  1- NOT reading English is impossible for me.  Literally.  I have a job to do, in English.  I have friends to talk to, in English.  I have this blog to write, in English.  I know she had good intentions, but Lawd, Fredrich die Mause will not cut it for 4 weeks.  #sorrynotsorry  2- When she said that watching the news was also good because there were photos and the reporters talked slowly, I also kept a straight face.  3- People here SPEAK ENGLISH.  When they realize I am inept at German, they switch over to English without asking while I'm still trying to navigate the conversation.

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I didn't post anything about it on May 4th, but it's been 2 year since Phil passed.  I spent some quiet time thinking about him after reading my Facebook Memories from the 4th.  This year a lot was going on, so it was complicated.  I will admit that the days before I left, poor Pax was called Baggins or Phil more times than I can count.  Obviously, I knew what was happening.  I do miss my Baggy boy, but I sure do love my Monkey-Doodle and my Paximoose.

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I hate being so frustrated and angry that I cry.  Tuesday after having held it together through all of the strife that has been my last week (plane delays, getting sick, fucking trains), I had to call 9 Rounds to ask why my card had been charged for May and I was told I had signed the form that said I would be charged, I lost my fucking shit on the gym owner.  Even through my cold and headache and rage I was able to logic out to him, "Why would I bother to cancel my membership if I was going to have to fucking pay it anyways?"  Crickets.  I also reminded him about the situation when we signed up when we had checked on prices a week prior and then they changed when we went in to actually sign up.  When we had checked on prices, Teh PT Wife had been with us, but not when we went back, and she refused to sign up because the prices had changed.  This had been sitting with me for a while, and I brought it up while I was on the phone with the owner, who conveniently didn't remember this.  Despite my rage and frustration and dirty mouth, I feel like I made my point (which he tried to negate with a "I did everything by the book."  Yes, yes you did, and you lost a customer.) and I also made the suggestion that forms be signed PRIOR to a workout and not after.  PERIOD.  He didn't even acknowledge this.  I honestly feel like there's something somewhere in 9 Rounds information that says, "If you have them sign after a workout, they are less likely to be paying attention, so this is a better time to have persons sign binding forms."  Maybe it's not actually in writing, but probably someone somewhere has pointed out that behavioral science fact and taken advantage of it.  Either way, I bluntly said that I would NOT recommend the 9 Rounds where we are members (since each 9 Rounds is operated by a different owner) to ANYONE.  The only way I would possibly recommend it is if there were new owners and I doubt that will happen anytime soon.

I'm all about following the rules, but I'm also all about acting in the best interest of the person and not being shady with the full truth.  I would be upfront and say, You can think about this, but if you make the decision RIGHT NOW, you will NOT be charged for another month.  Instead of encouraging someone to take time to make a decision and then them be charged for a month of membership they do not use.

Also, ALSOOOOOO, I really fucking hated it when the owner would "correct" me when I would cuss at the gym, especially when there would be no one else in the gym besides he and I.  NO, just fucking no.

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Oh but anyways.. After I got off the phone with the owner after NOT getting my money back (because he did everything by the book, of course), I called Teh German and finally had the breakdown that I've been building up to for WEEKS.  I didn't breakdown over final projects, final exams, about time flying by the week prior to leaving for Germany, about the roller coaster that is Carolina Hurricanes hockey, about my flight delay, about not getting to sleep on the plane, about getting sick when I got to Germany, about the fucking train debaclesssssss, none of that.. but dealing with people who are "doing it right" but are actually shitty?  That'll do it.

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Google Fi is everything I wanted it to be in Germany.  The only thing I don't do is make calls when I'm not on Wifi since they are $0.20 a minute.. but I have unlimited SMS and regular mobile data use, which is 95% of my mobile use anyways.  Hopefully, when I get to Italy it will be the same and then when I get back to America it will be good.  If my phone works well in Italy, I will use it as a hotspot for Teh German since I don't think he will have international cell phone coverage, mostly because data is only $10 per GB, so that is ok for me since I rarely use over 2GB per month.

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After blowing my nose one night, my ear popped and my equilibrium was off for a solid 5 minutes and I stumbled around trying to get ready for bed.  It was equally hilarious and concerning.

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It took me an hour to cook sausages and green beans Thursday afternoon.  First off, the stove took half my life to boil water for the beans (since there is no steamer basket).  Then the instructions I found on the internet said to boil the beans for 3 minutes then shock in cold water.  Know what 3 minutes of boiling green beans then shocking them in cold water gets you?  RAW FUCKING GREEN BEANS.  All the while, the sausages I'm trying to cook are taking forever because the eye I was using had hot spots and the sausages had to be cut into pieces to actually cook evenly.  So after boiling water in the almost instant water boiler kettle, then pouring that water back into the green bean pot... I let the beans boil for another 10ish minutes while I cooked the remaining sausages.

After all that, I asked my host if she had any bowls with lids.. and she does not, because she does not have plastic..... ..... ... When my food was done cooking and I had eaten what I wanted, I set out to the store down the street for some plastic bowls.  I CANNOT with the leaving the food out in the fridge.  Maybe it's common here, as she's had 2 batches of cooked chicken sitting in the fridge since I arrived, but I just mentally can't.  I lucked upon a 1€ store on the corner down the street and purchased 2 bowls with lids and came home, washed them, put the leftovers in the food, then put it in the fridge.

I'll be eating it cold next time since there is also no microwave here and recooking the food 1- does not appeal to me, 2- IDK how, 3- doesn't seem like a good idea.  #JesusTakeTheWheel

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Telling Alexa to "Cancel" when she plays your alarm means that you will have no alarm the next day.  Learn from my experiences.  Instead, you can tell Alexa, "Shut the fuck up" and she will NOT delete your alarm for the rest of the week but she will stop making noise.

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I have a massage scheduled for this afternoon at the Thai massage place (not erotic, you pervs) across the street from the flat and I am PUMPED.  1- it's across the street, so I don't have to drive through Charleston traffic to get home after getting super relaxed.  2- I haven't had a massage since Pittsburgh and I didn't go to the Chiro before I left Charleston and I've been sleeping on maybe the floor, but people call them beds here (i.e. the beds are SUPER hard compared to Teh Cloud at home), so I'm all out of whack and I'm hoping a massage will help  3- I survived my first week in Germany.

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I went to the Schreibwareladen (stationary store) for a notebook to take notes in and a folder for the handouts we get and I found a spiral notepad (yay for my left-handedness!) and I indulged and got a new green pen for myself since the green pen I have is almost too light to see.  When I got back to the flat and was rewriting my notes in my new handy-dandy notebook with my new pen (THAT ERASES!), I loved it so much, I stopped what I was doing and went BACK to the store and purchased 4 more colors of the pen.  #NOTSORRY.  I really do have a weakness for pens.  I'm not sure if Teh German has noticed but I have an embarassing amount of pens/writing utensil in general in our house.  Some of which, I've had since I was in high school.  Probably gel pens that have since dried up and need to be tossed, but they are lurking in drawers.  I used to have all my pens/non-colored pencils in a single container.. but now.. I have a house and pens need to be EVERYWHERE!!  They are in the kitchen and the office (obvs), there one in the downstairs bathroom (for the word search book and guest book), there's a few in the bedroom... there might be at least 1 in the loft.  Timo has some in the garage.  #ObsessedWithPens

ZWEI - Money Shit

-Groceries, mostly breakfast items.
-First day bretzel (no photo because I was also buying fancy croissants for someone who asked if I spoke English then asked for food.  She wanted somewhere specific, but I didn't have time for that since I was on a class break, so she made do with her second choice, a place that sold a pretzel for ME and 2 croissants for her.  Even if I was being ripped off, at least I did my good deed for the day.)
-Brunch for Auntie P and I as a thank you for hosting me over the weekend.
-Train pass for the month.
-Doctor bill from March.. Only $50 so far... I imagine there are plenty more bills coming in from LabCorp in the near future....
-Water bill
-First Google Fi bill for $25 dollars.  Down from the $75-90 that was my Verizon bill?  KKKKTHXXXXXXXX.
-Cash for places that don't accept cards.
-Ramen
-Stammtisch dinner (I'll let you look this one up)
-New notebook and pens and more pens for school.
-Burger and milkshake
-Massage
-2 plastic bowls WITH LIDS.
-Groceries

DREI - From My Phone Shit

When the sickness hits and you just make stacks of tissues.
This is normal, right?

German breakfast, SC style.

Bought lots of tissues for the faucet that is my nose.
They TEMPOrarily replaced Teh Running Bestie.
I know she understands.

Single lady dinner: Hummus with the closest thing to flatbread/naan I could find at the store.

It's a Radler, but it's as much beer as I will tolerate.

You'll prob have to click this photo to see it, but I'm so fucking dry and scaly.
Just call me Drogon, Rhaegal, or Viserion.

LEFT HANDED THINGS MAKE ME HAPPY.
I'm a white woman and I acknowledge my privilege, but being left-handed is a minority category and the world doesn't care about lefties.

Differences between Germany and America:
Where the holes are punched.

VIER - From the Internet Shit

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. TAP TO PAY.  EVERYWHERE TAP TO PAY! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
2. A massage place right across the street from the flat where I live.  You better believe I'll be making an appointment soon.  The last massage I had was in Pittsburgh... and that was like, a millionty years ago.
3. Being able to call Teh German whenever I want/need.
4. Not having to be the Laundry Fairy for a WHOLE MONTH.
5. Speaking understandable, although still relatively poor, German.
6. Finally figuring out the motherfucking train situation.  FUCK TRAINS. 4eva.
7. Getting to talk to Teh German every night before sleepytime.
8. Getting into a routine/not missing my train all week!
9. Figuring out how to use bathe without the shower head being attached to the wall.  #FirstWorldProblems
10. 1 week down.  16 days until Teh German arrives in Germany.  35 days until I'm back with Teh Cloud.

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Brain Dump

This week has kind of been a wash.  So instead of my normal Friday post, on a week that has been anything but normal, I'm just going to brain dump.

Weekend

I've tried and tried and tried to write last weekend's review and it just wasn't happening.  Here's the recap if you were super concerned:
Friday I had my German exam and pissed off Captain Vigorous Eraser-er by covering my answers so he couldn't copy me.  Oops.  That night we hung out with the Neighbor Besties.
Saturday we gardened, I got sunburned, and I shampooed the runner.  It was exhausting.  In the evening, we watched Vikings.

Sunday we went to brunch at Sunflower Cafe and then Teh German went on a ride with his biker gang while I napped and then studied for my Calc final.  In the evening, more Vikings.

I even took pictures of things, like a good blogger, and I managed to get through Friday and blogging got sidelined for real life.  I probably could have taken the time in the evening, but I take my computer-free evenings seriously.  It really is nice, after sitting on a computer all day, to not be on it when possible.

"New" Laptop

Speaking of my computer, my backpack (with my laptop in it) fell out of my chair a few weeks ago and now the frame is busted and there's a bad pixel spot on the screen, so I have to take my computer to Best Buy for fixin'.  I was trying to figure out the best time to do this and finally determined it will be the evening before we leave for Honeymoon Adventures.  That way, they can fix my computer or replace it while I'm gone and I won't really miss it since I'll be having adventures.  I hope this great plan works out.

Calculus

My Calc final on Monday was a bust.  It went horrifically.  And if you're like 99% of people I told that to, you're like, "Oh Megan, you're just overthinking it.  You did fine."  No.  No I didn't.  When I turned in half of my exam the professor looked it over and actually winced at one point.  NO BUENO PEOPLE.  I had already done the math, I could get a 78 and still have an A as a final grade, but I was certain that final exam bumped me from an A to a B.  It was rough, Gentle Readers.  Not the limit or derivative or most of the antiderivative stuff, but everything else.  It was like everything I knew was like, "Not today, braaa. Deuces."  (Yes, my brain is a Frat Bro Douche sometimes.)

That made me really grouchy on Monday and we were supposed to go out to dinner to celebrate the end of the semester, but I just wasn't feeling it.

Delivery of Things

Tuesday was a whole different ball game.  I finally got to go to work at my "regular" (0645) time.  Because my life is tricksy, I had to make a mabillionty (3) calls about shit that needed to be handled.

1- 1 of 2 boxes for our back yard "pergola" arrived.  Apparently the delivery company didn't mind the 2nd box just chillin' for forever in their warehouse.  Ugh.  It took a call to Sam's (who we ordered it from), then they called the delivery company, who had to find the package and then they connected me in to schedule for redelivery.  I had to call on redelivery day to see where it was after the window had passed and they were like, "oops sorry, it wasn't on the truck... when a driver gets back we'll send him out, unless it's too late?"  UH NO it's not too fucking late!  I've been waiting ALL DAY, what's the rest of my damn life?  

2- Lowe's was supposed to deliver the not-dented range last Wednesday, then last Thursday and it didn't happen.  I called to solve the problem.  I spent 20 minutes on hold in silence.  It was as awkward as you can imagine.  At least Sam's had some 70s disco hold music so I knew they hadn't hung up on me.  They scheduled delivery for Thursday, convenient since I'd already be home for the pergola delivery.  Did they come?  NO.  Did I call? YES.  Apparently my order was cancelled?  I don't fucking know what is going on, but a manager is supposed to be calling me within 24 hours. 

3- I needed to cancel my hair appt with my Hairs Did lady.  After Teh PT Wife pointed out to me that my hair lady never quite got my hair right, even though she's a really nice person, so I needed a new hair person.  I had rescheduled with someone else to have my hairs did and just had to make the call.  They didn't answer of course.....  I eventually ended up messaging them on Wednesday via FB to cancel.  Whatever, it's done.+

New Hair, Don't Curr

Tuesday I left work early to go get my hairs did by the new lady.  If you're local and need a hair lady, I know a person for you.  I walked out with what was actually on my pinterest board, not a colormishmash.  We celebrated the end of the semester on Tuesday when I was in an infinitely better mood and my hairs were all fancy.  We went and grabbed Sushi 101 for dinner, which is always a solid life choice.

Laser Hair Removal

I am an over-preparer and an overachiever (which the laser lady told me, not a self-definition) and I read a few online articles about laser hair removal and preparing properly for it (shave 1 day prior, long hairs cause a burn hazard and you're getting pew pew laser-ed, not going in for a wax).  Mostly I was trying to find information on what I should wear to my appointment (i.e. are my skins gonna hurt/be sore?) and couldn't find anything so I decided I'd wear whatever I wanted.  PS.  If you're gonna research stuff online, make sure to use several sources and believe whatever ALL your sources say.  There's probably truth in something most people say.

Anyways, about the appointment.  It took 30 minutes for my lower legs (she included my knees, bless her heart), arm pits, and 8 happy trail hairs.  Overall, it didn't hurt.  Yes, it was mildly uncomfortable where there was a large concentration of hair and it just feels like a shock, a zap, if you will, when the laser pew-pew's your skin.  I didn't even feel it in some places though.  There is a residual warmth after the fact, but it doesn't burn. So if you're local, I know a laser place.  They have a groupon, but if you call them directly they will meet the groupon price.  #SCORE

Car Wash

I had left work early for my laser appointment and went home, but on the way I made a stop at the car wash.  All was fine until I heard a horrible noise at the end of my turn.  I pulled forward and got out of my car and saw one of my roof rack bars laying in the middle of the bay.  Uhhhhhh... I was going to get it, but there was a car coming, so instead, I drove around to the little "office" and went inside and told them I'd lost a cargo bar.  Weeeeeeellllllllllllllllllll, funny story...

A few weeks ago when I went through the car wash, that same horrible noise happened and when I pulled forward I saw something in the bay and thought maybe someone had lost a wiper or something.  Whatevs, I went home.  There was a scratch on my rear glass, but not a super huge deal to me.

Weeeeellllllllll.. when I got out of my car to tell them that I had lost one of my roof bars in the bay, I noticed that I had went from 2 to ZERO roof bars..... which meant that a few weeks ago... That weird noise and the scratch on my glass?  came from my own cargo bar falling off of my car.  There is a clause that says you can't hold the car wash at fault for any damage that occurs while getting your car washed there, so I wasn't even going that route anyways.  When I went inside to tell them what happened, I explained, "One of my roof rack bars just fell off at the drying area... and also, if you happened to find one that matches it recently, it's probably mine since I just discovered that it was also missing."

Gentle Readers, I have been driving around with 1 of 2 cargo bars on my car for probably 2 weeks now and didn't even notice.  In addition to the bar scratching the (already cracked) spoiler and breaking the antenna mount, my pride was also wounded because I hadn't even noticed.

Since I was already parked I went ahead and vacuumed Yurtle out and cleaned the windows.  It was time.. and we're taking Yurtle to MD soon, so I want her in tip-top shape.  Also the car wash place has a mat washing machine!  It was super cool.  Feed it in and "clean" mat are spit out the back.  Unfortunately, some asshole before me didn't bother to vacuum the beach off their mats before they put them into the machine so I had to beat the sand out after I ran mine through the machine.  I hate everyone. 

Ooops, no cargo bars!

Yurtle

Speaking of Yurtle.
1- This is your reminder that I still love her, for forever, unconditionally.  I'll love her until she's going to the doctor all the time and/or her wheels fall off.  I am considering a new radio though.  I haven't told Teh German
2- She, conveniently, had her 100000 (/weep) mile maintenance scheduled the day after the car wash debacle, so when I brought her in, I added "antenna crap" to their to-do list.

That doctor visit cost me $1500.
Are you ok?  I hope if you spewed any beverage on your keyboard that it won't be sticky.  Don't worry though, because I almost choked too.  But, I've known for 99000 miles/6.5 years that this day would come, and because I love Yurtle, I do what is best for her.

I don't lurve doing dealership maintenance, but at the same time I prefer it because I, probably naively, believe they are less likely to rip me off since they are already wallet rapin' me.  Although, when they tell me they vacuumed my car for me, "complimentary!", I always have to add on, "It's not complimentary/free if I'm paying you already.."  I have to bring Yurtle back on Saturday to get the antenna fixed completely since the parts had to be ordered.  Truthfully, I should have ordered the part online and saved myself about $100, but I didn't want to wait and I wasn't sure it was the right thing and the peace of mind overrode the cost savings... especially when it comes to something that affects me almost every day.

When I came home, I started researching car stereos, because why not?  And I quickly learned that what I want is more than I want to pay AND that a new stereo will probably make all the functionality that I already have in my car (steering wheel controls, existing backup camera, current XM tuner) inoperable.  Soooo that was a bummer.  I would really love navigation in my car, but I'm just not sure it's worth losing all the functionality that I'm adapted to.  If I bought a new stereo, I'd pay to have it installed, especially if they could make the original features work.  I also looked at replacing the speakers, which is way cheaper and they are relatively easy to install yourself.  If I replaced Yurtle's speakers, I'd also replace Baloo's (Teh German's truck) speakers since I told Teh German we could do that when he bought the truck without the radio upgrade.

#MeganProblems
#FirstWorldProblems

Phil

May the 4th will never be pre-Cinco de Mayo or "May the Force Be With You" day to me.  It was forever changed last year when we had to let Phil go, unexpectedly.  Not that I really do the "celebrate this thing" day, but principle.  Now while everyone is all, "WWWOOOOOOO!  Let's parrrtayyy!!"  I'm going to be drinking in the corner feeling guilty for partying/being happy while thinking about my dead dog.

For several months, Phil had been sick.  Something was wrong with him and test after test revealed nothing.  Teh German and I had a conversation about having to let Phil go and no one really enjoyed it.  Little did we know that the same week, we'd be making the decision.  I thought we'd have a few more months (knowing how rough summer can be on older greyhounds), Teh German was more optimistic with until the end of the year (he wanted Phil to be around for the wedding so his family could meet him), and both of us were wrong.

I still have no doubts that we made the right decision to let him go, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.  I actually posted on Facebook about it recently..

I also need to consider that on May 2, 2016 we were closing on HOUSE.  So May is always a roller coaster, which is fine since I often omit the month of May from the calendar year.  I also regularly say that it is the year 2012.  So I am an unreliable source of information in regards to the date.

Grades

I didn't feel like this semester was as difficult as last semester.  Butttttttt, I'm no longer planning a wedding and this isn't my 2nd first semester of college.  At midterms, I had 4 A's and 1 B.  But my hold on Calculus was tenuous and to be exempt from my Bio exam I needed a 95+.  I went into Calculus knowing that it was going to be my toughest class.  I haven't math-ed since 2003/4, my senior year of high school.  Technically, I've done Calc before, but when it's a lifetime ago, it doesn't really count.  The end of the semester, I really put forth some effort to ensure that A's were attainable.  I struggled more with computer science than I expected to and there were aspects of Calc that never really sunk in, and photoshop was it's own disaster, but YALL....

I GOT ALL A'S!!!!!!!

For the first time ever in my college life (first or second round)!

I'm unbearably proud of myself.  I know a lot of people are like, "Duh, you got A's."  Teh German even said, during the throes of  my woe about how shitty I did on my final exam and how it would drop me from an A to a B, "I hated kids like you in school."  I replied, "Yeah, well, I hated kids like you who could show up and sleep through class or be stoned and still pass."  There are some ways in which we are very alike (we're both overachievers), and there are some ways in which we are entirely different (being a student).  I can actually say, I earned this.

I earned a Gold Star Recognition AND Dean's List.  Last semester I achieved Dean's List only.

Pergola

Since we started building a house, we've talked about having a screened in back porch.  Well, finally Teh German decided on a pergola option and the 2nd box arrived last night and he started building it right away.  He was beaming with joy.  It was strange.  I said I wasn't helping (since Teh German tends to take out his frustrations on me when I'm nearby), but I still got roped into holding up beams while he put in screws.  He was in such a good mood, I was safe.

I have a feeling if he doesn't complete it tonight, it will be done before the weekend is over... even with his dive adventures on Saturday (aka MEGAN DAY, bitches).  He probably would have completed it Thursday night, but the mosquitoes were too bad.  You practically needed a bee keeper suit to be outside.  Uggggh.

Books

I've been on an audiobook stretch, but sadly haven't made time to read an actual book in quite some time.  I had a books post outlined for Wednesday, but it didn't happen because my reviews hadn't been put in.  I considered just posting a list of books I'd read, but then work happened and that didn't happen and well, if you're super interested in what I've been reading, check out my Goodreads, which I update almost every morning.

Since most of my audiobook have been from the library recently, I've had ZERO issues with not finishing a book.  Not paying for things makes me less dedicated to enduring something I don't LURVE.  That said, I LURVED The Great Alone.   Seriously.  Go read it.  It's got some difficult topics, but fffaaaaaccckkkk read it.  Or listen to it, whatever floats your boat.

It was soo good that I relistened to the last 2 hours since I felt like I hadn't been dedicating enough attention to it (because I was gardening and Teh German kept interrupting me.... RUDE).  It was just as poignant the 2nd time.



Thanks for enduring this brain dump. 
I feel better having finally got all that off my brain and for checking in. 
That said, summer is pretty much here and as blogging seasons go, summer is the blogging drought.  So expect things to get less structured around here.  Especially since we leave in TWO WEEKS for honeymoon adventures!!!!

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers!

Five on Friday #142

EINS - Random things

-Without school, I feel like I have nothing to bitch about.  It's fabulous.
JK, I have plenty to bitch about.  LIIIIIKKKKEEEEEEEEE...

-The fact that Meri has hookworms.  FML.  FML.  FML.  4 extra dogs arrived at my house on Weds and we're scoopin' shit all the time and uuuggghhhhhhhh.  Also, if Meri has them, it means Pax probably does too.  Fuuuccckk myyyyy liiiiiiifffeeeeeee.

-When the dentist office called me on Tuesday afternoon to tell me I could come in early.  It was about an hour before my appointment, so I left about 10 minutes later and arrived for the appointment 30 minutes early... AND THENNNNNNN.. proceeded to wait and wait and wait until my actual appointment time.  I was livid.  Don't fucking call me and tell me I can come early if you can't get me in until my appointment time.  That is time of my life that my ass could have been sitting in my house, where I like to be.

It also fueled the fire that my hygienist was a sadist that kept making me bleed then acting confused when I finally was like, "STOP."  I'll be making sure that she will not be my hygienist next time.

-I am riding the struggle bus with the news that I need to have a molar pulled (remember that poor baby that broke while I was eating a piece of bacon last year?).  As in, I am 32 and I'll be missing a tooth.  This is extra difficult for me because I have a thing about teeth.  I'm judgy about teeth.  I know, that's not ok, but I can admit my faults.  Several people have pointed out that at least it's not a front tooth and it's not a root canal/crown... but ya'll I'm going to be missing a tooth.  The principle of the matter is what is bothering me.  Since it's a molar there is no need to get an implant/etc and since it's in the back and so close to the jaw bone, an oral surgeon has to remove it. 

-My 2 hour massage on Wednesday to celebrate Spring Break/midterm grades/Treat Yo Self/Because I felt like it was ffffffaaannnnnnntastic.  I went ahead and scheduled another massage with her for exam week.  The next appointment is only an hour, but the lady was awesome and if you're local, Brandy is amazing.  PS.  10% off if you check in on Yelp, which I found out after the fact and didn't even mind.
Bonus: She accepts HSA!  #GAMEON

-$158 at the vet for 2 rounds of dewormer for Meri and Pax.  AND I inquired about the fact that we never received Phil's paw print and they said that they mailed it out and if it didn't arrive, they don't know what happened to it.  Gentle Readers, I was fucking crushed.  And ragey.. and all the feelings and I was trying not to cry.

-#1 reason why I bought a cheap laptop for Teh Granny: She's contact me no less than 3 times this week to tell me that she "can't figure out how to get her pictures up."  In 2018 terms: She can't figure out how to run the slide show of the pictures I saved to the laptop.  TL;DR: She is primarily using the laptop to watch a slide show of images I saved to the computer.  I love her, obviously, which is why after I left the vet, I called her to give her precise directions on how to do what she was trying to do, even though I wasn't exactly sure what it was until she got excited.  #GranddaughterOfTheYear #Favorite

-I've gotten rather... "fluffy" since the wedding.  As in, gained 10-15 lbs depending on the day/time of the month/poor eating choices I've made.  2 things about this.
1- I bought one of those waist trainer belts.  While I feel more confident about my flab rolls not rolling out every where, it makes me cranky.  Apparently, having my inside squished and it being mildly more effort to breathe doesn't make me a nice person.
2- On my run this morning I thought I was going to diiiiiiieeeee. Carrying around extra weight for normal day-to-day operations isn't actually that bad.. but carrying around that weight for "strenuous" activities is a bit more intense.  Holy shit.  This is why it's bad to let your pets be overweight.  Same applies to your body.  I seriously need more energy/awake time during the day so I can properly cardio because I don't see my dessert habit going anywhere anytime soon.

-I bought a new oven on an impulse and it's Teh Chief Smartass's (Teh Running Besties "we're not putting labels on it" person) fault.  You see, what had happened wasssssssss... He's in the market for a new fridge but hadn't seen it in person.  So we went to Lowes and Home Depot to view some in person and I have this bad habit when I go into the appliance section that I buy things.  There was a red washer and dryer in the walking path on super sale and I texted all the GLCK neighbors and was like, anyone want/need a washer/dryer, these are awesome!!!  They acknowledged me for who I am (weird, random, and quirky) but no one took me up on it.  Sad, we could have been paternal laundry twins. 

Instead, I did stumble upon a range that I strongly desired and I sent Teh German a photo and he wasn't really for it, but didn't really try to dissuade me.  But honestly, it probably wouldn't have mattered since I fucking hhhhaaaatttteee our oven and actually go out of my way to NOT use it.  The oven we have right now is shiiittttayy because the sensor is right beside the heating element so when the oven beeps that it's "at" 400 degrees, it's actually only at ~300°F in the cooking zone (since I don't actually cook anything 1 inch from the heating element).  This has always been an issue and Whirlpool DGAF and said that it's operating as it should.  Yes, poorly.  So.  Without Teh German's blessing, I bought a new range and I'm excited about it and want it yesterday and now it's out of stock at Lowe's and I'm going to have to wait a mabillionty years (no less than 2 weeks) for it to ship and I'm disappointed. 

When this conversation happened, I loled:

-I'm listening to Hillbilly Elegy and I'm loving it.  I can't describe why.  I cried when Mamaw died.  I might just write and entire post about that book.  Probably not, but I considered it.

-The i5k is next week and I'm pumped and debating on if I'm going to dress up or not.  Many people nerds dress up, so I'm considering pulling Super Hero Stitch from the closet.

ZWEI - Money spent

• Hairs did.
• Ear holes.
• Moosage
• House decoration stuffs (since I happened to find some awesome things at Walmart by accident, so it was obviously fate!)
• Stuff for work (which I will hopefully get reimbursed for)
• Sweet tea from McDonald's, which I've been craving for over a week.
• Woot shirt.  They got me again.  Another book themed shirt.  #YOLO
• Sam's Club things (trash bags, carrots, new rubbermaid containers)
• Random clothes from Amazon, which will probably get returned.
• Teh WJL's bday gift.
• Easter candies
• New range (WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!)
• Plane tickets for RnR Chicago weekend
• Bread pudding from Willie Jewell's
• Dewormer (do not want to talk about it)
• Gas
• Random clothing articles from Amazon (which will probably get returned)
• Spotify
 

 

DREI - Things from my phone

Lunch with coworkers on Monday at Butcher and the Bee.

Fries, hummus, and bacon wrapped figs.
I was surprised at how delicious it was.

Teh German and I split a wishbone equally.
Then he was super sweet and said I could have the wish.
Then I was super cheesy and posted on FB about it and said that I didn't need to make a wish since my wish had already come true.
We've always been this sappy.

Found some cute kitchen decorations at Walmart by accident.
Teh German approved and put them up the same day, which was how I knew he really liked my choices.

Pi-day joke and celebration.
What do you call a snake that is 3.14 meters long?
ℼ-thon

When your coworker needs a room to pump in and options are limited so you make do by adding a curtain for privacy, a lamp for coziness, and a sign to thwart other people from using the room.
PS. Unicorn tape dispenser and rainbow tape were a birthday gift from Teh Running Bestie!

Snuggles with my fuzzy monkey.  /swoon

RocknRoll Chicago weekend is calendar official!
We have flights!

Pax and Olive playing tug of war together..
It lasted until Pax won because Olive gave up.  :\

My new range.. which may arrive sometime in the next year.  UGH.
But seriously, it is ordered.

What it looks like to leash up 5 dogs to go on a walk.

This girl's eyes are stunning and I love her and having a white dog on the slumber balls has been giving me brain winkles because of Phil.

Please read the sign above his head to completely understand this photo.

We went to Lewis Barbecue for dinner last night and it was our first time and it was ahhhmazing.

Teh German had already eaten his sandwich.

This girl!  /Lurve.

VIER - Things from the Internet

^^THIS THIS THIS THIS THIS
THIS FUCKING THIS!

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. 2 hour massage.
2. VISITORS!
3. ALL THE DOGGIES!
4. Pepperoni and mushroom pizza.
5. Kitchen decorations.
6. A completely enjoyable audiobook that isn't a million fucking hours long.
7. Relevant whiteboard jokes at work.
8. Using my rainbow tape from my unicorn tape dispenser.
9. Running.  Even when it fucking sucks.
10. The word fuck.  I don't know why it brings me so much joy, but my potty mouth is a pendulum and currently we're on the "cussing a lot" side of the pendulum.  #YOLO

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.