*Christian Bale voice* "Oh good for you!"

Soooo... after my post from earlier (which I actually started to write around Thursday), I had a funny thing happen on Saturday.

When I arrived at my parents' house to visit for a while and do some laundry, I threw my back out when I bent down to grab my laundry basket from the car. I was basically stuck in this position and my father rushed out to help me. I thought I wouldn't be able to move, but I was able to stand up straight and walk in, my father carrying my purse and laundry basket (bless him). Needless to say, my visit went differently than I thought.

My mother (bless her too) drove me to the grocery store so I could get stuff for the week ahead. She also took me back to the apartment so I could drop off my food. She even clipped my cat's front claws, so a two-fer there. We went back to the house and I chilled there, reading Fairest Volume 4 and going between icing and using the heating pad on my lower back.

I went home with my parents' electrode massager and have been using that since, along with the ice pack and the heating pad my mother gave me a long while ago.

This pain hasn't taught me too much yet, but one thing I know for sure: SLOW DOWN. My mother has a similar problem; when she rushes around, she ends up pulling something or overall getting in major pain.

So, I tell you the same thing: slow down so you don't hurt yourself. And if you do, allow yourself to heal. DOn't rush it, relax and let the body do what it's designed to do.

Also, tripping over that pothole the day before didn't help either.

TL;DR: watch for potholes and laundry is dangerous.

A Long Work Week Over

At my job, when it's predicted we'll be busy AF (especially since this week is Spring Break), we have to work mandatory overtime. So every day I've been going in for 10-hour shifts. By Wednesday night, I was feeling it. Twitchy eye, yawning constantly during the shift, waking up groggy... I really hope this doesn't happen again anytime soon. Sure the pay is nice, but I think it was chipping away at my health. So Friday marks the last of it and thank God! My paycheck is gonna look nice, but I'm not sure the cost is worth it. My parents say it is, but I'm not so sure anymore. Last I checked, overtime was voluntary. Oh well, what do I know? I'm just a spoiled millennial. /sarcasm

This weekend shows no signs of slowing down as well. I have errands to run, but then sweet relief on Sunday... I get to see my best friend for the first time since last November! She recently had her first child, so naturally she was spending time with the little one and getting used to that new thing called motherhood. I have no doubt in my heart and soul that she is a great mom. That kid is one lucky little dude!

I also have some cool things to look forward to: a writing class in April up in Austin, an online writing class the month after, the Silversun Pickups show in May as well, and then case/lang/veirs in August!

Not much update on my writing projects, though I did stop doing the flash fiction challenge that started at the beginning of the year. It was becoming more of a chore and less fun, so I wanted to move onto other things. I also stopped writing a poem a week for the same reason as well. My goal is to finish what I started, edit as much as I can, and start submitting more work out to the world.

So that's about it for me here! Until next time...

Proof I'm Still Alive

So yeah, getting into the new job has really robbed me of my concentration, but I've thankfully been able to recover a great chunk of it to do something about it. So the first thing on the list was to update this here blog.

As always, when I've been away from it for so long like I've been for the last year or so, it has given me pause. Is keeping this blog something I can still do? Is it even worth it? Who am I really doing it for? To answer the last question, it was always for myself. If it led to greater things, then that's a bonus. But it was for me.

But what purpose does it serve? I already write a paper journal (that also has fallen to infrequency as the online one), so what thoughts am I projecting out here that can't be done in a private journal? Well, maybe it's an outlet for expressing other kinds of thoughts, ones more about writing and reading. At least, that's what I'm considering this blog to be.

Other than that, it is merely a hobby that I don't want to give up on just yet!

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So, on my weight-loss journey, I am happy to announce that I lost 9 pounds! I've been eating better and watching my portions more than before. My next step is more cooking my own meals and not relying on pre-made foodstuffs. I do indulge in some fast food (mostly the Wendy's value menu) and snacks, but thanks to going for smaller sizes, I'm still enjoying but certainly not overeating.

Today, my mom and I went to Trader Joe's to get some stuff. I love that store, there is always something awesome to try (like the Hatch Chile Mac 'n Cheese, which was great BTW). And to get my dosage of cookie butter. Cookie butter is life. Don't deny it.

Job is going well, been getting used to my schedule and the overtime ($$$) I've been doing. The money is helping me save up for a newer car, some great experiences that are forthcoming, and paying off my debts (which should be done by month's end).

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That's about it for me here. I'll work harder to update this more often. Until next time, have a good week!