Just livin... L.I.V.I.N.

 Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the comfort, but it feels really good to be back home.  I remember what it was like when I moved back for a year after I finished college.  I wanted nothing more than to get the heck out again.  I spent that year mostly miserable with instances of hilarity and fun.  It was wild - I met a lot of interesting people, had some good times, and counted the days until I could leave again.  Now is so different from then.  

This time I don't mind running into old friends and acquaintances (or even my 1st boyfriend - twice in 2 days!).  I don't feel the need to justify the fact that I'm back for a while, or to reassure them (and myself) that it's only temporary.  I'm truly enjoying being back in Riverton.  I like staying with Mom and (honestly) spoiling her a bit.  I like my room, being able to talk to Mom about my day, having drinks and laughing when we finish each other's sentences.  I liked working with Dad (though concrete is HEAVY-er than I remembered), I like seeing him and Carole at Mass, and I like going over there for dinner.  It's been nice getting texts from old friends to see if I want to meet up with them for lunch, then laughing our butts off about the random turns our convo takes (roll your 'r's like a wookie!).  I'm enjoying my job (where I'm now a work-aunt to one of the girls... cuz I refused to be a work-mom (she's 24, I'm 36... not old enough to be her mom!!!)), and I'm looking forward to starting my other job (remote work for the hospital).  I guess I've grown up a lot in the 20-ish years it's been since I lived here.  I don't feel like I have anything to prove, and so I can just enjoy being around fellow Westerners.  I think that's really the crux of it - I don't feel like I have anything to prove.  I felt that way after college - I had to prove that I could make it outside of WY, on my own terms.  I guess I've done that and then some at this point.  I've lived a pretty great life, all in all, and this is just the next chapter. 

I had to take this pic and send it to J.  We store our cups upside-down (due to things that can get in them) and I thought this was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

So obs I had to use it for my coffee that day.

This is Trampus deciding that he likes me enough to make me his chair.  Mom's cats are slowly coming to accept me as a permanent resident and not just a food-filler and door-opener.

Thoughts about Riverton aside, it's been nice being back in the US.  I do miss some things about Korea - sales tax being included in the price of things, the little song my washer sang when it was done with the laundry, no gaps in the stall doors in public restrooms, and the friends I made there.  However, it's been nice being able to talk to people here (tho I forgot how friendly Americans really are), being able to drive has been AMAZING, getting groceries and not feeling like a gambler cuz I really had no clue if what I was getting was what I wanted, and just being able to understand convos that I overhear.  I do still want to travel internationally and work for the State Department, but I'm kind of OK with the fact that it's going to take some time.  This is turning into a really pleasant intermission.  :)

That being said, I still need to get to KS to see my grandparents, and I'm looking forward to a certain someone getting back from Korea and hopefully coming to see me in WY.  I haven't mentioned much of him but E and I are still texting and calling, and I kinda like him.  (sly smile)  

My very different jobs - I get to choose what our specials are for Toasted Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, and Sloshie Special Friday.  Choosing Wine Wednesday is easy - go in the back and choose 3 wines that we have a LOT of back stock in.  Hehe.

Day 1 of the concrete job.  Notice the coffee in the background - that is a cold brew with 2 extra shots of espresso in it.  The concrete slab you see behind me was one of 2 (the second being right next to it) and there were also 5 pieces of sidewalk we had to do.  Let's just say that I don't want to wheelbarrow ANYTHING for at least a month.  I do like my snazzy new hat, though.  It was very helpful keeping my hair out of my eyes and face.  Growing out short hair is a PAIN in the butt that headbands and hats can help with.  There is no picture for day 2 cuz I didn't get a coffee break that day.  Hehe.

Job 3 is all online and remote, and requires that I get a new computer (boo), so no pic on that one.  Besides, it's for a hospital so I don't want any HIPAA violations due to pictures, anyway.  I'm looking forward to being able to do stuff for that, though... and 2 of my bosses are now named Kelly which just REALLY makes me giggle.  

Anyhow, I just figured it had been a while since I updated everyone.  I'm afraid the blog posts will be longer in coming now since there's less to report on.  I'm enjoying being back, I really missed being around my parents, I'm reconnecting with old friends, I no longer feel like I have to be anyone other than who I am, I'm enjoying being able to still talk with E (though I do miss him), and I'd love for any of my friends to come and see me sometime.  Wyoming is BEAUTIFUL in the summer, and I have every other weekend as a 4-day weekend, so... yeah.  Come to the West, we'll climb some mountains, have some brews/sloshies/drinks, learn how to use the smoker, enjoy the hot tub, make some food, and solve all the worlds problems (and tell NO ONE!).  Hehe, in the meantime, much love from the least populated state!  :*  MUAH!

Study, study, study

 Not a lot is going on here. I'm studying for the test... and it's DRY.  Tuesday I'm going to the library to take the practice test to see where I'm at, then I'll know a direction for me to continue with my studies.  Otherwise, it's business as usual.  So here's some pix from the weekend.  

The monster under the bed, came up on the bed for a bit.  He's so playful, it's so funny.

The sphinx cat doing her thing in the window.

My new sticker that my friend J gave me - turns out we are both into Lovecraft.  Cthulu RISE!

Mom and I went to Lander for sushi.  We walked into a place that looked like a sports bar, I was afraid we were in the wrong place.  Nope, Zanmai and the End Zone Bar and Grill were one and the same.  So we looked at the menu for the End Zone first, then we looked at the one for Zanmai.  We thought long and hard about what to get, and we decided on the crab rangoons cuz they said they were "the best you'll ever have" and frankly they were right.  SO GOOD!

Then we got (from left), the Tsunami roll (spicy salmon), Hawaiian roll (ahi tuna), Maki roll (with salmon) and yellowtail Nigiri.  Now, I've had Nigiri before, but these were friggin' yellowtail STEAKS on top of the rice.  Look at them, that's a BIG slab of fish!  It was soo good!  It was a belated Mother's Day present to Mom from Rex.  We were going to get Saki too, but they were out, so we had Saddle Bronc beer from Black Tooth Brewing Co.  It was GOOD.

On Sat I had leftovers from the Depot, and today Mom made a Ninja chicken (in the pressure cooker) and I made roasted broccoli, carrots, and (just a few) cauliflower.  It was also really good.  I'm getting ready to go to work tomorrow (time to clean the sloshie machines), then I'm off Tue and Wed, then I work all weekend.  Also, some people apparently find it weird that I have a 3 year plan for being in Riverton.  Plan 1 is if I pass this time, plan 2 is if I have to take it again next year, and plan 3 is if I fail both times and need to figure something else out.  The thing is, I need those kinds of plans... I gotta have my backups.  I can take the test 2x, and I fail both times then I figure it's not meant to be.  Otherwise, I'll do my best and cross my fingers and we'll see how it goes.  In the meantime it's great to have a job, catch up with people, and enjoy being home.

Bizzaro Riverton

I can't remember if I've written about this concept in my blog or just my journal, but I've decided that moving back to my home town after 20 years has officially made this "Bizzaro" land.  Things are familiar, yet totally different, and I don't feel the pressure to leave that I did when I (briefly) moved back after college.  I see people that I went to HS with at my job, but if I didn't have to look at their licenses and sign them up for points, I wouldn't recognize over half of them.  I think I've recognized about 3 of them since they've come in, and I have no idea if they recognized me or not.   I have been recognized once, by the grandma of one of my best friends growing up, so that's acceptable.  LOL.  Otherwise between 20 years, the weight loss, and the hair cut, I'm pretty much incognito around here.  My friend C did recognize me, his exact words were "I haven't heard that voice in a long time" which made me laugh.  

I feel like I've been meant to have a job at a liquor store my whole life.  I like helping people find their booze, chat briefly, laugh at some of it (a guy the other day was HORRIFIED by the jalapeno bacon vodka we have on the shelf), and pour their sloshies.  The store is a place that I can take pride in keeping clean, friendly, and helpful.  The drive-thru can be fun... one guy said he felt bad making me carry a case of Coors light to the drive thru.  I told him a) I'm strong and b) it's RIGHT inside the cooler.  Not a problem.  I fit in with the crew there, too.  We have a range of personalities, ages, and backgrounds; however, we are all slightly sarcastic, fun to talk to, and friendly.  I had to laugh at M when she found out that I do fasting.  I got a lot of "If you pass out, I'm shoving jerky down your throat" which made me want to do my fainting act to freak her out.  K pointed out that while I could probably faint like I did in HS, I probably couldn't get up like in HS.  She had a point.  The thing is, I've never felt so accepted by a group so quickly... in Riverton.  I've always felt like an outsider, like I didn't quite belong.  That is what I mean by this is weird, but in a good way.  Maybe I don't feel like I have to try so hard... maybe I've matured beyond caring about stupid crap... and maybe I've finally embraced who I am and I don't want to change to try to 'fit' anymore.  I had to laugh at M and C at work, cuz they are both older than me, but C pointed out the other day that I've had a LOT of life experiences in comparison.  She also asks about Korea a lot - no, I never did eat dog when I was there.  I did not live in a hut, I had an apartment (she apparently was thinking about Kenya when she asked that question).  The culture is such that the other C calls me 'boss lady' sometimes, which just makes me laugh, but otherwise no one thinks anything is 'beneath' them.  The owners scrub the toilet, too.  I know it's only been 2 weeks, but I really love working there!

As for the reverse culture shock - I miss prices having the taxes included.  I miss not having music playing EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME.  I loved being at the library yesterday, cuz they didn't have music playing and it was very peaceful.  And I miss the no gaps in the bathroom stalls, tho some places have gotten better at that.  On the flip side, I'm loving the snack foods aisle at the grocery store, knowing what it is that I'm buying (no sweet crackers, for instance), talking to the people at the check-out stand, cooking and baking for people, and catching up with loved ones.  I have to laugh at a couple of friends, they've stopped by the store on my days off!  Otherwise, I got to see three other friends when they came in specifically to see me.  When I work, it's easy to catch me cuz I'm there from open to close (minus 2 hour long lunch breaks).  Being on my feet, lifting things, and keeping busy should do a pretty good job of getting me into shape again and possibly even help get me back down to Korea weight.  I've really been enjoying the familiar food.  I had a shredded beef chimichanga at the Depot yesterday... I could only eat half of it.  So good!  Tonight Mom and I are going for sushi and sake at the insistence of her hubby.  I only gained about 10 lbs from where I was in Feb... it's been since Dec that I saw my lowest weight (and I wanna get there again!).

That was another thing!  We were going into the Depot as three Pavillion people were coming out.  We said hi, it's been forever, have fun, all of that.  Then Mom and I spent the next few hours trying to remember their names!  It's been 20 years, I can't remember half of the people I went to school with, let alone their parents!  I did finally remember one (mom of a bully) and Mom remembered another.  We're still stuck on the third.  SMH.  I have a feeling this won't be the last time this happens.  On the one hand, I feel kind bad, on the other I'm shocked if anyone ever recognizes me.  I love going out with Mom, tho.  We decided to put on our LBD's (little black dresses) since I ordered one (my witch dress) and hadn't had a chance to wear it yet.  We looked GOOD!  I told her that if anyone asked, I was going to say it was coven meeting night.  The lady at the check out said she liked mine... and it is GORGEOUS.  I need to order more of that style... so fun.  I need one in burgundy and one in deadly nightshade.  :)  

As for the other stuff, I have a test date, time, and place.  I have booked a motel room for the day before (testing center is 2 hours away, but I want to be rested and not freaking out for a 2 hr drive), and now I'm getting all kinds of studious.  My old boss at the hospital also reached out about some work she'd like me to do for her, so we are getting that all arranged as well.  I have a theory that when things fall into place really easily, it means you're on the path that God wants you to be.  Not sure if it's correct, but based on how positive I'm feeling about things, I think it has some merit.  I hope all is going well for my readers, and if you are in Riverton, I look forward to running into you some day!  Much love, MUAH! :*

My 2-week Check-in

 It's officially been 2 weeks since I moved back to Riverton, got a job, established myself at Mom's, and started on the newest adventure.  It feels like a lot has happened, especially with my new job.  I've never been a manager before, so I've been trying to make sure that I'm doing everything properly.  My coworkers have been AMAZING.  I took over the job from C, who wanted to step down.  She has been INCREDIBLY helpful in making sure that I've done what is needed.  As she said, she's helping me look good.  That makes me laugh, because I used to say the same thing to my boss in Glen Rose.  Everyone who works there knows what is expected of them, and does their jobs quickly without a fuss.  I've gone to asking if X, Y, or Z has been cleaned because by the time I think about it, it's usually already done!  Generally the customers are in a good mood (cuz hello, they're buying booze - how can you be in a BAD mood for that?!), and it's nice to work in a non-corporate environment.  You know, I can joke with customers and I don't really have to worry too much about someone getting pissed or offended.  I'm wearing my lip ring, which led to a fun convo with an older gentleman who wanted to know if the back of it was the same as like an earring.  I explained the back is flat so that it doesn't interfere with my teeth, and he thanked me, said it looked nice, and said learning new things keeps his mind sharp.  I truly have been enjoying my job.  There are long hours, lots of running around, lifting, mixing, counting, and checking the drive thru, but I don't think I'd fit in so well anywhere else.  Besides, with how physical it is, I'm gonna look GOOD in a couple months.  

Cool bottle of Champagne.

My store.

The wall of sloshies - 15 flavors, pain in the ass to clean, SUPER popular.

A fasting lunch after my 2nd Covid shot.  I did ok, I had arm soreness and a MASSIVE headache.  Took some generic headache meds, worked in the cooler for a bit (I think that helped, not I'm not 100 sure), and felt human around 2 or 3 the next day.

I have also established 'my' coffee shop.  It's called Brown Sugar and for those who are from Riverton, it's in the old Broker building.  The ladies who work there are all super friendly and sweet.  I went there on Saturday to get a coffee on my lunch break and I asked for it black 'as my soul' and the lady behind the counter goes 'so, a glass of milk?'  I laughed and said, 'no, I'm not Andrew Garfield (I meant Tom Holland)' and she goes 'FINALLY someone GETS that!' and beamed.  I saw her later at my job, getting wine.  On Sunday I went for a cold brew with 2 shots of espresso, also black, and she said she's impressed and slightly scared of me.  LOL.  I think I've made a new friend.  Anyway, it's a nice place to chill, drink my coffee, write in my journal, and have lunch (haven't been there for dinner yet).  It is my preferred place when I just want to get out of the house and have a place to relax.

For those who are wondering, yes, I've been avoiding Wal-Mart like the PLAGUE.  I do my grocery shopping at Smith's, got storage stuff for my room at Sutherland's, and walked around Murdochs, tho I don't think there's much there that I'm gonna need.  I've seen some people at work, but only my actual friends have recognized me so far.  It's fun cuz I get to see their driver's licenses, otherwise I wouldn't know HALF the people I've seen.  It's official, people change in 20 years.  Who knew?  LOL.

My dinner companion at Mom's, always interested in what I'm eating and one reason I like going to Brown Sugar for food.  See those claws?  Yeah.

The face of someone trying to feel better on the last day of her first weekend working.  I looked GOOD, I wanted to look GOOD, so that I would FEEL good.  Mostly I was TIRED.

My celebration dinner - the drink is a pineapple amaretto sloshie with an extra shot of Disaronno in it.  So good!  I had this and watched The Meg and Deep Blue Sea before going to bed.

The next morning when I went to have my coffee, I was being watched!  Mom usually gets all the cats in before she goes to bed.  I tried, but Lucy was the only one who did.  The other 3 spent the night outside.  They were happy to come in the next morning - Chevy and Trampus were in the garage, Levi was elsewhere.  Levi is now passed out on the couch next to me.  He tried playing under my bed while I was doing laundry, but I was washing the sheets, so the bed wasn't made, so he couldn't play like he usually does.

My PJ day - I'm off work, so I've cleaned some things around the house, went on the hunt for my social security card (no luck), rearranged my room (again), brought in some stuff from the garage (so much jewelry), did most of my laundry (hanging stuff in the rain, lol), and otherwise I'm just enjoying the solitude and peace.

The coffee.  I like the reflection of my PJ pants in the cup.   I hated these questions 

I'm gonna have leftover soup for dinner, probably do some more rearranging, wrack my brain for where the SS card could be (might just order a new one), and otherwise enjoy the day inside.  I work on Tue and Wed, then I'm off for the weekend.  I'm also in the middle of signing up for the FSOT, I'm stuck on "Describe how you have demonstrated leadership, either on one particular occasion or over time. Include the following elements in your response: the situation, and the steps you took to show leadership. What was the result?" I hated these questions at Honda, I still am not a fan of them.  

I am back to doing the ADF style of fasting - my job keeps me so busy it's easy to just work thru the day and not think about food too much.  I do take 2 hour long lunch/dinner breaks when I work, so that time is nice to just sit and relax.  My job is also 5 mins from home, so that's convenient.  I gained some weight during my road trip (obvious to me in the pix, maybe not to others) so I needed to make a few changes.  I am starting to wonder if I have the 'short' stomach, though.  I've woken up a few times with nausea caused by BAD heartburn and sometimes I have an upset tummy after I've eaten.  That also makes fasting super easy, by the way.  (No, I'm not preggers.)

Just wanted to give a quick update and kinda wrap my head around things.  Now I'm gonna finish my laundry, have some food, and find some awful movies to watch while I think about a time I showed leadership.  UGH!

It's gonna be a long weekend

 I'm working this weekend, so here's my pre-weekend post cuz the post-weekend post isn't gonna be for a while, I think.  I've really enjoyed being able to get stuff done the last 2 days.  I went to Lander and got the new title and plates for my car, so the Stink Bug at least is a Wyomingite.  Then I sent a box to E, looking forward to his reaction to the jackalope I sent him.  I also decided to actually cook the last 2 days.  Mom wanted me to make her a hot chicken salad (casserole) like her gma used to make.  I found a recipe and made it last night.  Mom said it was great!  I can also tell you that it's good cold, cuz I had it today for a snack.  I decided to make my tomato soup with sausage, potatoes, and artichoke hearts today.  I also made cookies when I got stuck on my 'personal narratives' for the FSOT.  I'm stuck on examples of my interpersonal skills, communication skills, and leadership skills.  Also, thank God for online word counters that make sure I come in at under 1500 characters for each of these categories (not words, CHARACTERS).  I did get the application submitted, and I have until May 27 to do the narratives, but I'd like to get them done sooner rather than later. 

I have found my coffee shop.  Brown Sugar coffee is in the old Broker building downtown and I have yet to be disappointed in them.  I was hanging out there for lunch on Tues and one of the ladies said that she really likes the beet latte that they do.  I told her I hate beets, I think they taste like dirt.  She said she also hates beets, but this doesn't taste like beets.  I decided to give it a try.  It's powdered beets with cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and probably nutmeg.  Oh. My. Goodness.  It was SO good!  So I had to take a picture of it.  

I also got a growler from work.  We ended up having to fill this with half amber and half blonde, but it worked out and tastes good.  So now I'm a growler kind of person!  I get to try all kinds of stuff on tap!!

Chevy has FINALLY decided that I'm ok, and he can hang out downstairs when I'm home.  He won't really let me pet him, still, but I'm counting this as progress.

I have WY license plates on my car!!  Wasn't much of a pain in the arse, either.  Went to Lander, got my title, got my plates, and life is all hunky-dory.  

As I said, I got stuck, so I stress baked.  Here are the Andes Mint cookies.

And the chocolate chili pepper cookies.  I took some up to work, and Mom is going to take some to her work as well, since the boys were apparently VERY excited about these.  I also have a churro stout that these cookies are AMAZING with.  Really, working at a liquor store is going to be both amazing and really bad for me.  LOL - I see some extended fasts coming up.  

The soup/stew.  I couldn't find any rosemary bread, so we went with plain sourdough, but it was still good.  

The sourdough - warmed in the oven, of course.  

I also went to work today to get their margarita sloshie with an extra shot of a chili pepper liquor (not sure what kind, but it was good).  So Mom and I had dinner and then she went to the casino with her friend.  I'm thinking my evening will be finishing this beer, then taking a shower, then relaxing and reading a book until I'm ready for bed.  Then it's gonna be a long weekend of open to close shifts.  I think I'm ready.  I have my fasting days picked out, I'm ready to be more physical than I usually am, and I love the fact that I get 2 hour long lunch breaks.  I also scheduled my 2nd Covid shot for tomorrow, so that should be interesting.  Hopefully it doesn't do too much to me, and if I go get tired I can blame it on work.  It's the Pfizer one, not the Moderna, so I think it's supposed to be less intense.  

Anyway, that's my life so far this week.  I'm enjoying branching out to more western beers, but I do miss some of my Texas brews.  Ah well, such is life in the fast lane.  :)

Games the Mind Plays

 Moving back home after being gone for so long is an... interesting experience.  I find myself looking at every person I see to see if I know them.  Not that I'd really know if I knew them, after all... it's been 20 years!  I think my thing is that I want to see them before they see me.  It's strange.  I feel like I'm reverting to the "avoid everyone at all costs" way that helped me survive high school.  I know that I'm eventually going to run into people, it's inevitable, but I want to be the one to control how it goes down.  That whole control-freak thing again.  Sigh... I need to work on that.  

Another interesting mind game my brain is playing is this: I feel like I look the same as I did before I left.  Meaning I feel like the same fat girl that was here before.  I know for a fact that I haven't gained all the weight back, I know that I still look as good as I did before I left Korea, but I FEEL like I did before I left.  It's part of what is making everything seem so strange about being back.  I'm sure the feeling will eventually fade as I get more used to being back, but for now it's really weird.

Anyway, here's some pix from the week: 

CORGI!

And a hyper girl named Libby.

The view from my friend's house.

And my friend's first book.  I needed to borrow it because a friend from HS hasn't read it and that's a SHAME!  So I'm her book dealer once again.

Mom being attacked by a floof (Lucy) while another kitty (Trampus) relaxes.  Her kitties love her so much and it's so cute.

Because we take things like parking seriously in WY.

Mom and I after we got our hair done and before brunch.  Aren't we cuuuuute?!

Levi looking like he's about to lose his mind.

Mom said it was cocktail hour, so I made myself a Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka and Limeade.  I guess I should call it 'on the river' or something cuz that's what it makes me think of.

We were invaded by chihuahua puppies!  This is Chewie and Bella.  (AKA Chewbacca and Tinkerbell).

I was craving Papa, so I got their gourmet vegetarian and added chicken.  This is SOO GOOD!!

The cats lined up wanting out, but it was cold and windy so they were DENIED!  Chevy is in the back, the Lucy, then Trampus.

So this is my life in WY so far.  I'm learning how much we do at work (a lot) and I almost dropped a can of wine today, and I'm off the next 2 days until I work all weekend.  The shifts are long, but I do get 2 hour long food breaks, so that's nice.  I'm going to be running most of my errands tomorrow so that hopefully I can relax a bit on Wednesday.  I woke up an old back injury so I'm using a lot of IcyHot patches.  Hopefully that'll help.  Anyway, I hope you are all doing well, much love, and feel free to come see me sometime!  ;)