the Wit

Today I took one of those personality test that judges my sense of humor. I think it came out about right (of course, it's highly complementary, so of course I would wholeheartedly agree)

the Wit

your humor style:
CLEAN | COMPLEX | DARK

You like things edgy, subtle, and smart. I guess that means you're probably an intellectual, but don't take that to mean pretentious. You realize 'dumb' can be witty--after all isn't that the Simpsons' philosophy?--but rudeness for its own sake, 'gross-out' humor and most other things found in a fraternity leave you totally flat.

I guess you just have a more cerebral approach than most. You have the perfect mindset for a joke writer or staff writer.

Your sense of humor takes the most thought to appreciate, but it's also the best, in my opinion.

You probably loved the Office. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check it out here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/theoffice/.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Jon Stewart - Woody Allen - Ricky Gervais


I love those personality test. They are so fun. I mean what the best subject to everyone, themselves of course! Unless I'm just extremely egotistical, however I don't think that is the case. Either way, I learning about myself, haha. Although I should already know these things, but when they are reflected in such a good light, why not get the little boost :)

National Geographic's Picture of the Day:

Oh just gorgeous! I love it. I can't wait to get a new camera that takes beautiful photos like this one.

I applied to South Moon Under, and I believe that I got the job, but I told the manager that I could work when I can't work, so I'm thinking that may affect if they still want to give me the job. I have to call her tomorrow!

I'm also applying to a book store, which I think I would much rather work at, however South Moon Under is about 90% closer than the Book Store, oh the choices!

Thankful for today:
Starbucks
The library
Beautiful sunny day
the track
Podcasts
New Moon opens in a few days!

Thank you!

Bummer...

So I'm starting to feel like a bum...okay I know, I know, I should rightly feel like a bum as this is my third week of not working. But since I made the conscious choice to stop working, I decide when I get to feel like a bum, and just because having no job might throw me in the instant bum category, I disagree and hence, now is when I decide I'm only starting to feel like one. I also tend to like convoluted sentences. So anyway, today was Monday, which I've decided will start this week of actually applying to jobs and working towards getting back an income, however small that may be.

Anyway, I started tutoring tonight. ESL to adults. It was interesting, I was nervous going in, but I'm very confident now and excited to continue each week. The hour goes by awfully fast, so its really no sacarfice on my part. I hope I can really help this woman learn English.

On to the point, things I'm thankful for today (and the past few days):
The Patriots
The Patriots win yesterday
Meeting Patriots fans at the bar
Spending very little money out this weekend
Goody's pizza
Cleaning lady came today, clean bathroom and kitchen
Roommate made brownies (I'm both thankful and resentful of this because now I just want to eat brownies all day)
The gym
Twilight - I'm rereading and loving every minute of it
New Moon comes out in 10 days
Delicious dinner and wine last night with a good friend
Good leftovers from dinner last night today. Thai, mmmmmmm

That's all for now! Here is a picture from National Geographic.comPerhaps I could draw the comparison that while I'm a bum, perhaps a beautiful flower bum laying on the pavement? No? Ok.

Oh yes, whats to come, things that I love to do. Help me to find my passion and hopefully capitalize on that passion :)

Week 2

So I'm on my second week of unemployment. So far I've gotten a pretty positive response from people. One of the things that I was most concerned with (its pretty lame actually) was what I'm going to tell people. The reason being, and I think this is with most anywhere you go in the US, one of the first things you ask a person when meeting them, after getting their name is, what do you do? Which I think is such a dumb question to begin with (going back to what I've said in previous blogs) because why do we define ourselves by 1)Our name 2) Where we are from 3) What we do for a job. I understand that these are the easiest questions to ask of a person, but I don't think that by any means, my name, where I'm from, or what I've done for jobs is in any way a reflection of who I am. Hi, I'm Aly, from Maine, that used to Professional Development. All those things together, you have NOT A CLUE who I am. I'm nothing like that person that I just described. So since I cannot change society and how we introduce ourselves, I am nervous to meet people now that I quit my job. WHY! I'm actually a bit ashamed that I have to say, oh hey, i don't work. But what I'm really mad about it that I'm ashamed that I'm ashamed of that. I should be happy and proud that I made the decision to leave a job that I hate. So why am I ashamed of that?

Anyway, enough with my rant about that. It's just that this not having a job thing is starting to stress me out in a way. Not in a way that I want to be stressed out. I told myself I wouldn't get like this, that I wouldn't let society pressure me into being stressed out. Perhaps it's the loneliness that is getting to me. That's one of the things that I didn't anticipate to effect me so quickly, but alas it's only been a week, but it feels longer than that. I am still waiting for the weekends to come even though I'm not even working. A good friend of mine is leaving her job for a new one and she's going to take some time off, and I'm super excited about that so she can hang out with me for the short time that she doesn't have a job too!

So some random thoughts that I've had the last couple of weeks:

Why do we lean when we go around corners in the car? Shifting my weight in the car will have absolutely no affect on how the car will turn. it's not a bicycle.

When I walk into an exercise class and the instructor seems to be in worse shape/not the body I'm striving for, I'm immediately dejected.

Don't look in the cupboard again, it's all gonna be the same shit you saw when you looked 2 minutes ago. Just go to Chipotle.

Sometimes I'll make myself dinner and it kinda takes a while, so I snack and taste things while I'm cooking, when it's finally finished I'm not even hungry anymore.

I always think that my facebook albums are the funniest and most intersteing pictures, until I look at other peoples and realize they are all the same, just insert a different drunk person.

I was so hungover the other day that I watched the Spanish Channel for five minutes without realizing it.

Why do the only guys that ask me out are only guys that I would never date?

Goodwill is only crowded the week before Halloween.

When I see a beautiful person, I immediately like to assume that I'm smarter then them.

So things that I'm thankful for today;
Good friend to tell me everything will be okay.
Delicious meal at Busboys and Poets
Fun events to look forward to
Got my purse back with everything in it
Lovely people who return purses!
Found good music online today
Cleaner room
Good weather
Good run
Funny TV
Great blogs!

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!

Picture of the Day from National Geographic:

What I'll Miss Most

The people? Maybe...A Paycheck? It's Possible. No, the thing I'll miss the most is the emails chains.

So my last day was quite stressful. Not because I was trying to get any work done, but more because when I was going through my emails I realized how many hilarious (in my opinion) email chains that I had at work, and how I wanted to relish them. So I began forwarding all my old emails to my personal account. I had some good times in the office, which now will be forever saved here:

When we decorated my friends cube for her birthday with pictures of her BF, he's quite the ham for the camera:


I was laughing my ass off when we did that.....

Here's another classic forward. Artwork from a kindergartner:Here is one of the funnier email chains...You have to start at the bottom. It was after I sent out an invite to the firm about a lunch seminar we had.

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:50 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

I dont know, who wouldn't want to hear me talk about the most interesting topic in the world (myself)? But don't worry, like every other egomaniac, I'll put it on youtube so everyone can hear it. Rich and I decided there will be a trivia challenge at the end. Once you pay the entry fee, winning prize is a five minute Q and A session with one of us, followed by lunch on you.

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:43 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

Each of you will have to have your own conference room to fit your enormous heads. Of course, you all will be the only ones attending these seminars. Funtime jackets - check.

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:40 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

Only if you can get the first speaker off the podium

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:39 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

With a special guest speaker on the last day, me?

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:38 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

I predict a slideshow presented shirtless, showing pictures of yourself with no shirt

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:35 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

haha, then it will prob be longer than one hour

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:34 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

Guest speaker Rich

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:33 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

Please attend our side topic :

BB09: Confessions of Egomaniac: "Sorry I'm not sorry. I'm the F***ing Man."

Monday, June 29, 2009

12:00 p.m. - 01:00 p.m.

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:19 PM
To: XXX
Cc: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

No. No, I don't.

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:18 PM
To: XXX
Cc: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

You realize this is just building it right back up, right?

---

From: XXXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:16 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: FW: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

haha - this just needs to be shared :)

---

From: XXXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:15 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

i think you do too

"Highlight the Negative: Breaking Down Your Unwarranted Huge Ego"

---

From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:13 PM
To: XXX
Subject: RE: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

i think i need the opposite of this class

---

From:
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:10 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem on 06/29/2009

BB09: Accent the Positive: Building Self-Esteem

Monday, June 29, 2009

12:00 p.m. - 01:00 p.m.

Location: Washington D.C.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

or not rather. Today is my last day at my job. Everyone that knows I'm leaving seems to think it's quite odd that I'm leaving without another job, but I'm so excited. I get the questions a lot "Are you nervous" and to tell you the truth, I'm only nervous when you ask that question! But I won't let society dictate my feelings. I will feel how I want to feel, and that is relief. I'm making a change, I have the guts to go after what I want, even if I don't exactly know what that is right now. I'm making a change that is how it starts. What is the worse that can happen? Oh no, I ask myself, What is the best that can happen? Because today is the Best Day Ever!

Things I'm thankful for today:
Metro was waiting for me when I got to the station...got me to work with limited delays and stops
Pot luck lunch at work today! Delicious food
Happy Hour after work
I get to "work" through November 2nd, giving me benefits through the end of the month, yay!
I like my outfit today - also very comfortable
Good make-up day too
I had a lovely video chat last night, up late, but it's such a great day that I'm not even too tired!
Nothing that a yummy soy latte didn't fix :)
so much more to be thankful for as well, so I'm thankful that I have so much to be thankful for!!!!

I need pictures in my blog...so here you go.
It's from National Geographic Photo of the day. I like it. Kinda represents how free I feel today.














http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day

The Day After

So yesterday was my birthday and it was a great day. I had my first skee ball game, oh yes, competitive skeeball. So much fun, I was the top scorer at one point in the night...some one eventually beat my score, but I ended up being the top scorer of my team. This proves that I am, in fact, a high roller. It was great, my friends gave me some delicious baked goods, and sun flowers.
Today was also a very good day. I opened my present from my mom, she gave me a check (yay!) and a wicked cute purse! Thank you mom!!! Also, I had a softball game tonight and I hit my very first triple ever. It was so exhilarating! Everyone was super pumped, I think I also brought in a couple runs with it. I absolutely loved it. I think it was because I was wearing my dad's companys shirt. He was definitely helping me out there. So those are all the things that I'm basically thankful for...I will just list some of my musings from the last couple days...

Why does only one ear bud fall out? The other sits in there perfectly fine and content, the other seems to be a loose cannon.

Why do people make the "tschsh tschshhtshh tshhhhhhhh" sound when they are thinking and trying to find something on the computer....you know what I mean, you may have just done it.

When I put out my recycled bag at the grocery store check out, and they go to use a plastic bag, but then they realize I have a cloth bag and they end up throwing out the plastic one they started to use....so not saving the earth.

Why is everyone always in a rush on the metro...even myself..I cannot help but get caught up in it though I have nowhere to go.

Food comes in waves at work. We will go weeks without any free food, but when little leftover plate of cookies comes...bam! There's cake everywhere you look.

I would love to get on the sexting bandwagon...but how the hell are you supposed to take a picture of your own ass?? C'mon Chris Hanson, bring it on.

That's it.

Anyway, thank you thank you thank you! Thank you for even giving me the opportunity to write a blog that not a soul reads! Thank you!!

long weekend

I love them! I am thankful that I'm leaving my job finally! I'm trying to motivate myself to work on my resume, so the recruiting manager can take a look and help me find my dream job!
My friend from boston was just up visiting me. We had a jammed packed weekend of walking around georgetown, wine tasting, and lots of drinking. I need to detox.

So what else am I thankful for today:

Hulu.com
Friends coming to visit
Wine tastings and free wine!
GT cupcakes
cucumbers
hummus
avocados
lazy sundays
sunny days
salads

Thank you!

I'm also thankful for my new job that I love and now my life is fulfilling and fun!

Absence Makes the Heart....

Grow stronger? Will I miss it here? Well, I will certainly miss overhearing conversations like this:

Colleague #1: My e-mail isn't working, the network must be down.
Colleague #2: Mine is working fine. Oh, look IT just sent out an email about the network being down, but it's only effecting people with the last name M-Z. Did you get that e-mail?
Colleague #1: No, I didn't, but that explains it, my last name begins with M.
Colleague #2: Oh here, I will forward it to you.
Colleague #1: Um, no, don't.....

Oh yes, I will surely miss those moments that break up my day so I can privately chuckle to myself. Only to later approach Colleague #1 and laugh about Colleague #2. hehe

Anyway, back to basics. Things I'm thankful for today:
My supportive friends and co-workers who are helping me out with networking and my resume
Podcasts - specifically "Stuff You Should Know"
The smell of Fall in the air
Delicious brown sugar to make my oatmeal tasty
My friend from Boston coming to visit
Washer/Dryer in my townhouse
Farmers Market that I stopped at yesterday
The cute puppy calendar I have on my desk, and I got to flip to two new cute ones today (one is even yawning! awe!)
Sushi for lunch

Quarter-Life Crisis - Of Course!

From the Lifeworks website -

What is a "quarterlife crisis"? Here's how authors Robbins and Wilner describe the quarterlife crisis: "The transition from childhood to adulthood -- from school to the world beyond -- comes as a jolt for which many of today's twentysomethings simply are not prepared. The resulting overwhelming senses of hopelessness and cluelessness, of indecision and apprehension, make up the real and common experience we call the quarterlife crisis." People who are going through a quarterlife crisis frequently experience some of the following:

• intense self-doubt
• uncertainty about the future
• instability
• lack of hope
• feeling directionless
• feeling like something is missing
• chronic procrastination
• disillusionment about a job or what "real life" is like
• fear of making changes or decisions
• overwhelmed by choices and possibilities
• stagnation

Oh boy, best day ever, where are you?

Goes on to tell me what I can do...great! Here's how I'm dealing -

• Avoid defining yourself by your job. It's common for people who are just starting out in the world of work to identify themselves through their jobs. You may do this because you have a very demanding job, or you may do it because it seems like your job is the easiest way of defining who you are. After all, "What do you do?" is usually one of the first questions people ask when they meet someone new. But it's important to develop a life beyond work. Try to find a few non-work activities that help you feel fulfilled, such as sports, a club or group, or volunteer work. This will help you create a more well-rounded identity.
• Trust yourself. Many people going through a quarterlife crisis are paralyzed by fear. They are afraid of making the wrong decision or doubt their capabilities. Try not to get caught up in this kind of negative thinking. Remind yourself of your strengths, and trust that you will make the decisions that are right for you.
• Take risks. Taking a calculated risk can be a good way of learning more about your limits and your potential. So try not to back down from reasonable risks, such as accepting a job in a new city or deciding to quit and pursue your passion.

Probably best to use all the ways to get over it, but I'm mostly just going with taking risks (I'll trust myself to take such risks, calculated may be up for debate, but it's all ambiguous anyway, right?) and quit my job and join the Peace Corps (if I can get in!) Self-worth, here I come!

Peace Corps

On August 15th, I submit my application for Peace Corps.

I went in for an interview on September 10th (2.5 hours!)

Looking for opportunites for volunteer teaching or tutoring ESL, September 18th.

Submit my 3 weeks notice on September 28th...so excited but so nervous. I'm going to make every day the best day ever, I can't be miserable at my job everyday.

Yay for Peace Corps next year and for a new job until I go!

Change of Blog

I'm changing up this blog. I'm going to write more frequently and mix my posts up.

Yeah, not happening.