Good meeting

So we have these meetings at work once a month that we call the "Brown Bag Lunch." They happen during lunch (obviously) upstairs in our big breakroom. During said meeting two of the executive types from the company talk to the group about what their department does, is doing etc. and then they open it up to questions.

Today at this meeting I received a crisp new Tewnty Dollar bill--just for sitting in the front row! How cool is that?!

And afterwards they always serve little desserts. Is this not the most gi-normous chocolate-covered strawberry you've ever seen?

Ok, so maybe it doesn't look that big in this photo, but it was like, the size of a plum! That's big for a strawberry!

Veggi-saurus Bex

ok friends. I need your help. Seriously. I want you to comment on this one. Last night my mom and I made a pact. And you all know how sacred mother-daughter pacts are so I need y'all to help me keep this one. Mom and I agreed to do a Raw Foods Cleanse for 10 days. 10 days! did you hear that? 10 whole days.

Today is day uno. it's not even over yet and I feel like I'm gonna die without my beloved carbs and such. We agreed that we get to have nuts and lean protein (i.e. sliced turkey or chicken), but I'm already running out of ideas about what I can eat. I've basically been eating straight fruit (a pear, a nectaring, cherries, strawberries) and a large helping of baby carrots today (ok, I cheated and had a slimfast type shake for breakfast, but I didn't think I could stomach straight fuit first thing in the am). I also had some sliced turkey and a handful of almonds. Two problems already arising, though: 1. I cannot get full and 2. I think I'm already developing a canker sore or two.

So here's what I'd like from all of you--any and all ideas you have about different fresh fruits and veggies and/or combinations thereof that I can eat raw...and where is the best place to buy them (i.e. inexpensive, but good quality)...enough ideas for 10 days worth of meals.

and...go!

The Frustration that is Boys

Here's an actuall converstion I had over IM with a friend of the male persuasion the other day (his name has been omitted, not really sure why, but I thought it would be mean to reveal his identity):

Him:
hi
what you doing tonight?

1:31pm Rebecca:
um...nada so far. Unless laundry counts.

1:32pm Him:
yay!
i hear there is a multi stake thing up the canyon

1:32pm Rebecca:
oh, really?

1:33pm Him:
thats the rumor

1:34pm Rebecca:
are you going?

1:35pm Him:
yes and institute

1:36pm Rebecca:
ok...

1:43pm Him:
nothing much

1:45pm Rebecca:
yeah. So, were you telling me about the activity as an invite? or just because?

1:46pm Him:
you should come too!

1:48pm Rebecca:
well, thanks for the invite.

1:48pm Him:
:)

1:51pm Rebecca:
what is this activity exactly? Where up the canyon? What time?

1:52pm Him:
i believe its at the dell no idea what time

end of conversation (imagine me throwing my hands up in frustration). Am I wrong to be annoyed by that? Why can't guys ever just give a direct invitation? Can anyone tell me why? Seriously, people!

Desiderata

I used to love this poem and read it often--especially when I was in college. I think it's time I made more effort to live this way. Maybe some of the wisdom contained in this poem will help some of you who visit my blog.

Desiderata

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Catching up

So, I realize I have some, no let's face it, lots of catching up to do on blogging about my summer activities. Please forgive if these are a little out of order...

First week of June: Went on vacation with friends to Catalina.

Father's Day:

Found out my little sister and her hubby are expecting a baby!--but not until February. This will be the first grandchild for both families--can you say "spoiled rotten"? Naw, my sister won't let that happen.

Fourth of July weekend:

Drove to South Dakota with another group of friends to spend the 4th at Mount Rushmore.

July 10th:

XanGo Summer party at Seven Peaks Water Park at which my "band" and I competed in the final round of the XanGo Rock Band competition and won first place. I cannot tell a lie. We rocked it!

July 18th:

Went to the Jack's Mannequin and The Fray concert at USANA ampitheatre. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. The bands were awesome and the company was not too shabby either.

In between all that has been lots of hot tubbing, playing board games and going to movies.

Let's Match!

Strange thing...I was looking through/cleaning out some drawers full of old papers last night and I came across some wedding announcements from friends who've gotten hitched in the last couple of years. I don't know if this strikes you as odd, but it did me--about 75% of the couples in those announcement photos had something in common--they look like each other! Seriously. Not even Kidding. I wish I had a scanner so I could scan the photos and post them here. The betrotheds look alike--like they could be related, and not by marriage. It's kind of creepy.

I do remember reading an article once that talked about how people are attracted to people who resemble themselves or family members because we like familiar faces. It kind of makes sense, but again, also kind of creepy.

What do you think? Are you generally attracted to people who resemble your family? Or do you think that's kind of creepy too?

I have something I need to complain about...

So, my company is having an event in Brussels next weekend. I have been attending the planning meetings for this event every week for the past 2 months...but I am the only one from those meetings who has not been asked to go to the actual event in Europe. Talk about dangling the carrot!

In addition--it came out in yesterday's meeting that not only are they short staffed, but a lot of the staff who are going do not speak any of the needed European languages--hello, people, Je parle Francais! (and the Events director knows it!) so, why am I never asked to go? I guess I'm just not "cool" enough or something. So sad.