weekend recap

some thoughts and some randomness... packing has worn me out so this is the best you get til I get back :)

This was such an odd week. For starters, I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off, since I have daily work and calls for a nationwide process review, I was in charge of a department event, I was tasked with writing a pretty significant analysis, and oh yeah, I still had a team to run. But, honestly, I LOVE being busy. always have and, sadly, probably always will. I'm never quite sure what to do with free time. So that part of this week didn't bother me at all. The part that made it hell was that while also having all of those things to do, I had to run around OUTSIDE of work FOR work, I have two people on my team that consistently drive me up a wall, one of my fellow supervisors makes me want to plead with HR to repeal the workplace violence rules, I still have a boss, and there's always so much corporate BS going on that it's just not even funny anymore. so, this week was definitely a struggle to stay sane.

k getting deep for a sec. On top of that, I think I am too forgiving. well, let me rephrase that-- I think I am too non-confrontational. It's not that I easily forgive.... actually, the opposite. I tend to think very highly of everyone unless I have a reason not to. I trust people, BUT, once that trust is broken for any reason, it's almost impossible to get back. I guess that's also true of my perception of someone's character. Now, I have mastered all the difficult conversation stuff-- I think I have a pretty good idea of all the personalities I supervise, and I know when to let something go and when to address it. and if it needs to be addressed, I have NO problem at all doing that. but when it comes to relationships other than the people that report to me (work or otherwise) I tend to let a LOT go on the surface when things make me either mad or hurt. and I wonder if I should. I probably take more shit than I should. But at the same time, it all registers, I just don't always do something about it on the outside. But I may trust someone less or value a relationship less, and I'm not sure which is more damaging. just a thought. I haven't decided yet if this is a character flaw or just my personality. weigh in if you have a thought.

so anyway, let me just say that packing is 20 times harder when your clothes are not organized!!!!!!!!!! yes that's right, my closet is STILL broken, and my once neat piles of clothes are no longer quite so neat (hard to stay organized after 2 weeks of early morning clothes finding!) but, the apartment people assured me (by letter no less) that it will be fixed this week. Since I will be in Dallas, though, I'll be happy as long as it's fixed when I get back. Also, packing is also hard when you really have no idea what to expect. I'm planning for the 90 degree weather that weather.com is predicting for Dallas and just hoping it's like that all day and all night.

And, since I haven't been to Dallas since high school, I'm hoping it's as fun as I remember, even though back then we had more fun with friends in the hotel than actually out and about in the city. I'm also hoping this trip is some fun and not just all work, although from the last conference call, it seems like it will be a fun bunch. I can't wait to meet "Helga" from region 2. (who does that to their kid?!) But either way, it's a trip away on company money, and I LOVE to travel and take a break from the daily grind in general, so I'm sure it'll be great. I just feel like I'm forgetting everything, because the extra night's stay (no sense in driving back here tomorrow night when Busch Gardens and the airport with my 5:35am flight are only 15 minutes apart... and an hour from my apartment) is really throwing me off! we'll see... Microtel gets their second and only other chance tomorrow night...

anyway, I'm off 'til Friday-- everyone have a great week!!! and if you get bored, call me on my cell and keep me entertained in my hotel :) later all!

something to keep you entertained while I'm away

my new mindless entertainment addiction:
Rocket Mania on Yahoo! Games

I'm up to level 25 and some rank of some kind of Sage or something... I've been playing WAY too long. try it out! it's really fun! :)

weekend recap

not much to say today, because basically I did nothing at all this weekend except shop, clean, gym, and just relax. what a good time! but, here's a little bit of blogging just 'cause I'm in the mood, and then I have some fun pics. so, here goes...

first of all, forget the previous blog. I now understand fitting room limits. I felt SO bad for the worker at Kohl's worker that had to go into the dressing room and clean out PILES of clothes from ONE woman who had been in there over an hour. I still think limits of 3 and such are ridiculous, but this I guess is the opposite extreme.

In other shopping notes, the GAP Favorite T is now MY favorite T, and let me tell you how THRILLED I am that there's now an H&M in Lynnhaven Mall!!!! And thanks to Kate for getting me addicted in Chicago last summer :) yay for fun clothes that can fit in my bills-filled life. But, back to GAP. I am thinking it must be a regional thing, but I just LOVE being in GAP clothes. Because, really, like the rest of my junior high and high school, I grew up in them! so, maybe it's just something about feeling like home... I don't know. I guess people here grew up in Levi's and stuff. Must be regional.

And WHILE we're on the subject of regional things, I am VERY DISTURBED to find out that I use an expression that is a Philly thing and is NOT proper English! and after all the time I harped on the whole Pittsburgh "whenever" thing and the "needs washed"... I so have no room to talk. I used to speak total Philly. But anymore apparently I speak with both a Philly AND a Southern accent. I refuse to admit it, but Al calls it "Southern fried Philly," which I think is just cute enough to stick. :Þ

Okay one last regional thing-- you guys need to help me and tell me if this is just me. WHY don't Virginia Beach drivers understand right of way??? WHY does everyone not know what to do when I wait for the other side to go when I'm making a left without a green arrow? was I taught to drive some weird way?! Like seriously-- people here DO NOT understand who gets to go when! sooo weird.

Anyway, I just downloaded the funnest photo program ever, and I am having WAY too much fun, so I decided to post some of it. This thing can do like ANYTHING to a picture, but I love the ones that end up looking like art! SO, here are some of my favorite pictures, subjected to my editing fun. Enjoy! And, if you feel like having picture fun too, go to adobe.com and download it (Photoshop Elements) too-- free 30 day trial! hehehehe

k back to the daily grind. later all!

PS-- I might be in Dallas all next week for work (after the Busch Gardens trip Monday anyway...) how fun would that be?! wish me luck that it works out!!!!

my fave pic of the GCC girls-- probably because it kind of fuses my two college worlds. but doesn't it look fun like this? I hope this is big enough to see... click to get a bigger one if not

I think I posted the original of this from San Antonio... now this is me in cutout form! hehehe

one of my fave pics of me and Steph (god, picked out of like 700!) We totally look painted here, though! so fun :)

k last one. back to the GCC girls-- this one is from our homecoming luau when Steph and I moved to VA Beach. a little abstract but so fun! hehehe. yes I had WAAAAY too much fun with these! :Þ this one is also the one I have had on my profile above for awhile if you want to see part of the original...

the usual randomness

well, I had planned to comp a bunch of hours out today, relax, and go shopping. but, after a company-wide systems outage, we sent almost our entire staff home, so when systems came back up 6 hours earlier than planned, you can imagine that lunacy that ensued. so, I did eventually get to go shopping, but not NEARLY with the positive attitude I had previously. but I had to go! 'cause really, losing a bunch of weight is great and all, but it also means having to buy an entirely new wardrobe. sucks ass. so anyway, I have some major questions, and I need some answers! post if you have any of them :)

okay first of all, I need to share with you all that I HATE trying on clothes!!! fitting rooms have to have been invented by the devil. I have NEVER been in a store that I can remember having skinny mirrors. why in the world is this?! wouldn't they want you to look skinny so you'd buy the clothes? also, the lighting is always horrible and there are freaky signs about being monitored by same-sex personall, so who really KNOWS what's going on in there. I swear everytime I try on clothes I leave feeling like I need to go to the gym every day for the next 3 years and never eat chocolate again.

also, why in the world are there merchandise limits going into dressing rooms? I especially HATE the places that give you numbers! Is it for security? Is it just to be annoying? Is it to control inventory? keep the dressing rooms clean? All I know is-- when I go shopping, I go SHOPPING, and if I get a hard time for bringing a bunch of stuff in, I probably won't buy nearly as much as I would have to begin with. does it really matter if it's 4 or [god forbid] FIVE items?! someone call security! she's got 5 and the limit is 4!!! because really, I am not going to make 20 million trips and take off my clothes and put them back on over and over and over again!

...which brings me to my next discussion item: why in the world can't sizes be universal?! I swear I wear a different size in every different style in every different store I visit. and of course this only mens TWICE the trying on and sometimes even triple-- because first you have to find the right size and then you have to figure out whether you even like it on you to begin with!

really, though, I think if I had a Macy's here my whole outlook on clothes shopping would change. Or, if I did not have a ridiculous amount of bills to pay, that might make a difference too :) I soooo need to marry rich.

so anyway, that is my randomness for today. it's hard being a woman! hehehe. so, I leave you with one last completely random thought, as recently seen on Will & Grace: I'll have some of my Christian s'now and the rest of my Christian Slater! :Þ

oh and also, since I did girly clothes shopping today, I am also leaving you a pic of my new completely opposite alter-ego: biker chick! This is me on a ride a few weeks ago... just gimme some beer and the open road! maybe I can REALLY fit in and try to grow some facial hair... hehehehehe

actually, this was right after I got laughed at for having my helmet on backwards... :)

Fun!!!

Ok, since I am majorly stressed this week, I needed something to make me smile, and luckily I found some great stuff out there! So, I am sharing. So, here is my collection of fun and funny stuff, hopefully it will also make you smile...

the kitty cat dance
Thanks to James for linking this! There are two versions:
crappy one you can just click on
much better one that you have to actually download

more funny cat stuff:
my Dad sent me this awhile ago, and I am annoyed that this site stuck their site name on it, but it still cracks me up every single time I watch it! If you have a cat, you need to see this!!!
http://www.funny-city.com/videos/funny_cats.shtml

fun virtual stuff to send people
http://www.amazingfun.com/

the love calculator
come on-- don't you remember how stupidly fun these things used to be??? :)
http://www.romancelevel.com/
and along the same lines, check out the 9 types of girlfriends and boyfriends

recent random stuff:
--my mother calling my hair "striped"
--Chris's [Filipino] uncle walking up to our Shogun table and saying first thing, "whoooa what's with all the white chicks?"
--really really stupid people!!!! (so dumb you can't help but laugh!)
--the woman tonight at the gym doing cardio in khakis and a Tommy Hilfiger sweater!

advice for future dictators :
http://www.evilrulers.com/

Office Slang
might have posted this before, but SO worth posting again :) I am so 404 right now! hehehe
http://www.officeslang.com/
also visit Reasons To Serve Alcohol At Work

k last thing that makes me SMILE: sephora.com! SOOOO wonderful! :Þ go visit!!!

anyway, hope you all enjoyed and maybe even got a good laugh or two! :) off to relax...

what a week

well, it's official now. I'm old!!! but, this year was one of the best birthdays I've had in a long time! The week itself, though, was definitely one of the weirdest ever. here's a little about it...

so first of all, nothing in my life this week decided to work. I don't know how it's possible for so many things to break at one time!!! first my closet broke, then my A/C started leaking like crazy, then my closet broke AGAIN (right after I had put it all back up), then the outlet in my bathroom wouldn't work right, then my cable started freezing, and lastly, I spent an hour on the phone with Verizon today trying to get the Get It Now feature on my brand new cell phone fixed. CRAZY! but, the A/C is fixed now and so is the cable... I can't wait to go back to the apartment office AGAIN tomorrow about the rest. grrrr

well, this week at work was pretty much just as odd. there are some weird new alliances and some weird new outcasts, and I fought my best to stay out of it all and smile and just get to work on time. I also figured out while working mel's 6-2:30 shift that setting an alarm for 4:30PM doesn't really help with that.... and, to add to the weird work atmosphere, my boss is in Myrtle Beach for two weeks at a bike show. funny how that happens.

but, then came Thursday. and judging from the rest of the week, I didn't think it would be all that great, but luckily I was wrong! I came in at 6am to find GORGEOUS flowers in a 2 foot tall vase on my desk! then, as my team trickled in, I realized a food day was in the works, and they are always a fantastic thing. they also make me fat, but too much lumpia once in awhile won't kill anyone, right? :) then, halfway through the day, I got my parents' present: a birthday cake from Sugarplum Bakery that has to be the cutest little birthday cake I've ever seen! plus, with my tall (and fragrant) flowers and all the food, everyone was coming over all day to check out what was going on, so I got lots of fun birthday attention. my team told me that was the point :)

Thursday night was fun too-- Steph, Matt, Linda and I went out for a casual drinks night, which was definitely a great time. But the real celebrating was last night-- we got a big group together and went to dinner at Shogun and then ended up at Waterside, first at Jillian's and later at Have A Nice Day. and it was nice to be out with some fresh new and very fun faces. I was barely even hungover too! lol. so, a big thanks to everyone out there who had a part in this year's fantastic birthday, from all the local love and the long distance love to the times out and my lord ALL the alcohol. hahaha. I'm posting some pics below...

I have a feeling this week may be just as odd as last week. we shall see. there's a bunch of stuff going on at work, though, so it will definitely at least be a busy week...

in a random note while I'm thinking of it, I am in the process of making my new cell phone fun. so, if you have a request for a personal ringer, get it in now :)

okay one more random note, does anyone else watch Gilmore Girls? did Tuesday's episode make anyone else MAD?! I swear, if they screw up Rory's life, I am going to be so pissed I may not watch anymore! let's hope this week clears it all up... and in other TV notes-- THANK GOD Anthony Federov is gone! and yay to Kendra for doing a much better job than Tana on the Apprentice! and I didn't even know she was a VA Beach native til this week... I watch too much TV. :)

ok all, back to the Sunday relaxing routine. hope everyone has a great week!!!!

P.S.-- only three or so days til my Sephora.com order gets here!!! :Þ life is good.

the cake from my parents :)

this pic doesn't even do them justice... imagine this in a really thin 2 foot high clear vase and then multiply that pretty picture by about 100! :) I love my team!

out on Thursday

didn't know these drinks came in these odd souvenir glasses! but hey, now we have great inside jokes about how happy Buddha REALLY was (raise the roof!) everytime I took a drink...

more of the dinner crew: Linda, Lisa ("Mom"), Greg, and Georgianna

our Shogun cook (Chris's uncle!) what a fun dinner!

Milestones & Other Recent Life

Yup, it's true! In 3 days, I will be the big 25!!! How crazy is that?! I will have lived a quarter century! I am really starting to feel old. And, upon saying that at work today, I did get yelled at by the mother hen 37 year-old on my team, but hey, to me it's old! But maybe older just means wiser... we shall see.

Anyway, in general I am not a huge fan of birthdays. I think it's because I always envision this absolutely wonderful fantastic day, and then I hit the day and realize that really it's just another day like any other, and also that it passes just as quickly as any other day ever does. So, this year I am pretty much expecting nothing, and I figure any birthday fun will only be a plus. But, with that said, I did just get a very random phone call from my father asking odd questions: did I remember when I was young and someone sent him a singing gorilla-gram for his birthday? then, hypothetically, would I get in trouble if I got something like that at work? and lastly, hypothetically, what would be my work address if he needed it for something sometime? and so, I am thinking this may turn out to be an interesting birthday yet...

On another birthday note-- If you live in VA Beach and haven't gotten the official invite to my birthday dinner @ Shogun yet, let me know :) It's going to be QUITE the fun night :)

Ok in other news, some of you know my parents came this weekend. Well, it was definitely an experience, namely because my brother was also along. Now, I love my brother. I really do. And, I also love spending time with him. But, it is hard for me to understand how two COMPLETELY different people came from the same two parents!!!!! so, with that said, you can understand how sometimes we can be like oil and water. and, because of that, I may not end up going on the backpacking trip this summer that I have been SO excited about. so, I'm hoping that all works out, because I'm already upset about it. Keep your fingers crossed.

And lastly, I would like you all to know that I WILL be getting married in the Azalea Garden at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. I have just about everything picked except the husband :) But, I am working on that! lol. Seriously, anyone else out there feel the pressure? I'm 25 and I have been going to 3 or 4 weddings of good friends every year for awhile now! I think I am behind or something. But that is a whole different subject. BUT, while we're on it-- for those of you that know my old roommate Sonja-- she is pregnant! Can you believe it?! And Hope just had a baby!!! wow how things change.

Anyway, I'm off to fix my collapsed closet. Yes, my closet fell completely apart. My father thinks this is hilarious, although he bit his tongue this time regarding the extent of my clothing collection, but I know it'll eventually come out. but anyway, now I have to clean up and reorganize. booooo. plus, it's another early work week, so I need to get to bed. gnight all! hope everyone out here has a great week! :)

randomness

ok not much to say today, so just checking in... I am cleaning like crazy for my family coming this weekend. And I actually discovered I like vacuuming! Actually, the only thing I REALLY hate about cleaning is trying to figure out where to put stuff that just really doesn't have a place. That's the stuff that's usually making this place a mess.

Anyway, I had a day off today, and other than the DMV, it was fabulous! First of all, I got my hair done again. And I now LOVE getting my hair done! If you are in Virginia Beach too, you need to go see Louanne at Chez Madeleine! When Caranie and Ri gave me a gift certificate to her for Christmas, I was a little wary. After all I had heard the stories of this place and how everyone there had their noses in the air... But, I've decided I like the feel of it. Especially since it's still reasonably priced (Steph's experience aside, anyway). I mean, shouldn't every stylist have her own assistant that follows you around and gets you coffee? :) And, it really impressed me that after having just gone once months ago, my stylist had my color mixed and waiting for me when I got there and remembered everything Ri had told her about me. Plus, I have never been so happy with my hair as the last two times I've gone, which is the most important part, right? I am definitely a convert to having one person do your hair all the time. never understood that before.

Also, I would like to share that after HATING accounting, I ended up with an A! woohoo! that even with the total non-caring of my final-taking on Tuesday. Now to get my money back from the company :) That will be a nice little weekend shopping trip...

Okay onto American Idol, which needs to be discussed. So I guess I should care that Paula Abdul possibly had an affair with a contestant? Well, first of all, I don't completely believe him, especially with a book and a CD coming out, but also-- he got voted off, so it's not like she even did him a lot of good! so I really don't care at all! Really, I'm just thrilled that the worst two finally were really in the bottom of the voting, and that votefortheworst.com didn't get their wish of Scott as the winner. There's just something about this show that gets me SO hooked...

In one last note, I am very upset about this. Now, no offense to certain other PA cities, but as this article says, water ice is as Philadelphian as cheesesteaks and soft pretzels. So, fine and dandy as long as they don't mess with a good thing. it's odd the things you realize you have memories of that normally you wouldn't even think of...

And, since i'm totally in a Philly mood now with that and with the parents coming, here's another one of my favorite links. It even has a mention of water ice :) or... wooder eyes... same thing.

k back to cleaning! gnight all!

stupid Internet fun! :)

okay I don't know if any of you read People's 50 Most Beautiful People issue (I always do), but they did the funnest thing with peoples' names! And, since I'm ridiculously tired of accounting and The Bachelor doesn't come on for another hour (I know-- I am such a nerd), I TOO am going to have stupid internet fun. Try it for yourself! :)

Internet Anagram Server-- wordsmith.org/anagram
my name as an anagram:

A COLLIE TILTS
LACES I TILL TO
ITALICS LET LO
SOCIAL TELL IT
COITAL TELLS I (is that like kiss and tell?  :Þ)
COLA LITTLE IS
TACOS TILE ILL
SAIL CLOT TILE
ALTO CELLIST I

Googlism-- googlism.com
opinions of my name:

"Lisa Colletti is an ultralight basic flight instructor and rated
aerotow pilot."
(wow I am?  cool!)

GoogleTalk-- douweosinga.com/projects/googletalk
my name through Internet word association:

"Lisa Colletti MD, Burlington, VT on the Internet Explorer and
Outlook Express is a community of Taiz and Zeiger Chapter pp.
and UAProf profiles are being Watched by the Sea And the US
Senate Committee on the Internet Explorer and Netscape
Navigator."

Funkatizer-- elibs.com/e/funkatize
the sentence "Lisa's blog is very fun" funkatized  :)

Lisa's blog is ya know, like, super fun! (Valley Girl)
LEEsa's blug is fery fuon! Burk Burk Burk! (Swedish Chef)
Lisa's blog be real fun.  Right On! (Jive)
Wisa's bwog is vewy fun! (Elmer Fudd)
Lisa's blog is smurfily very fun! (Smurf)
Lisa's blog gunna be Heluva fun! (Mr. T)

okay that was waaaaay too much fun!!!!  hehehe.  but, parents
coming this weekend and accounting final tomorrow, so back to
the craziness.  hope you enjoy!  and, if you have a chance,
try it for your own name and post if it's fun, k?  hehehehe