It HURTS to be American

For a couple of weeks now, I've been participating in a diet challenge with my Florida friends. And although I no longer have TSE as a goal, the gym is the ONLY place I get to watch TV. For the past 2 weeks (or to practice speaking British, sorry, English), for the past fortnight, I've spent many, many, many hours in the gym watching Americans compete in the Olympics. I watched swimming, diving, gymnastics, and more beach volleyball than I thought I'd ever watch in my whole life. The key though, as I watched, I walked and jogged on the treadmill, did whatever you want to call it on the elliptical machine, lifted weights, stretched, and even rode two types of stationary bikes.

And while some of my friends are suffering from post-Olympic blues I have found TV salvation in the form of the Democratic National Convention. Again, since the ONLY place I get to watch TV is in the gym, I found myself working out for long stretches of time while Michelle Obama spoke on Monday, Hillary Clinton spoke on Tuesday, Former President Bill Clinton spoke on Wednesday, and finally while the Democratic Presidential Nominee himself, Barack Obama spoke this evening.

The most painful part of it all was how off I was on my timing of the speeches! I was finishing up a half-hour on the elliptical when Hillary took the stage, and I ended up on a stair climber as she expatiated on about no way, no how, no McCain. By the end my legs were BURNING!! Then again tonight, I was almost done with my half-hour on the elliptical when Obama took the stage. I ended up on that elliptical machine for 87 minutes! I burnt over 800 calories on that machine tonight alone. We'll see how able I am to walk up and down those steep hills of downtown Seattle tomorrow morning!

This week of speeches inspired me. I'm a Democrat through and through (and hate admitting when I do harbor some conservative tendencies), but I'm inspired to watch next week's Republican National Convention. I was moved by some of the things Obama pledged and riveted by some of the shots he took at McCain's offensive attacks. I'm curious to see how those are going to be answered. If nothing else, it's another week of TV to get me back to the gym, and perhaps the RNC can bring something worthwhile to my life, a few extra burnt calories? I highly doubt I'm going to be so interested that I'll stay on a stair climber for 50 floors, but we'll see.

But sadly, when it's all over, it'll be a very long 3 weeks before the Fall season starts up and returns gym motivation to me in the form of The Office, 30 Rock and Dirty Sexy Money. That is when my blues will set in, but really, I'm so TV deprived right now, I'm open to the idea of watching just about anything.

Catching Up

Now that I seem to be overwhelmed with time (since the Border Agency is working at a snail's pace) I should post about what's been happening in my little corner of the world...

It's been 14 weeks since I've applied for my HSMP visa. The UK Border Agency website says it takes 5 to 14 weeks...but also says they're just now processing applications received 19 weeks ago. Looks like I have ANOTHER five weeks to go, just for a decision. (And according to my online obsession, trackitt.com - a forum website for other like immigrants to share their stories, problems, suggestions, etc- a lot of Americans are getting denied.) I've submitted additional paperwork twice now, and just hoping that everything goes as well as Ben believes it will! ;)

Secondly, since I seem to have quite a bit of time left before my visa comes through, I decided to get a job. While being unemployed had it's benefits, I was mostly just bored and frustrated with waiting on a visa decision. Getting a job wasn't a problem, once I put my heart into it I had two interviews on the same day, and a resulting tough decision on which one I wanted more, but gave me great negotiating leverage! Happy to say that I'm a Senior Instructional Designer for Safeco (a NW-based insurance company, Mariner's fans know who I'm talking about). I've only just started, but so far seems to be going better than that last tribulation! Oddly enough, I'm working with an ex-WY co-worker, who's been working there for a few weeks; it's been nice having someone to show me the ropes so to speak. I'm located in one of those big-city high-rises in downtown Seattle (sadly I'm only on the 2nd floor), and I've been utilizing Issaquah's brand new transit center, and riding the bus in and out of the city every day. This week has been rough, who carries cash and coins anymore? Enough exact change for every morning and afternoon ride?? I had to get creative this evening and wait until after 6 to go home (when bus fares are non-peak, and are 75¢ cheaper. I have a wallet of $5 bills, but I didn't have singles for the $2.25 bus fare!) I'm getting a September PugetPass so hopefully it won't be a problem anymore.

And of course, if you've talked to me at all in the last few months you'll know all about the Cabin project my sister and I are knees deep in. We inherited my grandmother's cabin in 2004, but only recently decided that it was time to put it on the market. Only we didn't realize just how much work it needed to get it ready to sell. Practically every weekend (and weekdays when I didn't have a job) has been spent at the cabin; repairing, priming, painting, cleaning, painting, taping, sanding, painting, replacing everything. Interior painting is done and new flooring has been ordered, so I'm hoping we're nearing the end of a very long summer project.

So that's about it! Add in missing my boyfriend, that's pretty much all I've been up to lately!