A two-hour late night car ride means, Starbucks. When someone pays, you take them up on the offer. I tried something new, some cinnamon type latte. It was actually pretty good though I hate that they put so much ice in it. It’s been a long while that I had the top down. The weather was perfect and I’m hoping tomorrow night’s weather will be just as great.

We found out today that PoPo got a cellphone and it’s the cutest shit ever. She is almost 90 and the only technology she knows is the telly and a home phone. She’s never been into technology but she now has one so that she can see pictures we send, especially Emmy since Kathy always forgets when she gets home. We use WhatsApp so we can communicate with voice since she lives on the other side of the world. I miss her voice and it’s nice to have her call me by my childhood nickname again. Hopefully, I’ll get to visit her next year. So many trips to plan, not enough money or time. Maybe I can stop by Japan now since I don’t have to wait anymore.

One of our vendors visited us today to show us all their products and tools. Luckily, being on my old team and going to a smaller company for eight months, I’ve been lucky to have used them all. I was a bit bummed I didn’t get to learn anything but we were given a free lunch. This is by far one of the best meals my company provides and by that I’m just talking about the salmon.

After work I went over to Mallory’s. With our busy schedules it has been tough but I’m glad we finally had time to see one another. She was nice enough to make one of my favourite meals. Yep, salmon again but this time, stuffed with crab! And with no grains! She knows me so well!

John tends to make comments as jokes so when he made another one today I whispered to Mallory that I’m going to fake cry to make him feel bad and she goes and calls him out for it. He felt so bad he came over to me and patted my back to tell me he’s joking to realize we were joking and proceeded to shoot me with his Nerf gun … which JJ picked up on doing.

These past few months, I’ve seen a different side of him. It took me by surprise when I found out he’ll always ask Mallory how I’m doing with the break up and how I’m doing with the stress of work if he knew we’ve spoken. I knew he always cared but this was a whole new level.

Friday night, June and I decided to watch telly together. It’s been a while since I’ve watched anything on the telly or listened to any music since it triggers me about Scruffy. But I took the chance and watched Bachelorette on Netflix. There were parts that broke me in the movie but if I was able to laugh at certain parts then I would be okay. We started watching OCTB as well, a Hong Kong drama on Netflix. Those few hours helped me through and after a phone call with Patricia, I was able to fall asleep.

Saturday morning Sissy came over and we, along with June, went and got pedicures. Then we went home and picked up Grandma for Sushi 9.

Priscilla was nice enough to entertain me in the afternoon since she knew I needed distractions. When I got to her place we went and picked up her phone that was getting fixed then to HEB to buy groceries to make dinner. Stuffed salmon and asparagus is still one of my favourite meals. Instead of crab we got lobster. Equally perfect.

I’m not a big lover of tres leches but I will say HEB makes a pretty good one for cheap.

We ended up watching random things then finally, Red Sparrow. It was a good movie and kept my mind of off things. Then we just had girl talk.

It hasn’t been a year of knowing her but we click and I’m thankful that even though I was depressed at my old job, she was the best thing that came out of it.

All Sunday I’ve been relaxing the best I can , watching OCTB with June when we can, and am thankful for those that have picked up the phone to talk nonsense to me so that I can think about nothing for a bit.

I’m currently at Sissy’s. Tomorrow I fly out to see Apurva and then a couple of days after, Liliana. I am excited to see them both as it’s been a long time. Road trip here we come!

On my drive to Sissy’s I realized some things. For eight months I made this gruesome drive to and from downtown for work. I guess I never really knew how tired and overworked I was spending over three hours in traffic daily sometimes. I mean, you’d think the horrible car accident would have been a red flag but I’m thankful I’m alive.

One of the things I realized these last few months was how depressed I was at that job. The drive, feeling like my career was a dead end and I wasn’t amounting to anything, and driving to Scruffy’s almost every weekend and even some weekdays. I would always want to take a nap whenever I got to his house so that I could give him 100% when I was refreshed. I remember him getting angry at me for taking naps when I was there to see him and I’ve realized that he never took the time to realize or even ask how I was doing.

I guess that’s where it took a toll on me. I tried so hard to give everyone 100% that I forgot about myself. No one was giving me 100%. I didn’t have alone time. I didn’t have time to recharge. I felt like my world was crumbling and I couldn’t do it anymore. I just needed a break from reality because no one understood me. And I knew only I can help myself.

This job is also pretty gruesome with the hours I put in but I feel like I matter and that I am actually putting in hours where value is added. My ideas are being heard and things are actually going better than I expected. I’ve always been a workaholic and being able to actually prove myself in that front helps.

Today was my Boss’ birthday. Wacko, Erin, Chris, Phil and I decided to take her out to celebrate since we’ve been so busy we haven’t really had time to relax. She suggested Sylvia’s near work and my goodness … they made one of the best carne asada I’ve ever had! So freaking tender! We got the waiters to surprise her and sing happy birthday so that was a fun memory we had especially since she was really freaked out about it.

Here’s to more happy memories.

Stay Positive & Think Good Thoughts!

I’ve been listening to an audiobook that someone suggested which I’m hoping to finish by the end of the trip. Fingers crossed so that I can add finishing my second book this year. I’m behind due to such a busy first few months with work being so demanding and new. It’s still tough but I’m finding time when I can.

This popped up on my Facebook memories today. It’s funny how everything came back full circle over the same guy.

Less than two days and I’ll be reunited with Apurva and Liliana. Can’t wait to see these two. It’s been so long!