Rice Cooker - the end of a unitasker

Ryan made a delicious meal, some sort of beer gravy garlic chicken over rice.  The only problem was that we went to eat, the rice cooker never actually turned on.  

So in a hasty moment, we used a regular pan, lid and stove.  And guess what - the rice was fantastic, sticky rice.  So good-bye unitasker rice cooker.  Hello pan.  Alton Brown would be proud.

Stairs

Everyone knows that taking the stairs is a great way to get and stay in shape.  But that doesn't mean that everyone does it.  I know this because while I will take the stairs up one or two flights gladly, I rarely take the stairs for more than that.  

Well at my new job, everyone takes the stairs up to our office on the 9th floor - by choice.  And the even crazier thing is they all *run* the stairs.  

So in an effort not to look like a fool, and because I give into peer pressure, I now take the stairs as often as I can.  My hope is that I can acclimate myself so that when my boss and I happen to be in the lobby at the same time I won't die on the way up the stairs together. 

Training

I have been a little remiss on my 1/2  marathon training (walking). Until this week, I was rather sporadic at best.  Now however, I realize I only have 6 weeks to get my sorry self into shape enough to not die of walking a 1/2 mary.  

So my plan is to walk 1 hour - 3-4 times a week (I have already done 3 times this week) and then to do one *long* walk each weekend until the marathon.

May 17 - 2 hours

May 23 - 3 hours

May 30 - 4 hours

June 6 - 3 hours

June 13 - 4 hours

June 20 - 2 hours

June 27 - 1/2 Marathon!!

I don't think it will actually take me 4 hours - but I figure it is better to know that I could walk that long if necessary.  I actually think I am going to do it in about 3 hours - that is my goal. 

New Job!

"Be careful what you wish for."  I really wanted job happiness this year and I know change never comes easy, but good heavens, this was a slightly crazy job change.  

A couple of weeks ago, I worked at BearingPoint for the Navy.  Now, I work at Deloitte for the Air Force.  

The crazy thing is, even though there has been a lot of change and craziness, I *love* my new job.  I am learning so much, so quickly.  It is challenging.  I am learning a new office, a new military culture, new platforms, new responsibilities, a new country and region.  Of course, it becomes even more crazy and more challenging when your region is a political hotbed. 

Luckily, I am already surrounded by really great people and that makes any new adventure just plain fun.