Productivity

I worry that I seem to be much more productive on my weekends than in the rest of the week combined. At least, it feels that way with all of the running around and errands I manage to accomplish in one day off as opposed to all of that sitting in front of a computer screen, dealing with emails and phone calls the rest of the week.

I got up later than usual this morning because my cell didn't ring to call me into work, and because I had a very rough night after some too exciting dinner choices while I was out with my friends last night. When I did get up, I felt better and made a plan. I picked up groceries, pharmacy items, transit fare, and came home and did a load of laundry. After lunch, I went to a local dollar store where I picked up red and gold balloons and streamers, and then I headed to Chinatown to get some Lunar New Year decorations for our parish-wide event in two weeks. I wandered down the main drag there for a while trying to spot what I was looking for, and eventually I found myself in front of a Chinese shopping centre. Once inside I realized there wasn't a single sign in English, and I was the subject of quite a few stares from the all-Asian population inside. They probably don't get to see too many bewildered Caucasian Amazon-sized women in there. Somehow I did find a store that had what I wanted and the salesclerk was a little too forward, helping me find what I wanted but encouraging me all the while to go over my budget quite a bit. At least the decorations are reusable should we decide to repeat this event the following year.

Afterwards, I headed home, made a carrot cake for my parents' group and cleaned my apartment. Tomorrow should be quieter; the only thing I have scheduled is to preview a movie for my kids and to go to a pre-ontological change party in the evening (bonus points to anyone who figures that one out).

I have also been doing a bit of thinking about my second New Year's resolution, to find a hobby. While I'd be really interested to learn to play guitar, I don't think it would stretch me as much as something completely foreign to me. Since my parents acquired a Wii for Christmas, I have been eager to explore tennis since my guess is it might be something I, the uncoordinated one, can probably do to some extent and it isn't too dangerous unless I get hit in the head with a lot of balls. Thanks to a colleague, I discovered some continuing education programs which have, among other interesting courses, tennis for beginners. (One course that caught my eye for all the wrong reasons was titled: "Crack, Smack and Pot". Uhmmm... I think that's a hobby I could do without!) While I don't think it would be wise to commit now given my erratic work schedule thanks to sacraments, meetings and an upcoming abdominal surgery, I am thinking this would be an ideal thing to do in the spring or even the fall. Another course that caught my attention was cooking for chefs in a hurry, in which they teach you how to cook easy gourmet dinners in under 30 minutes. So, I'm still looking but I think I'm onto a few things now, which is not bad for January 9.