Well, I've lost up to 22 lbs on the South Beach Diet. At one point I was doing REALLY good and losing on a regular basis. And then - THE TRAVEL STARTED UP AGAIN. Man, it's tough to stay good when you're traveling b/c it's harder to plan for your week of meals. And there is always the comfort food when you miss home.... Also, it's hard to keep sugar free popsicles in a hotel room. I have a 10 day stretch of travel coming up in August - perhaps I can ask for a fridge in my room.
At this point, I've still in the loss column with 12 lbs to date. I went to my Dr. on Tuesday and she was concerned that I had lost too much weight in one month. It was interesting b/c as you lose weight, your skin that had expanded to hold in the weight does not necessarily go away - it just bunches up. I now see why folks have that plastic surgery after losing weight so that they look fit and taut.
Now, for those who may read this and not know me or what I look like (other than the profile photo - which is a pretty good one, I might add), my goal is to be healthy, eat healthy, shrink my waist/tummy and then fit into some items of clothing that I have not been able to get in for about 2 years now. It's actually funny - my legs, hips look good (to me). It's just the tummy (like a small beer belly - and I don't even drink beer - HOW RUDE) that protrudes out a bit and causes me to wear the larger sizes. So my waist fits fine (you're suppose to fit the largest part of you) but then the legs and the tushy area of my pants are all big and roomy.
Oh well, I continue my trials and tribulations of sticking to the South Beach Diet. It's not that hard to follow. I LOVE not having to count points, etc. You just have to stick with foods that don't have a high glycemic index (little to no sugar or will break down into sugar). In addition to falling off the good carbs bandwagon, I had also slacked up on the exercise as my hotels have not had decent work out facilities nor did I feel comfortable walking around by myself at night in a different neighborhood. It's tough to come home and go back to the gym to see my trainer b/c I know that first visit is going to be difficult and painful when it's done b/c I was out of practice. I got in my first good walk in about 2 weeks in last night - it was great to stretch the legs. I'm getting in another one today. Have to take full advantage of the beautiful weather in Chicago!
OK - off to enjoy another beautiful day! Enjoy yours too!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
I-Pod woes.....
I love my I-Pod. As far as I am concerned, Apple hit it out of the ballpark when they created I-Pod and marketed it to the mass consumer market (of which I am a major part). However, tonight has been a LONG night of HARD LESSONS LEARNED.
Here's the story: this week I bought an external hard drive as my computer's hard drive was getting full and I was having some performance problems. My personal computer technician and friend J came over to assist me in showing me how it works and all that. Well, he inadvertently not only transferred the actual files of the CD but he also transferred over the .wav files that the I-Pod reads in I-Tunes and then synchronizes with my little gadget. So tonight when I go to update my library and my personal play lists, my I-Tunes gives me this huge error message that none of my tunes can be played because the original files cannot be located. Of course, they are on the external hard drive, which the I-Tunes driver does not read. UGH!!!!!!!
Ok, so after calling my computer tech in a panic and he's not available (so he has a life that includes social activities on a Friday night - unlike his client here - lucky him), I start to tinker around to see if I can figure this out on my own. VERY SCARY NOTION - Cherai tinkering in her computer. Well, I find the file that has all the .wav files (or .aac files - whatever) and import that file back into my I-Tunes. SUCCESS! I now have all my files again and the songs will play again.
Then I look at my library again and figure out "OH NO - NOW I HAVE DOUBLED THE SIZE IN MY I-TUNES LIBRARY AND EVERY SONG IS DUPLICATED!!!" I've sent messages to I-Tunes support help and urgent emails to my computer technician. Alas, I'm stuck out here on my own. It would appear that I now have to go in and manually delete every extra song. HOURS of work.
And on top of that, I have to re-do all my customized playlists (about 15 different ones like work out list and a chill-out list, etc). Ho-hum - I see hours of work in my future. This is so sad. And there is NO WAY I'm synching my I-Pod to my I-Tunes until I know if my I-Tunes is correct and fixed properly. What a PAIN IN THE REAR!!!!!!
HMMMM, I wonder if I delete every song listed in the I-Tunes directly but the files are in the hard drive and then let my I-pod put the songs back on the I-Tunes list when it synchs again. I'll have to go to the Apple Store to see if we they recommend. That could be my exercise tomorrow - walking to the I-Pod store on Michigan Avenue. I did some serious walking tonight but that's another topic for another post on my blog.
Say a prayer for me as I manually reconfigure my I-Tunes. This is so sad....
Here's the story: this week I bought an external hard drive as my computer's hard drive was getting full and I was having some performance problems. My personal computer technician and friend J came over to assist me in showing me how it works and all that. Well, he inadvertently not only transferred the actual files of the CD but he also transferred over the .wav files that the I-Pod reads in I-Tunes and then synchronizes with my little gadget. So tonight when I go to update my library and my personal play lists, my I-Tunes gives me this huge error message that none of my tunes can be played because the original files cannot be located. Of course, they are on the external hard drive, which the I-Tunes driver does not read. UGH!!!!!!!
Ok, so after calling my computer tech in a panic and he's not available (so he has a life that includes social activities on a Friday night - unlike his client here - lucky him), I start to tinker around to see if I can figure this out on my own. VERY SCARY NOTION - Cherai tinkering in her computer. Well, I find the file that has all the .wav files (or .aac files - whatever) and import that file back into my I-Tunes. SUCCESS! I now have all my files again and the songs will play again.
Then I look at my library again and figure out "OH NO - NOW I HAVE DOUBLED THE SIZE IN MY I-TUNES LIBRARY AND EVERY SONG IS DUPLICATED!!!" I've sent messages to I-Tunes support help and urgent emails to my computer technician. Alas, I'm stuck out here on my own. It would appear that I now have to go in and manually delete every extra song. HOURS of work.
And on top of that, I have to re-do all my customized playlists (about 15 different ones like work out list and a chill-out list, etc). Ho-hum - I see hours of work in my future. This is so sad. And there is NO WAY I'm synching my I-Pod to my I-Tunes until I know if my I-Tunes is correct and fixed properly. What a PAIN IN THE REAR!!!!!!
HMMMM, I wonder if I delete every song listed in the I-Tunes directly but the files are in the hard drive and then let my I-pod put the songs back on the I-Tunes list when it synchs again. I'll have to go to the Apple Store to see if we they recommend. That could be my exercise tomorrow - walking to the I-Pod store on Michigan Avenue. I did some serious walking tonight but that's another topic for another post on my blog.
Say a prayer for me as I manually reconfigure my I-Tunes. This is so sad....
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Oh, the good old summertime...
The best part of summer is that it's warm outside and the days are longer. For the most part, the weather cooperates and it's beautiful outside. I love working from my dining room table and take a look outside and it's sunny and stuff. When one lives in Chi-Town where it's only summertime-hot for about 3 months out of 12 (and I'm being generous), you have to take the sunshine when you can.
Now, the bummer part of summer is that usually it's my busiest time to travel. This summer has made up for a travel-less spring as this week I was in Jessup, MD at our corporate headquarters for a sales meeting. I'm home for another 10 days and then I'm on a whirlwind tour that will basically last from July 26th - August 16th. I get to come home for 2 days to wash clothes and pack and then I head back out again. The destinations are cool, though. First Milwaukee for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Midwest Regional Conference - where one of my dear friends and sorors is running for Regional Director. Please send positive thoughts and prayers her way (Octavia) that she is able to achieve her goal as Octavia will make a fabulous Regional Director.
After Milwaukee, I head to Montreal for an industry trade show. I'm totally looking forward to that as I've never been to Montreal. I'm working on getting my digital camera in working order again so that I can take great photos and you guys get to see them sooner than later. I'm still waiting for my pics to be developed from vacation in Asheville, NC and the family reunion. Hopefully soon that will happen....
After Montreal, I get to come home and wash clothes and then head to San Francisco for work. We're doing the American Bar Association convention in Moscone and I get to go out and support the operations team as we go do that so that's pretty exciting. Should be a lot of work but fun, as well.
It's a challenge to keep all the balls juggling in synch but we seem to be doing it with minimal dropped balls. We'll see what happens from here.
OH - and my parents just finished a wonderful Caribbean cruise so I can't wait to see their pics and hear about their relaxation adventures. Dad was determined to relax and enjoy himself and so was Mom. From what they have texted me during their trip, they achieved their goals. I'm just trying to be like them when I grow up.
OK - hopefully the next post will have some pics. Drop a note of what you're up to when time allows.
Now, the bummer part of summer is that usually it's my busiest time to travel. This summer has made up for a travel-less spring as this week I was in Jessup, MD at our corporate headquarters for a sales meeting. I'm home for another 10 days and then I'm on a whirlwind tour that will basically last from July 26th - August 16th. I get to come home for 2 days to wash clothes and pack and then I head back out again. The destinations are cool, though. First Milwaukee for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Midwest Regional Conference - where one of my dear friends and sorors is running for Regional Director. Please send positive thoughts and prayers her way (Octavia) that she is able to achieve her goal as Octavia will make a fabulous Regional Director.
After Milwaukee, I head to Montreal for an industry trade show. I'm totally looking forward to that as I've never been to Montreal. I'm working on getting my digital camera in working order again so that I can take great photos and you guys get to see them sooner than later. I'm still waiting for my pics to be developed from vacation in Asheville, NC and the family reunion. Hopefully soon that will happen....
After Montreal, I get to come home and wash clothes and then head to San Francisco for work. We're doing the American Bar Association convention in Moscone and I get to go out and support the operations team as we go do that so that's pretty exciting. Should be a lot of work but fun, as well.
It's a challenge to keep all the balls juggling in synch but we seem to be doing it with minimal dropped balls. We'll see what happens from here.
OH - and my parents just finished a wonderful Caribbean cruise so I can't wait to see their pics and hear about their relaxation adventures. Dad was determined to relax and enjoy himself and so was Mom. From what they have texted me during their trip, they achieved their goals. I'm just trying to be like them when I grow up.
OK - hopefully the next post will have some pics. Drop a note of what you're up to when time allows.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Enjoying the lazy, hazy days of summer....NOT!
Well, it's June 30th and I should be just taking it easy and enjoying the summer, right? Well, when I go to do fun summer things, I do enjoy them and then I feel guilty for not doing my work-work, my house work or my homework (stuff that I committed to do with my extra curricular activities). Let's not forget studying for my GMAT's, as well. That has been so cast aside. Then, I want to call folks and stay in contact with family and friends. There just never seems to be enough time in the day to do everything one wants to do.
And now it's time for my favorite event that happens every year - The Taste of Chicago. OH - what fun. However, it's just more of a game to figure out what I can eat and what's not good for me since I've started the South Beach Diet. I've lost 12 lbs so far - so I'm really excited about that. The Taste is so filled with yummy fried whatever and tons of potatoe food items. PHEW - it ain't easy. Last night was the first night and it was PACKED with people going to see Frankie Beverly and Maze, the headiner for last nights show. I went with about 8 of my sorors and we had a BLAST! It was just a little too crowded at certain sections, though. It was also the first night so folks were really excited and showed up in full force. I keep telling my out-of-town friends to come up b/c it's such a treat.
My parents usually come up for the Taste but they are on a plane to NJ to see my Mom's family and then to ride down to DC to see the newlyweds - my brother Jeff and his wife Laura. That should be fun. I hope to see the lovebirds the week of July 9th. Should be good times for all!
OK, enough of this. I have chores and errands so let me get started on those. Will attempt to keep all the balls juggling. Hope to hear from some of you who read my blog soon and look forward to keeping up with you by reading your blogs, or by speaking with you (or even seeing some of you) soon.
And now it's time for my favorite event that happens every year - The Taste of Chicago. OH - what fun. However, it's just more of a game to figure out what I can eat and what's not good for me since I've started the South Beach Diet. I've lost 12 lbs so far - so I'm really excited about that. The Taste is so filled with yummy fried whatever and tons of potatoe food items. PHEW - it ain't easy. Last night was the first night and it was PACKED with people going to see Frankie Beverly and Maze, the headiner for last nights show. I went with about 8 of my sorors and we had a BLAST! It was just a little too crowded at certain sections, though. It was also the first night so folks were really excited and showed up in full force. I keep telling my out-of-town friends to come up b/c it's such a treat.
My parents usually come up for the Taste but they are on a plane to NJ to see my Mom's family and then to ride down to DC to see the newlyweds - my brother Jeff and his wife Laura. That should be fun. I hope to see the lovebirds the week of July 9th. Should be good times for all!
OK, enough of this. I have chores and errands so let me get started on those. Will attempt to keep all the balls juggling. Hope to hear from some of you who read my blog soon and look forward to keeping up with you by reading your blogs, or by speaking with you (or even seeing some of you) soon.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Next stop - Asheville & Brevard, North Carolina
Hello everyone.
So the next stop on my two weeks of travel was to Asheville, NC. My client had a program there and I also have extended family there so I decided to go visit client and family at the same time. how convenient. My and my girlfriends Renee and Patsy stayed at the beautiful Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville - it was fabulous. Pictures will be coming soon. My client's program went well (from our end) so she was happy with me and my colleagues. Yea.
Saturday I went to a family reunion and saw many cousins and uncles and aunts and just folks I have not seen in YEARS! That was tons of fun.
Sunday was just a day of relaxation at the spa. Boy, did I need that! It was just fabulous. We stayed in the spa from 12:00 noon until 8:00 pm. There were 4 different pools and then jacuzzis and waterfalls and a cafe so you could have lunch and dinner there. It was easy to stay occupied and amused in there for 8 hours.
Monday we toured the famous Biltmore Estate, home to George Vanderbilt. It was HUGE and amazing.
So the next stop on my two weeks of travel was to Asheville, NC. My client had a program there and I also have extended family there so I decided to go visit client and family at the same time. how convenient. My and my girlfriends Renee and Patsy stayed at the beautiful Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville - it was fabulous. Pictures will be coming soon. My client's program went well (from our end) so she was happy with me and my colleagues. Yea.
Saturday I went to a family reunion and saw many cousins and uncles and aunts and just folks I have not seen in YEARS! That was tons of fun.
Sunday was just a day of relaxation at the spa. Boy, did I need that! It was just fabulous. We stayed in the spa from 12:00 noon until 8:00 pm. There were 4 different pools and then jacuzzis and waterfalls and a cafe so you could have lunch and dinner there. It was easy to stay occupied and amused in there for 8 hours.
Monday we toured the famous Biltmore Estate, home to George Vanderbilt. It was HUGE and amazing.
This was the main dining room of the estate. Pretty, huh? The place was really huge - almost too big for someone's home. But then again, I'm sure I could live with it. :-)
This is the Italian garden from the estate. If it had not been so hot, I would have shot more photos.
Those two photos are from the website. Once I get the pics developed, I'll share other photos from the trip.
That's all for now. Catch you later
Thursday, June 14, 2007
OK, sometimes this blogging thing is a pain...
I just posted an ENTIRE book of an update for what's been going on with me and somehow or another, the post disappeared. It took forever to type up and now it's all gone!!! I'm so frustrated. I'll try it one more time.
Where in the World is Cherai?
Hello everyone.
It has been so busy that I've either been on the run or laying low catching my breath for the past month. Well, remember that I said that I haven't been anywhere for a while? I've more than made up for it this month.
First there was the visit to Maryland in May - where I got to see Jeff and Laura (oh, as well as work at my hq warehouse with my boss - you can see what was the bigger priority for me). Since then, I have started training to do a 5K (fast walk - not ready to run yet) in September, started the South Beach Diet, worked like crazy for some VERY demanding clients, started the transition process from being a committee chair to being a Board of Directors member from one of my trade associations (Meeting Professionals International - Chicago Area Chapter) and won an election for a seat on the Nominating Committee of my sorority (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, - Chicago Alumnae Chapter).
OH, did I mention that I've decided to go back to school for my MBA? My anticipated start date is Jan/Feb 2008. The application process is lenghthy and involved. I'm not quite sure how everything is going to work out - timewise. However, where there is a will, there is a way and if I have to give up some stuff, then so be it. So that you do not think I'm insane, I did not definitively decide on the MBA thing until this month. I had already committed to the Board position and the Nominating Committee seat before I knew I was going to take on the MBA-thing. Otherwise, I would not have signed up for both.
AND - the funny part is that I did not realize that the Board seat is a two year committment. Somewhere in my brain I had it for a one year time-frame. Funny how you miss the fine print.
Think I have enough to do? Oh, I still plan to have a social life, as well. One of my sorors has fixed me up with a friend of a friend, as well as one of my former dating buddies has come a callin' again. When it rains, it pours, right? The challenge is just to schedule everything in without burning out.
So, Cherai has been rather busy trying to keep my head above water. It's all good though.
OH - I have not mentioned the travel in June yet. First, I went to Minneapolis June 7 - 8 to check on my client's program that was happening at the Minneapolis convention center and just give the client and her team my regards. That went well - until the flight home. Summer travel is such a pain in the rear. Don't get me wrong - I love family and kids (well, the moderately behaved to the well behaved ones). Air travel is difficult enough these days with the extra security checks, the lines for the luggage check in, then drop-off and then the security lines. Add to it the family with kids who only travel every once in a while and are not used to all the new rules and regs and all the gear they want to carry on for the kids, it makes a regular business traveler want to tear their hair out. I just grin and bear it - even with JR kicking my seat for the entire two hour ride. First class is such a lovely thing.
Next on the travel itinerary was a trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on June 10 - 11 for a MPI-CAC Board of Directors retreat. It was fabulous. The resort was pretty nice (not swanky but very nice in the middle of the lake and great for creative thinking). The area up there by the lake is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The homes were tremendous. As soon as I get my film back (don't know how to work my digital camera yet), I will post some pics from the boat tour we got to do on the lake.
Upcoming this Friday is a family reunion in Brevard, NC and then a spa getaway at the Grove Park Inn in near-by Asheville, NC. I am so looking forward to the rest and relaxation. well, the rest and relaxation AFTER the reunion. The reunion should be very interesting, to say the least. I'll share those details and more later on.
So you all have a wonderful June and enjoy the summer. I promise to write more soon.
Hugs,
Cherai
It has been so busy that I've either been on the run or laying low catching my breath for the past month. Well, remember that I said that I haven't been anywhere for a while? I've more than made up for it this month.
First there was the visit to Maryland in May - where I got to see Jeff and Laura (oh, as well as work at my hq warehouse with my boss - you can see what was the bigger priority for me). Since then, I have started training to do a 5K (fast walk - not ready to run yet) in September, started the South Beach Diet, worked like crazy for some VERY demanding clients, started the transition process from being a committee chair to being a Board of Directors member from one of my trade associations (Meeting Professionals International - Chicago Area Chapter) and won an election for a seat on the Nominating Committee of my sorority (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, - Chicago Alumnae Chapter).
OH, did I mention that I've decided to go back to school for my MBA? My anticipated start date is Jan/Feb 2008. The application process is lenghthy and involved. I'm not quite sure how everything is going to work out - timewise. However, where there is a will, there is a way and if I have to give up some stuff, then so be it. So that you do not think I'm insane, I did not definitively decide on the MBA thing until this month. I had already committed to the Board position and the Nominating Committee seat before I knew I was going to take on the MBA-thing. Otherwise, I would not have signed up for both.
AND - the funny part is that I did not realize that the Board seat is a two year committment. Somewhere in my brain I had it for a one year time-frame. Funny how you miss the fine print.
Think I have enough to do? Oh, I still plan to have a social life, as well. One of my sorors has fixed me up with a friend of a friend, as well as one of my former dating buddies has come a callin' again. When it rains, it pours, right? The challenge is just to schedule everything in without burning out.
So, Cherai has been rather busy trying to keep my head above water. It's all good though.
OH - I have not mentioned the travel in June yet. First, I went to Minneapolis June 7 - 8 to check on my client's program that was happening at the Minneapolis convention center and just give the client and her team my regards. That went well - until the flight home. Summer travel is such a pain in the rear. Don't get me wrong - I love family and kids (well, the moderately behaved to the well behaved ones). Air travel is difficult enough these days with the extra security checks, the lines for the luggage check in, then drop-off and then the security lines. Add to it the family with kids who only travel every once in a while and are not used to all the new rules and regs and all the gear they want to carry on for the kids, it makes a regular business traveler want to tear their hair out. I just grin and bear it - even with JR kicking my seat for the entire two hour ride. First class is such a lovely thing.
Next on the travel itinerary was a trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on June 10 - 11 for a MPI-CAC Board of Directors retreat. It was fabulous. The resort was pretty nice (not swanky but very nice in the middle of the lake and great for creative thinking). The area up there by the lake is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The homes were tremendous. As soon as I get my film back (don't know how to work my digital camera yet), I will post some pics from the boat tour we got to do on the lake.
Upcoming this Friday is a family reunion in Brevard, NC and then a spa getaway at the Grove Park Inn in near-by Asheville, NC. I am so looking forward to the rest and relaxation. well, the rest and relaxation AFTER the reunion. The reunion should be very interesting, to say the least. I'll share those details and more later on.
So you all have a wonderful June and enjoy the summer. I promise to write more soon.
Hugs,
Cherai
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