mmm, pomegranate

So I went to Publix to get some cleaning supplies and cat food today (and cereal and milk, duh) and decided to get a couple pomegranates to try. My friend Joanna used to eat them in class, and I never understood the point... but I went home and opened one up and it was fuuuun!

Once you open the pom, there are so many little seeds inside, but they're not like hard seeds, but more like seed with fruit on the outside. Kinda like a softer grape, and smaller. Once I spent the 15 minutes cleaning the seeds out, I started munching on the seeds...and they're soo good! I might have just found a healthy snack. I'm still eating them. One pom has a TON of seeds in it, so they will literally last me a whole day if I eat them throuout the day. I'm about to google the health value of poms b/c I don't want to mess up my tumy by over indulging. :)

chat

Taken from a recent chat with m'old friend Lee. Talking about how bad for your health Chipotle is since it has so much sodium:

Shannon: I am sad now, too, but I might not even care. What does sodium do to you?

MANLEE14: it just dehydrates you, and I think too much is bad for your liver

MANLEE14: but what isn't bad for your liver

Shannon: oh, ew

Shannon: hah, effing liver is a buzzkill all the time!

MANLEE14: i know, "dont drink to much, its bad for your liver" what ev!

Shannon: Our livers are like the sick little geek in the back of the classroom with glasses and antibacterial lotion and a facemask.

Shannon: makes me happy that it has to sit next to my colon since it's such a partyfoul

MANLEE14: hahahaha exactly! that is the best comparison ever!

Shannon: [bows slightly] thank you thank you

Shannon: i particularly like the colon joke

Shannon: the colon is like that dirty kid that lives in a trailer.

Shannon: and has a mullet that hasn't seen shampoo in 3 years and dog poop on his shoe

MANLEE14: hahhaha i know! ear wax build up to boot

Shannon: ew, true.

Shannon: good add-on. Momma likes


I just had a pretty funny visual of my colon and liver sitting in class hating each other.

Week #2

The first week of my new job is over and the second has begun! It's gone by so quickly, too! I've already facilitated (and listened in on) an interview that a Newsweek reporter did on Eric, and also an interview by a Duke grad student on the Special Needs Scholarship program. Not to mention I've handled meeting requests and constituent issues. I feel like my next step is to commit to meeting new people. I was such a bad lobbyist because I never went out of my way to meet people; I really hate 'selling' myself to people...not to mention most folks around the Capitol are pretty shallow unless you get to know them pretty well.

Senator Moody called today: to invite me to a dinner on Thursday and also welcome me back to the Senate. Such a nice man! His Aide, Andrew will be attending with his wife who is expecting. Oh, I'm planning a baby shower for them, too, if anyone is interested. So in honor of my first black-tie event as a staffer, I bought a new dress today. And the best part is that the dinner is AFTER I get my hair done. I'm so excited about that, too!

A new day dawns...well, in a couple days

Today was my last day at Nelson Mullins. I didn't think it would be difficult, and up until 4:00pm it wasn't. However, as I closed up my computer for the day, I sent an email to a few people telling them my new contact info and how much I valued their friendship. That was tough- to realize I wouldn't being seeing these people on a daily basis anymore. Then I walked down to the receptionist to validate my parking. Our HR manager was walking down there too, so I gave her all my building access material, very unceremoniously, I might add. As the receptionist validated my parking, I commented on the lovely flower arrangement. That's when she informed me that they were mine. Huh. Who sent flowers? I opened the card and they were from Stan, my boss. Well, my former boss now. As soon as I read it, I teared up. Tears were rolling down my cheek as I took the elevator. I had to pause for a few minutes in my car to let the tears flood. I don't know why getting flowers makes me so emotional. And add to that- they were from a man who's employment I was leaving! He's the sweetest thing ever. Guys- flowers really do make us girls feel special. Trust me.

Anyway, I spilled half the water in my car and that upset me even more. Guh. So I dropped them off at the Capitol in my new office.

And that's the end of my tenure at NMRS. Humpf, kinda hard to believe. Monday starts work at the Capitol.

Finalement!!

I was feeling particularly airy last night as I was driving back from dinner with April/Wes/Justin and put on Carla Bruni on my iPod. Lo and behold, I finally understood what she was saying. After years, it's finally starting to sink in. The music of hers that I have is in French, and particulary slow French, but nonetheless I'm feeling good about understanding what the songs are saying. Finally. Finally, finally. There may be hope afterall.

So I got a new job...

...or is it an old job? I'm going back to work at the State Capitol, but this time it's a full-time, salaried position. No interning anymore! Plus, it's a little more money than I make now- but with lots of perks. So, that's good news. I start October 15th.

Otherwise, I guess it's time for an update. I'm single, and happy about it. I think my last relationship was kind of a sham; apparently neither of us cared too much about the other when times got tough. Whatever, it's over and all contact has ceased. I finally deleted him off my list of friends on myspace- since he has pictures of him partying with his ex girlfriend. They've stayed friends for like 10 years...which should have made me take pause before, but I never did. Anyway, still a little painful, but life goes on.

My parents are currently in Tennessee looking for land to build their home on when they move back to the States. I think I'll see them this weekend. Hopefully they'll find something and go ahead and sign the papers.

Oh, and I still salivate over the thought of owning a classisc Ford Mustang. I really want a 1966 fastback, but due to expenses, I'll probably end up with a coupe if anything. Unless I save up bunches of money and wait til I'm 30 to buy the fastback, but I'm too impatient for that.

And I'm currently extremely jealous of my buddy Joanna, who is teaching English in France. She's been there three days and having a blast already! One day I hope to do that... one day.

And then there were books.

Today, as I sit here with a pounding headache and very little to do at work, I have decided to undertake a project. My new goal: read a book about every country in the world. I'm not going to read a book a day to complete this goal in 193 days, mind you. I think I'll give myself 3-5 years to complete; it will be a good exercise in long-term goal achievement. I bought a book about Scotland this weekend, so that will be my initial read. I will keep you updated, I'm sure you'll want to know my progress!

This morning I went to a funeral for a former co-worker. She was 64 years old and an avid smoker. Unsurprisingly, she died of lung cancer. So, for all of you smokers, take this as yet another reason why you are not invincible and you are susceptible to the diseases caused by your nicotine habit. I digress; the woman had a very hard life, raising 3 daughters alone. One daughter preceded her in death, which is sad enough by itself. Last year I went to her wedding reception: she had married a man whose proposal she refused more than 47 years ago. He is a sweet, doting, kind man. My heart broke for him this morning as he sat red-faced in the pew with the rest of the small family. They hadn't even been married a year. I wasn't very close to her, but she made an impression on me and I'll remember that for some time to come. Now that she's gone, no one can give me good directions around Cobb County.