One Hundred Fourth Entry

Today was a good day. Yesterday was a good day. Monday was OK.

Monday my legs were super sore from the marathon I walked on Sunday. I could hardly walk at work. Yes, I know, I shouldn't have waited 'til the last minute. Work dragged because my legs hurt. After work I had a test in Spanish and after that, I took my Portuguese test a day early so I could miss class yesterday.

Tuesday my legs were not feeling any better when I woke up. Once they got warmed up though, they felt better. Work also dragged again. After work, I attended a public meeting in Visalia. I was the Official Portuguese Language Liason. I wasn't needed. There wasn't a single non-English speaking person there.
The meeting was totally interesting. The consultant had set up four tables all with parcel maps (maps showing each property on the street). One table was Engineering, one was Traffic/Safety, one was Environmental, and one was Right of Way. My job was to interpret for Portuguese people, but that wasn't necessary. Instead, I helped people find their houses on the maps and try to answer questions.
It was interesting to see peoples reactions when they realized that this road widening project was going to tear through their home. I think only 4 or 5 houses are going to be torn down for the road. It makes complete sense to me. If it was my house, I would understand. The County would pay me a fair market value for my house, and I would move. But some of these people at the meeting have been living there for their entire lives.
We were expecting a bloodbath from the residents, but that did not materialize. They were understanding. I asked one lady if she needed help with anything. She turned to me and said that she didn't need any help, but that she was extremely dissatisfied with all the property she was losing. She then looked at my nametag and noticed "Engineer I". I saw that, and said that I was pretty new at all this. She smiled and said gently, "Don't you let all this talk discourage you. We know that this project is needed. But its our job as residents to complain, just as it is your job as Engineers to make these projects happen. Its just the way it is." I thought that was a great way of looking at it. Of course, she wasn't losing her house. The road missed her by several yards. Lucky.

Today my legs felt a lot better and the soreness was reduced to my shins and ankles. Can you die from shin splints?? Anyway, work had an air of excitement about it because tomorrow is Birthday Treats day.
Background: Every first Thursday of the month one of the divisions in our agency sets up a buffetesque deal in the Breakroom to celebrate all the birthdays that are happening in the month ahead. Its a different division each month.
Tomorrow is Designs turn. We were all kind of excited. I am bringing, ahem..., fruit salad, 15 loaves of sweetbread, deviled ham sandwiches and Sunny Delight. I should probably now say that some people participate more than others. We will also have deviled eggs, hot dogs and honey sesame buns (which I am excited about because Gloria made them...yummmmmm). Its gonna be good.
Since it is Mayday (May 1st), we decided to go with a Mayday theme. We made a Maypole and everything. Its pretty cool.
I ditched class tonight. I decided that I did not want to starve, so I came home and made a Mac n Cheese Casserole thingy. Not the box crap, the real stuff. I liked it. I made way too much though. Oh well, leftovers for a week.
American Idol pissed me off tonight. I thought for sure Josh would be in the bottom 2. Damn it!! I kinda liked Trenyce. I hope Josh goes soon. He sucks ass. And is it just me, or are Clay and Kim hookin' up? It sure looks like it. I totally want to see "From Justin to Kelly".

I am going to watch the Lizzie McGuire Movie this weekend with my 11 year old cousin Dalila. The reviews for the movie say it sucks, but I'll go anyway.

Starting tomorrow (Thursday) I will walk 30 minutes each day. If I feel like it, I could walk more. I was thinking that 40 minutes each day would take only three days to complete the requirement, as opposed to the 4 days needed for 30 minute walks. Excellent thinking Phil. Thank you Phil.

Wish us luck tomorrow for Birthday Treats!!!