Day off

I finally did it.  I took a day off of work.  My boss actually told me that I should take the opportunity this past Friday to flex some extra time that I had worked and I did it.  I didn't feel guilty about, I left the work that needed to be completed and I took the day off of work.  I slept in late, hemmed and hawed over what I wanted to do with my day off and I ended up eating a super yummy crepe (fresh strawberries, cream cheese and homemade whipped cream) and took myself whale watching.  If you're relatively new to Gypsy's Quest, you may or may not know that I absolutely love whale watching and don't get to go near as often as I'd like.  Friday's weather was gorgeous and I opted to go.  Boy, am I ever glad that I did!

On the way out, we saw hundreds of dolphins (three different types) and we ended up coming across 20+ humpback whales playing in the ocean.  I'm not sure how I accomplished it but I even captured a short video of a whale flipping its tale.  I didn't capture any good photos but I didn't want to be glued to my camera lens - especially since I often get just pictures of water by the time it's all said and done (I've managed a couple of good photos in all the times I've gone whale watching but not a lot).  There was one photo/video I would've loved to get and it was of a whale right by the boat but at least I got to see it (most people missed it because they were too busy trying to take photos).  I befriended a young man who had never been whale watching before but decided it was time for him to be on a boat since he had just joined the Navy and is due to head to boot camp in a couple of months (ironic, I know).  I was proud of myself for talking with him and giving him insight to whale watching since that's not something I usually do (except for when I'm whale watching... maybe I need to join a boat crew...).

Being out on the water definitely has a way of rejuvenating me.  I took a picture of myself while we were out to sea and everyone says that I look so at peace/relaxed in the photo.  I realize that I need to do things for myself on a more regular basis to keep from feeling burned to a crisp.  I was starting to feel as if things were falling apart around me because I had pushed myself beyond the limit.  I need to do a better job at admitting I need a break and then actually doing something about it rather than getting to the point of being utterly overwhelmed.  I know that I've said that before but I'm to the point that I know I actually need to do something about it when I feel like I'm getting to that point.

There are some upcoming things that I know might push me to the point of burn out so recognizing as I'm approaching that level is going to be important.  I know that being able to realize when I'm getting close to burn out level is the first step and my next step will be attempting to avoid reaching that point whenever it's possible.  I guess that will be one of the next milestones along my quest.  I've let some of the day to day "me time" go by the wayside unfortunately and I need to find a way to get that back.  At one point I was attempting to take a walk after work a few times a week and that has gone on the back burner.  Maybe once my dog is finished with his medications I can move my walks to lunchtime out of the office walks.  Time will tell...

My dog is still on medications for another week and I think he's getting to the point of being done with medication and wearing the "cone of shame."  I have been sneaky enough to hide one of his medications in his scrambled eggs (he scarfs them down so I'm sure he doesn't even taste the medicine) but one of the meds he's still on are ear drops which there is no other way to give him except hold him down and squirt them in his ears.  I feel bad each and every time I have to do it to him and thankfully it's only required once a day.  I'm just hoping that when I take him back to the vet this week and they take the staples out that he doesn't have any other complications from his first surgery and we can be done with this whole experience...  I will fill you in next week.

On that note, I should probably bring this to a close for tonight.  I have to back to work tomorrow and see what all I missed from not being in the building on Friday.  I also get to leave early on Tuesday in order for a dentist appointment (yay....) so hopefully all goes well with that too...  I hope we can all take the opportunities to let our freak flags fly this week and that you can let your muchness show.  =)