101 in 1001 Update

Wheeeeeeeeew! Is this week over yet or what? It’s been an uphill climb since Monday. But tomorrow is Friday, thank God.

I have a big job “exam” tomorrow for a better-paying position as a translator-editor-terminologist at a different government department than the one I am currently with. It’s full-time, more chances of a permanent position; I’m still struggling as a student translator where I work now. Most companies, private or public, put prospective translators through a written exam to test their skills. So, I start a wonderful 2.5 hour written exam to translate and revise a text on aviation technology tomorrow at 9:30am. Not exactly a subject I have ever worked in, but I’m hoping my 2.5 years with 2 different government departments will give me an edge over my 10 competitiors, most of whom I likely go (WENT!) to school with.

Wish me luck. I will need it.

In other news, I’ve been having health problems for the last few years, that have gotten significantly worse recently (cold temperature/poor circulation in my hands/feet; I had thick hair all my life, and am noticing increased dry hair, hair thinning/hair loss which is my biggest concern and which no one can find cause for; I have zero energy and only super duper fatigue to the tune of at least 9 hours a night and then 1.5 to 2 hours sleep every afternoon after work; I’ve gained weight, only about 16 to 20 lbs. but still noticeable; I’ve been sick a ton, more in the last 3 years than I ever was in the previous 19; out of control PMS with INSANE sugar cravings, irritable and really moody, all the more striking because I rarely, if ever have any noticeable PMS symptoms) that my one doc said were not related to an underactive throid, the other said they were a bit on the low end but still within a normal reading.

I don’t know, I’m not a doctor, I just feel like crap 80% of the time. I didn’t realize how important the thyroid was until I did a bit of reading. And the second doc, the good one because he explained all the stuff my regular doctor ignored (like me having an iron reading slightly under the recommended amount), told me to eat more protein, cut out soy, and eat more fats (especially animal fats because I eat such negligible amounts having replaced them with beans, legumes). I think it’s a good excuse to pig out, and hey, it worked for her! I already picked up some coconut oil.

I’ve been digging away at my 101 list. Made some gains. Almost finished an inventory of the books I own, but there are so many, I may just donate the ones I have no intention of reading :-p Almost done my list of 101 things that bring me pleasure, it’s harder than expected to narrow down unique things that bring me joy. I’ve got about 80.

I read Lee Smith’s The Last Girls (my own list), it was excellent and I am so glad I picked it up again after putting it down several times, finding the early parts a bit plodding. I am 7/8 done Mark Kurlansky’s The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell (library list) which is, for the most part, completely fascinating with an engrossing mix of politics, history, and cultinary techniques for cooking oysters — but — I’ve never eaten an oyster. It’s hard for me to truly appreciate the fine morsel it brings to the table.

And I wrote a short story, the first one I have actually finished in probably 10 months or more. School really is such a drain on the creative process. I like it; it’s about young boys and fire. It’s about 1150 words or so. I surprised myself in parts. Maybe I’ll post it; maybe I won’t.

I start walking to work on Monday. Hopefully the weather will start hiking up a notch, 10 degrees is still too chilly for me.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. Show mercy. May your blessings be many.