When you're tired and you know it....

I preface this entry with an important fact: I adore my internship. Really, really, really.

However, any 8-5 job ( and if we include commutes and after-hour work, any 7-7 job) is long, and I am often tired. For my co-workers, this problem is fought with coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. As a non-coffee drinker, I am forced to find more creative ways to stay awake.

Herbal Tea. This has served a number of important purposes. During the great coffee exodus of the early morning hours, I too participate, as I race down to the cafeteria to snatch up those coveted "Apple & Cranberry" tea bags. I supplement my herbal pick-me-up with sliced lemons and ridiculous amounts of honey. I would use sugar, but State has opted to only use Sweet-n-Low. Gross. Fake honey at least uses real sugar, or corn syrup. Whatever.

Perhaps most importantly, my herbal tea habit equips me with a Beverage. Very little brings me more satisfaction than strutting down endless hallways (with dress shoes clicking of course) holding a steaming mug of something. This gives me Purpose.

Blueberry Donuts. My goodness, haven't you ever wanted a blueberry muffin that's been deep fried and glazed? I have seen the light and heaven help me if I return.

V8 Pomegranate Juice. The ultimate placebo effect. It comes in purple aluminum cans that bear uncanny resemblance to energy drinks. Also, the amount of sodium in the drink gives me a headache, so I actually feel like I'm drinking an energy drink. And then there is the pomegranate aspect (nature's best gift) and the trademark V8 tomato juice flavor that packs a wallop. Hello!

Dark Chocolate. In any form, I'm not picky. Just thinking of all the beneficial anti-oxidants helps me through the day.

Slim Fast Chocolate Milk. This habit started on accident. The only chocolate milk options I had were either Atkins or Slim Fast. I chose the latter, because massive amounts of protein scare me. Slim Fast shakes are intended to be 190 calorie meals, (!) so they are packed with iron, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and other daily essentials. Yippee!

Life is good, and at the moment, full of artificial alertness.

Namaste.