I came out into the kitchen this morning and there was a brand new stainless steel refrigerator and stove and the cabinets had been ripped out to be replaced with new ones. And, oddly, the blue and green stripes were now horizontal instead of vertical... weird. I thought, "Sweet! A new kitchen!"
And, then I woke up.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Problem!
Ok, folks, we've got a problem. Valentine's Day. I've never been non-single for Valentine's Day... well, at least not non-single and non-long-distance. But, we haven't been dating very long. So, what to do, what to do. I don't feel like the kind of girl that celebrates Valentine's Day, but I think the boy may feel differently. How to not do too much, not do too little!!??? I would be happy making some yummy soup and chatting away, but I feel like that's a little under the bar. Oh, what to do, what to do.
Suggestions, anyone?
Suggestions, anyone?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Notes from the desert
Hello from Maricopa, Arizona! I'm spending a few days with the family out in the desert. What a great little getaway! I didn't spend the holidays with any family this year so it's good to get out here and catch up. I don't get a ton of time with my brother Scott and sis-in-law, Caryl, but I absolutely adore them and my time with them is so cherished! Last night, I took them out for a yummy dinner (with several wine courses, of course) and fabulous conversation. It was awesome to just have some good heart-to-heart time with two of my favorite people!
And, my nephew, Johnny has been SO fun. The last time I saw him, he was pretty shy, but this time, he hangs out with me, curls up in my lap and talks my ear off! It's pretty cool.
In other news, my dad is still breathing. Under the circumstances, I'll consider that a success!
And, my nephew, Johnny has been SO fun. The last time I saw him, he was pretty shy, but this time, he hangs out with me, curls up in my lap and talks my ear off! It's pretty cool.
In other news, my dad is still breathing. Under the circumstances, I'll consider that a success!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Double Mountain Day
I feel like I climbed two mountains today!
This morning, I swam a 500 for the first time. That felt amazing! Just to know I can push my body and accomplishing more physically is so great. For so many years, I was the complete opposite of an athlete, but now I am finally at a place where I'm actually accomplishing something in a workout. I've come a long way baby.
Mountain 2: I conquered the ftp mystery and got everything uploaded on the website. That may not sound like much, but being that I had to figure it out all on my own and that 24 hours ago, I couldn't get into the ftp at all, it is giant! I actually jumped up and down and clapped to celebrate when I finished. And, I still got home by 8:30... nice!
This morning, I swam a 500 for the first time. That felt amazing! Just to know I can push my body and accomplishing more physically is so great. For so many years, I was the complete opposite of an athlete, but now I am finally at a place where I'm actually accomplishing something in a workout. I've come a long way baby.
Mountain 2: I conquered the ftp mystery and got everything uploaded on the website. That may not sound like much, but being that I had to figure it out all on my own and that 24 hours ago, I couldn't get into the ftp at all, it is giant! I actually jumped up and down and clapped to celebrate when I finished. And, I still got home by 8:30... nice!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Reflections on 2007
I've finally stopped trying to make New Year's resolutions as I tend to only disappoint myself partway through the year. So, instead, I will take some of my first waking moments in 2008 to reflect on how I changed and grew in 2007. (Wow, I still can't quite believe it's over.) Around Christmas, I started really thinking about what of significance happened in 2007 and a few things popped into my mind.
Perhaps the most drastic change was professionally. I'm still in the same position I was at the beginning of 2007, but I have grown leaps and bounds in my professional life. I'm not entirely sure if I can describe this change in words. I just have such a greater understanding of marketing than I had last year as well as experience working at every level in a small non-profit to implement it. I'm also learning, gradually, how to successfully operate in the professional world -- how to make valuable connections with people in the professional realm, how to negotiate business and bring people into your circle to both advance your mission and theirs. Seemingly basic skills, but I can feel how invaluable they will be to me for a lifetime.
I also had the opportunity to take a non-profit gala-esque event from start to finish. Although it wasn't quite as successful as I had first hoped, I'm proud of working through all of the planning, negotiation and execution of that event. Event planning is labor intensive, but I really enjoy it.
On a more personal note, though, I finally started being aggressive about paying down my debts. It feels so good to be moving toward greater fiscal responsibility.
My greatest achievement this year, though, is somewhat intangible, but was a great breakthrough for me. I finally figured out how to spend time with my family (esp. at home in PA) in a way that is enjoyable and meaningful without the frustrating feeling that I don't belong. I realized that when I go to spend time with my family, I just have to drop my usual life and be entirely in the moment. The last few times I've seen my parents and my brother (& his family), it's been really great. When I allow myself to just be a part of their life and realize that relationship is so much more about them than about me, it's suddenly a great time of discovering them in new and deeper ways and not at all about me maintaining whatever level of accomplishment, distance or "hipness" I fancy myself to have. My times with my family this year have been some of the most meaningful times of my life.
So, Happy New Year! Here's to all we will learn and experience in 2008!
Perhaps the most drastic change was professionally. I'm still in the same position I was at the beginning of 2007, but I have grown leaps and bounds in my professional life. I'm not entirely sure if I can describe this change in words. I just have such a greater understanding of marketing than I had last year as well as experience working at every level in a small non-profit to implement it. I'm also learning, gradually, how to successfully operate in the professional world -- how to make valuable connections with people in the professional realm, how to negotiate business and bring people into your circle to both advance your mission and theirs. Seemingly basic skills, but I can feel how invaluable they will be to me for a lifetime.
I also had the opportunity to take a non-profit gala-esque event from start to finish. Although it wasn't quite as successful as I had first hoped, I'm proud of working through all of the planning, negotiation and execution of that event. Event planning is labor intensive, but I really enjoy it.
On a more personal note, though, I finally started being aggressive about paying down my debts. It feels so good to be moving toward greater fiscal responsibility.
My greatest achievement this year, though, is somewhat intangible, but was a great breakthrough for me. I finally figured out how to spend time with my family (esp. at home in PA) in a way that is enjoyable and meaningful without the frustrating feeling that I don't belong. I realized that when I go to spend time with my family, I just have to drop my usual life and be entirely in the moment. The last few times I've seen my parents and my brother (& his family), it's been really great. When I allow myself to just be a part of their life and realize that relationship is so much more about them than about me, it's suddenly a great time of discovering them in new and deeper ways and not at all about me maintaining whatever level of accomplishment, distance or "hipness" I fancy myself to have. My times with my family this year have been some of the most meaningful times of my life.
So, Happy New Year! Here's to all we will learn and experience in 2008!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)