work
Already Adventurous
Thursday, October 16th, 2008 | General, Travel, work | 2 Comments
Okay, it was a bit of a rough morning, but made it through, here’s what’s transpired thus far:
Oh just FYI, I am writing this at 11:45 NY time.
* Plane trip - met with switching seats with people because; A: I am traveling alone and B: I happened to get lucky to switch seats enough to get an entire row by myself, until someone got clued in and asked to take the window seat. It’s still better than being in an entirely full row. So at least there was ample elbow room in my row.
*Plane trip entertainment - Love Continental. I didn’t have to pay for a single extra thing. I didn’t have to pay for baggage, snacks or even in-flight entertainment. So, I watched Baby Mama (love that Tina Fey) and of course the worst tear jerker or best tear jerker of all time The Notebook, It took almost all my will to keep from just starting to ball. I really need to carry kleenex.
* Plane trip in flight delay - The flight was delayed leaving and we got to fly around a bit before we were able to land.
* Landed - phew - picked up bags. “Now what” -
* Transportation - there is a ground transportation help desk kiosk. Basically they push two shuttle services and I decided to go with that because battling commuter traffic on public transportation with my luggage really didn’t sound appealing. So Got a good deal on the shuttle. Direct service from Airport to Hotel. Nevermind this included about 5 other customers going somewhere else around Manhatten. It was basically getting a tour of Manhatten for $19. I got to see ground zero from the shuttle, I got to see the views of the city and I got to see the Brooklyn Bridge. Nevermind it took 3 hours, oh and there was the insane traffic. Geezus how does anyone get anywhere in this town and how in the world can there be so few accidents.
*Hotel - Pod hotel lives up to its name. I swear. I am in like a rectangle with a single bed a tiny sink, bathroom with shower is down the hall, there are 3 along the corridor and it really just reminds me of dorm living. It’s great really. I just really love having the sink in my room, it’s really quite cozy and uber modern. So it’s cool. I don’t have my card reader so I took a weak picture with my phone, it’s of the bed and tv and on the left is the sink.
*Dinner - So, at least I had a nice fulfilling breakfast on the flight. I was good until I was waiting for the 3 hour shuttle. I had a protein bar with me that I brought for just this kind of emergency. So ate that. But as soon as I got settled into my hotel, I got antsy and wanted to see some sites. So I decided to be adventurous and trek familiar territory. While first stopping at what looked like a very inviting pub, I saw a few but this one just said something more. I found a place at the bar. Looked at beers they had and saw someone with an Amstel Light, so that’s what I ordered. The bartender called me Lassie 
$6 Amstel. That’s what NY is…. expensive.
*Hit the pavement - trekked towards Times Square, Madison Ave… I really didn’t like the idea of shooting a ton of pic’s because that would only serve as tourist sucker bait, so I tried to hold off, at Times it was fine. Then I was really famished and discovered a charming deli place that custom makes salads. Perfect! It was called Pax Wholesome Foods. I got salad with chickpeas, asparagus, feta artichoke hearts and they mix it all with your choice of dressing. Yum! Walked through Rockafeller Square. Guess What ! The skating rink is now there! It’s SO much smaller in real life but I got some Pic’s of that. I would love to do that while I’m hear too but know I’m way to chicken. It got a bit chilly as it got later, so I worked myself back to the Pod.
*Closing of the evening - I thought I brought great walking shoes. Boy was I wrong. I now have a blister on my toe 
Lots of walking and I forget how long and big the blocks are here. So, decided going to a bar and sitting at the bar myself not too much fun, so I picked up a beer to go from the 2nd & 50th corner market and headed back to my pod.
* I’ve finished my beer, enjoyed the comfort here and the limited t.v. and am now ready to crash.
*Tomorrow - I need to check out and get to the next hotel where I will be staying for the event I’m working. I don’t need to be checked in to set-up for the event until 11:30, so that’s good and really it’s not far from the pod, so I’ll most likely walk it or cab it tomorrow.
*Nighty night. Here’s to adventures here in NY and next time I’m totally dragging Ry!
Back to the Big Apple
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 | General, Travel, work | 3 Comments
I cannot believe I’m hopping on a plane at 8am tomorrow to head back to New York.
How fortuitous that it was merely over a year ago that I was hopping along 5th avenue and witnessing Times Square with dear S&C before D.
It’s as if that was supposed to happen to get me ready for my trip this weekend.
I have to work this swanky event for our client this weekend and regardless of economics, there still seems to be room for money to be spent on good food, good wine and good fun. The pleasures in life.
Hmmmm at least we as human nature are still holding onto those luxuries and enjoyments to combat the fear and turmoil this period of economics is throwing at us.
It’s fascinating because in my world right now, you would never guess there is a “recession” god forbid we even whisper the word, but yes. It makes us panic and anxious but what can we do. We have to keep getting out of bed, we have to keep ourselves comforted in the knowledge that we willget through this. Our grandparents did so.. so can we.
My top list of things that I would LOVE to do while in NY are:
* Go up to the top of the Empire State Building and re-live all of my “Sleepless in Seattle”- thons.
* See a broadway, off or off off or even off off off broadway play, somehow, I just have to get a crash course in how all that “rush” ticket stuff works.
* See Gordon Ramsay at the London restaurant. I may just be able to gawk from the outside, take picture and look like a freak.. oh well
* Re-Visit Belgium memories via an afternoon visit to “Pommes Frites”
* Enjoy a traditional New York Bagel. I found Ess-a-Bagel on google maps and it’s close to where I am staying, so hopefully I’ll get to have a break and stop in for a delicious bagel.
* Re-visit the best clothing store ever, which is H&M and we don’t have one here in Portland.
* A Slice… somewhere, some kind of traditional NY piece of pizza.
I’ll be working the event, yes so it’s a balance between working and breaks and working but I want to take full advantage of those breaks. At least I’ve got a game plan in store.
I’ll be arriving by 4:15 or so, pick up luggage, take path train into town take subway 6 to 51st and I’ll be at my first hotel which is quite interesting. It’s called the Pod Hotel. In theory it’s all pods with shared baths. There is apparently a digital reader that will tell you when you are in your room what bathrooms are free.
So I’ll have my first night there, then transfer to the Millenium Broadway Hotel where the event I am working is being hosted. That’ll be quite nice, I’m sure. It’s so close to everything.
Then Sunday I’ll call the S&C after my event is done and we’ll hopefully get some fun and good time together. I’ll get to see the D! I can’t wait.
Awards, wine, food, expanding waistline..hangover
Saturday, October 11th, 2008 | Food, work | No Comments
No, this was not the recipe I was intending to conjure by the time Saturday hit.
You would think by the time I’ve experienced more hangovers than high school crushes I’d have my hangover remedy at the ready.
Today has been especially painful because my memory of the night before is vague and frighteningly unfamiliar. I remembered vitamin B, vitamin C, water and ibuprofen, but it went from a fishbowl headache to incredible nauseousness back to headache. Magic toast with peanut butter helped me in the morning, but I did get ravenous later in the day but stuck to crackers and seltzer water.
But, let’s start with possibly how in the world I got to the point of obliteration yesterday evening.
So, Thursday. Nevermind my days have been overflowing with the planning details for the event our firm is managing, but with a headcount expectation brimming at 450, it’s all becoming too apparent as to just how many planning details are needing to still be in order before the middle of next week. We are actually at the countdown to the event and 12 days is where we are at. “One day at a time”… I keep repeating, “One day at a time”.
But back to Thursday. So, work had seats at the P- R - S - A - Spot- light Awards evening event and our firm won 2 awards presented that evening, which was exciting and incredibly validating. Dinner was good, the event was hosted at The Treasury Ballroom. The social hour at the start was incredibly long, alotting time to enjoy two fantastic glasses of Shiraz, which were uncomplimentary, which was surprising. They had servers weaving through the clique’s of people with delightful hors d’oeurves and then dinner contained a delicious salad, then I received the veggie plate of grilled veggies above a bed of mashed potatoes and the meal closed with a generous portion of whipped chocolate mouse frosted with a dot of heavy whipped cream. I couldn’t resist.
I at least got some running in this week. I worked out Sun, Mon, Tues & Wed, knowing full well Thurs and Friday would be out. It’s still a constant battle with my jeans, tops and well just about everything in my closet at the moment.
Friday was met with much wine, fabulous food and good company… unfortunately, it closed with a disconcerting blur.
Afternoon, our firm enjoyed a nice ladies lunch with all of the firm’s female colleagues and one of them brought in their 4 month baby girl. We met up at Petit Provence. A haven for European style coffees and delectable pastries, lunch was good, I enjoyed their farmers salad with apples, nuts and Gorgonzola dressed with a vinagrette and accompanied by various breads, which I simply couldn’t leave unconsumed.
Evening, I was privileged and honored to accompany our biggest clients team and my team to the cookbook launch of The Chef’s Bounty latest release, The Vintner’s Kitchen: Celebrating the Wines of Oregon, which took place at The Governor Hotel.
To say there were some wineries there to celebrate the event is an understatement. I tried several wines and then all throughout dinner there was wine being poured generously, like it was a bottomless glass. So really it’s not my fault I’m a little impaired today.. right? Dinner was delightful, all the pieces to the dinner are featured in the cookbook and I was elated to learn that each of us received our own copy of this cookbook in our gift bags.
It was an impressive event. I got to socialize with our client and spend time with my colleagues. I only am ashamed as to how indulgent I was with the wine. Because nevermind I had more than enough wine prior to and during dinner, I seemed to need to proceed with basking in my wine glow ever more post event because our client team was staying at The Governor and thought having drinks to end the evening appropriate.
I admit I was relaxed, I was having a great time and truly appreciated my colleague’s serving my transportation needs, so I allotted myself a little too much freedom with my drink. Which meant blacking on the adventure home, the cake, ice cream, cheese and crackers I believe I consumed to help combat a hangover and soak up those last glasses of wine I consumed.
So, it’s Saturday and getting into the day took a little more effort, nevermind I feel like I’ve gained 15lbs. overnight, in fact even trying on outfits that fit last summer, don’t fit me now, it’s simply depressing.
I figure I’ll be in full form tomorrow and will at least work to get a workout in tomorrow, Mon, Tues & Wed, because Thursday, I fly to New York for an event I’m working over the weekend. The countdown will haunt me for the rest of this week and next weekend. I’ll be glad to have some time for me and see C & S & Dunc on Sunday, before I fly back on Monday.
Golly it’s a busy time, I will keep this lesson handy and hope I don’t have anything to be too ashamed of from Friday.
Friday’s Adventure.
Sunday, October 5th, 2008 | work | No Comments
The start to the weekend was a wonderful adventure.
Friday, for work I got to go to the ground breaking for the Sandy River Crossing Conduit relocation tunnel. It’s a pretty impressive structure. Originating from 1893. So it’s time to do something. The drive was gorgeous. I got to go with one of our more seasoned work team professionals, so it was fun. The drive was really nice. The weather, wonderful. I had been looking forward to some nice mild moist days.
Actually, I’m just plain ready for fall. The crisp cool mornings, brisk sunny afternoons and slightly chilly evenings, perfect for blankets, books and hot tea.
It was really cool to drive through Gresham, not a gorgeous drive through Gresham, but outside of Gresham into Clackamas County and Sandy, it got to be absolutely beautiful.
We also explored Dodge Park a bit.
It was a breath of fresh air and I truly enjoyed the adventure.
So that was Friday mornings adventure.
After that we had plans with GD and B to meet up at the Goose for some favorite food and drink. I couldn’t believe it took me 40 minutes to drive from 6th and Main to 18th and Jefferson. Traffic was gridlocked and any alternate route I attempted to take to make it to the Goose quicker was in vain. I would turn and sit, sit, and sit watching the street lights turn from green to yellow to red, over and over.
Lesson: Downtown with rain, Friday at 5:30…. traffic…… gridlock will be encountered no matter what.
But it was all worth it as soon as I made it to the Goose and sat in the cozy booth with friends and a fresh pint! Yay. A great closing to an adventurous day.
Planning perks
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 | Food, work | No Comments
So, back from the business trip.
April 13th’s Sunday’s BIG booth event (the last Texas event) we staffed and provided samples throughout the event time. We had to cut slices of cheese for sampling and my colleague and I had horrendous blisters in just a few minutes in starting the whole cutting process. This was a wine and food sampling event so the attendees enjoying our sampling got more and more interesting as it got later and we learned that the amount of wine available to the attendees far outweighed the food.
We had food, so we had long lines and by the end of the day, lots of tipsy slurry individuals coming up to ask us about our samples. Hilarious and disconcerting at the same time. Over 5 hours with no real breaks and no chance to eat anything since we left the hotel that morning we were ready for a break. IT was, overall, a good event. All went well for the most part and I appreciated working with my colleague who is a serious and hard worker.
We then hit 2 shipping places to get our collateral shipped back to Portland and while the customer service rep at the second shipping location had a serious bad attitude, we got it done, shipped and then we headed to dinner.
We had mexican for dinner, I was pretty beat and didn’t care really where we went for dinner, I just know I really wanted a good quality drink. It was a cooler day too and the Sangria truly hit the spot. I ordered two and had cheese tacos even after I scarfed down an almost entire bowl of tortilla chips and salsa, yes I was hungry.
Luckily American Airlines was on time and running smoothly for us Monday the 14th. I got up by 4:30am and we left by 6am and made it to the airport to drop off rental car by 6:25, although with a small heart attack while trusting my instincts driving to the Austin Airport. I had a moment of hesitation and pulled off the freeway to check directions and turned on the GPS and low and behold I was going the right way. I just needed to trust myself better.
I think that’s what makes driving with a GPS extremely frustrating. You loose faith in your intuition and question all your decisions. When the signs aren’t obvious then you rely on the GPS which only led me to taking wrong turns and taking an extra 10 - 20 minutes to get to destination. ANYWAY, I digress. We had about a 4 hour plane ride from Austin to Seattle. No free snacks only soft drinks which is where most airlines are going to to keep costs down. Which makes sense.
We had about an hour at Seattle. We checked the monitors for the correct gate, well that was wrong so we were sent to another gate only to learn that our plane is getting re-inspected so there will be a delay. Oh well, I’d rather be delayed to ensure our safety, FOR SURE!
So I’m getting back into the swing of things at work. Traveling with my work colleague was good, I learned a lot more about her and about me and about working with her, which is good since we’ll have future trips together.
So while Monday was spent unpacking and doing laundry I stayed up as late as I could before I completely passed out and woke up ready to take on the day on Tuesday.
To celebrate making it back safe and sound Ryan and I ended up being at work until 6pm on Tuesday and I really wanted a black & Tan so we decided to meet up at Moon which was good.
I certainly enjoyed my black and tans and spending time with Ryan BEST OF ALL, when we decided to leave to catch the bus home, dearest neighbor Miranda happened to be swinging by and what do you know picked us up with her momma and transported our smokey, beer laden butts home. Talk about lucky and how nice it is to have friends as neighbors! THANK YOU MIRANDA and MIRANDA’S Mom!
SO, today my work colleagues and I conducted a site visit for an event we are planning for work that will be taking place in October. We got to tour the Widmer Breweries’ event spaces. They had two spaces in which we could conduct the event and the “brand” manager who we spoke to was just delightful. He really wants to work with us and have the event at Widmer, which would be AWESOME! But, best of all, in parting he gave me and my 2 colleagues each a half rack of beer to take home. Talk about closing a deal! I mean that was soooo incredibly generous. We are in awe and one of my colleague’s doesn’t even drink beer, so her hubby will be a happy hubby this evening.
It’s just another testament to the many perks I am enjoying in my new role. I’m definitely feeling incredibly lucky.
Mass Transit, graduation, glorious vacation
Thursday, March 27th, 2008 | School, Travel, work | No Comments
So, I’ve sort of got a routine going. I was catching the bus at like 7:14 which gets me into work a few minutes before 8am. Then, of course I had the moment where someone now recognizes me and decides to talk to me the entire time.
I didn’t mind, the person was nice. They live just feet from the bus stop, but how often will I now see them and then expect to have to talk to them. It reminded me of those dreadful max rides into work years ago, when sure enough someone would have to talk to me and me, being nice, has to contribute to the conversation.
Ugh. Luckily I found the 7:25 time working out well. The person who likes to talk to me isn’t on this route and I get to work just in time, 8am sharp. It works! Phew.
Graduation is just about here. I am trying to figure out what to do that day. I think it will be Ryan’s mom and Ryan at Graduation. My sister has to work so she cannot come down. That will be fine. I was thinking on having a bbq at home, but now that just sounds like work. So I don’t know. I guess we’ll figure it out as it gets closer.
Glorious vacation. We are in the fixing, the planning of a trip. I’m super thrilled. It will be marvelous. I won’t be able to have as much time as I would like, but I think a 10 day trip is just about perfect. Not too short and not so long you get homesick. I think our last trip in April 2007 was just about perfect. Staying in one place helped.
We hope to divide it into two places maybe 2-3 days in another area. I had my heart set on Prague and Vienna, but looking at flight costs to there and time cost.. outrageous. We can get a nice straight NWA flight to Amsterdam, train it to Brussels, train it for a day or two to Bruges and back to Amsterdam and fly out. It will be brilliant. I hope to purchase our tickets this weekend, while fares are still warm.
Work is wonderful. I’m still getting my feet wet. Learning about how a company of 20+ is dynamically the polar opposite of a global 16,000 Oregon employee based operation. Crazy.
First trip is April 9th - 14th. Heading to Austin, Texas. We’ll be visiting 4 wineries and enjoying the tastes, smells, sites and sounds that is Austin. I’m really lucky to have my travel partner at work be so incredibly cool. It’ll be great. I still feel like I have to prove myself and others that I am working with still need to see me as an experienced professional. All in due time… all in due time.
So, here’s to the crazy’s on mass transit and why I should act like I simply don’t speak english… ah.. engwish…
Sleepy….so sleepy……
Friday, February 29th, 2008 | School, work | No Comments
This week was full to the brim with new and challenging projects, plans, papers…etc.
I think I’ve discovered a routine, which is fitting because I am a creature of habit and do well with structure (hence why unemployment was so discerning for me). I get up just before 6am and hit the pavement to catch the bus by 7:13. Arrive into town by 7:40, get coffee from the coffee shop at the base of my building and take the elevator up and am in the office just a bit before 8am.
It’s great. I’m in before most of my colleague’s and I like getting a jump on the day. Mondays, I’ll pick up flowers to decorate my desk, the first week I got tulips and this week Irises. I get lots of great comments from colleagues walking by my desk. It’s nice.
My desk is also just round the corner from the kitchen. So I’ve got easy access to the refrigerator full of drinks for us and cabinets full of snacks and of course there’s a costco size container of red vines, which I weaken to by 3pm in the afternoon.
I feel good getting the activity in, in the morning. Hitting the gym by 4:30 gets me done with the day by 6.
The yuckiest part of the day is waiting for the bus after the day. The 9 and 10 bus just doesn’t run often enough. Max to 75 sucks at the end of the day, so opting for waiting for the bus is far more appealing.
Yes, it’s an adjustment, but it’s a nice adjustment. I still grow fonder and fonder of my job and the people I work with everyday.
Thursday was one of my colleague’s 23rd birthday. Yes, that made me feel incredibly old. She’s 23 going on 35, she’s a very endearing person and I truly appreciate being able to work and learn from her. Our supervisor and the rest of the team pulled together some fabulous snacks and 2 bottles of Prosecco to pop open and share. It was really fun. We all were in the conference room talking about her wishes and dreams for the near future.
We all seem to share the same passion for traveling, food and spirits. In fact I’m supposed to be in charge of our “fun” team’s plannings and one of the bosses wants to do a “Pub-a-quarter” where we visit a local pub once a quarter. The other one is “wine-a-month” and to get a bus to take us to some wineries during a work day once a month. I need to take a careful gander at the budget for this, it could add up quick.
I just appreciate their whole work/ life philosophy and everyone is extremely respectful, supportive and really know how to enjoy work with life.
It’s great. But, I’m feeling my energy waring thin. I’m pretty sleepy by 9-9:30 and just am ready to collapse in bed and sleep. I think it’s a cross between getting old, getting used to a demanding schedule and still having school on the back end of my mind after each work day is done.
So, LAST paper is due this weeked. This will be THE hardest paper of this class. BUT, it’s the last.
Business Plan Presentation will be consuming these last few weeks of class too, let’s just hope I make it through. I’m sure I will. I just cannot wait to sleep off the hangover on March 16th because after the Presentation, I’m SO going to PARTY!
Jumped on the professional blogging bandwagon!
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 | work | 2 Comments
Yess sir ree…. I found a colleague’s blog and appreciated the insight and professionalism and thought, “I gotta get on this and create some integrity around my professional atmos”.
Not that I’m at all well equipped to tout about “marketing” and give real professional advice. I can only draw from what I see, hear and experience in the professional world that I am now immersed and give my 2 cents.
So, here it is: Kelbelann’s Corner.
I’m still ironing out what I want to accomplish with this and learning about the BlogSpot quirks and nuances.
Take a gander.
Provide me with feedback, suggestions… anything, everything.. tear it apart; I’m tough, I can take it! After all this is all a learning and the more I learn the better I will become.
Thanks friends!
Week at Warp Speed
Friday, February 22nd, 2008 | Health, work | No Comments
Monday, obviously went well. Heels are still a bit tight but are getting more comfortable with wear.
Tuesday; enjoyed another enriching evening at the theatre with GD’s wife and Miranda. Met for eats and drinks at Oba. Started with a VERY tart margarita followed by two glasses of a very nice and easy to drink red.
Walked to PCS in exuberance to see their production of “The Beard of Avon” written by Amy Freed. The entire premise of this play debunks Shakespeare as an author, unmasking the Bard as an awkward, bumbling, fallacious ruse and elected by Edward de Vere to be the spokesperson for De Vere’s scripts of such plays as Antony & Cleopatra, Titus Andronicus and Twelfth Night, along with some sonnets, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day”. Actually, there is the theory that numerous authors could have written these stories, even Queen Elizabeth herself.
I thought it somewhat dissapointing to see Will Shakespeare portrayed with such indignity, but what makes up the real and not in my head Shakespeare could be someone just like this individual in this play and not at all the Shakespeare I conjured in my head at 13 when I started reading Shakespeare.
There is some serious debate around the true authorship of the Shakespearean plays and I know Concordia Unversity has an entire program that revolves around de-bunking Shakespeare as the true author. These are the Oxfordians.
It’s truly an intriquing theory and one of great debate among english literaturists.
Wednesday: walked to violin- feeling a bit more confident in playing it. I can really get my violin to resonate some serious sound and it can actually sound really good when I get the note right. The fingering can be the most challenging while maintaining note quality and bow placement. I do love it.
Thurs: Again, I face the workout debate. I love West Coast, but it isn’t convenient anymore. I tried out 24 hour and wasn’t just completely repelled at all. Funny, I always picture beefy guys on the weights with the Carmen’s and Pamela’s on the ellypticals. I ran on their uber-fancy treadmills, which I think they had like 15 of leaving at least 5 to choose from and at 5:45pm, I was especially pleased.
They have T.V’s scattered throughout so you can get a glimpse of news while on a machine. God bless my ipod. It was a good hour on the treadmill and I enjoyed it very much. Then walked around the weight machines. This was intimidating, there are a ton of new weight machines that I simply don’t get so I did some regular manly push ups on the floor with a mat, stretched and then hit the showers.
Pluses: Big, huge showers, tons of cardio machines to choose from, I will be able to workout during the day here, salt walter lap pool, hot tub, sauna, modern treadmills with pre-programmed workouts ( I can set it to do interval and not have to push any buttons during the hour).
Minuses:I discontinue my support of the local West Coast which helped me through my unemployment stint.
So, I signed up for the year. Paid all at once which lead to what would be a cost of $20 a month. If I signed up for the month to month plan it would be $34 a month, so already I save $14 a month or $168 for the year. I can go to any of the 24 hour Fitness AND so it can be an option for when I am traveling, if there happens to be a 24 close to where the events are.
Friday: FIELD TRIP - To Tillamook to meet the clients and start planning for the 100th celebration to take place all during 2009. An event a month. SO of COURSE we toured the cheese making facility and of COURSE I got a coupon for a free ice cream so I just HAD to have some! I had the Caramel Toffee Fudge and it was DELICIOUS. My colleagues gave up sweets for lent so it wasn’t fun devouring this delectible dessert myself and having them ogle at my enjoyment, so I think I ate it in like 3 big licks and one big bite. Mmmmmm. I mean, even after a big lunch there at the visitor’s center and I STILL had cheese samples and this wonderful cone of ice cream.
R. just couldn’t beleive I didn’t have the blueberry cheesecake because he knows how bonkers I am for blueberries, but my colleagues thought I should try the caramel toffee fudge.. so that’s what I went with, I totally don’t regret an oz. of it.
After leaving and on our way back to Portland, my supervisor, decided we should stop at the Shaver Vineyards to see if their wine tasting room was open. Luckily for us it was and we got to taste their 2005 and 2002 Pinot. I love that my colleagues love wine as much as I do. I can tell there will be future wine gatherings to look forward to (Yes, I love my job). The 2002 was quite good, so I picked up a bottle. Yum!
I really cannot believe it’s Friday. Ry’s been sick almost all week, so it was wierd heading off to work while he stayed home (talk about reversal). Get better Ry!:)
It’s been a good week, more like a fabulous week and I feel right and wonderful about where I am.
I am blessed.
As natural as slipping on a new pair of heels….
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 | work | No Comments
I have found myself in my element in my new job. It’s not just a job, it’s a career move and I can see a strong future here, I can feel it.
It’s like I’ve found the perfect heels, the kind that are more fashionable than fit; but with the first slide in, my feet felt like they belonged in those heals. Most importantly they look fantastic on me. They are a bit tight, of course, so a little discomfort only reminds me of their newness, but in time they will fit as naturally and comfortably as my fair weathered boots and before I know it, my feet will breathe easy and confidently.
The first day welcomed me with open arms and a straightforward itinerary for the first week accompanied by an events calendar plan for the rest of ‘08. Oh yes, I’m already scheduled to go to Utah, Seattle, Las Vegas..possibly Texas ( unfortunately I won’t be able to go to Aspen or Napa this year :(, but that’s okay, I can go next year!)
So jumping in with both feet and landing steadily on those heels reminds me of why the wait to find a career was as it was.
Now I just need to get through getting used to the new schedule, riding mass transit again and finishing up school.