My Mama

My very favorite picture with my mom

I've been blessed throughout my life we several constants amid the challenges and changes I've faced.  And one of those constants has been my relationship with my mom.  She has been my mentor, comforter, counselor, and friend among many other titles I could name.

I have a host of favorite memories of my mom and with my mom.  Here are just a few(cause you know I love making lists...):

• watching her sew and mimicking her by dressing up my dolls in the scraps
• her endless patience and enthusiasm when I wanted to play bank (or hotel..or restaurant..or shopkeeper..) with her, even when she had a million other things she needed to do
• spending hours pouring over Barbie magazines together 
• her relentless creativity when there was a problem to be solved (my rain cloak for Prom...slipcovers for my blow up furniture in college...)
• her unfailing kindness and the way she's always seen and treated everyone she meets as an individual worthy of interest and care
• staying up late watching Nick@Nite and crazy infomercials
• her selflessness and love towards her family
• wonderful vacations where we always had everything we needed because mom made sure to be prepared
• singing (all the time, in all ways)
• her comforting hugs and patience whenever I needed it

I could go on..and on..and on.  But mostly I just want to say a giant THANK YOU! to my mom for all she's done for me and with me and for the example she's been.

Thank you for always listening...even when I fought and didn't want to to talk.
Thank you for teaching me how to admit it when I'm wrong and that it's okay to be wrong if you learn from it and make amends.
Thank you for sharing your creativity with me and for always encouraging me to develop my own.
Thank you for everything you gave up so that I could have something better.
Thank you for reminding me again and again of my potential and that you're proud of me (I hope you know how proud I am of you too).
Thank you for holding me close but letting me go when you knew I needed to grow.
Thank you for welcoming me back with open arms every time.
Thank you for laughing with me.
Thank you for letting me take care of you sometimes.
Thank you for being the best friend I've ever had.
And thank you for being the best mom I could imagine.

I love you!!

First trip to Disneyland with Mom

Most recent trip to Disneyland with Mom

 Before Google or Pinterest...she made the best dress up costumes ever!

 Who else had a mom that not only let them plant a garden on the refrigerator, but still brags about it?!

 I got the best care pacakges EVER in college!

I love you, Mom!!!

P.S.  I'm pretty sure this video will make you tear up, just like it did me.  I'd rather have you than any manual.

SLC and Temple Square

I know this is rather late, but I don't want to forget it.

I was fortunate in December to get to spend some time in Salt Lake City and specifically in Temple Square.  I had a wonderful time exploring every nook and cranny of the Square.  Although, I somehow managed to miss the Family History Library (which is particularly ironic if you know me...).

I took about a million pictures.  Everything was beautiful, under a blanket of white snow.

Here is just a small sampling...

 Even under a blanket of snow...

Reminds me of home (Oakland Temple Visitor's Center)

By far the snowiest nativity I've ever seen (and that's counting the nativity at the Frankfurt Temple)

 I love, love, LOVE the detail on every facet of the temple.

Day 30 of 30 Thankful Days

Ahh...the end in sight.  Finally...

Day 30:

In detail:
This was an exercise I entered into on a whim, when I saw a couple of other friends post.  But I'm very grateful that it was a whim I undertook and one that I didn't give up on.  It really did make November a better month as I spent more time each day recognizing the blessings I often take for granted and pondering which I wanted to share.

I hope to move forward with this as a lasting goal:  to apply what I learned in November on a daily basis and be better able to recognize and show gratitude for the tremendous blessings in my life, big and small.  30 days barely scratched the surface...

But as a last reminder, here's a recap:

30 Thankful Days:

Day 1: I'm thankful for my new job!

Day 2: I'm thankful for my old job and all the amazing people I had the opportunity to work with.

Day 3: I'm thankful for my comfy home that has everything I need and a lot of things I just want.

Day 4: I'm grateful for access to an abundance of healthy food, to the point where I have to exercise self control not to overindulge.

Day 5: I am grateful to live in California (where it was a balmy 76 degrees today).

Day 6: I'm grateful for the right to vote and those who fought to obtain and keep that right for US citizens.

Day 7: I'm grateful for all the amazing people who made it a great birthday for me!

Day 8: I'm grateful for quiet nights at home.

Day 9: I'm grateful for Friday and for all the possibilities the beginning of a weekend holds.

Day 10: I'm grateful for responsibilities that give my life meaning.

Day 11: I'm grateful for those who choose to protect our rights and freedoms through service in the armed forces.

Day 12:  I'm grateful that I've learned it's okay to make mistakes when I try something new and that I shouldn't give up just because my first attempt isn't perfect.

Day 13: I'm grateful for the education I've been able to obtain and the opportunities I have to continue to learn.

Day 14: I'm grateful for music.

Day 15: I'm grateful that I have an amazing view of the temple on my way home from work every day.

Day 16: I'm grateful for family history and the joy I get from working on my own and other's.

Day 17: I'm grateful for friends, especially the ones you feel at home with even when you don't see them every day.

Day 18: I'm grateful that each of us is unique with different talents, skills, and interests. Otherwise life would be so boring...

Day 19: I'm grateful for opportunities to be of service.

Day 20: I'm grateful for the small and simple things that bring me joy.

Day 21: I'm grateful all the amazing younger people I know and for hope in future generations.

Day 22: I can't even adequately express my gratitude for my family. We may be a little wacky and we're definitely not perfect, but we fit with each other. We've been through a lot together and no one can make me laugh as much as my family or make me feel as loved as my family. I love you guys more than I can say!!

Day 23: I have to echo one of my friends today, I'm grateful for sleep and that wonderful feeling when you're cozy in bed just before you drift off.

Day 24: I'm grateful for laughter; it can make almost anything better.

Day 25: I'm grateful for NyQuil, Kleenex, and good friends who bring me orange juice and chicken soup.

Day 26:  I’m grateful for the past and all it has to teach us and all the opportunities of the future.

Day 27:  I’m grateful for the modern amenities of life.  Even though the past fascinates me, I would really miss the conveniences of this generation.

Day 28:  I’m grateful for books and the ability they have to transport me to a completely different time or place, from the comfort of my own couch.

Day 29: I'm unable to express the depth of my gratitude for my Heavenly Father and for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I don't think I say it enough: my understanding of the plan my Heavenly Father has for me and the sacrifices my Savior has made to allow that plan to come to pass mean more to me than pretty much anything else in this life. And that has the power to get me through pretty much anything in this life.

Day 30: I'm grateful for this month, and this sometimes silly FB exercise, to reflect upon the blessings in my life. It has been a pleasure taking the time each day to recognize the blessings in my life.

Day 26/27/28/29 of 30 Thankful Days

I'm horribly behind in posting this.  But I'm determined that for once I will finish something.  I completed my goal on Facebook and now I'll complete my goal on this blog (the blog which I so frequently neglect)...

Day 26:

I'm grateful for the past and all it has to teach us and all the opportunities of the future.

In detail:

I love history.  It fascinates me. I can spend hours pouring over old newspapers.  Or wandering through a historic site or cemetery.  I love that people are (and were people) in every time, no matter the different circumstances the live(d) in.  It is astonishing to see how things have changed over time and how they've stayed the same.  And it is empowering to know that we have the opportunity to shape the future.  And to leave behind our wisdom and experience for those who study history in the future.

Day 27:

I'm grateful for the modern amenities of life.  Even though the past fascinates me, I would really miss the conveniences of this generation.

In detail:

As a child I was always interested in the concept of life in a different time or place.  In fact I used to dream of creating resorts where people could book a stay in an authentic medieval castle or old west town, or ancient Egyptian palace.  In my plans there would be two options - authentic rooms with the amenities of the time or “themed” rooms but with all the modern conveniences.  Even as a kid I realized I liked the benefits of modern technology. 

There are a lot of things I take for granted:  modern plumbing, or the fact that if I really had lived in ancient Egypt I would probably have been given some menial task inside since I would have been virtually blind without modern glasses or contact lenses, to name a couple.  So, as much as I’d love to experience the past, I am very, very grateful for the blessings of living in this time.

Day 28:

I'm grateful for books and the ability they have to transport me to a completely different time or place, from the comfort of my own couch.

In detail:

To go along with my last post, as I’ve said, I’m happy to live when I do.  But I also have a drive to understand and experience different places and time.  To understand the lives of others who live in different circumstances than my own. 

And I can – through books. I don’t often pick the “classics”.  I usually find them rather depressing.  But even in a fluffy fantasy novel or a YA trilogy, I can gain a new understanding of some piece of the human experience.  And I can do it all curled up on my own sofa.

Day 29:

In detail:

I hope it doesn't seem that I left my testimony as an afterthought in this month of gratitude.  In fact, I intentionally left it to the end, as a culmination of the things I'm grateful for.  Because after all, when I look at all the things I posted about earlier, so many, if not all, of them are directly related to my understanding of my Heavenly Father's plan for me and the blessings he's given me.  

I can't find a  post in this whole month that isn't a blessing from my father.  And I only wish I knew a way to fully express the gratitude in my heart for those blessings and for the understanding of their source.  I've said before to friends and family when discussing my conversion, subsequent inactivity and reactivation that I was perfectly fine and happy when not active in and focused on the gospel.  

But I've also said that the depth and breadth of my life at that time was nothing when compared to what my life is when it's centered on and founded in the gospel.  In fact there is no comparison.  Just unending gratitude and a desire to press on.

Days 20/21/22/23/24/25 of 30 Thankful Days

Ack...somehow this month has gotten away from me!  Or maybe I can blame it on the holiday weekend? (Forgive me...this draft has been sitting in my posts since November 25th...).

In any case...

Day 20:



In detail:
I love that I can look up from traffic and see beautiful trees.  Or enjoy the simple pleasure of a cozy night curled up on the couch with the sound of rain on the windowpane.  I love the small moments when I take a breath to pay attention to the world around me.


Day 21:



In detail:
Sometimes I get very frustrated with the world around me and the state of our country and society.  I get worried about the directions the world is going and the choices we as a people are making.

And then, every once in a while, I get a chance to watch or interact with some of today's amazing youth.  I read a story (like this one), or see the young priesthood holders in in the family ward reverently passing the sacrament, or spend some time with my younger friends.  And I'm reminded of the potential and hope in the next generation.

Day 22:



In detail:
I love my family.  We are weird, goofy, frequently completely non-traditional, and we can laugh at the oddest things.  We've faced more challenges than I can recount (some horrible, and some not so bad in retrospect). Among it all we've stuck by each other.  None of us is perfect, but I think we might be the perfect fit for each other.  I'm grateful that I can look back at the ways we've strengthened each other and made each other better versions of ourselves.

Day 23:



In detail:
I might be a little crazy (those who know me might say I'm a lot crazy).  I did the Black Friday shopping thing.  Myself and a group of friends left the house at 11pm.  Most of them gave up along the way (a couple at 3, another at 4, 5, etc.).  But my friend Jessica and I stuck it out until almost 9am.  Yes, I realize that's 10 hours of shopping, overnight.  And you know what, I had a blast.  And got some good deals.  But at the end of it all, I was just really glad to be done and to curl up in my comfy bed and let my eyes close.

Day 24:



In detail:

I frequently say "laugh or cry" and I'd much rather laugh at something than cry about it.  For one, it's better exercise.  For another it leaves you much less puffy and red-nosed than crying.

And most importantly, I think it helps put challenges and trials in perspective.  Yes, they are more than we feel we can bear (otherwise what would be the point - they wouldn't help us grow), but they are also not the end.  They're just a step along the path.  And in my experience, they are usually balanced by blessings which are either equal to or greater than the challenge.  And facing them with a sense of humor, usually makes them easier to face.

Now if only I could keep that in mind ALL the time...

Day 25:

In detail:

With vacation nearly over, I succumbed to a nasty cold.  With both my roommates gone, and intending to keep myself sequestered from my family in fear they would get sick, I was grateful to have Kleenex and NyQuil on hand.

And even more grateful for the kindness of my friend Jessica who surprised me with orange juice and chicken soup (in a tasty bread bowl).  She was my hero for the day.  And my mom's hero (since my mom wanted to be able to take care of me but couldn't).

Day 19 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 19: I'm grateful for opportunities to be of service.

In detail:

In large part, my life is filled with self-serving tasks (work, shopping, wasting time on leisure pursuits).  And while I enjoy many of these activities, I have found that when I really think about it, I most enjoy opportunities to serve others.  I may not always enjoy the task itself (although many times I do), but I ALWAYS enjoy the feeling of helping someone and making a positive impact, however small, on the world.

I love the scripture "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."  Mosiah 2:17.

I have a testimony of the love that the Lord has for each of us.  And I know that he sees our wants and needs.  I'm grateful that he also gives us the opportunity to see all his children through his eyes and to share in the amazing experience of being an answer to someone's prayers.

It is sometimes hard to remember to embrace service opportunities when I'm caught up in my every day life, but each time I do, I am richly rewarded and feel a strengthened desire to seek out further opportunities.

Day 18 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 18: I'm grateful that each of us is unique with different talents, skills, and interests. Otherwise life would be so boring...

In detail:

In our current culture of "equality" I think we sometimes mistake equality for being "the same".  I'm very grateful that we are not all the same.  That we're all very different.

Even though I may not agree with the views and beliefs of everyone I know, or be interested in all the same things, I appreciate that those different views, beliefs, and interests exist.  I think if we were all "the same" the world would be a pretty boring place.  And it wouldn't function very well.  

I think it's a blessing that I may be good at genealogy but not that good at construction.  Or that some people are great at math and finances but not so good with cooking.  Or athletic, but not great writers.  Not only does it allow us to focus on our talents and develop them, it allows us to depend on each other and work together for common goals.

I sometimes look around a room and feel like I get a rare glimpse at how Heavenly Father sees us.  Every person looks a little different and each personality is unique.  But each is beautiful and special and has something to offer the world.  

I appreciate the concept of equality.  And I think each of us should be valued for our strengths and talents, none more important than another in the whole that makes up our human experience.  But I also think that we should be celebrating our differences and reveling in the variety and beauty of Heavenly Father's creations.

Day 17 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 17: I'm grateful for friends, especially the ones you feel at home with even when you don't see them every day.

In detail:

I feel very blessed by the friends I've had throughout my life.  Among all the things that make day to day life better, I think friends and family rank pretty near the top.  And I'm particularly grateful for some of the friends I've been able to keep in touch with through the years.

I think the mark of true friends are the ones that you can go long periods of time between talking to or visiting with, and when you see each other again, it's as if no time has passed.  I think there's something pretty special about a bond like that and I'm grateful for those bonds in my life and the strength and comfort they give me in challenges. 

I hope I can be friend like that as well and give by that same support to those around me.

Day 16 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 16: I'm grateful for family history and the joy I get from working on my own and other's.

In detail:

I'm not sure why, but I have always been fascinated by family history (genealogy).  Ever since I was a small child I've loved watching old home movies, looking at old family photos, or listening to stories about my ancestors.

I think the stereotypical age to become interested in genealogy is sometime after retirement.  I started working with old school pedigree charts when I was 12.  I'm 'only' 32 and I can say I've been working on my family history for somewhere around 20 years...

It has been amazing to see the development of the resources and technology available over the past 20 years.  I remember the first time I walked into a family history center, armed with my paper pedigree charts and my floppy disks.  I'm pretty sure the internet wasn't even involved at all.  20 years later I do almost all my research online, upload the information to the new.familysearch.org website, and can print temple ordinance requests online.

And the volume of information available in digitized records, worldwide, is pretty astounding.  And it's growing every day.

I'm trying to teach myself not to work on family history late at night, especially on weeknights.  There have been a few too many mornings where I asked myself, why did I stay up until 3am on Ancestry.com.  And some of those times, I haven't even been working on my own family's history.

I think the thing that makes family history so special to me is the deep feeling that these aren't just names on a chart; these are real people.  Who led real lives.  And I am privileged enough to take a peek into their lives and get to know them a little.

And the icing on the cake:  taking the names of my family members to the temple and completing the ordinances they didn't have access to during their lives.  That experience is truly indescribably wonderful.

Day 15 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 15: I'm grateful that I have an amazing view of the temple on my way home from work every day.

In detail:

Since I've started my new job, I have a completely new path of commute.  Instead of taking 680 North to work, I now take 580 West.  Mileage-wise it's only about 2 miles different each way.  Time-wise it's between 10-20 minutes longer each way.

There are a couple things about my new commute that I'm not terribly happy about:  The traffic is quite a bit more congested, and I no longer have the option of stopping at my parents' house on the way home.  

However, I have discovered that calling and talking to my parents on the way home makes the commute much more enjoyable, and also makes me a more courteous driver.

But I think my favorite thing about my new commute, particularly when coupled with the recent time change which results in me driving home after dark every evening, is that for a portion of my drive I can look up and see the beautiful shinning sight of the temple on the hill.  And it is beautiful.  And it is bright.  And every single time it reminds me that that is where I need to keep my focus and that that is the direction I always want to be going in.

And that is pretty awesome.

Day 14 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 14: I'm grateful for music.

In detail:

I don't express it very often, at least not in so many words, but I really do love music.  For a lot of reasons:

1)  Music can carry memories
Just a snippet of a song can bring me back to the first time I danced with a boy in high school, or a sunny day dancing around the kitchen as a child, or my mom kneeling by my bed as she sings me to sleep.

2)  Music can influence emotion
When I really think about it, what is it in movies that really makes me scared, or sad, or tear up at something sappy?  The music behind the scenes.  When I've had a bad day, I only need to pop in some upbeat music to lift my spirits and inspire an impromptu dance party.  If I need some peace in a hectic day, I can listen to some hymns.  It's amazing how quickly and how deeply music can affect my emotions.

3)  Music passes the time
I love driving.  But I think part of the reason I love driving is that I get to listen to music.  Occasionally I actually look forward to an extra long commute if I have some new music to enjoy along the way.  And I can't imagine a long road trip without some great tunes!

Day 13 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 13: I'm grateful for the education I've been able to obtain and the opportunities I have to continue to learn.

In detail:

Honestly, sometimes I forget how much school I've actually gone to and how many different things I've learned.

All the different subjects I studied in K-12:
The standard English, history, science, math.  And the extras:  3 years of art, technical drawing, yearbook, speech and debate, newspaper, cooking, 4 years of German, 2 years of French, psychology, drama.  

And then there's college:
2 years of in depth world history, statistics, 1 year of Italian, 1 quarter of French lit, world music, the Beatles, gospel choir, logic, BA in Linguistics, BA in Human Development, MA in Education.

It kind of amazes me when I think about the variety of things I've studied and learned.  And while I don't claim to remember everything I've learned, I remember more than I would have expected given that I don't use most of it on a regular basis.

I'm also grateful for the opportunities I have to continue to study and learn new things, in my career and my personal life.  

There is so much knowledge in the world and I get a little thrill of excitement when I realize that so much of it is available to me.

Day 12 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 12: I'm grateful that I've learned it's okay to make mistakes when I try something new and that I shouldn't give up just because my first attempt isn't perfect.

In detail:

This has been a hard lesson for me to learn.  I am the consummate perfectionist.  I want to know everything before I've been taught it and I want to execute everything perfectly the first time I attempt it.

Unfortunately, as I've experienced repeatedly, I'm not capable of that level of illogical perfection.  

However, I am proud (and grateful) to say that I think I've finally accepted that it's okay to fail and make mistakes.  And that it's not a true failure as long as I accept it gracefully and keep trying!  

That, I think, is the hardest part for me:  to keep trying!  Not to give up when I get frustrated, but to push on.

I've found this lesson to be applicable in pretty much every aspect of my life (work, crafting, performing church callings, etc.).   

Case in point:  I've gotten drawn into the current online crafty sensation of subway art like this.

And for quite some time I've been looking for a way to create my own.  I thought, in our modern, technological society that for sure there would be some sort of automated application where I could just type in my quote or text and the program would magically format it into subway art that I could manipulate to my heart's content.

Sadly, for once, the internet has failed me.  I cannot find such an app.  However, with the help of my good friend Amy, I am now in the process of learning to create my own subway art the old-fashioned way (okay, well not really old-fashioned because that would probably require some sort of paper and stencils and such, and this is all digital...but, well, you get the point).

I am not terribly proud of my first attempt:

But!  The important part is that I didn't give up when I didn't love it!

And now I have my second attempt (which I'm still not super happy with) and I intend to keep going until I create one I'm truly proud (and beyond).

Day 9/10/11 of 30 Thankful Days

So...I had intended to post each and every day.  Clearly I'm not doing very well at keeping up on that.  But I'm not giving up!  I'm adapting.  And pushing forward.  So here goes...

Day 9:

In detail:I think I can say, unequivocally, that Friday is my favorite day of the week.  Well, sometimes Sunday gives Friday a run for it's money.  But I suspect I'll get to that later in the month.

My favorite thing about Friday has to be that the entire weekend is before you.  Sometimes filled with amazing and wonderful plans.  And sometimes completely empty and free; filled with the possibility of unexpected adventures or indulgent relaxation.

  

There's just something about a Friday that to me always seems a little bit like a holiday.

Day 10:

In detail:

I think sometimes we all feel a little (or a lot) burdened down by the responsibilities and duties we have in life, whether they be to family, work, church, friends, or other.  I know I've felt that way, more frequently than I like. And I often fall into the trap of complaining about my obligations.

But, when I really think about my responsibilities, I realize how many blessings I receive through them:
-the opportunity to grow and develop talents
-the joy of utilizing talents that I have developed
-connections to others and a greater love for them
-a sense of self worth and purpose in the world
-material rewards
-structure to my life (as much as I enjoy a day of sloth here and there, I can't imagine a life of sloth...)

And so much more.


Day 11:

In detail:

As today is Veteran's Day in the US, I thought it the perfect opportunity to recognize the service of those in the armed forces, both past and present.

I'll admit that I don't recognize their efforts and sacrifices on a daily basis, although I know I partake of the fruits of their contributions each and every day.  I feel very blessed to live in a country where I have access to many freedoms others in the world cannot even conceive of:

-freedom to worship according to my conscience

-freedom to cast a vote for by whom, and how, I'm represented in our government

-freedom to speak up and make my voice heard in society regardless of the popularity of my statements

-a safe and clean place to live, free from the fear 

I'm proud to say that my ancestors and family have served in our armed forces to establish and protect these and other freedoms.  

I'm grateful for their service and for all those who make the sacrifice to serve our citizens often without recognition or even acknowledgement from those they serve.

As I said before...THANK YOU!!

Day 6/7/8 of 30 Thankful Days

Ok...so, I'm a little behind.  But, I have a valid excuse.  Really.   I promise.  It'll become more clear as we go along.  So...since I have a little catching up to do...

Day 6 (aka Election Day)

In detail:
While the results of the election (and I did watch them come in live...there was a lot of refreshing going on) may not have been what I was hoping for, I am deeply grateful and moved by the privilege to make my voice heard.

I'll even admit to getting a little teary eyed (yes, tear fingers necessary) when I think about the sacrifices so many people have made to obtain and preserve this privilege for me (some of whom were my own ancestors).  And I firmly believe it is the duty of each eligible voter to honor that privilege and those sacrifices by exercising that right whenever possible!

Day 7 (aka my birthday!)

In detail:
As my friend Shaine puts it, my birthday is my favorite holiday.  My parents (especially my mom) did an excellent job of making me feel extra special on each and every birthday I had growing up.  A tradition which has continued over the years, past adulthood and straight into the present.

This birthday was no different.  We celebrated as a family a day early, on election night.  It was a low key  evening; just they way I wanted it.  We had a delicious steak dinner, followed by a lovely and tasty chocolate cake (with Ghiradelli curls on top - or so my father said).

Then there came the presents.  Every year I tell my parents not to go overboard, especially since I'm a grown up now.  But they still spoil me.  I love how much they want to show their love to me and I appreciate the thought and effort they put into demonstrating it.  As usual, they did an excellent job (although I will admit that I think I've had Soft Kitty from The Big Bang Theory stuck in my head on an off for 3 days now...).

The following day, my official birthday, I was able to work from Concord for one of my last 3 days where I was treated to lunch at Sizzler by some of my favorite colleagues.  I was also gifted some lovely flowers by my parents.

Oh and I almost forgot the cake saga.  Man, I should have made this a separate post altogether.  Oh well, too late now, and I'm not leaving this story out!

So I brought the remainder of the cake from my family celebration to work to share with my colleagues since there was about 7/8 of a 3 layer cake left.  Well, along the way the cake sort of...collapsed?  divided?  I'm not sure how to describe it other than it basically turned into the Grand Canyon of cakes (or as I described it to a couple of people, an inverted Aztec pyramid).  I pretty much figured there was no way I was going to be able to salvage that.


Well then after lunch, two of the installers (Feng and JC) stopped and bought me a birthday cake.  Which they walked over to my cube and proudly handed me, pronouncing "Happy Birthday" and then walked away, refusing to partake of said cake.  Okay, so I have a pretty well established sweet tooth, but there's no way I can eat nearly two whole cakes!  I prevailed upon our admin at work to invite all the employees at Concord that day to a "cake break" at 2pm where both cakes were shared (we managed to salvage what then became termed the "homage to Tropical Storm Sandy" cake).  I think my favorite part about the whole thing was that many of my colleagues were very confused about why we were having cake and kept wishing me the best at my new job and hoping to cross paths with me in the future.  Well, they probably will, next week, when I'm back in the office in Concord again.  :-P

The evening was spent with Katy and Lisa D.  We did a delicious dinner at Eddie Papa's followed by some excellent shopping at the mall.  Then Lisa and I ran into Jessica at Target and got to do some shopping with her as well.

And to top it all off, when I got home I found a surprise on my door - Jessica had heart attacked me while we were at dinner!  It's my first official heart attacking and it was pretty awesome.

Oh, and throughout the day I was treated to very sweet Facebook birthday wishes and text messages.  All in all, I felt really loved and grateful for all the support.

 Day 8 (today...aka catch up day)

In detail:
I think tonight was my opportunity to recover from the very full and very good last two days.  I worked from 9 to 6:15, with a cake break at around 4 pm.  That's right, I got yet another birthday cake, that makes a grand total of 3 this year, from my new boss.


I got home at 7 and spent the evening in my cozy footie pajamas with my butt parked on the couch, watching T V.  Oh yeah, with some of my favorite candles burning.  It was pretty much exactly what I needed!

Heart Attack

Day 5 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 5: I am grateful to live in California (where it was a balmy 76 degrees today).

In detail:

As I was driving to work today, sitting in traffic, I happened to look up and actually SEE how beautiful the world around me is.  I feel very privileged to live in an area where on my morning commute I can pass more species of trees than I can name, in a variety of stages (fall colors, bright green, I've even seen some blossoming at odd times of the year).  
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I'm also grateful to live in an area where I can get to the ocean, hills, mountains, lakes, forests and major cities within a couple of hours.

I'll admit a certain amount of envy and wonder at the sheer age and weight of history in Europe.  But I also value the newer, rawer history I can find here.  And I love even more that I know my family has a piece of it.

Day 4 of 30 Thankful Days

Day 4: I'm grateful for access to an abundance of healthy food, to the point where I have to exercise self control not to overindulge.

In detail:

Particularly at this time, when Tropical Storm Sandy has taken a big bite out of the East Coast and we're once again reminded (as is so often the case during any natural disaster) of the trials and challenges others around the world are facing, I am grateful to live somewhere with access to safe, nutritious food on a regular basis.  And I'm rather ashamed that I so often not only take this abundance for granted but, in fact, reject the healthy offerings available to me in favor of less healthy and even unhealthy options.

Really, how blessed should I feel that rather than struggling for food and took keep from starving, I'm struggling to diet and keep my weight in a healthy range?  

I hope that I can keep this sense of gratitude going forward and allow it to influence my choices.

I think it's also inspiring me to donate to and volunteer to support efforts to make sure nutritious foods are available to everyone:

Heifer International
http://www.heifer.org/

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
http://www.foodbankccs.org/

Alameda County Community Food Bank
http://www.accfb.org/

30 Thankful Days?

I noticed on November 1st that several of my dear Facebook friends are posting something they are grateful for each day in November.

I decided that gratitude is never a bad thing and so I've officially jumped on the bandwagon.

For day one, I posted my gratitude for my new job.

In detail:

I'm grateful to have a continued employment, particularly with Siemens (which will allow me to seamless transfer not only my benefits, 401k, and PTO, but also my laptop, blackberry, and Siemens corporate specific knowledge).

I tend to be something of a perfectionist and I hate, hate, HATE, trying things for the first time or the beginning part of learning new things when I feel completely incompetent.  So, it's at least somewhat helpful when starting this new job that I'm still in the Siemens family and can transfer some of my knowledge and skills while I try to wrap my brain around a whole mess of new information.  Um, I'm going to be working for Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Molecular and Microbiology...I barely remember hints about this stuff from some of my GEs in college...

But I digress.  I'm somewhat amazed at this opportunity and very amazed that the transition is going as smoothly as it is.  Once again I have to say, I have no idea where the Lord is leading me, but I'm happy to be along for the ride.

For day two, I posted my gratitude for my old job and the people I've worked with.









In detail:

I learned more during my (almost) 7 years at OCS than I could have imagined.  I've worked with a wide variety of diverse and fantastic characters, traveled more than I ever expected, and became a much stronger, outgoing, and capable person than I would have thought possible.  For the first time I have confidence in starting a new phase of life that even if I don't already know everything (rest assured, I know how illogical my thinking has always been about learning new things), I do have the ability to learn and succeed and I don't need to be a basket case of fears.

But I think the greatest blessing from these past few years has been the opportunity to work closely with my father and get to know him on a whole new level.  It has been a wonderful experience that I will always be very grateful for.

Day three, I am posting my gratitude for my home.

In detail:

I feel very blessed to live in what is quite possibly the nicest, and definitely the newest place I've ever (and may ever) lived.  I've been at the condo on DeMarcus for 4 years now (the longest I've lived anywhere other than my parents house) and in that time I've been blessed with wonderful roommates and very few household problems.

I feel safe and have all the conveniences I could need.  With the new job, I'm particularly grateful for the location of my home at the crossroads of 580 and 680 which gives me a lot more flexibility in my commute.  Of course I have some pet peeves about this place (noisy children in the courtyard, oddly shaped rooms, etc.) but on the whole, it's really more than I would have expected or planned to have and I am frequently grateful for it.

Brief Travels Abroad

In my work I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to travel quite a bit, mostly in Germany. I've been there a total of 16 weeks over 8 different trips. I've been able to visit quite a bit of the country in my travels.

Some of my favorites:

-Munich

-Berlin

-Heidelberg

-Frankfurt Temple and Christmas Market

-Neuschwanstein (the castle Walt Disney modeled the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland after)

-Bayreuth (during the festival celebrating the operas of Richard Wagner)

In general I have really enjoyed my trips to Germany (sometimes despite work!).

Recently I again had the chance to travel to Germany. Unfortunately this trip was super short (I flew in on Wednesday night and flew out Monday morning) and not very fun (lots of work politics, multiple flight cancellations, and a very interesting bus trip). But...I did get the chance to visit the Freiberg Temple, which means I have now been to all the temples in Germany (there are only 2). And I spent some time on Sunday walking around the historic downtown of Erlangen.

The temple was beautiful. I arrived there quite early for the session and took some time to walk around outside and take pictures. It looked beautiful enrobed in clean white snow and there was a wonderful quiet stillness about the temple.

I love that the House of the Lord is His house no matter where on Earth you are and his spirit is always there.

I spent most of Sunday relaxing in my hotel room. But in the afternoon I decided to venture out to the historic downtown area of Erlangen (about a 10 minute walk from my hotel). I got some great shots of Schloss Erlangen (including the spot where books were burned in 1933), the fountain facing the "schloss" and some other general historic sights.

All in all, not my best trip, but I'm still grateful for the opportunities I have and have had through my work. Sometimes I can't believe some of the things I've been able to do that I would never have dreamed would be part of my everyday life.