Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Great Anticipation

Tomorrow starts my vacation! I am meeting my 25-year-old cousin Lindsey in London. We're going to see London, Bath and Amsterdam. So, don't expect to hear much from me for the next 10 days or so!

It's nice to have a break, although everything in my life seems in flux. Still, it's been so emotionally grueling to tell my great colleagues and friends that I'm leaving. There have been many tears, and more to come, I'm sure. Once I return from holiday, I will have one more week at work before I start my new job.

Monday, June 25, 2007

The Big News

The other news I've been on pins and needles about and not able to blog about is MY NEW JOB!!!!

A couple months ago, I got a call from a recruiter looking for internet marketing specialists for a large public relations firm. I am familiar with the firm and know of their great reputation, so I told the recruiter I was interested in learning more.

Several weeks and interviews later, the company determined they DEFINITELY wanted to hire me, but not for the position for which I originally interviewed, which was to be in their Dallas office. Because of my health background and my experience working with healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, this PR company wanted me to consider their New York City office where they handle healthcare/pharma accounts.

New York City? Oh, yeah!

That's why I was there for my birthday - for interviews. Last Friday, I received an incredible offer, to be a Senior Vice President with them, complete with a generous relocation package and signing bonus!

Today, I officially accepted their offer and resigned from my company, where I have been for over seven years. It will be so hard to say goodbye to my great friends and colleagues, but I am excited about this incredible opportunity, too.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Color Test

You gotta try this!

Glidden, the paint company, has a simple, quick test on their website that seems to be quite accurate in its results. Here are my results:

* You are an active person desiring to please your friends and family…capable of generosity.
* You are a very selective individual regarding the purchase of items which reflect your good taste and appearance.
* Circumstances in your life appear to be preventing you from progressing…believing in yourself will provide you strength.
* You feel you have made mistakes by not acting quickly on opportunities…and you are now determined you will not let another potential opportunity pass you by.
* You are afraid you might be prevented from achieving the things you want and therefore feel others should recognize your right to them.

Try it out at Glidden's Color Test.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Guy

Wow, seven comments on my last post! Okay, so now that you're here...

I've been seeing Oscar for a few weeks. I've been reluctant to mention him previously because he's significantly younger than me! However, he is a mature, responsible, socially adept guy, and we've been having fun just hanging out and enjoying good meals together.

I met him at my current favorite fancy restaurant. He is a waiter there, and after seeing him twice, I gave him my card. He called, and we've been getting together once or twice a week since then. He's originally from Mexico, so he's been helping me with my Spanish and introducing me to restaurants around town that I didn't know about.

Last Friday, he took me salsa dancing! It was a blast. The music was SO SO loud, and if we go back, I will definitely bring ear plugs! The place was just buzzing with energy, and people were packed onto the dance floor. Others just danced wherever they were in the club, next to the bar or in an unofficial walkway. Oscar claimed he's not a great dancer, but he was very good. I had a difficult time keeping up!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Foreshadowing

Sorry for no posting...I guess I was so wiped out by the Triathlon that I couldn't think of anything to write. Nah, not really. I actually felt really good this year after finishing, and the next day my muscles weren't even that sore.

I've actually been trying to avoid talking about a few things that are happening in my life, so it makes it difficult to find other things to write about. I'm just not ready to share yet, but soon.

So, here's a question to my readers: how do you avoid, or treat, beard-burn? You know, the scratchy rash you get from kissing a guy with a heavy beard, even if he's shaved that day. The kissing part is fun, but my sensitive skin just screams for relief.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

We Did It!

My goal in completing the Danskin Triathlon this year was to beat my time from last year. (Last year's goal was just to finish!) I beat my time by 3 minutes! Not a lot, but I felt a lot stronger this year and was happy about my personal performance.

I didn't panic on the swim this year, and just kept plugging along until I finished. There's a slight hill from the swim finish to the transition area, where you get your stuff for the next event, and I ran that hill. The bike portion was good, but those Austin hills are incredibly difficult. For the last event, the "run," I mostly walked, but I power-walked. Coming up the last big hill where I could see the finish line, I spotted Jenn, Anthony and the kids, wearing the t-shirts I made them that said "My Mommy and My Auntie TRI." Anna grabbed my hand and jogged the last 50 yards or so with me across the finish line! It was so sweet and very encouraging.

Jenn finished her third full triathlon this year, and she encouraged two other women from her vet clinic to join us. They did great, and three of us ran the last 50 yards with the final girl in the group. It was so exhilarating and inspiring.

We finished with a lovely brunch/lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, complete with Mexican beer. Then we came home and took a nap!

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Not my typical Saturday!

Night before the big triathlon. I'm nervous, although not as much as last year when I wasn't sure what to expect. Now I'm just anxious for it to begin and hoping I'll do well. Mostly I'm worried about the murky water in the swim (it makes me hyperventilate a bit) and my asthma on the run. But, I know I can do it.

We took our bikes over this morning and got our registration packets. Then I had such a treat: Anna's ballet recital! She looked simply gorgeous in her silver and white tutu with her hair pulled back in a neat bun. They even put makeup on her, and with her hair pulled back, I could see a glimpse of the young woman she will become. Pictures below.

Pictures from Anna's first ballet recital




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Evelyn Bea

The newest member of our family, Evelyn Bea, born on Friday, June 8th in the wee hours of the morning, 6 lbs 15 oz, 18 inches, seen here with her Nana and in her mother's loving hands.
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Friday, June 08, 2007

She's Here!

I was wakened by my phone at 6:30 this morning. I recognized it was a Houston number.

"Is it time?" I asked.
"She's already here!" Steph replied.

Seems once she decided to arrive, it all happened quickly, around 3:30 this morning. I'm just about to jump in my car and head to Houston. Will post more and pictures when I can!

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Right time, right place, right person: Once

Our family is anxiously awaiting the newest member -- my sister Stephanie was having many regular contractions yesterday, but my new little niece stayed put for another night.

I went to the Angelika last night with a friend. (Kept my phone on vibrate just in case I got a call about the baby.) It's an artsy movie house that plays foreign films and other small budget productions. We saw Once, an Irish film about a singer/songwriter. I enjoyed it, but my friend - a guy - thought it was too slow. (It was his idea to go to the Angelika for a foreign film, so I didn't feel much pity for him.)

I was impressed that most of the songs performed were actually written by the actor/singer, Glen Hansard. He's so passionate when he sings, like he's pouring his heart out. Very powerful.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

A Great Date

On Monday night, I was honored to witness a couple friends get married. They are both sweet, good people, and their wedding was attended by only family and close friends. The bride, Michelle, had asked me months ago who I would be bringing as my +1. I decided to take my dad, who had met the couple when he was visiting me a few years ago.

The church was beautiful, with exquisite stained glass windows, tiled floor and richly toned wood pews. The ceremony was Catholic and long, and two priests led the service. One of the priests was quite old, and between his manner of speaking and the echo from the tile floor, I had a hard time understanding him. Fortunately, the other priest gave the homily.

The reception was held at a local winery. The spacious, high-ceilinged room was bookended with large wine casks, and the open bar served their wine and several types of beer. Tasty hors d'ouvers were served while we waited for the bride and groom to finish with photography. Later, they served a buffet with pasta, pork tenderloin and marinated vegetables.

They had both a DJ and a live Salsa band, which rocked the room with its trumpets and saxophone, among other instruments. There was a lot of dancing, especially by the groom's father! I think he hardly sat down.

Still, I think the best part of the evening for me was when, as I dropped off my dad at the airport to return home, he told me, "you look beautiful."