From Mike:
So, I was in Target the other day and was walking past the Halloween section of the store, and noticed that not only do they have their shelves stocked with an array of costumes and candy, but also Christmas lights and tree ornaments…that’s just ridiculous. Christmas is over two months away people! Let’s get one holiday over with, and then move on to the next one. Oh, and what happened to Thanksgiving?
For the past few weeks, I’ve been waking up at the usual time to go to work, except instead of being greeted by the bright, beautiful sunrise, I awaken to total darkness. Is anyone else a little distraught by this? Kelly was absolutely right when she told me yesterday that it is literally ungodly to wake up and get ready for work when the sun hasn’t even risen yet! If God intended us to be awake that early, He would have made the sun rise earlier! Along those lines, since the sun hasn’t even risen enough to heat the earth when I leave for work, I have had to scrape the frost off of my car for a week now…which is always very upsetting, and usually indicates the onset of winter. I’m definitely not ready for that.
Kelly came home from San Francisco yesterday and had all sort of stories about great food, gorgeous scenery, and fun times she had with one of my groomsmen, Tony, who is apparently “living the dream” out there.
I guess I should get back to work now…I have a riveting online acquisition class to take, and am looking forward to napping through 80% of it. ;) I hope you’re all doing well and are being blessed richly. Until next time!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
City by the Sea
From Kelly:
Well, as I write I am sitting with my feet up in a big comfy chair, looking out over the bay bridge and San Francisco bay. There are sailboats, blue skies, and palm trees-- and someone is playing the violin. Boy, do I feel lucky to be here!
So far the trip has been pretty great. My boss (Misti) and I arrived yesterday, dropped our stuff off at the hotel and then went out to do a boat tour of Alcatraz Island. I had done the tour before, but it was still cool to see and to hear the stories I had since forgotten. The weather was gorgeous and the views from the island back to the city were beautiful. After the tour we had dinner at a restaurant right on the water and ate as we watched the sun set behind the golden gate bridge. It was very romantic. . . :) I'm so lucky to have a boss that I really do get along with. We have become great friends over the years (I worked with her before at another company, so I've known her about 4 years now) and so far we have been getting along really well on this adventure.
After dinner we came back to the hotel and I was ready to crash. However, our friend Tony lives here in the city and invited me out to have a drink with him. I decided I just couldn't resist checking out a little more of the city, so I ventured out-- and I was so glad I did. Tony, Michael (Tony's friend), and I had a great time talking and laughing at this cute little place by Tony's house. I even tried a new drink! Don't ask me what it was called, though it did involve egg whites.
Hanging out with the boys gave me a twinge of wanting to move to a different place and experience some new things. I wish Mike and I had the flexibility to be able to pick up and move, but then when I think of all our ties and I realize that's just not a possibility for us. We both have jobs that we really shouldn't leave, we have so much stuff we'd have to store/move, and we have a house that's just not sellable in this market. Still, I feel like the world keeps moving forward without me and that the glamourous life is somewhere else. I guess what I really need, though, is to just stop buying into the myth of the grass being greener on the other side.
Today Misti and I had breakfast in the hotel and then worked our booth. It was a pretty good time. I got a ton of freebies from the other exhibitors, so that was a bonus. I even got one of those cool aluminum water bottles. The guys sitting around us were pretty cool, too, and in our downtime we had fun joking around with them. Lunch was amazing. They had 5 different food stations and in the center was a chocolate and waffle station. I swear I'm bound to gain at least 10 pounds on this trip!
So, now I am trying to keep my eyes open just a little bit longer (staying out until 2 on a work night was just not one of my best ideas), and waiting to go to dinner with Tony this evening. I'm so anxious to get outside! It's so beautiful and people are out and about. Looks like fun!! I'm sure my energy will perk up once I get going.
Anyway, I hope you are all doing well that that your grass is plenty green where you are. Talk to you soon!
Well, as I write I am sitting with my feet up in a big comfy chair, looking out over the bay bridge and San Francisco bay. There are sailboats, blue skies, and palm trees-- and someone is playing the violin. Boy, do I feel lucky to be here!
So far the trip has been pretty great. My boss (Misti) and I arrived yesterday, dropped our stuff off at the hotel and then went out to do a boat tour of Alcatraz Island. I had done the tour before, but it was still cool to see and to hear the stories I had since forgotten. The weather was gorgeous and the views from the island back to the city were beautiful. After the tour we had dinner at a restaurant right on the water and ate as we watched the sun set behind the golden gate bridge. It was very romantic. . . :) I'm so lucky to have a boss that I really do get along with. We have become great friends over the years (I worked with her before at another company, so I've known her about 4 years now) and so far we have been getting along really well on this adventure.
After dinner we came back to the hotel and I was ready to crash. However, our friend Tony lives here in the city and invited me out to have a drink with him. I decided I just couldn't resist checking out a little more of the city, so I ventured out-- and I was so glad I did. Tony, Michael (Tony's friend), and I had a great time talking and laughing at this cute little place by Tony's house. I even tried a new drink! Don't ask me what it was called, though it did involve egg whites.
Hanging out with the boys gave me a twinge of wanting to move to a different place and experience some new things. I wish Mike and I had the flexibility to be able to pick up and move, but then when I think of all our ties and I realize that's just not a possibility for us. We both have jobs that we really shouldn't leave, we have so much stuff we'd have to store/move, and we have a house that's just not sellable in this market. Still, I feel like the world keeps moving forward without me and that the glamourous life is somewhere else. I guess what I really need, though, is to just stop buying into the myth of the grass being greener on the other side.
Today Misti and I had breakfast in the hotel and then worked our booth. It was a pretty good time. I got a ton of freebies from the other exhibitors, so that was a bonus. I even got one of those cool aluminum water bottles. The guys sitting around us were pretty cool, too, and in our downtime we had fun joking around with them. Lunch was amazing. They had 5 different food stations and in the center was a chocolate and waffle station. I swear I'm bound to gain at least 10 pounds on this trip!
So, now I am trying to keep my eyes open just a little bit longer (staying out until 2 on a work night was just not one of my best ideas), and waiting to go to dinner with Tony this evening. I'm so anxious to get outside! It's so beautiful and people are out and about. Looks like fun!! I'm sure my energy will perk up once I get going.
Anyway, I hope you are all doing well that that your grass is plenty green where you are. Talk to you soon!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Ah, Voting
THE POLITICAL VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG ARE SOLEY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR/SPEAKER AND DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS HOUSEHOLD.
From Mike: So, is anyone else torn between the two major presidential candidates this year? Sometimes I wish I was not unaffiliated so I could just vote straight ticket and be done with it.
Kelly and I received our mail ballots on Tuesday, so I was mulling over everything I’ve heard Senators Obama and McCain say during this seemingly endless election season and discovered that I agree with aspects of both party’s policies. I honestly have no idea who to vote for! I agree with McCain on the economy, abortion, gay marriage, and the power of the federal government, but I agree with Obama on the Global War on Terror, immigration, the environment, and that Governor Palin was the wrong choice. Also, I agree with McCain on healthcare reform, but I agree with Obama on the elimination of preexisting conditions. Not to mention the fact that Kelly would probably divorce me if I didn’t vote for Obama. Seriously, I think my brain has exploded trying to weigh the two candidates. Who would’ve thought that voting could be this difficult?? I mean, it’s not like I’m electing the leader of the free world or anything…
Okay, enough about that. Let’s move on to more important matters: Halloween. Kelly has decided to be a bee for Halloween. Initially, I was going to be a beekeeper, but then Kelly suggested that I be honey…hehe, nice double meaning, right? Yeah, well, that idea got scratched because Kelly later decided that it was too cutesy. So it’s back to being a beekeeper. Maybe I’ll put fake blood on my suit and be a dead beekeeper, because being a regular one just reminds me of myself in high school…minus the braces and the saxophone.
I like Halloween, and not just for the candy (even though last year someone told me that I was too old to trick-or-treat), but also for the pumpkin carving! Our friend Beth is having her annual pumpkin carving party where we all go out to the pumpkin patch to find that special orange globe of jack-o-lantern goodness and attempt to show off our artistic skills, or lack thereof. I’m glad the party is going to be a held a little closer to Halloween this year, because last year the trick-or-treaters that came to my house were greeted by a smelly rotten pile of mushy orange skin with an unintelligible pattern carved into the front of it. Although I was the only house whose pumpkin did not end up smashed in the middle of the street the next morning…
Kelly is leaving on a business trip to San Francisco this weekend and won’t be back until Wednesday. Although I am jealous that she’s going, it means that I can do pretty much whatever I want while she’s gone! I fully intend on temporarily reverting back to bachelorhood as I fill the weekend full of video games, football, and unhealthy eating. Kelly, being the wonderful, nurturing wife that she is, reminded me that there are carrots, celery, bananas, fish, chicken, salad, and healthy leftovers in the fridge, and that I have no excuse to eat pizza the whole time. Haha, it’s amazing how well she knows me. As much as she may not believe me when I say it, I am going to miss her SO much!!
That’s all I can stand to write now, so until next time! I hope you’re all having a great week!
From Mike: So, is anyone else torn between the two major presidential candidates this year? Sometimes I wish I was not unaffiliated so I could just vote straight ticket and be done with it.
Kelly and I received our mail ballots on Tuesday, so I was mulling over everything I’ve heard Senators Obama and McCain say during this seemingly endless election season and discovered that I agree with aspects of both party’s policies. I honestly have no idea who to vote for! I agree with McCain on the economy, abortion, gay marriage, and the power of the federal government, but I agree with Obama on the Global War on Terror, immigration, the environment, and that Governor Palin was the wrong choice. Also, I agree with McCain on healthcare reform, but I agree with Obama on the elimination of preexisting conditions. Not to mention the fact that Kelly would probably divorce me if I didn’t vote for Obama. Seriously, I think my brain has exploded trying to weigh the two candidates. Who would’ve thought that voting could be this difficult?? I mean, it’s not like I’m electing the leader of the free world or anything…
Okay, enough about that. Let’s move on to more important matters: Halloween. Kelly has decided to be a bee for Halloween. Initially, I was going to be a beekeeper, but then Kelly suggested that I be honey…hehe, nice double meaning, right? Yeah, well, that idea got scratched because Kelly later decided that it was too cutesy. So it’s back to being a beekeeper. Maybe I’ll put fake blood on my suit and be a dead beekeeper, because being a regular one just reminds me of myself in high school…minus the braces and the saxophone.
I like Halloween, and not just for the candy (even though last year someone told me that I was too old to trick-or-treat), but also for the pumpkin carving! Our friend Beth is having her annual pumpkin carving party where we all go out to the pumpkin patch to find that special orange globe of jack-o-lantern goodness and attempt to show off our artistic skills, or lack thereof. I’m glad the party is going to be a held a little closer to Halloween this year, because last year the trick-or-treaters that came to my house were greeted by a smelly rotten pile of mushy orange skin with an unintelligible pattern carved into the front of it. Although I was the only house whose pumpkin did not end up smashed in the middle of the street the next morning…
Kelly is leaving on a business trip to San Francisco this weekend and won’t be back until Wednesday. Although I am jealous that she’s going, it means that I can do pretty much whatever I want while she’s gone! I fully intend on temporarily reverting back to bachelorhood as I fill the weekend full of video games, football, and unhealthy eating. Kelly, being the wonderful, nurturing wife that she is, reminded me that there are carrots, celery, bananas, fish, chicken, salad, and healthy leftovers in the fridge, and that I have no excuse to eat pizza the whole time. Haha, it’s amazing how well she knows me. As much as she may not believe me when I say it, I am going to miss her SO much!!
That’s all I can stand to write now, so until next time! I hope you’re all having a great week!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Fall Hike
From Kelly:
Yesterday we went up to Estes to go on our annual fall hike! We were a bit concerned when we rolled into town to find ourselves in the middle of a rainstorm complete with lightening and all. But, we decided to try to wait it out by going downtown to do some shopping. We killed some time in the shops (I bought a cute little candleholder for Halloween). And then we got some ice cream. By then, the sun was out and it was 70 degrees again so we decided to head up.
The hike was 1.7 miles up to Gem Lake. Though there was a lot of elevation gain, it was a pretty good hike. We saw lots of gorgeous leaves, of course, and a some pretty cool rock formations as well. The lake was smaller than expected, but absolutely gorgeous and all in all it turned out to be a pretty awesome day!
Yesterday we went up to Estes to go on our annual fall hike! We were a bit concerned when we rolled into town to find ourselves in the middle of a rainstorm complete with lightening and all. But, we decided to try to wait it out by going downtown to do some shopping. We killed some time in the shops (I bought a cute little candleholder for Halloween). And then we got some ice cream. By then, the sun was out and it was 70 degrees again so we decided to head up.
The hike was 1.7 miles up to Gem Lake. Though there was a lot of elevation gain, it was a pretty good hike. We saw lots of gorgeous leaves, of course, and a some pretty cool rock formations as well. The lake was smaller than expected, but absolutely gorgeous and all in all it turned out to be a pretty awesome day!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Mike makes his second mark...
What's up everyone?
I guess it's my turn to relay the details of our busy lives to you all. Here goes:
For some reason, it feels like Kelly and I are busier than ever! Now that Kelly is working full time, it seems like our evenings are getting cut shorter and shorter as we both have to wake up early. Bedtime has been strictly enforced since Kelly likes to sleep and needs her full 8 hours...i'm usually partial to falling asleep at my desk, so I try to get at least 6 or 7 hours, but this 8 hours thing is great! I had no idea that staying awake at work was possible! :P
Kelly and I bought a three-month pass to the new Erie rec center at it's been a real motivation for me to get off my butt and work out once in awhile. I forgot what it's like to actually be "in shape," and i'm slowly working towards not passing out on the treadmill after 3 minutes of jogging. ;) Suffice it to say, we're both looking forward to getting and staying healthy!
Kelly and I went to Oktoberfest last Friday and met up with a few friends. We spent the evening drinking beer, eating funnel cakes (yum!) and chatting. The Rockies' last home game happened to be that night, so they put on a fireworks show that we got to watch. Then, this past Friday, I guess we didn't get enough "bier", so we went back to Oktoberfest. :P I broke down and bought a 44 oz. stein that will probably find its way into a box in the crawlspace later. ;)
I don't know if I mentioned this in my last post, but I recently became the treasurer on the board of directors of a start-up nonprofit organization. We plan to build Christian schools in Kenya, and all along the eastern coast of Africa. Obviously, we want to start small, so we're trying to raise money to build the first school in Kenya right now. Please be in prayer for our organization, Building on the Rock, as we continue to organize the corporation and plan our fundraising activities. Thanks friends!
I guess that's all for now. I'm sure I forgot to mention a lot of things, so i'll let Kelly fill in the gaps later. :) Have a great weekend!
I guess it's my turn to relay the details of our busy lives to you all. Here goes:
For some reason, it feels like Kelly and I are busier than ever! Now that Kelly is working full time, it seems like our evenings are getting cut shorter and shorter as we both have to wake up early. Bedtime has been strictly enforced since Kelly likes to sleep and needs her full 8 hours...i'm usually partial to falling asleep at my desk, so I try to get at least 6 or 7 hours, but this 8 hours thing is great! I had no idea that staying awake at work was possible! :P
Kelly and I bought a three-month pass to the new Erie rec center at it's been a real motivation for me to get off my butt and work out once in awhile. I forgot what it's like to actually be "in shape," and i'm slowly working towards not passing out on the treadmill after 3 minutes of jogging. ;) Suffice it to say, we're both looking forward to getting and staying healthy!
Kelly and I went to Oktoberfest last Friday and met up with a few friends. We spent the evening drinking beer, eating funnel cakes (yum!) and chatting. The Rockies' last home game happened to be that night, so they put on a fireworks show that we got to watch. Then, this past Friday, I guess we didn't get enough "bier", so we went back to Oktoberfest. :P I broke down and bought a 44 oz. stein that will probably find its way into a box in the crawlspace later. ;)
I don't know if I mentioned this in my last post, but I recently became the treasurer on the board of directors of a start-up nonprofit organization. We plan to build Christian schools in Kenya, and all along the eastern coast of Africa. Obviously, we want to start small, so we're trying to raise money to build the first school in Kenya right now. Please be in prayer for our organization, Building on the Rock, as we continue to organize the corporation and plan our fundraising activities. Thanks friends!
I guess that's all for now. I'm sure I forgot to mention a lot of things, so i'll let Kelly fill in the gaps later. :) Have a great weekend!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Working Girl
Well I survived my first week of work and have even managed to come back for week two. . . Here's a little update on my return to the corporate world:
On Monday I arrived and had to watch a 40-minute training video on harrassment (what? I'm not allowed to whistle at guys when they walk by my cube?? Ridiculous! ) I then got oriented and had a bit of basic training (to write a new email I just have to click "compose mail". Facinating.) Things did improve around lunchtime, though, as they usually do. My boss, team leader, and a couple others took me to lunch at a mexican place. I love mexican food so this was a huge highlight.
On Tuesday, I had more training to do, but also attended a training meting at lunchtime. It was interesting to learn more about what MWH Constructors actually does. It was also nice to feel like I had a "real" meeting to attend-- filled with imformation that wasn't obvious.
On Wednesday things really perked up-- My team leader introduced me to the other team members who had been out the previous two days. There are 8 people on my team and a couple of the guys are my age, which is a huge plus because I was thinking that everyone I was working with would be way older and therefore harder to connect with. I also realized that I already knew about 5 people in the company pretty well, so that was encouraging too. It was funny though, because I'm not used to being in the business world and I was a little bit surprised when everyone I knew already shook my hand instead of giving me a hug when they saw me again :)
Also, my team leader told me about a trade show we will be attending in san francisco. MWH constructors won an award and so we basically just have to go out there and spend a couple hours a day manning a booth and talking to people about the company and then the final two days all we have to do is go to a $100/head cocktail party and then a $175/head dinner the next night. Black tie. I'm super excited, especially because our good friend Tony lives ou there so I'll have a chance to hang out with him! I love to travel so this was a huge perk for me! Then we had indian food for lunch with my boss and team leader. It was yummy. I think I might be addicted to Saag.
On Friday I had my first staff meeting. It was the first opportunity I had to spend time with my group, so that was a plus. We all went out to lunch afterward too and had some delicious sushi! I think I am going to get spoiled by all the free lunches I've been getting! I got to talk a little more with the guys here who are my age, so that was good. I found out that one of them lives at 19th and Pearl, so really cose to where I used to live/work, so that was pretty cool.
As far as actual work, I haven't had much. I've edited some tables, etc. But they are kind of in a lull around here, so I haven't been too busy. It will be nice when I get some work to occupy my time. . .
So, overall it was a pretty good first week. I think this job isn't going to be as bad as I thought it could be, especially because I'm going to be in charge of trade shows for our company, so that will involve some travel.
Well, I guess that's all for now, I hope you are having a great week so far and I'll talk to you soon!
On Monday I arrived and had to watch a 40-minute training video on harrassment (what? I'm not allowed to whistle at guys when they walk by my cube?? Ridiculous! ) I then got oriented and had a bit of basic training (to write a new email I just have to click "compose mail". Facinating.) Things did improve around lunchtime, though, as they usually do. My boss, team leader, and a couple others took me to lunch at a mexican place. I love mexican food so this was a huge highlight.
On Tuesday, I had more training to do, but also attended a training meting at lunchtime. It was interesting to learn more about what MWH Constructors actually does. It was also nice to feel like I had a "real" meeting to attend-- filled with imformation that wasn't obvious.
On Wednesday things really perked up-- My team leader introduced me to the other team members who had been out the previous two days. There are 8 people on my team and a couple of the guys are my age, which is a huge plus because I was thinking that everyone I was working with would be way older and therefore harder to connect with. I also realized that I already knew about 5 people in the company pretty well, so that was encouraging too. It was funny though, because I'm not used to being in the business world and I was a little bit surprised when everyone I knew already shook my hand instead of giving me a hug when they saw me again :)
Also, my team leader told me about a trade show we will be attending in san francisco. MWH constructors won an award and so we basically just have to go out there and spend a couple hours a day manning a booth and talking to people about the company and then the final two days all we have to do is go to a $100/head cocktail party and then a $175/head dinner the next night. Black tie. I'm super excited, especially because our good friend Tony lives ou there so I'll have a chance to hang out with him! I love to travel so this was a huge perk for me! Then we had indian food for lunch with my boss and team leader. It was yummy. I think I might be addicted to Saag.
On Friday I had my first staff meeting. It was the first opportunity I had to spend time with my group, so that was a plus. We all went out to lunch afterward too and had some delicious sushi! I think I am going to get spoiled by all the free lunches I've been getting! I got to talk a little more with the guys here who are my age, so that was good. I found out that one of them lives at 19th and Pearl, so really cose to where I used to live/work, so that was pretty cool.
As far as actual work, I haven't had much. I've edited some tables, etc. But they are kind of in a lull around here, so I haven't been too busy. It will be nice when I get some work to occupy my time. . .
So, overall it was a pretty good first week. I think this job isn't going to be as bad as I thought it could be, especially because I'm going to be in charge of trade shows for our company, so that will involve some travel.
Well, I guess that's all for now, I hope you are having a great week so far and I'll talk to you soon!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Just a quickie
From Kelly: Well after watching the Broncos defeat the Chargers by the skin of their teeth, it didn't seem quite right to just flip off the TV and get going on chores. So, I'll meander my way through a short blog.
Tomorrow I start my new job. You would think this would mean I was done with the old one, but not quite. I am still wrapping up a baby dedication that was scheduled for next week so today I had a meeting for that, and I taught the elementary class, and then next week I need to do the dedication on Sunday and finish up some paperwork. But THEN I will be totally done. That is going to be a strange strange feeling!
Mike is currently off saving the world. Well, someone's world at least. Daniel (his best friend)'s sister has a vision to build a school in Africa and in order to do this she needs to establish a non-profit and in order to do THAT, she has to have a board. So Mike has agreed to join the board and tonight is their first meeting. I think it's so great that he's been able to get involved with something related to helping other people and serving God in a tangible way, so I'm excited for him. And trying to keep my nose out of it at the same time-- letting it be his thing.
We have also been attending a new thing called Deepen that Pathways is putting on on Wednesday nights. It's a time of eating together, worship songs, a short teaching time, and then table discussions with a smaller group. There have been about 50 people in attendance, so it's a good size and I've really enjoyed the chance to do a Bible study again (not to mention the free dinner is a way bigger incentive than it should be). :)
Our friends have been living the high life lately: Heather and Daniel had their baby girl on Thursday. She is an absolute perfect combination of them-- Heather's nose and Daniel's chin. Totally adorable! I can't wait to see her grow. Also, Mariko and Colin just returned from Japan. They said it was hot but not sweltering and they got to see a wide variety of sights all around the country. What a cool trip!
Anyway, guilt is setting in and I'd better go check the laundry. . . Have a great week!!
Tomorrow I start my new job. You would think this would mean I was done with the old one, but not quite. I am still wrapping up a baby dedication that was scheduled for next week so today I had a meeting for that, and I taught the elementary class, and then next week I need to do the dedication on Sunday and finish up some paperwork. But THEN I will be totally done. That is going to be a strange strange feeling!
Mike is currently off saving the world. Well, someone's world at least. Daniel (his best friend)'s sister has a vision to build a school in Africa and in order to do this she needs to establish a non-profit and in order to do THAT, she has to have a board. So Mike has agreed to join the board and tonight is their first meeting. I think it's so great that he's been able to get involved with something related to helping other people and serving God in a tangible way, so I'm excited for him. And trying to keep my nose out of it at the same time-- letting it be his thing.
We have also been attending a new thing called Deepen that Pathways is putting on on Wednesday nights. It's a time of eating together, worship songs, a short teaching time, and then table discussions with a smaller group. There have been about 50 people in attendance, so it's a good size and I've really enjoyed the chance to do a Bible study again (not to mention the free dinner is a way bigger incentive than it should be). :)
Our friends have been living the high life lately: Heather and Daniel had their baby girl on Thursday. She is an absolute perfect combination of them-- Heather's nose and Daniel's chin. Totally adorable! I can't wait to see her grow. Also, Mariko and Colin just returned from Japan. They said it was hot but not sweltering and they got to see a wide variety of sights all around the country. What a cool trip!
Anyway, guilt is setting in and I'd better go check the laundry. . . Have a great week!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)