Paris Inspired

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So, what do you think of this outfit? I picked up the coat and pants at Zara in Galleries Lafayette when we were in Paris. I now love that store, pity I can’t shop online but I did find a location in Georgetown. Now just need to get down there. I especially liked the style and jackets. This jacket, made of corduroy fits me great. I am larger in the bust that makes it difficult to wear some styles of suit jackets. Also I have my tricycle tire that doesn’t help when trying to find flattering tops. The pants are nice too as they sit below my waist slightly, which makes them especially comfortable but they are also flattering. In these pants I actually have a bum! I would have bought a lot more but they seemed sold out on some sizes. Funny thing is in every place we went on vacation, I saw 1 out of 4 people carrying Zara bags and must have passed at least 5 stores before Paris. AND Galleries Lafayette is like any department store, they have collections so if it wasn’t for the fact I wandered to this section I may have missed out entirely.

P.S. Picked the scarf up in Venice.

Zara Outfitted

Self-ReDiscovery

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I have been back to my daily routine for about 3 weeks now. The vacation details are fading into the recesses of my mind. I came back with so much more than mementos or memories. I came back refreshed, renewed and ready to embrace all that I have and all that I hope and dream will be. I have rediscovered myself!

Before I left I was at the end of my teether. I suppose not taking a vacation for a year and working someplace you despise can do that. I was a overworked and was looking for a job and that had gotten me a bit down as nothing seemed to be happening for me. I had been weighed down by the humdrum of daily life, the frustrations of dealing with ignorance and the constant need to be perfectionistic in all that I did.

When I came home people remarked more about my energy level and my smile, which I always thought was one of my greatest features, and that’s when it hit me: I realized that I use to be the annoying person who was perky most mornings (especially Monday’s), smiling and laughing everyday, often for no reason at all. I use to be a truly happy, empowered and charismatic person.

I am not sure where or when I misplaced that piece of myself…what made me bury it but I don’t ever want to lose it again. People at work think I came back on narcotics. And I want to shout this is the true me! My outlook is so positive everyday now. But I am not deluding myself, I know I will have ‘bad’ days but I plan on making an effort to keep my eye on the positives.

I am getting better about not sweating the small stuff the same way I use to. I don’t spend days working on a spreadsheet when I can just as easily convey the information in an email. I keep in focus those things that matter most. I haven’t felt this inspired, engaged in ‘me’ or open to all possibilities in a few years and boy does it feel good.

So, I ask you, are you happy? Have you taken a self inventory or done something to snap yourself out of your rut?

Halloween

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Saw this yard in our neighborhood and thought it was cute. Our street had no sidewalks so we haven’t ever gotten trick o’ treaters. I have to check out other people’s yards these days.

Halloween Yard

Return From Far Far Away

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Hello internet world. I have returned from vacation! Although, I enjoyed my month off, traveling around Europe I am quite happy to be home. Eating out and living out of a suitcase was getting a bit old. We had a fabulous time and made it to 7 different destinations (London, Nice, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Venice, Zurich, and Paris). I had never been to Italy or Switzerland so that was especially nice. I LOVED Venice and disliked Rome. In the end we must have taken nearly 4000 photographs. When I have time I will put some up.

I am happy to say we didn’t break the bank either. We spent money of course, and with the daily reports about the dollar’s value against the Euro and the Pound we certainly were being a bit more conservative than we might have been on other trips. But overall we spent what we wanted and not on silly things and still managed to have loads of fun.

Two funny stories that came out the trip are below.

#1: Checking in online is a breeze as long as you are not “flagged.”
After not being able to check-in online and phoning an operator who was not able to give us a good reason, we decided to head to the airport early. Upon arrival, the nice Indian man at the counter as we proceed to check-in, glances at his computer and then peers out over his glasses and says, “Sir, you are on the Watch List.” In between his smirks and raised eyebrows your could see his eyes were rolling with laughter, he heads off to take care of that for BozoBoy. Of all people to be on a watch list BozoBoy is the last person I could imagine. And yes I fall into the American trap of racial profiling! I would have thought I would have been “targeted” before BozoBoy. I am sure that the BA agent was thinking the same thing and that is why he was doing his best to keep his composure. We have yet to determine what the “Watch List” is or what it means to be on it, and how it is even remotely possible for BozoBoy to be on it. This was all a good lead up to Crazy Lisa our seat mate for 7 hours, who proceeded to share her life story in-between her frequent trips to the bathroom…

#2: A hotel room made for blind rats…
The evening that BozoBoy’s family arrived at our hotel in Nice we came upon Goldilocks and baby bear’s room. BozoBoy’s mum discovered an unmade bed and untidy bathroom. After speaking with the front desk, we found they were booked up and offered to book her in at another nearby hotel. It was close to 1 a.m. and so we gave her our room and headed off to this other hotel. When we arrived the attendant was quite adamant that it there should only be 1 person in the room, he reluctantly gave us the key. Unsuspectingly we open the door, only to reveal khaki colored corduroy wallpaper, 1 double bed and 1 twin bed outfitted with the ugliest patchwork quilts I have every seen, peeling blue paint and green shag carpet. We were taken aback and a little uncertain about whether we should complain or deal with it. We decided to take it. And so we began by trying to pass the darkness of night by lying on top of the comforters, afraid to peel them back. The room had no heat and you couldn’t turn off the air conditioner. If I had know I was going to be freezing all night, I would have dressed for the occasion. We both were wide awake, tormented by the thought that the attendant would be up to evict one of us at any minute. As the night carried on, hysterical laughter began to erupt from my lips. I turned to BozoBoy who had cocooned himself with the edges of the comforter (did I mention we were still fully clothed, shoes and all). I decide to head to the bathroom to warm-up…turning up the shower to get a bit of heat. There wasn’t any HOT water. In the end we only lasted until 6 a.m. and when we tried to get out, the DOORS WERE LOCKED! While I fumbled with the lock the attendant showed up and began harassing us for having 2 people in a single! We threw the door open and ran. That was the most hideous place I have every stayed.

Second Act

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It has been SO long, but what can I say! My crazy mind (a.k.a ANAL RETENTIVE, perfectionist wannabe) has been getting in my way. Every time I think of something or blogging it becomes something more than it should. It should be fun and relaxing, not work or a “to do” task. But since it is has been on my mind lately I was thinking of giving it another go. I have been inspired by others in blogland and have an itch to write.

Much has happened in the last year or so that I have missed having an outlet. So, the site is under-going a revamp and I hope it doesn’t stay this f’d up for long…(no guarantee though, one of my bathrooms has been half-painted (with the blue tape still up) for the last year). Now having said that I will not be around for another month. No vacation for 1 year + postponed 10th anniversary celebration = 4-week trip to Europe (London->Nice->Rome->Florence->Venice->Zurich->Paris)!

When I return I will share interesting tales of my trip, grad school, new job prospects, hubby, and mom living with us for the last year. I’ve missed you, I hope we can kindle/rekindle our friendship.

Perfect Day

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Sleeping. Crocheting. Reading. Relaxing. Snuggling. What a fun day!

Riga, one of our kitties is in Heat. The first time for both of us. She is crying, running around in pain. Time to schedule that spaying. I hope we make it through the night. Crazy kitty.

Hiatus

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So, today is exactly 1 month since I last blogged. I feel pretty awful about this and yet at the same time it was a nice break. I was very busy over the holidays. I actually have some posts written from last month, which you may see popping up. I hope they are interesting and fill in some of the holes from December.

Today also marks the launch of the application implementation I was managing. How fitting that it happened on Friday the 13th. I couldn’t have scheduled it better.

Thank U Gifts

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So, my project is finished. As a thank you to my team, I have decided to give one of them a gift basket. But not any gift basket. I have gotten each a gift set of natural and organic body & bath products. Additionally, I am adding non-toxic household cleaners and some other natural products. I hope they enjoy them. I wanted to give something unique, something I thought they might use and something that might help them on a path better living. I won’t have them finished until next week as I am still waiting for some items to arrive. I will update with a photo and a list of the items next week.

Domestic

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I did cross stitch! I am very excited. BozoBoy’s mum gave me a small child’s pattern years ago when I showed interest in the amazing work she and my sister-in-law did. Last night I started it. As it turns out it was quite easy and mentally relaxing. I will have it finished in no time.

I also decided to crochet a blanket for my friend who is due in June. I finally got a pattern I like and away we go. I figure I will have it done in about 3 weeks if I keep it up. The material is that typical baby trio of colors. It has been at least 5 years since I have even attempted any crocheting projects. I am still a novice. I plan on purchasing a book soon that demonstrates the stitches. I need to visually see them to learn them. Reading them does me no good.

All this crocheting is making me feel more maternal. Not sure how I feel about that.

No Party For Me

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Work had postponed our December holiday party this year due to weather. It is today! We will have a boring all-hands meeting to start and then a nice luncheon with games and prizes. Then an early release and everyone will be off home. I will not be attending, I will be spending my day in the office doing the work of other departments too lazy to take responsibility for their own data. I am taking one for the team. All my team members will be at the party. I don’t want them stuck at work too, especially after working the weekend. As it turns out, I wasn’t alone, my boss and our boss the VP came and helped. We finished most of the work by 2pm but I stayed and helped out until 5. The pain is easing. We are good to go! A few more hoops and we will be home free.