Education put to use
I got a call today from a woman who thought that I was my boss' secretary. She was an older lady who is a doctor's secretary. Here's the conversation:
Dr.'s Secretary (DS): Hi, I'm calling from blah blah blah's office, and she asked me to set up a meeting for her and [my boss]
Me: Um, well, [my boss] manages her own calendar, so you should contact her directly. [gives phone number].
DS: Oh, you don't do that for her?
Me: No, I'm the manager here.
DS: Oh, how come she doesn't have someone do that for her?
Me: I don't know, ma'am. The best way to schedule an appointment with her is to contact her directly.
DS: Some people are really quite capable! I could retire then!
That's a first. Even when I was a peon at my first job, I've never scheduled meetings for my boss. Somewhere in San Franciso, there is a doctor whose assistant just discovered a newfound liberation and is retiring!
August 24, 2006
August 18, 2006
I've fallen in love..again...
Don't worry, this post is not about Jason. I think that may make most of you vomit. So, I will spare you and those around you.
But, I've rediscovered an old love. Running.
Somehow, Bev managed to get Janet and I training for a half marathon. For those of you who have done marathons, the half sounds easy peasy. But, for me, it's been years since I really ran. But, a 1/2 marathon it is! So, off we've been training.
As I've been running, I've realized several things that I 've come to appreciate:
1) Endorphins aka runner's high. I could bask in this glow forever. Or at least until I get hungry again.
2) California and the Bay Area are truly beautiful. Last night, Janet and I ran down at Shoreline. Running along the water as the sun was setting, a light (and sometimes stinky) breeze, beautiful trails and marshes, the cutest flock of birds. Oh, and the huge power lines buzzing with the million watts/volts/whatever of electricity flowing through them.
3) The discipline of running. It is nice to feel a sense of discipline in my life. Routine and consistency, both hugely lacking as I've been transitioning into a new job, engaged life, and a schedule that has had something planned daily for the past 3 weeks and for the next 2.
4) The mental health benefits. Running clears my mind, gives me a chance to catch up with friends, gives me time to reflect.
I've totally been marvelling at how my body and mind respond to running. It's pretty amazing what our bodies can do! And, I've realized over the past few years how much I love being outside! Hiking, running, walking, swimming, wandering. Moutains, ocean, lakes, city streets. Just give me sun!
If anyone's ever interested in a jogging buddy, let me know! I love the company.
Don't worry, this post is not about Jason. I think that may make most of you vomit. So, I will spare you and those around you.
But, I've rediscovered an old love. Running.
Somehow, Bev managed to get Janet and I training for a half marathon. For those of you who have done marathons, the half sounds easy peasy. But, for me, it's been years since I really ran. But, a 1/2 marathon it is! So, off we've been training.
As I've been running, I've realized several things that I 've come to appreciate:
1) Endorphins aka runner's high. I could bask in this glow forever. Or at least until I get hungry again.
2) California and the Bay Area are truly beautiful. Last night, Janet and I ran down at Shoreline. Running along the water as the sun was setting, a light (and sometimes stinky) breeze, beautiful trails and marshes, the cutest flock of birds. Oh, and the huge power lines buzzing with the million watts/volts/whatever of electricity flowing through them.
3) The discipline of running. It is nice to feel a sense of discipline in my life. Routine and consistency, both hugely lacking as I've been transitioning into a new job, engaged life, and a schedule that has had something planned daily for the past 3 weeks and for the next 2.
4) The mental health benefits. Running clears my mind, gives me a chance to catch up with friends, gives me time to reflect.
I've totally been marvelling at how my body and mind respond to running. It's pretty amazing what our bodies can do! And, I've realized over the past few years how much I love being outside! Hiking, running, walking, swimming, wandering. Moutains, ocean, lakes, city streets. Just give me sun!
If anyone's ever interested in a jogging buddy, let me know! I love the company.
July 20, 2006
Done deal!
A story of jellies, heat escape, and rocks.
Yes, Jason and I are engaged! *happy dance*
Some background first. For those of you that don’t know, I’m in between jobs right now and have a week off before I start my new job on Monday. Also, for those of you that don’t know my father, he in his brilliantly endearing colander-esque way tipped me off as to what was coming. He called me a week prior. The conversation went like this:
Dad: I got a call today.
Me: Yes? Who was it? About what? (thinking it was about insurance or money or something random)
D: From a guy...
M: About what?
D: About you and this guy....
M: Huh? oh...Dad! You're not supposed to tell me these things!
D: WHAT?! I didn't tell you ANYthing!!
M: It's supposed to all be a secret!
D: It is a secret! I didn't say anything. You're thinking stuff, but I didn't say anything
M: When this happens to Jessica (my sister), you better not spoil it for her and tell her.
D: I didn't say anything!!!
Classic.
So, back to what you guys care about…
On Monday, Jason and I escaped the scorching Bay Area weather and headed out to Monterey for a couple days. Tipped off by my dad, I was suspicious of everything, but played along. If he wanted to walk, we walked. If he wanted to sit, we sat. Monday was full of relaxing, watching both the A’s and Giants’ games on TV. Yes, I’m a good girlfriend.
Tuesday, we headed off to the aquarium, the location of our first day trip together 4 years ago. All day long, he was fidgeting with his pocket, indicating that the rock was in there. Near the end of our time at the aquarium, he led me to a bench in a quiet corner that looked over the bay. He said some mushy things that are not for public consumption and then said, “I don’t know how to ask this.” He then fumbled around for a while in his pocket for what felt like an eternity before he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
To answer the important question: Did I cry? Yes, a little. No weeping, just teared up.
And that was that! After the proposal and calling the apporpriate family members, we headed back into the aquarium so that he could see all the exhibits that he was too nervous to enjoy. For dinner, Jason took me to a yummy, organic, sustainable seafood restaurant in Pacific Grove. It was so yummy! The waitress even said when she came in, “Did you guys just get engaged?” We wandered around Asilomar and Pacific Grove and watched the sunset. PERFECT DAY.
I’m so happy!! A perfect proposal to a wonderful wonderful man that I get to spend the rest of my life with! Yay me!!
Ok, what you guys really care about, pictures!
A story of jellies, heat escape, and rocks.
Yes, Jason and I are engaged! *happy dance*
Some background first. For those of you that don’t know, I’m in between jobs right now and have a week off before I start my new job on Monday. Also, for those of you that don’t know my father, he in his brilliantly endearing colander-esque way tipped me off as to what was coming. He called me a week prior. The conversation went like this:
Dad: I got a call today.
Me: Yes? Who was it? About what? (thinking it was about insurance or money or something random)
D: From a guy...
M: About what?
D: About you and this guy....
M: Huh? oh...Dad! You're not supposed to tell me these things!
D: WHAT?! I didn't tell you ANYthing!!
M: It's supposed to all be a secret!
D: It is a secret! I didn't say anything. You're thinking stuff, but I didn't say anything
M: When this happens to Jessica (my sister), you better not spoil it for her and tell her.
D: I didn't say anything!!!
Classic.
So, back to what you guys care about…
On Monday, Jason and I escaped the scorching Bay Area weather and headed out to Monterey for a couple days. Tipped off by my dad, I was suspicious of everything, but played along. If he wanted to walk, we walked. If he wanted to sit, we sat. Monday was full of relaxing, watching both the A’s and Giants’ games on TV. Yes, I’m a good girlfriend.
Tuesday, we headed off to the aquarium, the location of our first day trip together 4 years ago. All day long, he was fidgeting with his pocket, indicating that the rock was in there. Near the end of our time at the aquarium, he led me to a bench in a quiet corner that looked over the bay. He said some mushy things that are not for public consumption and then said, “I don’t know how to ask this.” He then fumbled around for a while in his pocket for what felt like an eternity before he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
To answer the important question: Did I cry? Yes, a little. No weeping, just teared up.
And that was that! After the proposal and calling the apporpriate family members, we headed back into the aquarium so that he could see all the exhibits that he was too nervous to enjoy. For dinner, Jason took me to a yummy, organic, sustainable seafood restaurant in Pacific Grove. It was so yummy! The waitress even said when she came in, “Did you guys just get engaged?” We wandered around Asilomar and Pacific Grove and watched the sunset. PERFECT DAY.
I’m so happy!! A perfect proposal to a wonderful wonderful man that I get to spend the rest of my life with! Yay me!!
Ok, what you guys really care about, pictures!
Two minutes after
The rock 
The laughs
The susnet
July 7, 2006
A brief word from our sponsor
Happy birthday, lady friend. My world is a better place with you in it!
And congratulations to Olivia & Jonathon (last week), Bev & Ben (monday), and Brandon and Jen (tomorrow)! ! Love is in the air.
Lots of pictures to follow. I'm trying to decide what online photo service to use. My requirements:
- Easy to post albums
- Some sort of privacy settings so that not everyone can see every picture
- Viewers can download original or large size photos.
So, I'm trying to decide:
Picasaweb via google (testing) - I currently use Picass to organize my photos already, 250MB limit
Yahoo! Photos (beta) - it's nifty, it's new, it's a little slow.
Smugmug - all the things I want, but I'd have to pay.
Thoughts?
June 15, 2006
A celebration of life.
A HUGE thank you to a wonderful team:
Thomas
Long
Kenn
Anne
Alinna
Hideyo
JanetMary
Bev
Jessica
Jason
And many many thanks to all of you who supported us:
Amy
Beth
Brian
Cindy
Thank you to everyone who supported our team! We had a great team come out, and I have to say, I’m truly impressed by how much everyone walked. We were one of the few teams that had people walking almost the entire time. There was live music, bbq, games, and camping out under the clear blue skies. Who was sore the next few days? We all were. It was a great time of hanging out, meeting new people, and supporting a great cause. If you ever get a chance to participate in an event like this, it is a great learning, bonding, and growing experience.
A HUGE thank you to a wonderful team:
Thomas
Long
Kenn
Anne
Alinna
Hideyo
JanetMary
Bev
Jessica
Jason
And many many thanks to all of you who supported us:
Amy
Beth
Brian
Cindy
Dad
Diana & Birgit
Diana & Birgit
Gene
Gina
Helena
Jean
Jenie
Karen
Olivia
Teresa
Gina
Helena
Jean
Jenie
Karen
Olivia
Teresa
Some pictures for your viewing pleasure (borrowed from Karen and Thomas..I’m bad at uploading pictures):
Our Team: Summer Lovin' (minus Kenn, Anne, Hideyo, Jess, and Mary)
Our campsite, decorated by fabulously by nettie spaghetti.
My pops and I.
The Luminarias that were lit in honor and in memory of those affected by cancer.
Chillin' (big teethy smiles)
In memory...