Half way there

I couldn't help but stop and take a moment to enjoy 2008. I am not sure where the time is going to but it sure does go fast. I think back to high school when every day seemed so long especially waiting in the last class for the bell to ring and school to be over with. Now I cherish the moments when I have nothing to do. I know they will be less as I study to take my GMAT and try to get back into college to get my MBA.... Yes I finally am doing this! But everything we do is worth our efforts. I seed will grow if you nourish it, a problem with eventually figure itself out, etc.

If you haven't taken a moment yet to think about all you have done in 2008 - do so now! Oh and don't forget to tell the person you love and cherish that you LOVE and CHERISH them. Time slips away.

Meet the Robinsons

Yesterday was one of the most enjoyable days I spent with my husband. We mostly hung out during the day doing errands but last night he grilled some awesome rib eye steaks and asparagus for dinner. We sat out on our patio eating dinner and watching all the lizards, squirrels, and birds as well as enjoying our flowers. It has been humid, rainy and hot here so the flowers are going crazy. The we watched Meet the Robinson's. It's a Walt Disney cartoon and one that I was a little interested in seeing when it came out so I had it on my to watch when it comes out on DVD list. It is about an orphan boy who is very smart and inventive but all he wants is a family. Well of course every time he invents something it causes catastrophe and he gets frustrated and gives up. He was lucky enough to see the future and see that by giving up the world suffered in whole and that it was better when he "kept moving forward". I know I can't see the future but I do know that by keeping moving forward I learn and improve. The improvements may be small sometimes and my lessons hard but I see changes. Then I read my cousins blog and he asks "Am I moving?" and I say yes I am!

3-2-1

I really hate exercise. I never have been one to do it regularly so I have a personal trainer, Judy. I love Judy. She pushes me but not too far. She takes my mind off of the worst exercises - lunges etc- by telling me cute little stories and most importantly she has shown me I can accomplish a lot. She recently introduced me to a new work out where we do three minutes of cardio, 2 minutes of strength training and then 1 minute of abs. I truly think this is one of the best ways to get in your cardio for the day because it breaks it into small increments. But the strength training is so difficult. A five pound weight can feel like 20 pounds after a minute. Don't believe me just try it!

Anyways, Judy is on vacation for the next two and 1/2 weeks. I had to do my own workout last night. It was really lonely. I may have to try one of those group classes....

Puggle from HE**

Bruce and I have discussed getting a dog over the last year but we can't decide what dog would fit us well. So this weekend, I offered to dog sit a six month old puggle. A puggle is a designer dog mix -pug and beagle. I think no I thought they were adorable. Floppy ears, big eyes... Anyways after the full of energy and way too many accidents (3 but still way too much for Bruce and I) we both agree a puppy is not for us. We were much happier with an older dog. So now it comes to watching the rescue and finding an older small dog that is as cute as a puppy. We don't want much do we? Well for those of you who want to see the cute side of our weekend, see how good Lilly the puggle can fetch.

New Toy

My husband got a 80 GB Playstation 3 finally! It was delivered this morning and he was like a kid on Christmas morning opening up the package and setting it up right away. He wants to mention it is backward compatible, has the dual shock 3 and came with Metal Gear Solid 4. I really don't know what all of that means but I am sure others do.

We watched National Treasure 2 and I have to admit that I can see a difference between BlueRay and regular movies. So I don't mind that I will be a PS Widow once in a while.

We also got a new desk -I like it because it hides the keyboard and mouse and with all the drawer space I am hoping things stay organized. With Bruce working from home, we have papers everywhere.

Laser Tag

On Friday the 13th, I got to go play laser tag with my co workers for a team building experience. I will post a picture later, but I am excited to report that my team The Strawberry Bulls won the tournament. I am so proud of our team. It was so much fun although by the end everyone was hot and sweaty from all the running around.

Inspiration from my Ohana (Roy's Family)

I have been given the chance to meet and work with some great people while working for OSI (Outback Steakhouse). I have decided to highlight two amazing stories. You never know where you are going to be inspired.

Each restaurant has an "admin" or administrative assistant but really they are the heart of our restaurants for they are the people that keep the managers in line and ensure that I get everything that I need in order to do my job well. In other words, I am only as good as they are.

One such person, Heather, was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. Heather and her husband, Rich, did a wonderful Q&A. Please check it out and don't forget the kleenuxes.

http://www.ioanthem.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=233&Itemid=1

I can only say that through all of this Heather still does her job and laughs through it all. Often times she gets me laughing when my day is not going the best. (Like when our AC was out at work.) I really admire her courage, strength and determination. She is a great example to all of us.

Mary just left the Ohana (that is Roy's talk for family) to work with a non profit organization. I miss her already but she has a great opportunity in New York to manage the facilities (45 room mansion), promote events, and do everything else that is needed. Below is a picture of the mansion and the website of the organization. It is a great chance to promote peace, justice and freedom. Not all of us get to this in our everyday lives but I know that Mary will do a wonderful job! This is her dream and even though she had to take a huge leap of faith (all the way from Texas to NY) I know it will bring her many blessings in return.

http://www.forusa.org/

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I am reading this wondering book called Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I found this passage so insightful that I wanted to share it.
"To create a family with a spouse is one of the most fundamental ways a person can find continuity and meaning in American (or any) society. I rediscover this truth every time I go to big reunion of my mother's family in Minnesota and I see how everyone is held so reassuringly in their positions over the years. First you are a child, then you are a teenager, then you are a young married person, then you are a parent, then you are retired, then you are a grandparent - at every stage you know who you are, you now what your duty is and you know where to sit at the reunion. You with the other children, or teenagers, or young parents or retirees. Until at last you are sitting with the ninety-year-olds in the shade, watching over your progeny with satisfaction. Who are you? No problem- you're the person who created all this. The satisfaction of this knowledge is immediate, and moreover, it's universally recongnized. How many people have I heard claim their children as the greatest accomplishment and comfort of their lives? It's the thing they can always lean on during a metaphysical crisis, or a moment of doubt about their relevancy- If I have done nothing else in this life, then at least I have raised my children well.
But what if, either by choice or by reluctant necessity, you end up not participating in this comforting cycle of family and continuity? What if you step out? Where do sit at the reunion? How do you mark time's passage without the fear that you've just frittered away your time on earth without being relevant? You'll need to find another purpose, another measure by which to judge whether or not you have been a successful human being. I love children, but what if I don't have any? What kind of person does that make me?"
It goes on but I just want to quote one other thing -" The Bhagavad Gita - that ancient Indain Yogic text - says that it is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection."
Here is to me- to find my relevancy and living my own destiny. Here is to all those out there searching for the same. May we all find what we are searching for.

Utah and Dutch Oven Dinners

I was lucky enough to go to Utah last weekend to spend some quality time (day?) with my family.

The trip started out very interesting as I passed out on the plane. Yes - fainted, fell to the floor and all. In my defense, I was sitting between two men and my air was blowing HOT air the whole trip. I had suffered through 3/4 of the trip. Then came the headache, nausea and claustrophobia. At that point I stood up and thought if I could make it to the back of the plane I would be alright. Well 5 rows later, I hear from somewhere far away a voice saying "Ma'am can you sit on the floor?" The stewardness must have repeated this at least 4 or 5 times before I was aware that she was talking to me. I sat like a good obedient child and got handed ice and a cold towel. After cooling for awhile, I become aware that yes I am sitting in the middle of the aisle and being asked "Are you pregnant? Do you have someone with you? How are you feeling?" The first being even more embarrassing then sitting on the floor. The amazing thing is that everyone- even the passengers on the plane were kind and concerned about me. It always amazes me how strangers can do the nicest things and give of themselves like that. I did make it to Salt Lake in tact and I have had no other episodes (not even on the ride back) so NO MOM I AM NOT PREGNANT.
My dad, Susan and Becky picked me up from the airport and we met Heather at the Outback in Salt Lake City. My poor dad! The girls were at their prime just going 100 miles an hour. But it was so much fun. We don't often get to talk and without the kids it let us focus on each other. We stayed so late that the restaurant was closed before we left.
For Saturday, I knew that I had to get up to help with preparations. I had to because I had to learn how my aunts and mom make such great food. I also wanted to buy a dutch oven myself but knew nothing about it. Strange after eating it all my life but I never really paid that much attention before. Now I am confindent that when I buy my dutch oven I will turn out just as yummy versions of dutch oven potatoes and peach cobbler (those are my favs). Now I just have to find opportunities to cook for other people. (HINT: any visitors?) My other big goal of the day was to meet Sydney - Diana's daughter. After seeing pictures of her and hearing my mom go crazy over her, I knew it was going to be love at first sight. It was! She smelled of baby lotion and her smiles are priceless. She was so much fun to play with and it was even more special when she fell asleep. Diana is very lucky.
The rest of the dutch oven dinner went by so fast. There is never enough time to visit - 63 people in total and the dinner was 4 hours long so if I would have divided my time equally it would be 3.8 minutes per person - just not enough at all. But I enjoyed it so much. Even a second is worth it to me.
After we had cleaned up, my mom, brother, Becky and me stopped by Grandma's for a short visit. Her house is so welcoming and I walked around the gardens enjoying the flowers. Love is full there. I feel my grandpa's love through the house that he built for his family and I feel my mom's, aunts and uncle's love as I walk around and see all their hard work they put towards keeping the house looking beautiful.
I love my family! The visit was so much fun. Even if it was a short visit. I am so happy to have had the chance to see everyone and visit. THANK YOU!

Girl's Night Out and Date with the Ray's

I have had a very busy week. I have been given the chance to learn another concept at work by taking on an additional restaurant- FLEMINGS - yes finally a concept that has a restaurant in Utah. My Flemings is the one in Denver and already I can tell that I am going to love it. The Operating Manager, Audrey, is on top of her game and is fun to chat with.

On Friday it was officially girl's night out. I went with a group of nine from work to happy hour and Sex and The City. I enjoyed the movie a lot! I have missed Charlotte, Samantha, Carrie and Miranda. I have yet to figure out who I would best fit under but I know my friend Candy is Samantha.

Today, Bruce and I went to the Tampa Ray's game with friends. The Ray's won the White Sox in an extra inning. It was very exciting and the fans cheered. I became a fan of "CC" or number 13 on the Rays. The section we were sitting in loved him and he played a key role in the win.

With month end at work, I know I won't have time this week to blog unless a miracle happens and of course I am headed to Utah on Friday. So I will be gone from blogging world for a while but I will return with lots of stories to tell.