New Site Coming Soon!

I just posted some photographs that I have take while here in Berlin on Flickr.

to my berlin reader:

i don't know who you are, but i am coming to your city tomorrow. any suggestions where i should eat, shop or be a tourist at?

Packing

I have traveled a ton in my 33 years, but lately I have been traveling so much that I am getting really tired of packing.

A few tips I have figured out:

1. Pack the least amount of toiletries.
2. Always bring a Camera.
3. One carry on, unless you don't want to check your bags.
4. Put as much as you can in your suitcase, ie: laptop powercords, leatherman, crimpers, etc...
5. Pack diversely in the clothing department, but light.
7. Remember to leave room for the potential purchase for the return trip.
8. Take Airborne.
9. Dress comfortably for the plane.
10. Make sure to wiegh your bag before going to the airport.

Film: There Will Be Blood

If Daniel Day Lewis does not win an Oscar for his performance in this intense film, then I will know that the Academy Awards is truly rigged. He's a completely unredeemable character with an unstoppable greedy and competitive personality. However, I found it interesting that the characters who surround him end up reflecting the same characteristics that he does, except perhaps the son. The most fascinating part of the film is the relationship between the oil man, Daniel Plainview (Lewis) and the young clergyman, Eli Sunday. Both exhibit hypocrisy, greed, competition and a desire for power. The churh tries to use the oil man for his money, and the oil man uses the church for material gain. Some of the scenes between Daniel and Eli are so intense, they are hard to watch. Though the characters in the film may not find redemption, I do think that there is a lot to learn and ponder from watching the characters interact. For me, this is one of the best films that I have seen in a long time.

Thoughts About My Library

At some point, I need to organize my books into categories of:

Books I Have Read
Books I Have Not Read
Books I Have Read and Want to Read Again
Books I Have Read and Will Never Read Again

Teal Scarf

Some of my favorite gifts are things that people have made me. I have this teal crocheted scarf that one veronicam knitted me a while ago. Its really skinny and long so I can wrap it a million times around my neck. It matches everything. I can wear it pretty much anytime I feel like it. I have worn it down to the perfect softness. It's almost like a security blanket.

I remember when she first gave it to me, she was a bit aplogetic about the length. "I'm sorry, I just kept going and I didn't realize how long it is. And If you don't like the color, I totally understand," she said to me before I had even unwrapped it.

Little did she know.

If I ever lose this scarf, I will be sad. And I will promptly text or twitter her to let her know that she better have some of that yarn stashed away because I will want her to make me another.

I think I shall make her a wedding present instead of buying one.

Coming Soon...

With my new title at work "Senior Technical Specialist," I have been challenged by my boss to have my own website: get a domain name, get it hosted and create a multi-funcionality blog using wordpress, learn CSS and design it myself instead of relying on blogger to do it all for me.

OK. Challenge on.

I wonder if I can get a raise out of this?

Jen's Hip for 2008 List

1. Tea is the new coffee.
2. Twitter is the new Facebook
3. Mint.com is the new personal banker
4. Moleskine is the new spiral notebook
5. H&M is the new GAP
6. My T-mobile Windows Smart Phone is the new cubical
7. Aveeno Lip Balm is the new chapstick
8. Ipod is the new DVD player
9. Guitar Hero 3 is the new party game
10. Huckabee is the new Chuck Norris

Las Vegas

I just got home from working the MS CES Keynote and I am so glad to be home. Vegas gets old very quick. Normally, I love staying at the Venetian, but this time...

The updated rooms look great. It's always nice to have the big suite with the flat screen TVs everywhere, the bathtub, king size bed, sunken living room, etc, etc, etc.

However, there is a noticeable difference in service since the last time I was there. I don't know if it was because of the opening of the new casino and hotel, but the Venetian in general just had poor service. Perhaps they can smell the fact that I am not rich enough to gamble on their 15 dollar minimum tables and that I have a limited amount to spend each day on food.

Maybe all hotels are this way and I am just getting around to noticing it. I did note that if I did not tip someone, they would make sure to say "thank you" in a very nasty way. If I did tip, they would say nothing and kind of ignore it. I guess I look like all the other tourists there, even though I am really in the service business just like them.

I did get to see the new Planet Hollywood Hotel. It was really nice and has the best mall so far that I have seen in a hotel. I had also never been to the Wynn and so got to take a look. I really liked it, but definitely felt out of place. Its more swanky than the Bellagio. Its a gorgeous hotel and I love the forest/waterfall thing they have going on.

It is so good to be home.

Hello 2008!

Resolved:

1. Eat Less
2. Exercise More
3. Read More
4. Listen More
5. Write More
6. Photograph More

Family

I have heard that many people do not enjoy the holidays because of relatives. I suppose that at times, I could admit that same thing. This year, I have been thinking about my family, both immeadiate and extended, and realize that I am a pretty lucky girl.

When I think about my family, parents, brother and wife, aunts and uncles, cousins and all the little second cousins, I feel very blessed. They are really an amazing group of people. I can't think of one of them that I do not like. If I was not related to them, I think that I would try very hard to know them somehow, or I'd try to be related to them.

I guess I should give the credit to my grandparents, who are both now in heaven. They had 5 children, on my mom's side, who then in turn, had 13 children and who in turn have had 28 plus 2 on the way and who knows how many more to come! This number does not include spouses and others who are cousins through marriage.

Wow.

...and all of them are beautiful, amazing, fun, wonderful people!

There is a perfect verse in the Bible that I think describes my family

Psalms 78:4
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.

I love the generational vision that my family has and I wonder just how large this family is going to get?

Today

A good day:

1. Little email
2. Guitar Hero 3
3. Jimmy John's
4. Found a great Christmas Sweater
5. Eating my roomate's Christmas Cookies without permission
6. Moon

There are those days when nothing seems to go right,

but...

stopping for a minute, to think, pray, reflect

and drink a cup of tea.

...that usually fixes it.

Miracles

"For Glory means good report with God, acceptance by God, response, acknowledgement, and welcome into the heart of things. The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last."

--C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Seeing the door opening, after a long time of knocking, is almost unbelievable, but it it opening.

What Do I Want in a Job? and not necessarily in this order...

1. Good Boss
2. Fun coworkers
3. Flexibility
4. Adventure
5. Challenge
7. Security
8. Good Benefits
9. Money
10. Enjoyable working environment

Interviews

I interviewed with a company today, that will remain nameless, but I am curious as to whether they did a search for me on the internet. I sure hope they did, because I don't know if I'd want the job unless they had done their homework.

Hiring managers should definately "google" or as some might be pressured into saying "windows live" potential employees.

I will say that I didn't feel too nervous while I was interviewing, until the last interview. And I am not sure why. Maybe because I felt like this guy would actually be someone that I would work with on a daily basis while all the other people weren't.

And I am not sure if I want the job yet either, but I want to see what kind of offer I get...that is, if I get one at all.

And I found that I sweat a lot in interviews. Good thing I wore a jacket.

Operation Basement Water Removal

With the recent Seattle Deluge, I ended up with some minor flooding in my basement that got my rugs and records wet. Also, a section where a bunch of boards and doors was affected. Today, my dad and I sopped up the water and moved the boards out of the way. The question was how to get the rugs dry. Since they are small area rugs, we just tacked them to the rafters and put fans on them. Simple enough.

We are still not sure where the leak came from, but the theory is that the water table level rose and the water came in from cracks in the walls. Ugh. We might have to dig a big trench under my porch for a drain. Not a fun project.

Sometimes I wonder if being a homeowner is worth it.

Quick Weekend Trip

I flew to Switzerland on Thursday, arrived on Friday and flew home last night.

Perhaps you think this is crazy, but here are several reasons that I thought it made it worth it:


1. Surprising the pants, and sometimes the socks and shoes too, off of friends.

2. Loading up on Chocolate, esp the kind with a "kick."

3. Getting Status on Alaska Airlines

4. Catching up on all the movies I missed in the theatre

5. Adventure

I found a perfect way to share my Christmas List with friends and family...social networking style.