Lists #6 and #7

Happy Kwanzaa! It is a really sunny, blue-sky day in Buffalo. And, for the first time EVER in the history of my Buffalo family, we ate out for Christmas dinner instead of cooking at home…woo-ha!

The Opening of the Gifts went quite well:

1. a new watch
2. gift card to Macy’s
3. red cashmere sweater
4. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
5. a pair of Helios pocket heaters
6. the trendiest sneakers I have ever laid eyes on (from Bobby, of course)
7. the most high-tech web cam I have ever laid eyes on (from Cam, of course)
8. the cutest pair of shot glasses I have ever laid eyes on, with black kitties on the side, (from Steve, my pastor’s son, of course)
9. beautifully painted glass drink stirrers (from Steve’s mom, my pastor’s wife)

Gifts I would’ve drawn blood for, had this been a white elephant party:

1. a high-end Canon digital camera
2. Dyson vacuum cleaner (hey, it gets dusty in Colorado, okay?)
3. jewelry chest with in-laid gold and ebony wood detail
4. gift card to Best Buy (I want the toys all the other boys and girls have)
5. Banksy: Wall and Piece graffiti art book

Overall, the day was a lot fun! Now, I think it’s time for a late lunch at Amy’s Place and a trip to the art museum.

Umoja!

Merry Christmas!

From Buffalo (where there is, surprisingly, very little snow!)…

Peace and joy!

Sleep came more easily before.

I’m in DC right now visiting my best friend and her husband and, after a very full day, I can’t sleep.  It’s after 2am ET on Saturday, and I’ve been awake since 5am MT Friday.  Grrr.

I slept like a ROCK on the plane ride here, though.  It was a turbulent flight and I love that–the rocking and bumps lull me to sleep.  Plus, I had my headphones on listening to one of my favorite bands, Creed, and “What If” was the last song I remember hearing.

I found out today that I didn’t get the research position in Denver I had been hoping for.  I was surprised and a little upset because I had been in contact with the group head all along, who re-assured me as soon as a week ago that I was a really strong candidate and filling the position was just a matter of time spent going through the bureaucratic process.  But instead, this morning I received an unsigned form-letter via email from the general HR office saying another applicant had been selected.  Again, I felt disappointed and slighted, especially since the notice didn’t come directly from my contact.  After talking to Cam, who was having a bear of a day back home, too, it turned out, and my friend here, I feel much less twisted over it now.  But I still can’t sleep.

Anyhow, at least now I know; not hearing either way was driving me mad.  Now I can move on and re-focus my search.  I made a couple of business contacts at a cocktail reception tonight, so we’ll see if they lead anywhere.

You might be a Perfectionist if…

…you read this recent article from the NY Times and suddenly feel a little exposed…

Having fun yet?

I can’t believe it’s December already, which means that next time I poke my head up it’ll be 2008

I walked in the December holiday parade this past weekend! It was SO much fun and lots of people in the community came out to show their support and have a good time. To make it even more exciting, my group marched behind a local Chinese drum group that showed off amazing drumming skills and a HUGE, colorful 20′ long paper dragon! SaaaWEET!

The temp outside actually got up to 65 degrees today! The sky was beautiful at sunset.