Labor Day Weeekend 2007

I just want to put a place saver in here. . . I want to talk about my Labor Day Weekend. But My computer isnt working at home, and so I wont be able to add pictures. So once I get my new one, Thanks Dad for such a great birthday present, I will have a great Labor Day post up. . .

Thank You!

I dont really have much to say, but I am in a blogging mood. . . .

So, as this is only readable by my dear friends from my past and present, I just wanted to say that I think you are all great. And that I am fortunate to have known each and everyone of you. I love hearing from you, and know how your life has turned out since we parted ways.

I was reminded of the beauty of old friends last week. I had some time and so I spent an evening chatting with two friends. It was great to be reminded by friends that I have known for years that life is worth all the trials that we are given. One of my friends that I was able to speak with was a girl that I have known since I was about 10, it might have been earlier even. Our paths have crossed many times over the last 15 years. And the paths that we each have trodden, have been so different than anything that we could have imagined when we were Beehives/Mia Maids/Laurels/College Students, etc.

I must say that Im so thankful for the Church, for the understanding and guidance that it has given me in my life. I know that my life would be so different than what it is, and Im not sure that the difference would be something good or something to be proud of. Thank you to each of you for being an example and a friend to me.

DSSA Reunion

SO. I tried to put together a DSSA Reunion and it sorta didnt work so well. DSSA stands for Deutche Sommershule am Atlantik, it was the German Program I did out of the University of Rhode Island. Only the guys that I normally have seen over the last four years, showed up. But it was still a fun day. Here is the recap of the day.

Noon til 6pm - Boating. Just like Saturday during the program, we went tubbing, water skiing, discing, etc. As all the girlfriends and the girls in the program bailed, I brought some girls of my own. It was alot of fun. I just love being on the lake, chillin with friends, enjoying a beautiful day.

Who showed up to the lake: Me, Jason, Val, Gabe, Eddy, and my friends Ally and Michelle (Technically not my friend, but Allys)

Here are some shots from the day.

Valentino LaScola, Jason Lavigne, Gabe Schwartz

Lisa, Val, and Gabe - The kids on the boat decided that they wanted to be funny and leave us in the middle of the Lake. Haha, They were bored without us and had to come back and get us.

Eddy, Michelle Kirk, Ally Baldwin. The girls are my addition, and Eddy was friends with Gabe, Jason, and Val during the program along with dated Sareh.

Dinner at Macaroni Grill - Jason, Val, Lisa, Michelle, Ally, Sareh, Erik.

Val, Sareh Rajeea, Lisa, Jason

After dinner, Val, Jason, Me, Michelle, Ally, and Meagan (Jason's Girlfriend) went and saw No Reservations as it is a remake of Mostly Martha, which is a German movie that we watched during the program.

It was good to see the others from the program that showed up. I wish that some others came, like Nate Green, Leah Wyman, Justin DePre, Josh Kohn, and Shawn. (crap, cant remember his last name, but it has been 4 years!) Im just really glad that I have been able to stay friends with those that I have over the years. They are all so great, and amazing. Im so glad that I was inspired to go to DSSA. I really think that it was the place that I needed to go to. It was a mini-mission (of sorts) for me. I am really grateful for the guidance of the spirit in my life. Im amazed that I have had the great experiences that I have had in my life.

Love

I love life. I love the joys that it brings, and the sorrows. I love the chance I have to learn and understand. I love the little things in life that keep me going.

Things like:
A smile from a fellow t-rider
An email from a friend just to say Hi, I was thinking about you
My morning scriture reading before heading off into the crazy, busy world
Walking to the T on a crisp, cool morning
Brightly-colored Houses
Good music on my iPod
My lovely niece and nephews in Hartford
A job that makes me grow personally and professionally
Beautiful, Sunshine Boston Summers
Sharing my peanut M&Ms with co-workers
A small childs laughter


I must say that these things are not always on my mind. Sometimes its the sorrows in life that invade my thoughts. But its the moments when the good and happy are resident do I feel like I can do anything.

Under the Sea Party

I just realized that I havent posted anything about Jacks 3rd BDay Party. He is so darling, how I can I forget him. Jack wanted a "Nemo" party, but he settled for an "under the sea" party as Megan wasnt too excited about doing a Nemo party.

Here are some shots from that party.

Jack with Cousin Evie, and Cousin Addie

The 7 Layer Ice Cream cake to look like sand and the beach.

Ahh. This little face! I love when he smiles. . . . This was Jack patiently waiting to blow out the candles again as not everyone was there the first time. Darling little guy!

Whale Watching

My cousin Sam visits Cape Cod often these days. Her second child's father has family there, so they enjoy the quiet that there is. I went down on Sat for the day. It was great to spend time with her, the kids, and all the Serbians!

I had never been whale watching. It was much more amazing than I really thought it would be. There were whales every where. Here are some pictures from the day.

My cousin Sam and her older daughter Asha, 2.5 yrs/old.

Business Trip

This idea of traveling for work is new for me. (Something I always picture old men doing.) With the new position I have the opportunity to go to Ft Lauderdale, FL. I also get to stay at nice hotels, rent fun cars, and go to really boring meetings! Ha, the joys of being an Adult. (Side note - I dont really feel like an Adult. I know, I know. I graduated from high school 8 yeas ago. I have been living on my own for 8 years, and without any parental assistance for 4. I schedule my own doctor, and dentist, appointments. I cook my own food, and clean my own house. I guess in most ways Im an "Adult." But I still would rather go run through a muddy creek, or finger paint, daydream about that new boy in my chem class, or listen to Beastie Boys as Im riding in my best friends old Chevy truck, than spend a day at work!)

I flew to FLL on the 925am flight, and made it to a 2pm meeting. I spent about 2.5 hrs at the office, and was done. So. What to do in a city you dont know anyone for 7 hrs before you go to sleep? Well. I first went to a movie. Never have the time for that these days. Then at 7, I wasnt hungry, so I headed to the beach. I didnt have a swimming suit, but I did get to smell the salty air and squish my toes in the sand. Humm. I guess time to get dinner. But my biggest pet peeve is to go to a restaurant by my self. I guess that is what the "Bar" is for. So I headed for BBQ, and the bartender first asks for what I want to drink. When I reply with 'Sprite,' he definately gave the 'this is going to be a great tab' nod. Eat some good bbq, took a desert back to the hotel (its on the company dime, might as well!), and then settled in for an hour of tv. And off to sleep. . . . PS The bed was huge! And all to myself. I wanted to call a friend or two for a sleep over. Oh yeah, all my friends are atleast 100s of miles away. Well then, to myself. ;(

Tuesday I didnt have a meeting until 11am, and that was my only meeting. It only lasted about 40 minutes. My flight wasnt until 745pm. Humm what to do for 6 hours? Well I didnt bring my swimming suit, and I just was wanting to get back. So I switched and got on the 130pm flight. I hurried and filled up the car, returned it, and made it to be gate by 1230. Everything was going just fine until we were flying over Providence (That place seems to haunt me!) and the fog rolled in and we werent able to land in Boston. . . . Needless to say that 4 hrs later, I was back in a plane going to Boston. In retrospect, I should have bought a new swimming suit, and gone to the beach!

I have more of that to look forward too.