Last weekend.

Last weekend was my work Christmas party. Luckily it was at a nearby hotel, so we booked a room. It was a very nice evening and fun to hang with the Hubs and some of my favorite people from work...basically Tina & Mamacita. The food was delicious and there was a photo booth! 

I LOVE PHOTO BOOTHS!!!!!

They're just so much fun!! 

The next day we finally used our season passes to the San Diego Zoo. It was a lot of fun and A LOT of walking!!!!  

Last Sunday evening, we spent some time at Levi's sister's home with her family and their Dad. It was quite enjoyable. I like getting to know Levi's family and spending time with them.  All in all, it was a wonderful weekend.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 4: Work.

So.... I want to do this whole 30 days of Thankfulness that I see a lot of my friends do, each November. I only thought about doing it this morning, so I don't really have a day 1 or 2....or 3 really, but for now I'll count last night's post as Day 3.

Today, I'm grateful for the job that I have. It came at the most perfect time. Seriously, I ended one job and started up here a week and a half later! Actually, my last day at my old job was the same day as my first interview. 

The benefits are nice and everyone's friendly. The office is relaxed and very nice. Probably the nicest office I've ever worked in. I like my lil cube. I've decorated it so it feels less grey and cold. 

I'm thankful I get to work with my friends, Tina & Mamacita, especially when we go out for Happy Hour after work sometimes.  Tina and I work alongside each other and I couldn't be more grateful. It's nice to have someone who understands exactly what the job entails and goes thru the same experiences. 

Chuy's not so bad either. So extremely helpful! I know we get on each other's nerves, but I'm truly grateful to have these two to work with.

Monday: On My Mind.

Work has been pretty busy...VERY busy.  Unfortunately, my team at work has shrunk. A week ago, there were 7 of us.  Today, there were only 5...but there's work enough for 20.  To say we're 'swamped' would be an understatement!  I feel like all I do, Monday - Friday is wake up, WOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRK, drive in traffic & veg until bedtime.  I'm just drained and the fun has evaporated since the workload has been enormous lately.  I'm grateful for Tina & Chuy because man, we've been slammed the last few days and sometimes I just wanna scratch my eyes out...........but then we joke around and shoot rubber bands and then all is well (until the phone rings)

Other things on my mind....
Sometimes I wonder why certain siblings read my blog.  Honestly, I'd rather they didn't.  I don't want to be a part of their lives, and I sure as hell don't want them to be a part of mine... so there's really no need to read about my life.  We're just way too different and have nothing remotely in common with each others' lives.  The last time I had a conversation with one of my brothers, all he did was rain on my parade for my upcoming wedding.  It's like that was his whole agenda that day; to make me feel guilty for not inviting everyone that HE thought should be invited.  I'm just done.  I don't need that negative, egocentric attitude in my life anymore, ever again.  Goodbye Wayne. 

Other than that....  I am loving life!  Yeah work gets rough and challenging sometimes, but I couldn't be more grateful to have this great job and work with such great friends.  I love my husband with all of my heart.  He makes everyday a million times better!  I love the peace and calm that my home offers me.  It's quiet and relaxing.  He makes our home a safe haven from the crazy, tumultuous world.  I love it.  I can't wait til we get all of our wedding photos back so we can start hanging them on the walls.  I love them!  I'm stoked for my upcoming birthday.  I think I'm even more stoked for Labor Day and the 3 day weekend I get to sleep in.  Oh blessed be, I cannot wait!!!

Late Thursday.

*I'm so truly grateful for the kind friends and loved ones who have encircled me with an abundance of love and understanding, this week.  Man, I feel like a million bucks! My loved ones are the greatest and in turn it makes me want to be a better friend & kinder person to everyone.

*This week has been such a doozy.  I can't wait for this weekend! My 2 oldest nephews will be visiting! It's been so long!! All my nephews and niece, in one place.  This makes my heart happy

*I don't have a lot to blog about, tonight.  

*I'm excited to celebrate Hermanita's birthday tomorrow.  Man, I'm constantly reminded of the wonderful souls I have in my life that truly bless my life in more ways than one.  

*THREE of my friends had babies this week!  WOW!! Crazy exciting! I love them all and wish I could visit all of them and snuggle their babies.

*I had a dream of Tina, Chuy & Chuy's nephew, last night.  It was weird to dream about a baby.  When I told Tina & Chuy my dream, they both said I was next to have a baby.  Uh....we'll see about that.  Oh how I love sleep so much!

*Speakin of which... I better hit the hay!  Peace out!

The Friday Blog on a Monday Night.

*Let the bough break, let it come down crashing... LOVE. THIS. SONG.!!!

*Dude, this week was rough...when I say week, I mean Monday - Friday.  When I say Monday - Friday, I mean 8am - 5pm.  ROOOOUUUGGHHHHH!!! I couldn't be more grateful for Tina & Mamacita.  Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without these girls at work.  I'm so glad to have an outlet full of laughter!!  It's just so nice to have these two to spend lunch with and be able to let my guard down with.  Ever so grateful.

*Sorry Levi for being a lil emotional at times....especially last night.  I hate when he knows that my period's on the horizon.  Someone tends to be a lil more weepy....or she needs to vent when she has a rough week....and tears happen to come streaming down because she's so frustrated. 

*My sister gave me the recipe to her rice pilaf and I made it tonight for dinner. Oh man, it was so delicious.  It reminded me of home.  It made me think of our old kitchen and the memories in that little humble abode, when I was so soooo lucky to live under the same roof with all of those that I loved most.  Eating the rice made me miss that home so much and miss having all of my nephews in one place. 

*Sometimes, I can't believe how old my nephews are.  How does the time fly so quickly?!? What I would give to turn back the hands of time!  I wish I never took that time for granted or wished to move out on my own so much.  I miss them so much.  I can't even describe it, they're my most favorite friends and pretty much like my younger brothers.  And don't get me started on my niece.... she's a young woman now! My lil Novee is growing too fast! She's almost taller than me and my pride.  Dangit, they're all taller than me now! I feel little.  :'(  I remember the days I could see the tops of their heads.

Too Funny Thursday!

What a funny, crazy day!
Today, I was told that I would have my 90 day review at noon.  The last two times, I had a few days notice and the anticipation would build up.  I liked having the short notice so that I wouldn't get so nervous.  Surprisingly the review went better than I could have ever imagined.  Seriously, some of the nicest things I've ever heard concerning my job performance.  I can't hide the fact that I thoroughly enjoy my job and those I work with.  It's such an awesome office!
About a half hour after my review, my client team (there's 7 of us) received an email with Unlawful Detainer files that we had to open.  Although the email was addressed to all 7 of us, it was basically 20 files each for Tina, Chuy & myself.  My cubicle is in the far corner, with Tina on one side and Chuy right next to me.  When I received the email, I quietly wailed, "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo"...but then I realized that CC started laughing (she sits on the other side of Chuy---two cubes away from me) as well as Brie, one of my supervisors I just had my review with.  I seriously didn't think that anyone other than Tina would have heard that! Everyone on the client team started laughing! Luckily, a manager had just emailed us saying that he was leaving early for the day so I jokingly exclaimed, "I was just bummed that he was leaving early! Such a bummer! Oh by the way, what's this? An email from Brie?! I better look into this!"  and everyone laughed even more.  Seriously, so dang funny! My face was so bright red because I was so embarrassed I had no idea that everyone heard my little Tourette moment. I went over to Tina's cube and she was still dying from laughter.  Ugh....embarrassing, but oh so funny!
I also forgot how to transfer a call to one of our attorneys.  Just as embarrassing.... Doesn't help when his office is about 10 feet from my cube. 
Lunch with Mamacita & Tina was also full of laughter.  We were talking about bugs & animals we're not too fond of and our reaction to them.  An hour of hilarity!!  Working with Mamacita & Tina is great! I'm so thankful to have friends, not just acquaintances, at work.
After work, Tina and I were waiting for the elevator to head to the garage.  One of the five elevators is a little faulty.  Apparently, it stops in between floors and for one co-worker, the elevator stopped along with the AC & lights.  That just happened to be the elevator to pick up Tina and I, this evening.  I'm not gonna lie, I get a little nervous whenever that particular elevator opens up.  Tina and I got in and hit the button for the garage.  As we descended, it suddenly stopped at the 3rd floor and lingered.  The doors didn't open, it just lingered.  I started to get nervous and thought, "Oh no, the lights and AC are gonna give out any second!" Next thing I know, the elevator started moving and we started to go up!  The doors opened on the 7th floor and a woman got in.  I wanted to get out and wait for another elevator, but it was too late.  We started going down again and the elevator stopped on the 3rd floor and the doors opened up this time.  No one got in, but I jumped out! There's was no way I was going to ride this faulty elevator again!  Tina and I waited for an elevator to come and wouldn't you know it... the faulty one came back up, sans 7th floor woman!  I totally thought she was going to be in it but I guess she got to the garage floor, so that gave me some hope that this dang elevator wasn't so faulty after all.  We got in and it slooooooowly descended to the garage floor.  Stupid elevator....ugh!  We got out and started laughing more! Oh what a day!
What a funny day of laughter! Man, I loved it!  Guess you had to be there....

May the 4th be with you!

I always love having dates with my sweetheart.  Luckily, I can buy discounted movie tickets at my work, so we went to see Spidey 2.  I enjoyed the movie, especially since Levi is such a fan.  I won't give any spoilers, but I could have REALLY enjoyed the movie, except for one part. :(

 

We enjoyed some Panda Express right before the movie.  I'm a fan of fortune cookies, as cheesy as they sound.  However, sometimes, I think they can be pretty spot on.  See above.

On Friday, I got some AWESOME news!! There was an opening in another department for my firm, so I kicked it to my ol' coworker & good friend, Mamacita.  I submitted her resume to HR, and she came in for an interview a few days later.  Long story short, they were obviously impressed with her so she'll be starting in about a week.  Dude, I'm so so soooooooo stoked! I wish she was in my department, but I'm just so happy that we'll be working together again! Plus, it's such a terrific firm and I feel spoiled to work there.  I wanted her to enjoy these same spoils that I thoroughly enjoy!!  I can't wait!!  I think she'll definitely get along with Tina, so it'll be great to have two friends to work with!

Speaking of work, I'm way stoked to get to work tomorrow. I've got some packages that were delivered over the weekend, so I feel like it's Christmas all over again!  Ok, I'm off to bed now.  G'nite.

Spoiled!

Today was quite a spectacular day at work.  It's Administrative Professionals Day!  Wow...it was just so nice being appreciated for what I do, day in, day out.  This is probably one of the best companies I have ever worked for.  Seriously, I feel spoiled every day I get to work in the office that I work in.  It's just an all around great firm.  I mean, I feel spoiled by the benefits that I get, along with the beautiful office we get to work in.  Everyone I work closely with is so tremendously nice.  I don't know what more I could really say about it--it's just awesome!
My managers got us Einstein bagels, which went perfectly well with my morning yogurt.  While Tina and I were training, our lead came around presented us with froyo gift cards since we don't drink coffee.  I thought that was especially thoughtful that she remembered that and was kind enough to give us froyo gift cards!  Sweeeeeet!  I love that there's a froyo shop right outside of our building! Score!
For lunch, we were able to relax in the big conference room and enjoy some Taco Express.  The name doesn't even do it justice! I was expecting something kinda lame, because of the name, but man oh man! It was DELISH!! There were platters of beans, rice, carnitas & shrimp rancheros, along with chicken flautas! It was very pleasing being able to take a lunch with my co-workers, enjoying some appetizing Mexican food.  We were also given a tumbler cup with chocolates & single serving Crystal light mixes.

All around, it was a pretty great day.  Man, I do not take this job for granted.  It seriously fell out of heaven when I needed it most.  I thank my Heavenly Father every day for blessing that it is.  I couldn't be more grateful.

Life...in early April.

*As of late, my life is mostly work.  Do I like my job? Well, I like what I do and now I'm starting to train for covering reception.  Oh man, a lil daunting, but I think I can definitely hang.  It's a different phone set up and making sure we connect the caller to the right "account manager" or one of their team members, is still something I'm learning to do...especially since everyone goes by their initials.  Eh, it's part of the job so I'll do what I gotta do.

*I'm so glad I've made a friend at work, Tina is pretty chill and I'm glad that she gets my jokes.  It's just cool having someone understand how I feel about work, since we started within a week of each other.

*This past week, I was able to reconnect with some ol' friends.  I LOVE spending time with dear, old friends.

Tat, the the guy on the left, and I have been friends since single digit Primary days.  Dixie's in back and we've been friends since 2007, right around the same time I met Hermanita, on the right.  As each year passes, I'm ever so grateful to have the same group of close friends.  They're friends who accept me exactly how I am and know me so well, and vice versa.

*Levi and I went to see Captain America 2, today.  Oh maaaaaaaan, I totally dug it!  So dang good!! I liked it more than the first, since it had more fighting scenes.  I'm not gonna lie, Capt. America is easy on the eyes, but it's really Iron Man that wins me over EVERY TIME!  He has AWESOME toys and his intelligence is definitely something to admire....along with that cocky attitude.  But I don't need a superhero.... I already have my Mr. Amazing ♥