"when I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half." gracie allen

I haven't talked about my nephew in a couple hours, so now I must. His name is Matthew, and he has got to be the best kid. He's my first nephew, so he will always hold a special place in my heart. He was with us in Mexico, so I got to spend so much time with him. I took him swimming in the pool-even swam up to the pool bar with him. He ordered a beer. I think....
He particularly enjoys stairs. There was a flight of steps going up from the pool to the hotel lobby, and they were painted red. He thought those were the best! He and I went up and down those stairs so many times-just not enough for him to be completely satisfied. I'm sure he'll still enjoy the library steps back home.
Matthew loves noise. When he was born, noise seemed to be his enemy (being a premie will do that.) We did a lot of singing and echoing around that resort. I think people enjoyed him, too. (I know, I'm a little partial.) People would stop us just to say hi to him. When he was with someone else, people would stop me to find out where his was at the time. They knew his name better than anyone's, I think. Complete strangers would stop us to ask about Matthew, and compliment his dashing looks. (He is adorable.) Now I'm just bragging.
I think I'll get back to work, now. Yesterday was catch-up. Today is get-ahead. I'm living in the land of boxes now. I've gotten to the point where I have more boxed items than un-boxed items. I think tonight I'll work on the closet and desk-finish them up....Have a good day!

"when we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves" william arthur ward

What a vacation! I have to admit, I wasn't really excited to see Mexico. But now that I've been there, I'd really like to learn the language. It will certainly help, living here in California. Since I already speak French, it was easy to pick up on Spanish while I was there.
And next weekend, I'm moving. I'm beginning to think I will be packing and un-packing for the rest of my life. Ok, just for the next month....
There are so many of my favorite moments in Mexico. Zip-lining in the jungle, horseback riding on the beach, lounging under coconut trees and drinking pina coladas at the beach, chatting with my family, shopping at the mercado de los artesianos in Zihua and Ixtapa, taking a public bus ride from Zihua to Ixtapa, swimming up to the pool bar to order a drink, racing from one end of the airport to the other to catch the flight home....the moments go on and on. One overriding theme, though, was the overwhelming welcome from the people. They were all so kind and helpful. This is what makes me want to learn their language. That way, when I run into someone who speaks Spanish, I'll be able to help them better and return the favor. English is a very hard language to learn, Spanish isn't comparatively....
So back to work this morning. Lots to catch up on and finish. I came in to 8 weekend repos and 12 new assignments. This is double to what I normally walk into on a daily basis. (More come in during the day, which equal closer to 10 repos and 25 new assignments.) So this should be a very busy day. Funny how cold and rainy weather brings on more repos....And now to return to work and get something finished. Have a really good and busy day!

"you must do the thing you think you cannot do" eleanor roosevelt

Some days are really busy. Today I walked into the office and none of the computers were working right. The network was down. When one works in a small office, one wears many hats. One such hat I wear is the computers. It took until after 10 to get everything working right again. Good things did come from it: everything is working better than before. I found the reasons for some underlying problems which haven't been solved in months. So now the office feels like the million dollar man: better, stronger, faster.
I think I'll take these hats off on Thursday when I leave for vacation. Vacation sounds good. I love airports. I have a five hour layover in one city, and I am so happy about it. I'll get some coffee, read my book, take a nap, go for a walk, get breakfast. And do all that in a leisurely manner, so as not to waste the vacation time. (And to think, I'll be getting paid for it! I love getting vacation pay!) When I get back, I'll have to pack like crazy to move into my apartment! Won't that be a thrill.......Have a good evening.

"all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." walt disney

A friend of mine is leaving for a trip to Disneyland tomorrow morning, too early for coherent thought. I love all things Disney. My Grandparents and my father and his siblings were there opening day more than fifty years ago, and it's been a big part of our family since then. (My father even went back for the anniversary on July 17, braving the heat and crowds.) I guess for us, it was a way of unifying us even though we aren't really that close.
Anyway, ask me anything Disney, and I'm sure to know about it. Club 33, Hidden Mickeys, the name of the Snow White singer-I'm sure to know it. It's just a matter of putting thoughts to music, then it becomes easy to remember. That's how I still remember all the verbs using "etre" in the passé composé form of verbs in French. "The House of Etre", as on of my French teachers taught.
I'm rambling because it's Sunday and I've just decided I have far better things to do than sit here and type for myself. I'm sure there's something I should pack or box or something....I hope you had a good weekend! Have a great week!

(Amy, say hi to the pirate sitting on the bridge for me!)

"there is a secret bond between slowness and memory, speed and forgetting" milan kundera

I like quotes. Some have the power to become part of my inner voice. Others have the power to affect change. Perhaps I will make them a part of my daily journal. There are several I have posted here at my desk.
Going through my things as I box them for the move has been enlightening. I'm finding little bits of comics, my Disney pins (those things are so fun!), scrapbooking/beading/sewing accoutrements. It's funny how once you have it all in one place, it seems much bigger. I'm finding tools I didn't know I had! Hopefully, I'll be able to implement some sort of organization once I move. I already have the tools, once I move I'll have the space. Then everything will have a place. And what doesn't have a place will have to find a new home with someone else.
I'm leaving in less than a week for Ixtapa. We were planned to go to Cancun, but our hotel was destroyed. My heart goes out to the people living there. I hope their livelihood is restored soon so they can live the life they are accustomed to. In the States, we didn't hear much about the Mexican coast, and how it was affected by Wilma. I'm amazed at how focused the american media is on making the States sound like the most important place in the world. Granted, the Anglo-American world power is just that. But does that necessarily mean that people who live in the states are as close-minded so as to ignore the events occurring throughout the world? That's why I like to pull up news from around the world on websites hosted out of this country. Not only do you get a better idea of what's really happening in France (not as bad as the media would lead you to believe), but what is really happening in Africa (as destitute as the media would lead you to believe.) Opening one's eyes to the occurrences in the world might lead one to think about humankind as a whole, and thus remembering that all of us are really in the same boat. We are all just one event away from losing what we have, and hopefully not our lives. I am infinitely indebted to Jehovah God for the hope I have. I know that there is a hope of a resurrection for those who fall asleep in death, thanks to Jesus' ransom sacrifice. I know there is a hope that if I live through the Great Tribulation, I might not ever taste death. Ah, to live forever in paradise, as Jehovah initially intended-what joy! And finally! Everyone will know who Jehovah is: the Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, deserving of all our praise, worship, and honor! Now that will be wonderful....

Blame Jane

So this is what blogging is all about. I will choose to call it journalling, since it sounds more prosaic.
I've got a lot going on right now: working, going on vacation in a bit, and moving to a new place. My first apartment, actually. I've always seemed to manage to live with other people, so it's a rather big step. Having my own place will be a good thing, since I also have an appreciation for old furniture. All my beautiful furniture pieces will have a home, instead of spread around the city at friend's houses. You jest, but I'm sure there's at least one person out there with a similar problem. Storage shed ring any bells?
As for work, I am assistant manager in a repossession company. I get to hear all the angry debtors calling because we "stole their car." How many times have I wanted to tell them we were only recovering what they had no right to possess! It's amazing how very civilized people become the horrible monsters of themselves where their car is concerned. Only yesterday, we had a debtor sound so sweet on the telephone. Once they were at my door, however, they turned into a raging egomaniac! Oh well, it'll come back and bite them some time in the future, if not when they realize how mean they were when they get home.
And vacation, well, I will be going horseback riding on the beach-another of my favorite things to do. Perhaps I will enjoy a drink while lounging on the beach as well. I intend to have an actual vacation, as opposed to the type of vacation where you need a vacation once you return. We'll see....
So there it is, my first journal entry. Enjoy your evening!