Monday, Monday

Sounds like my group is going to be reorganized to report up through IT. And then, it sounds like I will be moved back to Trust. We'll see what happens. But it will be a change for sure! I'm hoping I can get some more help along the way. My boss knows how overwhelmed I am and that I need help. I just don't know when that might happen. I do know that I can't keep working this hard for too much longer. This is so much stress right now.

The good news is that we have hotel reservations for Paris and the French Riviera. We're actually staying about 6 miles outside the city center in Paris, and will take the Metro into center city. The Metro is right outside our hotel, so that will be VERY nice. We're staying in a small town called Haut 'd Cagnes which is several miles outside of Nice... but still right on the coast. There is a bus and train station close to the bed and breakfast so we'll be able to see Cannes, Monaco, and Nice. I can't even tell you how much I'm looking forward to this vacation. I think our 3 days on the Cote 'd Azur (French Riviera) will be very relaxing. And a welcome change from all the walking we'll do in Paris (a bit troublesome since I'm still having a lot of feet problems = pain).

Anyway, I just wanted to post a quick update on what I'm thinking about now. Paris take me away! : )

Great weekend

I had a great weekend hanging out with my best friend Julie from Winston-Salem. It's been a long time since we've spent this much time together, and it was awesome! We talked, talked, and talked some more. On Saturday, after a pancake breakfast, we painted pottery. I painted a cute deviled egg dish. Julie painted a cute mug. We can pick it up in a week--I can't wait to see how they turned out!

Julie has been with me through thick and thin over the past 8 years. She makes me laugh, understands me, encourages me in life and in my faith, and is a constant companion through this life. If you had to ask me how God manifests his love in my life, it has truly been through Julie Casey. Love you girl!

And my beloved TAR HEELS won on Saturday evening. Woo hoo!

I worked on wills and power's of attorney today. ICK! But Isaac and I shot a couple baskets at the court near our house and ran some errands together. Now we're finishing up with the NCAA tournament before a little reading and bed.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Whirlwind Week

Last week was incredibly busy. We had a marvelous time in NYC and got back late on Monday evening. We got to see Chicago on Broadway, visited the Empire States building, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, had dinner with my favorite professor from grad school, visited the Natural History museum and walked through Central Park, toured the Museum of Modern Art, had some amazing food, and lastly, visited the Guggenheim Art Museum. It was a lot for 3 days, but we're glad we got to see so much.

I was struck by a couple things while I was there--the disparity in wealth between the haves and have nots. It was hard to see homeless people in the subways and on the sidewalks. And then turn a corner and see luxury stores down the line. Who needs a $1000 purse or $800 pair of shoes? It makes me thankful for the more simple lifestyle that Isaac and I have here. And, I am grateful to live in a place that's less crowded, with more trees and grass... and a better sense of community. It would probably feel different if I was raised in NYC. But, for now, I'm happy to be a Carolina girl.

After some long meetings in Raleigh on Tuesday, we drove to Charlotte. I had meetings all day in Charlotte, then got to see a seminary friend who just had a precious baby boy. That was the highlight of that day! Then we drove on to Greenville, SC for meetings on Thursday. I was lucky to have Isaac with me to share the driving. The hardest part for me is always driving back to Raleigh at the end of the week when I'm beat from lots of meetings. Isaac had his unpaid leave week, so we also got to share these cities together. By the time I got back to Raleigh, I was exhausted. But I got a good amount of rest over the weekend and am ready to tackle a new week.

Still need to figure out how to load pictures. Pictures to come soon!

Off to NYC

We're ready to go and we're flying out of RDU at 6:55 am tomorrow morning. We'll be at JFK by 8:30 and hopefully at our hotel by 10:00 or so. We're going to set our schedule on the plane, but we're meeting my favorite psychology professor for dinner in Brooklyn at 3:00 tomorrow (after we walk all the way over the Brooklyn Bridge!) Sunday holds a special birthday dinner for Isaac, some broadway show, and probably Central Park and the Natural History Museum. We'll squeeze the Empire State building and MOMA in as well. We PROMISE to post pictures when we get back. Have an awesome weekend in sweet Carolina weather!

Camping

I gave Isaac an early birthday present last night since we'll be in NYC on his actual birthday--a backpacking pot, 2 bowls, 2 mugs, 2 sporks, and a carrying bag. It is the coolest thing b/c there is a lid for the mugs to keep your hot drink warm, and the pot lid has a built in strainer. Who knew I'd be so crazy for cool backpacking equipment? Oh, and it's really tiny and light.

We're looking forward to camping with friends over July 4th. And taking a couple trips on our own. I still need to buy a sleeping bag, but that will be easy enough. It will be nice to try my hand at camping with Isaac. He's a die-hard backpacker but understands I can only handle so many nights without a shower! : ) I told him our first backpacking trip would be good if it was 1 night this time! I think building up slowly might be my kind of pace.

In other news, I have my annual review today. Wish me luck. It's only my 2nd review in 3 1/2 years at BB&T.

Another snow day

Raleigh got about 3 inches of snow. Schools were closed and BB&T had a work delay. I got my laptop from the office after church yesterday, so I'm working from home. There isn't as much as our first snow storm, so I'm not sure a snow man will be built this afternoon. : ( Plus Isaac will be working late due to the start of unpaid leaves. Their office is already thinly staffed, so when one person is out, everyone feels it. Then Isaac will be off next week. Luckily, the weather shouldn't affect our trip to NYC this weekend!

I almost passed out this morning changing the bandage on my left index finger. I cut it really badly last night peeling ginger. I had a hard time getting the bleeding stopped, but Isaac bandaged me up nicely. (Don't think it needed stitches...?) Then this morning I needed to change the bandage (with Isaac's help). Isaac warned me, "It's going to look bad, but it will be ok." So I unwrapped the icky bandage and got a HUGE head rush, suddenly I couldn't see so I sat down on the bathroom floor. Poor Isaac must have thought I was nuts. I got the worst wave of nausea and then went to lay back down in bed. I guess it was a reaction to seeing my cut? I have no idea, but I'm fine now. Hopefully the next bandage change will be less traumatic! : ) It's funny b/c I can give blood with no problem... Ok, enough about icky subjects, I want people to actually read this blog!

We are making plans for this weekend. The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Museum of Modern Art, Times Square, a broadway show, and the Brooklyn Bridge are on our list so far. It might rain a bit on Sat and Sun, but we'll be in NYC so who cares!? YAY.

Hope you're enjoying some nice snowy weather too. Too bad there isn't enough to sled in!