February

Where did it go? It was a crazy month, not only for work but also weather wise. We had that freezing spell, then it warmed up, rained, then more snow, and now we're back to rain. Chicago is definitely living up to it's "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes."
Work has been crazy with the roll out of our new applicant tracking system at work. VE. very exciting. of course there were bugs, what's a new system without a bunch of bugs in it, and a lot of headaches. Plus the questions, getting caught up, continuing to learn the new system and keep up with the regular work... or at least we were trying to keep up with the regular work. it was a challenge. Now the worst of it is over and we are happily in the new system.
I got a new camera during all this craziness but haven't had time to play with it. Nikon D50. I'm back into the digital age. Yeah! don't worry, I will be adding pictures shortly.

winter blues

OK to help combat some of the chill in the air, here's a picture from my trip to Cincinnati last year. hopefully it will encourage warm thoughts.

sublimation

sublimation - to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form. i believe that's the correct spelling for what was happening to Lake Michigan on Monday. According to Tom Skilling, WGN's weatherman, the mist over the lake was really water crystals. it's related to evaporation but because of the extreme cold the evaporation was freezing. Very Cool.

-7

This is not referring to the predicted point spread for the underdog Bears in the superbowl. On a side note they did lose by 12 points. No this was the temperature when I woke up this morning. -7 Degrees Fahrenheit, not Celsius. it's like -21 Celsius. yuck! The wind is what makes it brutal. However there is one aspect of this weather that i like... lake Michigan. I love it when Lake Michigan freezes. This morning it was amazing. Where the lake was open it was steaming. Like a heavy mist just hanging over the lake. Add in the sun rising over it and making the ice shine. Amazing! I wish i had a camera.

business travel

I always a bit excited and feel slightly important when i get to travel for business. I don't do it very often so it is a treat. However i'm quick to forget all the complications that are associated with traveling. Like being away from work for several days, sleeping in another bed, being in a different time zone, living out of a suitcase, flight delays, tons of food at the finger tips, etc. My most recent trip to Montvale, New Jersey was for Train the Trainer. It's as exciting as it sounds. Basically it was a good trip. The flight out of Chicago was on-time and uneventful. The training went very well, over-whelming but well. There is a lot to know for our teaching the class next week. The hotel was another event. The cleaning maid was not the best. She seemed to forget a few things, like emptying out the water in the ice bucket, checking the drawers for things left from the people who stayed in the room before me, making sure the towels and robe are clean, and cleaning up after room service. They sound like little things but her job is more than just making the bed. Isn't the fun part of staying in a hotel room that someone cleans up after you? Ok yes the king size bed with the pillow-top is probably the most fun part but i'm all for someone else doing the cleaning. Back to the flights... now if i want to complain here's where it's acceptable. I checked our flight about 2:45 on the United Airlines site. 6:00 running on time. yeah! Upon arriving to the airport, we were informed that the flights leaving before us were delayed. Security wasn't too bad, cannot complain. Upon arriving to the gate, learned that they flight was being delayed until 6:20. still not bad. before long it was delayed to 7:00, then 7:10, then 7:15... we were afraid to look away from the board because it kept changing. We were informed that the in-bound flight was late. This is the reason for our delay. 7:00 came and went, still waiting. I have to point out that the scheduled 7:00 flight left on time. finally 7:30 came and we were able to board the plane. Took off at 8:10. Landed at 9:10 local time. Our suitcases had arrived on one of the flights before us, so we didn't have to wait then hopped in a cab. Was tiring and feeling annoyed after the long delay until i learned that a friend/co-worker flying in from Dallas schedule to land in Chicago at 7:30 was still at the Dallas airport. She didn't land in Chicago until after mid-night. *sigh* got to love traveling. I hope i remember this for the next time i travel...

Montvale

Greetings from Montvale, New Jersey. Here i am for work, beautiful Montvale, New Jersey. The trip out here was without problems. Curb-side check-in, which i highly recommend, less than an hour in line for a security check, pizza at Wolfgang Puck's, left on-time, landed on-time, the car service was waiting for us, my bag was the third one on the luggage carrier and no traffic on the drive to the hotel. There was even time for dinner at the pub in the hotel before 24. I'm not a fan but my co-worker is a huge fan. She could not miss it.
Couldn't ask for a smoother trip... the way home will be completely different, especially with snow in the forecast for both New York and Chicago.
Here's hoping there won't be a two and a half hour delay like last time.

Tree

Ok. So i didn't get a picture of my tree in my aparement. However my mom managed to snap this one of me taking it out the woods behind the farm house.

the new color

"the dress is dead" she cried. yes, dead. the beautiful dusk colored dress is no more. pause for a moment of silence... Another bride's maid call the House of Brides to confirm a payment only to discover that the color listed was wrong. After a phone call to Ann-Marie and a few with the House of Brides, Ann-Marie had another appointment on Saturday to view dress colors and confirm. Saturday afternoon Ann-Marie, her mom and I drove out there. Shortly after arriving at the store we were told several of the dress colors, including the one Ann-Marie had chosen, were being discontinued. There was a discussion and viewing of other dresses to come to the conclusion that "the dress is dead" and we want our money back. A quick leave and a pop over to David's bridal for another look, led to the decision to go back out on Sunday. After church and a bowl of tomato soup the three of us headed out. We drove down Harlem Avenue, stopped in a few stores, and passed by a few more. Ann-Marie ended up deciding on a David's dress that we originally looked at in a different color. We are now going to be wearing a beautiful color called Peridot. It's kind of a greenish-sage color. It's going to look great next to Ann-Marie's dress.