So, it's a new year, and for the first time I've actually made New Year's resolutions. Well, maybe not New Years, as I planned this several months ago. Anyway.

I'm doing a one mile swim at the end of July, and I've started a diet and exercise program to help me eat healthier and to get into better shape in time for this.

This swim is something I've wanted to do since I was a little girl, but I've never gotten around to doing it before. It takes place at the end of...

Hawaii was wonderful! I had an amazing 2 weeks there, and wanted to stay longer. The weather was hot and sunny, and absolutely glorious!

We got back to Seattle at around midnight last night, then drove the rest of the way home this afternoon.

I won't bore you with what we did (since all we basically did was relax on the beach), I'll just post the best pictures.

With my aunt and my grandma my first day there. It was VERY windy, but...

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

I'm leaving for Hawaii in 2 hours!

See you all when I get back on the 27th!

So, today I started my new job.

It's been good, but I've hardly done anything! I moved all my stuff from my old desk to my new office and organized everything. It's beginning to look like home. I changed my signature for my emails, and didn't do much beyond that!

The problem is that my supervisor is away at a conference, and she was just told about it on Friday. She didn't have any time to prepare for someone else training me, so there's not much that...

It seems like there haven't been enough hours in the day lately.

Work has been so stressful and frustrating lately. I'm so glad that I'm almost done with this position. I don't know what's up, but it seems like all the crappy stuff is coming this week. Thankfully I'm only at this job until Friday, then on Monday I start up the new job!

I'm so incredibly busy outside of work. I have Christmas parties tonight (with family friends) and tomorrow night (work)....

Over the weekend I decorated my house for Christmas. Since I'm leaving in 9 days, I wanted to make sure I am able to enjoy my decorations and my tree for a week.





I made some apple cider and blasted the Christmas tunes. Good times.

I have a severe case of cabin fever. I didn't go anywhere on Sunday because the snow was coming down so hard and fast. Our office was closed Monday, I didn't go in yesterday, and today I was only there for a few hours before they closed everything up due to the crazy weather.

This morning it took me an hour to scrape all the snow off my car, dethaw the vehicle, and drive in to the office. My doors were completely frozen shut, so I had to pour hot water on the doors to...

I went for a walk this morning, and it is so gorgeous outside! The wind is blowing, and it's bloody freezing, but wow! Snow makes everything look so pretty!

My office is closed today, so I'm assuming we'll all get paid. I think. Regardless, I'm glad there's no pressure to go in. The message on our phone line says that the office is closed until further notice, so depending on what the next 12 hours or so are like, we may have another day off tomorrow.
...

It's a winter wonderland out there! We had a tiny bit of snow on Friday night, but the snow has been coming down almost constantly since yesterday afternoon.

My house


The back yard


The block next to us
...

This morning I was looking over the news, and noticed an article about a bomb threat in Northern Ireland. I always read anything that's about Ireland, because I'm fascinated with the country, and I went to university over there in 2001.

Today the article was about Michael Stone.

...

I came home tonight to find power and water fully functional!

You never realize how much you take these things for granted until they're taken away from you for more than a day.

Apparently there are still pockets of people in the suburbs that are without power. Hopefully they'll get that restored soon.

My dishes are clean and my house is very happy and cozy once again. The fridge and freezer still have to be dealt with, but I'm saving that for...

We had a horrible storm here in the Vancouver area on Wednesday. There were 100 km/hr winds, lots of rain, thunder and lightning, and trees falling everywhere. It knocked the power and water out at my house that morning, but it happened just as I was leaving for work.

When I left work that evening I was terrified - the wind was so strong, and traffic was insane because of all the stupid drivers, and the weather. What is normally a 15 minute drive home took almost an hour. ...

Thanks for all the nice comments in my last entry! You guys rock!

I did go out and party like crazy this weekend. It was a lot of fun. I spent craploads of money, and just enjoyed myself to the full.

Friday night I planned on staying in, but then some friends showed up late in the evening as a surprise, kidnapped me and took me to our bar. SO much fun! We drank and danced and had a fabulous time.

On Saturday I got my hair cut and got...

I posted this in IO, but thought I'd put it here as well.

I have a new job! I was offered it this morning, and I'm so excited I'm giddy! I'll be staying at my present company, but this is definitely a step in the direction that I want to be pursuing.

I'm going to be doing my old job still for a few weeks, and slowly making the transition to the new department. I should be full time into the new job within the first week or so of December. They obviously need...

You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best
I've been gone for a month, I've been drunk since I left
These so-called vacations will soon be my death
I'm so sick from the drink I need home for a rest

We arrived in December and London was cold
We staying in the bars along Charing Cross Road
We never saw nothin' but brass taps and oak
Kept a shine on the bar with the sleeves of our coats

You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my...