Apparently I used to be a raging alcoholic...

Today I picked up a QA shift at work. It was great because I haven't seen most of these people in ages, so it was fun and exciting to catch up.

About an hour into my day, after the millionth person has noticed that I was in the office, one of my former co-workers, Walter, starts reminiscing about "the good ol' days" when I was their coordinator. He starts joking around, since everyone hasn't seen me around for about three months. This is what unfolds:

Walter: Hey, everyone, when's Lynne coming in?

Dramatic pause.

Walter: When she's sober.

I have never laughed so hard and been so mortified all at the same time.

Because it's 100% true. Oh, those were the days!

Yes We Can...And We DID!

Today was a great day in American history, and I am proud and honored to have been a part of it. With the swearing in of President Barack Obama officially over, it becomes more real with every passing moment that we have a thoughtful, compassionate, caring, intelligent, and charismatic man leading our nation and it's people. A brilliant man and a great leader that has instilled a sense of hope, a willingness to change, and an undeniable unity within the people of the United States of America. And within me. For the first time, I feel like a part of history, that we are stepping into a time of great progress and contributing to the improvement and betterment of our nation. I'm so proud that our nation was able to see past the color of a man's skin to see the true value of his spirit and all that he has to offer.

This is a day that I will never forget. Although I worked the majority of the day, I made sure to take my break so that I could witness the swearing in of Barack Obama and this great moment in history. I was surprised to find that the entire break room was filled, mostly everyone there to watch this monumental occasion. When Obama was officially sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, the entire room rose to it's feet and applauded. Including me. The electricity, excitement, and hope in the room was enough to bring tears to my eyes, as well as many of my fellow co-workers. It was amazing to see a room filled with people of all different races and nationalities (and some not even citizens of the U.S.) be so moved; it was a moment of true unity, one where everyone saw eye-to-eye, past color, past our differences.

Hail to the Chief!

A New Perspective for the New Year, by Neil Gaiman

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

Things I Like: All Things PINK

I bought this orchid last week at Ikea after years of wanting one and never following through...surprising, I know (that is, the part about "not following through").

I've named my orchid "Sally," and every time I think about the name Sally I'm reminded of the Oasis song, "Don't Look Back in Anger," where they belt out "Sooooo, Sally can wait, she knows it's too late as we're walking on by." So, needless to say, I've had this damn song in my head for the past week.

So far during the past week, three of the buds opened up and bloomed, much to my surprise. I've never been able to keep a plant alive (and this is coming from a girl that can kill a cactus. A cactus, people. I mean, really...). So, I'm a little worried about the instructions on watering, and wanted to know if there were any suggestions on what to do.

This is what came with Sally: Water by immersing in a water-bath.

Really? What the hell does that even mean? Water-bath? Immerse the pot? Immerse the flowers? How long? How often? What? Urg. So after careful consideration (meaning, sheer frustration), I watered the plant like a regular 'ol plant. Now, let's see how long I can keep Sally alive...





I bought this wall calendar in the Japan pavilion at Epcot and lovelovelove it (and all things Japanese)! It's about an 8x10 size, and it's 100% handmade; the images are silk-screened onto the handmade paper, and each month features a simple design showcasing flora or fauna.

I'll be sure to update each month so you can see the cute designs and great colors.

This just makes me laugh...

This is a video of the All-American Rejects covering Britney Spears' "Womanizer," and has GOT to be the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. The eyes, the accordian, the clinking beer bottles, "WOMANIZER!"...it's just such a work of art.

Ch-ch-check it out!

2008: A Year In Review

With the start of the new year, I keep looking back at 2008 and feel like I just jumped from 2007 straight to 2009. 2008 doesn't register with me as a significant or important year, and I keep focusing mainly on all those things that I didn't accomplish and how I feel like it was a "wasted year." While this is true in many respects (gaining back about 30 pounds, quitting my exercise/running routine, quitting my job with IT and working a part-time job I can hardly tolerate), 2008 was also a year of many celebrations, new adventures, great friends, and reconciled friendships; I must look past my losses and failures and concentrate on all the great things that did happen for me in 2008.

FEBRUARY

For my sister's 31st birthday, our family went to see the Blue Man Group, a show that I've wanted to see for a very long time. And I got to meet one of the Blue Men!


I also had the opportunity to go to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas in February for Missy's bachelorette party. Not only did I get to see two great landmarks in America, I got to see Missy and Amanda, both of which I hadn't seen in about three years!



AND (!) we were able to relive some of our debauchery from the College Program. And, really, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Or stays with the people that you went with and then hope to GOD that they never bring up your secrets to your other friends.



APRIL

For about three years, Kim and I had been talking about going sailing one day. Kim finally made it happen for us this year, and it was amazing! Not only did we go sailing, but we went snorkeling in about 45-degree water (alright, it may not have been that cold, but it sure felt like it!). It was definitely an experience to remember!

And for all those wondering, I'm wearing the most amazing hat ever...it reads: "Lobster divers get more tail!" And it's sooo true.




JULY

One of the best things about this year was my sister's wedding and all the events leading up to it. As my sister's Maid of Honor (a first for me), I shot my sister's engagement photos, arranged her bridal shower and bachelorette party, attended her amazing wedding in Sarasota, and gained a brother-in-law. It was an exciting few weeks in July, with Michelle and Eric's wedding and family visiting from England and South Africa - the most family I have seen in 21 years!

Engagement Photos






Wedding Photos




Family Photos

From left to right: Eric, Michelle, Mom, Dad, me, Cheryl (Chris's wife), Chris (my Dad's brother), Hester (my Mom's sister), and Jan (Hester's husband)

From left to right: Jan, Chris, Cheryl, Dad, Hester, me, Mom


SEPTEMBER

September has to be my favorite month of 2008. I went to Vancouver, WA for Missy and Patrick's wedding. Not only did I finally get to meet Patrick and see Missy, Colleen, and Erin, I finally had a chance to see the west coast. Then, after the amazing wedding and weekend, Missy and Patrick came to Orlando for a week where we got to spend even more time together!

And, PS, what happens in WA shouldstayinWA!

Wedding Weekend Photos





Honeymoon Photos

And the debauchery continues...now this was a real College Program reunion!




And to close it out...MY FAVORITE PHOTO OF 2008:

Things that make me feel good (and not so good) about myself...

Yesterday I had a rather exciting day at work.

I worked with a co-worker named Luis, one who I had only worked with once before for a few hours. Yesterday, Luis and I had the opportunity to talk for most of the day, since our workload consisted of watching dust accumulate on computer monitors. So, Luis was asking me about where I lived, who I lived with, if I was married (which has been an oh-so-popular question lately...with the same bitter, defeated answer of "NO"), etc. Then he asked me how old I was, and since I'm usually a glutton for punishment, I asked him how old he thought I was. And he actually said that he thought I was 21! Twenty-one fucking years old, ohmygodohmygodohmygod, YESSSS! When I told him I was actually 27, he said that he would have never guessed...and it made my fucking week. He is my new favorite person.

Later that same day, I went to shoot a session with the most amazing family, Heather, Nick and Natalie. Heather, the mom, was commending me during the session for treating her two-year-old daughter, Natalie, so well. She actually told me that I am really good with children and then asked me if I had any children of my own. After the initial pain of the "you're single with no children" knife twisting deeper in my heart, I told her I didn't have any children. Heather responded that it seemed that I had children of my own because I seemed so comfortable around her daughter. It really made me happy to know that a mother was able to commend me on something like this, especially since I've been thinking a ton about children lately...

All in all, it was not a bad day.