Update: Valentine's @ Morton's

Just a quick pic to share:

You Don't Have to "Settle"

Don't just live the life you were given... make the life you want to live.

Valentine's Day Weekend

Hoorah for Jeremy getting to visit me for Valentine's Day! He was here the whole weekend. Super nice to go around the city and be a couple. We visited the Seattle Art Museum and went to Morton's on Thursday. He got me the nicest present too (below)! No one has ever gotten me such a nice Vday present, and it was even color-themed. We also ran around the city, visited our parents, caught up with friends, J got a tattoo and we visited Tiff in Bellevue for a very good late night happy hour.

S.w.a.e reunion... w/ key lime martini and frozen lemonade. <3 S & J <3 Adorable Coach wristlet

Sitting on my bed Wednesday...

...working from home, out with the flu.
My phone buzzed on the bed next to me and I glanced down to the caller ID. It was a number I didn't know and my stomach jumped. I knew instinctively this was "the call." So I looked at the clock, 12:16 p.m. I took a deep breath and answered. The next two minutes were from my new manager, Shelli, telling me HR was currently assembling an offer for me.

I got the job w/ the Santa Monica OSG Team.

Applying for a full-time position with Microsoft in Southern California was my yearly goal that I mentioned in my 11/27/07 and 1/15/08 blogs. A three-month proceess that taught me more about persistence, preparation and myself. There are a large number of friends, mentors and family that helped me during this process and they rock so much!!

That call made my day, week, month. I now have the job I dreamed about, in a new city that promises sun and new growth experiences. My private life will also undergo changes; Jeremy and I will now be a face-to-face couple, the thousands of miles between will be no longer. Multiple educational, financial and travel opportunities are now within reach as well.

I feel so blessed.

Yes, I've been m.i.a.

The majority of my company has been Vick's VaporRub, Miso Soup, Emergen C and Green Tea. Fever, headache, cough, etc.... the common flu virus. I'm on the mend today, just in time for Valentine's Day.

I had full-on "goose-cough" going on in the office yesterday, no amount of Ricola or Halls could supress it either. Hoping my co-workers don't hate me too much. If it's any consolation to them my back & shoulders hurt from coughing so much. On the way home there was pouring down rain but a beatiful sunset on I-90:

Some Women Choose to Make Their Life Story Happen

Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face,
but with great and strong purpose in your heart.
Love life and look for its opportunities. . . .
-Gordon B. Hinckley

I've wanted new personally and professionally-related experiences since late last Fall. Life felt stale. Since then, a few new blessings have come into my life. I've successfully let go of a toxic friendship, still leaving the door open for work much further down the road. My days are happier and my close friends all notice the difference too. Basically, acting out of courage rather than fear has enabled me to have some pretty amazing experiences. Tempering the good with the negative and light-heartedness with ambition to move ahead.

Super Bowl Commentary:
*Too bad the Patriots' defensive line couldn't offer Brady more coverage.
*Best 1st quarter commercial: Diet Pepsi Max
*Best Halftime commercial: Dortios
*Best 3rd quarter commercial: Will Ferrel/Bud Lite