Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Photoshop!

The IT guys and I are tight; I love them. I love them even more now that they put Photoshop on my computer!

Monday, March 30, 2009

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks forever.”
Psalm 30:11-12

This was a wonderful weekend...

My dad's birthday dinner was Friday. I love my family sooho much. We are a favorite family at Ming Court; the owner even gave my dad a gift!

Saturday Charlie and I went to a super swanky wedding; I've never had such good champagne. The couple was one of those that you can't help but love because they are so original in their love for each other. Bailey looked incredible, but then again I'm always amazed at how beautiful brides are!

Sunday we went to Hermann park again. This is becoming a Sunday ritual, and I love it. We played soccer, had a picnic lunch, played frisbee and cruised around. Relaxing and lovely. :)

Now, it's the work week again. I'm crazy busy this week, which is great because I'm off on Friday and want this week to fly by!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Rainy

Rainy weather makes me so sleepy! The forecast predicts a massive red and green weather thing headed towards Houston; I would love to be headed towards bed right now.

Well, it's official. Everyone in my life, especially the people I thought wouldn't get married til they were senior citizens, everyone is getting married. I'm happy for them, definitely, but it's ironic to me that out of that whole group of people I grew up with, the only two unhitched are my ex-boyfriend and I. We must have really messed each other up! This is why dating before the age of 22 is unproductive and dangerous. My kids are going to hate me once they reach puberty.

I went on a shopping spree yesterday. A curse has been lifted. A curse so scary, so threatening, I feared I might never be healed. For quite some time now, I've gone shopping only to pick out 20 things I love and then leave them in the dressing room and practically run out of the store. It's like I would get a pani-couture attack. Yesterday, I told an intern I was going shopping, I was going to buy something, and that was that. My new tactic: don't look at the price tag. This sounds ridiculous, and I wouldn't condone this sort of activity under normal circumstances, but I needed - like, NEEDED - clothes.

So I could judge things based on how they looked before being like, "Wow, this looks great but it's so freaking expensive I can't stand the sight of it!" I tried on, then peeped at the price tag, then looked again in the mirror and decided. It works!

Also, I've been grocery shopping almost exclusively at Whole Foods. I know I said I wouldn't do this, but I want to be healthier, and because I have the resources to buy organically right now, I am. It's not a lifestyle for me, and I can't stand anything yuppie...at all...but right now I can treat myself a little, so I am.

My grandmother is doing well, extremely well as a matter of fact. The doctors thought she was brain dead after this last heart failure, but she can open her eyes and say "No." Life - the most fragile yet tenacious gift we've been given!

LOST last night was insane. And my friend has been posting super old pictures on fb that are making me crazy-reminiscient. And there's much work to be done.

This weekend is my dad's birthday! I praise Jesus for everyday I have with him. Charlie, my family and I will have dinner with him Friday, and then Charlie and I have a wedding to go to in Houston on Saturday, so we'll do some fun outing this weekend! Hooray! Just have an hour and a half left of today and then tomorrow.......

Monday, March 23, 2009

Old

People, jokes, food, property - everything gets old. My grandmother is sick. She's dying. There's nothing wrong with her, except that she got old. Her organs are failing simply because they're outdated. I have nothing but silence for what's going on.

Rachael Ray used to be relaxing to me. Well, first I hated her, then I loved her, and now - she's old. I'm over her.

Jokes get old. We all know this. We've all been the butt of a joke that's gotten old.

Work today was good, although my work load continues to grow no matter how diligent and focused I am. My mom is in San Antonio tonight; it's just me and fasha here in Houston. And Jackie.

Why do weekends go so quickly?

Friday, March 20, 2009

Freeday!

This is how Fridays are. Every single one. By two o’clock there’s no point even trying to be a little productive. People start trickling out, everyone’s up mingling and you can tell the weekend itch is screaming to be scratched! Today a fellow intern and I have spent several hours plotting an early escape. The route, the excuses, the justifications…well I came in early that day, well I took a short lunch this day…it doesn’t matter; we’d feel guilty no matter what.

I love seeing everyone in their “casual attire.” Business-wear is fine, and I am always interested in seeing what people pull together, but Fridays are fundays in terms of clothing. Payday Fridays are super fun because I can feel not quite as bad about going out and buying whatever pieces I found attractive.

Charlie is headed to the big H tonight! I am so pumped; we never have enough time to do everything I want to do. We’d have to eat 12 times a day just to fit in all the restaurants I want to sample. Museums, bars, galleries, parks…I love Houston. Overlooking the traffic in Houston has been a breeze compared to living in Austin. And I’m tired of the complaints of what a growing monster Houston is – with size comes variety.

Let’s talk about how perfect the weather is today for one moment. I am dying for a barbeque or beach party or a hammock – my cubicle and window will have to suffice for two more long, torturous hours. Then, it’s the freakin weekend, baby, bout to have me some fun!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Vino

As life in Houston grows into more of a routine, and a great routine at that, I'm losing interest in this blog. I won't let this happen! Writing is such a wonderful, organic form of art, and it challenges me in ways that painting does not. If there's one thing I want more of in this life, it's challenge.

I've been in a vindictive, sullen mood this week. It happens. I recognize it as something I'm going through, not as who I am at my core. This is something Charlie has been patient and kind enough to teach me. He's been a true Christ-like example of the teaching that when I accept Jesus, my sinful core is replaced with righteousness, and even when I act wrongly, it's not a true representation of who I am. Praise the Lord!

Tonight I went to a wine bar with three co-workers/fellow interns. What fun! We are all very young, very ambitious and very naive -- it's good to be reminded every so often that I'm not alone. They are all three extremely savvy; I'm super lucky to "have them."

I'm not sure what my plans are for this weekend. I'm thinking of maybe staying in Houston to have a Renaissance weekend: hole up, paint, read, write, cook and sleep. This always sounds like a good idea until I realize being with people is the most fruitful, inspirational part of my life, giving meaning to the arts I produce.

All four of us interns are dating; none of us are looking to get married for quite some time. I'm very excited about this. When I think about the married people I know who are around my age, I cringe and then laugh and then thank the LORD He didn't choose that path for me. Yuck. (I just though of one couple that this doesn't apply to -- other than the Williamsons, thank you Jesus.) I'm also thankful to not have much money, and to probably not be marrying into much money when I do get married. I want poor, inventive, imaginative, raw and not cushioned by the root of all evil. Just enough to take a trip every once in a while...and to grill out a couple times a month.

Things are so good, even though it's been a tough, busy week. I'm so thankful!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Day-O, Hooraaaaay-O!

Today has been a great day! It started with an early morning meeting with my new boss, who is 27, female and a rockstar. She was one of the pioneer interns in the program I’m in now, so she understands exactly where I’m at and in what directions I need to go in order to be as successful as she has been. I’m SUPER excited about this shift in responsibilities and tasks. Two words: International travel. YES!

Last night was a good night, too. I was supposed to go to a pilates studio with a co-worker but she got sick, which freed up the night for me to do a little arts n’ craftsing to the new Kelly Clarkson CD.

And really, I don’t want to brag, but I ALSO had a spectacular peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Sigh - does it get better than that? YES IT DOES! NOV is hugely involved in United Way Houston, and there’s an ice cream social in 30 minutes for all donors. Heyoooo! Then I get to go home and go to yoga! Too many exclamation marks!

I’m overly blessed. Overwhelmed by the goodness of God. Evermore thankful and humbled by Him.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. - Deuteronomy 7:9

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Kilimanjaro

My computer is sick. It has ebola of the hard-drive, and I’ve somehow managed to get all the IT guys scratching their heads.

“You can climb to the top of Kilimanjaro but whether or not you find it when you get there is an entirely different issue” or something to that effect. It’s a meditation our yoga instructor said at the end of yesterday’s class I can tell will be with me a long time. I really – REALLY – didn’t want to go yesterday. I wanted to stay home and eat pounds of spaghetti and watch 24, even though I think that’s the most ridiculous show. At the end of the class, however, I felt more euphoric than any class I’ve taken yet. Such is life.

The oil biz is not doing well. There haven’t been any layoffs at the corporate level yet (that I know of), but the field is laying off hardcore. As a Supply Chain Intern, I’m bottom of the totem pole in terms of job security…and I live everyday with the reality that today could be my last as an NOV employee.

I’ve been hanging out with some of the NextGens from work – they are really awesome, and SO SMART!

There’s not much to update –

They hired a real Report Analyst Specialist, so my job will be transitioning again, something I’m really excited about. I’ve LOVED learned how to work Excel and Access but I’m also ready for something new.

Houston, I love more every day. There are so, so many non-chain restaurants to test out! I could go to a new place for every meal for a year and never have to repeat myself or feel like Chili’s is the only thing left! I haven’t gotten into shopping exclusively local yet, mostly because that means shopping at Whole Foods, and I’d rather spend my paychecks on shoes than bell peppers. The next time I stay in Houston over the weekend, I’m going to visit the farmer’s market.

As always, LOST – yes.

My mind has been very preoccupied lately with frivolous thoughts. Things and people I don’t need to be thinking about. Not good, not good at all.

Namaste.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

No Title Today

Glad the week is almost over, especially since it's felt like Friday since...Monday. Those are never fun. I've been hugely busy doing report after report after report; can't say I've loved it with as much intensity as I love spaghetti. I love spaghetti a LOT.

Let me highlight the menu of my week. My love of cooking and cuisine is growing faster than I can say "herb de provence" and food is pretty much my favorite topic these days!

Charlie came to Houston this weekend, and Saturday night we made two pizzas from scratch, a ritual of ours. Well, one wasn't completely from scratch as we used naan bread. But they were both far from Papa John's, although his pizzas aren't half bad either! We also downed an entire tub of Dreyer's girl scout Samoas ice cream in two days! Monday and Tuesday nights were spent with rooms full of sweating yogis, so I didn't eat anything exciting then. Wednesday my mom and I took off work because I had a pretty intense (read: uncomfortable and yuck) doctor's appointment. We had THE BEST Greek food for lunch: Fadi's. Greek potatoes and chicken schwarma -- freakin' yum! Today for lunch I had authentic, real Mexican food, and it was better than any Tex Mex I've ever had. I'm trying to convince my parents to go back with me tonight (it's Thursday night, their Mexican food night).

This is a complete tangent. Come along, if you please. Sometimes I do stuff that I know will make me feel worse when I'm already down. I'm not sure why I do this, but I don't like it and I'm trying to stop. Goes back to that whole "As long as I'm the best Amy Still I can be, what's happening in my periphery does not matter."

Despite my efforts to eliminate TV from my life, except for Lost and the Office and maybe 1 or 2 other shows, I'm becoming more and more fascinated by home renovation shows. I met a boy at NOV today who used to run a construction company, and he has all the equipment I would need to become a carpenter. He shall become my new best friend.

Speaking of the Office, is it just me or is Jim looking bad these days?