John Mini Distinctive Landscapes

It's something you do when you're ready for the next phase of life.  Some people call it interviewing, others shopping around.  You go around, meeting with different ones, and it's fun.  There's no commitment, sure it may be a bit expensive from time to time, but other times you get free meals or even tickets out of it.  You're learning what you have in common, figuring out what you like and what you'll work well with.  Ultimately you're checking for compatibility--looking for the right fit.

Sometimes you find it right away.  It's like you're complete.  You stay forever.  Other times you may find the right fit but it takes awhile--even years.  Usually the first one doesn't work out, you go your separate ways after a short few years.  But when you find the right one, it's magic.

Not dating! clearly I am talking about the drama of job-searching.

I mean, John Mini is a great company.  The people are super nice, they're actually quite well known for interior plantscaping, and bonus, I had an interview with them.

It was a great interview.  My favorite part was sitting for three straight hours while various department heads came in and talked to me.  By the end, I swear I had a sinus headache, and my blood sugar had plummeted.  Lame right?  But I really liked them, and they really liked me.

So what's the problem.

I don't know if it's the right thing for me.  They called earlier this week and wanted to know what I was thinking.  I stalled for more time.  I have no idea!  Frankly, I don't feel like there is a place in the company that I want.  But, really, I don't even know what I want, so who am I to judge?  For all I know, I am perfectly suited to work as a crew leader on some installation crew somewhere.  Working with plants.  But for now, I'm thinking and they're calling back in three weeks.

Oh bah.

A Journey to Somewhere

I've done it.  I have defied all expectations, my rigid patterns, and.. y'know... gravity.  I have done something!

From the Top of the Rock.  We chose that because it was less busy than the Empire State Building.

C and I just got back from the Big Apple--we were only there for five days, but it felt like at least two weeks.  I had such an amazing time!  We managed to pack in absolutely everything we wanted to do!  And you know what,  I expected to love New York.  And I ended up loving New York.

Just some building next to a shop somewhere.  But look at the detail!

First of all, the architecture.  Never have I seen so many historically significant (and also just really cool) buildings in so short a time.  One thing that amazes me about buildings from not recent times is the amount of detail-work that goes into them.  Not just on religious buildings or structures of other importance, but all of them!  Love it.  People just don't create art like that anymore.  The Cathedral was amazing.  We went on the only cold rainy day and walked around outside taking pictures.  Talk about dedication.  Poor C.  She's a good sport.  We saw all the big sites: Empire State Building, Flat Iron, Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller center, the Guggenheim, the Met, and all the other museums.  Speaking of.

The Lady herself.  She seems a lot smaller now compared to all the skyscrapers.

Another favorite thing=the Museum of Natural History.  It was four stories of amazingness.  Also, nothing like the one in the movie.  Which was good.  Although admittedly I wasn't there after it closed so I can't honestly say if everything came to life at night.  And C and I sent a rockin' movie message there to our mothers.  It was basically the best thing ever.

Central Park was gorgeous.  C took 300 pictures of it alone.

Broadway.  We saw both Wicked and Phantom.  Wicked was absolutely spectacular.  I was in love.  Phantom was really good, and I'm glad I went, but the set design just wasn't as visually appealing as it could have been.  We were almost late to Phantom.  We ran through downtown to get Olive Garden, got the check with our meal (which was rushed) and then ran to the theatre.  That waitress got an amazing tip.  She deserved it.

Did you know "the locals" say the number and not the color?  The 6.  Not the one we used the most, but still a good time.  (We used the 1 and the R).

I love the atmosphere.  Just walking around was fantastic, the subway was super fun too--even when we would get delayed for an hour.  I think my favorite part was when people asked us for directions, apparently we look like locals.  Which I loved.  I loved that people thought I was a part of that.  Because it's a little bit magical.  Is it weird that I felt like I belonged there.  And now back in Provo I still feel a bit out of place?

Lets be honest.  My mecca.

Shopping also happened.  I got a Birkin bag from canal street--which I am very happy about, and I went shopping in the J.Crew flagship store.  So basically now my life is complete.  C and I also bought bagels and ate them in front of the shop so we could say we had Breakfast at Tiffany's.  :) We're silly.  I think we also felt clever and incredibly pleased with ourselves.

The all important turkey-pigeon-seagull picture.  They're all in there.  We took a lot of bird pictures, and went to the Birds of NY exhibit.  So we're basically experts.

I think mostly I'm proud of myself for planing and following through 100% on our own with this trip.  We talk about doing things all the time, but this time we made it happy.  And it was worth every penny (and also a round 400 pictures).

I had a job interview too.  Details to follow.  Keep reading, I'll keep you posted!

Tis the season

So good news.  I wrote this sometime before Christmas, and just found it.  So enjoy.

So, I was planning to update my little side-column with a picture of Christmas, it is that time of year after all. But as I scrolled the pictures google gave me, nothing was right. I mean, it had all the right things: trees, presents, snow, candles, even manger scenes, but I realized that nothing spoke to me. Why? What is Christmas to me? (May I include my caveat that when I say Christmas, ironically I'm not talking about the celebration of the birth and life of the Savior. For me it's like there are two holidays that happen to be on the same day. They most definitely effect each other, but I celebrate them in completely different ways. In this case I refer to the family holiday.)

I think for me it has to do with tradition. I guess that isn't too surprising. For me EVERYTHING is about tradition. It has less to do with getting up Christmas morning, than the debate the night before about what time we're getting up (6:30, in case anyone is wondering). It has less to do with going Christmas caroling, than looking forward to it, but complaining just because thats how you play the game. It has less to do with a Christmas tree, and more to do with who gets to put which ornaments on it. Like rocking horses, and "stained-glass" windows, and geese. Like not even worrying about Christmas lights--because Dad puts them up. Always. And they go back in their original container. Every year. After all--where do you think I got it from? I came by it honestly. It has to do with a felt advent calendar, and rearranging things so you get to put the star up. It has to do with blasting Mannheim Steamroller and Michael W Smith and putting your favorites on repeat so you can lead the orchestra. Its re-reading the Forgotten Carols. Its still having that feeling of anticipation as you lay awake the night before, even as fully grown adult. Its looking out the window that night, crossing your fingers that it will snow--even though it never snows, and using the street light out the window to see if flakes are falling.  Did you know that even though its cheesy, and C claims that the song is a liar, "Christmas in the Northwest" makes me all teary.  So do made for TV Christmas movies.  They're part of the magic of the season.  And it just doesn't quite feel like the holiday until I've seen White Christmas and Charlie Brown.  Its having cinnamon roll wreath and little smokies, even when Jello stopped making americana custard because "people don't like to stir". Its going to the movies, and out to Changs. Its having Dad at home. Its being together.

None of those pictures expressed that for me. Maybe they were the wrong colors, or had the wrong decorations. Or maybe my holiday doesn't feel stereotypical, but tailored. But they didn't speak to me. How does Christmas speak to you?

Change we can believe in

I have officially lost all faith in the government.  And also its subsidiaries.

I used to trust that little label--y'know, that one with a date?  I would dive through the shelves, only to emerge triumphantly with my precious cargo, accurately stamped with that little number of far-away goodness.  I would wander around the store, secure in my naivety that the number would keep me safe, comfortable with the familiar digits and patterns.

Even with the number, I was fastidious.  I would take it out, pour, put it back in.  The goal is freshness.  One of the unbreakable rules of my fridge is that the milk never touches the counter.  So you may imagine my surprise to open a brand new bottle, take a drink--only to be more disgusted than basically ever.  As if all of my worst milk fears had been realized.  The sharp smell was overpowered only by the sour taste that hung around in my mouth for hours, not to be tempered despite the quarts of water and numerous yummies consumed.  Not even shortbread could cut through.  According to the sanctioned date, the bad bottle still had another week, so you can see now the source of my disillusionment.  It's all lies!

And perhaps now we know why I don't want the government to take over the health care industry.  I mean, look what they're doing to the food!  Is nothing sacred?  I mean, if you can't trust your doctor, who else is there?  (especially with the power to provide prescription drugs with reckless abandon)

So now, the new platform: safety in dairy dates, and security for drugs.  Like, the legal kind.

Problem solved.