We had our first meeting today at work for the 2008 Strategic Planning initiative. In the 4 months I've been working there, that was probably the third meeting I've attended. How totally cool is that?! Better yet, it was actually kind of productive. It was just an introductory meeting, so it was mostly an overview, but I could tell that the majority of the participants truly wanted to put effort into improving things that need attention around the company.

I couldn't help but notice the difference in the quality of this meeting compared to other meetings I've been forced to be a part of in the past. Nothing about today's meeting was futile. The facilitator was knowledgeable and kept us on task. Not a minute was wasted on irrelevant details of what we had for dinner last night or what we watched on television the night before. Points were respectfully discussed and reviewed, and we all left with focused goals in mind.

While I fully realize that no job is ever going to be perfect, it certainly is a big gulp of fresh air to be able to have confidence in the company I work for.

On a little side note, I had a rough day yesterday. Traffic was insane, work was even more busy than usual, people were even more dumb than usual, then I got home and noticed my house was a shambles (how does that happen during the day when we're not even home?!) and pretty much everything seemed to go bad. I even got into an argument (alright, a fight) with my sweet hubby over trivial stuff that of course meant nothing in the scheme of things. So this morning as I pulled out of the garage into my driveway, mentally preparing myself to face it all again, I stopped there for a second and said a simple prayer and asked the Lord just to help me through the day. Just a short prayer, but it was loaded. Not only did I need Him to be with me, I needed the encouragement, comfort, positivity, grace, and mercy that only He can give.

And He did. I had a great day today. (And He even let it SNOW some tonight! Woo!) Thank you, God. You are truly awesome.

Labels: Faith, Working

I found this little quizzie on Stacy's blog this evening. I was kinda shocked at how accurate my results were:

What Susie Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

Okay, so maybe I'm not what one would think of as "suave and sexy", or having "the world under my spell", and I have never wanted to "crush the weak". Oh, and I am sometimes a worrier and I don't "get along with almost everyone". But other than those things, much of this is spot on!

Labels: Fun

Baby Gives The Evil Eye - Watch more free videos

Labels: Fun, Laughing

I had a review today at work; it went extremely well and I was pleased with what my supervisor and boss had to say. As of tomorrow, I will have been working there for 4 months and I think I've made really good progress. Also, I've been nominated to be on the 2008 Strategic Planning Committee at my company, which is an honor.

There was one particular comment (the very first one, actually) on my review paperwork I found rather intriguing. My supervisor started the whole thing by saying "Susan is calm." Okay, if you know me well at all, you can stop laughing now. I'm probably one of the least calm people east of the Mississippi. I'm not a nervous wreck or anything, but I am definitely sensitive, emotional, passionate, temperamental, and sometimes even irrational. I openly admit all of that. But calm? Not really. However, I do have to give myself a pat on the back for at least being able to make other people think I am calm. That proves I've come a long way in the last few years. While I may experience annoyances and aggravations, I've at least matured to the point where I can control my irritation enough to appear calm. Perhaps it's something that comes with age. If so, at this rate I'll be downright easygoing by the time I'm 40.

Labels: Deep Thoughts, Working

I'm really enjoying watching the political action going on lately. My mom and I have always been so excited during Presidential election years. We like to think of it as our version of the Super Bowl, except it lasts for a whole year and the results actually matter.

Politics are naturally unpredictable. But I think, oddly enough, that one reason it's so fun this year is because of the element of the totally unknown. Even after tonight's New Hampshire primary results are tallied, we still won't really know who we'll have to choose from this coming November.

I have to admit that when I occasionally hear others talking about politics, I usually end up wanting to pull out all of my hair in frustration. They are either completely misinformed, willfully ignorant, or so eat up with hate that they can't see straight (or some sad combination of all of the above). I can only hope that they'll realize how wrong they are or that they'll end up with a very good reason to stay home on November 2nd.

To be quite honest, I haven't picked my candidate. Other than knowing for sure that I won't vote for a dem, I don't have a favorite Republican yet. I'm leaning toward two of the top five, and as wishy-washy as that sounds (and trust me, I hate being wishy-washy!) I feel like it would be a good idea for all of us to be patient and take the time and effort to learn about which candidate has the best ideas, the best morals, and ultimately America's best interest at heart.

Labels: Politics

You realize that this book has a very literal title when you find out what's written inside. The Story of Forgetting is a brilliant yet tragic novel with two main characters and two side narratives, all of which gradually come together as the pages are turned. It begins with Abel, and his story of remembering falling in love with Mae, his brother Paul's wife. It continues with Seth, a lonely but "too-smart" teenager who pushes himself out of his shell to find more about his mother Jamie's past. Woven between the stories of Abel and Seth are the legend of Isidora and genetic history details of a disease called "early-onset Alzheimer's" in which the victim starts showing signs of dementia at an early age (age 30-50).

"At a certain point, the worse you get, the worse it is for everyone around you, but the better it is for you."

A couple of the characters in The Story of Forgetting have early-onset Alzheimer's, and the impact on their families is heartbreaking to be sure. But the ending of this novel, with its two long-awaited reunions, will most likely make you feel that The Story of Forgetting is one worth remembering.

Labels: Reading, Reviews

Tomorrow is one of the big days for political junkies like me: the Iowa Caucus. This one promises to be especially exciting, as nobody has a clue who might win on either side. I really think I missed my calling. I'd love to be up there freezing my tail off with all the pundits and candidates. What kinda stinks about this particular caucus is that no matter who wins, we're still not going to have a clear front runner for the nomination for either party. It's so up in the air.

I'll go ahead and make my predictions (so I can most likely come back tomorrow night and laugh when the results are in!):

Romney for the right, and Edwards for the left.

If you want to chime in with your prediction, feel free! Leave me a comment. :)

Update: 1/3/08, 9:20pm
I told you I'd probably laugh at my predictions tonight! Looks like Huckabee has won on the right side, and it's looking like Obama will pull ahead for the left. I'll refrain from boring you with my opinions on these candidates, but let me just say that I really hope that the Iowa results are just as moot as they have been several times in the past. I take heart in knowing that The Best President Ever™, Ronald Reagan, didn't win Iowa in 1980. Next up: New Hampshire!

Labels: Politics

These reading challenges are hard to deny! I've decided to join just one more for this year, the What's in a Name? challenge. This one is unique in that it is based on categories. Here are my six choices:

1. A book with a color in its title:
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber

2. A book with an animal in its title.
Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest

3. A book with a first name in its title.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

4. A book with a place in its title.
When in Rome by Gemma Townley

5. A book with a weather event in its title.
Isaac's Storm: The Drowning of Galveston by Erik Larson

6. A book with a plant in its title.
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

Labels: Reading

In 2008, I have read 440 pages in 2 books.

General Literature = 2

* = one of my favorites

Rating Scale = 10 is highest

The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald (6)

The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block (7)

In 2008, I have listened to 0 hours in 0 audio books.

Labels: Reading

Last year, I only made it through 93 days of Project 365. I'm giving it another shot for 2008. It should actually be called "Project 366" for 2008, since this is a leap year! Here's my first picture:



I took this photo just a few minutes after midnight. That's sparkling white grape juice, by the way. It's our traditional New Year's Eve drink.

Labels: Photography

[My List]


[My List]


[My List]


Also participating in...

Alphabet Readers Challenge
[My List]

Reading Full Circle
[My List]

2New2U Challenge
[My List]

Reading My Name
[My List]

You Set It Paperback Challenge
[My List]

Every Month is a Holiday
[My List]

Romance Reading Challenge
[My List]

Themed Reading Challenge
[My List]

The Chunkster Challenge
[My List]

Labels: Lists, Reading