sad?

Maybe it really is the weather - gray and dreary weather hasnt' really affected me before, but I'm not what else would be making me feel so depressed lately. Hm.

The new job is still good - I'm going to be doing a bunch of stuff with payments, billing, flights, and things, which I really don't like, but that's okay. I do really like the work I'm doing for the study and the general admin things, so I can handle disliking a portion of my job.

One thing that I had to do recently was map out a weird series of phone moves and chnages. You have to be very precise and include loads of details, and they all have to be checked and rechecked to make sure you're not messing up someones phone line. That's the type of thing I really enjoy. Details and organization. Happy...

The Latte Blog

I was going to write the latte reviews on this blog, but I really don't want to bore people who don't care about coffee or my obsession with it. However, please visit the new blog, "Looking for Portland's Perfect Latte if you are interested. Leave me comments if you disagree or if you have any suggestions for a latte worthy of legendary status.

Bob on the radio, and a quest

Bob sent me a text messege today with the online stream for the radio station the band is playing on. He had Mike say hi to me, which was really sweet. What really made me grin, though, was when Mike and the radio guy got into some bizarre conversation about hacky-sacking and Mike said Bob is the three time hacky-sack chamption, which made Bob laugh. And hearing Bob's laugh made me feel so much better. Just a few seconds of familiar, happy sound, and I feel a ton better. Amazing.

And the quest - prompted by Cherise question (see comments on the post prior), I've decided to tour Portland's coffee houses looking for the next legendary latte. I still don't think anything will match that one miraculous latte of Joe's (oh hyperbole, how I heart you!), but hopefully I'll at least find something noteworthy. However, noteworthy or not, I'll be taking notes and publishing them on a blog I created just for the occasion.

The quest begins.

The tale of the legendary latte

I remembered this morning the glorious days of Torrefazione Italia, their delicious coffee, talented baristas, and the best latte I have ever had. I’m sure some of you remember Scott and Joe – the resident latte geniuses of the 15th store. Scott was consistently the best – he told me once it was because he always steamed the milk fresh for me. I don’t know what it was, but his lattes were always the right temperature, the right amount of milk, foam, espresso – they were great. Joe was really good too, though normally not quite as good as Scott.

Except. Except one early morning when I was opening next door and Joe made me the absolute best latte I have ever had. It was perfect. I’m not sure if I ever told him that, but it really was the most perfect latte I have ever had. It was good enough that I still remember it, years later.

I wish I had that latte right now.

Dear friends,

This is a shameless cry for attention and affirmation. I am feeling lonely and homesick. If anyone could spare an email, a postcard, or any small gesture or token of friendship or home, please send it my way.

I sincerely thank you for your efforts,

Lalita Ham

Whew

I'm so busy at work right now. It's good, but I'm not sure if I'll get everything done. At least these people are reasonable.

I learned last night that ramen is really good for a sore throat. It's hot and salty! My sweet husband walked to Safeway late last night to buy some for me because I thought my sore throat would kill me. It worked really well and it was tasty!

sick sick sick

It's just a cold, but it's really annoying, and making it more difficult to do my work. Blarg.

And I'm hungry, and tired. Wah wah wah.

Anyway, I'm still liking my new job, I feel like I'm picking things up pretty quickly and figuring things out. It's a nice feeling to know you are doing pretty well at something and have other people tell you that you are. Nice.

I saw a man on the bus this morning that looked like he was a german who just stepped out of an old WWII movie. He had the hair, the mustache, the suit, the shoes, and the hat. It was bizzare.

long weekend

What a great weekend we had!

It was busy, so here's a list:

Hang out with Kisha
Hang out with Kisha, Bob, and Michael at the Bonfire
Pirate birthday with Bob for all kids at Imago
Lunch with Jan
(Not dress shopping with Bri - Lame!)
Howl's Moving Castle at the Laurelhurst
Teach both services on Sunday
Yummy lunch at home
Clothes shopping with Bob
Cleaning cleaning cleaning
Mystery Train at the Laurelhurts
Sleeping in
Cain and Jennifer and bizzare games
6 month anniversary dinner
Sleep

Photos!

Anthony was kind enough to take pictures for Bob and I at our reception. They turned out even better than I expected. Here are some favorites.

Hey guys! Hey, look!

Bob's band was listed as Spin magazine's band of the day.
Check it out!

My fingernails are too long. It's driving me batty. Also, I have a huge craving for spiced cider. I want it so bad!

Thanks to Cherise for the only Valentine I got this year. The ulgy card from my grandmother doesn't count, it did not have any mention of valentine's day, or love, or any of that. Way to go Day.

Snowy

It's Snowing!!! I watched the rain turn to snow in about five minutes this morning as I walked from one building to another up here on the hill. It's snowing steadily, I can watch it from my window. I don't know if it's sticking though. It's so pretty!

Also, Happy Valentines Day

like in elf

I went to look at the shower by my office more closely and realized that people must actually use it. There were towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and other shower items stored in there. And there was a lot of it. How strange. I don't know if I could ever take a shower at work.

I had a great time at Missi's valentine making party last night. Fantastic.

Every one should check out Bob's blog for a description of his show tonight. The whole band is really excited and Bob would love it if you came. You might break his heart if you don't.

HR!

My favorite new Strong Bad quote:

Robots are technology shaped like square people.

It's new!

I'm here in my new job. I've got tons to learn and figure out, including remembering which program each of my bosses belong to, and which one has told or assingned what. It's initially confusing, but I don't expect it will take long to sort it all out.

It seems like I'm working for great people in a great place, and that I'm going to be doing tasks I really enjoy. I have some tasks to do every day, some a few times a week, and some that will be once or not very often. I'll have stability to keep me sane and variety to keep it interesting. It should be good.

I'm sharing an office with one of my bosses, Verna Burden. How cool of a name is that? We have a nice window with a view across campus and plenty of desk and wall space. There's a great lunch room just around the corner. It even has an oven. I'm not sure why anyone would use an oven, but it's there. Oh, and in the closest bathroom, there is a shower. I doubt I will ever want to shower at work, but at least I know it's there if ever there were a need.

2 1/2

Two and a half more hours and nothing to do. I'm leaving early today, hanging out with Bob and Janaki until later tonight, when some others are joining us for dinner and drinks to celebrate. You're invited.

stop calling me that!

There were two more people that had trouble with my name today. One said, "Hi, La... La... um... is Dr. Tolle there?" The other called me Rosita.

make up my mind

Yesterday I felt very ugly. This morning, I felt very pretty. Then I saw pictures of my friends, and now I feel ugly again.

I hate comparison!

people!

I had myself nearly convinced that Michael had been arrested last night. He did sleep somewhere else, but it was not jail.

Just about everyone is saying I seem a lot happier now, and the closer to leaving this job I get, the happier I am. I don't want to base my happiness on circumstance, but I also believe that depression is very real and not necessarily related to joy or happiness - and that this job has been depressing. A few times dangerously so.

And Friday, when myself and some others go out to dinner and drinks to celebrate, my friend Babs (who used to work here too) is going to be there! How exciting. She's one of my favorite people.

This is going to be a very relational weekend. I need to plan some alone or just me and Bobby time soon so I don't get too crabby.

stolen

live journal has something called "friday fivers." It's like my guest book, but five every week. Here is one I liked.

1. What's on your feet? Socks, shoes, skin, toenails. Probably tiny little bugs that live in skin. Ew.

2. Turn to your right -- what do you see? Gabe, an old clock that doesn't work, Gabe's messy desk.

3. What is the last thing you ate? A turkey and cheese sandwhich. Thanks Bobby.

4. What can you smell right now? Nursing home. My boss smells very strange.

5. Do you wear hats? Very rarely. My sister made me a cute pink and red one that I wear sometimes.

22 hours and 40 more minutes

I have so few days left! 3 more days!

I'm so hungry lately. Usually I eat one package of oatmeal and maybe a granola bar in the morning and I'm fine. For the past week, though, I haven't been able to feel full. I'm trying not to eat more than usual, you know, because of the biggest loser, but maybe I should. I'm starving.