So I'm going to try for my PMP. There are 4 other contract PMs at work that want to apply too. We have the book and are going to plough through the 16 chapters in 8 weeks. We'll meet once a week to discuss any issues. This weekend I will be adding up my management hours and not eating....I am 8lbs from my goal!

2004

Happy 2004!

So last new year I wanted to lose 6lbs, well, over the year I got pretty close but ended the year - 6lbs from my goal :-/ At least the number didn't increase. This is so Bridget Jones, but I guess I will continue to try and lose 6lbs!

Yesteraday we made mole, it was rather good. The difficult part was finding the chilis, we had chilis anchos and chilis chipotle, we needed chilis pasillas and chilis mulatos. After searching the nearby Carnicerías (an experience in itself) we found one place that had pasillas, but had never heard even heard of mulatos. Since they are a diferent type of ancho we just did a substitution. I got the job of re-hydrating and de-seeding. The instructions did not mention wearing gloves so I had hot fingers for 20 hours!

The Da Vinci Code

Okay, so I got the Da Vinci Code from a friend and haven't started reading it yet. However, I have never heard of so many people reading the same book at the same time; EVERYONE is reading this book! Even my friend who just flew back after the holidays said that practically everyone on the shuttle was reading it.

At the moment I am confused why it is so popular, I guess after I've ready it I may know why...stay tuned!

Oh, I watched Pirates of the Caribbean yesterday.
Johnny Depp...woof!

Life is Good

The velociraptors, Butch and Ella are still at large eating, pooping and scratching.
The bro is in Italy.
All holiday shopping is done.
Quite a few of the parcels by the tree have my name on them.
I have a couple of paying contracts for December.
The new mattress arrived today.
We're having the New Years party this year.
Not Bad!

I'm still 6lbs from my goal, at I least I know what my new years resolution will be :-)

Differences

My bother is going to Italy for the holidays. He will be skiing in the Alps, drinking Glühwein and enjoying a European winter season. In January he goes to Antigua for a two week sailing vacation to visit a friend who has a yacht there. All he needs is the flight to his destination. In March there is the annual two week ski vacation with his friends.

If you do a search on productivity by country there is not much difference between Europe and the US considering Europeans have at least twice as much vacation time. I guess I can't complain, after being laid off and furloughed this year, I will have had enough vacation time for a couple of European work years. I just wish I had the $ to do something fun :-(

Kittens

We have two new tabby kittens, my husband calls them velociraptors. They are about 4 months old and are working their way around the house chewing and scratching anything in their path.

...only a couple of years before they calm down!

Where has the time gone?

It's December already!
I have been furloughed for the month of December. I guess when you hire a contractor you can drop them or pick them up when you want to. Seemingly I will be called back in January 2004. I don't think I believe that will happen; if they didn't have money to pay me in December, what makes them think they can in January.

Tiggy Died Today

My cat died today, he was 16 years old.
I will miss him.

Gloomy

Took my cat to the vets yesterday. He has renal failure and probably won't last the year. This will make 2003 the loss and death year. I hope 2004 is healthier.

7 Years

Friday will be 7 years since my mother died. Tomorrow would have been her birthday. With the death of a friend, friend's parents, in-laws and kids recently, I can't help but grieve more this year. I would have thought that by now I would have had the strength to do The Race for the Cure - I don't. I'm not strong like people I know, who can do things in a lost one's name, and be brave through it all. I try so hard, but I know the minute I saw all the banners, survivors and people running in memory I would crumble into a weeping heap.

So, this year I will do what I have done in past years since my mothers death. I will not speak of my loss, I will not tell workmates. I will not surround myself with people who are involved in the disease that killed my mother. I will think of her in my own time. I will do it my way.