Voulez vous ...

So, it's been a while. Wow, some things have happened.
My sister and my parents came up to visit last week. Both came at different times and within three days of each other. Go figure. That's just our way. My sister came for a weekend and I got to hang out with her and some of her friends from work. The opportunity to visit came up because of work, but she herself was not working. We just spent most of time chilling and eating. Wow, did we eat?
As if that wasn't enough eating, my parents visited mid-week and we ate some more. We did get out and see a little more. We went to Salem, Gloucester, and Rockport. It was nice to get out into some of the little seaside towns. We also visited the Witch Museum in Salem. As a former museum employee, it's not the greatest exhibit. But as a visitor, it's pretty entertaining. If you want good seafood though, there's really no need to go all that way; you can find a pretty amazing restaurant right in East Boston, called Off the Boat Seafood. Oh. My. God. It is without a doubt the BEST seafood restaurant that I've ever been too. It's all Italian dishes and served with a nice crusty bread. You wouldn't believe it was that good if you saw the neighborhood, but it was damn good. Even my parents thought so and they are hard to please when it comes to food.
Basically, I just got some quality time with them and I'm glad that they came.
I have friends going through massive changes in their lives. I think of them often. It's a great reminder that sometimes life can really throw you for a loop.
I haven't had a soda since I last posted. Yay me!
I just got an email from my "Return of Sauron" video collaborator. He has an idea for another short and asked me if I would like to collaborate on the script. I was really flattered and said that I would love to. So here's hoping that there will be more of me on the World Wide Interweb.
Work has slowed a little, but I'm still working hard to stay on top of things. Also, just checking out my options these days.
I'm trying to find the motivation to move on to new things, whether it be studying for the GMATs or going out with friends or getting back on match.com. My sister sent me a job listing that she found for the Smithsonian, and it really did seem right for me. And it reconfirmed for me, that I don't want to move. I like it here and I think I'd like to stay.
Meanwhile, I'm thinking of visiting Montreal next month.

It's really not that bad.

I just had the one coke. And it had been a REALLY long day - 12 hours and massive sales. So I told myself that I deserved it. And today I went back to ginger ale. So ... it's really not that bad.

Plus someone at work asked me if I've lost weight and I said, "I must be. Everyone keeps saying so."

So ... it's really not that bad.

What. Is. Up.

I totally stole that title from my lil brudder.

Anyhow, besides making videos, which I'm loving - it's the new scrapbooking! - in the last 3 weeks, I've only had 2 caffeinated sodas. That's amazing. It's actually been about a week and half since I had the last one. It was a little hard to wean off, but I've just about done it. I hope you're proud of me, Jen. Still, it wasn't enough to keep me healthy, I caught my first cold in a long time. Summer colds suck.

My friend Maryann had another baby!!! They left straight from the hospital to get the baby's passport, because then they are moving to SWITZERLAND!!! in less than a month. Unbelievable. So however busy I think I've been, Maryann has been busier.

It has been a little busy at work because it's back-to-school season. This means making money, but it's also stressing me out. Not because it's busy, but because I'm losing my passion and it's really reflecting in my work. I've been thinking about what I want to do next, and well, I guess it's time to get moving on it.

But in the spirit of finding new things to do, I have started volunteering. I happened to be cruising craigslist, for the first time in a long time actually, when I found an ad looking for volunteers for a children's Playspace. It's a transitional shelter for abuse victims that organizes an arts and crafts night for the kids there one night a week. They needed volunteers; it seemed perfect for me. This past Monday was my first time and I loved it!!! It really invigorated me. I can't wait to go back. It's been so long since I volunteered for anything like this and I'm glad that I did.

So that my friends, is what is ... up.

Jillian's Gift

Click to Play

Kati and I went to Six Flags, but it wasn't nearly as much fun as being at Jillian's bachelorette party. We were sorry we missed it.