Camera suggestions?

My digital camera hasn't worked well for nearly a year and finally crapped out for the last time this weekend.  Do any of you have suggestions?  I'm planning on having $600 to blow in May, but I'm not sure I will be able to live that long without a camera.  If you like your camera or don't, please tell me!

Bring it on...

This has been a rather "bring it on" kind of week.  Today, I read the forecast and throwing all caution to the wind said, "bring it on".  Of course, now I'm just hoping that none of my other trees come down.  Evidently we are expecting 5-7 inches of snow and ice.  Lovely.  Personally, I'm hoping for a snow day and a good reason not to go to work.  Unfortunately, one of my colleagues that works the ED has offered to pick me up.  Evidently he has 4-wheel drive and didn't feel I should miss any fun.

My plan to keep busy has certainly been working and is partly to blame for my long absence.  I actually woke up the other day and for the first time in over a year, my mind didn't immediately go to adoption or kids.  In fact, it was early afternoon before either thing crossed my scattered brain.  In a way it is sad because it feels like I am letting go, but I realize that right now I do need to let go.  I was holding so tightly to something that for now won't be realized.  Someday, yes.  But not now.  Waiting is a hard lesson to learn, but I think I am learning it.

I'm taking better care of myself.  Eating more fruits and vegetables, less crap.  Today I went through an entire day without any caffeine.  Under normal circumstances that only happens on the weekends.  I'm also going to bed earlier.  Two hours earlier, to be exact. Some nights I lay there for a good 10 minutes before falling asleep, but so far I have been out just about as soon as I put my head to the pillow.   The only problem with losing two hours of day is that I am now not exercising.  I've got to figure this out soon. 

This is the first evening I've had at home since, oh, Friday of last week.  I'm trying a lot of different things and getting to know new people.  It has really been good for me.

The other day I had dinner with an Indian couple that I am friends with.  I met her when I worked for Select and we have remained in contact since the closing.  It helps that she and her husband attend the same church as me.  Anyway, they asked Sunday if I would come over for dinner this week.  I love all kinds of food, but I especially love Asian foods.  Unfortunately the good ol' IBS kicked in the day of the dinner.  I was miserable at work, but I didn't want to cancel our plans because I so looked forward to spending time with them.  They had asked on Sunday if they needed to tone down the spice and I said "bring it on".  Yeah, I'm feisty alright.  Fast forward to Tuesday night.  The three of us enjoyed a wonderful meal.  Her food was spicy, but well within my spice tolerance.  It could have been spicier and I wouldn't have flinched.  Well, my tongue wouldn't flinch.  My guts were another issue.  We ended up talking for at least another hour after dinner, and by then the IBS had kicked into high gear.  My gut was sending out distress signals left and right and all the rumbling was beginning to resemble flatulence.  I swear I wasn't farting, but something inside certainly was.  At one point, the squeaking and squealing lasted ten seconds.  My poor friend...she asked, "Erica, do you need to use the bathroom?" 

I haven't been asked that since I was in grade school!  I guess I should be embarrassed, but after living with it for so long I guess I'm just used to it.  I decided it would be best if I departed quickly, but even that was slowed down.  When I had entered their house it was 53*, when I left it 9* and my car was coated in ice.  For the first time in my life, I saw lightening through the snow.  Yeah, life is crazy so bring it on.

Keep your fingers crossed and pray for a snow day!

Use your period for good...

Yeah, that's Tampax's new tag line...Tampax--use your period for good. Seriously? Do the MEN that dream up the ideas for these commercials have any idea what they are talking about? I view mine as a burden. A painful reminder of how something good can go terrible wrong and I've gone to great lengths to limit mine. You know why I don't dread getting older any more? My near-sightedness will improve (yay!) and some blessed day my periods will end.

Evidently Tampax is trying to draw attention to the fact that young women in Southern Africa (which part, Tampax? It's a big continent) don't have access to pads and tampons. As such, they miss school and I am assuming they perform lower than their male peers. Personally, I wish I lived in South Korea. Did you know that each month women across the country get to take a few days off when they have their period and they are not penalized. I wonder if I would begin having happy periods if I had 3 days off each month? Did you know that in many Native American populations menstruating women are considered unclean and they are not allowed to even be present for religious ceremonies? In the Old Testament women were set apart for seven days because they were unclean. Everything she touched, sat on or laid on was considered dirty for seven days. God help the man that attempted to "lay" with her.

Personally, I like the Always brand tag line "have a happy period".

Read on to see what this fictious writer supposed sent to Proctor and Gamble:

Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your Always maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favourite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants. Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from "the curse"? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my ‘time of the month’ is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call "an inbred hillbilly with knife skills." Isn't the human body amazing? As Branch Manager in the Feminine-hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers' monthly visits from "Aunt Flo". Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behaviour. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy! The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... which brings me to the reason for my letter.
Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: "Have a Happy Period".
"Are you f…..g kidding me?" What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness - is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything "happy" about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.
For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like "Put Down the Hammer" or "Vehicular Manslaughter Is Wrong", or are you just picking on us? Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep... Always.
Best,
Wendy Aarons
Austin TX

Here's hoping I sit this month out...

Rest In Peace

           1979-2008

I was a Heath Ledger fan and I was quite shocked to learn of his death this morning.  It appears that drugs may have played a factor in his death.  If so, I really hope that others take note and realize that life is brief and we must respect the limited time that we have.

I just learned from Kristen that our dear China coordinator is losing her job.  I will be reassigned my third coordinator since I started this journey.  Evidently the slowdown in China isn't just affecting the children in China and the adoptive parents.  Agencies are now being forced to re-evaluate the best way they can meet their clients needs and make budget.  Hopefully I will hear from her tomorrow and I can express my thanks for all she has done.  Because of the slowdown, I rarely ever inquire about the process, but we have bonded over photos and recipe exchanges.  I will miss her.

I am tired.  I suspect I am fighting an infection because I have been short of breath again.  And tired.  Very tired.  And cold.  Very cold.  I cranked up the heat in my office to what was probably near 80 or better and I was wearing a cashmere sweater AND a jacket.  Yeah, the thermostat is definitely off. 

But life has improved and is getting better.  It has been good to step back from the process and return to my normally scheduled life.  I'm spending time with friends again and trying to do things that make me happy.  I'm starting to make plans again--something I haven't done because I never knew when MayLing would be coming home.  It's been nearly a year and I'm not much closer so it has really freed me up to focus on other pursuits again.  I think this year is going to be a good year. 

Hope

 

I've heard this song before, but today as we sang in church it felt more personal.  I especially loved the lines

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

I just need to hang on and know that things will change.  My heart just needs to hold on. 

**sorry about parts of the video.  I really dislike the fact that every time he sings the word "fear" that they show pictures of terrorists.  There are far more things that are fearful that we see in our day-to-day life besides terrorists (well, in my life anyway. Maybe you do stay awake fearing them).  Personally, I'd say that some of our candidates for this year's election are more than a little scary. 

I'm tired

It's no secret that the past few weeks have been rather difficult for me and it has not just been the adoption slow down.  I have been under an incredible amount of pressure at work.  There is an upgrade project that was started a year or two ago that kept getting pushed back.  Finally the vendor we buy our applications from said "you either upgrade now, or you can't upgrade any other applications in your hospital system".  Evidently the system is like the game Ginga.  Each wooden block rests precariously on the other.  The one below supports the one above and the one above supports the next one up.  So, I was brought into the project in late December, long after most of the work should have been done, but wasn't.  The person that has been assigning me the tasks has never done anything like it either (which is why I can only assume I was pulled into the mess--so she can back out).  She keeps telling me all these things I need to do and increasing my workload daily.  I have to admit, I dread even seeing her because I know she is going to say "you know, I really think we should look at workflow for ....".  I missed all the earlier meetings were the work was defined and divided.  Most of the time they forget to include me on any conference calls or project meeting updates.  And oh yeah, we are going live in less than a month.  To say I've been stressed would be an understatement.  In the few meetings I have attended I have just felt the panic rise--kind of reminded me of walking into a geometry class when I am obviously an algebra kind of girl. 

I should also add that I have no experience.  I am RN, with a degree in anthropology with a focus in culture and biophysical--and I am now working in an IS department. 

But finally, yesterday, I don't feel so lost.  On Thursday I had even more crap added to my plate.  As a result I decided to meet with the integration person that is setting up the testing and the project manager.  It seems I am on the right path--it is the lady that keeps adding more to my plate that is off base!  Seriously, she wanted me to do workflow for the current application and then extrapolate what the workflow would be with the new upgrade.  How the heck can I do that when I don't even know what the back of the box says or how the users are going to apply it???  Exactly.  You can't. 

I'm glad that is cleared up.  Unfortunately I'm still going to have to work on it this weekend because testing begins Monday morning.  I'm sure I'll keep you updated on what has become the world's most boring blog.  I'm sure all you non-tech people think this is the most boring thing ever, but I AM HAPPY TO KNOW THAT I AM RIGHT, DARN IT!!!!!

Funny

While I don't approve of teaching kids to curse when they are only 2 years old, this is still pretty darn funny.