Third Daughters Club

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Originally uploaded by xoxoirene

We three are all third-born daughters.

Piggy Cake for Three

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Originally uploaded by xoxoirene

This is part of the birthday celebration. Note my sister's ingenious use of cake mounds to prop the candles.

Bus Riding

Took the Amtrak bus to attend parts of Mission Connexion Northwest in Portland, OR last weekend. It was really cool and I hope to read through the pile of stuff I picked up and maybe find some occupation for 2010(!). My friend Anna's wedding was lovely and fun; had a great time with my old high school friends.

Took Amtrak train to Seattle and interned for my brother-in-law at his company. I'm still have a call with the web designer tomorrow so my project will be on-going. Lots of fun lunches and Scrabble. I'm starting to memorize 2-letter words, so watch out!

My family had a nice combo birthday party for me and two of my nieces. Fun, easy. Cake and ice cream. And noodles.

Last night, took Greyhound bus back home where I'll be for the next week. Found out RZIM three-week course in Chennai is only $200USD. Best news I've gotten so far!



No, wait. Best news I've gotten is that my refugee friend got a job! YAY! Other recent provision: coverage at Chinese church and a doctor appointment today before my regular coverage runs out. Today, I feel like I am "highly favored".

[Thanks to Kerrin for prodding me to post.]

March plans

After Mardi Gras, I hope to visit my friend Nancy's folks and my other friend Nancy in Alabama. Then Joyce will be in Atlanta, Shannon in Virginia, Colleen and Riah in the DC area, Shirlie in New Jersey, and finally Juanita in NYC. There is a small chance my friend Ken will be at his restaurant in Florida over Wellesley's spring break, in which case I may Jetblue there for a few days.

Going to the gym every day has been great. And, for all of you who got my Christmas email, I finally started weeding the front yard! :)

Early retirement

I officially enter the non-work force tomorrow. My big travel plans for this first day are to the gym and to the next town over to help my new refugee friend find a job. Circle of life. Thanks to my colleagues and bosses and their wives for a lovely going away party. Elijah thinks I should come up with a shtick for each place I visit like the guy that dances on YouTube only not dancing. I'm open to your suggestions.

Also, my ex-job is covering health insurance through the end of the month, after which time my catastrophic should be active.

AND, I got an iPod touch. Exactly what I wanted: an iPhone without the monthly plan. Hallelujah!

Opening move

Just bought a one-way ticket to New Orleans departing Feb 22. Smile. Had a lovely new year's eve into new year. Met with one friend who encouraged me to fully learn: the greatest of these is love. And another friend today who was just plain excited for me.

Dad asked me to do the weekly Asian market shopping tomorrow saying I did a good job the last time. I am celebrating this small but meaningful assignment.