Happy Diwali!

So we've had a pretty fun Diwali. How about you? It was definitely an interesting day following a really interesting week. I'll rewind and start with the highlights of my week.

First of all, I was so excited last week when I was posting from somewhere in the air between Dallas and BWI that I forgot to send out my notification e-mail. So even my most dedicated follower (ahem - Monie) didn't know that I had posted. Sorry! I was too caught up in the excitement of being in the air and being able to talk to ppl who weren't. So I made it back from my trip to AZ. Wasn't excited about going back to work because of the really great (sarcasm) project that I was on.

Oh, before I get into that... The race we were training for for Cancer to 5k was last weekend. We did the 5k at the Baltimore running festival. In spite of not having been at practice for the last few weeks, I felt really great! I even had an extra burst of energy for the last 1/2 mile or so. Just felt really great to finishi it! And I had two GREAT sherpas - Arnetta and Thomas! =) The only thing that didn't go all that well was my plan for getting picked up after the race. I thought I was being ultra efficient by asking Mom to drop me off in the morning - no issues about trying to park. But we didn't fix a meeting place for afterwards. So after the race, I called Mom to pick me up. I was waiting at some random street corner in Baltimore city - not in the greatest neighborhood. So while I'm trying to give Mom directions on how to get to where I am - by using my super cool iPhone and its GPS - my cell phone battery dies. =) So I'm sitting at this street corner for probably over an hour and a half while Mom is trying to follow the last directions I gave her - not an easy task when half the streets are closed off because of the Baltimore Marathon. While I'm sitting there, I asked some random guy walking by if I could use his phone since mine died. He was nice enough to say yes. I called Mom and she was practically in tears because she was on the street I told her I was waiting on but had no idea if she needed to continue down it or go the other way. So this guy asks if I want him to give Mom directions - he was from Baltimore city and knew the area pretty well. Guess where Mom was? Not even a half a block from where I was sitting! =)

Ok so back to my work drama... =) Tuesday, right before I was about to head out to go meet my career counselor for my annual review and to see if she knew of a non-politically incorrect way to bail on the project, my Sr. Manager pulled me aside to chat. He told me that the role he had envisioned for me and the direction he had envisioned for the Tech Team were changing. Another Sr. Manager (someone who had been on the project before and is at a higher level than I am) had been brought on to do what he had originally brought me on to do. So that left him with no budget for me. Apparently, higher ups had requested this other guy be in this position. I almost felt bad for the huge idiotic grin plastered on my face while he was apologizing for this change.

So I had a really fun annual review. I couldn't have been happier with the day. I did have a few too many glasses of wine that night and ended up - literally - butting heads with a dog. =) Pretty funny story! Wednesday - I turned my laptop into tech support to undo all the awful things my project had done to configure my laptop for their network. Thursday/Friday - I sent out e-mails looking for a new project. I have a few leads. One that I'm kind of hoping for.

The one that I'm hoping for is actually right off of the same metro stop as the last one was. But from the way the guy described it, I think it would be a great fit for me. I'll hear back from that one early next week. But I'm still following a few other leads as well.

Last night Monie and I had a bonding night. Something we haven't done in a really long time. Lots of laughing and gossiping ... and surprise surprise - no fighting! =) Go us! We went out for pizza - I was really craving pizza last night. And had root beer floats. And then she showed me all her Egypt pictures! LOL! My Daddy is REALLY cute!! =)

And that brings me up to today...
I went to see Dr. Andy this morning - my back was seriously killing me all week. He thinks that I've lost muscle tone in my back. I was thinking about this on the way home from seeing him and it kinda makes sense. I have been so busy focusing on chest, arms, and shoulders lately - since that's where I have all my scars/incisions - but completely ignored my back. Needless to say, in addition to my adjustments, I'll be adding in some back exercises.

Since its Diwali - and you can't lie on Diwali - Mommy totally surprised us! We told her to meet us at the Mandhir at noon. So we could do that before going to our Diwali lunch. But we totally expected her to show up at 12:30. So that's what we planned for. But Mom completely shocked us by geting there way before we did!! (Sorry Mommy!!) So the three of us went in and 'matha taked' and then were going to head over to Bethesda for lunch. Mom was going to ride with me and Monie was going to drive Mom's car.

Mom's car wouldn't start. =) So we all got in mine and decided we'd come back and call AAA after we had lunch. On the way to Bethesda, Mom got a call saying that there was a leak in the ceiling at the store. (I know, great beginning, right? =P) She gives some instructions on who to call and what to do and we continue on our way. She figured she'd go there in the evening and see what was going on.

So we meet Rishi, his parents, Monty, and his Mom at a Indian restaurant in Bethesda. We had a great time at lunch! Food was good. Conversation was good. Company was good. And then Rishi mentioned something about putting money in the parking meter. OOOOPS! Guess who forgot to even read the sign to see when the meters were in effect? Yeah, that would be me. I went outside to see if I was in luck... obviously not the case seeing how our day was going! =P I already had a ticket on my car. I figured no point in paying extra for parking by feeding the meter now since I'd already be paying $35 for the ticket.

So anyway. We finished our lunch. Monie called AAA since it generally takes forever for them to come. The three of us headed back to the Mandhir to wait. Mom figured since we were there, she might as well just try and start the car. =) It starts right up! She turned it off, restarted it. Drove a bit, turned it off, no issues at all! =) (Monie said that we were just supposed to spend the extra time together. I think I agree!) Since I was craving it and had spotted a Starbucks on our way, we decided to grab a cup of coffee and then head out.

LOL! I honestly don't know the last time the three of us have spent THIS much time just sitting and gabbing! Our 'quick cup of coffee' turned into a several hour bonding session. (Something else I really enjoyed today!) After we finished chatting, Mom headed back home to switch out cars and then head off. And Monie and I headed back to VA. Traffic kinda sucked on the way back and I was feeling horrible for being a neglectful puppy mom, but Rishi Uncle came over and played with Chemo Puppy, took her out, and gave her a snack. So when we got home the baby was happy vs desperate to go out.

I played with my piglet for a bit while Monie packed up her stuff. Then we headed over to Rishi's place and hung out with Anu, Jitin, Ayana, Yuvan, Monty, Rishi, Aunty and Uncle. We got completely sucked into this desi movie - New York. It was definitely better than Krish, but probably not anywhere near my list of recommendations. =)

And that's about it for my week/day. Tomorrow - I'm hoping to be all super productive and get some stuff done around the house. And I'm really hoping I can see two of my rowing/crew teammates. (One just had a bilat-mastectomy. The other just lit up on a PET.) Both are absolutely amazing women! And so much fun to be around. =)

Ok well this just turned into a novel so I'm going to end it and call it a night. Happy Diwali and hope you are enjoying your weekend! =)
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- When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
- The average woman would rather have beauty than brains, because the average man can see better than he can think.
- Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.
- A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
- What do you mean my Birth Certificate EXPIRED?
- I have opinions of my own -- strong opinons -- But I don't always agree with them. - G. W. Bush