Settling in to a new home, a new place, a new job. It is more adjusting than I planned. I know it is one of the reasons why I am reluctant, STILL, to hang pictures on the walls and set up my home office. Hanging those pictures and organizing my office are the final tasks, which, when completed, will declare, "I'm settled in Louisville, KY." And, "I am home."
Home to me for 35.5 years (I started the new job in Kentucky exactly 3 days after my half birthday) was Southern California. Born in San Diego. Moved to Oceanside before I was 4. Moved to Fallbrook the summer between 6th and 7th grade (Ugh. Not great memories with those years.) Moved to San Diego for 3 years at SDSU. Back to Fallbrook, living with my parents for 1 year (you remember that 1st broke year after college - job hunting, poor with student loans no longer deferred). Renting my first place - a small cottage in Fallbrook. Then apartments in Vista, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. And the final California rental - a Condo in Vista. See, I never wandered far.
Many of you requested pictures of my new house. Confession. I've been using my lack of a camera cable (needed to download pictures from camera to computer) as an excuse. Truth? Sending or posting pictures means I'm REALLY living here. This is a permanent change, not a temporary sojourn. This is not an adventure. This is my reality.
Please don't worry about me. I am okay. I am settling in and adjusting. The process is just longer than I ever imagined. There are many things which I am enjoying in Louisville - Opening Night at the Races (launched Derby season), Louisville Palace (Summer Series - Old Jimmy Stewart Movies), Southeast Christian (church), The Irish Rover (Pub/ Restaurant), Heine Brothers (Coffee), New Friends, the best Lane Bryant ever, Bourbon 101class (OMG - Cherry Infused Bourbon - YUM!), and my neighborhood (gardens, wonderful houses, parks).
Eventually, I hope, one day soon. Louisville, KY will truly feel like home.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Where were you?
Alan Jackson's song, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," runs through my head as I sit watching Lifetime's 9-11 Special. Haunting images fill the screen. And I remember. Do you? Where were you?
I worked for Sony Electronics at the time as a buyer. September 11 was a rare day when I arrived at work early; walking through the doors at 6:30am. I was surprised to see a number of people gathered in the break room. I joined them and stood in shock as I watched.
There truly are no words to describe. The emotions. The fear. The wondering, "What now?" I distinctly remember trying to go about business as usual. Send e-mails. Order parts. Call vendors. All the while, checking CNN.com for updates and occasionally wandering back to the break room to watch TV. Business as usual kept my mind occupied, but I didn't get much done. I think eventually we were able to go home early. I don't remember. The tears came later . . . watching the images on TV, my computer. Even today, I weep. I experience the same shock, as I watch the day repeat through the videos of so many people who witnessed these events "live" in New York City.
Much changed after this date. Words express some of it - Security Lines, Buildings gone, War, Lost loved ones . . . but in reality, words are inadequate to capture the emotions, the consequences, and the significance of 9-11.
Where were you?
I worked for Sony Electronics at the time as a buyer. September 11 was a rare day when I arrived at work early; walking through the doors at 6:30am. I was surprised to see a number of people gathered in the break room. I joined them and stood in shock as I watched.
There truly are no words to describe. The emotions. The fear. The wondering, "What now?" I distinctly remember trying to go about business as usual. Send e-mails. Order parts. Call vendors. All the while, checking CNN.com for updates and occasionally wandering back to the break room to watch TV. Business as usual kept my mind occupied, but I didn't get much done. I think eventually we were able to go home early. I don't remember. The tears came later . . . watching the images on TV, my computer. Even today, I weep. I experience the same shock, as I watch the day repeat through the videos of so many people who witnessed these events "live" in New York City.
Much changed after this date. Words express some of it - Security Lines, Buildings gone, War, Lost loved ones . . . but in reality, words are inadequate to capture the emotions, the consequences, and the significance of 9-11.
Where were you?
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Lost Keys . . . Lost Mind?
Ginkgo Biloba may end up on my shopping list for the next trip to Whole Foods. I believe my memory requires boosting UP! I know some of you are thinking, "There is no way Emily forgets anything . . . she is perfect and her memory is superb." (Ahem - According to Web by E, arrogance and delusion could be a side effect of an over-tasked brain.)
Over-tasked. Probably an understatement these days. So much going on at work. Starting to make major changes in the arena of healthy living - personal trainer, gym membership, and meeting with a dietician/ nutritionist. Settling in to being "home" in Louisville. Sigh. Just a lot.
Let me recap for you my brain blank moments
Thursday. My boss (we shall call him M) is in town. He offers to take my direct team to lunch. We choose Olive Garden (got to love those salads and breadsticks). As I left my office I grabbed my keys, wallet, Greenlee badge (so I can scan and get back into the building), and we are off. We pile into two vehicles - M's rental car and T's (one of my direct reports) car. I drop my keys into the side pocket, put the wallet on my lap, and wear the badge around my neck. Lunch is tasty. Conversation enjoyable. Back into the cars and back to work we go. Fast forward 5 hours. M stops by my office to say good-bye. About 15 minutes later, I start to get ready to leave. Grabbing briefcase, water bottle, and . . . "Damn, where are my keys?" I open drawers, dig through my briefcase, look under papers . . . no keys. I pause a moment and sort through the memories of the day. Trying to remember the last time I saw my keys. LIGHTS GO ON. PANIC SETS IN. The sound of the keys dropping into the side pocket of the car. M's rental car, which is he is currently driving on the way back to the airport AND rental car return. Quickly I call him . . . he answers. No, he hasn't returned the car. Yes, he will come back. Keys restored to their rightful owner. YES!!!!
Friday Morning. Ready to head to work. Grabbing my briefcase, water bottle, and . . . "Damn, where are my keys." Once again, I'm digging through the briefcase, lifting up piles of stuff . . . no keys. At this point, I know I'm going to be late. So, I send in a text. "I'm going to be late to work today because I lost my keys." Sure, they are going to believe that one. TOTALLY true though! :o) Eventually, I do find them - after tearing the couch apart and finding them wedged into the far back. God alone knows how they managed to find their way into that odd position.
Saturday Afternoon. Picking up dry cleaning. Give the girl my receipt. She goes and grabs my 4 items, hangs them on the copper bar by the register, and we take care of the payment process. I take my card back and walk to the exit. Pausing when I am about to push open the door. I'm missing something - the DRY CLEANED ITEMS. Yep. Paid and then walked away. I turn around and with much chagrin grab the items off the copper bar and walk back out of the building.
Do you need any more proof? I think I've lost my mind. The question is . . . will I remember the Ginkgo Biloba?
Over-tasked. Probably an understatement these days. So much going on at work. Starting to make major changes in the arena of healthy living - personal trainer, gym membership, and meeting with a dietician/ nutritionist. Settling in to being "home" in Louisville. Sigh. Just a lot.
Let me recap for you my brain blank moments
Thursday. My boss (we shall call him M) is in town. He offers to take my direct team to lunch. We choose Olive Garden (got to love those salads and breadsticks). As I left my office I grabbed my keys, wallet, Greenlee badge (so I can scan and get back into the building), and we are off. We pile into two vehicles - M's rental car and T's (one of my direct reports) car. I drop my keys into the side pocket, put the wallet on my lap, and wear the badge around my neck. Lunch is tasty. Conversation enjoyable. Back into the cars and back to work we go. Fast forward 5 hours. M stops by my office to say good-bye. About 15 minutes later, I start to get ready to leave. Grabbing briefcase, water bottle, and . . . "Damn, where are my keys?" I open drawers, dig through my briefcase, look under papers . . . no keys. I pause a moment and sort through the memories of the day. Trying to remember the last time I saw my keys. LIGHTS GO ON. PANIC SETS IN. The sound of the keys dropping into the side pocket of the car. M's rental car, which is he is currently driving on the way back to the airport AND rental car return. Quickly I call him . . . he answers. No, he hasn't returned the car. Yes, he will come back. Keys restored to their rightful owner. YES!!!!
Friday Morning. Ready to head to work. Grabbing my briefcase, water bottle, and . . . "Damn, where are my keys." Once again, I'm digging through the briefcase, lifting up piles of stuff . . . no keys. At this point, I know I'm going to be late. So, I send in a text. "I'm going to be late to work today because I lost my keys." Sure, they are going to believe that one. TOTALLY true though! :o) Eventually, I do find them - after tearing the couch apart and finding them wedged into the far back. God alone knows how they managed to find their way into that odd position.
Saturday Afternoon. Picking up dry cleaning. Give the girl my receipt. She goes and grabs my 4 items, hangs them on the copper bar by the register, and we take care of the payment process. I take my card back and walk to the exit. Pausing when I am about to push open the door. I'm missing something - the DRY CLEANED ITEMS. Yep. Paid and then walked away. I turn around and with much chagrin grab the items off the copper bar and walk back out of the building.
Do you need any more proof? I think I've lost my mind. The question is . . . will I remember the Ginkgo Biloba?
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