February 21, 2011

• First week of February, I went to Austin for a recruiting event at University of Texas. I chose Austin since I have friends living there, and I figured the weather would be decent (haha). Let’s start with the positive side of the trip. I flew in Wednesday night and checked into my hotel before it got too dark. My friend Carol picked me up at the hotel, and we went to visit our other college roommate, Natalie. Jason (Natalie’s husband) was at work, but I got to hang out with 3-year-old Anderson and meet 4 month old Donovan. Since it was the kids’ bedtimes, Carol and I didn’t stay too long before heading to ‘Texas French Bread’ for a late dinner.

   

  The next morning, I stopped by my cousin Dave’s house since he lived only 10 minutes from my hotel. I was able to catch Jiseon (Dave’s wife) for a few minutes before she had to rush off to work, and I met their 18-month-old son Alex for the first time. I worked in my hotel room most of the day, with a lunch break at  Mushashino for sushi with Natalie and Carol. 

  

  In the evening, I attended a networking event and banquet for women engineering students. Unfortunately, most of the students at the networking event were looking for internships and I was targeting to fill permanent positions. l was still hopeful for the Career Expo on Friday though. As luck would have it, because of a snowstorm, the career fair was canceled! The entire University of Texas was closed. I wasn’t able to get on an earlier flight so I spent the day working in my hotel room and airport. What a disappointment! Although, given the circumstances, I should be happy I got home safe before the weekend.

  That weekend, in addition to dance, basketball, and swim, we went to the mall. The weather was beautiful, and our original plan was to go to Fairytale Town or the Sacramento Zoo… some place outdoors. Unfortunately, we had no idea it was free museum day and the roads were congested. Since saving $20 wasn’t worth fighting the crowds, we decided to go a different day and walk around the mall instead. The kids rode on a carousel, played in the kids area, and we had lunch at the food court. Eh.

  

  Sunday morning, Zachary and I ran a local 5k race. Since Zachary runs faster than I do, we had him pace with my friend Erjia. I ran it in 30:42 and Zach finished in 25:50.  He was the only 6-year-old to complete the 5k, and if it weren’t for the 11-year-olds in his age division, he would have placed 4^th. It was a fun race, with Super Bowl food served afterwards … pizza, chicken wings, chips/dip etc.

  

   

  Zachary’s friend John from his soccer team invited him to a Super Bowl party that day, so I took him and Calie. John’s parents are huge Steelers fans – they served ham with a special barbecue sauce they had shipped from Pittsburgh, sausage with onion/peppers, and pierogies! The weather was perfect and the kids had fun playing in the backyard. The only issue was that since they had a pool, I constantly tracked my kids and wasn’t able to socialize. That and the Steelers lost.

  

  Two weeks ago, work was really busy, and my manager took his team out for lunch at Fat’s. On Friday, I hosted happy hour at Tahoe Joes for my extended staff - we needed it! Saturday, James and I took the kids to Lowes to build a heart shaped music box and played out in the backyard. The weather has been amazing for Februrary.

  

  In the evening, we went to a Sierra Trail Dogs crab feed fundraiser.  The food took a long time to come out and the kids (and James) got restless, but it was important to me to support one of my staff members. That and I like seafood.

  

  Sunday, I was treated to a gourmet lunch by Sam and Melissa. They invited my family, Ed/Lori, Sandy, and JP over for herb crusted filet mignon, 3 root vegetable puree, and asparagus. For dessert, they served homemade raspberry sherbet topped with a heart shaped sugar cookie, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Delicious! I am all about using my calories wisely these days and that meal was definitely worth it!

  

  

  In the evening, Bhavana and I took Dana out to dinner at Mylapore for her 40th birthday - Happy Birthday Dana! 

  

  
  Dance, basketball, and swim continues – and while the kids enjoy those activities, it makes it harder to plan full-day family events. We never made it to Apple Hill last fall, and we have yet to hit the slopes this ski season. I need longer weekends!

  • 10:58 pm
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