It's Just Another Manic Monday

Another fashion post? What the what is going on?

It's no secret that I've been a wee bit stressed lately. It took me over a week to find time to pick up my new specs, I've needed a haircut for about a month, keep forgetting to reschedule my dentist appointment that's this week, I'm breaking out, and needed have to get in for a bridesmaid dress fitting about two weeks ago. Oh, and now I average about a 50-60 hour work week.

Oy vey.

Not to say I'm not enjoying my new position, I am - very much so. It's challenging for sure, but every now and then I get little successes that remind me how great I could be in the position.

But I really need a haircut.

However, the one thing I can control is how I look and present myself. And lately I've been feeling like if I look put together, people will perceive me as 'put together'. So lately I've been going on shopping sprees on the aforementioned ModCloth.com, picking up new cute outfits. I figured I'd start the week off right and don one of my new dresses.

It's a pretty crappy cell phone self-shot, but the dress is going to be one of my new favorites, and the shoes are my ever-versatile rainbow wedges. Seriously. I love these things, I wear them ALL the time. 

I also sported my new geek-chic spectacles. You can't see them very well, so here's a photo I uploaded to Path earlier today.

I love them, and they're surprisingly lightweight considering how thick the plastic is. And, since it is thick plastic, my coke-bottle lenses don't stick out so much.

Huzzah!

Feeling Fashionable

Recently I've become quite obsessed with the site ModCloth.com. Seriously, it's brilliant. Super cute vintage-y clothes, and they send me emails with outfit suggestions. I honestly cant tell you what a big help that is since it saves hours spent at the mall putting together outfits for purchase, something I'm really not all that great at anyway.

For example, this outfit was spawned out of one of those emails:

I roped a co-worker to take this picture at Starbucks during an afternoon Frappuccino run. The purse is one of my favorites, given to me by my dear friend Eleanor. It's an elementary school science book cover repurposed into a purse. It's one of the most unique and awesome purses I've every seen.

Hopefully this furthers my point that engineers can be cute too. And I've got more where that comes from...as long as ModCloth.com stays around. ;]

Wednesday Wisdom

I saw this picture circulating on Facebook recently and I must say, I fell in love with the statement.

I too often think that we find ourselves regretting decisions or fretting over those 'what-ifs'. We never really stop and think about the things that wouldn't have happened had we actually made those different choices. Would we be the same person we are today? Would we know the same people?

Most likely the answer is no. Honestly, I remember just a few weeks ago feeling like I may have made a mistake career-wise. While I loved my position, I felt I had stayed too long and would have trouble finding another job should I need to. But now I'm in the Engineering Manager, and nominated for my first award. Had I not been where I was, learning what I've learned, I wouldn't have the opportunities I have today.

So really, we need to appreciate our "mistakes" more. Every decision, good or bad has lead us to where we are today. Now, our lives are what we make it. More "mistakes" may be made, but they may lead us to great places.

I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty exciting.

Engineering Manager? Moi?

A couple weeks ago, dear blogland, I mentioned that I may have some exciting work news for you which made me feel like I should dress snazzier. Well, the cat's out of the bag so I can finally share it!

I have officially been named the new Engineering Manager at Parallax! 

I'm very excited at the opportunity and the challenges it will bring. It's also going to allow me to put all of my leadership training from college to good use!

Also, I have an amazing boyfriend who is cooking a delicious dinner for me tonight to celebrate. 

Life is good. :)

The Pa-arty's Oooover...

And just like that, it's done. Last night was the final midnight premiere of anything Harry Potter. And while Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was very, very good, I can't help but feeling a little...blue.

My love affair with Harry goes back to when Sorcerer's Stone was first released. It was 1998 and I was 12 years old. My mom had brought the book home on a recommendation from a friend and meant it to be for my brother or sister (seven and nine, respectively). However, as soon as she mentioned that it was about wizards, I snatched it up and devoured it in days.

The book that started it all...

And so the obsession began. I essentially grew up with Harry, anxiously awaiting the release of each book and attending midnight release parties when they came in vogue. I would re-read each installment until the bindings started to wear, pretty much lived on Mugglenet, and basically drove my family nuts with my incessant gushing about the series.

The first movie was released when I was a sophomore in high school, and fortunately I had friends who were just as excited as I was. They weren't doing midnight releases then, so we popped into the first showing we could that Friday night. We brought Bertie Bots Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, stuffed owls, plastic Potter glasses and had the time of our lives. Before I knew it I was buying robes and house sweaters to complete my nerd-tastic ensemble. 

Now here I am at 25 and all that excitement, all that anticipation is gone. There's nothing new to look forward to. I'll never be in a midnight release line again. And while it may seem completely melodramatic, that's rather disappointing for me. 

Just look how excited queues make me!

Trust me, the final installment was really very good. You should definitely see it. I'm definitely going to see this movie about eight more times in theatres (and don't you dare think I'm retiring my Ravenclaw house uniform) but it's just a very odd feeling to now look back on Harry Potter with nothing but nostalgia.

But, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

So to commemorate this event fellow Potterheads, new or old, I propose a toast: To the magic that's kept us enthralled for the past 13 years. To the books that kept us up all night reading. To Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. To the fond memories we've shared. To Snitches, wands, Puking Pastilles, muggles and butterbeer. And most of all...

To Harry Potter, the boy who lived.

Locked & Loaded for Fun & Sun in Florida!

Steven's brother is getting married on Saturday, so we're heading back to Florida. w00t.

We've also got plans for some boating, beaching and we may throw some pooling in for good measure. However, after my tryst at the river last weekend, I noticed that my bathing suits were in pretty sorry shape. Elastic stretched out, fading fabric, really just no fun at all.

This year, work was very nice to give us fiscal year end bonus, and after a couple days of consulting with this generosity, this sum told me that it wanted to become new swimwear. Isn't that just the nicest?

So yesterday I moseyed on over to my favorite swimsuit shop, Le Target. I immediately found one I wanted when I spotted this saucy black number with comic book print. I kid you not, insta win for yours truly.

And I may feel a little bit like a super hero wearing it...

I also picked up a Converse One Star Number, I can't find a picture of it, but it's similar to the one here (but in black & white).

Then, since I was already there, I might as well pick up some other items, right? Of course! Gas is expensive, and you really should make the most out of every mile driven. Let that be a lesson, kids.

Alright, so since I've been feeling "fashionable" lately, I picked up a new dress for work. (Plus, I may have exciting work news for you soon, which may make me feel like I need to dress snazzier.) It's a nice light fabric, so it will breathe nicely here in the Sacramento heat AND it's uber cute.

Hooray professionalism!

Then for funsies I picked up some rockin' aqua shorts because, well, why not?

Fun, fun, fun, fun...

I also splurged on various tank tops to mix & match with since I've been in a "tank top" mood lately. I mean, the high IS 102 today. Just sayin'.

I <3 Target. It was a serious drain on finances when I worked there, since half the time I worked as the operator which also doubled as being the fitting room attendant. Needless to say I would amass quite the collection from what was discarded by shoppers. It's MUCH safer to only pop in a couple times a month.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '30'

Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

Oh. Em. Gee. Did I really make it to the last day? Is this really ending?! I mean, I may not have completed it in exactly 30 days, but that's just a guideline, right?

At Flughafen Zurich!

Anyway, that's me earlier today, before I boarded my flight back to the States. I am now in Atlanta, waiting out the last 3 hours of my 5 hour layover. But, I did treat myself to the Delta Sky Lounge so I'm enjoying free drinks & free internet. I tell ya, this is like airport heaven!

So, three good things that happened in the past 30 days:

1. I successfully completed my sixth excursion to Europe, with two international Educator's Courses!
2. I visited the Doctor Who Experience!
3. I found out the Altanta Airport has a Moe's. I know what I'm having for dinner! Omnomnomnomonom.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '29'

Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.

Well, if you asked me before this trip, I would say travelling. But to be honest, I'm actually very ready to go home tomorrow. Or maybe I'm just ready to go home to a certain someone. 

...Don't judge me.

So I think I would have to say spending time with good friends & family. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little cynical - and I generally don't really like a lot of people. So the people I do like, I enjoy spending time with very much.

Let the good times roll!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '28'

Day 28 – Your favorite movie.

Yikes, this is a tough one – there’s so many! Where do I even begin?

I think I will have to say Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. It’s a newer movie, but I loved the graphic novels & the movie really did them justice. It was a tribute to video games, crushes, evil exes & general geekery. A must see for any nerd. So go see it!

Some runners up were: The Princess Bride, Wall-E, Love Actually & Spaceballs.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '27'

Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?

Okay, now this is ridiculous. What is this, a third grade essay? Honestly.

Whatevs, here I am, playing putt-putt last year. I had just sank a hole-in-one, and decided to take a PGA victory shot. You’ve seen them. When the golfer makes a great putt, he gets down to the ground and does a little arm pump.

How have I changed since then? Well, I’m a little older & a little wiser. I mean, what do you want me to say? It’s only a year, and I’ve been pretty stagnant. Got the same job, same boyfriend…new apartment though.

I suppose authoring the 30 Day Blog Challenge is just as hard as keeping up with it. How have you changed in a year? Come on, I’m not going to write a bloody soliloquy and publish it to all of the interwebs. I don’t even have a bloody soliloquy.

I guess if I have to think about it, here's a small list: I got better at snowboarding, I enjoy being outdoors now, I feel I'm much more practical of a person, I'm better with money, and I grew my hair out.

Fin.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '26'

Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.

Since today I traveled to a place that I’ve never been, I figured I’d combine it with my blog challenge. It’s not cheating, don’t worry.

Today our Swiss distributor took us to the Rheinfall, the largest natural waterfalls in Europe. I must say, they were pretty impressive. Here’s a picture of me near them!

My boss and I then took a boat to a spot where you could hike up and get a panoramic view of the area. I must say, the Rheinfall were even more impressive from the top. There were a bunch of additional crevasses and smaller waterfalls before the water reached the larger ones. Here are some more pictures!

Halfway up the hike, directly to the side of the large fall.

A view from the top.

Me at the top!

Then we had a very nice authentic lunch at a local restaurant and headed back to the hotel. We also took an afternoon walk through Old Town Winterthur. That was pretty cool, but since it was Sunday, most everything was closed.

One thing I noticed is that the cows seem to be much happier here. They all wear bells around their necks, they seem to almost prance as they walk, and their tails wag as their chewing on grass. It’s incredibly cute.

Since we had a big lunch, we just grabbed some Subway sandwiches for dinner. I know, it’s not authentic food, but most everything is closed today and honestly, I’m still recovering from lunch.

But I am still on a mission to find some fondue before we leave!

Greetings from Switzerland!

Yes, my time in England has officially ended and I have now made my way to Oberwinterthur, Switzerland.

But yesterday my boss & I spent some time hitting the major landmarks in London. First, I insisted we stop by King’s Cross since I heard rumors of a Platform 9 ¾ mock-up. Let me tell you – what a disappointment! I don’t know if things became too touristy, or if it was due to the construction, or if it was always this way, but ‘Platform 9 3/4’ was a really lame cardboard backdrop of a brick wall, with a trolley going into the wall. Since we travelled all the way out there, I decided that I should take a picture anyway.

See? Pretty Lame. I tried to get excited though.

Next, we took the Underground to London Bridge, walked that & then walked to Westminster & South Bank. Since it was raining, there weren’t too many weird street performers. Here are some more pictures!

Me on the London Bridge, with Tower Bridge behind me.
Umbrella too, cause it's London.

Westminster Palace & Big Ben!

Then we retired to the hotel early since we had early flights today. There was a pretty cool pub in the hotel, so I was able to get my fish & chips fix in.

Tomorrow our distributor is taking us to the Rhinefalls here in Switzerland, which should be gorgeous. Then the course Monday & Tuesday, meeting with Google on Wednesday and home on Thursday! <3

30 Day Blog Challenge - Days '24 & 25'

Day 24 - A photo of something that means a lot to you.

I’m not at home so I can’t take a picture, but I must say this item is my Winne-the-Pooh. I’ve had him since I was one, and is probably one of the most sentimental things I own. He’s moved to college with me and all the way out here in California. He’s my ‘safety blanket’ I guess and I could never imagine throwing him away (couldn’t give him away, he’s pretty worn).

If I’m sick or in a wretched mood, I’ll still take him off the closet shelf & cuddle with him. He makes me feel better. :]

Day 25 - What’s in your purse?

Well this is kind of a strange moment since I’m travelling and my purse is a computer bag. So here goes:

• Laptop computer & power supply
• Cell phone
• Camera
• Nook Color – rooted to run the Android OS :]
•  Agendas & maps
• Wallet
•  Passport
• Ninendo 3DS (Which apparently has the only power supply on this planet that doesn’t accept 110 – 240 V, so it’s currently dead. WTF Nintendo?!)
• Tide To Go
• Pencils & Pens
•  Headphones
• Flash drives

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '23'

Day 23 – 15 facts about you.

Gosh golly I'm really rubbish at this aren't I? Can't say it's not that I haven't had the time, but the past couple days I've been busy with work and have been too tired to tackle this giant. And I'm not giving up yet, even if this 30 Day Challenge takes 60!

So here goes...

One - I despise cooked spinach.

Two - I'm awful at taking (and remembering to take) pictures.

Three - I don't really like sweets, and really have to be in the mood for them.

Four - I love stand up comedy shows.

Five - I am completely, ridiculously, head over heels in love with my boyfriend.

Six - I forgot how hilarious the IT Crowd, but it was just on TV & now I remember and want to re-watch it.

Seven - I was born in Wisconsin, but raised in Florida - and I used to be ashamed to admit that I was from Florida because I felt it made me uninteresting.

Eight - In high school, I dreamed of being a Broadway star.

Nine - Nowadays, I've stopped making plans & just plan to be surprised.

Ten - I was a teacher's pet & straight-A student in school.

Eleven - I almost always have to have a blanket over me when lounging on the couch, even if it's ridiculously hot outside.

Twelve - I love swimming.

Thirteen - My favorite munchie is popcorn.

Fourteen - I enjoy the occasional craft beer (and Steven Homebrew).

Fifteen - I usually have to hit the snooze about 5 times before I'm able to get up in the morning. Something I'd really like to change but can never seem to.

So there you are 15 things you may or may not have wanted to know. This really was a lot harder to put together than it should have been. Ah well.

Jolly Ol' England - It's Business Time!

Well I'm now on Day 6 here in jolly ol' England, and I must say I've been enjoying myself quite a bit!

Tuesday we met with our distributor, Active Robots for coffee in Bath and then took a trip to see their office. This was my second time being there, and I must say it's a great atmosphere & they have a lot of neat products. For example Maximus, who appeared on the Gadget Show.

Maximus - Autonomous racing robot.

Me & The Active Robots Crew

 Yesterday and today I've been teaching an Educator's Course at the University of Bath. More on that later!

Jolly Ol' England!

I must say, I have been having a blast here in England. I got in on Saturday afternoon and stayed with my friend Nick and his girlfriend in London. They were great hosts: we went to dinner and to a party Saturday night & then the Doctor Who Experience and the Natural History Museum on Sunday.

The Doctor Who Experience was absolutely fantastic! They had props from the show & a fun little walk-through ride where you assisted the Doctor in escaping from another Pandorica. You got on the TARDIS (which was totally bigger on the inside), fought Daleks, ran from the Weeping Angels & saved the universe from imploding. It was great.

Me & a creepy wax statue of Matt Smith.

Me & Nick on board the TARDIS!

Then today I met up with my boss & did a bit of sightseeing through Bath. We toured the Abbey & went to the top of the bell tower (which I had missed last time). There were some really narrow staircases but it was really cool to see the bell tower & the back of the clock face!

View from the top of the bell tower.

Me halfway up the tower (it's in the background).

Anyway, tomorrow we'll be meeting with our distributor Active Robots to go over some more details about the course. And then, who knows? Probably more sightseeing.

Until then! <3

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '22'

Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.

Really? This isn't something I'd want to broadcast to the entire interwebs, but here goes...

Dear Children Operating the Dalek at the Doctor Who Experience,

You really were spending much too long at this part of the exhibit. I may be 25 years old, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't want a go at it. Plus, I really wanted to take a campy photo of me pretending to be cornered by a Dalek, and you ruined it by spending much too long messing around. 

I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Cheers,

Jessica

30 Day Blog Challenge Days '20 & 21'

So I missed a couple of days since I was busy having fun in London. Don't worry, pictures are coming soon, jet need a chance to get them on my computer. But in the meantime, I'll catch up on my 30 Day Blog Challenge.

Day 20 - The Meaning Behind your Blog Name

Well that's fairly obvious, isn't it? In case you haven't noticed, I'm a bit of a nerd. And if in case you haven't noticed, I'm not really ashamed of it. I'm happy & proud to be a geek - hence, Gleefully Geeky.

Day 21 - A Photo of Something that Makes you Happy

This is a really vague question as there are many things that make me happy, so it's hard to choose one thing. Honestly, the more I think on it no one thing pops into my mind as making me really happy.

So I'm sorry, dear Blogland, but I don't have an answer for this one.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '19'

Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.

Really, couldn't think of anything better? Well, it's actually kind of fitting I suppose.

I leave for a 12-day excursion to England & Switzerland today, and believe it or not, everything I need for those 12 days is in that nifty carryon bag. I think I deserve a medal, I really do.

Now that I've experienced the magic that is travelling without checking a bag, I never want to go back. Seriously, it's incredible. And my parents got me this super fancy hardshell Hartmann suitcase (which I am obsessed with) which makes it really easy.

And never fear, dear blogland! In addition to bringing you these riveting posts for the 30 Day Challenge, I'll also keep you updated on my European travels.

Cheers!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day '18'

Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.

In-N-Out Burger, most definitely. I cannot get enough of this place. How I'm not 300 pounds, I'll never know. But their grilled cheese - oh so yummy. And at $5 a meal, the price is definitely right!