Archives for February 2009

It’s official, we got the work permits today, we are really and truly going to Italy. Just don’t ask us when yet… it’s going to take a little bit of time in order to sort things out and figure out when we are going. It could be by April 1, but I don’t want to commit to any dates quite yet.

I think things will move very quickly from here on out. Work was busy anyway, but now we’re going to have Visa applications and sorting out movers and everything else that it takes to move. AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! It’s really happening! 🙂

Friday night we went to dinner with some friends. A very enjoyable evening, and lots of food! So much that we had some leftovers to take home. The restaurant uses the recyclable clamshells for putting the leftovers in. We were discussing that as we walked out the door and Brandon says out of the blue:

“You know, women are recyclable.”

I asked, “What? Why?”

“Because they have babies!” Brandon answered.

Too funny, you just never know what’s going to come out of a kid’s mouth!

I just got home from the second and third grade music program at Adams Elementary. What fun! There is something wonderful about the goofy, off key, off beat performances… Maybe it’s just a parent thing but I find myself enjoying the simplicity of it all and the joy the kids show.

I loved how the first thing Brandon did when he came into the room was scanning the audience for us. Looking anxious and then breaking into a big smile when he saw us there. He was performing just for “us” – how special is that?

And the news is… still no work permit.

There was another meeting today in Italy with the immigration folks. This time it was a different official, and this official had yet another document requirement. Nothing we need to do this time, they are taking care of it in Italy and then the next meeting will be February 23.

Maybe it will happen then, maybe not.

I can’t say that I’m surprised about today’s outcome. 🙂

We’re baaa-aaack! We arrived home today after three days in sunny southern California visiting Disneyland and California Adventure. We left on Monday afternoon, and just missed the rain in California. It rained on Monday and was supposed to rain today! It wasn’t hot enough for sandals but it was sunny and boy, did that feel good. Here are a couple of family pics and a cute story of the trip.We were waiting in line for this next pic with Lightning and Mater, when Brandon says, “Hey look Mom, Mater has teeth just like mine!” And you know what, he’s right! 🙂 Brandon is always making us laugh.

Yesterday we had a party to celebrate a major accomplishment at work… the qualification of the technology transfer project I’ve been leading for the last 9 months. This team of amazing folks accomplished what no one thought could be done! It was even qualified 5 days early.

So, we got together at Jim’s house (our program manager). We had some snacks, some beer, some wine. We gave out some fun awards and shared funny stories. When you work on an intense project like this and people travel all over the world, interesting things are bound to happen. We toasted our success with the homemade Limoncello I brought back from Italy, made by one of our fantastic Italian colleagues.

For me, it brought closure. My work on this project and with these people doesn’t end but it was a way to celebrate the milestone, to mark the time in our hectic schedules. It was a way to thank the fabulous people I get to work with every day. I keep saying it, but the best part of leading this project was working with this amazing team of people who just got things done! I am honored.

Sadiq receiving his award as the “Grumbling Gourmet”, he provided us LOTS of funny stories The team surprised me with an award and a gift too, a bottle of wine and a travel journal with notes from them written in it!Pouring the precious LimoncelloA toast to our success!