Not a Pleasure to Meet You

Posted in Work and Professional Life by teamtradermom

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting at my desk, ~~trying not to fall asleep~~ working hard and minding my own business when I got an Instant Message from one of our testers in Romania. I have worked with this gentleman before, like early last year, on a project and he was nice enough, though I couldn’t figure out why he would be pinging me now. He said that he was in Omaha for the week and would like to meet me while he was here. Oh how nice! I thought. I told him where to find me and he came right on over.

And spent the next 8 minutes (yes, I was counting) insulting me and explaining how awful Omaha is.

He started with the weather. It’s way too humid here, he said. And did I know that I had the choice to move? Why would anyone continue to live in a place like this.

Maybe because you don’t live here, I thought.

But in the practice of trying to show interest in him, I just smiled and agreed that yes it is hot and humid here, but we are used to it. He told me that in Europe, people move all the time. Don’t like a city? Just move! Then he asked if I had ever heard of Greece. Um, not only had I heard of it but I have actually been there. Fancy that! Us Nebraska hicks actually travel once in a while! He told me he could build a house on the coast of Greece for 20,000. Well hey, good for you buddy. Why don’t you go do that right now!

Then he went on to say that he’s been here for a week already and there is nothing to do here. Someone took him to Jazz on the Green, and that was cool, but that’s about all we have in Omaha.

I just stared at him and smiled.

He saw the picture that I have in my cube of me with the Olympian and asked if that was my sister. I told him, no, that is one of our Olympic athletes. This time he just stared. He mumbled something about how we must be so in to sports because there is nothing else to do here. I considered reminding him of the Romanian gymnastics teams and how seriously his country takes that sport but decided not to waste my breath.

I was quickly growing tired of his insults and pretending to be interested in his opinions. He pointed to a picture of CJ, Isabella and me and commented on having a family. Yes, my daughter is almost 2 and so much fun. How about you – do you have a family?

Oh no I’m too young to have a family! Well gee thanks. Now I suddenly feel like Granny Mae. He went on to explain that men should work hard and build up wealth, then buy a nice house before starting a family. His plan is to do just that and then marry a 20-something.

Didn’t realize I was talking to the Hugh Heffner of Romania.

By this time I’d had enough and told him I had to run to a meeting (which was actually true. The first time I was grateful to have a meeting). He thanked me for my time and left.

This morning I saw him in the cafeteria while I was getting breakfast. He was at a table across the room. I pretended not to see him and got the hell out of Dodge.

Sorry dude but this old lady has things to do. After all, it’s hard work to be ignorant and not realize I have options to move and instead suffer in the humidity because I have never heard of Greece.

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26Jul2011

20 Questions

Posted in Friends and Fun by teamtradermom

What started out as allergies has morphed into a full blown sinus infection. Yippee. So, I’m posting something that I wrote last week and never got a chance to publish. I stole this idea from Caitlin because I think it’s a lot of fun. She did 10 questions, I’m doing 20. What can I say, I’m an overachiever! It’s always interesting to learn things about people! That’s why I love those survey emails that go around sometimes. They’re cheesy but I love ’em anyway!

Ok, here we go!

What do you have on your bedside table?

A lamp and my iPhone. I used to keep a book or magazine there too but in the vain of keeping the house neat and tidy, I’ve moved those to the drawer.

Do you have a tattoo?

Yes – 3. Got my first one in college. It’s a black/white cross (for faith) with a rose in the middle (for my Spanish heritage) on the back of my right shoulder.

Not the best picture but you get the idea.

Then in Australia a few years later I got the Scorpio symbol on my lower back (tramp stamp!). In 2007 I added to the tramp stamp and got a Celtic Dragon (for my Irish background and the Dragon for the Chinese year I was born in) holding a stargazer lily (my wedding flower). The dragon’s tail winds through the Scorpio tat. I’ll probably get one more in a few years to honor my kids. Not sure what yet but that will be the last one.

Again, not the clearest image but it’ll have to do. I really like all of them because they hold meaning and because I designed them myself so I know they’re one of a kind!

Do you believe in abstinence prior to marriage?

I believe it is up to each individual person. I didn’t wait for marriage but I totally respect people who do.

What is your worst habit?

Cracking my knuckles!

How do you handle finances in your relationship? Or, how would you like to handle money in your future relationship?

We have a joint checking account where all our money goes. I manage everything and pay all the bills.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I like my name! But maybe to something more Spanish…not sure what though.

Where do you want to go on your next vacation?

Spain! Do you sense a theme here? What can I say, I’m very proud of being Spanish and would LOVE to visit my homeland someday soon!

What is one political cause you feel strongly about?

To be honest, I don’t feel strongly about any political causes. I generally try to avoid them all together.

Have you ever stolen anything?

Yes. I stole Chapstick from Target when I was 3. My mom worked there at the time and had the Security Guard come over and lecture me. Then when we got home she had my grandpa call and pretend to be Santa, telling me I was on the naughty list! I never stole again!

Tell us something embarrassing about yourself.

I sucked my thumb until I was 12. I know, right? My parents tried everything to get me to stop (even having the dentist put spikes in my mouth) but I had to want it on my own. I can understand Isabella’s oobie obsession!

Favorite sport to watch vs favorite sport to play.

I love watching pro-football (Go Steelers!) and playing volleyball (obviously). I can’t STAND to watch golf, baseball or racing. OMG, shoot me. I do enjoy spectating tennis but only if it’s a grand slam event and Rafa is playing!

What musical artist are you a closet fan of?

Air Supply! Doesn’t get much cheesier but there’s just something about their heart wrenching ballads that get me every time!

If you could be on any reality show, what would it be?

Dancing With the Stars. I know I’m not a star but if they had a version of this show where regular people compete for a mirror ball trophy, I’d be all over it! I love dancing. And I’d want Derek Hough as my partner!

Favorite guilty pleasure.

Chocolate chip cookie dough. Seriously, I can sit and eat a whole tub of it. LUV!

Where were you on 9/11?

I was working out in the gym at my apartment complex. I was on the stationary bike and dividing my time between reading a magazine and watching the Today Show. I looked up from my mag at one point and saw a shot of the WTC on fire. I thought it was a promo for some upcoming movie. When I realized it was for real, I was glued. I was literally on that bike for 2 hours straight watching the coverage as I did not want to miss a thing. I coincidentally had the day off from work so when I finally pried myself out of the gym, I spent the whole day in my apartment watching the news. Having lived in NYC for a year, it hit very close to home.

What topic of conversation immediately turns you off?

Politics. It’s like there’s a switch in my brain. As soon as anyone starts talking about politics, I immediately space off and tune them out!

What TV character would you trade lives with?

Carrie on Sex and the City. Being able to shop in NYC, have lunch with the girls and then go home to a fab apartment and a sexy husband every day would be killer. And all I’d have to do for money was write about my life? Hmm, sounds good! At least I already have the sexy hubbie!

What would be your dream job?

Being a photographer for National Geographic. Or being an actress. Either seems like it’d be a ton of fun. Not sure I have the personality for the acting though.

Do you believe in horoscopes? Does your sign accurately reflect your personality?

Yes and yes! As evidenced in my tattoo collection, I definitely think there is validity in horoscopes and signs. Any description I’ve ever read for Scorpio fits me to the letter!

Favorite thing to do on a rainy day.

Curl up on the couch and watch a good movie or read a book. Preferably with Samson at my feet, CJ by my side and Isabella in my lap. Oh and some chocolate chip cookie dough nearby!

There you go! This would be so much MORE fun if you participate too! Answer any or all of the questions in the comments or on your own blog! Can’t wait to find out more about you!

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25Jul2011

Pounding

Posted in Isabella/Munchkin by teamtradermom

This is going to be short and sweet because I have very little energy left. I got kicked in the butt by allergies yesterday. The cottonwoods I think. It’s carried over to today. It’s either that or a summer cold. Either way, I feel awful.

Aches. Stuffiness. Scratchy throat. Tired. Pounding headache.

It’s the headache that really gets me. It’s not constant. It’s more of an awful surprise. It’ll come in waves. One minute I’ll be just fine and then the next a wave of pain hits my left temple. Been that way all day.

Isabella was not in a mood to be gentle on mommy either. She is in a stubborn stage. She dropped her oobie and said “Give it back! Mine!” I told her that was not a nice way to ask. That she had to say please. She looked me in the eyes and shook her head no. Ok then, no oobie. So she cried. Sorry kid, tears won’t do it!

Then during her bath she was throwing water out of the tub. I told her to stop and she kept doing it so we ended bath time early and out she went. More tears. She wanted her oobie. Again she wouldn’t say please so it was time out in the crib while I got her clothes ready for tomorrow.

Eventually she calmed down and we read some stories together. Well, she read them to me in her abbreviated Isabella way. She actually gets everything right, she just says it differently. It’s very cute.

Now she’s asleep and I’m 2 seconds away from a bowl of ice cream. The ice cream and I have a date with the couch. I’m going to lay down with a good book and relax. I haven’t done that since I was pregnant. It will be just what I need to unwind.

And hopefully stop the pounding.

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You Capture: Trees

Posted in You Capture by teamtradermom

Beth let her son pick this week’s theme and he said “trees, plants or cute little babies”. Well, I went with trees because 1) it was easier and 2) I don’t have access to any cute little babies right now!

This week I decided to experiment with Instagram on my iPhone. While most of these pics were pretty decent shots on their own (ehem), the Instagram filters did help make them more interesting!

This is a tree that was outside the Red Mango we went to on Saturday night. Looks very pretty doesn’t it? I was immediately drawn to it. What you can’t tell right away is that the tree is TOTALLY PLASTIC!

Each of those little flowers is actually a light! Isn’t that crazy cool? The shopping area we were at didn’t have any more of these so I can only assume it’s a Red Mango thing.

These next couple photos were taken on Monday night, after a work dinner I attended. It was a HOT and steamy day and by the time I got back to my car (after walking 6 blocks in heels), I was tired, sticky and crabby. But these trees caught my attention.

These are outside one of the office buildings.

And these are along the park across the street. This pic totally looks like one you’d find buried in a shoebox in your grandma’s closet. I love these filters!

This one I took yesterday, after going out to lunch with The Brit. We paused to look at this tree because she was trying to remember what kind it was (it’s a Birch). There were also weird little pink tubule things growing up from the ground in front of it. No idea what they are but the Brit calls them “lurgie foot”. Hey, that works.

There are my pics for the week! Hope you enjoyed them! Head over to Beth’s to see more takes on this theme – and maybe see some cute little baby pictures!

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20Jul2011

Trader Family Road Trip – Day 7: Capital M

Posted in Travel by teamtradermom

Our day in Madison was the most low key of the trip, which was good since we were all tired and getting homesick. Our first stop was the Capitol building itself and then we were going to head out to Ella’s Deli before hitting the road to home.

Before I continue, let’s settle the heated debate once and for all over the difference between “capitol” and “capital”. I for one don’t know when to use which version! According to this source, “capitol” is a U.S. state legislature building or the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. A “capital” is a city that serves as a seat of government. So….state capitols are located in the capital cities of U.S. states, and the U.S. Capitol is located in the capital city of the U.S. There – clear as mud!

Now back to the show!

We got to the downtown area just fine but trying to find parking was a whole other matter. The capitol is in the center of the “wheel” and the streets come out from it both going around in a circle and as straight lines (like spokes). If you get on the circular streets, you literally just go around in a circle if you’re not careful because only the outside lanes can turn off. Yet, those lanes are reserved for buses. So you can see our predicament. Eventually I said “screw it”, veered over in to the bus lane and was able to turn off the merry go round we were on.

Once we parked, we hoofed it to the capitol. The building itself pretty typical of most capitols that we’ve seen.

As a general rule, capitol buildings tend to mimic the U.S. Capitol in D.C. The few exceptions have been Ohio, Nebraska and Iowa (this one’s my fav so far). But all are unique in the sense that they are designed to reflect their state and all that it represents.

We walked around the outside, seeing all the statues and sculptures, then ventured in.

Normally we try to take a guided tour, but this tour was an hour long and we knew Isabella wouldn’t last. So we walked around on our own.

You can take an elevator up and then climb some stairs out on to the roof, just under the dome, and get a nice view of the city.

As we were leaving, we ran in to a group of protestors in the main lobby area who were singing songs. Not sure what issue/person they were protesting but the song sounded nice.

By this time we were ready for lunch and decided to try an Irish Pub across the street. We sat outside and enjoyed some ale while waiting for our food. Gumby even joined in!

Isabella was in a feisty mood and did NOT want to sit still. After I finished eating, she and I went next door to a fancy chocolate shop called Candinas. When I walked in, I seriously thought it was an art gallery. The whole place was empty and stark except for one glass case that had chocolate boxes in it. The gal helping me offered us a sample and presented it to us on a fancy platter. We bought a box of 2 pieces and paid $5.

From there we walked through the Farmer’s Market to a building we had seen on the drive in. Turns out it was the Monona Terrace done in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright (who we love). It was very pretty and had great views of the Lake.

We didn’t linger long though because we were hot and tired. Once we found the car, we headed to Ella’s Deli for an ice cream sundae!

Ella’s is famous for all their animatronic figures. And they didn’t disappoint! The place was so chalked full of them, Isabella was in awe and couldn’t even take it all in!

They even had a working carousel out front that we rode! Isabella and CJ sat on a bench while I rode on a horse. I almost fell over trying to get off of it. The guy manning the ride got a kick out of that.

(Look! It’s CJ’s hand wave!)

(and mine too!)

Then it was time to head out of town and mosey toward home. The plan was to get as far as Cedar Rapids (so I could see some old peeps!) but we had to stop in Dubuque for gas and decided to just stay there for the night. More on that to come!

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