Well, I accepted a position as a contractor back out at Microsoft this morning. I've been away for over a year now working at Group Health. However, the poor management and lack of structure has led me to go back to MS. 

I can't wait to have lunch with all of my friends out there. 

This was such a hard decision. I'm hopeful it will work out for the best all around. 

My Dad and I at PrideFest 2008 in Seattle last weekend.

Yes, my shirt says "I (heart) my Moms"

 

Yep, on Sunday, June 15th, 2008 Darren and I were married on the Mendocino Coast just north of San Francisco. Just a quick photo or two. We havent gotten all of the photographers shots back yet...

Love,
Em

 Yep, on lower queen anne. It's pretty cool. Life is zooming by.... 

We're moving the last weekend of March (I think!). 

I wish I had more time to talk to everyone. Between work, getting married in June and now a condo... oh man! Little updates here and there... 

*hugs*

Hi everyone!
I've been so out of the LJ reading and posting loop forever now... *sigh*

Things are good (and busy)! My job is going well and I'm making strides in various areas of my life that need work. :)
It is a constant journey! Growing, learning, listening... taking steps backwards and forwards....

The biggest news is that Darren and I are engaged. We'll get married next summer in California on the coast. It's all planned out already!

www.theharborhouseinn.com - Location of wedding. We've rented out the whole inn so our family can stay and have the wedding, dinner and breakfast the next day all in one place. (There are only 6 rooms and 4 cottages) - We are going small with only family, but will have some type of reception back in Seattle next summer.

Engagement pics - http://www.flickr.com/gp/15764448@N04/41Xw3m

I hope that everyone is doing well. It was great to see many of you at the Gaia show on October 13th. mlerules I sooooo loved chatting with you!!! I'm looking forward to seeing the girls at the spa outing coming up.

Now - off to go shopping and have coffee with serenfire

Many hugs, good thoughts, and snuggles!!

First off - it was great! We had a wonderful time. There were some rough times of miscommunication and general frustration, but I learned a lot about myself, Darren and 'us' on this trip. Two and a half weeks of being together constantly - yeah, we still love each other and are fine. There is a huge amount of growth in a short time when you are making decisions together and working our situations for mutual benefit. In the end, we saw some great stuff and are closer and more confident in each other. YAY!

The first three days were in Amsterdam. We'll never be able to thank Ace and Eric enough for their hospitality, friendship, guidance and just all around coolness! What AWE-some people!!!!
Amsterdam was cool. The canals are neat and the people are tall. (Everyone is tall to a short-stick like me though) *gulp*

Off from Amsterdam via train to one night in Antwerp, Belgium. The next two nights in Brugge, Belgium. (Fantastic medieval town with Bel-forts and all kinds of cool stuff!)

Then on the train again to Paris. Walked 3 miles to the opposite train station and rode out to Rouen, France for a night. Back through Paris on the train and out into the countryside of the Loire Valley to Tours, France. We visited many of the castles in the valley and had a good time seeing the bright green earth of France.

The last five days were spent in Paris. We stayed in the Montmartre area of Paris near Sacre Coeur.

We walked, we ate, we drank (a LOT of Belgian beer one night... whew!). We saw more museums than I can even imagine. Some we had both been to before (like the Louvre) but we did them anyway!

I'm posting a few pics. The first is the Eiffel Tower. This was taken right after we got off our boat tour of the Seine. The sun was setting as the tour ended. Wow! Romantic!

The second pic is in front of the castle of Chenonceau. Magnificent place!

I'll post this weekend my story about Darren losing his cell phone. Before we could report it missing, $1200 had been run up! The acct was frozen by Cingular. What a mess. After about 7 supervisors and a day on the phone, he got a new phone and they wiped the $1200 off his bill.

*LOVE*

Just back from Europe, recovered with enough sleep. Some much happening...

Offered a job while I was away in Europe. I start on Monday the 4th! It is 6 blocks from my apartment so I can walk - about $10,000 more a year, full benefits, 4 weeks paid vacation, holidays, etc.
I'm happy, but trying to scramble to get everything done before my days are no longer 'unemployed'. It feels good to go back to work in a way... but golly gee - The weather is soooo nice right now! *looks up at sun*

Hope everyone is doing well. Sorry to have been away so long. Love, love, and more love!
Em

Some pics of where I grew up. Now you know why living under the Needle and being in the Pacific Northwest is so super-duper awesome to me!!!

Trying to adjust to the time change. Only 2 hours, but it has messed me up for the first night. Tonight should be fine.

Pics to come shortly. Same and sound back in Seattle. Saw the Needle from the airplane and got teary! Golly Gee Whiz! Good to be here.

My ears are still popping from the plane.