Off to Test Water Again

This past weekend was really awesome although it pretty damn quick! On Saturday I attended my friend’s mom’s funeral service up in Mt. Vernon, and boy I must tell you I was lost for almost an hour trying to find the service place. My friend gave me the direction and somehow I went with my gut thinking that I have it all right in my head. I said to myself “Eh, I think I know where this place is. I used to pass it, blah, blah, blah…”.

Well, it turned out I was completely an idiot, driving around in the rain - not to mention I couldn’t see the damn road (i so need new glasses) - and I must have done 3 big ass circles. Some folks were out walking their dogs, etc. despite the fact it was all nasty outside and I’m sure they were like “Watch out for that yellow car coming around our neighborhood! Ah, and gay, too!”.

Well, somehow I drew myself back to the direction my friend gave me and there it was! Had I just followed it and not tried to be all “know it all”, I would have save my ass a few gas bucks!

After the service though I went home and took a nap. Not sure but having attended that service kind of drained me physically (i think it’s the driving) so I came home exhausted so I thought I take a nap before heading out for dinner. Around 7:00 pm I woke up, watched CSI: Miami (Gosh, I’d die if I miss a Miami episode. That’s how serious it is!), then got ready to go out to Chilis for dinner with my friends. And guess who was there, too? Rain! More and more rain! I said “Fuck, TOWN! Ain’t going out in the middle of rain!”

So I went home and watched Stop-Loss–that was a good movie! I didn’t expect Channing Tatum to be in underwear at some point of the movie and I’m like “Can you rewind that?”. And again, and again… LOL. So that was the Saturday deal.

Come Sunday morning, we went to IHOP for brunch in Centreville, near my gym, and I came across with at least 3 folks who goes to the same gym and they said Hi to me since they recognized me. (Yea, I look that distinctively…NOT!). I was right! The wold is smaller as I thought! Anyway, after brunch, I did the typical Sunday deal–laundry, groceries, etc.

Well, there was a slight change on my typical Sunday deal. Since I didn’t get to go out Saturday, I called my friend Gino and see if he wanted to watch the drag show at Freddies up in Arlington. It turned out he planned to call me that night, too. It worked out pretty well. We met in Woodbridge, drove up to Arlington, went into place, and boy that place is just awesome!

I missed it being there actually. It used to be my hang out every Sunday night. The place was crowded as usual. Met some friends there too. And to top that off, some very interesting guy came up to me and introduced himself–more like trying to sell himself. I didn’t “buy” him but he was quite interesting and funny. Very gentleman, too! Him in a nutshell is very attractive for his age (Yea, he is beyond my age limit), has established himself in a career that he chose, has mean to drive around, owns a condo (with a gym), very enthusiastic, explorative and athletic. All in all he may be a good candidate!

Well, he asked me for a date tomorrow. He wanted me to pick the place and so I said Sushi! Who doesn’t love Sushi? So he and I are catching some Sushi for dinner tomorrow. (Crap, I gotta find a really good one!). He’ll come down and meet me for dinner. Ain’t that nice? We’ll seee how it goes and if we want to see each other again, we’ll think of something very interesting to do…like biking at a trail in Mt. Vernon? It would really be awesome!

This is good. Someone would keep my on my toes and keep me active. I like someone who is proactive with different kind of stuff, especially any kind of outdoor sports. So yea he seems to have those qualities. The emphasis is the word “seems” - it doesn’t mean it is all true. We shall see… if it’s the truth, then we move forward…

Anyway, wish me luck. I’m off to test the water once again…

Really Excited...Not!

This weekend may or may not be as fun as I thought it would be. Recently heard the news from a close friend of mine about her losing her mom last Saturday. She’s been trying to contact me to let me know over the past week but somehow lost my number (she bought a new phone and the phone book transfer was not successful!). Anyway, she got a hold of my work number so she called and told me the story. Really sad!

This Friday I’m going to attend the many service they have planned including Saturday. I will be out attending that mostly during the day. And, maybe go out with a friend of mine later on that night… but not positive!

Looking forward to it somewhat but not the events I’ll be attending to - but the idea that it’s the weekend!

Well, here it is about 11 at night and I’m still here at work. I was here in the office all day today, then decided to hit the gym for an hour with my colleague. I’m sooo happy that she decided to go back to working out. I praised her for having decided that and she seems serious this time. Anyway, after taking a shower at the gym, I thought “Eh, I’ll go back to work and finish what I started!”. Well, that happened and here I am talking about it! I got finished what I came back in for so now it’s time to go home.

Just an FYI, I was working on creating a conference website for one of my clients. See? I told you. When it comes to web design, it’s hard for me to resist. It is truly irresistable for me! I’m sooo obsessed with how I want the website to look, its functionality, and the many features! Can’t wait for the program committee to give me feedbacks and improve where it lacks - but I’m hoping for some compliments! Hehe! I’m sure I will …

Anyway, gotta go home now and have dinner. Ciao!

Waiting for Everything to Surface

Last Friday was my third year mark being with my company and I must say it has been somewhat challenging adventure but relatively very good experience. Though I feel like I’ve only worked for few months and here I am three years after and I’m still there. Most would say “Gosh I feel like it’s been forever!” - but in my case there has been so many things throughout those years that time went flying over my head without me knowing it. I couldn’t believe it!

Though I’m still in the air in terms of what I would see myself do for the next year. Since I recently took the Program Director position, I will be in that position for a long time. Not just because it’s another Director position but the nature of the job and the atmosphere that you share with other folks is quite frankly very pleasant. I get to work with deans and professors from various prominent universities all over the U.S. Very professional and fun people to work with!

My boss and I had a brief discussion of what is ahead of me. Before she had the chance to say what she had planned for me, I told her what I would like first. First off the list is letting go advertising completely, then second is membership. Like I said I like being the Program Director so I expressed the interest in keeping that position and maybe do more executive stuff (i.e. working directly with the board and with different committees, etc). Not sure if that will happen but we shall see…

You know I can’t complain much about my job. I really can’t. I get to pretty much do what I want and how I want to do them. That’s the beauty of being in my position in a way that you have the opportunity to lead and shape the organization, in terms of internal processes, etc. It’s a tough job, though! But, if I can do it, anyone else can…

We haven’t schedule my annual review yet but I hope it happens very soon. Hopefully I will be able to get a new car with the raise I’m getting. I know it’s presumptuous but I shall see. I better get to crunching the number…lol.

Anyway, I can’t wait to be off Marketing and get on with my career to a different path but I'm waiting for everything to surface before I consider other options...

My Endless Imagination

Salvame is one of my favorite songs. Although I can’t comprehend it per say but I searched the lyrics in English and I’m amazed what it actually meant. This particular song truly apply to the many experiences that I have had in my life, specially during the last 6 years. Quite eventful and this song perfectly play out those events for me. The beat is perfect and sort of soothing almost.

I imagine this song quite often especially at night (to help me fall asleep) and on my way to work. This is quite crazy but I play this in the back of my brain and I let it take me to a place where I will never be and the only way to be there is through my mind with the help with this song.

One of the place I imagine this song with is like I’m sitting on a huge ass rock wearing light clothing looking out into the ocean with the sun going down. The clouds are dark and orange with slight breeze blowing my hair in the air. Isn’t that quite peaceful? I just sit there and let the music play in the background and free the mind–absolutely free.

Sometimes I feel I need peace in my life. That’s what has been a challenge for me. It truly has been. And, the only way I let out all that is through music…

I find it very comfortable and relaxing. It almost feel like hypnotic but I guess if you have or feel so much emotions that you’ve been keeping inside that having that imagination kind of relates to what you feel and it helps you exile them in depth through music.

Anyway, here is the lyrics. The song is called Salvame, which is in English “Save Me” and sung by RBD.

SALVAME

Extrañarte es mi necesidad
Vivo en la desesperanza
Desde que tu ya no vuelves mas

Sobrevivo por pura ansiedad
Con el nudo en la garganta
Y esque no te dejo de pensar
Poco a poco el corazon
Va perdiendo la fe…..perdiendo la voz

Salvame del olvido…..salvame de la soledad
Salvame del hastio…..estoy hecha a tu voluntad
Salvame del olvido……salvame de la oscuridad
Salvame del hastio……no me dejes caer jamas

Me propongo tanto continuar
Pero amor es la palabra
Que me cuesta a veces olvidar

Sobrevivo por pura ansiedad……con el nudo en la garganta
Y esque no te dejo de pensar
Poco a poco el corazon
Va perdiendo la fe…..perdiendo la voz

Salvame del olvido…..salvame de la soledad
Salvame del hastio…..estoy hecha a tu voluntad
Salvame del olvido……salvame de la oscuridad
Salvame del hastio……no me dejes caer jamas

Salvame del olvido…..salvame de la soledad
Salvame del hastio…..estoy hecha a tu voluntad
Salvame del olvido……salvame de la oscuridad
Salvame del hastio……no me dejes caer jamas

Salvame del olvido……..
Salvame del hastio……
Salvame del olvido…….

Perhaps A Career Change?

Over the course of 6 years (tomorrow!) I have worked on membership and marketing for 5 national non-profit organizations mainly in the Metropolitan Washington DC area. At first I thought there’s no way I could survive these mentally-exhausting job positions, but I surprised myself. I’m still here. Very well and alive! So I guess that means something. I love my position and the job that it entails. Yea, it’s a lot but I fortunately learned how to handle the pressure.

When I first took the marketing job at a pharmaceutical non-profit organization based in Rosslyn (I love that area!), I thought I don’t belong here. Everyone looked very professional, men wearing tie (kind of hot actually), and absolutely strictly business only atmosphere. Well, I told myself “Eh! This is a piece of cake!”. Handled it just fine until 13 months later, I left and felt I had to move on with my career.

Although I miss very few people there and in fact became very close friends with, up until now, I still think I would not have made it very far at that place career-wise. You know people have been there for years and I wasn’t about to replace them. There wasn’t really a space for folks to move up a little in their positions. That’s why people come and go. So no one really pro-long their stay there especially when/if you have an entry level job. So, yea! I said I gotta go.

I left that place with hopes that I could get another job that pays a little bit better and that it has some possibility of pushing me up with my career. Well, in fact, I fortunately got the job I have now through ASAE website (for those who doesn’t know - ASAE stands for American Society of Association Executives, where I proudly belong). Got hired pretty quickly because of my marketing background and my experience with membership marketing. Held the Manager position until two weeks later upgraded my position as Director. Sweet! Wow, speaking of trying to get promoted, that one came phenomenally fast. I couldn’t believe it at first, until when it finally sinked in. That’s why I’m pulling my hair out now–I shouldn’t have taken the job!!! Kidding. I love it.

Well, being in this job now for 3 years, once again tomorrow (Do I hear Congrats?), I thought I’d branch off from marketing and move onto another specialty like web designs, or communications, or publishing. Well, I’m the web designer for two of my clients, with limited means (Gosh, I don’t want to talk about it!) of web design softwares. I think I’d make a good web designer and or a publisher. I’m now working on a project that has to go to press tomorrow and I love the coordination aspect of it–layout, content, proofing, etc. The whole process is very tedious, but very productive and quite a learning experience. You get to know every single person involved in the process. And you know what the most exciting part of it is that after you’ve done what you’re suppose to do, you get a hardcopy of your work. It’s not like Michael Angelo work of art - but certainly worth seeing your hardwork in solid reality. Once this project of mine goes to press, I can’t wait to see my work as a hardcopy!!!

The whole of this blog is to say I’m getting fed up with marketing stuff, and I want to move on and tackle other things and perhaps become a designer, or a publisher, or a public speaker. Nah, that’s too ambitious! But, you know what–maybe it’s possible. Definitely possible!

In the coming days I’ll be discussing with my Executive Director regarding the possibility of letting go of membership marketing completely and tackle on more executive type of stuff like board and committee management and/or finance. We’ll see . . .

I will blog about me going back to school again at NOVA next time… For now, good night!

Counting Sheeps Backwards

Here it is almost two in the morning and I’m still wide awake - not a drop of a sense to fall asleep. Not really sure what’s going on but lately I’ve been having these series of sleepless nights. Every night I don’t look forward to not being able to comfortably drift and fall on into sleep.

Some nights though however can be blamed to caffeine I occasionally have after a good dinner hours before. I go the gym sometimes then come home get myself ridiculously full and that triggers me crave for caffeine. It helps though to get my metabolism going but lots of time it keeps me up and bouncy for hours until 4 in the morning, until whenever it wore out.

This time though I think it’s not caffeine. First of all, I didn’t have any coffee at all today (woot!). Normally I have coffee (Triple Grande Skim With No Whip White Mocha) from Starbucks EVERY MORNING but since I decided to eat healthy and slack a bit with sugar I rarely go there now. Sometimes on a hot weekend or when pay day comes I treat myself for a hot or cold drink from Starbucks. I don’t know … but it makes me feel good.

Again, it’s not the coffee tonight. I don’t know what it is really.

I think it’s a combination of so many things right now. Work mostly and family issues. I’m still trying to work out some family issues, which appears to be inconsistent throughout the last few months. I won’t discuss specific details but I think those problems my folks deal with at home will eventually see some light at the tunnel and hopefully they can live at peace.

Work is also a part of it. Too much going on at work that sometimes I just don’t want to go home and just keep on working. It’s bad, it’s really bad. I shouldn’t have to feel this way but I feel so much pressure at work, now that our meeting is becoming closer and closer. And, on top of that, I have my normal marketing, membership, and advertising stuff to stay on top of. I guess I miscalculated the amount of work it involves when I took the program development position, in a way that I get more experience under my belt but the amount of pressure that gets put on you is rather overwhelming.

I, too, look forward to some light at the end of the tunnel soon. Prognosis is not very likely. I can’t do anything - absolutely nothing. Perhaps I’m not yet convinced that this is what a Director is suppose to do. I wanted it so I got it. There is a turning back - but absolutely disastrous to my whole career when/if I decide to step down from my position. If I do, I couldn’t guarantee I would get it back or get another position like it. So the lesson is suck it up!

My horoscope today is yet on the spot again…

Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Different strokes for different folks. Today, more people around you will differ in their beliefs from yours. Rather than clash with all of them, listen respectfully to their opinions. Then only if absolutely necessary, try explaining your position. Great day to expose yourself to other points of view.

Okay, I’m going to try again and fall asleep. Perhaps this time I’ll count 100 sheeps backwards…

Newly Polished Name Badge

Just an update on what’s going on at work companywide, in terms of re-organization, policies and protocols, chain of command (a.k.a. hierarchy), etc. I have never really talked about stuff that goes in the office in here in details but perhaps I thought I’d share that little piece to everyone, and see how interesting my work place is.

Recently it has been quite eventful at work, given all the work that each one of us have, computer started to give up on us (i.e. computer viruses on some of us), in the middle of the project crunches for almost everyone in the office. Not so much impact to others - but those of us who are involve in and responsibilities for big projects, it was quite frustrating to work on a computer that practically can no longer function. (Ugh!) The president of the company (also the owner) democratically made everyone of us aware of the amount of time we spend on lunches, personal phone calls during work hours, chatting in the hallway, texting, web-surfing, etc. So it was like a bucket of cold water came dumping on us like frogs! Quite funny - but everyone must adhere to it including myself. I won’t discuss this part too specific!

More and more stuff are finally coming off my desk and getting transitioned to one of my colleagues so that he can do the hands on work and I supervise. Supervising is one thing but quality checking is another. These two are quite frankly are pain in my butt - but I look at it as a learning tool to perhaps teach me how to manage people better. I’m just glad though that it is happening the way my boss and I planned it so that I have time to do other things way important than having to sit and enter data. I’m not saying I’m too good for data-entry (everyone enter data including Directors like myself), but I have paid my dues for that particular area and I think I’m off to bigger things now. Bigger means no data entry - but a whole lot more responsibilities. Certainly 10 times worst!

Speaking of being a director, recently the president decided to follow protocols (finally!) that every one of us must present ourselves outside of our company as “Associates”. So that means my title “Membership Marketing Director” now turned into “Corporate Marketing Firm Associate”. I quite frankly like that better than the other. The other can rest for a while! (lol). However, what makes us different though significantly is the many responsibilities that we all have. Responsibilities, not titles, gives the office certain dynamic and hierarchy, which we all observe. The boss is the boss! Supervisor are the supervisors, and the rest is the rest. I still have my Director position (by representing my clients) as long as I’m with the company. You know what the problem is? Some of us though have a problem with accepting the fact someone reports to somebody - to whom is the issue. And you know what I call that? Politics. Office has its politics — the good ones as well as the bad ones. Everyday everyone is trying to know their boundaries, knowing where they stand in the scheme of things, and to whom everyone has to be an ass-kisser for, etc. I know where I stand and will remain standing where I stand.

Things have calm down a bit now in terms of that - but project-wise it’s getting worst for my boss and I. (Just an FYI - my other 8 colleagues works on other accounts (which are 2 clients) but my boss and I work on three accounts; we have two people though that helps us with some of our stuff) For the next three months, we’re gonna be working on getting ready for our meeting in New Orleans, such as having our brochure go to press within next week, scheduling of all the research paper sessions, coordinating registration, hotel, and exhibits, etc. So work-wise, yea we’re extremely busy!!!

So that is the update regarding work! Ciao!

180 degrees

During the last two weeks my ex boyfriend had been trying to re-connect with me. He has tried texting me, calling me and leaving me voice messages, and emailing me at work, and you know what hasn’t happened? I haven’t even tried or considered returning his attempts.

Not sure exactly what is motivating me to bounce his attempts off my shoulder just like that. Perhaps didn’t want to deal with any of his false and selfish statements, that often times goes around and around. And quite frankly it drives me nuts. Truly does.

Okay, maybe I’m being a little harsed to him and everything considering the fact that he called and left me a VM saying that he had been in the hospital recently due to a surgery (not exactly what it was) - but so far he hasn’t heard from me yet to say “Sorry to hear that. I hope you’re doing well!”. I’m quite sure he is fishing for some attention, attention that he long from me after nearly 4 years of separation.

We stayed as friends off and on - but we both go through the same roll of toilet paper (excuse me) that whenever we get together, a lot of trash throwing happen and I figure let go of that past and move on with the present time into the future. What he has been hoping for is another opportunity to be with me. Well, unfortunately, I decided to correct any mistakes I did in that relationship and be better for the next one. For some reason, I have no intention of getting back together to hopefully fill in what we lacked and make up for what we did. My life moved on and so with the rest of me.

Interestingly enough I have his initials tattooed on my left ankle, something to remind me of the person whom I dearly loved when I was young and the first guy I love for the first time. It’s quite surreal back then, but looking at it now I have matured enough to distinguish love and lust. Flesh satisfaction is what all there is for most relationship - but I believe that real love and passion comes with a greater chance for a long lasting relationship.

There is absolutely nothing greater than the ability to love someone freely, someone who can reciprocate that and someone who can help you keep it flowing…

Thousands of Pieces Funneling Down

So late part of August was when I hit the 7 year mark of being and living fabulously here in the States. I didn’t do anything special other than knowing that day was the day I stepped into U.S. 7 years ago completely innocent to what this country was all about. Quite frankly I didn’t know how I was gonna live my life here and I sort of left everything to my Mom to educate me what to expect, what to do and what not. I tell you the transition was not in any way easy and was rather drastic. From being amateur of what living is all about to knowing how to live it was quite phenomenal.

In those 7 years I began to grasp that being here was in fact my chance to be me. Not only about coming out as gay to my family, after the two year influence of american culture, it made me realize I had a life to live out there, where and how to live it.

My journey so far though has been exceptionally significant in so many aspects. Had the opportunity to show the family and the rest of the world my true color; made connection and continue building my relationship with my Mom; established my ambitions and plans to achieve them; and the most important thing is that along the way I have surrounded myself a good set of folks who dear and embrace themselves to becoming successful and feeling free from everything. I am very proud to have accomplished many things and having involved myself with good people for the purpose of defining the famous slogan of all time “No man in an island”.

That is truly the spirit I came to U.S. with - reveal to the world who I am and what I am capable of doing. And, I’m here living the dream everyday. . .

Recently my sister, who is in Hong Kong, and I re-connected after a long while of being so into our individual lives. We briefly talked about the possibility of re-uniting the family of the generation before us. That involves my Mom’s side of the family, which is suprisingly nowadays made up of 10 siblings, Mom being the eldest. Well… this re-union would likely to be challenging since every single one of them are scattered like busted bag of rice all over the face of the planet.

The varied party would be from (1) Mom (with my brother, and I) from U.S., (2) Uncle Floran from Dubai, (3) Jean from Athens, Greece, (4) Divina from Madrid, Spain, (5) Liza and (6) Donna from Hong Kong, China, (7) Tony from Saudi Arabia, (8) Zeny, (9) Maricel, and (10) Emy from Manila, Philippines. Grandchildren would be me and my brother (U.S.), Karen (my sister from Hong Kong), Jasmine (from Hong Kong), and my cousin from Greece. Also, there might be a possibility of my other cousins from New York to come home for the re-union as well as my mom’s relatives in San Jose, CA.

Either way the re-union would be a blast and could be one of a lifetime opportunity to get us come together once more. Knowing how difficult for each one of us to take off from work, fork out the expenses, and everything else, this one time (hoping for more just one time) gathering would bring the whole family together to make everyone realize our family foundation will always be there. No matter what happens.

My sister and I hope this will come true in the near future. I can’t wait to see my sister again and remember the things she and I used to do as “girls” (LMAO!) when my granny wasn’t around. Fun times!

Time can only tell when this come into reality. Soon we will funnel down to where we all came from and I’m looking forward to every minute of it.

The Market Brand Challenge

So lately I’ve been thinking about getting a new set of wheels for the road. Something economical like hybrids. And not only that it saves your pocket a few backs here and there (but it adds up!), it helps the health of nature. You know you gotta do your part to save the planet from “going bankrupt”. Little things one can do makes a significant difference . . . ya know!

Knowing my personality when I say hybrids I just don’t buy the first hybrid I see on the car lot. It has to mean something. Personally, I like to prioritize looks over everything, then brand comes second. And you know what so bad about it is the money part I don’t normally care about. Lots of time that had gotten me in trouble! I look around and when something hits me in the right spot, it’s impossible to stop me from getting it. Whatever it is. Well, depends on what it is but I work hard to get what I like and want.

I have had my pretty boi Keeser for almost 4 years now and I honestly think I’ve had enough of that eye striking bright canerie yellow car! (Sorry Keeser!) I have received numerous “Nice!”, “Sweet!”, and so forth ever since I got it. I must say it is flattering to drive a set of wheels they don’t make anymore . . . or at least in that color for that particular brand and model. For those who doesn’t know, my everyday “shoes” is a 2001 LEXUS IS300, V6, 250-300 something horsepower, Canerie Yellow exterior, black leather interior, 17″ alloy wheels, conservative but sleak spoilers, tinted windows/sunroof, 6-speed transmission, and etc. I know it’s an 7-year old car and it takes my behind from point A to point B.

Although it is that old, it gave me a lot of fun and not so fun memories. I won’t share any of the bad ones but I will say Keeser has been good to me over the past 4 years. I’m in it EVERYDAY and Keeser has witnessed some of my best and worst time in my life. I know it’s only a car - has no life - but inside of it though was where I let myself free mentally. I often dream in my car as I drive to and from work, or gym, or club, or whenever I’m in it. Keeser is always there to let me dream. I’m not that superficial but I have a dreamcatcher hanging below the rearview mirror; people say it catches your dreams and should be in my bedroom and not in my car - but my response everytime is that dreams usually happen in my car so that is where you’re gonna find the dreamcatcher.

I gave car-shopping a little bit of thought and so I got on Lexus.com (for a newer Lexus), MercedesBenz.com (my dream car brand), LandRover.com (Gosh, Range Rover Sport come get me!), and of course, my baby Porsche.com. Of the three, two didn’t have any hybrids, but Lexus. I mean I could consider another Lexus yet again but I want to try what another brands has to offer. Now I know that almost of the European brands unfortunately have not been successful with their reliability ratings for many, many decades. Despite that though people still buy them for the obvious reason–status! Oh yea, there is absolutely nothing greater than driving a Mercedes Benz, regardless of year/model, with that emblem sticking out of the hood. Mmmm! It’s like a well-done/medium well New York strip steak on a plate! You just want to jump in it and never want to come out.

But again, although I said looks first before brand . . . but those two go together. It doesn’t work without the other. So my best pick is a newer Lexus–the most reliable, modern-age, well-advanced, highly competitive, aerodynamic, increasingly public demand, luxury vehicle in the U.S. and of course, Japan.

I hope I will be able to buy a newer car before moving to California. Just because sales taxes are probably cheaper here in VA than in California. So . . . I can’t wait to get on whatever the best Lexus model there will be on the lot when I go shop. We’ll see . . . By the way here’s Keeser.

Hypothesis: Project Under "Floating" Game

Some of you know that I will be travelling to New Orleans, LA this coming January for a week-long conference with my Administrative Director to see our 10-month program development project come to reality. For those of who invest so much of their time in program development, you can’t wait to see the fruit of your labor, with hopes that the actual implementation goes well and smooth–that’s what all “project leaders” hope for!

Being the Program Director of this 10 long months of staff and volunteer coordination, I (or “we”, my boss included) am expected to be there and see how everything comes together. I had been working with volunteers from all over the country to put this program together. Volunteers may sound very little to some–but actually these “volunteers” are prestigiously well known in their field. Highest caliber of experts, if you will.

For example, my boss and I have been working with the Dean and Professor of the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver along with the Deputy Dean of Research at the Social Service Administration of The University of Chicago. These individuals both serve on the Board of Directors for a non-profit social work and research organization. They collectively volunteer their time, efforts, and expertise in putting this program together and we (next year it’ll be “I”) are there to put into action. That is why we are very eager to see our hardwork come into reality and hopefully everything goes well.

With what is going on down in LA, that puts us sitting on the edge crossing our fingers hoping that hurricane season this year won’t be as bad as when hurricane Katrina hit downtown New Orleans back in 2005. In fact, one of my colleague’s client had to cancel their conference during that time because of the devastation caused by the hurricane. Had there been a massive destruction caused by hurricane Gustav at the hotel where the conference was going to be, our client would have had to stamp the project “CANCELED”.

We pray for those who lives where the major destructive events are happening that they stay safe as possible and get to higher grounds before it’s too late. I have a couple of friends who lives down there and I hope they are doing OK.

After this New Orleans project, the next venue is San Francisco, CA (yet again! woot! woot!). Quite frankly I can’t wait–I really can’t. But, before that one though, we’ll have one local meeting which is going to be in Washington, DC (I’m really excited….NOT!) in May 2009. Then January 2010 is San Francisco, then May 2010 is Denver, CO. (Yea!!!).

Anyway, I said all that to say this “Please don’t float our project away into the sea!”…