I need a vacation

It was a rough week, so I apologize right now for the rambling that is about to follow. I think I just need to decompress and there is only so much that poor Henry can listen to!

After my weekend in Mankato for the tournament I faced 10 days in a row at work. That's a long stretch. I was also undertaking a new project at work that required quite a bit of physical work everyday....moving racks around, showing up at 7:00 in the morning and working til 5:30, climbing ladders, etc. In addition, I was given the "opportunity" to be a store trainer on some new systems for the store. Now while all these "opportunitues" were very useful for development, it made for a long work week. I also had two job interviews for a promotion that I think I deserve, but so do many other people. I was being pitted against colleages with whom I have a great working relationship, and that puts us in an awkward postition....competing with each other for a job that we all need (since the company is elliminating my current full-time position), and we all want the best for each other, while at the same time needing to be selfish and fight for the job myself. So I've had two interviews for a position that isn't too different from what I already do, but it will come with more responsibilities and a pay raise...which will be nice. I'll find out on Monday if I got the job or not...if not, I'll need to find a new position...or a while new job all together.

I also found out about a death in the family this week. I got a call at work telling me that one of my uncles (my dad's youngest brother) died in a house fire. My poor family has been through so much. This is same side of the family that had to deal with my cousin's suicide in August. So the funeral was on Friday and it was very difficult. It was even harder to see my dad carrying the urn with my uncles ashes...seems so tragic. His ashes were buried next to my cousin...which is sort of nice. What makes it more tragic are the circumstances. Again, I probably shouldn't even write about this, but I just need to get it out. He was on the second floor of the house and there was no way out. Turns out the fire was set deliberately. The couple that lived o nthe firsst floor got into an argument and the woman left. Her boyfriend called a short while later telling her to come home because the house was on fire. We believe that he started the fire to get her back. He's been arrested. This just makes it all seem even more tragic. To have someone die so young in an accident is one thing, but if he dies because some couple was fighting makes it even worse.

On the plus side, I will be in California in 6 days or approxiamately 161 hours...not that I'm counting! This is a MUCH NEEDED vacation. I know it's only been 5 months since my last trip out there, but it's been a long 5 months! With so many changes at work and family things and after being so sick this fall, I just really need a week of relaxation, fun, and a change of scenery. We're planning a couple of activities (the Griffith observatory, the getty museum in Malibu, and perhaps another Seaworld visit), but other than that its going to be hanging out with Henry and friends, watching movies, and eating homemade Japanese food. I can't wait!!!