The Cubicle Shuffle Post

This week has been a bit of a crazy one at the office due to department shuffling. The company has been expanding staff rather rapidly over the past few months (my hiring included) and needed to increase the office space we occupy in our current building. In addition to filling up the 5th and most of the 8th floor we have now expanded to the 7th, and Marketing and Sales have been bumped to the new space. This is of particular note for me because I am finally in the same workspace as my department. Previously I was on the 5th and they where on the 8th. I now share a divided cube with Eric our events manager. It’s a fair bit bigger than my previous space and has a window which is always nice. View’s not bad from up there either. I won’t lie, I have walked up to my empty cube on the 5th a few times out of habit.

The Snow Driving Post

Today was the first major snowfall since I’ve been back, and while not that impressive as far as inches of snow on the ground, the roads where particularly perilous around the apartment. I knew I was in for a hard time when my car couldn’t leave the apartment complex through the main entrance. The incline was too slick and the Celica was spinning out and sliding allover the place trying to get up it. I had to commit and made it to the top after taking it reeeeally slowly, but once I got to the top I turned around once I hit the main road just because it was too slick. I opted to head through the back roads which where all downhill and made it out to a road that had been plowed. However on the final decline my breaks grinded and locked up and I slid down the hill. Fortunately there was no one else on the road and I was able to slowly gain control of the car and get onto a plowed road.

It’s a horrible feeling not being in control of your vehicle and I’m really hesitant to venture out in the Celica again if the roads are going to be this bad. One of the great things about working for Avectra is that I have the flexibility of dialing in and working from home if need be. So I can wait for them to plow my street before heading in, while getting work done from the house. It’s nice to work at a place where I have that flexibility and a definite plus of working for a bigger company. We are expecting another 4 inches overnight which, if today was any indication of, will be pretty hazardous on the roads. My advice…stay home if you can. Oh and don’t drive rear-wheel sporty little cars up icy hills.

The December Festivities Post

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the constant flow of holiday parties and gatherings. Spending time with the family is always fun, but throw into the mix social gatherings with co-workers and friends that otherwise tend not to happen in the less festive months and December is always a nice change of pace.

After being at my new job for two weeks Sarah and I went to the company Christmas party which was a lot of fun. One would except that after only meeting people for less than a fortnight, going to a formal party would be a bit difficult. Fortunately that was not the case and we both had a lot of fun. The next day we were tasked with coming up with ugly holiday sweaters for Eric’s annual Christmas Sweater Party at THE CITADEL. I opted to borrow one of Mum’s eclectic teacher waistcoats while Sarah and Melissa decided to craft their own festive attire with various Christmas craft items. It was a lot of fun and getting to see the Arlington crew (as they are now to be dubbed) was much overdue. Unfortunately with the move in full swing at the time we weren’t able to attend Coy and Holly’s Christmas dinner the night after however which was a real shame but unfortunately just not in the cards for us that weekend.

Christmas itself was a whirlwind of family gatherings. With Sarah’s sisters in town, Stefan making his return, Craig visiting, plus all the regular shady characters who we like to call ‘family*’ being around we barely has a moment where we weren’t wrapping gifts, stuffing our faces or spending time with loved ones- you know all the stuff that the holidays are great for. We went out to the Russia House for a delicious Christmas Eve dinner to celebrate everyone being together- promptly followed by the traditional Hunt Family Sheppard’s Pie dinner (somehow I was still able to finish a whole plate at both meals). Christmas day had many stages being at the apartment, my house, Sarah’s house and the customary overeating at two family Christmas dinners.

Two days after Christmas we went down to Re-Ra’s in Clarendon for a surprise welcome home party for Stefan and Greg’s return from overseas. Both families where there in full force as well as all their friends to great them. Greg’s family has it organized that the guys thought that they where going to out to a family dinner with both sets of parents. They where surprised when all of their friends where upstairs in the bar waiting to greet them. It was a fun night.

So January might have its work cut out for it when it comes to matching the variety of after hours entertainment of December… or it might give everyone a chance to rest…maybe do a few crunches and work off the 3rd helping of figgie pudding.

*Sarcasm of course guys. Except you Jake… you’re pretty shady.

The Thankfull Post

This Thanksgiving I have a lot to be thankful for. Beyond having friends and family all together for a celebration at Ali and Bob’s tomorrow I am also looking forward to December 1st because that is my first day on the job as the new Marketing Designer at Avectra. I received the offer yesterday and have accepted the position. I’m really looking forward to getting started.

In other progress related news, Sarah and I have been approved for a terrific apartment in Reston. We are getting a great deal on a 2 bed, one bath (or 1 bed with den depending which floor plan you look at) right down the road from Reston Town Center. Avectra is based out in Tyson’s Corner so I will have to contend with the traffic to some degree, but Sarah’s commute will be less than 5 minutes. The apartment has all kinds of shops and the bike path within walking distance, as well as extremely easy access to Route 7 and Reston Parkway. Getting around will be easy. I am particularly excited about being a 1.6 mile cab-ride back from the Town Center (we measured it). There are so many new and interesting bars and restaurants out there I am sure Sarah and I will be taking advantage of the social scene there a lot after the move. As it stands we have a hold on the apartment and will be moving in on the 15th of December. Making the move right before the holidays is not the best timing but the special rates we where offered made the offer to hard to pass up.

I am really excited going into the holiday with all the progress that has happened these past two days. It seems Virginia is finally come around and is ready to have me back.