BFF

I <3 this guy. His name is Justin and he's the "Mac" in the new Apple commercials. He's awesome and I think he and I should be friends.

National Arrogance Day! - Laine

Well – it’s been another great year for me. Things are going great, and they’re only getting better – the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.

I just returned from a trip to Italy. I got to see Rome, Pompeii, Florence, and Venice. The trip was awesome and I got to see everything that I have always wanted to see: The Colloseum, the Roman Forum, The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, a wine and olive oil making castle in the Chianti region, The Grand Canal, St. Peter’s Basilica, The Doge’s Palace, and so much more. It was the trip of a lifetime!

Work has been going great as well. Starting last July I have been the sole program manager for my division and honestly the program is running better now than it ever has. Alone, I am doing the work of two people better than what three people could do. My customers are happy (they tell me they can’t live without me), and I am able to manage the program while I am traveling (from time-to-time) for work as well. I can type messages hella-fast on my blackberry – more cool points for me.

I ran a ½ marathon over Labor Day last year. I planned my own training schedule, stuck to it for over 12 weeks (which included waking up at 5am on Sundays and running in Houston in the summer. Let me repeat that, because that is a really important point. I ran in Houston in the summer), and then ran the ½ marathon in New Hampshire. It was the Swanzey Covered Bridges 1st Annual ½ marathon. I ran the entire time and finished the race in less than about 2.5 hours. While in the area we also visited Vermont, which is one of the most beautiful states. But really, any state that I am in is beautiful.

Most recently I have also shared the greatness of National Arrogance Day to one of our Canadian friends – hence changing the holiday forever, because now, technically, it is International Arrogance Day. It’s like everything I touch turns to gold.

National Arrogance Day! - Olivia

Gosh, has yet another year passed since the last holiday? It has been a full year of life. On a personal level, this year I accomplished two of the life-goals I’ve had for myself for over 10 years now. In February, I actually swam with sharks. For about 45 minutes I was in a steel tank which was lowered into a larger shark tank, which contained over 300 sharks. Normally, people are the ones who are afraid of sharks, but in this instance the sharks actually trembled when I entered the water. They understood there was a new Queen of the Water, and they knew they had to ‘recognize’. What an incredible experience!

In May, I accomplished my second goal of skydiving. About 10 of my friends and I jumped on the same beautiful day. We jumped from 14,000 feet with a 9,000 foot free-fall. Once the parachute opened, I floated to the earth for that last 5,000 feet. The view was awesome with just miles and miles of green, Illinois fields. I was told, by onlookers, that when my plane left the earth’s surface, the earth actually seemed to weep. They said with my absence, life felt helpless and pointless. And when I landed back on the earth it was like the world was set right again. That is a moment in my life that I will always remember!

On a professional level, I had another successful year in my job in Human Resources. Last summer I was given another region for my territory, so this year I oversaw all the associates on the West Coast, the East Coast and the South. I also worked on a project to take my department paperless and last week I was told that they liked my research, agreed with my opinion and have decided to budget out the money and move forward with my paperless vision! The department should be fully paperless by mid September!

I did decide this past spring to find a job in a different department. Knowing all that I could offer the Merchandising Dept., I applied for a Planning Assistant position and got it! I actually started training for the job on Monday, June 19th! I know I will be a success in this new role and the company is bound to reap those rewards!

On a spiritual level, I think this has been a year of extreme growth. I have set high standards for myself and throughout the year I have kept those standards. I have shed unhealthy (loser) people out of my life, refusing to accept less than what I deserve. (And who are we kidding, I deserve a lot!) I have also shed unhealthy habits while replacing them with healthy habits such as joining a bowling team, a softball team and working out at the gym as much as possible (I’ve been told my arms look pretty good). By removing such negative people and negative energy out of my life, I have allowed for even more positive and wonderful things to occur!

I have also continued supporting different forms of art. I have read many books, seen some amazing films and been to some awesome concerts! My favorite books that I have read this year are: “Wicked”, “Mirror, Mirror”, “Traveling Mercies” and “Freakanomics”. I am also proud to say that I have gotten my friends to read more, by encouraging them and suggesting books I think they will like. The author’s and their publishing houses should thank me for the increase in book sales, as I am not only a Maven I am also a Connector!

Some of my favorite concerts I have seen this year are: Sigur Ros, Rainer Maria, Black Keys and We Are Scientists. I am looking forward to attending my first music festival when I spend a weekend in August at Union Park jamming out at Lollapalooza! A photographer for Lollapalooza, Patricia, just met me yesterday and she fell in love with me instantly. (She actually said, “You’re my best friend!”) She gets into the music venues for free, since she photographs them, and she’s already offered to get me into a few other venues. Yeah!!!

I would also like to remind people of the Black Keys concert last fall. In a crowded venue, at The Metro, the band said they needed three women to come up on stage and dance for a song. Being that I was at the back of the house, near the bar, there was a second where I thought, “I couldn’t do that”, and then I remembered, I’m Olivia! Hell yeah I can do that! So I parted the crowd, walked to the stage and was hoisted up by the speakers. I removed my track jacket, set my beer down and danced my ass off for a song. It was awesome!! And for the rest of the concert, any one who saw me was high-fiving me and offering to buy me a drink (which I took them up on).

And speaking of last fall, on Halloween night there were a group of people walking around Chicago photographing the Top 10 costumes they saw that night. When they spotted me walking up the street, dressed as an Ipod Shadow, jamming out to Louis XIV, they stopped me and said they had to take my photo! Woot!

All in all it’s been a very awesome year! I am eager to see what incredible things I do next year!!

Your welcome,
Olivia

Q: Things You Replace Often A: Men

Last night was Game Night with the ladies. And nothing goes with game night like champagne!

Two Kisses

Aunt Jane and Uncle Craig were in town on Friday night, before their train ride vacation to Vancouver. I got to meet up with them for dinner on Michigan Ave. It was wonderful catching up with them!
Aunt Jane is coming up on her 1 year anniversary of being cancer free. Prayers do get answered!! It was nice to see her walking around and smiling. :)
I had to snap a photo of our "Vosburg" rings. It's a family thing, you see. We wear a gold ring halfway down a finger. It was neat to see we all had ours on.

Well Wishes

Yesterday was the last day in the god-awful job. They bought me a cake. Thank god that's over... (I will miss working with Mark and Michelle though.)

Round and Look

Last night's softball game was the best game ever! And what's funny is we were all sort of dreading the game as we walked to the field. We had exactly 9 players, which is the minimum requirement to play. As we trudged over to the field we saw in the distance the opposing team and their 20-some odd players. And we sighed.
By the top of the 6th inning, we were tied 2-2. Bases loaded, 2 outs, I'm up to bat (and I think to myself...oh crap.)
I had a base hit, an RBI and I started the winning streak. I actually made it across homeplate twice and by the bottom of the 7th inning we were up at 14-2.
Bottom of the 7th, I'm catching, 2 outs and the batter steps up to the plate. Strike 1. Strike 2. On the third pitch she swings and sort of "whiffs" the ball and it falls about a foot or so in front of home plate. And she starts sprinting to first, I step forward and scoop up the ball and whip it to Pat who was posed to catch at first base. He caught the ball! I threw the ball to get the final out of the game.

As Dana said "You came out of your softball shell!"
I got a bit of sweaty lovin' from the team (aka hugs) for that final play. Woot! Go Team CB2!!
I am now waiting for the head coach of the Cubs to contact me to start contract negotiations.

Happy Birthday Lance!

Happy 26th Lance! I love you!

An Inconvenient Truth

Dan and I saw "An Inconvenient Truth" last night and my gosh that was an incredible documentary. We both were very impressed with the statistics and research that Al Gore had in order to provide a complete and honest presentation on the realities of global warming. We also left the theater sort of speechless because the film was so powerful it's almost difficult to know where to begin discussion.
I would strongly urge everyone to go see this documentary. It is very educational and very interesting. I have added the link to the right of this page. If you aren't able to see the film, please click on the link to read up on the subject and learn how you can make a difference.

And I am also grateful that I haven't lost my movie-picking priveleges with Dan. I was worried he would find "An Inconvenient Truth" boring so I said that if he didn't like the film that he could pick the next one and I would see it, no matter what he picked. Even if it was X-Men III. I would see it.

Thank God I don't have to go sit through X-Men III now.

We The People

Last night, I watched a NOVA documentary on The Declaration of Independence. The documentary covered many topics, from the history of why it was drafted, who drafted it, how it was written on parchment paper, how parchment paper is made, why the document is fading, and how it's played an important role in American society and culture throughout the years. The show was extremely interesting.
I don't consider myself a very patriotic person, especially as of late, but hearing the words of the original document and the reason why they were written down is pretty moving.
The important part of the Declaration of Independence, when it was first drafted, is actually about half way down on the page. It's the part that states the facts of why the United States of America wishes to separate itself from England. (Remember the authors were mostly lawyers, so they were drafting a solid case with detailed proof for their decision to separate.) There is a list of all of the wrongdoings of King George, including the burning of towns, judges being influenced by what the King wanted and for cutting off the United States' trade with other parts of the world.
It wasn't until a century later, when President Abraham Lincoln was trying to find any sort of written text that would support his fight against slavery, that another section of the document was brought to light. After re-reading the Declaration of Independence, President Lincoln decided to use the preamble as a basis for his argument. That is when this part became recognized/famous:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

On my ride in to work this morning I was thinking about what that original government wanted for this new nation. This group of men and their determination to bring about freedom, justice and equality to everyone who lived in The United States of America. I think of that and then I think of where our government is now. Sigh.

Perhaps the people in the White House need to watch WTTW more often. It appears they have forgotten (or ignored) the foundation of the country.

National Arrogance Day

I received an urgent phone call from Laine today. She wanted to make sure that we are still celebrating National Arrogance Day this year, and YES WE ARE! Don't forget, June 21st is National Arrogance Day. This is the 4th year that we have celebrated this holiday and we're still going strong!!

*It was 4 years ago that I, sitting at my desk at work, received an email from "Poetry Man". The email stated that he didn't feel I had the best opportunity to get to know him the night before (because I had bolted out of the restaurant as quickly as possible) and so he wanted to list off why he is awesome and why I should date him. It was a loooong list which ended with the famous line, that started the whole thing, that launched this incredible holiday: "I make wonderful morning-after eggs".*

Ahhh...Poetry Man...4 years have passed and you still creep me out!

I regret to inform you, though, that we are losing a particpant this year. My mom just emailed me this:
I have decided not to participate in National Arrogance Day this year. It’s beneath me…

How can you argue with that?

So start thinking about how awesome you are, all that you have accomplished in the past year, and why people should be glad they know you! On Wednesday, June 21st, I will be posting everyone's National Arrogance Day info on this blog (feel free to email it to me earlier, if you wish.)

Stork

Murry just told me that he's going to be a daddy! Congrats to both Grey and Murry! (I realized I don't have any photos of either of them, so I had to take these from their websites. Next time I see them, I'll have to be sure to bring my digital camera!)

Alexoxoxo

Last night, Alex came over for dinner. I cooked garlic chicken with diced plum tomatoes, parmesean cheese rice and steamed green beans. All of this was marinated in conversation and seasoned with laughter and friendship.

Around the World in 80 Days

Cripes I gotta lot of posts going on today. This is what happens when all my friends decide to do kick ass things all at the same time.

Anyway, my best friend Laine (and her hubby Chris) ventured over the big pond to Italy to celebrate their 5 year anniversary. 5 years. Holy crap.
As I wrote in Laine's anniversary card last week "50% of all marriages end in divorce, so I got ya covered."

mwah! love you both!

Spanish 101

Precious and Ann went to Mexico last week. Bueno!
(give me a break, I studied French.)

Prayer Request

Alrighty, y'all...I don't do this very often but I gotta ask for some prayers. I found out that my ex-step-sister, Jodi, was diagnosed with cancer this past week. She starts radiation treatment this week and if it's unsuccesfull she will have to start rounds of chemo.
She's probably about 25 or 26 years old.

Even though I was never close to her, she was still my step-sister for like 15 years. And it's cancer and that alone deserves prayers. I appreciate your help...

Entourage

The season premiere of Entourage was tonight, so Ash, Michelle and I got together to watch it. It's gonna be a good season!!

Union

Sky and Klaus got married yesterday, in Copenhagen. Now why can't the US be more like Copenhagen? Congratulations to both of you! Love you, Sky!!

Chapstick

On Friday afternoon I realized I had run out of chapstick and it was about 3 1/2 hours before I could make it to a Walgreens to buy another tube. Those were the longest 3 1/2 hours of my life.

Chapstick - I wish I knew how to quit you!

Rub Some Dirt On It

Just a nice, quiet game of softball. With blood. Way to slide, Michelle!

Victory thru Violence

I listened to NPR on my way in to work this morning, and obviously the main topic of news is the death of Al-Queda leader, al-Zarqawi.
I fully understand the evil in this man. I know that he has been the cause of extreme violence and torture to many people around the world. I know he personally beheaded at least two live, human beings. What sort of person does that? I don't understand, and can't wrap my mind around, what it must take to be capable to perform such horrific acts on another person.
But I must say I didn't feel all that great hearing we dropped 2 500lb. bombs on the house he was in. They first dropped 1 500lb bomb and then flew back over the area and dropped another 500lb bomb.
500lbs.
Is this a time to think of "it's a means to an end"? Should I feel ok that we are killing these terrorists but doing it in a way that is also very violent? A 500lb bomb doesn't just destroy the house it's dropped on. It must impact surrounding homes, buildings, etc. Who was in those areas? Those people weren't mentioned on NPR this morning. He was in a house, not a cave in the desert, so I assume that there were other homes around the one he was in.
I'm glad he is no longer capable of performing such evil acts but I don't really feel good, or proud, right now. Maybe that's the truth of war.

7 1/2% Irish

Dan and I ventured over to Flat Top Grill, on Southport, last night. (I didn't realize how close that neighborhood is to where I live.) It was a great time and the food was really good! I don't think I've met a perkier lady than the hostess there, then again I would rather have perky than snobby.
I would recommend this restaurant for those who haven't eaten there before. :)

Chuck Norris Facts

Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting implies the possibility of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.
Ghosts are actually caused by Chuck Norris killing people faster than Death can process them.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Jawbreakers were originally in the shape of Chuck Norris' fist.
Chuck Norris frequently donates blood to the Red Cross. Just never his own.
Chuck Norris puts the "laughter" in "manslaughter".
The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
Chuck Norris can slam revolving doors.
If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
Chuck Norris has to maintain a concealed weapon license in all 50 states in order to legally wear pants.
Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
Chuck Norris is allowed to talk about Fight Club.
Chuck Norris has to sort his laundry into three loads: darks, whites, and bloodstains.
Water boils faster when Chuck Norris watches it.
Chuck Norris has only one hand: the upper hand.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
Chuck Norris can divide by zero.
Chuck Norris can speak braille.
Chuck Norris refers to himself in fourth person.
Superman owns a pair of Chuck Norris pajamas.
Chuck Norris does not know where you live, but he knows where you will die.
Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know when Chuck Norris is going to kill you.
Chuck Norris' cowboy boots are made from real cowboys.
In order to survive a nuclear attack, you must remember to stop, drop, and be Chuck Norris.
As a child, Chuck Norris played Hungry Hungry Hippos with real hippos.
The phrase "Made by Chuck Norris" is imprinted beneath the surface of China.
Jesus owns and wears a bracelet that reads, "WWCND?"
Chuck Norris only uses one chopstick.
Objects in Chuck Norris's rear-view mirror appear at their correct distances.
Chuck Norris doesn't give Christmas presents. If you live to see Christmas, that is your Christmas present from Chuck.

Preschool

Gavin had his first day of preschool yesterday. I don't know who was more excited, Gavin or Angie. :)