Goddamn it.

Goddamn it. After 3 years of steering clear, it got me.

I blame it on the travel. 🙁

I guess I picked up a germ while traveling home...

I guess I picked up a germ while traveling home, even though I wore my mask. I heard lots of people coughing at the airport like it was no big deal to be sharing the germs around.

I didn't feel 100% yesterday, but I went to work and wore a mask in case I had something - because I do like to share, but not my germs. I didn't make it in to work today, and I'm not sure that I will tomorrow, either.

My body has been so sore, and my throat hurts and I'm congested sometimes and runny nose others. I'm feverish and exhausted. My face hurts, which usually indicates sinus problems, but that doesn't account for the other symptoms in this case. I have a COVID test here that I'll take the next time I get some snot in my nose.

I hope you all are staying safe. I know that most people are over wearing masks, but that seems like the most effective way to keep germs down. I wish more people would do it. Clearly just wearing mine is not enough.

Goodnight, everyone. I'm going back to sleep.

I made it back to Cincinnati last night.

I made it back to Cincinnati last night. Traveling feels so strenuous; it wipes me out. I let everyone know that I made it back safely and then went almost directly to sleep.

It was great being home. We had a nice holiday together and I had a great birthday with Shaun and Shadow and Kira and Kalien and Mystir at the skating rink. Then Shaun helped me start preparing my home office setup. We got a huge monitor and some lighting and I ordered a desk chair. We moved a few things around. There is not much left to do but work once I get back for good!

Now I'm onto my second half of this journey:  Getting put on a project. Unfortunately, they are slow to come this time of year, as many businesses are taking time off and have run out of space in their budgets. But I'm not worried. I still have plenty of stuff to learn, so I won't be wasting time.

I'll be with family again at the end of the year, then I'll be back in Cincy until no later than mid-February. Not only will that be the required training time, but our lease here will be up and it'll be time to go remote! I'm so ready! I hear the winters here are harsh, and cold and snow are not my jam.

Anyway, I'm back away from the family. But I'll be home again soon, and then home again for good. We've got this. #LFG

So let me tell you about this.

So let me tell you about this.

Kira is the baker in the family and she asked me what kind of cake I wanted for my birthday.

Ever since I was a kid I have had Red Velvet cakes for my birthday. But Kira makes a DELICIOUS Tres Leches.   So I asked her for a Red Velvet Tres Leches and she DID NOT disappoint! That cake was SO YUMMY. 🤌🏻 I ate as much as I could before I had to head back to Cincy. I hope she'll make it again for me next year. 😋

Tomorrow I'll be 40 years old...

Tomorrow I'll be 40 years old and since my birthday sometimes falls on Thanksgiving (like tomorrow), we celebrated tonight.

I wanted a skate party and that is what I got - complete with pizza, ice cream, and friends. It was such a fun time and I'm grateful for that. 😁 Super thank you to Shaun who always spoils me. ❤️

Here are a few pictures, and a video of my light-up wheels.

My friends Kalien and Mystir. Thank you both for hanging out with me! ❤️

So damn excited. 😂😂😂

New speed skates that came with the birthday package. Can't wait to try these out! 😁

My beautiful husbang.

My beautiful indoor skates. This was my first time really skating in them besides around the dining room.

Part of Stranger Things was filmed here.

So happy for all of these cuddles.

So happy for all of these cuddles. 😍😍😍 I missed these guys so much!

I was going through my body jewelry...

I was going through my body jewelry to see what earrings I used to wear and found this mustache. I don't remember ever wearing it, but I think it suits me so this is how I'm going to look for the rest of my life.

You're welcome. 😁😁😁

Oh, how I've missed being in a cat pile. 😻😻😻

Oh, how I've missed being in a cat pile. 😻😻😻

Look where I woke up!

Look where I woke up! I'm so excited to get to spend the week with my ani-pals and Shaun and the kids. I have missed all of these cuddles and snuggles. ❤️❤️❤️

I'm not home for good (yet), but I'll take it. 😁

I painted my nails the other day.

I painted my nails the other day. There's a lot going on here.

I used a milky white gel base, then applied a unicorn powder on that. Then, since those flake off the tips easily and I type a lot I sponged a sparkly gradient from the free edge. I stamped one nail because OBVIOUSLY I needed to. 😂 If only I had some stones here with me I would have put at least one of those on there, too - right near the cuticle of my ring finger.

But anyway. I had fun and treated myself to something pretty. Got kind of a "gelly sandwich" going on here. I like it. 😃

Today I graduated GCU!

Today I graduated GCU! I'm officially a full-fledged Technical Consultant (no longer an Associate Technical Consultant). We had a little graduation ceremony at lunch (complete with confetti and cupcakes), but we're celebrating properly after work at MadTree Brewing.

I can't express how grateful I am for this opportunity. I have learned so much and made so many friends. I'm in an environment where I'll be able to keep learning and that makes me so, so happy. I can't wait to see how far I'll go!

#LFG

Gross.

Gross.

View through my bedroom window because that's as close to this mess as I'm voluntarily willing to get.

I had enough breakfast DoorDashed to me to last a few days. Not going outside until I have to go back to work.

I am far too hype this early in the morning.

I am far too hype this early in the morning. I got to work and checked my email and there is an add on called "Free Blocks" in the company Gmail. I LOVE IT. I think that's gonna be really handy for scheduling meetings.

I also discovered that we have something called "Layouts" so we can send branded emails or just really beautifully designed emails rather than plain text. That might have been there for a while - I don't even know - but I just noticed it.

I'm such a nerd for office stuff and tech. This day is off to a good start! 😁😁😁

Meia came to work...

Meia came to work this past week to teach us some stuff. I was SO, SO happy to see her. It had been too long! We hung out every day after work and it was amazing.

One night while we were out I mentioned that I wanted to take a helicopter tour and she said she was up for going with me... so I booked it immediately! It was a beautiful day - perfect weather, nearing sunset - it was so much fun!

I've wanted to do this for years. I found out that they also do light tours nearer to the holidays. I'm already booked for that. If I gotta be out here away from my family I might as well have whatever fun I can! Don't mind me; I'm just tryna live my best life!

Pardon my face. The excitement was TOO REAL. 😂😂😂