Salad, Vegas, and Snow oh my!

First off, I'd like to mention that I created an excellent salad today at my work cafeteria. I mixed their blue cheese sauce and buffalo sauce to make a spicy chicken salad and it was delicious. Much better than the dried out "Philly Cheese Steak" or "Teriyaki" chicken options today... oh man.-.-

Second off, I went to Las Vegas two weeks ago! Went for a convention thingy, but had some fun, too! I ended up seeing both the Blue Man Group and David Copperfield! Copperfield just happened to be in town the weekend I was there. I got chosen to go up on stage to help out with an act and he made a car appear right in front of me! It's crazy. I've mentioned it to just about everyone I've talked to; I'm so stumped!! Anywho, fun times. I want to go back and have lots of fun, but probably in the warmer months. Granted, it was a balmly 65 during the day, but pretty cold at night.

In addition to my fun times in Vegas, I've had a fairly good past couple of weeks. My end of the year performance review was last friday and my manager said it was the best review he's given in years. He wanted to promote me to the next level (level 3) but was concerned because of the reduction in forces going on throughout the company for various skill codes. An over-qualified, high-performing level 2 is much more secure than a newly annointed level 3. I agreed, and appreciated the sentiment. He gave me all "exceeds expectations" and several "far exceeds" which means salary bump!!! He basically said he'd do whatever it takes to go to battle for me if the time ever came for layoffs, and with my review he said he has a lot of weight to throw around. Therefor my job security worries are fairly alleviated for next year at least. :) I couldn't be happier about this!

My manager and I also talked about my future plans regarding graduate school. I do want a masters, and I've had my eyes set on an MBA for a while now, which he is willing and sure I would be approved if I want to write an exception letter asking the comapny to let me start the program a year early, but there's a huge wrench that's been thrown in my plan...as always! The past couple years I have discovered that I am freakishly good with computers, databases, technical stuff, problem solving, and the likes. My manager has mentioned that perhaps a Technology Management MBA program would be more suited to my abilities, and would definitely get me into senior management down the line. He is 100% convinced that if he wasn't retiring in the next year or so that he would be working for me in the next 5 years. That just blows my mind to even conceive, but I'm taking this inspiration & support and running with it! Anyway, my point is that the Tech Mgmt MBA requires many more years of work experience, like 7, so I would have to put my education on hold, but my mgr definitely sees the value in not stalling and going for the masters now, when my workload isn't insane and I don't have a family. This is also very valid. So I have a lot to think about.

In other news, my golden retriever (Lily), with the full coat of fluffy fur insists on sleeping IN my bed, under the sheets, cuddled up with me. Trooper, the boxer with like NO fur, is fine on the floor with blankets. This makes no sense to me. I tell Lily to get off each time she comes up, and she goes down on the floor with a sad face and looks up at me hearbroken. After I fall asleep, I wake up and she's next to me on the bed again. It's been a viscious cycle and I've finally given in. She's so happy under the covers and snuggling. As long as I put her on the outside edge of the bed there's room for the 3 of us :) I think she's really attached to me...

So...they're calling for snow this friday and saturday! I hope it's enough to stick! The last snow never came to my house, stuck down south a bit. My turn, please!

Life is going great & my relationship with Jake is awesome! Happily in love and looking forward to another holiday season together in our home :)

OK take care! Until next time...

♥Sara