Christmas in Oregon

We had a great time in Oregon, making a fast trip into Portland, down to Albany, and then over to Bend where we spent Christmas Day skiing at Mt. Bachelor. It was great to be able to show Shane around where I grew up and have him meet the family. He even made it through a night of caroling at the Higgins family Xmas Gathering. Can't say I had experienced anything like it, but he was a great sport!

The family is all doing well, and it was great to see G&G Fullmer, the Higgins crew, my Dad's new house and enjoying Mom's birthday with she and Vincent!

My Faith in Humanity Restored

Who knew a trip to my favorite burrito place could restore my overall faith in humanity? It's been snowing off and on in various storms for the past 7 days. And between the: shoveling, the attempt to save our parking spots that we spent 2 hours digging out, the brazenness of fellow residents to disregard our attempts, and my frustrations with people who seem to ignore the fact that they aren't the only ones on the narrowed sidewalks, I was FED UP with living in the city, dealing with the snow, and everything that happened after I got out of bed in the morning. And then I went to Boloco... It's my favorite burrito place in Boston, and today was their grand opening of their new store (50 Congress St). It's about 4 times bigger than the last, and they NEEDED it! The store is always packed, rightfully. They have one of the best customer programs I have ever encountered. I eat there once a week (on average) and every 5 weeks I get a free burrito. On top of that, when the Sox won the world series, everyone with a Boloco Card got 2 free burritos, and then for my birthday I got a birthday burrito. So, today, with the opening of their new store, everyone was getting a free burrito. And when we walked in the line was probably 60 people deep. But, it moved quickly and on top of that, a guy walked around offering people hot chocolate while they were waiting in line. How great is that? And everyone was just excited to be there, people weren't even angry about standing in line- in fact I didn't see one person walk in, see the line and leave, the line just kept moving and people kept piling in the new huge store. And everyone was smiling. Who doesn't smile at the thought of a free burrito? It is still snowing and it's still cold, but my faith in humanity has been restored, thank you Boloco!

Picture from the storm

So, it snowed yesterday. And, because I don't have to commute, I really enjoyed it. I even walked home in it last night, mostly because I didn't want to deal with a bus full of sweaty, melting people... Here's a view from my office this morning...

And while I am at it- here's our Christmas Tree, it takes up 1/2 the living room, but we love it...

Global Warming

I am all about the environment. Ask anyone and I am the first one to recycle anything, reuse paper, or plastic bags. I considered buying a hybrid for a while, but today ride fairly guilt free as I take the bus to and from work. But I am from Oregon, I have been recycling since I was old enough to walk. As I watch the news about the crazy weather that has hit the West Coast, closing I-5, or the fires in San Diego, or the devastating water shortage in the South East, and the ever declining amount of snow in all of our mountain ranges across North America. I am reminded that even I, who fills the recycling bin on a weekly basis with cans, bottles, plastic and cardboard containers, am not doing enough. More needs to happen. And to help inspire all of us, I encourage you to read Al Gore's Nobel Prize acceptance speech. I am so glad he decided to use his influence on something that he can really make a difference in. Politics be damned! Chose a cause and make it your life. I encourage all of us to do that...

I think Willard Scott was drunk

Every morning I watch the Today show as I am getting ready for work. This morning I was running a little late, and I guess later in the morning is when Willard Scott does his "Happy 100th Birthday" thing. But this morning I am pretty sure Willard was drunk... He was making very weird and random comments about these very old people, and how well they have all held up. The whole thing left me very unsettled. But it got me wondering when we would see Willard's name on the "100th Birthday" segment... turns out he's only 73.... It also made me wonder where in the world this guy came from... I logically turned to IMDB to learn more. Turns out he was an NBC page turned Ronald McDonald... Can you believe it? He was one of the original Ronald McDonald's. So, that's what I have learned this morning. Of course it doesn't answer my original question of: Was Willard Drunk? But, the unanswered questions are often more fun to contemplate.

It's SNOWING!

I know it's not going to stick and there certainly won't be enough for the trees to be coated with it, but it brings hope of things to come! Global Warming be damned! It's SNOWING!!!

Matching people's skills with job functions

I had one of the more painful Starbucks experiences today. I truly believe that people can be matched to their perfect job. When I run my company I will force employees to take personality tests, or submit to handwriting tests to determine their personality traits and then match them to the job that they are best suited for. It would be great if that's what they were trained in, but if not, and I actually like the person, then whatever, I will give them the job they are meant to have. (yeah yeah yeah, all you non-idealists, I hear ya, and I am not listening...)

I believe a sales personality is not something you can learn. You are either born with the ability to sell and relate to all kinds of people, or you aren't. I learned ages ago, as an Intern for Enterprise Rent-a-Car, that I was never meant to deal with the General Public (GP). I remember the moment it hit me. I was saying to this woman "Ma'am, I can't let you rent a car without seeing your license or getting a credit card to put on file. I understand the insurance company is going to cover the cost of the rental, but you are not the insurance company, you are an individual client of theirs. If you decide to go crazy one day and crash this car, I will have no repercussion against you if I don't get your credit card. So, please may I see your card." She quickly asked to see my manager, claiming I accused her of being crazy. I decided at that point, that I wasn't meant to deal with the GP. It's probably been one of the best things I learned from that job, besides my mad skills as a car washer (I can wash a sedan in less than 5 minutes with just a squeegee while wearing nylons and a pair of heels).

I digress...

This morning, I was at Starbucks and the woman who was taking orders from the people in line, and then relaying those orders to the barista had the WORST voice EVER! Close your eyes, I will describe it for you.

Imagine the voice of Janice, that character from Friends "CHANDLER BING" Now, make that voice a man's voice- so it's not quite the same high pitch, but it still has a screech to it...

That was the woman at Starbucks this morning... and yet, her JOB was to use her VOICE all day to relay orders to the Barista. I really really really hope that sometime soon, like tomorrow- they start training her on the coffee machines, because not only was my experience audibly irritating, but I got my coffee and it tasted burnt. I wonder if the Barista became the "relayer," and the Relayer became the Barista, if my morning would have been better? Ponder that... And think about your own job, are you well suited for it?

If you have no idea... here is a link to find out... http://www.careerpath.com/CAREERASSESSMENTQUIZ/careertestingcenter.aspx

Game Night with the Urban Family

Not only have I found a great group of friends in the Urban Family, but they BLOG! LOVE IT! Last week we were invited to Lindsay's "Game Night", we played Apples to Apples, enjoyed some great food and got to meet some really fun new people! You can read all about it on Lindsay's blog here! And yes, mom, I did make the chicken corn chowder in our crock pot. And yes, our crock has a Koozie! Kmart likes to call it a travel case, but we all know it's a koozie! And the crock has a spoon holder on the top, it's probably the best Kmart purchase we ever made! As a P.S. To all Higgins Family reunion attendees, I am bringing Apples to Apples for next year!

Christmas Marketing

I am a marketer, I get that the longer that you extend the sale, or the special pricing, the more product you will move. I don't get why that concept has to ruin the public's chances of enjoying each holiday individually. I was at CVS two days before Halloween and there were already aisles filled with Christmas products. Today I walk by Macy's at downtown crossing and not only has the inside of the store fallen victim to Santa's elves, but the Christmas tree was already being strung with lights. I LOVE Christmas, by far, my FAVORITE holiday. But, for those people who LOVE Thanksgiving, they are getting shafted. Between Christmas and Halloween there is a great holiday that deserves it's own time on the shelves, I know I know, besides food and drink, there is no product to move around Thanksgiving, but that's okay... it doesn't always have to be about moving product people!!! Come on!

Sox win the World Series in a sweep of the Rockies

With the Sox clinching the World Series title in a 4 game sweep of the Rockies it has become clear to me that I am a fan. I was up late watching the game, and have been up late watching every game for a while now, and late last night I realized I knew the players names, I knew who had a good season, who was disappointing, who was going to be a free agent, and of course who the best team in Baseball was. It has been a great welcoming to Boston, and I hope we can do it again next year! Go Sox!

Halloween 2007

With the Sox in the World Series and the recent move into our new house, we have been a little lax on the costume hunting. We did manage to pull something together, and they complimented each other as well. Good times!

The luckiest girl in the world

This weekend I was 1/2 surprised with a party to celebrate the recent passing of my 27th year. I knew that I would have a bunch of family in town, so the fact that the party was at my house made it difficult to keep it as a surprise. Shane tried so hard, with the help of family and friends, I just got in the way... I give him tons of credit for even trying! We had a great Mexican themed party. And in true Higgins style, the family dressed up. We had a great time at the Garment District picking through clothes. Ted found a costume he thinks he can use for Halloween, let's hope so, because there's no other time to play the Mexican pimp role... unless I decide to throw another party...

We also managed to get over to HarpoonAnd to Fenway...

I had so much fun with Ted, Carrie, Matt, Carolyn and Stephanie. I think we all realized just what a fun family we had... who knew after 23 years of Higgins Family reunions in Cougar, Washington the first weekend in August, we would slowly start having mini reunions in Boston...

NYC in September

I was in NYC last week for work, and I got to spend time with Carrie and Matt. You have to forgive Matt's tired eyes in one of these pictures, he was just back from Oregon. He did manage to bring me a growler of Rogue Beer, which we enjoyed at Fish! The second picture is late Wednesday night, early Thursday morning. Carrie made Aunt Leddie Cookies for Matt's 28th birthday. They were DELICIOUS! Such fun! Gotta love the East Coast Higgins get togethers. We are looking forward to another huge one this weekend in Boston! Don't worry- pictures will be posted next week!

My First Rock Climb

As some of you may know I have wanted to try rock climbing since I graduated college and spent a month in Bend with mom, Smith Rock State Park is known around the world as an awesome place to climb. The views amazing, and the rocks challenging it makes for a perfect climb. But, I have this fear of heights. And I didn't really know anyone that liked to climb. But, Shane was brave enough to take me out to Rumney in New Hampshire this past Sunday. We had an awesome time. I can't say my fear of heights has decreased at all, but if you keep looking up, it's much easier than looking down. Here are a few pictures from the experience...

I'm Sorry!!!

To everyone who actually looks at this page, I should be so blessed, and I have disapointed you! I let my trial version lapse without renewal! I will blame it on everything else, but it doesn't change the fact that I am sorry! I hope that these next few posts make up for it! I am back, you can count on at least bi- monthly posts... some of them may be lame, as my life really isn't all that great... but, I am glad you care to look! Hope you are well!

Easter/ Carolyn's 30th

April 7th I drove down to NYC for a little Higgins Family reunion Easter/30th birthday celebration! It was great! I got to see Carrie, Matt, Aunt Gail, Carolyn, and Lindsey (she's not technically related, but might as well have been!) We did dinner at this cute Swedish place and then drinks at the Dove Bar... in the Village. Thanks to Carrie for being a great hostess again! It was so fun to see everyone even though I was jet lagged and yawning by midnight!

Ireland

In early April I went on a team building/sales and consulting kick-off with our UK office, in Dublin. We stayed just West of Dublin in the Carton House. It was BEAUTIFUL, check out the link. We did some crazy team building: archery, riding zip lines, driving 4X4 Land Rovers blind folded through a forest course. It was really fun, here are a few of the pictures!

I made Sean and Jeff subjects to my walking tour of Dublin, they were very patient as we explored the castle, Trinity College, St. Stephens Green, River Liffey, and their reward was a tour of the Guinness Factory!

St. Patty's Day 2007

So this year I spent my first St. Patty's day in South Boston, not the "South end" as I was quickly taught after arriving in Boston. Southie (aka: South Boston) is the real Irish part of Boston. And- it lived up to it's name on St. Patty's Day. We took a cab down from Charlestown, backpack filled with beers, and hit up four different house parties... starting at 11am... ooo yeah- we went big... We caught a bit of the parade... it was good times! It was cold though, I could have used a little less snow and better shoes... live and learn!

One note on the day, I was not able to celebrate it with Alexa, who was stuck in LA all day on Friday the 16th, attempting to make it out to Boston, only to be sent back to SF because of a silly winter storm that totally locked down Logan Int'l Airport...