SQA Christmas Party

...Are you noticing a theme here? The company I work for LOVES holidays!

Our Christmas party was at Terranea Resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. (Click the link. I dare you. You'll be jealous.)

Everything was GORGEOUS! The party was ridiculously expensive (Chelsea is the assistant office manager; she told me a ball park) and it showed. We filled their largest ballroom, overlooking the ocean. The food was delish as well.

Unfortunately, I only have the one crappy picture of me (thanks, Chelsea!) and then a few of the view from my room.

I live about 15 minutes from the resort, but we got discounts on rooms (nearly 50%) and I knew I would never get a chance like this again, so Chels and I split it. All I have to say is: Worth. Every. Penny.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I bought myself the HTC Evo 4G for Christmas. I'm still figuring out everything it does, but I LOVE IT!

2. I bought my parents one day park hoppers to Disneyland. Now that I've thought about it, I should have just bought them the lowest level passes. They're only like $50 more a piece. BLONDE MOMENT.

3. Nicole is getting married on Saturday. Stay tuned for another post tomorrow. Quite possibly my favorite post...

SQA Halloween Party

Ok, ok, I know. Halloween?! What is the matter with me?? The answer: I'm a horrible blogger. This will just be quick because I'm pretty sure I've already at least mentioned the SQA Halloween festivities.

I was Batgirl and my geeky friend from work, Ted, was The Green Lantern. His ring even glowed!! Ted is a blast and I'm glad I have a fellow geek to be weird with.

Mayu and Sarah were ninjas (from Naruto for all of you Manga/Anime freaks out there...anyone? Bueller??) Sarah hand-made the ninja costumes and they were AMAZING. They even won a prize for them!

Christy was V from V for Vendetta, John was Mr. Incredible (biggest lie EVER), and David was Venkman from Ghostbusters. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of these guys...

SQA has a horrendous tradition of walking from our office to the Starbucks a block and a half away that is located inside a rather crowded mall. I LOVED it!

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I have no concept of time. Or consideration for my few readers who don't care about Halloween now that it is January.

2. Jereme and Christy come home today from an 18-day vacation to see her family.

3. I love picking up a favorite book and spot reading all of the sections that make me feel whole.

Work Update

It's been so long since I've blogged, that I figure I have to dedicate at least one whole post to work.

*collective groan*

(This isn't work - it's from when I was in Oregon. I just think it's a FABULOUS shot of us. Plus, I love my outfit/shoes.)

There is no other way to put it: I am a workaholic. That is ALL I do.

I was recently made manager of our newest (and largest EVER) Client. The day before I left for Oregon, Nick (the manager of the program I manage - It makes sense, just trust me) came to my boss, Christy and closed her door, which never happens. She came in a few minutes later as I was closing up for the weekend and told me that we had to change my signature in my emails. She changed it from "Content Associate" to "Content Manager" and then said, "Congratulations." It was great! I was so overwhelmed for quite a while there, but after last week (this update will come in a minute...keep reading) everything took a turn for the better.

When I was in Oregon, John called me to tell me that he had an interview and test set up for my department the Wednesday I came back from vacation. That was quite an experience. It was super weird hearing him in an interview and then seeing him for the first time in almost one year. I don't think there are words. Christy and Mayu both loved him in the interview and then his test was surprising in a few ways. He didn't use "track changes" correctly - he did it the hard way - and he got REALLY far. He's been with us for almost 2 weeks and is doing really well.

Thursday, 14 October was our all hands meeting at work where they do all the major updates for the past 2 months and announce the employees of the approaching 2 months. Mayu was announced as one employee of the month and then Christy kept talking and announced the second employee of the month was yours truly: ME! I was so touched by the things she was saying about me. There is no better feeling than hearing how appreciated you are by your co-workers (and superiors). I'm so greatful that I could make her proud and ease some of her stress at work. I love her and the leadership she brings to our department.

Ok. I think that's it for the work updates for now.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I told you all that John would be in more posts, more frequently. Maybe one day I'll even put a picture up or something.

2. Chelsea is getting to know John a lot now because she works with him, goes to church with him, and John lives with one of Chelsea's closer friends. She is constantly telling me how John is NOT AT ALL what she pictured. hahahaha. I never said I had good taste or that I was only going to date the popular kid.

3. I have 2 new books to read. ...I just need to find the time.

4. Along with employee of the month came a bonus. I'm putting toward my next big purchase.

5. John sings in the choir that I joined with my boss. He is EVERYWHERE.

Changes

In the photo below, please note how long my hair is:

Yes, it curls around my boob (and I'm ...well endowed...).

You're probably reading this thinking that I'm going to post a picture of my new hair cut (well...new-ER.) - yeah - not today. This is (L-R) Chelsea, me, Nicole, and Allison a day or 2 before Nicole moved to Utah. She's not really that tall - she's wearing her high-heeled boots because her boytoy is 6'5."

Along with the new hair cut (photo coming soon, I promise...no really...), I have FABULOUS news!

I asked my boss on Tuesday (my 3-month anniversary at SQA Services) what my next step is because that was the end of my internship. She said that she is in the process of writing my contract to hire me on permanently. Once she writes the contract, it has to be approved by her supervisor and then the President (who is the co-founder of the band that he is insisting I join as the lead singer). She's confident there will not be any problems. So, the official offer hasn't been extended, but she congratulated me today and ensured me I have nothing to worry about.

I love my job so much. I love the responsibility and how insanely hectic it is. I love my bosses and my 2 coworkers. I love the personalities I deal with and the cultural knowledge I gain through the Associates. I love the quirks of all of my coworkers and the fact that I'm in a band. I love the trust my bosses have in me and the many opportunities they've given me to prove myself.

I can't think of a better company to work for - and trust me, I read about companies all over the world and how they function: SQA is a great company.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. Cuddling with Jake, the dog. He's the best man I have in my life right now (aside from the blood relatives and Kyle, the guy I've never met). I come home every day to a wagging tail and as many kisses as I can tolerate. He has to be put to bed every night and that can involve him sitting on my lap, moaning, and giving me kisses, practically begging to not be put to bed. He's so weird.

2. Alan Rickman. I heart him.

3. I can't wait until Chelsea's birthday (cause that's when the book I've been waiting for comes out). I'm a horrible friend. I know. She knows. WE ALL KNOW!

4. I wish I knew what the heck certain people were thinking. My life would be so much easier.

5. I'm a super freak. And not in the Rick James way - in the psychic way. On Sunday, my mom and I were channel surfing and I saw "The Music Man" on one of the channels. I don't particularly care for that movie, but I happen to quite enjoy the "Marion the Librarian" scene. As I was clicking to the channel, I said, "I hope we're catching 'Marion the Librarian' and then I can change the channel again." Yeah, right as I clicked over "Marion the Librarian" started.

Someone Please Solve My Problem...

I can't do this one on my own.

I have stewed over this since I first got hired at SQA as an intern.

We hired another intern this week - his name is Ted. We're slated to hire 3 more interns for our department alone because of this totally awesome $12 million deal we signed with a MAJOR corporation that will remain nameless on the internet. We need the extra man power because today and yesterday I put in 10-hour days and I'm probably going to have to keep that rate up along with my 2 bosses until we hire our other 3 interns.

The problem is, these interns can't be just anyone. They have to be Editors with at least a Bachelor's degree in English. I tried to convince Elliot to move down here to work, but he's training to become a seminary teacher and can't come right away. (I fully intend to hound him until he breaks though...hahaha!) And I've already coaxed Jenni into moving down from San Francisco (potentially...she's submitted her resume and we're looking for somewhere for her to live right now).

I only know one other person who is qualified: GothPod - or some of you may know him as Beetlejuice.

Ah, yes, the infamous GP...

I know he's searching diligently for a job (he's done census worker, pool cleaner, and his most recent job is a Cutco salesman...) because he tells me when we talk and I see the FB updates. He's still waiting to hear if the TSA wants him. I know it's the Christian thing to do to tell him about the opening(s), but herein lies the dilemma.

My bosses both know the history between GP and I, and because of this, they don't want him. I've told them that he's beyond qualified - every bit as good as me, but that I hesitate because my feelings are conflicted. I don't doubt his ability.

I've prayed about telling him about the job opening (despite Christy and Mayu's distaste for the situation/him) and haven't really received an answer yet. I've run over and over in my head whether my hesitation about telling him is because I'm hurt by how he treated me in the end or because I doubt his patience required to do the work. (Its a combination of the 2 and an additional factor, in case you were wondering.)

I just can't figure this one out. And this is just touching the surface of the problem. There are so many scenarios to consider no matter what I decide to do. I'm swimming in this one and can't breathe.

Please, someone tell me what to do.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. The post that will magically appear at 7 AM on 16 June 2010 right here on "A Work in Progress."

2. Wii swordfighting - it's saving me.

3. I have officially discovered I do not like to be called, "Babe."

I'm the Lead Singer

Unofficially...

I think there's going to be an audition at the next office drinking party/karaoke bar night, with my luck. They don't give you much notice of stuff we're doing.

I love my job. The people I work with are down to earth, hilarious, good people. But let me give you the story of just how I got roped into the singing thing.

Yesterday, during the latter-part of my lunch break, I was laying in my car with the windows slightly cracked, singing along to my Adele CD (thanks, Lo!), not thinking that people could hear me. (Why is it that when we're in our car, we think people can't see/hear us? I'm no nose-picker or anything, but I certainly do love to sing. Tangent.) ANYWAYS. One of the guys in the office came up to his car and heard me, then gave me a bit of a razz for just laying in my car in the sunshine, singing to myself with my eyes closed. Being the newbie that I am, I assumed that was the end of it.

The President/CEO, Mike, had half of the office meet him at Benihanna today for lunch. I was sitting there looking over the menu when Mike walked in and introduced himself to me (I'd never met him before). I was sitting next to a few of the Executives (including my favorite person in the office, Jared, who I've only met once before today). I knew there was a drum set in my office that had to be moved, and that a few of the folks in the office (Pres/CEO and Jared included) play in a band together. I didn't know they were lacking a key member.

Jared looked at me part way through lunch, and said, "So Lauren, do you play any instruments?" and I explained no, not really. And that's when Jared goes, "But I hear you sing." And Mike heard him. BUSTED!

They asked what I like to sing. I told him I'll sing pretty much everything and his eyes lit up when I told him I really love hard rock. He said that unless I'm absolute crap (he used a different word, but my only reader is Mormon. *waves* HI ALLI!) I'm in the band. Our first show will be at the company picnic in May and again at the company Christmas party.

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:

1. I got my desk and phone and stuff today. I think we'll be working in the new office tomorrow for the first day!

2. My job freaking rocks. We get perks.

3. The cheers that erupted when Marc told everyone at lunch to order alcohol.

4. I didn't get the third degree when I said I don't drink at lunch today.

5. I put myself out there and got ignored. Nothing like a good burn, folks.

6. Halloween is a FREAKING HUGE deal at my office. I've been warned to start planning now. And when I say huge, let me give you a for-instance: Mike (pres/ceo) was Paris Hilton, complete with size 12 stilettos and a bare mid-drift, which was not waxed.

7. Jereme went shopping with me on Saturday. I mean, shopping shopping. Like, he stood around for an hour while I tried on clothes in a few different stores. He's pretty awesome.