2017 Wrap Up

I can’t believe 2017 is over and I’m completing my first year as a Federal employee. I do love my work and am grateful for each day. I now telework two days a week!

The year consisted of dental work, Restaurant Week(s), hanging out with friends and an awesome cruise! Notice I didn’t say dating. I wasn’t really ready. I did have feelings for someone but that didn’t go anywhere except friendship. Typical.

CeCe met me in New Orleans and we went on a seven day cruise to Belize, Roatan, and Cozumel. We had a wonderful time and are planning our next trip...Twelve Day Cruise out of Sydney Australia, Tazmania, and New Zealand in February 2019!

I also traveled to Bakersfield for the holidays. Yes, we are still mourning Dad and some days just take my breath away. There are a lot of days when I’m ok.

Hopefully, 2018 will bring love to my life. I think I’m ready.

2016 Wrap Up

The past year has been extremely difficult. We lost Dad in January and the rest of the year was just trying to live day to day.  The mourning process continues and hurts a little less each day.  There are some days when I just can't get out of bed and others that are OK.  I'm not saying there weren't really good times because there were.

 I won a very nice award from my company and took Mom and Deidra to the Dominican republic for four days.  Thanks to a companion ticket, I was able to bring them to Virginia in September.  We had a great time touring the city. Mom will be flying out here for Thanksgiving and we are going to Bastille for dinner.

I've  also been doing a lot more cooking.  There are a few people at work who I actually want to cook for,  so that's what I've been doing.  Usually they are my taste testers when I'm experimenting with recipes.

 That just about sums up the entire year.  I really just want to see this year over with.

Update: In December I was offered a position with the USPTO as a Federal employee. I resigned from my firm after 14.5 years. I started my new job on 1/17/17.

Winter Restaurant Week 2015

If you have ever read any of my posts, you know that restaurant week is twice a year and probably means more to me than Christmas presents! Don't get me wrong, Christmas week is my favorite time because I get to spend it with my family. Restaurant Week means great food with great friends. Last year I completely forgot to blog about the two different restaurant weeks 

We only made two reservations this time and both were in the top 100 for 2014. However only one of them remains in the top 100 for 2015. First we dined at The Source and the second reservation was at Central - Michael Richards. Honestly I thought Central was going to be my favorite but I wanted to try The Source and as it turns out The Source was actually my favorite. 

The Source had the better appetizers and main course was equivalent to Central. Central had the better dessert. At least for me it was better. 

The Source: The appetizer was a pork and crab dumpling that was so outstanding, I kept sticking my finger in the sauce and licking it clean while nobody was watching!  I would go back to this restaurant simply for the dumpling. My main course was a lemon pepper short rib with different root vegetables and it was unbelievable.

Central: My main course is not on the normal menu and was only available for restaurant week. I had the trout almandine and it was amazing. My dessert was a poached pear sunday, that included vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and shaved almonds. Outstanding.

Most of my friends had the hamburger or the fried chicken but I was not impressed with either of them. This was not your normal hamburger it was very much gourmet. Central is known for its fried chicken and it was not my favorite thing.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and were very impressed with the restaurants I chose. Another hit! I should state that for the first reservation, it was just the Guam girls but for Central there were 10 of us; my Guam girls & NGEN family. I do like combining the two groups on occasion, it's nice when all my friends get along.

Now I'm looking forward to summer restaurant week and trying to figure out which restaurants we will go to. And just in case you were not aware, yes I maintain a spreadsheet of the top 100 and check off which restaurants we have gone to!

China Tour 2014

October 28 – November 9th was spent touring China; we traveled around the country. It was planes, trains and automobiles not to mention River Taxis, Cruise ships and a rickshaws!

We started our tour in Beijing and ended in Shanghai. We traveled by airplane from Beijing to Xian, then by airplane to to Chengdu, then by train to chongqing and finally another plane to Shanghai.

We spent 3 of the 12 days floating down the Yangtze River. Were we  went through the Three Gorges and took a water taxi into the narrow areas that the board could not get too. We docked at a make shift area that looked like lego’s connected together and visited a small village.

We toured the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Terra-Cotta Warriors, Panda Preservation, Beijing zoo, Xi'an Wall, Shanghai Gymnastic Show, Shanghai Museum, and much more. 

See the itinerary below:

   

It was a once in a lifetime trip I will never forget. Pictures have been posted to Shutterfly

A New Work Adventure

Friday was my last day at Washington Navy Yard! We had a great team lunch on Thursday, salad bar style, and then had a huge cake for the entire office. I was shocked at how many people stopped by and disappointed that a few didn’t come over but oh well. I’m outta there! Both the Program Manager and Deputy congratulated me and told me how much they appreciated my efforts since they met me and when I told them it had been over 5 years, even they agreed it was time to go. The deputy gave me a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. A couple of the Govies wouldn’t talk to me, not because they were angry but because they hate good-bye’s. I wish I thought they did actually appreciate my work but I doubt it. Let's begin with the fact that in 5 years, they never gave me an award. I know it's petty but when you see your coworkers get them and you don't, it tends to make you bit bitter. 

 I went over to US Patent and Trademarks to get my badge and elevator access card the same day that I outprocessed the Navy. It seems I’m not located at the Madison Bldg after all but a few blocks away on Jamieson. It’s the contractors work location. No biggie to me, we are close to the underground walkway between the buildings. Also, the monthly parking garage I chose is only two blocks away from my new location. 

 First the good part, I’m right next door to Pasara Thai, Starbucks, a lunch counter/mini store, and less than a block from the Trade bar. I’m located in a room of 16 cubicles; plus side, my own short walled cubicle (no privacy), I have a window and a view of the skyline and something else! It seems we have a patio up there and when the weather is nice, I can go outside to have lunch. Plus there is a kitchen area. Not too bad. Especially since nobody wears a full blown suit!!! I was told that is the norm. 

 Down side, it’s really quiet up there, a bit warm, and they don't schedule meetings in our building. We have to walk over to Madison multiple times a day. 

Ok, so it's not that bad unless the weather is awful. I'm also in learning mode, knowledge by fire hose; it's a lot to learn.

Loss of Marilyn

A few days before the shooting at the Navy Yard, my birth mother, Marilyn Wilson Phillips had a massive heart attack. I just found out that she passed away suddenly in the hosptial. We thought she was doing better and would be released from the hospital tomorrow. I was waiting to call her again until she was home.

Unfortuantely, I'll never be able to speak to her again but at least I had that trip in July to meet her and the family. I'll always cherish that trip and time I spent with her. God bless and keep you Marilyn. I hope you are at peace.

Update (10/8/13): We found out that it was a pulminary embolism that took Marilyn's life. This is something that is completely unavoidable. I drove to Douglas, GA for the memorial service and to be with the family. I'm so thankful that I was able to spend time with them back in July because it made this trip easier, even considering the reason/situation.

 The service was beautiful and very casual. Marilyn had everything planned; she even had a binder with instructions, music, who was to speak, what she wanted, everything....sound like anyone else? On the way back to Virginia, I stopped in Atlanta to visit with Janet and Tom. Then spent the night with Bonnie and Dan in Charlotte, NC.

Navy Yard Shooting - September 16, 2013

September 16th is usually a great day; it’s my sisters birthday and something to celebrate.

Yesterday was not a great day and I don’t want to forget what happened. An ex-employee subcontractor of HPES, working on NMCI, brought a shotgun on to Washington Navy Yard, entered building 197 and started shooting. First killing the security guard inside the building, taking his weapon and continued up to the 3rd and 4th floors.

He killed 12 people before he was killed. I just can’t believe that someone was able to get on base with a weapon and kill so many people. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims.

The shootings occurred in building 197. I’m located in building 196. You would think they would be next door to each other but thankfully they are not. Building 197 is on 6th Street and Building 196 is on 10th Street. See bottom image.

The base went on lockdown beginning at 0840 and we didn’t depart our building until almost 6pm. At first we didn't know what was happening. All we knew was that someone had been shot at building 197. We had not heard that there was more than one person hurt. Then we started receiving information from our families and friends who where watching the news. We didn't have access to TV and trying to stream the news was nearly impossible. Then we heard that four people were dead and many more injured. Nobody knew if there was more than one shooter, if he was still in 197, or did he make his way to our side of the base. Several survivors from 197 made it to our building and we sheltered them all day. We gave them food, water, coffee, phones to use, and chargers for cell phones. Most people didn't have anything with them when they ran out of the building.

Finally, we were escorted from Building 196 by the FBI, down to the water front to building 211 where people were interviewed and buses waited to transport us to Nationals Ball Park. The ball park, we got off the buses, and finally walked to the Navy Yard metro station or to the Booz Allen office at 20 M Street. Camera crews were everyone and so were the police and FBI.

Our cars were held hostage by the FBI and local police. Jessica had been released about an hour before me and Kim was released an hour after me. I’m so thankful that my friends were not hurt and I could keep track of them. Mama Kat mode kicked in and I made sure I knew where they were at all times.

I love Booz Allen Hamilton and Charlie Hamilton. Charlie stayed at the 20 M Street office until all of his people were accounted for, made sure we had food and water, and a way to get home. When I arrived at the office, the second he saw me, he opened up his arms and I walked right in to them and gave him a huge hug. He hugged me tight and kissed my cheek.

Like I said, I love Charlie Hamilton. He is a retired Navy Admiral (two-star) and really cares about his people. Charlie sent out this message to us “I have been very proud of the 20 M St / WNY Booz Allen family all day – you remained calm, kept a sense of humor, and looked out for your colleagues. Well done and thanks Charlie.”

My leadership is just as wonderful; Tammy, Laura, and Bill are so supportive. Laura had the worst of it because she was in building 197 when the shooting started and was evacuated to the Museum. Thankfully she is alright but I’m sure it hit her hard.