2nd Star to the Right :: Neverland. I think I want to live there.

Ok, so I can't focus on anything today. Obviously, I'm here blogging instead of working.

I've been working a little then taking a break to surf the net or chat with a co-worker or walk around the building looking as if I'm headed somewhere important. And then working a little bit again and taking another break. It's a vicious cycle. I keep hoping our EVP will come around like he did for July 4th and tell everyone not to come back after lunch. But it's past lunchtime - maybe I won't get lucky today.

I really shouldn't complain. I'm leaving work early today anyway so I can catch my flight home.

Whatever shall I do? Perhaps now is a good time to go have lunch. I've been craving chips and salsa and a yummy fajita salad from Rico's all week. Maybe I'll have to go there.

12:34 PM | allison | # |

I'm already doing my happy dance in anticipation of seeing the fam. I dunno how I'm gonna make it until 5:30ish, when I get to climb on board that airplane.

Friday Five:
1. What's your favorite piece of clothing that you currently own? I have a pair of grey shorts with a black stripe running down both sides. 100% cotton. Probably the most comfortable pair of shorts ever.

2. What piece of clothing do you most want to acquire? Anything in a size smaller than I wear now.

3. What piece of clothing can you not bring yourself to get rid of? Why? I have a navy sweatshirt that an old friend from high school made for me. I don't wear it, but I can't throw it away either.

4. What piece of clothing do you look your best in? I'm not sure such an article of clothing exists.

5. What has been your biggest fashion accident? You make it sounds like that it doesn't happen as often as it probably does. I'm a walking, talking fashion accident.

8:22 AM | allison | # |

Oh my god, I can't believe I just ate one of these. I am sooo not eating again for the next two days.

I think I'm gonna go throw up now.

1:54 PM | allison | # |

Bloody hell. My post just disappeared. I guess I'll have to vent all over again. What a shame.

I made reservations last night to fly home for the weekend. I'm a little torn in how I feel about flying home - I'm really looking forward to seeing my mom and the rest of my family. I really, really want a hug from my mom. There's just something about her hugs that are unlike any others in the entire world. She holds me just right, squeezes with just the right amount of pressure, and holds on for just long enough. I just want a hug from my mom.

On the other hand, though, I feel a little guilty about flying home. I feel like I'm kind of letting myself down by running home with my tail between my legs. Work gets hard, so Allison runs home to her family. That's not the kind of person I want to be, or even thought I was. And I feel doubly guilty because I know that are lot more things in the world to be upset about than work getting hard. People are dying all over the place and I'm upset about my job.

12:29 PM | allison | # |

I was just thinking...what if I don't get my promotion and have to find a new job, but I end up like Todd instead?

Kind of frightening.

8:46 AM | allison | # |

Well, I did it. I told my boss that I wanted a promotion or I would start looking for another job. I didn't say it like that of course, but I hope that's the message he got. I don't know what it was yesterday that inspired me; perhaps it was seeing my boss and new VP man at lunch with the radio guys that I hadn't been invited to (even though I know more about our past and present radio program than either my boss or new VP man) or maybe it was because I've just wrapped up one huge project that I know my boss is going to get most or all of the credit for; or perhaps it's because of the two large projects I still have in front of me, which again, I will get little or no acknowledgement for.

Monday at the Company Meeting (which I had to leave early in order to finish that large project, while my boss was out golfing), our CEO said no more promotions and no more hiring. Wonderful. Thank you, Paul.

Well, screw it. I've worked my ass off for two years and I deserve a little recognition. Maybe what I said yesterday to my boss wasn't the best thing I could have done. But I'm tired of waiting to be noticed. Maybe I shot myself in the foot or maybe I took some initiative - I think that remains to be seen. If I do get the promotion I want, great. I'll stay and enjoy it. If not, fuck 'em. I'll find myself a new job. And maybe one closer to home.

And kind of a side note - I requested an application in the mail. Sometimes I feel like I really need to do this.

8:42 AM | allison | # |

This is too freakin' cool for words - I love the Croc Hunter!

And in other news...I've decided to make a pitch to new VP man about a shift in positions for me. More later.

1:57 PM | allison | # |

I'm in a pretty pissy mood today. I can't figure out if it's because I've finally decided to find a new job, or if it's because of the asshole who cut me off this morning.

And this really isn't helping things.

10:10 AM | allison | # |

Well, some good news and bad out of this weekend.

Good news first: I've moved past the plateau on my weight loss and am now officially at -32 lbs. So, hooray!

The other news isn't really bad. But I've officially decided to start looking for another job. I feel like my hard work isn't being rewarded and I've waited for nearly two years for that to happen. I feel like I've waited long enough. More and more, I feel like I'm being passed over for advancement and others are taking credit for my work. I understand that I am part of team and that "credit" isn't due to me, but at this point, I don't even feel like I'm getting any acknowledgement.

I've been giving this some thought for some time now and if I can find another job, I'll leave without hesitation. It's a little un-nerving though, this looking for a new job. After graduation, I didn't really look for a job because I just wanted to be me for awhile, but my dad wore me down after a while and I started looking. I got lucky and landed my current job, after hearing about it from my aunt. I don't remember feeling this, well, nervous before.

Maybe it's because then I didn't have any expectations. I had no idea what working in a corporate environment would be like, let alone a Fortune 500 corporate environment. I've been spoiled - I have an incredible benefits plan and work with some amazing people. But it's not fun anymore. Mom told me that her father always said to move on when it's not fun anymore. And as much as I love some of the people I work with and enjoy the day-to-day challenges, it's just not fun anymore. Grandpa was right; it's time for me to move on.

9:22 PM | allison | # |

Dude, check it - I finally have comments that work!

Thank you, NetComments!

I used to know a girl in high school who said that all the time - Dude, check it! Michelle something...I can't remember her last name. I went to Equador my senior year of high school and she went too and everything was "Dude, check it - this" and "Dude, check it - that." I wonder what she's up to know.

Do you remember that, Sarah?

1:05 PM | allison | # |

I freakin' love Friday. A long week behind me and two un-interrupted days of bliss ahead of me. Sweet.

Friday Five:
1. What is your current occupation? Is this what you chose to be doing at this point in your life? Why or why not? At the moment, I work as the Advertising Coordinator in Administaff's corporate marketing department. It is what I choose to be doing right now, but I've recently been considering a change. The want for change stems mostly from me missing my family, but got a little more complicated yesterday when I realized that there are some folks out there who think our company is headed for doom.

2. If time/talent/money were no object, what would your dream occupation be? I'd love to be a restaurant owner. I've been spreading my own cooking wings a little more lately and I must say, I'm not half bad.

3. What did/do your parents do for a living? Has this had any influence on your career choices? My mom was a teacher for nearly 30 years before she moved on to other things. Since teaching, she's worked in a foundry, an ad agency, owned her own business, worked as a substitute teacher, did something concerning property titles and is currently working in the Office for Institutional Advancement (they give grants and loans to students) at Waubonsee Community College. Her boss is dumb and looks like a pear with legs. None of us like him.

My dad has been a salesman nearly his entire life, just selling different things. He's also worked in a factory and as a professional photographer. He worked for Brunke & Silver before they were swallowed by Dun & Bradstreet. Then he and mom had the store, then he sold Volt (a temp agency), insurance and now works for a psuedo-PEO, Labor Leasing. He's not as happy there as he could be I think, because he's a better salesman then the service folks are at servicing. I'd love for him to work at one of our Chicago offices, but I'm not sure that will happen.

I think, if anything, I learned from both of them that being happy with what I do is very important. Making big bucks, while nice, isn't always worth it. I'm fairly happy with my current job, but more money wouldn't hurt.

4. Have you ever had to choose between having a career and having a family? Not in the normal sense. Sometimes, and more lately than before, I've been feeling like maybe I should have taken more time in college and since to work on cultivating a lasting relationship with a special someone. But perhaps I'm just lonely.

5. In your opinion, what is the easiest job in the world? What is the hardest? Why? I don't know if there is such a thing. Easy and hard is relative when you think about ability and passion for what you do. Some could say my job is the easiest in the world, but I know others here who wouldn't want my job if you paid them a million bucks.

8:25 AM | allison | # |

So, I'm beginning to get worried. This morning I got an email with a link to a video from our EVP of Sales & Marketing, relaying a message that is basically telling everyone not to worry, our company isn't in the toilet, we will survive, we're not going to go bankrupt. This was all in response to someone he called an analyst who didn't do his homework or know what he was talking about. What a wonderful way to start the morning, huh?

I knew our stock was crap, but it's been low before (although never this low) and come back. So you know what I did? I went to Yahoo! to check out the message boards to see if everyone felt the same way as that "analyst who didn't do his homework." Turns out, there are a lot of people who think we suck. Comforting, no?

I'm almost to inclined to think of this as the sign I've been waiting for: the one that is going to tell me it's time to move on and look for another job (maybe even one closer to home).

Oh, and I have a dentist appointment today. Bleh.

11:05 AM | allison | # |

Damnit. I'm getting all teary-eyed for the second time already today and it's not even lunchtime yet. The first time was writing about mom and dad and how impactful their relationship has been on me. And again now after reading Leanna's post from Sunday. It got me to thinking...I had no idea her brother was sick. I wonder if she told anyone at all before now, or if it's something she's kept inside her. Did she keep it inside because she was ashamed or worried about what her friends would think? Or because she was afraid for what the future will bring for her brother and her family? Or because it was easier not think about? I can't blame her for any of those reasons. I probably would have done the same.

But at the same time, it makes me wish she had told someone, anyone, who could have helped shoulder the burden a bit. Even if it was just as an outlet for her worries and fears and not a solution to the problem.

I remember thinking the same thing about Caryn - her father had cancer and cancer treatment while she was going through high school. None of us knew about until well into our college years, and I'm not really sure how many of her friends actually know. I can't remember the circumstances when she did tell me, but I'm sure it was not an easy thing to do.

All this also makes me feel a little guilty. These are big parts of my friends' lives that they're sharing and I feel like I need to reciprocate somehow. There was an event in my life that I want to share, but am afraid to. Leanna and Caryn had courage to share what they did. I'm still working on bolstering mine.

For what it's worth, I admire and love them both very much.

11:19 AM | allison | # |

Ok, so it's official. I'm lonely. Not regular lonely - I'm surrounded by tons of friends at work and at home, have a loving family here and back in Illinois, but I'm still lonely. I think I'm finally reaching the stage of my life where I'm ready to share myself with someone else. It's been a long time coming. I've been "on my own" since about my junior year of college and never felt like I wanted or needed anyone to share it with. Other than family and friends I mean. I didn't feel like I needed a significant other, a plus one, a soul mate.

Something has changed I guess. I do want one, need one, now. I've proved to myself and others that I can live this life on my own and do it without seriously injuring myself or those around me. Mostly, anyway. I didn't date at all in high school and I only dated on and off in college, but nothing ever serious and no one that I ever wanted to share with my friends or family.

My mom and dad knew each other in high school. My mom had been dating one of my dad's close friends, and as soon as his friend left for the Navy (or some other Armed Forces group), he moved in. They dated through college and my mom waited for him after he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany. This year will be their 32nd wedding anniversary. My mom's sister married young and got divorced, but then rekindled a relationship with an old friend of hers from high school and later married him. I believe they just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year. Both sets of my grandparents were married to each other for forever and I have a feeling that once one partner passed, the other just gave up trying to live and passed too. I strongly believe that will happen to my parents and my aunt and uncle as well.

I have great role models for how relationships and marriage should be. I'm lucky for it. All of them were friends before there was anything more. I'm sure that that component is what makes both relationships as strong as they are. I just hope that I can have that one day too. And I think I'm ready for it now in a way that I wasn't ready before.

8:48 AM | allison | # |

Cripes. My archives have disappeared. Again.

Bugger.

8:58 AM | allison | # |

I got a lot of sleep this weekend. It was nice to come to work this morning fairly rested. I've got a ton of stuff to do today and finally have the energy to do it. I'm thinking it might be time to change my thyroid meds, cause I'm a lot more lethargic than I used to be. I've been coming home from work and just crashing - eat and then bed before 9PM. But I'm rested now - I didn't venture out of the house until yesterday evening, picking up some new books and going grocery shopping.

I did get a chance to see xXx last Friday. It was well worth my matinee price to hear Vin Diesel say, "Oh, the things I'm gonna do for my country." I'd pay money to hear him say it again. (oh, and in case you're wondering, the official movie site is not www.xxx.com - I'm just waiting for someone to call and ask me why I was visiting a porn site at work.)

Mark sent me this link from MSNBC: Living in the Blog-osphere. Nifty little article. Kinda makes me wonder how many folks regularly read my blog.

And thanks for the link, Mark.

8:51 AM | allison | # |

Just saw this in the New York Times this morning: ""I've pretty much used up my advance, and now my editors are hoping that I'll outlive the pope." Robert Blair Kaiser, who is 71, on a book he will write on Pope John Paul II's successor.

1:28 PM | allison | # |

I've got to stop taking these quizzes. It's starting to mess with my head.

Disorder	Rating
Paranoid:	Low
Schizoid:	Low
Schizotypal:	Moderate
Antisocial:	Low
Borderline:	Low
Histrionic:	Moderate
Narcissistic:	Moderate
Avoidant:	Moderate
Dependent:	Low
Obsessive-Compulsive:	Low
-- Click Here To Take The Test --

Schizotypal: Many believe that schizotypal personality disorder represents mild schizophrenia. The disorder is characterized by odd forms of thinking and perceiving, and individuals with this disorder often seek isolation from others. They sometimes believe to have extra sensory ability or that unrelated events relate to them in some important way. They generally engage in eccentric behavior and have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time. Their speech is often over elaborate and difficult to follow.

Histrionic: People with histrionic personality disorder are constant attention seekers. They need to be the center of attention all the time, often interrupting others in order to dominate the conversation. They use grandiose language to discribe everyday events and seek constant praise. They may dress provacatively or exaggerate illnesses in order to gain attention. They also tend to exaggerate friendships and relationships, believing that everyone loves them. They are often manipulative.

Narcissistic: Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by self-centeredness. Like histrionic disorder, people with this disorder seek attention and praise. They exaggerate their achievements, expecting others to recongize them as being superior. They tend to be choosy about picking friends, since they believe that not just anyone is worthy of being their friend. They tend to make good first impressions, yet have difficulty maintaining long-lasting relationships. They are generally uninterested in the feelings of others and may take advantage of them.

Avoidant: Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by extreme social anxiety. People with this disorder often feel inadequate, avoid social situations, and seek out jobs with little contact with others. They are fearful of being rejected and worry about embarassing themselves in front of others. They exaggerate the potential difficulties of new situations to rationalize avoiding them. Often, they will create fantasy worlds to substitute for the real one. Unlike schizoid personality disorder, avoidant people yearn for social relations yet feel they are unable to obtain them. They are frequently depressed and have low self-confidence.

Ok, so after actually reading the descriptions that this quiz claims I've achieved a "moderate" rating, I feel a little better. I'm not really any of those things. Phew. A bogus quiz. Who woulda thunk it?

8:33 AM | allison | # |

I'm really beginning to think these are all signs from a higher power trying to tell me something.

First my horoscope and then work and now this:

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Symbolism: More Symbolism Than You Can Shake a Stick At

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Symbolism: More Symbolism Than You Can Shake a Stick At

what movie symbolism are you? find out!

I almost always feels like no one gets me.

7:42 PM | allison | # |

Freakmama, what a day! I'm feeling a bit out of sorts. I've spent the last week and a half working with my group to prepare a presentation for our EVP that happened today. We're all exhausted, cranky and generally glad it's all over. Unfortunately, most of my input has been background info - a couple of months ago I was moved into the Leads Generation group, which is awesome. We've been charged with pushing up the number of leads each of our reps gets each month. Tough, but I like challenges. The sucky part is that most of my job so far has been less creative and more numbers related than anything else. I have a degree in communications, not statistics. GROWL. My eyes are going to cross permanently if I have to open up another spreadsheet today.

Bleh. So we've all been working on this project, among everything else we have to do before Fall Campaign begins, and then a few of us weren't invited to the actual presentation this morning. I didn't find out until afterwards that everyone had been invited to go, and that's a little late if you ask me. Which no one did. Obviously. So all this was in my head and building and yesterday my horoscope (yes, I read it every day) said that now is the time for change; I should think about going back to school and changing not just my job, but my career. WTF? How timely is that?!

Ever since Carl left on Sunday I've been toying with the idea of beginning job hunting again, this time closer to home. I really, really miss my family. I've got through periods before where I missed them, but usually a phone call would help tide me over until I got to talk or see them again. But this time, I'm less sure that will help. I'm more willing now to explore the possibility of moving closer to home. And you know what all this does? It makes me feel like maybe I'm not so independent and on-my-own after all. Which in itself is really depressing - have I just been lucky this whole time? or have I really been making it on my own? I don't really feel sure of anything anymore.

And just to confuse even more, when I got back from lunch today I had a voicemail message from new VP man about how I was missed at the presentation and that he was sorry he hadn't communicated it better that everyone should be there and how I'm a great asset to the team. Which is super-nice and almost made me cry, because he sounded really sincere. But what if this isn't what I want to do anymore?

I think more than anything, I'm afraid of giving up too soon. I've been here for nearly two years now and I love the company. The people are fantastic, the work is most fulfilling and the pay could be better, but my benefits package is to die for. What if this is just a rough spot in my life and its affecting how I feel at work? Or what if this job really isn't for me after all but I stay because its easier than finding a new job?

I've got some serious thinking ahead of me. I need to figure out what I want and what I need. To thine own self be true, right?

1:58 PM | allison | # |

Things are much better today. I think yesterday I was a bit overwhelmed with everything that piled up on my desk while I was away from work and was still a little sad about Carl going back home. Usually, when I have family visit or when I go back home to Chicago, after a few days, I'm ready to have my apartment all to myself again. But this time, I didn't want him to go. I don't know what was different - I just really, really enjoyed his visit. I think it really hit me how lucky I am that he wants me to be a part of his life - he's amazing. He plays the guitar like no one I know, has a pretty good head on his shoulders and enjoys life. I miss him tons already and he's only been gone for one day. Thanksgiving seems to be forever away, which is the next time I'll see him. Sigh.

Leanna emailed us the other day - I'm beginning to wish I had kept up with her more myself instead of by proxy through Caryn. The opening to her email reads, "Tonight I went to Boone Tavern for Burger Madness. Ahh....Allison...do you ever get nostalgic for the smell of charring cow carcass?" Yum. And me not having eaten breakfast yet.

She had a list of things she would have done differently during our college years if she had a chance to do them over. The thing on her list that surprised me the most was that she thinks she wasn't a good friend, and I don't understand that. As far as I know, none of us ever gave the impression that she wasn't being a good friend. And her being a little irresponsible about sex - all the things she seems to regret. That's part of her being Leanna, and we accepted it and love her anyway. That's what friends do. They love all parts, not just the good ones. We all have those little quirky things that drive some folks crazy, but friends just accept them as quirks and move on. Caryn is blunt and tells it like she sees it, despite what anyone thinks. But we still love her. Melissa is a softie and let folks walk over her, but we still love her. Lynn is one of the flakiest people on the face of the earth and we love her despite it, or perhaps because of it. And me, I never take risks. I was always the safe one, never took any chances. But that doesn't mean you guys didn't just take that as part of being Allison and go on. It just is.

So I guess that's my answer. If I had to do things over, I'd have taken more chances, been more open to the possibilities. I refuse to regret not doing taking more chances, but have tried to learn from them instead. I've made many mistakes in my 24 years, but I only regret a few.

Ok. Enough for now. I need to get some work done. But one last thing...Happy Birthday, Carolyn!

9:37 AM | allison | # |

I need a hug. Carl left yesterday, I'm totally overwhelmed at work and my head hurts.

I really need a hug.

11:11 AM | allison | # |

Everyone do their happy dance! Carl is coming to visit today! Wooooohooooooo!!!

Can I just tell everyone how excited I am? I just saw him a couple of weeks ago, but my brother is just one of the coolest folks I know. He'll be 19 tomorrow, which freaks me out a little (but that's a whole other issue).

My aunt and I had lunch yesterday and we were talking about the relationships between her kids and my brother and I. It stemmed from her telling me how much Jen said she enjoyed our night out last weekend when I took her to see Kathleen Madigan at the Laff Stop. Evidently, she went on and on about how much fun she had, and how her real sister didn't deserve her. Which took me back a little - I guess I never really realized how strained her relationship with Christy is. But then my aunt told me that the last time she talked to Christy, she was realizing how little of a relationship she has with Jen. Which is a little sad.

I was always afraid that when I went away to school, Carl and I would lose the closeness we've shared. But we didn't. And I'm lucky and blessed because of it. We both work to maintain the relationship, which I would guess Jen and Christy don't do. Which is too bad. Jen is the little sister I never had. Christy is missing out on a pretty neat person.

I can only hope that she realizes this and tries to fix what problems they've had. Carl and Jen are two of the most amazing people I know. They're both bright and ambitious, and ready to take on the world. I'm a bit inspired by both of them.

8:44 AM | allison | # |

You know, I was just reading everything in my last post and thinking that yes, I'm comfortable, but am I happy? Someone told me once that when comfort settles in, you stop growing and doing and trying.

I think comfortable is good for a little while, but I shouldn't let it last too long. I always seem to have the most fun and learn the most from situations and times where I'm a little bit uncomfortable.

I'll have to find some time to be uncomfortable very soon. Right now, I need to get some work done.

10:17 AM | allison | # |

The cherry Jell-O in my refrigerator is partially frozen. I had no idea such a thing was possible.

Anyway, Leanna emailed me yesterday afternoon. It felt really good to hear from her. Up until now, I only hear from/about her through Caryn. I should have taken the initiative and contacted her a while ago. We lived together for a semester in college - it was a learning experience. She was my first real roommate. When we all first arrived at school, my assigned roommate never showed up, which was pretty cool until the evil dorm folks said I had to get a roommate or pay the rate for a single room (which really pissed me off 'cause it wasn't my fault my assigned roommate never showed up, right?).

Long story short, I had a roommate with a smelly boyfriend for the rest of that first semester and then moved in with Leanna. We both had lofted our beds and both found comfort in a bit of clutter. She was seeing a crazy boy who would get drunk and come pound on our door at 3 AM, loved to make fun crafty things (ala Martha Stewart) for our door and basically was a good influence on me in the ways of living in cramped quarters for the first year of my independent life. So, thanks Leanna.

After that year, Caryn and I were roommates in my old room and nearly killed each other more than once. We're much better friends than we are roommates. Caryn taught me how to yell and fight and I'm hoping that that she learned some stuff from me too. I moved out of the dorms after that and most of us went our semi-separate ways. Caryn moved to another dorm for upper-classmen, Leanna moved into her sorority house, Lynn moved to Mexico for a semester and Mel and I moved into a duplex with a girl named Misty, who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.

Ahh...I'm getting a bit nostalgic now. Sometimes I miss being in school and having the close proximity of my friends. We're scattered all over now. Caryn's working for the Associated Press in Little Rock, Leanna is back at Mizzou getting her Master's, Mel just got married in Hawaii and will be teaching in St. Louis in the fall, Lynn is hangin' around Denver until she heads East to be with her boy Justin in Taiwan or someplace like that. And me? I'm pretty comfortable here in Texas. I work for an awesome company and am fully on my own.

10:11 AM | allison | # |

OMG my family is completely crazy. And I love it! I freakin' love it!

Pics from our white-water rafting adventure for Mom's birthday:

Carl in our raft:

The first rapids....not too bad.

We nearly died here. Well, not really. But it certainly felt like it at the time.

Daddy, having fallen out of his raft. Again.

Finished. And alive too. Alive is always good.

Man, what a trip. I love you guys to the moon and back.

2:43 PM | allison | # |

I never thought I'd be one to champion George W., but from this morning's New York Times, "For the sake of humanity, for the sake of the Palestinians who suffer, for the sake of the Israelis who are under attack, we must stop the terror."

Amen, brother. Preach on.

10:21 AM | allison | # |

I've been getting a lot of headaches lately. I'm taking my allergy medicine, so it can't be my sinuses and I'm not really stressed out, so it can't be that.

Maybe I have a brain tumor. Or maybe my head is going to spontaneously explode.

Hey. It could happen.

10:15 AM | allison | # |

I am sooo not gonna make it until 5:00 today. I think it's time for some more Online Battleship. That will definitely get me back into my working mode.

4:06 PM | allison | # |

Ya know what? It's Friday! Kinda crept up on me this week - I've been so busy at work, this entire week has just flown by. I hope it stays that way, 'cause then Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before ya know it.

Friday Five:

1. What is your lineage? Where are your ancestors from? My mom's family is Sicilian and German and daddy's I'm not as sure about. I'd guess English or Irish or perhaps a bit of both.

2. Of those countries, which would you most like to visit? I've been to Italy and England and would love to visit Sicily and Germany, but don't have the funding at the moment. But I'll get there eventually.

3. Which would you least like to visit? Why? I'd like to visit both I haven't been to and go back to ones I have. Travel and history all in one. Nothin' beats that.

4. Do you do anything during the year to celebrate or recognize your heritage? Besides eating mounds of pasta? No.

5. Who were the first ancestors to move to your present country (parents, grandparents, etc)? Mom's grandmother and her husband both immigrated to the United States as children, I believe. I'm not sure about her father's family or any part of my dad's. Hmmm....I think I'm gonna have to look into that.

And one more thing before I get to work: happy dance again! I get to see Kathleen Madigan at the Laff Stop tonight! Hooray!

8:18 AM | allison | # |