All manner of lists

So in my last post I mentioned that life and career stuff had been sucking up my brain - well, let your sleepless nights of pondering my life come to a middle. I'm moving back to Portland, but I'm going to keep working for my current employer. My new job is a little vague, and we don't know who will take over my current one, and it's all a little bit crazy-making to a big-time Decider like me. (In Myers-Briggs speak, I'm hugely weighted on the Judging end of the Judging/Perceiving scale.)

At one level, this has been in the works for six years, ever since I left Portland. It's been my favorite place since I first visited in 1995, and I felt proud and happy to live there for ten years. Leaving was totally unexpected but I decided it was the right move for me at the time (and still feel that it was a good move). I always hoped to return and was careful to keep a lot of roots alive there, visiting at least once a year to participate in traditions such as a cookie party, participating in annual book group planning meetings and enjoying brunches and other celebrations.

Last year when my friend's husband died so suddenly I felt ready to quit my job and couch surf up there until I found something else.. fortunately my siblings talked me out of that particular flavor of madness. This spring when a job came open in my company that could be worked remotely, I applied for it, explaining a pending move as one of the factors for my application. Well, I didn't get the job, but the VP took as a fact that I was moving away and said they'd work something out for me; lo and behold they created a position and stuck my name on it.

So, I don't know exactly what I'll do or when it will start; I'll rent from a friend until I decide what type of real estate I want to get into (house that is stumbling distance from a few friends would be great; a condo might be a more realistic selection given how much I do NOT care for home maintenance projects). Right now I feel some low-level stress at all times but I'm trying not to let it get to me. Wish me every manner of luck!

Vacation brain again

I've been super occupied with work and career and life stuff, but guess what? Vacation awaits! In a few short days I'm heading back to Germany - this time to see my sister receive her master's degree, and to spend some time touring with my parents (and sister, part of the time).

I'm revisiting my packing list from the spring - it will be warmer, but it doesn't look like it's going to be hot, so I think I'm going to pack:

- 2 pairs pants: jeans and khakis (both can turn into capris if necessary)
- 1 skirt (will work for the graduation event and if it gets hot on the trip)
 - 2 pairs shoes: probably some version of walking shoes and some summery sort-of sandals
- weather protection: a rain jacket and scarf/wrappy thing; 1 lightweight long-sleeve sweater (blue); 1 lightweight 3/4-sleeve cardigan (black)
- 5 tops: 2 short-sleeve tops; 2 3/4-sleeve tops; 1 dressy tank top. (I bet I'll crack and add something here)

for both parts of the trip: 
- pajamas: t-shirt & shorts
- miscellaneous toiletries, socks, etc.
- camera; ipod touch; cell phone (to be stored away until I return to the states); chargers & a plug adapter; guidebook; passport; perhaps a knitting project.

On this trip I won't be using a rail pass, since with three of us it's more sensible to rent a car. Since I'll be driving I won't have so many knitting opportunities, but it's a great thing to have on a flight. Even though I'll be traveling in business and first class (thanks to miles and my clever booking-savvy friend!!), it's a long long time to stay awake and occupied. I can't sleep for all of it (and don't want to miss out on the fun of the high-class travel) so knitting is a good thing to have on hand. Perhaps I'll make another set of socks to complement the ones I did for much of my last trip:

I'll have something like 22 hours in London, then 12 nights in Germany before returning. I'll be able to do laundry once in the middle of the trip, so I think that will work. I may panic and add something to the pile - we'll see!

Calendar: July

This month's picture is another from my trip to Honduras last May (more than a year ago already!).

I've already forgotten most of the feeling from that vacation - I know with my head I walked barefoot on the beach wearing a summery dress, but it's hard to really recapture that!

It was my first full-on tropical resort vacation, and it was amazing. I intend to spend time visiting Hawaii over the next few years, and can't wait to get back into that warm sun/swimming and snorkeling and diving/fruity drinks space.