After a crazy March, with my work load increasing exponentially and deadlines demanding to be met - I really needed a stress-free weekend to recover. Thankfully, this weekend is exactly what I had hoped for. We kicked off our weekend on Friday evening, when Liesel and I watched a pretty decent DVD, Morning Glory. On Saturday morning, Liesel headed off to the gym and the shops, while I spent some quality time with the boys at home. Nathan is currently going showing a lot of interest in the Space Shuttle, so I decided to convert his Lego passenger plane into a space shuttle. Later that afternoon, I took Nathan to the library's Brick Builder Club where he used his imagination to create some other Lego creations.
We had friends over for dinner on Saturday evening which everyone enjoyed!
On Sunday, in keeping with the weekend's rule of "no rushing", we headed to our church's second service. The rest of the day was just as laid back, taking everything at a leisurely pace. That evening, my friends had invited some of our former worship team to their house to play some music together. It was great to jam with my friends again, and a great way to wrap up the weekend! Now I am ready for Monday!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Spring has sprung! Perfect time to go skiing!
This week's highlight for me is a no-brainer! After working some crazy hours this month, play time was long overdue! After-all, I didn't want to become known as a dull boy! Fortunately, in January this year, a former colleague (Brian) and I had set aside Thursday, March 17 as the day we would make a trip to Peek 'n Peak Ski Resort in New York. This trip has been in the works for at least four years, but this was the first year that we could actually put the plan in action!
So, on Thursday I picked Brian up and we drove two hours east to the Ski Resort. Once we arrived at the resort, the temperature was in the upper 50's to lower 60's (15C), but the snow depth on the runs was still at least 14 inches deep! The resort was also very quiet, mainly because it is so late in the season, as well as being in the middle of a work week, which was ideal for a beginner like myself! Soon I had my rented ski's attached to my boots and Brian and I were making our way to the first ski lift in the learning area. Brian had the patience of a saint as he helped me with the skiing basics! A little while later, with my confidence slightly higher, we made our way to the top the mountain to find some more runs to tackle. At one point during the morning, we made a wrong turn and headed down a snowboarding trick run, complete with ramps, rails and even a school bus half buried in the snow! It was very challenging for me, but fortunately I had a fail safe way of stopping, which involved me assuming the spread eagle position and sliding down the snow on my stomach! It wasn't pretty, wasn't always voluntary, but it was effective! My goal for the day was to be able to complete a run witout falling down, which I accomplished on the second last run. By this time, my muscles were aching and I was running out of steam. We decided on one trip up to the top of the hill. Halfway down, we had to go down a more difficult run in order to get back to the lodge. This didn't seem to phase me as it was my best run of the day, and the perfect way to wrap up a great day of skiing!
As for the weekend, a few tears were shed on Saturday morning as Nathan and Liesel took her parents back to the airport. We had a great time together, but as the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end". That afternoon, the library was the perfect place to help take Nathan's mind off of his grandparent's recent departure. It was the Brick Builders club, which he always loves. Later on, we went on our first family stroll around the neighborhood since autumn!
On Sunday, we went to church in the morning and that afternoon, I brought my ladder inside in order to hang up some family portraits. Liesel had the great idea to fill up the large blank wall on our stairwell with some happy family memories from the years past! I must say that I think I did a pretty good job!
I will be leveling the frames and affixing them to the wall :)
So, on Thursday I picked Brian up and we drove two hours east to the Ski Resort. Once we arrived at the resort, the temperature was in the upper 50's to lower 60's (15C), but the snow depth on the runs was still at least 14 inches deep! The resort was also very quiet, mainly because it is so late in the season, as well as being in the middle of a work week, which was ideal for a beginner like myself! Soon I had my rented ski's attached to my boots and Brian and I were making our way to the first ski lift in the learning area. Brian had the patience of a saint as he helped me with the skiing basics! A little while later, with my confidence slightly higher, we made our way to the top the mountain to find some more runs to tackle. At one point during the morning, we made a wrong turn and headed down a snowboarding trick run, complete with ramps, rails and even a school bus half buried in the snow! It was very challenging for me, but fortunately I had a fail safe way of stopping, which involved me assuming the spread eagle position and sliding down the snow on my stomach! It wasn't pretty, wasn't always voluntary, but it was effective! My goal for the day was to be able to complete a run witout falling down, which I accomplished on the second last run. By this time, my muscles were aching and I was running out of steam. We decided on one trip up to the top of the hill. Halfway down, we had to go down a more difficult run in order to get back to the lodge. This didn't seem to phase me as it was my best run of the day, and the perfect way to wrap up a great day of skiing!
As for the weekend, a few tears were shed on Saturday morning as Nathan and Liesel took her parents back to the airport. We had a great time together, but as the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end". That afternoon, the library was the perfect place to help take Nathan's mind off of his grandparent's recent departure. It was the Brick Builders club, which he always loves. Later on, we went on our first family stroll around the neighborhood since autumn!
On Sunday, we went to church in the morning and that afternoon, I brought my ladder inside in order to hang up some family portraits. Liesel had the great idea to fill up the large blank wall on our stairwell with some happy family memories from the years past! I must say that I think I did a pretty good job!
I will be leveling the frames and affixing them to the wall :)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Welcome Back!
This weekend was 300 times better than the last one! This time around, all of us were healthy, and I could spend some quality time with my family!
On Friday morning, we woke to to find everything hidden under a foot of snow, as old man winter paid us a surprise visit.
Luckily the snow subsided by lunch time and it did not affect any of the evening flights to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. So Liesel and Nathan headed out to the airport to welcome back her parents! When the came back, we had two very excited boys, and two travel-weary grandparents in our house again.
On Saturday morning, the ladies left early to go to a childrens resale, where they picked up a number of bargains, both for our boys, and Zach and Luka, our month-old nephew and niece. In the meantime, the boys went outside and after throwing snowballs and snow-bombs, we started making a couple of snowmen! During the making of these snowmen, I managed to find a live stream of the World Cup Cricket match between India and South Africa. It was great to be able to South Africa pull off a dramatic victory in the last over!!!
That evening, we headed out to Moe's for dinner, which we followed up with a family fun night back at home. It was Nathan's choice, and we played the board game, "Ticket to Ride".
Liesel had nursery duty on Sunday at the church, so she left early. The rest of the clan and I decided to go to the second service, considering that Nathan only woke up around 9am! We spent the rest of the day indoors, considering it was around 40 degrees (5C) and very slushy outside. That evening, our dear friends, the Bosley's, joined us for dinner and we had a wonderful time with them as usual! Great weekend!
On Friday morning, we woke to to find everything hidden under a foot of snow, as old man winter paid us a surprise visit.
Luckily the snow subsided by lunch time and it did not affect any of the evening flights to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. So Liesel and Nathan headed out to the airport to welcome back her parents! When the came back, we had two very excited boys, and two travel-weary grandparents in our house again.
On Saturday morning, the ladies left early to go to a childrens resale, where they picked up a number of bargains, both for our boys, and Zach and Luka, our month-old nephew and niece. In the meantime, the boys went outside and after throwing snowballs and snow-bombs, we started making a couple of snowmen! During the making of these snowmen, I managed to find a live stream of the World Cup Cricket match between India and South Africa. It was great to be able to South Africa pull off a dramatic victory in the last over!!!
That evening, we headed out to Moe's for dinner, which we followed up with a family fun night back at home. It was Nathan's choice, and we played the board game, "Ticket to Ride".
Liesel had nursery duty on Sunday at the church, so she left early. The rest of the clan and I decided to go to the second service, considering that Nathan only woke up around 9am! We spent the rest of the day indoors, considering it was around 40 degrees (5C) and very slushy outside. That evening, our dear friends, the Bosley's, joined us for dinner and we had a wonderful time with them as usual! Great weekend!
Sunday, March 06, 2011
The Perfect Storm ....
Weather-people know about it, and there are books and movies about the Perfect Storm. Simply put, it is when a confluence of weather conditions combine to form an extraordinarily powerful and dangerous storm.
Over last five days, the storm clouds started gathering, gaining power until it unleashed it's fury over the McCarthy household this weekend. And for once, I am not talking about Cleveland's weather.
On Thursday, one of my company's bigger customers was preparing to migrate their legacy data with a go live on Monday. A colleague who was working with the customer during the various dry runs and testing happened to be in Malaysia the entire week, and I became the new "go to" guy for the migrations..... That meant ensuring the 100 hour migration kept running smoothly, and sorting out any issues that arise as quickly as possible, so that the project is not delayed in any way. That also means a lack of sleep, 16 hour workdays, project checkpoint phone calls at all hours, and not being able to leave the house for 3 days straight.....
The second storm started brewing on Saturday, when Liesel woke up feeling terrible. her body was aching and she was throwing up all day. So I told her to stay in bed, while I entertained the boys and kept them from burning down the house, all on 4 hours of sleep!
On Sunday day, Liesel woke up feeling a lot better than 24 hours earlier! However, shortly after Josh drank his morning milk, he started throwing up. This continued throughout the morning and into the afternoon :( During the day, we changed his clothes about 4 times, washed the covers of our couch, and had to change his bedding!
So, as with all storms, they eventually pass. The project was deemed to be a success, and the powers that be appreciated my contributions. Liesel is feeling a lot better (although not yet 100%) and Josh has not thrown up since 1pm.
That was my weekend.....
Over last five days, the storm clouds started gathering, gaining power until it unleashed it's fury over the McCarthy household this weekend. And for once, I am not talking about Cleveland's weather.
On Thursday, one of my company's bigger customers was preparing to migrate their legacy data with a go live on Monday. A colleague who was working with the customer during the various dry runs and testing happened to be in Malaysia the entire week, and I became the new "go to" guy for the migrations..... That meant ensuring the 100 hour migration kept running smoothly, and sorting out any issues that arise as quickly as possible, so that the project is not delayed in any way. That also means a lack of sleep, 16 hour workdays, project checkpoint phone calls at all hours, and not being able to leave the house for 3 days straight.....
The second storm started brewing on Saturday, when Liesel woke up feeling terrible. her body was aching and she was throwing up all day. So I told her to stay in bed, while I entertained the boys and kept them from burning down the house, all on 4 hours of sleep!
On Sunday day, Liesel woke up feeling a lot better than 24 hours earlier! However, shortly after Josh drank his morning milk, he started throwing up. This continued throughout the morning and into the afternoon :( During the day, we changed his clothes about 4 times, washed the covers of our couch, and had to change his bedding!
So, as with all storms, they eventually pass. The project was deemed to be a success, and the powers that be appreciated my contributions. Liesel is feeling a lot better (although not yet 100%) and Josh has not thrown up since 1pm.
That was my weekend.....
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