Bicycles
Finally after… 2 1/2 years… of having a bike trailer we really got good use out of it! Don’t get me wrong we’ve used it before. We just were never really able to make use of it, if you can understand the difference. Typically, Norah just cried the whole time so we never tried it with Darcy. But, today, they loved it!
We went for a quick ride down to the park and it was so much fun. Then we ran into some friends at the park. It was great, because while the girls ran around and played Lizzie and I got to talk to other adults… and we didn’t have to get a baby sitter!
Sunday School Teacher
So, right now I have the best calling at church. Each week I teach the youth Sunday School lesson for a group of 4-7 14-16 year olds. They are the best group of kids ever. And, I could not be happier with my calling. Knock on wood that they don’t ever release me…
Each week at the beginning of class I ask them about their weekly highlight as well as some random question (this week was favorite Halloween costume/memory). Every single one of them said their highlight was a school dance from the night before. Which is great… but… they were all too tired to engage in my lesson. Which is fine, because I didn’t spend long enough preparing for it.
I was thinking about all that just now because I noticed all my exclamation points. In class we talked about the many question marks in particular section of the Book of Mormon (Alma 5:14-30). Which reminded me to tell the youths that punctuation is really important. If you ever see an exclamation point in the scriptures take special note, it’s usually very important information.
Baking
I got to make some bread again today, which always makes for a great day. I know I’m an adult, and can choose my activities. Meaning I could make bread whenever I wanted. But, competing priorities make it rarer than I’d like.
Really, I just love baking. I think it’s starting to rub off on my girls too. On Friday they helped me make the BEST brownies ever!!!Alton Brown’s Brownies
I recommend making them using Hershey’s Dark Cocoa powder… very delicious!I love watching how excited the girls get dumping in the flour and sugar. But, my favorite part is how they act trying and eating the food at various stages.One time I let Norah try all the ingredients as I was making bread. And, now she wants to do that every time. So, with Brownies it was really funny watching them both try the raw cocoa powder… I might be a terrible person.
I think I made it up to them though, by letting them eat the finished batter. Norah actually was being a really good big sister sharing with Darcy.
The Next Frontier
It seems like everyone I talk to is trying to improve their work situation. For me, I’ve been on the hunt for more dough for a couple of months. More dough and stronger direction. The issue I have with my current gig is that the day to day is good, but I don’t see where it will go next. It seems like a job where it would never significantly change and just continue forever. Which is fine, but what do I leverage for more monies?So, a new opening came up on a tangential team and I applied for it. The odd part is… I feel super qualified and the people who make the decisions I believe really like me. But, no one has let on about it being a slam dunk. Which means one of my assumptions is off (I’m not qualified or they hate me) or, I’m missing a variable.
The weirdest thing was I ran into the VP of Product Marketing (key decision maker in the process) and brought up the opening. He acted really positive about the growth opportunity it would be for me… then he wished me luck… as if it wasn’t up to him who got the job.
I remain optimistic about it. The interviews have been the best I’ve had since I got hired. And, like I said I believe I’m super qualified and well liked.
That’s all I have for now.
TTFN tat for now!
Mark Freeman
thefreemanblog.com 