Thursday, March 25, 2010

Guatemala Bound

Tonight I leave for Guatemala on a much needed break from reality. Due the spontaneity of this trip, I had no time for research and decided to copycat an adventure my beautiful and amazing friend, Michele, took in January.

During this escape, I will hopefully explore the colonial Spanish town of Antigua, do yoga on Lake Atitlan, camp at an avocado grove, and if all goes well, climb a volcano. My Spanish is rusty at best and it has been a long time since I've traveled alone in a non-English speaking nation, but as my time to fly gets closer, my nervousness is turning into anticipation.

Check back for pictures!

Friday, March 19, 2010

The Winds of Change



This week I turned in my notice at Wieden+Kennedy.

Leaving the company where I have spent my last year of employment was not an easy decision. There are many things I love about W+K, such as my super talented IT team, dogs roaming the halls at work, midday yoga, freedom of working hours, a 6th floor balcony with views of mountains and kegs on most floors.

However

I felt I was losing a part of myself there. The pressure, the hours and the rigor began to weigh heavier and heavier on me. I stopped writing, I stopped drawing, and I stopped practicing piano. Ironically, it was almost as if the most creative side of myself got shut down working at one of the most creative companies in the nation.

Well, for those of you that know me, you know that I'm not afraid of change. An opportunity came my way for a position at Vestas, a Danish manufacturer, seller and installer of windmills around the globe. Besides working for a green company, the offer itself was too good to pass up.

I start on April 5th.

In the meantime, I have a few days left to finish at Wieden+Kennedy and then I am off to be surrounded by the volcanoes of Guatemala for a week to center myself before starting my next position.

This week was pivotal. Everything is changing.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Spring Skiing is in the Air


Last Sunday was hopefully one of the first truly great spring skiing days on Mt. Hood (not that I wouldn't mind another snow storm). There was lots of sun, only a slight breeze, a warm temperature in the air and some good rides on the slopes with friends.



Some boarders chilling out in the sun




Jon taking a break by the lift with mountains in the distance