Kindness can come at the most unexpected times - from unexpected sources.

I experienced this first-hand last Thursday evening. My project team-mates thought enough in-advance to plan a Thank You which they delivered to me after class. More like a participative ritual, they invited me to join them for a few minutes. I conceded, although I had plans to join my mom and aunt for dinner. Vladimir is a young man studying here in the US, his wife and son are back home in Russia (the summer's are too hot here for them to stay). Dave is a new father, his daughter just under 3 weeks old. Together they brought the supplies for a little celebration. Shot-glasses, forks, pickles and some very special Russian Vodka in a most wonderfully ornate bottle (freezing cold).

As Russian tradition holds (Vladimir explains) we are to have three shots of Vodka: one to our Parents, one to our Health, and one to our children. If we don't have children, then we should drink to women; I wonder if it's okay to drink to mom twice <grin>. A fourth shot was for our team - the project - and it's completion. Pickles, I'm told, are so that you don't drink without food - and in Russia, some times there isn't much food so a pickle will suffice. Quite tasty it was and I was humbled by their thoughtfulness.

Today I got word back regarding the interview. Seems I made the cut (!). It's not a job-offer yet, but I'm the only remaining candidate; just a couple of more hoops to jump through. I am to meet with the manager I'll be working with here in Houston when he returns from vacation on the 7th of Aug (another week or two at least). ...as Sarah says..."Please hold".

I've acquired a new toy. My Palm M105 isn't the top-of-the-line gadget, but it's incredible how much it can do. I've not owned a handheld since about 1989 and am learning a lot about how much this technology has progressed. It will hold several e-books, and download all the news from the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and FI.net, my email, appointments, several entire websites and all related links, and still have room for my personal files. (All that for under $200 and I haven't even used up 30% of its storage space.) I am quite impressed with it and think I'll adjust to it's daily use quite easily.

Russ and his buddy should be driving around the Montana mountains about now. Maybe they'll stop by for a visit on their way back to Florida. Kyle and his new beau may stay for a couple of days on their way back to Austin (from Florida). Everybody's moving. Things are changing all around. I love the anticipation!!

Last Updated: 07/23/01

See the Archives