I finished my quizzes for my course on time! One more week left and I’ll get that certificate! I don’t know how great use it’ll be but it’s from Duke so it has to count for something I guess.

Since I was studying, it meant no GOT for me last night which also meant no checking messages nor surfing Reddit. That didn’t last long though. I got to work and watched it and all I can say is, I knew it! Now it’s time for Cersi to die.

Lunch was surprisingly delicious. I crave pasta always and I’m surprised how much I like tortellini! I usually stick to penne or something so it was a nice change and definitely made me super full.

Around lunchtime I received a text from Mallory asking if I was available after work for the gender reveal party. John couldn’t wait for Sunday.

It’s ANOTHER boy! Mallory and I really wanted it to be a girl but knowing John’s genes it was already set in stone. I was able to capture somewhat good pictures for their album.

It was hilarious how JJ wasn’t a big fan of the smoke bit Danica kept wanting to run to it. We found out later she thought the baby was inside and wanted to see. Kids are so adorable.

Yesterday was straight up busy and I loved it. I went and picked up 3 dozen Tiff’s Treats. One dozen for Mallory, John and JJ and the other two for Kelly and Daniel’s party later that day.

I caught up with Mallory and we played a round of Mario Party which she won and then Mario Kart. For the first time playing with her in person I got first place. First! And she didn’t even get second. Biggest accomplishment in a while.

Soon enough it was time to say goodbye and head to Kelly and Daniel’s. I’ve known Kelly for years and Daniel for the 8 months I worked at the other company. They were having a little party with that company. Majority of them were let go and it was nice knowing all of them but one have found a job.

Daniel made some bombass ceviche! One made with tilapia and another with rainbow trout. It was so freaking good I ate more than I ever eaten in a long time. They had all this other food there but nothing compared to the ceviche.

I had to push myself to go to this party since for almost three years I said no to parties knowing Scruffy wouldn’t have wanted to go and I had always just wanted him happy since he just always asked to be with me. I guess getting back out and being social has been a rough road but I’m getting there.

Speaking of being social, London and I noticed one another on Monday and by Wednesday we were on a roll. I’ve been introduced to a whole new world music-wise and it’s been helpful listening to something different to keep my mind of things.

It’s been nice having someone to talk to and share silence with while I studied especially today. I realized I have four sections due today. I’ve been franticly going through the readings to take the other quizzes. Two more to go. Wish me luck!

Today has been rough at work but luckily I got to leave early. I’ve been postponing renewing my driver’s licence for a long time and with my birthday coming up, I had no choice.

Luckily I was able to go online and get in line. I went to the same one Scruffy and I last went to last when we went to get his stuff done and it brought back memories. I went on autopilot and almost drove to his house. It’s funny how your mind works doesn’t it? Thankfully I snapped out it quickly or else it would have been awkward.

I was able to get some reading done on my Kindle while waiting. I am still so behind on my 12 books this year due to so many hours of working and taking my courses. Can I put each course as a book? I’d get done faster that way.

Thankful for Jamie. She forwarded me the invite to the IT conference after our lunch last week and my boss said I was able to go. I was able to throw Christopher’s name in there as well. We think she said yes because it was free and on campus but we didn’t care.

We got in early as usual and got some work done before the conference started at 8 am. We were given Shipley’s donuts and kolaches along with coffee.

They talked about Python and Salesforce and were given some swag. The little character is so cute! I wish I could draw like that! I am hoping that I am able to get training for both of these things. Salesforce is free with their Trailblazer courses so even if she says no, I can do it on my own.

Speaking of, I’ve been taking an online class after work, whenever I have time. I’ll get a certificate on it once completed but it’s two weeks worth and I am behind. BEHIND. Sigh … I’m already failing. Luckily I read that we can push our due dates so hopefully that’s true.

We played a round of people bingo. First four wins gift cards which I didn’t know about until I was the first to yell bingo! I won $25 just because I needed to start networking. What a great incentive.

We had an hour plus lunch catered from Pita Pit. I got the gyro. I saved the cookie for Sissy. She gave up sweets for lent and now that it’s over she’s been trying to get her hands on as much sweets as possible.

Christopher and I were lucky, sitting at a table of a lady that’s a manager in one of the IT departments. Hoping that she and her team that we met can help us in the future. Who knows. Networking is hard and keeping the relationships are harder.

After a few more presentations, we were able to play with the things they brought from the lab. An iPad that has an application where you can see the physical instructions while you’re physically doing them on site, virtual reality to drill a well, and a drone simulator. There were a few more things they had but those were the only things that I could take a picture of.

It’s been a great experience and I hope that I have more chances in the future to better myself. Having a career has always been important to me and was probably one of the biggest factors from my sadness last year. I felt I was failing myself and everyone in my life with everything I worked hard on since I couldn’t find a job and when I did and it wasn’t a job where I could grow or impact anyone positively. Here’s to hoping for a better future though, where my knowledge grows, always.

I came home expecting dinner to have started cooking since it was almost 6 pm. But instead, Sissy took all four pups out while I cooked dinner.

It’s funny how I needed to make three different types of noodle soups though. One’s vegetarian, one’s low sodium, non-spicy, and one’s with everything.

I actually liked coming home, having no distractions and the kitchen to myself. I didn’t have to think about what to make, what ingredients we had, etc. because I did all of that on Sunday. I didn’t mind having to cook after a long day at work since all the prep was pretty much completed beforehand. Washing everything was h*ll though but it did remind me of college life. Maybe I should start cooking a new dish a month again.

Also, Game of Thrones … I definitely called Arya and Gendry getting it on! Oh .. spoiler alert. Haha