Hello Again

So, it's been nearly 2 years since I posted on my blog and I'm happy that I could still find it and remember the password! Tonight I'm sitting in a hotel in New York City, listening to music which could only be classified as random (first Amos Lee, then Dixie Chicks, then Alison Krauss and now Alicia Keys). I know that cars are zooming by outside, cabbys are honking and driving recklessly and the city is really alive, but for some reason it feels peaceful and calm in here. I guess that's just my nature (or maybe it's the lighting). I hope I can continue to channel this sense of peace in the next few months, because Lord knows there's going to be turmoil. Right now I've got the TV on and am "watching" coverage of the final moments of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the US. I'm really glad that he's come to the US to show his face to the many Catholics of this nation and has even addressed some tough issues (i.e. sexual abuse in the church and terrorist attacks), but I'm not glad that Dateline has been interrupted so that the good citizens of Tri-State Area can watch a bunch of unknown airport, religious and political officials wander around the tarmac at JFK. I mean really.....

Anywho, I guess I can give a brief update...

Family
Mom and sister live in Dallas. Mom was diagnosed with breast/kidney cancer in November, but she's been a trooper. She has started her chemo treatments and is doing well. The first one was not so great, it left her feeling very sick and she was very frightened to go back, but PRAISE GOD that every treatment since then has gone very smoothly and the symptoms she experienced have not been as bad as the first time. She's a great woman, and I'd be lost without her guidance and support. She definitely the best mom ever...hands down.
My sister is doing well, too. She's in school and loving her new location. She's definitely doing better than she was at Tech and I'm so glad that she has come to a place where she can finally express herself and be herself. It's a beautiful thing and she's a beautiful woman.

Looooove Life
I have a boyfriend. His name is Gerald. We're coming up on being together a year and I can honestly say I've never dated a man quite like Gerald Bowie. He makes me smile so much that my cheeks hurt. He's quite possibly one of the most caring, honest, genuine person I have ever met. I cherish the way he loves me and treats me like I mean the world to him, even when I'm being ridiculous and making strange request or being totally contradictory (like when I say I want to lose weight and then I ask if we can go get ice cream). When I think of him I think of a song by John Legend called "Each Day Gets Better" (his music makes me think of beautiful spring day with the people you love).

Work
Work is going well. I've been promoted! And have agreed to move to the T3 NY office to be 100% on Chase. It's going to be fun. I have your usual apprehensions. I can't possibly expect the office to be the exact same as the Austin office, so I'm a little nervous about the whole thing. I was just getting into the groove of ATX and now I'm moving (I won't call it "uprooting" because my "roots" there didn't go very deep). I enjoyed my time in Austin, now I'm off to NY for the next big adventure. Beyond this being good for my career, I think it will be an excellent life experience; the choice to go was nearly effortless, which makes me really believe that there are going to be some great things done here. I have a lot of confidence in the people that I'm working with and look forward to getting to know the T3 NY team. The only thing is that you spend a lot of time walking...A LOT! I walked around a lot yesterday and today and am totally exhausted and sore. I hobbled to the bathroom just a moment ago which MIGHT be 3 feet away. That's how sore I am...

I'm trying to find an apartment here in the city this week... I know it'll happen b/c that's just how the Jesus I know works, but the waiting and wondering really isn't my favorite.