Christmastime 2011

While this wasn't Dani's first Christmas, I like to think of it as her first REAL Christmas since she was just over a month old in 2010 and could only see lights. This year, she could play with and enjoy her presents as well as the lights, the tree, the ornaments, and family gatherings. While I haven't written anything over there on the Baby Blog, be sure to pop on over in the near future as I'm sure to include some highlights!

As for my Christmas, aside from the virus my computer got (from a blog they say?), the cold that I got (not terrible though) and the teething Dani is suffering (molars, what a bitch!) it was great.  I got an amazing new sewing machine from Chris and a great sewing basket (that is to be my next project) from my mom.  I got some gift cards, pajamas, a bracelet made by my Uncle Kirk, and of course some delish food and time with friends and family.  Festivities are actually not over yet either.

I should also mention, while this isn't something I got for Christmas, it was something that I received around Christmas, and that was news that I passed my Professional Engineering Licensing Exam, which officially makes me a licensed engineer in the State of Missouri.  We celebrated at work!

A lot of people have asked me how this changes things for me.  For starters, it's a huge relief, one thing marked off my list, one less test I have to take (yes, I still have more testing for some specific other states), and a bit of an accomplishment for myself as I get to add the letters PE to the end of my name and remove the EIT.  In terms of work, it may mean little for now as I don't have any Missouri projects that I can sign and seal drawings for at this time.  Perhaps in the future I will add some states or projects for which I am responsible and then I will sign and seal drawings.  Pay doesn't really change for me, nor do my tasks, but they could potentially for the future.  One thing though that has changed, I personally can be sued.  Before I was working directly for a PE, who was the responsible party, now I am.  That's not so great, but oh well, with all good things there are some bad things.

Now, onto other things, like sewing...here are a few pictures of things I've made recently, new gifts, and planned projects...

Insulated Horseshoe Tote with magnetic closure given as a gift

Insulated Lunch Tote with button closure made with scrap materials

My new Bernina sewing machine!

Plans for my sewing basket - making inserts

My Personality (Neurotic)

I read an HOK Work+Place blog today about how one's personality could affect the workspace. In that, Vivian included a link to a test for the "Big Five Model". I took it, and here are my results:

[To see my complete results, go here! My comments on the results are below, bracketed in italics.]

Scoring is out of 99.

EXTRAVERSION...............29
..Friendliness.............21
..Gregariousness...........25
..Assertiveness............57
..Activity Level...........82
..Excitement-Seeking.......22
..Cheerfulness.............12

Your score on Extraversion is low, indicating you are introverted, reserved, and quiet. You enjoy solitude and solitary activities. Your socializing tends to be restricted to a few close friends. [Yes, I do often like to be alone, I also avoid large crowds, and while I may appear to be loud and outgoing, I have to force myself to be that person.]

AGREEABLENESS..............34
..Trust....................29
..Morality.................20
..Altruism.................79
..Cooperation..............24
..Modesty..................60
..Sympathy.................43

Your level of Agreeableness is average, indicating some concern with others' Needs, but, generally, unwillingness to sacrifice yourself for others. [I'm disappointed that the results say I am unwilling to sacrifice myself, I think I sacrifice myself quite a bit when I can...however, the lack of trust and my real need for altruism I feel have shown up numerically. Morality of 20 pts...hmm, my morals are interesting I suppose]

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS..........63
..Self-Efficacy............64
..Orderliness..............60
..Dutifulness..............31
..Achievement-Striving.....48
..Self-Discipline..........65
..Cautiousness.............75

Your score on Conscientiousness is average. This means you are reasonably reliable, organized, and self-controlled. [Organized...been called that since childhood.]

NEUROTICISM................92
..Anxiety..................91
..Anger....................76
..Depression...............98
..Self-Consciousness.......66
..Immoderation.............52
..Vulnerability............93

Your score on Neuroticism is high, indicating that you are easily upset, even by what most people consider the normal demands of living. People consider you to be sensitive and emotional. [I am SO neurotic, I don't know how I didn't get those last 7 points!]

OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE.....29
..Imagination..............53
..Artistic Interests.......19
..Emotionality.............81
..Adventurousness..........2
..Intellect................37
..Liberalism...............49

Your score on Openness to Experience is low, indicating you like to think in plain and simple terms. Others describe you as down-to-earth, practical, and conservative. [I really hate change. I'm also very down to earth, gravity can be our friend.]

[Side note...wrote over at BabyBlog]

What People Do At Work, A Follow Up

If you recall the e-mail about the testing of an office refrigerator, well folks, I have an update. This just goes to show that a little testing can get you a new fridge!

-----Original Message-----
From: [name removed]
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2010 2:41 PM
To: [names removed]
Subject: BIG news in my office

Do you recall many months ago I forwarded you the results of some scientific tests on our refrigerators? (He stuck a thermometer in them.) The fridge which failed those tests was replaced today. I'm not sure exactly when, but I walked past that room on my way back from filling my water cup and the new one was there! It just appeared. It was still the old one when I returned from lunch. Hmmm...maybe some investigaton is needed.

What People Do At Work...

The following is from an e-mail I saw today, that as joking as it may seem, is very real. As you can see, some people just really want to test anything they can!

-----Original Message-----
From: [name removed]
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 12:28 PM
To: [names removed]
Subject: Refrigerator Temperatures

If you don't use the refrigerators in the kitchen, you can delete this message.

This message is for informational purposes only.

On 10 Feb 2010 I conducted a study of the temperatures in the two refrigerators located in the kitchen near EC-G utilizing scientific methods and instrumentation*.

The findings of the study are as follows:

Refrigerator on the right (looking at the front of the refrigerators)

Top compartment** (degrees F) 0
Bottom compartment (degrees F) 32

Refrigerator on the left

Top compartment (degrees F) 32
Bottom compartment (degrees F) 55***

*I stuck a thermometer in the refrigerator compartments.
**Traditionally known as the freezer on this refrigerator.
***Beverages can be cooled utilizing the ice machine near the real estate division.