Blogging from....

....the new iMac!

As a little promotion gift to myself for making Manager (woo hoo!), I brought home a beautiful new iMac tonight. I've never owned a Mac, so this is a brand new world for me.  Even shopping at the Apple Store was a little overwhelming, but I was finally out the door with the computer, a Magic TrackPad (as I can no longer use a mouse after years on a laptop), a free new printer (promo), and a year's worth of one-on-one training with the Apple pros.  After 10 minutes trying to set up and figure out this thing, I can tell that was money well spent.

So, what do I hope to accomplish with this new baby?  First, organize and edit all my pictures!  Second, entertain you with cool updates on the blog!  And third, movies!  Okay, well, movies is probably a little far fetched, but maybe I'll start with something like photo slide shows set to music...does that count as "movie"?

Virgo Party 2010!

It seems that many people in James' Sasser family (including the hubs himself) and the Sasser circle of friends have a birthday in September, which gives them a wonderful reason to throw a party - a big old toast to the Virgos!

High-Five for September B-Days!

This is my second Virgo party to attend, mainly because the Kerrs also throw a big bash on Labor Day weekend.  Once James and I got serious enough to split family events, the Kerrs and the Sassers have to share us each Labor Day.  We don't light birthday candles over in Texas, but we do load up the 20 gauges and shoot some dove.  Opening dove season weekend in West Texas - gotta love it.  (Missed y'all this year!)

Labor Day 2007

This year's Virgo Party in Boca Grande did not disappoint - such delicious food, gracious hosts, wonderful wine, and even a dance party at the island club.  I even ran into a co-worker from Atlanta, randomly enough! It was a happen' place to be.  Thanks to everyone who made the weekend so special!

Shake your grove thing, Virgo!

Most of all, it was a chance to spend quality time together with our family and friends, and catch up on some R&R after a crazy few weeks/months/years of work travel.  I was able to recover from Japan (sans jetlag - woo hoo!), and James and I spent a good 9 hours in the car driving back from Florida.  It was a chance to chat, say sweet things to one and other, argue about politics, and for me to sing along to the 80s and 90s pop station on XM Radio while he drove...because he just loooooves that.  :)

Love that raw fish

Such a quick trip to Tokyo, and I can't believe that I'll be flying home tomorrow!  It's been a wonderful experience working here with the Japan team, and I think (from a work perspective) it was very productive.  Unfortunately I didn't get to experience much of Japan, other than the FOOD!

The food here is delicious, delicious, delicious.  I haven't had one thing that I did not like, and I've had no trouble finishing everything that was put in front of me.  This is partly because I've not been full since I've arrived, and I eat up the tiny portions with my chopsticks before my colleagues even take their second bit.

The restaurants each night have served course after course of pure delight, and there is as much emphasis on presentation as the taste.  On Tuesday night we ate the following courses (no pictures because I was with senior client folks and didn't want to cause disruption):  starters of smoked fish and egg yolk with ginger; fresh sashimi served over ice; lotus root dumpling in a sweet sauce; corn and egg custard; tempura shrimp and lotus root; and cold soba noodles with hot tea for dessert.  I also enjoyed a honey plum wine over ice.  So lovely.

The next evening we went to another traditional Japanese restaurant that seemed to be more "Asian fusion", and since we were with all Deloitte peeps I politely asked if I could snap some shots.  One of the Deloitte Japan team members told me "of COURSE you can take pictures!  We're Japanese, and we love cameras!"  (She said it, folks - I didn't!)

Starter Course - Sashimi, Wasabe Tofu, and Fois Gras

Second Course - Salad with Sashimi and Truffle Root

Third Course - Deep Fried Lobster over Eggplant and Okra (this Southern girl was happy)

SAKE!

Fourth Course - Wagyu Beef

Last Course - Warm Soba Noodles

Dessert - Raspberry Sherbet with Mousse

Oh, did I mention I loved the food...?

Konnichiwa!

Greetings from Tokyo!  Although I’ve been fortunate to see many parts of the world in all my travel adventures, Asia is one continent I have not stepped foot on until yesterday.  It’s bizarre to think that I’m on the other side of the world.

Lay flat seat - yea!!

The flight over was uneventful, despite being 13 hours, and it totally spoiled me from every returning in a Coach seat.  I had asked several people about the “strategy” for making this trip (to quickly get adjusted to the 13 hour time difference), but like many well planned strategies it turned into a very flawed execution.  The goal was to take a good, long nap during the US afternoon to reflect “night” in Japan, and despite quickly dozing off and being able to stretch out I could not stay asleep.  I’m not sure the cumulative time I slept, but it wasn’t much.  I spent the rest of the time reading (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – it’s finally picking up!) and then working. 

 So when I landed in Tokyo I was nearing the 24 hour mark with no sleep.  As everyone had told me, it was super easy to navigate through the airport.  Everyone was very helpful to the frazzled looking gal, and I was quickly shuttled to the correct bus stop.  The “Friendly Airport Limo” bus line had a direct shot to the Hilton Tokyo, and after around 2 hours of meandering through the city and the traffic I had finally made it!

For dinner my colleague Mio and I headed to a busy area and bustling shopping mall filled with all the nice shops – Chanel, Bulgari, Cartier, etc.  With the already high Japanese prices and the bad exchange rate I certainly won’t be carrying back  any designer goods.   It was still fun to window shop, though.  

Busy Street in Tokyo

Since Mio is originally from Japan, we spent a long time talking about all our different food options, looking in the restaurant windows at the selection (which is something I’m not accustomed to, but it’s good for us Westerners!!)  while she explained the ingredients.  

We settled on a traditional Japanese tempura place, where I ate tempura shrimp and veggies, miso soup (they didn’t provide a spoon so you drank out of the bowl), salad, and pickled radishes.  Oh, and then a savory (not sweet) egg custard with cilantro and shitake mushrooms.  I am committed to eating everything but raw squid, and I upheld that commitment and cleaned my plate (even the cilantro pudding!)  Oh, yes, and white rice. I ate white rice, too.  That was the first time I had eaten white rice since the early 2000s.  It’s just all going downhill, I can feel it….

After a quick Skype call to the hubby, I turned in around 10PM and surprisingly slept until 6AM!  So far I have survived the jetlag curse, and I’m crossing my fingers that it stays that way.

First impressions of Japan after Day 1 – what lovely, lovely people.  I have never received such a warm welcome and hospitable service.  This morning at the gym, the attendant practically had a coronary when he saw me clean up the water that I had spilled all over the floor.  He apologized profusely that I had spilled my water (um, mea culpa, sir) as he took the towel out of my hand and shooed me away. 

Most people speak English, but I have noticed that people will still speak to me in Japanese; as in, full blown sentences and conversations (and I just nod and smile – maybe that is my first mistake).   I’ve learned the basic phrases and to bow my head to show respect.  Oh, and I’ve learned why Japanese women always carry little handkerchiefs to wipe their brow – it is hot as the dickens here.  Think Houston in August.  My souvenir might be one of those little hankies. I already stick out as a taller (by Japanese standards) woman with blond hair, so I certainly don’t want to be known as the sweaty American!

View from my hotel 

Time in Texas

There once was a guy on Survivor who hailed from Dallas, and he once said "When I wake up in the morning, there are two things I'm thankful for: One that I'm alive and the second that I'm a Texan". Could not have said it better myself.

I love my home state, and particularly all my family members in it. This weekend, James and I traveled to Waco to spend some quality time with the Kerrs. The only people missing were my brother and sis-in-law, Marty and Missy, and we certainly missed them.

First and foremost I needed to spend some time with my Mimi, who turns 85 next week and is feeling every bit of all those years. Every second with her counts, and I feel blessed when I get to see her and especially when I get to listen to all her stories! This is a woman who talks about going to dances in the early 40s and having the GIs fill up her dance card; who traveled all over the Pacific in the 50s with children in tow; and who taught me to crochet when I was only 8 years old (and is responsible for the 100+ blankets I've made, including one I finished this weekend). She always tells the story of when she met my grandfather, and I remember that when he asked her out she said "make it light on yourself". I still to this day have no earthly clue what that saying means, but they were married 63 years so I'm guessing it means "yes".

I also spent some wonderful time with my padres. They are always a hoot. I mean, who else has leash-trained their cat?

Charlie, enjoying some outdoor time on her leash

The kitties, "playing"

I think they needed some good old fashion fun and laughter this weekend, too. We enjoyed a round of cornhole, and I'm happy to report that Daddy and I beat James and Mother after a long, long game.

Cornhole game

My sister Stephanie and her family also came down from Denton, which always adds an element of fun. Of course we saw my brother Kelly every day since he’s just up the road. While all the boys went gun shopping on Saturday (hunting season is just around the corner), Mother, Steph and I took Tori back-to-school shopping where we attempted to find shorts/pants that fit looooong little legs and a tiny, tiny waist. What can I say, she takes after her auntie. Well, before this auntie discovered her love and passion for all things gourmet.

Brother-in-Law, Marcus

Randomly as we left for the mall, we came across a Longhorn in the middle of our road!! I guess he had escaped from the ranch up the road. Only in Texas. Mother had to drive over to the neighbor's to ask him to call the Sherriff. Again, only in Texas.

Hook Em Horns

And if there is anything that these Kerrs love more than each other, it's food. James and I ate good this weekend, and a lot of stuff that's not normally on our "healthy eating plan". We started out with a few Waco classics. Mother and I ate Dee's Mediterranean for lunch while James and Daddy had BBQ. For dinner, we headed to my personal favorite, Poppa Rollos, which is the only place I can bring myself to eat iceberg lettuce salad (because their ranch is SO GOOD) and 3 pieces of pizza. James got to indulge in Lone Star beer out of a frosty mug. On Saturday while the gals enjoyed a healthy salad the boys headed to George's. And then on Saturday evening my dad got out the cast iron skillets and fried up some catfish and okra. Doesn't get much better than that! I also made a lemon meringue pie for Mother's birthday, which had a delicious flavor but unfortunately did not set very well once it was plated. Something I'll definitely be fixated on fixing in the future.

Daddy, frying catfish

All these things remind me that I'm thankful I'm a Texan. And that I'm a Kerr. And that I'm now a Sasser, because adding James into this mix makes life even more special.

Chicago

Don’t let all this “glamour” of business travel fool you – sometimes, it can be the pits. The majority of projects don’t center in a hip, cool place, because it’s just too expensive. You’re much more likely to work in Jacksonville than in Miami, Parsippany than in Manhattan, or head over to St. Louis instead of down to Dallas.


Well, not this week! This week I got to spend some time up in Chicago, quickly one of my favorite cities to work in because of the lovely weather (well, except for the winter), friendly people, beautiful buildings, and famous chefs.

Beautiful skyline (and yes, that's a couple in their wedding clothes)

I read a George Bernard Shaw quote this week that said “there is no more sincere love than the love of food”, and this foodie got in some good cuisine. Tuesday night was an Asian-fusion meal, where we had beef lollipops, very interesting sushi rolls, a lovely lo mein, and some oxtail potstickers. I’m always a little intrigued by places that advertise themselves as “fusion”, because usually I interpret this as “add $5 to each plate”. This place was pretty unique, and I left impressed and full. My favorite part of the meal (besides the good company, of course), was the dessert – Taro bread pudding (heavenly), and an assortment of mochi ice cream that was off the charts.

The next morning I left the hotel around 6:30AM for a nice jog through the city, hoping to burn off some of the bread pudding and relieve some mental stress. What a lovely, lovely run. If you live in Chicago, you’re crazy not to be a marathoner. 75 degree running weather in the summer? Flat routes with barely an inch of incline? A beach path and skyline that will have you captivated for miles and miles? I was in heaven.

View from my morning run

 I was also very lost by the end of my run, but my smart colleagues had suggested I run with cash so I could cab it back. As I sat self-consciously in the back of this cab, drenched with sweat, red-faced, and looking a little shabby, I couldn’t help but laugh at this sticker on the back of the seat.

Thanks for the feedback, cabbie

The day was just way too lovely to stay inside, so after work the little subset of our team in Chi-town headed down to the river for an architectural cruise of Chicago. I had no idea what to expect, especially since I’m not one to marvel at infrastructure except for the occasional “oh, that building looks pretty”. But it was a fascinating way to learn of the city! It doesn’t hurt that Chicago has such an interesting downtown, with the river running through the major areas in such a way that a tour by boat makes perfect sense. It also didn’t hurt that they served wine on the boat and the temps were still in the 70s. I could have looked at buildings all day!

River Tour

Trump Tower at Dusk

After the tour we headed over to the new Trump Tower for a light meal. Trump Tower is an impressive building, with the terrace restaurant actually only a third of the way up the building (see picture below - the terrace is on that first level). This puts you at eye level with some of the older buildings, and gives you a good view down to the lake.

Due to the beautiful weather there were lots of others with the same idea, but it wasn’t long before we had the perfect table outside on the terrace. Tuna sliders, ceviche, and French fries with truffle oil rounded out the evening, topped off by fireworks over the water. Perfection.

Beautiful view from our table

Catching Up

Oh no - where does the time go?  Since I am an avid blog stalker, I can tell you how sad I get when I see that friends haven't posted in hours or days or weeks.  I now have a whole new empathy because my new baby blog is already feeling a bit neglected.

To be honest there hasn't been too much to report, other than the normal craziness and travel schedule that is our life at the moment.  So, trying to remember the last few weeks, I'll report out in bullet points:

• My project team and I successfully survived another go-live the first of August - woo hoo!  Consultants will understand the importance and stress that only a go-live can bring.  The client and D-folks celebrated by jumping into to the pool of the Marriott, but I was the party pooper who left the party early and went to bed in dry clothes.  Don't think I didn't hear about it the next few days... 
• My good Wacoan friend, Clay Caswell, came to visit us a couple of weeks ago, and we really enjoyed a relaxing weekend of food, driving around Atlanta, asking Dr. Caswell, PhD random science questions and trying to get him to dispel Global Warming (that was James), and discussing life in general.  We were sad that Jenni and little Connor weren't able to join, but a lot of our conversation was thinking of a mid-point between North Carolina and Georgia for a Caswell/Sasser fun-filled weekend adventure. 
• As of August, I've made Platinum on Delta, Platinum at Macy's, and Marriott "gifted" me 20K points because of my recent issues with their service.  All in all, this indicates that I fly too much, shop too much, and obviously complain too much.  
• Week 8 with my new personal trainers and I've gained 8 lbs.  Coincidence?  I don't really worry about my size (my 7 jeans still fit at least), but what woman likes to watch the scale continue to go up and up!  People keep saying "muscle", but unfortuntely I don't see "muscle" as much as I see "booty".  It appears my back end is absorbing some of this weight, and I worry that my Atlanta-based trainer is confusing me with one of her clients with a rapper boyfriend who likes that sort of thing.
• This past week I headed back to New Jersey for the first time in 6 weeks. We celebrated with some lovely dinners at the Gladstone (an old project fav) and a wonderful new favorite, 90 Acres.  While I was enjoying a beautifully prepared steak tartar and Wagyu filet at 90 Acres, I thought to myself that perhaps it's not the trainer contributing to the extra lbs...

And, you're pretty much caught up.  To my dear blog, I'm recommitting myself to you.  Stay tuned.