The Ladies

Happiest of Birthdays

I have the best friends in the whole world. Hands down. I know I'm hard to live with but it seems that the Lord keeps blessing me with people that are willing to put up with me. I'm a lucky girl.
So, for the big 2-4 the girls got together and threw a birthday party for me...Hollywood style! They reserved the theater in our complex and decorated it with stars, a faux HOLLYWOOD sign (it was a beaut!) and my very own red carpet. Cute Kim walked me up to the room and when I walked in it was completely dark and flashes were going off everywhere. I was so confused. Then I heard, "Miss Peralta, smile for us!" "Over here, Miss Peralta." "Paula, can we get an interview?" And then I realized what was going on...PAPARAZZI! I started crackin' up and, of course, took a minute to strut my stuff on the red carpet.
After cupcakes and sparklin' cider, we hit Downtown Disney for some dinner at The Rainforest Cafe. So fun! It was fantastic! Definitely one of the best birthdays EVER! Props to Jeni & Co. for makin' my day super special!

Temple Call Center

Rachael and I spent the past month working most Thursday nights (and a few Saturday afternoons) at a little corner of Moneyline Lending Services for Mike McBride who was put in charge of arranging VIP tours for the Open House of the Newport Beach Temple. It was, indeed, a most riveting time. I'm fairly certain that I've never been so bored in all my life. There literally was nothing to do. We had to bring books to read, cards to play and websites to surf. And while I'm grateful to the opportunity to serve, I will honestly say that I am glad its over. Good times.

New Job (Again)

It seems like every week that goes by confirms in some way that this is where I need to be.
It's been a rough few weeks since Fluor announced they were moving their Headquarters to Dallas, TX. So many people are scramblin' around to find new jobs before the layoffs start happening. Or they're tryin' to cement their position within the company so that they can move with all the Executives. To them I say, "Don't hold your breath." Anyhoo. I, the lowly Executive Assistant who has only been here for a couple of months, quickly realized it was imperative for me to find another position somewhere in South Orange County very soon.
POOF! In walks Advent. Or in I walk into Advent, rather. Or Kim, who already walked into Advent, walks into me.
Okay, let me back up. A few weeks ago, I was complaining about my unusually stressful day at work when my friend Kim said, "Hey, I think my company is looking for an Office Manager-ish kind of gal...you interested?" I jumped at the chance to submit my resume. Luckily, Kim gave me a great recommendation and I got the job! Even better, the position ended up being for a Contract Manager...not an Office Manager. Good enough. So, I don't have a ton of Construction experience...okay, I don't have ANY is more like it...but I think I can tackle this. I'm excited to go to work for this company. They are growing very quickly and I think this is a great time to jump into the fray. We'll see how it goes but I feel really blessed to be given this opportunity.
I feel kind of bad because I had another position lined up within Fluor that I was supposed to begin after the 4th of July holiday but I'm starting at Advent the 1st of July. But I do think it was time for me to leave Fluor. It was a great few years and I am so grateful for the experience I had but it's time for me to move into a career track. Yay! Advent, here I come!
Thanks, Kim! And we love you Advent...wherever you are!