Puppy Protocol?

What is the protocol for taking pictures of other people’s pets? Is it similar to taking photos of someone’s children without asking? Does it fall into the creepy category?

I walk just about everywhere, and I have seen some of the cuuutest puppies and kittens on my walks! I usually want to take a picture of them, but then I stop because it seems a little strange. What if the owner sees me doing so? Well, this week I was able to see the owner with a puppy and asked permission.

CITO Geocaching – April 2011

Last weekend, I attended my first official CITO event! CITOs (Cache In Trash Out) are hosted globally by members of the geocaching community. Although I’ve been working for Geocaching.com for more than 2 months now, this was my first formal geocaching event. In the past, my geocache hunts have been done with family or friends, not with the greater geocaching community. It was a lot of fun to meet some the community and help to clean up the environment, just in time for Earth Day.

My colleagues, MissJenn and Dani were along for the CITO, as well. We chose to attend “This CITO’s a Beach” on the waterfront of Everett, WA. The event was hosted by the friendly johnny cache.

The Business of Ski Instructing – Winter 2010/11

This past ski season marked my 5^th year of ski instructing with the well-known Fiorini Ski School. The school has been in business for generations. Many of its students grow-up to become adults who teach for the school, and who later send their own children on the same path: from student to instructor. The Fiorini Ski School began operating in the 1940s, with Bing Crosby as one of its famous clients. 

Over the past 5 years, I’ve noticed that the art of ski instructing shares many parallels with the world of business. Although, I must admit, I have been ski instructing for the fun of it, and not seeing it as “work.” Following are many of the business skills that mirror those of teaching ski lessons to children:

Seattle Half Marathon (#7)

November 28, 2010 marked my 7^th official half marathon. One thing was different about this one, though: I walked it instead of running. Other than hiking, I don’t think I’ve ever walked 13.1 miles. Despite not running, my legs were still tired afterward!

October 2010 Business: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Kyiv

Just a couple of weeks after being back from vacation in Germany, I was off to Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and Kyiv again. The trip was for office visits and Casual Connect Kyiv 2010.

Germany: Vacation Time!

With the Berlin Marathon out of the way, the rest of the trip was quite relaxing. : ) After Berlin, we went to Goettingen, where my boyfriend grew up and where his sister’s family lives. We were able to stay in the newly renovated downstairs flat at his sister’s house. Goettingen is known for its strong ties to academics. It is a university town and many famous scholars are from the area.

Germany: Berlin Marathon, September 2010

Proof image from the Berlin Marathon

On September 24, I was off to Germany again. This time, the trip was for vacation with my German boyfriend. He has run 35 marathons and signed us up for the 2010 Real Berlin Marathon. I have never wanted to run a full marathon, but I figured that I should at least give it a try. I trained to 20 of the 26 miles. More training would have been ideal. We arrived on September 25 and the race was on September 26. The morning of the race, we felt great and woke up ready to win.

Super Jock ‘n Jill Half Marathon (#6)

Half marathon #6 for me was the Super Jock ‘n Jill Half Marathon in Woodinville on September 6, 2010. I think that the time was kept incorrectly for this race.

PAX – Penny Arcade Expo

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) this year. The popular Seattle conference sold out quickly, yet again. The coming of PAX 2010 reminded me of our team visit to PAX 2009 – and some of the fun photos we had taken at the Expo! : )

Walla Walla Wine Country, August 2010

Also in August, I went on a wine tasting weekend trip to Walla Walla, Washington, for a girlfriend’s birthday. We stayed in a beautiful, large house just outside of the city and hired an SUV limo driver to be our designated driver.