. . . in the distant, early morning . . .

A summer of adventure

(All photos taken by Growl)

A few months ago, I did not expect to have a very busy summer.

I knew a few adventures were coming up.  EECI was happening, mom was supposed to visit, dad was going to visit, Chris was going to visit.

What I didn’t know was that I would end up going to Seattle to see part of my team, and that I would go on a wonderful and enlightening trip to California shortly after the summer.

Mom also didn’t end up visiting, but that will happen come Thanksgiving.

During EECI, I had a chance to walk the Golden Gate Bridge with my executives.  It was a rare experience, since we are all spread out.  We had a chance to speak briefly about my future with EllisLab, about our plans.  That was really only the beginning.

EECI left me both refreshed and energized.  I planned out a grand future and am working through those projects.  One of those plans was to attend Scrum Master training - a goal I completed last week.

Last week?  Last week was incredible.  I spent 4 days with Growl, as he let me crash at his abode.  He also took me up for a day-trip to Napa Valley on Sunday, where he and I experienced a once-in-a-lifetime private wine-tasting with the father of the wine-maker, Mike Bolen of Bolen Winerys (Twitter for Bolen Winery).  The wine-tasting happened at Silenus Vintners.  We got to taste out of the barrel (something I did not know was possible).  This definitely rated as one of the coolest experiences I’ve had.

Growl showed me around Napa then we went to Brix for dinner.  Their garden is incredible and I swear when I asked for lemon, our server went and got some from the garden.  Can’t beat that freshness.

(I didn’t even mention the awesome lunch.  Lunch was awesome wood-oven pizza and wine)

Growl also proved to me that with the right camera, lens and settings, you can get some awesome night pictures.  I need to learn that skill.

Oh, and somewhere in there we went to Sprinkles.  Great cupcakes.  Delicious chocolate.  But skip the candy on top if you get one.

Oh oh.. oh there was a lot more.  But all of it was that much more amazing because I was with an incredible friend.  The weekend would not have been the same otherwise.

In any case, Monday I started my Scrum Master class, run by Mike Cohn of Mountain Goat Software.  I learned more from this course than I learned from 5 readings of the book.  Mike was funny, engaging, and very knowledgeable.  Monday and Tuesday were incredible learning days, and I am so happy that I took that class. 

Tuesday evening I got to spend the evening with Tiayr and we went to Duke of Edinburgh for dinner.  It was great to spend time with Tiayr, the evening ended too soon.

Have I mentioned yet that I really want to move to that area?

On the plane back from California I put together a detailed email about the scrum master course and my thoughts.  I found the course invigorating and, quite frankly, got very fired up about it. Exciting stuff.  Being part of a business course also really helped me move my brain into that mode, and I felt far more confident in that language and context after the course.  This made me start really considering an Executive MBA - but I’m not sure on that yet.  I’ll post more about it at another time.

If you can’t tell, work has been excellent for me.  Maturing with EllisLab is an unbelievable experience and working with my team - you can’t work with better people.  I can honestly say that I love my job and my team.  It feels so good to have found my place in the work-world.  EllisLab has given me opportunities and learning that are invaluable.  I wake up (most) mornings excited to get started on on my projects for that day.  It would be such a wonderful world if everyone felt that way.

Summer is over, but it has left me with wonderful memories, closer friendships, and a real sense of satisfaction with work.  I have two wonderful dogs, Mali is completely stable, even playful and happy.  I love my house more and more each day. 

Life is awesome.

-Lisa, on September 17, 2010 at 8:20 pm