in other news, Melissa gave birth to my nephew, Matthew Killian Foote, sometime yesterday afternoon. i have yet to met the little guy but i should have an opportunity in a couple hours. until then i am going to relax in this warm home – free from obligation. =)

i had refraind to mention this to you, diary, because i wanted to surprise my folks. but my mom is too clever and deduced it anyway. Isilon accepted my offer to be team lead. this is going to be a very exciting and challenging time; my previous experience as a lead was in a company where i was considered the technology guru. this is definitely not the case at Isilon and i have a great many things to learn.

i have been deliberately avoiding my diary as i have some secrets to tell… ;P

i’m so busy!

can sometimes be an opportunity – the trick is having enough faith to carry it through. (this quote provided by the writers of the ’everwood’ show on the WB)

i am looking ahead and i see a large hill before me. i am scared and weak but determined. for now, however, i will camp at its base and reflect on the path travelled so far.

my visit was too soon. but it went so well. Eriko’s family was kind and generous to me in a way that was definitely different. Dad said that things would change once she met my family and i could see that in their behavior towards me. Eriko and I had a great time together. there were a couple of moments when i needed space or she needed space (not many) and i my current theory is that we are both the strong, silent type. so when i need space i just leave or ignore her and she does the same – as i understand that about myself i come to appreciate it in her. i felt as if i was doing lots of appreciating on this trip. my Japanese was horrible and i am very embarrassed. i am very much humbled at the efforts Eriko and her family put in to communicate with me. her friends as well. and i don’t want them to have to put in so much work. somewhere inside, motiviation is building.