Taking some time off from work. I am so grateful to my boss for letting me take the whole month of May. Not only is it my 30th birthday, I'm celebrating my 5th wedding anniversary. It's a time for renewal and a time for thanksgiving.

Why I'm taking the time you may ask?...It's what I'm calling a life review retreat. I've been planning this since January and I have slowly been letting go of things that are just not on my priority list. I'm hoping to take advantage of this time to listen to my body, listen to my heart, and listen to God. It's kind of crazy but it's also amazing that knowing that I'm at the right point in time to do this for myself so that I can be more effective in my relationships, my work, and the things that I'm passionate about(which right now is not focused).

I'm hoping to return with a renewed hope in the activities that participate in both for my soul and my mind.

If I write a book or something creative, that would be a great outcome, but most of all, I hope that I come out of it more sure about who I am and what I am on this Earth for.

There's been a flurry of articles recently on Google's impending IPO.

BusinessWeek

Reuters(MSN) - Google readies share offering

Boxes and Arrows old issue...great article on leadership for projects and initiatives. Brenda does a great job in article the practical and sensical.

Leading from Within

32.4lbs

This weekend was my first full-fledged experience of driving on a track. April 17th found me on the Buttonwillow Raceway organized by Tracquest.

More pictures shortly.

Unfortunately the production company could not get enough participants to create the full ensemble of 150 choral singers from various choral groups across the US. They have cancelled the production even though Stanford had a nice showing. I was looking forward to this opportunity. Perhaps in the future. For now I will continue my vocal training, continued participation in the Stanford Symphonic Choir, and perhaps at our church.

Interestingly enough I'm reading Purpose Driven Life for the second time and with a group of folks. Last night I read Chapter 32 and it dawned on me..."Life Review Retreat" that's what my whole time off in May is about.

I'm taking stock on what has happened to me the first 30 years of my life and refocusing my energy to utilize the skills and experiences I have had to benefit my community. I've read so many books like PDL in my lifetime and somehow I have never had the chance to really internatlize the books mean. Slowly but surely many of their lessons are permeating my life; if that be my relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and even in my attitude for how I approach my work.

I'm looking forward to my time off not because I'm not at work or have to take care of anything at home or stuff. I'm looking forward to the time I can really work through what I know deep down is the real me wanting to come out and just "be."

The Search Engine Wars

All this week NPR will be posting a series on the Search Business. Commentaries to follow shortly.

I'm registered and ready.

Just me...my car...and the track(of course with a driving instructor). Not auto-cross this time...it's the whole day of running the track at Buttonwillow Raceway with Tracquest.

So in some way you know a little bit more on how to interact with me:

Caring for your Introvert

Another rational that my seclusion in May is actually something I look forward to since I won't have a phone or computer.

//infp