Who am I again?

I'm having a mid-mid-life crisis. Age: 27. Mode: freak-out.

I've been working at a non-profit association for about five years. I've been moving pretty steadily up the ladder, and felt especially confident in my most recent request for a promotion. I've been working my arse off, thorough work, lots of extra hours, few complaints, if any. And I submitted a solid proposal for my promotion and pay raise.

Honestly, titles don't mean too much to me, but the significant raises never come without a title change here, so I made it a priority. I laid the groundwork, presented my case. It was received very well by HR.... a month ago. Had to wait until my review to get any formal feedback. It turns out the the ED here doesn't think that any kind of promotion or raise is necessary for my current work.

I am so disappointed. I've never worked this hard. Unlike one month ago, I now feel like I'm wasting my time. What should I be doing? Job-hunting? Getting a master's degree? In WHAT, for God's sake? Where am I going? What am I learning? How am I bettering myself?
How can I move forward?

I'm suddenly stagnant and feel the need for a dramatic change, but have few ideas about the direction. Any life coaches out there looking for pro bono work? My head's a mess.

Cookout

Tonight we had a cookout with the neighbors. Cheeseburgers, pasta salad, mashed potato quesadillas... Yep, you read that right. And they were fantastic! But we also had my ex and his current girlfriend join us. And sit right next to me. Gross.

But I learned that it was ok. I was ok. We were both able to fake pleasant conversation and keep everyone else comfortable. It worked. And for that, I feel a little more mature, a little more over it, and a little proud of myself. Granted, I still want to punch him in the nose, but I figure that's healthy. Don't you?

Italian Picture Time!!!

LIW, you've inspired me to post some pics, as has Ashley with her many adorable blog pictures of Wynn.

So here we go! My brother Geno outside - crap, I can't remember what city! Regardless - great view.



So here's my sister wrapped up in the scarf, which took me almost two years to finish:




Wanna see a big ole' frosted doughnut? Dom is concentrating! (Oh yes, that's nutella on top.)



Sure, sure... there are lots of pretty views and whatnot. But dinner was my favorite:



Handmade fettucine, stuffed gnocchi, dad's homemade pasta sauce, and fresh olive oil on fresh bread. MMMMMMM!

As a final treat, here are Grandma and Grandpa outside the back door with the upstairs neighbors, Francesco and Vincenza:



I mean, seriously. The cuteness factor. Seriously. Can you even TELL which ones are my grandparents? I barely can!

On the Edge

No, I'm not on the edge. However, I just saw the movie with that a-DOR-able Cillian Murphy. I can't take my eyes off of him - he's captivating! That sad, large, orange sweater he wore made him look like a little boy and an in-control flirt/bad boy both at the same time. In fact, the costumes all around were perfect. Not my point, though. All of the acting was wonderful. Performances by Jonathan Jackson and Tricia Vessey were certainly unscoffable. I really paid attention to the film, the stories, the characters, and there was no focus on any film flaws. It also made me think - about myself, my friends, my choices. It made me remember that unusual is so incredibly superior to ordinary. And yet ordinary is so often praised. Those who rise to the height of ordinary - high school football stars, prom queens, gap models, etc. - are celebrated openly in front of adolescents. What a horrible pattern. The troubled, odd, strange folk are those who I feel can really teach me.

I hope we all strive to be kind, hard-working, and smart. I just wish we also hoped to be a little more odd. And don't you LOVE movies that make you think this way?!