okay, okay, i know this entry is a long time in the making. but, i'm a workin mayne now :-)
and, yesterday marks my first full month at microsoft!!! here's a little update over the past couple of weeks...

the arboretum | so, i went to the arboretum after church on the 17th to check it out. and, some of y'all might be like i was: what's an arboretum? it's kinda like the botanical gardens, except pretty much all outdoors. needless to say, it was beautiful and so green. after dropping by the visitors bldg (where there was a wedding reception going on), i started on one of the trails. as i was taking pictures, i noticed an owl along the way. i'm not sure if it noticed me first or if i noticed it first, but, i went ahead and started walkin in another direction (yep, i'm a city boi...).

new developers' training | the following week, i had new dev training at work. it was good stuff as i learned about the processes of developing products at microsoft. it was more wholistic than that though, looking at how to perform well and succeed as an employee and achieving good work-life balance. one of the main takeaways i have from the instructor is the following quote:

"The only occupation that could be unhealthier
than a software developer is a lard taster"

well, i'll keep that in mind and make sure i use the gym membership for real...

new apartment | this past weekend, i've finally settled into my apartment in kirkland. it's nice to have all of my stuff again. i'm slowly adjusting to seattle living, as in, the cost of living (my rent is almost double my rent from when i was in st louis). and, i finally have the internet (after two weeks of waiting...) because the isp activated the service in the apartment next door apparently. i know, some of y'all can't believe i went two weeks without the internet at home; i can't believe it either. i'm ready to admit that i'm dependent on the internet, and this was further proof of it.
but, regardless, i think i can call this place home in the meantime :-). i posted a quick picture to the right; if you want to see more, well, you need to book a flight to seattle and come see me!

kickin it with the bynums | the sunday before labor day, i got a chance to kick it with brandon (who works at microsoft) and vania (his wife) bynum. man, it was good times. they invited a lot of ppl over, including their family who flew into town the day before and other microsoft employees and their families. but, what blessed me more than the ridiculous amount of bbq was the chance to fellowship with some cool, professional, and down-to-earth black folk, something that i haven't done much of since moving here. it was good times y'all, good times. and, they wouldn't let me leave without a bag full of food, which i'm still workin off now :-)

if you think about me, throw up a prayer for me. i don't have any dramatic prayer requests or anything to worry about, but i'll never turn away prayer. holla!