Business News and Surprise Gift

Princes Park, 10 minute walk from my apartment. Yes, those are palm trees! And hotties jogging!

News on the work front...

I co-wrote a marketing piece that is delivering qualified leads! I've made follow-up calls and have a half-dozen demos scheduled for this week. I'll be doing the demos via phone, so let's pray that my landline actually gets installed on Monday (it was scheduled to be completed last Monday and didn't happen-- no explanation from the phone company). These will be my first demos and I'm nervous and excited. Still selling software, as I have done in the past, but am now selling in a new industry to a different target audience: Learning and Development Managers in HR or Organizational Development Departments. The software itself is online learning produced by Harvard Business Publishing (a Division of Harvard Business School) to help organizations develop their Managers and Leaders. The software is the best in the industry and the Harvard brand helps make it easier to get in front of people initially. We'll see how I go (as they say here).
On the social front, I'm planning an Indian, Vegetarian, Pot Luck dinner at my apartment this Friday night for the people with whom I meditate each week. Will be nice to actually talk to them socially for a change! Each person will be preparing a recipe provided by my lovely friend and cooking teacher in Boston, Shruti. Thank you, Shruti!

And I received a gift this week...

Brendan surprised me with a gorgeous Frangipani tree for my deck!

Here is what it will look like when it flowers.

I love it! Hawaiian Lei flowers come from this tree and they smell sweet and delicious.