Bad Time For Architects

Of course this didn't come as a real shock (considering Bryan's 3-month and still counting unemployment). But one of this morning's MSN.com headlines was the 5 best and 5 worst marketable degrees for 2009. Architecture, no surprise, was listed among the 5 worst.

Architecture
No budget for new construction means no budget for those designing new buildings. Requiring hefty tuition investment (usually four years of undergrad education plus one to two of grad school) for a starting salary that begins in the upper 30s, architecture was one of the riskier degrees even before the recession.
The recent housing market decline has taken new architect jobs with it. According to the American Institute of Architects, billings for architectural projects nationwide reached an all-time low in December 2008 for the second consecutive month, suggesting that industrywide hiring freezes won't let up anytime soon.

Even my job is slowing down. While they said they were going to try not to lay anyone off, it is still a possibility. No word yet from Bryan's interview with Brinks earlier this week. They said they would make their decisions by the end of this week.

Dress Up

Last night Madison wanted to play Dress Up with her scarf and Mommy's boots.

Also, here is a random picture of this morning's sunrise:

Spaghetti Face

Test Results

Just as an FYI, Bryan passed is first Architect's Registration Exam! I am so proud of him. Only 6 more tests to go. He's already studying for the next one - which is theoretically the hardest one - Structural Systems, i.e. lot's of math & equations which he hasn't used since he got out of school.

Reflections of Being 30

Here are a few pictures and a video from my birthday dinner at Plaza III Steakhouse.