back in the groove

It took a week to finally feel human. Next time, I'm stopping in Hawaii for a day! I started putting together a mini album of my trip. Most of the pictures are of food. LOL I'm using the book I got from Amy Tan's first online workshop. I've been saving it for something special. I'll have pics of that next time.

I got to break into my February Studio Calico kits.
supplies: Studio Calico Candy Shoppe kit and add-ons, Jett alpha set, Mister Huey's sunshine; Jenni Bowlin ink in lemon drops, spice tin and soap powder; WRMK sew easy tools; DMC floss; and Martha Stewart butterfly border punch.

This is my friend John. I've known him since 1990...that's a LONG time! The last time we saw each other, I was in grad school and he was living in Hawaii. Luckily, I spent Christmas 2001 in Hawaii with my mom and Auntie Margaret. I got to see him often since we stayed at Ala Moana Hotel and he worked at Ala Moana Shopping Center. He told his co-workers I was his ex-girlfriend. I could never understand that since he plays for the other team, but whatever made him happy. That was the last time I saw him.

John was the first person I wanted to tell that I was going to be in Washington, D.C. He lives in Virginia and works in the D.C. area. Lucky me! I saw him the day I got into D.C. and one more time before I left. It was great fun and so heartwarming to know that we could just pick up right where we left off as if all this time hadn't passed by.

back on the rock

It was a whirlwind trip. I swear the jet lag left me right when I was about ready to leave. I ended up not taking the DSLR with me...and good thing because it would not have seen the light of day. I saw the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial from the cab on the way into and out of the city and the White House on our way to dinner one night. There was no time to play tourist!

I did get to see my friend John. We had dinner twice while I was there. It was so good seeing him! It's been nine years since we last saw each other. I have a feeling I'll be back in the nation's capitol again before the year is out so I'll definitely get to see him again!

I brought my heavy lined trench coat and wore it TWICE! What a waste of suitcase space! It was not that cold for me. Besides, I was decked out in long sleeved layers and thick sweaters. It got progressively warmer as the week went on. On Thursday, it was 72 degrees. It was amazing!

It was definitely an experience sharing a room with my boss. We had adjoining rooms with the ladies from public health so it was like a slumber party every night. I think I lucked out in the work department this trip. I was forewarned that my boss works ALL the time, even on trips. She was sick the first few days so I got off easy. Whew! She made sure I ate and got coffee, shopped for the million nieces and nephews, called my mom a few times and slept enough.

It was even more of an experience sharing the room on the last night with the big boss as well. She insisted we go wherever I wanted for dinner my last night there. That was awesome! She even pretended to be my aunt when calling the airlines to see if my waitlisted seats for first class were confirmed. Ulterior motive there...the two bosses had some baggage they wanted me to bring back. It was all good, though.

My body seems to think it's still on eastern time. I was dragging all day. I'll be like this all week, I suspect. Good thing the bosses are still in Atlanta. The frenzied pace we call work won't re-commence till next week.

T minus 7 hours

In about 7 hours or so, I will be on a plane eastbound. It is my first work trip. I have packed and re-packed countless times--taken out things, put other things in, taken out something else and replaced what I originally took out. Right now, I'm waffling on bringing my DSLR vs. the little point and shoot. The thing is, I hate my point and shoot cam. Plus, I am bringing my work computer and what amounts to almost a ream of paper (documents I my boss asked me to bring). Sigh... I have five hours to decide about the camera and just about all that time to pray that my checked baggage comes in under 50 pounds.

It was never this hard packing for a vacation. It doesn't help matters that my clothing consists of bulky sweaters, pants, socks, two pairs of winter-ish shoes, my running shoes plus my heavy lined coat. I would just bring one pair of shoes, but I really truly hate walking around with wet feet...and I'll probably become catatonic with wet feet, soggy socks and squishy shoes.

I'll be sharing a room with my boss who really seems to operate on little sleep. That will be an experience in itself.

Definitely a new experience for me... I hope I don't turn into an ice cube! It's been a while since I've been through winter.........