30! 30 Whole weeks!!!
3/4 of the way done. Just crazy. When I turned 30- we called it the "Dirty 30". Here's to hoping this 30 isn't that dirty.
It was a busy week. I actually had to look at a calendar and say to myself "Today is Wednesday, tomorrow is Thursday". Yes, it sounds so stupid but is the truth. You will get why in a little bit.
Thursday was the first day of PARCC testing for my middle school. It was fairly mellow but there was lots of learning. My main focus was to get things done so that I could get myself packed Thursday night. I was able to get laundry done and pack at 10pm as I normally do before a flight. Julie and I were headed to Palm Springs to present at a Google Apps Summit. Just like Vegas. This time, I was doing a new session that was hands on. So I packed 24 tablets and accessories into my bag. It was heavy.
Friday was a pretty easy day of testing and getting things done. I was ready to get traveling though. Luckily for me, Julie's husband took us to the airport so I didn't have to pay to park. They even went super early just so I could make my flight. Incredibly kind. I made the plane and the first leg of the trip got me to Los Angeles, well to LAX. Its not my favorite airport. I had a 3.5 hour layover. I was surprised I had such an easy time filling that time. I talked to my mom. I had a really good burritto, funny to say because airport food isn't normally exciting. I got a little work done, and I can't even count how many times I had to go to the bathroom. That's the new part of all my adventures- what the bathroom is like and how many times I have to go. My next flight was interesting. I was on a propeller plane. It felt very old world to be on a prop plane that looks old world headed to an old world place like Palm Springs. I had a seat by myself, because I was on the row that only had 1 seat. The plane vibrated the whole time and beverage service was an extra large Dasani water and paper cups. The flight attendant poured small, almost shooter like glasses of water. Luckily the flight was only 30 minutes.
Once I hit Palm Springs, Julie met me at the airport and we were off to our hotel. The Best Western was nice enough- definitely cheap enough. So sometime around midnight we got to bed. The next morning came early and we were off to the Desert Sands Summit to present, learn, and see some friends. The weather was beautiful and we were able to soak up some sun. It was much needed because I was tired of the cold, the cracked skin, and the awful nasal congestion.
The sessions we presented were good. There were 5 of them in total; however, I did have 1 that no one showed up for. And that was totally okay because I needed to get some other stuff done. Saturday night was a presenter dinner at a fancy hotel. We had appetizers and drinks, mine was cranberry juice in a fancy glass. We also had a chance to catch up with a friend, Katie, who is moving to Cleveland. I'm so glad we got to talk. Her and I are so similar. Both went to Sydney for the Google Teacher academy, both lived in Australia for a while, and similar experiences when it comes to family. She had a baby last August and we relate to each other in our thinking a lot.
Funny story about the presenter gathering. We had this super cool spot around a big open fireplace. The appetizers were around the outside of the fire, on round two- I was trying to pour some ranch. The ranch fell, hit the edge of fireplace, and I had ranch dressing from hip to ankle right down the middle of my pants. It was totally embarrassing. Then I sat there and watched had to let the ranch dry to be able to move. There weren't a lot of bathroom breaks. It was a great night; but I was tired. There wasn't a lot of go left in me. We got to the hotel and I crashed. The next day came too early but Sunday was another great day. There was such a great energy to the people and they were so friendly. I will totally go back to Palm Springs!
Funny story about the presenter gathering. We had this super cool spot around a big open fireplace. The appetizers were around the outside of the fire, on round two- I was trying to pour some ranch. The ranch fell, hit the edge of fireplace, and I had ranch dressing from hip to ankle right down the middle of my pants. It was totally embarrassing. Then I sat there and watched had to let the ranch dry to be able to move. There weren't a lot of bathroom breaks. It was a great night; but I was tired. There wasn't a lot of go left in me. We got to the hotel and I crashed. The next day came too early but Sunday was another great day. There was such a great energy to the people and they were so friendly. I will totally go back to Palm Springs!
The critters even got some pictures with some awesome educators, Rushton Hurley (more on him soon), and Sergio Villagas. Such good sports. It was so weird that Julie and I weren't going home together. Very weird to say good bye and go different directions.
The Rushton Bus story:
I had to get from Palm Springs to LA for a training. I was terrified of driving. The organizer of the summit was also heading to the same place, and I think I sounded sad enough that she was willing to let me ride with her. Turns out, Rushton Hurley- a man I admire and hold on a pedestal was going to drive us both. Incredibly kind. Not only that but he was super nice about the whole thing. Some things that totally made me grateful and humble to be in the company of such amazing people "If you need to stop to get out of the car, or for a bathroom break, we will stop every 20 minutes if you need to." "If you can't make it two hours in the car, we can stop mid-way for dinner so you can stretch." "I feel it is my chivalries duty to make sure you are taken care of on the trip to LA." My heavy bag was loaded into the car for me, even taken into the hotel for me. I was so grateful. Before leaving palm springs we had to drop off Monica's car. So I got on the Rushton bus early and headed to the airport. When we realized that Monica was ready for some food, we found a place to eat while waiting. I jumped in Monica's car to head to the terminal to use the bathroom one more time before we got moving. And on my way out the door- there was Julie- waiting for her parents to pick her up. I was sad I wasn't going to get to meet them. Turns out- I was able to. That was awesome. I also had a chance to catch dinner with Rushton and Monica at an El Savadorian place. Tiny whole in the wall; but it was rated highly on yelp. Yelp did good. Food was awesome, Rushton even let me share a sample of his drink. The drive was pretty easy and I didn't even need to stop for a bathroom break. We I did nod off a little bit as the sounds of late 70's/early 80's music flowed through the car stereo. Got to the Hilton in LA, and I went to bed fairly quickly.
Monday was an all day training for a company. I can't say a whole lot other than it was a very exclusive group and I was humbled to be apart. There were even people that came all the way from Korea to be there! The weather was great and I was learning a lot; but also questioning a lot. I tried to stay quiet and not be "that person" in the room. --- I was "that person" on day 2. I didn't get a chance to take a lot of pictures because it was business. I can tell you that my feet were puffy, the bathroom was really nice, food was good, and we were on the top floor of a building in downtown LA that I had to get keyed into each day. Fancy. The picture below is of our dinner spot. I wish I had a picture of my dinner. It was this amazing butternut squash filled pasta. Apparently from the same area of Italy my family comes from. Delish. After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and I was tired. I packed up and got myself to bed.
I had to get from Palm Springs to LA for a training. I was terrified of driving. The organizer of the summit was also heading to the same place, and I think I sounded sad enough that she was willing to let me ride with her. Turns out, Rushton Hurley- a man I admire and hold on a pedestal was going to drive us both. Incredibly kind. Not only that but he was super nice about the whole thing. Some things that totally made me grateful and humble to be in the company of such amazing people "If you need to stop to get out of the car, or for a bathroom break, we will stop every 20 minutes if you need to." "If you can't make it two hours in the car, we can stop mid-way for dinner so you can stretch." "I feel it is my chivalries duty to make sure you are taken care of on the trip to LA." My heavy bag was loaded into the car for me, even taken into the hotel for me. I was so grateful. Before leaving palm springs we had to drop off Monica's car. So I got on the Rushton bus early and headed to the airport. When we realized that Monica was ready for some food, we found a place to eat while waiting. I jumped in Monica's car to head to the terminal to use the bathroom one more time before we got moving. And on my way out the door- there was Julie- waiting for her parents to pick her up. I was sad I wasn't going to get to meet them. Turns out- I was able to. That was awesome. I also had a chance to catch dinner with Rushton and Monica at an El Savadorian place. Tiny whole in the wall; but it was rated highly on yelp. Yelp did good. Food was awesome, Rushton even let me share a sample of his drink. The drive was pretty easy and I didn't even need to stop for a bathroom break. We I did nod off a little bit as the sounds of late 70's/early 80's music flowed through the car stereo. Got to the Hilton in LA, and I went to bed fairly quickly.
Monday was an all day training for a company. I can't say a whole lot other than it was a very exclusive group and I was humbled to be apart. There were even people that came all the way from Korea to be there! The weather was great and I was learning a lot; but also questioning a lot. I tried to stay quiet and not be "that person" in the room. --- I was "that person" on day 2. I didn't get a chance to take a lot of pictures because it was business. I can tell you that my feet were puffy, the bathroom was really nice, food was good, and we were on the top floor of a building in downtown LA that I had to get keyed into each day. Fancy. The picture below is of our dinner spot. I wish I had a picture of my dinner. It was this amazing butternut squash filled pasta. Apparently from the same area of Italy my family comes from. Delish. After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and I was tired. I packed up and got myself to bed.
Day 2 was more questions and talking and some great connections made! Three of us had to leave early so we shared an uber together. Yet again, didn't have to lift my bag. This lovely lady below is Kim. She was part of my training group and incredibly nice. One of her very bestest friends is also someone I know and work with quite a bit. Kim is a VIP with American Airlines... and that's who I was flying too :) She let me get in the priority line with her, to check my bag. Then she waited for me at the end of security and took me to the Admiral's lounge! Talk about luxury. They also provide free food. So her and I debriefed over a bowl of soup. It was so nice to visit with her. Fingers crossed she gets to come visit in April. I packed a few free snacks on my way to my gate, and of course indulged in the nice bathroom facilities a couple times. Then came the next LAX adventure.
My flight to Denver was on a small plane. So when I got to my gate, I went down an escalator to a waiting area. Apparently, there is a bus that takes you out to these gates. Got on the bus, got to gate and was herded through a maze of ramps to get on the little plane. There was no propeller and 2 seats on each side of the row. An upgrade of sorts. The bonus was I got two seats to myself. I learned on this trip, I am too big to feel comfortable in a seat- and leaving down to get into my bag requires some ingenuity. I had to use my foot to pull the backpack high enough for my hands to grab. A sign its time to stop flying for sure. I did have a great view out my window.
The flight felt short and I was happy to get home. In DIA, I was on the way to the bathroom when I walked by one of the shops. I saw this snoopy shirt and nearly stopped in my tracks. If you don't know- My grandma J was a big fan of Snoopy and it always reminds me of her. So after my bathroom break- I went and picked one up. It makes me smile so much. I took an uber car (if you ave never tried uber, you should- its awesome) home and made it in the door about 10:30. Asleep by midnight. Not bad.
When I woke up there was a gift on the table with this note. It made me cry because it is so sweet. All day I wondered what was in that package.
When I got home, my reward for surviving the day was getting to open that box. It was this beautiful quilt and bib made with a whole lot of love. All Green Eggs and Ham themed with so many precious details. Green Eggs and Ham is my all time most favorite book. I was so touched I couldn't help but cry. It was a good cry, the kind that come from knowing that a whole lot of people love us and our sweet pea. When you are tired, and stressed, and have a lot going- knowing people love you and your little girl that much make me cry.
Because this blanket is so special, it lives on the back of Grandma Schuemaker's glider.
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