On the road...

Once again, I was on the road for a good chunk of time returning late last night after 18 days on the road. I bounced from city to city, event to event, ending with a little vacation at my sisters place in Del Mar, CA. I got to see old friends from high school, college, old-VTers, event friends and industry friends. I made new friends and contacts. I put a lot of miles on my frequent flier card and various rental vehicles. I wore through sneakers after spending 10+ hours a day on my feet in the sun. I am many shades darker then most Vermonters will ever be. I ate some good food, some bad food. Sushi and Mexican in Cali were off the chart. I drank my fair share...that's what you do when there's an open bar or someone putting your drinks on their corporate tab.

Being on the road always changes me in some way. I learn valuable things to apply to work, I grow as an event manager, I expand my network, I remember how to be open to talking to anyone. Sometimes it's the people that cause a change in me, sometimes the event, sometimes little details.

I already miss the beach. It might be from years of growing up at the beach or near the beach, but it holds a very close place to my heart...I feel at peace when sitting watching waves crash and feeling the sand between my toes. I'm looking out my office window right now at some tall plants that are swaying in the wind in a way that reminds me of the waves of the ocean...it's making me smile.

When I express my love for California, I've often had comments back from my friends here in the Northeast that having weather that great every day makes you not appreciate it. I disagree even more now after being there for 2 weeks. I woke up everyday so excited to get outside in the sun. So excited to utilize the beautiful weather even if just to sit outside and read. People there enjoy every minute of it. My sister relishes every minute of sun and she's lived there for over 6 years. They have gray mornings and days, days that make you yearn for the sun. Again, maybe my youthful years in sunny states tie mood to sun so closely that I DO truly appreciate nice days, even if they come in sequences of 365 at a time.

I'm still figuring out exactly what I am taking from this trip...it seems there are a multitude of things that have begun churning in my mind. I definitely learned a lot, which I always do traveling solo and working hard. I've made and sealed friendships that I will have forever. I've made some headway in lingering questions. Aside from my withdrawal from the sun and sand, it was a great trip. That trip alone has created some new upcoming trips to see friends. The traveling never ends!