tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87425630810360847062024-03-05T01:40:54.205-06:00Tammy's Life TravelsA collection of Tammy's travels through life and all over the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-24373759581397853352015-09-28T19:28:00.001-05:002015-09-28T19:28:24.683-05:00Emotional dayIt's been a very emotional day. Had to go for a tubal test and an unexpected mother of an ultrasound to ensure my uterus was ok. My mom came with me. I call jay after its done and he asks right away how things went. I give him the cliff notes. I tell him I am going to wildfire with my mom and his voice changes. I get home he says he's going for a walk. I start talking about everything and he tells me to basically hurry up because I'm giving him all the details and so u want him to relive it. We are walking and I ha e Reese. Reese has a shorter leash. Get lectured to walk slower and give him time to sniff. Jay gets huffy. He asks want me to take Reese. I just give him Reese. Not with a fight. I start walking a bit faster. I get yelled at for walking fast. I seriously feel I can't do anything right. I am emotional. Went through a lot today. I dont need drama. Today is one of those days that I ask if it's worth it. Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12841174487056460354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-57360211303706608802011-11-17T13:51:00.001-06:002011-11-17T13:54:48.184-06:00Columbia, Missouri<div><p>We arrived in Columbia via delta connection through Memphis in Monday, November 14. The trip was a nice quick one and home in Thursday.</p>
<p>Carly one of my staff members went with me to evaluate a consultant and see what a traditional workshop. Then we canvassed in Columbia to get a new club. All in all we had enough of lions talk and are glad to be coming home see our dogs and sleep in our own beds.</p>
</div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12841174487056460354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-81004164752585555562011-11-07T19:39:00.001-06:002013-03-01T22:56:10.620-06:00Florida, Finally...<div><p>Its been two years since Jim and Nancy had bought their house in Fort Meyers and Jay and I finally made it down there for a long weekend. </p><p>It was so nice to get away from the hussle and bustle of the city life and cooler weather.</p><p>Jim and Nancy have an awesome house and new in-ground pool which was super cool but we still went it. </p><p>We arrived on Thursday night. Danny picked us up from the airport. Since we arrived ate we just went to the house to relax. Saturday we went to Fort Myers Beach in the afternoon and went out to a few bars with Jays cousins Dennis, Patrick, and Josh. The best was the waffle house extravaganza after... hilarious.</p><p>Sunday was a nice relaxing day at the house. Nancy and Jim invited everyone to the house for lunch, football and swimming. We had a blast and jay even did a far amount of swimming which i was surprised. But we had a blast playing marco polo and colors with Beth.</p><p>Monday was our last day and we are sad to leave. But first we had to check out sanabel island. It was great. Hwe had kunceh and them walked the beach pickimg up shells and seeing what washed up om shore. Even Layla came to the beach and had some fun playing with a coconut.</p><p>I love Florida and i think Jay does too. Who knows maybe one day we will get sick of the chicago weather and move to Florida... never know. Could happen down the road.</p></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12841174487056460354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-25472338095921163912011-03-02T00:04:00.005-06:002011-09-20T00:17:05.369-05:00Down Under Again... This time, Melbourne<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, it has been about 7 months and I am back in Australia. This time to Melbourne. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The trip wasn't too bad by myself, I slept most of the time and on the way back I read an entire book, "Committed" by Elizabeth Gilbert which is the follow up book to "Eat, Pray, Love." If I didn't do this trip 7 months ago, I wouldn't have been as calm as I was. When you know what to expect for traveling over 20 hours to get to a destination, it's not horrible if you do it again. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyways, the purpose for this trip was to train additional consultants in Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia followed by a workshop in Ballarat, which was about an hour and half to two hours away from Melbourne. It was great meeting everyone I have been communicating with and to actually see a workshop done in Australia. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I did have a bit of personal time. On my rest day, I walked around Downtown Melbourne and went up their sky tower in the Eureka building, which gave awesome views of the city. In Ballarat, our hotel was right down the street from <a href="http://www.sovereignhill.com.au/sound-light-show/">Sovereign Hill</a> where they have a light and sound show about miners back in the day because Ballarat was a huge mining town. It was really cool and all the consultants went so we had a good time bonding and learning. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">However, after about 5 days or so, I was ready to come home. It's such a far distance to be by yourself. I really couldn't get home quick enough. Especially since I was missing Jay's birthday - but luckily I was coming home just a day after his bday.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-32886258255489497662011-01-14T16:10:00.001-06:002011-01-14T16:11:47.855-06:00Viva Peru!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1ibqYKxebPXZwvLCBkIR3ZXzd9gMIOTPnXOXS4OdsWRYET4p0PD91nek7zwjr0jcWoiX1m0hhBXGLZhSMwc1hIAey68_dxO_SOl5I8hOJDTaYs7CGJ4aLNDUYP0TPK02jlk14FL658o/s1600/DSC03419.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1ibqYKxebPXZwvLCBkIR3ZXzd9gMIOTPnXOXS4OdsWRYET4p0PD91nek7zwjr0jcWoiX1m0hhBXGLZhSMwc1hIAey68_dxO_SOl5I8hOJDTaYs7CGJ4aLNDUYP0TPK02jlk14FL658o/s200/DSC03419.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I hit another continent in my world travels… South America. I am in Peru!!! Every year, Latin America Lions come together for leadership training and to discuss improving Lionism in their area. This year I was fortunate to attend to be apart of a meeting with the consultants for my program in Latin America. Previous years, only the department manager went, but since Sue had another meeting going on the same time - I was able to attend and it was a great experience. <br />
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I left Chicago on Thursday, January 6th with my co-worker Becca. We went through Miami and arrived in Lima, Peru on Friday morning. We had no problem getting to our hotel El Condado. We were trying to get into the headquarters hotel which is Casa Andina Private Collection, but we were unable to. However, it worked out because our rooms are great. We are right next to each other on the 13th floor over looking the city and have a nice large Jacuzzi bathtub.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_C6vS6nTjhcWJxG6ZvYduB6nImlupp8BlD0pEZkZXuB7tXKiRkupN1cEK2CsuezYB5MzdlPONRwDAd4pkAs6p8zfkxTtIC30oyVUOmmmhUL4gtdEGgyeEbv3_YjSn909Nni7ZKCaPA4/s1600/DSC03061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddM60cCRB1MyD0XHoa5sGpo1hV2ZndGmNo_HeLfQMU3moyTDj3G86Rc1B8aae4OQI-gyA613nGjrLO9VGV9r_d49EEDaz6inGN2_VbqyLqGbF2pjF3I4MiXEjOA58RJpF1gQFCyPKuBk/s1600/DSC03730.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddM60cCRB1MyD0XHoa5sGpo1hV2ZndGmNo_HeLfQMU3moyTDj3G86Rc1B8aae4OQI-gyA613nGjrLO9VGV9r_d49EEDaz6inGN2_VbqyLqGbF2pjF3I4MiXEjOA58RJpF1gQFCyPKuBk/s200/DSC03730.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Day 1, Friday</b>: After a quick nap, we started walking around downtown Miraflores, which is an upscale suburb of Lima. It is very nice. Although pretty confusing to figure out where everything was and trying to get a sense of direction. While walking around, Becca mentioned about going to Machu Pitchu. How we are here and she felt maybe we should just inquire to see if it was possible to go for one day. I agreed, especially after realizing that there isn’t a whole lot to do in Lima and we have the rest of the week here. So off to find a travel agent we go. <br />
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We found a travel agency right down the street from our hotel. They thought we were absolutely crazy for wanting to go for only 1 day. Many people get sick from the high elevation, but we were determined to make it happen as long as it was </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_C6vS6nTjhcWJxG6ZvYduB6nImlupp8BlD0pEZkZXuB7tXKiRkupN1cEK2CsuezYB5MzdlPONRwDAd4pkAs6p8zfkxTtIC30oyVUOmmmhUL4gtdEGgyeEbv3_YjSn909Nni7ZKCaPA4/s1600/DSC03061.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_C6vS6nTjhcWJxG6ZvYduB6nImlupp8BlD0pEZkZXuB7tXKiRkupN1cEK2CsuezYB5MzdlPONRwDAd4pkAs6p8zfkxTtIC30oyVUOmmmhUL4gtdEGgyeEbv3_YjSn909Nni7ZKCaPA4/s200/DSC03061.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">reasonably priced. So after about a hour there, they were able to make it happen for a decent price, especially leaving the next day. Our flight leaves at 5:45 in the morning, so we had to get up around 3:30 a.m. to take our cab to the airport. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlksukAfnJPuPh5Aum4AJqdmM8-VqCwZD3EcIo-2y6ajcMWcRQ_H_9ums-dIVqjx8RsfCpbuFPF8gudVzTwglGou4zTKmjbXwBEpFhCpfRB29xxa2CDuibinjm35o9XnKF6LNB1vmTmc/s1600/DSC03289.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlksukAfnJPuPh5Aum4AJqdmM8-VqCwZD3EcIo-2y6ajcMWcRQ_H_9ums-dIVqjx8RsfCpbuFPF8gudVzTwglGou4zTKmjbXwBEpFhCpfRB29xxa2CDuibinjm35o9XnKF6LNB1vmTmc/s1600/DSC03289.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqYtxno7AXv8yyX4NJ4hyphenhyphentq8-9BOZnFRUBUmSzNuAWbpuYDMA-n8I2mPOQU2M9Mayxi-qsLArRN4y75y4JzECl-z-mSpGuDM0D72DzLsqbDuNrrgDwWFeS5bocZwsjNkhe1A6HYIY4HY/s1600/DSC03098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqYtxno7AXv8yyX4NJ4hyphenhyphentq8-9BOZnFRUBUmSzNuAWbpuYDMA-n8I2mPOQU2M9Mayxi-qsLArRN4y75y4JzECl-z-mSpGuDM0D72DzLsqbDuNrrgDwWFeS5bocZwsjNkhe1A6HYIY4HY/s200/DSC03098.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Day 2, Saturday… My birthday!:</b> Didn’t get too much sleep at all. Only about 2.5 hours. By the time we got back to the hotel, packed a backpack I bought for about $10 the day before for our trip, talked with my parents and Jay on Skype, and then trying to fall asleep to all the crazy horn honking… I feel asleep around 1:30 a.m. Then my alarm didn’t go off and my wake up call was late - luckily Becca knocked on my door and woke me up in time. <br />
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When we arrived in Cusco and what happens…. I twist my ankle as we are walking outside of the airport. Not fun! Especially when you have a bunch of Peruvian cab drivers outside laughing at you thinking “gueta loca”. We had a personal driver Raylando who </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBI6AinptIKApKApOmT6FLyi5VuLU8OrglNouqapa0X0YaWrsmwOoRKa9luspFAY63j9vUrZBD5kYvApOmuG6tJ49RRJB76oav-x4E3wfJZz1_rioaY33e2dY4hi2XnvSRLgrihJGXzo/s1600/DSC03146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBI6AinptIKApKApOmT6FLyi5VuLU8OrglNouqapa0X0YaWrsmwOoRKa9luspFAY63j9vUrZBD5kYvApOmuG6tJ49RRJB76oav-x4E3wfJZz1_rioaY33e2dY4hi2XnvSRLgrihJGXzo/s200/DSC03146.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">picked us up and took us to our hotel in Cusco, El Puma. He asked if we would like to see some sites before our train at 11:30 a.m. So after some Coco Tea, he and his friend Lee took us to Chinero where we got to see some Peruvian ladies make yarn and die it then they demonstrated how they make their traditional clothing, and other items. It was great! Then we went through a couple of towns where we took many photos. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHnH6AFAeK9wOEzdA8rFPMDo6bdEXTLiwAZTfzK9V0eGWB2owZG1SgDaZ3VltbOXeT2JfS0hI9qyNwDav518mF5ZTDhIT_XuYVFkIxpvTrNrGivLLDEPGJ9w-EiOFdR5JUXyi2U-hRco/s1600/DSC03115.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHnH6AFAeK9wOEzdA8rFPMDo6bdEXTLiwAZTfzK9V0eGWB2owZG1SgDaZ3VltbOXeT2JfS0hI9qyNwDav518mF5ZTDhIT_XuYVFkIxpvTrNrGivLLDEPGJ9w-EiOFdR5JUXyi2U-hRco/s200/DSC03115.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The way of live in Cusco is very sad unless you have money. Trash everywhere, Stray dogs, dilapidated homes. Very sad. Really makes you appreciate what you have and where you live - that is for sure. <br />
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We also stopped at an old Inca City which was really cool to see. There were original doorways from the city and now </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">people still live there. It was pretty awesome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We took a nice train to Machu Pitchu, which was about 2 hours (I did hear someone say it was only about 10 miles away… but with the mountains, the train goes very slow, and the workers have to stop the train to change the track). Once we arrived, there was a nice little city to do shopping at stores or the market to buy souvenirs. But we had to catch a bus to take us up the mountain… luckily I saw a pharmacy where I bought a bandage to wrap my ankle… and good thing too, because it was a lot of walking on uneven ground. My ankle wasn’t too bad, not sprained or anything, but it was swollen and sore. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlksukAfnJPuPh5Aum4AJqdmM8-VqCwZD3EcIo-2y6ajcMWcRQ_H_9ums-dIVqjx8RsfCpbuFPF8gudVzTwglGou4zTKmjbXwBEpFhCpfRB29xxa2CDuibinjm35o9XnKF6LNB1vmTmc/s1600/DSC03289.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlksukAfnJPuPh5Aum4AJqdmM8-VqCwZD3EcIo-2y6ajcMWcRQ_H_9ums-dIVqjx8RsfCpbuFPF8gudVzTwglGou4zTKmjbXwBEpFhCpfRB29xxa2CDuibinjm35o9XnKF6LNB1vmTmc/s400/DSC03289.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Once we got to the top, there were spactacular views! Becca and I had a personal tour guide named Norma. She was awesome. She was so full of knowledge and suggested good photo shots and even took tons of pictures of us. It was so amazing to see Machu Pitchu in person. As soon as we saw it, it was completely worth the money and crazy travel to get there to see it. I mean, who knows if I will ever get back to Peru - so I am soooo glad that I went. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlksukAfnJPuPh5Aum4AJqdmM8-VqCwZD3EcIo-2y6ajcMWcRQ_H_9ums-dIVqjx8RsfCpbuFPF8gudVzTwglGou4zTKmjbXwBEpFhCpfRB29xxa2CDuibinjm35o9XnKF6LNB1vmTmc/s1600/DSC03289.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">After we walked through the whole area, even in the rain towards the end, we ate at a restaurant and Becca bought me a birthday drink. Then we went shopping at the market where I was able to get some souvenirs including some very cool vases and a small plate for a mantle or a table. We then caught the 2 hour train back to the town, to get picked up for another 1.5 hour car ride with a personal driver. We arrived back at our hotel in Cusco at 11:30. Needless to say we were exhausted! But again, worth every minute.<br />
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<b>Day 3, Sunday:</b> We got picked up at 8:30 to catch our flight back to Lima. Everything ran smoothly. Got in on time, and went straight to Casa Andina to meet up with Sue to discuss our upcoming meetings. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmKoXp0vBTQirTtCwTHIfQPvmumxExS0Dg0Q8OIY8dHv7H-UUQIghb8GAXuqvtnvGeQO7ZQdU72DB23MHOejpR9KPBCPWJSnWLz9MSNG-yNfFI0OszTnITEVlit21dtJAveR3y1gj4fI/s1600/DSC03492.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmKoXp0vBTQirTtCwTHIfQPvmumxExS0Dg0Q8OIY8dHv7H-UUQIghb8GAXuqvtnvGeQO7ZQdU72DB23MHOejpR9KPBCPWJSnWLz9MSNG-yNfFI0OszTnITEVlit21dtJAveR3y1gj4fI/s200/DSC03492.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Later that night we had a welcome dinner with the consultants at the Maria Angola and this </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">was the first time I met pretty much everyone. It was great. They were all so friendly and it was wonderful to put faces to names and emails. Many know a little English so I was able to communicate with them with my little bit of Spanish. Esta Bien! I was also introduced to Pisco Sours, which is Pisco, Lemon, and Egg White. It is a cultural drink here, and it is muy delicioso. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEJy9j6iBEgLzdTs9JxPa9Rd587gHih8V71JBSGbsOF6qhe6uzEhgv3M927nBZ5oh-hblTzO6IzhHhQGrQntL5WWIJN3v9t4opBuNfhCJPl9D9AbW37AjAezTdPzf2b6Y2IXHQ07-s8w/s1600/DSC03508.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEJy9j6iBEgLzdTs9JxPa9Rd587gHih8V71JBSGbsOF6qhe6uzEhgv3M927nBZ5oh-hblTzO6IzhHhQGrQntL5WWIJN3v9t4opBuNfhCJPl9D9AbW37AjAezTdPzf2b6Y2IXHQ07-s8w/s200/DSC03508.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Franco, my translator- aka- my lifesaver</span></td></tr>
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<b>Day 4, Monday</b>: First day of meetings went really well. I did my presentation and was able to really stress the importance of why we do things and answer many questions. It really helps to get to know them to be able to assist them better. I look forward to future forums and hope I can attend to get to know them much better and continue progressing the program in Latin America.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Day 5, Tuesday</b> - My manger was in with Becca’s meeting today which left me and one of my directors for our last day of the Extension Meeting. It was very productive. Each did a 15 minute presentation from a template I created and all felt that they learned a lot from each other. <br />
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We also took many pictures with each other. My consultants are so nice. Many even brought me gifts from their country, which I will forever cherish… or eat. Lol. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMjgb2mttMZDlLLgJ1KcO0aj0IVLcj9ZMkVKbdqr10mznCMe_aR_Py1_-y32nIbr80mcV22ingUSqDKS5A25WQ-mBLzFc0gVFlR2gkCPKDdRtT73Xhj7nSYMRqIwncTVHoUB0_9dtDW0/s1600/DSC03475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMjgb2mttMZDlLLgJ1KcO0aj0IVLcj9ZMkVKbdqr10mznCMe_aR_Py1_-y32nIbr80mcV22ingUSqDKS5A25WQ-mBLzFc0gVFlR2gkCPKDdRtT73Xhj7nSYMRqIwncTVHoUB0_9dtDW0/s320/DSC03475.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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At night we had dinner with the consultants and the woman’s workshop participants at this wonderful restaurant that is on a pier in the ocean. Great views. Everyone really enjoyed themselves. And we took muchos photos. Everyone was smiling and having a great time. One of my consultants, even bought me a shot of tequila. He was surprised I took it like a shot rather then sip it… I sooo can not sip tequila… gross! Lol the whole table watched me and then he called me a “professional” haha… if he only knew! Lol. <br />
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<b>Day 6, Wednesday</b> - My meetings are done, but I helped Becca out with her meeting with the woman. It went really well. We received lots of valuable feedback that will really help our association out. We had lunch and then finalized the bill at the hotel for our meetings. Then back to our hotel for a short nap before attending the opening ceremony. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwWnRQ7eBwTUSBouS-3ZmYjIi0B7_BFZ5W0FYTKJPII61G3RKVpa-J6PKC77eN4gliWY4t8ZjgalYPYDJ0dSiiwRVAdJKf_HGxjPVhYjeBR-Wz0HiGnspxDdtqkgk3wmZyqMtbjrQYi0/s1600/DSC03559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwWnRQ7eBwTUSBouS-3ZmYjIi0B7_BFZ5W0FYTKJPII61G3RKVpa-J6PKC77eN4gliWY4t8ZjgalYPYDJ0dSiiwRVAdJKf_HGxjPVhYjeBR-Wz0HiGnspxDdtqkgk3wmZyqMtbjrQYi0/s200/DSC03559.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
One thing that we will never forget is our experience getting onto the bus to take us back to the hotel. Everyone was pushing and shoving, I seriously felt I was back at a KORN concert in the mosh pit. Wow! I wish I could have recorded it. I think everyone knew there were only 2 buses and they didn’t want to wait. (it was pretty… VERY disorganized, that is for sure). <br />
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Once we got back, we ate dinner at this Jazz Café right by our hotel (and confirmed that there is a short cut to the hotel our meetings are at.. Figures, our meetings are over, but at least we have a few more days to utilize it). It’s funny, all we wanted for dinner a cheeseburger, and you should how excited we were to see it on the menu. Lol. I also ordered this drink called Chilcano. Which has Pisco, Sprite, y limon. Esta muy bien. I am definitely bringing back a couple of bottles of Pisco with me. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMviPX1yfW0TacJv6x9o-eaj67MFUjo0G9E_y-EtOiUX010WFka0mv5xwLARZkx7NT2Il3hIiiZrYwVor17Zw4dQq1ifIAnxXFJvdA8hFug_WSlZnR7YEuxhx6oN6BQuqRAEDR0ZV7fc/s1600/DSC03608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMviPX1yfW0TacJv6x9o-eaj67MFUjo0G9E_y-EtOiUX010WFka0mv5xwLARZkx7NT2Il3hIiiZrYwVor17Zw4dQq1ifIAnxXFJvdA8hFug_WSlZnR7YEuxhx6oN6BQuqRAEDR0ZV7fc/s320/DSC03608.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTMHG_ST8md4N_wg0SclzTKh10X-IuUVTXPrYeXAlA40uqasCXLoBlZmNnxvwt1mQIRDLgsEmO52BN4id3sGN6d8RQINo1nEgLp5tRZJppro7VjtCrKrZn2GXaAeJ7UG2xx3_oxAMYsw/s1600/DSC03594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTMHG_ST8md4N_wg0SclzTKh10X-IuUVTXPrYeXAlA40uqasCXLoBlZmNnxvwt1mQIRDLgsEmO52BN4id3sGN6d8RQINo1nEgLp5tRZJppro7VjtCrKrZn2GXaAeJ7UG2xx3_oxAMYsw/s200/DSC03594.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Day 7, Thursday</b> - We went to the opening session, which was nice. Then we had some time after lunch before we had to be at the Presidents session, so we decided to go for a Relaxation massage. It was great! And the best part only $20. =) <br />
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After we went to the session and it was good. Although all the standing really hurt our feet. Then we went to Argentina’s and Venezuela’s parties, which were both very well attended, but really warm. We then went to Sue’s hotel for dinner because we just couldn’t do any more rice and potatoes. So we all ended up ordering off of the kids menu and I got chicken nuggets and fries. Totally hit the spot. On our way back to the hotel, Becca and I stopped at the Peruvian Theme Night and saw some cultural dancing and heard some music. Then finally to bed to start day 8.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6f1sDg7VwF92n2b8RGxNSCdDx4-dY9iRCR-mp-ihng29fakU3AziofK_p4mz46GvwGiAiPlXeKgXS3qF71_scncWrVImnY0Zx5Hro0PlUsYd5QsWBXsCUapYaSZCkTLGkWO6LRumxzo/s1600/DSC03045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6f1sDg7VwF92n2b8RGxNSCdDx4-dY9iRCR-mp-ihng29fakU3AziofK_p4mz46GvwGiAiPlXeKgXS3qF71_scncWrVImnY0Zx5Hro0PlUsYd5QsWBXsCUapYaSZCkTLGkWO6LRumxzo/s200/DSC03045.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
<b></b><b>Day 8, Friday</b> - We had our Extension Seminar which was well attended. All consultants did a great job. Then we were pretty much done for the day so I did a little shopping and ate some KFC (no coleslaw tho.. so sad) Then came back to the room to pack. I have no idea how I am going to get all of this stuff home. My small carry-on suitcase is full of souvenirs and gifts I received. But I will make it work some how. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-69955773174902937182010-11-20T18:08:00.000-06:002011-01-11T18:10:26.116-06:00Viva a Mexico!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMeXpuIJx0Q1J_GWxpjxY_izYrHLxEO6eoIVUtDqVpj4m_GYmN-JIUujj7fzFJDmWPSR5bBbrbTUTuSHqOtfMuTyfFUYHTPi9L8ndDgiSd4NtH-NPArWLN9frEej93DSi1Mv3TCs_jAI/s1600/DSC02413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui1A1pLuj-15KP48o69TwwgPFgozbUfU0a-i03ZYHZHDdjso3Z7TubeUxML3-bTH83iIPGaDi89rMyIEIDAZfd6jyXNawiE2AZsTCxU7gZKVZyNzCStg0MdiJ6vD1wJbw7BmuTIwm7wc/s1600/DSC02353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui1A1pLuj-15KP48o69TwwgPFgozbUfU0a-i03ZYHZHDdjso3Z7TubeUxML3-bTH83iIPGaDi89rMyIEIDAZfd6jyXNawiE2AZsTCxU7gZKVZyNzCStg0MdiJ6vD1wJbw7BmuTIwm7wc/s200/DSC02353.JPG" width="200" /></a> I was very fortunate to be asked to go to the Annual Service Leaders Conference this in November. It just so happened that my manager Sue and the other assistant manager were going to Japan for a woman's workshop meeting at the same time. And, it just so happened to be in Cancun, Mexico. I was nervous about traveling internationally by myself for the first time, but everything was fine. <br />
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The meeting was held at the Hilton Cancun Golf and Spa Resort, which was absolutely wonderful. However, it was not all-inclusive. But - I didn't min because the room and two of my very good friends Danny and Donny just so happened to plan a last minute trip, the week before, to Cancun - without even knowing that I was going to be there. <br />
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Danny and Donny's hotel was about a 5 minute cab ride, about 6 hotels down from mine... but a 45 minute walk on the beach. I met up with them the day after I arrived and ended up buying a day pass so I can eat, drink, and play at their resort. It was great! I am not much of an ocean person, but you really couldn't get me out of there. It was such a great time. Donny reminded me of my cousin Eric when we were down there 6-7 years ago - he was on "Party O-Clock" the whole time. That night we went to a club downtown Cancun, called Bull Dog where we purchased an all inclusive drink package for $30. We went with a group from their hotel and it was a lot of fun. However, I don't remember much from that night... good thing I was with two really good friends. ;-) <br />
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The next day I decided, hell I am in Cancun - I am gonna go back and get the drink package since I didn't have to start work until 4:30, which ended up being more like 6 o'clock to go to the welcome dinner. It was funny how people were surprised I was drinking when I had to work later... but I was a good girl. <br />
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Dinner was very good. One of my directors was also in Cancun for this meeting. He and I work very close together with my program in Latin America. So it was nice having him there. We went to Beach Palace for the dinner and it was wonderful. It was such a great resort. But it was far from Downtown so I probably would never stay there. <br />
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The next two days were meetings. Our facilitators were excellent. We learned so much from them And it was such an honor to be with all of the leaders in other service clubs. It was also interesting to see what their issues are and how much they look to LCI for guidance and information. Next year the meeting is in New Orleans. I hope that I am lucky enough to attend again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-6235795545187383192010-10-11T19:33:00.007-05:002010-10-18T19:44:06.542-05:00Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXmk91FrAh6l_oURuyhWkA5a8hhyphenhyphenFyFL0T-oRHozPfOd2k9CNbZcdtOuMhyphenhyphen0MDRN18i73_48uU2ZgDkKdXOt-KyZ3sd1JXofVJ8TN6ASTy6vgcEH4k-soDUc6VfYwQrF1egAy0oTpses/s1600/DSC02042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXmk91FrAh6l_oURuyhWkA5a8hhyphenhyphenFyFL0T-oRHozPfOd2k9CNbZcdtOuMhyphenhyphen0MDRN18i73_48uU2ZgDkKdXOt-KyZ3sd1JXofVJ8TN6ASTy6vgcEH4k-soDUc6VfYwQrF1egAy0oTpses/s320/DSC02042.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yPcky7jOnx16UypbXGBQWeSezNRCYqL3O29OIWy3Odbjbx_s49yo7qvZfv1dSVYooPLaxWs9u0PE2bfUPx6oqVTa_adjCnvHgMLTUF1h0ze2CK8Jz72TC4erVE_OB9sMvym_oHn9pbE/s1600/DSC02028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yPcky7jOnx16UypbXGBQWeSezNRCYqL3O29OIWy3Odbjbx_s49yo7qvZfv1dSVYooPLaxWs9u0PE2bfUPx6oqVTa_adjCnvHgMLTUF1h0ze2CK8Jz72TC4erVE_OB9sMvym_oHn9pbE/s200/DSC02028.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">I attended a workshop in Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh the beginning of October. I have never been to Pennsylvania before, because Philly running through the airport trying to catch my flight to Ireland (BTW, Not Fun!). Anyways, It was a great trip. I didn't get to do or see much because I came in on Saturday, Sunday was the workshop, and then Monday I flew home. But I was there during fall and all of the colors were changing so it was really awesome to see while driving down the hilly roads. Each turn presented another great opportunity for a photo-op. I can't wait for a new camera.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiseDxgSRYzmabGzIGJU_fmeScrt-ToMs3B75CT6eM9ecNarJBrG_yTiyPrzPVuiaT4v3wO0p570IafW82aoZoDcDMY8MVQcgudGxDVi-i0_5Xv64YQHO6IPcvWqAe-4WQOGwcpSrZDY/s1600/DSC02066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiseDxgSRYzmabGzIGJU_fmeScrt-ToMs3B75CT6eM9ecNarJBrG_yTiyPrzPVuiaT4v3wO0p570IafW82aoZoDcDMY8MVQcgudGxDVi-i0_5Xv64YQHO6IPcvWqAe-4WQOGwcpSrZDY/s200/DSC02066.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The training went really well and I also got to spend some time with one of my consultants from Arizona, Mary Michaelis. We had a lot of good feed back from the 30+ participants at the training, which was great! And as always, I love meeting new lions from different areas!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-50855443265292440882010-09-30T22:37:00.007-05:002010-10-18T20:00:09.892-05:00Wisconsin... Say Cheese!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx84kmjh2rS83IpWxUaoVaSoFoZAvSlnJPIbHZggX8zFwJYeQErCOOByHIOP2HwszARrBgkyTKNeWDZZhelE8yEjnnHoZE9MUVPcodIPte6mDU8cq_DbMjUdG7CnQsCTEJJhC9Ds6fhM/s1600/DSC01989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysCSiRchv9wPdYcQ8HB2B3ucv-V4gkq32b2zcHcx7BkJ0Zn5zyOkuAK53Cr_rtYV0lWG7QWvFDAw1Xsw-4IxSpHTI1cGDiEF9xnHDtjhW7ZamCuA2SiNgqwQmjbtyI6y81zvgukDEx6E/s1600/milwaukeelogoforum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysCSiRchv9wPdYcQ8HB2B3ucv-V4gkq32b2zcHcx7BkJ0Zn5zyOkuAK53Cr_rtYV0lWG7QWvFDAw1Xsw-4IxSpHTI1cGDiEF9xnHDtjhW7ZamCuA2SiNgqwQmjbtyI6y81zvgukDEx6E/s200/milwaukeelogoforum.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The USA-Canada Forum this year was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Yay! I don't need to fly... I can drive to this one. I left on Monday to drive up there, after working in the morning at the office finalizing last minute details. And came back home on Saturday after the forum was over. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4lTDSFGMrxkh7ypjm9s0DsrBkqDhKv9J1XptcOZ_IfmKkixqbitvKjgVhPxeJ7epX4_b08VjsH_cCoIv_JDjZ3FqZMZieS2uWDPkP6inbRY5BGkp_5Zc_LfbM_rZY_swGybzzmj4aa4/s1600/DSC02010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4lTDSFGMrxkh7ypjm9s0DsrBkqDhKv9J1XptcOZ_IfmKkixqbitvKjgVhPxeJ7epX4_b08VjsH_cCoIv_JDjZ3FqZMZieS2uWDPkP6inbRY5BGkp_5Zc_LfbM_rZY_swGybzzmj4aa4/s200/DSC02010.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">This was a great forum. We had very productive meetings with the consultants. All who attended were very pleased. And I also got to launch the our new Level 2 Extension Workshop - which was well received by all consultants as well as officers and attendees of the forum. I was very excited about this launch because the level 2 was my idea and I worked with one of my senior consultants with the details and he executed it by doing two pilots that seem to be pretty successful. So we will see. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On Monday, I went out with my cousins to a local pub for wings and beers. It was so great to see everyone and for everyone to be there. Usually it is hard to get all of them together at the same time because they are all busy. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone including Lauren's husband Josh and Emily's fiance Eric. We had a great time and had some great laughs. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGgQH67RoYiRpIgSqhv29YKr7eVsEYRzwbCbSlpTwk7o_IxNbrL_ZTfQLRLtaoh7cyz6UoRVVYMQ07Q7Z9zJvEI_OG_FQ2OxUhXTGPv5TwzMckyuSLeFCRRVFZvx782GF7TB-D4MCIOQ/s1600/DSC01994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGgQH67RoYiRpIgSqhv29YKr7eVsEYRzwbCbSlpTwk7o_IxNbrL_ZTfQLRLtaoh7cyz6UoRVVYMQ07Q7Z9zJvEI_OG_FQ2OxUhXTGPv5TwzMckyuSLeFCRRVFZvx782GF7TB-D4MCIOQ/s200/DSC01994.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">On Tuesday, my manager Sue and the other department manager Patricia went to an Italian restaurant that was really good. And Wednesday we went to Maders which is a famous German restaurant which was delicious. Thursday was the opening ceremony so we had dinner and watched the flag presentation. After Sue, our executive director, another manager and I went to the hotel bar and had some drinks and played some pool. It was a good time. And on Friday, I met up with my friend Dan and his girlfriend Heather at the same hotel bar. We had a good time, and even came up with another bet..... If the Bears win both games this year, then Dan has to come to come to my wedding wearing a Bears tie. If the Packers win both, then I would have had to play a Packers song at the wedding... but luckily, but Bears won the first game... so no cheesehead music will be played. Now we just have to win one more. I would love to see him show up to the wedding wearing a Bears tie, cause he is such a Packers fan and to have those pictures to last a lifetime. That would be great memories! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday was a long day, all I wanted to do was go home. The bell boys have been so awesome at helping me out with getting boxes and supplies to meetings, except for when I want to go home. It was frustrating and I ended up wheeling 2 carriers for the exhibit booth and 3 boxes plus by purse and bag about half way until a Past Director saw me and her and her friend helped me out. Thank God. After 2 calls to the hotel bell desk and explaining exactly where I was - I decided 45 minutes of waiting was long enough. But I made it home and without any speeding tickets, this time. =)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-7419921030149195762010-08-03T22:22:00.006-05:002010-10-09T23:10:31.388-05:00California, knows how to party.<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, we just got back from the other side of the world, and now we are headed to California for our friends Gavin and Amy's wedding. We are really excited for them! They are so perfect for each other. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz19LkYfrLCOSL2Nvq-UKcOZtAtlRPp9eHSgljQuhky7pv-Se4jt7Fk1_UDExgJWWaPGUmMZ9_nOWrTLjFBOUGTKidgPOOsiKvlemf8zCcNliyMglViOMbhQVtYp4u5tkUeW2Wp21eP8/s1600/sea+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz19LkYfrLCOSL2Nvq-UKcOZtAtlRPp9eHSgljQuhky7pv-Se4jt7Fk1_UDExgJWWaPGUmMZ9_nOWrTLjFBOUGTKidgPOOsiKvlemf8zCcNliyMglViOMbhQVtYp4u5tkUeW2Wp21eP8/s200/sea+world.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">This trip was so much fun. First it started off, by Jay and I giving up our seats on our flight to take another one about an hour and half later to receive a $400 voucher each! How or why would you pass that up. Then we get in, and drove in lovely L.A. traffic to San Diego to meet up with Kenny, Kelly, Jake and Melinda at Sea World. We watched a couple of shows and went on a couple of rides. It was a blast! Then we headed to the hotel in Anaheim to finally check in. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWUV4M8VN7I2SUa0epfHEoLBGigLXZOeJyT_WMggafq4Gfl4aZifwtOomGDqoTsjgFs9HhsSDcCmSYdYxI13168Vm-2WBMKTeiezlPnuXF8j5JwCHGErOSJrF-eX1zvFzimIwyflfycM/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWUV4M8VN7I2SUa0epfHEoLBGigLXZOeJyT_WMggafq4Gfl4aZifwtOomGDqoTsjgFs9HhsSDcCmSYdYxI13168Vm-2WBMKTeiezlPnuXF8j5JwCHGErOSJrF-eX1zvFzimIwyflfycM/s200/wedding.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">The next day was the wedding and it was such a perfect fairytale wedding. I can't even explain it. I guess all I can say is, horse-drawn carriage entrance. Need I say more. Anyway, it was soo great! And they let me use their awesome camera to take pics for them during the reception - so I was living out my dream of being professional photographer before I got too drunk and the battery died... haha. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A lot of crazy stuff happened that night, it is all kinda a blur. But what I can say it was a great trip and our whole group of friends were there - which made it such a great time. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYEHVLQ9sYxkUB9S3ybqIVur7GiECATEEyAXDdGm5gvvwgOer7RKhlc2IuSCzQ6hYdwk9xzvAkxgPG2mhNoY8JypgUqAymDlYjF_4VZsDbjLcbtXVbRTxle__obYFLJ0ONQyQOc_fLJk/s1600/stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYEHVLQ9sYxkUB9S3ybqIVur7GiECATEEyAXDdGm5gvvwgOer7RKhlc2IuSCzQ6hYdwk9xzvAkxgPG2mhNoY8JypgUqAymDlYjF_4VZsDbjLcbtXVbRTxle__obYFLJ0ONQyQOc_fLJk/s200/stars.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Jay and I had an extra day in California so we switched hotels to one near LAX and spent a day in Hollywood. It was great! I love every minute of it, and would love to go back. We did the celebrity house tour, ate at Hard Rock (got my souvenirs), went to a hookah lounge, did a little shopping on Hollywood Blvd. It was awesome! Such a great trip!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Congratulations Gavin and Amy!!! Love you guys! Thanks for letting us be part of your special day! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-18821431606678729152010-07-15T21:53:00.001-05:002010-10-09T22:20:50.637-05:00New Zealand<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So after the LCI Convention, and since we were already in this part of the world, we decided to go to New Zealand to spend about a week. It was much colder than Sydney. Since it is their winter we couldn't do a whole lot - but it was such a great time.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sam found an I-stay which is apartments converted into hotels. We had a two bedroom apartment, with a washer and dryer as well as a kitchen. The first day, Sam and I took the ferry to Davenport and did some shopping in the rain. They have such cute little shops there!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While in Auckland, we did a hop on, hop off bus tour and saw some cool sites of the city. But we were really excited to go to Rotorua, which is about a 3.5 hour drive from Auckland. But we heard such great things, so we rented car and drove down. (side note - very annoyed with Katy Perry's California Gurls song... it was constantly played).</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While we were there, we went up on a skyline ride, went to Wai-O-Tapu geo-thermal park and saw a geyser and sulfur pools. It was such a nice little town. We all agreed we would love to go back on day, but next time during their summer.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sam and I were going to go Zorbing, which is rolling down a hill in a big ball, which looks totally fun... but they were only offering water rides, which they put some water in the ball, but we didn't have our suits and we thought it was a little too chilly to be doing it with water. So we went to the Agrodome to learn about sheep. Sounds funny, but it was a really good time. We saw a sheep show, got to pet and take pics with them. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We also had the opportunity to use the sulfur hot tub at the hotel next door and relax it was great! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sam left a day earlier because she was offered by her boss to fly home business class - who wouldn't turn that down on a 13 hour trip back to California. So, Jay and I had a day to ourselves and just drove around looking for sites. We went to this small zoo that turned out to be pretty cool and we took lots of pictures. After we just drove around and took in the beautiful scenery. I was happy because we found a beach so I got to walk along the water and pick up shells to take back home. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We had such a great time... and there is sooo much more to tell, but it is so hard trying to remember everything. All you need to know is, if you ever have the opportunity to go to New Zealand... DO IT! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-71677725136636591592010-07-06T21:34:00.004-05:002010-10-10T23:19:13.975-05:00Going Down Under... Aussie Style<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMljLNvU7NaTuk8FxE0467Icl1RQqtUWPg8G61ZUUAUWXYsNmyg8WvHd5ri8S5kSRyFuhgO6ZAlOolvQQjcgO1D9zkq4TeFlCG3mQQzIqel0gUVi0jNHFTlv5UvzOv838l0ucCybQGoo/s1600/lions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMljLNvU7NaTuk8FxE0467Icl1RQqtUWPg8G61ZUUAUWXYsNmyg8WvHd5ri8S5kSRyFuhgO6ZAlOolvQQjcgO1D9zkq4TeFlCG3mQQzIqel0gUVi0jNHFTlv5UvzOv838l0ucCybQGoo/s200/lions.jpg" width="200" /></a>This year's annual Lions Club International Convention was held in Sydney, Australia. OMG, it was sooo great to be there. Although, I can have done without the 15 hour plane ride from Los Angeles. Jay and I got lucky, since we arrived at LAX so early, we were able to get an emergency row exit and no one sat in between us, but unfortunately, the arm rests didn't go up. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We arrived early in the morning, checked into the hotel, and went to find some place to eat. Jay really wanted to try kangaroo, so that is what he did. I even tried a bit. In fact, here is a reaction shot of me eating a bite of it... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoDiGHvK-YbUgAoVyPeBzBOOUpso4bVYwZaeWW70LyRlXk410cSjUyFKoZg1FJIZ4t4H36RL1Hqv0LTvvxXWyly9oZLgP72GlfMN3h9-qIk5A1nejcPYyT8_UBMt1BK7AvPfiMP-lxHw/s1600/kangaroo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoDiGHvK-YbUgAoVyPeBzBOOUpso4bVYwZaeWW70LyRlXk410cSjUyFKoZg1FJIZ4t4H36RL1Hqv0LTvvxXWyly9oZLgP72GlfMN3h9-qIk5A1nejcPYyT8_UBMt1BK7AvPfiMP-lxHw/s320/kangaroo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It really wasn't that bad... but, if you know me, I don't like exotic-adventurous foods nor vegetables...lol We very quickly found out how expensive Australia is, especially along the harbour. Ouch!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_81Zr0SGT8hQqxqQfT6DDrRBcDS6kwjCkYJ05wAoZ_pQysnScZIw99DHuwEwno2vAmCd8-CPVONB2rs94GkSR5azFjZocRh2Dxk8nwzbSstmAUtuJd-8acgsaBUZeaEwbOGnMiDdT1gs/s1600/sydney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_81Zr0SGT8hQqxqQfT6DDrRBcDS6kwjCkYJ05wAoZ_pQysnScZIw99DHuwEwno2vAmCd8-CPVONB2rs94GkSR5azFjZocRh2Dxk8nwzbSstmAUtuJd-8acgsaBUZeaEwbOGnMiDdT1gs/s320/sydney.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our hotel was great, minus the cost of internet. We ended up going to vodafone to buy a wireless internet hotspot drive, which was much cheaper than $30+ /day. The view of the harbour was breathtaking. It was also set up for the World Cup. They had a big screen floating in the water and crowds and crowds of people would come out late at night to early morning hours watching the games rooting for their team. It was quite the experience, since the states could care less about the world cup. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jay also found 3 Irish bars, and we probably visited each 2-3 times. One we went to for Sam's birthday... She also came to Australia, but arrived a couple of days after we did. We had a good night meeting a lot of Aussie boys, even a professional rugby player, unless he was just messing with us... </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5EbidauD1osprWhLhRzyw9i564gBwWemNdfkKe_cxS6GBea8zwlppdNzGqs58nsnm3GvtFbJcs2BqIvkjKgXXV30OrF3wOxvs6rxxaxX2AjBeqzW1ovuFNWXwGiHgHmt7ptVmX6yP0o/s1600/irish+pub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5EbidauD1osprWhLhRzyw9i564gBwWemNdfkKe_cxS6GBea8zwlppdNzGqs58nsnm3GvtFbJcs2BqIvkjKgXXV30OrF3wOxvs6rxxaxX2AjBeqzW1ovuFNWXwGiHgHmt7ptVmX6yP0o/s400/irish+pub.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">The convention was great! It is always wonderful to see all of the Lions out and about. As well as the Lions who I haven't had the pleasure of meeting and those who I talk to on a regular basis who I haven't seen in a while. My meetings and seminars went great. Convention is such a great time to make you remember what you do on a daily basis makes a different to these 1.35 million Lions across the world. I love my job!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">After convention was over, we went to the Blue Mountains - which was breath-taking. We really enjoyed being away from the city of Sydney and seeing some of Australia's natural beauty. It was just what we needed, especially before heading to New Zealand.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-74255409490541488802010-03-20T21:24:00.003-05:002010-10-10T23:19:47.347-05:00Gainesville, Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNMZ8shTItv2Tl6fEdoxJaiysC3rHqvQ4aM_wXa9pLoCEQjm3YUeDyvHimPz-fu5VuKCSYUdC9CtV-bm4SzlVXtEseXZiYTQ9uCQygx4KG6W9U9sb74GNL6S-II2q_humSUQM17R4q_U/s1600/lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNMZ8shTItv2Tl6fEdoxJaiysC3rHqvQ4aM_wXa9pLoCEQjm3YUeDyvHimPz-fu5VuKCSYUdC9CtV-bm4SzlVXtEseXZiYTQ9uCQygx4KG6W9U9sb74GNL6S-II2q_humSUQM17R4q_U/s320/lighthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">In March I went to Florida to evaluate another consultant. He is from a town outside of Gainesville, Florida. I had a great time visiting and getting to know him and his wife. They were absolutely wonderful. The day I arrived, they drove me to St. Augustine to have dinner so I can see the city. It was absolutely wonderful. Before dinner, we walked around and took some pictures of the Fort, Lighthouse, water, and the old part of the city.... What a great place. I would love to go back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was such a great experience recruiting in Trenton, Florida. It had such a great community feeling. The first person we talked to signed up himself as well as a young co-worker and also called the police chief to tell him we were coming to speak with him. This was great to experience recruiting the way it is suppose to happen.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj784UgrwcbbKaEn66dZRYqyrCeOn0JF7R8QH85vzUhkcW3cuUoDgPaXvcanbikXGmXwq31fFS8m_utBAI-kD8dbMJ0GedrAC3vF7jgm-jkLVl1SfDgGV_tacCXlL1ktugMgbv73IEFr8A/s1600/fort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj784UgrwcbbKaEn66dZRYqyrCeOn0JF7R8QH85vzUhkcW3cuUoDgPaXvcanbikXGmXwq31fFS8m_utBAI-kD8dbMJ0GedrAC3vF7jgm-jkLVl1SfDgGV_tacCXlL1ktugMgbv73IEFr8A/s200/fort.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcghz1jWMCUvBzCriHKid8SWMF6FIKIqUMniPnQiJUKLEXIkD7REnxMJ3OvqVqQqWGb9OLcYwveQAZaTEC507b4f7ef30cfJCwzhBXHYruBcLXiUjjiEYoBkpD7WLq4UrkjbmtlbzAPI/s1600/gunter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcghz1jWMCUvBzCriHKid8SWMF6FIKIqUMniPnQiJUKLEXIkD7REnxMJ3OvqVqQqWGb9OLcYwveQAZaTEC507b4f7ef30cfJCwzhBXHYruBcLXiUjjiEYoBkpD7WLq4UrkjbmtlbzAPI/s320/gunter.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">I also got to learn a lot about my consultants background and he really motivated me to act on my dreams so they become a reality to me. I left feeling like a whole new person. He also gave me a 10x12 glossy picture shot with the moon really close and a picture of the earth that he gave to all of his clubs when he was district governor. The story behind it was that it was his dream as a little boy to go to the moon. He didn't do anything to achieve that dream, but someone did..... So you should always achieve your dreams so they become a reality. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-86072253487009283732010-02-02T20:39:00.005-06:002010-10-10T22:44:18.301-05:00Back To Vegas... But for work (and maybe a little fun too)<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXeAwatiyj7oJxdwv117rEG3z2uukNwCyfVD0f9jHwLZbyZeE8NEvtTrXRFxZt1UHTqVf8YzVOps_tPfrTNQyU0T3hqi9BPVKXXYejeGaTuPGbkNKHOtGeECSRiMXTjnIZXVgEk-jJt8/s1600/nevada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXeAwatiyj7oJxdwv117rEG3z2uukNwCyfVD0f9jHwLZbyZeE8NEvtTrXRFxZt1UHTqVf8YzVOps_tPfrTNQyU0T3hqi9BPVKXXYejeGaTuPGbkNKHOtGeECSRiMXTjnIZXVgEk-jJt8/s320/nevada.jpg" width="320" /></a>The end of January I went to Vegas to evaluate a potential consultant and to meet with one of my senior consultants on ideas to expand the program to the next level. It was a great experience. I met a lot of great Lions from the state of Nevada and I also had the opportunity to recruit for a new club in Henderson, which is where my cousin lives. We stated at a station casino in North Las Vegas and I also had the opportunity to be on the radio during a Lions program they do every Sunday. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJTd3yTs62Ns6wCLn8dlpifpZK_5ejmPnrCDO47EYMiao33lNGsPtYaiGBIXgfLKgko2352CjH0YMQ2XdsQKasaQMK5MhIzOubZY-_9BSXvb2bnF3irpUHguCRjDPOBnbkLvjwFbWxNM/s1600/radio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJTd3yTs62Ns6wCLn8dlpifpZK_5ejmPnrCDO47EYMiao33lNGsPtYaiGBIXgfLKgko2352CjH0YMQ2XdsQKasaQMK5MhIzOubZY-_9BSXvb2bnF3irpUHguCRjDPOBnbkLvjwFbWxNM/s200/radio.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifDOy5Rk8qVLUbFxFvtNMC4No25kn3JZW2dN8XhxBPNO0W8iWI2GWvZKl7UDhIK5ceCT334EB3YWwQdL6M-qfKZbzbQZtxNHyXjDhyphenhyphenhxAVyOhPHE_uzjLPMtjwPKPYODWQUaZBQjz_Zs/s1600/beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifDOy5Rk8qVLUbFxFvtNMC4No25kn3JZW2dN8XhxBPNO0W8iWI2GWvZKl7UDhIK5ceCT334EB3YWwQdL6M-qfKZbzbQZtxNHyXjDhyphenhyphenhxAVyOhPHE_uzjLPMtjwPKPYODWQUaZBQjz_Zs/s320/beer.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After the workshop was over, I moved to the strip for one night to stay at Harrahs. My friend Dan was in town to visit his brother who lives there, so we met up along with the potential consultant I was evaluating. We went to Hofbrahaus (my favorite German Beer Hall), then to The Pawn shop on PawnStars which was closed (I couldn't even buy a t-shirt) then Toby Keith's and Carnival Court. It was a great night in Vegas! I can't remember if I did any gambling. I guess if I would have won, I would have remembered. ;-)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-18855194622923915842010-01-01T20:20:00.001-06:002010-10-10T22:49:08.174-05:00I'm Engaged!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jay finally popped the question! Yay! It was New Years Eve 2009 in the afternoon at home, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him with my grandma's ring my mom gave him to use. I could tell he was nervous, but he knew what my answer would be. But for him to make that commitment, he was scared. But after 3.5 years together, he knew I was the one for him, as he is for me. We complement each other so much. We are the same in so many ways, and different. I truly believe that I have found my one and only soul-mate. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6vIZ6nkSvg9V1Lkp_HYxigCtkO_S-DMY9Sb-G1IOX_a_blyEom_LVxqY70DtGi6BQVMH2osDOs9LaI0pVq9aFBii8J-NcOLcrW8eT6CVZNvTanrhH8Ty4ukKw8mnGJeh1oHdp9qJy0s/s1600/engaged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6vIZ6nkSvg9V1Lkp_HYxigCtkO_S-DMY9Sb-G1IOX_a_blyEom_LVxqY70DtGi6BQVMH2osDOs9LaI0pVq9aFBii8J-NcOLcrW8eT6CVZNvTanrhH8Ty4ukKw8mnGJeh1oHdp9qJy0s/s320/engaged.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Later that day we went shopping for rings, because I decided that I wanted my own ring from him. I love my grandparents so much, and they had a very strong marriage, but when I look down at that ring, I want to see and think of Jay. We didn't have much luck, until I decided to go with the ring I have been eyeballing for many years. We ordered it from the JC Penney's and got a pretty good deal. Problem was, is that I had to wait a few weeks until it was delivered. But we are very excited and had set a date for Saturday, May 7th, 2011 </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-40194123822847250052009-12-31T20:11:00.002-06:002010-10-10T23:20:45.350-05:002009 Travels<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobcrpy8KhcKSkXHrTuFGS9ErJj6ou6OFgRvmGZI6zudm33dNTWYWKzugxZaMzvo2NXnToZ3WD9Lcx5jUKUrzoaXg5juMXuJgvgqi6DUJUIci1HKgGEMnUm4WEfVuw-vlKyChVQFMhp_E/s1600/arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobcrpy8KhcKSkXHrTuFGS9ErJj6ou6OFgRvmGZI6zudm33dNTWYWKzugxZaMzvo2NXnToZ3WD9Lcx5jUKUrzoaXg5juMXuJgvgqi6DUJUIci1HKgGEMnUm4WEfVuw-vlKyChVQFMhp_E/s200/arch.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">So my travels picked up a little bit in 2009. I had went to St. Louis for a workshop to evaluate one of my consultants. And since it is so close I was able to drive and Allysse drove down with me because her friend Amy was going to school right outside of St. Louis. We had a great time! We went to the casino out there, where I was on a winning streak playing craps, teaching Allysse. We also went on the Anheuser Busch tour, and drove over the MLK Bridge at night which led to some late night excitement.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV5pACbzxeVWqB5ySWaPAGVQ3YSrx4Y7gZF0J0bkjLHbTu629hLNJyP0dS_L9eFyuC14w__oGytlVGoLcr_oPF6owdnK7AnSDv7AizGH2W2ua67AvCLbU-fWNfg9OUe0dvi1IQ9qf_EU/s1600/booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV5pACbzxeVWqB5ySWaPAGVQ3YSrx4Y7gZF0J0bkjLHbTu629hLNJyP0dS_L9eFyuC14w__oGytlVGoLcr_oPF6owdnK7AnSDv7AizGH2W2ua67AvCLbU-fWNfg9OUe0dvi1IQ9qf_EU/s200/booth.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxDOg_JQgsImZyRnABdCpG7zDkgunRcVG9lsMZkyusMKsTxcNo5MtwwvZWUBg4HDZNpTeApZYeh3t0Qf6aZxnnWc9kcgeVSGBLnA-vwdTN5yK-GHOXI8XIUFfM0arJdK4Tc-54pT_XSk/s1600/minneapolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxDOg_JQgsImZyRnABdCpG7zDkgunRcVG9lsMZkyusMKsTxcNo5MtwwvZWUBg4HDZNpTeApZYeh3t0Qf6aZxnnWc9kcgeVSGBLnA-vwdTN5yK-GHOXI8XIUFfM0arJdK4Tc-54pT_XSk/s200/minneapolis.jpg" width="150" /></a>In June-July, I had the opportunity to go to the annual Lions Convention which was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I flew over there and my parents drove up for a few days which was nice. We were able to visit with my grandma, aunt and cousins who live there. We also got to see a free Beach Boys concert which was really good. At the convention I was able to meet with consultants and lions over the world that I have haven't met yet. So it was great to put a face to the name/email/voice. Overall, my first Lions Convention was a great experience! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0YgsyqqHEcBli0byyZ26sb2hb1AYXFWkeveNchm9PWnGNrlbLCLovGv87OXsxBauKMYeYmeSqFt4TZwKh6aK9xxIs-eNl833R9zfH7GOSbPCqKdQsbJxPzyMDLLMbpXDHoO3G26JhUo/s1600/memphis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0YgsyqqHEcBli0byyZ26sb2hb1AYXFWkeveNchm9PWnGNrlbLCLovGv87OXsxBauKMYeYmeSqFt4TZwKh6aK9xxIs-eNl833R9zfH7GOSbPCqKdQsbJxPzyMDLLMbpXDHoO3G26JhUo/s320/memphis.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">In September, I attended my first USA-Canada Leadership Forum which was held in Memphis, Tennessee. I didn't quite know what to expect from Memphis, besides Elvis, Blues, and BBQ. But it was a great trip. We had meetings for my consultants, we worked a booth in the exhibit hall, and had seminars about the Extension Workshop Program for Lions to attend to learn form about the program. I went to dinner the first night with my manager and some other department managers to a restaurant called flight. Everything is served on flights with three different options. And you can order various wine or liquor flights to go with your entree. It was really cool. We also ate at a really cool BBQ place where everyone writes on the walls and table cloths. I forget the name of the place though. After eating, I took a stroll down Beale Street to the Hard Rock Cafe to pick up my usual souvenirs (magnet bottle opener, t-shirt, pin for my cork board at work) and noticed the crazy party atmosphere and the abundance of Lions hanging out watching street performers and blues artists perform on various stages. So I decided to hang out for a while before retreating back to the hotel. I had a great time. I can't wait to go back. It was such a great time, that I wish all my friends/family could experience. It was very comforting with all those Lions out there tho. If they wouldn't have been there, I probably wouldn't have gotten a couple of beers and strolled up and down the street checking out the various entertainers. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742563081036084706.post-32189367627772404322008-12-31T20:47:00.001-06:002010-10-10T23:17:42.647-05:002008 Travels<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I started my job with Lions Clubs International in January of 2008 as a Regional Program Coordinator. Pretty much meaning managing a program in various parts of the world on how to open new Lions Clubs. I was in charge of managing a team of consultants, approving workshops,booking travel, and updating the curriculum and materials. I love my job! It is such a great feeling working for a non-profit organization that helps people. I love working with the local Lions and helping them, because ultimately they are helping those in need. Finally a job with a great purpose! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZGzLek2VtG71xGASa7Td0WlWjyFgIm6yyTpY3PG8MsjyS11GjM5Jl9TtofpyD04vE5q7kK2xgZKydLrGo5yKLCqwgBJqF24Q9dMf9EH_0RmcnOIWaopAjM9dosbq6MEvmSDVHFviBrU/s1600/cactus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZGzLek2VtG71xGASa7Td0WlWjyFgIm6yyTpY3PG8MsjyS11GjM5Jl9TtofpyD04vE5q7kK2xgZKydLrGo5yKLCqwgBJqF24Q9dMf9EH_0RmcnOIWaopAjM9dosbq6MEvmSDVHFviBrU/s320/cactus.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4an3XbaIBb0tvLRuVkt2bc0JYXb9lRApSiMdXThF8XotKD5ognzvnXh-ZdZI3suIbLBbBkGf7ZPgE9ACbVzwtFXG7a2cVjuWFQ5MR28eMUZGuJbf4D3MjgeXcyULtXSa_l-wgfyo5bA/s1600/bingo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4an3XbaIBb0tvLRuVkt2bc0JYXb9lRApSiMdXThF8XotKD5ognzvnXh-ZdZI3suIbLBbBkGf7ZPgE9ACbVzwtFXG7a2cVjuWFQ5MR28eMUZGuJbf4D3MjgeXcyULtXSa_l-wgfyo5bA/s200/bingo.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">During 2008, I had an opportunity to attend one of my workshops in Phoenix, Arizona. I have never been to Phoenix, and never really traveled by myself (other than to Minnesota when I was like 12 and Vegas when I turned 21). The workshop was great! I got to experience first hand the program I manage, meet two of my consultants (husband and wife team from Arkansas), and I got to see, Dawn Dvorak-Kelly, one of my old friends from high school. She moved out there right after she got married to her husband RJ and I haven't really seen or talked with her a whole lot since they got married in 2004 or 2005. It was a great trip. Dawn and I went to a few casinos, played Bingo and got pretty silly over Bingo, and I won $600 or so playing Keno! Little did I know that this would be the start of my work travels. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbBUHnOTisBWSU9DCRs0IJJofaOyLgdpL5TcJohHmWRJKX_WgJLTRZ1P_Y5pKmjwxUtLI4cUcz1HaA42cw42Avc8loFPTQd-w8KTNrrbCFlPFyrK5YWildIKzgmtCOg-Fx7HpppR7f7k/s1600/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbBUHnOTisBWSU9DCRs0IJJofaOyLgdpL5TcJohHmWRJKX_WgJLTRZ1P_Y5pKmjwxUtLI4cUcz1HaA42cw42Avc8loFPTQd-w8KTNrrbCFlPFyrK5YWildIKzgmtCOg-Fx7HpppR7f7k/s200/green.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGD2Q3BHBBT1X5mKj7jdKf_9WxM3EDnc12pjrqrFEAYdnC_b-xXEovFvuKbOiYmSy44Cjpbod7o3mUxVxNPHmhm6zP-UCQZuk5OoO_O2dsShP_P3aVRUOYFhJQBTI7i6peTp_7tYt9WY/s1600/fam+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGD2Q3BHBBT1X5mKj7jdKf_9WxM3EDnc12pjrqrFEAYdnC_b-xXEovFvuKbOiYmSy44Cjpbod7o3mUxVxNPHmhm6zP-UCQZuk5OoO_O2dsShP_P3aVRUOYFhJQBTI7i6peTp_7tYt9WY/s200/fam+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a>I was also very fortunate to have the opportunity to go to Ireland with Jay, his parents, brother, sister, and almost entire extended family. It was Jay's uncle's 80th birthday and everyone was going to celebrate. Jay's dad retired and extended an invitation to me to join them on a trip, where-ever Jay and I would like to go in Europe that they were going. Sooo many places, how do you choose? Well, you go where all the family is going. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBsht9Pm1Rop4lQJDQ4TFuVcKXw1vKun1Ht77CmrCTcabTDcRXiK7bsvXeS7g3V1QJr1hIugo9aJGrPxMnDPRzR1xzUrVbHivpKQBSnJxOxDLFrPDJDXdQpU0Hs6CRIMoRYcLh4qGnTM/s1600/puck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBsht9Pm1Rop4lQJDQ4TFuVcKXw1vKun1Ht77CmrCTcabTDcRXiK7bsvXeS7g3V1QJr1hIugo9aJGrPxMnDPRzR1xzUrVbHivpKQBSnJxOxDLFrPDJDXdQpU0Hs6CRIMoRYcLh4qGnTM/s200/puck.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Ireland was such a great time! I didn't quite know what to expect because my only other times outside of the country was to Cancun, Mexico and Nassau Bahamas and well, both were touristy locations so we didn't really get to experience the true culture of the country. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZO7LPhVywOP_It4GDRJW_P_Fhsk9HA7uGrlV27xKL5rpk8hNaBnLPrZnjfPvQc-rIYTieeYry0P_fnq0hHM-Y5ps_o3rfXdEF2MgXww9d80fNNcll5XnswbIFxKAJ5y9ehplZhcSoOo/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZO7LPhVywOP_It4GDRJW_P_Fhsk9HA7uGrlV27xKL5rpk8hNaBnLPrZnjfPvQc-rIYTieeYry0P_fnq0hHM-Y5ps_o3rfXdEF2MgXww9d80fNNcll5XnswbIFxKAJ5y9ehplZhcSoOo/s200/group.jpg" width="200" /></a>We flew into Shannon airport and that is where I got to have my new country experience right away. I got to be on the rental car, since Jay wasn't 25 yet, and had to drive...on the wrong side of the road, well the right side, but the opposite of what we are use to here in the States. It was quite the experience. We had so much fun, shopping, going pub to pub, playing pool, talking to locals, visiting family... it was probably one of my most memorable trips. Jay and I can't wait to go back, but we know it just won't be the same without the entire family there. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0