A bit of a story...

Last week I flew to Illinois for a quick trip to meet my new boss and to connect with the team I contract with before the move. The main purpose of the trip was to confirm and work out details that will keep me working part time while I am in Japan. Even though I didn't really have the time to go, it was well worth it.

So my quick trip to Illinois was not without drama. I mean come on. Alexis go somewhere and drama not happen? As much as I anticipate it, I did not think the drama will start right at the beginning of my trip.

My flight left at 6:30 am and connected through Atlanta. As I may have mentioned my laptop had been acting funny a few weeks prior and then stopped. The screen would fade or the computer would just shut off. So I had backed up my system (or so I thought) just in case. So while I saw sitting in Atlanta for a 3 hours layover my computer started flipping in and out of sleep mode. And then suddenly turned off. Then if I got it back on the battery would not charge and then turn off right away.

So there I was. In Atlanta, on my way to a huge meeting and my computer wasn't working. Oh and did I mention, I didn't pull any of the files I was going to need to a flash drive. And I definitely would NOT bring the external hard drive with me.

During this moment in time, my lovely husband called me to inform me that his blood work from a routine physical required by his company prior to our move came back showing that he was one Lonestar Steakhouse visit shy of a heart attack. That is right. My 33 year old husband has extremely high cholesterol. And of course right at that moment in time his chest started hurting. Yep. I was in the Atlanta airport, with a broken laptop, on the way to an important meeting and my husband was clutching his check back in NC. Needless to say I found myself having a beverage with a bite at 9:30am.

So off the plane I stepped and went right to a Best Buy who luckily was back in the Apple computer business. I needed to get a new laptop prior to going to Japan, so I just got it a few months early. Merry freaking Christmas Alexis.

Now let me stop and say that I love getting a new computer. I love running my hands across the keyboard and looking into the shiny screen. I can't wait to see the set up assistant dance across my screen. However this situation denied me any of that joy. Luckily the people I met with at work were understanding and managed to find all but one of the files I needed for the meeting.

But alas! This wasn't the only drama of the trip. Even though I could have carried all my belongings on the plane in a Trader Joes sack (not that I would have done that) I packed one of my super huge new suitcases in anticipation of my hand me downs for Sami from Jamie and of course any shopping goodies I may have found. The suitcase was empty on my way there.

We really didn't have much time to hit the stores, but we managed to find a few good deals and some resale shops. My main goal for myself was to find some "dressier" type shirts and some killer shoes. My flips just won't cut it in Japan. I managed to find 3 pairs, two with ankle breaking heels. Somehow my empty suitcase became packed with clothes, shoes and books that I had lent to Jamie.

We were running late to the airport so I was rushed to check in and make sure my bag made it back to NC. Now let me remind you that at this point I am now carrying my laptop backpack, the box to my new laptop with my old broken down laptop in it and my huge suitcase (I had shoved my purse in the suitcase so I would have one less thing to carry). I rush to check in, throw up my bag and reach for my ID.

Just then the ever so pleasant lady informs me that my bag was 10 pounds overweight and she doubts would make the dimensions limit either. I could either pay $50 or take some stuff out. So I ripped open the suitcase, pull out the purse stick the books Jamie returned inside, switch off my shoes and grab one of the killer ankle heel shoes and stick the suitcase back on the scale. Nope. Still 1 pound and 1 inch over. One. Freaking. Pound. Regardless that the flight was barely 1/2 full, if they make an exception for my 1 pound than they need to make an exception to all the luggage (or so the pleasant check-in lady told me with a smile). I ripped back open the bag, pull out a few more items, stick them in my backpack and cross my fingers. Still half inch over. By this time I am ready to wring the lady's neck with her tape measure. You would think I was begging her to stick exercise equipment on the plane or something. I take the bag, smash it up against the scale and tell her to measure it. Finally it passes.

I run down the airport with no shoes on, carrying the killer ankle heels, backpack on and laptop box in hand. The security guys were laughing so hard at me as I ran up to them. I get through security, just as they were getting ready to board. Needless to say I got one of the non-free plane beverages for my choice.

But hey. On a good note. My laptop was fixable, for only $104, and all my information was intact. Miracles do happen.

Shots Take 2 (okay maybe take 5)

So I posted back in mid-January that I had an appointment to get my shots for our Thailand trip. Well I canceled it. I had a cold and well that is never a good time to get a ton of shots. Well I probably failed to mention I have had several appointments made since September and I have canceled every one.

So I am 36 days away from leaving and I am quickly coming up the 4 week window of making sure the vaccinations have time to take effect. So tomorrow at 10:50 am I am going to the NC travel clinic and getting all my shots. I want to throw up just thinking about it. I'd much rather be staying at a Sea Pines rentals somewhere.

Please tell me that I will be okay. **sniff sniff**

Georgia On My Mind

Tomorrow I leave for my press conference in Atlanta. Yikes. I will be leaving here around 7:30am and driving to one of the client's offices in Greensboro and then riding with them and all the trade show and press materials to Atlanta. All in all it should be a 6.5 hour drive.

We will be driving back to Greensboro late Wednesday night where I will stay overnight and then drive to the local airport to pick up my good friend Kate and her daughter Matty for a weekend visit.

I am really, really nervous. I am the liaison between the media and the client and need to do whatever possible to get positive coverage on the unveiling of the new division. I will be the person "working the press conference." Over the weekend I had to write up a strategic proposal on what all the press conference will entail and what the main goals of the trip were. They must have liked it because it was forwarded to the VP. I am not used to people looking to me for advice and direction.

After this trip my project with this client comes to an end. If I am lucky there will be more work that develops out of this trip and future projects. But it is hard to say. So I guess it will be back to the "new business drawing board" next week.

I'll be taking my laptop and since I cannot sleep in a hotel (even with a big King bed all to myself) I am sure I will be checking in. Until then, have a great week!

Konnichi wa!

And Matt is back from Japan... thank goodness. Between the start of school, flying back for my Aunt's funeral, sports practices, meetings and everything else this was a rough time for him to be gone. Usually I am okay with the traveling but this trip was just mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting. And he must have known that because he brought back some very cool gifts.

Isn't this little guy cute? It is solar powered and he moves his head back and forth as long as he is in some sort of light. Sam loves it!

I just love the packaging in Japan. Inside these are a fan and Japanese shirt for Emily.

Chris got an origami set and some mind teaser game. Of course Matt has tried to beat it not giving Chris much of a chance to figure it out.

My gift was the best. Of course I got chocolates.
It is just a known fact that Matt is to bring me back chocolate from where ever he is. I am afraid that someday he will bring me chocolate covered bugs or something.

After the chocolates he handed me a bag with this pretty box.

And inside the box was this pretty box.

And inside that was this:

I have no idea what the certificate that came with it says. Matt said he wanted to do something nice because he knew what a tough few weeks I have had. Just when I think of trading him in for a new model (just joking people) he does something as sweet as this. Guess I will keep him around after all.