Countdown to Paris

This will be me in a week and a half...

And the next adventure is...

Monday I head off for a super quick site visit at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa. I am working on a event there for the fall, so I have/get to explore the island. Anyone have any "must-see" suggestions for me?

http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/

Happy Lyndsey Day

Today is a special day - it's the day we celebrate Lyndsey's 30th birthday. She's the nicest, dearest and most lovely gal. She's a darn good friend and has incredible taste in music, movies, and munchies. Here's to another 30!

Jeni

I am so proud of you. I love you lots! Keep up the good work.

Love, your big sister

When I grow up…

I want to be an astronaut. Well, to be perfectly honest, it was that or be in the White House. That is another story for another day. Back to space travel…my friend Sarah and I watched the International Space Station and the shuttle go streaking across the sky last week. It was very cool, very fast and very small. The only reason we knew it was, in fact, the shuttle and ISS was because we were watching for it and we were aware of the signs. Isn’t that a metaphor for life?

We stood there with our faces to the night sky enjoying the scene and imagining being there. I always wanted to be an astronaut and so did Sarah. She thinks it’s not too late, I think she’s the most optimistic person I know.

The ones you love

For Easter, I went to see my mom and she and I together went to see my grandparents (a lot of driving). My grandfather turned 94 on March 21; grandma turns 90 this September. Imagine how much life you live in 90+ years. These two people are amazing examples of positive thinking and working hard every single day. They are faithful and good. They are careful and smart. They love learning and books - they wrote a few about their own lives and other family members.

My mom and I made Belgium waffles with whipped cream and fresh strawberries for my grandpa's birthday dinner and he and grandma were in heaven (Meals on Wheels is not known for tasty cuisine). My grandfather told stories about things he saw and did in Europe during World War Two - about "buzzing" the Eiffel Tower, "hitchhiking" at the Munich airport to get to conference in Paris and desperately trying to get home (for six months) once the war ended. I wish I had a tape recorder in my pocket and could have recorded every precious word.

I felt grateful to them for their examples. I felt happy to be with them. I felt loved when I was with them.

March Madness

It's barely halfway through the month of March and I have been traveling. Williamsburg, Chicago and Columbia/Charlotte...very good exploring.

Before I start that - I have a new assignment at work. The 2008 Women's Summit went so well, it was decided that I might be useful in event planning (especially considering we no longer have an event staff and I have some experience). Yes, event planning is back on the resume. With that said...to all my friends who have started asking "Where did Ann go?", I am alive. I have been working to get caught up and on top of my new assignments. Between that and the travel, I have been a little "under the radar".

So, let's get you all caught up on some good times on the road.

Virgina

I have been to the DC area - and it's lovely in the fall. This was the south end of VA and in the early spring, but still lovely. Williamsburg, Hampton and Jamestown area...

The house Martha Washington grew up in.

William and Mary

Jamestown Island

Chicago

It's cold in Chicago - it may be windy, but in March that wind ain't warm. Anyway, I met some great people in our Latino market there and they are sweet, generous, and excited to build that market. They took us to some great spots to eat (veggie only), Art Institute of Chicago and John Hancock Tower (among a few cool places).

To top it all off, the hotel we've booked for our event in August put me in the Penthouse. It's bigger, nicer and far cooler than my house.

American Gothic
Pebble Beach Penthouse

86 stories above the Windy City

Columbia, SC

Lorie and I went to visit our friend Nicky. We went to Congaree National Park, Five Points Saint Patrick's Day Celebration and 5K, Columbia Zoo and Botanical Gardens, shopping, eating some good southern treats - like Hash on Rice (but not Hushpuppies). Alex (Nicky's energy-filled 3-year-old) kept us going and laughting. We had an amazing time.

Playing "sleeping"

Lorie, Nicky, Ann

Nicky and Lorie capturing the park.