Sometimes You Gotta Roll With It!!
I'm back!!!
I just survived a four day trip to Minneapolis!! Oh my goodness did I have fun with my girls. Ok....my girls AND Matt (my neice's hubster). Oh wait, slide Amy in to the mix too (she's my other neice's roommate). So, the cast of characters are Joan, Matt (he's married to Joan), Karen, and Amy (she's Karen's roommate). We all set? Ok, good.
I don't know why I get so hyper about driving to the cities. I used to drive all over the place for crop insurance (Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Billings, Colorado, etc.) and some of that driving time took place in the dead of winter - and alone at that. But, I haven't done it for a while and I guess it's no longer part of my comfort zone. But, I made it and followed the instructions to Joan's and Matt's place with flying colors (Joan's directions were outstanding!). The whole weekend is kind of a blur, but I believe the first night I was there, we went to the Big Ten on U of M campus. Oh, those subs were delicious!!! My conference started on Thursday morning so we didn't make a long night of it, but it was good to see Joan, Matt and Karen.
I don't think I slept at all on Wednesday night as I was so excited for my conference on Thursday. I had forgotten what rush hour traffic was like in downtown Minneapolis, but Joan navigated it like a pro and got me to the front door of the Hilton in record time. I was very excited to check in and meet everyone that would be in my classes. I found that I had people from all over the midwest as well as a few people from other countries, Japan and the Falkland Islands. I was impressed that they would travel that far for training/certification. Classes went well and needless to say that, at the end of a 9-hr day, I was quite tired and stiff (the ole' bod ain't what she used to be!). Matt, the girls and I went to this pizza place on U of M campus (sorry, I can't remember what the name was) that had the most awesome pizza. Unfortunately, Matt and I got our wires crossed with Joan and Karen and we ended up ordering double pizza. Know what? We ate all but 2 large pizzas! ~LOL~ We were a HUNGRY crew!
Friday was quite interesting as it was just us girls as Matt had a Twins game to go to at the Dome. The girls and I went to this absolutely fabulous place on campus called the Village Wok. The atmosphere isn't the greatest, but the food is 10-star! I can see why my sister Peg has to go there everytime she visits the girls. By this time, day 2 of the conference, my body is screaming at me in low volume intervals but nothing a few extra-strength Tylenol couldn't handle.
Saturday is another story! Oh gosh, just trying to get out of bed (ok...off the couch) was sheer torture and I wondered how I was going to do another full 9-hr day of yoga. It was by sheer will and determination that I was able to get dressed and at the Hilton for the next phase of classes. All went well though and as I worked through the day, I became less stiff and sore and managed to keep my headache in check. I met some fabulous people during this phase of certification and I was quite impressed with the openess and willingness to share. I guess that is what conferences/trainings/certifications like this are all about.
Karen was on deck to pick me up at 6pm and she had Amy with her. Amy is a beautiful young lady with a heartwarming smile and this little glint in her eye that makes her absolutely adorable. Her warmth shines through with every smile she flashes at you. They took me to an Italian place in uptown Minneapolis called the Leaning Tower of Pizza. I absolutely adore Fettucini Alfredo and I have to honestly say that theirs is the best I've ever had (even that of the Olive Garden, I kid you not!) I enjoyed the time I spent with Karen and Amy. The third day was rather tough on me though and I asked Karen to take me back to Matt and Joan's (they were at a game at the Dome) so I could crash - which I did.
Sunday, the last day of the conference proved to be my most challenging. Though I'd been able to stave off a migraine headache, I wasn't so successful on Sunday. A migraine started at the base of my neck and I could feel my whole body reacting to it. Although I did the 3-hour class of poses, I probably shouldn't have. There was a physical therapist on hand in one of the other class sessions however, and my instructor sought him out during one of our breaks to have him do some gentle massage on my shoulds and upper back. That, and massive doses of caffeine, certainly helped and I had it to a dull roar by the afternoon. We went out to eat at a place called "The Bad Waitress" on "Eat Street" in Minneapolis. It's unique in that you fill out a card with your order from the menu, take it up to the till to pay (essentially making you the waitress), and return to your table to wait for the food to arrive. It was great food and afterwards we drove back to Karen's area of the city and ended up walking to quaint icecream shop. The night was beautiful and it was good to see the neighborhoods upclose and personal. Joan and Matt took me on a tour of Summit Ave. in St. Paul - which houses some of the most beautiful mansions I'd ever seen. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. It's always good to see how the other half live! :-)
This morning we shoved Matt out the door to work (he's a Spanish teacher) on his final week of school and Joan and I (Ok, mostly Joan) poured over weather and road reports trying to determine when the rush-hour traffic would be less congested so I could take off. Her directions were once again superb and we were out the door at 9:30am and I ended back at the ranch by 2:45. Good time, huh?!
I enjoyed my time with the girls and Matt so much and I can't possibly express to them how much they mean to me!
The conference was awesome and my head is still swimming with all of the information that was thrown at me. I'm excited to get in to class to show some enhancements to poses.
The hubster was glad to see me, as I was with him. I'm getting ready for my classes tomorrow night but just wanted to share my trip with all of you.
I'll leave you with this parting thought: Nothing is as powerful as the moment a person learns something new
I just survived a four day trip to Minneapolis!! Oh my goodness did I have fun with my girls. Ok....my girls AND Matt (my neice's hubster). Oh wait, slide Amy in to the mix too (she's my other neice's roommate). So, the cast of characters are Joan, Matt (he's married to Joan), Karen, and Amy (she's Karen's roommate). We all set? Ok, good.
I don't know why I get so hyper about driving to the cities. I used to drive all over the place for crop insurance (Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Billings, Colorado, etc.) and some of that driving time took place in the dead of winter - and alone at that. But, I haven't done it for a while and I guess it's no longer part of my comfort zone. But, I made it and followed the instructions to Joan's and Matt's place with flying colors (Joan's directions were outstanding!). The whole weekend is kind of a blur, but I believe the first night I was there, we went to the Big Ten on U of M campus. Oh, those subs were delicious!!! My conference started on Thursday morning so we didn't make a long night of it, but it was good to see Joan, Matt and Karen.
I don't think I slept at all on Wednesday night as I was so excited for my conference on Thursday. I had forgotten what rush hour traffic was like in downtown Minneapolis, but Joan navigated it like a pro and got me to the front door of the Hilton in record time. I was very excited to check in and meet everyone that would be in my classes. I found that I had people from all over the midwest as well as a few people from other countries, Japan and the Falkland Islands. I was impressed that they would travel that far for training/certification. Classes went well and needless to say that, at the end of a 9-hr day, I was quite tired and stiff (the ole' bod ain't what she used to be!). Matt, the girls and I went to this pizza place on U of M campus (sorry, I can't remember what the name was) that had the most awesome pizza. Unfortunately, Matt and I got our wires crossed with Joan and Karen and we ended up ordering double pizza. Know what? We ate all but 2 large pizzas! ~LOL~ We were a HUNGRY crew!
Friday was quite interesting as it was just us girls as Matt had a Twins game to go to at the Dome. The girls and I went to this absolutely fabulous place on campus called the Village Wok. The atmosphere isn't the greatest, but the food is 10-star! I can see why my sister Peg has to go there everytime she visits the girls. By this time, day 2 of the conference, my body is screaming at me in low volume intervals but nothing a few extra-strength Tylenol couldn't handle.
Saturday is another story! Oh gosh, just trying to get out of bed (ok...off the couch) was sheer torture and I wondered how I was going to do another full 9-hr day of yoga. It was by sheer will and determination that I was able to get dressed and at the Hilton for the next phase of classes. All went well though and as I worked through the day, I became less stiff and sore and managed to keep my headache in check. I met some fabulous people during this phase of certification and I was quite impressed with the openess and willingness to share. I guess that is what conferences/trainings/certifications like this are all about.
Karen was on deck to pick me up at 6pm and she had Amy with her. Amy is a beautiful young lady with a heartwarming smile and this little glint in her eye that makes her absolutely adorable. Her warmth shines through with every smile she flashes at you. They took me to an Italian place in uptown Minneapolis called the Leaning Tower of Pizza. I absolutely adore Fettucini Alfredo and I have to honestly say that theirs is the best I've ever had (even that of the Olive Garden, I kid you not!) I enjoyed the time I spent with Karen and Amy. The third day was rather tough on me though and I asked Karen to take me back to Matt and Joan's (they were at a game at the Dome) so I could crash - which I did.
Sunday, the last day of the conference proved to be my most challenging. Though I'd been able to stave off a migraine headache, I wasn't so successful on Sunday. A migraine started at the base of my neck and I could feel my whole body reacting to it. Although I did the 3-hour class of poses, I probably shouldn't have. There was a physical therapist on hand in one of the other class sessions however, and my instructor sought him out during one of our breaks to have him do some gentle massage on my shoulds and upper back. That, and massive doses of caffeine, certainly helped and I had it to a dull roar by the afternoon. We went out to eat at a place called "The Bad Waitress" on "Eat Street" in Minneapolis. It's unique in that you fill out a card with your order from the menu, take it up to the till to pay (essentially making you the waitress), and return to your table to wait for the food to arrive. It was great food and afterwards we drove back to Karen's area of the city and ended up walking to quaint icecream shop. The night was beautiful and it was good to see the neighborhoods upclose and personal. Joan and Matt took me on a tour of Summit Ave. in St. Paul - which houses some of the most beautiful mansions I'd ever seen. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. It's always good to see how the other half live! :-)
This morning we shoved Matt out the door to work (he's a Spanish teacher) on his final week of school and Joan and I (Ok, mostly Joan) poured over weather and road reports trying to determine when the rush-hour traffic would be less congested so I could take off. Her directions were once again superb and we were out the door at 9:30am and I ended back at the ranch by 2:45. Good time, huh?!
I enjoyed my time with the girls and Matt so much and I can't possibly express to them how much they mean to me!
The conference was awesome and my head is still swimming with all of the information that was thrown at me. I'm excited to get in to class to show some enhancements to poses.
The hubster was glad to see me, as I was with him. I'm getting ready for my classes tomorrow night but just wanted to share my trip with all of you.
I'll leave you with this parting thought: Nothing is as powerful as the moment a person learns something new
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