Slow start

It's Friday morning here around 7:30 AM. I feel different this morning - compared to yesterday morning. I slept longer for sure but am not sure I am ready to wake up. I believe a shower and warm cup of coffee will work fine.

Last night was wonderful! I had a very nice time at dinner, trying new food and sharing great conversations with some new friends. I was excited when I got back to my hotel. It took me a while to "wind down" despite it being around midnight local time. I kept on the local schedule anyway. Once I laid my head down, I fell right asleep!

I know I have a lot of work to do today. It may go easier than I expect once I get to the office and see what the team actually knows on a particular topic today. That would be a nice surprise if the day is easier than what I think. I am open to see how it goes.

I am grateful to have exchanged IMs with a good friend back home already this morning...she ending her day and me starting mine. We have become a global society and are always "on". Today I give thanks for that global connection...for the technology, the overlap in schedules (although late for her) and our friendship.

The photo is from yesterday morning. This is from my hotel window. It was a sunny day even though it doesn't look like it. I am facing north west I think so that's why the sun isn't shining on the mountain yet. I saw it from a closer view yesterday and it is amazing!

Have a wonderful day and take a moment to slow down, as I was feeling slow to the start of my morning, to notice and be grateful for the (global) connections you have.

Homesick? I made it NOT about me!

Today is day 3 into my trip. I still can't believe I am really in Bulgaria! I flew 7 hours to London in business class (wonderful experience and quite fun), two hour layover which went by fast because Heathrow airport is not easy to get around, then another 3 hours to Sofia in business class which seemed like regular size seats - they just fed us a lot of food. I met a really nice gentleman on the flight to London. We were meant to sit next to each other so I would be more relaxed and enjoy the experience...he travels all over the world, lives life to the fullest (life isn't a rehearsal he said), tries new things, does what he wants, owns his own company, is married with a 3 year old son, survived a bad car accident and survived a rare tongue cancer. I don't know how old he was but in his 50s anyway. Yea - things happen for reasons. I guess I wasn't ready to think about anything except what I was going through myself so I needed a distraction. It worked.

We had a long day today. I woke up at 3:30 am! It was actually nice-after I decided to go with it. I wasn't tired nor irritated that I didn't sleep long. I did some reading and some writing. It was actually relaxing.

Work was very productive and I met a lot of new people! All of these folks are learning something new - I am part of a team who taught them and have been working with them for the past couple of months. It is neat to see them working and executing using their new information. The day went by very quickly since we were so busy with more detailed training based on issues that came up. I love doing this type of work!

There was a point this afternoon when I thought I was going to crack...a little bit of being tired, a little bit of jet lag, a little bit being hungry and a little bit of missing home. I felt this overwhelming feeling like I wanted to tap my heels together 3 times and be home. I had enough and wanted to be back to normal. But I thought "I can't do that. I am here. My job isn't finished. I can help these people more so they can do a better job of understanding the work and deliver higher quality." It took me a few minutes but I was able to calm myself down and refocus. That isn't to say that I wasn't tired and hungry and missed home and wanted to be with my boys because I was feeling all of these things. And I acknowledged that. Then I thought about the team of people who I can help, and that we would be going out to a nice restaurant for dinner, and others were feeling the same way about wanting to be home.

I don't know much about jet lag except that it's hard to explain what it feels like and now I think I understand that. I was "off" today for a bit. Tired but not sleepy. Thinking but not focusing. Edgy but not irritated.

I have a mission and I know I am blossoming every hour I am here. Having people talk to me about a particular topic or share an experience at the right time, reading certain text at certain times, experiencing situations that force me to work through new feelings and find the tools to succeed are all part of my experience. Staying connected and having people be in touch is very encouraging for me! I am not doing this alone. I am never alone.

Be very careful...how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
-Ephesians 5:15-17

Thought for the Day

Today I will pay attention to God's nudges.

Hello from British Airways Lounge

Hi there - I am at JFK in the Lounge for Business class folks! Such a nice place where everything is peaceful and free! The ride here was uneventful. We had a great driver who made it a relaxing ride. The dining area will be opening soon as well as the spa. Since the food and the spa are included in the price of the airfare, guess I'll have to experience both!

There have been so many people who have helped me in more ways than they know up to this moment! I want to thank all of them. My realization yesterday morning was that I am ready. I can make decisions with new adventures and trust myself that my choices are good ones. I can take the action that what I feel is best and I am okay with the results. I am to recognize situations and opportunities that are in front of me and know they are there because I am ready to experience them. I will continue to follow my gut, listen to my inner voice and feel those divine nudges to help me decide what my actions will be. The important point is for me to recognize the choice, listen for the divine push, act and be okay with the results.

So here I go acting on just that, the inner feeling to say yes to this trip and all the responsiblities and experience that comes with it. Knowing that others see me as qualified to perform the tasks, believe that and act on it.

Thanks again to those who have contributed to my personal and professional growth! I hope it is meant that I can return the favor some day (or have already).

Counting down

A good friend described it perfectly...the waiting is sometimes the worst part. I think I am as ready as I am going to be for my trip to Bulgaria. I have money, I have clothes, I have all those little travel items. I am waiting for Monday to actually pack it in my suitcase. Then Tuesday will be those last minute things that get thrown in.

The great part is the work that I am going to do while I am there is already in my head (I have been doing it for quite a few years) and anything that I need to explain will just come up. I love explaining things to people! I really like programming so the QC steps that I'll be enhancing/putting in place will be fun. There aren't any scary presentations or new things I have to learn about the tasks. There isn't anything I have to sell or pitch to anyone. It's all in what I already know and then participating in any discussions that come up. I can do that!

I have made a list of appointments for the next week - really more for me than for my husband! They know what is on the calendar. They are able and willing to cook for themselves (they do most of that when I AM home!!). There have been quite a few people who have offered to help them out while I am gone. It is very nice to know that friends are making themselves available if the need arises.

Banking and other logistics for my trip

Who knew there were so many things to do before traveling? I am learning all about them! There's work money and do you get it now or later and if you get it now do you get it in US dollars or in the foreign currency. How much to get? Are there banks or ATMs near where you are staying? Are they "good"? What are the charges for performing these transactions?

Well, today I think this will be pretty much wrapped up. I'll have money that I need both personal and business. I'll get some foreign money sent to me on Monday (which is already in the works) so no further action required by me.

The airline has a web site where you can register your passport and flight. It is supposed to make the boarding process smoother and quicker. Okay. I did that. I still have to print out a boarding pass within 24 hours of my flight - hey now there is something I now how to do!!! I made myself a reminder - not like I have been thinking about ANYTHING except this trip so I shouldn't forget!

Also, register with the state...United States? Some web site that can have on record that you are traveling to another country. Its a good thing to tell someone other than family. Okay. I did that.

My cell phone isn't built for international calls so I'll be bugging those I am traveling with to call home from time to time. That's nice of them. I don't remember anyone at Sprint asking me about where I travel to and that the phone I bought won't work outside the country! No bother - this may not happen too many more times.

I am charging my iPod and camera over the weekend. I think my iPod can't be charged since I don't have iTunes on my work laptop and I don't know how to do it any other way. I'll survive and maybe the battery will as well. I have an adaptor so I can recharge the camera batteries and my laptop.

I went to the store yesterday to get those convenient travel size items...small mouthwash, facial wipes, hand sanitizer, shampoo, etc. I figure size matters and these things are perfect size to carry on the plane with me so I am not stuck if my luggage doesn't make it to my destination at the same time I do.

I'll post more another time on the emotional items for this trip! I am getting a lot of experience on working to LIVE IN THE MOMENT! Things are being taken care of in one way or another and I have to trust that. So for other life events that happen between now and the hour that I leave, I am working to BE PRESENT for so the trip doesn't take me longer than one week away from home.

Forteen Years of Joy

We usually have 2 birthday parties for my son...one for family and one for his friends. He turned 14 this year. The parties were on different weekends. The partying is over now but the warmth is still in my heart.

I have reflected on May 23-24, 1995 annually. I have to chuckle on what I thought at the time (from what I remember). I was so tired and big! I was so ready for it to be over. But at the same time, I didn't want my pregnancy to end. It was known. I was tired and big - and I knew how to deal with that.

I am glad that life keeps going and moving us through experiences. I was so glad to see my son and start living my life WITH him and interacting with him instead of just nurturing him on the inside.

He has grown to be such a wonderful young man. So many experiences. He has taught me more than I was expecting. That's the cool thing and I hope I am wise enough to continue to view this journey as a give and take experience.

Travel Plans Secured

Well, it's really going to happen! My plane and hotel reservations were purchased late last week. I am really going to Sofia, Bulgaria!!! I am very excited and so grateful for the people who are coming forward and sharing all kinds of helpful travel hints :-) I am listening to them all and will incorporate those that make sense to me.

I have already started making a 'pack this' list. Not all good ideas that I have come under pressure. So when I am thinking about something, it has to be written down else it will just fall out of my head!

I know the trip will go by fast. I am looking forward to the reflection time when I return and see how things turned out either as I expected or things that happened very differently. Regardless, it will all be the experience I am meant to have at this point in my life.