The places you have come to fear the most...

The last two weeks have been like a roller coaster. We've been so busy at work, but I've felt really good about it all. I've really tried to step up and own a couple of projects and really put forth my best effort. Plus staying busy at work distracts me from other stuff going so that's always good...

My cousin Brett and his wife Sadie had their second little girl this morning. Dad woke me up in a daze with an early phone call to tell me the news. I have always considered Brett to be more of a brother than a cousin, and we've always been close. I am so happy for him and Sadie, but at the same time, it just reminds me of yet another thing I'm missing out on by being here... When Vada, their first girl was born, I was able to get to the hospital and meet her that first day. Now over a year and a half later, I've only got to hang out with her a few times... And now her little sister, I won't even get to meet until she's two months old. My dreams of turning them into little cheerleaders are quickly dwindling...

But I know that there is no one out there that understands what I'm doing more than Brett does. We've both always had big dreams, and I know he knows that's why I'm here. But that doesn't make NOT being there much easier...

I went back to Kansas City for a weekend away with Mom and just had an amazing time. I was so convinced that in a year or two I would be ready to move back there. But as I get more and more involved with work, I am really falling in love with my clients. I love to see the positive work coming out of the cancer institute, the level of creativity I get to be around with those blue guys, and the seriously kindest hearts you'll find with our PBS station...

I keep thinking about the life I left back there, and I've finally been reminded that there is a whole new life, right here, right in front of me, that I'll miss just as much if/when I leave.

Maybe the grass is always greener... Who knows.

Playing dress-up...

Every now and then, on a rare occasion, I have to wear the full-on business suit to work.. Usually only during really big events, but today was one of those days.

I was off-site all day, helping at the Latin Chamber luncheon where Vegas PBS was announcing the launch of their new Spanish channel, V Me, then delivering passes for front desk staff at a few casinos for the Springs Preserve, and then back to the convention center for Vegas PBS to get training to escort media at the shooting of Antiques Roadshow tomorrow.. Needless to say, it was a crazy day, and the entire reason I'm at home at 11 pm on a Friday night and not seeing The Dan Band at The Joint with my friends.

But I digress... Today as I put on my business suit and took one last look in the mirror, an odd flashback came through my mind.. Sixth grade.. Dress like your hero day for Red Ribbon Week, and I chose my mother's blazer so I could look like her. I can't remember if it was hot pink or just red, but hey - it was the 90's - so in my head it's hot pink.

I can't help but wonder where the time has gone.. Am I really a grown up? With a professional job? Am I really doing all these important things and going to these important meetings where (at least I hope) my opinion is respected and needed?? What happened to the little girl who put on her mom's suit jacket that spilled over her arms and had bulky shoulder blades so it looked ridiculously out of place?

I guess sometimes I still can't believe the position I have, the city I'm living in, the role that I play. I still feel like a kid playing dress up.. Like someday I'll wake up and none of this will have ever really happened.

This growing up stuff... it sneaks up on you.

Snap back to reality...

I thought I would be so much better about posting on here.. And the funny thing is, all throughout my day I find myself thinking, "This would be a great post on the blog..." and then I leave work and go out with friends or need to do laundry and end up not posting anything.. But here goes.

I had quite the reality shock today that I'm not in Iowa anymore. I was wrapping up what seemed like my 100th conference call of the day and getting ready to get some lunch. I scrolled through my email quick to see that our office manager had sent out a note to everyone to be careful because the police were in our staff parking lot as someone had just tried to carjack the dentist from the office below us' car. Great... As I leave the office, I see the police start to pull away, and I go about my business. I pull in front of our building only to see four more cop cars standing at the jewelry store next door. Caution taped wrapped all around it, and the owner standing outside screaming about how he just got robbed... Whether one had anything to do with the other, I have no idea..

Now this may seem like a typical Las Vegas moment to outsiders.. But my office is in a really nice part of town. It's very safe, and there are million dollar houses lining the back of our office park that when we get bored we look out and watch kids swimming or the dogs running around in the back yards.. It's not like this is the ghetto, but we're certainly not in Guthrie Center, Iowa, anymore either.

Anyways... in other news... I've been quite the jetsetter lately. Two weekends ago I traveled down to Phoenix to visit my best friend Kelly. She had just relocated their from Des Moines and needed a little help getting settled and reassured leaving everyone back home was the right deicison. I nominated myself for the job :)

We had a great time, and believe it or not, I actually believe Phoenix is hotter than Las Vegas. I should have brought stronger sunscreen with me!

The next weekend (this past weekend) I flew up to San Francisco to meet Dad for the Moylan wedding. I was so excited to see some more familiar faces, get time to spend with Devan, and also get to run around one of my favorite cities with Dad.

The wedding was a gorgeous outdoor wedding, and I think it's safe to say that everyone had a pretty awesome time that day/night. Congrats to the groom, Shaun, and his beautiful bride, Julie! After spending years stuffing bank statements with Shaun (or should I say FOR Shaun while he played computer games), I know that he is such a lucky guy to get a great girl like Julie!

Dad and I spent most of Sunday running around the city doing our favorite things: watching street performers at Fisherman's Wharf, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, and getting lost in Sausalito. It was such a great trip, and I will admit I got a little teary eyed when my plane took off. That always seems to happen when I have to say goodbye to my dad...


So this weekend I'm FINALLY in town for once, and I plan on doing NOTHING. Just having a relaxing weekend with not a lot of plans... Next weekend - the 10th - I'm back on a plane and heading to Kansas City for a girls' weekend with my Mom so it will be great to see her as well, and I'm so excited to get back around my old (and hopefully someday future) stomping grounds.

I can't believe it's already August... I guess time really does fly when you're having the time of your life :)