Where in the World is Cherai?

Hello everyone.

It has been so busy that I've either been on the run or laying low catching my breath for the past month. Well, remember that I said that I haven't been anywhere for a while? I've more than made up for it this month.

First there was the visit to Maryland in May - where I got to see Jeff and Laura (oh, as well as work at my hq warehouse with my boss - you can see what was the bigger priority for me). Since then, I have started training to do a 5K (fast walk - not ready to run yet) in September, started the South Beach Diet, worked like crazy for some VERY demanding clients, started the transition process from being a committee chair to being a Board of Directors member from one of my trade associations (Meeting Professionals International - Chicago Area Chapter) and won an election for a seat on the Nominating Committee of my sorority (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, - Chicago Alumnae Chapter).

OH, did I mention that I've decided to go back to school for my MBA? My anticipated start date is Jan/Feb 2008. The application process is lenghthy and involved. I'm not quite sure how everything is going to work out - timewise. However, where there is a will, there is a way and if I have to give up some stuff, then so be it. So that you do not think I'm insane, I did not definitively decide on the MBA thing until this month. I had already committed to the Board position and the Nominating Committee seat before I knew I was going to take on the MBA-thing. Otherwise, I would not have signed up for both.

AND - the funny part is that I did not realize that the Board seat is a two year committment. Somewhere in my brain I had it for a one year time-frame. Funny how you miss the fine print.

Think I have enough to do? Oh, I still plan to have a social life, as well. One of my sorors has fixed me up with a friend of a friend, as well as one of my former dating buddies has come a callin' again. When it rains, it pours, right? The challenge is just to schedule everything in without burning out.

So, Cherai has been rather busy trying to keep my head above water. It's all good though.

OH - I have not mentioned the travel in June yet. First, I went to Minneapolis June 7 - 8 to check on my client's program that was happening at the Minneapolis convention center and just give the client and her team my regards. That went well - until the flight home. Summer travel is such a pain in the rear. Don't get me wrong - I love family and kids (well, the moderately behaved to the well behaved ones). Air travel is difficult enough these days with the extra security checks, the lines for the luggage check in, then drop-off and then the security lines. Add to it the family with kids who only travel every once in a while and are not used to all the new rules and regs and all the gear they want to carry on for the kids, it makes a regular business traveler want to tear their hair out. I just grin and bear it - even with JR kicking my seat for the entire two hour ride. First class is such a lovely thing.

Next on the travel itinerary was a trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on June 10 - 11 for a MPI-CAC Board of Directors retreat. It was fabulous. The resort was pretty nice (not swanky but very nice in the middle of the lake and great for creative thinking). The area up there by the lake is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The homes were tremendous. As soon as I get my film back (don't know how to work my digital camera yet), I will post some pics from the boat tour we got to do on the lake.

Upcoming this Friday is a family reunion in Brevard, NC and then a spa getaway at the Grove Park Inn in near-by Asheville, NC. I am so looking forward to the rest and relaxation. well, the rest and relaxation AFTER the reunion. The reunion should be very interesting, to say the least. I'll share those details and more later on.

So you all have a wonderful June and enjoy the summer. I promise to write more soon.

Hugs,
Cherai