Well she sneaks around the world from Kiev to Carolina, She's a sticky-fingered filcher from Berlin down to Belize, She'll take you for a ride on a slow boat to China, Tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Steal their Seoul in South Korea, make Antarctica cry Uncle, From the Red Sea to Greenland they'll be singing the blues, Well they never Arkansas her steal the Mekong from the jungle, Tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? She go from Nashville to Norway, Bonaire to Zimbabwe, Chicago to Czechoslovakia and back! Well she'll ransack Pakistan and run a scam in Scandinavia, Then she'll stick 'em up Down Under and go pick-pocket Perth, She put the Miss in misdemeanor when she stole the beans from Lima, Tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Oh tell me where in the world is... Oh tell me where can she be? Ooh, Botswana to Thailand, Milan via Amsterdam, Mali to Bali, Ohio, Oahu...! Well she glides around the globe and she'll flimflam every nation, She's a double-dealing diva with a taste for thievery, Her itinerary's loaded up with moving violations, Tell me where in the world is Jamie Sandiego?
So for the past four weeks I have been traveling around the United States. It was a mix of business and personal travel. My first stop was Washington, DC. I spent the weekend with my friend Gina. We went to Georgia Brown's for dinner (yummy) with Hope, Amy, Eric and Matt. Then we traveled to my favorite bar in DC -- Kelly's Irish Times. I didn't know it but my old kickball crew was there! It was like being at Cheers -- everyone new my name! The weekend was so cool and hanging out with Gina was super cool.
I then went to work for a few days in my old office helping train the cool girl that took my place. It was neat to see everyone again. It kind of felt like I cam home from college. It was awesome. I really miss my old co-workers. They watched me grow up kinda like my family. I owe all my professional success to those back at PFMD.
Unfortunately, the evening that I had planned to visit with my family, it snowed! It hadn't really snowed in DC this winter, so though I felt confident driving in the snow -- I wasn't so confident about the rest of the DC area. I did get to have lunch with my dad which was great. I really miss my family.
Then from there I was on Operations Kate Marries Mario! First event was Kate and Mario's Jack and Jill party. The wedding party went to Lucky Strike to bowl. It was really a lot of fun! Then it was on! I spent a lot of time with Kate and her sister Margaret getting last minute preparations done. Margaret and I made a lean mean getting our girl married machine. Our motto for the week was "We got this shit" and you know what -- we totally did! The wedding ceremony was beautiful - I cried. The rehearsal was beautiful -- I cried. When I had to leave my family and friends in DC -- I cried once more. In the slide show there are some pictures. The wedding truly rocked!
From Washington, DC I flew FIRST CLASSY (upgraded myself so I could get some sleep) to Palm Springs, CA and then drove to Joshua Tree National Park. I was there to shadow the Pacific West Regional Fee Manager. She holds the same job I do here in Alaska. It was a great learning experience! I met some great gals from Yosemite and Lake Mead. And of course everyone at Joshua Tree was really amazing. It was neat to be in the desert in the middle of the winter. When the temp dropped to 65 everyone in the park was chilly -- I WAS IN HEAVEN. I would stand outside in the sunshine and just absorb the rays and make vitamin D.
From Joshua Tree, CA I flew in to Denver, CO for a two day meeting. I flew in on Friday so I got to spend the weekend with some friends I have in Denver. Marissa and Jimmy have lived in Denver for a while, but my friend Val had just moved to Denver that weekend so I got to see her as well. It was fun to hang out, go out to eat and just basically chill. I even went to a MMA (boxing type thing) fight. It was neat. As for work, I learned SO MUCH from the Fee Managers in Denver. It really was an invaluable experience.
While in Denver, I got a call from home letting me know my Granny had passed away. It was heartbreaking. I know that she is in a better place, but I know I will miss her every day for the rest of my life. I was very lucky to be surrounded by good friends and close to Jackson, TN so I could fly and join my family.
Though we gathered for a very sad occasion, it was very cool to reconnect with my cousins and extended family. My cousins are old enough now to talk too. I am very excited to be able to count them among my friends.
Martha Evelyn Cupples
September 29, 1931 - February 8, 2009
After my family obligations were done and my parents started the long drive back to West Virgina. My best friend Amanda who lives in Memphis came and picked me up from Jackson -- she also picked me up at the airport days before and drove 80 miles to drop me off in Jackson. True friendship is very hard to find.
Anyway, Amanda and I got to spend the weekend together hanging out and catching up. It was great to see her. I am forever grateful to her and RJ for putting me up for the weekend on such short notice.
From Memphis, I had to fly back to Denver to pick up my government ticket. But because I wasn't on government travel anymore...I was homeless as I had to wait to fly to Anchorage overnight. However, again true friendship is hard to find. My friends Jimmy and Marissa came and picked me up from the airport...brought me to what could be the best burger joint in Denver...and allowed me to crash at there place. There place is studio apartment, so this was a BIG deal. Jimmy and Marissa rock. I am again forever grateful to them for being there for me when I needed.
I finally flew back to Alaska. On the plane from Seattle to Anchorage, I sat next to another NPS employee. We chatted which made the whole trip go faster. Once I landed in Anchorage and got my stuff up the stairs!!! (Elevator was out of order), I realized...ohhhh no. I am getting sick. AND BOY DID I GET SICK! SO last week was mainly sleeping and sneezing and coughing. Today is the first day I have felt 100% and I still have a sinus infection! Yeah...I was pretty bad sick. SO sorry about the delay in the blogging...but I could hardly get my eyes open let alone sit in front of the computer when I wasn't getting paid. haha.
Check out the pictures from my little adventure! My next entry will be about FUR RONDY!
YAY!
Until then....Savor the flavor and Drink the Blue Kool-Aide
