So, I am sitting at home waiting on my Dad's flight to get here to DC (first family visit to the townhouse so I am also a bit stressed) and thought I would share some things that struck me today. I have spent most of the week in meetings and training with our global Brand Performance Support team. It has been good times and truly enjoyable getting to know the whole team better and better as I continue this journey in the new position.
Of course, during the early portion of the day, most of our phones popped up with an alert about Malaysian Flight 17 and the poor souls on board. With my recent travels in China and the opportunity to get to know some of our Asia Pacific team members (as well as having a group of them with us this week), I was struck by the fact that I can focus way too much on the mundane or perceived irritants when in reality, my life is pretty fantastic.
Another thing that struck me as I rapidly approach birthday 40 (10 day countdown) is that life is fleeting and we should take advantage of every moment. It was not my impending birthday that brought this on but the celebration of a 25th birthday right before Dad and I head down to reconnect with our family here in Virginia and celebrate the life of my Dad's uncle who has stage 4 Leukemia.
This man, who I have only gotten to spend a bit of time with (and that is a true shame) recently celebrated his 90th birthday. This life has been filled with love and selflessness and the want to help and support others. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to spend a bit more time with him and all the family and am kicking myself for not doing this earlier either when I first moved to DC or on any of my previous trips to the DC area for work.
Good news is I get to reconnect with everyone and build relationships anew. It does bring back a very fond memory of going horseback riding - english for this girl who had only ever rode western - with my cousin and nearly falling off the horse with the saddle included. Not because of bad riding mind you but because we did not get the saddle secured on tight enough (sneaky horse puffing up it's chest) and as I was riding, the saddle started slipping down one side. I can just picture what I looked like as I started to slowly slide down one side of the horse getting more and more diagonal to the grounds. It was a blast though!
I also enjoyed our team event last night to a local venue that offered bowling and bocce. Who knew that our European friends were so excellent at bowling? I got smoked by quite a few of them. I also watched and then participated on a very competitive (and lumpy) bocce court. Oh, and after sharing the fun that was my China travels, many of our international folks have decided I am probably not the person to travel with (I am though, trust me!)
Finally, during the training program today, one of our really fantastic team members from Austria (I am almost positive he is from there) kept making several great points. But each and every time he spoke, all I could picture in my head (I got home late last night so not enough sleep evidently) was him as a Bond Villain saying, "Not this time, Mr. Bond." It was super funny and super distracting especially since I have heard him speak multiple times. I am not sure what is wrong with me.
So, I guess in essence, I am really lucky in the career, job, family, and friends I have and get to reconnect with. Oh, and I think in action adventure novels when I am especially tired and sitting through an 8 hour class...
PS, I am leaving for Los Angeles next week and there are going to be ALL KINDS of stories to tell from that trip! Then finally maybe I can get the kitchen cabinets finished.
Talk soon, y'all!
Shelley
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