Come and Gone...

Another 6 weeks have come and gone...and here is what I have to show for it.

Spent 5 days in Hawaii for an event and luckily it was over my birthday weekend. So I stayed an extra day and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, weather, beach, etc. It's the one day a year I usually 'relax' and I literally sat on the beach under an umbrella for hours. The water was so warm I even spent time wading. I had dinner with friends that evening and it surely made for a nice celebration. I enjoyed my morning runs along the beach watching the sun come up, and of course watching the sun set each evening in Hawaii is the best in the world.

Once the celebration was over, it was back to the grind. Luckily my trip to Mexico City was cancelled this year, so it was just 10 days of 10 hour work days until I left for Superama in Las Vegas. This event is always a lot of prep work as well as a lot of work during the week. That's why it was 'necesssary' that my mom attend the event as well as my helper. I couldn't have done it without her as she was very good to take my directions and run with them. Alex was also there for the International All Star Tournament finals, (as well as celebrating her 1year anniversary), so it was a family ordeal. The event was great, but after a week in Vegas I was ready to come home.

But I wasn't home for long, 48 hours later I got back on a plane and headed to Puerto Rico. This event is always a stress reliever for me after the long Vegas week. The work isn't extremely difficult and it is a beautiful resort on the beach, so I sneak in some lounge time at the pool. The lobby of the hotel is also an event in itself as there are live salsa bands each night and locals come to dance and drink and party. Needless to say, after some salsa myself each night, I didn't get much sleep here, but had a fun time.

I went from 80+ degrees to 30 degrees in just a short few days as I headed to Utah for the BYU event. From my tanktop and shorts to a wintercoat and gloves, crazy! It happened to snow while I was there so I got my fill of winter weather very quickly. It was beautiful scenery as always and I enjoy the time on campus in 'happy valley'. It is a good rejuvination for me at this time of year as I'm starting to get run down and still have plenty left to do. I was glad to see Gma and Gpa & Janice and Hal for lunch, but was also glad to leave the cold. I'm a sissy, I admit it!

So now I'm in Chicago between flights on my way back to the warm. I leave for Columbus though in 3 days so I'm afraid there is more cool weather in my future. Knock on wood I haven't been sick through all of this traveling. Perhaps I'm just waiting to get sick until I'm home at Thanksgiving and my mom can take care of me?! Time to board the next plane...

ARIGATO!

Once again I am sitting in the Admirals Club and have some time to spare between flights so I can update my travel log. I just flew into LAX from Tokyo. It has been quite a quick trip, which perhaps is ultimately going to help my jet lag. I never really had time to adjust. We'll see tonight if I'm able to go to sleep though. I left Friday morning early with a short flight to Dallas, then a long 13+ hour flight to Tokyo. I ate three times on the flight, watched 4 movies, worked on my computer, read a book, stood for an hour in the area next to the restrooms, slept for about 4 hours. Luckily I was in first class so the seat layed down flat into a bed and I could actually get some sleep. I didn't say one word to the man sitting next to me the entire time, a typical Tara tactic.

I arrived in Japan 1 day and three hours later than I left. So the entire time I was there I felt like I was really sending messages from the future back home. My own little 'Lost' moment. My first impressions of Japan were of great organization, order, respect, cleanliness, and very friendly. Something as simple as standing at baggage claim, the people stand behind a red line and then when they see their luggage step up to get it, no pushing, no talking, no loud noises. I took a bus limo to the hotel in Shinagawa area which was about 1.5 hours ride. We passed Tokyo Disney on the ride and I saw the castle, matterhorn, space mountain right there in Japan. I fought hard to stay awake on the bus ride because it was really the only time I got to SEE Japan, even though at this point it was 13 hours ahead of Miami time. The country was green and lush and a lot of farm land.

Once I checked into the hotel, I went straight to bed. I felt bad, like I should be out exploring, but I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. So I was sleeping at 6:30pm, woke up at 10:30 pm, read a while, went back to sleep, woke up at 2:00 am, called my mom, slept until 5:30 am, got up and read for a while until the sun was up and I could go for a walk. I ventured out through the community, and found myself at the train station area where there was a little coffee shop right next to McDonalds. So I sat for a long time drinking a mocha and watching the people come from the train station. So interesting to watch all of these people just living their life half way across the world from me, no matter what or where, we are all the same. What isn't the same is the McDonalds menu, they are all hot dog value meals! Hot dogs everywhere! After wandering through the shops a little I headed back to the hotel, took a bubble bath and got ready for the day. The day was spent mostly in the competition, coordinating with our photographer, etc.

OK, gotta get to the next flight, will finish this later with photos!

OK ready to finish...
The event was quite exciting, as the USA won the World Championship title for the first time! (our couples took 1st and 3rd) I think I was actually the only American there other than the two couples, so it was kinda fun to cheer on the champions! I spent some time after the event writing the report to be posted immediately on-line and getting pictures from our photographer. We relaxed a little at a little cafe before heading to bed. My flight wasn't until 4pm the next day, but I only slept 3 hours and was up at 6am again. So I went for a walk again, enjoyed sitting at the coffee shop watching people go by, walked through the gardens around the area and took my time getting packed and ready to go. I took the bus back to the airport, with the new world champions, and found out we were on the same flight. So we enjoyed relaxing in the JAL club in the airport (which was EXTRA NICE with a full buffet and bar and massages, etc.) then got on the plane for a 10 hour flight to LAX. Luckily they were more tired than I was and we all slept about 8-9 hours of the flight!

I took another 5 hour flight home while Katusha (world champ) went to see her sister on Dancing With the Stars in LA. (Anna dancing with Michael Irvin) We had sat in the club and watched them practice live through webcam on the computer that morning, so it was interesting to see it happen on TV that night.

It has taken me a whole week to feel 'normal' again. Luckily I wasn't there long enough to really get my time converted, just long enough to feel a little confused. I'm heading to Hawaii now though on Tuesday and going 6 hours the OTHER direction in time. So I just have to sleep when and where I can, which is usually on a plane! This was a cool experience though and one I wouldn't trade, even with the craziness of it all!

Since the last time I wrote . . .

Since the last time I wrote...here are some details of my comings and goings...

New York City - spent 5 days in the 'city that never sleeps' and that was pretty much me. I enjoyed my morning jogs as usual across the Brooklyn Bridge and took the subway up to Times Square on one of my breaks on the 4th of July. Lots of people in Time Square on a holiday like that! The weather was quite pleasant while I was there and it was welcomed. Miami is headed into hurricane season which means hot and humid. The event was well attended and high caliber as always. One of my favorite of the year!

Irvine, CA - home for a week then off to So Cal, such a highlight of my year. I love the weather, the smell, the atmosphere, everything. This was an Arthur Murray event and one that I didn't have any direct responsibilities at, except to be a corporate face. So I had plenty of time for my regular jogs around UCIrvine, trips to SouthCoast Plaza for shopping, a pedicure, laying at the pool, and lunch at Rubios Baja Grill (something I really miss!) I had fun with friends here and pursued a little extra 'friend' time with one of my 'favorites'. =-)

Washington DC - home for 1 day then off to the nation's capitol for another Arthur Murray event, one I had complete responsibility for. The annual VIP Club was at the Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown, so I didn't mind spending 6 nights in a suite there. As this is an incentive vacation for our attendees, my responsibilities at the event are to make sure everyone has a VIP experience, thus I get one as well. Not too hard of work! My mom joined me and was treated to a little VIP exerience as well. It was great fun to have her along to enjoy all the sightseeing and free time I had, not to mention all the little tasks she helped me do as 'work'.

San Francisco - Home for 2 days then off to San Fran for a competition. Nothing really spectacular here, I saw the inside of a hotel, that's about it. The hotel is right on the bay so I did get to run along the water and watch the planes land. And it was cold! In the 60s! Which made for a nice run, but a little chilly in my Miami running gear. I did get to enjoy an In-N-Out burger there, that's worth mentioning! And I did get to see my 'friend' again as he lives there.

Houston - Home for 4 days then off to Houston to see George Straight with my dad. Since everyone else was out of town, it was just he and I and I convinced him to go to the outlet mall for me before heading to the concert. Of course that also meant a great Texas BBQ lunch at the Texas Roadhouse before hand. We missed Julianne Hough, the first act, because it took us so long to get into the stadium to park, and only saw a few songs by Blake Shelton, but Sugarland was really good, a welcome surprise, and then of course Gorgeous Georgous was so amazing. What a legend. It was a long night, but so fun!

Las Vegas - Home for a 10 days then off to Vegas for an event where it was 110 degrees. Actually my runs there were so nice, even though it was like 90 degrees at 6am, the dry heat was so much easier to run in and didn't zap my energy like the weather at home is doing. I never started work until after noon each day here so I got to lay at the pool in the morning each day and enjoy some peace. The event was quite nice and easy, although there were late nights. Which meant on the very last night there was no sleep at all since I had a 6am flight.

I've been home now for a week but head out tomorrow again. With a few days at home now and then I've seen about 10 movies in the theater, watched the final season of Prison Break, and done too much shopping. Along the way I am also working like crazy! A busy season is coming up, not only for traveling for me, but also in the office, so expect me to be a little crazy. It's all good though, I'm not complaining about it all, someday I will want to slow down, but I guess it's not today!

Up next... So Cal, San Antonio, Tokyo, Hawaii, Mexico City, Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Utah, Ohio...all before Thanksgiving

On the Road Again...

Since my last post I have continued to be on the road. I was home most of May (except for the infamous family trip to Disneyworld in Orlando you have all seen on my family's blogs) but once the end of the month hit it has been non-stop ever since. I first went to Phoenix, which is always a fun trip because I get to see my cousins and even stayed a night at my Aunt & Uncle's home before the event began. I love it when work takes me to cities where I have family.

From Phoenix I went straight to Blackpool, England. As usual, the dancing was great but the city is such a bore. Luckily I didn't have to worry about jetlag though because I pretty much stayed on Miami time: going to bed at 4AM and waking up about noon every day. Pictures: Blackpool pier, Ballroom, my friends and coworkers at dinner, me on the train from Manchester airport to Blackpool.

Since then I have been to Boston for a tough event where I worked from 7AM - midnight for four days. Luckily it was raining most of the time so I didn't really miss much outside. Picture of Boston skyline from MIT.

And then last weekend I was in Tampa. More great dancing and decor, more late nights, but time to go out and run around the bay a little between sessions. Picture of pink hotel.

I'm actually in the Admirals Club now in the Miami airport on my way to New York City, although the flight is delayed 2.5 hours thus why I have time to actually update my blog. Can you tell in the picture who will be sitting next to me? This is my favorite event of the year though so I'm looking forward to the week ahead. It kindof rejuvenates me for the rest of the busy summer. July still holds trips to Southern California, Washington DC and San Francisco so I need to be ready!

Sunny in Seattle!

So I survived Seattle! And it was sunny! I was expecting it to be gray and gloomy and rainy, but luckily for my first trip there ever, it was blue skies. It was a little colder than I would have liked though. But anything below 70 degrees is cold to me now. Not only did I spend time at the competition, but I had some time to discover the city. I found a running path down along the port and bay so I started my mornings with several miles of fresh air. The open market was full of fish, flowers and fruit. It was kinda stinky and I HATE the smell of fish. I got to see them throwing large fish which makes the market famous. I walked to the space needle and rode the elevator to the top for a view of the entire city. And of course I did my fair share of shopping in the city, there was a huge 2-story H&M right across the street from the hotel so I was in trouble! And of course in Seatlle there was literally a Starbucks on every corner so I used my discount card to the max!

Of course I also had fun at the event, hanging out with friends and dancing with certain 'friends'. =-) It was a long ride home across the country, but Suzanne got a little crazy with her camera and documented the day, even down to me eating my salad on the plane. I didn't put ALL the pictures she took on the slideshow, believe me there were quite a few. In fact, we were being so goofy and laughing taking pictures that the flight attendant on one flight asked us if we were going on vacation. So far from it! But at least we were having enough fun that it appeared that way. It has taken me all week to recover from the time change. This week is the family trip to DisneyWorld then I have a week until Arizona then England.

UPDATE, UPDATE!

Here I am again, in the Dallas airport on a layover, & I finally have time to update my blog. I'm headed to Seattle today to a dance competition for work. I have no real 'responsibilities' there other than to be a corporate person there, so that's kinda nice. After the past month, I really need to play it low-key.

Since my last post, I finished the trip in Utah and headed back to the office to prepare for the month ahead. On my way to Las Vegas for our big competition, I stopped in San Antonio so I could celebrate Isabelle's birthday with her. This event always conveniently falls on the weekend of her brithday and I am able to make a long lay-over on the company! We had a great 48 hours, how can you not with a three year old that wants to go to the mall for her party.

The event in Vegas was a success and I had a fun time, which is nice that I can have fun while working. I got to hang with some people that I enjoy and don't get to see that often. Plus it was nice to show off the new 'me' and receive compliments on how I looked. It's been a long time since that was the case. We went to see Bette Midler while there, which I can't say that I'm like a big fan or anything, but the show was fabulous.

Once I got home from Vegas I was in the office EVERY DAY (including weekends) until this past Monday... that's 28 days straight working. That's because our International Franchisee Convention was just last week in Miami Beach and this is a program that falls completely on my boss, thus ME, and has been in the works for two years. I believe in the end it was a great success but it was a lot of work and stress for me. And, being the perfectionist and overly organized person I am, I wasn't about to let anything go half-baked, so I caused myself plenty of extra stress. In fact, my boss fell ill the last night because of exhaustion and I had to finish things up. Good thing I am in good health so I didn't fall myself, because it would have been warrented. We had the very first franchisee as a key note speaker, she opened the first franchised studio in 1938 and she is now 105 years old. And she even danced onto the stage...pretty cool.

After the past few weeks, my boss proclaimed this past Monday "tara holiday" and I had the day off. I had stayed at the beautiful Fontainebleau Resort on Miami Beach for almost a week and didn't get to enjoy it all, too bad I couldn't spend my day off there. But a pedicure, a movie and a trip to the mall made for a pretty good substitute. Now I'm off to Seattle for a few days, I've never been there so hope to get in some sightseeing, although it's raining there today (big surprise) so hopefully I can still get out. I'm gearing up for a very busy June, which heads to a busy July, then August...so these moments in an airport are very cherised!

I AM alive!

Yeah, yeah…I know it has been almost 3 months since I last updated my blog. That’s because I have had some time off! After finishing my marathon travel schedule just prior to Christmas, I have had January & February with little traveling. Thus some “free time” makes me lazy! I definitely get more done when I’m too busy to do anything!

But now I’m off and running again . . . figuratively and literally. Mom came over the first week of February to run in a 5k race on Miami Beach. (See her blog for the details and pictures). It was so fun to have her in Miami for a week, she really acted as my personal assistant during those days and got a lot of little things done around my apartment and she basically did anything I told her to do. Thank goodness she is an obedient mother! It was great fun for me to run with her each morning and then have a short race to top it off. She is my inspiration for running anyway so it was nice to share this with her. That prompted me to try another 5k just this past weekend. I didn’t have my mom to run with this time, and opted for Lance Armstrong instead (on my ipod Nike workout). While Lance did not gossip with me along the way or enjoy the scenery (the ocean and plenty of shirtless model hard bodies, yum!) he did propel me to run a little faster and keep a strong pace through the 3 + miles. I ended up taking 3 minutes off my total time, which I felt was a pretty good feat for such a short distance. I finished 14th out of 89 in my age category and 373rd out of 1200+ in the total race. So I was happy with that. Here are a few pictures of the finish line, the ‘after party’ by the beach, and the beach itself that morning. Nice scenery for a run, huh?

Running with Lance and other Nike workouts have kept me burning the calories. As of this morning’s weigh-in, I’ve officially lost 44.4 pounds since June 4. I have 4.2 pounds left to reach my goal. I so wanted to have it done by the end of March, but it’s going to be tough since I’ve got two trips in that time which will limit my running time. It will be close though! Now when they call me “Sweet Hot Tada Tot” at work, I can really believe it! Here is a picture of my run this morning. With the time change it is still quite dark when I hit the road. This morning I really did have to run early because I had a lot to get done before getting on a plane, and it was Wednesday which is my ‘bridge run’ day. It was quite beautiful as I ran up & over one side of the bridge, I was watching the full moon descend, and when I turned around and ran the other direction up & over, the sun was coming up over the ocean. For all the things I don’t like about Miami, the beautiful scenery really makes me appreciate it. Also the 80 degree temperature this time of year is fabulous!

I did take a few days and go to Arizona for the President’s Day weekend. I enjoyed getting to see my other ‘mother and three sisters’ and have girl time. I do wish that happened more often and can’t wait for the next Bee meeting. Let’s get planning.

I’m currently en-route to Utah for my first working event of the year. It’s always fun to go ‘home’ for a few days, although I really don’t get to see more than the inside of the Marriott Center. But seeing the roots of my dance career means a lot to me. So although I really don’t have time to be away from the office right now, I never pass up an event at BYU. Maybe it’s my longing to be 21 again and have the innocence and naivetivity I did before I got ‘tainted’ by reality. I am sad that Alex won’t be there this year though. It was always fun to spend those days together.

Once I’m back from Utah, it’s a week in the office then off to Las Vegas for the first of four trips there this year. On the way to Vegas I will stop by San Antonio to celebrate Isabelle’s birthday, so I’m looking forward to being Aunt for a day. Then it’s back to our International Franchisee Convention in mid-April, then to Seattle, then to . . . . it’s just getting started again! Does anyone else volunteer to be my personal assistant for a few days?