SNOW aka "The Blizzard"

It does exist. And it finally came.

I haven't played in it yet or made a snow angel yet.

But I don't think it is going anywhere so our time will come for that later today.

It sure is pretty to look at,

but man is it cold.

Good thing I come to Utah when it is cold so I don't acclimatize in California.

I can take one any weather in California now.

The Adventure Continues...

Saturday I slept in. My coworker and I slowly got up and decided to go find some southern food. We checked out a restaurant a few blocks away but wasn't impressed with the southern selections. Not southern enough for us. So we started walking towards the beach. 2.5 miles later we were there. It didn't take that long and the conversation and the views of all the yacht and other boats made it seem short. Once at the beach I ran to the water and dipped my feet in the Atlantic Ocean. I went to Orlando when I was a kid and think we went to the beach but i can't remember. The water was very warm and the same was beautiful. I sat in the sand for a long time and just played and dug for shells. Then we got some food and did some shopping. We ended the night at the Cheesecake Factory. Later in the week we took a boat taxi and got a tour of some of the houses along the river. I learned a bit of history of the area and enjoyed people watching. I did get the 24 hour flu and soup and sleep helped me overcome that.

I ate really good on this trip. Almost too good, I couldn't wait to eat some homemade food and inexpensive food when I got home. The area we were staying in was really nice and mostly had sit down restaurants. If we wanted anything else we had to take a cab there. A few days in I found a Subway, it felt good to find some inexpensive food. I never got my Cuban food but I did have....

Sushi

Po Boy Shrimp and Jambalaya

Ribs

Eggs Benedict

And some amazing desserts

Yeah, I know, my life revolve around food sometimes.

The plane ride home was stunning. I am always flying Jet Blue because the service was amazing and I was entertained between the free food and the t.v. in front of my seat with a ton of channels to choose from.

I really enjoyed my time in Fort Lauderdale. It is beautiful and I had a blast working with this team. I really needed this trip. I got what I came here for. I am leaving with more confidence in my ability to work and within myself personally. On of my favorite things about my position is that it is a lot like my experiences with Theatre. The process it takes to produce the work and service we provide our customers is a blast from start to finish just like Theatre productions. I get involved with a group of fine talented people and together we work hard, sometimes with blood, sweat, and tears, and we put together an amazing production. We have a blast during the process and in the end feel very rewarded from our efforts and the end product. It is very rewarding and makes me feel great. Because of my experiences with Theatre I love my current position. We go into a new site and clean it up and reorganize it. We get it ready for our companies implementation, invent or fine tune the current procedures, and provide nonstop amazing customer service. Most of the time the clients are appreciative and blown away at our process and attitude. I thrive in that environment and find it very satisfying.

I also made some amazing friends. Dee Jay, you were such a kind roomie. I really enjoyed our conversation and I love your spunk. Phillip, you are so smart and I enjoyed hearing your laugh. Oscar (Mister Sir), you are a super manager and I love attitude. You were a blast to hang out with. Frank, you work hard dude and were a delight. I miss you guys and cannot wait until we work together again, hopefully in the near future. In the mean time I will stay blonde, sing beautifully, and keep the white out close to the computer.

Thanks Florida...and for the rest of the possible cities I may visit, look out here I come.

Adventure Time with Stephanie

I am currently in Fort Lauderdale, FL. I traveled here for work, but in my down time I am exploring and having some "Me" time. My first impression of Florida...it is so beautiful and I love the smell of the air. There are huge cruise ships within site. I really like the area I am staying in. It is giving me a wonderful culture experience. I am staying in a hotel that is right next to the river that seeps into the ocean. The ocean front is a few miles away. I think I am in a district called Las Olas or River Front. I haven't figured that out yet. All I can tell is that there is always something going on here. My first night in they were having a concert that they blocked off the roads for. The next day they had a festival and a Night Light Walk for the Cure (Leukemia). Tomorrow they are having a marathon. At the festival they had the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile. Yep. I got a picture with it.

But this place really comes alive at night. A large number of the hot spots surrounding my hotel don't open until 8 pm and close at 5 am. If I had to liken it to another place I know... picture a mixture of San Diego (Gas Lamp District) and Hunting Beach but with much older people and most of the women are in short cocktail dresses (annoyed grumble like Sideshow Bob). But hey, I guess that is the culture here and I am soaking it in.

One thing that I absolutely love so far...is the variety of food! Sorry SoCal, but you mostly have a variety of Mexican food and some sushi, but there is still time for you to change that and for me to discover I am sure. However, currently when I want something other than Mexican I have to go fishing for it and travel a bit. This part of Florida has all sorts of food and it is all within a few blocks of my hotel. I went on a walk and I found sushi, Asian, Japanese, American, Mexican, Italian, and lots of French food. It is all so close to me. I love it and cannot wait to try most of it. I am for sure going to get sushi and find a Cuban restaurant.

As for the "Me" time, when I am not working I am exercising, reading, playing on the computer, and getting a taste of Fort Lauderdale. I am having fun and wish Lars was here to share the experience. Until I get to hug him again I will have a blast of an adventure. I have only been here two days and there is still lots more food to eat and things to see. I can't wait.