San Diego and Purple Presents

I had my first-ever business trip last week. I went to San Diego with some other co-workers to have our last Board of Directors meeting of the year. I think I've mentioned I'm the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of a TB vaccine foundation in Rockville (the name of which I can't mention because it will show up if you Google it and I've already been down that road)...

So anyway, I run all the logistics of our board meetings and one of our members invited us out to his company in La Jolla, so voila! I got to go - and boy, what a beautiful place to see. Check out just a few pictures I took on my very little free time.

Sunset in Del Mar, off the Pacific Coast Highway

At the Hang Gliding Park in La Jolla

Seals at La Jolla Cove

I was away 4 days from my Q-Bug and although it was nice to have the break and be an adult free of any responsibility, I missed the hell out of her! She spent lots of time with Uncle Mike, who took this picture and emailed it to me while I was 3000 miles away - she loves being a cheerleader!

Check out my sweet moves, Uncle Mike!

I spoke with Kirch and Quinn several times while I was away. Quinn would tell me how much fun she was having with Uncle Mike, or Suzanne, or Jenn, depending on which day it was (we had the schedule all set up). And when I asked her if she wanted me to bring her back a present, she'd pipe up, "Yeah, I want a PURPLE present!" So that is what she got! Let me tell you, she actually really put me on the spot! I didn't have much time to shop, so when I finally found time, it really took some effort to find things purple. In the end, I found a purple flower barrette, a purple 20's style headband with a purple Gerber daisy on it, and a soft purple scarf. Here she is, modeling them off, the night I came home and gave them to her!

I look like a movie star, Mommy!

As I said, I really enjoyed my time out West, but it's even better to be back home with my Bug!

Change We Need

It's not very often I get up on my high horse and spout political opinions to... well, anyone (except Kirch, with whom I've gotten into some very good conversations with - and learned a ton from!). But I figure what the hell - this is MY blog, so I'm entitled. But I warn you - I lean WAAAY left!

Last night was one of the most inspiring nights of my life. I saw history in the making. And for once, it was GOOD history. My memories of life-changing events all seem to be tragedies - 9/11, the Oklahoma Bombing, even the stupid OJ Trial (which wasn't really a tragedy, but it was negative, so it counts in my book). Last night it was so great to see a black man become our 44th President of the United States. And to think that what, 50 years ago black people couldn't even sit at the same table in a restaurant with white people... And 200 years ago black people were bought and sold by white people! I'm not a very eloquent speaker (never claimed to be), but my heart was so full of hope last night when Barack Obama and his family took that podium in Illinois with Joe Biden and his family! It was very encouraging to think that we had a record turnout to vote and people put their race issues aside to put who they believed was the best candidate for the job (CLEARLY) in office - well, in January...

I sometimes wonder why was I so selfish to want to bring a child into this crazy, damaged world? It just isn't fair to her that she has to clean up our messes - and boy, are they big messes. But last night, after they called the election, tears ran down my face and I went in and kissed my beautiful little sleeping girl, thinking, we're going to be OK. Obama has a very long, ugly road to travel to get this nation back on it's feet (how our current president let us get here over the past 8 years is something I'll never wrap my head around), but I truly believe he has the smarts and support to do it. I guess time will tell, and maybe I'll eat my words someday (but I don't believe that). Either way - I'm proud that my daughter, even though she won't understand this for many years, is here to be a part of this amazing journey.

She is what it's all about. And HELL YES WE CAN!!!