I am back from the short few days in Florida. Was it sunny? Was it warm? Yeah! It was warm and sunny and I am not talking only about the weather. For those who don't know, I was dreading going to Florida for a week. But it turned out to be.....not so bad.

The working hours were still too long, the food disastrously good (catering team rocks!), the wine alright, the room (a Marriott suite) was luxurious, the room view fantastic, and company of fellow-IHI'ers.....priceless. Every day started way to early around 4:00AM. I tried to get some exercise in, but failed miserably somedays. Breakfast was set in our staff office (two of the conference rooms made up our staff office) at 5:00AM and was not cleared until 9:30AM. And they kept refreshing it with tones of food, from French Toast to Oatmeal to whatever. So, most of us had breakfast A at 5:30AM and then breakfast B, C, D and E, and then by the time 12noon rolled in we had fabulous lunch and then on to evening de-brief of the day with wine and beer. Ok, so it was not all feasting, we managed to get work done too.

There are three teams: the registration team, that helps people pick their badges, their tote bags with goodies and helps making session changes or making payments or help in computer kiosks; then there is the room check team, that ensures that room are refreshed by hotel staff, handouts for the session are set, check in with faculty for the next session to ensure that everyone is settled, and then there is the shuttle team... (nah, Cape Canaveral is close, but not we don't use that), this comprises of shuttling the attendees from neighboring hotels, and no we don't drive, we are there to answer attendee questions and shuttle around assuring attendees, that they will get to their sessions on time. Did I say there are three teams, well, I belonged to none and all of them, so, maybe there is the fourth team.... the floater team, and I was the only member in there. My job was primarily on the registration section, but it was also pulling reports, and latest live lists of changes for my boss, so she had latest greatest information at the tip of her fingers when she needed them, pulling just-in-time attendeelist, closing sessions as they came close to the capacity, informing the registration for room-fire-code capacity, directing people, herding people, running back and forth to the business center for copying and special printing and faxing, room check with one of my good friends and generally hanging out in the staff office and answering calls, taking messages. Whoa! That was tones of work, but not all was me alone, (so I cannot claim credit on any single one of them). But, save for the shuttle, I was everywhere and loved it. It beats hands down, sitting in front of the computer at the onsite registration being trampled upon by your boss and your (then) best friends being unnecessarily nasty.

So, in short it turned out to be great, but I am glad that it is done. I am glad to be home, and got the warmest welcome from two kitties, who I believed they would disown me for leaving them alone for the week.  

Good deed of the year done, check, and 363 days to the next one. :) And now to the gym and dumbbells to work off that nasty 5lbs.

A week ago, I adopted two kitties and the initial reactions from people are in.
(NOTE: These are actual quotes from people that emailed me back when they were informed of my decision.)

Kerri S: "They are beautiful!  Congrats!"

Valerie W: "You did it!!!  Yay!!!!  They're gorgeous... hope everyone is settling in nicely."

Li W: "congrats! i hope to meet them soon"

Virginia V: "So cute!!!"

Tara S: "Very cute"

My Uncle: "From all the things I have seen and read and heard  - -  single lady with cats =  not a pretty picture...... the cats come afterwards."

My Aunt: ...
(My uncle mentioned that she would reply, but I haven't heard, so it could be anything. I am not going to even venture speculation)

My brother-in-law: "Congratulations on being adopted by your feline companions!"

I did get comments about they being my 'children' and not 'pets' and 'where is the father of the kitties? if you are the mum to them'. My father did not comment too much. Most of my friends were happy for me.

Ohhh! It snowed! Finally feels like winter.

I love the beginning of winter time, with first snow, and fluffy thing, the holidays and festivities and it is so lovely this time of the year! And I become a hopeless romantic this time of the year

My neighbor and I chat over the phone as much as we chat whilst hanging out in the yard or in each others houses, which is to say that we chat quite a bit. So, yesterday, we got chatting about Christmas trees. She wanted to get one next weekend, a real one from Mahoney's. Fresh from my own tree lighting and decorating ceremony, I couldn't believe she wanted to go another holiday week with no tree. I convinced her that we could go get the tree and I could help setting it up.

So, this morning, we drove to Mahoney's. I have never ridden in a Toyota RAV4, and I think I like it, despite my disgust for all SUV's/Van's. My own car a Toyota Corolla (top of the line, when I bought it, brand new in 1998), is growing old, but it is excellent car. At Mahoney's, this was my first real Christmas tree buying experience. My fake Imperial Conifer was ordered online and shipped to me. We walked around tall ones, short ones, fat ones, slim ones, full ones and sparse ones....trees that is! We liked some and found some just plain weird. It felt like picking kitties (well not really, but close), we saw so many, and then picked the one just right for the house, not too fat, not too thin, not too tall, not too short. Almost like the tree destined to be at their house. Once purchased, the tree handlers, picked the tree, put them on a 'shaker' (for the lack of the technical machine name), which shakes the trees. This is serious vibrations that shake out all the loose stuff. From the 'shaker' to the 'bundler' (no technical term here), at which, one guy, simply pulled the tree by the stump, through a hole, the hole was surrounded by the white mesh packaging. This has the effect of pulling all the branches together in the direction towards the tree-tip and covering it with the white mesh to hold it all in place. The mesh is simply cut and tied at the tree-tip. From 'bundler' to 'stump-refresher' (not a technical term, but who cares, except the stump-refresher himself!). The Stump-refresher simply is a guy with a chain saw, who chops about a inch or two of the stump, to make it ready for the tree stand with water at home. From 'stump-refresher' to 'car-loader' who simply loaded up the tree on the roof rack of the car and tied it down. Now, if we can only take a 'car-unloader' with us. But, wait, that was me. I had volunteered to do this! Drive back was uneventful, and the tree was less than 20lb., so I could easily haul it over the shoulder, up 10 steps to the house and set it down in the tree. Yeah! Second (after mine) tree in place!

After the all the tree business done, I had just enough time to hop into the shower and head to Doug's to play some board games.

What did I play?

Cairo: Someone please restore my gray cells please. This game was a tad absurd. It had a board (duh!) with a river and pyramid sites. The idea was to man your ship up and down the river and at your turn, roll a die, and flick (yes, I said it flick) with a 'specific' (based on the die number, 1-thumb, 2-fore finger....) finger a little block from the top of the ship onto the board. Of course, if the block flew off into space or outside the board, then it is out of the game (man, what an easy way to lose game pieces), if it lands into designated pyramid sites, then you can build pyramids. And it goes on to flicking to demolish opponents pyramids and whatever...., by now my brain is dead. The common consensus was to have alcohol involved!

Ingenious: Loved it, came last in the four player game, but loved it. What was weird was that, I think I own the game, and it is languishing somewhere in my closet. And another thing, it can be played by one! Awesome, this is good. I say that, because, most of the time, when I play Settlers of Catan (or Caftan, Catnap, Satan, Cat an, or Catton, according Microsoft Word 2003 spell check), I set the board on my round dinning table and play for 3 people. It gets confusing sometimes, but I resolve it by always acting in the best interest of the hand currently held. Of course, the game takes probably 3 times. But, then I have nowhere to be! So, it is useful to find a board game that I like and can play on my own. I must find this and drag it out from the closet.

Citadels: Few weeks back, I started to play this at Jess/Amy's place but had to leave this game midway (because I was doing an airport pick up). I remember liking it and not remembering what it was called. I think I bought the game (when I was told the name) and its expansion. Julia, Jason, Amy and me played this one and Amy and I tied at the bottom score.

So, in terms of winning, I didn't, in terms of having fun, I did. So, it was a great evening.

The tree is up!

This morning was the house cleaning day. I have no idea what possessed me to do it, but I did. Usually, it is set of rooms per week, such that once a month each of the rooms gets 'touched'. This morning, I was enthusiastic, (perhaps it was the large cup of java from starbucks!), so the garage got swept, the living, dining and kitchen got a thorough sprucing, and whoa! so did one of the bedrooms. I must be loony-bins, but the good kind, because the outcome was a clean spring fresh house. I think I know what prompted this cleaning spree, it was the tree lighting day at my house, and well, we cannot really decorate and light up the tree in a messy house.

It took a while to lug the 20+lb. fake Imperial conifer, unfurl it, clean it, spray it, and get it standing on the 35lb plaster cast stand. But once done, Duke and Amber could not make heads or tails of it and wandered around the base. The base is overly ornate and sets the tree about a foot and half above the ground level. The tree itself is not very tall (perhaps I should have got a taller one), it is four and half feet tall. So, all in all, the tree sits at six feet. This is the second year for a tree in the house, so, I have very few ornaments. I like the red-gold-green-white and small items theme (just in case you are thinking of getting me an ornament, wink! wink!). I have a festive gold and white garland that goes around the tree, a few red shinny glass balls that hang on the tree and plenty of the little clear glass lights (I think it is 4 strands of 100 each, Yah! it is bright!). Duke loves to stretch up and pull the red glass balls down and play with them. If I catch him, he has this look on his face; what-are-they-not-meant-for-me-to-play-with? look. Amber (currently) is the sweet one, is not as naughty. The kitties got their holiday present early with a new scratch post....now hopefully they will leave my couch alone!

A trip to Mahoney's added to my holiday decorating collection. I dreamed and always wanted a lovely mantle piece with white runner and beautiful green garland, decorated with candles, and ornaments. I picked up a nice garland and some ornaments and spent some time setting it all up. hmmm, I love the holidays! Something so romantic about it all, a fireplace with logs burning, lighted candles, warm light reflecting on ornaments, snowing outside, and wine (or hot toddy) in the hand...hmmm, yum! Perhaps, I may make some more trips for little ornaments and a wreath or a garland for the dinning room. But for now, we are set.

Duke: Hello, I am Duke....
Amber: ..... and I am Amber.

Duke: You probably don't know who we are, so Amber, lets introduce ourselves to Coolkit's friends and family. Ladies first!
Amber: Hi, I am Amber; I am 8-month old young adult cat. I was found by a kitty shelter. I stayed at the kitty shelter with my elder brother Duke and several other kitties. But I wanted a home to call my own. The first time coolkit came to see us, I remember hiding behind the bookcase and did not want to see anyone (I guess everyone has a bad day and I was frightened with the new voice in the room). So, Coolkit did not even see me. She was happy playing with my brother and getting to know other of my siblings. Ah well....
Duke: I remember that visit. She (Coolkit) appeared normal and was happy to pet and play with me and other siblings. I was a bit tentative about being held, but I think I liked her. After two hours, she left. I wondered then if she would come back. And she did!!
Amber: Yes, she did, after three days, this time she had her father with her.
Duke: You (Amber) finally did come out of hiding to play with her and I could see that the two of you bonded so well.
Amber: I was scared, and still am, but she is slowly earning my trust, I loved to run around her, butting my head on her arm and have her scratch my neck, and head and tummy. I think we should keep her, what do you think, Duke?
Duke: I think so. I wonder how she really is
Amber: Did you see her sign any paper work? What is happening?

Saturday, 11/25/2006: 4PM
Duke: I see her, I see her. Meow!
Amber: I am so scared. Is this her car? Where is she taking us?
Duke: It is going to be okay
Amber: I am so frightened.

Saturday, 11/25/2006: 5PM
Duke: Is this your house?
Coolkit: No, Duke, it is your house too.
Duke: I am going to check it out. Leave Amber under the stair for a while. She is going to be scared.
Coolkit: Sweetie, this is the basement and there is the litter box.
Duke: What is upstairs, may I go?
Coolkit: All yours, go on.
Duke: This is upstairs, wow, so many windows. May I go further up? I am not waiting, I am going. You can take a look at Amber.
Coolkit: Amber, sweetie, welcome home, come lets see the place.
Amber: Whhhaaaa!!! Who are you? Get away from me. (Coolkit picks and holds me), Ohhh! it is you. I am frightened and jumpy, please give me time. I am going to find all possible places to hide first and make you come looking for me. Coolkit brought me to a huge room (living room), and I am still scared. I run and hide in the basement. She brings me back and shows me the food.... hmm Salmon, I am too worried to be thinking about food. Water.... what you want me to drink!
Duke: Say, come take a look, it is wonderful.
Amber: Where is the couch? Is there space behind that bookcase or behind that couch? What about under the dining table? How about behind that huge TV box? I need to hide.
Duke: Hide? Hmmm... behind the couch it looks nice warm and dark. But basement is your best bet. I am going there.

Coolkit: So, on and on for the next 12 hours, it was hide and seek game for me. I barely got 3 hours sleep, between worrying where they are, every so often, Duke goes down to the basement and meows soulfully as if it reminds him of the industrial place where he was found and is looking for the other siblings. We are going to have to work on this one. Amber meanwhile found all the hiding places possible. All Sunday, I had to find where Amber and Duke were, and simply pick them up. There was no hissing, no scratching me, nothing. Once they see me, they are happy to play around in the open. They are still a little skittish and not used to the noises of the heater, doorbell, me suddenly jumping up and running for something and they scamper off to their favorite hiding places. They have become very attached to my sofa and thank goodness it is a old one, they are already scratching it.... I need to get them a scratching post and we need to work on this one. They have already found the two small tennis balls (bought for Van Burren and Baxter) and enjoy playing toss, catch and tumble with them. This morning as I was preparing to leave for work, they were up and around and not hiding.... :) So, they are settling in well. They are not ready for more people right now, but give them a week and they will be fine.

But I just got back......

Just got an email from another event planner at my company. My hotel room is already been booked at the swanky Orlando World Center Marriott & something-or-the-other and I have 31 days to book my flight down to Orlando, Florida. Normally, I would be thrilled to escape the cold northeast to the warmer lattitudes. But last weeks trip to San Diego has left me a tad frazzled. I need more than 31 days to recover before I can haul me to the airport again. I am supposed to be there for a whole week, all 7 days, all 168 hours..... arggh. Before you go off and say "U are being dumb!", let me enlighten on what this trip means.

Every year, we (my company) hold our annual national (well, international, we have loads of people from all over the world coming, so why call it national, duh!, but that is another story) forum in some exotic location or the other. The last few years it has been Orlando, Florida, before that it was New Orleans, and I don't know (don't care) where it was before that.  Like I said, we get thousands of people from all over the world. Last year we had 5500 people, from 20 countries. Nice bunch, all fancy folks from the healthcare industry. Nah, I don't work in healthcare, but work in the engineering fancy applications for the company to use. It is actually quite thrilling (for a few seconds) to converse with CEO's for top hospitals in US, Doctors for John Hopkins, and Nurses and Administrators. But then we have very little in common, that they in healthcare and me in computers. The job description for me during these 'fun' 7 days will be saying hello and directing (read: herding) people and handing them their 'coveted' tote bags filled with loads of paper (WHA! When are we going paperless!! Save the trees, Read online..... sadly no one listens!!). It is a mindless job, but then everyone from the management (leave out the senior management) down to co-ops in the company do this staffing job. There are two-three other jobs that I could have done, like room checks (checking with faculty and Audio-Visual checks before the session begins), or on-site registration (glorified clerk to take payment, change peoples session, listen to gripes, tell people session is full, and every few mins aggravate my captain with "can I take a break?"), or catering (help to organize catering for the few thousands, so that they can eat). Except for the catering, I have done all other positions and the jury is is still debating on which on is better. Current verdict is neither is better than the other. I rather be..... sitting poolside with a book, or taking a walk on the beach alone or with someone nice, or having a great conversation with someone intelligent (read: no gossip.... it leaves me brain-dead), or watching a movie, or knitting, or going to the gym, or sightseeing, or hiking, or or or.... for that matter be clickitty clicking on my keyboard, developing a new application (in short working my day job).

*Sigh*, so I don't want to go, but I have to.... If you like to go instead of me..... let me know. Oh! Just remembered, last year when I flew down to Orlando (for the national forum) the airline lost my luggage..... Ah, now it is coming back.... and I hated every minute of it. Oh dear!! There is too much hostility, too much negativity, too much angst..... this cannot be good......... I MUST concentrate on getting back to my happy place..... whatever and whereever that is.

Last week was the worst week in ages. Everything went from great to this sucks!

What made it the worst week?

The flight to and back from San Diego.... in one word.... sucked. My 6AM flight from Boston to Minneapolis was cancelled, so they had booked me on a later flight out from Boston to Detroit. Oh well! Sure. But this dopey flight got delayed at Boston. Wha!  Delayed already! There was not even a cloud in the sky, not even a speck of snow, and who is flying out at 6AM in the morning from Boston, save a few Delta Shuttles to New York or Washington DC. Anyways, 30 mins late, we were flying to Detroit. But of course with the 30 min delay, I missed the connection from Detroit to San Diego. So, the rebooked flight had to be rebooked and I was finally on my way to San Diego. I had forgotten how long these flights are (not comparing to going south East Asia), but, man, I got very fidgeting and annoyed with smallest of the items. Thoughts kept wandering to the lonesome cats; what are they doing right now? Sleeping on the forbidden couch for sure! Probably the most absurd thing was that despite all this cancellation, delays and aggravation, I reached only 45 mins after the original scheduled flights AND my bags arrived with me. Whoa! Who would have thunk!

Now the flight back, we started on time, at 12:26PM on Saturday, and got into Detroit on time (in fact 15 earlier), but Detroit was a MESS (capital MESS). We arrived at 7:30PM local time, I was starving, but there was no food available, as there were quite a few flights were delayed and early birds were able to scavenge all the food. And, I was too tired to go out beyond security point (actually, more than tired, I had laptop, and a brown bag carrying a precious glass vase, a jacket, a scarf that kept falling off, and shoes with buckles........and the thought of going through security left me numb). So, sans food I climbed into the dopey flight that was 1.5 hours delayed in taking off from Detroit. Doing the math.... oh yes, I was 1.5 hours later arriving in Boston, in the small hours of the Sunday morning. Now anyone who knows me, knows, I don't do too well in the really small hours of the morning. I need the hours to read greater than 4, for me to make any sense.

I got home at those wee early hours to an empty house sans the boys.... it was disheartening on one hand, but happy that they were back home. The boys go home this week. Wah! I have come to love these boys as my kids, but of course they are 'borrowed hearts'. I cherished their stay and they are the nicest and warmest guests (till date). I left for sunny San Diego on Tuesday early morning, and it was heart breaking to leave them for 4 whole days until their real owners came to pick them up. It felt miserable, because it was the first time I was leaving anyone home alone and I knew in my heart I was coming back to an empty house. So going away on its own was bad enough..... read on.

The meeting staffing at San Diego was alright, my event planner rocks, so everything went smoothly. Ah, but well, one tragedy that left us (staffing team of 8 people) really saddened was that one of the attendee to the meeting died in the hotel room. This was the hotel second death since its opening 10 years ago and the first happened in august this year. What made this especially sad for me, was that Tuesday (Nov 1st) was also my mothers death anniversary. Sorry mum, I know you did not raise a frail kid, but, it just feels very lost.

I am back... hoping things will look up, I know and believe they will (I think). :)