Land of Potatoes and Blue Turf

Greetings from Boise, Idaho! Never been to Boise before, and all I knew about the great state is that they are famous for their potatoes and Boise State, where I'm working this week, is well known for their bright blue-turfed football field*.

Well, I haven't made it to see the blue turf, that's my next stop, but I have experienced some gourmet potatoes. A dinner meeting at the Boise Fry Company in the capitols downtown was quite the experience for the tastebuds. The concept at this hole in the wall spot is built around the potato itself. You have a variety of potatoes to choose from; yesterday I chose Purple (apparently, they have an earthier taste than your typical Red Lady or Russet potato- I would agree) and you get to decide how you'd like them prepared- regular french fries, curly, shoestring, crisscut, etc. Once you've made that big decision, you pick a burger, as your side. I enjoyed a bison burger, with garlic aioli, roasted tomatoes, pickled onions and cheddar, ie. perfection on a toasted bun.

The whole experience was great, but the best part was the ketchup bar. Yes, you read it correct- ketchup bar (the next best thing to a salsa bar perhaps?). There were about 10 different types you could choose from but I enjoyed the spicy, garlic and blueberry ketchup the best. Blueberry ketchup is apparently one of their most popular ketchups, and although it sounds gross in the beginning, it was just sweet enough to create a really nice savory-sweet combo during your meal. So good.

If you ever find yourself in Boise, head over to Broadway to experience this unique spot. If fries and bugers weren't so bad for you, I'd probably go here everyday during my visit so that I could try something different on their menu- specifically The Bourgeois- fries cooked in duck fat and sprinkled with black truffle salt. Mmm. They also have a fair amonut of local brews on tap, and although I could not imbibe while working this week, definitley pair your meal there with an ice cold beverage. Surely it would take it to the next level.

Thinking a foodie blog is next on the docket for me... obviously, patent pumps will be worn during these adventures as well. Thoughts?

*My darling sister would complain that said turf added to the Ducks loss when they played Boise last year.

I spy with my little eye...

One shoe, two shoes, red shoes, blue shoes.

Look at my amazing packing skills. I've come a long way since July- both in my packing capabilities and my shoe collection.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

It's Worth It

I was talking with a friend last night about how much we were going to miss our jobs when we complete our contracts in mere weeks from now. Working for The Organization has been a priceless experience; worth the delays at airports and lost luggage, worth catching the flu twice this year and living out of a suitcase and on a tight budget, worth the time away from close friends and family. It’s been worth all of this for one thing- watching the development of The Organization. Oh, and the frequent flier points too.

Tonight I met with a handful of women, meeting after meeting after meeting (this is what I do during every visit, just in case you were curious), who all talked to me about finances, or of event planning, of ordering t-shirts or picking the perfect theme for their party. However no meeting was more meaningful to me than the discussion I had with one young woman about The Organization’s Ritual. I know, I know, corny as it sounds, but it was a conversation that I often have at each chapter, that truly means a lot to me. Each time the conversation is different, but the message about what is most important to The Organization remains the same. Obviously, because it is our Ritual I cannot share it with you Reader, but I can tell you one thing; I’m going to miss having this conversation at work on a regular basis.

At what other job would I get this opportunity? The opportunity I’m talking about is the one where I get to engage in a conversation with someone and discuss the importance of our shared values, the meaning of our membership and Ritual, the bonds that we share beyond our mere friendship, the importance of those three special letters. You could argue, I guess, that you could have that same conversation in any workplace whose corporate culture you admired and enjoyed, because really, there are some folks out there who feel just as strongly about their company as I do about The Organization. But I would most likely disagree with you if you argued with me, proclaiming that this job was fabulous, the most meaningful, and the only time I could engage in special conversations, like the ones I’ve been having, with people who appreciate The Organization, just as much as I do.

Anyway, what I was getting to is that me and my friend came to the conclusion that no matter what job you have, there will always be things to gripe about, something that bothers you, that challenges you- but really, we have it pretty good right now working for our respective Organizations. Sure, things on the road may not have been ideal at times, they may have angered or frustrated me, or challenged me on a new level. But really, if life was perfect, what would be the point of it all? I feel thankful that once again, The Organization is helping me to realize these important lessons, especially through our Ritual and through my experiences.

Wake up in the morning...

...There's 5 inches of snow. And it's continuing to fall. Great. Big. Heaps.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Travel Obsessions #7

Travel Speakers: I spend a lot of time alone in hotel rooms, sitting in empty offices working on paperwork, etc., so these portable speakers can brighten up any empty room. Whether I’m working, hanging out, getting ready, or having a small party (yes I use these when I'm NOT working too), these speakers attached to an MP3 player make all the difference. I’m a lot happier when I’m surrounded by music, so these make bunking alone in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere a lot more enjoyable. Phillips makes some great ones for under $30, left,or you can get all fancy with Magellan speakers, right, for a bit more.

A Spoon, a Tumbler and Winery Tours- in the Snow

This last week off has taken me from Santa Barbara, all the way to Indianapolis- via, Denver, Charleston, Charlotte, Elon, and Cincinnati, naturally.

Well, you know how I finally made it down to Charleston (driving 6 hours through that damn blizzard) but you don’t know what I got to do while I was there! Highlights included a visit to the Charleston Historical Society where I purchased a Lyre gate necklace (designed after the famed Lyre gates all over the city), a historic Carriage ride through the Holy City, and finally a fabulous dinner and night out at High Cotton Restaurant and The Blind Tiger(yup that's right- they're on 10best.com). Our shopping trip to the City Market was by far my favorite though. I purchased an antique ring fashioned out of a spoon. AND, it only just got antique status because it was made in 1910- a century old!

Following a fun and fondue-filled Valentine’s, I headed north to Elon for the night where I got to meet up with some old friends for a snowy reunion at the Piedmont Ale House. Despite the bad service, it was tasty as always and so fun to watch new friends meet old friends. I even had time to make it to the Beehive, where I got to visit with the little ones and *Pogo Pam, who, very kindly, gave me my very own travel tumbler. Great for having in my hotel room!

After a night in Burlington, we (a fellow world traveler- in case you were wondering) drove up to Indianapolis, with the intent on stopping at various Virginia and West Virginia wineries on our drive up- great idea right? Well sneaky Old Man Winter had other plans it seems, and the last few weeks of snow in the north prevented us from off-roading in the Virginia back country and sampling some of their finest fortified grape juice as planned. Maybe snow and wine tasting don't really mix? Dreams dashed, we continued through the snow and sought new adventures instead, so just outside Cincinnati we stopped for a delicious Creole meal to celebrate Mardi Gras. I even got Mardi Gras beads!

When we finally made it to Indianapolis, I was on my own again and had the opportunity to explore the city that I “technically” work out of. Although it was snowy and icy, not my favorite combination whatsoever, I did take myself out for walks around the Capitol, downtown in search of tasty local fare and to some darling shops. I even got a home cooked meal with my best friends mom- quite a treat. It was the perfect little break.

My week off ended with an awesome visit to Oliver Winery, a small, family-owned estate in Bloomington, Indiana. Finally made it wine tasting! And yes- that’s right- INDIANA. They have their own state wine you know.... My travels this year have afforded me the opportunity to see some really cool wineries all over the country, and this was definitely one of them.

Snow drifts and ice delayed my flights a bit to Great Salt Lake, but now that I’m finally here, I am getting to enjoy a bit of the Winter Wonderland here in Utah. No wineries nearby… but there is PLENTY of snow to keep me busy these next few days!

*A delightful North Carolinian who travels by ATV with handy travel tumbler.

A Year in Review...

My blog posts have been few and far between these last few weeks for a handful of reasons:
1.) I have been traveling like crazy! New place every 4 days, new group to meet with and work with. New reports to fill out. Laundry to do, weather to battle. Sleep to try and catch up on.... Not likely though on the sleep part.
2.) During my last visit at UC Santa Barbara, the sun was out. I haven't seen the sun for what feels like months, so I spent every opportunity I could outside. How wonderful is the beach in February? It was sooooo wonderful- see the posting below for pictures!
3.) I've been doing a little job searching on the side too... Free time is consumed with resume building and online networking.

So dear Reader, I have missed you and have thought of so many things to share with you. I was at the Denver Airport a few days ago, awaiting a flight that would eventually drop me in Charleston, South Carolina. Well, one massive snowstorm later and I was driving down from Charlotte, North Carolina, because my flight had been cancelled. Thankfully though, I met up with some Elon alum to celebrate Valentine's Day over the long weekend. We walked through the streets of Charleston, catching up with one another, and searching for lyre’s that were hidden all over the historic city. During all these adventures though, I got to thinking about where we all had been in the last year. In retrospect, it is so strange to think about where I was a mere year ago from this month...

This time last year, I had just interviewed for my current position with The Organization, and was preparing to fly up for an in-person interview in Indianapolis. I had an 8am yoga class at Elon – in fact, I had five class periods! I had three jobs; working at the art gallery, babysitting frequently and working on campus at the local Greek Apparel store. I was single and celebrating Valentine’s Day with girlfriends, spent tons of time with my school friends, and was rarely alone.

I may have still spent Valentine’s Day with my girlfriends this year, but things are in a whole new place then where they were last year…. They say time flies when you're having fun- well, I think once you get old, ie. 23, things just fly by- fun or not! Yes, my travels have been fun, yet always challenging and intriguing. Class and studying has been replaced with meetings and reports; my job is full time and takes me all over the country, not just all over Burlington, North Carolina. I'm still with friends, new friends though- and most of the time I’m with them, but it is not the same. All in all, this last year has been one of extreme change and challenge. But, I’m not afraid to admit that it has been an amazing challenge, one I’ve looked forward to every step of the way, one I’ve appreciated, and really… a challenge I’ve come to love.

It will be a few more weeks before I celebrate the one year anniversary of landing this job with The Organization, but at the same time, it will be only a few more weeks before I’m done with this position all together. I find myself in this strange void, where will I go next? But, I have faith that, despite the uncertainty (and crappy economy), these last few months of traveling in my Patent Pumps will prepare me for “whatever” comes next. And really, “whatever” could mean moving on to the next big city and starting a new life, new job, or moving back home and working part time (please cross your fingers it's not the latter though). Regardless, I’m thankful, as always, for the opportunities I’ve had, the relationships I’ve cultivated and the miles I’ve logged on the road. Next stop, Salt Lake City... but before then, an update on my weekend travels to come!