Something is missing

Well I am in Brussels, but I can't say the same for my luggage. Before I dive in there, let me share some more details on Monaco.

I have to say, it was really something to wake up every morning to dozens of yachts on the Mediterranean. It was absolutely beautiful. Every day, when I walked to the conference location, I walked along the water. It was really quite a view.

On Wednesday night, my work duties were over and the conference treated us to a 007 themed event, with an open air concert, lots of food, and a little 007 show. My colleague and I also had the opportunity to super-impose our faces and live out our 007 dreams.

This morning I hopped a helicopter...yes, a helicopter to Nice from Monaco. Oddly enough, the helicopter was cheaper, faster, and generally more efficient than a cab. That is, not where my luggage was concerned. I checked my bag when I arrived at the Heli Airport and it was supposed to go all the way to Brussels. However, when I arrived in Brussels, my bag was no where to be found. Honestly, I wasn't really surprised, because it wouldn't be a trip if something didn't go wrong.

I went to the Brussels Airways desk and made my complaint. Oddly enough, even though my bag was tagged and marked, they couldn't tell me where my bag was. All they could say was that it wasn't scanned in Brussels...huh, really? No kidding.

I'm not confident I'll see my bag any time soon. The attendant said he thinks it will arrive in Brussels tomorrow morning, but how can he really know when he doesn't even know where my bag is? Thankfully, since I lost my bag in Orlando, I've learned my lesson and I keep all my essentials in my carry-on: makeup, contact solution, underwear, and my toothbrush. Although I should remind myself next time to include an actual hairbrush - I won't be looking so pretty tomorrow morning.

So after realizing I had no bag, I did manage to find the train station in the airport and get myself to the Brussels Central station. And then I sort of struggled finding my hotel. I had saved directions on my cell phone, but without internet access, it was hard to tell where I was really. The streets aren't marked as nicely as they are in other countries. So I just started following signs to the Grand Place, which I knew was close to my hotel. I managed to find it, although I will be honest, I wasn't sure if it was REALLY the Grand Place. But it was very big...very place like...and lots of people were there, so I assume I found it. Yet, I didn't know where my hotel was in relation to the Place, just that it was close by.

I eventually asked a waiter who was at an outside cafe and he directed me perfectly to my hotel - which is quite nice by the way.

I had planned to go for a run tonight, but without my bag, I'm stuck. Although I probably should go tour Brurssels, I have to admit, I'm plain exhausted. I plan to take a shower and hang out in my hotel room tonight. Tomorrow I head to Bruges and Ghent on a tour. Saturday I spend here in the city and I'm off to Luxembourg on Sunday.

Until next time, please pray for my bag's safe and quick return!

Bonjour!

Greetings from Monaco. It's about 11 p.m. here and I'm simply beat. It's been a very long day and I'm going on 32 hours of pretty much no sleep.

I'd like to say my travel here was uneventful, but it's me, so that's never the case. I was at the back of the plane on my flight to Paris and of course, my seat was broken, so I had to sleep straight up and down...no reclining for me. But I did meet a race car driver from New Zealand and we chatted most of the flight.

Just when we thought we were going to land in Paris, the pilot let us know we were circling the airport because Paris was undergoing some difficult weather A few minutes later, he let us know the airport was in fact closed and we were low on fuel, so we headed for Brussels instead. After spending an hour on the ground in Brussels, we finally arrived in Paris. At least my five hour layover was only two!

When I got to Nice, the airport was basically dead, except for the dozens of people waiting for a cab. I ended up with a really nice cab driver. He asked if I spoke French and I let him know I did, but from that moment on he only spoke to me in French. Running on no sleep, my brain hurt trying to keep up, although I managed to get about 75 percent of what he was saying.

When I got to my hotel, I was completely exhausted, but the view from my room is amazing. I literally overlook the ocean, with yachts in the distance.

I went to dinner at La Note Bleue with some colleagues - it was great getting to know so many colleagues from around the world.

Tomorrow the real work begins, although I have been working on some things this evening.

For now though, my bed is calling my name.

On the road again . . .

Well, my bags are packed (sort of . . . ok not at all) and I'm off on another adventure. This time, I'm headed to Monaco for a work event, and then spending a week on vacation in Belgium and France. I'll also be making a quick trip to Luxembourg (because seriously, when will I ever have the opportunity to go to Luxembourg) in between.

This year, I've already traveled to Toronto and Nashville . . . I was originally headed to Amsterdam (with some work time in Paris), but that trip obviously didn't happen.

And of course, this time around, I'm facing the same challenges and dilemmas with packing, as I usually do. Trying to make the weight requirements and making sure I have enough space to bring lots of presents home. Belgium Air has some seriously strict luggage policies...as in one carry-on per person. Not a bag and your pursue...or a bag and a briefcase - literally one carry-one. Period.

This time around though, I'm a little nervous about the fashion requirements in little ol' Monaco. It just happens to be the most wealthy country per square mile in umm, the world. So let's just say, they take their fashion seriously. Apparently there's a very strict dress code to enter the casinos - which obviously I don't plan to do, since I am going for work. But our after-event celebration is at the Monte Carlo casino. I'm not about to pack a gown, but I did find a nice little green number I think will do the trick.

My goal is to blog throughout my trip...which I've never done. Usually I just post Facebook updates and then write a quick blog after my trip - because I'm too tired to go into too much detail. But this time, I'm going to try and commit to blogging each day of my trip - even the work days (that goal might be a little more difficult)! There will probably be more photos than words, but it's something!

I am pretty excited to visit some more international crossfit boxes. I've scoped them out and I've found one in Monaco, Brussels, and Paris. Here's hoping I can make it to at least one and add to my ever-growing t-shirt collection.

I'm spending four days in Belgium by myself, before staying with Eric, Sandrine, and the children. I was originally a little apprehensive - I tried to convince my friend CG to ditch her boyfriend and come with me, no dice - but I'm actually looking forward to some alone time, in a foreign country, where I can just think about the past few months. Ironically, while things are still difficult and I still find myself in tears some days, I do feel like things are looking up. Someone once told me things will never get better...they'll never get easier...but somehow you manage to get through it. I guess this is me getting through it.

So just a few more days until I set sail...errr flight. Bon voyage!

Puppy Lessons

So it's June. Not really sure where this year has gone...hard to believe it's half over and what a half year it has been. Believe it or not, I'm already ready for 2014.

But with that said, one of the joys in my life, Finn, is growing like a weed! And boy what an education this little pup has given me. Let me share with you the lessons I've learned in just the past two and a half months Finn has graced me with his ever excited presence.

1. I am in no way ready to have children . . . like seriously - The first few weeks after bringing Finn home, I felt like a new parent. I was sleep deprived, getting up every couple of hours to let Finn out. I was cranky, stressed, wondering what was I thinking? I dealt with accidents, both small and large, chewed up shoes and other items, crying at night, the whole gambit. It was hard...it still is, although it's getting easier. He even whines! He makes the most childish noises, it's hilarious, but also incredibly frustrating! So while I do hope to have my own blessed little bundles of joy . . .one day . . . that day is no where near close!

2. Puppies = Friends - Let's be honest, Finn is the cutest dog ever. People yards away notice him and come running. If I had a penny for every time someone told me he was the "cutest dog I've ever seen." I'd be a million aware twice over. And as such, he's helped me to get to know my neighbors better. In fact, I think my neighbors know Finn better than they know me. The minute we walk out the door, I hear people shouting his name. He's a full blown celebrity.

3. No household item is safe - Although the chewing has subsided substantially, all items, small and large, were prey for Finn. Especially flip flops, underwear, bras, socks, sunglasses, the works. Even when I think I've put everything safely out of reach, Finn manages to sniff it out. Thank goodness he's growing out of this stage.

4. I need a bigger bed - I left Finn with my mother while I was on a work trip. When I came back, he was no longer a "sleep in your crate dog." Instead, she turned him into a "I must sleep in your bed dog." Let's just say I wasn't thrilled. Especially since Finn is a mover. He readjusts positions at least thirty times at night...we're trying to carve out one spot for him to stick too...it's working, slowly. But with that said, my mother has a queen bed, so it's much roomier than my little full. Needless to say, I'll be upgrading shortly.

5. When dogs disappear, they're usually up to no good - In fact, they're probably pooping, or chewing your underwear or bra, eating your computer cord. . . Moral of this little story, puppies are not trustworthy!

I can't say I've kept my cool through all of this. There have been moments where I've said to myself, "What the hell were you thinking?" But mostly, I really love this little guy. Especially when he gives you that look . . . you know the look. That's all I need to reaffirm why I brought this little man into my life afterall.