So Much, So Much
From Usher and The Mansion in Atlanta...
to family, blessings and the excitement of New York...
to the history and beauty of Washington, D.C....
to friendship, comfort and joy in Alexandria...
to the pomp and circumstance of the Navy football experience in Annapolis, Maryland...
it has been a memorable, wonderful, fun-filled few weeks.
I could say it all started in Hot-lanta, but it really began in the Alamo City (San Antonio) where I went for work earlier in the month. There I was surprised to find areas of awesome shopping, ate some great food and made some new friends.
Atlanta followed in my time of travel. I've been there one other time for work and enjoyed it, but this time was a whole new experience. We stayed at The Mansion on Peachtree (http://www.mansiononpeachtree.com/) where the word luxury is an understatement when describing this hotel. I was greeted upon my arrival by Robert, my own private butler who was there purely to keep me happy. (OK, he was assigned to several other hotel rooms, but it felt like he was there just for me!) The decor, the service, the bedding, the bathroom...all were decadent and wonderful. I felt right at home and then I discovered a little piece of home right there in my Atlanta hotel room - my famous chef husband was featured in one of Atlanta's hottest magazines!! (http://www.modernluxury.com/ Click on Magazines / Atlanta / View Digital Magazine / See the Mag with the yellow dressed model on the cover.) How cool was that!? And just went I thought my trip couldn't get any better, my colleague, Mandi, and I ran right into Usher at the hotel. He was there celebrating his birthday with a swank party at the Mansion. Nice!!
Though it was sad for me to leave Hot-lanta, I was ready to get back and begin my next adventure - a New York, D.C., Virginia, Maryland sweep. Hubby and I planned a personal vacation as part of my work trip to New York and we had a great time. We spent time with our new nephew, Oscar O'Neill, and two of our favorite people - niece, Davan, and nephew, Jake. Not to mention Greg's Mom, Step-father, Sister, Brother and their significant others and the cousins and aunts. All awesome people. And what a great thing to celebrate with everyone - an engagement! Greg's brother, John, and his girlfriend, Lisa, are recently engaged. Congratulations!!
Part of this trip included yet another visit to the lap of luxury as we stayed at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New York at Central Park South. The rooms were exquisite and the service was crazy, but they didn't offer private butlers. The Ritz might have to work on that...
I think I most enjoyed just walking the streets like I knew what I was doing. Having been in New York City several times and feeling intimidated by all the people and all the honking and seeming aggression, this trip I didn't feel that way at all. I got right out there and made my way through and it felt great. One particularly nice day was spent with my Mother-in-law, Nancy. We had a great lunch followed up by a cappuccino, which is one of my new favorite things, and then walked the streets - 5th Avenue, Madison Avenue. Then I came upon one of those old, amazing churches that come out of nowhere in New York among skyscrapers and the chicest boutiques. I felt suddenly that I had to go in. As I walked up to the church I noticed it was St. Patrick's Cathedral. I walked in and asked Nancy about all of the candles burning around the church and she said you can light a candle and say a prayer or ask for a blessing. So I did. The light of my prayer was lit along with that of many others who'd come from near and far to this place. The beauty of that moment and that place stays with me. I will never forget it.
In the final day of our time in New York, Greg and I went into Times Square, with the other tens of thousands who were there, and were filled with the energy of the lights and music and people. New York always has a way of making you feel like it's a small world after all and was that ever true on this night. We head into Carmine's to meet the family for dinner and who did we run into at the one restaurant? Mike Modano and Darryl Ray. If anyone knows Dallas Stars hockey, you know who these guys are. There they were sitting at Carmine's in Times Square in New York - what are the odds?! Greg and I went over to say 'hello' and felt a bit sheepish since it's obvious we're big fans. Mike and Darryl, both of which my husband knows, were very nice and agreed that it was a cool coincidence. We capped off the trip with a wonderful meal with the family and sadly said 'good-bye' to New York the next afternoon.
As sad as it was to leave Greg at the airport following our awesome time in New York, I was equally as excited to see some of my dearest friends while in D.C./Virginia. Casey and John are two of the truest, best people you will ever find. They are honest and kind and such great hosts to anyone who visits them. John's thoughtful dinners and wine selections and Casey's consummate ability to make me feel at home, just made my stay such a delight. To top it off, Casey took me sailing for the very first time! Two hours on a sailboat on the Potomac River with snacks and a good friend...what a nice afternoon. The trip was rounded out by our visit to Annapolis, Maryland, the site of the Naval Academy. The tradition and pride felt in that town and at the Navy game versus SMU was tangible, even in the rain and wind. I was mesmerized by the commitment of the men and women in uniform in these conditions to continually enter the field and perform their push-ups each time Navy got a touch-down. Not to mention the exhilaration of the fly over by the fighter jets and the gun fire periodically throughout the game; I'm convinced that the uniforms, jet places and gun fire are what intimidated the Mustangs into a frightful loss to Navy.
I think one of my favorite things about this trip was the enjoyment I got from driving around Virginia and D.C. and Maryland all alone. I was nervous about it at first, but soon just sat back and enjoyed the scenery. It was such a good trip and I will always remember it as being a very special time.
So, after my travels, I returned home with so many new memories and another year of marriage under my belt. (October 25 was our 5-year anniversary!!) Now it's time to focus on the remainder of 2008, enjoy the holidays and the chilly weather, and prepare for all of the joy and happiness that is promised for 2009. Thanks to all who made my October one of the best times of my life.
