June Travels - Chicago

Last week was another Showcase for work! It was SOO fun! We landed in Chicago right before this crazy torrential downpour that ended up canceling most flights! Lucky us! We did take a limo (actually cheaper than a shuttle) to our hotel (The Hilton Lisle/Naperville) ... which I hear is technically not Chicago! Again, another truly successful showcase!! We had another amazing line-up and had a lot of laughs and inspiration!! I actually thought of a new campaign while listening to a speaker I want to explore more for work! See - professional speakers CAN change your life and motivate you!!!

After the Showcase, Sara picked me up (with Eden & James) and we headed to St. Charles!! [Sara is one of my besties & was also a college roomie (and we lived together in Atlanta after school). I had to take a pic off her FB of the kiddos (with Sara's grandma) b/c again, I was not active with my camera - but these these are my favorite long distance babies so I had to post a picture!! James is about a 1.5 years & Eden just turned 3!] We headed to the grocery store and bought apps (cheese & wine) and all the fixings to make tacos! We hung out & chatted & I ate my wedge of brie, Sara put her kiddos to bed & then we skyped with Ryan (her husband) who was in Alaska on a fish trip (Sara got 50lbs of salmon being shipped back to her!)

Friday morning, we got up & Brooke joined us! She drove in from Madison! You have met Brooke earlier in my blog (NOLA)! We headed into town and had a picnic lunch & went to a Splash Park! VERY fun!! Sara did arrrange a baby-sitter & we went to one of her fav's Wok N'Fire for dinner & then to an Irish Pub!

The next morning, Sara made pancakes and we headed to Geneva for a festival! Sara got her face painted =) I got on the metro around 12:30pm and headed to the city to play with the boy! (He was in town for business as well -- so it worked out perfectly since I missed his birthday which was Wed, the 23rd). We had SO much fun, too! His wonderful friends were out of town & let us use their loft (this is the view from their balcony). The interior was decorated like the W Hotel - so it was very nice! We spent the afternoon walking around Lincoln Park & had some appetizers at a KU Bar! We got ready and went to a festival that evening! (twice in one day) This one was sans face-painting - but we did meet up with a friend, had a drink and listened to some music and then went to Rise for dinner - another sushi place!

The next mornnig we got up and ran through the Lincoln Park Zoo & then up Lake Shore Drive!! It was a great run, but we did get poured on!! We showered and then had breakfast at a great local coffee shop & then did some shopping on Michigan Avenue! I took a small afternoon & spent the afternoon reading/Internetting & we had dinner at Japonais on the river front! Yes, another Sushi Restaurant!

I headed back on Monday! It was a great trip! Wonderful work events followed by lots of fun! While in Chicago, we did plan some additional trips!! I will be having another girls weekned at the Lake (with Glenna & some friends from work!), Brooke & I are going to Lake Tahoe to do some hiking & visit some wineries in August, and we decided to run the half-marathon September 12 in Chicago (as well as the one in KC on October 18!) I still need to visit Meaghan who moved to Florida, and one of my bestie's is having a baby this week in Pasadena, CA! So, I'll keep you posted! Thanks for reading my blog =) Take care!! And please let me know how YOU are doing!! xo  (my email: swhitten@fivestarspeakers.com)

Oh - I did get my iPhone 4 today! yay!! happy day!!

June Travels - Dallas!

I went to Dallas on June 22 for my Showcase (for work)!! We had an amazing line-up this Spring - and it was an absolutley amazing time!! LOTS of laughs, and, I feel very inspired!! Side note: I did get my iPhone swiped.. and to this day, I'm still waiting to get my paws on the new iPhone 4!! It is taking a bit longer than anticipated (and my go-phone is really, really torturing me!) But, always the silver-lining -- I must say, it is completely ideal to have your phone stolen during a full-day of listening to 16 amazing speakers (majority being motivational & inspirational!!) Also... it does give me the rational to spend the money on the new iPhone!! It was a bit of a challenge to get a hold of anyone while out of town without Internet & a phone, but I did survive! Either way, please email me: (swhitten@fivestarspeakers.com) your phone number!! I did lose all my contacts. EEK!!

After my showcase, Jen (my sister) picked me up and we had dinner with Erik & Jennifer Govea! It was great to see them! (They are the brother (and wife) of Beth's husband, Nate. Beth is our younger sister) ... I should probably throw in a neighbor's cousin just to even that out =)

Jen and I just chilled for a couple days at her condo! We relaxed and chatted & spent hours catching up! We actually stayed up until 5:30am the night after my Showcase!! I must say, it was the longest I've ever stayed up with only drinking water!! It was nice to relax & I did play hours of crafternoon (making my boyfriend a handmade birthday present!) Jen also introduced me to one of her favorite local Chinese Take-out places (they know her by name!!) so we pigged out & watched movies, too! All & all - (a quick) but fun trip!

I flew home Saturday, June 19, in time to pick up Corbin (now spending time with his "new" step-family! He has found a new special love for Glenna & her Dick and their three miniature Yorkies!!) Later in the day, Francis got into town as well  & we met up with a close friend of mine, Stacie, & went out to celebrate 50 years of life for Sam Meers!! Sam was my first boss in KC & the CEO of Meers Advertising. It was GREAT fun! I did video tape the birthday wishes and included a couple pictures. I did not take any pictures with Jen while in Dallas...  =(  I need my new iPhone (the new version comes with a 5 megapixel camera & flash!!)

June Travels - Lake of the Ozarks

It's been a busy month this June!

The first trip was the beginning of the month when we spent a weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks on da boat!! My friends Glenna & her husband, Dick (Glenna & her Dick) invited us down for a weekend of fun on their beautiful 2 bedroom/2 bathroom yacht!! I work with Glenna - and it's great to have such WONDERFUL (and very generous) 60-year old friends!! We had such an amazing time - lots of sun!! We did spend lots of time laying out, a little bit of swimming, taking the boat out, a LOT of eating & even some libations! It was a great weekend! Thanks again to the Beytiens!!

A Different Spin On My Travel!

Hello all!! Hope everyone is doing well! Although I'm still resting nicely in KC, I thought I'd post a quick blog entry! I did get a new form of transportation today somewhat related to my travels... a new bike! I'm very excited because I don't think I've actively ridden a bike since my early teen years! The bike I got, a Trek Pure, is more along the lines of a beach cruiser! I am planning on getting a basket so I can take it to the grocery store,  run smaller errands, and perhaps even take Corbin places with me! Once I get accessorized with ALL my add-ons & protection gear (bubble wrap included), let me know if you are interested in joining me for a bike ride!