I Ride My Own White Horse ...

Good Morning from Leiden ...

So it's my first morning in Europe.  I am greeted by a text message from my daughter upset that the fire alarm had gone off in her college dorm and she was standing outside in her pjs tired and cold waiting for the fire department to arrive.  Only to be followed by the news on Twitter that there had been a chemical plant explosion outside of Charleston releasing a dangerous chemical cloud over the nearby community.

Hmmmm ... I think I may want to either go back to bed and turn off all technology so that I can remain clueless as to what is going on outside my hotel room.

OR maybe I will hit the shower and enjoy my day in one of my favorite places on earth. 

Which shall I choose?????

Beginning a new adventure .....

So here I am starring at my suitcase hoping that I have packed everything I need for my trip to Europe.  My trip begins with a couple of days in Leiden, a place I truly love to visit.  It is a city with modern culture blended with old European charm.  Most of my time in Leiden will be spent working on the 2009 IAMSE conference, instead of playing ... but that is OK as for me planning meetings is playing!

My trip will then continue with several days in Prague.  The first full day hopefully will be spent traveling the area where my family roots began.  My great grandfather came to America in 1904 from Prague beginning his adventure in this new land.  I am looking forward to seeing where my family first began.

The true purpose of the trip is to attend the AMEE (Association for Medical Education in Europe) meeting.  My role is mixed as I am there to help promote a client, increase my knowledge of the world in which I work and reconnect with friends and colleagues.

Then a quick day visit back in Leiden to clean up some loose ends before heading home next Friday. 

Thus I am again beginning a new adventure ..... pictures are promised!

You never know when paths will cross .....

In the past 2 weeks I have reconnected with several people from my past.  One going back 20+years!  These were people that I never thought I would see again nor talk to as they were co-workers; not really family or friends. 

To my surprise, maybe they are more than just "co-workers."  You spend so much of your time at work or working with others, friendships do develop ... why not make the most of it? 

You never know when a person will come into your life, leave it or come back again!  It might be a good idea to keep that in mind, as you never know how those paths will cross.

And what would those be ???????

And what would those be ???????
Originally uploaded by jkhewett

I couldn't help but laugh at this sign .... Being at a baseball game, where balls are flying through the air wouldn't you expect this?

But then a reminder to be aware of our surroundings is always good.  No matter what you are doing, no matter where you are ... if you are not paying attention ... you WILL miss something!  Maybe something really important or valuable ...

WV Power Baseball Game

WV Power Baseball Game
Originally uploaded by jkhewett

So was I bored ... or was I having fun?

That depends on who you talk to!  When my family saw me taking pictures of the peanut shells on my leg, they immediately commented on how bored I must be ....

For me however, it was fun!  I was watching a interesting game (first grand slam I've ever seen); eating peanuts, playing with my camera on a beautiful August night.  What more could you ask for???

So ... just because someone is doing something that you find boring ... doesn't mean that it is!

Oh and we lost the game 10-6 ....