Business Trip

I am on a business trip this week - just got back from Spring break, only to turn around and fly to Boston. I am way sick of Chicago O'Hare. It was very crowded yesterday, but all of the flights were on time and the weather was good in Boston.

So I am finished with today's meeting, but have time on my hands - no kids to attend to, no chaffeuring. Really, kind of lonely just hanging out in my hotel room. I can't even call home yet because they aren't there due to the time zone difference. And unfortunately, I wasn't able to upload the pictures from Spring Break where I could host them here, so I can't even work on that.

The meeting so far has been productive. The main purpose of the meeting is to present improvement ideas for manufacturing software we are utilizing to control our plants. I am representing my branch of the business, and there are other global representatives also in attendance. The nice thing is that one of my team's ideas has been selected to move forward with. The other meeting participants have been fun to work with (well, for the most part).

Tomorrow, we will venture into Boston for dinner at the North End. It has been a while since I have done that, and one of our hosts says that it will be a nice dinner. We will be eating at Taranta. One thing I will insist on, however, is NOT driving in. Others can take that task on.

The bad thing about coming back from Spring Break Vacation

Is adjusting back to the cold weather......
We went away for Spring Break to Florida where it was very warm. Nice and warm! But now we are back and it is COLD here. And it snowed while we were away.
I just want it to be Spring - and for real.

More later about our Spring Break Vacation - and there will be pictures, too!

Never Under-estimate a team on the bubble

of the NCAA men's tournament, that is.

Scott, who has bemoaned Syracuse all season long, boldly committed to "shave his head" if Syracuse won the NCAA National Championship. This was stated last week, just as Syracuse was starting to play in the Big East Tournament. Before each game, he would state how 'Cuse would be taken to the Woodshed and be a big embarassment. First, against Cincy (which the Orange only won by a last second shot). Then the upset against UCONN (Scott's comments - they got really lucky). After the UCONN game, he made the wager to shave his head, fully expecting Syracuse to lose somewhere along the way.

Well, now Syracuse, once on the NCAA tournament bubble, is the winner of the Big East Tournament, and a 5 seed. Scott continues to say that Syracuse will be lucky to win one round of the tournament...... we'll have to keep track of this one...... you never know - that's why they call it March Madness!

AI Predictions

OK, so I admit - I am an American Idol JUNKIE. There is just something that sucks me in every year...... My sister, Teresa is the same way - we call each other after each episode to dish about it. So sad.

So, in keeping with my obession, here are my predictions about who will go home (I was correct with my predictions last week!).

Girls - Kinnik and Melissa
Boys - Kevin (definately)..... the next one is a bit harder to call, but I will say Bucky, but it could also be Gedeon.

I haven't been able to watch a Thursday show yet, due to church choir rehearsals, but we don't have one tomorrow - and I will be watching....

How old am I??

You Are 31 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

I got this off of Empress4's Blog - and since I am really 38 and going on 39, I guess this isn't too bad. I guess I need to find that RealAge site again and see what my RealAge is.....

Start of ISAT Testing

Third grade is somewhat of a Milestone for us in Illinois. It is the first year the students get the privilage of taking the ISAT test, in order to measure and quantify a school's yearly progress towards fullfilling No Child Left Behind.

The schools make a big deal out of this event - the students have been preparing for the test for the past 5 weeks or so (per my daughter). Last week, there was assembly at school to rah-rah and get the students geared up for the test. I guess it was like a Pep Rally, but for a standardized test instead of a sporting event - how bizarre. Some schools will have a celebration party at the end of the week. Erica was invited to a classmate's "ISAT's are over - Let's Party" function on Friday.

I recall taking standardized tests when I was in grade school - something like the Iowa Test. But no intense preparation, no celebration parties - we just took the test. Now, I am sure that the results of the test didn't determine a school's funding or place it on the State's "Watchlist", but I am sure that the results didn't just go un-noticed.

So, the ISAT test started today for Erica. She was initially apprehensive about it, but the report after school was "those were really easy tests and they made the day just fly by". I guess there is a bit of a silver lining to it all - especially when you get to "party down" at the end of the week.....

Just a Synopsis

Because it seems boring that my last two blog entries are about American Idol, I will only post a short synopsis of the guys.

Like: Taylor, Elliot (what an amazing voice!), Chris
Embarassed to listen to: Kevin, Will. These boys had me laughing - not a good thing!
Better than last week: Sway (not by much), Bucky (much better)
Most disappointed in: Ace
Still finding a Niche with me: David, Gedeon

Overall - much more exciting than the females last night.
My picks for who might go home: Sway, David