Coming Home from Anaheim

Whew, what an early morning today!  My coworker Reggie and I scheduled a SuperShuttle to pick us up at the hotel at 5:25 AM so that we could make our 8:50 AM flight out of Santa Ana.  I woke up around 4:45 AM to take a quick shower and wake up.

The flights to Dallas and Washington DC were uneventful.  Dad picked me up at the airport.  Mom reported that RJ was a good guest.  Well, he caused some mischief like poking holes in some of her plants and also getting into any closet or cabinet that was opened.  Fortunately no biting occurred so I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind to have him back again when I go on travel.

Work Trip to Anaheim

I left for Anaheim on Sunday and I'm finally going home tomorrow.  This was my first time coming to the Newborn Screening Symposium, so a lot of the topics were a little over my head because they were more technical.  The best session was one where the parents and patients that were saved/affected by newborn screening shared their stories.  I think it was a good way to reinforce to the meeting attendees that what they do matters and saves lives.  My purpose in going to the meeting was to present a poster with my boss.

On Wednesday night, one of the vendors and corporate partners rented out a club and held a Halloween party.  I was very impressed that many of the meeting attendees came prepared with costumes.  The hosts dressed up as superheros: The Flash, the Hulk, Catwoman, Robin, Green Lantern, etc.  I brought Julie's shark costume for this event.

The meeting ended at noon today and by 12:15 PM, my boss and I were on the hotel shuttle to Disneyland.  Yay, finally!  We decided to do Space Mountain first because the 2 other coworkers that were coming later were busy packing up after the meeting and didn't seem interested in Space Mountain anyway.  We were about 20 people away from the ride and then an announcement came on to say that it was temporarily closed.  We waited it out and about 15 minutes later, it was back on.  Wow, that was an intense ride.  You couldn't even see me in the post-ride photo because I was crouched behind the guy in front of me, holding onto the bar for dear life.  After we met up with our coworkers, we did several more rides until the park closed: Indiana Jones (this was my favorite ride of the day), Winnie the Pooh (second favorite ride), The Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (third favorite ride), Star Tours, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, and Pirates of the Carribean.  We ended with Peter Pan, which was very similar to the ride at Disney World.

After Peter Pan, Ben and I went shopping and my boss and Ben's boss went to get one more ride in (Thunder Mountain).  I got a Disneyland magnet and 2 Stitch pins.  We headed out around 8:30 and then went to Red Robin for dinner.  Whew, what a busy day!  Glad to be going home tomorrow :)

Haunted Mansion

Me and my coworker, Ben

RJ's Visit to Mom's House

I was so thankful that Mom and Dad agreed to babysit RJ at their house while I'm gone in CA this next week.  During my previous business trips, Mom and Dad would come check on RJ every other day since the automatic feeder would take care of him.  However, given my last trip to Boston and coming home to a very sick cat, I decided that I wasn't going to take any chances.  Plus, seeing as he can only eat prescription cat food now, I don't want my parents to have to check on him twice a day to feed him.  Who wants to eat wet cat food that's been sitting out all day.  I'd feel better knowing that someone was keeping an eye on him. 

Anyway, so yesterday after work, I packed him up with his carrier and his cat food and brought him over to the house.  Mom set up a litter box in the main floor bathroom.  He was very curious and wanted to check out every nook and cranny in the place.

I was in the sunroom this afternoon and saw that Harry was visiting for lunch.  I had to take a picture of the two of them together: Mom's temporary full-time cat and her part-time cat.

Ebay Sale Update, Part 2

On the tails of yesterday's Ebay sale, this Disney DVD lot that I collected from yard sales sold today. Bought for $2 per DVD (this and this yard sale) and sold the lot for $16.99.

Ebay Sale Update

A coworker was gathering some clothing donations and in my closet digging, I found this Old Navy fleece that I no longer wanted. Up to Ebay it went! Sold for $5.50. I also let go of a few work-appropriate tops, which leaves some room for replacements :D

Pictures from the Past

My cousin Emily is currently in Taiwan visiting her family.  She must have been digging through some old photos because she texted a few to me earlier tonight, some of them seen below.  It's funny to see how dark and full my dad's hair was back then. :)

Two-a-Day Spin Class and Yummy Pumpkin Pie Yogurt

Because I've been slacking on the spin classes last week, I decided to do 2 spin classes this morning. Then I went to my parents' house to get my share of the curry rice that Mom made last night and some apples that they picked.

When I went grocery shopping yesterday, I saw this pumpkin pie one and decided to try it out. Yum, so delicious! I'll be picking up more tomorrow. :)