Patriot day + 1 reflection

Yes, it's the 12th of September and I feel like 15 years ago and one day, were almost a blink of an eye, and a lifetime all at once.

I remember that day. Much is blurry, but the terror is real--the unknown, the ruthlessness, the destruction are unnerving. I still see that today.

I lived another life, and when I go near where I used to work on September 11, I even see people who used to work in my building. We're not friends, but I still recognize them. They still work at the same place. They've aged just like me.

But occasionally, I come in costume in my scrubs, when the local food trucks pull outside and I'm in the neighborhood. My job now warrants a weekly trip from one campus to another, so it's on the way back and I stop for lunch. The building have new names. The company I worked for has been bought out multiple times.

If I close my eyes, I still remember that life.

The world has changed, and so have I. I don't worry anymore about what could have been there. I realize that life is living and I'm doing it every day.

Fifteen years and a day, I pray still.

More later....

You live, you learn

I learned quite a lot the past few days. I escaped for a combination of a long weekend, short out-of-town trip and some training.

What did I end up with...plenty.

1. A reusable blue bag with plenty of books to prepare for my next certification exam.
2. Lots of beautiful fall photos I took on the grounds of where I stayed at a conference center in a rural area outside the town. (see previous post to get the general idea of what the rest look like...)
3. Sixteen continuing education hours.
4. One folder
5. One spiral binder of power points.
6. Some fall decorations that were on our group tables. I'm using mine for my Thanksgiving centerpiece.
7. Networking among the participants. I even got a networking contact for my grad school team mate.
8.  Lots and lots of stories from very experienced people, some of whom are pioneers in the industry.
It was fascinating to hear them for the whole time. Our facilitators were professionals who could give you the inside scoop on just about everything.

It was so much fun working the weekend. Going back to work tomorrow won't be nearly as as fun as it is being away from home, but boy, it will be different.

I can't wait.

Stay tuned...