Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I Survived!

My October Travel Calendar

Besides the marathon, there is another accomplishment I am celebrating this week.  I think it's worth noting that I survived what was one of the most busy, intense travel schedules I have ever (and hopefully will ever) experienced - I mean the calendar above gives you a good visual of how much I was gone during the month of October.  I counted on Friday, and realized I had been on 18 flights in the last 7 weeks.  18 FLIGHTS.  Most people don't take 18 flights in the span of a year.

I had good days while traveling - like client meetings and presentations that went super well. And I had bad days - like when I was asked to move to Charlotte.  This is the 3rd time this has come up in the past year, my answer is a FIRM NO.  It is a stressful conversation to have because it's starting to feel like it's shifting towards an ultimatum.  I hope that is not the case.  I love my job, but I love my family and lifestyle in Minneapolis more.  Sorry, I'm not sorry I feel that way.

I've become a master at packing (and actually have a smaller suitcase than most of my male co-workers).  I've lost all ability to be patient in the security line.  I know the Minneapolis airport (which is HUGE, by the way), like the back of my hand.  I have determined that I prefer traveling alone versus traveling with co-workers.

I'm worn out and exhausted after 7 weeks of non-stop travel, but I get a glorious 2.5 week break (I think, there is a potential trip to Denver next week)...  I can't wait to spend every night of the week in my own bed!  I can't wait to have more evenings free to see family and friends!  I can't wait to actually cook meals instead of eating out so much!

So here's to a 2 blissful weeks of being home! And here is hoping I make it at least another 6 months without having to have the "when are you moving to Charlotte?" conversation....

21 comments:

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

Yayyy, you survived! I think you are smart not to move just for work, work is not everything :)

I really don't know how you did that many trips- Eric and I were burnt out from the summer and that was only 6 flights AND it was all fun, not work. I'm still hoping you'll add to your crazy schedule and see Boston in November!

Caroline said...

Congrats on surviving all that travel! That is a serious accomplishment. I'm pretty sure I've taken 18 flights in the past three years..

Enjoy your next two weeks! Hopefully that streak of non-travel will be broken by a flight to .. Boston?

Becky said...

Hooray for not only surviving bu thriving - because let's face it, you ran a marathon at the end of all this and that's more than surviving!

So glad you get some time at home...I hope you let yourself just be at home a couple of those nights and relax and read!

missris said...

WOW that's a lot of flights! I hope you get a bunch of rest and have some time to do fun things for the next few weeks before you have to travel again!

Nora said...

Here's hoping the Denver trip doesn't happen so you can get some much needed time in MPLS and enjoy the city and your house!

Hopefully this time they got the point about the move to Charlotte...

Marlys said...

I agree with Becky - 18 flights & a marathon! Now that is amazing!
Hope you enjoy the rest of October inspite of it being almost over! This month has flown by!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Wow, that is a lot of traveling for work! I have never traveled for my job before.

Amy said...

Rest up, friend! Too much travel! That said, what's up with Sacramento? ;)

San said...

You are superwoman! I love to travel for work sometimes, but these last 7 weeks have been insane for you!
I hope you'll be getting some rest in the next couple of weeks! You deserve it!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

I think you should start answering that question with things like, "after the Cubs win a World Series" or "when Charlotte starts having real winters" or "over my dead body." I find that when you respond to such ridiculous questions with ridiculous answers, people stop asking. =)

Carolina John said...

18 flights is insane. I haven't been on 18 flights total over the last, well, maybe ever. at least the 20 years since I got out of high school. yes less than 18 flights in 20 years.

And I wouldn't want to live in Charlotte either - and I only live 2 hours away now. Screw Charlotte. i want you to move to Raleigh.

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

You are such a trooper! I'm so glad you survived. I know November is busy for you too, so my fingers are crossed that you get a light December and plenty of family time at home!

Amber said...

So nuts! I'm so glad that crazy stretch is over for you and you have some time in your own bed ahead. I hope you don't have to go to Denver next week!

Elizabeth said...

Yea :) Here's hoping that Denver trip gets farmed out to someone else....and that Charlotte doesn't come up again. Are there other relocation options? Just wondering if a Chicago transfer could be a potential pawn device down the road.... I'm impressed with how much you've been able to travel AND still train---way to go! Enjoy your bed, your family, and your own food this week :)

Melissa said...

YAY! Enjoy your two weeks off... I can only imagine what kind of happy dance you must be doing! Haha :)

Stephany said...

I don't know how you made it through this stretch of traveling! So brutal. 18 flights!! I hope these next 2 weeks are restful and you get lots of time with your family and friends. And no more talk of Charlotte! What would happen if you WERE given this ultimatum? Just curious...

Amanda said...

Following your tweets made me tired on your behalf. So impressed you're still in one piece :)

Lisa-Marie said...

You are hardcore. I would be dead I think.

Two weeks of your own bed, your reading corner, your own home cooked food. Enjoy it!

J said...

OMG that is crazy! I feel like you and I both need a break now too! The past couple of months have just been so busy! Enjoy being at home!

Marisa A. said...

Yikes thats intense. I don't know if I could fly that much in so little time. I HATE flying. And hopefully your work got the hint that you won't be moving to Charlotte and it doesn't come up again.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Yeah it's funny how many people think that traveling is fun, but really, some parts of it get old fast! I hated having to be social after work with coworkers, even when I wanted to just go to bed...or having conversations about work after work when I really just wanted to talk about anything else! You really had a lot of traveling in the last month though. Just think of is as a great way to rack up frequent flyer points! :)