Back to the Grind

After 4 days in our nation's capital I'm back to the real world of work, parenting, wifeing (I have an English degree so I can make up words if I want) and trying (key word here) to be healthy.

The conference was enlightening and energizing.  In case you are wondering, the conference was for National CASA.  CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates - it's a volunteer driven organization that advocates for abused and neglected children who are in the court system.  It is incredibly rewarding, emotional and frustrating.  I love the volunteers who do this work - I was once one.  There are CASA programs all over the nation and this conference brings them all together each year.  All of the programs operate under the same mission but each is unique in operation, policy and organization.  So many good ideas come from this yearly conference.

While I was there I went to the Holocaust Museum.  I don't really know what to say.  There is a reverence, a gravity that inhabits the building; everyone is so silent and grave.  You can go through the entire 4-5 hour exhibit without realizing that you haven't spoken a word the entire time.  The evidence of human depravity is overwhelming; how anyone was able to survive the torture, mental and physical, is a testament to their strength - in themselves and in their faith.  Photographs were not allowed so I don't have anything to show.  It is something that I think everyone should experience.  PS- if you do go be aware that the tickets are free but you need to reserve them in advance.  You can do this on their website ($1/ticket fee to reserve) or talk to your hotel.  Our concierge scored tickets for us - free.  If don't do either you have to wait outside the museum and hope they have tickets left to hand out.  Go with the reservation...oh, and you need to reserve them about 2-3 weeks before you go - they "sell" out fast!

Other than the museum we really didn't have time/opportunity to do anything else besides the conference.  Surprisingly, I didn't stuff myself or even eat too terribly.  However, I did get my drink on!  The first night I had a Hibiscus Honeysuckly martini.  It was interesting.  I got an aftertaste of Robitussin but after drinking the first one that went away (I think the buzz had something to do with that).  The food there was just OK.  I was disappointed.  I had hoped the food would be really something. 

Now, it's back to the grindstone, so to speak.  I have a lot of work to get done since I've been gone a few days and my boss is on vacation for two weeks on top of that.  I've got tons of filing to do, fundraiser to help plan, two ceremonies to get together, cases to assign...oh the list goes on!

Today's goal:  20-30 minutes of exercise and a home cooked meal!