Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Almost heaven....Lexington....


Okay, maybe Lexington, Kentucky, isn't really heaven....
but it sure felt like it last night. I drove down early yesterday morning for a statewide conference called The Behavior Institute. It's for teachers, mostly for teachers of students with emotional and behavior disorders, which I will be in the fall. There was a fantastic, nationally-known keynote speaker - John Seita, and a lot of really good, helpful, interesting sessions. I had a hard time deciding which ones to go to, and I came away with a ton of very practical, insightful information.

The "heaven" part came last night, after dinner. I stayed in the Radisson, which is the middle tan building in this picture. It is connected by a pedway to the Hyatt, which is connected by another pedway to the Lexington Convention Center and the famous Rupp Arena (at first, until I learned my way around, I felt a little like a mouse in a maze). Anyway, I went to dinner in the gorgeous restaurant in the atrium of the Hyatt with a bunch of teacher-friends. We had a blast. Then I went back to my room, stopping at the hotel gift shop to get a Diet Coke and a snack. An hour later, I was in my jammies, sitting on a comfortable bed, my Diet Coke, snack, and book beside me, remote control in hand, and a gorgeous view of the city lights out my 14th floor window. The only thing that would have made it better would have been the presence of my S.O., but with our upcoming family vacation, and his early work start time, he was at home busy with all the preparations.

But you talk about heaven! In 4 1/2 years of single parenthood (and honestly, in 16 years of parenthood in general), I have rarely been so comfortable and treated to a peaceful night to myself. Of course I missed the kids, but they were all quite happy and busy for different reasons. Even the 6 year old was being spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa.

Anyway, I haven't been home long - only about 3 hours, but I just wanted to share with you my little slice of heaven!

5 comments:

eatmisery said...

It's so nice to get away. It makes coming home that much nicer.

sunShine said...

I am so glad that you had a good time and learned some new stuff too.

Elmwood said...

hi :)
just wanted to tell you I did post a few red kitchen pics for you!! :)

FindingHeart said...

I crack up at the feeling of going to a conference and 'feeling like a real professional'. I don't want to be on the road all the time, but staying at a nice hotel and going to a conference where people 'woo' you is a nice and unaccostomed feeling. Hope the workshops were worth the time.

I'm hitting the road next week to a west coast conf and the following week to an east coast conf. Jazzed that I'll be at a 4 star next week. Ooooo. :)

Jodi said...

yeah, me too.

when i told my brother-in-law where i was going and how excited i was, he just nodded and kind of looked at me funny...i said, "you don't understand - this is a RARITY in education! i understand people in the world of business do it all the time, but not us, baby!"

but it WAS fun. and useful.

now just wait until i hit my principal up for all the new stuff i want for the classroom, supported by all the research-based information i got at the conference....hee, hee....