Visiting Home

My heart aches... The company I work for flew me to DC this week and I received an award for creativity and innovation. They went all out on the whole awards ceremony and dinner. They also put me up in the Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase.

Anyway, it was strange flying in to Reagan; I hadn't expected the feeling that washed over me. I knew, as we landed and I watched out the window, that I was home. Everything seemed so familiar and loved. My VP had told me to use taxi's, but I so loved hopping on the Metro and and going to my hotel. I then got ready for the ceremony and hopped the Metro again to meet my VP for lunch.

After lunch we went to my companies headquarters. They had our main lobby, which is always beautiful, all decked out for the ceremony. They had filled the room with tables and each table had either a lovely center piece of flowers or a stunning ice sculpture. It was so nice to see all of my friends that I have been missing so much. I think I received more hugs that day than I have ever received in any one day before.

After the ceremony, my VP insisted that I ride with him to the restaurant that the company had rented out for dinner. He drives like a maniac, so by the time we reached the restaurant I was a little nauseated. Dinner was at a place called Le Paradou on Indiana Avenue. It all started with hors d'oeuvres and champagne. I can't remember how many times my glass was filled. Luckily, I wasn't the only one who seemed to be inhaling the champagne. Dinner was served about 45 minutes later and it looked stunning on the plate. Unfortunately for me, when I sliced into my steak it bled on my plate. I know, I know, that's how steak is supposed to be served, but I just can't stomach it. My friends at the table tried to get me to send it back, but I have seen the movie "Waiting" and I do not send food back. It's just my policy. Needless to say I was a little hungry when dinner ended.

My VP insisted again that he give me a ride back to the hotel after dinner. Once I arrived, I hurried to my room and changed out of the monkey suit into some jeans and met my friends. We had decided to get drinks and grabbed a cab to Georgetown. It was so awesome to walk around and hangout in that area of the city. I have to admit that it was not something that I had done often once The Bean was born, but it really brought me back to my days in the Military when I had first come to the DC area. We all goofed off until about 1 am, then I headed back to the hotel.

The next morning, with a slight headache, I had a great breakfast at the hotel and headed over to HQ. I put in a few hours of work and saw some more friends. I then hopped on the Metro again and grabbed lunch in Chinatown. I had almost forgotten how good Chinese food tastes! I stopped and got The Bean a little souvenir and rode the Metro to Reagan National.

My wait at the airport was short and I was happy to have a window seat on the plane. As we took-off and ascended, I looked out the window. It was really hard to leave. As I looked over the town I love, tears started to fall. I think the lady sitting next me thought that I was crazy; oh well, I don't know her. Everything looked so familiar and beautiful. I could see all the different areas of the city and recognized them. So many fond memories flooded my mind. I thought about those memories all through my flight back to Atlanta.

Landing in Atlanta did not have the same feeling. I looked out the window and saw very little that I recognized. I saw so many clear cut neighborhoods where only half the houses were finished and remembered that I had just bought a house in this area that has one of the worst housing markets in the nation. The realization hit me that I will be living in this area for quite some time and I must get accustomed to it. The tears began to fall again (by this time, the lady next me sort of shifted away.)

Driving home from the airport was no easier. My day brightened greatly when I opened the garage and my sweet little dog, my gorgeous daughter, and my dear husband poured out and bum-rushed me. I will learn to love this place; it will just take more time than I expected.