Updates

So as far as updates go, not a ton new is going on. Well, actually, I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago for work. I guess that is new. It was my first work related travel in my new role and it was BUSY. I went to meet with one of my vendors for two days, and I barely had time to myself - they had my schedule mapped out down to the hour. Luckily, they finished early the first day so that I could go see my mom, since she works about two blocks from the hotel they had me in. I got to see my mom, my dad and my sister for about an hour or so before heading out to dinner. I flew back to Minneapolis as soon as we finished up on day 2 so I didn't even bother calling anyone to say I was in town. Since then, work has been busy as usual. This week has been much calmer, as my Sr. Buyer is traveling in Europe and my analyst is on vacation most of the week. I've been able to sit at my desk most days and be productive which is quite unusual. Next week my Sr. Buyer is on vacation as well so I'm hoping for a somewhat relaxing week.
I've been trying to be more active in the community and volunteer organizations since the start of the new year, so last night I went to my first volunteer event with the United Way Emerging Leaders. The event involved a room full of women (unfortunately no men showed up) making cards for women at a local battered womens shelter. A representative from the shelter came and spoke to us about the services they offer to battered women and about what she sees in the shelter on a daily basis and it was very enlightening. We each had brought a new pair of womens pajamas to the event to donate to the shelter, and some people brought several pair so they received a lot of donations. It was nice for me because I got to meet some new folks. Most of the women were older than me (or at least they looked older than me) and came from so many different backgrounds and professions. They were a fun group.
My jewelry class finally ended. I came away with some really cute silver pieces - a bracelet for my sister, a sapphire ring, a pair of heart earrings, and a few charms for a charm bracelet I'm making. A friend of mine invited me to a jewelry making party that she organized among her circle of friends at a studio in Maple Grove (kinda far - about 30 minutes away, but worth the trip). We spent about three hours at the studio making jewelry with fine silver. I walked away with two necklace pendants - one is my initial, and the other is this random design I came up with (flexing those artistic skills).
Otherwise, I'm getting back into party planning mode - trying to get all the details finalized for the big birthday bash I'm throwing with my brother in May. It's going to be good times (so make sure you're there - the save the dates are coming very soon!!!). If I haven't heard from you in a while, hit me up!