Day 1...Airport Selfie...would you expect anything else :)

So off to DC I go....travel bag packed with 10 days of clothes, 4 pairs of shoes and everything needed to pull this face and hair together each morning!  It's been 14 days since I walked out of the hotel and it's been a hard adjustment....the first 5 days were the worst.  My phone didn't ring, my email box was quiet and no digs of surveys coming into Mediallia at all hours of the night.  Also a lack of need set in about day 3...that they hadn't called or texted (other than to say hi and to tell me they had this) for help...they were ready for me to leave....they do have this....the birds are flying from the nest wings spread and they are doing it.  

Bag is packed, books/music/games downloaded on the iPad and compass necklace on so that I might never loose my way and always be able to find my way back home (thanks Lu)!   I've worked 10 years for a chance like this and I am so ready to take it head on and kill it.  Nervous...yes, scared...a little, excited....beyond word I can't wipe this cheesy grin off my face!  Bring it on...I am ready to take it all in, be a good student and crush it!

Thank you to all those that have sent kind words, gave me a good game over break or attended one of many happy hours...I couldn't have made this leap without your help or made it here without it.  Tiffany and Jessica...thank you for your support from the very first phone interview, listening to my crazy rants, proofing my pros/cons spreadsheet and all those group text messages that I know I started way to early in the morning when I couldn't sleep!  Team Leavenworth thank you for making it easy for me to make this decision, knowing that when I walked away you all would continue to kick a$$ and take names...making sure to continue the amazing things we have started and relish in the accomplishments/accolades that we have won. I am so proud of you all for setting your goals high and achieving them, I can't wait to see that Opening Hotel of the Year trophy in the lobby and your faces on the front page of the paper again, you continue to amaze me and pushed me harder than any team I have had in 10 years, you have made me a better manager and person over the last 18 months.  Cashman, I leave you the leagacy!!!  Thank you so much for your support, friendship, laughter, tears, anger, pen throwing, more laughs, and everything else in between over the last 18 months....I am so excited for you to step up and man the hotel...it couldn't be left in better hands.  I look forward to keeping track of you over the next few years as I know that you have a very bright future in this business and am so glad you stuck it out through what I'll call our "dark time."  Keep my bar stool warm and I'll see you when I am back I town.  My family, thank you for your support in my crazy career over the last 10 years.....for understanding that holidays, birthdays, etc. are just another day when you work in a 365/24/7 business.  I am forever grateful for your support, love, guidance and swift kick in the bottom when I have needed it!  Mom I'm only I phone call, text message or FaceTime away....I promise you won't forget what my face looks like!  

I'll check in on the other side!!!