First Timer

There's a first time for everything, right?

Spring Break 2011 was spent with a lot of "firsts." Like my first business trip. Alone. To Des Moines for a 2-day insurance class. On Wednesday, I packed my suitcase and took off on Highway 20. I made it (without getting lost, thanks to my Garmin) in roughly two hours. I checked into my hotel and went up to Room 213. (I'm apologizing now for the poor pictures.)

After checking things out, calling Mom & Dad to let them know I'd arrived, I quickly became bored. Luckily I was just 1.59 miles from Jordan Creek Town Center. For probably the first time ever, I didn't find much, granted I purposely "missed" a few stores. After a good two hours of shopping, I decided to get some dinner at Champps. Alone. I've never eaten at a sit-down restaurant completely by myself. And you know what? It wasn't bad at all. Except for the slightly confused look I got from the hostess when I replied "just one." I enjoyed sitting at a high-top table, watching the First Four of the NCAA Men's Tournament and sipping a Woodchuck while waiting for my dinner...which was a cheeseburger. Like my Dad said, "imagine that." 

Day 1 of my "vacation" was spent in a meeting room at the hotel studying insurance terms like umbrellas and blankets. Besides an hour lunch break, I sat in the same chair for roughly 8.5 hours, drinking Orange Tea, water, or Pepsi, sucking on peppermints, taking notes and highlighting what Steve focused on, and making small-talk with my fellow classmates. Thursday night (St. Patrick's Day), I got Cheesecake Factory To-Go and relaxed in my room. Sadly, I missed Jersey Shore as the TV didn't have MTV.

I decided on Four-Cheese Pasta and of course, a piece of cheesecake.

I got to sleep in on Friday since I didn't have class until 1:00. Of course, I didn't sleep well Wednesday night when I had to be up by 6am, but I sleep like a rock when I don't need to set my alarm. Luckily, check out wasn't until noon, so after sleeping in I made it down to breakfast for the last ten minutes it was open. I didn't eat too much since I wanted to make sure I had a good lunch - hey, when work is paying for it, why not? :) I went back out to Jordan Creek and ate at Joe's Crab Shack. We ended up getting out of class about 5 minutes early, so I was able to be out and on the road by 5:30. Again, I didn't get lost!