A Work In Progress

Yesterday we were lying in bed talking. Small cat was dozing on Chad's belly. Chad was talking, and using his hands to emphasis a point when he hit the side table with his hand. What happened next was awesome. Small cat flew. Actually flew. From being asleep she was suddenly flying through the air, over me, across the bed till she landed, with a thud, in my still unpacked suitcase, which was a good four metres from where she started. It was a glorious sight. A black and white bullet, flying at speed through the air. All she needed was a cape and she could be a superhero. I think I might make her a cape. PS. I don't have a photo of her flying, but here is a photo of her chilling out and probably dreaming about flying and getting a cape.

After a lovely last weekend in LA, I boarded a plane home on Sunday night. Was wonderful to land on Tuesday morning and feel the sense of calm that comes from being back in an environment that makes you feel safe and loved. Wait, let me correct myself. Boyfriend made me feel that way, two cats had other agendas. Large cat was polite, but made it clear that he now loves boyfriend more than me. Small cat ignored me and then attacked my foot when I was in bed. Cats are slow to forgive when they think you have abandoned them.

Finally got out of the hotel now that my that my friend Donna is in town. She is so cool and I love hanging out with her. Here are some pics from our day so far. And yep we did hit the cocktails at 3pm!!

Who knew pepper would be an awesome addition to a beverage?

I'm back in LA and will be flying home to New Zealand on Sunday. Couple more days of work, then the weekend with a dear friend, who is coming to LA. I'm really looking forward to it. My cold has kicked in, but antibiotics and panadol are helping. All in all, it has been a good trip from a work perspective. I've missed Chad a lot but regular chats makes me feel close, thank goodness for free wifi and Viber. My new food loves are Poppycock's Pecan Popcorn and Cherry Passion Tic Tacs. Well, I actually only like the passionfruit tic tacs so had to chuck out the cherry ones.

I really like Boston. It's cold, but the city feels like somewhere I could live. I got a couple of pics of my hotel lobby to show the chandeliers. Very grand. And a big thank you to Chad for the lend of his super warm jacket. Much appreciated!!!!!

In movies, they ask that and there always seems to one somewhere on the plane. Well it happens in real life too. There I was minding my own business on a flight to Boston, when I realised I felt a bit odd. I got up to go to the bathroom and ended up being so dizzy that I kinda fainted. So strange. The flight attendants took me back to where they sat and went to see if there was a doctor. There was. Well she was a dermatologist. Anyway, after lying down and having cold cloths put on my head, I felt a bit better. And of course very embarrassed!!! Not sure if it was a panic attack or just tiredness and not enough food. Either way I am fine now, in my hotel for a quiet night in before two days at the Boston Seafood Convention. Speaking of my hotel, it is very fancy. To direct me to my room, the lady at the front desk said "turn right at the second chandelier". I really want to take pictures of the lobby but probably will be frowned upon. I'll do it secretly.....

Today I went to my first American trade show: Natural Products Expo West. It was, in a word, mad. 70,000 people attend this show over the three days it is on. It is packed. Spent the whole day there and will be back again tomorrow. Very tiring!! Here are some pictures of my day.....

Lying in bed, unable to sleep. This trip is taking it out of me. Lots of work to do, all very interesting and challenging, but just a bit stressful when layered on to also doing my day job. Appreciate I sound ungrateful, I don't mean to! It's great being here and I'm lucky my boss recommended me for the trip. I think I'm just still recovering from being sick and lack a bit of stamina. So today I head to Anaheim, sadly not to go to Disneyland, but instead to spend two days at a natural products trade show. Then Sunday is flying to Boston and Monday and Tuesday at a seafood trade show. Lots of networking, lots of people, lots of smiling. I am anticipating exhaustion. Great news is that my friend Donna is coming to hang out the following weekend, so I'll finally get a chance to see more than the office, my hotel and the Wholefoods supermarket where I have been buying food!!! Better try get some sleep, need all the energy I can muster right now.

Yesterday I went shopping. I shopped a lot. I had plans when I entered the mall that I would shop for presents for the folks back home, but by the time I left, I only had items for myself. Sigh. Today I am at work - this is a work trip after all!  Besides the lack of good coffee, the people here are fantastic and I feel settled in the office. I think that the next couple of weeks is going to go fast from a work perspective, as there is a heap to do here plus also ensuring my NZ work doesn't slip.  However the time outside of work will pass more slowly - I miss the folks back home (one person in particular!!) I'm also pleased to report that I was not taken in by a scam last night. It was 10pm and I was sound asleep when my hotel room phone rang. The person said they were from the front desk and needed to get all of my details to re-enter into their computer as they had had a system malfunction. Although I was half asleep I had the presence of mind to realise this soun...

Today I spent time at the Getty Villa and the Getty Museum. It was a magnificent Los Angeles winter day, 29 degrees and brilliant sunshine. Now chilling in my hotel, enjoying a yummy vegetarian lasagna, and watching a Horders marathon on TV.  Tomorrow is for shopping!

Being able to go through U.S. customs quickly cause you have a special visa. Awesome.