I have to say, I wasn't sure what to expect at a conference since I had never experienced one before. But, I knew that when I left that I had been missing out on something before. These conferences are a great way to meet people, network, get a jump start on current research going on, and to see your classmates and professors present research they have been working on for a good bit of time. It was also great to catch up with my professors/mentors from Elon as well. While most of the day is business and learning, the evening is a great time to get to know people and have some fun. I also didn't realize that my $40 registration fee covered the open bar at the conference social....never underestimate science nerds in large numbers.
Friday....
Drive back to Charlotte and pick up the boy at the airport.
Saturday....
Drive to Boone, NC for snowboarding with Adam, Jess, and David. The last time I went snowboarding was 5 years ago, and I spent a significant portion of that time on my ass. I was expecting the same outcome during this trip, but thought it would be fun since Jessica told me that she, too, would be on her ass during most of the trip. Adam and David are pretty comfortable snowboarding, so we figured they might help us out a little too. So, off we go to the mountains of NC for attempt #2 at snowboarding.
The conditions were a little less than favorable with lots of fog and a little drizzle, but that didn't seem to scare off the Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend crowd. The resort was fairly busy, but not enough to where I thought I would crash into everyone coming down the hill...a good thing since control is not something that comes standard on a snowboard rental.
On our first trip up the mountain, Jessica and David are two ski lift chairs in front of Adam and me. My chair approaches the hill to the end of the lift, and I don't see Jess anywhere in my view. So I think to myself, "YESS getting off this lift is the hardest part for me, and Jess probably got off fine. Maybe it's not so hard..." Our chair comes over the top of the hill and where is Jess? Sprawled out on her back in front of the ski lift. I completely double over in laughter and consequently join her on my own ass at the bottom of the ski lift as Adam and David are trying to pull us out of the way of the other skiiers coming off the lift. And so begins our decent on Beech mountain.
By the end of the day, Jess and I were spending less time on our asses and more time up on the board. We decided that all in all, it was probably a good workout and that it inspired us to try to come more during the winter so that we could get better and keep up with the boys. We traded our soaking wet gear for sweatpants and headed back to the Holiday Inn with some Southern Comfort (how appropriate?) and some snacks. The only thing missing was the fire in the fireplace (apparently Holiday Inn doesn't allow flammables?).
Sunday...
The thawed out troops head back to Charlotte with Tay Swift on repeat. The boys didn't even object. I conked out for most of the way home and found myself with multiple suitcases to unpack and tons of laundry to do when I returned. My little tour of the southeast US had come to an end, and it was back to reality on Monday.
Now that I am back into the swing of the workweek and school week...last week is seeming like a blur. I had so much fun, but after those types of vacations...I always seem to need another vacation.
How many weeks until spring break?? Too many. ...krg
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