Dreams do come true...

I am back in Columbus and I have enjoyed a good night's sleep in my own bed. I have always slept with feather down pillows and hotles just don't have them- so sleeeping in my own bed felt incredible. It was also great to be reunited with my lovable pooch, Trevor. He was so excited to see me.

OK- so here is the deal-- I have one firm job offer and another job that is a potential (keep in mind that all of this is due to my hard work in San Francisco paying off). The firm is is my dream job in my favorite city- that is right CHICAGO!!!!! The second job is a position in San Francisco. The Vice President of the bank divison of Nationwide Insurance was so impressed at what I was able to do in just 2 weeks that he wants to create a job for me in CA. There is a problem with the CA job- that is there is no funding right now for the position and getting the corporate requisition approved might take 2-3 months. Yesterday while at Midway airport in Chicago I spoke to the manager that hired me into Nationwide and a good friend & mentor. He reccomends taking the Chicago job based on what he has seen happening at the upper levels of management. I am also really excited about moving into my incredible friend Megan's neighborhood.

With all that being said - I am going to take this weekend to meditate and think about all my options. I am still in SHOCK that after 5 years of trying to get on management's radar- I MADE IT!!! Wohoo.

So- what can all of my loyal friends do?? Pray for me and my family as I make this life changing decision and then come and visit me when I get settled!!!

Opening Doors-

What an adventure the last week or so has been. This experience has been truly AMAZING.
First for the weekend "tourist" update- On Friday night I explored the Fisherman's Wharf region and went on a Sunset cruise on SF Bay- and watched the sunset as we cruised under the Golden Gate Bridge- truly spectacular! Saturday I first explored the many shopping opportunities that are right on my doorstep in Union Sq. I next took a 3 hour bus tour of San Francisco. It was beautiful- we saw it all and the weather was wonderful. That night I night I had a great dinner at Fisherman's wharf - and then hit the town to check out the night life and boogie boogie boogie. Sunday- I slept in- Hurray-- then I drove to Muir Woods just nort of the Golden Gate bridge and saw the Redwood Forest- that was truly amazing. I also circled over to see Muir Beach and enjoyed some serene time along the Pacific coast. When I got back- I was tired- but managed to muster up enough energy to meet friend Paul and his partner James for some drinks and dancing before getting back to work on Monday. All in all a fun fun weekend.

The work component has been amazing- I have opened some great doors for Nationwide and written lots of business. In just a short time I have forged new relationship and built a foundation for the future.

The best part is that word has gotten back to home office and my name is buzzing around with the corporate execs-- I am hearing a buzz about a job offer!!! Wohoo- PROMOTION!!
I will keep everyone up to date on the possible changes coming in my life when I get more information.

I hope you all enjoy the pictures I posted earlier this evening---

More San Fran Pictures-

Niki- these are for you!

Golden Gate Picture

San Francisco

I have now been in they Bay area for almost a week. It has been busy busy busy- but very good. I am here to cover for a wholesaler on maternity leave. I have had at least 3 sales calls each day- now that doesn't sound like much- but add in driving in SF and you will be whipped. With my current situation at Nationwide and being up for a promotion- I am really considering this a 2 week job interview process. So it has be nothing but work- except Wednesday night I met college friend and Northern Ireland roomie Paul and his partner James. They gave me the royal treatment in San Jose and treated me to the most delicious Pan Asian dinner- and then a quick tour of the city. I hope that we can hang out again before I leave town.

Sad to say but the sightseeing has been minimal. I plan to make up for that this weekend for sure.

I have snapped a few photos with my camera phone- but none with the real camera yet- that will be this weekend.

I did have fortune to be in SF for to 100th anniversary of the big 1906 quake- it was scary to think of how devasting the quake was- and even more humbling to think of what the next big one will do. I just pray I am back in the midwest when that happens.

I was at Wells Fargo Bank today for an appt- they have a nice CA history museum in their lobby for free- and I was reading that the earth shifted 21 Feet in the 1906 quake!!!!! Yikes!!!!

Have a great weekend all

Happy Spring-

Wow- spring has really arrived in Ohio. The flowering trees are in full force, daffodils are putting on quite the show, grass is being cut, thank God winter (mild as it was ) is over! The weather has been excellent here- Sunday afternoon with bright sunshine and moderate temperatures Trevor (the dog) and I hit the park for a little recreation. Trevor had other plans- he invaded a group picnic and ate a poor woman's sandwich- it has so funny. I went over and apologized and offered to pay for the sandwich she has lost to my ALWAYS hungry dog. She laughed and showed me their buffet and offered me another sandwich for myself. I still left the park feeling pretty dumb- and Trevor was happy with his full tummy!

The weekend was nice - I visited with the family, saw Ice Age 2 with good friend Laura, had lunch with college friend Wendy Stinebaugh, and spent some quality time in the hot tub (life is good).

I am trying to get into a "Easter Mode" - this is such a glorious season of the religious calendar, but I can not quite get into the spirit. I hope that things will fall into line soon.

For those of you keeping track- I leave for San Francisco on Monday the 17th and return Friday the 28th- I am looking forward to riding on trolley cars and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge- look for the full report here!!!

Have a GREAT day-

Back to Reality

The rock star lifestyle is over- back to work -- ugh. I guess I was just lucky to get the escape that I did. Even with the luxury of connecting to work via the laptop while I was gone, I still came back to the office and have had 2 days of nonstop chaos.

After the conference I do appear to be a sought after commodity by 2 different managers for a promotion- now if one of them will just come to fruition- I would be very happy.

OK- I am pooped- time for bed.

Goodnight.