West Coast Training

Throughout the month of March, my only major responsibility at work involved transitioning a program that I manage to the new team that had been appointed to take it over.  Normally, I don't like giving up control over things, but I came around real quickly when I was told that I would be training the new team in Denver, Monterey, and Napa.

The week in Denver ended up being a lot busier than I had expected, despite having not assigned any of the “real” work to myself.  Instead, I just accompanied the other team members to a majority of the meetings and process walk-through discussions.  I also accompanied them to all the nice restaurants we decided to try around the city.  It’s amazing how many times I had flown through Denver without ever really experiencing the downtown dining scene.  Some of my recommendations:  Tamayo (Mexican), Euclid Hall (German), and Zengo (Latin-Asian fusion). The food tastes even better when work is paying.

I'm going to start the tradition of posting the views from my hotel rooms.

The next trip was to the Big Sur area of California, which started off with a bang when American Airlines upgraded me and my colleague for the 4-hour flight.  We decided to arrive in California early so we could spend some time enjoying Monterrey, Carmel, and 17-mile drive.  Even though Chicago has the lake, it’s nothing compared to the coastline of Big Sur.   

Beautiful coastline of 17-mile drive

If I were a tree, this is where I would want to live. 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was being able to run through downtown Monterey in the mornings and soak up the seaside atmosphere.  It almost felt like being back in New England but with a west-coast laid back feeling.  The weather at this time of year was also ideal for running.  I know I'm crazy, but my morning workouts in Monterey were incredible and the kept me energized throughout the entire trip.  

Running is always better when this is the view from the trail...

The view from my room was awesome too

Napa was our next stop and wine country DEFINITELY lived up to its reputation.  Almost before introducing ourselves, the General Manager invited us to a happy hour with live music and free-flowing wine.  This may make me sound like a lush, but it’s so much better to meet the local staff when we’re all drinking because it leads to a more casual and personal work environment.

On a separate note, I was talking to some ladies at the bar and somehow, we got on the topic of Spain.  When I told them I lived there for my MBA, they both asked if I went to ESADE.  I always get excited when people know the reputation of my alma mater (and even more excited when they mention ESADE over our "cross-town rival", IESE).  It totally made my night. 

I also need to gush about my room at the Andaz Napa for just a few seconds.  The bed was probably one of the most comfortable I have ever experienced and I was a big fan of the bathtub in the middle of the bedroom (even though I didn’t use it) and the fireplace (which I did use).  Overall, the hotel is also in a really great location, the staff is so friendly, and the design is trendy but sophisticated.  I honestly can’t recommend it enough. 

No room is complete without a bathtub and a fireplace within 2 feet of the bed

On our last full day in Napa, we finished early and the concierge arranged a tasting at Domaine Chandon.  Even though my palette is not at all sophisticated, it’s always fun to be drinking sparkling wine in the middle of the afternoon.  

Enjoying Domaine Chandon with my teammates

After the tasting, we returned to the hotel in perfect time for the happy hour, where we again drank with the staff.  We decided to treat ourselves to Morimoto for some good sushi after such a “stressful” trip! (haha).  The food there was amazing and I’d go back any time.  On the way back to the hotel, we discovered a giant chair, which seemed like a perfect spot to take some more pictures. 

Big chairs are so much fun after a few glasses of wine!

By the end of the three training trips, I didn't even care that I was giving up control of my old program because the transition was so much fun!  I only wish I could be looking forward to similar team-building experiences on all my upcoming international projects.  I will miss working with several people from my group but I think the time is right to move to bigger and better things. 

Denver

After an intense weekend of skiing in Aspen, I decided to fly back to Chicago via Denver so I could see my cousin who moved there after graduating college last spring.  I am so proud of her for taking a leap of faith and starting fresh in a new city, despite her strong ties to the Boston area. 

I took a similar journey after college when I thought it would be fun to move to San Diego.  I packed up my jeep, drove across the country with my best friend from High School, and spent what feels like 12 minutes in San Diego before deciding it wasn’t for me.  However, unlike the 12 minutes I spent living in California, my cousin has actually been thriving in Denver.

I spent some time that morning staring out the window and thinking about all of the changes that were about to happen in my own life.  Even though I have always traveled a lot for work, it was comforting to return home and enjoy the view from my apartment.  I could peer out at the flat horizon, Wrigley Field, and the giant building blocking my Northwest view (but affording me the view of the residents who keep their blinds open).  But all of that would change soon, and the view from my window every other week would be just as foreign as what I was seeing from my hotel in Denver.

View from my hotel in downtown Denver

When my cousin arrived, I enthusiastically rushed down to the lobby so I could escort her up to the club lounge for a drink.  Usually, I only see family in large groups at holidays so I was excited for us to spend one-on-one time together.  We shared the inside scoop on the exciting things happening in our lives and laughed about family news that only we would find funny.  We also walked around the city, ate bison for dinner, and pretended to be tourists even though she is now very much a resident.  By the end of the evening, I had a permanent smile on my face.  It was the perfect end to a fun vacation. 

Being tourists on Larimer Street