No Rest for the Weary

I am back from my whirlwind trip to Dublin, Newcastle (Northern Ireland not England) and Belfast. It was a fantastic trip. Beyond the great scenery and my thrilliness (new word for you there!) of just being in Ireland was having the chance to connect with some really awesome ladies in my industry.

First there was S. who is also a President of a tour operator here in the Northeast. It was great to have the chance to speak candidly with another woman about the challenges and benefits of being a female manager in largely male dominated organizations. She and I will definitely stay in touch and I am glad to have someone to call when I need some professional advice from someone on the outside.

Then there was L., a fun and lovely woman from South Africa. Johannesburg to be exact. We were on the last leg of the trip together, she works for a tour operator there in Joburg. Funny how you meet someone and can immediately connect with them. If we lived closer I am sure we would instantly be great friends.

Meeting these lovely ladies makes me all the more nostalgic for my old groups of girlfriends who have all seemed to dispersed in the winds. I have not done a good job of getting out there to make new friends here in Long Islandville, and that is definitely something I now realize more than ever that I need to rectify.

I got a few good pictures on the trip and do love the new camera which will certainly get a lot of use this summer. Here are a couple of favorites (full set on my flickr account):

The beach at Newcastle
Flowers peeking out on the Antrim Coast

Rock Columns at the Giant's Causeway

More of the Giant's Causeway

The Awesome pool at the Slieve Donard Hotel

Just when I thought I could take a bit of a break and spend some time at home with my honey (who has been severely neglected between time away and jetlag making me oh so cranky), I am off again on Friday for a girls weekend with La Mamma and my sister for some wedding hoopla. Perfect timing for Mother's Day!