... so after arriving home after midnight and getting about three hours of sleep, I got up the next morning to catch my 5 am shuttle to the airport. Normally I don't sleep much on flights, but I certainly did for this one.
After I completed my Masters, there is a certification my degree qualifies me to have if I past the examination. It is a national exam which is offered twice a year. I contacted the organization in charge of the certification/exam about taking the test, hoping there was a possibility I could take the exam at one of the education centers on base. The woman I spoke to told me it was possible to do (as they have done it in the past), but I would have to get in contact with the base education center to start the coordination. I did get in touch with the people on base... and to make a long story short what I thought would be an easy process to get signed up for this test turned out to be a huge pain in the butt and I got the run-around on both sides. After a lot of frustration... I formulated a different plan. One of the possible testing sights was in my hometown at the University of Montana. My travel expenses there would technically be a business expense/tax write off. Boom. Done. I'm going home to take my test.
While I was planning this trip... my boss purchased a laser for our office, and was eager for everyone to start using it. I think lasers are an interesting tool for dentistry and it has a myriad of benefits for both the provider and the patient. ... that's all on the topic... I have endless thoughts about dentistry, but I'll spare everyone. Anyway, as much as I would love to just pick up said laser and go to town, things don't work that way. First, I had to make sure I was even allowed to use a laser per my Montana license (turns out, I can. Yay!). Once I knew I could use it, I set out to find some laser training. My office was going to provide in-office training, but I really wanted more than a rushed 30 minute presentation about laser use. Call me crazy, I just don't want to be all willy-nilly brandishing a laser all over when I don't know what I'm doing. I found a recommended laser certification course in Chicago the weekend after my certification exam in Montana. Some more phone calls, emails, and collaborating, and I was set up to take my first ever grown-up business trip. Of sorts.
One minor mistake I made was leaving my camera at home. I packed a small bag for our weekend in Dublin, and only had a few minor things to shift over to my larger state-side bag... and in the process I forgot my camera. It's a shame, as my nieces had grown and changed so much since I last saw them (which, of course they would. It was a good 8 months...). I also had a chance to see an old friend and meet her son, who was a year old by the time I met him. I was also visited by a dear friend of mine who came with her husband and three girls. I met the youngest daughter for the first time. All things which I should documented with pictures. Oh well... My time back home was, as always, wonderful and too short. I had a chance to catch up with many friends and family members, I did some shopping, went to my favorite restaurants. The one minor issue? My exam. I had been studying for it, and a lot of my studying was simply review from my graduate courses. But. It is a lot of information to study. I studied (AKA crammed) at my brother's house for a few days before my test. I didn't think the test itself was tough, however, I didn't leave the exam feeling confident, nor did I feel defeated. I had no idea how I felt about the test, and not a clue how I did. Many people asked me how I thought I did. I could honestly tell each of them I had no idea. (spoiler alert - I passed. WHOOP WHOOP! Kirsten Certified Health Education Specialist).
After my all too brief time in Montana, I flew to Chicago for my laser course. I have never been to Chicago before, and I had heard mixed impressions of the city. I was excited to have a chance to check it out. My laser course took place over two days. I learned a lot, and really enjoyed myself. I was excited to return back to work with fresh ideas and a new skill. Unfortunately, the times of my course and the location of my hotel didn't give me an opportunity to do anything Chicago related. I had a bit of time my last day to try to go explore downtown, but I was limited on time, and I didn't want to go alone. So technically I have been to Chicago, but I have done nothing. Instead I walked to a mall near my hotel and found an amazing used book store. On my way to Chicago I was excited I had reduced the size/weight of my carry on bag. On the way home it was overflowing and heavy with books. Totally worth it.
I always miss Josh when I travel, but I have to say... having a huge king-sized hotel bed to myself with unlimited American cable TV was heaven. I was a little too excited about my TV. I had forgotten what it is like to have so many choices right at your fingertips with your remote. Josh and I have a few shows we will stream online (which is easy, but at the same time, it is a process). Otherwise, we watch a lot of movies or DVDs of shows we check out from the library. Needless to say, we are completely behind the times and have no idea about a lot of new, popular shows. Or we have no access to them. So. Me. TV. It was heaven.
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