San Diego!

So last week, I was asked if I wanted to go to a conference in San Diego and given about a day to think about it and decide.  It would be a good experience.  I'd get to brush up on some skills, refresh my memory, and learn new things, as well as meet other people at other schools doing the same thing -- network.  I like networking.  And the conference is at the Catamaran Resort and Spa Hotel.  On the beach.  Of a bay.  And the ocean.  What does that mean?  The hotel is practically surrounded by beach and water.  Going was a no brainer.

Because I was the only one going, I could have brought someone with me, and tried to work something out, but things just seemed to fall through, and it was a quick, last minute thing.  So I did the first thing I usually do when trying to make a complex decision involving people -- I stressed out and over-analyzed.  After about a day of that, I decided maybe I should do the smart thing and, oh, I don't know... pray about it.  And... I felt like I was supposed to go alone (as did another friend).  The next day I got into work and the person who was helping to arrange everything said, "What are the exact dates?  I'm looking at plane tickets for your trip."  And that was that.

I used to go on vacations by myself every summer.  I started doing that because I decided it was good to go on a vacation, and even if I didn't have anyone to go with, I figured it would still be good to get out and experience something.  I decided that these were my "vacation with God", and I'd just hang with Him.  In Smokey Mountain National Park.  Or Nashville.  Or Florida.  Or Oregon.  Or wherever.  He always hooked me up with people to hang out with for part of the time, but then it was also just He and I for part of the time.  That's what this San Diego conference kinda feels like.  I'll have time with people, but it'll also just be the two of us.  It's almost like He set up a bit of vacation (with some work) to enjoy, and paid for it an everything.  I've never been to San Diego before.  We have a few evenings free, so I'll be able to just relax and enjoy it and not have to worry about cost or anything -- just relax and hang out with Him.

Which will bring me to another topic for next time...