Vacation, Learning, and an Open Invite...
Hey guys,
Just fyi/updating: I'm going to be at a small group continuing education seminar in Orlando next week. Classes/labs are M, Tu, Th 7a-7p and W/F 7a-1p. It's an intensive week of cutting edge ER/Critical Care info, refreshing old skills, learning new skills, and hopefully having fun with colleagues.
However, given my more introverted nature and the fact that I may be more chill* than a lot of the vets there, I am requesting fangirl feedback on how to make the most of my time.
*I know my strengths and work on my weaknesses and I am excited about the seminar. However, given the expense and smaller class size, I'm scared there will be a bunch of gunners that I do not want to play with in my free time. I'm sure those of you that also have the pleasure of CE requirements, professional meetings, and the past (yay, E and M for recently attaining the "past" part!!) experience of professional school can relate...you have to pick your friends carefully in these situations.
So...here goes:
1. First, anyone near Orlando or wishing to visit Orlando, feel free to PM me if you'd like to schedule a meet-up. Nearby Florida peeps: I'd love to meet for dinner/drinks. Anyone wishing to visit: there's plenty of room in my suite and road tripping is relatively cheap. As long as I am able to be convinced you aren't a serial killer, you are welcome to share the lodging and I'd enjoy the fangirl fun...even if it's just chilling by the hotel pool and fruity drinks...although tourism is an option as I may stay an extra weekend (May 28/29) to go play with dolphins or something. (Obvs you could go play during my days in class too.)
2. I'm thinking of taking an overnight train b/c it's cheaper. I've never done a long train trip and imagine it could be hellish or awesome. Any insight from those with experience is welcome. Am I insane? Will people leave me alone if I just want to sleep? What is the percentage of bad!crazy to good!crazy and normal people? Should I suck it up and drive or fly? Seriously, people, I think the experience could be cool...cards and drinks and chatter with a bunch of unknowns in the lounge car, etc...but the city girl in me says "danger...danger...Agatha Christie wrote a murder mystery about the shit that happens on trains, you silly girl!"...
So, what say you, flist? Train: yea or nay? Anyone interested in a road trip with free lodging in a swanky pre-paid suite included?
3. If I do spend extra time in Orlando (or even just scoot out for the half day Wednesday), which are the best sites to see and/or activities to do? I'm usually not much into super touristy stuff (please no Disney World, etc)...but I make exceptions for things I truly would enjoy. How are the dolphin/manatee swims? I'm an average swimmer and have some familiarity with snorkeling, etc. Are they worth it or are they tourist traps? (I really want to chill with the natural surroundings...water, animals, friends welcome...screaming children and peeps in Hawaiian shirts not so much.) What about Sea World or Harry Potter land or other tourist spots that at least have a more appealing theme than Disney?
Suggestions, please, flist!! Any must see/do items? Any stay far away at all costs items?
Happy weekend to all and if I owe you a reply, you are not forgotten...I'm working my way through.
Just fyi/updating: I'm going to be at a small group continuing education seminar in Orlando next week. Classes/labs are M, Tu, Th 7a-7p and W/F 7a-1p. It's an intensive week of cutting edge ER/Critical Care info, refreshing old skills, learning new skills, and hopefully having fun with colleagues.
However, given my more introverted nature and the fact that I may be more chill* than a lot of the vets there, I am requesting fangirl feedback on how to make the most of my time.
*I know my strengths and work on my weaknesses and I am excited about the seminar. However, given the expense and smaller class size, I'm scared there will be a bunch of gunners that I do not want to play with in my free time. I'm sure those of you that also have the pleasure of CE requirements, professional meetings, and the past (yay, E and M for recently attaining the "past" part!!) experience of professional school can relate...you have to pick your friends carefully in these situations.
So...here goes:
1. First, anyone near Orlando or wishing to visit Orlando, feel free to PM me if you'd like to schedule a meet-up. Nearby Florida peeps: I'd love to meet for dinner/drinks. Anyone wishing to visit: there's plenty of room in my suite and road tripping is relatively cheap. As long as I am able to be convinced you aren't a serial killer, you are welcome to share the lodging and I'd enjoy the fangirl fun...even if it's just chilling by the hotel pool and fruity drinks...although tourism is an option as I may stay an extra weekend (May 28/29) to go play with dolphins or something. (Obvs you could go play during my days in class too.)
2. I'm thinking of taking an overnight train b/c it's cheaper. I've never done a long train trip and imagine it could be hellish or awesome. Any insight from those with experience is welcome. Am I insane? Will people leave me alone if I just want to sleep? What is the percentage of bad!crazy to good!crazy and normal people? Should I suck it up and drive or fly? Seriously, people, I think the experience could be cool...cards and drinks and chatter with a bunch of unknowns in the lounge car, etc...but the city girl in me says "danger...danger...Agatha Christie wrote a murder mystery about the shit that happens on trains, you silly girl!"...
So, what say you, flist? Train: yea or nay? Anyone interested in a road trip with free lodging in a swanky pre-paid suite included?
3. If I do spend extra time in Orlando (or even just scoot out for the half day Wednesday), which are the best sites to see and/or activities to do? I'm usually not much into super touristy stuff (please no Disney World, etc)...but I make exceptions for things I truly would enjoy. How are the dolphin/manatee swims? I'm an average swimmer and have some familiarity with snorkeling, etc. Are they worth it or are they tourist traps? (I really want to chill with the natural surroundings...water, animals, friends welcome...screaming children and peeps in Hawaiian shirts not so much.) What about Sea World or Harry Potter land or other tourist spots that at least have a more appealing theme than Disney?
Suggestions, please, flist!! Any must see/do items? Any stay far away at all costs items?
Happy weekend to all and if I owe you a reply, you are not forgotten...I'm working my way through.