My first work trip, people! Does that mean I’m officially a grown up? A few weeks ago I, along with three other Marley’s Mutts staff members and a cute baby, were off to Daytona Beach for the Animal Care Expo put on by the Humane Society. I won’t bore you with all the things we learned because unless you’re into animal rescue that’s probably not all that trilling. But the trip in general? Amazing. I’m beyond grateful that I was asked to go on this trip. Daytona Beach is amazing, I got to bond with my co-workers and I really just needed that time for myself. Even though I was with other people, people that I talk to pretty much daily at this point, I was completely out of my comfort zone. I didn’t have family to lean on and I had to be a big girl, especially on the plane rides. I am terrified of flying and am proud of myself for taking the leap and saying “yes” to this trip despite the anxiety I felt knowing I had to fly there. As silly as it sounds, this trip helped me to grow as a person.
We were there for five days and I truly enjoyed every single day. When we weren’t in workshops soaking up animal rescue knowledge, I spent a lot of time at the beach and at the pool. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t touch the pool water once even though Zach (boss/friend) and I were there almost every day. I just laid down in my chair, napped, read and enjoyed the sun for a few hours each day. And got a pretty sweet tan to start off my summer. The water in Florida is so warm, and pretty, in comparison to California. I enjoyed several walks on the beach, alone and with friends (and ice cream!). I made a strong effort to be present, using my own advice from this post. I definitely soaked up every single second of the trip and, in my effort to be present, only took about 40 photos the five day trip (vs the usual 300+ when I take trips) because “memories trump pictures”. I definitely have plans to visit again on a regular, non-work related trip, in the next few years!
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