JGoode

Business on the go

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This year has been a very busy year for me as far as traveling for business goes. Usually I do all of my work right from home… oh sure, I might move from the office to the kitchen table, to the couch and back again, but my traveling rarely includes leaving the house — this year has been so different. I’m loving the new adventure opportunities.

Not only am I going to various planned conferences and meetings, I am also traveling quite a bit with family and enjoying the benefits of photography and blogging my adventures as a part of my business. So, everywhere I go now becomes a business opportunity. I love my job!

Te Grand Tetons

I’m learning quite a bit about my business traveling skills… they’re nearly non-exsistant. Oh sure, I can pack just fine. I know to bring business cards and clean shirts… possibly a hair brush. However, it’s one thing to travel by yourself, you, a little carry-on and your laptop… maybe a camera. It’s entirely different to be me, my little carry-on, my laptop, my camera bag, my 3 kids, their backpacks and snack packs and plushie poohbear playpacks and my husband, and his gum and books and maps he won’t think he needs…. and our 900 checked suitcases, the rental car and OMG, did you bring the tickets, I can’t find the tickets, where ARE the tickets…. who HAS the TICKETS?!

Bridge in Vancouver BC

“Honey, we’re driving”.

So when I do end up on a trip by myself, I keep doing 360s trying to figure out who I just left or what I just put down that I didn’t bring to begin with. I also found, no matter how well I pack things, I end up taking at least 5 of those little bins, that you put your stuff in, while walking barefoot through security. Eww yeah, I know its barefeet or smiley face socks – you pick. Don’t worry… I strip myself of all belongings in 30 seconds or less. I refuse to be a line holder upper girl. I’m sure I’m quite the site.

I’ve now come to realize, it’s mind boggling how much easier it is to travel in a herd than alone… we can lose our things and our minds together. Not to mention, 12 hands are better than my 3.

I have to say, I am so glad I’m getting out and about this year. I’m meeting more interesting people, that many times have a lot in common with myself, and I’m learning more than I ever imagined. New sights and sounds and flavors just add fuel to my creative fire that is finally starting to burn again.

And… It’s nice to give my brain something to chew on.

More topics for Tuesday…Today is also:

• National Lasagna Day.
• NASA Day. On this day in 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act which created NASA.
• National Photograph Your Children When They’re Not Looking Day.
• Single Working Women’s Week begins today (swwan.org).

View more photos from our most recent trip

Read about more interesting people and places by following My Penguin Travels

Hot dogs are heaven on a bun

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Tomorrow is National Hot Dog Day – sponsored or encouraged or bribed by the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. Do you know what they put in hot dogs…  so then what does the council sit around approving??? I dare not stop to think.. eek!

Originally, today, I was going to focus on the fact that my favorite fun trivia sight seems to be officially broken. There’s been no new trivia since July 1st. Such a sad thing when one can’t find fun trivia to fill the void.

But then I discovered the hog dog happiness and I had to share…

My family and I recently went on a 12 day road trip. We spent time with family and time on our own adventuring and exploring. I’m pretty sure, as a family, we ate more hot dogs in one week than any small army should eat in a year — and we loved it! (It’s best not to think of the ingredients when consuming). The funny thing, when you think about it… I don’t think we even varied the hot dog accessorizing. I mean, you can have corn dogs or chili dogs or dogs on a bun… naked dogs, dogs and kraut… and the list goes on. We have your standard hot dog on a bun with ketchup and mustard… viola! If anything, we’re consistent.


Hot Dogs are Happiness

So my thought on all this… sometimes yuckie ingredients make for spendid memories.

~wink

Have a Happy Hot Dog Day!

Friends

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I’ve got a lot of different angles on friends these days. My 5 year old is just starting to make his own friends. My 12 year old realizing what a good friend really is. I have friends that I see parting ways and friends holding on dearly to whatever friend they can find… There are friends that are always there no matter how long its been since we last talked. I’ve made many friends and lost many friends over the years… moving around and growing up, changing careers and hobbies, etc. play a big role in where friendships stay. There’s also the new friends that I feel like I’ve known forever and the old friends that are so dear to me every day.

So when I thought “friends” would be a good topic for the daily design… I was amazed to find I only have 2 designs labeled “friend”. What’s up with that? How could I be so all about building relationships and now have more friend fun?

Girl's Best Friend

Wikipedia defines a friend as:

“Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings… A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them.”
That is only a snipped version of the full definition, which turned out to be a surprisingly long and overly technical view on “friend”. wow!

The Urban Dictionary’s topic definition of friend is:

    A real friend is someone who:a)it’s okay to fart in front of.

    b)you don’t mind talking to on the bus for atleast 20 minutes.

    c)can borrow $5 and never has to pay it back

    d)you’ll actually call up do stuff.

To me, a friend is many things…

Someone you can trust with your kids and your secrets – someone you don’t mind taking your stinky shoes off in front of – someone you can not only laugh and cry with but also celebrate, brainstorm and confide in. A friend is someone that cheers you on when you need the encouragement but also knows how to kick you in the behind when you need a reality check and a nudge.

Best Friend Panda Bears

What does friend mean to you?

if you have a friend idea, holler!

Tuesday's Topic: family time on your toes

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I just got back from a long day of family bonding and walking. Yes, walking. Our family vacation is a sight seeing holiday around Vancouver, BC. and we managed to spend the entire day today walking — way more than we intended. We visited Stanley park, an enormous public park filled with a huge array of activities. We managed to walk 5/8 of the perimeter as well as visit the miniature railroad and Vancouver aquarium. We even saw a 28 day old Beluga whale – amazing!

We continued to walk the seawall down to The Lookout… a build with a look out near the top – similar to Seattle’s Space Needle. We arrived right before sunset; I’m hoping I caught some great photos. Then we walked down into Gastown for dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. We had a so-so meal as far as the food goes, but a fabulous family time experience… we needed a place we could flop down and just enjoy some food

Then, we planned on taking a cap back to the hotel, but instead, due to third party ATMs and US bank cards not coordinating, we walked all the way back to our hotel on north Robson.

Like I said, much more walking than we had planned, but a fabulous day with each other. I can’t remember the last time we spent so much time with no one and nothing but ourselves.

I don’t think we need to plan a walking tour of some unknown plan to relive this same kind of quality time… but I do think a causal day at the local park would do just fine. You should try it too… it’s quite lovely.

You know me, I’m all about having an excuse to make another sunshiney day…


Smiley Sunflower

Tuesday's Topic: Family bonding and hot dogs

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Welcome to July and Happy Tuesday! Bonus, it’s a brand new month AND we get to eat hot dogs by the pound for weeks now. Well… at least my family will be

In the not too distant future I will be venturing off onto a road trip with my 3 children (and adorably dorky husband, of course). We’re traveling to visit family and have a little vacation time together. I love road trips and I really enjoy spending unscheduled, unplanned, unorganized time with my family. It’s nice to just “wing it”. We discover new things together, explore, maybe we’re not extremely adventurous, but we do try to be open to finding new unexpected things around occasional corners.

I’m hoping we’ll find some neat stops that aren’t necessarily “on the map”.

I’ll tell you about them as I find them.


Bless America with the Statue of Liberty Penguin

I hope you enjoy your July 4th – and if you’re celebrating, stay safe!