High Heel Altitude

We took a couple days off of work and spent a long weekend in Colorado. 4 nights / 3.5 days:

Thursday - Peoria to Chicago to Denver
Friday - Denver to Vail to Beaver Creek
Saturday - Beaver Creek to Colorado Springs/Fountain/Manito Springs
Sunday - Springs to Monarch back to the Springs
Monday - Springs to Denver to Chicago (3 hour delay..ugh) to Peoria (officially Tuesday at 12:30am!)

Whew! While completely exhausting, the trip was a blast. We spent two skiing (Vail & Monarch). I was impressed by how well Robert and I did. It was both of our first times skiing in Colorado. Yes, I fell a few times but spent most of our time on the Blues runs, learned how to ski in some major powder and even made it down a Black! Looks like one of my next shoe purchases will be a pair of ski boots, so if you hear of any season-end deals let us know!

Got in some long-overdue visits to friends and family out there and enjoyed every minute of it.  By the way loved everyone's places! So cute =)

We also ate very well (and too much I might add..) Good pub food, homemade spaghetti dinner, yummy mexican, authentic german and made it to Marco's (amazing Naples-style crust pizza) in downtown Denver before heading back to the airport.

After wasting too much time in the airport on Monday, we made it back to P-town safely.

Thanks for a good time everyone! Miss you already.

Olympic Dancers

I'm definitely an Olympics fan. I love the passion the athletes display and watching the amazing talent. Maybe I'm just in awe because these people do things I can't even begin to do (however, I have been trying to pick up some skiing tips before I leave for Colorado tomorrow..)

The one winter sport I can relate most to is figure skating. No I can't do a triple axle..or double or single for that matter, shoot I can barely even skate..but it's the closest thing to dance. And I personally think it's a lot better dancing than gymnastics. I always feel those floor routines (specifically, the 'dancing' parts look so stiff).

One of my favorite couples I've seen so far this week is Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig. They danced/skated to one of my favorite instrumental pieces from the Love Actually score.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=e8f0ff8c-3d8d-426c-8a61-6e69255166fd.html#pairs%20short%20evora%20ladwig

They danced it beautifully and had so much passion & energy! Can't believe they came in 10th...but I guess it is a skating contest and not a dance contest...you think they might consider adding dance as an Olympic sport? Maybe if I say pretty please.

I did mention I could barely even skate. A quick photo of my first time ice skating earlier this winter.

That's a Ballet Flat

If only wasn't so short and looked good in flats, these are SO cute!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3066743?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=shoes:women:flats&cm_ite=linea_paolo_%27frisco%27_flat:279388&cm_ven=Linkshare&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-GO5vGz_ag3Gh7FE9vMSCyA

Not My Average Boots

Unless I'm working out, it's likely you'll find me in some type of heel. Out to dinner, the grocery store, work, etc. I'm in a heel. Yesterday, however, I made an exception and wore my flat snow boots all day since I knew I'd be running around (typically only used to take Bella for walks in winter), but it was for a good cause!

Four years ago, I was asked to join a new Easter Seals VIP team. During our first year as a team with 6 members we raised somewhere around $7,000. This year with a team of about 12 and some new & annual events our team has raised over $22,000! In four years, this group has helped raise $50k!

Yesterday, we held our 3rd annual 'Shoot to Stay on Target for Easter Seals' event. With a bow & arrow on the back of our team shirts, you may think this was a Cupid-inspired, Valentine's Day event. Not even close.. Try a bow & arrow target shooting event for hunters and alike! It's really a great event as we target an untapped Easter Seals market. In one day alone between registration, raffle ticket sales and a silent auction, we raised just over $10,000!

Congratulations team and thanks to everyone who participated.

A photo to illustrate the event better. These were a pair of the shoes that were in the silent auction. Good look, Ash!

A New Theme!

As I started blogging this year, I quickly realized I need a theme!

So starting today, you can check out my blog - Heel, Ball-Change. I'll focus this blog on shoes, dance and some other items here and there. I'm excited to start!

Maybe Premature

I'm learning that my 'blogging' days may have been premature. I'm definitely interested in blogging as I love to write and like the entire concept, but would like to better define what it is I'll be blogging about..

More to come! Promise!

A Few Days East

Due to what seems to have been a block from social networking sights (my Facebook page only worked maybe 1 of 5 times I tried to enter), I didn't have an opportunity to blog about my week in China. Here are some highlights.

Sunday - Arrived at the airport and took a couple hour ride to Suzhou. I got to see the smog of China first hand and was in disbelief. (Fortunately, throughout the week, I realized it just depended on the day. I got to see the sun at least 50% of the time...and while the smog isn't appealing, it makes for some amazing neon nights!)
Monday - Had the opportunity to participate in the Grand Opening of our newest facility; take a tour and meet more of the people I deal with via email in person. Such a great team! Enjoyed the dragons, music and most traditional Chinese meal of my week. During the Chinese roundtable, a plate of chicken was served - head and all! Yikes. I tried my best to hold back my expression, but the team must have seen it and immediately asked for the head to be removed).

Tuesday - Long day at the office, but then enjoyed a night in downtown Suzhou. Rather than Chinese again we opted for a Mexican restaurant. Dinner was followed by drinks in the hotel lobby (pictured below). My first shot of traditional 'bei jo' (sp?). It's a high alcohol-content drink that is part of the culture there, so I guess I had to try it. Haha, it made for a fun night and interesting conversation. After crashing in my bed, I woke up at 2:45am (the same time as the night before) however, this time I couldn't get back to sleep. Damn jet lag. So I got up, called Robert, signed on my computer and eventually went outside for a run at 4:30...Wednesday - Finished up our time in Suzhou and headed to Shanghai late afternoon. I was determined to get some personal time in and go shopping that night. I succeeded! I headed out with someone from our marketing team and had my first experience bargaining - - and bargaining hard! After the fun, we headed next door for sushi. YUM! Good night in Shanghai.

Thursday - Unfortunately, the night before was sleepless once again. Ran around in the morning working and finalizing logistics for our summit. I had the opportunity to meet some really great people and learn more about them during dinner that night; yes, more bei jo.

Friday - Finished up work and by mid afternoon headed back to the airport.

Surely, I'll be headed back to China later this year. And as great as the trip was, I'll make sure I schedule some weekend time before or after to do some sightseeing. This trip was just my introduction.

Xie xie friends!