Europe Got to be Kidding Me! Part 2

Sunday, April 11th: I land in Paris and meet my coworker, Jim, at Charles Degaulle to embark on my maiden international business trip for RITA Corp. The plan for the next 5 days is to set up our booth, (which we share with a truly wonderful company we distributor for in North America, ROVI Cosmetics) exhibit for 3 days and then depart Gay Paree on Friday morning.

Overall, the show was a great success. I had worked with ROVI's Marketing Manager to design a new booth for the show which more than exceeded my expectations once I arrived at the venue in Paris to check it out.(Side view of the RITA side of the booth)

(Straight shot looking into our booth)

(Jim and I inspecting the booth)

Tuesday through Thursday our booth was packed with activity, customer meetings and new contacts. Being that RITA only sent Jim and I to the show, he was mainly engaged in meetings ALL DAY and I was basically the Cruise Director so to speak, meeting new people, answering questions, distributing information and seating appointments. We were both very busy. Over the course of the show, I was lucky enough to see and do several memorable things. Firstly, I was able to meet many of my colleagues from ROVI Cosmetics, which was wonderful. It is always nice to put a face with a name, or in this case a far off voice that I call or email in Germany. Secondly, ROVI included me, their American friend, in a very special experience. I attended an evening at a French cooking school with them, where we experienced a wine tasting with the Frenchest of French wine gurus (apparently something above even a Sommelier) who to us, sounded like Steve Martin's Pink Panther character and boy was he passionate about wine. He had us evaluating it with every sense, taste, smell, sight...we even had to gargle it for what seemed to me an uncomfortably long period of time before spitting it out! We also worked under the guidance of a French chef (who only spoke French) to help prepare the meal we would eat that night...in true European fashion at about 11:30pm! I never thought I would be hacking apart a naked little quail and ultimately harvesting and cooking its breasts and legs. American Emily doesn't even like to eat meat off the bone and only purchased boneless, skinless chicken breast for this reason....but French Emily, gargled wine with the best of them, hacked up and even ate a surprisingly delicious quail among other delicacies.(Channeling my inner Julia Child...in a suit...at maybe 11pm!)

Europe Got to be Kidding Me! Part I

Monday, April 5th: Work asks me to attend a tradeshow in Paris. I would need to depart on SATURDAY, APRIL 10TH. A little shocked, I agree only to remember, I don't have my passport. Efficient as ever, I sent it out to get my last name changed. I call the US Department of State to see what can be done. For $75 they will "expedite" my passport and I will have it, without guarentee, on FRIDAY, APRIL 9th (read: the day before I need to leave.) Meanwhile, I am negotiating last minute flight options and their fares with our travel agent.

Wednesday, April 7th: I arrive home from work to be greeted by a Fed Ex door tag. Could it be, my passport has arrived and early? I head to Fed Ex, pick up my passport (with the worst picture ever, I might add) and get on the phone with the travel agent, book my ticket!

Saturday, April 10th: Wheels up, I am headed to Paris for InCosmetics for the next 6 days....

The Control Freak & The Husband...Bathroom Tile Job Complete!

He demo-ed. I gridded, measured, glued and grouted. Now my little project is in Jon's (capable) hands as he caulks, trim nails and reattaches the toilet. It is SOOOO hard for me not to hoover over his shoulder while he works - he certainly doesn't do that to me. I am trying to stay out of his way, mainly out of respect but also because home improvements seem to make him a little pissed off. Regardless, this team effort, not basketball style but maybe more track and field relay style (the hand off) is complete...or it will be tonight, sometime, once he gets a hold of the right coupling for the trim nailer...

The grouting & featuring my fav working Havaianas (my version of a steel toed boot, don't call OSHA):
The finished product! Now to find a new chic shower curtain & accessories. Target does Hawaiian is so gone!