LA or bust

The ZS global management team meeting was held this year in LA.  The timing worked out pretty well with my chemo schedule and so we stuck with our plan to attend.

My plan was to fly out a day early, rent a car and drive up to LA to see Jen, Jim, Ella and their new little guy, Conner.  I had forgotten that this Saturday was the MCUDL end of summer playoff picnic and I was a bit bummed to miss out, but I headed to PHL, excited about spending time with friends in Santa Barbara.

My 9am flight was supposed to get into LAX around 12:30, but after 3 hours of delay... the flight was cancelled.  By the time I got to the service counter, there were no more flights that could get me there on Saturday... so I had no choice but to head home and try again on Sunday.   Of course, my bag had already been checked and *that* made it onto the next flight out (even though I didn't) so it would be waiting for me in LA the next day.

Determined not to miss all of my Saturday plans, I hopped a cab at the airport and directed him to drop me off at the ultimate fields on Quakerbridge Road.  The driver thought I was a bit off ("there's nothing at that address") but after seeing my wad of cash, he agreed to take me.  I arrived just in time to catch the end of my team's game (we lost a close one) and got to enjoy the afternoon catching up with my buds in MCUDL. 

I was also humbled by yet another kind gesture from MCUDL as they renamed the "Most Spirited Woman" award in my honor:  https://mercerultimate.org/mcudl/2011_Picnic.

My Sunday flight arrived at LAX without delay (though I was stuck in the last row, couldn't recline, smelling the potty and amused by the couple sitting next to me "snogging" the whole way there... but at least I made it!).  It was great connecting with my colleagues from across the globe:  hearing about their latest innovations, brainstorming about ways to better serve our clients and, of course, just catching up with my ZS family.  I also got to participate in a professional photo shoot for our new company website: ZS Associates .  Just in the nick of time too... as my hair really started falling out this week!  Mike joined us on Thursday and we spent the weekend taking in some of the sights and relaxing with the crew.

While I didn't manage to catch up with the Maupin-Regetz clan, I did get some good time with Sarah J, Jude and Vanita and the VR-Golds.  I guess it's easier to see friends from India in LA than it is to see friends from SB.  Looks like another trip to So Cal is definitely in order.  Hope to see you soon!

shares

I didn't share this info last August when I found out... I'm not sure why... I guess it is because I have some real mixed emotions about this and the accomplishment is somewhat overshadowed by all of the other things going on in my life.  Also, I don't like to brag or boast and so, even if I was healthy at the time, I may not have made this well known.

However, it really was a big accomplishment -- one of the biggest (if not the biggest) of my professional career -- and so I want to share it with you all (even though it is a bit delayed)

As many of you know, I work for a management consulting company (ZS Associates).  We are a privately held firm and, like many law firms, the shareholders (also sometimes called partners or principals) maintain ownership. 

In August, I was elected as a Principal at ZS and was offered shares in the company.  The fact that a panel of very senior and well-respected principals at ZS reviewed my contributions in excrutiating detail and agreed that I had earned this promotion is so rewarding and encouraging to know.  Despite the hardships and challenges I have faced, my work has been recognized as bringing significant value to my clients, to the teams that I lead, and to the firm overall.  While I may have liked to have learned this at a time when I wasn't distracted with weekly chemo and stress associated with my next scans, I am really proud of achieving this milestone (I know, it isn't right to be proud... but can't I just be a little bit proud...just for a moment?)

Puerto Rico (aka Fantasy Island)

Our global principal's meeting this year was hosted in Puerto Rico.  This was my first visit to the Carribbean island and, embarassingly, I did not know much about Puerto Rico until we landed there.  I had chemo on Tuesday and headed out Wednesday morning for San Juan.

Thursday and Friday were busy days, with work meetings running from 8am to 9pm... and that doesn't count any of the "real work" that I am responsible for.  Needless to say, it was a long couple of days, but it was great to catch up with friends and colleagues from around the world.

Mike came down on Thursday night and was there to participate in some of the teambuilding on Friday and Saturday.  We went snorkeling, took an ATV tour and joined a busload of ZS'ers on a night-time kayaking trip to a bioluminescent bay.  Now... we've been kayaking before, but for many in our group, this was their first time.  Imagine learning to kayak in the dark... in a narrow channel... with mangroves growing on either side of the channel and kayak tour groups heading in both directions... an interesting experience indeed.  I would recommend it only if you go during the week (when it's not so crazy) and in a small group... or... if you are like Bekia and you just have the tourguide tow your kayak back out of the bay for you!

Perhaps the biggest "teambuilding" event was sharing stories about the "Heineken Fantasy Island" bash that was held from 11am to 11pm on Saturday.  The hotel memo that was delivered to our room mentioned that the main pool would be closed due to a "private party" with "live entertainment"... quite certainly the understatement of the year.  Imagine Spring Break x Girls Gone Wild... in Puerto Rico... wow.  That's all I can say. 

I'm not sure we'll be heading back to Puerto Rico anytime soon, but rest assured... if we do... we'll be headed straight to Culebra for sure.

view from our balcony