Touch Down

Preamble: Why I went to Boston (click here)  Part one of my Adventure (click here)

I boarded a plane for the second time that day, and was happy to find that i had a seat all to myself, again! yay me. Not that i mind sitting next to strangers, it just meant that i could spread my stuff out and not have to talk small talk. I'm not very good at it.

When i left the Skatch it was beautiful and hot and sunny... in Toronto the weather was the same, but it was rainy and gray in Boston when i arrived. It made for a bit of a bumpy ride, lots of turbulence, and i seriously considered reaching for the barf bags a few times. But i made it. As we started our descent out of the clouds, i looked out the window and was immediately impressed by the number of trees. Everything was lush and green, even from 40000 feet up! Quite a change from the wide open prairie that i had just left. Dark green trees, as far as the eye could see. And as we continued, i noticed the sheer amount of baseball diamonds. Everywhere you looked! you could see them from the air! i was amazed and then i remembered that baseball is America's favourite pastime (is that right?),

Once we had landed, i collected my things from the carousel and began the journey of trying to locate the other lady, also from the Skatch, also from my city - who was attending the seminar. We had arranged before hand to split a car service to the town of Whitinsville. Our information package said Whitinsville was about 30 minutes from Boston...

Try 2 hours.

AND we had to switch cars because ours was going in a different direction.

Needless to say, Margaret (that's the other Skatch lady) and I were exhausted, having both gotten up at 4 to be at the airport in time that morning.

But eventually, we made it, in the rain to the Oakhurst Retreat and Conference Center, an old mansion turned into a diocese. 

Here's a shot of the Center, taken once the rains had lifted

After hauling my way up 3 flights of stairs (yes, three - i was going to get my workout this week, that's for sure) and claiming a bed in the old servants' quarters, i made my way back down to get in line for supper.  In the front hall of the house a few tables had been set out where people could display their Zentangle® inspired artwork. Also another table had a few things from Rick and Maria (the founders of Zentangle and also the instructors) and a schedule for the next few days.

I got in line for supper that was already underway (we got there around 7:00pm New England time) and started introducing myself to the ladies in front and behind me.  Everyone i met was just so nice and lovely and all smiles.  As the line moved, we passed the last table in the hall - where there was a lovely fruit Bouquet.  My first thought was; "Wow, Rick and Maria sure now how to welcome people!" and as i was chatting with the ladies next to me i reached over to see what the card said.  It was for Laura The Diva.  "HEY!" i cried, "I'm Laura The Diva!"

When i opened the card, i was so thrilled to see that the gift was from Teeni and her husband TGH welcoming me to Massachusetts!  

This is where the picture would go, but i temporarily lost it on my computer... i will post it as soon as i find it.

HOW SWEET IS THAT!?

I was just floored.  And of course, as i was the one of the last people to arrive, everyone else already knew about the fruit bouquet, so they were all anxious to see who Laura The Diva was.  It was me!  

I had to explain a few times how i knew Teeni and how we were old friends who were going to meet for the FIRST TIME when the conference was over, and we all shared the fruit.  mm.

After supper we were all invited to Rick and Maria's home to take a tour of their studio space, which was such a treat.  Everyone piled in and mingled, and took pictures, and had a few drinks.  The wine was so tempting, but i didn't think Artoo would appreciate being boozed up.  (HEY! Did you notice? Artoo is baby number 2's in utero/blog name... Chewie and Artoo, i thought it had a nice ring to it.)

A few Zentangle buddies, checking out Maria's work [photo credit]

I have to admit that in this type of social situation, i don't really shine.  There were a lot of people, and everyone was amazing, but i just don't do well in crowds, so i found a little nook in the kitchen and tried to stay out of everyone's way...  until i thought - this is silly, so i made myself wander into the living room and actually have conversations with people - and i survived!! 

 A view of the kitchen where the nibblin's were.  delish [photo credit]

After such a long day, i was so happy to make my way up those three flights of stairs and crashed on my bed, exhausted, happy, nervous, excited - ready for the first day of classes.