20 February 2009 Photo: Reflective Movement

I am on my way home tonight...taking the red eye. My route is PDX-ORD-SYR and in 2 of these 3 cities, it is snowing! I just hope that I am not delayed in Chicago. Anyway, I was going to take the super shuttle to the airport but the idiot at the Hilton neglected to tell me that the last one was at 7:20PM so I had to run to catch the train to the airport. It worked out fine, I just was a bit more rushed than I would have liked but here I am at the airport wishing for safe on-time travel.

19 February 2009 Photo: Beavers Everywhere

During my time in Portland, I walked by these beaver sculptures several times. I thought it would have been funny to take a staff picture with the beavers since Arcadia University used to be called Beaver College but we didn't get everyone to the "beaver dam" for the photo op. So I had to settle for a lone beaver pictures.

18 February 2009 Photo: Narrow Beauty

When I opened the curtains to check the weather, I was welcomed by the sun rising between the buildings downtown. While it only gives me a narrow slice of the beauty of the Portland area, it inspires me to go out and explore if I get a free moment during the conference.

17 February 2009 Photo: Watching You

Do you ever feel like someone is watching you? Looking across at the building from my hotel in Portland, you can see into the world of people who don't know or don't care that they are watching. While it is just as easy to see in my house windows, there are a lot fewer people watching on my dead end street!

16 February 2009 Photo: How Do I Get To...?

On our way to dinner tonight, we passed this sign. I thought it was extremely appropriate as I was walking with about 15 people who work in the field of study abroad. So if you are ever in the middle of Portland and want to know how many miles it is to _________ just find this sign.

15 February 2009 Photo: West Coast Wanderings

I did make it to Portland, Oregon and was happy to be in first class on the longer leg of the trip. I love when I get bumped up but it makes it so much more difficult when I have to be back with the commoners ;) I will defitely need to write a nice letter to United for making my mistakes less painful.

Anyway, it was a lovely ride to the west coast and the scenery was wonderful. This photo was taken as we are getting ready to land in Portland of Mt Hood. It has been about 10 years since I was last here. This really is gorgeous country out here and will need to come back with Bill someday as he has not been to this part of the country.

14 February 2009 Photo: Seasoned Traveler???

Funny story...at this exact moment, I expected to be on a plane to Chicago and then onto Portland, Oregon. As I was getting ready today...packing, making a list and checking it twice, printing off my hotel and flight confirmation WHAT!!!??? WAIT?!?! I can't believe United screwed up my flight! Why does it have February 15th on my ticket confirmation? What the @#$*?

So after I stopped freaking out and checked to see who made the mistake, I realized it was ME!!! I know...impossible for the seasoned traveler that I am but it was true. So after calling United twice and speaking to someone in India both times, they were VERY unhelpful. So I decided to take my chances and go to the airport to see if there was a slim chance in hell to get me on a flight today or at least in Portland before my meeting tomorrow at 6pm. I entered the airport and there was a line snaking by the United check in counter so I knew it did not look good.

After planning my sob story, I was amazed and confused by the VERY HELPFUL agent at the counter. She laughed at my story and apologized that she could not get me on a flight tonight as everything was oversold and people were getting bumped off their flights already. I asked if there was any chance to get to Portland before 5pm tomorrow...I knew where was only one flight as I did my homework. Again no luck but she could get me there at 5:47 PM. Great! I'll take it. I was in awe when she handed me the tickets and I was in FIRST CLASS from Chicago to Portland and she did not charge me a change fee! After some VERY bad service with USAirways in the recent past, which I wrote a angry letter about, I feel like a letter of merit is due to United for this agent's help. Hmmm...maybe I will wait to see if the flights go without a hitch tomorrow and my luggage arrives with me.

So I am delayed a bit and had to cancel plans with a high school friend for tomorrow but all it all it worked out as well as could be expected. Since I was able to re-schedule seeing my friend and his family, no big loss except I will be a few minutes late to a dinner. Another lesson learned...check, double check and TRIPLE check when buying airline tickets. So I get to spend Valentine's Day with Bill afterall...