Milwaukee 2.0- Day 2 and Day 3

Hello Readers!

I can't believe that I was in Milwaukee over a week ago! After the whirlwind events of Friday, Saturday was a bit more tame.  I went to 4 panels (the first was at 8 AM), ate lunch at the hotel, and then prepared for something fun.  The conference had a talent showcase on Saturday night and I contributed to the showcase with a song!  As a part of my warm up, I had to do this:

 

 That's right.  I jumped on my bed.  And documented my wild antics. Sorry Mom and Dad- I had to.  And it was so much fun!  I can't remember the last time I did this- maybe in middle school?

After jumping on the bed and (actually) rehearsing my song, "Leaving on a Jet Plane," Deanne, me, and my guitar walked over to the conference hotel and met up with the other two girls from school who also attended the conference (Margaret and Megan).  Before the talent showcase began, the DJ started the night off with a few dance songs.  I didn't join in until after the talent showcase ( I was too nervous), but I couldn't resist capturing some of the festivities:

Communication scholars getting their groove on

 When the time came for me to sing my song, I took my guitar out of the case and felt confident.  Oddly, I wasn't nervous, even when I found out that there wasn't a mic stand (which is unfortunate when you are playing the guitar and singing), but Deanne came to my rescue and volunteered to be my human mic stand AND sheet music stand!  I introduced myself, and my assistant, and began.  It went off without a hitch, and even by the first chorus of the song, people were waiving their cell phones and singing along! Whoo hoo!  When I finished the song, I felt like a rock star- or at least a folk rock star- and I had to resist the urge of yelling out "Thank you MILWAUKEEEEE!"  Instead I smiled, and walked off the stage.  It was wonderful.

After the talent showcase was complete, Deanne and I hit the dance floor.  Now, I am not a very skilled dancer (despite efforts to become one in grade school and middle school), but I was among scholars.  There were quite a few skilled dancers from a few communication departments, but for the most part, my youth and extroversion were to my advantage in the dancing department.  Especially for The Macarena.  Yes, the Macarena.

At the Talent Show/Dance/Karaoke Extravaganza

Sunday, the final day of the conference, was much more relaxed than Days 2 and 3.  Deanne and I slept in and packed our bags in leisure.  What's the point of staying in a hotel if you can't enjoy its luxuries?  Here are a few pictures of our room:

Deanne pondering in the window-side chair and ottoman in the room.

Deanne's bed

My bed- a mess! 

Headboard

 On our way back to St. Louis, Deanne and I stopped at an outlet near the border of Wisconsin and Illinois.  Among the stores in the outlet was an Ann Taylor Outlet.  As excited as I was to be there, I was able to stick to my budget and restrain myself.  I found a skirt that I fell in love with at the Ann Taylor Outlet store, but it was just a bit too tight in the 4 and too loose in the 6- so it went back on the sales floor.  But, before I put it back, I had to take a picture of the skirt.

Isn't it lovely?

All in all, my trip to Wisconsin was a success.  I networked with scholars in my field, sat in interesting panels, danced my heart out, and connected with some awesome friends from my graduate program.  What a weekend!

Milwaukee 2.0- Day 1

Hello Readers!

Life has been, or shall I say, continues to be, busy.  Two weeks ago I took my comprehensive exams for my Master's program, then last weekend I went to Milwaukee for a communication conference. Busy busy!

I love dressing for cool weather, and I was in luck last weekend in Milwaukee!  On Friday and Saturday the weather was in the 40s and 50s, and I reveled in the opportunity to wear my trench coat and layers.  

I also had another opportunity- I was able to meet up with my bff from undergrad!  Jessica (my bff from undergrad), my friend Deanne (who was also going to the conference), and I grabbed lunch at Panera.  The place where Jessica works was on the way to Milwaukee, so I couldn't pass up grabbing lunch with her!  It was such a delight to catch up with her, and I enjoyed introducing my friend from undergrad to my friend from grad school!

Jessica!

Reunited!

After lunch, Deanne and I made our way into Milwaukee, checked into our hotel, checked into the conference and then went to the historic Third Ward of Milwaukee (which is charming) and stopped by the Anthropologie located in this sweet location.  This Anthropologie was HUGE!  I didn't buy anything, but I was amazed at the selection of items at this store!  But, I held off on purchasing anything in anticipation of the upcoming fashion showcase at my St. Louis store.

For dinner, Deanne, one of her friends, and I went to dinner at an amazing Thai restaurant, The King and I.  Almost exactly two years ago, I ate at The King and I when I attended the 2009 Wisconsin State Bar Annual Convention for my old job.  The restaurant wowed me two years ago, and it wowed me again! If you are ever in Milwaukee, and you have a hankering for Thai- The King and I is a great place to dine!

After dinner the three of us went on an excursion to Waukesha for gelato at Paciugo.  The gelateria is situated at a mall, which made it look like a boring ice cream place at first glance. (Paciugo is a chain store, but don't hold that against their delicious gelato!) Being a bit of an ice cream snob, I wasn't sure if I would like this place but I was wrong!  Paciugo was amazing! They had a unique selection of flavors that included varieties like chocolate coconut curry, acai sorbet, chocolate extra virgin olive oil, and chocolate orange saffron.  The flavors I settled on where rose and violet.  I fell in love with the violet gelato. What was it like? Imagine everything delicious about vanilla gelato and infuse it with the light decadence of violet pastille candies.  Here are a few shots of me with my new favorite flavor of gelato- Violet!

Again- YUM!

You betcha!

An Irresistible Invitation

Hello Readers!

I'm back!  My major comprehensive exam is over!  Later this month I will need to do an oral defense of my answers, but until I hear back from my exam committee (who were a dream team, by the way) about any questions or rewrite requests, I am FREE!

Amidst the terror, fear, and final preparations of last week, I received an invitation to a very special event on April 14th.  Would you like to see who it was from, and what it was for?  Well, if you do, you are in luck because this invitation is posted below:

On the blogosphere, I heard quite a bit of buzz about this event from bloggers in a few other cities, and I wondered (a) if this event would also take place in St. Louis and (b) if I would get to witness the event.  The answer to both of those questions is what brought a smile to my face during one of the most stressful weeks of my life.

I can't wait until next Thursday night!

In other exciting news, I am driving up to Milwaukee on Friday with my friend Deanne to attend the Central States Communication Association's annual convention (along with two other friends from my graduate program).  I love conferences, I love road trips, I love being around friends, and I love Milwaukee- so I think this will be a great weekend!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!