All Journey

So how long has it been? Only 6 months, it feels like it has been years...I guess it just

goes to show I've been living under a rock. I hope this is an acceptable excuse for those of you that have emailed me or called me and are still waiting on a response...sorry!

Well let me start by welcoming my "new friends". For those of you receiving an email like this from me for the first time I feel the need to explain. About every 3 - 4 months (or maybe 6 months) I sit down and try to recap or even sometimes pour out my heart and soul on paper for all of those around the globe that I try to keep in touch with and hope appreciate the small yet heartfelt glimpse into my life.

So where did we leave off...I was leaving MDM Group, which was my career of 12 years to start my own business. (What was I thinking?) No in all seriousness it's been great - but I'll cut to chase. It seems I haven't grown up much in my "old age". As a child I always had to do things my way, which coincidently was the hard the way. No one could

give me advice or even a suggested alternative - I was doing it my way damn it, end of story.

So what would make one think I was going to enter the world of being an entrepreneur any different. Nope, no different here...everyday I sarcastically say the statement "and this is what I've learned today". It's kinda like that everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten poem - but guess what boys and girls. In kindergarten they don't teach you how to tell a client "back off I got this", nicely. And I don't remember the day they taught you this is how you function with only 2 1/2 hours of sleep. Oh and I know for sure there was absolutely no accounting classes on how to stretch a dollar. Stretching last

seasons "skinny jeans" to fit this season - that I know how to do. But cutting my salary in half was way worse than being the last kid picked in dodge ball. Not that I know about it first hand, I was too cool. (wink, wink)

But with the realization that this was not all fun and games it was time to get down to business, I did just that and haven't looked back since. My DoD (Department of Defense) contract is going well. I enjoy the people I work with and they trust me to do a good job for them. When I don't know something (and that's often) I ask them and without fail they

invest the time in helping me learn so I can continue to do my job. But really the biggest obstacle is the cultural differences day in and day out of government work vs corporate America. (They didn't teach that in kindergarten either)

Within the past four months I have had great successes with my business. I've done everything from non-profit events, to four-day music festivals, military events, equipment rentals, and even head-hunter work. But what it's taught me is to really hone my craft. Figure out what you like, and more importantly what your good at - and stick to it. Most

importantly remember how good you are at what you do and don't let anyone tell you any different.

Well if my life wasn't crazy enough as it is...I like to say "kinda like LaGuardia in a snow storm...arrivals and departures are all messed up" I'm at it again. My next big adventure is I am leaving July 20^thfor Beijing, China where I will be living for the next 6 ½ weeks working on the Olympic Games. My role will be a program director working Operations and hospitality for the American based companies coming to the Olympics. At this point I will try and answer every question I think you might have.

And I only know these questions because I have been asked them on a regular basis everytime I tell folks of my plans:

Beijing 101 FAQ's

1. Am I excited?

This is an understatement. The best away to explain it is like this. There are two parts to this experience. Part 1 is living in Beijing for 6 weeks. Part 2 is being involved in something as spectacular as the Olympics. Listen if the Olympics were in Atlanta - I would be just as excited. But there not - they are ½ way around the world. And I'm on my

way there.

2. Are you taking Chinese lessons?

Sure, in my spare time. (Translation) Hell no! I don't have time to do that...but I have a plan. The company that has hired me provides me with a full-time translator. He/She has their work cut out for them - cause I talk a lot.

3. Where are you staying?

I stay where the client stays and in this case it is at the Landmark Hotel

4. What is the time difference?

China is 12 hours ahead of Fort Lauderdale time.

5. What is the weather going to be like?

HOT! To quote the almanac it says "summers is in Beijing are smoldering". (I don't think this person is from Florida, or at least visited this great state in August.)

6. Are you getting any shots/ vaccines, etc?

The jury is still out on this. I will say I am prepared. I've visited my doctor and to my surprise my Doctor will be in China as part of the medical team in the Olympic Village. Therefore he kindly wrote me a prescription for everything he is bringing/ doing. It includes Hepatitis A, Malaria and a multitude of drugs "just incase"...Penicillin, Z-packs, Montezuma's Revenge, and a few others I can't think of right now. But it's safe to say - "I'm good".

7. Are you scared?

Yes! But not of China. Not of protestors. And not even of the fear of terrorists blowing the place up....you know what I'm the most scared of - yup you guessed it, THE FOOD. And the internet chain email (I have received about 6 times already) about the food in china, does not help the situation.

So there you have it...What's Maureen doing now? She's headed off to China

to work the Olympics and try to take one more step further in bettering her skills at learning as much as she can about this crazy industry of massive events. I will keep good notes during my travels and promise to touch base when I return. I leave Fort Lauderdale on Sunday July 20^th and return home August 29^th. But don't expect to hear from me for at least about a week so I can catch up on my sleep.

Until next time I'll leave you with the question I once heard... "In life do we really need to have a destination...can't life be all journey"?