Topeka.
Well, I can now cross Kansas (and furthermore Topeka) off my list of places I've never been! I found out on Monday that I had been nominated for and selected to win an award that was being presented at a regional housing conference in Topeka on Wednesday. Not wanting to forgo being present to win said award, I ran around like a mad man on Monday reserving a hotel room, attempting to register for the conference (had to end up doing it on-site), and booking a car through Enterprise.
I set out Wednesday morning for the 4.5 hour trek west across the state through Kansas City, and then Lawrence, KS (home to the University of Kansas) and finally to Topeka. The conference was housed at the Topeka Capital Plaza and not knowing anyone, I felt a bit daunted by the task of spending the next couple days flying solo when everyone else and their mother appeared to be with someone from their institution. But I quickly made friends with folks from area schools and ended up with quite the little group to pal around with (both at the conference and exploring Topeka).
It was a great honor to win the region's "Outstanding New Professional Master's Level" award and though I'm not sure the plaque will be displayed prominently in my office, I'm excited to be recognized for my work and look forward to adding it to my resume!
Some quick highlights from the conference:
1. My red, cord TOMS were a huge hit. I was suddenly, "THAT GUY" with the red TOMS.
2. The shout out we received on the radio from a colleague's partner!
3. "You look familiar." "I work at Olive Garden." "That's where I've seen you!" (conversation between a colleague from an area school and some rando guy in a bar).
4. Not being above purchasing our own beer and carrying it into the hotel bar for the conference social because beer at the hotel was much more expensive.
5. Networking, Networking, Networking.
Cheers.
I set out Wednesday morning for the 4.5 hour trek west across the state through Kansas City, and then Lawrence, KS (home to the University of Kansas) and finally to Topeka. The conference was housed at the Topeka Capital Plaza and not knowing anyone, I felt a bit daunted by the task of spending the next couple days flying solo when everyone else and their mother appeared to be with someone from their institution. But I quickly made friends with folks from area schools and ended up with quite the little group to pal around with (both at the conference and exploring Topeka).
It was a great honor to win the region's "Outstanding New Professional Master's Level" award and though I'm not sure the plaque will be displayed prominently in my office, I'm excited to be recognized for my work and look forward to adding it to my resume!
Some quick highlights from the conference:
1. My red, cord TOMS were a huge hit. I was suddenly, "THAT GUY" with the red TOMS.
2. The shout out we received on the radio from a colleague's partner!
3. "You look familiar." "I work at Olive Garden." "That's where I've seen you!" (conversation between a colleague from an area school and some rando guy in a bar).
4. Not being above purchasing our own beer and carrying it into the hotel bar for the conference social because beer at the hotel was much more expensive.
5. Networking, Networking, Networking.
Cheers.
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