Love, bubs and life on our little farm

I read an article title like that recently and inwardly groaned but I was glad I read further. Because this statement was said by Helen Fraser, the chief executive of the UK's Girls' Day School Trust at a conference and it really made me think.

She was arguing that career women need to beat the "nappy wall" these days rather than the "glass ceiling" and that in order to do this they need the right support from their partner. Helen was inspired by Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg who said, "The most important career choice you'll make is who you marry." (or not get to marry if you happen to be a women who likes other women but that is another whole post hey!).

You can check out an article about it here.

As a career women, a wife and a mother of little ones, I feel somewhat qualified to comment. And you know what, as much as I like to be independent and think I can do everything alone, I agree wholeheartedly that a supportive husband who respects and values my career has been essential to my success so far. A husband that does not let me indulge in that stupid label of "Mother Guilt"

And I want my girls to grow up to understand that they should also be ambitious in their requirements of a life partner. I want them to be able to have whatever career they choose, kids if they want and the love and cuddles at the beginning and end of their day from their loved one - and NO-ONE making them feel bad about trying to have their "all". They will get that lesson from me every day and more importantly their standards will be raised by seeing their father do exactly that.

May there be no nappy wall in their futures.

My training has been AMAZING - more amazing than travelling in the US on someone else's money, more amazing than beautiful historic buildings and great food and company. Although getting to meet like minded scientists from American states scattered from Alaska to Florida and getting to work with them intensely bonding over work that can kill you is a pretty close second - definitely builds strong relationships that have been very rewarding!

But we finished off today - exhausted, inspired and barely able to keep my eyes open, I decided to make the most of a spare Summers afternoon in Richmond, Virginia and go sightseeing.

It is a truly beautiful city - the Shockoe canal area is so vibrant and full of great bars, restaurants and cafes. We have had some great experiences at Ale houses, organic cafe's and Cuban club's so far.  Today, with the early mark, I soaked up the sun and watched the canal flow past whilst eating lunch near a funky cafe pumping out music, before jumping on a cruise.

Then thanks to my hotel being booked out by graduating high school students (and its a big hotel!) I had to move across town for my last night. I am now staying in the most amazing historic hotel made of restored row houses, built where Edgar Allan Poe grew up. It is fitted out with antiques loaned from the Richmond historical society and still has the slave quarters standing.

My room with real fireplace and huge bed and ceilings

The back of house of hotel - renovated row houses, these wooden verandahs are the access to your rooms and are very creaky, amazing - I feel like I am in old day Richmond!

View from my other hotel

The Capitol

Cruising the canel to look at Tobacco way - all the old tobacco warehouses have been renovated into amazing loft apartments - this is the old Lucky Strike warehouse

So I left home at 3am, June 2nd to catch my plane to the US for this work trip. When I snuck into my girls rooms to whisper goodbye to their angelic sleeping faces and stroke their warm soft hair one last time, I also silently wished my little Bronte a Happy Birthday.

As luck would have it, I had been booked to fly out on her birthday and so early I didn't get to spend any of it with her. I am sure I was sadder about it than she was, since it just meant she got two days of cake and fun, celebrating early with me and then Jase and Elka threw her a little celebration on her bday day.

So now I am trying to come to terms with the fact that the little cutie that is singing me twinkle twinkle over Skype is actually a two year old. Wow. But I think she will always be my baby, just like Elka will always be my special little first born.

My big girl

Unwrapping her helmet and bell for her big girl bike

She knew you had to blow but she was a bit keen and we hadn't had a chance to put the candles on yet!

Time for the real candle blowing out

Her bday "party" with Jase and Elka

Absolutely everybody comments on just how happy she is all the time. She is most definitely a little happy character with a devilish grin that no one can resist.

Happy Birthday my little one - can't wait to hug you as a 2 year old xo

Wow, one minute it was 3.30am and I was blearily packing the last few things in my bag (which I did a terrible job of - I forgot HEAPS!) and then it was a blur of 32 hours, five airports, four planes, airport lounges, rushed ticketing for boarding passes, a long desperate run for a plane changeover of only 10 minutes and more pat downs and security checks then I care to remember. And I found myself in Virginia, US.

In a lovely hotel room actually. In a gorgeous area full of cobblestone lanes,old fashioned street lamps, canals and old flour mills converted into apartments and restaurants.

But after only 3 hours plane sleep in 32 hours of travel - boy did I sleep deeply for 9 hours straight in the plump bed. I don't think I moved at all - probably also a left over habit from trying to sleep in a plane seat without bothering my neighbours...

This is my first time in the US and I am loving that it is all the cliches I expected - all fire hydrants, big yank tanks and copious amounts of inventive junk food - corn chips inside a cheese burrito anyone?!

I have also found that they are struggling to understand me with my accent, that I loathe sale tax preventing me from working out exact change to pay for things and that tipping is irritating. That LA was grey and ugly when I arrived but I saw a celebrity within 10mins of landing (OK so it was an Aus celebrity lol - Curtis Stone but still!), that they know how to build pretty homes in the country areas and that they are terrible at giving receipts which is going to make my work expense claim back a nightmare.

I went jogging this morning and loved the beautiful canal walks where the old buildings are being done up and where the city is embracing its creative art reputation with street art everywhere.

The canal walk

Some of the street art scattered amongst the old architecture

Then I hit the shops. It wasn't easy to get to them actually - it took two very expensive taxi rides as they are so far out of the CBD and had non-existent public transport (thanks to my personal taxi driver Ed, who drive back out 2.5 hours later to bring me back to the hotel, such a country sweetie!). And they don't open until midday on a Sunday - weird. But oh how I enjoyed them. Particularly as I left all my work pants at home and needed a full five days of work clothes for my workshop - good work me. I scored lovely work pants and a thicker cardigan (who told me it was 28 degrees here! Its not my version of Qld humid 28 degrees, brr! ) from Banana Republic, some great presents for the kids, a belt style I have been looking for in the shops for over 3 months now and then.... spoiled myself with the prettiest Michael Kors bag.

They do shopping centres, sorry "malls" well here - too pretty to walk fast through!

Oh Macy's - I am in love - and thanks to Mum for telling me to push for discounting!

My one little treat (well besides some duty free make-up, but that is practically a requirement!))

OK no more shopping - I have welcome drinks in 1 hours time for the course and then it is all work and no-play for the rest of the week until my free day in LA on the way home next Sunday..