Love, bubs and life on our little farm

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..