Santa Fe

I was in Santa Fe, NM for last week for a leadership program,we meet four times a year at different places throughout the region. I'd never been to Santa Fe so I was actually excited to go. What can I say, work trips are working out for me. 

It's funny, this series of trips has made me really embrace being an introvert. During the first meeting of this leadership program I found myself hanging out alone in my room blogging while everyone else drank by the fire. It was my first time meeting these folks, and I had to jump off a 30 foot poll, and I was exhausted. 

After I came to terms with the exhaustion I got really self conscious. Everyone else was hanging out having fun and I was alone on the computer! Am I a loser? Do they dislike me!? Do I dislike them? Over the next few days and weeks I reflected on the fact that I often end up by myself at the end of all day events. Holy shit! I really am in introvert (if you need an explanation watch this Ted talk). The product of some really extroverted parents, I learned to mascaraed as an extrovert but really...I need alone time. 

The last few months I've totally embraced this. Ironically, I'm more vocal about being an introvert  In fact, I opted out of the big group dinner after or sessions ended on Thursday night, in favor of a quiet dinner with two of the other participants...and I really enjoyed myself. This isn't to say that I don't want or need people around. Believe me, if I learned anything from working at home those few months, it's that I need people. It's just that I don't want to constantly interact with them. 

So when my carpool buddy bailed on me at the last minute I was a bit disappointed, but then I realized that spending 6 hours in a car by myself might not be a bad way to start a people-heavy few days. And it was delightful. It turns out that I really like hanging out with me. Me likes the same music I do (helpful for 6 hours in the car...each way). And Me is quiet when I need her to be. And Me likes all the same stores I do. And Me doesn't talk to much in the morning.

After the leadership training ended on Friday afternoon I decided to wander around Santa Fe for a bit and do some window shopping before sitting in the car for six hours. Experiencing a new city would have been more enjoyable if Truman had joined, but since that wasn't an option, it was a pretty nice work trip. 

Oh, and I may or may not have picked up some lovely earrings from the vendors who were outside braving the cold.