Why I've Been AWOL

Sorry I've been MIA these past few days.  This weekend was my company's annual Edge Show Weekend; a BBQ and trade show. 

It was two longs days, espeically since I worked before each event, hence the lack of posts.

It was my first time going to the event in my eight years with the comapny and it was pretty awesome.

It was wonderful to see, and finally meet, all the amazing people I've gotten to know so well in my time with HOK.  There are no words to describe the hospitality and greatness of these people.  I was greeted with hugs and kind words.  I was told how much I was missed and how happy everyone is to have me back. 

One of the many reasons I was looking forward to the BBQ was to catch up with my mananger from the Okanagan.  It was so much fun chatting with him; even after 18 months of not working together it was like old times right away. 

I also had the chance to finally put faces to the names at the end of emails and the voices on the other end of the phone.  People who I have "known" for years but have never actually met.  Again, I was greeted with hugs, kind words, and teased about leaving the Fringe for the Mainland (Fringe stores are the ones not in the Mainland)


The following day was the actual trade show and nothing makes you fall back into place like seeing and playing with new knives and getting first hand knowledge from vendors. 

By the time I got home from six hours of product knowledge I was exhausted and buzzing with energy.  (I was also pretty excited about seeing what all I came home with - it's fun to get lots of free stuff!)

I've had a bit of a hard time adjusting to coming back as well as learning a new store and new clientele.  By the end of the two days not only do I feel like I belong again but it reminded me, again, of why I love working for this company. 

The people are truly remarkable and the prodcuts are beyond cool. 

How many trade shows do you know end with the entire staff singing "Sweet Caroline" - well, just the chorus because who really knows the words to the entire song?