Learn to control money but do not allow it to control you

Firewalker

I am here, sitting in my hotel room in Washington. Or shall I say in my little apartment where the bed could probably, at a stretch mind, sleep six people. Whenever I come to the US it always strikes me how bit everything is. But enough rambling for now...Have to try and focus – although I somehow managed to sleep eight hours (a luxury in any circumstance) I still feel ever so slightly out of it. A plan, and a good one is an absolute must.

So the plan for today is:

1. Do some work (have a very heavy day tomorrow);
2. Write for fun;
3. Re-write/ re-do some of Mr. Big’s exercises (btw I saw Sex and the City 2 on the plain)
4. Try to figure out where I am (beyond knowing the continent, the country and the city that is) and how to get to more interesting places;
5. Decide on the places I would like to visit;
6. Check whether it is safe to run in the national Arboretum – my hotel is just next to it so if would be lovely if it is;

But get some food first.

Firewalker

savingwannabe

Hello Firewalker. I am back, have just read the last two entries and will catch up. I hope you have a successful trip to America it sounds like it is going vvv well already. sw.

hypno06

Right, have read through now from start to finish.

Firewalker

hypno06 wrote: »

Right, have read through now from start to finish.

Gosg, I better write some more quick - I so much want to save you from these cupboards of yours for longer.

In two hours I am going to run for two and a half hours in the Washington national arboretum - the Universe is listening it seems.

Firewalker

hypno06

Don't worry, I have decided that the cupboards can wait for another day.

Enjoy your run! I did a very enjoyable hour this morning around the lanes here.

Firewalker

Hi Savingwannabe, I am very glad you are back. Will write more tomorrow - if there is anything left of me and in me by the time I finish the day, that is.

Now off to bad in the hope that I'll sleep.

Firewalker

Firewalker

No sight seeing today – it was work, work, work. Had to get up at 6 a.m. (which for me is time that doesn’t really exist) and left the hotel by 7 a.m. Of course I did not know where I am going (as it happens I had to go to Arlington, Virginia) and in this case, I thought, there is one thing to do – get a taxi! Not to mention that yesterday I got a map from reception and in it there is map of the Metro – which I’ve heard is a good way to get around. Could I read the names of the stations? Could I heck! Not a chance! So the only option was to get there in a taxi – I cannot be buying new glasses here.

I was driven to my meeting by a big, black gentleman with an attitude to match. Having been told off by the taxi driver I thought that the day is not starting well. So, I got to my meeting (which was in a large government building with loads of security at the front desk) and it hit me: my passport is 10 miles and $30 away, safely in the hotel. Surprisingly people here were OK with that – the people I was meeting came down and I was in (for comparison, when I did the same thing in Brussels I had to run back to the hotel to get my passport; thank goodness I am a runner).

And after that it all went ‘like it was on rails’. Got all I wanted: my presentation went well, had all my conversation, met the bit boss...

After 8 hours work non stop (had a meeting over lunch) did not fancy exploring the Metro system either. So got in a taxi and when we arrived the driver said: ‘Please don’t go out of the hotel when dark, Madam. This is very dangerous area – six years ago I would have not driven you if you offered me $1,000 during the day.’ Gee, thanks! But I did get a glimpse of the Capitol on the way back – sights of Washington here we come.

So far so good! Now it is time for bed. It is only 7.30 here but I am beat.

Leaving you with the thought for today; I really loved this one:

“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and
those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way.”

Firewalker

macgirl

I like that quote - but not the hotel in the dodgy area -
That happened to me once in Amsterdam. My colleague had missed the flight and I was left alone - and 6 months pregnant - so decided to go for a stroll and almost got thrown to the ground by hotel staff advising me not to leave the hotel!

Glad to hear the presentation went well - enjoy the rest of your trip

Firewalker

My day didn’t rock; it gently swayed as river with amazement and respect for the spacious beauty of this city. I got on one of the sightseeing buses and went all around the Washington Mall after which walked around Capitol Hill. And my heart sang!

This made me remember that when I was little I wanted to be a spy. It had nothing to do with wanting to do the ‘right thing’, defending something, or be on the ‘side of light’. The reason I wanted to be a spy was because of the lifestyle; leading a life full of adventure, travel, meeting new people (well shooting some of them appeared as a minor detail). Then, somewhere along the way, I got scared – so I travel rather a lot but usually work and don’t allow myself time to explore. Today I remembered the pleasure of my childhood dream.

This is something I need to have in my life – travel, new places, adventure, novelty and excitement.

And tonight I will leave you with the saying:

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius (551 - 479 BC)

Firewalker

savingwannabe

Firewalker, it does not matter what time of the day or night it is when i read one of your posts but your infectious optimism lifts me. Travel is one of the greatest luxuries we can experience. Today i am travelling through you. Thank you so much. And if you bump into a cute guy with the initials JB who likes his drinks shaken and not stirred give him a hug from me, SW.