The Good Life.....

Nila App and I are on vacation. We left our husbands at home (where is the crying symbol?) and headed to Florida. Until today, Nila was anything but  on vacation! She was extraordinarily busy as the Education Leaders Gathering and Mennonite Health Assembly joined hundreds of peers in Orlando.

We arrived Monday night. Tuesday was a 'be sure everything is ready' kind of day. She ran here and there throughout the day knowing that there would be no resting from Wednesday through Saturday.

I took fewer pictures this year than when I accompanied Nila to San Antonio two years ago. Now that the Education Leaders attend this conference and groups are so spread throughout the conference center, I couldn't keep up with everyone. After a day of meetings on Wednesday, a few people began to gather in the hotel lobby to walk to the Lime Fresh Mexican Grill.

I was excited to reconnect with some people that I had met in San Antonio and meet some very nice new people. The best news was that my old friends, Jan Stair and Kathy Stiffney, were going to be coming to the conference to be with their spouses. (We all taught at Jefferson together for many years! Who woulda thought!)

Head Em' Up...Move Em Out!!!

Then it was Thursday, Nila's most exhausting day.
She was busy from 7:15 a.m. until late at night!

Nila (right) gets ready for 3 1/2 long days of meetings.

 

It was an added bonus for me that my dear friends Jan (right) and Kathy (tan jacket) came to the conference (since their husbands are here). We managed to find time to shop/eat/have fun get together a few times.

Alisa (new staff member -center) was greeted by Deloris and Emily (who work with Nila)

Registration began Wednesday morning.

Jim Alvarez and Kathy Stiffney

Incoming and outgoing Board Chairs of MHS Alliance
(Laurie Nafziger and Lee Snyder)

Rick Stiffney

President/CEO of Mennonite Health Services Alliance
and
Board Chair of Goshen College
(Nila's boss)

The keynote speaker was John Paul Lederach.
What inspiring messages he gave!

Nila and Alisa

We looked forward to Friday evening to attend Cirque Du Soleil.
It was a great show but had one interruption due to a near
disaster as a 'box' with a girl inside, fell from the
ceiling but was stopped by what looked like a chain in midair. We think the girl was injured but don't know for sure. At first we thought it was part of the show but soon it became obvious that it was not. The show continued after a few minutes.
 Here is our little group that went:

Jill, Tim, Jan, Nila, Kathy

When people are great at their job, they often mentor others. Nila is one such person. She had the opportunity to meet (they usually skype) one of her executive assistant mentees from Pennsylvania.

Nila finished working Saturday afternoon (that never happens!!!) so we  girls decided to go check out the gift shop.

Soon after our gift shop visit, Nila and I picked up Emily and we drove to nearby Universal City Walk. We walked for a while and decided on dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.

 

Nila and I spent Saturday night in Orlando to let Nila rest up. Sunday morning we headed to Melbourne Beach to have some R & R. We have a great suite at the DoubleTree Suites on the ocean. Wouldn't you know, the temps are the lowest they have had all year!!! But tomorrow is suppose to be much better and back to 80 by Tuesday.

 

 

Nila LOVES the ocean!!! I'm glad that she got the car stopped before she headed to the beach. This photo is taken of her from our 7th floor room.....

...and then with the telephoto. Can you see her goosebumps?

Gorgeous view from our balcony facing some direction (I am directionally challenged) and

then the other direction.

This is straight ahead.
(I know this direction.)

Bad news: people are now in the room next to us and the noise is terrible. Sounds like wild and crazy people. I'm now wondering how this night is going to be. Stay tuned.