I'm a princess

.... did we ever doubt this? However, as much as my industry indulges on treating our clients and attendees like VIPs, I never see that treatment. Well, I finally did this past week. I had a "networking" event to attend Thursday afternoon for lunch. My boss decided it was best to spend the night at the resort it was being held on so we wouldn't have to worry about driving that morning in traffic. Here's the kicker, I didn't have to be there until 11 AM for the silent auctions.

With no objections, I went ahead and signed up for the meeting along with 700 other attendees. It was for the Site SoCal Holiday Party. It consisted of meeting planners, travel coordinators, and hotel representatives from all around SoCal and NorCal. Now, to the good stuff. I ended up working late on Wednesday evening and arrived to the resort after dark. With the uplighting and palm trees I could tell I was pulling into a palace. I swear the Grand Del Mar Resort is a hidden treasure!! So I arrive, valet my car, and head straight to the front desk. By this point all I wanted to do was take my heels off and enjoy a glass of wine with my colleagues at the very swanky bar. So, I check in, get escorted to my room, which has already been turned down and prepared for me to arrive. The TV was playing soft jazz music, one of the many lamps was turned on and the front desk attendant who walked me down started to tell me about my room. I was in such awe that I didn't hear one word. First, the room was larger than my entire studio. The view of the golf course from my little porch was amazing. Second, the bathtub could have fit 4 people in it. Let's not mention the enormous shower. I have to say I was disgusted once I made it to the back of the bathroom, this was after I passed the second plasma tv in my bathroom- the closet was next, as I walked in I wondered, how much this room cost. I could have slept in my closet!! So the attendant went ahead and departed leaving me in my shock. So I headed back to the bedroom passing my bar. Still in shock I just dove onto the bed and decided I wasn't heading down to the bar. I grabbed my bottle of wine, tasty lil treats, and soaked it all in in my enormous bath tub as I soaked in a great salt bath-- yup I had all the types of bath oils, salts, and bubble baths I wanted in my amenities.... This is what I'm talking about when I say my clients get treated well. The amenities the "planner" sent to my room consisted of a great bottle of wine, lots of lil treats to snack on, bath oils, salts, and bubble bath from the spa downstairs, and my favorite flowers- tulips and orchids!! I think they just got lucky on the flower one.

Don't think the princess 2 day extraganza is over yet! If you know me, you know I don't like to eat breakfast... Well, today was different. Since I was in this luxurious resort I had to treat myself to breakfast. I will say the eggs with scallions and some type of meat in them were damn good. Still lounging around in my robe I finally got dressed ( yes, I totally slept in and lived it up on a work day.) Next, was the meeting I was there for. I really wasn't sure what to expect but soon found out. There were roughly 150 items to bid on for a silent auction. Ranging from 7 Jeans for Mankind starting at $20 to trips all around the world. Now if I hadn't received my Christmas bonus the night before I might have been hesitant to even think about bidding- but then I remembered I wasn't taking a trip for my 25 bday anymore and decided to test my hand in luck. The decision was, do I bid on the 6 day trip to Bora Bora, Italy, Lisbon, the Rainforest, Whistler, China, or one of the other 100 destination packages?? So I made the first lap around the room meeting and mingling and decided to bid on something none of the "older" crowd would opt for. The 4 day vacation split at 2 different resorts with all meals and touristy packages and spa packages in the rainforest. Seriously people, you know I would do this in a heartbeat- especially since we were planning to go the rainforest in Costa Rica this year for the bday. So, I waited and waited and NO ONE bid on this the entire hour it was out. So I placed my starting bid at $275. Then some sneak old lady in an outfit that totally did not match or flatter her swooped in. Thinking I was sneaky, I waiting 1 minute before the sheets were pulled and out bid here. Excited with my steal I started to envision my vacation in the rainforest! Word to the wise folks, do smile until you know you have it. The sneaky old bat stole it from me outbidding me- you can only imagine how upset I was. I guess old people do know a think or two still. But what a steal -a vacation valued at close to $3000 I almost had for $300!!

So, then we headed into the luncheon where I received more gifts of Godiva Chocolates, misc goodies, and more bottles of wine. I enjoyed my delicious lunch which only consisted of Steak, Salmon, and Seared Ahi Tuna... Then I rolled my stuffed self back to the office and tried to work.

As long as this story is I finally found out how much my hotel room valued at for one night- $800. I highly suggest if you have the money to drop to stay here and treat yourself. Check it out at http://www.thegranddelmar.com/?gclid=COrcmc-Vq5ACFSQvQQodmF6ujA . I know i definitely want to go back- only it's free though! Definitely one of my favorite places out of the world now.

MIA

Yes, I know, I have been MIA on my blog here lately- here's the sad part, it has only taken me three weeks to write this one entry. Yes, I started this three weeks ago. Let's just say work has definitely picked up! Over the past two weeks we have had three programs, 1 in SD, 1 in LA, and 1 in San Jose (which is currently where I'm typing from.) The funny thing is all three clients are completely different, from having all types of wants and needs to being laid back to the governement..... can you guess which one I had the least stress with.

So, let's see where the update should begin..... Well, I have been really single and going on lots of dates and getting good food here lately. Lots of tall boys too- I have been wearing my tallest heels when I go out with these guys, it's fabulous to feel like every other girl finally. Next, I have joined a girls group which meets every Tuesday night. One girl is responsible for cooking, one brings a movie, and the other brings the wine. If you know of any "cool and sane" girls in SD who you think should join definitely let me know! Work, well work has been busy and stressful over the past week. I suppose once I adjust to the way things are done in this office it will get better, until then-..... There have been plenty of nights out with all of the friends. Oh, speaking of friends, my college friend Jennifer Shook came out to stay with me one weekend. It actually was a GREAT weekend. She flew in Friday from NYC and we had a casual night at my house with a bottle of wine just gossiping about life. Saturday we started off with breakfast on the beach at my favorite place, Firehouse and then hit up the boardwalk home. Next we hopped in the car and headed to Temecula 45 minutes away for wine tasting. Since this was my first time to go on a wine tasting tour I had no idea what to expect. The last time I did a wine tasting was when I was 15 in France..... needless to say we didn't pound the bottles of wine the weekend Jennifer was here like we did in France. once we arrived in Temecula we stated off at this one Winery and tasted probably 7 glasses. There were lots I liked and probably only one I didn't like. Next we decided to stop off and get a late lunch at one of the cafes at the winerys. Well, late lunch turned into appetizers followed by the next winery. And yes, at this point I didn't drink anything else.

After the winery we hoped in the car and headed for SD to get ready for Natalie's birthday dinner with her family. So after we got dressed we immediately headed downtown and had a great Mediterranean dinner with Natalie, her boyfriend Al, her dad, stepmom, uncle, two best friends from high school, Jennifer, Jenny, and me. Later one of Al's roommates got us into Ivy this really exclusive hot spot in SD, actually the new hot spot in Southern LA. After exploring the first two floors of the club, dancing, and having a good time we met some people who got us into the VIP level on the roof. This was such a sweet spot over looking the entire city. So we proceeded to lounge in the cabanas and be spoiled since we NOW had an undending supply of table service..... I love nights when me and my friends look pretty!

Then I had another two visitors this past weekend..... Mom and Dad! Yup, they flew in for a quick weekend after their trip in San Francisco. I have to say, everytime they are here SD has the oddest weather. It doesn't live up to the best weather ever. When I moved here they were have a heat wave- all you Southerners will love this, the heat wave was 92 degrees farenheit! Ha, without humidity- some heat wave. Then when mom came out here last month we were having fires. Then there was this weekend, the monsoon rains. I'm really surprised we didn't have any landslides. I started off the weekend by taking them to one of my favorite restaurants in Little Italy where we got delicious delicous delicious food!! And yes, the left overs didn't make it for a day. Then on Saturday we headed out to the Wild Animal Park. I highly suggest you go see this if you are ever here. But if you opt to go in the winter time like us, take blankets!!! It was really interesting and I"m glad I finally got to see it. Next, we were off to have dinner with my two best friends. I think mom and dad were finally glad to put names to faces finally since all my stories include Jenny and Natalie. Then we were off to the airport early Sunday morning. Below is a pic of mom and I with the Macaw. Enjoy!

** Oh yea, I'll have to get a picture of me with the new hair.... I'm back to having dark dark hair!

Pics of the SD Fire

So I couldn't get to close but here are two photos. Notice the smoke.

Trick or Treat

Bzzzz I'm a bumble bee! This year Halloween surpassed all others! Friday night we had a house party that had an incredible amount of people..... wow i've met alot of folks so far! Plus some other random pics from this weekend.

Girls Weekend

Ok, sorry, I know this is long overdue but with the fires out here last week I never had a chance to upload my pics. So, mom, Aunt Betty, Aunt Sandy, and Aunt B all came out to see me. Trust me when I say they brought their party shoes and lived it up. Friday afternoon they flew in before I was off work and walked up and down the boardwalk and probably a mile and half down to my apartment.By the time I finally was able to get them on the phone on my way home from work they had already wandered down to Raphael's- this really cute, good , and inexpensive restaurant a block from my house. However, before they went they did not know it was a brown bag kinda restaurant. Needless to say I rescued the moment when I arrived by pulling a bottlel of wine out of my purse..... to bad none of us could open it because we weren't strong enough! After dinner mom, Aunt B, and Aunt Betty all partook in what is now a tradition of sitting on the roof Friday nights. You see, we had probably 3 hours to kill before Aunt Sandy's plane arrive. So, we popped open another bottle of wine and took in the sites. Well, at least we took in the sites for 2.5 hours before my landlord came to the roof and kicked us off for being to noisy....... yes we got kicked off. I'm still in shock!! But it was for a good laugh.

The next day we started off really early with the farmers market. Then we were off to do some site seeing. First, we hopped aboard a boat and took a tour throughout the bay learning about different sites and areas. Then we walked down to the seaport village and had lunch, did a little shopping, and wandered some more. After this we headed over to Coronado Island and looked at the famous hotel over there and walked along the beach. Then I took everyone back to the hotel to clean up for dinner and do a little more shopping (hey it was Macy's one day sale I definitely had to hit that up!!) From the beginning of the trip Aunt Sandy and Aunt B were looking for good margaritas and trust me I think we found a pretty damn good one that night. After we left the mall we stopped in at this cute and authenic looking mexican restaurant. I know I myself can't wait to go back there with some friends!!

Sunday was a busy busy day. First we started off with a massive breakfast at the Firehouse. Trust me, if you ever come out here be sure to share breakfast here. But I think it is safe to say we all LOVED our food. Then I took the girls down Garnet Street for some more shopping. We stopped off in this one store that has close to 15 seperate shops in it. All the locals rent a spot inside the store and each bring in their own items to sell. This always is fun to wander around in. I think the girls enjoyed going in here. Then we were off to the zoo. The San Diego Zoo is massive!! To save time and try to see as much possible we took a bus around the zoo then walked to the gorilla section. I don't even think we saw 1/3 this. I do want to go back and ride the gondola. Yes, how many zoo's do you know that have gondola's? Then we were off for a quick shower and RnR before dinner. Tonight we ate at this really good seafood restraunt on the boardwalk in PB and shared in a dessert for mom's birthday. I think I ate better this entire weekend than normally!! And yes, I got plent of leftovers to enjoy for the next week.

All in all I think it is safe to say the girls all enjoyed seeing San Diego. They definitely will have to come back so we can go tour the vineyards and get massages but we did see so much while they were here. I was glad to have company and visit with everyone during their stay. I will leave the rest of the story telling about their San Diego trip to each one of them!

I'm still alive

Don't freak out- I'm still alive!! The fires have not touched PB at all. Thank you everyone for constantly calling, checking, texting, and emailing me over the past few days.

Sunday:
Sunday was a day unlike any other because mom and the Aunts were in town (I promise I will update the blog with pics and stories soon.) So we started off going to the Firehouse Restaurant, which I completely find ironic now,for breakfast. After stuffing ourselves with more food than any of us could eat we headed to shop a little bit on Garnet Street. A brief history on the Firehouse- it's a GREAT bar that overlooks the ocean but is located next to the firehouse. A few years ago the bar actually burned down. After shopping we then headed to the zoo. At some point in the afternoon mom made a comment about the sky and how it looked hazy.... my response: oh it's just smog. Good one Sarah, San Diego doesn't have smog! So needless to say we were clueless about the fires until later that night. In between dinner and the being at the zoo I talked to a friend and he notified me there were fires in the area. Still unconcerned I didn't really think about these.

Monday:
Needless to say everyone knows all about the fire I didn't really care to learn about. So, Monday rolls around. At that point the Today Show was talking about them, national news, and every radio station/ tv station alive was talking about the Souther California Fires. I still didn't take anytime to learn about them. I got up and went to work like usual- minus ALL of the traffic and actually made it to the office in 15 minutes. By that point I knew something was wrong. So I clicked on the radio and found out the fires were surrounding our office- not literally but almost. So we all sat around the office talking until 4 pm when we had a voluntary evacuation of our offices and surrounding areas. By this point two people in our office had evacuated their homes as well. We are still waiting to hear from one girl whether or not her house survived the fires.

It still is and was very ashy in the air. Everytime you walk outside you can feel the smoke you enhale and defiitely smell it. I believe it was Monday Denver was making fun of me. I sent out an email to the fam and said I just walked outside in my business suit and got ash all over it. So the question now is- if you have a black business suit on and you get black ash on it does it matter??

By Monday night my entire apartment smelled of the smoke- not to bad though. And then the biggest realization hit me, I haven't turned in my new updated insurance information, which includes my renters insurance. "Oh Shit" kept being repeated every 5 seconds. About this time was when all the phone calls started to come in from everyone. My friends back in Rancho Cucamonga called and offered me a place to stay at their condo if I needed to be evacuated. So, I formed a plan in my mind- if I have to evac tonight then I'm headed to Rancho to stay with Ryan and Cain. Great, i'm preplanning and prepared right? No. Completely wrong. You see this freakin Fire is only 110 feet high in some spots, meaning, it jumped and blocked 2 interstates. The two interstates that take you North. I -5 a 8-10 lane interstate and 1-15, a 12-16 lane interstate. So then the phrase of F*#k what the hell am I supposed to do now? Kept creaping through my mind. Then I talked to some other friends who live in PB and we all decided we would go to Coronado Island and hope to be safe there. Which is South- but at the time wasn't near any of the other fires. So needless to say, I slept like a baby Monday night. Don't worry- everyone is supposed to call everyone in our area if we get evac notice.

Tuesday:
It still smells. Not as much ash is flying in the air. Went to work again. Not much happened today- everything kept burning. Did go to a cocktail party for work though- that's always fun. After the party I went and met friends at a bar for a drink... like college when we had hurricane parties and tornado parties we were having fire parties here. Kinda wrong in a sense now that I think about it.

Wednesday:
So did I mention Monday night I scratched my eye? It was itching from the smoke and ash in the air and I now have this scratch with a bloody looking spot on my eye. Freakin great. Halloween is this weekend- that means I will have a bloody lookign eye (it's not that bad) for pictures. I guess I should adjust my costume to fit it.

It sounds like the fires are starting to be contained. People are going back into their homes and getting on with life... sorta. I found out last night that the area I used to live in is on fire too. All I was told was 3 of the people I worked with were evacuated from their homes. Hopefully they didn't burn.

So, as you see, it's just another day in the life of Sarah Hill...... there's always excitement around me!

Oh yea, I hope to have pictures up here either late tonight or tomorrow night. I think me and some friends are going to try to hike up Mt. Soledad past the landslide to view the fires. Don't worry it's safe. It actually will give us a look of everything burnign from north to west to south. Should be interesting.

And I keep on trucking!

If you have ever decided that you want a new job and love to go, go, go, go and go a little more then go into event planning! This is what my life has been like for the past few weeks. Not bad though! It's been no stress just trying to time manage my life. The best part are the after work parties however. I remember living in Memphis and always going to free parties, social gathers, getting free goodies, etc. And now, it is starting up out here. Thursday I had my first cocktail party. It was the opening of a new spa out here. So we dabbled in the parafin treatments, got massages, and then enjoyed AWESOME food made right in front of our eyes. The kind of food you only see made on the food network.

Afterwards, me and some co-workers went up to Bub's bar on Garnet (Garnet is the Beale Street of PB.) Where I proceeded to call everyone I know down here, and yes, that is alot of people. So instead of relaxing I ended up running around the bar talking to everyone and their brother.... sounds like my life in Memphis. But it was great to finally feel like I had a network of friends. Oh and not to mention the Asst. Director of the Spa, Laura and I decided we should be friends and go out together.

So needless to say Thursday night ended late and Friday morning came to early. However, I still managed to interview 5 people on no sleep. Saturday however was a productive day. I finally found a sephora shop. If you have never shopped here I highly suggest ladies to go here to get your makeup and boys for your cologn.

Saturday afternoon followed by LOTS of football and meeting lots of new people. I went downtown San Diego with my friend John where we met up with probably 20 of his friends. We continued to cheer on the football and baseball games along with playing a few darts here and there. Not to mention, it was Italian Fest (we were in Little Italy.) The locals were drawing artwork on the sidewalks that put plenty of professionals to shame. Then we intermingled between the food booths. Not a bad afternoon that ended at 7 pm. Then we opted to stay out, eat a lil grub, and head back into the Gaslamp District and go dancing. Now, I have to say, I was called a flake this past Monday by someone else who lives down here because I opted to stay downtown where I was instead of going to Hillcrest to wander around art galleries. Note to self everyone, a 3- 4 cancellation policy isn't accepted by everyone. At first I was upset by the rude email I got.... not to mention all the other drama I was dealing with.... consoling people all weekend... and then this email after a crappy day of work. You know what, I don't regret anything- I gave ample warning and I offered for that friend to come join the 30 some odd people I was out with that evening- he opted not to. Lesson- you can only watch out for number one.... ok, bad lesson.

So, saturday night we ended up dancing the night away and heading back to a friends apartment downtown by 1:30 am. Then sunday arrived....... ok, people out here are so passionate about their football!! I was up and at em by 11:30 AM cheering on some yankee football teams...... yes, I hang out with lots of yankees out here. Then Sunday night ended with a cookout that I cooked but didn't even eat......

...... I'm exhausted, it's Wednesday, and I haven't caught up on my rest! But great news is Mom, Aunt B, Aunt Betty, and Aunt Sandy get here on Friday!