I am ready for life to settle into normalcy after two long road trips. This is what I’ve been up to…

Georgia. Our staff went on a retreat at Covecrest. While I was in Georgia on a staff retreat, I got a text message from Candyce that Marion and Banks were being traded to Miami for Shaq. I was in disbelief. I thought she was kidding. A bizarre joke. Then Greg rushed across the room and confirmed it. I wanted to be back and Phoenix to run my mouth with other Suns fans.

It was fun to spend the week with Mom and Dad. I love them so much.

Ohio. I spoke in front of 4 different groups in and around Cleveland. Most people I know don’t like the idea of spending time with junior high kids because of bad experience they had when they there.

This is exactly why I jump at the opportunity to stand in front of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders–because it sucks to be that age. It’s stupid for me to sit in the comfort of my 20s with a solid self-esteem and leave the next generation to fend for themselves. Seriously, what could be better than re-assuring a fragile 6th grade girl?

In between each talk was an hour-long car trip in a massive snow storm with 40 mph winds. It dropped to 6 degrees outside before it was time to eat dinner. Everyone apologized to me as if I was judging Cleveland as a horrible place to live, but the reality is that I love this stuff. If your city has adventure, then it’s a good place.

Speaking of adventure, Jessica and I spent an afternoon at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. I have a feeling I’ll write more about it later (about the state of music), but it’s too much to start right now. I’m just happy that our plane made it out of Cleveland. Now I’m here in lovely Phoenix happy to be back with Candyce.