It’s All Relative

It’s all relative.

I used to love travelling.

Correction: I LOVE travelling.  I really do.  Especially international travelling.  Especially to Europe.  So on my first day back at work from maternity leave, when my manager told me they were delivering a new training that I’d designed in Geneva and that she “wanted me to go”, I should have been thrilled, right?  But instead, I found myself swallowing the lump that was forming in my throat, feigning a smile to help hold back tears.  Seriously, lady!  I’d just left my baby with someone else all day for the first time – and that was tearing me apart as it was.  Now you’re asking me to leave my kids and fly across the world for a 4-day training?!

Bad timing, woman.  Great intentions, I’m sure.  But bad, bad timing.

I debated for nearly 2 months before finally buying my tickets.  When I would mention my upcoming trip to people, they’d sqeaul with delight – “Oooh, cool!” or “Oooh, Geneva!” – Completely missing the reluctance in my voice.

Since the time that I finally made the plunge and bought the tickets, I’ve been trying to get myself pumped up about trip.

For example:

• I love travelling. And I’ve never been to Geneva before.  And I really think I’m European at heart, so really I am excited to be going there for a week!
• A perk of flying oversees with a large company: Business Class. Boo-yeah.
• Another perk of travelling on the company dime: I don’t have to be the ridiculously frugal traveler I usually am.  Meaning I’ll buy food in the airport, take taxis rather than walk 10 kilometers across town, and pay to get access to the fitness club at the hotel.
• And I just got to chill in the United Club while waiting for my flight.  Read:  Free snacks and drinks.  Boo-yeah again.
• 2 words: Yogurt and Chocolate.  Europe just does some things so, so right.
• The possibility of getting better sleep than I’ve been getting with a 4-month-old who sometimes decides she’s incapable of sleeping for more than 2 hours at a time.
• Meeting a colleague whom I’ve worked with remotely for almost a year, who I think might be a bosom friend. On her work profile, she lists as her interests: baking, running, clarinet.  Mine?  Food, music, and running.
• Time to blog. And read.
• Hopefully meeting up with my brother and his family during my layover in London (pending my previously delayed flight…)
• A renewed love for my kids when I return home.

So, it’s not all bad.  Of course, there will be tough moments.  Thirty minutes ago I Skyped the family to sing Oliver to sleep.  And then he told me goodnight and blew me a kiss.  And I might have teared up right there in the middle of Chicago O’Hare’s airport terminal.

It’s all relative, you know?