The joys of a business trip

Patrick has an AAPG conference this week in Pittsburgh, well Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. We got here yesterday around 5 and went to the "IceBreaker Reception". I snuck in with Patrick and smiled casually as we walked by a ton of Geologist and Petroleum Engineers. They had food, so I would grab a small plate and snack as we walked by different tables. :)

We were back in our room by 7:30 and ordered room service and watched TV. Patrick has a big day today, so he had to be at the conference at 7am. I slept in a little longer :) Patrick is speaking today and presenting a slide show on something (I've asked four times and can only remember two words out of at least nine). Since I had all day to myself, I took my time getting up and watched the news for a bit and then went to workout. The hotel offers complimentary passes to a Bally's next door, so I took advantage and worked out for 50 minutes doing warm up, weights and cool down. It was refreshing!

I came back to get ready, but stopped at the front desk to ask about a concierge area to grab a snack. The lady said, "Oh, there is one, but you have to be an elite member." So I said, "Ma'am, I'm quite confident that my husband is most certainly an elite member. I wouldn't make a big deal of this normally, but I'm pregnant and hungry (yes, I pulled the pregnancy card)." She looked up the account and apologizes profusely that we didn't receive information about the concierge floor. She felt bad and gave me a voucher for free breakfast at the hotel restaurant. I love using the pregnancy card.

I got a rather large breakfast and enjoyed eating! I came back to the room and got ready. Then I headed out to explore downtown Pittsburgh. I got lost looking for Macy's, but finally made it. Holy Cow! That place has 11 floors! I only made it to 7 before I was exhausted! I stopped on the 5th floor to check out maternity wear for sales. I found a sweater (which is so exciting to me) and a pair of jeans that fit much better than my other ones. I bought a Christmas present for my mom and a cast iron soup pot for myself.

On my way back, which took forever because cast iron pots are heavy to carry five blocks, I stopped at Starbucks for a refreshing drink. I chatted with the Barrista for a bit and he made me a Pumpkin Spice Frappicino - for free! We talked and I told him I was pregnant and he said I looked great (he was gay) and didn't even notice. THEN he asked, so are you married, do you have a boyfriend. What?! I knew I would look like a pregnant teenager, but no one ever asked me out loud. So I happily told him I was married for four years and he was quite surprised and asked how old I was. Eh. Now he knows.

I'm back in the room, waiting for Patrick to get back. We're going out to dinner with an old co-worker from when he worked in Texas. I can't wait to hear about where we're going for dinner! I love business trips!