Back to work (sort of)

I'm still very happily on vacation. Monday, however, I took a work day to visit some of my US-based colleagues.

The day had an inauspicious start. My first appointment was in Philadelphia to meet with our primary freelance editor. When I got in the train, I called her to touch base. She'd forgotten our appointment and loaned her car to her husband because his was in the shop. She had no other way to get to our rendezvous point. Oh well. I'm guiltless in this mix up. I had even emailed her Tuesday from my private account to remind her.

That left me with the prospect of a layover in Philly - a city I haven't visited since I was 12. So when the conductor came by to punch tickets, I told him about my situation. He said it was fine for me to stay seated in this train (final destination: NYC). So that was great.

Then when I arrived at the station in New York, a random man came up to me to say that my coat (a green toggle coat I'd just purchased last week) was "stunning." So at that point, the day was already a total success:)

I slowly made my way to the bank's office on Park Avenue. I was very warmly welcomed by my colleagues there. It was so funny: to me, it was just a big honor to have the company pay for my trip. But the colleagues kept saying things like "Wow. I can't believe you'd take time from your vacation to come see us." So I've created the impression that I'm a team player.

I spent 2 hours talking with a colleague I work rather closely with (and let's just say our collaboration is not always equally harmonious.) But I think I understand her better now. I also spent an hour and a half talking to our department's head of North and South America. We had a really good discussion - laughed a lot - and I couldn't believe he took so much time for me.

The meetings went so well and took so long that I had to run to catch my train. I got home very late and was completely worn out on Tuesday. But I think the connections I formed will reap dividends when I return to my office. I also got to show that I'm proactive. Even with the Philly cancellation, this was a day very well spent.