Return to the homeland

I just got back from a lovely 6 days in Miami. It's always always ALWAYS good to go back to Miami. I was there for the Internet Retailer conference, but I got there a few days early just to spend time with my dear friends Fabiana and Karen. What a perfect time to go - sometimes winter in Miami can be downright cold (in the 50s) but the weekend was just gorgeous (in the 70s) and a PERFECT break from the 20 degree temperatures in Philly. I stayed at the historic (and storied) Fountainebleau resort. They recently spent $1 billion to renovate the hotel. The hotel was very beautiful, but kind of a pain when you think of the fact that it was about 30 blocks north of South Beach where everything is going on, so you are beholden to the hotel for food and drink. And it was expensive - $9.10 for a small latte and plain croissant! Thank goodness for being able to submit expense reimbursements to the office.

I got to spend a wonderful day in South Beach with Karen - going to the Art Deco street fair on Ocean Drive (and buying a pair of earrings), having lunch at the Front Porch Cafe, and sangria at the Hotel Victor. But of course the highlight of my trip was little Gordito (his name is actually Rob) - Rob & Fabiana's son. He's crawling now and ever so eager to walk.

I did miss Hasan terribly - strange since we've spent so many months apart in our relationship. I was even eager to come back to the cold temperatures. The trip gave me plenty of motivation to come back to Philly, work our plan, and figure out a way to get back down there permanently. Who knows where we will be next year?!

Here are some pictures from the trip.