Ahem. Is this thing still on?

Tuesday, March 7, 2017


Hey there!  Long time, no see!  Did you cut your hair?  It looks great.  

Let's take a trip down memory lane together, shall we?  Eleven years ago, I left Des Moines on my first business trip.  Ten years ago, I made my first international work trip, and eight years ago I started this blog.  It's been badly neglected over the years, but it's been this little time capsule of a life I lived so long ago.  I look back at the photos and re-read the stories and some ways the adventures seem like yesterday, and in others I barely recognize that life.  I lived a life that was both beyond my wildest dreams and a million miles away from the life I wanted most.

What's changed in my life?  I no longer live out of suitcases, and now reside in our quiet suburb with my husband, bonus-daughter, and our three dogs.  My sweet husband and I exchanged vows in a surprise wedding ceremony in our backyard.  I am still horrible about packing and almost always leave late for the airport.  Now I travel a few times a year and just a few days at a time for work, and spend more time traveling with my best guy whenever we can.  I lost my status on Hilton, Marriott and Delta - something that hit me harder than I expected.  I didn't realize how ingrained that status was with my personal identity.

I spend my days differently than I used to, no longer lecturing new hires for three weeks at a time.  Most of my work involves consulting on strategic initiatives, creating reports, and joining conference calls.  Outside of work, my photography business (Lauren Campbell Photography) has taken off beyond my wildest expectations; we opened the doors on our own studio last spring, and published our first magazine (Vow WOW Magazine) this month!  I contribute over on the amazing childcare/parenting blog The Kidsperts with my friend Ashlen.  And as time allows, I volunteer for several organizations that I'm passionate about, including my alma mater where my bonus-daughter attends.

I'm not 100% certain why I decided to clean up this old blog and post again.  I'm not ready to make any commitments to post with any set frequency, but I've just felt this overwhelming desire to have a space to share my world beyond the echo chamber that is Facebook.

If you're new here, I'm glad you found me.  If you've been around for ages, thanks for sticking around.




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