Les salutations de la ville de Toronto !

Like that? I thought I'd add a little French into my blog since I am in a country where the two official languages are English and French.

I have to say I am in HEAVEN right now! I got into Toronto last night. I had made reservations on Priceline at what I thought was the Toronto Airport. A Residence Inn by Marriott for $50 dollars (US) a night. What a sweet deal. I have never stayed at a Residence Inn before. Well I was running late because I was meeting the District Chief for Ontario at his house for dinner. I rushed into the Toronto Residence Inn and found out that I had made reservations at the Mississauga Airport Residence Inn. So I, in my frustration, I just hurried across town--just east of downtown Toronto and had dinner with Jeff Mores. He made a phenomenal steak and garlic mashed potatoes...oh it was so damn good! He is great! At 10:30 I made the 45 minute track back to the western edge of Toronto where I found my Residence Inn. It was supposed to be my day off, but I spent the day in London with area alumni and it ended up being a long day. I checked into my room. When I opened the door I couldn't believe my eyes! This was the best room I have ever stayed at. It has a kitchen, free breakfast buffet (with eggs, bacon, and pancakes), comfy bed, a work out facility, pool and jacuzzi. And I got it for $50. I was literally dancing in my room over my excitement. That's right folks--it takes so little to make me happy anymore. I did one of those "backward falls onto my bed" and just layed there in complete satisfaction.

Why did I just spend $75 a night in London for a shitty Econo Lodge? Well I'm sitting here in my room getting caught up on my reports. We have a new reporting layout which is much shorter. It shouldn't take me long and then I can work on graduate school essays. I think I'm going to head downtown tonight and experience a little night life. I don't go out when I'm on the road because I'm all by myself. I usually find that if I stay busy and occupy my time that I hardly ever notice I'm alone. When I get into social situations at bars where I don't know anyone that is when I start feeling alone. SO I may grab a movie (I want to see "Prairie Home Companion" ...I hear its hilarious), but I am starting to crave the night life that I rarely get to experience on the road. I think I'll try stretching my comfort zone and make it work!

I love Toronto. Why do I get to visit all of these amazing places? I am so fortunate to have this opportunity. I could be stuck in the Midwest Region or South Central (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas), but no I got the amazing Northeast/Ontario.

One quick observation. Canadians are awesome. They are so nice and they love when US citizens (Don't call us Americans ...they are Americans too. ) come visit because it fuels their economy.

-Travis