Quebec City (Day 2);

This is a report on yesterday's activities. We returned back to the room after dinner out with a group and I was too tired to blog.

So on Saturday morning we woke up and when I looked outside I thought I was supposed to run a marathon. You know why? Because this is what we say... here is a video of the scene outside our hotel room....

If you look close you can see the SNOW! :) LOL

We went down to a continental breakfast in the main conference room. I was a bit disappointed that there was no fruit, but found a nice muffin and some orange uice. The opening session began a lot of introductions of important people to the Institute. This was followed by a beautiful rendition of both the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada by a gentleman who is an officer in the Ontario Provincial Police and sings for the Ottowa Senators hockey games. What a beautiful voice. I am NOT a fan of the Star Spangled Banner but to hear this gentleman sing it was moving.

Then there was the recognition of one of the AE's (Association Executive) who won the community service award for this year. I mention this so I can tell you her comment at the end of her speech. She said for all you woman of a certain age here's is how you keep it young... Smile, Chin up and wear a tight ponytial! LOL

Our keynote speaker was Eric Saperston. When Eric finished college he bought a VW bus and toured the country for 4 years inviting influential people to coffee. Sounds simple enough but it is a neat story. Very motivating I thought. Basically his message was be who you are.. and quoted Eleanor Roosevelt "Do what you can with what you have where you are".

Dave skipped going out on the town today since it was so messy out. The snow was alternating sleet and freezing rain. We each attended different seminars and met up at lunch. I enjoyed three of my four sessions immensely. I won't bore you with those details right now.

Lunch was a walk around lunch. You went to different rooms where sponsors set up their wares and served lunch. It was ok but there are hundreds of people here and not enough cocktail tables to put your tray down to eat. I know they wanted you to walk around but that was awkward. We finished early and thought we'd take a walk over to the visitors center. The snow was too messy for even that. I didn't want to come back to my afternoon sessions all wet and cold.

We had dinner with 14 others at a restaurante called Le Graffite. TREND our multiple listing service was our host. It was a long but enjoyable dinner. I had salmon with shrimp and a small side of angel hair pasta and whipped squash. Dave and a duo of veal and scallops. I passed on desert but Dave and a chocolate biscuit covered in chocolate sauce. All in attendance thought their meal was excellent. There was a lot of laughing and socializing too. We had all taken taxis to the restaurant but about half of us walked back. This was very refreshing.

Now it's off to today's sessions. Dave may take the car out today. The last session is over at 3:30 so we will meet back here and after I put on appropriate shoes (!) we will head over to the old part of town (old is relative since a lot of it is old anyway). I'm looking forward to that.

Stay tuned!