You Can Find Me in Omaha!

The last two weeks have been a most unusual treat for me. Last week was spent at BYU Campus Education Week. I know, I know....this is NOT how most people would choose to spend a vacation. But the last few years, on the first morning, I have experienced an amazing giddyness that I don't feel anywhere else. The full impact doesn't hit until I climb out of the van, pull out my rolling-makes-me-the-ultimate-dork backpack, and start heading for the campus. I am so excited that I want to run. I want to skip. My heart feels light. And I know there is a full week of learning ahead. Does it GET any better than this?

I spent the week in class after class: Film classes, one art class (that I fell asleep in...sorry, Laurie), classes on Isaiah, classes on the grace of Jesus Christ, classes on wealth in the scriptures (and how to handle having it or not having it), a devotional with Pres. Boyd K. Packer, etc., etc., etc. I love it. Amazingly, it energizes me. Friday hit and I DID NOT WANT TO GO HOME. I had a fleeting though about hiding out somewhere on campus and auditing the larger classes where I wouldn't get caught. But the police, in searching for me, would track my credit card to the Cougar Eat and I'd be busted. Darn it! Why didn't I bring cash?

This week I have been in Omaha for work. It has been classes all day, albeit training classes; not quite as fun. But I have had a great time. And I love Omaha. I seriously could live here. Omaha, you say? Well, there is the most beautiful flavor to this town. The people are so friendly, there are beautiful parks with a myriad of fountains to walk around, and all kinds of little shops, art galleries, and restaurants in "Old Market." This little area alone makes this city a jewel. There are Indian, Italian, Steakhouse, and even Persian restaurants. The streets are cobblestone and the buildings have printing on the brick sides. It's like stepping back into the 1880's. So cool that they have preserved their history in this way.

Last night the company that I am training with took the conference to Omaha's amazing zoo. We saw all kinds of neat, and I mean neat, animals. Finally, we had dinner in the aquarium. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the penguins because they were mating and needed their privacy (So the zoo keepers said. I have my doubts). The hall that we had the dinner in was surrounded by an aquarium and we ate with sharks and a sea turtle swimming overhead. I did get to see seahorses, by the way. The are so delicate. What a miracle of Nature; artwork in the form of a fish. And I saw what could only be described as a sea dragon. It was about 9 inches long and; at first glance, looked like a piece of floating seaweed. Only upon deeper inspection could you see the long snout and eyes; spooky, yet beautiful at the same time.

Anyway, I'm thinking of staying here.....Oh wait, I would not get to see the people who matter most to me. So I guess I'm stuck in Salt Lake. But has anyone ever written a song, "I Left My Heart in Omaha?" Or at least, part of my heart. :)