My travel log 5

Texas 2022 peer support conference

When I got a call asking if I would be interested in going to a conference in Texas representing Kiva, I was excited. I couldn't believe it. I knew about these conferences, but I didn't think they would ask me to go to one. It was going to be from October 20-21, and we were flying on the 19th. The plane and hotel and food were going to be paid for too and I thought that was a great deal. I was glad that this was happening a week after my birthday. That was perfect timing because if it was on my birthday, I wouldn't be able to go. I requested the days off so I can go. 

I had to wake up at 2 in the morning that Wednesday morning because Krow and their husband were picking me up at 3:45. We picked up Rhys and we got dropped off at Kiva by Krow's husband. We had to be there by 5 but we were there early, and the shuttle picked us up. The shuttle driver had to pick up two other people that were also going to the airport. (On a different trip). 

We got to the airport in Boston, and I was a little nervous because last time I had bad experience at the airport. But this time it went smoothly. Krow was able to put in the information of the bags in the machine. (The machines I don't remember seeing when I was going on my Missouri trip). Krow used the company card to pay for the bags. Then we showed our ID a couple of times and went through security. I was texting my mom throughout. Then we had time before our flight to sit down and get a couple of snacks. The flight was at 8 something. I bought chips, a candy bar, and a water bottle. 

Then it was time to board the plane. We were sitting together on the plane. I sent one finale text to my mom and took a picture of myself to post on Facebook. I put my neck pillow on, and I grab a book. I read "Being Jazz" by Jazz Jennings. I went back and forth between reading and sleeping since I was also tired, but I was in a good mode since everything went smoothly. It too about 4 hours to get to Dallas, Texas. We got to the airport in Dallas and had to claim our luggage. We got our suitcase back and went outside to wait for a shuttle. The shuttle got there and drove us to the Hotel. We got there before check in which was at 3 but they gave us our rooms early. Krow and Rhys had a room and then I had a room to myself which I really liked. I was glad I could watch whatever I wanted to watch without anyone criticizing me like the girls I shared a room with on my Missouri trip. On these points, this trip in Texas is better. I was able to watch a little bit of general hospital while it was on. It was 1 something there while back at home it and it was 2 something back at home. 

I was disappointed when I heard we probably won't get to explore because everything was too far away from the Hotel. We ordered food from Shake Shack which there are none of back at home in Massachusetts. I had a grill cheese that wasn't that good and cheese fries that gotten better after you ate a few. I had a chocolate shake that was great. Then the rest of the day I just relaxed in my room. I went to be early after 9 when I texted my mom goodnight. (I forgot to text my dad). It was 10 back at home. 

I got up at 6:00 and we went to breakfast for 8:15. Then went into the room for Welcome and opening remarks. There was also a keynote speaker. After that there were workshops. There were a few workshops for each time to choose from. For the workshop I went to from 11:00-12:15 PM I went to "Behind the walls: Implementation of Justice impacted Peer Specialists." That was about the prisons in Wyoming since that was where the speakers were from. I am very much interested in learning more about and finding out a way to change the prison system for people of color so that's why I was interested in this workshop, but it was a little boring. I did get to meet Helen "Skip" Skipper who is from New York. She has experience with the prison system in that state and she was going to be one of the Keynote speakers for the next day.  In this Ted Talk video, I am showing, I actually met this woman at the conference.