overseas

I'm not supposed to be here.

Shortly after I announced to work that I was pregnant, we found out when and where our annual conference would be held, which is in a different country every year. I've been working for this company for almost five years now, but I've never attended a conference, so I was excited to find out that I'd actually get to go this time. The place? Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The time? May 23-25, 2011.

Originally I said YES! I want to go! I love traveling, especially when I can bring Keith with me, and I had never visited Amsterdam before, except for its crazy Schiphol Airport, so this trip was bound to be fun.

I then realized that I would be almost seven months pregnant at the conference. Did I really want to travel overseas at this stage? Would it be risky for my/my child's health (jet lag, new country, new diseases..)? Maybe, maybe not. Then my mom announced the day she had booked my baby shower for: Sunday, May 22. Yes, that would be today. If I were to attend my shower (um, duh of course I'm going to attend), I wouldn't be able to leave for Amsterdam till Sunday night, meaning I wouldn't arrive till early Monday morning. I'd be jet lagged for sure and I'd probably miss the first day of the conference. I decided that I did not want to put that kind of stress on my body and, after all these years of waiting for my chance to go, I chose not to attend the conference. My boss was a little sad, as he too wanted me to go, but he understood and realized it was for the best.

Fast forward a few months and you'll find me on a beautiful Sunday morning typing away, sitting in my hotel room in Amsterdam.

Yes, this trip should be fun and I'll finally get to explore this wondrous city. But I'd much rather be sitting in my living room, watching reality show reruns with a giant pregnant belly.