Emily in Time Out

So I did the almost unthinkable last weekend. I actually paid to be in a room full of weepy hormonal Mormon women and listen to sappy, cutesy, prepackaged gospel. I went to Deseret Book's Time Out for Women in Oklahoma City. As you can tell from the set up I was a bit apprehensive about the experience from the get go, but I decided to go for the following reasons.
1. I liked to idea of getting away on the cheap by myself.
2. I wanted a quickie spiritual boost. (Like those free boosts you get at Jamba Juice that are supposed to give you energy or shiny hair.)
3. I thought it would be good to get off my self-important cynical high horse and do something I wasn't exactly comfortable with, (especially something that seems to works so well for so many other women.)

So I left Friday morning, (Hooray for Super Jeff who took a vacation day to watch the kids!) and drove out with some ladies in my ward. I have to say it was the shortest that 3.5 hour drive has ever felt. The fun conversation made it even better then when I have taken the trip with just Jeff. We arrived at the temple to do a session but the combination of it being our Stake Temple Day, and probably the Time Out for Women, made it super crowded and we got bumped from the session. For those who have never been to a mini temple, let me just say they mean MINI! Not that there is ever a bad temple, it is beautiful and you do feel the wonderful Spirit there, but they are small and when crowded you feel like you might get squished to death. I am NEVER going on a stake day again. I really didn't mind missing the session though, I have zero problem doing something else there, so I did some inititories and it was great. Cause really there is not a bad thing to do at the temple. I would have jumped in the font if they needed it.

Then we went to the Cheesecake Factory and all I can say is MANGO KEYLIME CHEESECAKE! Um Yum! It was really painful to actually see Pottery Barn Kids just across the parking lot and not go in, but traveling with four other women I knew they were anxious to get to the conference and I did not want to impose my wants on the group.

THE CONFERENCE
Okay so if I had to give the conference a letter grade it would probably be a C+. Which considering what I was expecting that ain't bad. And remember, I worked at the bookstore for 3 years of women's conferences and education weeks, so I had some serious reservations and pre judgements. The speakers and performers were actually pretty good. Props to Deseret Book for bringing out their big guns. No B listers there. I got some good things to chew on from the session. My big problem was the venue. FAIL Deseret Book! Held at the Cox Convention Center, I felt like I was at a convention or something. The room was a huge warehouse with crap lighting that made the whole thing feel dank and dingy. It was so bad that it actually distracted me from the spiritual message of the conference. I feel that for the money I paid they could have looked around for a better place, and probably easily found one.

The Hotel
I booked us a two room suite and it was nice. The website and the people at corporate we called to confirm that there were enough beds lied, but two people were willing to share so it didn't end up being a big deal. The experience was fine. I will say that I do not, and never will, understand night owls, but all things considered- 5 women in one suite it went very well. A-

The Second Day of Conference.
I was still dismayed by the venue but again the talks were good. There was a break for lunch, which was also time to do a service project, which I might have done had I known about it before hand. Lunch was good and then we went to the most fun cupcake/party store that was adorable and cheerful.

Change of Plans
I was really starting to feel my pregnancy by the end of the conference. I was told after lunch that our group was going to see the Oklahoma City Bombing memorial after the conference. This bugged me, not the going so much, but that it wasn't asked it was told. Ummm there are five people on this trip. I would have at least like to have been asked or considered. Plus kind of a downer after the spiritual high of the conference, and I had already been there. Luckily I found a friend who had also come to the conference and was able to get a ride home with her. So whatever it all worked out. I was home to see Max before bed.

It was all a fairly good trip, especially considering my reservations going into it.
I am glad I went. Due only to the dumpy location, I don't think I would have done it over again knowing what I know, but that is the only reason. I enjoyed the company, food, and the Spirituality. And hey, it is always good to get away from the kids.

The following picture came from one of the speakers blogs and gives a good representation of how dingy the venue was. I have no idea who any of these people are. Yeah it wasn't the flash on the camera it was that DANK at the place. Totally made it hard to feel the Spirit would have been cheaper to just have it in a cave for the same effect.