First Quarter of 2023

After traveling almost non-stop for the last 7 months for both personal and work reasons, I've fallen behind on my blog updates and I've been busy playing catch up on all the backlogs (still not done). Anyway, all these travels meant that the pandemic is finally over and work travel has also resumed. 

After spending 2 months in India training our team members in India, I volunteered to travel to Tampa again this past busy season for 5 weeks to support the secondees from India. The last time I traveled to Tampa was 3 years ago for similar purpose, so being back in Tampa again felt like deja vu. 

Here's the photo dump of all things I did during the first quarter of 2023...

Work Travel to Tampa

Flew back and forth to Tampa, and got upgraded for to first class for a few flights, thanks to my American Airlines Platinum Pro status that I got as part of a status challenge. 

Visited The Club lounge at Charlotte airport with my Priority Pass. The lounge is usually full and I only had time to visit twice coz the transit time for most of my flights were too short.

It was good to be back in the Tampa office again after 3 years. Contrary to the last time I was here, the office was still very empty post-Covid. I don't mind coz there are plenty of seats to choose from and I don't have to wait to use the massage chair. =)

Going to the office meant I had to dress up instead of just rocking my pajamas everyday...lol!

Feb 28 (Tues): Had dinner with the leadership team and secondees from India and South Africa at Fleming's Steakhouse.

Stayed mostly at Marriott Westshore hotel but hotel-hopped for 3 nights to Hilton Westshore, Hotel Alba, and Embassy Suites at USF to retain my Hilton Diamond status.

Found out that one of my favorite sushi restaurant in Tampa had closed permanently during Covid but good to see that this Korean restaurant is still in business. Went there at least once a week and consistently ordered the kimchi sundubu soup. =)

Ordered room service for most nights as  and ate out a few times.

Had my random-rental-car fun 'test-driving' different cars from Avis and National...Volkswagen Taos, Volkswagen Tiguan, Volkwagen Passat,  Jeep Renegade, Honda CRV,  Mazda CX-9, Cadillac XT4, Cadillac XT5, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Cross, Ford Explorer Limited, Chevrolet Traverse, and Chevrolet Camaro. =P

Feb 12 (Sun): Took the secondees to Tampa Premium Outlet for shopping and had Indian food for dinner at Curry Leaves.

Work Goodies

Busy season and Post-busy season goodies

Got United Premier Platinum status for the year thanks to the company's fast track program for United. =)

Family Time

Jan 14 (Sat): Thanks to the family for waiting for me to return to celebrate our belated Christmas.

Jan 21 (Sat): Virtual CNY Reunion dinner with the family in Malaysia

Mar 5 (Sun): Celebrated SIL's birthday

Apr 8 (Sat): Early birthday celebration for the nephew as we won't be in town during his birthday

Ordinary Days 

Experimented with this 'survival' stove hubby got as his Christmas gift and successfully made hamburgers. =P

Introduced hubby to Somaek (soju+beer) and he enjoyed it....and the outcome is a good sleep...haha!

Sunday Meal Prep Routine

Jan 8, 15, 21 & 29: Chicken herbal soup, tomato chicken, LuRouFan, brocolli and carrot salad, pork loin, jambalaya rice with meatballs, mash potatoes.

Feb 5, 19, 26 and Mar 5: Beef chili, chicken herbal soup, LuRouFan, brocolli and carrot salad, pork loin, mash potatoes, tomyum noodle soup with vegetable and mussels, ham with baked beans.

Mar 12, 19, 26 and Apr 2: Gumbo rice with sausage, pork loin with mash potatoes, tomyum soup with vegetables and mussels, hamburger meat with mash potatoes, brocolli and carrot salad.