We arrived at the workshop Monday night. I finished my Cambridge grad school application then relaxed in my room. The workshop started Tuesday. The icebreaker was tell the funniest story while being abroad...I had loads but went with the mirror story! Then we learned a new system which I left halfway through to meet with my lead. When the test came I couldn't answer the questions since i missed half the training and just felt great about myself. I took a cab to the rental car place to get a car for my trip to a supplier wuth my bosses the next day. Tuesday night we went to a Persian restaurant where my old boss Alex ordered for the table. The food was great! We went back to the hotel and headed for the bar when Tyler ( friend from Fort Worth and moving with his amazing wife Elizabeth soon to Italy!) and I stayed up too late talking about work and our experiences. It was great!
In the morning, Alex spoke to us about our mission and quality. It really inspired me about the work I am doing here. Alex, head of quality, Larry, head of supplier quality, Jaye, head of F35 quality and I head out to my supplier. I had the car ready and the Gps set. We left the hotel and I drove to a roundabout. We drove around it once and I couldn't figure out which exit to take so I drove around again and went a bit farther and still ended up in the same roundabout. At this point I am bright red, embarrassed and they are starting to tease me. Finally on the third time around I had the GPS to Alex and he directs me which exit to get off at. The rest of the 20 minute drive he tells me exactly where to go even though I knew most of it from my previous trip to this supplier. The supplier is located down this country road with houses all around then the road ends with a gate and a 1000 person company! It is so strange!
Our supplier visit went great and we headed back to the airport. I dropped them off, went and got gas. Spilled it on my suit :(. When I went to return the rental car they told me there was a gash in the tire. I couldn't believe it! Another car issue! I didn't even hit anything this time! When I finally go to the airport I found Larry and we went through security together. I went through security and they asked to take everything out of my backpack...jut what you want in front of your boss. The guy takes out all the cords from my us and uk chargers, my laptop, iPad, GPS, external hard driver, iPod, my book....it keeps going. We talk through it until the guys tell me I must watch him the whole time. Final after several scans I finally am allowed to repack my backpack haha. We had our passports checked 9 times at the airport and went through 2 face scans just to get on the plane.
We board our plane and set off from Manchester. In Manchester I get a rental car and we are off for our next adventure. We drive to Preston, head to the Italian orchard which is a location Italian place then head back to the hotel for more drinks. We end up staying up till close to two which makes the morning a bit harder. The day at BAE was rather uneventful. After we head to our location Thursday pub and enjoy the best burger I have found in the UK. We go back to the hotel and work in the restaurant for the rest of the day. It was very relaxing.
For dinner we head to Lytham. Astrid my direct boss who just moved to the UK is giving directions and we end up on a one lane two way street. It is extremely bumping and feels like a roller coaster. Every time another car comes I have to pull off the road and allow them to pass. It am hysterically laughing the whole time because I can't believe the situation. Everyone is a good sport and laughs with me!
We went out to an Indian place with Astrid's adorable kids, Karina 4 and Austin 2. When we were leaving Austin told Alex that he like when he talked while he was eating.
The next morning I woke up early to take them all to the airport. The drive was surprisingly uneventful!
After dropping them off I went to the mall to trying and get a couch. Too bad I was at the mall an hour and a half before it opened. I window shopping for a while then heading to Starbucks. After looking at several stores I found a couch and chair that could be delivered in 7 days meaning I will not be without a couch for 4 days! Yay! Very exciting. I also got bedding and fun pillows for the couches.
Location:Heathrow to Manchester
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