As you can see from the time stamp on this article, I'm writing this in the wee hours of Monday morning (24 May). I am finishing my final packing as I leave to attend and blog the 2008 NAFSA: Association of International Educators conference.
Last year at this time, I was in the thick of the conference with my duties as co-chair of the conference Local Arrangement Team (LAT). Deborah Knaust, the Director of the?University of St. Thomas'?Office of International Student Services, was my co-chair. We had an absolutely first-rate LAT in Minneapolis last year who worked hard, not just for the seven days of the conference, but for more than 18 months leading up to it. And we had a lot of fun doing it.
So perhaps you'll understand if I say that this year seems just slightly anti-climactic.??I haven't been planning and working for 18 months. I don't have a packed car with LAT stuff.?I only have one smallish suitcase and my computer case. I've been mentally going through my checklists. Having spent years as road warrior domestically and abroad means that I know how to pack and pack light.
Even so, I'm also bringing some new gadgets to help me with my blogging. You might be surprised to see what shows up on the blog during the next week. Pictures. Audio. Video.?Flickr. Flip. Ping.?Twitters. Seesmic. Utterz. ?And stories. Good stories about committed professionals who are changing the world in positive ways by helping students and scholars cross borders and cultures.
More than anything, I excited about blogging the conference. I hope to help give the rest of the world a helpful glimpse into one of the world's top conferences on international educational exchange. I know it will be a fun and interesting journey for me. I hope it will be the same for you!
Time to get some sleep before heading to the airport in the morning!
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