New versus Old

Back to the Blue Ridge

Recently I went back to the birthplace for the weekend. My favorite teacher from high school was retiring and there was a surprise gala in her honor. It was a great time for me to go back home and see old friends and my family. It had been almost 6 months since I had gone home.

View of the Blue Ridge Mountains
from here

I love having grown up in Roanoke, it is set amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains and while I would not like to return (at least until I am older), it is simply beautiful.

Things have been very busy lately and my mind has been turning a lot. I am in that “mid-twenty-something restless state”, where I know I am not where I want to be but majority of my circumstances make it difficult to leave. It’s tough knowing you want more and are ready for a change, but are weary of the ramifications. For now, my goal is to make a plan, and carry it out.

UK Chandler Medical Center

My Alma Mater has been constructing a new medical center for the past few years. On Sunday, the University of Kentucky hosted an open house of part of the world class medical facility that will bring state of the art medical treatment to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The first phase of the facility is opening this summer which includes a new parking structure, a new Emergency Department, and the Neuroscience, Trauma, and Surgical Services floors; all with a price tag of over $530 million. The facility is being constructed with the theme “Art / Science / Healing”, which is intended to incorporate elements of nature and art into the healing process.

New Pavilion at UK Chandler Medical Center

New Atrium Lobby

Photography Wall 

Ginkgo Sculpture

All in all, it is an impressive facility and I am proud to be a University of Kentucky Wildcat when I get to experience something like this.

A Capital Affair

Wow, it has been a busy couple of weeks! Work has been busy and I have simply just had nothing to blog about except for rainy weather. The tides have turned however, with a few days of plentiful sunshine and a once in a lifetime experience.

The company I work for recently won a Kentucky Small Business Development “Pacesetter Award”. This award recognizes high performing second-stage businesses that are producing innovative -products, increasing sales, creating jobs and serving communities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This has been a huge honor for my firm and has created a small buzz of excitement around the office.

Wednesday I attended a few activities in the state’s capital of Frankfort to honor the recipients of this award.  The morning consisted of an award ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, which is an impressive building that I have never stepped foot in. Following the award ceremony, a few employees were selected by my boss to attend a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion.

 Kentucky Capital Building

Governor's Mansion 

Luncheon in the Governor's Mansion

The Governor was supposed to be in attendance, but had to cancel for some other obligation, which I was sort of bummed about. None-the-less, it was an honor to be there for the award festivities.