First business trip

Last week I went on my first business trip. I've gotten a little used to Joel going out of town and sitting around waiting for him to get home. (Well, not entirely- I stayed busy with school and such.) But this time it was my turn to go out of town for work. Last week I attended Better Process Control School at MSU. This is a course that is required of people handing certain foods for commercial purposes. At Nestle, I will be working with Product Developers. I will cook up their recipes, seal them into packaging, and running them through thermal processes. There are different processes for different foods & containers, but the main concern is to make sure the food is safe for consumption- gotta kill any micro organisms that could cause someone to get sick. I learned about different systems, different standards of temperature based on pH levels, water activity, etc. This was something totally new to me, but very interesting. I learned a ton! I left GR on Monday morning for MSU. I arrived around 11:30 and they had a lunch for us. Then we started class. The way the class works is to cover everything in the class book. So you are presented the information one chapter at a time and then tested over that chapter. You have to pass each test with at least a 70%. My lowest was an 80%, so I didn't have to retake any. The first day, class went until 6:00pm, which covered 2 chapters. Then I checked into my hotel. It wasn't the greatest, but it was close and paid for. I ordered in dinner because I was too lazy to drive around looking for a place and I had a test to study for. Tuesday I had class from 8-4, covering 4 chapters. After class I went to the hotel and ordered in again and relaxed. Wednesday I had class from 8-4, then got ice cream from the dairy store. Thursday I had class again all day and went to the dairy store again. Friday we went until 10:30 or so, I went to the dairy store, and then drove back to GRCC to make up a test I missed. Now, all those times I went to the dairy store I only got one scoop and I didn't eat them! I saved them and Joel and I ate them together Friday evening. It was my surprise for him. I was so glad when I got home. I love sleeping in my own bed best and being far from Joel is never fun! This was a great opportunity and I'm so glad that I went. It sounds like I might have another business trip this summer to Ohio. That one will be with my supervisor.

St. Louis

Joel is in St. Louis! We found out that his trip was going to be shorter than we originally thought; he left this morning and comes home tomorrow night. He's getting spoiled down there! Here is a picture he took from the bed in his hotel room. What a view! The rental car is a 2011 or 2012 silver Mustang. They went to lunch at a place that served "the best ribs in St. Louis". He went to dinner at a restaurant on top of the Hilton hotel, that had all glass windows, and had a view of the city, including the Busch Stadium. Can't wait to have him home, of course, but I'm glad he's having a good time!

Another Trip

Joel will be taking another trip for work. He'll be going to St. Louis to visit the Research and Development Center at Purina (dog food). He leaves right after Easter and will be gone for a week. I must say that I am starting to feel like a part-time wife. I'm just glad that he loves his job! That helps me feel better with all of this traveling. Some possible big trips are in the making, we'll see how those pan out.