what is the HLS, anyway?

for the uninitiated
in the blogworld, everyone’s talking about it; tweets are flying with the #HLS hash tag as plans are being made left and right! but in real life . . . i have gotten more than a few raised eyebrows when i tell people that i’m going away this weekend to attend ‘a blogging conference.’

the HLS (healthy living summit) is something that i sort of fell into, to be honest! last year, i decided on a whim to go after hanging out with kath in person a few times. i wanted a social outlet that WASN’T medical — a chance to talk without bringing up this or that attending or pediatric patient. and while i do not write a traditional ‘healthy living blog’, i am very much into enjoying a healthy and balanced lifestyle (and typing out musings on how best to accomplish this!).

i went to last year’s HLS not really knowing what to expect. was my blog ‘big enough’ for me to even justify the cost of attending? would i feel out of place because i was older than many of the attendees? and would the whole thing be boring or just weird?

as it turns out, i had a fantastic time! the experience inspired not one, not two, but three recaps:

✭ tastes of the HLS

✭ learning at the HLS

✭ favorites at the HLS

i met a whole bunch of wonderful people (and a good percentage turned out to be my age or older), got to learn about topics that were important to me, and just generally had a great time! i did not feel the least bit excluded for not having a big or well-known website — i actually won a prize for having the longest-running blog at the time! as soon as i got back, i knew i wanted to return the following year.

when the organizers announced a call for speakers, i decided that not only did i want to attend, i wanted to participate — if possible. i wrote in a proposal to discuss time management and organization, topics that (you all know) i’m pretty passionate about — and was lucky enough to get chosen to speak along with kath and morgan. i’m really excited to be able to add something to the event and i’m hoping to get some great participation! the session will even be streamed on the website (live, i think!?) so if you’re interested (ahem, family members) you can watch from the comfort of your own home.

i have to admit i’m getting a little nervous — not for the speech, really, but because this is going to be a much bigger event (200 attendees) and i feel like there are so many people that i don’t know! but i have faith that once i get there, it will be the same friendly atmosphere as last year and it will be a great opportunity to make even more friends. plus, i get to reunite with (former) local bloggers meg and allie!

one more note that if you are coming and still want/need dinner plans for saturday, meg and i would love company at brasserie JO. we have a group reservation for 7:15 pm and there is still space, so let us know via email or tweet if you’re interested!

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8.10.10

workout: 5 miles outside, 8:50/mi pace. this felt GOOD — needed it!

do not tell: the diabetic patients i counseled yesterday (both type 1 and type 2) that i had loyo for dinner last night. i actually ended up getting it to take out for josh + me, and it didn’t even melt much on the way home! his was mango swirl with pecans and coconut.

mine was plain with blueberries + granola
and it was GOOOOOOD.

life catch-up report: not there yet! but i’m pretty much on top of things at work, and tonight will be dedicated to finalizing plans for the trip this weekend! such as figuring out how i am going to get from the airport to the hotel. and what i’m going to WEAR! details, details . . .