30th Annual San Diego Shoulder Course

A few months ago, Leslie asked Jenny and I if we would like to work a conference with her down in San Diego for the week. We jumped at the opportunity, figured out the details and arrangements for our kids, spent a couple of weeks training and preparing, and on Monday morning, we drove down to the Hilton Bayfront hotel. Dr. Esch started this course about 30 years ago, in a small room at a local hotel, and it has grown into one of the most prestigious shoulder courses in the world. Doctors and vendors came from 23 different countries to attend this week, and we had a great time meeting people from around the world.

We checked into our individual rooms, and were stunned to see the beautiful view from our 29th floor rooms!

 

Once we checked in, we headed to Larkey's suite (our supervisor) for some lunch and discussion of our duties for the week. We toured the hotel and located the areas we would be.

 We were each given beautiful thank you baskets as well!

We got to work assembling registration packets and setting up.

 

In the evening, Dr. Esch treated the "team" to a delicious dinner at the Greystone restaurant in the GasLamp district.

We were up at the crack of dawn, ready to begin our first full day. We met with a team of executives at the Hilton, and they had a beautiful breakfast set up for us while we went through the details of the week.

Each day, we wore different colored shirts with the Shoulder Course emblem on them. Our team was ready to go.

On Wednesday night we were treated to a delicious buffet dinner on the lawn in front of the hotel.

 We saw some beautiful sunsets, and got a treat at Ghiradelli one night. We even saw some fireworks, and got to see Padres light up Petco Park from our room.

 We got to sneak into one of the lectures, before the tribute to Dr. Esch and his wife. It was interesting to listen to the discussion, even when I could only understand one of every 15 words spoken! These surgeons are good at what they do, and it was fascinating to be a part of.

 Friday night was the faculty dinner. After a long day, we cleaned ourselves up and got ready to enjoy a nice night!

 Our team was all in black, and it was great to see everyone dressed up.

 Dr. Esch insisted on having a martini luge for the cocktail hour. We had fun filling up our cosmos.

 Dinner was delicious...

 and ended with a plate of chocolate...

 On our last day we were busy packing up, printing certificates, and saying goodbye to the doctors and vendors. I was thrilled to find out that one of my favorite food bloggers, Jenny Flake, from Picky Palate, was staying at our hotel. I have followed her for years, have her cookbook, and love making her recipes.

 Jenny and I went on a mission to find her, and got lucky enough to see her in the lobby. She was so sweet, and allowed us to take a photo with her. We felt a bit awkward in our work clothes, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity.

After a long, exhausting, but fun week, I was anxious to be with my family again. Joe brought the kids down when I finished work, and we walked around downtown for a while.

I had to take them to the best gelato place ever on 5th street. I was happy to wrap my arms around them again!