This past weekend I took my first vacation in what feels like decades.  I've taken the occasional long weekend to visit friends and family, but this was the first time I've boarded a plane for a real get-away.  All new employees at WTAP have to wait a year before their vacation days kick in, so I finally got a chance to savor some much-needed time off.  January 2006 was my last real vacation (not that I'm counting).

I went to Hilton Head Island, SC with 5 of my closest friends from High School.  We are all scattered around the country now, and time together is few and far between.  We had an incredible time filled with sunshine, the beach, and of course lots of laughter. 

I learned three very important lessons over my trip:

1.  Vacation is an absolute necessity.  In a business as hectic as news, getting a chance to clear my head and relax is very healthy.

2.  There is nothing like the company of old friends.  There is just something to be said for hanging out as adults with the people who knew me when I had braces, when Dawson's Creek was my favorite TV show, and when my life's ambition was to be an Olympic swimmer.  (I suppose I had to settled Plan B to be a news reporter)

3.  Always check to see if a door is locked before you close it.  I stepped outside of our condo one night and learned the hard way that the door automatically locks.  We were homeless until 7 AM when a locksmith finally came to the rescue.  But I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend a night homeless with than that group of girls!