To tell a woman everything she may not do is to tell her what she can do. ~Spanish Proverb

I really don't have much time to go over day 5, but there wasn't much 'exploring' today anyways! Today we bid farewell to the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, which was bittersweet. The hotel had been a fabulous stay, and of course the free lobby wireless internet connection was wonderful. But we checked into the Hyatt Regency on Capitol hill, where the world convention is being held at. Melissa is no longer my bunk mate, I am now staying with Thea, Ricky and Rick.
Once we were all settled into our new rooms we went to grab a quick bite to eat, since the women's convention was beginning shortly. We went to this really cool "sandwich bar" which had fresh 'blocks' of just out of the oven meat. We selected what kind we wanted and they cut it right off. The problem was, they moved SO FAST down the sandwich line we all got a little flustered and didn't end up all of the toppings we wanted on our sammie's. It really was that fast!!!!!

After lunch, registration check-in for the World Convention began. A bunch of recovering drunk's and druggies had officially taken over our hotel! The men didn't have any convention business to take care of after they checked in-- the women got a whole day just to themselves for the women's convention. The room was decorated totally cute with a red, white and blue theme and we got little gift baggies. When the session began everyone read off a card that they filled out that explained who we were, what state we were from, our oxford house we were associated with and what we were grateful for today. I said I was grateful for Oxford House Inc. and for having 8 months clean today. We listened to a few speaker's obviously all women. One that really touched me was a woman who started a program right out of her own house called "Ladies Lockup". The aim was to help out women who are new to recovery and oxford houses to deal with everyday life on their new journey. There would be a few woman with years of these experience's and a bunch more asking the question's. These meetings are done over a home cooked meal and have aided in hundred's of women's continue sobriety. She urged us to take back to our communities the drive to start up programs of our own that can also empower and help women in recovery. At the very end we all made 'god boxes' and journal's, and those who wanted to could go up to the mic and show their box and explain why they decorated it the way they did. The feeling of unity and "female power", if you will, was wonderful. We are all strong and amazing women who are beating a nasty disease that wants to kill us. When we all circled up and said the serenity prayer it was magical-- SO MANY WOMEN smiling at eachother and supporting one another. The women's convention had grown exponentially since the first one 15 years ago when there was only enough women to fill up one large round table. Now there had to be around 200+ women attending. Near the end, Paul Molloy, the founder of Oxford House (who I feel is an important part of recovery history as is Bill W. and Dr. Bob) came in and spoke. He will be here during the entire convention speaking a lot. Our country owes a lot to this man!!
Well that's all I can really hammer out at this point considering my internet situation, so until next time.... I love you and miss you all!!! XOXO

p.s.- I have a ton more pictures I wanted to post today but it takes too long for me to upload them what with this insanely expensive internet connection!! some other time!!!