Okay, I am gonna be honest and transparent here…
Are you ready for it?
BIG CROWDS make me NERVOUS!
Are you planning to attend the SDE and or TpT conferences in Vegas this summer? The closer it gets the more my stomach gets in knots. I have read the posts from What the Teacher Wants and Chris Kessler with tips for the upcoming conference. And well… it ain’t working.
Is it possible to be an introvert and an extravert at the same time? Let me explain. I love people and I love to get to know people. However, the thought of walking into a large room packed full of people makes me queasy. Have you seen the total going to the Teacher Blogger Meetup? 915 people.
1. I may not recognize anybody. I talk to several people over Facebook and Instagram, but what if I can’t find a friend? I have a #fearofbeingleftout. Joining a conversation or posting on Facebook is easy. I love to talk to you guys there. However, small talk with strangers in person…freaks me out!
2. Just the thought of 900 some odd people in ONE room, leaves me feeling claustrophobic. I will not. I repeat. I WILL NOT be found in the middle of that room. If you happen to be looking for me, I may have found a wall and a bowl of ice cream. I may bring my own. Now, what I love to do is people watch. I love to observe people. If you want to join me… B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bowl)
3. I might get lost. I am originally from a one red light town. Vegas is not a place I frequent often. I am going to need someone that is not directionally challenged to help me make it around. BTW I DO KNOW not to buy a LouisVuitton purse from someone off the street. I won’t be following anyone into dark allies.
Okay… So there. I said it.
Am I the only one?
So why am I a doing this? Why put myself through the torture?
1. I have met some great friends online and I really do want to meet them.
2. I think it is good to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
So, come on and push yourself a little bit and let’s make new friends.
BTW I am serious about the ice cream. B.Y.O.B.
Holy moly! I TOTALLY feel this way, too!! I didn’t go last year because Vegas isn’t my thing, and this year I have a 10 month old. However, I’m totally nervous about *what* or *who* might be there and how I would want to run and hide in the corner! ha
How did it go? Did you love it?!
Lindsay 🙂
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this post!! This is EXACTLY how we feel! We may be coming to find you on the wall with our own bowls of ice cream!
~Heather & Ashley
Watson Works
I’m right there with you! I come from a one red light town, too! Your post has made me more excited (yet still nervous). In the end we will be glad we took the plunge 🙂
You said EVERYTHING that I have been thinking!!!! I will be at the wall with you.
Thank you for being so real. I’m a small town girl too, and this is my first trip to Vegas (or anywhere THIS big)! I’m scared but excited too! The 24-hour countdown is on!
Bonnie,
How funny! I am a total introvert as well. I’m going solo and getting there a day early so I just worry about finding someone to eat with! I hate going to restaurants by myself! I’m just going to have to be brave as well! Once I get to know people, I am great, but it is that small talk that I suck at! LOL! Hope to meet you there! I’ll look along the walls in the back!
Amy
AHHH! I am so glad you wrote this….I feel the SAME WAY!!! I’m going to be meeting some online friends before the big blogger meet up so we can walk in together. You can meet us beforehand if you want. Just FB me! 😀
Pam
You guys are funny. Here’s your local guide tips.
Vegas in the summer is hot. Bring water everywhere, try to drink a gallon a day, a gallon, add lemon to it whenever you can, cocktail waitresses and bar tenders can give you wedges.
There are both Walgreens and CVS on the strip, buy stuff there not the casino gift shops, you’ll save $$.
Get a bus pass, the busses run every 15 minutes and an all day strip pass is $8. You can buy them from the bus driver.
If you’re going to be outside, stay away from the ice cream allowing yourself a 30-45 minute buffer. In this heat dairy turns bad in your tummy real fast. Know your body, if you get “after dairy icky,” the added heat will make you miserable.
All the casinos are owned by corporate groups, and some offer free shuttles to get you to and from their sister properties.
Players club card reps are the “catch all,” people at their properties, if you have questions they have answers, occasionally free gifts, and maps.
No matter what you have been told, casino employees do not live at the casino. Please don’t ask what room is theirs. Instead, ask where the lucky, or must see places of their property are, they’ll be glad to tell you what the ins and outs are.
Above all, have fun, we want you to come back and you won’t if you’re not having fun. This town has something for everyone and locals are friendly and helpful, just smile and ask.
Oh, I am right there with you! I’ve been thinking the same thing.
I could have written this same post about myself! At a large gathering we has in Indiana, I forced myself to sit at a table with strangers to get myself out of my comfort zone. The Vegas meet-up is so much larger, I don’t know what I’ll do. We’ll probably meet somewhere along that wall with our ice cream, LOL!
Here’s a tip… I had a lot of the same anxiety as you, especially when I arrived, and couldn’t connect with my pre-arranged roommate just yet, and saw just how many teachers from all over the USA there were milling about at the SDE conference.
I took a full length selfie & posted it to help some of my online besties spot me, if I didn’t spot them first. It’s overwhelming, scanning all those faces, I tell you!! Unfortunatley, I won’t be there this year, but I will be back again. It was an awesome, incredible experience and I hope you love it in the end!
Tammy
Hi Bonnie,
You can come find me. I will be with Emily, the one who has finally
let go of my arm after the flight….maybe.
Here’s my panic:
1. Will I wear the right thing ?
2. I hope the A/C works.
3. Will everyone leave me on the sidelines like cliques in High School ?
So looking forward to seeing you and save Thursday night for a few close friends !
Wendy
Ms. D’s Literacy Lab
This is one of the reasons I decided to sit this year out. Last year I found myself alone many times in large crowds. The large groups of people with large personalities shadow those of us who are in real life shy. I’m so glad we got to meet in Atlanta. I know you will have fun- I’ll be thinking about you whileIi’m eating my ice-cream at home.
I feel the same way! I am so excited to meet you and my other online teacher buddies, but it’s the *finding* part that freaks me out.
This is my third year, too. Yes, I’ve been terrified each time, but I forced myself to take a deep breath and push myself. The Blogger Meet up last year was insane, but I smiled and walked around the room, introducing myself to people. It really wasn’t easy for me, but I’m glad I did it. I talked to some amazing people. If you think about it, most bloggers I’ve met are also introverts… they enjoy people, but prefer smaller groups and quiet time. That probably won’t happen much in Vegas, but it helps if you remember that most others are feeling exactly the same. I look forward to seeing you in Vegas!
Sally from Elementary Matters
I spent most of my time at last year’s meet-up in a corner against a wall. It was so crowded and CRAZY loud – overwhelming for me! That being said, I met several great new friends who I may never have met otherwise! It’s well worth “stepping out of your comfort zone”! Hope to meet you there!
Linda Nelson
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/TPT-Vegas-Icebreaker-15-1924965
Bonnie, I felt the same way when I went last year. I did feel a bit uncomfortable sometimes, so I created this “Icebreaker” as a way to help people talk to others or “break the ice”. Plus, you could win a $50 TPT gift certificate by completing it! Hope to meet you there!
Diane
Teaching with Moxie
I’m from a one light town too and this will be my 3rd year going. It helped I had been to Vegas with my parents before, but yes, it can be scary and overwhelming. Last year the meetup had over 500 people and I thought that was crazy. I stood in one spot for 3 hours talking to people. You will be fine, you will know some one. Come find me! 🙂
Bonnie – Kathryn – I am looking forward to meeting you. You are so talented and sweet. Last year was a bit overwhelming at the meet up indeed. But, it was so awesome too. Looking forward to seeing you.
hugs,
Vicky
Oh no! I promise, you will have a great time! I’m a bit of an introvert myself, and I had a blast last year. I can’t wait to see you!
Erica
Can’t wait to see you there 🙂