Holy Cow! It's the First Lady!!

I can't believe I finally posted something after all these months and forgot to include the most exciting thing that happened. Back in November Korea hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference which was a pretty big deal and leaders from all over the world came, including the United States. Anyway, the White House Communications Agency requested support from our office and I got to go down to Pusan to help out. It was a lot of long hours and hard work, but it was very exciting to get a behind the scenes view of what is involved in a Presidential overseas trip. It is really something. I got to see the motorcade when they arrived at the hotel. The President's limousine peeled off and went to the back of the hotel and pulled into the garage. I was hoping to see him, but I was at the wrong angle because he got out on the opposite side of the car than we were expecting. I saw Mrs. Bush get out, but by the time we realised the President was getting out on the other side and re-positioned ourselves all we saw was his back as he walked down the hall to the elevator. If I had known, I would have asked Kendrick to arrange for me to get a photo with the President because they did that for all the embassy marines who provided security. I didn't know to ask though, so I didn't get to see him at all. But...on the day they left I was sitting there at the Westin Chosun eating breakfast on the executive level with a fellow warrant from the White House Security Office when I glanced over to my right and there was the First Lady sitting opposite from me at the next table down! She was not even five feet away from me. I hadn't even noticed when she came in. I'm sure my eyes practically fell out onto the table, I was so astounded. Of course I shamelessly eavesdropped on her conversation, and kept peeking at her out of the corner of my eye. Cliff says I should have gone up to and talked to her, but that just isn't done. You have to act completely normal and not like a rabid groupie. Besides, the people who work there really do see them all the time so it's not a big deal. Luckily, the Secret Service guys were behind me and couldn't see that I wasn't wearing a trip pin. Kendrick had to run down and get me one from the Marine guards before they noticed or they probably would have tackled me. Anyway, she just sat there and drank her coffee and talked about her schedule with the lady she was with (probably her assistant - I don't know). I joke that I directly influenced the First Lady because I was eating salmon and after a bit she got up and got some off the buffet too. I don't know if she actually noticed me eating it or not, but who is to say otherwise? That's my story and I'm sticking to it!! Ha ha. I think she is a lovely lady and I have always admired her, so it was awfully exciting for me. After they left, we had to go through the rooms and make sure things weren't left behind and the Presidential Suite was gorgeous. I think it had been completely renovated for President Bush's visit and they named it after him. Anyway, I kept hinting that I was available if they ever needed more help, so I hope I get to go on another trip. This was actually the second one I helped out on. The last time was a couple of years ago in Singapore and they were only there for about 12 hours so I didn't even get a glimpse of anybody really important. This trip was much more rewarding in that aspect. I also got some souvenirs with the Presidential Seal on them which is pretty cool.