Next week I'm going to LA to have a kickoff meeting for a new software project that I'll be doing for a long term client. I've worked on and off for this client for over 7 years and this will be their first time meeting me! I won't lie, I'm feeling apprehensive about this initial meeting. In addition to going into an office for the first time since 2006, I have a feeling I'm not what they expect. People often assume that my last name is Asian, so I have a feeling that is what they are expecting. This initial meeting will definitely be blog fodder! Also, when this project was initially pitched to me, I was told that it would be 6 months, now I find out it will consist of 3, 6 month phases.  I was very happy to hear that I will be in LA for the winter, but I love Chicago in the summertime.  After phase 1 is over, I plan to ask if I can just fly to LA once a month for phase 2 and 3. Software projects usually fall behind schedule, so this could stretch longer than 18 months and that has me slightly worried, but I have to believe that this is where I'm meant to be at exactly this moment.

For months there had been a lot of back and forth about when this project would start and the terms. I was starting to get worried that it wouldn't happen, but yesterday I received the final word that the project was a go. I went ahead and bought plane tickets for the kickoff meeting and my first official week on-site. I will be flying back and forth between LA and Chicago at first, but starting in January, there want me to find a studio apartment to rent because I will only be flying back twice a month. I can fly back more often, but it won't be reimbursed for more than 2 round trip plane tickets a month. They will be paying for my lodging, and reimbursing me for airfare and car rentals. I will receive per diem for days that I stay in a hotel, but once I move into my studio, I'll be responsible for my own meals. I will need to talk to an accountant about what things I can deduct as business expenses because I think it varies depending on if I stay in a hotel or apartment.

Right now I'm scrambling to figure out how my life will be for the next 6 months and although I love a good adventure, this definitely has thrown me for a loop. As you can guess, I have a lot of unknowns (gym, bills, etc), but once I get to LA, I'll have more answers. The most pressing question I have is "What do I wear to a business casual office?!". HELP!!