Chantilly, VA (USA)

Some of my co-workers and I have been taking a company certification course in systems engineering - virtual every week - for almost two months. Today was the last class, so Phil and I decided we wanted to go to company HQ to participate in the design exercise. We coordinated to meet up at Franconia-Springfield Metro Station. This was the first time I've tried to use that station during rush hour - and I do NOT like the traffic patterns... Despite some frustrating moments, I was able to meet up with Phil when he arrived (from his home in DC) at 0730. From there, we drove via Fairfax County Parkway, I-66 and VA-28 and made it to class around 0815. We spent about four hours with out instructor and a few other company engineers (working in teams) to apply all we had learned. Afterwards, we had a nice dinner and a couple of VPs were on hand for certificates. Phil had to go back into the city, so I drove him to the Vienna-Fairfax Station (quite easy to enter/exit) and then went back to the HQ. They have some flexible work spaces and I met up with some friends who have been advising me since I got to my company. I spent the rest of the day learning tasks for my manager position and running a teleconference (remotely). Wrapped things up around 1730 and headed home via the usual route.