New Jersey Adventure

I flew to New Jersey Monday for work and flew back Tuesday evening. A lot happened in that 24 hour time span. I rented my first car, I learned that when people say you can only turn right in New Jersey- they are being literal, I figured out what a “jug handle” is, I spent my first night sleeping alone in a hotel room, I got lost in New Jersey and spent more than I want to admit on toll roads, and met an amazing family from Liberia, Africa. Now I could elaborate on everything mentioned above, but I won’t. However, I have to tell you about the family I met.

I got to my gate 2 hours early for my direct flight to Utah. I witnessed 2 guys about my age trying to understand what the gate attendant was saying and they were obviously having a hard time. I walked up to the attendant and said I’ll take them to their gate because I was really early. Come to find out, they were also flying to SLC and we were all at the wrong gate. I led the mom, dad, two sons, and young daughter to the correct gate. The little girl is 8 years old and has a disability; her face is severely disfigured, but she would smile when I would talk to her. They were dressed humbly and only the 2 boys spoke English. We struggled through conversation and we were each very curious about the other. When I pulled out my lap top they stared in awe. I let the little girl watch a horse DVD I had with me and the dad kept thanking me over and over. They started in Liberia, traveled by bus to a larger city, flew to Europe, and then flew to Newark, NJ. They were exhausted from such a long journey. I helped them find their seats on the flight and changed my seat to sit with them. When we got to SLC I tried to lead them down the escalator. They were very hesitant, but I eventually coaxed them on. The mom and daughter fell down a few stairs and the boys caught them; the dad’s eyes got really huge. When we all safely reached the bottom they let out a nice laugh and sigh of relief. They had never seen an escalator before. An African man named James who moved to the US 13 years ago greeted them. They had never spoken before. The mom started crying and the boys and dad couldn’t stop smiling. They had made it. For the entire family of 5, they only had two small suit cases. A Catholic center in SLC is housing them in a 3 bedroom apartment. I just can’t imagine what it has taken for them to get here and how scary it must be for them. It was a great experience traveling with them.

Fighting Sleep- 2am

So, do you ever have such a wonderful day, you fight your body's need to sleep? You don't want the day to end; you don't want to lose the feelings radiating from you. You're scared your dreams won't be as kind to you and the risk of not remembering your sweetest dreams is all too real. I suddenly can't remember how it feels to be sad or lonely. Sometimes life is wonderful. That sometimes happens to be now.

Different Strokes

So as friends from work and I sat in the back of Subway munching on our lunches, Gary Coleman walked in. He was wearing all camo, black moon boots and a depressing scowl that kept any of us from talking to him. As he walked outside to his sporty Saturn Sky, you could only hope you might hear him ask, “Whatchu talkin’ about?”

Boardin' with the CEO

I spent Saturday snowboarding with a group from work, which included the CEO and COO of CP. It is fun to work for guys who would spend their Saturday on the mountain with their employees. We all had a really fun day.

Isabel and James

Engagement photos:
http://indigo-photography.blogspot.com/