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/

Boarding at the Bird

I went to Snowbird with friends on Saturday. Three of us didn't have to pay because we didn't get checked on the bottom lift and we stayed on the upper lifts all day. That right there made it a good day and all of the powder qualified it for a darn tootin' amazing day. These first two pics are me coming off this cliff in Mineral Basin. Too bad my head got chopped off. Look at how much powder was at the bottom though. It was a blast!

Here is to putting the cart before the horse.....

I was recently chastised for not updating my blog enough, so since inquiring minds are searching for answers, here is the latest:

My company recently restructured its departments and all of the job titles/responsibilities. Translation: I’ll do more marketing and less customer service and a few of my co-workers are looking for other employment opportunities. Bitter sweet.

I went boarding again Saturday with friends from work and then took a personal day from work on Monday when I woke up to a foot of fresh powder outside. Some of the best boarding yet! I finally purchased a helmet but can’t decide if it will prevent injury due to the philosophy I have adopted since buying it. “I can go off that jump a lot bigger now that I have a helmet,” or “I can go a lot faster through the trees now that I have a helmet.” I’m hitting my head more frequently now that I have “protection”.






On the way down Big Cotton wood canyon Moni tells us his Durango is running out of gas. With "0" miles till empty flashing and the needle below the E, we coasted into the 7 Eleven at the mouth of the canyon. Good thing for gravity!






For those who know “Elder Scotty,” he says he is lonely and wants letters.

Elder Bertoglio
1300 Crownpoint Ave. #17
Norman, OK 73072-5875

Snowboarding at The Canyons

Saturday I went snowboarding at The Canyons Resort with a group from work. It was one of the most fun days I've ever had snowboarding. There wasn't a ton of snow and some of the runs were crowded; however,last weeks storm dropped 8 inches of fresh powder and you couldn't have asked for a more fun group of people. I am sporting a nice cut on my face from a guy jumpin off this small ledge through the trees and smacking me right in the side of the head with his board. I think it's sexy. Left to right: Tyson, Eric, Leamoni, Kahiki, Bryan, me, MJ, and Tyler.

Ahhh....breath of fresh air!

Snowmobiling up at Strawberry Reservoir/Daniel’s Summit. First time out of the inversion in a week. I’ve never seen Utah Valley so disgusting before. I want to get one of those SARS masks to wear around. Up at Daniel’s Summit, I sprawled out on the ground, took a deep breath of clean air and enjoyed feeling the sun on my skin instead of the sticky grey air in the valley. Snowmobiles are so much fun!

Oppressive Utah winter

Those aren't highlights in poor Dollar's hair.

I'm an aunt (for the 12th time)

Lainee Scott Whitesell was born early this morning and weighed 6lbs 6oz.

Moon's injury- 2 weeks later

It will be a long road to recovery.

Ode to Macy

Macy left us to go play rugby for the BYU Hawaii team and things aren't the same without her!!!!

Camera phone pics

Me and Courtney



Country dancing with Courtney & Lindsey




Me and Dollar

Not for the weak stomach...

Moon got his hind foot stuck in the slats of an extremely heavy metal gate out at the farm last weekend. Guessing by the massive trail of blood he left in the snow…we figure he drug it around for a while before freeing himself. Three of his 4 legs were thrashed and swollen larger than I’ve ever seen before. Jake, Courtney, Melissa, and I have spent countless hours playing vet with him. We’re hoping the coronet band won’t be too badly damaged and that he’ll walk away with no long term problems and just the inevitable scar.