We were asked to submit 2 pictures from when we were little at work for the surprise Christmas party. Here are some Dad emailed me.... I love that Mom dressed me in a sweat suit with black platinum leather shoes and white socks for the one picture.
Monday, December 18, 2006
I'll be home for Christmas!
I'm extremely excited to go back to S.C for the holidays. I'm taking a red eye 12/20. The last few weeks have been really great. I've gotten some days in snowboarding, transitioned back into having a horse in Utah in the winter time, returned to a regular workout schedule, and taken some time out to spend with friends. I love when I feel like I have control over my life and I'm not just hanging on for the ride. It is all about simplification.
We were asked to submit 2 pictures from when we were little at work for the surprise Christmas party. Here are some Dad emailed me.... I love that Mom dressed me in a sweat suit with black platinum leather shoes and white socks for the one picture.
We were asked to submit 2 pictures from when we were little at work for the surprise Christmas party. Here are some Dad emailed me.... I love that Mom dressed me in a sweat suit with black platinum leather shoes and white socks for the one picture.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Eating Raw
It has now been 3 weeks eating only raw foods, with the exception of crackers and canned chicken noodle soup when I was sick. Let's just say vegetables didn't sound very good. I made it through Thanksgiving, a Whitesell family vacation, and living with roommates still in college. I've lost weight, have more energy, and best of all have gained a great deal of self control.
New favorite snacks- almonds, dehydrated vegetables, rasberries, and sugar snap peas
New favorite snacks- almonds, dehydrated vegetables, rasberries, and sugar snap peas
Disney World Trip
Last Wednesday I flew to Orlando for our family’s Disney World trip.
12 adults + 11 kids (5 in diapers) + 5 strollers + 1 wheel chair + 2 “How to get the most of your Disney vacation books” = a typical Whitesell family vacation
The trip went pretty well except for a horrid stomach virus that began making its rounds on day 3.
Trip back to UT:
3am Sunday morning I met my cab driver to make the trip back to the airport. As we chatted my stomach began churning and I started to look for the button to roll down the window, then noticed the floors were plastic; no worries. By the time I checked in and walked to the gate my stomach and I were hating life. I sprawled out on the gross tile floor in the handicap stall and waited for my flight to take off. The flight to Denver was bearable- I had the entire row to myself and slept with the occasional rush to the bathroom. When I landed in Denver I had exactly 30 minutes until my connection to Salt Lake left. The flight attendant announced the Salt Lake flight would be leaving from concourse C23; she was even nice enough to clarify with, Charley 23. Blast! I was in concourse B. I grabbed my throw up bag and ran for the tram, and then ran down to the end of concourse C. But wait! What did I find? There was no gate C23. My flight to SLC was departing, now in 10 minutes, from gate B23. With throw up sack in hand I ran back to the tram and then down to gate B23 and boarded as they shut the doors. Within 12 hours of being home one of my roommates started throwing up, and last night the other one started as well.
Even with all of the stress of such a large group and the horrible trip home, I enjoyed myself. I love spending time with my quirky family!
12 adults + 11 kids (5 in diapers) + 5 strollers + 1 wheel chair + 2 “How to get the most of your Disney vacation books” = a typical Whitesell family vacation
The trip went pretty well except for a horrid stomach virus that began making its rounds on day 3.
Trip back to UT:
3am Sunday morning I met my cab driver to make the trip back to the airport. As we chatted my stomach began churning and I started to look for the button to roll down the window, then noticed the floors were plastic; no worries. By the time I checked in and walked to the gate my stomach and I were hating life. I sprawled out on the gross tile floor in the handicap stall and waited for my flight to take off. The flight to Denver was bearable- I had the entire row to myself and slept with the occasional rush to the bathroom. When I landed in Denver I had exactly 30 minutes until my connection to Salt Lake left. The flight attendant announced the Salt Lake flight would be leaving from concourse C23; she was even nice enough to clarify with, Charley 23. Blast! I was in concourse B. I grabbed my throw up bag and ran for the tram, and then ran down to the end of concourse C. But wait! What did I find? There was no gate C23. My flight to SLC was departing, now in 10 minutes, from gate B23. With throw up sack in hand I ran back to the tram and then down to gate B23 and boarded as they shut the doors. Within 12 hours of being home one of my roommates started throwing up, and last night the other one started as well.
Even with all of the stress of such a large group and the horrible trip home, I enjoyed myself. I love spending time with my quirky family!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Holdin' Cash
I participated in a service auction last week and 60 college kids raised over $2200 for the sub for Santa program. It was amazing to watch. Seeing kids without jobs drop $60 to learn to groom a horse or $100 to have someone cook dinner for them and their roommates was quite interesting. I studied in my marketing courses how the generation Y/ MTV generations have more expendable cash than any other generations have ever had. I’ll admit, I got sucked into the excitement of the auction and walked away with a scooter ride with some guy I’ve never met and a dinner for 4. I lost the bids on the free brake change and a night of star gazing with a 6th grade science teacher.
Day 6 on a strictly raw foods diet. Biggest lesson learned: You can make people really uncomfortable by not eating something when offered. I can’t count how many times I’ve turned down food this last week. It really drives people nuts. Try it!
Day 6 on a strictly raw foods diet. Biggest lesson learned: You can make people really uncomfortable by not eating something when offered. I can’t count how many times I’ve turned down food this last week. It really drives people nuts. Try it!
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Vegas Baby!
My parents are flying to Salt Lake tomorrow and the three of us are hitting the road to sin city to hit up the craps tables in celebration of my Granddad's 100th birthday bash!!! You can bet with Ms Diane coming into town, Jessica will be cleaning house tonight. (What can I say, I am my mother)
Monday, October 23, 2006
Happy Birthday (a lil' late!)
I would like to wish Debbie a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I was a horrible friend and missed the special day. I love you Debbie and I'm excited to spend Thanksgiving with you!
Friday, October 20, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Pictures from Home
Pops, Uncle David, Uncle Steve ~ The three Whitesell boys = trouble
Their pro wrestling names: Goatboy, Hillbilly, and Gravedigger
The horses as seen from under the trees in the front yard
The farm ~ southern style
Moving again ~ Losing sucks!
Moving gets easier and easier. I’ve now simplified my life more than ever. I own less than ever before, but now have more freedom than ever. I don’t need a truck to move- the Camry works just fine. I went and slept in Saratoga last night, because I missed the kids. I was able to play with them for about thirty minutes before I gave them a ride on my back to their beds. Their favorite thing is for me to play the “pacey, pacey, this is how the ladies ride….”game and I’ve probably done it a hundred times with them.
I played on an intramural volleyball team through BYU and we made it to the Championship in division two, only to lose. I hate losing more than anything. In my job interview for CP they asked me, “do you love to win or do you hate to lose?” It is a standard CP interview question that I have now asked over 50 people. I responded, with a smile, “I hate to lose.” Everyone I’ve interviewed always has said they love to win, but that’s what people think you want to hear. It is a stupid answer. Of course you love to win, but only because losing sucks! Duh!
I know this is a boring entry, but I’m bored. I apologize.
I played on an intramural volleyball team through BYU and we made it to the Championship in division two, only to lose. I hate losing more than anything. In my job interview for CP they asked me, “do you love to win or do you hate to lose?” It is a standard CP interview question that I have now asked over 50 people. I responded, with a smile, “I hate to lose.” Everyone I’ve interviewed always has said they love to win, but that’s what people think you want to hear. It is a stupid answer. Of course you love to win, but only because losing sucks! Duh!
I know this is a boring entry, but I’m bored. I apologize.
Friday, October 13, 2006
This just in...
Jason, from my rescue course just sent these pictures of Amber and me.
The first one is me rescuing Amber. Scenario- She went unconscious on rappel and I ascended from the bottom and supported her while they rigged a haul system and dragged us up the wall. The second one is after I tossed her up over the edge cowgirl style, and we landed in a ball of ropes and body parts. They had to help us get untangled. It was hilarious.
The first one is me rescuing Amber. Scenario- She went unconscious on rappel and I ascended from the bottom and supported her while they rigged a haul system and dragged us up the wall. The second one is after I tossed her up over the edge cowgirl style, and we landed in a ball of ropes and body parts. They had to help us get untangled. It was hilarious.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Aww...remember Sal
Everyone from home should remember Sal, since we were never apart. Some of ya'll may have even been bitten by him before.(he he he) I sure do miss him!
Memories with my girlfriends
These pictures are from the night Isabel's dad came and stayed with Isabel and me. We had all of the girls over and spent the night dancing to latin music and acting like idiots. It was great.
Believe it or not, the shortened version of my trip...
Straight from work I drove down to Zion. It took 5 hours due to horrible rain storms that brought interstate traffic to a complete stop twice. Cars would pull over because it was raining so hard. I finally pulled into the Ponderosa at 9:30pm. The pot luck was winding down and I quickly started looking for familiar faces and handing out hugs and handshakes. There were a few faces missing- Charley and Keith were overdue from Englestead. I toted all of my stuff to the 3rd story of the recreation barn and took an empty staff bunk. After moving everything in, Tom followed me down to the Visitor’s Center to drop my car. I then made Tom drive around looking for Zach’s truck (at the time I thought Zach was with them). When we didn’t see it we drove back up to the resort, thinking they must have gotten out ok.
Back at the Ponderosa I helped Rich clean up and found out Zach left the day before and the overdue Englestead party consisted of Charley, Keith, Chuy, and Ruben, and no one had heard from them. I had a really bad feeling and felt helpless not doing anything active to find out if they were ok. I knew they would go up Orderville instead of down and wanted to go look for them, but my car was at the visitor’s center. Lame excuse. I couldn’t sleep and stayed up and put grommets in my pack. At about 1am I got in bed and set the alarm for 5am.
The next morning I was eager to see if the group had made it back. As I made my way to check their cabin, I ran into Rich. They had made it back and weren’t ready to share stories. I headed out with Tom and Bruce to do Englestead and wondered what stories I would hear later.
The canyon was beautiful, beginning with a 300 foot rappel. There was a ton of water in the canyon creating a few unusual swims. There was a lot of debris and knowing it flashed the day before made me question all of the anchors. When we hit Orderville it was about 3pm and I thought it was way too late to start down Orderville to the Narrows, and the water level was really high. We opted to hike up Orderville with other groups we ran into and mooch a ride back with them. Well the only real obstacle in our way was climbing up the waterfall/chock stone section. Our group was a conglomerate of 4 groups now making for about 15 people all freezing cold. Bruce, Tom, and I were the only ones wearing wetsuits. It was kind of a cluster, but we got everyone up. There were too many people shouting too many directions, and it was a bit frustrating. It took some people some extra help jugging the rope, but that’s what mechanical advantage is all about, right? Because I was the “human anchor” everyone used to climb up on, I was sitting in the water for a good hour hooked to a rope. It was cold, but I was grateful I was in a wetsuit. Once everyone was up, we packed up the rope and started hiking upstream. I didn’t keep my clothes in a dry bag, and hiking in 5ml neoprene sucked. I would overheat, but didn’t have anything to change into. The hike up seemed like it lasted FOREVER. I wasn’t cold as long as I was moving. I hiked ahead of Bruce and Tom and rode with people from a different group, leaving a jeep for the last group out to drive back.
I pulled into the Ponderosa at about 9:30pm, stole a brownie from the kitchen, paid a staff member to take me to pick up my car from the visitor’s center, and spent the rest of the night hanging out with friends and listening to the flash flood stories from the day before. I hope to add footage taken from some of their trips. The seriousness of their situation makes my stomach crawl. I’m so relieved everyone is ok. I can’t think of a more solid group to have to deal with the situation than who was there and I’m just glad I wasn’t with them. We all huddled into Rich’s cabin and the conversation kept going back to Friday’s events. Rich finally kicked us out and the discussion migrated to Chuy and Ruben’s cabin. The weekend's events have definitely been on my mind. And it felt good to get back to SLC, clean all my gear, wash my clothes and fall asleep knowing all of my friends are safe.
Back at the Ponderosa I helped Rich clean up and found out Zach left the day before and the overdue Englestead party consisted of Charley, Keith, Chuy, and Ruben, and no one had heard from them. I had a really bad feeling and felt helpless not doing anything active to find out if they were ok. I knew they would go up Orderville instead of down and wanted to go look for them, but my car was at the visitor’s center. Lame excuse. I couldn’t sleep and stayed up and put grommets in my pack. At about 1am I got in bed and set the alarm for 5am.
The next morning I was eager to see if the group had made it back. As I made my way to check their cabin, I ran into Rich. They had made it back and weren’t ready to share stories. I headed out with Tom and Bruce to do Englestead and wondered what stories I would hear later.
The canyon was beautiful, beginning with a 300 foot rappel. There was a ton of water in the canyon creating a few unusual swims. There was a lot of debris and knowing it flashed the day before made me question all of the anchors. When we hit Orderville it was about 3pm and I thought it was way too late to start down Orderville to the Narrows, and the water level was really high. We opted to hike up Orderville with other groups we ran into and mooch a ride back with them. Well the only real obstacle in our way was climbing up the waterfall/chock stone section. Our group was a conglomerate of 4 groups now making for about 15 people all freezing cold. Bruce, Tom, and I were the only ones wearing wetsuits. It was kind of a cluster, but we got everyone up. There were too many people shouting too many directions, and it was a bit frustrating. It took some people some extra help jugging the rope, but that’s what mechanical advantage is all about, right? Because I was the “human anchor” everyone used to climb up on, I was sitting in the water for a good hour hooked to a rope. It was cold, but I was grateful I was in a wetsuit. Once everyone was up, we packed up the rope and started hiking upstream. I didn’t keep my clothes in a dry bag, and hiking in 5ml neoprene sucked. I would overheat, but didn’t have anything to change into. The hike up seemed like it lasted FOREVER. I wasn’t cold as long as I was moving. I hiked ahead of Bruce and Tom and rode with people from a different group, leaving a jeep for the last group out to drive back.
I pulled into the Ponderosa at about 9:30pm, stole a brownie from the kitchen, paid a staff member to take me to pick up my car from the visitor’s center, and spent the rest of the night hanging out with friends and listening to the flash flood stories from the day before. I hope to add footage taken from some of their trips. The seriousness of their situation makes my stomach crawl. I’m so relieved everyone is ok. I can’t think of a more solid group to have to deal with the situation than who was there and I’m just glad I wasn’t with them. We all huddled into Rich’s cabin and the conversation kept going back to Friday’s events. Rich finally kicked us out and the discussion migrated to Chuy and Ruben’s cabin. The weekend's events have definitely been on my mind. And it felt good to get back to SLC, clean all my gear, wash my clothes and fall asleep knowing all of my friends are safe.
Monday, October 9, 2006
ACA Rendezvous 2006-Zion
Englestead Canyon- Trip report coming soon (I wrote three pages, so I have to condense my experiences for the blog)
Englestead canyon behind me, this is right before we rappeled 300 feet into the canyon.
Bruce coming off of one of the many log jams
I know, I'm sexy
Tom stands at about 6'2 and this Canyon soup came up to his arm pits. Can you imagine me standing at 5'4 trying to swim through this? It was pretty funny. Some places looked like you walk on it, but then you'd sink.
I was ready to get home...what can I say.
Englestead canyon behind me, this is right before we rappeled 300 feet into the canyon.
Bruce coming off of one of the many log jams
I know, I'm sexy
Tom stands at about 6'2 and this Canyon soup came up to his arm pits. Can you imagine me standing at 5'4 trying to swim through this? It was pretty funny. Some places looked like you walk on it, but then you'd sink.
I was ready to get home...what can I say.
Thursday, October 5, 2006
Englestead
I leave tomorrow to go do Englestead Canyon in Zion with Bruce and Tom, friends I met in AZ earlier this year. I'm pretty excited; I hear it is a beautiful canyon. This picture is one I grabbed online and hopefully I'll get some awesome shots with my camera to post for ya.
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Monday, October 2, 2006
I love the Ponderooooosaaaa!
As I looked around at how the Ponderosa had changed, I took in a big whiff of horse poo and knew things were just as I last left them. The horses were in their muck and fly invested coral, the disgruntled guests were still yelling at the front desk, the squeals of little kids filled the air, and incompetent ATV riders speckled the hillsides. Yes, things were just as I had left them. Well, almost everything, Steve ever so kindly informed me of the latest fatality. When asked for a name, he only could provide, "a young horse, I think it was whitish." There was also a new pile of trash in the field by the horses that I hadn't seen before. A pleasant surprise left my jaw dropped when I ordered dinner. I had choices; there were no limitations on serving size. Salmon, BBQ chicken, T-bones, Burritos, and the customer service!! Boy oh boy!
Before showering in the Ponderosa showers and eating the Ponderosa's food, I rode the Ponderosa's ATVs. Fun times.
Before showering in the Ponderosa showers and eating the Ponderosa's food, I rode the Ponderosa's ATVs. Fun times.
Mosquito Cove
Falling asleep to the sounds of the river running, the trees rustling, the fire cracking, friends’ voices, and a guitar make for sweet dreams. My previous state of loneliness and friendlessness ceases and I realize there are kindred spirits out there. The key is to not over analyze or over complicate. Keep it simple, keep it real, keep it honest. Don't calculate the next move or the response your stimulus will create.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Cedar City
I just finished a 3 day Canyon Rescue course in Cedar City. I wasn't going to go to the American Canyoneering Association annual Rendezvous in Zion next weekend, but the canyons are a callin' and I'm pumped. I met some awesome people in the course, who will attend.
One of many systems we learned was the "cut and lower." If someone screws up I can cut their rope and lower them on my system. Fun stuff.
One of many systems we learned was the "cut and lower." If someone screws up I can cut their rope and lower them on my system. Fun stuff.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Let's go over this one more time.
(Originally posted Jan. 17, 06; and again on May 23, 06;Just as relevant now- some of us never learn)
I hope you enjoy these. After a great deal of thought, I am ready to move forward in certain aspects of my life, leaving the past to the past.
I demolish my bridges behind me...then there is no choice but to move forward.
Firdtjof Nansen
You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters are continually flowing on.
Heraclitus
The worst thing you can try to do is cling to something that is gone, or to recreate it.
Johnette Napolitano
The Athenians, alarmed at the internal decay of their Republic, asked Demosthenes what to do.
His reply:
Do not do what you are doing now.
Joseph Ray
I hope you enjoy these. After a great deal of thought, I am ready to move forward in certain aspects of my life, leaving the past to the past.
I demolish my bridges behind me...then there is no choice but to move forward.
Firdtjof Nansen
You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters are continually flowing on.
Heraclitus
The worst thing you can try to do is cling to something that is gone, or to recreate it.
Johnette Napolitano
The Athenians, alarmed at the internal decay of their Republic, asked Demosthenes what to do.
His reply:
Do not do what you are doing now.
Joseph Ray
For your viewing pleasure...
Everyone knows I'm far from "professional," but work had us have "professional" pics taken. I found the results quite humorous.
This is me flying in from stage right. A lil' crooked.
This is me and Adam in our 50th anniversary pose.
This is me and Adam in our extremely corny Matrix meets the Blues Brothers pose.
This is me flying in from stage right. A lil' crooked.
This is me and Adam in our 50th anniversary pose.
This is me and Adam in our extremely corny Matrix meets the Blues Brothers pose.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Still Smilin'
I got an awesome promotion at work. I still don't make the big bucks but I really enjoy the people I work with and the job responsibilities. The title- "Account Manager"- translation- my partner Adam handles the client relations and I handle the marketing and promotions.
Social life is struggling just a bit, but I'm enjoying all the alone time. (no lie!) I probably spent 15 hours with Dollar last week and contrary to what some say, I think contact with him fills my need for human interaction just fine. I talk, he listens, he acts like an idiot, I laugh, it's great!
My bike is in the shop (boo!!!) but I did get a down hill day in at Sundance last week and if the bike is ready I will go again this weekend. I love how the bruises pop up all over my body, and everyone knows scrapes are sexy!
In the process of signing up for a Canyon Rescue course that I'll attend in Cedar City at the end of this month, but other than that taking a break from the "canyon scene."
Recent Social Attempts:
-A blind date(boo!!!)
-Joined a women's volleyball team
-Went to a work party even after date bailed
I hope all is well with everybody! Love you all! Dad ~ Can't wait for Disney World!!!
Social life is struggling just a bit, but I'm enjoying all the alone time. (no lie!) I probably spent 15 hours with Dollar last week and contrary to what some say, I think contact with him fills my need for human interaction just fine. I talk, he listens, he acts like an idiot, I laugh, it's great!
My bike is in the shop (boo!!!) but I did get a down hill day in at Sundance last week and if the bike is ready I will go again this weekend. I love how the bruises pop up all over my body, and everyone knows scrapes are sexy!
In the process of signing up for a Canyon Rescue course that I'll attend in Cedar City at the end of this month, but other than that taking a break from the "canyon scene."
Recent Social Attempts:
-A blind date(boo!!!)
-Joined a women's volleyball team
-Went to a work party even after date bailed
I hope all is well with everybody! Love you all! Dad ~ Can't wait for Disney World!!!
Friday, September 8, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Time to Regroup!
Time for a red eye to SC.
Time for big hugs
Time with the fam
Time working with my dad
Time to feel 8 years old again
Time with my childhood partner in crime
Time at Carowinds with the kiddies
Time in the saddle
Time at church
Time spent with old friends
Time to go home
Time to regroup.
Time for big hugs
Time with the fam
Time working with my dad
Time to feel 8 years old again
Time with my childhood partner in crime
Time at Carowinds with the kiddies
Time in the saddle
Time at church
Time spent with old friends
Time to go home
Time to regroup.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Ssssnake River
Drove up to a cabin in Island Park, Idaho with some friends; made our way over to WY and the six of us ran a section of the Snake River. It wasn't as big as some of the rivers in NC/TN, but I still enjoyed it. It was the first time I've gone with no guide. We used one of the University of Utah's brand new rafts (to make sure it was "ok"). I'll post pics when I get them since a certain someone has my camera! Boo!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Weekend Warrior
Last weekend went to Burley, ID.
The menu:
Floated down a cow poo and pesticide contaminated canal
Watched a disturbing rodeo
Went to a mediocre fair
Jumped on a trampoline
Drove city boys around on a 4-wheeler
This weekend I'm heading to WY.
The menu:
Run part of the Snake River
City of Rocks to do a lil' bit of climbing!
Next weekend headed to S Cackalacka for some quality family time!
The Menu:
Paramount Carowinds
Trail Riding at Springs
Camping with my nieces and nephews
Will make for a grand total of 12 weekends on the road.
The menu:
Floated down a cow poo and pesticide contaminated canal
Watched a disturbing rodeo
Went to a mediocre fair
Jumped on a trampoline
Drove city boys around on a 4-wheeler
This weekend I'm heading to WY.
The menu:
Run part of the Snake River
City of Rocks to do a lil' bit of climbing!
Next weekend headed to S Cackalacka for some quality family time!
The Menu:
Paramount Carowinds
Trail Riding at Springs
Camping with my nieces and nephews
Will make for a grand total of 12 weekends on the road.
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