my new job.

Things I've learned/observed from my 2 weeks in a law firm:

1. People are always walking at an uncomfortably fast pace. They don't nessacarily have somewhere to be either.
2. There are secretaries, legal assistants and paralegals. They all need help with their workload. Yay?
3. Most attorneys don't have a special title like "Doctor" or "Professor". Some deserve the title of "Diva" .
4. People go out to eat lunch. Every single day. That can't be healthy.
5. Company parties are awesome. Three words: spare no expense.
6. This is not Marriott. I am not supposed to build friendships with clients. I am to be professional and short. I learned this the hard way when I responded to someone with, "Yeah, absolutely!" instead of "Yes."
Senior partner = not diggin' Alyssa because Alyssa = friendly. Apparently, that needs to change.
7. Billing bites. 3,000 Bills sent out monthly. All done by yours truly.
8. Runners and receptionists are business best friends. My runners are already looking out for me.
9. There are no mistakes allowed. Not even teeny tiny "oopsies".
10. There are more high heels around this place than a drag party.
11. This place is a real life Suits  (ya know, the USA television series. What? You don't watch it? You need to. Oh, you need to.) with all the beautiful people, intelligence and power.

So there's a lot of stress involved with this job. LOTS.

Like I've told some people though... I just need to grow some thick skin

and it'll be more than worth it!

best sport ever. FOOTBALL.

BREAKING NEWS:

BYU football practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field. The head coach immediately suspended practice while police were called to investigate .

After a complete analysis experts determined that the white substance unknown to players was the GOAL LINE.
...Practice resumed after a special agent decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.

Bahahaha!

A little harsh? Maybe.

A friend posted that on Facebook today and I laughed. Thought I'd pass it on.

Cougar friends, it's okay. You can laugh too.

I'm pretty bummed that Mikey and I couldn't get cheap student or MUSS tickets for this season.

Instead, I will be watching the game tonight from the comfort of my own couch (in jammies).
Go Utah!!!

the ending of an era.

This is so surreal.
I'm standing at the front desk of the University Park Marriott this morning, for the last time. Three years. THREE years have been spent here. I've grown and learned so much. I've made long lasting friendships and connections.

I will miss laughing uncontrollably with my coworkers.
I will miss seeing interactions between the many military workers staying here and the guests that graciously thank them for their service.
I will miss being star struck when meeting famous people (like Karl Malone, Joss Stone, Al Green, Hellogoodbye, Fleet Foxes, Kyle Whittingham and all the trainers/coaches, Willie Nelson, Ed Catmull, Erin Andrews, etc. ect.)
I will miss free lunches everyday.
I will miss my travel benefits (sorry friends!)
I will miss getting free concert and event tickets.
I will miss the many personalities of the Utah football team.
I will miss getting yelled at by tempermental guests for a variety of reasons that are not my fault. Oh wait, no I won't.

There are a plethora of reasons I had a hard time deciding to leave this wonderful hotel. If I had the time and patience I could list another 20 right now. BUT I have to be honest, I'm ready to move on. I accepted a position at a large law firm in Cottonwood Heights. I'll be the receptionist there and once I feel comfortable, they will be adding some legal assisting responsibilities. I'm really excited! I know it sounds funny to be excited being someone's secretary, essentially, but this law firm just feels right. When I interviewed with a few of the senior partners and attorneys I could not have felt more accepted and comfortable. I know this new job will bring on many opportunities.

Tomorrow, I am leaving Mike to work hard (his choice) and I'm going home with my sister for 6 days! Well, it's not really "home" to me, but rather, the new place my parents moved to. Pittsburgh, PA. I can't wait to see their new digs and the beautiful area. We're traveling up to Toronto Canada and Niagara Falls for a few days... This couldn't be better timed!

I have so much to look forward to these next couple weeks.
Wish me luck on some new adventures!

little bambinos

EXCUUUUUUUUSE ME! What is in the water people?! 4, that's FOUR, of my friends have announced that they are pregnant in the past 6 days. I remember when it was marriage season and loads of my friends had weddings around the same time. It's hard to believe that we've already moved on to baby season.

I'm going to be honest. All these announcements are making it very hard for me to wait much longer. I love love love babies and little kids. I wish someone would've told me that the goal was January-March 2012... I want my first bambino to grow up with some friends, hello!
I'm thrilled for all my friends that are expecting little ones.
It makes me wonder... when should it be my turn? Eeeeek.

Sorry. I had to include this picture. It cracks me up!

stepping back

Last night I attended the beautiful wedding dinner of Mike's cousin, Nate.
Our table of 8 was full...
Mike, myself, Eric (Mike's brother), Matt (Mike's brother) & his wife Brooke & son Blake and Adam (Mike's brother) & his wife Tara.

EVERY.SINGLE.PERSON named above is "a talker".

Being among so many of his/our siblings at the same time, I realized something. I've always been the outgoing, talkative person to take the reins in any social situation.

But when I'm around the Nelson fam, it isn't so.
I like to take the backseat and just listen.
I know that I'm not a different person around them but rather taking a break and letting them be my entertainment. Make sense?

It's funny. I never dreamt I'd marry into a family more extroverted and social than my own... but I did and I love it.

wrecking my reality(tv)

Just the other day, Mike completely ruined a surprise for me. Now, let me preface this by saying that I already KNOW it's ridiculous. I know I shouldn't even waste my time watching this... and ... I'm ashamed to admit it, but...



No, wait. I'm not going to try justifying this... I'll just say it.



I love watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad.



It's absolutely my tv "guilty pressure" (aside from Desperate Housewives). Well, Bachelor Pad starts next month and Mike already told me who makes it to the bottom two. I won't tell you how he knows, because that might ruin it for the 1 or 2 people who read this blog and actually watch that trashy show.



SO to make up from smashing one surprise, he gave me another.
Nothing that would knock your socks off, but he brought me home flowers
and a Costa Vida pork salad. Two of my favorite things.


It's the little things, right?
So I forgave him.

an update.. finally!

I'm not going to lie to you. I have no idea why I haven't posted in over a month. I've been busy but not THAT busy... So let's pretend there wasn't a long pause in this blog, shall we?

Great.

We'll get to Germany sometime in the near future but for now..

here's the photo-recap of our past few weeks.

Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway Mall.


Wakeboarding at Bear Lake

2nd Anniversary dinner at The Roof.. YUM!

At the play, Civil War, to see my friend/coworker perform.

Babysitting ADORABLE Harper.

Visiting Grandpa's grave site over 4th of July weekend.

Fireworks at Eaglewood Golf Course

PS. I never told you, but while cruising the Mediterranean Sea we had a

once-in-a-lifetime experience. We saw the eruption of a live volcano... from the
edge of our cruise ship. About 500 yards away. Absolutely insane.

Words can't describe it, but maybe the video will.

Okay, so that is NOT the video we took but it looks similar to what we saw.

In fact, we were so mesmerized that we

didn't think to take a video... We just took this one picture.

Yeah, our camera totally bites. Maybe someday we'll upgrade so we can

actually capture memories like this one.