5,282 Days Later...

I started working the Front Desk of the Best Western Salt Lake Plaza Hotel a few months after I first moved to Salt Lake City.   I worked my way up to Reservations Assistant, to Reservations Manager over the years, and finally to Shila's right hand man (unofficially the  Front Desk Assistant Manager.) Time flew by, countless co-workers have came and gone (and several came back again!) Made many friends. I went to school, got an Associates Degree.  A recession hit.  I stayed. Time ticked on. I got burned out. And so I finally grew a pair, and decided this Summer that this was the year that I FINALLY took the leap and venture on to something new.  (I'm not getting any younger after all!)  So I'm trusting that my natural talents will serve me well, and the universe will be kind providing a refreshing and exciting new chapter. (The last one was a novel in and of itself.)  I'm leaping.  Can't wait to see the net that appears.

I always have to leave my mark.

I've looked at this magnet on my fridge for over 10 years.
I'm glad I finally took it's advice!

Checking Out...

The Hotel Staff threw me a going-away 'retirement' luncheon (I ate enough J.Wongs to literally burst!)  I did really good keeping my emotions together. It had been such a long time since all of the managers have actually gotten together, so that was a nice lasting memory.  I will remember these people for the rest of my life.  I didn't get a photo with everyone, but here's a few snapshots of my last hours at the Plaza.  Still working hard not to tear up.  It doesn't seem real. 

And then Shila and I followed up with post-work celebratory cocktails at Lucky 13!

Cue "Closing Time" Track...

Click HERE before reading this post!  

Maybe the first time a post has had a soundtrack!

It's been joked about that the Hotel is a black hole which sucks former employees right back in once they leave.  (Seriously, I've lost track of how many times this has happened!)  I don't foresee that happening for me. (Onward and upward!)  So, it was good to take one last look around a place that I've spent such a huge chunk of my life.  I've definitely left my mark. You'll never be as organized or have great professional grade signs.  See ya 'round Plaza.  It's been real.

Now Accepting Gifts of Silverware & Wood...

HAPPY (OFFICIAL) 5TH
ANNIVERSARY TO ME!

Graduation...

After nearly two years, I'm finally a college graduate. I earned my Associates Degree in Graphic Design. Thank you to the my family and friends that supported me along the way. Here's a few snapshots from my graduation ceremony. Pay special attention to those fancy gold cords I'm rocking! Yah, baby... highest honors! My cumulative GPA was 3.96.

Reaching the Finish Line...

My how time flies! The countdown clock I put on my Myspace page ages ago has finally completed. Time to celebrate!

(Major) Neglected News...

Big-fantastic-super-stupendous news that I've neglected sharing with the blog universe. I wanted going to create a cool photo shop illustration to celebrate-- but I've been to busy. You'll have to just settle for this weird photo from a Japanese potty training book. Kind of disturbing, but made me laugh. At least it gives you a preview of the big news!

Lil' Miss Brylee has had a difficult time with potty training. At three years old it was getting a little old. Well, a couple weeks ago (when I was on my first official solo-babysitting job) I accomplished the seemingly impossible. I not only got her to go both poo-poo and pee-pee on the toilet... she hasn't been in diapers since. It's official, she's finally rockin' big girl panties. All thanks to the world's greatest uncle, a little patience and a catchy made up jingle "Push Out da Poop" (copyright pending).

Heaven...

Spa Virgin... no more! After a strong recommendation from my friend Garrett to treat myself to a quarterly facial, it finally happened. This weekend my friend Shila and I went to the Akasha Day Spa for an afternoon of pampering. After our hour long facials we were both relaxed and feeling great! I can see myself becoming a bit of a spa junky if I'm not careful (but thankfully the price will probably detour that from happening.) As a treat, they are soooo worth it and we all deserve a little luxury now and again! If you've never had a good facial I strongly recommend it. Incase you don't want one, you can surely donate to my next facial fund.

Ten Years Later...

It's hard to believe that today marked ten years at my current place of employment. TEN Years!! It's weird to fathom that amount of time working for the same company, but low and behold, here I am. To say that time flew by might be an understatement. To put it in perspective when I got hired and how far we've come, I looked up some of the goings-on making headlines way back in 1998, an era before blogs, iPhones, TMZ and American Idol.

-David Spade (Just Shoot Me) is featured on the cover of Entertainment Weekly the week I was hired.
-President Bill Clinton denies he had "sexual relations" with intern Monica Lewinsky on television. January 26
-The 1998 Winter Olympics were held in Nagano, Japan. February
-The 70th Academy Awards, hosted by Billy Crystal, are held with Titanic winning a record 11 Oscars. March 23
-The FDA approves Viagra for the use as a treatment for male impotence. March 27
-Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park opens for business. April 22
-Apple Computer unveils the iMac. May 7
-Seinfeld airs it's last episode. May
-The Chicago Bulls win their 6th NBA title in 8 years when they beat the Utah Jazz, 87-86 in Game 6. June 14
-I turn 20 years-old. July 19
-Dawson's Creek, Sex and the City, That 70's Show and Who Wants to be a Millionaire all debut in 1998.

Obviously a lot has happens in a decade. Back then who would have believed I'd have My (own) Space, not to mention a couple blogs on the Internet-- (WTF is a blog?!)-- albeit a very slow and dial-up driven world wide web. I was just a fresh faced teenager starting out on my own, getting a job at the front desk of a downtown hotel. Somehow I've worked my way up to a management level position with a cushy (yet creatively unfullfilling) desk job. It has served me well and I have met some cool people and made some great friends along the way. But I know I'm destined for bigger and better things. (Why do you think I finally got my ass back into school!?!) I've got talents to share with the world. And as that opportunity to do so inches closer, the anticipation builds at what the next ten years holds for me. Happy Ten Year Anniversary to me... but more importantly...

... HAPPY EARTH DAY TO US!

365 Days Later...

Can you believe I've had this blog for a year now?

Thanks Sarah for starting yet another web-based addiction! Here's to another year full of Brylee watches, belated-birthday wishes and lists a plenty!

2007. The year that...

... I rang in the New Year with Rusty in Seattle. (January)

... I staffed Scott & Jenn’s Summit Training. (January/February)

... I attended the three month Life Mastery Level 1 Trainings. (March-May)

... I got two new tattoos. (April)

... I FINALLY went back to school for Graphic Design. (May)

... IKEA opened. (May)

... Jeff moved to back to Salt Lake City from Santaquin. (May)

... his cats Mit & Mo moved in with me. (June)

...we drove a truck down to Las Vegas to pack up the Samuel family's belongings. (June)

... Sam, Emily and Tarrah moved to Salt Lake City from Las Vegas. (June)

... I went on a master body cleanse for two weeks. (July)

... I turned 29. (July)

... wildfires got really close to my parent’s house, but not too close. (July)

... my Trooper passed the 100,000 mile mark. (August)

... Brylee turned two-years-old. (August)

... my small home town of Grantsville got it's first stop light, as well as a Chinese restaurant, a Subway and a Dominos. (2007)

... my childhood family dog Sophie went to Doggie Heaven. (October)

... Jake & Garrett moved back to Salt Lake City from Spokane. (October)

... Lucas Grant Peterson is born. (October)

... I missed Hawaii! I posted a million blogs celebrating the one year anniversary. (October)

... Mo and Mit moved back in with their dad when he got his new apartment. (November)

... my Isuzu Trooper is paid off. (November)

... Urban Outfitters and Cheesecake Factory open in Salt Lake City. (November)

...I went ice skating for the first time. (December)

... I got a new flat screen TV. (December)

... I decorated nine Christmas trees. See post below (December)