Good Times with Old Friends

Wow, it's hard to believe that 2010 marks the 5 year anniversary since I graduated from business school. Time sure flies when you're having fun! Last night I met up with a bunch of friends from school and we got to catch up on what's going on in everyone's lives. Some are living/moving to other countries, some are engaged and some have kids (or have kids on the way) but overall, everyone seemed happy with where life has taken them.

What I found most interesting was that even though it has been 5 years, the minute we were all seated, it felt like nothing had changed. i guess that's the sign of good friendships. :)

We're gonna be on the Bonnie Hunt Show!

So most of you by now know that my mom was recently featured on A&E's show Hoarders. It was a scary thing to reveal such a long-kept secret on national television, but the response we've received has been nothing but positive.

Well, it seems that Bonnie Hunt also thought my mom's story was interesting enough to invite my family to be on her show. So yesterday we all traveled to Culver City and got to meet Bonnie Hunt. She is an amazing person, totally down to earth and extremely genuine. That's always nice to see in someone of celebrity status. I'll probably post more about the experience, but for now, be sure to watch our episode on March 10th!

The iPad and the Future of Travel

Since I am embracing my inner geek these days, I wanted to take a little time to talk about the new iPad and how it will affect travel. I'm a big fan of traveling light because you can pick up and move last minute, plus it makes for a cheaper trip (luggage fees, bellman tips, etc.). The iPad concept is exciting to me since it combines a lot of functions into one device, which I'm always a fan of. It seems as though the folks at National Geographic agree with me...thought I'd share.

The days of lugging around your laptop, netbook, or notebook on a cramped airplane, across Asia, or even on a weekend ski trip are numbered. We've seen the future of travel in Apple's new iPad tablet--and, according to Steve Jobs during his press conference yesterday, it's "magical."

Don't tempt F8, that text can w8

To all Daily Travelers,

I just caught up on my Oprah episodes on dvr and had to blog about her show on Texting while Driving. I am ashamed to admit that I am guilty of doing this, probably more often than I want to admit. My phone is always in the center console, easily accessible in case anyone needs to contact me while I'm driving.

What I didn't realize, or maybe just pretended not to realize, is that you are basically the equivalent (if not, worse) of a drunk driver if you text while driving. Oprah used her show to feature families that had lost loved ones and put some cocky people who thought they could handle it to a driving test. On average, their response rates were about 20 feet slower than normal. Twenty feet. That's the difference between slamming into a stopped car, a pedestrian, or a child on a bike (as the show revealed).

I don't want to guilt everyone into doing this, you obviously have to make the decision for yourself, but stop and think about it. If your eyes are not on the road, how can you possibly be alert to your surroundings? You're putting yourself, your passengers and everyone on the road in unnecessary danger and for what...to tell your friend that you'll be there in 10 minutes? Unless you're the President of the United States on your way to push the nuclear bomb button or something, who can't simply wait the 10 minutes?

Ok, feel a ranting coming on so I'll just say this. I know it won't be easy, but I'm going to try. I hope all of my friends and family do the same because it just isn't worth it.

If you want to watch the Oprah "texting while driving" episode, click here.

Day 3 after the Hoarders episode aired

Well, it has been 3 days since the Hoarders episode aired and so far, the response seems to be very positive. I've gotten some emails from friends who saw the show offering support and wishing us the best. My mom has also gotten a lot of encouragement not only from friends & family, but from viewers who commented in the A&E forum. I'm so thankful that people are being compassionate because I know she was terrified of what others would think. She seems to have more motivation to get through the mountain of boxes after watching the show.

I also had a co-worker come up to me today to tell me that he saw the show and that his mom suffers from the same condition. He has been wanting to do something about it but had no idea how to start. I hope he decides to get help!

Yes, that is my family on A&E's Hoarders

About a month ago, I wrote to A&E asking for help with my mom's hoarding. Shockingly, they read my letter and within a week, the schedule was set for them to come help my mom. I know she was absolutely terrified to air her "dirty laundry" on national tv, but she agreed to get help and try to move forward with her life.

The team that came to our house was extremely gracious...very professional and respectful. By the end of the 2 days it felt like we had an extended family. We were all joking and laughing while we powered through the task at hand.

Tonight the show aired, to view the full episode click here.

Katie sings Biggest Fan

My little sis, Kaitlyn Noelle sings Biggest Fan.



Can't view? Click here

Savannah's 11th birthday

Savannah's 11th birthday is tomorrow and we celebrated at home doing what she loves most...video games! The four sisters got together at the house(a rare occasion!) and played some Mario Brothers on the Wii for a while. Mom brought a delicious mint chocolate cake from Cold Stone, we punched a pinata hanging from the stairs (rain forced us to take it indoors) and had some dinner at her favorite restaurant, Macaroni Grill. Happy Birthday Vay!

Volunteer and get a free pass to Disneyland

In case you haven't heard, Disneyland is offering a free one-park admission to anyone that completes volunteer work in their community. They're calling it the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion and it will be running through 2010.

Of course, there are some official details you should know about: Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. Must be at least age 6 to participate. Other terms and conditions apply. For details, click here.

Great Travel Guides for Amergris Caye, Belize

For those of you thinking of traveling to Ambergris Caye, I highly recommend it. Home to one of the top scuba diving spots in the world, the Blue Hole is a scene not to miss. Not certified? No problem...take a boat to Shark Alley and snorkel with nurse sharks and giant sting rays. If you prefer to stay on dry land keep your eyes open for spotting some of the most exotic birds in the Carribean. There are plenty of hotels in San Pedro to make you feel right at home during your stay.

Katie sings for my birthday

My little sister, Kaitlyn, has an amazing voice...how I'm related to her I have no idea. Anyhow, she asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year and all I could think of was for her to sing my favorite Christmas song, Oh Holy Night. Here it is for all the world to enjoy. :)

Oh, and the creepy Santa thing is there because she had to be far from the microphone...sista's got some pipes!



If you're having issues viewing, click here

Red Light, Green Light!

Today my mom talked to the producer of Hoarders and had agreed to let her pitch our story to the network. There is no guarantee they will give our story the "green light" but just having the chance feels like a little light at the end of a long, dark, cluttered tunnel. I'm crossing my fingers and leaving it to the TV Gods to decide.

How to confront a Hoarder

Today I told my mom that she is a hoarder. About a week ago, I wrote to the A&E show "Hoarders" and they are now interested in telling our story. The trick is, however, that I have to get her on board. They don't confront or ambush anyone, so she has to agree to participate before they will come to our house. If you know my mom at all, you know that the chance of her first admitting she has a problem, then agreeing to address it on national TV seems less likely than a quick overhaul to the US Healthcare system. At this point, however, I'm willing to try anything.

I spent my day thinking about what I was going to say, how I was going to say it and researching intervention tactics. No sense in recreating the wheel, right?

The hour finally came and I met my mom at a local restaurant (neutral territory...excellent). We started with the usual chit-chat, ordered an appetizer and then BAM...I drop the bomb. "Mom", I begin "I have something to tell you and I need you to hear me with an open mind and try not to react until I've said what I need to say." She would later tell me that she thought she was about to hear an engagement or pregnancy announcement...not quite!

I continued to explain the situation, all the while remaining calm and trying not to put her on the defense. Based on past attempts at intervening, I fully expected my mom to shut down and refuse to talk about the house. To my complete shock, I couldn't have been more wrong. My mom listened while I relayed my experience of living in a house I did not feel comfortable inviting friends to along with my ever-increasing concern for my younger sisters that still live there. I could tell it wasn't easy for her to hear, her body language had slowly changed from sitting up straight to a subtle slouch of the shoulders and hunched back - nearing fetal position.

I knew it was very difficult for her to hear, but this was my only chance. I was on a mission - if I succeeded then my mom (and family) would have a chance to turn things around. If I failed, the house would be a lost cause in my eyes and the chance of my youngest sister being taken away would become a terrifying but likely possibility.

I can't describe the joy I felt when, at the end of my plea, my mom agreed to talk to a producer the next day. I had just achieved the impossible! My mom was going to talk to someone about getting help! I was completely aware of the fact that my mom had simply agreed to talk to a producer, not actually do the show, but you could have told me Johnny Depp was waiting to whisk me away to his private island where we'd live happily ever after - I was equally as excited.

We concluded our dinner, my mom feeling uneasy (she wanted to do some research about the show) but curious, and me feeling surprised and victorious!

Autumn colors in Salmon, Idaho

The two days I spent in Salmon, Idaho were well worth the trip. Flying and driving was exhausting, but the scenery was unlike anything I've ever seen before. I think between the two of us, Trevor and I took about 300 pictures. Thank goodness for digital cameras!




After picking Trevor up from Salt Lake, we made our way north to Salmon, Idaho. The drive was absolutely beautiful and I decided that Fall is my favorite time of year to visit. I also decided that karma can be a cruel, cruel thing when it wants to be. Remember the ticket that Maria and I avoided earlier in the trip? Well, no such luck for me the second time. I was nabbed for speeding in Challis, about 50 miles from our destination. Drat!

Salt Lake and Salmon

My last adventure during funemployment started with my first ever stand-by flight. Fortunately things went smoothly with no delays and I was on my way to Salt Lake City before I knew it. I was met by my cousin Maria and her 4 year old son, Hayden, who had been anticipating my arrival all day and managed to pass out from exhaustion minutes before my arrival. :) Maria and I were able to catch up on the drive out to her house in Lehi and I got my first taste of Autumn colors...so beautiful!