Huntsmans leave to China

This week has been full of fun and excitement. I promise the Alaska pictures (from April) post is under construction. I'd also like to chronicle a few of the latest and greatest adventures: family vacations and my awesome internship. I've posted two videos by KSL. One with Governor Huntsman and one with First Lady Mary Kaye Hunstman.

Tonight I went to the farewell reception for the Huntsmans and was reminded that he was not just a great Governor that did good things and has a great approval rating, but he's also real. They are genuine people, humble, considerate and kind. And they've done great things for our state. But they're also the first ones to recognize the help of capable and outstanding staff.

Tomorrow is the resignation and inauguration of a new Governor. And I'm confident that Governor Gary Herbert, from first hand experience, has the best interest of Utahns in his mind. His wife is capable and competent, as well. Lieutenant Governor Bell and his wife are also two individuals who have strong beliefs. I met them this week and had the great opportunity of learning more about them. Lieutenant Governor Bell is someone who has strong beliefs yet is willing to listen and represent all.

We're in good hands.

So here's to this new and exciting adventure as we close one chapter in Utah history and open a new one tomorrow.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

I sat at the White House phone again...

Did I mention I have a cool internship?

I sat at the desk again today--just in case the White House called. Unfortunately, they didn't. I guess they're too busy with the Governor, the Sotomayor Senate hearings and announcing a new surgeon general. Nevertheless, I took my job seriously. As usual.

I've had incredible experiences and met some awesome people. Despite my excitement and fun, one of my friends keeps asking me if I ever do anything "real."

So here are a few highlights and proof that i actually work on the job:

Today I helped set up for a press conference, attend the pres conference, and take down the stuff once it was done. I watched reporters do their thing and press ladies hand out media kits. I was right in the middle of the hubbub. It was great! It was definitely a PR person's dream come true! I guess it's a good thing that's what I'm studying, huh?

Not only was it a cool press conference with the Lieutenant Governor, but it dealt with big people and big things. Torah Bright was there (she's a professional snowboarder and winner of the most recent X-Games).

(photo courtesy coolermag.com)

She came to promote the Dew Tour and its recent inception of Utah into their new Winter tour beginning next year. (Utah is now the only state to host both the summer and winter tours.)

A native of Australia, she calls Utah her "second home." I decided I wasn't vain enough to take my picture next to her, but when I found out later that she is LDS, too, I decided I regret not sticking around for the opportunity.

There were several members of the media there. Props to the Salt Lake Tribune for being the first to post an article on the press conference.

I also met Don Schain. You might have heard of some movies he produced: High School Musical (1, 2, and 3).

(Photo Courtesy Governor's Office, found at governor.utah.gov)

Here he is with some filmmakers, honoring Governor Huntsman as Producer of the Year. I was standing behind the girl taking the picture. Promise.

And I work with a whole office staff of great friends. It's definitely been worth it and a summer to remember. I'm just glad it's not over yet.

Oh...and I came across this picture the other day. It made me laugh, so I thought I'd pass the smile along:

72-Hour Kits

For Family Home Evening the past two weeks, we have talked about and worked on updating our 72-hour kits. Tonight we worked on our 72-hour food kits, taking out old food and replacing it with new "rations."

Over the years we learned that there are other sources of emergency food than dehydrated 72-hour kit meals (space food) in a box.

While there are all sorts of variations, my mom used these recommended "rations" from the food kits we put together a few years ago. This is what we created:


72-Hours Kit for 1 person
A minimum of 4 liters of water per kit is suggested

Day 1
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Hot Chocolate, Raisins
Lunch: Ramen Soup, Crackers, Fruit Snack, Juice Drink
Dinner: Mac & Cheese, Raisins, Drink Mix
Snack: 5 Candy, Gum, Fruit Roll

Day 2
Breakfast: Granola, Apple Cider, Raisins
Lunch: Soup-can, Crackers, Fruit Snack, Apple Juice
Dinner: Ramen Soup, Crackers, Drink Mix
Snack: 5 Candy, Gum, Trail Mix

Day 3
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Hot Chocolate, Raisins
Lunch: Chicken Broth, Jerky / Granola Bar, Fruit Snack, Juice Drink
Dinner: Vienna Sausage, Cheese & Crackers, Drink Mix
Snack: 5 Candy, Gum, Granola Bar

Note: The picture only shows one liter of water, but you should have at least four liters per person.

We used Ziploc bags to hold the bouillon cube, gum, and other small things. Then we put all the juices and foodstuffs in two gallon-size Ziploc bags.

I'm grateful for prophets who have counseled us to prepare for "stormy weather" and parents who have always taught and encouraged those principles we now live by.

A favorite quote by President Monson is:

"Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their . . . supply of food . . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year’s supply of debt and are food-free.”
(President Thomas S. Monson, “That Noble Gift—Love at Home,” Church News, May 12, 2001, 7. Also quoted in Liahona, March 2009, p.5)

And one on spiritual self-reliance from Elder Christofferson in the April 2009 General Conference:

It is a simple illustration of a profound power that is much needed in our day and that will become increasingly crucial in days ahead. We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can lift others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism.

What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him.

(For the whole talk, click here).

I know that God's prophets know what is best for us and will help us to prepare for those "stormy days" ahead. And I feel great courage in their words, knowing that God will bless me when I obey.

Jon Schmidt meets YouTube: 1.8 million strong

When it seemed that everyone in the world had posted this video to their blog and the Davis County Clipper ran a story about how it had already reached 1.3 million (now more-than 1.8 million) hits, I finally took time to watch Jon Schmidts recent great hit.

Since Saturday, the record player in my head won't give it a rest. Even as we worked to build a house Saturday for Habitat for Humanity (which is definitely one of the coolest things I've ever done), this song just kept running through my mind.

For your enjoying pleasure, if you haven't watched it yet, take six minutes (two minutes at the end are his story about how the story came to be) and hear what LDS composer (and former Centerville-ite) did to these two songs.

Here's Love Story (by Taylor Swift) meets Viva La Vida (by Coldplay). If you know the two songs, you'll like it even more. And if you're like me, I hope it gets stuck in your head so when you are building a house, you can sing along.

Happy Anniversary!

Here's a little shout-out to two wonderful people who started this eternal family 27 years and one week ago (I'm slow on posting this one). My then-newlywed aunt and uncle lined them up. My uncle, who had just snatched my mother's older sister, met my dad at work. "I was selfish, really," he said. "I had to figure out a way to keep your dad around." Fortunately for all of us, his plan worked! Thank you, Aunt Ireta and Uncle John.

Fortunately, my mother was kind and patient (she knew on the second date) and my dad made the right choice.

Twenty-seven years and four kids later (my oldest brother passed away), they are happy, in love, and going strong!

Thanks, mom and dad, for all your hard work and for 27 wonderful years! Here's to the the next 27 years (and the eternity to follow that).

We love you! (and we're glad you got to go on a little getaway-- you deserve that.)

For more about eternal families and how your family can be happiest, click here. We're grateful to know death is not the end.

Alaska Teaser

I finally got my pictures (long story) from my trip to Alaska a month ago. Here are a few to tide you over until I have a chance to upload some more. A little taste of its beauty and a sneak peak at our fun!

Reflection off the water at Turnigan Arm, near Anchorage.

One of the tallest peaks in the nation's largest National Forest towers above the earth near Glennallen, Alaska.

The famous Alaskan Oil Pipeline. I actually got to touch it at one point during our drive.

And what's North Pole, Alaska without a stop at Santa Claus' house? Unfortunately, he wasn't there. I guess April must be vacation season for the big bearded guy.

Of course, you'll never guess which Christmas song played in my mind as we drove down Santa Claus Lane (I'm not kidding) in North Pole, Alaska, just outside Fairbanks.

You know you have a cool internship when...

...they ask you to sit at the phone, "just in case the White House calls."

I love my internship!

(photo courtesy http://www.ksro.com/Pics/Misc/rotary-cell-phone.jpg)