Losing a Best Friend

I had been waiting for the call for the past few days- it was expected, but no matter how hard I tried, I don't think anything could have prepared me for losing my best friend and grandmother.

Carol Jeanne Loveridge Clark, affectionately known also as "Big G", died tonight at the age of 79. She lived a long, fulfilled life, and despite her physical death, she lives on in the lives of many. Big G was a memorable person to meet, whether you knew her for a lifetime, or for only a few minutes. Due to her friendly, selfless, and inquisitive personality, she made friends everywhere she went. If she didn't know anyone when she walked in, she made sure she knew everyone by the time she left.

Big G was one of the few people I know who would stop everything and just sit and talk- every single time. The conversation, no matter how hard I tried, was never on her; she wanted to know about me, and what made me tick. We talked about the "hard" subjects in life, and she gave honest, open advice. She never put on a front or tried to cover up her imperfections. She loved me and Trent just as we came, and never made us feel that we had to be anything but ourselves.

Big G had a great capacity for love. She loved, more than you will ever know, every single one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and wanted them to be happy. She talked at lengths about each and every one of them on an individual basis. If any one of them was having a hard time in life, there was nothing she wanted more than to comfort them and make them whole. She shed many tears for those of us who ever had struggles. I hope all of her loved ones know how unexaggerated this is.

There was one story Big G told me a couple different times: When she was a little girl, her mother told her that when she was pregnant with Big G, she tried all the "at-home" remedies for aborting her, because at the time, the family was so poor that her mother couldn't fathom how they would feed another  child. But, when Big G arrived, the mother was grateful that she didn't, in fact, abort her. While I'm not sure her mother meant much ill from this story, it impacted Big G as a child, and often felt unloved by her mother. I think she felt that she wasn't really wanted, and I think she harbored that insecurity through adulthood. Yet to think of the impact she's had on all of us, it's clear that without Big G, we would all be in trouble. I hope she knows that now, especially if she is looking down on us. I hope she realizes how many people she influenced in her lifetime.

I loved her deeply, and to think of life now without her is just impossible. Even tonight, when I was feeling down, all I wanted to do was to call her and talk to her, until I realized that was no longer an option. There's no replacement for what she has given me, and I only hope that I can continue without her.

My only regret is that I wasn't there for what was one of the most important moments of her life. I hope she will forgive me and know that I never forgot her. She cannot be forgotten, for her fingerprints are indelibly placed all over my life. I am who I am because of her strength and her love. Big G, thank you for everything. I love you.

Dopplegang-this!!

So of course there's been this doppleganger theme on facebook for the past week. Fun, I guess. Though I agree that a lot of people are flattering themselves a little too much. No, you don't look like Megan Fox or Brad Pitt, sorry!! Be more like Trent, whose doppleganger is Alfred E. Newman.

A few years ago, I often got told I looked like Lisa-Marie Presley. I have no idea why I got this comparison but I got it a TON- in the grocery store, from guests at my hotel, etc. All the time. I was guessing it might have been my hair at the time (no bangs, some highlights, etc), because I haven't heard that for at least 2, maybe 3 years. Lately though, I've been growing my hair out, including my bangs, which are long enough for me to pin back. So today, an agent we visited asked, "how many times a day do you get told you look like Lisa Marie Presley?" I laughed and told her that we were just talking about this, how I hadn't been told that in years. So, I guess it IS about the hair!

What do you think, do I look like Lisa Marie Presley? :)

I've Been Watching Too Much True Blood...

This morning, or should I say noon, when I was halfway between sleep and awake, I had this novel idea: I decided Trent and I have been having such a hard time getting up lately because the sun has been getting into the room via a small crack in the blind, and draining us of all our life.

Don't worry, I came to my senses a few minutes later, and realized how silly that concept was. But can I say, True Blood is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I swear, it is so awesome. I thought Big Love was the best, but True Blood takes the damn cake. The thing is, I haven't, until now, bought into the whole vampire hype- I am not interested in Twilight at all, though maybe if it is half as good as this series, then I just might. But definitely, Bill Compton is way more enticing than Edward. Maybe the fact that he is old enough to have chest hair is what allows him to be attractive? haha, I dunno.

No, but Bill Compton aside, here are some reasons you should watch True Blood:
1.) I like all the underlying messages relating to everyone
2.) It makes vampires seem so realistic, and not at all contrived. I am actually convinced that there really are vampires.
3.) The endings! The endings are always so climactic, and they never fail. Whether scary or not, they are worth while.
4.) Anna Paquin. Yes the little girl from My Girl, is one of the main characters, and she is a phenomenal actress.
5.) Actually, speaking of acting, the entire cast is phenomenal. They play their parts so accurately and sincerely. Tara and Lafayette are both freaking amazing but on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Well, there are 5 reasons for you, but there are many more where that came from. Now, I should warn you, it is basically Rated R material, so keep that in mind. And yes, I've heard of the analogy of the ice cream with roaches in it. And I would eat the roaches whole, if it meant being able to watch True Blood. :)

What about you? What is your favorite vampire show/book/etc? 

Celebrity Encounters

Ok this post is just for fun. I haven't had a ton of celeb encounters, but I thought I would catalog some fun ones...

The Lohans: Yes, I have encountered not one, not two but THREE Lohans, all while living in Provo! haha. This all happened a few years ago when Lindsay Lohan was in rehab. One day, I saw Lindsay and her mom shopping for sunglasses at Nordstrom (of course, where else would I be?).

But it gets better...

...a short while later, I was working at the Provo Marriott. I checked in a business man and woman from L.A. In small-talking, I learned they were Michael Lohan's publicist and lawyer. The man clued me in that Michael would possibly be in later. Sure enough, he sauntered in shortly thereafter, and asked me if he could take me out on a date. Ok just kidding, he didn't do that, but I wouldn't put it past the scum bag. hahaha. No but he asked if he could call up to the lawyer's room, and in talking, he said something about how Lindsay was at dinner but would be heading to the hotel later. My co-worker and I were freaking out because we couldn't wait to see Lindsay Lohan (and point and laugh- just kidding!), but she never came in while we were there, so who knows...most likely her dad was on crack and was only displaying some wishful thinking. Anyways, that was the Lohan experience.

The Osmonds: Once again, there are multiple. haha. No, but can I say, Donny Osmond is one of the nicest people ever. He stayed at the Marriott Marquis in NY for a few months while in Beauty & the Beast. On the day he was checking in, I was so excited because obviously, I knew who he was, but I was also hoping I didn't have to check him in because I get celeb-fright; ie, I get all nervous! But my co-worker who checked him in told him, "my co-worker reallllyyyy wants to meet you" and grabbed me by the hand and pulled me over to introduce me. hahaha. I was super nervous but I told him how I went to BYU and that I'm also related to his old publicist. He was so nice, and awesome, and later he gave me and another co-worker awesome tickets to see him in Beauty & the Beast. Oh and one of his sons (very nice also!) was there too and so it was great to meet him.

Then, I met Marie at the Provo Marriott. She was doing a photo shoot there or something. She was a lot quieter, but I didn't really say anything, just checked her in so as not to be annoying-- but she was a tiny little thing! I was really surprised. Then again, this was around the time she was in Dancing with the Stars.

Rihanna: This is going way back in the day when she was a teeny young 16 or 17-year old, just beginning her career. At the NY Marriott Marquis, the employees were gifted a free concert by Rihanna. Yes, that is how awesome the NYMM is to their employees! They rented out a nearby concert arena, and got her for a private concert. :) But in addition, she stayed at our hotel, and while I was walking up in the hotel, she walked by and even then I was star struck by her beauty. I'm a dork. But she is one of my favorite musicians even today, so it was cool!

So, those are just a couple, here are some others that I have encountered (not necessarily met, though some I have). Sorry I can't remember them all, as a lot of them I will remember just by watching tv and saying "ooh I saw that person at xyz": Taylor Hicks, Lily Tomlin, Bill Campbell (OC, lol), Nelly Furtado, Nick Lachey, Tom Green (yes, washed out Tom Green, hahaha), Patty Duke, and I have met some of the apostles of the LDS church too.

And, then, I met this professor from UVA whose name unfortunately escapes me but I'd recall it if I saw it..well anyways, he is a LDS professor and one time even talked at BYU about Joseph Smith. Whoopdee doo right? But I've read a good deal of his critiques on different religious topics..so he checked in one day at the Provo Marriott and I was like, "You spoke a year and a half ago at devotional about Joseph Smith...I really enjoyed it" lol. He was surprised that I even remembered but nice as well. It was just totally random because I couldn't tell you anything even the prophet has said, let alone some random guy.

But yea, now I want to know: what celeb encounters have you had?

Yes I'm lame, but...

...I'm going to pass on an important message. Today, I saw a commercial with Oprah advocating the "No Phone Zone" in the car. I also coincidentally recently saw an episode of her show where she went into great detail about this. This is coincidental because I have seen maybe 5 Oprah episodes in my entire life, so yea. :)

Anyways, but about the "No Phone Zone", I. Totally. Agree. I can tell a marked difference in people when they are using the cell phone while driving. Like, if I'm in the car with someone, and they pick up the phone, I see the focus on the road vanish, and sometimes it's been pretty scary.

Actually kinda funny, but scary at the same time: One day we saw a semi-truck driving kinda erratically, and when we managed to pass him, he had a cell phone in one hand, a cigarette in the other. Umm hello, how was he driving?!?! lol. And, as commercial vehicle drivers, we have seen a crazy amount of truckers talking on their cell while driving. At least get a hands free, even though they aren't much better.

But this doesn't excuse ALL drivers, as I'm guessing less truckers have had fatal accidents than car drivers. 

So anyways, make a self-pledge to get off your phone while driving- because if nothing else, you don't want to be the one responsible for killing someone. Ok sorry that's morbid- but true! :(

#@%@^%&@!!

That ^^ is how I feel about interviewing people for jobs! hahaha. It's way harder than it looks! Ok actually, I am really glad for this experience- it is one of those that is going to form and shape me into a proficient leader. I'm already learning the signs of who to avoid, just based on how they filled out the application. I'm also learning a lot from the applicants' responses on questions- kinda like they're contributing to my conception of customer service. It's an interesting process. But can I be finished now? :)

Have I Done any Good in the World Today...

So, I'm not gonna lie-- life has kinda been craptacular lately for me. Personal issues, a dying grandmother and so forth make for a very interesting start to 2010. And I had such high hopes for this year, too! Life is just super weird how it can be perfect and beautiful one minute, and then come crashing down the next.

Despite MY struggles, however, I've lately been reminded of how bad it could be, and how bad it is for some people. I mean I just read today about a British couple that are being held hostage by pirates, and how they're likely to be killed soon. One of the hostages was just saying she wishes she could be dead, etc. I know it's a weird example, but really? Being held hostage by pirates? It would be a nightmare.

Then of course there's the whole disaster in Haiti, which brings me to tears (especially the Hope for Haiti telethon- so heartbreaking!). I mean, it's not like life in Haiti was that great before, and now it is a total wreck. My heart goes out to all of those who have been displaced or broken from this disaster. I can't imagine the strength the people of Haiti must have to survive, and their endurance inspires me so much.

To think these sort of things and more are occurring everyday, and every moment- to think that somewhere there are people being held as sex slaves, people dying of AIDS, someone being murdered, someone starving, and so forth, and so forth, and so forth- really, the challenges I face are NOTHING in comparison. I have decided here and now that if ever I feel sorry for myself, I am going to look beyond myself and help others in need. Whether it be here in the U.S. or in a third-world country, there are plenty less fortunate than I.

Now, I don't say all of this to be facetious or holier-than-thou; I of all people have seriously lacked in the service department. I am often all too self-serving. But I just think of the torture some people are going through right this second, and it's like, really? Can I really sit there and cry about my issues? To do so just doesn't feel right. Anyways. Maybe this blog entry is really just for me. I don't think everyone else should be compelled by it to serve, but thinking about what blessings we have certainly makes our lives seem so much better, right?