ski patrol REsCue.

Vail, CO - DAY 1
December 18, 2010

The morning started off with an egg sandwich and Drew, Amy, Wes & I gearin' up for the 11,570 feet slopes of Vail.  A few hours of the Back Bowl and we headed in for lunch. Now, what we thought would be a short, 2 hour post-lunch quick mountain ski, turned into a scary ending. Amy and I sent the boys out to do their own thing, while we did ours - they weren't into terrorizing the double black diamonds that were closed off and being B/A like us. We studied the trail map on the way up 'perfecting a plan' to stay towards the right of the mountain, closest to Vail Cascade...Well, let's just say that when we got up to the mountain and headed down our planned trail, we saw a few black diamonds that weren't closed off and got a little lost.

Black diamond to black diamond led us to either going up hill to the left or up hill to the right - our only downhill choice was two double black diamonds:::that may have been closed off? We can't remember. And umm...closed off for good reason, possibly. Funny enough, the trail was named "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT". ha. Amy led, acting like she knew where she was going and we finally hit a point where there was nowhere to go and all we heard was water. We saw a chair lift to our left, but it was wayyyy too far away. And we saw a run to our right, but that was also far away and we'd have to cross the creek. Not to mention, it was 3:45 PM, the lifts and the mountain closes at 4:30 and that's just about the time it gets dark out too. NOT GOOD.

Thank goodness I had my cell phone. Ski Patrol needed to be notified and come find us. We waited for them for about a half hour - 2 guys and 1 girl followed our tracks from the directions we told them. It was a scary ride out of there. It was getting dark, we were riding along a ledge where there was a creek below us and we got to a point where we had to get some speed and hop the creek. Creek hoppin' & ski boot climbin' led us onto the main trail.

We could've gotten arrested or a huge fine, but the ski patrol was very generous and saved our butts from some tickets and only ended up rackin' up a little bar tab at VENDETTA'S (a local ski patrol hang out). The end of the night turned into history......

Airport chillin'...

I’ve slacked, yet again. I’ve been busy, have had a life? It’s Christmas time. I think that’s how everyone feels. I’ll spare you the details.  Well it’s been a good two weeks since my last blog. I’ve explored a few secret spots of Southern California – some being:

 • Secret way to get to Black’s Beach in La Jolla: sketchy trails in the middle of canyons and big houses to make my way down to the beach [balancing over one piece of plywood from canyon to canyon, crawling down in between tiny ridges and seeing a beautiful out of the ordinary view of the beach at sunset and listening to the dolphins talk]

• 710 in Pacific Beach: Friday Night Trivia with the girls has become a favorite of mine.

• Ramona, CA – Ramona Waterfall Hike: has hit the #1 hike I’ve done thus far. My first view was dessert. Complete dessert. I was a little nervous on how I was going to find a waterfall in the dessert-like scenery? Well as we kept walking, we ended up being on the top of a few mountains and canyons and looking down onto long valleys full of fall colors – red, yellow, and orange trees. There were beautiful rocks and rugged terrain all over. As we made our way down to the valley, we heard water. I’m not going to lie---we got lost. Well, we didn’t get lost. We just…umm…took the path on the left rather than the path in the middle, which led us an hour and a half out of our way. We found a fun little fire spot and decided to go a little deeper off the trail & we found water, LOUD water. As we went through some long, tall grass, we found that we were at the TOP of the waterfall – literally the top. We were standing right where the water was trickling down. We made our way down to the bottom, which led to a few battle bounds for me but we made it! We saw 3 guys rock climbing which was soooooooo flippin’ cool. Needless to say there was a cliff high enough and water (kinda—meaning 6 feet) deep enough to jump off of it, so we did.

As of right now, I’m on my journey home – with a pit stop in VAIL, CO to hit some double black diamonds and sip hot chocolate with good company before venturing back home to WiscO ☺
-::-::-::-Brain detOuR. I got side tracked and found some OLD OLD OLD pictures on my computer….they brought back soooo many awesome memories. From high school dances, Mr. BPH, Graduation, random nights during senior year (including Mike Englebert getting the worst wedgie EVERRRR---courtesy of me,  pictures of when my bedroom walls were still

bright yellow and blue, when Jack was not even 1 year old yet, all the fun Soccer/Cross Country team dinners and meets and times with family on Christmas Eve with all of the girl cousins...me getting mad when Krista got the Barbie I wanted hahaha) I have some kick butt friends and family and am sooo thankful for them. I was all fine until I stumbled upon one of Dootsie and I from my graduation - that made me ball like a little baby in the airport. Looking back at how cute and little she was and how grown up she is now, made me cry!!! Dang it! Okay – enough airport sobbing.

This is the point where I’m signing off…and am going to jam to some badass tunes to get me pumped for the slopes of Vail. Waiting for Drew Drew, Amy, Wes, JJ, Tris & Fish to get me outta this small pit of memories---gunna be a rockin’ time!!!

OUT-OF-BODY-SURREAL-EXPERIENCE {part TWO of ::2 Blogs:: 1 day--a little late, sorryyy!}

Saturday. November. 27. 2010
I experience the most surreal-out-of-body-not-even-scary-experience.
........ skydiving.

Yep, I dropped Drew off at the San Diego Airport and decided I wanted to accomplish Skydiving on my Saturday afternoon. I hit up my friend Looney, said "Let's go Skydiving" and he said, "Okay". Well..that wasn't hard :) [didn't need to pull an arm and leg for that! hehe.] I drove down to the Chula Vista drop zone where SKYDIVE SAN DIEGO is located, "signed my life away" and prepared for a 13,000 feet plane dive.

I saw one of my friends jumping and he said he could be my tandem partner. He's on his 1,100th-some-jump & taught me the ropes of skydiving. Decked out in my under armour capris, five fingers and 1/4 zip-up, I strapped up in my harness and ran out to the plane. I was told to put my goggles on when the plane door opened and to just rock out the plane. It was crazy---I wasn't even scared. It didn't even occur to me that I was jumping 13,000 feet with no control and praying the wind would take me the right direction.

A front and back rock out of the plane && we were off. We did a few summer sault flips out of the plane (which was FREAKIN' BOMB!!!!!) and then just free fell. I had to hold my harnest by my shoulders until Isaiah tapped me on the shoulder to flee my hands like I was flying. Before jumping out of the plane he said, "make sure you breathe out of your teeth because otherwise you'll have 120mph wind shooting into your lungs"...so that's what I concentrated on when I was falling---BREATHING correctly. haha. My friend Justin fell 4 seconds after us and when I looked straight ahead he was 5-10 feet in front of me....needless to say, when Isaiah and I pulled our parachute I realized I had a massive amount of drool alllllllllllllllll over my face. haha---yep, Justin definately saw that. New nickname--drool face? how embarressing.lol Once the parachute was released, Isaiah let me guide it. He said, "grab onto these two handles and pull one of them really really hard"---so I did. And we got to spin in spirals down in the sky.

It happened so quickly but it was so out-of-body-and-AWESOME. This was certainly the #1 rush-not-sure-what-to-think-and-i-doubt-anything-can-beat-this-feeling experience that I've ever had. I want to go again!!! It was THE COOLEST THING EVER.

Be random. Do something out of your element. And LOVE IT.

::2 blogs:: 1 day. {PART one}

Blog numero uno.

So---I had a surprise visitor this weekend. Yep, Drew bought a plane ticket on Sunday (the 21st) and flew to California to be with me on Thanksgiving Wednesday night through today (Saturday). Crazy mystery visitor :) Needless to say, we had a blast!!!

Wednesday night---I picked him up from the airport around 10:30 PM && decided to take him down town San Diego to see all the crazy people, BUMS on Sixteen St & to find a cool place to eat that was still serving food this late. We ended up finding our way to the GAS LAMP DISTRICT [which, conveniently enough was a place I sooner or later wanted to stumble upon]. We parked the G6 on the corner of J street and 4th Ave and happened to find a cute little pizza joint that had a total of 2 tables. They were small, the door was open and it was a late-night-cozy(kinda)-place to grab a slice of pizza. Afterwards, as we walked out---some older man was outside the pizza joint playing his Boombox (yes---you saw what I wrote...BOOM BOX) & Journey was his choice of the night. haha.

thursday was turkey day. We woke up early and met a few of my girlfriends to run the 5K turkey trot in Balboa Park {which may i add--was goorrrrrrrgeous!!!!} We landed a time of 24 minutes or something like that and as we were walking to the tents to grab some after-race-bagels-oranges-bananas-water...a rabbit...yep, A FLIPPIN' RABBIT...smoked my leg!!!! It was sooo funny---we almost peed our pants we were laughing and bending over so hard! After that little catostrophe, we went home and made mashed potatoes for our thanksgiving feast we were headed to. We drove over to my friend, Noah's, house where there was a good 15 of us there---we all catered our own dishes and had a feast of over 9 states different dishes. It was the cooooooooolest thing and quite the thanksgiving!!! Once feasting was over, Drew and I went to the beach--to watch the sunset. Crazy--I got to lay on the beach in an oversized sweatshirt with leggings on and watch the sunset ON THANKSGIVING DAY!!! {{certainly, was not in Wisco!}} After getting a little chilled, the PB Ale House firepit called our name. A cocktail or two there, some really awesome conversation and meeting another couple was the best way to cap off a thanksgiving away from our family. The later night consisted of some Pacific Beach fun and then our heads rested on the pillows :)

friday---ohhh friday. A sleep-in-no-alarm-clock morning was exactly what we needed. I took him down to the beautiful island of Coronado..gosh, it's beautiful down there. We walked the beach, got lost in Hotel Del Coronado, saw ice skating by the sea occur & headed back towards La Jolla to hike Black's Beach with one of my friends. We parked near the para gliding area, hiked down to Black's Beach [which might i add, is a nude beach. ha]. Once we got down there, we found the cliffs we were about to climb and tore into them.

this morning---SATURDAY. An early wake up, thanks to Drew and his Wisconsin time zone still...we woke up at 7:00 AM. The morning consisted of Honey's---for Pumpkin Pancakes!, a walk on Moonlight Beach in Encinitas and a drive up the 101 to see Oceanside Pier and work our way back down towards Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach and Del Mar. The coast was breathtaking this morning and the water was pure glass. Surfers paddled their way along the waves, swimmers in wetsuits climbed out of the water and the sun was at a perfect temperature to juuust keep us warm enough. After taking in the beauty of San Diego, I had to drop Mr. Drew Drew off at the airport---I have a hinch, he'll be back sooner than later :)

Spontanaeity---train ride to LA///Liquid Force love.

I’m on the way to LA right now---on the Amtrak Train---to visit a really good friend from highschool, Mr. Christopher Champeau. He’s come down to see me in San Diego, so I figured I’d do the same. We
all need a little Wisco in our life every now and then. On our agenda is just dinner and a chill night – hike a mountain tomorrow – and go our separate ways while I work at D Street and he works downtown San Diego at a club.

Not going to lie, I’m not sure what I expected from riding a train but it’s flippin’ boring! Ha! I guess when I think of a train I think of Harry Potter---and that train seems exciting! I feel like I’m on a bus /slash/ airplane. There is much more room on this train than either one of those but there’s a lot of similarities. The structure is like a coach bus—the windows, seats, curtains. The inside is like a plane with the arm rests in between the seats, the luggage stowaway above your head, and the lights and A/C above your head. It makes me chuckle when the Amtrak conductor comes around, it reminds me of the movie Polar Express—oh yeah, and I totally took a picture of the guy. Ha.

---But the train is good. It’s a good way to let loose, relax but get somewhere fun at the same time. It gives me the “me , reflect, count my blessings time” that I need. Now I can say I’ve rode a train.

I figured I’d blog while I was on the train because it’s quiet and you can people watch which lets my mind wander in great directions that lead me to brilliant ideas while I’m pluggin’ away typing. I look a little studious on my MacBook Pro with my headphones in one ear jammin’ to chill Kid Cudi music and a bohemian bandana in my hair with braids. Hehe. Ohh the simple things that make me giddy!!

Randomness---but the reason I want to write. I want to let everyone know how things at Liquid Force are going [you know, the whole reason why I came out here haha]…well in one word KICKBUTTANDILOVEIT :D
I’ve been cravin’ and obsessing a lottttttt over Liquid Force---I live thinking, dreaming, sleeping, wondering, loving and eager to learn more and more about them, their product, the people and whether or not I have a future there. This last week I’ve reached out to their Art Director & Co-Founder and doin’ some worrrrrk in the Marketing department! I want to know everything and anything about wakeboarding and Liquid Force. I’ve been learning about different board styles and shapes, thinking of new giveaway ideas and ways to promote LF and our sister company Straightline, how to become a solid sales rep, experimenting with different Liquid Force logo designs for the girls boards---so I’ve been working on Typography for that [which is EXTREMELY exciting!!!!! We’ll see if any of my ideas hit 2012 gear!!!] Tony Finn, has given me lots of insight on the industry and not to mention, he digs my tattoo a lot. He thinks it’s totally rad---yeah, they use words like that out here. Ha.

------Post train arrival update::
So I got off the train---and was completely lost. I saw every single sign imaginable in the train station...Metrotrain, Golden Metro, Restroom, Union Station, Customer Service..blahh blahh blahh but I COULD NOT FIND ANY FLIPPIN' "OUT" OR "EXIT" SIGN. Geee whizzz. ha. So I finally found my way out of the platform and saw a Denny's in the distance. Champeau had nooo idea where I was so I walked to the Denny's--to find an isolated Denny's with a crabby server, girl on girl action in the booth behind me and extreme quietness. In order to stay inside I had to order something--so a scoop of icecream with chocolate sounded about good :-)

In regards to my Liquid Force excitement---BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Reach out and open the door that no one thought could be opened. Life is behind it! (Kelly Ann Rothaus)

hapPy thinGs 8-)

I wrote this yesterday--but am posting today :)
So today I woke up & wondered what I wanted or needed to accomplish. As I walked into my bedroom from my shower, the Mission Bay breeze blew into my bedroom and the sunshine lit up my room to where I didn’t need to turn on any icky ceiling lights (I hate fake light – looooove natural light].

Seeing as how I was extremely productive yesterday, all signs pointed towards having a reflection-chill out-organize my room-start my California photo album-and read a book day. As I was listening to my new favorite band out here---“PEPPER”…I started putting a few things away and I came across an envelope that I got from my Aunt Karla the other day. Inside held a picture of my godson, Jack. I grinned from ear to ear and put him next to my baby sister Mackenzie’s picture---this is when I started to realize all of the things that really make me smile and enjoy life.

So I decided to make a list. Last week, my mom and Amy visited—that meant the world to me and I wish both of them were still out here. I love talking on the phone with my grandma-she always seems to brighten my day, always seems so proud of me and floods happiness into my life--she always gives such good advice and she is my oldest best friend. Seeing pictures of my sisters and Jack grow up. Inspirational quotes that I find in uplifting stores---I will have something I’ve created up in a store someday. I’m actually obsessed with my friends snake, Cah [I want one of my own now].  Showers. Painted toe nails. Art. Foot massages. Listening to music. Random adventures like morning mimosas or hiking a huge mountain. Not sticking to a routine, but have enough of one to keep my head on straight. Good conversations with girlfriends. Cool breezes flooding into my room to give me just a bit of a chill to put on big sweatpants and a zip up. Bohemian-like/edgy/punk-like clothes. Fall colors and leaves. FOOD [yes, dad—I figured you’d appreciate this one haha]. Honest people. Laughing. Movie nights. Cooking nights—especially with my bestie.

I figured the list could go on and on…but I realized that there is a lot in life that you can find anywhere that will make you happy. My new quote of the day/week/my life right now is: “Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.” Don’t chase happiness, it will come to you when you least expect it.

Being out here, having a flexible schedule right now really has made me understand, reflect and appreciate certain people and things in my life and what they bring to the table and what I bring to their table… life can get so busy sometimes that everyone is so wound up in their own little world that they don’t give the important people in their life enough time and attention. Everyone needs to feel wanted, loved and needed…show someone you care today. When you think of someone, tell them---you might make their day. If you see someone and you think they look good or pretty or you like their shirt, tell them. If you have people who are jealous of you, envy that and be flattered. You’d be surprised at how little things make the ultimate difference and could change a persons’ life today. Show your care in the world and appreciate who you have and what you have.
[inspired by a few friends and their stories today]

....update for today---PEPPER CONCERT TONIGHT AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGOOOOO. YESSSSS =D

door BolTed. Sliding door locked. uhhhohhhh.

So this last week my momma flew in from GB and started her San Diego adventure with her crazy, spontaneous daughter off the right way...

--or one of the most interesting ways? (you choose)

tuesday afternoon airport pick-up..gosh it was so awesome to see her. we drove around for a little while, while I showed her some of my life (my NEW apartment, winding roads & Hwy 101)and educated her on the californiacan lifestyle and history. We got all dolled up to go to the CHART HOUSE (Landry's restaurant) in Cardiff---the person I'm living with is the VP of all Landry's restaurant so it was his treat. We ate a nice $300 meal--with appetizers, drinks, entrees && EVEN LAVA CAKE DESSERT (which may i add was heaven in your mouth!!!) and also with good company--Peter & Bonnie.

we got back to our hotel around 10pm--decided to treat ourselves to the hot tub. Now we were at the Mariott Courtyard in Solana Beach so we had a door that opened the room and on the backside we had a sliding patio door that led to the pool/hot tub/courtyard area. We hop in the hot tub--and I, naturally, decide I want my camera to take pictures. As I'm running to the room she says "make sure the door doesn't lock!" Me thinking in my brain (duh mom...it's not going to lock). Well, sure enough, the patio door locked behind me.

---now, this wouldn't be a bad thing if we hadn't BOLTED the front door. yep, we were locked out of our room.

Whoops...my bad!

I came back to the hot tub and broke the news to her. She thought I was kidding. "Shut up, you did not" "It didn't lock" "You're kidding"...trying so hard to keep my composure I couldn't help but bust out and laugh and say "no, seriously. we're locked out of our room. I'll go talk to someone..I bet this stuff happens all the time" I go into the lobby in my swimsuit & the maintenance and front desk lady try everything---EMERGENCY KEYS, prying the door open, sliding a credit card along the patio door..everything.

So--here we are. It's 11:00pm and I locked my mom and I out of our room. Front door bolted. Sliding door locked. In only our swimsuits, towels & we have a camera and our cell phones. Niiice move on my part. We can't get into our room until the morning now (until a really good maintenance man comes in the morning). We have no wine (it's in the room!) Bar is closed. No money...but thank you to Solana Beach Courtyard Mariott ladies...we have 2 free breakfast coupons for the inconvenience! BAAhahHAhahaHAHaHAhaha.

We got another room for the night, slept either:

1) naked

2) in our swimsuits

(we'll leave that up to your imagination sick freakssss)

and we have 2 cell phones, that are of no use besides texting our friends and family of this bizarre occurrence and we have a camera, for a good capture of memories.

Ohhh the start of my momma's San Diego adventure. My dad's comment the next day as I'm trying to get mom to go sky diving--- "I'm going to need to up your life insurance if you're hanging out with Court all week"

Bahahahha. LOVE IT.