Monday, January 24, 2011

The Joys of Working at JSMB


I experienced my first JSMB Premiere Wedding Show as of last Saturday. I wish I would have thought to bring along my camera to fully capture the event. All I can say- It was CRAZY!
I was stationed in the Empire Room with many of my fellow server friends, working butler style.

[Server Lingo
-Butler style equals carrying a small circular tray, half the size of our usual oval trays, all afternoon because we were not allowed to use the tray jacks.
-Tray Jack is the wooden apparatus used to hold the trays. Next time you eat at a restaurant with waiters, look at what they place the tray on. That is what I am talking about.]

Typically, I come home with sore muscles from a day at work. I never remember how much physical labor is involved in being a server. The difference with this particular afternoon was that my right arm was constantly up, holding my tray. It was a straight two hours of clearing. Not my favorite, in the least.

And now for the fun stuff:

A number of my fellow gentlemen servers were literally assigned to wear a tuxedo all day. I wouldn't be surprised if my supervisor picked those that would look best. I don't know if they fully enjoyed themselves because I only saw a few of them as they occasionally walked into the Empire Room or kitchen for a break. Their main purpose was to escort the ladies who modeled wedding gowns as they descended the grand staircase. Even though I look and feel like a masculine ninja in my uniform, I was not immune to these good looking friends of mine ;)

The set up of the room was to show off the range of options that are possibly provided for your special day, although I had never seen the food provided by the Catering office ever served before. The Floral Department also went above and beyond. I've seen my share of intricate and expensive weddings and had reason to shake my head. (Why spend this much money on your wedding when you could put some of it towards your future? Then again, if you can, why not...? My wedding, whenever that blessed day decides to occur, will not be anywhere near that extravagant.) The Wedding Show still went ABOVE AND BEYOND their typical above and beyond.

 Let me explain: The room was separated into corner sections, each with a different possible wedding theme: Vintage, City Chic, Mountain Retreat, and Beach. The food, the floral, the decorations were all according to the theme. Each corner was provided with two round tables with chairs and one cabaret. (Lingo- a cabaret is a small, tall table where guests stand to eat their refreshments.) Each section was decorated with elaborate chair covers, linens, and two choices of centerpieces: one very tall or elaborate while the other was shorter and much simpler. Each selection also displayed a possible wedding cake. I have never been to a wedding show before. I have never had the reason to attend. Thus, I was incredibly shocked by the detail provided.
Vintage was gold and white with intricate curls and lace. The cake was extremely tall. I would guess 5 to 7 tiers, each with elaborate gold appliqué and a unique shape. The food was a Trifle bar. It had the most sweets with small, individual trifles, both chocolate and raspberry, and flavored macaroon cookies-two connected with a creme filling.
I worked at the Mountain Retreat. My wedding may be way off, but even I gained some ideas. My favorite part was the centerpiece. The designers had used pieces of an Aspen branch, cut in different heights, and placed small votive candles on the top of most. I don't know how many trees were injured for beautiful display, but I loved it! There were even fake butterflies that moved! I mean, have the paper butterflies as appealing to the eye. But plugging them in so that you have the appearance of real butterflies? There was also a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling, made of branches and moss, that held lighted candles. We served grilled vegetables: marinated carrots, zucchini, squash, and eggplant that looked like mushrooms, (I tried an eggplant and it was large and slimy.) and two different kinds of macaroni and cheese. The fancy kinds: bacon and cheddar, and gouda/brie. I mean really? Really???
The Beach had two seahorse ice sculptures that were three feet tall!
City Chic was a combination of black, charcoal, and silver, with a deep maroon accent. Amazing! Not my cup of tea, but impressive just the same. It also had blue lighted chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, I would guess about 4 feet long triangles pointed towards the floor.
The food was complete with tiny silver plastic forks and spoons for all the tiny food.

In the Empire Room, there were possibilities of bands that could be hired to play for weddings. The first was a blues group with a bass, piano, trumpet and saxophone. Their music was fantastic but if you sat too close to the stage, conversation was impossible. The second was a strings sestet. They had a wonderful set. I loved all the music they played- Somewhere in Time, Anne's Theme, October Sky. Mellow but beautiful. I'd grab their card.

Overall, the afternoon was a blast! I bonded with server friends. The whole building was beautiful. Whenever my special day decides to happen, I think I now have some original ideas and ways to go about doing it without paying my arm and leg.

*Sigh* So Pretty! So wish I had had my camera!!!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

this was for me

Tonight, I went to the Sandy Institute Forum. Often, I hear exactly the words that I need to hear. The same situation happened tonight. Crazy how inspiration can work between strangers! Brother Scott Anderson spoke. I laughed. I cried. I realized that I do have more friends in that building than I thought.

Part of his message means so much that I want to share it with you.

Brother Anderson asked why, when we wake in the morning, we look at ourselves and think, "Where was I when God created the beautiful things of the world?" Do you think that Heavenly Father greets you saying, "Hello Ugly Child. Ready to fail another day?" So then why do you?

He ended his message with this clip. And if I could remember this every day, life would be so much easier.
[Grab tissues. Never fails, I weep.]




You are loved so completely that He gave all for YOU. 
God never lets go.
 He knows, better than we do, how our stories will unfold. 
We just have to keep trying.


And that is the message I needed to hear tonight.

Monday, January 10, 2011

My First Non-First Day of School

Right now, the University of Utah campus is swarming with students.
My friends are riding the trax train, buying books,
and worried about new classes.

Me?
What did I do today?

Became the newest fan of Chuck.



Pixel told me about the show a long time ago but I never really thought to watch it since it is on Mondays. Then Starlee talked about it a little ways back and mentioned that the relationship between Chuck and Sarah is fun to watch. And since I didn't have anything stealing my time away this morning, I wasted some time watching it on hulu. (Or You-Who, according to my mom.)

Good luck to everyone starting another fun and stress filled semester. Hopefully, I'll find a job soon and have something more substantial to fill my time. Or, at least, here's hoping :)

P.S. I received another email from the Friend Magazine this afternoon. Not about the internship that they thought I wasn't right for, but about the submission that I included in my painstakingly beautiful portfolio that is now in the trash. They are even more interested in buying it for publication!!!
That is something.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Citto Gelato and Cafe


I love food. Wednesday night I found a new favorite spot. My friend, Darling, was in town before going back to school and we thought it would be an excellent idea to go out to eat. Both of us love to go little places out of the way, looking for something a little different with great atmosphere and awesome food. I have lived in Sandy for most of my life and I have never really looked that hard for such a spot.

We found it! 2101 E and 9400 S right by ShopKo. Citto Gelato and Cafe! It was rather small. For the majority of our stay, we were the only ones in the room. The room has wrought iron chairs, creating the effect of sitting out on a balcony in Italy. Truly. The menu is not extensive, but it provides soup, salad, and paninis. YUM! And a scone that was so messy, it was delectable.

We ended the trip with a cup of gelato. How can you visit a place with Gelato in the title and not??? Seriously. I suggest the combo of Chocolate and Cinnamon.

It is days later and I'm still smiling.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

2010 in Review

Lots happened in 2010. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, cycling between utter joy and heartbreak. Dad reminded us that last year wasn't all bad. It was just a matter of perspective. I witnessed miracles and I took a few more steps closer to the person that I am intended to become.

So, here is my year at a glance:

January
-I went skiing for the first and last time.
-Squirt, Pixel and I had our first Gilmore Girls Marathon Extravaganza, complete with Chinese, junk food, and a three-legged table.
-I began to strive for London.
-Maggie broke her leg.
-I started one of my favorite semesters as an Alto in Institute Singers



February
-Maggie and I spent a lot of time together as I attempted to care for her with her broken leg.
-My dear friend Rally left for her mission in Japan!
-I was asked to participate in the new Brighton CD and made a bunch of wonderful, musical friends.
-I enjoyed my first cup of Nielson's Frozen Custard. Yum!
-Institute Singers traveled up the canyon for a Snow-Shoeing Expedition :)


March
- I was accepted into the London Eye Program.
- My life was changed again by listening to the wondrous ladies of One Clear Voice
-Started the tradition of lunch with friends
- Experienced the full extent of Festival of Colors! The sun was darkened by a thousand different colors thrown in the air. Beautiful and suffocating at the same time.

Before:

 After!


April
-Enjoyed Easter Sunday and General Conference together
-My best friend bought a house 10 blocks away!
-Pix cut my hair
-First time at Laughing Stock
-Cemented my nerd status at readings in the Art Barn
-Felt like a rockstar by recording the Brighton Reunion CD 
(In the coldest basement known to man.) 


May
(The scariest and most adventurous month of the year)
- Family trip to the temple
-Carrie's initial surgery and the beginning of a summer of complications
- I fell in love with London, England (Big Ben, St. Paul's, Twelfth Night, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, friends Kathryn, Ben, and Mike)





- Came home to live in the ICU for a week and an Extreme Makeover Yard Edition on Segovia Circle



June
- After a year, I finally got a job! Newest banquet server at the JSMB
- Started working as Female Stake YSA Rep
- Visited Brighton for Precamp week with Pixel 
- Hiked up Little Cottonwood Canyon with Jibber
- Spent time together as a family as Carrie slowly began to recover




July
- Hiked A&B with Abu
- Gained Junior Ranger status at Timpanogas Cave with Squirt and Jibber
- Spent Pioneer Day with Jibber and Darling up in Logan 
- Carrie came home!
- Brighton Reunion!



August
- I was asked to be one of Pixel's Bridesmaids and went along for the big day of wedding dress shopping. It was wonderful :)
- Witnessed Carrie's hard work at therapy
- Saw the penguins at the Aquarium as part of Melanie's first date. As older sisters, we're so cool, we went along
- Started my last semester as a college student
- Turned 23 :)



September
- Answered a boy for Melanie's homecoming date and made a stellar story out of it
- Went with Brittney to Lexy's wedding
- Attempted for a Church Magazine internship
- Hiked Mary Twin with Kathryn
- Worked at Brighton for a Relief Society Activity 







October
- Splash and I threw Pixel a Brighton Bridal Shower
- Witnessed Dallin's stake play "The Tale of Two Brothers"
- YSA Stake Halloween Bash Success
- COB internship interview
- FOOTBALL :)



November
- Newest owner of TOMS thanks to Maggie
- Played guitar for choir
- Sang in a trio
- Carrie turned 15!
- Pixel became Mrs. Doug Hendricksen while I was a bridesmaid





December
- Crazy work schedule at JSMB 
- Graduated from the University of Utah
- Listened to beautiful Christmas choir concerts
- Forgotten Carols with Jibber and the Sandy crew
- Tradition of Eclipse concert with Brittney, Kendra, and Mindy
- Merry Merry Christmas



Really, my 2010 was quite a year. And Dad was right, it wasn't all bad. 2010 is another year to go down in the history books. I am so grateful for family that stand by me always, friends who take care of me when I need to smile, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that everything will Really work out, whatever happens.


Happy New Year!



 Here's hoping for a happy 2011.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy Birthday Daddio!

My dad is my hero. And today is his birthday.
Happy Birthday, Birthday Boy!!!


Things I love about my Dad:
- His funny sayings
- His wisdom and perspective on life
- His unfailing faith
- The quiet way he watches his girls
- His thoughtful nature
- Listening to him explain sports to me 
(and the moments where I can prove that I'm learning)
-His range of laughter, a different laugh for each different joy
- His philosophies that he shares with me
- His constant willingness to serve
-What I call his "Papa Bear Nature"
- The look in his eyes when he sees my mom
- Watching Utah football together!
- His bear hugs!
- He is devoted to being the greatest Dad in all the land
- The twinkle in his eye when he smiles
-Watching him protect his family
- My dad's testimony
- To me, my father is the epitome of what he titled "A Priesthood Man of God"



Dad, I'm a lucky girl. I will forever be grateful that I belong to you.
You make me proud to be a Hortin.
I LOVE YOU!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

a toast to the future



Simply need to say: 
Happy New Year Family and Friends!
 I can't believe we made it through 2010. It was a year of 
overcoming frustrating obstacles
 but we are stronger because of them. 
May we all have a blessed 2011 
with many adventures to remember 
for years to come.