What I do.

I am a conference coordinator, which basically means I get to throw a REALLY big party. :)

I found some pictures at work from the last conference that I wanted, so I'm adding them to my blog.

I love my job!

The 2006 Conference staff

Howard Lederer (World Series of Poker champion), Judy (my boss), Jeffrey Pollack (WSOP Commissioner), and Steve Lipscomb (Pres. of World Poker Tour)

Me and the Conference staffers at a reception. I would have gone bonkers without them!! They were LIFE SAVERS!

The beautiful reception display. I got to pick all the food. That was a challenge. "Judy, what's brie?" Yeah.

Me, dutifully working at the computer during the conference.

This is really how I felt the whole week of the conference. EEK!

And this is really how people felt towards me the whole week of the conference. :)

Registration

400+ bags that we had to haul, stuff and pass out to conference delegates.

The beautiful registration desk where I spent the first two days furiously trying to find name badges and trouble shoot and welcome and....

I included this because it almost shows how many people we had the pleasure of entertaining for a week. There were close to 400 people from all over the world. Sweet!

Pondering the importance of all the Institute's books... :)

I maybe shouldn't include this picture, but I LOVED this guy. (I'm trying not to use names to keep some confidentiality.) Anyway, he was a professional gambler--very smart and very charming. He wore a disguise the whole week at the conference and the graduate students followed him around like eager beavers. It was hilarious!

Here I am with one of the conference delegates. I met some very nice, wonderful people.







I am putting on the same conference in May of 2009. It's the best! Slightly stressful (like alot, to the point that I am dreaming about it), but when I get to see it all come successfully together, nothing is sweeter. It's a way cool job.





This is what I do!

Bridezilla

What an interesting word.

And one I have the "pleasure" of witnessing on a daily basis.  Gotta love roommates... Yes, folks.  I think this is my seventh or eighth batch of friends...  Every year they drop like flies.  (Which, I have to say after the fly infestation of my basement this summer, that phrase takes on a whole new meaning...)

My mental picture looks something like this, except perhaps with fire coming out of the mouth:

Which leads me to question.  And question.  And question.  

Is it really worth it???

After having gone to a live sealing in the temple, I have come to realize that everything else is really, REALLY superfluous.  Who is the reception for, anyway?  And why does it have to be such a HUGE deal???

What are your thoughts??  Since most of you are married, now, anyway.  Do you look back at your wedding day and wonder if all the planning, stress, etc. was worth it??

Recovery at the Beach

That's the plan anyway.  :)

Just imagine:  13 miles.  Hot, sweaty, tired, sore....

then sitting here...

A 1/2 marathon in Hawaii??  Genius.  

I have until next November to learn to love running.  And the joy starts tomorrow.

I Listened to a Prophet's Voice!

Conference Weekend -- oh how I love it!!!

Jack, Katie (Jack's sister and my friend) and I left Reno after work Friday to make the grueling 8 hour drive to Salt Lake City.  Jack lost a previous bet, so he drove the whole way.  What a great guy!  I was supposed to go to a slumber party with my mission friends, but we got in REALLY late, so I stayed with Jack and Katie at their brother, Derek's, apartment.  I got four hours of sleep.  Jack got 1/2 hour.  Yikes!

So, I'll just separate the pictures and explain the weekend that way.  :)

Saturday Morning Session

Jack and I went to (Sis.) Neff's house for breakfast.  I loved being with my mission sisters!  I felt like a missionary again, being there with them!  (Sis.) Richey said, "Yeah, you feel like a missionary while holding a boy's hand, huh?"  Well....

Me, Anne Richey (mission roommate) and Kimberly Neff (former companion)

Misty Heaton (mission friend), Me, Anne Richey and Kimberly Neff

Saturday Afternoon Session

Jack and I drove to Salt Lake City and met up with Derek, Rachel (his wife), and Katie.  We had tickets to this session.  I LOVED Elder Holland's talk.  I don't think Conference could get any better.

It rained all day Saturday, and Jack and I were DRENCHED because SOMEBODY decided to park super far away and walk.  (hahaha)

I love this picture of Jack.  Can you see the rain dripping down his face?

Katie and Derek walking in the rain

Priesthood Session and post conference

We went to Derek's friends' house for pizza after the afternoon session.  The boys headed off for Priesthood session and I took a two-hour nap.  When they walked in the door, I heard the following:

Jack:  "Where's Danielle?"

Friend Angie:  "She's taking a nap on our sofa."

Jack: "That just makes me angry."

Poor kid was still running on 1/2 hour of sleep.  Mwahaha...

We were driving back to Provo (where Derek lives) and passed the American Fork sign.  I decided I wanted to see Chelsea and Cameron, and I'm sooooo glad I did!  I love those kids!

Chelsea, Cameron, and me

Sunday Morning Session (kinda)

We got back to Provo, where Jennifer picked me up so I could spend the night.  She and I stayed up late talking, playing Take Two, and watching our favorite parts of "Pride and Prejudice" (the new one).  I could properly gush at all those mushy parts!  :)

Jennifer and me in the morning.  I watched Conference at her apartment.

She dropped me off at Derek's apartment, and we said our goodbyes.  

It was a fast, but a great trip!

Derek trying to eat Rachel's forehead.

Mitchell clan

Katie and Jack on Temple Square

Random picture of me

Here we be!

It really was a great weekend!  I was reminded of important things I needed to do in my life.  I loved the talks, the feelings of the Spirit, and the reminder that God is so good.

We drove and listened to the Sunday afternoon session in the car.  We were so happy to be back in Reno, but I am so glad for the chance to go to Utah!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KERRI!

MISS KERRI:

Let me just tell everyone how cool my cousin Kerri is.  She's cool.  Really cool.  

And now she's old.  Mwahaha!

I hope you have/had a good one!  I love you!