7-31-16
Week 7 of Internship

Happy Birthday to Mom and Dad this week!  It's been a busy and fun week, and though our plans changed daily, we were able to make some good fun.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Day Concert: Kristina and I watched the Mormon Tabernacle choir pioneer day concert last Sunday evening.  Pioneer day is not very big over here, but us westerners were able to celebrate.  We also painted our finger and toe nails during the event.

Work: This was a busy week at work as well.  We had a 6 hour meeting on Wednesday (which I got nothing from but pinterest pins), and another 2 hour meeting on Thursday (much more entertaining and meaningful to me.)  I was able to get a few revised and clean label samples back from the supplier, and the SVP of private brands was walking by the kitchen at the exact time that we were trying them.  They were very impressed that the clean label product was much better than the control!  I also had my final presentation on Friday which went very well.  If all the bridges in my life get burned, at least I know that I have Walmart to depend on for a job :)

Jack Pestello (right side, white shirt, and holding the mike) is the SVP over private brands.  We get along pretty well.

Clean label and current product... they look the same, right?

End of the Year Intern Celebration: We got to leave work at 3pm on Thursday for the end of the year intern celebration.  It was kind of lame.  Kristina and I chit chatted and played a few games which was fun, but we were expected to wait around until 6 to watch the interns get their behinds kicked at softball by the executives... yeah, we didn't stay for that.  We did make it back for socializing at institute, though.  I love my ward!!!

 Summer Storms: The summer storms are crazy here!!! I've gotten very good at driving while not being able to see.  No wonder it's so green!

Entering the eye of the storm

Waiting for the rain to let up a bit so I can leave the gym... it is literally like taking a shower

Thorncrown Chapel: In my interior design class last semester, we studied this chapel.  It is mostly made of glass with wood beams as the support.  One is supposed to feel like they are still in nature while sitting inside, connecting nature and spirituality.  It was pretty neat to stop by with Kristina and join the baptist summer camp for a few minutes.

Eureka Springs: There is this tiny, hippyville, tourist town called Eureka Springs, located about an hour from Bentonville.  Kristina and I spent our Saturday morning there, and I really loved it!  It is so awesome to just walk down the streets and window shop!  It reminded me of Europe, even though I've never been :)

On the streets of Rome :)

I love this lunch box!!! One day, I will get it :)

Kristina is so nice.  I'm so glad that I've gotten to know her this summer.

The backpack completes my tourist look.

Haircut: I got one...

Star Trek: This week has been the week of Star Trek, and I've loved it!  I have never seen Star Trek, but now I can see why Shon was so obsessed with it when he was young.  We watched the first one in the institute building after FHE on Monday.  Kristina and I borrowed the 2nd and watched it Friday night in our hotel (it was kind of funny receiving the DVD from our friend who works at chick-filet... it looked like a drug deal taking place).  We then went to the movie theature last night and watched the 3rd one on the big screen.  It was pretty cool, and a great way to start the sabbath :)

pumped for the movie!!!

Week 5 in Arkansas
7/17/16

What a fun week in Arkansas.  I was able to do a lot of playing and get a pretty good tan towards the end of the week :)

FHE: For FHE this week, we played softball.  It felt pretty good to give my old glove some good use.

We played until sundown

I'm there in shortstop

Waiting for the ball in an nonathletic stance :)

Crystal Bridges: Kristina and I went to the multimillion dollar art museum here in Bentonville after work on Wednesday.  The art went from the 1700's to modern.  There are also tons of trails around as well.

Who needs real trees?

Lookout before entering the museum

The original George Washington Portrait

No one can Deny that Alexander Hamilton was a very good looking man.  In the background is a painting of a manly-man fighting a bear :)

The aging of seasons.  Obviously spring is the youngest boy, summer a bit older, and winter the wise old man

Summer

Autumn.  The cool thing about these models is that they have 20ft tall versions on the outside of the museum on the paths.

Finally winter...

...and the huge winter model on the outside of the museum

haha, brainiac :)

Tulsa: Drew was in Tulsa for soccer business -- the President's cup championship.  I was able to go hang out with him, Bryan Atridge, and Bryan Smith.

The Marriot was very welcoming to the soccer players

Best BBQ ever.  Drew and the Bryans had gone here the night before and wanted to come back because it was so good!  We had ribs, brisket, sweet potato fries, toast, coleslaw, beans, potato salad, and homemade chips...

of course finishing with peach pie and ice cream.

Saturday morning we went and watched the 2 utah teams play... they both won, woot!

A golf cart always makes you look official

We then of course had to do our 18 holes.  This was 54 holes in 3 days for Drew.  Way to keep your game up, Drew!

for jeans and street shoes, I didn't do all that bad :)

Drew and Bryan looking for balls... we definitely came home with more than we lost, and we lost quite a few!

I'm going over to our Bishopric members house for dinner tonight for "visiting teaching."  Hope everyone has an enjoyable week!

Week 6
7/24/16

Home Sweet Home of Arkansas

I'm really starting to feel very connected to North West Arkansas.  I've received many more important projects at Walmart this week, and I was able to play with many of the awesome people here.  It really doesn't matter where you are at in the world, life is good when we build relationships with others.

Sunday Dinner: I visit teach a sister who's husband is in the bishopric -- they're names are the Gregsons.  This couple is so funny and awesome!  They invited us as well as those that they visit and home teach over for dinner.  We had a night filled with lots of laughs and jokes, as well as spiritual upliftment.  Brother Gregson told me that I was the most unique lady that he'd ever met...

Sister Gregson, Tessa, Kaiti, and Brother Gregson

Can't remember her name, but she can open her mouth very wide

The elders and some kids from the ward

Delicious enchiladas and spanish rice for dinner.

Mom's Cheerleader -- Someone else in the Walmart Parking lot thinks that Grandma Hiatt is #1 as well!  You have fans all over the country, Mom!

Random Funny: Someone tried to be smart... I guess you need to choose one side or the other :)

Red Stadium -- While Kristina and I were returning from Institute, we noticed that the stadium was completely red!  

Giving Blood -- I voluteered to give blood at work this week.  It was super slow!!! At first, I was not allowed since my heart rate was too low (45 beats/min), so after jumping up and down, I was able to get it up to 58.  Needles are so scary!

Crystal Bridges Trails -- Kristina and I went to check out the trails around Crystal Bridges friday after work.  It was so fun!  They had different pieces of art around, some of course being more impressive than others.

A metal framed bench filled with rocks... super uncomfortable

Super cute... Very famous as well

Beautiful landscaping

The "Crystals" behind Crystal Bridges.  Many were found in this area

 

 These are the life size sculptures of the inside models

Spring

I'm in the summer of my life

Autumn

Winter

A Wild Cardinal!  Christmas is coming!!!!!!

Devils Den -- Saturday Morning, Kristina, Kaiti, and I (another boy was there for part of the time but only made it 1/3 mile before we had to bring him back) went hiking at Devils Den State Park.  It was full of Beautiful views and great rock structures.  We were worn out by the end!

You'd love the layered rock, T.C.!

It's so beautiful and green here!!!

Andy's -- I have been waiting for the moment to go to Andy's all week.  I have built it up in my mind that it would be as awesome as the what the natives say.  I was no disappointing.  I had the best caramel pecan custard I've ever had.  It was amazing!!!  

It was a good week, and its crazy that we only have 4 more! I gave a talk on pioneers today, and I'm so grateful for the pioneers in our lives.  I love how we can help others be pioneers by opening our mouths and by doing our part in the rescue.  Have an awesome week!