8-14-16
Week 9 -- I can't believe that it's almost over

Dang, my time here in Arkansas is coming to an end, and now I only have 1 more week!  I'm super sad.  I could see myself living here (especially with free breakfast, dinner, housekeeping, and laundry), and Bentonville is such an awesome town.  This week was so full, but very fun.

Sunday Hangout: Kristina and I went over to our friends' house and watched some gymnastics and hung out.  I visit teach Marissa (in the purple), and she is super fun!  I'm really going to miss the girls in the ward.

Work: Since my project is over, I have been doing some pretty boring computer jobs at work that need done, but no one else wants to do them.  It's given me great motivation to network though :)  I've connected with two of Shon's friends (Shon knows everyone!!!) as well as some key players that have promised me a job through Walmart no matter what city I end up living.

A huge moth I found on the job

Shon's friend from Harvard, Ben Wanamaker

Shon's friend from Freshman year at BYU, Charles Skinner.  Shon also studied with his wife in Ochem

Keith (food scientist), and Katie Queen (sourcing)

Kim (buyer) and Nettie (food scientist)

Bagel Night -- Remember Seth and his family?  I've gone over to his house for dinner before, and I worked with him in the BYU lab.  He called me up on Tuesday and told me that Ashley (mutual friend and my visiting teachee) was going to teach us how to make bagels.  I love making bagels, and they turned out super delicious!  We made blueberry coconut and plain bagels.  The interesting part about bagels is that you need to boil them in a baking soda boiling bath and then cook them in a 500 degree oven.  Hot!!!

After the first rise.

kneading the dough and mixing in the blueberries

letting the bagels rest

Grape Festival -- We spent Wednesday night at the Grape Festival.  It was a super fun event, but looking at the rides made me super sick.  I don't know how kids to the spinny things.  Kristina and I went with our friend Alyssa Jones.  There actually weren't that many grapes there, but we did do a grape stomping competition.  It was pretty gross knowing that so many people had put their feet into the barrel, but it's all for the memories, right?

A pretty packed event

The cutest little turtles!!! I was so tempted to buy one!!!

grape feet!!

Stomping on the trailer

classic fair-type food.

Temple Trip: I was able to take my 2nd paid day off and go to the Kansas City temple.  It was a great 3.5 hours there, followed by a temple session.  We then cruised over to the Independence visitor center and took a tour.  I also got to meet Josh's sister who is finishing her mission in about a month.  She had a doll that an investigator gave to her that needs taken back to Utah.  I was more exhausted after this day than I was after a normal work day!!!  My friend Bryson and I spent the night playing games and watching the Olympics with Kristina in her room... her last night in Fayetteville.

Kaiti Gurthrie and Blanca (from the ward)

Sister Lindsey Peterson

Troy and Aly in Town: The highlight of my week was when T.C. and Aly came to town.  We did so much, and it worked out having my hotel room for everyone to stay. Troy and Aly were able to go to the Dixon Street Book Store before I got home from work. Once I came back to Fayetteville, we took a 3.5 mile walk up around campus.  There were tons of sorrority girls and they all looked the same -- long shirts with shorty shorts so it looked like they were actually not wearing any shorts :)  We then had a light subway dinner and then... Andy's.  Andy's is the best treat anyone could ever have.

They look so natural here!

2 very different subway sandwiches, but both delicious.

Caramel pecan with pieces of heath bar, hot fudge brownie and peanut butter, and key lime pie.

One happy group.  The celestial kingdom could never be closer.

 Saturday morning started out early with exercise at 5:30 and leaving for the Walmart Saturday Morning meeting at 6:45.  The Saturday morning meeting is a tradition every so often where the walmart does announcements about the business.  Most of it is good fun, however.  Tim Tebow was there with an inspirational interview (that man is huge), and the OJay brothers (I've never heard of them before either.)  After the meeting, we all went over for the official grand opening and tour of the culinary center.  Tons of free food and other stuff (we would have loved to see Sulet in a place like that :) ) I was able to introduce Aly and Troy to all of my bosses and coworkers including a couple SVP's.  We had chicken tacos and tons of ice cream, all before 10:30am :)  I was so happy that T.C. and Aly were able to meet everyone at Walmart in such a fun environment and to see a little bit of our culture.

Next we went into the Bentonville Square and saw the happening farmer's market and walmart museum.  They even had an ice cream eating contest going on,  We wanted T.C to participate because the winner got a year's worth of Yornell Ice Cream :)

Sam Walton's truck that he would take hunting after work with his dogs

Kid's portion of the ice cream eating contest

From the square, we took the trail system to Crystal bridges, the world renown art museum.  There was even a woman playing a harp and singing in the woods!  It was like Enchanted!!! In the museum, T.C. loved the George Washington portrait as well as high contrasting colors.  Aly loved the outdoor landscapes and the apple candy art :)

harp player

Aly and Troy admiring the naturally occurring crystals

Love story.  Once upon a time, there was a lonely bachelor.  He wondered when he would find a woman.  For 29 years, he laid on his back and prayed for a wife.

 Soon, a girl showed up, and after 5 dates, they decided to get married on their 6th date.

 Once this happened, the wife decided that she wanted a little boy delivered from the stork.  After looking into their finances, the husband decided that they could fit one stork delivery into their budget.  Soon, a little boy came.  The boy also drank water out of plastic bottles.  The end.

After more ice cream, we went to one of the best Walmart's that I've ever been in.  Aly enjoyed playing with the new "scan and go".  We bought all the ingredients for sandwiches for linger longer as well as other things.  At home, we perfected a soon to be marketed snack (caramel and crackers), and went swimming,  Tanner loved the hot tub, but completely shut down in the pool :)  We went to HammonTree restaurant for dinner, a local grilled cheese joint.  They had the best sweet potato fries that we have ever had, and we all shared each other's sandwiches.  Troy and Aly sure know how to have a fun time.  We made one last stop by a top of the line Walmart before heading back to the hotel for the night.

Sunday morning was filled with sandwich making.  We wanted to open up a shop out of our room!  Troy and Aly left right after sacrament meeting, but linger longer was super successful!  We cut our 10 various-types of sandwiches into 6 pieces each, and other people brought toppings and sides.  I love successful church events, and I love my ward!!!

The sandwich assembly line

Feasting.  I'm going to miss them!

I'm so glad Troy and Aly were able to come.  It sure made an awesome end to a great week.  One more and then I'm out of here.  I'm actually very sad to leave and go back to Utah, but I'll probably adjust.  Have a great week!

8/20/16
Week 10

Last Week in Arkansas... So Sad

Well, I finally made it to my last week in Arkansas.  What a sad day.  I'm really going to miss my ward the most.  I love those people.  We had a pool party for FHE.

Kristina came back into town for one day to make her trip to Duke.  She had already checked out of her hotel so she stayed on my couch.  Just my luck, I had a pretty good scream that night.  Oh well... All we can do is laugh :)  Kristina, Bernard, Alyssa, and I went to the $3 theater that night and watched the jungle book.  It was so fun, and a great movie.  I'm so glad I had Kristina as a friend this summer.

Gross picture, but this was right outside the movie theater

I'm also going to miss my work.  I was able to finish some really tedious and character building tasks this week.  My highlight was when my team took me to this cool restaurant called "Table Mesa."  It's a Mexican/Asian joint.  The best thing on the menu are cheap dates.  They are Gorgozola stuffed dates that are grilled and wrapped in bacon. Very complex flavors.  My boss paid for me and my team gave me a nice card and a Walmart gift card.  I'm going to miss them so much!  I actually received a VERY nice offer for an internship next year, and have already accepted it.

The Team.  Food lovers,

The Surfer Burrito containing grilled shrimp, chicken, Korean BBQ, french fries, and a pineapple sauce inside.  My kind of complex flavors!

Saturday, Josh was supposed to get in at noon.  I had such a fun day planned too!  Well, American Airlines stinks!  He ended up getting his flight to Dallas canceled, his luggage got lost in Chicago, and he traveled for 20 hours straight.  He could have driven in that time!!!  I'm going to go pick him up in another hour or so tonight.  Since he wasn't here, I cleaned a church building with my ward, and then Alyssa and I went and explored more at Crystal Bridges and around town.  Very fun alternative!

haha, I sent these to Cassie.  They are quite clever.  Alyssa and I found some odd things in some boutiques.

I followed this picture and took pictures because they were so adorable!!!

This could be a magazine cover!!! or the Ensign.

Josh mixed my fave with his... Weird, huh?

Well, tomorrow we are embarking on our trip to New Mexico at 7:00am sharp.  It will be a long drive, but I'm excited to see Sam, Shane, kids, and Katy.  Thanks for all the support this summer, guys!  Love ya!

Week 8 in Review
8/7/16

Wow, time is flying here!  I can't believe I only have two more weeks left.  Much is going to happen in the next two weeks, so I know that they are going to fly by as well!

Sunday Game night: When I first started working in the vitamin analysis lab at BYU, I measured vitamin A with Seth Ellsworth.  He now lives in Arkansas with his wife and baby, and he is pursuing his doctorate of food science at the University of Arkansas.  We went over to his house for Sunday dinner and game night.  I would recommend the game: Settlers of Catan.  I lost, but I would for sure use a different strategy next time :)

Intern Bike Ride: All the interns had an opportunity to do a morning bike ride around the town and a trip to the coffee shop.  We rode so slow that I almost struggled to keep balance :)

Meeting up in the morning

The girl in the white is my friend, Erin Haley

We rode to the overlook of Crystal Bridges.  It looks like a Star Wars base

I thought that the coffee shop looked pretty cool -- very lab like

This is a funny little store.  It says under Sunday "closed for church, long runs, and naps."  I love this town!!!

Work: Lots has happened at work this week!  One of my highlights was when the President and CEO of Walmart spoke to us this week.  He is a stand up, charismatic leader, and I trust my company with him.  Troy and Aly will get to hear from him at the Saturday Morning Meeting this next Saturday.    

I was able to do my end of the year presentation this past Friday, and it went very well. The senior vice president over private brands wrote me an email after my presentation to tell me good job (see below).  I think it's so cool that the really important leaders in the company interact with even the lowest interns :) I received  "exceeds expectations" in most categories for my internship as a whole during my exit interview with my manager, and they want me back next summer.  That's nice to know!

Erin,

Great work on the clean label project, you presented well and made great progress on an important project for our customers and our business…thank you.  If there is anything I can do to help as you go into grad school and grow your career, please feel free to reach out to me.

Thanks, Jack

Jack Pestello SVP, Private Brands 

We also had our Holiday showcase in the new culinary center this week.  During the showcase, all the kitchens are decorated, and featured holiday food is set out for sampling.  I brought a huge doggy bag home of lobster, shrimp, sweet potato stuffing, crackers and dips, roasted sweet nuts and dried fruits, and dessert.  Sometimes I feel judged walking around with a take-home tray, but i still live the college life :)  The rooms were beautiful, and they really got me in the mood for Christmas!!

Entrance

dips, cheeses, meats, and nuts and fruit

Christmas table

lobster, shrimp, crab, turkey

baked goods

small baked goods and accompaniments like petit fours and coffee creamers

candy and chocolate

Frozen foods and appetizers

There was also an adult beverage room, but I stayed clear of the tempting wine :)

Cake and ice cream buyers, Dallas and Jennifer.  They're fun and I've worked a lot with them this summer.

Friday Night fun: Friday night, we rushed home from work to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.  The global warming part was lame, but it was fun hanging out with some friends.  We then took off to do 18 holes -- of mini golf :)

Alyssa Jones and the giraffe

Erin and the gorilla

Kristina and the Elephant

Fun night!  I love Arkansas!!!

On the Water: Saturday afternoon, Kristina knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to go with her and the other MBA interns on a pontoon boat.  Um, yes!!! We all headed out to beaver lake and hung out on the water for a few hours.  Tons of fun!!! I didn't bring my swimsuit because I did not plan on swimming -- snakes live in the lake! However, peer pressure and the heat got to me and I ended up doing some *skinny dipping.  The water was super warm, and we didn't see any snakes, woot!

The MBA interns

Drying off in the wind

This next week I have the county fair, Kansas city temple and seeing Josh's sister on Thursday with 4 other girls and PTO, and TC and Aly coming this weekend.  Have a good one!

*Not really, but I wanted to make sure that the readers were paying attention :)