Icey You -- I see you -- ICU

This entry comes from the hall leading to the University of Utah's Neuro Intensive Care Unit. Jamie is inside visiting her dad who is being treated for a blood clot in a vein in his brain. Normally most patients who suffer a similar illness recover to full strength with no lasting effects. It's a little scarier in her dad's situation, however, because his family has a history with blood clots --his mom, oldest sister, and two brothers have all suffered from them. His oldest sister passed away from a blood clot in her brain. She reacted with the blood thinner medication and her brain hemorrhaged. Jamie's mom is a nurse, so she has been able to communicate with the doctors and make sure they take extra precaution with his situation.

So far no neurological damage has been found with her dad. He is alert and responsive, but also very tired and on a lot of different medications. The pain is diminishing, but the pain killers have taken a toll on his heart rate (he has been dipping into the low 30s). Right now the doctors are giving him additional medication to help speed up his heart rate. The doctors are hoping to have everything stabilized within the next day or so. I'm optimistic that her dad will pull through. Her mom is having a harder time (her being a nurse has been both a blessing and a curse - -she knows too much and has seen too many situations go different ways). But we are confident and faithful that all we be well. We all feel that this is an eye-opening event--one from which we are all gaining faith and insight.

Jamie and I received a call from her mother early Sunday morning and were on the next flight out. Being back around our families and in the "shadows of the everlasting hills" has made us realize just how wonderful it is to be home.

We've been looking back on the past month and realized how many blessings we have: we had visits from both Jamie and my family. I led a service project with 12 students where we provided free HIV/AIDS testing for people in the Bronx; additionally, we worked with an AIDS organization in the city to help educate others and serve food to people with HIV/AIDS. Afterwords I had a nice spring break where all I did was study for the MCAT. I will be taking the MCAT near the end of the summer.

Jamie has been busy at work, and despite her last entry, she shined during the GEMS hair conference. One of the head directors called her the "American Idol of GEMS." Jamie is a great presenter, though certain eccentric Frenchmen find perms distasteful--he must have had a run-in with a young Howie Mandel. She is looking forward to her next (and last) rotation where she'll be working with Redken's US Marketing team on haircolor.

We feel blessed to have so many good people in our lives. No matter where we go, we tend to attract wonderful friends and family members. Joe (Jamie's dad) is such a happy guy--it really is amazing. He has remarked how much like heaven it is to have his two daughters nearby. He is in good spirits and continues to share valubale insights that he is gaining from this recent challenge. We are hoping that he will be moved from the Nuero ICU to the neuro floor soon. Until then, we'll keep praying hard and bringing in chocolate malt milkshakes.

GEMS

I rarely blog about my job. After coming home and debriefing Jon on my day, the last thing I ever want to do is write about work; however, I think my most recent experience definitely deserves a post.

To give you a little background: I currently work on the global marketing team at Redken. This team concentrates on the development of brand strategy, products and concepts. In other words, this is the more creative side of marketing. Every country around the world that carries Redken has its own domestic marketing team that is in charge of taking what we (global marketing) develop and implementing and promoting the strategies/products in their respective market. Once a year all of the countries come to New York for an event called GEMS where global marketing presents their plan for the upcoming year to the domestic teams. GEMS is a huge event - it started on Sunday and went through Wednesday, and I worked long days from 7am to 11pm.

I work on the Color and Texture team. My boss and I oversee the development of our color collections (if you are a Redkenite Runway Reds or Mahogany Glam may sound familiar...past collections) and perms (Vector Plus, Creative Curl, anyone?? probably not). Lucky me being the lowest on the totem poll, I mostly manage our perms. I know, I know - perms are so twenty years ago. It's true! But believe it or not, there are some countries in this world that still use perms.

On Tuesday, I presented our 2010 plan for texture (I like to use this word rather than perms - it makes the product sounds a little more modern, right?). The countries were split into two groups, so I gave this presentation twice. The first presentation went really well. Everyone was on board with the strategy and thought it was a great plan for the tiny texture category.

The second presentation unfortunately didn't go as well. It wasn't a mistake that I made - I 'm completely comfortable presenting in front of big groups - rather, it was an important man in my audience that helped my second presentation become a little more dramatic. We'll just say he's much higher up on the totem pole than I am, and he has opinions (lots of them) about the texture category. Two minutes into my presentation I delivered my analysis concerning the current texture business and our opportunity for growth. This high totem-pole man in the audience started rolling his eyes, breathing audibly and finally threw his hands in the air, stood up and headed towards the door (I wish you could've been there - words can't explain what this man was doing). Granted, perms aren't a big generator of revenue in the countries that he oversees, however, he didn't even give me a chance and listen to the rest of my presentation. "C'mon...it's her first GEMS," everyone started saying, but he continued to walk out of the room. I paused, waited for him to exit, and then started right where I left off. I was so confused - I knew this guy was important and opinionated, so I was quite alarmed that he caused such a scene and left.

The rest of the presentation went smoothly, but on the inside I was so confused on how to react. After I finished I headed straight for the bathroom, shed a couple tears and came back to the end of the workshop. My high totem-pole friend immediately came up to me and apologized: "I was extremely disrespectful, I'm sorry. You see, I've been hearing about texture for 20 years now..." as he tried to explain his behavior. After three long days of working and weeks of late nights and preparation for this presentation, I was feeling all kinds of emotions. There I stood, tears running down my face, as this high on the totem-pole man tried to apologize for his inappropriate action...and all I could do was cry.

Family Visits

April has been such a great month. The first week was filled with a wonderful visit from Dad, Mom, Nick and Trevor. A couple days later Jonathan's Dad and Mom also paid us a visit. Our apartment is now fully broken in, which is better than being broken into!

The Bond Visit
Having my family here was such a treat, though we missed Marie (come visit soon, Muz!)! I was lucky enough to have a couple days off from work and show my family around. With my two younger brothers, Nick (11) and Trevor (8), we were able to see a view of the city as kids do, making multiple stops at the NBA Store and Nintendo World. We also enjoyed Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, General Conference, Silver Moon Bakery and delicious restaurants - Bubba Gumps, Quality Meats, Shake Shack, Gray's Papaya, and Kitchenette. Jonathan's lasagne also made it as one of the highlights of the trip!

My Dad and I on the Staten Island Ferry.

One of my very favorite parts was riding the subway with Nick & Trevor. They loved swiping their metro cards through the turnstiles and trying to get it right the first time, hanging on to the poles and trying to balance, watching the street performers, etc.

I have the cutest little brothers.

One day we had great weather and enjoyed some time in Central Park. Jonathan, Nick and Trevor played frisbee while Dad, Mom and I soaked up the sun.

Cutest husband. Cutest little brothers. Hands down.

Dad, Mom, Me, Nick and Trevor.

The Curtis Visit
This is Jonathan writing. Mom and dad's visit to their 20-somethings in Manhattan chased away the grandparent blues by showing them just how cool it is to have cool children who live in cool places. My parents' typical "vacation" these days involves changing diapers, running to Costco, or taking grandkids to the park--their stay in NYC was a little different. Highlights include sipping hot chocolate at Cafe Lalo, going to the temple, strolling down 5th Avenue, visiting my school in the Bronx, a farewell to retirement funds on Wall Street, visits to top museums, authentic Italian food, and lots of walking. Mom dragged dad and I into the American Girl Place--4 floors of overpriced dolls and rediculous amounts of accesories. (This is Jamie again - for every girl this is a dream come true!). Thanks, Jamie...I am not a little girl, and it was not my dream come true. We played hard and had a blast--I just hope that we didn't march mom and dad around too much!

Wall Street! Goodbye 401(k)...hello 201(k)!

Jonathan gave his parents a tour of the Bronx Lab School where he teaches!

Although it was a rainy day, we enjoyed wandering around The Cloisters and viewing its beautiful Medieval Art.

One of our many strolls through Central Park.

80's Dance Party

Last night we danced the night away with our friends at the Morningside Heights Ward 80's Dance Party. The party was complete with leggings, pegged pants, high bangs, big hair, belted waists, bright colors and impressive dance moves.

As Jonathan and I left our apartment to head over to the party we were a bit embarrassed to be seen dressed up - Jonathan with big hair and sweater vest (my sweater vest that I still wear...) (think Duran Duran meets Ferris Bueller) and me in a bright pink sweater, oversized t-shirt and leggings. Once we walked down Broadway and hopped on the subway we realized that pretty much anything goes in New York. People don't bat an eye at anything...they've seen it all.

Jonathan, Charles, Marydee (loved her bangs), Madeline, Ashley and Jonathan
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
We won 2nd place for best dressed...I'm pretty sure it was Jonathan and his dance moves that came through for us!

Dear Dad,

Today I wore a black sweater, black pants and brown boots. I must confess it has become quite the trend here in the city, so I thought I'd give it a try. To my astonishment I really liked how the brown boots with an all black ensemble tied my outfit together, and I think I'll do it again.

I'm sorry I ever criticized you for wearing black and brown at the same time. While my rule still holds true that your belt and shoes should match (especially when it comes to Sunday attire), you now have my full permission to mix as you'd like...not that you ever needed my permission!

Love,
Jamie

Little Korea

There are a lot of "Little _____" (anythings) scattered throughout this wonderful city. Last night we explored a piece of Little Korea with some of our ward friends. Thankfully we had Ryan and Brooke, our Korean experts, who helped us interpret the 12 page menu and place an order. Our meal consisted of delicious Korean BBQ complete with numerous unidentifiable side dishes to wrap in lettuce. In addition, Jonathan and I also ordered a giant stone bowl of rice, beef, mixed vegetables with a raw egg cracked on top. We probably would have made an alternate decision; however, once Ryan informed us that this dish was Michael Jackson's all time favorite, we were sold. "The Jacko Special" or "MJ" turned out to be quite delicious...all we had to do was "Beat It" (to cook the egg).

Sisters

I was looking through some old photos a couple days ago and came across one of my all time favorites. Every time I pass this one by I can't help but smile. It's not the flower patterned spandex shorts, San Francisco sweatshirts or the Keds that get me. It's knowing and seeing that we have always been the best of friends...and that we always will be. I love you, Marie!