Man Sweat on Row 40

Can I just say that sitting next to a giant sweaty man with a cold for 4 ½ hours on a plane is not my ideal evening… ALT/SLC…row 40 on Delta flight 1230… I was hoping for a Hudson River landing just to freshen up (too soon…?). Nonetheless, I made it home safely so I guess I can’t complain too much. Atlanta was a bit of a snooze, a lot of info that didn’t necessarily pertain to me…but what can ya do? Comes with the job I suppose.

I FINALLY got more then a weekend to be home in Salt Lake. Even though I spent all day working, it felt good to be on my own for a day and actually get some stuff done. It has been pretty overwhelming to try to learn everything being thrown at me, organize and set up a home office, prepare for a portfolio turn-over, and manage the balance between my “professional” and personal life… Good Grief! I am starting to feel like I can do this though.

I am off to Tucson Arizona and then Vegas by Friday (I will actually get to enjoy the city for one night this time…stories to come, I am sure). Have a great week!

The Awkward Dinner

I am in Atlanta for a FSOS conference (Franchise Service & Operation Support) and tonight attended a "rotation dinner". This dinner is designed to get a small group of people together from different departments to network. Let's just say, I was definitely the bottome of the totem pole.

We had a series of flash cards with engaging questions that was suppose to lead to insiteful conversation. Questions would range from "what time period would you live in" to "if you could be watching a T.V. show right now, what would it be?".

I tried to put some depth in my answers but everyone else seemed to be in the lead for Miss America.

"If you had $10,000 what would you do with it?" My answer was to travel, and have a memorable extravagant vacation. The other answers consisted of "donate to charity" "cure my nephew's cancer" and "Isn't it funny how little $10,000 seems now? I have that sitting in my chacking account...". Mind you, these people were Directors of such and such... I felt like the assistant to a housekeeper compared to them.... Needless to say, I am not a wine drinker, but the 2 glasses I had were not nearly enough to make that dinner less tweird (yea, that's right Tweird..Totally Wierd). As much as I enjoy repeating conversations about infant cancer with my lobster ravioli dish...I would have perfered Del Taco in my room while watching Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. Did I mention we were at Macaroni Grill....YEA...freakin Macaroni Grill....

Anywho, I suppose the experience of stepping outside of my comfort level was just another of those "adult" learning experiences that I need. Really...a free meal (even if it is greezy Mac Grill) is a free meal, so I can't complain.

Alright y'all I am going to bed...I am exahusted! I miss the days of knowing what the hell I was doing day to day...

Bringing you love from the freezing cold "Hotlanta"... Hit me up!

The not so Sin City

SO... I was in Las Vegas last week for a "Stay Real" workshop. It was an amazing experience. Not to get too detailed about it...General Managers and hotel Guest Experince Champions sign up to attend these workshops on the service culture that IHG is putting in place for the Holiday Inn re-launch...(ok, I am now crossed eyed and have n0-idea what I am saying).

ANYWHO... It was a great experience. I was with Chad from San Fran (who has been mentor extrodinair) and Twanda (who I think we were related in a past life).

The class was great, definitely presented some challenges that I will have to work on, but also built a lot of confindence that IHG didn't make a total ass-backwards decision to hire me for the job.

For being in Vegas for the week, I didn't really have much time (or energy) to get out and see the town...see mom, I can be responsible. I did however, get one great night on the strip with my fellow facilitators (it was Twanda's first time in the city of sin).

Let me explain the balloon picture...there was this creepy (but well meaning) clown in an electric wheelchair who insisted on making be and T a hat and Chad a...belt... He called me Mary Ann and smelled like bacon... Nonetheless an interesting night. Throw in a yardstick "Octane 190" and a little bit of rain, and you have the most exciting night for me in Vegas.

I am in the A-T-L now for a conference...and well...it aint so hot, BUT I am getting to meet some great people.

More stories to come, I promise to get better at keeping this thing up-dated!

P.S. I am still getting to know the ways of the blog so sorry if this looks a little DUM.

There's no place like home

I went to my parent’s house last night for my brother’s birthday dinner. He’s 31 (or at least he will be on the 12th) and the oldest of the family. Every year it’s the same thing, delicious greasy taco’s and the inevitable heartburn to follow. I am sure that the beer I have while packing (a seemingly weekly tradition now) doesn’t help prevent this either.

I have admittedly come to appreciate home more since my recent string of travel. What is home? Is it the physical one bedroom concrete building, lead-painted place I call an apartment…or is it more. I have always enjoyed living in Salt Lake, claiming that someday I would move on to bigger and better… But I am finding how much this place means to me…it’s home. My family, friends, bed, car, hang-outs are here…this is what I call home. Even the Salt Lake International Airport holds a special place in my heart now, I know where to find a slice of Sbarro’s pizza or a urinal when needed. So…is home what’s familiar? What I know? A feeling of belonging? Some food for thought…

Well…I am off to Las Vegas to observe my first RLC. I am excited yet feel incredibly un-prepared (seems to be a common feeling with this job so far). Wish me luck, I am sure I will be posting something this week.

San Francisco...

I went to San Francisco last week and had a blast! It started out as work and ended with a lot of play!

Fellow co-worker Chad showed me the ropes of consulting with a hotel in Fremont and San Pablo. It really was good to see how each hotel was different, and gave me some confidence that I may be qualified for this job.

After my days with Chad, one of my BFFs Brittany and her husband Chris joined me for a little fun.

I LOVE San Fran, it is beautiful and full of some crazy people. Always a good time, I am looking forward to going back!

New Job...

SO...the reason why I started this blog is because I got myself a new job. I recently (the past few years) have been involved in the hotel world and LOVE IT! So many new people to meet and no one day is like the other. I started out at the Hotel Monaco (Salt Lake City) working in their resaurant, then on the The Grand America Hotel (also Salt Lake City) working in the Convnetions department. My last stop was at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center where I was the Event Services Manager. I loved working in the Events arena, very exciting.

I recently accepted a job with InterContinental Hotels Group as a Brand Service Consultant for the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express Brands.

People are always asking what it is I do...good questions, I hope one day I can answer that for myself...

In a Nutshell:

IHG is re-launching the Holiday Inn brands (we all know Holiday Inn for being a little old fashion and somewhat ghetto, right?). The re-launch will include full renovations on the inside and out, and also change the service aspect as well (enter SQuigley).

I will be training (a.k.a. facilitation) General Manager and Guest Experience Champions from hotels across the country on the new service culture (Stay Real) as well as making personal visits to hotels in my region to consult and coach them on improving guest experiences.

Still confused??? Me too.

I travel frequently, although my home office is still based here in Salt Lake City, UT.

So...there you have it, a very quick and focused overview of what I get paid to do...

Welcome Aboard!

Hey gang!

I am starting this blog so that you are "in the know" on what's new in my world. I am here, there and everywhere meeting new people, learning new things, and experiencing exciting stuff. I hope you enjoy hearing what I gotta say, and please feel free to leave comments!

Happy Reading!!!