The CragBaby

This weekend was such a blast that I thought I might ramble about it a little on the Crag Baby blog.

Friday: My work day finished up at the Nanotech Conference at the University of Utah. I went just for the afternoon portion to hear the discussions on commercializations. The event was informative with interesting speakers and attendees. That evening Shaft and I went to the Sarah Vowell reading at Capitol Theater. I had received the tickets through my volunteer work at KCPW and it was such a treat. Sarah Vowell was hilarious and I can’t wait to get her new book for my father. After the reading, Shaft and I enjoyed dinner at Cafe Molise and sipped some martinis at The Red Door. Man, I love Chocolatinis!

Saturday: I participated in the Deadpoint Comp at The Front. The problems were diverse with a whole section of crimpy problems sprinkled in with a good handful of sloper and reachy problems. My friends and I even luckily ended up with some great prizes including a free month to The Front (which I gave to Ms. Pear so that we can climb together in the gym) and a gift certificate for some free running shoes (which Shaft gave to me). Later that evening I attended one of the best parties at my friend Eric’s house. It consisted of a great crew of folks in costume, all enjoying the catered sushi and the open bar. Pictured above is me and Jules.

Sunday: I lazily enjoyed the morn with the CB-GBers and caught up on some reading. I took the CB-GBers for a small hike and hung out with two of my favorite kids. I was going to go climbing, but sometimes it is nice just to lay low.

Life is great! I love to savor the good times so that I can reflect back when times are bumpy. I really am grateful for the people in my life, the awesome job I am lucky enough to work, the area in which I live, plus so much more.

I tried to donate platelets (the cells that assist in coagulation) today after work, but was unable to due to an iron deficiency (most likely because I don’t particularly like to eat meat). I have to wait two weeks before I can try to donate again.

I have blogged before that I like to donate blood because it is the easiest form of service (I just have to sit there and squeeze a little rubber ball) and the impact directly affects a life. I thought I would donate platelets this time for a number of reasons: there is currently a greater need for A+ platelets than whole blood at the donor center, platelets have a shorter shelf life than whole blood, and due to the fact that the blood center allows more platelet donations in comparison to whole blood because the body replaces platelets within a short period of time (replaced within 72 hours, meaning I can donate / volunteer more often). In fact, platelets can be donated 24 times per year in comparison to whole blood that can only be given every 56 days. The only downside to platelet donation is the apheresis procedure takes one and half hours, in comparison to the half hour of blood donation, because the blood is withdrawn, spun in a centrifuge and everything but the platelets and a little plasma is returned to the donor.

There is a constant need for whole blood and platelets. If interested in donating in the Salt Lake area, visit the ARUP donor website. If located within the U.S., visit the RedCross. Or, register at USBloodDonors.org and a local blood center will call you when your blood type is particularly needed.

My younger sister (nicknamed Booder) moved to Salt Lake about a year ago to finish her bachelors degree. I have always been impressed with her work ethic, but she has continued to make me proud on a variety of levels.

Schooling: Upon moving to SLC, she had her associates degree and already figured out what bachelor degree she wanted to pursue. She started the program immediately, taking classes through the summer and will be finished with the program in the Spring. While jamming away on her degree, she has managed to always have two jobs, working numerous hours, while volunteering on the side.

Work: She works as a part-time receptionist here at Wasatch. She has quickly learned the ropes of venture capital and is a huge value to me and my work. Her other job is up in the Park City area. She is always picking up extra shifts and has already been giving a couple raises and job opportunities.

Personal: She is extremely fit and keeps up a strict workout program. She ran her first marathon, the St. George marathon, a couple weeks ago. It was an agonizing experience for her but she finished! Next thing I know, she had signed up for the Salt Lake marathon in April. I am going to start training and hopefully my ankle will hold up so that I can run it with her.

Volunteering: She is a journalism student and so I thought she would enjoy the volunteer experience of the KCPW pledge drives. During the spring drive she picked up a handful of shifts and thoroughly enjoyed working with the KCPW team. This past fall drive she picked up the most shifts out of all the volunteers, sometimes working 12 hours straight.

I am definitely a proud older sister and am so grateful to have such a good influence in my life.

today, october 16, 2007, has been one of those days. instead of getting discouraged about my extremely long work day and lack of personal time, I am going to write a list of 15 things for which i am currently grateful.

1. all I wanted to do tonight was come home and take the CB-GBers on a long walk since she had been home all day alone (considering i worked past 7). i got her bundled up in her two little sweaters (because she is cold now that it is fall) and we walked outside and down the driveway. we then realized it was raining and she refused to go any further, because she hates the rain. i am grateful that i have a small dog who can get sufficient exercise and thoroughly enjoys playing catch in the house.
2. though the day was not optimal it started off relaxing, and for those few minutes i am grateful
3. today I got an email from a friend and all it said was “you are sweet Rachel =)” and it made me smile
4. i had a message from another friend on my phone. i often worry about this friend and if he is happy in his current life situation. he seemed real cheerful in his message and i felt relieved.
5. i ordered some new hoodies, which came in the mail today. i am returning one of them, but the other might become a new favorite. i love wearing new comfortable hoodies and for that i am thankful.
6. i spoke with a fellow co-worker today. today was such a bummer work day, but talking with her really helped. she mentioned some of my strengths and weaknesses, while giving me advice. i appreciated her honesty and the way she phrased her suggestions. helpful yet sugar coated.
7. last week i hung out with shaft and his two girls. the youngest girl brought me the nicest drawing of a flower and the words “I love you.” kids are amazing because they just say the darnedest things. i can’t remember the last time someone honestly said that to me and it made me smile. i hung it on the fridge.
8. tonight i am going to read a book. i am completely looking forward to relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine.
9. this past weekend i took my boss from my side research gig on a climbing adventure. swear to god the guy came real close to a climbing accident due to his harness mysteriously unbuckling, though initially double-backed. thank goodness he realized at the TOP of the rappel. i am real grateful that didn’t turn into a bad scenario. he was so chill and still had a great time.
10. i don’t mean to sound rude, but i am real grateful i live alone. it is just me and the dog. no one talking my ear off as soon as i come home.
11. i am planning on going back to school in january to work towards an IT related degree, taking classes at night. my work is going to pay for it (for which i am real grateful) and today i lined up a meeting time to talk to a counselor at one of the schools. i don’t know if i am smart enough to get a computer-related degree, but i really want to try and i welcome the opportunity.
12. i have a handful of good friends, but one of which has really helped me and encouraged me. i feel real fortunate to have this person in my life.
13. this weekend i am going away on a climbing trip with my main climbing partner ms. pear. we are meeting up with a huge crew of people one day to climb in indian creek, but the next day the two of us are going to climb a tower. not only am i grateful to climb my second tower, but i am so excited to climb it with ms. pear.
14. i am grateful for opportunity. right now i have the opportunity to excel in my job, the environment to become a strong climber, the hope of continually meeting new people who have similar interests, the healthiness to continue to live the life i love, etc. there is opportunity here for which i am grateful.
15. i just realized i still have some icecream and whip cream. i am so grateful i am going to go eat a bowl of it right now. delicious!

The BBC is by far my favorite news source due to its extensive coverage. I have made the website (the UK version as I prefer the layout) my homepage on my work computer. One link that I love is the Day in Pictures. It is a little hidden on the page, but is worth looking for as it highlights 5 – 10 photos of current events or happenings. One day I saw a variety of photos that had been submitted to a wildlife contest; once I saw pictures of coral fish; and often I have seen highlights of the news. Check it out… let me know what you think.

Back in August I posted about the misalignment of my dreams and reality. At the time of the post, I was real troubled about not being where I wanted to be at the age of 27. I had lived in Utah my whole life and was ready for a change. Or as Ingrid Michaelson sings:

Yet in Thailand I had plenty of time to think and learn from others. And I realized that:

• This whole time I had been looking to move to a new location that was as good of a place to live as Utah
• I loved how Utah lets me enjoy my hobbies with easy access to a number of canyons
• I loved my job, the industry in which I work, the research I do, the people I meet, the start-ups with which I get to be involved
• I loved my current low cost of living and the ability to save the majority of my paycheck
• I loved the small feel of SLC even though it has a population of 1 million
• I loved the moderation of work and play as I can contribute to society while still working towards my hobby goals
• I can be a strong climber even with a 9-5 job
• I could still experience new cultures and lifestyles by continuing my annual travel
• The only thing I didn’t like about Utah was a handful of negative people who I could choose not to allow into my life

And so for the first time in years I came home excited to be in Utah. Excited to work and play hard. Excited that I had the opportunity to continue with the fantastic life style I enjoy. Excited to continue hanging out with my friends and colleagues. Excited to see what new opportunities present themselves in Salt Lake. Just excited.

I have been continually happy ever since.

I am still working on the recovery from the small ankle fracture that occurred in April. I tried approximately 5 weeks of physical therapy but barely noticed a difference and felt like I could do all the exercises at home. A friend of mine urged me to see an acupuncturist he had used with an injury and I have been blown away with the difference. I have now gone to this gentleman four times and can see a substantial increase in my ankle’s range of motion.

If looking for an acupuncturist or are currently experiencing an ailment, I would highly suggest Dr. Ding Chinese Health Clinic located at 3090 East 3300 South, Suite 400. The phone number is 801-487-4370 and he can usually schedule an appointment within a few days.

Lately I have been a little bummered out. I typically am an up-beat and optimistic person, yet lately have been getting down each day. Over the past couple weeks I have tried to pin-point what it is exactly that is bothering me. It most likely is a handful of variables, but I believe the main portion is from the current misalignment between where I want to be in life and where I currently am.

I have lived in Salt Lake City 6 years as of this August. I love Salt Lake and I consider it my home … yet I am ready to move on. I am ready to move geographically, start a new adventure, try a new career, go back to school, meet new friends, learn a new language….. something…. something other than what I am doing here.

It isn’t that I am not happy here; it is just the point that there is more to life than what is entailed within one city / state / country. The completely frustrating aspect is I yearn for something new, but for some odd reason I can’t quite seem to get all the “ducks in a row” to make things happen. And I think I realized that maybe there is a reason for me to be waiting. I don’t know what the future entails but I do believe that things happen for a reason. Perhaps I need to consider more options. Perhaps I need to stick around because a new leaf will turn in Utah. Perhaps I have yet to make a contact that is necessary to open a door. I don’t know. I guess I will keep on brainstorming and hope that soon a new opportunity will come my way.

Anya Hindmarch created a bag that has seen wild success, selling out in London and in America. And according to the website, “Due to the unprecedented demand for I’m Not A Plastic Bag in South East Asia and our concerns for our customers safety we will be cancelling the launches at the following stores: Anya Hindmarch Beijing, On Pedder in Shanghai and On Pedder in Jakarta.”

I have seen the story in the news and wanted to congratulate the entrepreneur for her success with the launch of this product. I have also had friends mention the desire for this particular bag and actually saw a variety of, what I thought, were cool comparables at the local Ten Thousand Villages store. Check out the alternatives that provide the same utility, added social benefit of fair trade plus allow you to have a different bag than the thousands of English and Americans. =) Ten Thousand Villages new address is 1941 South 1100 East with the grand opening happening today.

I recently completed The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho. In the book there was a quote I thoroughly enjoyed and thought I would share on this blog. At this point of the story, the main character Elijah (as from the Christian Bible) is traveling and meets up with a farmer who allows him to stay for a couple of days. The farmer states:

“I have long seen people passing through here on their way to Sidon and Tyre. Some of them complained that they had not achieved anything in Akbar and were setting out for a new destiny.

One day these people would return. They had not found what they were seeking, for they carried with them, along with their bags, the weight of the earlier failure. A few returned with a government position, or with the joy of having given their children a better life, but nothing more. Their past in Akbar had left them fearful, and they lacked the confidence in themselves to take risks.

On the other hand, there also passed my door people full of ardor. They had profited from every moment of life in Akbar and through great effort had accumulated the money for their journey. To these people, life was a constant triumph and would go on being one.

These people also returned, but with wonderful tales to tell. They had achieved everything they desired because they were not limited by the frustrations of the past.”

I loved this quote as I believe Coelho nailed it on the head that our level of happiness is a result of our outlook on life and willingness to create success in each place we inhabit.