Family Reunion!

For several years now I had been unable to attend one of our family reunions. As a kid I looked forward to reunions because we got to travel (albeit by crowded car) usually to Utah or Idaho, and we had instant friends to play with. I always remember there being a ton of people around - part of the fun! This summer was the Longhurst reunion to be held near Preston, Idaho. I was SO excited to go! I flew up to Salt Lake City and met up with my mom and niece Samantha (Sami) and stayed the night at my Aunt Connie's house in South Jordan before driving up into Idaho.

We stayed in a place called The Moose Lodge where Sami found a friend just her size that she visited several times a day.

We saw aunts, uncles, grandmas, cousins etc, and spent a lot of time talking and playing games.

My mom and Sami talking to Uncle Glen's girlfriend.

Shaeli with her fiancee Levi.

Uncle David's girlfriend rolling a Yahtzee.

Sami trying her hand at a game that Uncle Paul brought, even though it was taller than her!

We went to Downata Hot Springs one evening and spent nearly all of the next day out at Twin Lakes swimming and playing in the water, coating ourselves in sunscreen and bugspray, and several of us even took a turn water skiing until the bilge pump stopped working (during my turn) and threatened to sink the boat and all aboard it. Shaeli and I swam back to shore to lighten the load while Uncle Glen tried to fix the problem before he was towed back in by a kind neighbor.

Eventually it was time to pack it up and say our goodbyes, although some stayed a little longer than others.

My cousing Angela.

Uncle Glen still working on that boat...

This was by far the smallest reunion I have ever attended and was sad to see that so many people had other places to be. I hope more can make it next time!

What exactly do you do??

I am often asked what I am majoring in, or where I work. My responses: Meetings and Events Management with a Minor in Entertainment Management; or Pacific Event Productions. Having given one of these answers most people follow up by asking - what does that mean? Or, what do you do? Since I still fail to thoroughly explain sometimes, I figured I would show you all what my job entails.

Let's say for example that someone wants to throw a party. Now, I don't mean - "Hey, my (son/daughter/niece/nephew/neighbor's dog/etc.) is turning 6 and we want to invite their friends over for a small gathering" kind of deal, but rather corporate parties, convention parties, awards shows, film festivals, etc. In this case, the Disney corporation was in charge of hosting a reception for the opening night of the symphony at the Hollywood Bowl back in June.

So, what is our company's job? Make it happen! For this event Disney wanted to do an "Under the Sea" theme (appropriate, right? Think Finding Nemo), and gave us ideas of what they wanted as far as decor along with a proposed budget. It was fun! We designed and provided all decorations used for the member's only reception down to the napkins and centerpieces placed on the tables inside the Hollywood Bowl itself.

These are just a couple of the tables (we had about 7 colors used throughout all the front boxed seats), with the seashell centerpieces which I helped make.

Our goal of the reception was to make it feel like you were really under the sea:

This is the entry way to the reception, and the front stage area with large jellyfish lamps. You can see the "bubbles" hanging down from the ceiling, and the clear plexiglass cocktail tables that held...

Goldfish!

We also had bars that were filled with large goldfish (Koi??), and others that were covered in fish netting.

To finish off the look we created floral arrangements for the buffet tables and hung more jellyfish from the ceiling.

I had a blast out in Hollywood getting to work hands-on with this event, and also look forward to doing what I really want to do: managing performing artists!

Story Time!

Memory Lane



I'm copying this (minus the picture... that's really my handiwork) from my sister Stephanie, who copied it from our cousin Daniele.
I hope you'll all play!

MEMORY LANE- This is just too fun to pass up. Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! I guess good or bad, but be nice!!!!!!!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.