Consumers

My job handles dealers in the Midwest, that includes Nordic, Alpine, and Snowboard.  Key word in that last sentence is dealers.  This year at Rossi we have had an overwhelming amount of consumer phone calls.  And the majority of these consumers are complete jerks.  I've been called every name in the book by these people.  And the thing that baffles me, a) it's not my job to deal with consumers b) why are you calling the  main company to tell me about your 5 year old skis and c) who entitled you to treat another human being like they are garbage.  I am completely in shock everyday how these arrogant consumers think they can treat me, and also treat my co-workers.  We have stacks of emails, numerous stories everyday of these people that have these entitlement issues.  Here is my two cents on the issue.  First of all, when your car breaks down do you call Toyota, Mazda, or Honda directly and just start yelling?  No, you call the dealership you bought your car at and deal with it there.  Exact same thing, I don't care where or how you bought your skis.  If you got scammed on Ebay that's your own problem, not mine.  So don't take your anger out on me that you were stupid and bought them that route.  Second, calling just to get your anger out when you already know the answer doesn't change anything.  It just pisses us off here.  Example, if the ski says it's sold out, IT'S SOLD OUT.  Don't call me telling me to call France to make more skis, a) that's just plain stupid b) you are acting like a child and c) you should've bought your skis in November when we still had product.  Or another issue, don't start name dropping I honestly don't care who you know.  Because I can guarantee they don't know you, especially when you miss pronounce the Presidents name, yes I'm sure he knows you....right.  Also don't ask for help, and when I email you with the information to email me back calling me names because you aren't getting your way.  Once again, that doesn't prove anything except that you know no words bigger then 5 letters and it shows how immature  you are.  Overall, if and when you decide to call a major company and ask for help I HIGHLY suggest you treat them how you want to be treated.  Because it's getting ridiculous how none of these people are held to any sort of accountability for anything they are saying.  They just think since they aren't getting their way that they are going to swear someone out and start yelling and maybe something will happen from it.  I have news for you, it won't get you anywhere and I would stop treating people like they are scum to you.

Thoughts on P90

Now I know we have only been doing P90X for 4 days, but I can honestly say that I love it.  It has such different routines and it pushes you to the next level so you get that good burn.  I don't know if anyone knows what I'm talking about except for Evan haha.  We have been diligent about the work outs and eating better throughout the day, the no soda for BOTH of us now, along with getting Evan to eat breakfast and a healthy lunch we are making huge strides in the right direction.  Plus with these work outs, you just feel so so much better.  It could be a mental thing, but Evan and I both swear that we are happier in the mornings and look forward to doing the work outs every night.  The Ab work out is AWESOME.  I have never had a work out like this before and it burns and its great.  We even noticed doing the work out for the 3rd time that its already getting easier because our bodies are slowly adjusting.  I would highly suggest these dvds.  But along with these work outs, it's a huge mental decision to not stop.  Of course you are sore and you hurt, but that's apart of working out.  You aren't going to get results by pausing the dvd every minute and taking a minute break.  The whole principle is based off interval training and pushing yourself past the rep you did just 30 seconds ago.  Also once you start pushing this hard, you don't want the french fries or the sweets that I would normally eat as a treat like once a week.   We eat apples and oranges instead as a treat.  It's an all around better lifestyle, plus we are going to do the half marathon April 30th.  The same one I did last year!  It's a great half marathon, super pretty and a fairly mellow run.  Not too many uphills.  It will be Evan's first half marathon and we both are excited to finish it together.  Evan will be dragged down in time by me, but he said he would stick with me, thanks honey! 

Overall, the whole P90X I think is a great idea.  It works different muscles everyday and keeps it new and different so you aren't dreading doing the exact same workout you did the previous day.  I would recommend it for everyone!

P90X

Evan and I have joined the thousands of people who are P90X users.  Granted the majority of people stop.  I think the longest I have heard anyone sticking with it is 3 weeks.  We are still excited about the P90X seeing that this is only the second day, but Evan is super motivated and keeps me motivated so I firmly believe we will finish the 90 days.  We also have swimsuit motivation, we have two cruises coming up and we want to be looking slim.  Also, my wonderful husband made me take measurements along with before pictures so we can mark our progress.  Now if you ever heard the term, kick you while you're down this is exactly how the before picture felt.  To me, that's motivation enough.  So here's to another 89 days!

Stiamo andando verso l'Europa

Before I get started let me explain to you that I have wanted to take a trip around Europe for a LONG time, and every time i get some buddies together to actually do the trip it all falls apart and I’m left with just another book about touring Europe in my hands, and the thought of actually going on a trip such as this getting less and less viable. Well now I have a wife who is pretty much down with the funk and willing to do just about anything. So when the idea of planning and actually going on a trip came up she was all over it. We looked at backpacking it and found the train schedules and constant rush from spot to spot a bit overwhelming. Until the day I came home and said the almighty. “Darling I’ve been thinking” (Side note) when I say this it’s usually followed by a pretty remarkable idea. My idea was to go on a Mediterranean cruise instead, this way we had a taxi to all of the places we wanted to see and this taxi would even have great 24 hour food and adult beverages.  So after we cleaned up what was left of Rachel’s brain after exploding from the great idea we started looking at different cruises that went to the places we would like to see. We found the perfect cruise that leaves from Barcelona and stops in: Rome, Florence, Naples, and Palma de Mallarco. So before you yell “wow that a radical idea, from the top of your lungs” We decided to make the trip even more rad by tacking on about 5 days in London before the ship leaves. I know you may be on the verge of passing out from the overwhelming feelings of envy, but let me put you to sleep with this. The flight we are taking from New York to London has a 10 hour layover in Iceland so we can all add that to the list of countries we will be fortunate enough to visit on the trip of the century. Needless to say I can’t be more excited about this trip, and the fact I get to spend it with the most amazing wife in the world.

New Year, New Goals

So for the new year both Evan and I have made changes.  We are usually somewhat healthy eaters, like not going overboard with the processed food, pizza, and potato chips, but like everything else you need to do it in moderation.  With Evan having more free time being graduated and all (woo!) we both have been working out more.  He takes the dogs out everyday when he gets home since he gets home around 4:15, I miss out on all this activity since I don't get home until 5:30 and it's pitch dark.  So I have started going to the gym in the mornings.  It was rough the first week, but now I wake up even before my alarm goes off and I feel amazing throughout the day knowing I worked so hard at the gym that morning.  Another change has been our grocery shopping, we have always been very conscious of our eating habits but needless to say I still gained the newlywed 10 pounds.  Going to the grocery store last night together, Evan was very good about buying extra vegetables and buying NO PEPSI.  Yes people you read that correctly, Evan has limited himself to one Pepsi a day.  Let's face it, soda is terrible for you, all the sugars and chemicals it shouldn't be in your body at all.  So he has decided to have a Pepsi a day as an extra treat for dinner.  I am so proud of him, every Howard I swear is obsessed with Pepsi so this is huge that he has done this.  Also, our dinners are getting better.  I started branching out and finding new recipes that are different so you can't even tell they are lower in fat.  All in all, it's been a great start to an amazing new year and we both feel great due to the changes we have made.

One Year

Before I start this blog, I have a brief story.  While in line for my once a week treat at Starbucks, this lady walks in and starts freaking out about the line.  Apparently she was a regular and all Starbuck employees knew her.  I was in line behind some guy and she was behind me.  The orders start being put on the counter and the guy leaves and this lady automatically starts commenting on how good looking he is, and if she wasn't married how she would hit on him and going on and on.  The employees of course are loving this and saying how he is wearing a wedding band and has an English accent, which of course sent this lady over the edge obsessing about a stranger.  To the bystander, which is me, a) this is beyond strange b) she is married, who does this? and c) my husband is way HOTTER then this stranger, I can only imagine what she would be saying if Evan strolled into Starbucks, yikes she probably would've slipped her number to him.  I never understand how married people can obsess, or comment on complete strangers and say how hot someone is.  Hello, you are supposedly married to your dream person.  Well at least I am, I could never imagine meeting someone better looking then my husband, hi he is a super model, he is a hottie.  End of story. 

One year ago on Sunday I married my best friend.  It was the best day of my life.  Over the last year we have grown so much together and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else then living with him in our awesome town house.  Evan can make you laugh no matter what.  I don't know what it is about him, but his happiness is contagious.  I love how he screams when he gets home and our dogs are on cloud nine, it is so funny.  He's taught them to give him hugs and it's adorable.  I love his new dance move he does in the car, that only happens on special occasions.  I love his curly bed head every morning, I love his curly hair period.  Sorry no one will ever see it unless we are boating, he wears a hat to make it straight :)  I love how he is always willing to help with every project, whether it be cleaning, cooking, laundry, keep in mind too that he has learned how to re-do an entire shower and has taken that project over and I am so proud of him.  I love that he pushed through this difficult year and graduated a Ute!  We now are both Ute alumni, which is very exciting.  I love skiing with him every weekend, and yes we go every weekend.  Something always happens that is funny, whether it be both of us staring at each other and saying your nose is white, so we both start freaking out thinking we have frostbite.  Or watching him ski down an awesome chute with powder over his head so I can barely see him.  He has gotten ridiculously good at skiing, it's kind of sickening.  I love that I get date night every week.  It makes me feel so special and it's nice to go out together and spend time together.  I love that he snores, and denys it every morning when we get up.  I love that he points out to me we eat the same amount of food, haha yes I am a fat kid at heart.  I love that he has the same spontaneous attitude that I have, want to go to Europe? sure!  Booked.  I love that we have the same hobbies and enjoy being active and taking our dogs for runs, hikes, bike rides, you name it.  I love that he loves our dogs as much as I do.  They seriously are our life, and maybe get a little spoiled (only a little though....)  All in all, this year has been life changing and I couldn't imagine one single day without Evan.  As Evan has said, he is the period to end my sentences.  I couldn't agree more.  Marrying him has made my life perfect and here's to many many more to come! 

Graduated

Evan has officially gotten the ok from the University of Utah that he will be walking to get his diploma in May.  I am so proud of him for working 40+ hours a week on top of being a full time student.  Majority of people DO NOT have the drive to even start to think about this kind of work load.  He did it with a smile, never complained about the late nights and studying, and never stopped pushing to finish.  This is such a huge accomplishment to finish college and so rewarding and I am so so happy for him.  Plus, not many (basically hardly any) couples can say that they went to the same elementary, middle school, and graduated from the same college.  We both are Ute graduates!  Congrats Ev, so proud of you and all your hardwork!

Vegas Bowl

This year our Christmas present to each other was a quick get away to Vegas for the Ute bowl game.  I'm sure everyone watched the game so I don't need to explain how sad it was, but Evan and I had a great time together and seeing one of my best friends down there added to the whole experience as well!



My friend Marissa and I, we found each other half way through the game made for such a fun night!




Go Utes!




Leaving the sad game, still fun though!

Evan and I love going on trips together, so hopefully the Utes get into a lot more bowl games in the future so we can make this an annual trip of going somewhere for Christmas.  Makes it fun to celebrate together somewhere fun and different!