Friday Favorites

I easily could have been mistaken for a couch cushion last weekend as I finally dove into what I had a feeling would become my latest obsession: Scandal, featuring the mesmerizing Kerry Washington. I could not stop!

This weekend I have a pretty long to-do list to get through, but if I do find some time to plow through a couple more episodes (and I'm sure I will), there is no way I'm letting myself do it as just another lump in the living room. If I'm going to do something somewhat unproductive with my mind, I might as well do something somewhat productive with my body!

SO. . . here are 10 of my favorite easy-to-do-while-watching-TV exercises

 1. Deadlifts with bicep curls

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2. Planks

3. Dumbbell rows

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4. Lunges with dumbbells

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5. Jumping Jacks

6. Superman
 

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  7. Tricep dips

8. Shoulder press (add leg lift)

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9. Warrior poses

10. Squats - basic, jumping, plie or against the wall (kind of pictured)

I'm not usually one for selfies, but my
photographer (aka my husband) was unavailable.

There are so many different moves and variations you can do! Why sink into the couch when you could be having all this fun instead? I hope you get a chance to try a few new ones while catching up on your favorite shows this weekend!

A glimpse into the life of . . .

                     KATI PIPER

One of the best contenders I can think of for the title 'America's Sweetheart,' Kati has a heart of gold. But don't let that fool you into thinking she's naive or a pushover or anything of the like, because she also has courage, determination, wit and a fantastic work ethic we could all stand to learn from.

I met Kati years ago through figure skating, and even though we mostly just stay in touch through random 'likes' on Facebook, it's been fun watching her career and confidence progress through the years. This girl has a really cool job and an even cooler attitude and has worked hard to get where she is today. Lucky for us, she agreed to share some of her smarts, so listen up!

Current profession: My current title is Post Creative Coordinator for CMT and Stage Manager for Fox Sports (on the evenings and weekends for the NFL and NHL). As a post creative coordinator, it is my job to oversee the workflow and assist with a lot of the images and graphics that are put onto our network from music videos, TV shows and movies that air on the channel. We just wrapped up one of our country music award shows, CMT’s Artist of the Year, and are now gearing fans up for the re-release of The Dukes of Hazzard series.

As a stage manager for Fox Sports, I spend the majority of my time with the announcers or down by the locker room assisting players with microphones for interviews in between quarters/periods. It is a blessing to be surrounded by two of my favorite passions: music and sports. 

First job ever: My first job ever, besides baby-sitting, was a waitress at the Depot in Jamestown. I was an awful server and looked ridiculous in a bow tie, but I learned a lot from that job. I now have a ton of respect for servers when I eat out. It’s not easy juggling trays or getting orders perfect every single time. However, the free Knoephla was always worth it!

Dream job: My ideal dream job would be to write music scores for movies, but since I’m not that musically inclined (hence why I chose to work on the other side of the business)…my dream job would be to write my own sitcom. Growing up I was strongly influenced by the TV show Friends. 

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How do you NOT love this!?

Everyone that knows me will tell you what a huge fan I am of the show, and I’m known to quote it on a daily basis. It’s never been about the romance or the quirky jokes, either. I have always loved how relatable it is at the age of 15, 18, 21 and now 27. I would love to be able to write for an audience that would feel the same way. I toy around with the idea a lot; it’s just a matter of time before I actually take the leap and try to pitch some ideas to the people who can make it happen. 

Your job is so cool! How did you break into the industry? I found myself at CMT after applying to their internship program when I was a junior in college. I had never even been to Nashville, and was interning for the Dept. of Health in Bismarck, ND. I never thought I would actually be accepted into their internship program and kind of shrugged it off. Then, after my last final before Christmas break, I got the offer. I will never forget when I called home to tell my parents the news - I had forgotten to tell them that I had even applied. Luckily for me, they were just as excited as I was, and we were packing a U-Haul the day after Christmas to head south.

After interning for CMT not one, but two semesters, I was offered a job as a production assistant on the reality show CMT’s Gone Country. I ended up skipping my graduation ceremony for it and jumped right into the world of being a production assistant working on a live set. The hours were brutal, but I felt more alive than ever. It was everything I could have ever dreamed of what a live TV set would be. This opportunity led into so many others (Nashville Star, CMA Awards, CMA Fest, live red carpet shows…) that I finally found myself hired on full time with CMT Insider, which is now called The Hot 20 Countdown. 

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We would interview artists each week, join artists on the road, travel to their home towns, attend concerts….you name it. If it involved anyone in country music we were there. I started out here just doing the initial grunt work of normal PAs, but the work quickly grew into writing my own scripts, helping film interviews and soon interviewing artists on my own. My very first interview was with Colbie Caillat. 

I worked with CMT Insider for five years before my position was taken out by a round of layoffs, which are very common in this industry. Somehow I proved myself to other departments and was hired back on in no time. And I have really enjoyed learning a whole other side of the industry. I’ve really been able to dive into the creative and design side. Even though I am very new to it, I’m always in awe of the talent my co-workers around me can think of and create.

What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing the same (or a similar) profession? My main advice that I always give, especially to college students, is INTERN. Wherever you want, go and INTERN! Interning opens up so many doors after college. I know the only reason I am where I am today is because I stepped out of my comfort zone and took a chance. Plus, as I look around my office I can tell you that the majority of them were hired on after their internship.  

Cringeworthy workplace behavior young professionals should never get into the habit of doing: Feeling entitled. Sure, you were a rock star in college and your parents tell you you’re great, but when you come into the workplace you’re working with a lot of other great people too. The work isn’t always going to be fun; it’s going to be work, and it needs to be done. Secondly, smelly food in the microwave is a big no-no, along with not cleaning out the microwave if your meal is the one that looks like the bomb went off inside of it.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your career path? My biggest challenge was definitely dealing with being laid off at the age of 26. It kind of threw me into a tailspin of emotions and wondering what on earth I was going to do with a mortgage and car payment. I had networked a lot around town, but it seemed like every company had taken a hit and was on a hiring freeze. So there were a lot of us all in the same field needing the same jobs. I was blessed to know some wonderful people who took me under their wing and hired me for events until a full time position opened back up at CMT.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned throughout your 20s so far? I think the most valuable lesson I’ve learned in my 20s so far is not to sweat the small stuff. My mom always used to say it growing up, and I don’t think I fully understood it until I was out on my own. You can’t control everything or anyone around you. You’ll have really good days and really bad days, but if you stay positive and realize that tomorrow is another day to be better at your job, run that extra mile, not eat the free cake in the break room…you really will be able to live a happier life.

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When you are 50 what do you want to be able to look back and say about your life right now? When I am 50 years old, I hope I can look back and say, “Gosh that was fun!” I also hope that I am sitting in a room surrounded by the Emmys I hope to win someday. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that is a constant day dream I have. Someday, someday…

On a health note, I hope the changes I’ve made to my health the last few years will make an impact. Staying fit and eating right, I hope to be able to thank my younger self for being wise and providing the right nutrients to keep my body healthy.

How do you define success? Hmm..I think success is different to everyone, but I would define success as being able to look back at my life and say, “Yeah, I did that.” In my mind it’s not becoming a CEO. I want my work to influence people. Whether it is making that person laugh, feel joy or just having some sort of connection that makes them think, “I’m glad someone out there feels the same way I do.” Hence, my dream to write a show that makes you feel as though that character is based on your very own life.

Who has been your biggest influence, personally or professionally? I have to give most of the credit to my older brother, Matt. He set the bar pretty high when we were kids. Plus, he has always been one of my biggest supporters. Matt is very analytical, and I am not. I know I can always count on him to be straightforward with me even when I don’t like the answer, but he’s also my big brother and still loves to push my buttons. However, now when he pushes me it’s to be better than I think I can be.

Fitness has become a huge part of your life in recent years. What is your favorite way to work out? I drank the Crossfit juice back in July and have been addicted ever since. Now, I’m not like the crazy crossfitters you may see on the news or on Youtube, but it has become my obsession. I crave it when I’m not able to go. It’s amazing how strong your body is, and to see results even after a week. Our coach has us keep journals so we can track our progress. I can jump a foot and a half higher than when I started, and can squat almost 40  pounds more now than this summer.

What other hobbies and activities do you enjoy in your spare time? Running…well, scratch that. Enjoy and running do not go together in my book, but it’s the challenge from it that I like.

How awesome is that shirt!?

I am gearing up for my fourth half marathon which will be at Disneyland on January 19th. My best friend from high school and I got the crazy idea to run one together three years ago and ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon in 2012. It was so much fun!! We both had tears in our eyes as we crossed the finish line together. This will be our second race together, and it’s just a fun way for us to keep in contact. She’s in North Dakota, and I’m in Nashville, so we will constantly text and motivate each other on our runs. I know if it wasn’t for her, I never would have thought about running more than a mile!

I also love to go to concerts. Nashville has an abundance of live music venues. I love this city so much because of it. You can walk next door or across the street and you could be hearing the next big artist and not even know it. We’re known mainly for our country music, but there are so many other types of musicians that you can hear any time of day. We’re fortunate.

What is number one on your bucket list? To go on an African Safari. I keep waiting for that Groupon!

Favorite ice cream flavor: You will always always find Edy’s Mint Brownie’s ice cream in my freezer.

Thank you, Kati, and good luck on the 19th!

Friday Favorites

Three days into the new year, and I already have a pretty good list of 2014 favorites! Sure, they haven't happened yet, but here are 14 things I'm looking forward to this year!

1. First and foremost, the birth of my first niece or nephew this summer! I am SO EXCITED!

 2. A family reunion (my side) in Washington DC!  We have one every four years, but I haven't been to one since I was 18, and it will be Jared's first! I've also never been to DC, and hopefully we'll get a little NYC time too:)

3. "Running" the Hit and Run 5k with Jared in May. It looks super fun, and I'm especially excited to be doing it with the hubby!

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4. Running a half marathon. I just made it a NYR, so I haven't even started looking at races or dates, but I'm really excited anyway!

5. The Golden Globes = Tina and Amy = A combination I love even more than peanut butter and chocolate!

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 6. The Veronica Mars movie!!!!!!!!! Please, please, please  don't let me down, Veronica and Logan! (Bonus - The return of Wallace & Deputy Leo)

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7. Almost every other movie coming out this year.

8. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. February. Cannot.Wait.

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9. A possible new album from Taylor Swift? Crossing my fingers!

10. Celebrating 10 years of togetherness with Jared!

7 years ago

  11. Jimmy and Seth taking over my TV at night:)

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12. The OLYMPICS! Let's go, Team USA! OK, I actually don't really get into how many medals our county wins. I just love watching such incredible talent - especially figure skating, of 
 course!

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13. New food trends. Two I'm most looking forward to (according to the Food Network): Mashups and 'real food as the new fast food.'

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14. HOPEFULLY. . . an improved economy, government, community, environment, treatment of women, of minorities, more tolerant attitudes and people working together worldwide.

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I want to make sure to do my part in making 2014 the best year yet!
Have a good weekend and a great new year!

My New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions: Love 'em or hate 'em, you can't deny a brand new year is the perfect opportunity for setting new goals or just refreshing your life - challenges, dreams and all!

I don't usually set official resolutions because I'm too afraid I won't reach my goals and it'll be one more thing I've failed at. Well, forget that attitude! This year I do want to set some concrete goals to work toward, so here goes!

1. Run a half marathon. I ran a 5K with my younger sister a few years back, and it was fun, but I have always been so turned off by races.

Running surrounded by hundreds or thousands of other people running? No. Thank. You. Running is my 'me' time, and I don't like other people getting in my space. However, I do enjoy running with family members sometimes, and the more blogs I read, the more fun races are beginning to sound, so this year I want to try it for myself.

2. Eat smartly. I don't want to make a lame goal like 'lose weight' or 'get skinny' or 'stop eating sugar.'

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I do want to get better at making smarter choices - thinking before eating, paying attention to my mental state before digging into anything, learning more about where my food comes from, learning when and how to splurge, not beating myself up for splurges, etc.

3. Practice cooking. It is really no exaggeration to say I cannot cook to save my life. Yes, I can read and follow directions, but that is not all there is to cooking, and I do not appreciate people telling me this.

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 I just do not have the magic touch - or the edible touch. I do believe I can get better with practice, but I never make the time for it. This year I will.

4. Find a charity/cause/nonprofit organization I believe in and become regularly involved with it. I always, always, always tell myself I need to focus more on helping others than on myself, but I get so overwhelmed with how many organizations and causes are out there, I just completely give up. So productive, I know. This year I will do my research, find something I want to support and then actually support it! 

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5. Think kind thoughts. It's easy to be polite to people - co-workers, friends, strangers. No problem. But sometimes what's going on in my head is a completely different story.

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I'm not proud to admit it, of course, but it's true and something I need to fix.

 6. Try or learn something new.

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 It could be anything from trying a new fitness class or technique, learning a new hobby or studying a different county or culture. I never want to stop learning.

I have a couple of other more personal/spiritual goals I will be working toward this year as well, but I think I've come up with a pretty good (and hopefully doable) list I am excited about!

Hopefully you also have some new goals to accomplish in this new year! Good luck to you:)

Friday Favorites

I hope you all had a great Christmas. Mine was fantastic! My 2013 was also pretty fantastic, so today will be all of my favorites from the year. Thirteen is my favorite/lucky number, so I was hoping it'd be exciting, and it really was!

1. Last Christmas I told my family in 2013 I would at least decide on the direction I wanted to go career-wise because I was tired of floundering around. Two months later I not only decided, I took action and quit my job for an internship. This doesn't really sound like a great thing, especially since I am now in a second internship, but for me it was a huge step out of my comfort zone - something I typically shy away from. Even though I'm "behind" in a lot of ways from my peers, I am the closest to where I want to be since college, and that is an achievement for me.

2. We went on our honeymoon! That in itself just made my year. It was one of the greatest, most fun and magical weeks of my life and something I'll always remember and cherish.

3. This year was the year of concerts. There were so many amazing artists, but seeing Taylor again was definitely the highlight for me!

4. I finally got to see Wicked, and it was even better than I imagined!

5. I was able to go watch my younger sister and brother-in-law graduate with their undergraduate degrees at the same time my older sister graduated with her master's degree. They are so smart and gifted. I will never catch up to them, but I love them and the inspiration I get from them so much!

6. There were some hilarious comedians to be seen. Hello, Seth Meyers, Aziz Ansari and Nick Offerman!

7. I took another step out of my comfort zone and joined a rec sand and indoor volleyball team with some other Jimmies in the area. I was the worst one on the team, but I probably had the most fun!

8. Malala Yousafzai became a role model the world should look up to.

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9. Another (double) sister moment: Both sisters and brothers-in-law came to visit us this year - both in not-so-great weather, but both weekends were full of fun and good food!

AND my sister-in-law led her team to winning the high school's first state volleyball championship!

10. As always, 2013 saw some wonderful movies. There were so many I loved! But if I had to pick just one, it would probably be The Way Way Back.

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11. It was quite a year for genius statements from the outstanding Jennifer Lawrence, and I fell in love with her right along with everyone else who appreciates blunt honesty.

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12. Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage! Despite the gray skies and freezing temps over half the year, it's a pretty great state to live in.

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13. I started this blog:)

Have a great weekend reminiscing about your 2013!

Six Things

6 The number of days in a row I have off from both jobs!

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5 The number of different snacks I have stockpiled for the trip back to Jamestown for Christmas.
They have all been off limits during my challenge this month - but not today!

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I don't like the show, but I sure do love their Christmas renditions!

4 The number of times I have played Pandora's Christmas station this month. It should be 24. I am very disappointed in myself for not listening to more Christmas music this year. Maybe this is why I haven't really been in the Christmas spirit.




3 The number of helpings I will most likely have at Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner (and lunch..and breakfast).

2 The number of naps I plan to take each day for the next week.

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1 The true meaning of Christmas

Merry Christmas (Eve), everyone!!

Friday Favorites

Yay! Christmas is in 5 days! I love Christmas - lights, trees, gingerbread houses, that special, happy feeling everyone gets, the time spent with family and friends. . . and so much more! Here are some of my Christmas favorites:)

Favorite . . .

Song: O Holy Night
  -Runners-up: Every other Christmas song out there. I love Christmas music!

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Movie: The Holiday
  -Runners-up: Elf, Home Alone, The Family Stone

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Tradition: Reading the Christmas story in Luke. In the midst of gifts and parties, it is such an important reminder of what Christmas is truly about.
  -Runner-up: Watching home videos. I can spend hours doing this. We were so cute (and I was kind of a brat)!

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Children's Christmas story: The Polar Express
I couldn't get through the movie, but I loved having this book read to me and then reading it every year.

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Drink: Eggnog. Of course. MMMMMMMMM:)


Cookie: Chocolate crinkle cookies. They just scream Christmas to me!

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Food: Mashed potatoes, corn casserole, my dad's meatballs. . . okay, pretty much every Christmas food you can think of. Bad example!


Gift I've received: When I was a freshman in college, Jared made the best present ever. He took the time to make a giant card out of poster board, and on the back he wrote '50 Things I Love About You.' They weren't even lame things like " I like your eyes, I like your hair." They were super thoughtful and personal and beautiful! I no longer have this, as I may have taken some anger out on it once upon a time after a breakup, BUT I will never forget it and how much I loved it!


Gift I've given: In high school I became friends with some students who were from China and had a family business in town. For Christmas they gave me a bunch of cool Chinese candy, and one of the things I gave them was a dancing Santa singing Elvis songs or something. I can't quite remember. I was working at the National Buffalo Museum at the time and got it there, so it may have even been a buffalo dressed as Santa. Anyway, they LOVED it, and it was so cool to see how excited they were!


Memory: Well, aside from getting engaged around Christmas four years ago (I mean, really, what beats that?), my favorite memory is just getting up early Christmas morning with my sisters. My younger sister and I would get up really early and go through our stockings and then go wake up our older sister with hers and go through them all again before our parents woke up. I haven't been able to spend Christmas with them for a few years, but I'll always cherish those early years:)

One of my fav pictures of us!

Candy: Reese's Trees just taste so much better than any other form of Reese's 
  -Runner-up: Any peppermint/chocolate combo

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Scent: Of all the creative Christmas/winter flavored candles, fresheners, etc. they make, I will always prefer pine.

Okay, I could go on and on..and on..about everything I love about Christmas. It's just such a magical time, and it never seems to last long enough.
It's easy to get caught up in the material side of things, but what really matters is the one reason we even celebrate Christmas and the importance of showing love to others.

Have a great pre-Christmas weekend!