Meet the Cast Monday #40: Emily From Friends

What? You thought that I'd seriously let Meet the Cast Monday end when 2011 finished up? No way! Today we're going to hear from one of my friends from across the pond...Emily From Friends.

Stick with me here--Emily From Friends dates my friend Nomad. Her name is not actually Emily, but when I met her I could not stop thinking about how much she reminded me of...you guessed it...Emily From Friends. After a couple of drinks, I told her as much, and a blog name was born. :) We've only gotten to hang out in person once---the weekend of the huge OSU Bedlam victory---but we had the best time! She is super funny and nice and has the kind of personality I wish I had--someone who is totally fun and up for anything, but quiet and understated about it. (I think I have the first half of that covered...the quiet and understated part is another story!)

Without further adieu...meet Emily From Friends!

Tell us how you met Nomad.
I first met Nomad in Canada, July 2011. I had quit my job the previous day and flown out to do a trek around some of Western Canada and the National Parks. There were two trek groups doing the same trip at the same time and Nomad was leading the other group. The groups hung out together a lot because we were staying in the same places and doing the same activities. One day my whole group wanted to go white water rafting but it wasn't really my cup of tea and I was keen to get hiking {doesn't a phrase like "keen to go hiking" make you wish you were British??} so I joined some of the people in Nomad's group who were going hiking in Yoho. Nomad dropped us off at one point and we were to hike to Emerald Lake, across the other side of the mountain where he would meet us and take us back to camp. We set off, four girls together and after a few hours one girl started to feel ill. She was struggling with the steep elevation and said she couldn't go on. We decided to all stick together and if she couldn't carry on with the hike we would have to go back to the beginning and contact Nomad to come and collect us from there.
We made our way back to the beginning of the trail to realize that we had no mobile phone service and therefore no way of contacting him. We walked to the nearest youth hostel, where the owner explained that he had no phone or internet, but offered to give us a ride to Emerald Lake, for a small fee. We all piled into the car, which then wouldn't start. We had to get out and walk back to the beginning of the trail. Dark was closing in and we were starting to wonder whether we would be spending the night by the side of the road in bear country. While two of the girls set off in search of a park ranger who might be able to get word to Emerald Lake, I flagged down a car and asked them to call the police in the next town and tell them our situation. A few hours later, word got back to Nomad and he came to pick us up. He said he had run around the lake twice trying to find us. It's funny in hindsight but at the time we were scared we would be stranded and soon be bear food!

It was the beginning of a great relationship and we have travelled a lot together since then. We always have a great time and I love his scruffy beard! It's hard being in a long-distance relationship and dating someone from the US has made me realize just how many differences there are between US and British culture. But for as many differences we have, we have many more things in common - the most obvious being travel - we are hoping to go to South America in autumn, which will be another great adventure!
What's the best advice you have ever been given?

I'm not sure it's the 'best', but the most practical advice I have ever been given - always walk to the cubicle furthest away when using a public bathroom!

What is the perception that Brits have of Americans?

Loud, annoying and a bit ignorant - not knowing much about the world outside of the US. Since travelling in the US i haven't met anyone who fits this stereotype! Americans are certainly more confident and outgoing, probably a few decibels louder(!) {Surely she's not referring to me and Loud Oklahoma Girl??} but also a lot more open, welcoming and friendly than the British. I've met some wonderful people in the USA.

Have you ever had an in person sighting of Prince William or Prince Harry?
I haven't seen Prince William or Harry but I have seen the Queen and her husband, Prince Phillip. Prince Philip used to be the Chancellor of the University where I worked, so I caught a glimpse of him and the Queen on one of their visits. My brother has seen Harry. {This is probably the type of deep, serious question that gets us Americans the rap for being somewhat ignorant...but whatev. I love me some royalty and a girl has to check for connections to the single Prince you know!}

Best part of the Bedlam Game? All of it! It was just awesome! {Great answer...see why I like this girl??} From my first experience of Tailgating with an awesome bunch of people, waving my orange foam finger, joining in the chants, to being lifted over the wall onto the field {Please note that apparently when a girl has a boyfriend, she gets lifted down and only jumps like three feet....us single girls bail off the entire wall and twist our ankles on the 10 feet down!} and watching the posts being torn down. And when one guy tore up the turf and ran around with it! It was all amazing! We have nothing like it in the UK, everyone in the stadium was united and there was so much dedication, anticipation and then celebration. The scale was also overwhelming - it was probably larger than most of our professional sporting events.

Where all have you traveled in Europe, and what was your favorite? Places travelled in Europe France, Germany, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Ireland, Malta, Scotland, Wales, Slovenia, Lithuania, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, Austria. {If you ask me, this is one thing we do wrong in the US--we don't travel abroad nearly enough!}

I don't know if I can pick just one! Everywhere in Europe is so different! Lisbon in Portugal was great with it's winding streets and custard tarts! I had some great fun (and great beer!) in the Netherlands; Llubljana, the capital of Slovenia is relaxing with some great gorges and caves in the surrounding area. The Swiss Alps and the Norwegian fjords are just beautiful. {I can't agree more on the Swiss Alps--I loved it there!}

What is something we should know about the UK? We drink (hot) tea by the gallon and cake will win you friends everywhere you go. {I don't like tea, but a country that loves cake? I'm in!}

What is one (or more) item(s) on your bucket list? All travel related! Eat sushi in Japan, steak in Argentina and drink red wine in Chile, trek the Inca trail and meet some llamas in Peru. I'd like to visit South Africa again and also Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. A few non-travel related: Make jam! Learn spanish. Become a nutritionist. Live and work overseas. Learn to bake really well.

Priceless (Bedlam 2011)

"And to be able to celebrate with my teammates, my best friends, this is the real deal." ~OSU Quarterback and Big XII Champion Brandon Weeden


I'm not sure there are words to describe how awesome, exciting and wonderful the Bedlam football game was. I mean good friends, great football, Big XII Champs, and two bucket list checkmarks? Doesn't get better, folks.
You might remember from this post that it was my very first Bedlam game. Oklahoma State versus our biggest rival, Oklahoma. 60-some thousand people packed into the stadium. A sea of orange. Turns out, I'm good luck. When they interviewed Brandon Weeden after the game, he said that he had thought about how winning the game would feel and what the celebration would be like afterward and the reality was even better. I feel the same exact way!

Flights to Oklahoma = 15,000 Frequent Flyer Miles (complete with 3 hour delay in Denver)

Game Ticket = $200

Foam Finger = $10

(Which I had to get because of Nomad's girlfriend....here's how it went down. We will call her Emily from Friends because she's British. And I think she looks like her. Anyhow, when they picked me up at the airport she said she had to get a foam finger because that's what Americans do at football games. Nomad told her that only 5 year old Americans did that. I told him to shut up and that I wanted a foam finger too!)

BEDLAM.....

.....Pre-gaming at the Copper Penny (I had never been to the bar at 3:30 in the afternoon before. I did my best to make Mr. Animal House proud.)

....Screaming until my voice went hoarse and my whole body was sore (No like seriously, my hips and my abs are still sore today!)
.....Watching the two bands to come together to play Amazing Grace in rememberance of Coach Budke, Coach Serna and the Branstetters who died in a plane crash last month (Here's a video I took of part of it.)
.....seeing OU fans being driven to drink (Ha!)
.....Watching my Cowboys dominate OU to win our first Conference Championship (Final score: 44-10. Take that Kirk Herbstreit. You're not only ruining my love life, you're an idiot too!)
.....Rushing the field (This was a bucket list item I was more than excited to check off---yes, it was crazy and sort of scary and I do have a swollen ankle after the 9 foot jump to the field---but that battle scar is totally worth it! To see some awesome videos, click here and here. But please note that I am very sad that several people were seriously injured and hope that they all recover quickly!)
......Touching the goal post (I actually ran over intending to help pull it down, but my 28 year old maturity kicked in and I decided that looked too dangerous and that I might die. I know my mom is so proud that I've grown up. You MUST see the video Nomad took. He's the one saying, "This is so dangerous, this is so dangerous" and I'm the one saying, "Holy crap!" Also please notice the crazy guy at the end running around with the turf in his hand. Hilarious.)
......Doing a snow angel in the end zone (Why? I have no idea. Just seemed like a good idea at the time.)

.....BEING A COWBOY = PRICELESS!

Meet the Cast Monday #9: Nomad

You have read a couple of times about my friend, Nomad. I got to know him through College Roomie when they moved to China for a year to work at a hotel. (Longest year of my life!) Anyway, I'm glad that they went because I'm happy to have Nomad in my life. He graduated from OSU, he now wanders around the world (you'll understand in a minute), and is completely hilarious! He's someone who is a great example of really living every day and taking in all of the experiences that come his way. My only complaint is that he continually pushes me to sign up for match.com, despite the fact that he got kicked off. Just saying.

Here we go.....Meet Nomad!

Explain to us what Trek is.Trek America is a British owned adventure travel company with operations bases in LA, Seattle and Jersey. At the beginning of each season (usually May-November) I am given a brand new van, a trailer full of tents and all kinds of camping equipment to take groups of mostly foreigners (Brits, Euros, Aussies, a few Koreans or Japanese and occasionally a really nerdy American)camping (although we do do a few lodging tours) all over Canada and the USA on trips lasting anywhere from 3 to 64 days. We hit up lots of national parks and cities (where we stay in hotels) but more often than not we're cooking our own dinners over a stove and campfire. We try to focus on outdoor activities, lots of hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, etc as well as good nightlife in the cities. There is a lot of drinking involved and although the age limits are 18-38 most people are usually in their early to mid 20's.

I thought I had been to a lot of places before I ever heard of Trek America but I didn't have a clue. It's the best job I've ever had and I'd even do it for no pay if I had to.
Where is the best place you have traveled to?It's impossible to pick one but some of my favorites would include Key West, Park City, Chicago, San Francisco, Banff and Grand Canyon. Of all the states I think Utah is definitely the most underrated but each one has its charms. Except New Jersey. There is nothing charming about New Jersey. Don't ever go there. {I'd like to nominate Nomad for the next season of Jersey Shore!}

What do you think has changed the most about you since you were 18?That's tough, I think Trek and traveling, especially overseas have made me a much more confident / open-minded person, and I enjoy being in the great outdoors / wilderness more now than I ever thought possible.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?A lot of people ask me if (when) I'm going to settle down but the whole idea of the sedentary American lifestyle is abhorrent to me. That being said I would not be averse to permanence in a few areas of my life like relationships and work. I would like to eventually manage tour leaders and operations, maybe for Trek America or other more global adventure travel companies like GAP. Something that would allow me to move around internationally every few years WITH my wife and 12 children. {I asked this question because when he was here visiting College Roomie, he told me he thought that he was too old to get married. I, being a year older, flipped out on him. Very glad to see we have that straight!}

Explain what kind of shoes you wore to run Bay to Breakers.
I was wearing Vibram's FiveFingers and I'll never run in shoes again. {As you can see on the link, these are basically like a rubber looking glove. Freaked me out! If you missed my blog about the amazing experience that was Bay to Breakers, click here.} Read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, it will blow your mind whether you run or not.
If you were not doing Trek, what would your job be?
Probably something with my Hotel & Restaurant major but wearing ties and shaving get old after a while.

What is one (or more) item(s) on your bucket list?
See Dave Matthews play in an outdoor venue, it will be the highlight of my life.
Bag Alaska and Hawaii, my last two states.
Run Bay to Breakers completely and unashamedly nude, and finish well. {I find myself thinking "I can't watch" and "I have to see this" all at once! B2B 2012 perhaps??}

Second Annual Bucket List Year In Review

"If you think back and replay your year, if it doesn't bring you tears either of joy or sadness, consider it wasted.” ~Unknown

It's that time......My Bucket List Year in Review! In case you missed the 2009 edition, check it out here! Although this year's accomplishments were a bit fewer in number, I can assure you that I had a complete blast completing each of them.

So without further adieu....I present the 2010 Bucket List Year in Review!

Surprise someone. (Read original blog here).
Back in January I flew to Tulsa to suprise SoulMate Friend at her baby shower....and it was awesome! She had NO idea that I was coming---we managed to all keep it a secret (and off facebook) so that when I walked through the door, she made the cutest face ever. I was the first one to know that she was pregnant (only because her husband was at a band concert....he found out a quick second) and being there for her baby shower seemed like a must!

See George Strait in concert. (Read original blog here).

I have loved George Strait (as has every other woman in the world) for as long as I can remember. When I found out that he was making a stop in Tulsa, I knew that this was not an opportunity that I could miss! I mean....George Strait, AND Reba, WITH the Oklahoma Girls and Cousin Whitney. It was an awesome experience!

Take a picture with someone famous. (Read two original blogs here and here).

Thank you, country music for getting me this checkmark. Twice! First I got to meet Alex Weeden, the lead guitarist for Miranda Lambert in Stillwater. He's the boyfriend of a friend and such a nice guy....he got off of his tour bus and came out to meet a bunch of girls who he didn't even know! And, after it was over, he said, "That attorney is quite a hoot!" (Let's hope that was meant in a good way!!) Then I got to meet three of the opening acts at the Brad Paisley Tour--Glorianna, Josh Thompson and (swoon!) Easton Corbin. Sigh.

Run Bay to Breakers. (Read original blog here).

Let me just tell you that this was honestly one of the most fun experiences of my life. I mean it could not have been more fun. On top of the fun, I pushed myself to run 7.5 miles, which still seems insane to me. Figuring out that I am stronger than I thought was an added perk to the Bucket List checkmark!

Donate my hair to Locks of Love. (Read original blog here).

This is something I had wanted to do forever! I finally grew my hair out. It was just a matter of time until I got sick of it. I'm pretty impulsive when it comes to hair. When that impulsive streak kicked in, I went right to the salon and made my contribution! It was a great feeling to think that I would be able to help a kiddo with a disease have a normal head of hair!

Go to a football game at Notre Dame. (Read whole week of blogs here...and here....and here....and here).

I really think it's all been said in the four prior blogs. But reconnecting with an old friend and getting to do something that I've dreamed about since I was 5 years old was the highlight of my year!

If you don't have your own Bucket List, I'd totally encourage you to create one. Even if you just start out with a few things...it's a great way to identify things you really want to do and get them done! I can't wait to see what checkmarks I can get next year! Oh, and for those of you keeping an overall count, I've accomplished 23 1/2 out of 61 current items. Here's to checking off the remaining 37 1/2 and counting!

Bay to Breakers 2010: One of Those Days

"I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.” ~Joseph Campbell

You know how when you are really excited for an event and you think about how great it will be and what it'll be like and then, once it actually happens, it's not as good as you planned? Well....Bay to Breakers Weekend in San Francisco was one of those times that was a TOTAL EXCEPTION! College Roomie deemed it "the perfect day" and I think she might have been right. Once we got in the starting corral, the chaos began. The traditional "tortilla toss" began and there were corn tortillas flying everywhere. College Roomie took one in the head. The energy there was amazing. There were 33,000 registered runners and a total of 80,000 spectators and people who joined in the race along the route. It was amazing and everyone was just having a great time! Somehow, our friend Nomad found us in the crowd of people and started the race with us. He is actually a runner and finished like 20 minutes ahead of us, but hey, at least we got our pre-race group photo!
And then we were off!
There are so many great costumes at Bay to Breakers, we tried our best to capture a few before the race started and along the way.

There were also a lot of people who chose to forego costumes, or any other clothing. I'll spare you any photographs, but one of my favorite exchanges of the weekend occurred at about the half mile mark:

Tiffany: OMG, College Roomie--ugly naked guy!!
College Roomie: Get a picture!
Tiffany: He's running too fast!
College Roomie: Go faster---I'll catch you! GO GO GO!
Little did we know by the time the race was over, we didn't think twice about seeing ugly naked guys running around!

The most challenging portion of the race is the Hayes Street Hill. If you've been to San Francisco, you know that hills are no joke! People had suggested that we walk the hill because it would just be too difficult to run. Well, it might be for some, but not for the hard core girls who train at high elevations. We ran that hill like champs (and quickly looked for the water station near the top!)

TONS of people come out to watch the race. Many bring cow bells, signs and air horns to cheer you on. My favorite spectator, of whom I have no picture, saw a guy running along who had decided not to wear a costume (if you get my drift) and yelled, "Eww! Gross. Dude, put that thing away!" I love San Francisco!

Those who live there have Bay to Breakers parties and cheer on the racers. This party looked the most fun to us and, had we not been responsible adults with jobs to get back to, we might have found that house after we were done running!

We decided to document the race by photographing ourselves every mile and crossing the finish line. Here are those shots for your enjoyment.

In the end, we did better than we had hoped! We ran the whole race (including the Hayes Street hill) and finished in the top 10,000 runners (top 9,000 to be more exact)! Nomad was in the top 3,000. Woo hoo! Just think how fast we could have been had we hadn't have been taking all of of the pictures necessary for the blog!

We found a random dude to be our "U" for OSU....his photographer friend got me all confused and didn't tell me the S was backwards. That's why I'm usually the "U"!

Anyway, Bay to Breakers was an incredible experience. College Roomie is already talking about next year's race and Nomad deemed it "one of the top 5 things he's done in his life." Hard to argue with that. Another Bucketlist checkmark down: Run Bay to Breakers