30 Regrets Not to Have in My Next 30 Years

I’ve spent precious time with my Papa Wilde, either on road trips or sitting on his back porch reminiscing about the past, talking hopefully about the future, but always with a voice of reason and caution. Now, as a man of leisure, he says, he has a lot of time to reflect and he’s spent some of that time wishing he had made other choices – been a better father, husband, etc. I wish he wouldn’t spend time regretting, but in fact, spend more time cherishing the great memories he did make and all the new ones yet to come.

Since my grandma passed about now almost 14 years ago, (man, that crushes my soul thinking about it), I think he wishes he would have made more of the time he’d had with her. She was, in fact, a beautiful, selfless, loving person who, to this day, is everything I hope to be someday. I don’t think she had a bad bone in her body, and even if someone told me she wasn’t perfect, I wouldn’t believe them ;)

The reason for this blog is because you never know when God will call you home. You shouldn’t exhaust precious moments wishing you had done things differently. To deflect that initially, you have to put the right people and plans first, but be willing to change course for the better if life sends you on a new adventure.

My Papa’s reflections, as sad as it makes me when I think about it, are valuable to me - to remind me not to have those regrets later, to remember to value the right people and things in life.

I’ll be thirty at the end of this year. Holy shit. I can’t believe it. Before I get there, here are 30 regrets I don’t want to have in my next 30 years.

1. Spending too little time with the right people. – Sooner or later, you just want to be around the people who make you smile. So today, spend time with those who help you love yourself more. And remember, the people you take for granted today may be the only ones you need tomorrow. Never be too busy to make time for those who matter most.
2. Not making your loved ones smile more often. – The most beautiful thing is to see a person you love smile, and even more beautiful is knowing that you are the reason behind it.

Tough Mudder Symbolizes Life's Adventure

I've been in love with challenge courses, but the ultimate big daddy is Tough Mudder.

Tough Mudder, to me, symbolizes life - extreme, full of crazy obstacles, some times you sweat and others you freeze, you may be in over your head and loose your grip, but if you surround yourself with solid-minded, inspirational, entertaining, high-achieving, supportive people, you’ll not only enjoy the journey, but you’ll come out on top. I crave the challenge and I’m not afraid to get dirty. My personality and drive perfectly fits the Tough Mudder Credo and I can't tell you how excited I get when I see a fellow Mudder proudly wearing the TM threads!

I’m currently surrounded by the youthful embrace of individualism and teamwork, a lot like my experience of Tough Mudder. It’s absolutely true that the eclectic and electric environment is a lifestyle. I’ve worked in stuffy environments, and who gets excited to wake up and go to that? I love to work with people who are driven and charismatic that may either love what I love or introduce me to new things. I believe a life surrounded by people who not only challenge you to go outside your comfort zone, but also support your endeavors is essential to a life of fun and fulfillment.

Protecting this type of environment is so important because it allows open minds, creative thinking, and bold moves. Giving people a platform to share ideas and own them, gives them the power to shine, but also helps the company to succeed. Individually, we can achieve what we set our minds to, but with the force of many heads together, a small idea can become reality and beyond. I fully embrace this lifestyle with flare and vigor.

Tough Mudder is my IV, shooting me up with essential elements of excitement, challenges and an exhilarating story to tell.

Live tough by boldly challenging status quo.

Finding a Meaningful, Tangible Purpose

Tweet

How do you find a purpose in things that aren’t tangible? I’ve found that question tough to answer in a career that’s ever-changing. Not only do I not know what I want to do when I grow up, I feel like I can’t find my footing to even propel from.

For me, tangible accomplishments are a big deal. I know I work hard, but typically, I find myself being “too much” that it becomes a negative energy. Unfortunately, I don’t really know how to dial down my intensity. I don’t know how to communicate to other people that I’m not out for their positions or jobs. I’m sure the way I attack life is a bit off-putting because I work my butt off for what I want or do. I’m a threat to people who can just casually go about their days. Sadly, I find those kind of people frustrating - so much so that they suck the life out of me!

I think the biggest energy suck is not having a tangible, meaningful purpose or goal. I’ve had to step back and refocus myself - some of it at work, but much of it in my personal life. I’m so much more satisfied overall when I workout in the mornings. Giving myself goals like beating my last half-marathon time, finding human marks on the mountain I’m going to pass, and surrounding myself with other crazy fitness freaks. Since I know that, I’m that much more fulfilled when I stick with at least that.

Finding Inspiration Again

It’s been awhile and don’t get me wrong - I’ve been inspired, but wow! The year has just blown by. I’ve been through my first year as an MBA student, been at Yelp through the wild ride it’s been, and even spent a month in Europe!

I was on such a high when I came back from Europe. The culture, the history, people, food - the list goes on. I was so inspired by what I saw and learned; I just couldn’t hide it upon return. But then, disaster struck and I dove way down. I was incredibly sad to not be in Europe any more, surrounded by about 50 people from across the world who also decided to take the MBA class like me.

There was no drama. At all! Weird? I thought so too, but we all clicked like we’d known each other for ages. You could morph into any group for meals, trips during the week, or long excursions on the weekends. I couldn’t have planned a more successful trip!

What am I missing here that makes me long for that again, or long for school to start up again? It’s people I’m surrounded with that inspire me, challenge me, and genuinely enjoy similar things as me (well mostly outdoor, crazy things!). Most of my close friends have munchkins, significant others, or partake in activities that are true to my character. Totally not judging and so love everyone of them, but I feel like I’m missing something.

From Nebraska to Arizona to Grad School

Tweet

Yelp.com Account Managers!

Well, my friends, it’s been awhile and what a crazy adventure it has been. I moved from Nebraska to Peoria/Scottsdale/Tempe, Arizona, I started a new job at Yelp.com as an Account Manager, and started grad school at Arizona State University. I’ve taught a session of Junior Achievement to an 11th grade classroom, became president/student rep for the Student Advisory Board for my grad class, was in my twin’s (Brittany Mahugh/Lyman) wedding, became a happy aunt to a beautiful boy, Cody Harper, and moved three times. I was stung by a handful of Africanized Honey Bees on Camelback Mountain, been in training for a half marathon, and signed up for the Tougher Mudder in San Diego. I spent two weeks in San Francisco with my beautiful Buhl family, one in Napa Valley with my parents (wine country) and the second working at our home office. I was selected to spend a month in Germany in May for an international trip for class, retained a 4.0 in my first trimester of grad school, and about to get on the college racquetball club.

Offsite Party - Yelp definitely knows how to throw a party!

And that’s only the a small fraction of it all! I’m so happy to be out of Nebraska. I truly miss my students tremendously and wish I could have brought them all with me, but Britni is back in her own skin. Back doing the crazy things she loves to do and spreading herself FAR too thin for her own good.

In Oregon for July 4th with my family

I’ve met some of the most amazing people at both work and school. It’s been great having so many different kinds of friends who love adventure, theatre, outdoors, racquetball, football, coffee, shopping, studying, sun bathing, pets, climbing Camelback, opera, movies, drinking, socializing, and whatever else we could think of at the time. I’ve missed friends so much.

So my adventure continues. With arms, eyes, and mind wide open. I can’t wait to see what the next few months/years have in store!

Continuing to Boldly Challenge Status Quo, no matter where I am :)

On top of Camelback Mountain 

Tweet

Spring Break Trip to Dallas

Tweet

Better late than never, right?

Based on my M.O., nothing should surprise you. Five weeks ago was Spring Break in Curtis (my little 600 person WITH students town, an hour away from any sort of mass civilization) and I was stuck here, all alone, with zero students. I had a few projects to do for NCTA, and during the evenings, I worked on my personal portfolio. I watched so many movies I almost don’t ever want to see another again. Almost.

Two students came back early to work at a bull sale from Thursday through Monday of break. Well, after a day, they were told they weren’t needed during the weekend. I joked about going to Dallas Thursday night and didn’t think anything of it. Friday rolled around and I finished all of my week’s projects and started craving sushi, so I asked the guys if they wanted to go after their work was done.

On my way to North Platte (for those of you who don’t know, I live an hour away from any kind of civilization), I got the itch. The itch to go to Dallas. By the time I was halfway, I stopped and asked the guys if they wanted to go to Dallas. Seriously go to Dallas! I’m not sure if they really thought I was serious, but Jed reluctantly and Matt excitedly said yes! So I turned around, packed my bags, and waited for the guys to get home. They knocked on my door, and as I exuberantly jumped up to open it, their faces were full of shock, uncertainty, and unease. Not sure if that was because I was as excited as a little child in a candy store, but let’s pretend that wasn’t the case.

Schweitzer Cabin Adventure GETTING to the Cabin

Tweet

What a week!! Welcoming the new year at the Valeri Vista cabin at Schweitzer was the best new years celebration yet. I had such a wonderful time with loving and adoring people as we created adventures at every possible moment.

Want to see pictures? Click HERE.

The craziest day, though, was actually GETTING to the cabin.

My Adventurous Bucket List

Tweet

Pandora current song: It's My Life, Bon Jovi

(in no particular order)

Adventures

1. Run more half marathons 
2. Sky dive 
3. Bungee jump off something tall 
4. Learn how to rock climb better 
5. White water raft a crazy river 
6. Ride the tallest roller coaster 
7. Ride the fastest roller coaster 
8. Watch a NY Broadway show 
9. See the Lion King on Broadway in NY 
10. Swim with dolphins 
11. Swim with sting rays 
12. Swim with sharks 
13. Climb/hike to the top of a mountain 
14. Go on a cruise 
15. Hike the Appalachian Trail 
16. Cycle through Provence 
17. Climb Machu Picchu 
18. Swim in the Great Barrier Reef 
19. Bike the Golden Gate Bridge 

Best Summer Ever Part Four of Four: The Month of August

Tweet

Pandora current song: Fire and Rain by Mat Kearney

Out at the beach in front of our condo.

The last hoorah. Two weeks left until I had to go back to Nebraska. The first week of August was consumed with work, helping mom in the yard, more running and reflecting on what I wanted to do with my life.

A great addition to my summer was spent with an “Amazon-bound” friend, Brett

Standing by the beach!

Buckingham. I hadn’t seen him either since high school so we dined on sushi and chatted for hours. I didn’t realize how much we had in common!

Aloha Kauai! Mom, Dad, Ashley and I all went to Kauai for a week of fun in the sun and hopefully only minimal Kauai rain. Kauai is home to the wettest location in the world, so consequently, the surrounding areas also get quite a load of rain per year. We stayed at a timeshare condo in Kapaa, east Kauai, on the beach front with a 5-mile boardwalk. Of course with our luck, Kauai was in the middle of their rainiest summer season in years. Go figure. However, we still saw the pristine beaches, bountiful vegetation, ate great food, and visited Kauai’s hidden gems.

The Best Summer Ever Part Three: The Month of July

Tweet

Pandora current song: Would You Go With Me by Death Cab For Cutties

The month of July was probably the biggest adventure by far. I loved seeing my friends, but July brought new accomplishments and lots of family time. To start the month off, I again ran a lot as my half marathon was nearing ever so quickly.

The view from my Papa's house.

The Best Summer Ever Part Two: The Month of June

Tweet

Pandora current song: Prayin’ For Daylight by Rascal Flatts

Me & Lace at a Diamond Backs game
this summer.

June still seemed like the beginning of my summer, but it was the last month I spent in the beautiful state of Washington. So what did I do? Read on! Duh.

One of my favorite memories with Lacey was sleeping out on the trampoline at night. Once I got home from Phoenix, my dog and I listened to the frogs and looked out at the stars for a wonderful night outside on our trampoline. Since we live on 10 acres away from town, sleeping outside at our house seems like you’re sleeping in the middle of nowhere. Granted, I didn’t have my best friend with me, but the experience brought back a lot of memories. I did end up with a visitor that walked around the woods around me, but I fell asleep before I could figure out what it was. Maybe a deer, maybe a coyote, maybe a raccoon. Who knows.

The Best Summer Ever Part One: The Month of May

Tweet

Pandora current song: Realize by Colbie Caillat

What a summer. After spending 10 months in Nebraska without my closest friends, family, and sense of adventure, I was ready for a change in pace. Every summer since high school, I worked in Central Washington away from my family. Since college, I’ve lived in Central Washington, Dallas, and now Nebraska with little time at home. This may sound strange, but when I’m home, I love fishing with my dad, mowing the lawn, working in the yard with my mom, and any other project around the house they’re working on. I enjoy tackling projects with them so they don’t have to do it alone, but also the gratification of accomplishing a task, especially with people I love, is beyond comparison.

May 6. NCTA graduation and ground breaking for the new buildings. The day took forever to finish. I gave my boss’, George Garlick, speech as he was unable to make it to Nebraska. Remind me never again to wear a flowing skirt in windy Nebraska while I try to focus on inspiring others to never forget where they came from NOR four inch stilettos when I have to shovel dirt for a ground breaking ceremony. At least I was able to bring humor by saying I was doing my part by aerating the lawn.