New England Fun

Ryan and I have been a little more busy than usual lately; fortunately, a lot of our time lately has been filled doing some really fun and interesting things. Here are some photos from the past few weeks:

The end of year Partners' Club Party was at the top of the Prudential Building. Ryan and I went to the party with friends and had a great time!

Ryan and I attending a reception at the top of the Prudential Bldg.

Courtney, one of my Boston Best Friends

We also enjoyed a weekend in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. Although the weather was not perfect we enjoyed the great company and amazing surroundings.

The Vanderbilt's "Breakers" Mansion.

Laura Kingston and I at the end of the Cliff Walk.

Back in Boston, Ryan's section held a charity auction; we ended up bidding for and winning a weekend of waterskiing and relaxation on a lake house in Maine with two other couples.

Heather Harper and I chatting it up at the charity auction.

All in all, life is great! We have loved our first year here in Boston more than we could have ever imagined.

Spring is here

It’s been another fun, busy weekend in Boston for the Butters. Last weekend, was “Admitted Students Weekend” at HBS. It is a weekend dedicated to trying to convince the newly admitted students to accept their offer to join HBS in the fall. On Friday, I gave a career presentation to partners of the admitted students and moderated a panel. Then on Saturday Ryan and I went to an LDS Club Breakfast that was hosted for the admitted students.

Shortly after the breakfast we went on a tour of Fenway Park with Ryan’s classmates. The tour was spectacular; Fenway Park is full of history and baseball legends. It was fun to see the park while it was empty. The sky was blue, and the sun was shining—we couldn’t ask for a better day. However, it does get better…

Ryan with his section

Ryan with his Best Friend, Reina (I'm not kidding this girl loves Ryan)

Beautiful Fenway Park

After returning home from Fenway we took a nap to recuperate from our “hard days work.” After waking up refreshed we went to a chili cook off at HBS. We tried over 20 different chilis and mingled with friends. To top off the evening we went to an LDS Club Sponsored event where Nolan Archibald, the CEO of Black & Decker was speaking about balancing family and the demands of being a business leader.

Ryan & Taryn at Fenway Park

It was all fun and games over the weekend. However, when Monday started I hit the ground running at work preparing for a large conference for our recruiting partners. The conference was today and all went well, I will definitely sleep soundly tonight.

Time Flies

Ryan is only one month away from finishing his first year at HBS. I am so proud of his hard work and accomplishments. He will soon be working for Bain and living in Dallas for the summer. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone! We knew it would go fast, but I don't think either of us expected the year to fly by the way it did. We've had a blast and are looking forward to another year in Boston.

Last Monday I received a promotion at work. My new title is Recruiting Coordinator and I manage recruiting relationships with over 100 companies on campus. It is really exciting! I have been super busy trying to learn my new job and wrap up my projects from my old position. Doing two jobs is a lot of work! In addition to work I am also the new President for the HBS Partners' Club. Luckily I have a Co-President to help, but we are still super busy finalizing the budget and planning for next year. It's lots of work, but lots of fun too!

It's amazing where life takes people, Ryan and I ever never could have imagined the fun we would have at HBS and Boston.

The Cruise

Ryan and I just returned from our 7 day Caribbean Cruise. It was outstanding! We had such a great time being with each other. It all started last Friday when we boarded a plane in Boston and landed in warm, sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We spend a night in a hotel and then Saturday morning we took a shuttle to Port Everglades where the Grand Princess awaited us. We boarded the ship, unpacked our bags and then headed out to the deck for some rays and a view of the ocean. That night we went to a comedy and welcome show.

1st day on the ship

Standing in front of the cruise ship in Jamaica

Day 1 Saftety Drill

The next day was a “day at sea”. We enjoyed laying by the pool, going to an art auction, and dining in the fabulous Da Vinici Dining Room. The next day we arrived in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We walked off the ship and took a taxi to Dunn River Falls. The falls were amazing to see and to climb. This was by far the most unique day of the trip. The next day we were supposed to arrive in Grand Cayman, but the port was closed due to 7 foot swells in the harbor area; we couldn’t safely tender to land. As disappointed as we were, it ended up being a fabulous day at sea.

Our next stop was Cozumel, Mexico. We decided to go to a beach for a little sun and snorkeling.

Ryan and I on the tender in Cozumel

After Cozumel we had one more “day at sea” and then we went to Princess Cays—and island in the Bahamas. It was a beautiful island the sand was soft and white and the water was crystal clear. We enjoyed a complimentary beach barbeque and lots of strolls down the beach. Ryan went scuba diving and I stayed on the beach relaxing and reading a good book. Words can’t describe the fun we had, but I hope maybe the pictures can!

Formal Night

The Grand Princess

Princess Cays

Ryan going Scuba Diving

Last Night on the Ship

Good Times in Boston

Ryan and I have been super busy with fun activities lately. Life seems to never slow down, but we love it! In the past few weeks, we have had many fun “get togethers” with friends and seen a few movies. In the same week we went and saw Vantage Point and 10,000 BC. We really enjoyed 10,000 BC, but only thought Vantage Point was ok. Tonight we are headed to the Bruins Hockey game with some of Ryan’s classmates. I am really excited because I have never been to a professional hockey game! Tomorrow we leave for our 7-day cruise out of Fort-Lauderdale. I promise to post pictures when I return.

Bain Dallas

Ryan has accepted his offer to join Bain Dallas. He will be in Texas this summer while I am in Boston working. It will be hard, but we have decided to pay the airline price and see each other every other weekend. We can do it, it’s only 10 weeks. He is really excited for this opportunity. He has always wanted to try consulting, but I have always been afraid of the lifestyle. Bain Dallas is a perfect solution because they work really hard, but they are still able to maintain some form of work/life balance. It will be a great opportunity for him.

We had the opportunity to fly to Dallas last weekend and I was really impressed with the area. It definitely would be a fun place to live. If we end up there, I will miss the East but it will also be great to live in the West again. While in Dallas, we went to a Mavericks game and had a good time meeting new people and going out to dinner.

Tonight, Ryan and I are going to the Celtics game. Yes I know we are spoiled, two pro basketball games in two weeks! We bought the tickets through the HBS Partners’ Club for only $10 each. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Here's a picture:

Sherman and Judith's Visit

Ryan’s parents have been visiting us for the last few days. It was great to have them here. Ryan picked them up last Wednesday night. After picking them up we all attended a dinner hosted by the LDS club on campus. It was a great dinner and fun for the parents to see the school and meet LDS alumni and students.

Taryn, Ryan, Sherman, Judith at LDSSA Dinner

On Thursday Ryan brought his parents to class with him--they attended all three classes that day. Then on Friday, I had to go to work and Ryan took his parents to Concord. In Concord they explored the revolutionary war sites and visited Louisa Marie Alcott’s (author of Little Women) home.

Then on Saturday we went to the Boston Temple and to the Museum of Science. While visiting the Museum of Science we went to an Electricity Show, and watched a demonstration of lightning created by the world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator. It was amazing to see the lighting that was created.

This is a picture of the lightning show

On Sunday we went to church and enjoyed a relaxing day at home. Then on Monday we enjoyed Candlepin Bowling and lunch at G’Vanni’s—a quaint restaurant in Little Italy. All in all we had a wonderful visit.

Next weekend Ryan and I are headed to Texas for an Oferee weekend. We are really excited to go and learn more about the company and living in Texas. It will be a great weekend. Then shortly after Texas we are head to Fort Lauderdale for our Caribbean Cruise. Let the good times roll!

Update

Life is busier than ever for Ryan and I. We are both running to accomplish all that needs to be done in a day. It is crazy how fast life goes when you are working hard. Although we are busy, Ryan and I feel so lucky to be here in Boston having this great experience at Harvard. I thoroughly enjoy working there and Ryan loves his classes.

This past weekend we had the opportunity to hang out with close friends. We went to Patrick and Patricia's home on Friday night and enjoyed dinner and good company. It is great to get to know people better and just enjoy being friends. Then on Saturday night, our friends Brittany and Scott came over to our house for dinner. Ryan and I really enjoy having so many great friends from school and church. It is nice to have people who can relate to your circumstances.

Ryan's parents come out on Wednesday, so I have been busy cleaning and grocery shopping. It will be great to have them here. Hopefully it warms up so we don't have to stay inside the whole time.

Work, Work

I am feeling the stress of work right now big time. The 1st year students are interviewing for internships starting this Friday and going into next week. I have been in charge of all planning for these interviews and I am terrified that I forgot something. There are so many details that could go wrong. I won't be able to relax until February 8th. With any luck things will go smoothly.

While I am stressed planning the interviews, Ryan is stressed interviewing for the jobs. We will definitely go out and celebrate the end of "Hell Week"!

Now that I have the stress off my mind, let's talk about some fun things in life. Ryan and I have never been happier. We are so content in our lives. There is such a great peace that exists in our home and relationship--it is a great feeling. We are planning on going on another Princess Cruise in March! I can't wait. It is on the same ship as last time, but different destinations. Ryan and I love cruising because we have constant entertainment, food, and recreational activities. As a bonus, some of our good friends from HBS will be joining us on the cruise!

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Last night at about 10:30 PM I found out that President Gordon B. Hinckley, the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had passed away. The news came via a phone call from Salt Lake City; it was my 7 year old sister. "Hi Taryn, I have some news for you. President Hinckley died." "He did?" I said in a moment of shock and disbelief. The news quickly sunk in and I began to cry. "Don't cry." My little sister said. "He is with his wife Marjorie again; He is in a better place." My little sister of only 7 years understands the plan of salvation and she was there to remind and comfort me in my time of sadness. It always surprises me how much we can learn from little children.



Although I know and believe in the plan of salvation, I was still very sad. I gave the news to Ryan as tears streamed down my face. Together we watched his last conference address. As we watched it, I felt a reassuring peace. President Hinckley had been reunited with the Lord; he had returned home.

Before I was even a member of the Church, President Hinckley touched my life. In fact, his words ignited my desire to search for the truth. On November 5, 2003, my journal reads "For some reason this book (Standing for Something) by Gordon B. Hinckley has really made a connection with me that I cannot write off. I must see if the LDS church is for me."

I am so grateful for the words and inspiration of dear President Hinckley. I will forever be grateful for his love, his leadership, and his example. I love and miss you President Hinckley!

Life

Due to the persistence of my dear husband I am writing this blog. I think he enjoys reading it a lot more than I enjoy writing, so this one is for him!

Ryan has started his new semester and recruiting for internships is moving quickly. He has several rounds of interviews next week. It will be exhausting for him, but I know he'll do great! Since I work at career services, it will be a long week for me as well. A lot of early mornings and late nights, we'll definitely go out and celebrate when it is over.

Ryan and I are trying hard to stick to our goals this year: working out, scripture study, prayer, family night, date night, and journal writing. It feels really good to take care of your body and soul. It makes such a difference in your life if you can simply read your scriptures every night or morning. I have chosen to study at nights and Ryan in the morning. So far so good.

I know this is a fairly boring entry. I will have more fun to write later.

Christmas Break

Ryan and I are back from Christmas Vacation. It is always great to be back, but I definitely miss the family, home-cooked meals, and good company. Over the break, Ryan and I went to Salt Lake for a quick five days and then to Europe with my Family.

While in Europe we visited Toulouse, Barcelona, Madrid, and Toledo. My sister McKenzie is doing a study abroad in Toulouse, France. It was fun to visit her and see where she lives and goes to school. I am so proud of her for having this experience—I know she will never forget it!

Today I am back at work. It has been a hectic day, but it is good to get to work and feel productive. I just have to jump in and start working—piece by piece it will all come together. I really enjoy the people I work with and know that I am so blessed and fortunate to have a great job here at Harvard.

Yesterday we started 9:00 church instead of 1:00. It is so nice to have the majority of the day back. It was great to be back at church. The last two weeks we were unable to attend because of travel. I know going to church definitely helps to keep the spirit in my life and it also helps me to continue to challenge myself to follow the commandments better and study my scriptures. I am so grateful for church and the people and friends that help to strengthen my understanding of the gospel. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to attend the temple regularly (once a month) and look for ways that I can serve others.