Deep Thoughts: 2017 Edition


Whitney Duncan and I on Day 28 of Survivor South Pacific.
Just a few hours after we left Redemption Island/lost our dual and ended the game.
(PS: Too much info, but we both ended the game at 112 pounds.)


One of the trippiest things about playing Survivor is that it makes such a strong imprint on your life: it literally changes you and your world view.

Forever, I think.

I know it seems ridonkulous that a "reality" tv show would have such a profound impact on you, but it really does.

Now granted, I'm a player who experienced some pretty incredible HIGHS and LOWS in my two games, but I don't think I'm unique in this response; almost everyone I know who has played Survivor is incredibly changed as a result of their time in casting, traveling, pre-game, playing, having the game air on tv, and then returning to "normal" life.

Here are some of the things I've been thinking about lately (related to this):

1) Our whole family looks at First World Living much differently now (needs vs wants-- clean water, roof over head, knowing where food comes from, having medicine, etc.).

2) All the kids know how to make fire now.

3) We have met the kindest people (and some of the not-so-kindest). People have mailed letters, gifts, baked goods, and sent all kinds of email/tweets related to Survivor and our family. It's been really incredible and makes you see how far-reaching TV can be.

4) I really have made some of my closest friends as a result of Survivor. (Players, crew, and even fans.)

Example: Just this month I received a letter from the Czech Republic. A Survivor fan asking for an autograph. He was kind enough to send a postcard and letter sharing his hometown with us. It was SO cool. I mean, that's just nuts--to connect with people in other countries as a result of my part in Survivor.)

5) We learned the importance of setting goals, being physically/spiritually/emotionally fit, accepting defeat, being supportive/happy for others, keeping the BIG PICTURE in mind, and being forgiving of self and others. (PS: I auditioned for Season 2, but wasn't cast until Season 23! Ten years later. Woo.)

6) I think we are much closer as a family having shared this kinda out-of-this-world opportunity together. Twice. (We're super grateful to CBS and casting/crew for all they did for me/us.)

And there's a ton more, but today, these are the things that have been kinda running like a script through my noodle/computer.

So, that's probably more than I needed to say. But then again, I'm never really short on words. Especially when I write.

Just before Survivor on Wednesday night. 3 of the 6 kids make s'mores.
(I thought using FLINT. But upon further investigation I spy a lighter!)


Beautiful postcard from a Survivor fan in the Czech Republic.


 And now, for normal family stuff!

Dave (middle) and his lifelong friends Jeff and Eric at lunch.


"Spring Break" in Utah.

Baptism for one of our family's most favorite people: Maddy.

Zu, Maddy, and Papaya at our favorite place: the Temple.

And Papaya's first Rabbit Cake--in prep for Easter.
(I just finished a book, Rabbit Cake, where one of the
main characters earns a Guinness World Record by making
1,000 rabbit cakes. It made me want to make ONE with our kids.)


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