2015
Employee News V O L U M E
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I S S U E
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N O V E M B E R
– D E C E M B E R
MESILLA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION
9525 Escobar Dr. 3590 West Picacho Ave. El Paso, TX 79907 Las Cruces, NM. 88007 T- 915-872-2250 T-575- 524-2835
3750 Stewarts Lane Nashville, TN 37218 T-615 627-5117
13166 S Unitec Dr. Laredo, TX 78045 T 956 717-9849
10210 N Vancouver Portland, OR 97217 T 503 286-6110
www.m-v-t.com
Employee News N O V E M B E R –
D E C E M B E R
V O L U M E
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I S S U E 9 .
I’m back! For those of you who may not know me, my name is Bumper Jones. I recently took some time off from MVT and started up my A Letter From Bumper own business transporting cattle. I learned a lot while I was away but now I’m back and ready to help put MVT on top. Some say I’m a little rough around the edges but I do mean well. This industry is a tough one and it definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. I have learned a lot being in this industry and it has taken a lot of hard work and dedication to get MVT where it is today. I take pride in helping contribute to MVT’s growth and future. INSIDE Insider Letter
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Driver of the year 3 CAR Giveaway
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Congrats
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Spotlight of excellence
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Let’s Get
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Healthy Christmas Party
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A little bit about myself: I love golf, I have a beautiful wife named Teri and a wonderful 9 year old son (who will actually be 10 in January) we like to call “Little man”. Between the two of them they keep me busy but I also have this crazy hobby called racing. I’m not sure if it’s just something that runs in our family blood or it’s just one of those addicting habits you can’t put down. Either way it has me hooked. If you can’t find me at work or at home I’m usually at the track in El Paso or Las Cruces. USRA Modifies is a crowd favorite and one of my favorites for racing. If you haven’t already you should come check it out! Racing Season starts in March 2016 look for car 111. I am happy to be back at MVT. This company truly has some great people and I know together we will make 2016 a year to remember.
Sincerely,
Bumper Jones “Success is measured on what you give and continually keep putting out.”
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Congratulations to Hector Mendoza for being awarded the $25,000 for being driver of the year, AGAIN! Hector has been with Mesilla Valley Transportation for 17 years. He has been 2 million miles accident free ending this year with the top MPG at 11.31. Success isn’t given it’s earned. Hector Mendoza is a great example of this. Mesilla Valley Transportation only prides themselves with being the world leader in fuel efficiency. This becomes possible with hard working drivers like Hector, who consistently pay attention to driving habits and idling time. If you aren’t willing to work for it then you probably don’t really want it. For an extra $25,000 I would work hard for it too! Hats off to you Hector for a job well done. And good job to the two runner ups that came close in second as a team, Juan Gomez and Ruben Moreno with an ending MPG of 10.81. Awesome job guys, both received a check of $6,000. There’s no substitute for hard work. It always seems impossible until it’s done.. Again, Congratulations Hector!
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VOLUME
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ISSUE
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Next winners will be announced at the: Driver Appreciation day February 2016
November 25th, 2015 we celebrated our 40th giveaway! We will also recognized our best MPG performers for the last quarter from August 1st to October 31st, as well as the Driver of the year from November 2014 to October 2015. For the first time, all winners ended with over 11 MPG for the quarter and for the year. Congratulations to Martha and Luis Carrasquillo, husband and wife team drivers, who have been announced as having the best MPG’s for this last quarter in 2015. Both team In Photo: Martha and Luis Carrasquillo and family members have been with MVT for about 8 1/2 years. Having over 1.8 million miles accident free. Both ended last quarter in first place with MPG at 11.92. Fuel efficient. Economical Geniuses. World leaders. Innovators. However you want to phrase Mesilla Valley Transportation we couldn’t be the leader in fuel proficiency with out great drivers like Martha and Luis. Having the latest technology in aerodynamics is part of the puzzle but having drivers who pay attention to their driving, idling time and being trained in driving with efficiency completes that puzzle. As simple as it sounds, it’s actually hard work that takes time and patience. Congratulations Martha and Luis on a job well done and having the best MPG’s this quarter. Enjoy the new 2015 Nissan Versa.
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Congratulations are in order! Dedication is the highest form of commitment. Congratulations are in order, here is a shout out to all of hard working MVT Drivers. Driving is not easy, it’s definitely not for everyone! Here at MVT we are very grateful for having such loyal and dedicated drivers. Many of these drivers have hit an anniversary dates with the company. Ranging from their 5 year mark all the way to 21 years! It’s awesome to see the higher numbers of years dedicated here at Mesilla Valley Transportation and it absolutely doesn't go unnoticed. In the end, your success is measured on what you give and continually keep putting out. If you can inspire and motivate people on a continual basis with the same dedication, desire, and drive you had since day one, great things will come to your business – and they’ll keep coming too. We understand the time and dedication it takes to be a successful business. None of it would be possible without great employees and drivers like you! Again, Congratulations to the MVT Drivers and any one else who may have hit their anniversary date not listed. Keep a look out for our following Newsletter issue for the next department we recognize! Keep up the great work everyone!
2015 Driver Years of Service break down 1,594 Total Drivers 1,299 are Company Drivers 295 are Owner Operators There are 414 Company Drivers and Owner Operators combined that have 5 or more years of service. 52 Drivers with 5 years 21 Drivers with 14 years 86 Drivers with 6 years 12 Drivers with 15 years 55 Drivers with 7 years 6 Drivers with 16 years 44 Drivers with 8 years 6 Drivers with 17 years 34 Drivers with 9 years 6 Drivers with 18 years 30 Drivers with 10 years 3 Drivers with 19 years 24 Drivers with 11 years 3 Drivers with 20 years 19 Drivers with 12 years 3 Drivers with 21 years 10 Drivers with 13 years On November 25th we awarded all drivers with 5 or more years of service with custom thermos plaque. Drivers who just hit their 5 and 15 year mark received a custom MVT jacket. Drivers who hit years 6-9 received a gift card. Drivers who hit their 10 year anniversary received an MVT watch. Drivers between 11-14years received gift cards. The drivers are listed out on the next 9 pages. If for some reason you did not receive your gift from MVT please contact: Emily Roof at emily.roof@m-v-t.com Congratulations to all our drivers, we appreciate everything you do!
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Drivers and Years of Service Driver Name ALFREDO SHORTY RAMIREZ ARNOLD D WASHBURN ARTURO TORRES CARLOS ARAUJO CECILIO F RAMOS CESAR O ACUNA DAVID F LOPEZ VALDIVIA DORA GABRIELA ARAUJO EDUARDO D PEREZ ERIK PAUL KELLY ERNESTO SANCHEZ FELIPE DE JESUS ESTRADA FERNANDO PINEDA FRANCISCO JAVIER ORTIZ FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ FRANK GRADO GABRIEL M RIVAS GILMAR HERNANDEZ HERIBERTO CORELLA HIGINIO RAMOS ISAAC JAMES BARTON JAIME DUENES JAIME PAUL GALINDO JAMES BLOOM JESUS JAIME AGUIRRE JORGE A COTA JOSE A VALTIERRA JOSE ADAN DELGADO GARCIA JOSE D ACOSTA JOSE L MEDINA JOSE LUIS CORONA JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ JOSE M MERAZ JOSEPH CONDINHO JUAN DELIRA JUAN URENO ARREOLA KEVIN JOSEPH CHAISSON OSCAR ORTIZ PAUL DURHAM PEDRO PEREZ RAMON ANTONIO MOLINA RAMON GARCIA RENE A MOLINA REYES CRUZ ROBERTO ACOSTA RODOLFO GUILLERMO SOLIS
Years 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
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Driver Type OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company
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Congratulations are in order!
Driver Name RONALD A WHITFIELD RONALD GENE HANSON ROSENDO C BARRON RUBEN ONTIVEROS STEVEN GENE HASTINGS VICTOR M LOPEZ Driver ADRIAN RIOS ALBERTO DESANTIAGO ALBERTO VILLANUEVA ALEXANDER BORDONADA II ALEXANDER BORDONADA JR ALFREDO BALCORTA ALFREDO VASQUEZ JR AMADO GARCIA AMIRA G RAMIREZ ANDRES DELARIVA GARCIA ANDRES LUNA JR ANGEL LICONA ANIBAL RODRIGUEZ ANNA BELIA AGUIRRE ARAFAT RIVERA ARISTEO IVAN LOPEZ ARMANDO ORTIZ ACOSTA ARTURO ARELLANO ARTURO CARRILLO ARTURO TALAMANTES AUDIAS HERNANDEZ BARTOLO MONTOYA GONZALEZ BENNIE L SALAZAR BILLY CHASTAIN CARLOS GARCIA RAMIREZ CARLOS R FLORES CARLOS RAMON ACOSTA CARLOS RIVERA CARLOS TINAJERO RIVERA CECILIO HERNANDEZ CESAR FIERRO CESAR NAVARRO CHRISTOPHER DAVENPORT CHRISTOPHER T COLEMAN CIPRIANO CORNELIO GALINDO CLAUDIA RODRIGUEZ CRUZ ELVA TRUJILLO
Years 5 5 5 5 5 5 6-9 years of service
Driver Type Company Company Company Company Company Company Driver Type Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company
Congratulations are in order! Driver CRUZ ELVA TRUJILLO DAGOBERTO EMILIANO DAMIEN MELENDEZ DARRELL LEALTON MCCREARY DAVID E ESPINOZA DAVID HINOSTROZA DIMAS A RODRIGUEZ DOMINGO CASTILLO EDGAR RAMIREZ EDWARD PINKINS III EDWIN NEGRON REYES EDY FILIBERTO VALLE ELEANOR GARCIA ELIAS SANCHEZ EMERITO RIVERA JR ENRIQUE ORTIZ ERASMO JUAN ESCALERA ERIC J GARCIA ERIC LUIGI WELBORN ERICK GRIJALVA ESPIRIO GONZALEZ BARRIOS EVERARDO A MAGANA CONTRER EVERARDO ALVIDREZ FEDERICO CUESTAS FEDERICO N SANCHEZ FELIX HERNANDEZ FERNANDO PARGA FRANCISCO J GUTIERREZ FRANCISCO JR BARRAGAN FRANCISCO R CASTILLO GABRIEL CUELLAR GENARO H OCHOA GENARO VALDEZ GERARDO ORTIZ GILBERT G PRIETO GILBERTO HARO GREGORIO VALDEZ OGAZ GUADALUPE CASILLAS GUSTAVO ZAMORA HARRY MCFALL HECTOR ALVARADO HECTOR GARCIA HECTOR GOMEZ JR HECTOR MANUEL IBARRA HERIBERTO RAMIREZ HUGO VILLALOBOS
6-9 years of service
Driver Type Company Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company
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Drivers and Years of Service Driver ISIDRA GRANADOS IVAN G QUIROGA JAMES A PRICKETT JAMES EDWARD VOLLMAR JAMES VOLLMER JAVIER E MARTINEZ JAVIER NAPOLES JEFFREY EDDY JESSE J MCCULLOUGH JESUS A AGUILAR JESUS B ESPARZA JESUS BRAVO JESUS CARZOLI ARELLANO JESUS DIAZ JESUS DURAN JESUS MORONES MORA JESUS PINALES JESUS TORRES MORALES JESUS ZAMARRON JOHN GERALD BALLANTYNE JOHN T ANTONINE JORGE AMADO RAMIREZ JORGE DAVID GARCIA JORGE L MARTINEZ JORGE MADRID JOSE GARCIA JOSE A VILLA JOSE ALFREDO SOLANO JOSE ANGEL GARAY JOSE ANTONIO LEONCANO JOSE ARANDA JOSE C TARIN JOSE CASTILLO JOSE G MARTINEZ JOSE GERARDO AGUILERA JOSE HERNANDEZ SANCHEZ JOSE LUIS CANCINO JOSE LUIS SERRATO JOSE M ALCALA JOSE MANUEL ALCALA JOSE ROBERTO ROMERO JOSE RODRIGUEZ JOSEPH LARRY BLACK JR JOSUE A MARTINEZ JUAN BAUTISTA JUAN C GOMEZ
6-9 years of service
Driver Type OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company
Drivers and Years of Service Driver JUAN DE LOS SANTOS JUAN GARCIA JUAN GONZALEZ CHAPARRO JUAN LOPEZ JUAN MANUEL TAPIA JUANA MARIA PEREZ KENNETH R JOHNSON KLAUS ALFREDO KIHARA LARRY H OWEN LAURA HERNANDEZ LEONARD EVANS LOCK LINDA A IGLECIAS LOUIS WADE CARNEY LUIS ADOLFO BORRAYO LUIS ANGEL TORRES LUIS CARDIEL ACEVES LUIS E CARRASQUILLO LUIS HERNANDEZ LUIS J CHAPARRO LUIS MORAN LUIS TRIANA MAISEL J SANTOS SEGURA MANUEL ALVARADO MANUEL ANTHONY VALERIO MANUEL PACHECO MANUEL SANCHEZ ZAMARRIPA MARCELA P RODRIGUEZ MARIA FLORES MARIO ALBERTO FERNANDEZ MARIO CISNEROS MARTA CARRASQUILLO MARTIN BARRAGAN MARTIN GOMEZ MARTIN LOZOYA MARVIN JOHN OERTELL MAURICE WIMBLEY MCSHELL HATCHER MELCHOR BADILLO MICHAEL BULLARD MICHAEL L CLIMO MICHAEL LOUIS MICHAEL OLINGER MICHAEL S COLLINS MIGUEL A HERNANDEZ MIGUEL A MUNOZ MIGUEL A PEREZ
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6-9 years of service Driver Type Company Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company Company Company OwnerOp
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Congratulations are in order! Driver MIGUEL ANGEL CONTRERAS MIGUEL ANGEL DELIRA MIGUEL ANGEL FRAIRE MIGUEL ANGEL MARTINEZ MIGUEL ANTONIO TORRES MIGUEL ANTONIO TORRES MIGUEL GALINDEZ MIGUEL GUTIERREZ Driver Name ALBERTO DOMINGUEZ PANTOJA ARMANDO SANCHEZ GASTELUM BARRYGENE BETANCOURT CARLOS ALBERTO QUEZADA CLIFFORD C JR SINGLETON DAVID VIC KRAMER GRAHAM M KEEP JACK IVAN GOTTLIEB JAVIER ERIVES JOE CORONADO JOHNNIE HENRY JACKSON JOSE L ORTIZ JOSE LUIS VASQUEZ JOSEDELALUZ DURAN LAZARO GODINEZ ALVAREZ LUIS ENRIQUEZ MANUEL GUERRERO ZUNIGA MARIO EDWARDO ENRIQUEZ OLIVER DEAN BENFIELD OMAR ORTIZ SOLIS PAUL KALINOWSKI PHILLIP EDWARD VIDAL REYES CHAVEZ ALVAREZ ROGELIO DURAN RUSSELL LEE PAINTER SALVADOR CARRERA SALVADOR GARCIA ALVAREZ THOMAS J DALCOUR VICENTE JR GONZALEZ WALTER LAVARN HERRIT Driver Name KIMBERLY E VIL AMMON WONG ARTURO FLORES ARTURO PORTILLO BRETT HANEY BRIAN E MILLER
6-9 years of service
Years 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11-14 Years
Driver Type Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Driver Type OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Driver Type Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company OwnerOp
Congratulations are in order! Driver CARLOS T LOERA CESAR ESPARZA CHESTER V WATLEY EDGAR SANCHEZ EDUARDO GARCIA CEJA EDUARDO TOVAR ELIJIO DE LEON FAUSTINO M VILLANUEVA FERNANDO CEJA GARCIA FERNANDO LOPEZ FLOYD HAZEN HUFFMAN FRACTUOSO TREJO GABRIEL MANZANO GERARDO BARRIENTOS GERARDO C BACA GUADALUPE GONZALEZ HECTOR MEDINA ISAIAS ALMARAZ ISIDRO RAMIREZ ISRAEL HERRERA IVAN CANEZ JAVIER CARDIEL JESUS LOPEZ JOHN RUSSELL MCCLAIN JORGE GARCIA JOSE ADOLFO GARZA JOSE C LUCERO GARCIA JOSE ERNESTO DELGADO JOSE LUIS LERMA JOSE LUIS PEREA JOSE MANUEL BLANCO JOSE MERCADO JOSE NAVARRO JOSE O AMADOR JOSE QUIROZ JOSE REYES JUAN DE LOS SANTOS JUAN DOMINGUEZ JUAN E OLVERA JUAN GALLEGOS MENDOZA JUAN GRANADOS JUAN NUNEZ LEON REYES M J POOR MANUEL ANTONIO TAPIA MANUEL HERNANDEZ
11-14 years of service
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Driver Type Company OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company OwnerOp Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Company
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Drivers and Years of Service Driver MARIA C VALIENTE MARIO DE LA ROSA JR MARTIN MORA MIGUEL A HERNANDEZ NICOLAS JARAMILLO OSCAR NAJAR OSCAR VIDAL RANDALL GUTIERREZ RAYMUNDO LEON REGINALD BURDETTE RENE MARTINEZ RIGOBERTO CHAVEZ ROBERT RUEDA RODOLFO M GONZALEZ JR ROLANDO MONTELONGO ROSIE OLVERA RUBEN AVILA RUDY VILLASANA SALVADOR E MORALES TEODULO G GONZALEZ VICTOR M ALBA VICTORIA MILLER Driver Name BILL F LIVINGSTONE CESAR E RODRIGUEZ DOLORES LOZANO EDGAR CORRAL GUADALUPE FIERRO JOSE A TRIGUEROS JOSE GUTIERREZ MIGUEL A FIMBRES ROBERT SULLIVAN ROBERTO SANDOVAL TERRY HOLLINGSWORTH VICTOR MAYER Driver Name THOMAS MISNER ALDO ONTIVEROS ALFONSO CASTANEDA ARMANDO GONZALEZ CARL STOREY CECILIO PORTILLO CHARLIE JONES DAVID MOLINAR FRANCISCO CASTOR FRANSISCO BARRAGAN
11-14 years of service
Years of Services 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 16-21 Years
Driver Type OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp Company Company Company Company Company Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp Driver Type Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp Company Driver Type Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company
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Drivers and Years of Service Driver Name GERARDO LOZANO GLEN WHITECOTTON HECTOR MENDOZA ISRAEL VILLALVA JAIME DIAZ SR JAIME J DIAZ JOSE DIAZ JOSE FIGUEROA LEO VENEGAS LUTHER BINFORD MARIO VALIENTE MICHAEL CHAPMAN OSCAR PETERS OSCAR VILLELA PATRIC K LUNDMARK ROBERTO RENTERIA
16-21 Years
Driver Type OwnerOp OwnerOp Company Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp Company OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp OwnerOp
Traditionally this is a time we evaluate what we are thankful for in life. MVT understands the time and effort our employees put in every day. We appreciate the endless hard work and time dedicated to this company. Our drivers’ sacrifice time with their families to keep our society rolling with countless hours on the road. We can’t say this enough, Thank You from the bottom of our hearts. Mesilla Valley Transportation is truly blessed with amazing employees and drivers.
“As we express gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” –John F. Kennedy
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Spotlight of Excellence.
Written by: Emily Roof
New Year's resolutions are for suckers. You make them, you break them, by mid-February you're crying in a gutter somewhere and calling out the name of your pet rabbit from childhood. Well, screw all that. You want that leftover slice of holiday pie that is 970 calories? Eat it. Feel like skipping out on the gym after work even though it will make you feel better and is good for your overall health and well-being? Do it. Not particularly keen on finishing that novel you've already been working on for seven years and that may actually be really great if you would just practice some self-discipline for once in your life? Leave it until tomorrow. Hit that snooze button. Yell at that old woman in traffic even though she's 97 and probably doesn't even know that she's driving. Make 2016 your year. Do what makes YOU happy! What ever you want, but before you do or don't do all of those things, read these funny New Year's resolution tweets that will sure give you a laugh:
My new year's resolution is that donuts are good for me. - Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn)
My New Year's resolution is to find out what's making Shia LaBeouf so angry - Tom War (@TomWardWrites)
My new years resolution was to start smoking. One day in and i already stopped. #quitter -David Spade (@DavidSpade)
New years resolution is to stop crying at google commercials.-Jamie Kilstein (@jamiekilstein)
Kanye loves himself and believe in myself like Kanye believes in himself.— Drunk Girl Problems (@Sassy_Drunk)
New Years Resolution: do a series of jazz-flute instructional tapes. Maybe I'll call it "RonBurgundy: A Jazz Flute-orial."— Ron Burgundy (@RonBurgundy)
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More success, happiness and good health in 2016?
We'll toast to that! Start the new year out right with these good luck recipes.
Happiness: Glitter Grapes Try the Spanish and Portuguese tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve — sweet ones supposedly lead to 12 happy months.
Ingredients 1 lb green seedless grapes , pulled from the stems and rinsed (3 ounce) package sugar-free gelatin mix, flavor of your choice (NOT prepared)
1. Spread about 1/4 of the the gelatin mix on a pie plate or plate of your choice. Rinse the grapes under water, and place a handful on the plate.
2. Shake the plate gently to roll the grapes in the gelatin, coating the grapes. Place coated grapes into a bowl.
3. Repeat with the remaining ingredients until all of the grapes are covered.
4. Place the bowl and let set in the refrigerator for at least an 1 hour, until the gelatin is set.
5. The colder they are the better.
Success: Hoppin’ John Simple but delicious, Hoppin' John (made with black-eyed peas) represents success because each pea represents a coin, and a whole serving equals prosperity.
Ingredients 1 lb dried black-eyed peas 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 -3 large garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon oregano 5 cups chicken stock 1 -2 lb smoked pork shanks or 1 -2 lb smoked ham hock 1. Soak peas overnight with water to cover by 2 inches. Drain and set aside. 2. In large Dutch oven, saute' onion and garlic in oil until onion is transparent. Add peas, oregano, chicken stock, and pork. 3. Bring to a boil; lower heat, cover and cook slowly until peas are tender, about 30-40 minutes (I usually cook mine about an hour), adding additional liquid if needed. 4. Remove shanks/hocks, setting aside until cool enough to handle; pick meat from bones and add it back to the peas (discard skin, fat, and bones). Add salt to taste. 5. Serve over rice. http://www.food.com/slideshow/new-years-good-luck-food-287/wealth-old-fashioned-cornbread-8
Written by: Emily Roof
High Heels for High Hopes High Heels for High Hopes took the stage at the Las Cruces Convention Center for the 9th year in a row. Two of your fellow co-workers Jackie Jones and myself were honored to take part in this amazing event. How it works: 25 models throughout the community are chosen in July to represent their company. Each models pledges to raise a certain amount of money which is due at the runway show Nov. 20th. Each model is then responsible to plan events around the community to raise their pledged amount. Let me tell you, from experience‌ This is NOT easy. Participating in this event is pretty close to a second job but the outcome is very rewarding. Jackie and myself took the initiative and started raising money. Jackie took the honorary Stiletto Award for raising the most money out of the group equaling out to $28,000. I came in second with a whopping $12,500. All of this money raised went to March of Dimes. In total the models raised $208,000 setting a record for the southwest region. On Nov. 20th the models took the stage with a theme of Music Icon of the Decades. Jackie portrayed the infamous Tina Turner. (And totally rocked it!) and I transformed into the innocent 90’s Brittany Spears. (Just to be clear this was before the crazy Brittany unleashed herself) Overall it was a terrifying/amazing experience. Thank you to everyone who helped donated and came out to support us during the show!
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2016 MVT Calendars: NOW AVALIABLE MVT 2016 Calendars are: NOW available! Please see Cindy in Las Cruces or Virginia in El Paso to get your copy today! 3590 W. Picacho Las Cruces NM 9515 Escobar Dr. El Paso TX
Letter from the Editor 2015 is coming to an end?! Again, where does the time go? It’s funny, every one of my Editor Letter’s has that phrase in it…”Where does the time go?” Either I really like repeating myself or this is a question I never really answer. Time flies when you are having fun.. At least that’s the saying, right?! I am definitely having fun but with the end of the year coming to an end it makes you truly reflect on the year and your life. Life is short. It’s as simple as that. We are always battling the clock.. with life, work, friends, family etc. There just never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything you want done. Yet that clock keeps ticking. Yes it flies by.. but are we truly enjoying it? Or are you just going through the motions? Are you doing the things that make you happy? With 2015 coming to an end and a new year upon us I hope everyone takes a moment to soak in the things that matter most in your life. Do what makes YOU happy! Make those hugs bigger and those kisses longer. Laugh so hard that it turns into a story you tell over and over again. Enjoy the little things in life. You never get these moments back. And remember when you get the opportunity to take your dad fishing.. do it. There’s always time for that. You never know how much time they have left. Hope you enjoyed this edition of the newsletter. If you have any suggestions that you would like to see please feel free to contact me. Email me at emily.roof@m-v-t.com. “In the end it’s not the years in your life that count but it’s the life in your years.” Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and joyous New Year. Catch you all in 2016!
Emily K. Roof Marketing Director
Making the Difference Everyday
The MVT Way