Confession #1
Okay. Don’t shoot me renewable readers, but I’ve never gone green.
It’s not because I don’t find it important or necessary, honestly. It’s because I just truly don’t have the time it takes to recycle. I know, I know, it’s a lame excuse—but humor me for a second: First, I’m a high school teacher. I wake up at 4 a.m. Monday thru Friday. And on Saturdays and Sundays when I’m supposed to be “not working” and actually relaxing, I’m working.
Newsflash: teachers work around the clock.
Lame Excuses for Confession #1
Ordinarily time wouldn’t be a valid excuse for refusing to walk across three parking lots to the recycle receptacle. (Yes, I live in a parking lot. Don’t judge me. Because just like the rest, I’m a millennial who is forced to rent an apartment for the remainder of my existence—you know, due to the student loan crisis and all—but I’ll save that for my next post).
On top of teaching full time, I’m enrolled in grad school, too. And not just the typical “oh I’ll take one or two classes a semester, and eventually I’ll get my diploma” type. I’m the idiot who decided to finish my Master’s degree in two years flat.
So, this means on top of teaching over 130 abnormally-hormonal high schoolers, I’m also taking three graduate classes and an internship. Not to mention, some guy actually wanted to marry me, so I’m attempting to plan a wedding that’s apparently taking place in July—according the invitations I was supposed to mail out last week. But that’s neither here nor there.
Now some of you are saying, “Oh, well I live a well-balanced life, and all you need is a little more structure.” Believe me, I hear you. My therapist already got that one covered.
Confession #2
So, to cut corners and to stay hydrated, I’ve been buying plastic water bottles for the past couple of years. *Insert disdain here.*
Yep. Plastic. It’s quick. It’s easy. When you’re done, BOOM. In the trash. Let’s keep it moving…
End rant. Introduce the YETI
Although this past year has been hectic, I’ve found something consistent. The YETI. My sister bought me one because I was, according to her, “basically the only human being that didn’t own a good tumbler.” It took me approximately five hours to fall in love, but I did.
YETI Discovery #1
It was 4 a.m. on a cold, December morning when I decided to first use my YETI. I filled it to the brim, with piping hot coffee, and set out on my morning routine: I showered (I think), got dressed, and even survived the 695 Mad Max drive to school. I signed in at the front desk, answered the twenty-something e-mails from students, parents, and administration that flooded my inbox, and I welcomed my homeroom students into the classroom. I taught two 90 minute lessons, and then it hit me: I NEED CAFFEINE. NOW.
I remembered I had poured myself coffee that morning. Somehow, I managed to forget to drink my beloved coffee. I knew there was no way it would still be hot, but I needed something—anything—to get me through the next five hours of work. I took a sip, and was completely taken aback. It was still hot. As hot as if I had just poured it from the pot. How could this be?
The answer? YETI.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the YETI is extraordinary. YETI promises to keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold. I mean, granted, many products make similar promises. But I had never, until this very moment, encountered drink-ware that actually fulfilled its potential. It was in this moment that I swore I would never sip hot drinks from another mug again.
YETI Discovery #2
Which brings me to February. One evening, I was running late for grad class because of a parent-teacher conference gone far too long. I knew I needed some hydration in my life. I filled my YETI up with ice and water, and I hit the road. After my three hour-long class, I drove home, parked the car, and went straight to bed.
The next morning, at 4 a.m., I started my normal routine. Except I couldn’t find my trusty YETI. I pleaded with God to tell me I did not leave my YETI behind the night before. With my prayers unanswered, I sadly filled up a regular-ole coffee mug and unlocked my car. BOOM. There sat my cherished YETI—right there in the center console.
Remembering there should be some left over water inside from the day before, I reluctantly took a sip. IT WAS ICE COLD. Not because it was Maryland in February, no, but because the ice cubes had never melted! Are you kidding me? That YETI sat in my console for over 12 hours, and the ice cubes never melted. A freaking God-send. Naturally, I had to do some research on this tumbler sent from the heavens…
Research behind the YETI
- Size: The Rambler is 8 inches tall and has a 4 inch diameter (which reduces to a 3 inch diameter at the bottom), so it fits perfectly in any cup holder. It holds 30 ounces of any liquid you desire—hot beverages or cold cocktails.
- Durability: An 18.8 grade shatter resistant, stainless steel construction makes the YETI virtually indestructible. Its lids are also 100% leak-proof, with a vacuum-seal, so there’s zero spillage.
- Temperature Retention: The YETI keeps the temperature of your drinks warm for 6 hours or cold for over 24 hours—thanks to the double wall vacuum insulation.
- Materials: This Rambler is crafted right here, in the good-ole U-S-of-A, folks. It’s made out of kitchen-grade stainless steel with a copper seal. Apparently copper is one of the best heat conductors…who knew?
- Dishwasher/Microwave Safe: The YETI is definitely dishwasher safe; however, do not put this bad boy in the microwave—or you’re gonna have a bad time.
Listen: I know the YETI isn’t going to win me any awards for going green. But it’s one hell of a start for a girl with zero time.
Get your own YETI here: https://www.yeti.com/drinkware
ContentLab Spring 18 Writing for the Web 
1. The voice of the post is a recent YETI user, a person who used it for the first time. I found this post really interesting and kind of relatable because I have been there. It is definitely in the best order it could be.
2. The voice does sound authentic, especially when she was telling the stories of how she was introduced to the product. It was very self deprecating, which I really enjoyed. And it was also very aware of the audience, as the voice kept referring to the audience.
3. I would say that it sounds trusting, I wouldn’t be distrustful. While reading it, I felt like this was just another opinion, sort of. However, when they talked about the research they did, I did trust them a little more.
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1) The voice of the post is definitely the user, not the company. The background information was a bit long, but it helped to capture the voice of the writer and was entertaining. However, I think the actual YETI was introduced very late into the blog post. I think someone of the background storytelling can be cut so the YETI can be mentioned earlier. The reader might not want to keep reading someone’s personal story without really understanding the purpose of the writing first.
2) The voice sounds very authentic to me – it is a very informal and conversational tone. The fact the writer uses a lot of self-depreciating humor makes them seem like a real person with real problems just like the reader.
3) It sounds trustworthy to me, in that they told a story in which they were surprised at how long the YETI keeps the drinks hot or cold. I can believe this story, because I’ve been in a similar situation with a different product.
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