Out with the old...in with the New!

Goodbye 2009!!!
Hello to 2010!!!

I must say, looking back on 2009, it's been one wonderful year.
Full of anything but consistency.

2009 held many challenges for me.
Being sick for two months straight,
trying to finish up at DVC,
figuring out where my life was going,
and finally,
moving.

Every trial I was put through this year made me that much stronger.


I am so excited to see what 2010 has in store for me, if it's anything like 2009, it's going to be good!

One of my New Years resolutions is to blog more...so that I can always look back at these moments in my life and remember the good, bad, and the ugly.

I hope 2010 is an amazing year for ALL!

xoxo

quick update

It's been awhile since I updated....
Since my mind seems so boggled these days with things I need to get done and the things I should have gotten done, I can't seem to form a post worth beans.

Yesterday I attended the University of Utah Orientation!!
5 hours of pure information being thrown at me was not fun at all.
Having to plan the next phase of my life was a bit more overwhelming than I thought it was going to be.
Realizing I am a little behind was a slap to the face.
Questioning what I wanted to do with my life was even more frustrating.
But, In the end, I registered for 9 units and therefor will no longer have a life come January.

I'm not sure what it's going to take to get me to buckle down and focus on school...but it'll have to be done. Now that the State of California is no longer paying for my education, but I am- I think I'll take studying and going to school a bit more seriously. Not that this has ever been an issues, ok that's a lie, but I really need to focus...there's always time to play on the weekends!

In other news...I'm going home for Thanksgiving next week...and although that's a vacation, it doesn't really seem like I will get a moment to breath while I'm there. I think I'll need a vacation once I'm home from that vacation...ugh.

It snowed Saturday which meant I stayed inside all day and watched the snow fall until it stopped. I know, lame. However, I wasn't brave enough to venture out into the cold and attempt to learn to drive in the snow. Not to mention I still lack proper winter clothes.
Winter, please go away and never come back.
Oh, and the awful cold weather cracked my windshield more...greatttttt!

Baby Lukas turned 6 months old today...Gosh that little boy is growing up too quickly!
Funny, I've almost been here in Utah 6 months myself...time surely does fly!

I'm lovin' it!

A week of no sleep and epic adventures...

I love my roomies, really I do.

Jes and Miriam weren't working this week which meant we had more time to bond.

There hasn't been a night this week that we have gone to bed before 4am.

Which, doesn't sound bad...except when you add in the factor I'm up by 6am for work.

On Thursday I was running off of 45 minutes of sleep.

Not a pretty sight.

I think I have watched more movies this week than in my whole life,

I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life,

and I don't think I've ever had this much fun.

We ended up going off roading at 12:30am last night. (Since we all were sick of watching movies)

I was the only one who really didn't want to go but I'm a push over and ended up in the car.

I'm not going to lie, some moments I thought we'd for sure roll over or fall off the hill, and other moments I couldn't stop laughing. It was an awesome adventure that brought us to this really amazing view of SLC. Of course I had left my camera at home...so I guess that's an excuse to go on another adventure and capture the beauty of it all!!

Have I mentioned how amazing the Lockovitch family is?!?

I am SO lucky to be working for them!

They've become my Utah family and I couldn't be more grateful.

Utah's weather IS bipolar. This week it was back in the 70s and way gorgeous!

I love when the leaves start to change color and fall to the ground...reminds me of California.

Now that I've jinxed the beautiful weather, it'll start snowing next week and I'll be saying how yucky it is!

I'm going to the Utah football game tomorrow...GO UTES!

Now that I'm officially a Ute, it's only appropriate I cheer for them. :)

Happy friday!

Have a great weekend!!

Happy November!!!

(2009 has really zoomed on by!)

A quick update

I promise I'll write a longer/more in depth blog soon.
BUT, I just don't have the time these days, I'll work on it, promise.
Here are a few highlights for you!
* I flew home for five days to spend some time with my family and celebrate my Mom's birthday. In doing so, I realized how unhappy I was in California and how much happier I am here in Utah.
* I was accepted into the University of Utah and Declared Education as my major. I start January 2010. I'm an official UTE!
* The first snow fell while I was in California...I think this is going to be a long and cold winter.
* I've learned that perhaps I just need to cut some ties in my life and live my life without negative influences and negative voices. Sad, but true. It's so hurtful when you tell some one exciting news and all they do it bash you for your decisions. And we call that love. Not Funny.
* I will be going home for Thanksgiving, not for Christmas, and that is completely OK with me.
Sad to say, I don't have much in California anymore. I'll start my own tradition here in Utah. With who? Myself. And it'll be great! I'll have my first "White Christmas".
* I saw Paranormal Activity, pretty freaking scary movie, but go see it!
* I was a baby for Halloween and dang cute!
* I deeply miss my good friends from California, but I'm glad to know our friendships will continue on. <3

* I've come this far on my own, and I'm going to go a lot further.

It's really late and I should be in bed, but I'm not.
I've been slacking on getting things done around the house, so while my laundry is drying I'll write.

Basically October is so much fun out in Utah.
All the fun Haunted houses they have going on, corn mazes and haunted forest are what my weekends seem to revolve around.

There's always something new and exciting to do.

This weekend I'm hosting a huge Pumpkin Carving/Dinner Night.
I am super excited! We decorated the house this week and it looks awesome!
Stay tuned for more pictures!!!

On a random side note, I ended up in Idaho last night.
Don't ask why and for what...but I did.
It was fun!

On an even more random note- I'm getting the H1N1 (yes SWINE) flu shot Saturday morning.
I'm thinking my immune system could use some boosting, as I always seem to have mysterious infections goin' on in my body.

The weather has warmed up a bit.
Mid 60s today, beautiful day for the park!
I need Winter clothes, bad.

I took my friend Sara's manual Toyota Corolla out for a spin Monday night.
I am sure the whole world could hear me pealing out.
I almost peed in my pants, just ask Meredith.
(I only stalled once- impressive).

It's official that I suck at mini golfing.
There just isn't any hope left in that department.
I'm going bowling tomorrow night- maybe luck will be on my side.
I'm not holding my breath.

School continues to try and knock me down.
However, I spend Thursday afternoons/evenings knocking IT down.
It's awesome, I love getting homework done an hour before the deadline
and I love getting a 30/35 on my tests. Seriously.

It's my Mom's Birthday next week, October 21st to be exact, and I am bummed I won't be there to celebrate with her.
Happy Birthday, Mom!

What shall I be for Halloween!? Come on, I need ideas! Pleaseeeee!

Have I mentioned how amazing all my roomies are?
The other night we were all burnt out from our long days and crashed together in the living room/kitchen. It was calm and quiet as Kristy read her book, Miriam studied, Jes ate her dinner (after mowing our lawn for hours! Thanks Girl), and I just laid there not wanting to call it a night and avoided studying.

Be on the lookout for pictures from this weekend.
You'll be in for a treat, I guarantee it!

<3 all!

Pearl Coffee, Anyone?

Ingredients:

-A warm cup of milk
-sugar, as needed
-a dash of coffee
-Grandmother's special touch


Growing up I always wanted to be like my Grandmother. I always wanted what she was having, including coffee. Often she made me her special "pearl coffee". It was such a special treat to go upstairs some mornings and have "pearl coffee" with her, I miss those days.

One afternoon my Grandmother picked me up from school(many years ago). She had an old-school Buick and often would keep her Starbucks (or Petes?) Coffee cup beneath the arm rest in the front seat. That one day she had just picked up Coffee, and I had just gotten into her car and raised the arm rest. I didn't expect a coffee cup would be hiding under there and definitely didn't expect it to immediately spill all over the place. I think within two minutes I had heard every bad word there was, felt mortified and awful, all in one.
Over the next few days I watched as that deep colored coffee stain grew lighter and lighter, until it eventually blended in completely with her light brown cloth seats.
It was that moment that the "uh-oh" matter became a forever life time "laughing" matter.
It's so fun to reflect back and look at all the moments in my life that were so frustrating and disappointing, and laugh at them.
It's moments like these that keep me going. The situations that once had me on the edge of my seat, are now life learning lessons that make me laugh.
It's funny how over time things just don't seem that bad anymore.
Some days are better than others, but that's the joy in life.

Weekend Adentures!

First things first.....
*drum roll, please*

I joined a Sorority!
Theta!!

Everything is slowly but surely falling into place. I'm meeting new people everyday, learning new things, and becoming the person I want to be.
Hooray!!!

What an awesome weekend it was!

Mismatch party Friday night was way fun. Wearing nothing that matched was....weird?
Walking around Dan's supermarket dressed awkwardly getting those awkward looks...priceless!
(my hair was in half a low ponytail and half in a high ponytail...not pictured)

After the mismatch party my friends from CALIFORNIA arrived for the weekend!!
It was an absolute blast from the past having them here! At first I only knew that Rene and Deborah were coming, but nope! Rachel and Danny came too! Yay!
We ended up at a huge YSA dance over 500 people were there.
We danced the night away and woke up the next morning as zombies!

Saturday Danny and I drove around checking out his "old stomping grounds". From knocking on his old apartment doors to trying to get into his old school, all tons of fun! That night we ended up at Nightmare on 13th, a haunted house that takes about 45 minutes to go through! Tons of fun, but I'm not going to lie, pretty darn scary! After that we ended up at Studio 600 for round two of dancing, which wasn't as exciting as we had hoped.
Side note- As Sara and I walked back to the dance from my car some girls yell (from their car) "Are you walking it or working it girls?!" How awkward....that's Salt Lake City for you at 11pm.
We drove around listening to Owl City, Danny's new favorite CD, until 1am.

Sunday I had tests to take and a midterm (3 hours worth) to complete by 10pm.
Well...our power was out! So I couldn't start the tests till later in the day...what a drag!
We ended the night by hosting, yet again, a game night! Biggest one thus far! 20+ people came and it was a lot of fun! The Cali crew and I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning being goofy, doing and saying who knows what...but it was fun!

It was hard to say goodbye to them this morning, as they departed for their 12 hour journey back home. I almost jumped in the car with them...but knowing I'll be home in November made it a bit easier to stick around here.

BTW- the weather is STILL freezing. In fact, I went and bought a portable heater for my room so that I don't freeze as I sleep. I put my fan in the closet because it appears I definitely won't be needing that till next Summer

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

......and it's only September 30th.
WHERE DID FALL GO!?
Is it truely Winter already?! If so, this is really going to be a long Winter!

Alex and Karin told me last night that it was expected to snow today. I laughed, and said they were pulling my leg, that the weather man claimed it would be in the low 50s. I could live with that.

Wrong. About an hour after arriving to work, through a downpour and freeway lanes shut down due to all kinds of wrecks, the snow decides to fall! I sat there for a minute, not believing my eyes. Snow? Really? Yep. Sure was. It didn't stick, just fell to the ground and melted. Thankfully. The Mountain tops are beautifully covered with fresh powder. They should stay that way, and the snow should stay up there, and not come down here ever again.

I do enjoy these lazy dark and cold afternoons. Makes me want to bundle up and play some games and sip some hot coco.

Mmmmmm I smell Christmas quickly approaching!

Random thoughts

I've realized a few things today, well I probably have always known them, but finally admitted to them tonight.

- I have become the Laundry Queen, after enjoying making great fun of my Dad for being a laundry maniac over the years. (Doing laundry daily) Ok, I'm not THAT bad, but I do my laundry every other day...Thanks Dad for instilling this in me!

- I need nights to just come home and get things done around the house. I actually enjoy being alone, so not like me.

- I am a clean freak, kind of. I clean my room at least twice a week, but it's usually not even that bad. I mop the floors, dust here and there, and clean whatever needs to be cleaned. Shocking, I know.

- I'm becoming very good at not spending money. Some days I don't even use my debit card. It's awesome.

- I'm enjoying getting my homework done, for once. There's a great sense of accomplishment felt when I click the "finish" button every Sunday night on my 35 point test. Especially when I can "review my score" and see I got a 30/35...I'm not complaining.

- I LOATHE text messaging, at the moment. My phone can be found in the off position or stashed away in my purse, or on the charger next to my bed. I am not a texter anymore, and get quite annoyed when my phone goes off. When I'm home; it's me time.

- I dearly missed playing volleyball all these years. I'm excited to be playing again. Except, for some stupid reason I decided to leave my knee pads behind in California...guess I was over it.

- If I wake up early on Saturdays and out of bed, I get a lot done. If I stay in bed all morning, I get nothing done. Who would have thought? No, but really I should start getting out of bed early on Saturdays more often so I can be productive with my free time! (like this past Saturday I had played volleyball, washed my car, and gone through my clothes to sell, all before 10:30am!!)

- I probably won't last in Utah this winter. We are starting to get cold weather and this is the "winter" I'm used to. Well, Utah winter is NOTHING compared to California. So yes, I am already freezing my booty off, and it's not even October. Any winter clothes sent my way would be greatly appreciated!!!

- I miss my friends from back from, a lot. I'm so glad this past week I got to reconnect with a lot of them, but it made being away from them ten times harder.

- I LOVE Halloween/ this time of the year. The smells, how it gets dark earlier, the lights, and the festivities are all so much fun! I'm really looking forward to the next few months, despite the snow and cold! What to be for Halloween? Any CHEAP and COOL ideas are, too, greatly appreciated!!

- Men are grown short and cute out in Utah. Where are all the TALL and cute and single boys!?

- I adore my Nanny Fam. They are super cute, super fun, and super nice to work for! Infact, I really can't even consider it work because I get to play all day with their adorable children! I am so lucky! I spent this afternoon with them at the Utes Women's Soccer Game and then a very nice dinner at the Red Iguana. Thank You, Lockovitch Family, for including me!!

- I am going to decorate my bathroom in Palm tree atire. It matches the green walls, and I got a really cute Palm tree bath curtain for cheap *ON SALE*. So there you go, now you all know my theme for my bathroom, like you wanted to know, right?!

- I love getting mail. Send away, pleaseeee!

- I just created a pathetic list of randomness. If you made it this far, props to you and I'm sorry for wasting a few minutes of your life that you'll never get back.
;)

Home in 60 days!

It's officially been a month since my last visit home.
I think it get easier every day being so far from home and I'm not complaining.
It's been a great adventure.
I've met so many wonderful people, done things that I've never done before, and learned more about myself.
I feel more successful now that I'm on my own and I have definitely grown for the better.
62 days until Thanksgiving, 60 days till Home.
Can't Wait.
<3>

Winter is quickly approaching...

It's been COLD here. By Cold I mean WARM to all Utah folks.
This feels like winter to me, too bad it hasn't even hit yet!

On my way to work this morning it was 48 Degrees!
Your typical chilly winter morning in the bay area.
Nope, not here!
Everyone laughs at me when I say I'm cold!
"You ain't seen nothing yet"!
Snap....
I've got to learn to embrace the cold...and wear warm clothes!
Guess It's time to start changing my wardrobe to a winter one!

This is going to be one LONGGGGGG winter!

Disfunctional weekend

Ever have those days where you just hear all sorts of news that's a bit overwhelming?
Or run into situations that you're not sure how to handle?
Or have moments where you feel guilty?
Or simply want to check out for a few days to escape the madness?

This weekend was pretty much one of those weekends.

Friday I went to the Fair with Melissa. It was so much fun to hang out with a friend from back home. We had an enjoyable girls night, which included watching a hypnotis. If you have never seen one, I highly recommend you put it on your "bucket list". ;)

I stayed in bed pretty much all day Saturday, until it was time to go to the Brad Paisley concert. (Which, by the way, was amazing and made me smile).
Anyways, I felt so guilty for not getting out of bed and doing something with my day and free time. But I just couldn't drag myself to want to go out and do something. I felt like it was such a wasted day, yet I was so relaxed.


I get to the concert and run into an awkward situation, which I won't discuss here. But it made things for the rest of the night just awkward and not so enjoyable. What made the night even more worse, though, was I got a call from a dear friend back home saying that my Grandmother was back in the hospital. Greattttt....just the way I wanted to find out, in a stinking voice message, without any details. So, of course, throughout the whole concert I am worried sick about my Grandmother and feeling really guilty I never returned her call last week. BUT, on a positive note I wrote her a letter and sent it out Tuesday, with pictures included. So, I didn't feel like such a failure on that end. I do regret not calling her back, she's the one who is sick and calling ME. It's just made me realize I shouldn't take the people in my life for granted, and I shouldn't put things off. Ugh. What a sour note to end the night. OH! AND my sunglesses were stepped on at the concert by yours truly. Ugh. AND...a storm came passing through and dumped on us at the concert. Silly bipolar Utah Weather!

In times like these I kind of just wish I was at home, where there is a sense of security.

I had my "escape" moment today when I went with my Nanny Fam to Octoberfest up in Snowbird Canyon. It was so beautiful! It was a fun afternoon. I'm so greatful for them opening up their lives(and Family) to me and making me feel included. Just being surrounded by them makes me a feel a bit more at home. Thanks Karin and Alex! ;)


To finish the weekend off, I took a test for my online course. Sike! I FAILED the test because my computer decided to shut off in the middle of the test. Yea, what a bummer. And it continues to shut off randomly...the joys of technology!

I was so frustrated I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Really. It's been one of those weekends that everything just doesn't seem to be going right. Hopefully tomorrow marks a new beginning to a really fun week...but at this rate, who knows!

The Happenings...

I made Peach Pie!
And It turned out ok.
Actually, I made TWO, and one turned out better than the other. Go figure.

I'm starting to really enjoying cooking and baking.
If Only I had taken up an interest when I was around my Mom's awesome cooking to learn from her.
Oh well. I'm all on my own!

Fall is starting to roll in. It's really pretty! We've had two impressive afternoons of thunderstorms this week. The rain reminded me how much I love cold dark afternoons spent inside! I guess I'll have many of those, now that I'm living in SNOW territory!
This weekend the house I'm living in decided to stop working. The Washing Machine started acting up. The Toilet over flowed, twice. And, the AC was still giving us trouble.
It was annoying, frustrating, and just plain inconvenient.

I called up and gave everyone heck on Monday morning. Within two hours we have a plumber and a heating/AC guy at our house.
Turns out we needed a new Water Heater, as well as some other nifty things.
Our toilet parts had to be replaced, as it was never installed properly.
Hopefully the heat won't ever go out in the winter...then I'll be really grumpy!

Summer Time Is Over...where did it go!?

It's been TOO long since I've posted, sorry!
I've officially been in Utah two months! WHAT!
Time is flying by. I look by now and it feels like just yesterday I was loading up my car and heading east! Crazy!
It's definitely been a journey in and of itself. There have been moments of pure contentment, homesickness, frustration, anxiety, and happiness! Some days are better than others!

It's funny to think out of 60 days, I was home with my family for four. I never would have though I'd make it this long being so far from them! I'm really thankful I'm not homesick much anymore!
Since I've last posted many exciting things have happened! My dear friends Kaitie and Chelsea came for a visit (at different times), I went home and suprised my Dad for his birthday! I turned 20! I started school! Went four wheeling for the first time! Got sick and ended up in the good ol' ER. I wish I could remember all the fun things I've done-I really should post more often!

While four-wheeling this past weekend, I realized just how much I LOVE being outside and soaking up the beauty of Utah!

It was so awesome to be on top of the mountain, literally, and see pretty much the whole valley on either side! Thanks Derek and Russ for showing Chelsea and I a great time!

I'm taking online classes which currently continue to kick my trash. It's hard doing everything electronically, I'm not a fan but I gotta do what I gotta do!

I'm really not looking forward to the snow season. I hear it comes around Halloween? If that's the case I really better start preparing, as time is flying by! How is it already almost mid September?!
We are getting new roommates in our 5 bedroom house. Two are leaving come October 1st because they're getting married! I think we've found some really fun girls to fill the spots, thank goodness! We are all talking about having to move out if we couldn't find people by Friday! That was some stressful news! But, alas, I'll be living in this house until at least August, when our lease is up!
I LOVE the family I work for. I shouldn't even call it work- it's more like play time for me! Hah!
Eliza, the 3 year old, calls me Emiyi- simply adorable. She is the sweetest, most caring little girl. She knows how to cheer me up when I'm missing home! Little Yukas, as Eliza says, is smiley and a joy to watch! He's growing so quickly, it kind of makes me sad! The Parents, Alex and Karin, have been overly sweet and welcoming. I pretty much feel like part of their family, which is why going to work at 7am is so enjoyable!
I'm finding myself having more "me" time than ever. Some nights after work I just want to come home and chill. It's been great, having some quiet time to think and reflect. I really should seek more "me" time more often!
I pretty much know my way around Utah, not just to and from Walmart. I still don't understand the grid system, but I may never so that's ok. I know how to give directions to my house from the North AND the South. Awesome.

I LOVE the Salt Lake City Farmer's Market that they have Saturday mornings. I got some really yummy peaches, now if I only knew how to make peach pie! Mom!? Recipe, please! Too bad they stop having them at the end of September. Stupid Winter.

I've gone to Park City twice since I've lived here. I sure do know how to Shop! They have awesome outlets up there, where SALES are always happening. Also in PC they have a cute little street with lots of yummy restaraunts and gift shops. It's really pretty up there! If you ever make it to Utah, you have to Check out the Alpine Slides in Park City! Tons of fun and a rush of excitment all in one!


I wish this post was more exciting, but I'm a bit boring these days. I'll post after my next big adventure!

Busy Bee!

This post title has two meanings:

A. I've been a busy bee
AND
B. I went and watched the minor-league baseball team, the "Bees" tonight.

The family I work with took a vacation to Colorado for some much needed R&R. So, of course that means I have extra time to be productive. Or at least try to be! I'm not sure how I'll fill my next few days off, but I'm sure I won't have any difficulties looking for things to do around here.
Today I went the the Department of Public Safety (not the DMV) to get my Utah Drivers License. To my pleasant surprise I got in and out of there within 30 minutes. It was a very quick process, the thing that took the longest was the Written Test I had to take, which I passed with flying colors :).
Sadly, they took my California License and put a big fat whole through my name. It was actually a bit painful to watch. I really am no longer a Californian. I even registered to vote in Utah, weird. But, I am one step closer to gaining Residency...score!
After my quick trip to the DPS and getting that taken care of, I drove around for AN HOUR looking for a darn Post Office or UPS store. Not even my Iphone could get me anywhere near one. It brought me here and there, but never to an actual place that I could send a package out of! I ended up to the west of highway 15 at some UPS freight warehouse. It was so overwhelming and a bit disconcerning. At one point I even asked "Do people in Utah even send packages!?" I was so annoyed!
Anyways, just when I gave up and decided to head home, I see a Post Office out of the corner of my eye. Amazing! And sadly, two blocks from my house. I felt like such an idiot. None the less, the package to my Grandmother is in the mail and I now know where the Post Office is for future reference...thank goodness.

I came to some realization today that my California "summer" clothes don't par up to what is needed in Utah for summer. It is SO dang hot and dry here that I can't bare to wear jeans, what my closet mainly consists of. So, of course that called for a trip to The Gateway, a mall in Salt Lake City, wahoo! I ended up scoring two pairs of cute shorts, that aren't too short, and a pair of capris! And they don't look too darn bad, if I do say so myself!

Tonight I went with a group to see The Bees, the minor league team for the Los Angeles Angels.
We scored some awesome seats by "sitting with a purpose". AKA we sat not where our tickets told us to, but where we wanted to, :). It was so beautiful, with the mountains surrounding us. It was a really fun evening, even though the Bees lost to Fresno!

Keeping Busy!

It's PIONEER week in Utah...

Which really is just another excuse for an awesome week of fun activities! They started the week off with an awesome firework show held at Weber State University! My roomie, Ashlee, and I went with a new friend, Darrin, and a bunch of his friends who we still didn't know well by the end of the night.
When we got there, the crowd was a bit over whelming! There were SO many people trying to find parking and a good spot on the lawns to view the fireworks. We finally found our group, after walking around the whole lake; it was like a game of Marco-Polo!










Anyways, the night was beautiful, or so we thought. Just around 9pm the clouds started to roll in and brought a load of rain with them that was dumped on us! I quickly ran for cover under a tree, until grabbing the blanket we were once sitting on, and used that as an umbrella.



















The band decided to wait out the storm and continue playing once the rain deceased. Of course it was a Utah Summer Storm, so it only lasted a good 5-10 minutes. The fireworks started going off a little after 10pm, and we soon realized we had picked the wrong spot! Our backs were turned to the fireworks, what a joke! We quickly grabbed our belongings, headed back up the hill and staked out a place in the parking lot as the other hundreds of people flocked to view them. They went off for awhile, they were quite exciting!


After the fireworks, we loaded back in Derrik's truck, (Darrin's friend) and TRIED to get out of the massive traffic jam. No such luck. It took us about 20 minutes just to get out of the parking space. We sat there for about another 20 minutes listening to country with the engine off. And finally we decided to make an illegal u-turn and head to the front gate. We still ended up waiting in huge lines of traffic. It was almost as if we were in NY city!



















In all though, it was a really fun night! I can't get over how warm it is. I'm used to stepping outside and needed a jacket. Not here! It's usually in the upper 80s around 9pm. Which brings me to another dilemma! The AC in my house hasn't been working for four days now! It's been yucky without AC! I didn't learn to appreciate the AC until it froze up on us! I guess we had it running too long as too cold of a temperature, so the pipe froze. So we are without AC until it unfreezes...boooo.


Thankfully, there are no other complaints here! I've made it a week and a half now. Wahoo! Everyday it gets a bit easier to be away from home. I'm meeting some really nice people! I'm headed to the Rodeo Saturday night....stay tuned!

Get Ready...Get Set...Go!

"The Only Thing Constant In Life Is Change"

I did it! After spending almost 20 great years in the Bay Area, I finally relocated to Utah! I'd always dreamed of getting up and leaving but I never pictured myself actually doing it! To my surprise, it all came together right before my eyes. I got a job and found a place to live within weeks of deciding to move, crazy how "timing" really is everything.

Kristie flew out to California to make the 12 hour drive with me. I really didn't believe all of my "crap" I had packed waiting by the front door was going to fit in my car. However, with the amazing packing skills my Dad has, it all fit perfectly...oh and there was room to see out of the back, what a champ he is!

I don't think it hit me until I was in Nevada that I was really moving. I guess it's still a bit surreal. It feels as if I'm on vacation, except I have all my belongings with me, I have a job, my own room, and no plane ticket home, yet. It'll be weird to "visit" California when I finally do.




My Mother HATES taking pictures, I don't understand why. She's really a Beautiful Lady, inside and out. Everyone says we look alike, heck, I don't mind one bit ;). Anyways, back to the main topic- My Mom! She is probably the one I miss the most (sorry, others) just because she's my Mom and who couldn't help but miss their Mom? I've never really been far from home for longer than three weeks, so this may get tough. BUT- my Mom is the BEST cook ever, you better believe it. AND she's just an awesome Mom. I know she doesn't exactly like the fact I moved to Utah, but she is happy for me and supports me, which has meant the world to me. I know this isn't easy on her being so far away from each other, but she's a trooper! I miss you Dearly, Mom!

I started my new job only three days after moving here. It's been an adjustment in itself because:
A. I am working 10 hour days.
B. I'm waking up at 5:45am and crashing by 10pm nightly. (Those who know me know I'm usually a night owl...not these days)
B. I'm caring for a 2 month old and 3 year old, both are extremely cute!
C. I don't really know the places to take kids in SLC, but I'm learning.
And D. I miss Kane and Carly, the kids I used to watch, a lot!


Although I haven't even lived here a week yet, I'm really enjoying myself. I like exploring new places, even if I do cheat by using my handy Map Quest, that's on the Iphone, to get back to my new home. I have found my way to WalMart and back without using the map, I would.

I know that this new and exciting chapter in my life is going to have bumps, curves, and straight roads ahead, but I'm ready for it all.

....And Away I go....