And So It Ends

Today was my last day at work. For 5 years, I've commuted from 4 different residences to one location in downtown Scottsdale. For 5 years, I've pulled into my greatly appreciated (and very much missed) assigned parking spot # 555, in the super awesome underground parking garage our building came with. For 5 years, I've lugged a lap top and blackberry around shamelessly, pulling over on countless roadsides to take my wireless card out and submit a report or email. Today, I left that familiar and safe building empty handed.

I resigned from my position over 4 weeks ago, and though I knew I was leaving (and have never once second guessed this decision) today, it was real. Today I was saying goodbye, and today I was realizing that this familiar and comfortable place full of people I love and adore, would no longer be my place of employment. Today, I closed my office door, placed my keys in an envelop with a blue post it note, and walked out into the sun, wondering what tomorrow would bring. Wouldn't you wonder the same?

Well I'm glad you would, because, tomorrow brings the start of my new job. That's right, while dealing with the emotions of leaving my comfortable environment, I was also dealing with the anxiety of worrying about my very first day of employment starting tomorrow. Being the new kid in school is so stressful. Actually, I wouldn't know, I've never been the new kid, so I imagine it to be stressful.

I laid out my clothes. You heard me, laid out my clothes. I'm so nervous that while I should be sleeping, I can't because I have 29709878 thoughts running through my mind. And while I'm excited and nervous all in the same, on question looms on my mind. One question makes me quiver with fear. One question will make or break my day tomorrow.

Should I pack my lunch?

Think about it, I don't want to walk in as the new kid with my little brown paper sack asking, "where should I put this?" Seriously- how old am I? So what do I do? Plan on purchasing lunch? The only thing remotely close to the office is a McDonalds, a McDonalds (yes, aside from the parking garage, I'd say the lack of food choices is the new buildings biggest downfall). So what do I do? How do I make sure I have the nutrient goodness I need without looking like a total dweeb, asking my new boss where to store my brown paper lunch sack, like a 7 year old kid going to 2nd grade? This one, minor, simple, and well, ridiculous question is weighing so heavily on my mind this evening that I'm deathly afraid I'll get no sleep over a simple brown paper bag.

What would you do?

Getting to Know you Sunday Part 3

1.If you had 5000.00 to spend on plastic surgery what would you have done?
Oh goodness.... honestly.... I kinda dig who I am.

2. Do you watch Soap operas and if so what is your favorite and why?

My mom did (and still does) watch All My Children growing up, but I haven't watched it in at least a decade (goodness this makes me old)

3. Favorite clothing brand?
Hmm... I love me some Michael Kor's but I only buy him on clearance... I dig NY and CO

4. An afternoon shopping spree at your favorite store or maid service for a year?
Maid Service for a year, for sure!

5. would you ever vajazzle?
I don't know what this is...

6. Favorite Disney Princess?
Do you have to ask, really? Cinderella... proof that a shoe can change your life! (Plus proof that every little girl (and not so little girl) ) needs a fairy godmother!

7. Last movie that made you bawl your eyes out?
Toy Story 3 made me tear up, the last movie that made me straight out ball...hmm...Schindlers List

8. Have you ever broken any bones and if so what?

Me, no. But the doctor broke my Tibia for me...

Because being a *fairy* Godmother means believing in the power of a shoe

Amazing People to Work With

In 6 more working days:

• I will no longer have to deal with I-10! (Pro)
  
• I will no longer work with one of my BFF's Jamie (Con)
• I will no longer get to occupy my day by chatting with my Vampire friend (Con)
• I will get to learn a whole new technical set of skills and continue advancing myself (Pro)

I'm so excited to start my new journey, but I am a bit intimidated. Working with such an amazing group of people (two listed above, but many more included) has been such a humbling and educational experience. I learn daily from these people, and I believe that I can accomplish my job from their support and enthusiasm. While I fully believe my new position will come fully loaded with individuals willing to do the same... They won't be my McReemy, C, C, & C friend, my Vampire friend, or my "initials only" friends.

Looking back and reflecting, the thing I'm the most grateful of my current employer for- would be the people they brought together to make a team. There may be other things they do that I have issue with, but that, that is something they are truly genius (jenius) at!

Because Dreams Really Do Come True...

Getting to know you Sunday- on Monday

1. While at the beach, pool, etc..Do you cover up your assets or show them off?
Um.. I cover them up. They get sun burnt REALLY easily.

2. Road trips or Plane trips?
Honestly, I fly so much for work, I'm all about driving! If I can drive there in the same or less time then flying, so be it!

3. I can't stand it when...?
Oh so many things... 1) People hog a lane at the pool, that they are just "dilly dallying around in". Seriously, get in the leisure pool then. That's my pet peeve of the evening.

4. Have you ever gone topless at the beach?
You know, I think I'll reserve the answer to this one.

5. How many blog carnivals do you do a week?
I don't even know what a blog carnival is.

6. My favorite thing about the weekend is...?
Time that's uninterrupted with Aaron and Miley

7. Pancakes or waffles?
Waffles! With strawberries (fresh not frozen/canned) and whip cream when I'm being bad.

8. Water Park or Amusement Park?
Um, do you need to ask? DISNEY!

Dear LifeTime Fitness Members- Part 2

Dear LifeTime Fitness Members,

Thank you for being willing to share a lane with your sister/mother/aunt/friend so that I could have my own lane in the pool. I really appreciate not having to sit around and waste valuable time when I could be swimming- that was very kind of you.

To the little girl who swam next to me, and asked how I was able to breathe and keep swimming all in the same- I was so happy to get to help you learn your breathing technique. You will rock it at your next swim lesson. Feel free to hop into my lane anytime if you want my "expert"- ha- opinion and help.

To the couple who got in to the lane next to me during the last 1/2 mile of my swim. If you didn't notice, I was wearing goggles. In case you don't know what goggles are for, they're to help you swim in the pool by 1) deflecting water from your eye and 2) allowing you to see in the water. This also means that I can see what you are doing (not by choice) under the water. If you'd like to get freaky-deaky in the pool, get your own damn pool. I did not bust my bottom for an hour just to finish my workout watching you feel each other up. Yes it was me who informed member services, and yes I will do it again. I don't pay good money to watch you get to 2nd (or is it 3rd) base in the gym pool.

Again, for the most part, LifeTime fitness members are awesome!

Sincerely,

Me

A Year Ago Today (well today in 21 minutes)

We were leaving for our honeymoon....sigh. I'd love to go do that all over again. Thankfully we are- in 10 months! Until then I can only dream....

Until then, we'll be Disney Dreamin'....

Getting to know you Sunday!

So my friends Vanessa and Jess posted this and I thought I'd join in!

The questions..


1. If you could have one of Superman's, powers which one would you want? (Superhuman strength..Flight..Superhuman speed..X-Ray vision..etc)

Hmm...this is tough for me. While I'd love flight, if those I love didn't have it, it'd be self defeating. I most certainly do not want X-Ray vision (ew). So maybe Superhuman Speed...this way when I'm running late, I can go really fast to get there!


2. The best thing I ever won is....?

Hmm... I've never really won anything. So I'll be deep here and say an internal battle with myself in which I allowed logic to take a backseat to what I knew was right in my heart.

3. Have you ever skyped with a bloggy friend?

No, but I do skype a lot when I'm on the road with Aaron and Miley!

4. What is your favorite Summer month?

June <3 I love that in June the weather can be so unpredictable, and we're still in zero humidity. Plus it's the month we celebrate our anniversary.

5. Pool, Lake, or Ocean?

This is tough- I've never been a big Ocean (beach) girl until I went to the Atlantic ocean, and it was WARM! I'd have to say though, pool! I love laying poolside and swimming!

6. One of my favorite Summer memories is.....?

So many! Obviously, marrying my husband. Probably the countless summer trips I took to Disneyland with my parents over summer break.

7. What's your favorite secret bargain?

Um... currently the Greek Yogurt at Costco.... very yummy and so much cheaper then Fresh and Easy!

8. Do you plan on or have you been watching the World Cup?

I hadn't exactly planned on it, but if it's on one of the rare occasions I'm watching TV, sure!

Where has the year gone...

Yesterday, Aaron and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary- man where has the year gone! We had originally planned on going out of town, but after I resigned from my job (yes, I resigned from my job) we ended up staying in town. We had a wonderful day- which started with breakfast at the Ritz Carlton (where we were married last year), took us over to the Biltmore for a little shopping and relaxation, a nice nap at home, and a wonderful dinner at the Melting Pot. Let's do a little "then" and "now" shall we?

June 12th, 2009:

June 12th, 2010:

(they moved the piano and furniture around)

And look, someone else was getting married at the Ritz Carlton on the 12th of June as well! They even had their reception in the same ballroom we did, though we had an outdoor ceremony on the pool deck.


After a wonderful breakfast, we walked around the Biltmore (got all my Macbook questions answered!) and then came home to rest before going to The Melting Pot! We had a wonderful dinner:

(Dessert the best part!!)

Because Cousin's are Simply Siblings Living in a Different House.

Luckiest Girl in the World

Meet these guys:

They are my parents. They happen to be the most amazing parents on the planet (true biz- that's not even me being biased). Awesome parenting skills aside, there's something even cooler about my parents- how much they love each other.

My parents have been married for 26 years. Those 26 years have thrown them quite a few curve balls, but it's clear to not only myself, but anyone who meets them, that those curve balls have done nothing but make their marriage stronger.

With our 1 year anniversary coming up, I thought it was important to reflect on my parents and how they've influenced what I want out of a marriage. Additionally, with recent family events, it's made me even more grateful and appreciative of the relationship my parents have.

Growing up, I never really realized how lucky I was to have two parents who loved each other. It wasn't until I was older that I truly gained appreciation for what I had. And even though there are times when my sister and I have to give each other the look because mom and dad are "going at it again" (IE: making my sister and I blush with their affections), I am so thankful that I have two parents that love each other enough to still want to be publicly affectionate with each other.

I don't know that I can ever truly thank my parents enough for the values they instilled in me, the value of knowing that a marriage is something you work for daily, but if you're willing to work for it, the rewards are endless and infinity + 1.


I can only hope that Aaron and I can set the same example for our children that my parents have set for me.

So much to say, so little time...

So, I'm sitting in the boarding area in Salt Lake City Utah, waiting to board my flight to Phoenix. I've not really had time to update my blog in a few weeks, and trust me there's plenty to update on including:

- Jan Brewer's appearance on CNN
- Jan Brewer's meeting with the President
-Life updates for Aaron and I... (Big news here, not involving a baby though)

I am hoping to have some down time this weekend to make some updates- but just wanted to make note that I am alive, and breathing =)

Oh BTW next Saturday is our 1 year wedding anniversary, can't believe how fast its gone!