Where I've been...

I disappeared- again.  I know, I'm kinda into that lately.  I just wonder off leaving you with no clue or idea as to where I've gone.  I've just been so busy lately LIVING life that I've not really had the time to write about it. 

First off, I absolutely, 100%, COMPLETELY love my job.  Each and every day I love it more and more and am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity.  Second, I am a Zumba queen!  (not in the sense of being good at it, just in the sense of, I do it, a lot!)  Third, I'm finishing my degree, finally!  Ugh school is not fun at all, but it's getting done, just a short time until I have my Bachelors finished, then I'll tackle my masters! 

Now the big one.... Aaron and I have been praying very hard and have decided to seriously pursue adoption at this time.  We're not giving up on trying to have a biological child, we just feel that this is what God has placed on our hearts right now.  Originally we were only interested in international adoption, as domestic adoption had to many "what if's" and almost felt like a marketing campaign to me to be honest- trying to market yourself through pictures and words as the best possible home for a set of biological parents to place their child.  Aaron and I are so much more then just words and photo's.  However, with changes to our state Adoptions Laws, we may be more into considering domestic adoption from our home state.

So that's it... nothing to incredibly exciting.  We're just living our lives happily together.  We did just get back from Disneyland... pictures to come =)

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...

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!

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

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!

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!

Because it's Friday- and We ALL Need Some Air Guitar...

Happy Friday!

The Thing I Hate Most About Managing People

Firing people.

However you want to phrase it: Separation, Termination, Fired, "Getting Quit"... they all have the same meaning. In every termination I've ever done, there's this moment. In this moment, regardless of how justified or warranted the termination is, where you and the person your terminating are just two human beings trying to make it in this world. It's in this moment, that my heart aches a little and reminds me that every manager is also a human.

So I was tagged again...

So Shelly tagged me again- same rules as below, just decided to do it again (this time I went into my modified folder to find a different photo).

This would be our second go round into the photo booth at our wedding. As you can tell I certainly had a lot more alcohol then Aaron did- he had none, but he DID put on the batman mask =)

Dear LifeTime Fitness Members

Dear LifeTime Fitness members-

Thank you for your hospitality and always being so kind and welcoming when Aaron and I come to the gym. It's so nice to be around friendly people who you don't feel are oogling you.

However, I do have just two things to ask of you:

1) Please do not drop your kids off at the pool at 10pm, and allow them to play Marc Polo while you're off doing lord knows what. While trying to relax in the hot tub, there was more noise and ruckus in the pool area then I've experienced at Disneyland- created by 4 10-12 year old boys.

2) I respect that people don't want to see my body in all of its glory, thus I respectfully wear a bathing suit that does it's best to cover my problem area's, and not show off all my junk. Ladies, please do not replace your bathing suit top with a cotton tank top- in case you didn't know, when cotton gets wet, it gets translucent... Gentlemen, I do not walk around in a bikini top because I know that I (let alone anyone else) does not want to see my pale out of shape stomach in all of its glory- however, a few of you could do the same courtesy. When your belly laps so far over your waistline- that you have to pick it up while going up the stairs- maybe it's time to also wear a shirt in the hot tub.

Again, thank you for always being so courteous- it's a pleasure working out with you!

Sincerely,

Jenn