In the City

Well, today almost feels like a dream. I know I haven't kept y'all updated, but that's for good reason. A week and a half ago I was asked if I would be willing to come to New York for training. It didn't hit how amazing this is until I was sitting in first class on the plan flying over the Statue of Liberty. I'm still in shock, but now, I have to get to bed so that I can get up for work in the morning. I'll update you on the specifics as soon as I get some decent time in front of my computer!

Good News

Last week, while at a friend's baseball game, I received a somewhat devastating phone call. My new manager called me to tell me that while the company has been receiving negative press, this will not be affecting my offer -- not that I hoped it would -- this was the good news. The bad news came in the form of finding out that while I was expecting to start work on May 3 (next Monday), my team was based in New York, and wouldn't be here until mid July. This would mean that I would have to find another interim job. As much as that disappointed me, I was happy to know that my manager will be one of the ladies who interviewed me, and I think that she is absolutely awesome. I can't wait to start work with her.

So, I had begun to start looking for a temp job, ceased the apartment/house hunt, and decided to settle here until the end of the summer. It just seemed a little strange to me that I was going to be staying put for another four months, especially when I had felt so strongly that I would not be here all summer. BUT then again... my apartment complex has an amazing pool, and no one can deny the joy at being told that you will get to play at the pool your last summer of school. And like I had begun the job hunt, I began the pool prep (workouts, shaving cream, new swimsuits, anti-cellulite lotion (I'll let you know if it works)).

The day after I got my new summer supplies squared away I got a phone call. It turned out to be my HR correspondent, and while I expected nothing other than a confirmation that I wouldn't be starting until July, he told me that my team is interested in having me come out to New York for training. Standard company-wide training is in New York in mid-July. So I knew that I'd be heading out there, but as the conversation continued, he told me that they were interested in having me come out to New York in mid-May. After looking over my schedule, we decided on May 10th as a start date.

I still have to wait a few days until we get my flights and housing set up, but I think I've been smiling for two days straight. I'm going to get to be in New York City for about three months for training. I am so excited. I know that the apartments for company-wide training are located in Manhattan, and I can't wait to find out where I'll be working and living. It kind of feels like something from a movie.

Graduation

I can now say that I am a college graduate! It is honestly a strange feeling. For a while I was thinking about how much better it would feel if I had attended classes my last semester, but I've realized that graduation is an awesome thing regardless of what you were doing your last semester. Just today I was looking at classes, but I know I can't take any because I'm going to be starting work soon. I am going to be a real adult. No more spending large amounts of time socializing with friends, no more spending entire afternoons quilting, no more spur of the moment vacations. This is going to be quite the change.

Moments

It's moments like this when I just love life. I'm a little worried about losing friends over my personal stresses that I've extended into friendships, but looking out my window, feeling the warm spring breeze flow through my curtains and listening to Tim McGraw, I know that moments like this are what I live for. I'll find someone to share moments like this with one day, but there are a few things I'm going to miss from moments like this in my past.

Election Day Clam Chowder

Ford Explorers

Bracelets

Good Summer Music

Motorcycles

Midnight Drink Runs

Grilled Food

Yoo Hoos

Pools

Kenny Chesney

Sunsets in Nevada

Mustangs

6th of July Fireworks

Catalina 22's

I Want

When life seems chaotic and disappointing, it's easy to become discouraged. But, even though there are some days that I'm hurt, and all I want to do is scowl at every creature that dares bug me, I'm drawn to the realization that today is the day to be the person that I want to be.

And I'm excited to know that I get to shape myself into the human being that I want to be.I want to be a woman who takes good care of herself. This means getting dressed before 2:00 in the afternoon like I do sometimes, and it means working out regularly and eating healthy. No more chocolate days where all I eat is cake.

I want to be gracious to those around me. To give thanks to those who help me and to spend my time helping and focusing on others. And actually write thank you notes for people who are awesome.

I want to be organized. I want to keep my room perfectly in order, keep my laundry caught up, and be punctual in everything I do.

I want to keep a budget. Make sure that I'm being responsible with my money and saving for a rainy day. ALWAYS keep expenditures less than income.

I want to take the time to enjoy nature (while fulfilling all of my responsibilities). I want to make sure that I take time away to go camping, or rock climbing, or sailing. Just do whatever to remember that God wants me to be joyful.

I want to take the time to study the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, I read the scriptures, but I want to really study. To gain knowledge and understanding, and hopefully to be able to share that with others.

I want to be able to make the hard decisions in life, and to carry forward and onward without looking back. This is one things that I haven't been doing great recently, but I think I'm ready to finally do it.

I want to keep my commitments..... even if that's something as simple as sending an e-mail within an hour. I want to be someone that people know that they can always count on.

I want to keep my priorities in order, and I know, that as I live with a focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ, I'll be able to do that. And my priorities will make more sense.

And I want to be a better person tomorrow than I was today.

First Few Blossoms

Sometime in the past week, I noticed what I've been looking for:

The trees are finally starting to blossom. The weather is warming up, and I've already spent some time on a motorcycle. And, although I'm mourning my lack of sailing this season, I'm really very thankful for this simple sign of hope.

Yesterday I went to a park to enjoy the warmth of the sun, and as I laid on my blanket, I looked up at the pretty white blossoms of a tree. If I was quiet enough I could hear the three bees buzzing around it, and the bird that kept flying around behind me. It was so pretty, and I'm so thankful that God gave that moment to me. The intricate balance of nature is amazing and the beautiful blue sky against the pretty white flowers with little green and pink in their centers caught me in awe.

And I couldn't help but feel hopeful for the future. I don't know exactly what it holds, but as spring is a time for new beginnings (Birthday, Graduation, Moving, New Job), it's quite appropriate. For even as the snows of winter melt away to reveal the beauty of new blossoms with time, things will look up. Keep going. Because, although things may get tougher before they get better--they WILL get better.

HOPE

Excitement!

I am so excited!

It was just last night that I started counting the days until major events in my life, and this phase is quickly coming to a close. Next week is my birthday. Two weeks from now is my graduation, and I start work three or four weeks from now.

I can't believe it's coming so quickly. I haven't decided on a place to live yet. I'm still waiting to hear about some work assignments, but once I do, I'll get to sign a lease and move up towards Salt Lake. This is absolutely exciting! I can't wait. (Though, if I don't move right away, I'll have to leave my apartment at 5:30 every morning!)