New Beginnings

When we moved to Arizona I became unemployed for the first time in 5 years and wasn't really sure what to do or how to do it or what I even wanted to do. Luckily enough for me, I was able to take my time and find something I enjoyed. I didn't want to find a job, I wanted to find the right job. I wouldn't have been able to do that without Jake's support, and that means the world to me. He knew I wanted to be working but never rushed me into finding something. I love him even more for that :)

Spending 6 months unemployed was not what I expected, it was not what I wanted, and it was not easy. I'm the kind of person who really needs to be occupied and contributing and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Being home every day was not giving me any of that. Everything moves a little slower here in Arizona; I applied for at least 2 jobs a day for the first month we were here and didn't start getting calls for interviews until another month or in some cases 2 months later. I had a few good interviews and I had a LOT of help from my amazing former manager who introduced me to people and really brightened my spirits.

Two weeks ago I accepted a job offer and am going back to my roots so to speak. I will be working at a credit union just a few minutes from home and I couldn't be more excited about it. My first day is tomorrow! I want to say thank you to everyone who listened to me complain and freak out and helped me find my way, and I want to thank Jake for sticking with me and being patient and taking care of us. Here's to new beginnings!

Take Two

A few months ago I decided to cut my bangs in the hopes of satisfying a need for something different. I enjoyed that change for about... 3 weeks. It turns out, bangs are a lot more maintenance than I expected so they are in the process of being grown out. Last week I decided my need for something different still was not satisfied so I did something about it :)

We Ran Away To San Diego

It's been way too hot here lately so we decided to test out the 5 hour drive to someplace cooler. Jake knows me pretty well and knew I would want to go to the beach for my birthday. Now, my parents both grew up on the California coast and we spent plenty of time there when I was younger so even though the water is cold and the mornings are cloudy and the wind is always blowing, California beaches feel like "home" to me. Jake is a self proclaimed beach snob; he's been to the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Mexico... a cold beach isn't really appealing to him so I have to say he really was a trooper :)






We spent the first day at Mission Beach


That night we went to Coronado Island and had dinner at this hotel






The next day we went to Coronado Beach and I found my first perfect sand dollar




This house is right on the beach and is for sale. We decided we really wanted to buy it :) (blurred to protect the exposed license plate)


After leaving the beach we went to this art gallery in La Jolla to look at some of my grandfather's paintings


Then we went to Birch Aquarium




The view from the aquarium above La Jolla Cove



One of the best trips ever!

Weekend Vacation

This past weekend we had tickets to go to the Culinary Festival in Scottsdale. My mom gave them to Jake for his birthday. Scottsdale is only about 25 minutes from us but we decided last minute to go stay the night and take a mini vacation. We stayed at The Saguaro which was right next to the festival. It was one of the most interesting hotels I've ever stayed in, and we had a great time! Here is our weekend documented in pictures.






I know you coffee drinkers will like this


Every wall a different color


Saguaro cactus


Private patio








We would have been fine sleeping out here






Distritos is the restaurant owned by Jose Garces and everything we had was delicious


At the festival


These are for you mom!


It was a hot day! But we really enjoyed the festival. How it works is you buy tickets for a dollar each, like at a carnival, and each vendor has samples of their famous dishes for one or two tickets each. We had a lot of really yummy things to eat and liked being outside in the shade.


We didn't get a good picture of the two of us at the festival so we took one on Sunday. I think we'll probably go back next year, thanks for the tickets mom!

Ghost Town Tour

Earlier in the week my dad's partner, Desna, and her daughters, Anna and Allison, came to visit for spring break and we were able to spend a day together. We went to a nearby ghost town called Goldfield, and it wasn't the type of ghost town I was expecting. I've been to abandoned ghost towns before, but never to a tourist driven ghost town. I have to admit, this kind of ghost town is a lot more fun! Here's a quick history lesson for you about this little town; Goldfield was a mining town established in 1892. Like a lot of little mining towns back then it only flourished for a short period of time. Miners weren't finding what they expected so in about 5 years the town was abandoned. In the early 1920's it was brought back to life but only for another 5 years or so. In the 80's the town was purchased by a ghost town enthusiast and turned into the tourist attraction it is today. They have a little train that takes you on a circular tour of the town, a mine tour, horse back riding, jeep tours, numerous gift shops and a few art stores, and a church that still has a session on Sundays. We had a good time exploring the town and I took a few pictures while we were on the train to share with you!


The Superstition mountains


There's an old entrance to one of the mines tucked away there


If anyone knows what this is I think you're amazing


Some old mine cars






Anna, me, and Allison

Thanks for letting me be a part of your spring break trip guys, it was fun spending time with you! Come back again soon, and bring the old man with you ;)

Remember My Trivial Problem?

Well, I found a solution to my need for something different...



I'm still getting used to my new "do" but I'm glad I did it!

Jake's Birthday Surprise

Jake's birthday was on the 28th and luckily enough for him, he didn't have to spend it in Michigan. Since he was gone for a few days I was able to plan a fun surprise for him. He had to work that day but had the next day off so I thought we could go on a little camping trip! There was a small catch however, our camping spot was on our balcony..


The tent was a gift for Jake and it was pretty difficult to set up on that balcony, but I managed to get it done after lunch



My plan was to go out for pizza then come home and make smores with the candles as our campfire



Jake was surprised when I told him we would be eating dessert on the balcony and making the smores was pretty fun!



The next morning we decided to go out to breakfast and Jake got something that reminded him of his favorite dish from the Bay Leaf in Salt Lake called the second coming

It was fun to surprise Jake for his birthday, it's a tough thing to do! And it was almost ruined by the sun... I wasn't sure if Jake would notice this so I didn't let him inside when he came home and we had an early dinner


We liked our tent and our camping spot so much that we spent two nights out there! Thanks for having a birthday Jake and for not knowing what you wanted so I could do what I wanted ;)