Happy!

July 26, 2008


I just wanted to note that once the movers had taken everything out of the apartment yesterday and I could walk from empty room to empty room, I felt such a sense of freedom and happiness. I never liked this apartment (which was part of the motivation to find a house in Fayetteville so quickly). Leaving Fayetteville feels like the right thing to do (although I never wanted to leave). It really feels like I will be starting a new life in Arizona.


July 29, 2008


So, the feelings of happiness continue. Which is good, right? Yet, feeling happy is truly an unexpected emotion. I like it though.



We spent the night of July 27th at my mom's house where we had great home-cooked food i.e. nothing was microwaved. Yesterday, the 28th I woke up feeling weird (like I was going to puke). I think that this was nerves manifesting itself in my body because mentally, I did not think I was nervous at all...does that make sense? We loaded up the car and drove out to the airport where we had to return the rental car. We then had to transport 2 BIG suitcases, 2 small suitcases, and 2 laptop bags from the rental car area to the American Airlines check-in counter. This is a bit of a hike. But, we made it.


We knew we'd have to pay to check bags, so there went $30 ($15 each for the BIG bags). Then, we were overweight on the BIG bags which is a $50 fee for each bag but the girl only charged us $50 instead of $100. We got extra row seats on the Fayetteville to Dallas flight and bulkhead seats on the Dallas to Phoenix flight. Nice :)


I did not freak out on these flights (so far, that's 6 flights in a row without having a panic attack/meltdown...probably a record for me). Let me tell you, it is so much better NOT freaking out/getting so worked up over flying. It's way less stressful emotionally.


When we arrived in Phoenix, we waited on our BIG bags (which is why we never check bags when we normally travel), took the shuttle to the rental car agency, grabbed our car, and headed out to the hotel. Because Phoenix is so flat and open, it is very easy to get around (even without a map). After checking into the hotel, Josh changing into pants and a polo to look a bit more respectable, and grabbing some Jack-in-the-Box for lunch (oh my goodness, they have the BEST cheeseburgers!) we were off to meet Gary and Joyce at the Villa for a final walk through of the property with the owner.


I still like the house which is great! It's so empty though without furniture...I really like how the owners had it decorated. Alex, the wife, told us that this was their first home (we said us, too) and that they are only moving about 1 mile away so I thought that spoke well of the neighborhood. It was funny, too, when she said that the Safeway had a great organic veggie section if you like to cook, and I said we only use the microwave to cook. I'm sure we came off looking like some college kids not grown ups.


Here's what I thought was funny about the house: if something is attached, it stays. So, we have the pot rack and small tv in the kitchen, shelves in the bedrooms, shower curtain in the guest bath, shelves in the garage, etc. which is kinda unexpected. BUT, something that I WOULD expect to be done...like touching up the paint over white plaster marks on the wall was not done.


Listening to Alex explain the irrigation system in the front and back yard, I was like, what the heck?!?! This sounds complicated. Timers, switches, spaghetti cords, tubes, agh! Then, she said they have a landscaper take care of stuff every other week or so and gave me his card. Note to self: After getting first job, get a second job to pay for the landscaper. There were only two golf balls in the backyard. The mountains were a lot closer to the house than I remembered as well.


Oh, and I have to get a squeegie thing and grout cleaner for the tile shower. We're on an energy saver plan for water/electricity so you use the dishwasher or washing machine from 9 pm - 9 am or on weekends or holidays for a special rate. So, did you know, that you can program your dishwasher to start automatically at that time? Well, someone tech-y can, I'll be starting mine manually :)


Walk through done, we said bye to Joyce and Gary. We were on our own to sign papers at the title company (which was on the complete opposite side of town). Joyce and Gary said they'd stop by to see us again once we were settled into the house. Also, it was unexpected to me that we would not be getting keys in person from anyone like you see on tv. Alex, was going to put the key under a mat or flower pot or something. Kinda anti-climatic don't ya think? Ahh well, I'll make it a big deal. Like, "WOW, I've got keys!"


Signing the papers at the title company got off to a rough start that is still in the process of being worked out. Josh was told that he would be reimbursed for paying for the home inspection and appraisal upfront. However, because he used the credit card to pay for the home inspection, there is some sort of legal mumbo jumbo that won't allow that to be reimbursed to us. We did get the appraisal money sorted out. I'll keep you posted on the details regarding the other cost.


After the rough start, Josh and I started cracking some great jokes about how we're going to set the world record for fastest foreclosure, how many days can we stay in this house without paying before it's taken away, how it wasn't too late for us to back out of buying the house and that we'd go and get an apartment that night. I mean, really, things that no sane human beings discuss when buying their first home!


We signed papers for two hours, took a photo with our huge packet of documents (not so environmentally friendly), and then headed out to dinner. I saw Carrabba's, which we've never had before, so we went there. At this point, I was really sleepy and still feeling a bit off, so I had Diet Coke and chicken soup...which was really good. Josh had a sample plate with three different types of chicken and he loved it! We brought back leftovers so I can try the chicken today.

Signing the papers. Seriously, you'd think they'd have some heavy, rich, really nice pens when you sign for the papers on your home. Nope...it's a cheapie Papermate!






Back at the hotel, I crashed. I feel better this morning (you would not believe how bright the sun shines here at 6:30 in the morning-I love it!) and now that Josh and I have had breakfast, we're just hanging out at the hotel waiting for our phone call. I don't suspect it will be until this afternoon but we got extended check-out to 1:30. There are a few things we need to do, like get Arizona driver's licences and buy groceries. Fortunately, Josh was able to switch all the utilities over into our name while we were still in Arizona. I would like to visit downtown Glendale and find the public library. I'd also like to look at furniture...although I know we won't be purchasing any soon. Oh yeah, the big deal, is making a rockin powerpoint to present at my job interview on Friday.


Just a note on the weather: Taking into account that we're two hours behind Arkansas, it is 92 degrees in Fayetteville right now but it feels like 97. In Phoenix, it's 96 degrees and feels like 96. Sure, I know overall that Phoenix is a hotter place, but it's not ridiculous...at least I don't think so YET!!!

The Latest...

On Tuesday, July 15, we had dinner at Urban Table with my mom. Both the burgers and the chicken were super. We started eating outside on the patio which was so nice with the sunlight breaking through the leaves on the trees and the fountain running behind us. However, when the food arrived, so did the flies, and we had to bolt inside to eat in peace. Overall, highly recommended.

On Thursday, July 17, I went out with co-workers at Hog Haus for dinner and drinks. Afterward Leah and I hung out on Dickson until the small hours of the morning (she's off to Canada for two weeks of vacay and I'll be gone when she returns).

On Saturday, July 19, I went to the Famer's Market on the Square with Susie (my first time). I love the flowers, live music, and Arsaga's coffee. I'm discovering Fayetteville as I leave it. But, at the same time, Fayetteville will always be home. I'm conflicted over the whole you can/can't return to the same place idea. True, things are different my second time in Fayetteville. Much for the better. Some for the worse. I'm sure I've changed as a person as a result of my return, however, only time will tell in what way(s) I've changed.


Thursday, July 24


I wrote the paragraphs above last week, now, I'm sitting in my apartment as 4 ladies pack up my belongings. To continue:

I have said it so many times (but it's true) I can't believe I'm leaving. This whole move thing does not seem real. However, between the smell of packing tape and cardboard boxes mixed with residual cigarette smoke from the movers, and the fact I stayed up until 4:00 this morning separating out things that the movers should not take and labeling boxes that we had packed ourselves, and waking up at 7:00, it is all becoming a bit more real!

It would not have been so time consuming if I hadn't been working alone. Josh was taken down by a chigger attack last weekend when he went to Little Rock. He was playing disc golf and he didn't realize it until he got home and was all itchy. He thought he had mosquito bites but the itching would not stop. Then, the next day these blisters starting showing up on his ankles.

Oh my goodness! It was the sickest thing ever! Seriously, I should post pictures. The nurses (when he finally went to the doctor) said they'd never seen a reaction so bad before. His whole body was trying to fight off these little critters. Plus, he has poison ivy on one arm, too! All this to say, that he was given an IV of antibiotics yesterday and they left the splint in his arm until this morning. Josh can't do anything really, except try to recover, so I've had to take charge a bit. It is really great that we aren't moving ourselves this time!

Warning: These photos are pretty gross!!! They were taken BEFORE Josh went to the doctor, so the blisters were even bigger then this at one point!!!




So, yesterday was my last day at work. Yay for Mexico Viejo....best cheese enchilada E-V-E-R. At the afternoon going away party, I said I felt so loved...I'm confident that feeling that way about your workplace/co-workers is a rarity. I ended up staying late like the last time I left. In part, because I had a phone interview with Student Support Services at Arizona State University-West campus.


For the first time in my life, I did not completely stress out over the interview ahead of time... probably because I was going through all the emotions of saying good-bye. Wow-when Elizabeth told me that this was the last time I would see her, I lost it. I always like to think there's hope/possibility that it's not really the final good-bye and that maybe I could have stopped by her house before I left or had lunch or something. I'll say I'll see her whenever we come back to visit...it's a coping mechanism.


Regarding the interview, I told Susie and Aimee that I didn't know what questions they were going to ask in the interview so it wasn't as though I could study for this and have the "correct" thing to say. I feel good about the interview. They're holding in-person interviews at the end of next week.

Update: After taking a break to run errands to Walmart, returning my office keys, going to the post office for change of address forms-where I left my phone due to sleep deprevation!, and taking a much needed nap, I've found out that I was selected to interview in person next Friday at ASU-West. Awesome! That's Josh's first day of work, too. Crazy! I am truly amazed at how everything is coming together for the Arizona life.


Move details: Things finally fell into place at the start of this week. I received confirmation from the movers, which meant I could buy plane tickets...one way tickets seem so final. We fly out Monday morning around 9, arriving in Phoenix at 11:30. I still need to book a rental car. We plan to grab some lunch and then meet Joyce and Gary at the Villa for the final walk through (hey, why NOT call the house "the Villa" all the time?). After that, we'll go to the title company to sign all the documents.....Due to our loan, we're walking into the Villa without having to pay for anything upfront. Even our earnest money is being returned and we have one year of home owners association fees paid for as well......Then, we'll wait for two weeks for our stuff to show up :)

My brain just screamed out, "I can't believe we're doing this!" Seriously, am I going to be a homeowner? I can't wait to take everything OUT of boxes. I'm excited about using all the things we've received as gifts but never had the space to actually use.


As I've said before, I want to really be myself in Arizona and not hold back who I am. At the same time, I feel like I'm still trying to figure out who I am. I think that realization has to be one of the biggest life lessons I've learned from returning to Fayetteville. I'll end with this quote by Oswald Chambers that Susie wrote in my going away card. I think it sums it all up perfectly:


"Personality is the unique, limitless part of our life that makes us distint from everyone else. It is too vast for us even to comprehend. An island in the sea may be just the top of a large mountain, and our personality is like that island. We don't know the great depths of our being, therefore, we cannot measure ourselves. We start out thinking we can, but soon realize that there is really only one being who fully understands us, and that is our Creator."

The Villa

Monday, July 14

Here are some pics of the house in Arizona (click on the photo to see an enlarged, clear image). Again, nothing's final at this point, however, we're 15 days out from closing. My friend, Susie, has dubbed the house, "The Villa." I like it!

This is the backyard.

This is part of the back patio.

Master shower

Family room

Kitchen

Social Life

Sunday, July 13

Let the social activities begin. It always seems that when we leave somewhere (and, we've moved a lot) we start having tons of get-togethers: lunches, dinners, etc. Friday was game night with Nate and Laura. Tuesday is lunch with Elizabeth. I'm squeezing in separate dinners with Aimee & Steve, co-workers, and my mom next week. Oh yeah, my dad wants to meet up, too. And, my brother will be back in Arkansas soon.

Jute a note: If you're my friend, you have an open invitation to visit me in Arizona. Just let me know ahead of time.

While there is all the rush to visit with friends before we leave, this move is MUCH more low-key than the New Zealand move. I think this is partly due to the fact that we haven't had as much time to think about it and freak out (I'm referring to myself here). We just have to take action. Mentally, I think it's easier moving state-to-state than across the world, too.

Plus, we get movers for the house and the car so there is no stress about boxing up our stuff (I mean other than the stress of someone else taking my things and hopefully returning them in the same condition....or at all!). Half of our stuff is still boxed up from the New Zealand move anyway.

I'm even pretty chill about my job search. I have three applications in at ASU-West right now. I realize that stressing out about getting a job isn't going to get me a job. Check in with me in a month or two and we'll see if my story has changed :)

Starting Over...Again

Monday, July 7, 2008

So, welcome to the new blog. My New Zealand Life has officially ended (although it will live on in perpetuity in cyberspace) and My Arizona Life is set to begin. The official title of the blog comes from something I read in the USA Today Weather section a month ago on holiday in Kansas City. I was checking out the national forecast, you know, Little Rock, Partly Cloudy; Miami, Sunny; Phoenix....Abundant Sunshine. I loved/love that phrase so much. At the time, we weren't sure we were moving out west, it was just a slight possibility. Now, we're westward bound (I really like saying that, too).

The Arkansas Life was altogether brief and temporary...a stopping point along the way to Arizona as it turns out. That wasn't our plan, however, I'm slowly learning that you can't plan everything. Sometimes, you just have to go where life takes you (such a hard thing for me to say, let alone practice in real life).

After many negotiations, Josh has accepted a position as Assistant Research Professor at Arizona State University's West campus. He will direct a state-wide teacher quality/teacher prep program and teach one class per semester. We are only 20 some odd days out from the actual move. It is so different from when we moved to New Zealand when we had so much time to prepare. This is such a quick and somewhat unexpected move. I tendered my resignation today, effective July 23...an act in which I am unfortunately all to familiar. I seriously look forward to maintaining a position longer than 2 years!

My job application process has begun again in earnest. I could write a book on cover letters, resumes, and interviewing skills. Hopefully, all of my prior experience will pay off again. I'm looking specifically to work at Arizona State University's West campus so Josh and I can work at the same campus. Fortunately, the Dean of the college at which Josh is going to work has offered to support my candidacy for positions on-campus. I'm also applying for positions at various community colleges in the area.

About a week and a half ago, we flew out to Phoenix to house hunt for four days. We had a great, stress-free trip and put an offer on our number one home which was accepted. The home inspection was today and there are a few things wrong with the house that we have questions about. We'll work that out tomorrow.

This house was Josh's number one pick from the houses he saw when he first looked at real estate when he interviewed at ASU in May. The house is 3 bedroom/2 bathroom, 1750 square feet, on a cul-de-sac that ends in a pond, the backyard backs to the 18th hole of a golf course, there is a fountain and there are fruit trees in the backyard, and there are mountain views from the living areas and master bedroom. The house is in Arrowhead Ranch (suppossedly a great community), 2 minutes from a shopping area with a grocery store, bank, Starbucks, and it's 6.75 miles from ASU-West. It's pretty nice but I won't believe it's ours until we have keys.

In fact, when we first met with the real estate agents, Joyce and Gary, I told them we'd been through the whole making an offer on a house several times before but we never got keys (meaning, we never closed on a house). Gary told me he would get me keys. I'm holding him to that :) If nothing else, Joyce and Gary are excellent realtors and I'm impressed with how helpful they've been. They match my personality perfectly: not too pushy...just enough to motivate me into action. Highly recommended.

I'm going to miss being in Fayetteville. Take tonight, for example. After going to recycle around 7:30 pm, Josh and I made a run to "MAVIN" 's IGA (the "R" is missing from their sign...prompting Josh and I to say how Mah-velous Mavin's is). Just as we pulled into the grocery store parking lot, so did my mom. I LOVE that about Fayetteville. Randomly running into people/family wherever you go. I'm going to miss that.

Prior to visiting Arizona, I was really upset over the whole possibility of moving. Now, I'm optimistic that I will at least like where I live. However, I will deeply miss my co-workers. Although I've worked with my department a shorter amount of time this time compared to last time when I left for New Zealand, I feel a deeper connection to my peers than before.

In part, I've given more of myself and revealed the real me this time, thinking (mistakenly) that I was in Fayetteville for keeps. I let my wall down, something I've never really done before. Previously, I'd maintained a professional distance...some might even say I was cold. This time, not so much. And, it hurts.

It comes from being a military brat and always knowing you're going to have to leave your friends behind. You don't let people in. But, this time, I did. I'm not going to regret that. In fact, I'm going to try to be the "real me" in Arizona. Yes, that means saying I like to drink beer and going to Happy Hour. I cuss like a sailor when the ship's going down. I like to dress up. I'm happy being skinny (the smallest I've ever been). What's wrong with that? I'm too old to fake who I am anymore. Yet, on some level, I'm even afraid to write this. Honesty scares me.

Oh well...here we go.