Utah - day 1

I figured if I saved up and did one big post about this trip, I would miss most of the details and well, what good is any story if there are no details. WARNING: There may be too many details.

What a day! It started out at 3:45 A.M. (as in EARLY morning). It was not pleasent even thinking about getting out of bed. The sad point that kept getting brought up was that I did this to myself. Yes it's true. If you want to get to Utah early enough in the day to do something, you better leave early. I got to do a couple of 'firsts' on this trip. I made it through security without some major undertaking for the first time (it's almost like I figured it out...finally). I made my layover with NO rushing - we made it to the layover airport more than 20 minutes early AND my gate was just around the corner which was NICE! I also rented a car for the first time. For some unknown reason this is a B-I-G deal. I have total and complete freedom on this trip thanks to the guy from Enterprise (I also got a free upgrade, just because...) I drove in Salt Lake for the first time - to me, Boston has nothing on this place - they're just as nuts, if not more so when it comes to driving. Come to think of it, it might be MY Boston driving that's the problem, but such is life.
I made it to Provo by 2:15 and then the real fun began. Lori ordered Chinese food for lunch; it was amazing! (That also may have been due to the fact that I hadn't eaten anything all day). Lori, her roommates and I sat on their balcony and ate in the sunshine - blessed sunshine! We finally meandered down to get my luggage so I could deliver the random gifts/requested items for Lori. I met several of Lori's friends (NOTE TO SELF: Make sure you're talking to the right person before you begin asking all sorts of ridiculous questions that don't apply) and then we went shopping. I am in the land of Super-Wal-Mart again - GLORIOUS!(sad, actually; that's what got me excited) We got some things I needed that they wouldn't let me bring on the plane and did A LOT of grocery shopping. We finally made it back to the apartment, put everything away and CRASHED! Somehow I managed to stay awake 19+ hours(hope I don't have to do that again). Sleep was amazing. We put The Itailian Job on so we could watch it, I was out within the first 15 minutes or so - who knows how long everyone else stayed up. Sometime after their movie, Lori pulled the other couch over next to me and we had a 'sleepover' in the living room.
It was fun to wake up this moring and realize that I was still here and that it wasn't some sort of weird, twisted, exhausting dream. I'm so glad that I came - what an adventure! Today we plan to go to Salt Lake to look around and do lunch, then we're planning on heading to Nielsen's Frozen Custard in North Salt Lake. It will be mostly a memory trip - it has been 10+ years since I've been there. So, I guess it's time to get going. Big day ahead of us!

Business as usual...

Well sort of. I get to go on my first business trip ever. It is a 3 day trip (2 night) for implementation training on a new software we're going to be using very soon. It may not be as exciting as some trips, but it will definitely be a new adventure for me.
I have been thinking a lot about my post on resolutions. This year, I have one HUGE resolution that definitely will alter the course of my life forever, but I can't divulge to much information just yet. Let's just leave it at I have a plan, I have a 'completion' date set and arrangements are being made (wow, it sounds like a secret wedding, doesn't it? Not to worry - it isn't) but I am resolute about my resolution and I am so excited to see the outcome. As the year wears on I will spill some more details, but too much to too many people too soon probably isn't a good idea.
And lastly on an entirely too happy note - I'M TAKING A VACATION! I am going to Utah for 10 whole days. I get to hang with Lori and go to class with her (like I'll know what they're even talking about) and most importantly, I won't be at work. Believe me when I say I love my job, it's just that I love not being here more.
Until the next time...

Resolutions...

So, it's a little early for this, but I have been thinking a lot about New Year's resolutions. At the beginning of each new year we always set resolutions, but for some reason they always end up being more like goals. This year I have made it my goal to not set goals, but to set resolutions. The definition I like best for the word resolution is the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure. I have things that I want to do with my life and this year I will make them happen. I often find myself waiting for the right circumstance or situation; I think things have to be a certain way before I can make a decision or take a risk. This year my decisions are my own and I will not wait for anyone else to make them for me, nor will I let them. I know who I am and who I want to be and I will do whatever it takes to get myself there. I love life and I am going to live it to the fullest potential and discover a new part of life. I am going to act instead of being acted upon.

I love my job...

Seriously! How many people do you know that get to surf the internet, go shopping and plan events on a daily basis? Well luckily for me, I do! I hate to admit it, but I have lived here for almost 2 years and until today I had NEVER been to the mall - a situation that was just remedied, all because of work. I can't believe I waited until 2 1/2 weeks before Christmas to get there, but it was fun. I was on 'official' work business so it wasn't a trip just to leisurely stroll (although I did take a wrong turn and saw a bit more than planned), but I did some VERY quick window shopping and can't wait to make my return. The other reason I love work related shopping trips is I get to cure my need to spend, without actually having to pay for it myself - in other words, I love to spend other people's money.
The gift receiving season has also landed at our office. Considering we send practically nothing out at Christmas we get quite a bit - really great stuff. Today the first batch of Christmas cookies. The fruit should be coming soon. I'm going to have to break out my cookie recipes soon and get to work. Ahh, I love Christmas.
The countdown to Lori: 15 days (just a quick count so that may not actually be correct)
Happy Tuesday

The new addition...

I bought a new laptop today (mom and dad paid for half as an early Christmas present). Now I am completely set and ready for EVERYTHING!!
I also polka - dotted my plastic case for my makeup - it looks awesome!
Have a great evening!

Looking forward to...

I thought now was as good a time as any to list what I am REALLY looking forward to in the next several weeks:
1 - Ortho appointment: 1 week from today - only 6-8 weeks until I get my retainers, the end is near :)
2 - Thanksgiving: 1 week from tomorrow - we are having friends over for dinner and my 'brothers' get to spend the day with us. We'll probably even be putting up our Christmas decorations too.
3 - 4 day weekend: begins Thanksgiving day - who needs a vacation when you can have 4 day weekends?
4 - Christmas: 5 weeks from tomorrow - OBVIOUS
5 - Lori comes HOME!: also 5 weeks from tomorrow - WOO HOO!!
6 - Christmas shutdown: 8 days off - who wouldn't love it?

I think that's my list as of this moment. I'm SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!

Just a thought...

"People can't live with change if there's not a changeless core inside them. The key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you are, what you are about and what you value." --Stephen Covey