Because I'm five years old and I think it's funny.

Original





Bruce Almighty's Dog



It's not goodbye '08. It's hello '09!

Wow, it's hard for me to believe that 2008 is over already.

So much has happened in the course of a year.

January brought new friends from the San Diego area that ended up being a wife with "fibromyalgia" and a husband that decided that it was okay to steal narcotics off of a patient he was transporting (click for news story).

February was the first time I hadn't spent Valentine's Day with G. He spent it in Washington state with his best friend, E. It was also the month that my boss commited suicide (click here for new story). It still makes me incredibly sad to even think about it. I still have his family's Christmas picture from last year. I can't help but with the best for his wife and two children. Tim was a fatherly figure to me. Always pulling me into his office for a pep-talk. Advising me on life, school, and G. He was a motivator and appeared to be such a jolly, loving person.

March was spent preparing for our Kauai vacation with my dad, younger brother, his girlfriend, and G.

April 12 through the 19th was spent in Kauai, in the city of Poipu. I have never been on a more enjoyable, relaxing, and overall spectacular vacation. It wasn't amazing just because of the sand and the sun, it was the whole experience. Kauai is beautiful, un-touristy, and natural! I loved that there weren't jet-ski rentals or parasailing off of the beach front. It made it that more enjoyable. We were able to go on a helicoptor tour of the island, in which both my brother and I got motion sickness! Luckily that came at the end of the tour. Everyone got along. No one bickered about anything. Everyone was really easy going and I'll attribute that to the nature of the island. Nothing was planned and everyday we all went with the flow of things. Deciding each morning what the day would hold for all of us, together. It is easily my favorite vacation I've ever been on, and I can't wait to go back to that island!

May. This month was spent with friends and family due to our upcoming move to Denver. It was a sad month because I didn't want to leave our friends or family, especially B&S, and their baby A. They helped us pack, those last days in May, and on the 29th, we said our tearful goodbyes to those in Charleston. We arrived in Denver on the 31st, in the late afternoon.

JUNE! The first of June, a Sunday, was spent moving into our apartment in Broomfield. And the next day, I started work at my new job, which I actually enjoy. K and C, who drove out to Colorado with us, stayed for another week after we arrived. They spent time with G, going up to K's cabin in Estes Park, hiking and exploring.

July, E and E from Washington state came to visit for the 4th of July. It was great having more friends in town.

August, G's old baseball buddy D. Bergman came to visit for a couple days.

September, I flew home to California for a couple days for my little brother's 18th birthday. I also got to meet T&C's new arrival, baby B!

October, my mom came to visit for a couple days and it was so comforting to have here nearby. I miss my family too much! G's sister K moved in with us mid-month. And we spent Halloween downtown as "white trash," and I peed my pants, a little!

November was spent crossing our fingers that the people selling our now home would accept our offer and that everything would continue to go slowly. We spent Thanksgiving together eating untraditional food, but it was delicious.

December we spent couting down the days until G and I would become homeowners together! On the 10th it finally happened! From previous posts, I'm sure you can read what the rest of the month held for us! Packing and moving and getting a tree and decorating and Christmas.

Here we are at the end of the year and I'm not the least bit disappointed with the year I've had. I'm actually extremely satisfied. I'm in love. I'm a homeowner. I have family. I like my job. And next week, a week from today actually, B&S and their little girl A (from Charleston) will be coming to visit us for a week. G and I are so excited. They are such wonderful people and we can't wait to get to spend time with them.

So to whoever reads, or doesn't read this, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ASL

I'm am fascinated by sign language.

My dream job would be a Labor and Delivery Nurse that was "fluent" in sign language. I don't think it's so weird, but most do. What's wrong with wanting to be albe to coach the deaf or hard of hearing. They have babies too.

My interest in sign language started when I worked at the Gap, with a guy named Victor, who happened to be deaf. He was part of the stock team, but he throughly enjoyed teaching me and others sign language. I actually learned a lot in the time I worked with him.

I've become even more fascinated with it, due to the fact that an infant can learn sign language well before they can even mumble a word! I really can't wait to have the opportunity to teach my child sign language. Can you even imagine what it's like for an infant to be able to communicate what they want without talking?!

So, I found this intersting site today (it was actually mentioned on Lifehacker). It's called lifeprint and it teaches basic sign language.

Check it out!

Breckenridge.

Where we'll be snowboarding on New Years day!
(Refresh the page and it will refresh the web cam picture!)




The holiday season has come and gone...

and I am stuffed and tired!

You would think that having four days off, including the weekend, there would be some sleeping in involved, but no.

Wednesday after work, the bf and I went over to our friend's K&J's house for Christmas Eve dinner. J's mom, step-dad, and sister were in town, and J's mom made an amazing dinner. We stayed late, drank wine, and played Rock Band.

Thursday morning we got up early to head back to ver to K&J's house. That day, J's dad and step-mom were in town, and we had an early, amazing, Christmas day breakfast. We opened presents and stayed from about 8am to 12:30 or so, and then headed home (about a minute away) to shower. Later that day we headed back over to K&J's house to make Christmas dinner!

Speaking of gifts, due to the purchase of our home this month, of course, funds were tight. We agreed that we wouldn't be exchanging gifts, but of course, K&J ended up getting us something. We had three presents under the tree. The first was a set of candles from Yankee Candle Co; one of my favorite stores!

Work.

Sent e-mail read:

So and so,

Do you know anything about this?

So and so's response:

"That ish aint my areia of expertisition."

Merry Christmas Eve Beer Wednesday

And yes, I'm representing Mac on my work PC. It's more than a want to, it's a have to!

It's Christmas Eve!

Today the NYSE closes early at 1pm EST/11am MST. You would think that we would get to leave when the stock exchanged closed, but nah. We get to leave a 2pm MST, which is fine with me. Early is early, right?

After work, we're headed over to our friend K&J's house. J's family is in town and tonight will be spent with his mom and step-dad. J's mom is an amazing cook and I'm looking forward to an amazing dinner! Plus, I've been watching what I've been eating lately, so I won't feel too guilty indulging in her cooking!

On an unrelated note, is it weird that I am annoyed when I read about oil prices and it's always called "light, sweet crude"? It's so annoying and I don't know why! Oil is not sweet. It's a pain in my ass.

Did you know that mistletoe is a parasite?

Suspended sprigs of mistletoe have kindled and rekindled many a holiday romance over the years, but the parasitic plant can be the kiss of death for trees.

Most mistletoe species make their own nutrients via photosynthesis, but grow on trees where they suck out water and minerals essential to their hosts' long-term survival. And once infected, a tree is stuck with mistletoe until death. The plant itself is spread by birds, which eat the seeds and poop them out on other tree limbs.




Santa Craws



While you're at it, you might want to check out Engrish.com too. I can recommend this site, I'm Asian, I get it.

My pet peeves as a SSR.

1.) Interrupting me while I'm answering the phone. What you have to say is NOT so damn important that you need to be rude.
2.) Talking over me or interrupting me. If you don't take the time to shut-the-hell-up, I can't help you, or won't try very hard.
3.) "Oh," is a letter. Zero is a number. Get it right, there is a difference.
4.) AR-TI-CU-LATE. I'll take a chance and bet a million dollars that your mouth is neither filled with marbles or marshmallows, stop mumbling you babbling idiot.
5.) Leaving off plurals. I know you may have grown up in the south, but $5.42 is said "five dollars and forty two cents," and not, "five dollar forty two cent." I bet you also thought 40 was spelled f-o-u-r-t-y.
6.) Thinking that I remember you. Just because I took your call last week and you had some all-life-ending problem, doesn't mean I remember you or want to remember you. I take 50 calls a day. Multiply that by the five days that have passed since I talked to you. Do you think I remember you and your problem 250 calls later? I. DON'T. THINK. SO!
7.) Blaming me for: the U.S. Postal Service losing your mail en route to us, you sending your paperwork to the wrong address, your redemption being delayed because you forgot to sign the signature authorization page and send it in, because anything is delayed because you did something wrong and didn't return my phone call to you to correct it, your automatic investment plan being closed down because you didn't have enough money in your checking account, the fact that you need a Medallion Signature Guarantee on your paperwork (I don't make the rules!), pretty much blaming me for anything stupid you may have done and don't want to accept responsibility for.
8.) Calling and placing me on hold. It is not my job to sit around and wait for you to 1.) talk to your dog, 2.) answer your cell phone, 3.) take another call at work, 4.) yell at your children etc.
9.) Investing your money in something you can lose principle on and you don't even know what you're invested in. Seriously, just give me your money. You're clearly better off giving it to me or throwing it away. You'd make more money playing the lottery at the rate you're going. "What do you mean my account is not F.D.I.C. insured?" **rolls eyes**
10.) Talking... talking... talking... and continuing to tell me your loooong, drawn out story about how you can't figure out how to sign up for online account access etc. First off, I already know what you're doing wrong. And two, if you read and followed the instructions and looked at the picture (yes, a picture) you wouldn't have to call me.

It's official.

I will be the last to be married out of all of my friends. No joke. No exaggeration.

Seriously, two of my friends got engaged yesterday in San Francisco.

Although, one has been with her boyfriend for maybe a year now, the other friend has been with her man since we were in high school!!! (It was definitely her day!)

I know my boyfriend wouldn't have bought a house with me unless he intended in spending many years with me, but that still doesn't mean he wants to marry me.

Maybe he wants to forever be "girlfriend and boyfriend."

Sometimes I just don't think men understand how important the commitment of marriage is to women. And it's not just "being engaged" to be engaged, or "being married" to be married. It's so much more than that.

But I won't elaborate, I'll just end my sob story now.

Lazy blogger...

I've been lazy about blogging lately.

Reason being, I'm damn tired.

Getting up everyday at 5am, to leave the house by 5:45am, to catch the bus at 6:02am, that drops off at 6:42am, that gives me 18 minutes to get by 15 blocks, two and a half of them walking, and get to the cube farm by 7am is exhausting.

Then reverse that in the afternoon, although it requires me running two blocks in heels on icy sidewalks to get to the bus by 3:45, which doesn't get me home until 4:30-40.

To top it all off, not only have we taken on yet another new mutual fund, but we're still short a person on our call team, which makes things very hectic and very tiring. I know, you wouldn't think that sitting in a cube farm all day taking phone calls would be tiring, but it is. It is not in the sense of physically tiring, but rather, emotionally tiring. Being on the customer service end, you get yelled at whether or not anything is your fault. Even if you're not the person they spoke to earlier, you are now at the shit end of the stick and it is your fault. It's quite lovely if you ask me.

At least this Friday (12/19) through Friday 1/2/09! we get to wear jeans! That makes me incredibly happy AND comfortable. Not to mention, if it snows some more, it will make it that much more bearable to walk around in the snow/slush/ice! I opt for my Uggs, don't judge, they're comfortable and warm!

I've also been very addicted to watching the Shiba Inu "Puppy Cam." If you haven't watched it, you might be a little late. Basically a couple in San Francisco who have to Shiba Inu dogs and their female had puppies. To keep an eye on them throughout the day, they set up a streaming, live feed of the puppies. It's been many weeks now and this past weekend, three of the six actually went to their new homes. It's always fun to watch puppies play, so it can be a great break throughout a monotonous day!

Okay - it's taken me forever to get this far. It's ridiculous, but I promise I will try to be more active in my blogging and not post videos and news articles as a replacement!

Happy Holidays!

Might as well be Colorado. Lol.








Video time, I couldn't help it.

Bobo the Bulldog vs. a Cheeto!

Blergh.

We're almost completely moved in.

There are a couple of things we left at the apartment that we need to grab, one being my fish!

Here's the living room so far:


Moving... Gah!

On Wednesday we closed on our first home! It is so exciting and a very hard concept to accept... or believe. We own our own home. We don't rent from anyone anymore!

Today is the day...

we become homeowners.

1pm won't come fast enough...

and moving won't come slow enough. I keep telling myself that this is the last time, for a long time.

What we got...

So Saturday we went and bought our living room furniture.

We still need to get stuff for our bedroom and stuff for MFG's sister's room. We also need to get a washer and dryer. Those are really important and we kind of forgot about them this weekend. Whoops.

I think I'm going to get MK a day bed for her room. The room is on the smaller side and if I eliminate the idea of getting a trundel to go underneath, she'll have some storage space, and by going with the daybed, we will have room for a dresser, night stand etc. Although I'd like to get a nice daybed, I'm a little weary of her dog chewing on it (he's managed to chew on one of our dining room chairs, our papasan chair, and her very expensive, super cute purse), so I think I might opt for a nice metal frame that he can't chew. We'll see.

For now, since this has taken me hours to get this far, which is so little, I'll leave you with some pictures of what we got! We also got an end table, but I couldn't find a picture of it. And yes, the couches are brown and the rest of the stuff if black. The bf picked out the couch and insisted it will be okay. Yeah, we'll see!


Packing.

I am starting to pack up our apartment.

This will be move number three in under a year, technically.

Last year at this time, well December 15th, we were moving into our third apartment in the same apartment complex we'd been in for close to four years. Last year, we were lame-o's and didn't get a Christmas tree. How lame is that? Actually, it was more sad than lame, but now I can't wait for this year!

Move number two was here to Colorado, May 29th - June 1st.

Now, here we are, the beginning of December and we're closing on our house on Wednesday! So, technically move number three in under a year. Ugh.

Luckily, this will be our last move for a long time.

While I'm trying to get this done, I'm watching P.S. I Love You, which is probably one of my most favorite movies up there with Beaches, partly because Gerard Butler is hot! But anyway, why is it that two of the saddest movies, are two of my favorites, and most people dislike both.

Okay, enough dawdling, back to packing. Gah!

Today's random post.

Last month I was the employee (out of five of us total) took the most phone calls last month. I took 1025 calls in the month of November. C.O., who is on the other call team (and they think they're super busy because of a certain fund they have) had a little over 500. It's no wonder I feel like I'm going crazy! C.O. made the point that he was gone four days, to which I replied, so you would have had to answer 125 more calls per day you were gone to catch up to me. He didn't have anything to say. HA, in your face B Team! Well, not really, because I don't want so many calls.

Tomorrow MFG and I are going furniture shopping in the morning! So far, I've found a new kitchen table that I want. Unfortunately, while we have a formal living room, we do not have a formal dining room. Also, our table, which I love, only seats four. So here's my non-formal solution:



The best part is it's solid wood and it's $719! What a steal. We'll see if MFG goes for it.

We are having our LCD (a whole 52") mounted and having the wiring run for our new surrond sound system that MFG dropped a pretty penny on. So, we're looking for a console to go under the TV to "ground" it. Here's what I've found so far:


$399


(Just the console) $399 as well!

In our family room we have a "cubby" next to the fireplace where the TV is "supposed" to go. We don't like that set up, and it won't work with our TV. See said cubby below in green:



So this is what I was thinkign we could put there, since our TV will be on the wall to the right of that.

The one on the left is $77 on the right is $59. Not bad huh? I can't choose. Suggestions?

This is what I'd like to put above the fire place:



We are also getting a new couch, preferably a sectional and leather, but we'll see. I'm a little weary of what the dogs claws can do to that! I am opting for a red couch, to give our family room a burst of color since the rest of the room will be very neutral.

What do you think of the items I have picked out?

Our new home.



Well, it will be on December 10th. Merry Christmas to us! I can't wait!

Snow!

It's been snowing non-stop since yesterday afternoon.

I'm not sure where the accumulation measurement lies at this point, but I learned this morning that I DO NOT like driving in the snow on unplowed roads.

This morning I decided to take my boyfriend's car. He was going to be home all day, and since it was suppose to continue snowing all day and I didn't want him to be stuck at the house because he doesn't have snow tires on his car, I took his car and left him mine.

Do you see where this is going? This was a "terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad" idea.

This morning I got ready as usual, but due to the snow, I gave myself an extra five minutes to drive to the bus stop that's less than two miles away. I was driving in 1st gear and I pulled up to a stop sign in our apartment complex. (I might add that there was about four inches of accumulation and they do not salt, plow, shovel or do anything in our complex. To top it off, it's at a slight decline. ) So I slowed down to look both ways, accelerated so slowly, and instead of turning right, the car went straight and slid to the left due to the slight slope (or so I think). I let off of the gas and attempted to turn away from the approaching curb straight ahead and tapped lightly on the breaks. I didn't have any luck on my side this morning, because that car kept going and I ran my boyfriend's poor wheel into the friggen curb. I heard a bad noise and my heart started pounding, my hands got sweaty and shaky and I felt that nasty rush of adrenaline that makes you feel sick to your stomach. I was so freaked out at the fact I was going so slow and was being so careful, because that car is my boyfriend's baby (it's an '08 STi with the gold wheels), and something so shitty happened.

I reversed and continued on my way. I think I maintained about 4-5 miles per hour the whole way to the bus stop. Even still, I slid through a freakin' red light! Oh, Colorado, how I love thee, but I don't like your hills. I started to approach a red light and so I let off the gas and tried the use the breaks lightly. It looked like they had tried to plow parts of the street, but there was still a ton of accumuation, which doesn't work well with non-snow tires. But again, luck wasn't on my side this morning and I slid half way into the intersection. I guess it was a good thing that it was 5:55 in the morning and there weren't any other cars out!

I finally made it to the Park-n-Ride and parked the car in the boonies as to not let another car slide into coming into the, again unplowed, parking lot.

I got out of the car thinking "please let it have sounded worse than it is, please." Unfortunately, it was bad and I just felt the worst sinking feeling in your stomach. I didn't want to call my boyfriend, one because it was 6am, two because I didn't want him to yell at me and ruin his day, and three, because I didn't want to cry before I went to work. Yes, I'm a cryer when I'm mad/frustraded or sad. Despite my reasoning, I called him to tell him. I would have made myself throw up telling him when I got home this afternoon. Of course he was upset. I have effed up his car! I told him that I will take care of it and I will get a new wheel for him.

I called the Subaru dealership in Boulder and placed an order for one. $889 my friends is the price you pay for a gold, stock wheel. Rediculous, but I ordered it anyway! I texted MFG to let him know that it was taken care of. He called me back to let me know that he doesn't want me to spend that much on one wheel and that instead, I can buy him a "Spring set" of wheels and the gold ones will become his "Winter" wheels. His justification is that a whole set (non stock), with tires, costs about $1,200.

I don't think he knows how horrible I feel. I followed his instructions. Went really slowly. Didn't slam on my breaks. Turned really slowly. And I gave myself more than ample time to get to where I was going.

Long story short, I love the snow, but I already HATE driving in it! And I feel horrible, so horrible that it gave me an upset stomache this morning. Ugh.

Weather cam pictures:

Happy Hump Day

G (my boyfriend) and I got into it last night because I stopped taking my Lexapro. I was taking it for general anxiety and to help stabalize my mood/chemicals. I thought I had "learned" how to cope and react correctly to certain situations... WRONG. And so the last few weeks I have been flying off the handle with the mouth of a trucker. So, despite falling asleep with ice on my eyes, and then rolling over onto my stomach and keeping my head facing straight, I woke up looking like someone had sprayed me in the face with a fire extinguisher (if you're cool, you've watched CKY, and have seen what Raab Himself looked like after he was sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher while camping).

Luckily, but unluckily, I get up at 5am every morning to be on the bus by 6am. When I got in the shower I didn't think there was any hope! They were a little better by the time I got out, and before I got ready I decided to place a frozen bag of brussel spouts on my face, because we didn't have peas.

They're okay now, but I still look super tired. Agh, I hate having puffy, "I've been crying eyes!"

The bus ride was alright. I sat next to a guy who was sleeping, but didn't realize that he was going to flare his freaking elbows out towards my seat. Grr. I hate riding the bus. While it's a nice bus, my anxiety gets me flustered and makes me so nauseous. It's rediculous, I know. I need to go to the doctor and get a new prescription for my Lexapro.

I thought it was going to be freezing this morning (around 20 degrees), but instead it was 30, which I'm oddly getting used to. My mom got me a fantastic Tahari pea coat (I love everything Tahari), that's been keeping me warm on the few chilly mornings/days we've had. Tonight it's "supposed" to get down to around 18 degrees, and if it does, it will be the coldest temperature I've ever experienced. From what I'm told though, there will be much colder nights, as in single digit temperatures. Oh. Joy.

Speaking of cold weather, the dry air and wind here is wreaking havok on my poor skin. The skin on my face is in freak-out mode and the rest of my skin is looking alligatorish. I think the face skin problem is realted to me abandoning the only thing that's ever worked wonders on my face. It's made by Desert Essence and the product is Throughly Clean Face Wash. It's such a simple face wash and it's the only thing that keeps my skin clear. It's Tea tree oil based with glycerine soap (and while I hated the smell at first, over five years ago, I love the scent now!) The bottle is average size, but because it's glycerine, it lathers really well and you only need a single pump to wash your face. I personally use it everywhere, pits and all, since Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic! Even better, it's only $4.99 at Whole Foods, although, when I lived in California I bought it at Trader Joe's (where I discovered this gem!)

Here's their description:

Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash and all Desert Essence formulas are animal and eco-friendly. The formulas are pH balanced and are gentle on your skin. They contain essential oils as well as pure plant and botanical extracts with natural fragrances to provide you with consistent performance.

Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash is a gentle cleansing solution that leaves your skin feeling clean and silky. This unique face wash contains natural Organic Tea Tree Oil, an inherent antiseptic. Also included are extracts of Goldenseal, Hawaiian White Ginger (Awapuhi), and essential oil of Chamomile. Mineral-rich Bladderwrack, harvested from the sea, nourishes the skin to leave it looking vibrantly healthy. Thoroughly Clean Face Wash ever so gently helps improve the texture, clarity, and radiance of your skin.

The other product that's getting me through winter thus far was a gift from MFG's sister, who's currently residing with us. It's from The Body Shop and it's the Moringa Body Butter. I'm sure any of their body butters work amazingly, but I am partial to floral (not including rose) scents.

Well the computer at work is taking a No. 2, so I will try and save and continue at a later time!

So here we go again, try numero dos.

Here's The Body Shop, Body Butter:

Best if you want to: Soften and condition your skin with a rich floral-scented moisturizing cream that lasts up to 24 hours.

Best for: normal to dry skin

How it works:
  • Moringa seed oil with natural oleic acid moisturizes and protects skin.
  • Community Trade shea butter moisturizes and softens skin.
  • Community Trade cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer that melts at body temperature.



Numero Uno

So here I am... Ms. Anonymous blogger, for now, and I'm going to try and keep it that way.

Let's just say, blogging about who you work for and about a person that screwed up royally, doesn't go over well with H.R. or with management or the person that you were talking about. I mean, how could I not rant over a girl that I worked with that happened to be a single, 23 year old, with a two year-old and a four year-old, that did a fraudulent cash advance for over the non-customer cash advance limit and didn't even get written up, but was defended because she popped a kid out of her cooch at the age of 18? To top it off, the bitch got a raise! The other girls that I worked with and I busted our asses more than she ever did and she was the one that got the raise. Yes, I'm going to blog about it. To top it off, my blog was private and open to "friends only." None of those friends were people I worked with. So, how did HR and management find out about this? Is your company allowed to "steal" your passwords and use them to read something that is "private." I wouldn't think so, but I was in South Carolina, so I hope that explains a lot.

Anyways - so here's my new blog with a domain name that is a nickname my boyfriend of over four years calls me. Mush, mushmush, and musheroo. He may have chosen that because I fight the bulge and I am a chubber... or more "thick." It sucks because he's tall (6'6") and has an athletic physique AND loses weight if he doesn't eat large amounts of food. It's not fair I tell ya.

This is a place where people I know and have stories about will have nicknames, but remain faceless (no pictures)... where I can post what I find interesting... pictures of projects that I complete (since I will be a homeowner shortly). While I will try and remain anonymous to the public, I'm not positive that mean I wont share this blog with friends. There just won't be anything IE) names or pictures of me or my friends that would indicate to the public who I am.

This is quite a lame first post, but I had to start somewhere.

Hopefully I won't be judged on my misspellings, bad grammar, and run on sentences! They happen and they will happen a lot.

We made it!

So we've been in Colorado since last Saturday night, 5/31.


Our drive was exhausting... we drove through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, and finally into Colorado.

Since then, we've been busy, busy, busy.

I have so much to update, but so little time... really!

I LOVE my new job and where I work.

I LOVE the state of Colorado and the city of Denver and where we live.

This place is phenomenal and oddly, in the very few days I've been here, I can say with great confidence that I don't think I'll ever want to leave.

Well, I have a lot of studying to do... mutual funds are SO MUCH FUN!!! (Sense sarcasm?)

I will update this weekend when I actually have time to go into detail and post pictures!!!

A much needed update!

So we have been back from our trip to Kauai, HI for quite some time now.


I know there isn't any such thing as perfect, but when things come close... Kauai was as close to perfect as you can get. Things were perfect until we were delayed in Washington D.C. Oh well. We got home safely. What more can you ask for?

While we were on vacation I received a job offer from ALPS Inc. I accepted the job and will be working in downtown Denver as a Shareholder Services Representative. I am required to get my series 6 and series 7 license, which they will pay for. I will eligible for a review at the end of their fiscal year (September 30th) and my bonus will be prorated to my hire date.

The Monday I got back from vacation, the bank asked me to take a hike.

I was SO angry, upset, hurt, surprised. I stormed out of there on bad terms, but apologized the next day.

Dad has helped me out emotionally and financially more than he knows. I was so embarrassed to ask for help. I mean, I'm an adult. I'm 26. I shouldn't need anyone to bail be out. It most definitely a lesson learned.

Our moving date is approaching quicker than expected. I can't believe we'll be leaving South Carolina in 17 days. I was telling G the other day just how surreal this all still seems to me. I've become so used to living in South Carolina. Although I know Colorado has so much to offer us, being in a new place, not knowing anyone or having any friends is scary.

It's interesting to look back to the time when G and I moved to SC and how different I am from the girl that picked up and left California. I was young. I was immature. I was nervous, scared, and anxious. I was shy.

I feel like I've grown so much in the past three and a half years. I'm SO much more outspoken now. I feel more like a leader than a follower. While I still care about what others have to say and value their opinions, I care so much less about what others think about me. I'm okay with who I am. Now I'm just rambling.

I'm becoming very sad. There are two people G and I have befriended here in Charleston. Brian and Sarah P. They are amazing, loving, caring, wonderful people. I am going to miss them, Brian's daughter Lauren (11), and their baby Amelia (6 months) so much. They're such a wonderful family!!!

I know I've had so much more running through my mind that I wanted to update everyone on... but for now, I'm stumped. I'll get back to this later.

Grr...

We are stuck in Washington DC.


Our flight that would have allowed us only a 45 minute layover in DC was cancelled, so they stuck us on a flight that doesn't leave DC until 9ish tonight!

I'm sorry, but that is simply unacceptable.

Clay had to work today - so the dogs are locked inside their crates until whatever time we get home this evening.

We're on standby for a 12:25 flight, that is now departing at 2 something.

Gah! Could our travel day get any crappier?!

What a horrible way to end the most awesome vacation ever. I guess if things seem too good to be true, maybe they are. Everything couldn't have been perfect about our vacation... and this was it!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that we've been traveling since 6:45 east coast time... so 16 hours now.... and counting.

Hawaii

Once again, unrelated to our move, but related in a way... (since this will be a nice hiatus prior to the BIG move), G and I will be on our adventure in Flight World tomorrow on our way to Kauai, Hawaii.

I am beyond stoked.

On Sunday my dad has booked a helicopter tour of the island for us, my brother, and his girlfriend, K.... so that we can decide where we'd like to go on the island.

All I know for sure is that I want to do some beaching, kayaking, sunbathing, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, sunset and sunrise watching, exploring, shopping, and maybe (if anyone else is up for it or I will do it by myself!) zip lining.

http://www.trykauai.com/Kauai_Ziplines.htm

If you scroll down on that link I want to do the:

ZIP LINE TREE TOP TOUR A true ‘treetop’ zip tour! Enjoy 6 zip line runs, a 70 foot high swinging suspension bridge, a 60 foot high rope bridge crossing, and 7 aerial platform transfers as you soar through the canopy of Kauai’s silent giants. Glide 60 – 80 feet above the ground in 200 foot tall Norfolk Pine trees. Explore and experience the ride of a lifetime. Once you are up in the trees you stay in the trees! Fly through the forest over pine, mango, eucalyptus, bamboo, and native plant and bird life. Mountain views are outstanding! Ecology narratives included. This thrilling and impressive tree top tour is sure to be etched in your memory forever.
Approximately 3 hours. Ages 9 & up. 70 – 275 lbs. $119.79 per person. (Tax Included) Monday – Saturday: 8:00 am, 8:15 am, 8:45 am, 12:30 pm & 1:00 pm. Sunday: 8:15 am

or

CLIMB, ZIP, ECO-CHALLENGE Kauai’s most unique and thrilling Eco-challenge tour for the true adrenaline junkies. Soar on Pueo’s path: 2 amazing zip line runs, Scale a 60 foot rock climbing wall, venture through the treetops on the Burma Bridge, Log Crossing & Jungle Vines Traverse and end your adventure with the ‘Leap of Faith’ off a towering platform. All this while enjoying the beauty and magic of the forest and mountain scenery around you. If you love heart-pounding adventure this tour is for you.
Approximately 3 hours. Ages 9 & up. 70 – 275 lbs. $119.79 per person. (Tax Included) Monday – Saturday: 8:00 am, 8:15 am, 8:45 am, 12:30 pm & 1:00 pm. Sunday: 8:15 am

I'm really torn between the two. There's also one where to kayak 60-90 mins, hike about two miles, BBQ and have lunch, swim and jump off lava formations, and the zip line down a couple zip lines. That's on the pricey side of $175 per person plus some crazy ass 4% tax.

I guess we'll see what we can afford.

Either way, this will be an amazing trip. Not only do I get to go to a beautiful, tropical island, but I get to spend the week with my family (G included).

I'm SO excited.

Lastly - I'm hoping we have some sort of Internet at the condo. G and I will both be bringing our MacBooks... so hopefully I will be able to update. :) If not there, it will all be blogged about later after we get back!

Interview and unrelated...

Had my semi-informal interview with Intrawest.

I think it went great. Of course, the only problem I'm running into is they want me their earlier than we were planning to move.

I could move into G's friends Lu and K-Dodd's house, but I would feel uncomfortable since I don't know them and because I don't feel like having Greg move everything on his own. I would prefer that we make this move together, since our last one to move here, was made separately...

On an unrelated note, today I got to meet:... none other than Bill (or should I say William) Murray. I knew it was him as soon as he walked in. T and I were the only ones in the bank. I kept my cool as he kept his glasses on. I shook his hand and thanked him for coming in. Then I went in for the kill, "would you take a picture with us?" So lame, but I couldn't resist.

Intrawest!

Tomorrow at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, I have a phone interview with Intrawest.


The position I'm interviewing for is Junior Credit Card Administrator.

I was so excited when I received the phone call from HR.

I would LOVE to work for a company like Intrawest. Check out their website!

While I don't have experience in the relevant field, I have no doubt that I could be trained to do the job effectively, efficiently, and correctly in no time.

I really, really hope I nail this interview tomorrow and get the job!

Resignation...

So a co-worker in Myrtle Beach who we will call A, decided to read my MySpace and tell her manager, C, that I was leaving, and called our West Ashley branch to tell them as well. The West Ashley girl, L, told AB and their boss D, and then D called DR, who is our branch manager right now.

So the other day, I had AB, D, DR, and C asking me if I was leaving the bank.

Well, cat's out of the bag now.

It's unfortunate people found out the way they did, but it happened. So, now my employer has a two-month notice of my resignation.

Man, I can't wait for Hawaii.

Job interview...

So I had a job interview today with Bank of the West for their ACSM (Assistant Customer Service Manager) position.

I interviewed (on speakerphone) with the Branch Manager and Customer Service Manager of the branch I'd be working at.

Although my interview went exceptionally well, and the Branch Manager praised me for my questions I asked her, I think my job search will be continued.

They've had this position open for over a month now and they're looking to fill it by May.

Although I said that it was an option (and very possible) for G and I to move out there a month earlier than planned, or for me to live with a friend in Denver in the time being, she still sounded hesitant to put me in that situation.

I think she's going to move my resume to the top of the stack for future positions that open up around the time we are moving.

I completely understand why they don't want to hire out two months in advance for a position, and why I'm not getting a lot of call backs from the companies I've been applying to. In banking, when they need someone, they need them now. Not in a week, or two weeks, and most certainly not in two months. Banks hire for all of the positions needed and only put out want adds when they're short a person.

On another note - someone that works for First Palmetto is an effing blabber mouth and I want to smack her upside her noggin. While I'm not hiding the fact that I'm moving, I'd like to keep a low profile until the correct time arises.

A - in our West trAshley branch called today to ask me if I was moving. I was honest and told her that yes, I was in June. I asked her how she knew, and she told me that the branch manager asked her. That only means that one of the shady girls behind the teller line decided to take it upon themselves to blab for some reason or another. I'm sorry if you think you're going to accomplish something by throwing me "under the bus," but unfortunately you're not.

F.Y.I. - You're the one that should've been fired for doing a cash advance for over the cash advance limit for a non-customer and losing $6,000 for the bank. Moron.

My list....


Here's my list of stuff! Well, not a list yet, but I'll add to it.. For now, my hiking/fishing/mountain biking gadget.. :)


1. Garmin - GPSMap 60Cx High Sensitivity Mapping GPS



Anxious..

Ever since I found out that I got the job I wanted, and that we were offically moving, the days are dragging by. I can't say I was super happy at work in the first place, due to a myriad of reasons, but this has increased it tenfold. The days drag by. They nights even more so. I'm ready to move. I'm ready to get settled in a new place, and make some new friends. There are a handful of people here that I'll miss, but they're also people I know I'll see again. That's the great thing about friends like that. You don't ever really worry about saying good bye, because the phone calls and emails don't stop. I will miss guitar nights with Brian, and fishing with Gary. No question about that. I'm really hoping that Brian can make a trip out and see Colorado.


I'm also hoping that everything works out as advertised. As it stands, I'm supposed to start June 14th or so. We have it planned to move June 1st, drive, and get settled by June 4th/5th. That would give me 10 days to explore, unpack, grocery shop, get my uniforms, and figure the area out.

There is a small chance K may get a job that starts earlier than my date. We had agreed that we would move early, if it meant she got the job she wanted. I can handle a month off. I'm sure I could get Denver Health to let me do some admin stuff around the office until my orientation starts. Hopefully she gets the job she wants, because I know it'll make her even more excited about moving.

Currently I have a list of things I need/want to buy for the mountain life. I'll be the first to tell you that they're damn expensive. Between GPS for hiking, winter clothes, skis and some other stuff, it's going to add it. I really believe it will be worth it in the end. The idea of having a day off, taking the dogs, hiking up the mountains not 30 minutes from the house to a lake I can fish in, and the dogs can swim, just sounds incredible.

More than anything though, I can't wait for the first fall snow.. :)

Broomfield, CO

[Click on Broomfield, CO to see where we're moving to]

Here are some visual aids of where we'll be moving to!!! Enjoy. (Click the picture to view full size and click the links to see more!)

Our apartment complex,
Summit at Flatirons, the cool gym down the street (Lakeshore Athletic Club), and the GIANT MALL (Flatiron Crossing) down the street, literally.

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Our apartment complex. The Summit at Flatirons

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Lakeshore Athletic Club. It's 150,000 sq. ft.! Club One on Santana Row is only 30,000!

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Oh the nerves!!!

So unfortunately I'm already nervous about the move.

It's weird.

South Carolina was a place I used to hate. I was so bored when we'd go to Columbia for vacation... and I absolutely hated it here for a good 6-8 months when we first moved here. I thought California was the greatest place on earth! Ignorance is bliss, right? Hahaha.

Now, it's different. I've come to accept Mount Pleasant as home... and it's been wonderful living near G's relatives, as well as my own. I absolutely love living, literally, five minutes from the beach... and all of our poolside BBQs with friends (even the ones that get so drunk they dive into the shallow end and split their head open!)... and nights out at Red's. I've learned to love lightning and thunder storms... and the humidity really isn't that bad either.

The only things that still drive me crazy are the gnats and mosquitos, "palmetto bugs" aka the glorified roach, horrible drivers, and ignorant people. I have this feeling that I will encounter bad drivers and ignorant people regardless of where I live, but I don't they can ever be nearly as bad as they are here. The bugs, well, I don't think they're worse anywhere else except in a darn jungle!!!

I'm still applying for jobs daily with no responses yet. It makes me kind of sad because I have a lot of experience and even more potential to fulfill. I'll just keep my fingers crossed. We do have two months or so before we move...

Financially this is going to be a struggle for us... and I know Gs worried that I don't have enough money saved to move (and I don't) and he's worried about me not having a job yet. I guess he doesn't realize that I've never burdened him financially, have never needed to ask him for help or support, nor will I do that once we move. I will continue to support myself until I have found myself a job.

On an unrelated note - my dad says that he has friends in Broomfield! What are the chances? Aparrently this is one of my dad's old bosses and his wife. So now dad has someone there to kind of look after me. ;) (And maybe he'll want to come and visit some!!!)

I'm extremely excited that our move will put us closer to everyone on the west coast. We're going to be centrally located now to the east, as well as west, coast! Sabrina said that now that we're so much closer she wants to come and visit... E, G's friend wants to come and visit. I'm hope that mom and Mike want to come and visit as well.

I'm excited for everything, but none-the-less, very nervous.

I can't wait. The next two months are going to seem excruciatingly long!

It's official, we're moving!!!

So, G got the job!


He already got an offer and already signed it! (To top it off, the pay cut he was worried about is essentially non-existent. $1,000 doesn't count for much with what he gets paid!)

My baby rocks!

We are thinking we will be moving sometime around the first week of June because G should be starting work around the third week of June.

One week to move. One week to get settled.

I'm stoked! :)

Refreshing...

A friend posted a blog today, that mentioned myself and G. It was refreshing to read... and it gave me a perspective on my life that I don't usually recognize. Sometimes you just need someone else to point out the obvious.

She mentions wishing she could do what I'm doing... and to think, months back when she joined the Navy, I was wishing I had the courage to do something like she was; To abandon all and become one with everyone else in the Navy, yet discover yourself in new way.

(Her writing quality and abilities surpass mine... and make my blogging appear drab. Just a warning! Lol.)

Now on to the second friend. K, who is an old friend from Charleston, may very well seem like she has most everything she could want in life. She and her boyfriend have been together for some (3ish??) years now and currently live in a stylish apartment in a great area of South Carolina. They both have steady employment, although she has confessed that her current job may not be the most satisfying. She also has the love and affection of two adorable pups. K has: the energy and strength to run marathons, gorgeous exotic features, and a photography hobby that is better than some professionals. Yet today I found out that she and her boyfriend are planning a move to Colorado. Nearer her homestate of Cali, yet miles from her current location. She’s been job and apartment searching and her boyfriend is currently interviewing for a promising job. I think to myslef that I would love to do what she is doing. Start fresh. A new city, a new job, new climate, etc. Yes, there may infact be some of those things in the works for me now, yet my excitement for Connecticut is barely above a heartbeat. If only my man worked in a nice, warm, more inviting area. That would make the idea of these new things a little less daunting.

Thanks Lacey. :)

A few thoughts...

I'm sitting here at work, which thankfully, has been slow thus far. I'm getting off at 5am tomorrow to start my trip to Denver, which will hopefully end up in a job. I have to say, I'm a bit nervous. I haven't wanted a job this badly in a while. I think Denver will be a good thing for K and I both.


I'm a little nervous because I have to do an oral medical interview with the two medical directors, as well as run a "MegaCode" cardiac arrest scenario. Now, I know how to run a cardiac arrest. The problem is, my standing orders here in Charleston County vary wildly form the national standard of Advanced Cardiac Life Support, which most EMS providers go by. I've gone through and studied my ACLS protocols again, and I'll just have to remember that I'm not in Charleston anymore. I'm sure it'll turn out fine.

The apartments K likes are sounding more and more like they're in a good spot for us initially. They're about 20 minutes from downtown Denver, 20 minutes from Boulder and are seated in a new area right on the front range of the Rockies. They're near a new mall, food, movies, and they're in a growing community. I think that sounds better than living downtown. I'd rather be closer to the outdoors/mountains than the city. I think I'd utilize the ease of access on a daily basis.

My main concern with moving is K finding a job. She's sent out a bunch of applications/resumes, but hasn't really heard anything back from anyone. It would be really hard on us to move out there, and only have one income. The cost of moving is going to be rough too, but worth it in the long run.

I guess these are things we'll find out soon enough. I have to GET the job first. :)

G.

A job for K...

Nothing has come up yet for a job for me.

Boo.

I'm applying... sending out my resume with a nice cover letter... aaaaand nothing.

Non-related to the job issue at hand - the apartment that I want to rent at The Summit at Flat Irons is the exact same price as what we're paying now, but I think they're nicer, and just a tad bit more square footage, with the washer and dryer included, with a parking garage, and with an actualy storage space outside (unlike what we have now). :)

G and I are a little skeptical about the whereabouts of these apartment locations. We're worried it could be what West trAshley or Goose Creek is to Mt. Pleasant... or the ghetto part of downtown San Jose is to Morgan Hill.

You just don't want to live there.

The first post...

So far I've shared the news of moving to Denver with Mom, Dad, and the girls at work.

Dad is happy that G and I want to move somewhere new while we still can (before kids etc.). Mom, of couse, was bummed that if we move, we will no longer be nearby when she and Mike move here in a couple of years when the boys are done with high school. The girls at work are skeptical because there've been a couple of instances where I've mentioned to them that G and I were thinking about moving to Phoenix, Seattle, or Charlotte...

This time it's different because there are job interviews, resumes, and job applications galore.

It's becoming real, faster than I had expected.

G has already had a phone interview with Denver Health and this Thursday he will fly to Colorado to have an in-person interview on Friday. (They said they weren't holding interviews until sometime in May, but since they were SO impressed over the phone with G, they're interviewing him early!!!)

Sometime before he flies home on Saturday, his friend Lisa is going to take him around so that G can scope out apartments for us... These are the places that we're looking at:


Because G just happens to be the ultimate internet guru, we don't have to pay anything to get out of our lease at our current apartment. Greg found the e-mail address to one of the people in corporate at Greystar, and this was the e-mail that came of his smart search:
March 13, 2008

GM and KK

G and K,

I wanted to write and inform you on the option of moving to another Greystar community. I was just recently notified of your intentions to move to another community that Greystar manages. I have been informed that should you choose to move to a Greystar property that the property has agreed to pay for the one month free concession that you received when moving into your new apartment here. You will need to sign all of there applicable paperwork in advance of moving. You must provide Edgewater Plantation with a 30-day written notice. There will be no fees associated with terminating your lease here at Edgewater Plantation. Accordingly there will be no other additional fees as long as your apartment is completely vacated and no damages are incurred. Please inform us in writing if you do intend to vacate your apartment.

Thank you,

Jeremy Williams
Property Manager
Edgewater Plantation

As of right now, our projected moving date will be either sometime in the first week of June, or sometime in August.

We will see!