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.

Our apartment complex. The Summit at Flatirons

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