Spring, Summer, Fall 2013

It's clearly been awhile and a lot has happened in 2013. (As usual, I can tell you right now that this little piece of writing is going to be an English professor's worst nightmare.)

First things first-- Kyle and I broke up. Dun dun dun! I handled the situation by going out and getting completely smashed every weekend, sleeping around, and eating everything in sight.

...Completely kidding. After throwing myself in to work and grinding through an insane tax season, I actually took the opportunity to assess a few different things and decided it was time to make a few changes.

One major change was getting rid of some of my "friends". For as long as I can remember, I've always had one or two close girlfriends and twenty times as many guy friends. I always liked that guys were more easygoing and liked to DO things, but I decided it was time to really learn how to be a friend to girls. It was most definitely a rough go at first and there were some really awkward... and if we're being honest, very lonely moments. I feel like I've learned a lot and I've been surprised at what I've found. I'm meeting women that are kind, brave, professional, creative, and motivated, and it has inspired me! Without all the negative emotions that usually go with it, I can and do expect more from myself.

I moved. I moved again. I moved again.

I think I mentioned at the end of last year that I was having acid reflux issues. I didn't imagine it getting as bad as it did. It would keep me up most nights and I found myself turning in to more and more of an anxious wreck. After an endoscopy, x-rays, and trying every kind of medicine they could offer without much relief, the doctors had no answers for me. My 16 pounds lighter self knew it was stress and despite the loyalty I felt to the accounting firm I was at, I knew it was time to start looking for a new job.

Within a month, I had put my two weeks notice in and had started at one of my favorite companies. (Love their business model!) I've always liked the idea of possibly working my way up the corporate ladder, but when it actually come down to it, I love the feel of a tight-knit smaller office with opportunities to learn everything and be pulled in to all different kinds of projects. I feel like I found the perfect combination. Dreams do come true-- and sometimes with flight benefits, too. Thumbs up.

OLD JOB

NEW JOB

Breakup. Moving x 3. New job. Health issues. I guess that means my stress score should be at 1,000,000. I think I'm having enough fun though that it has all been counterbalanced.

Highlights of my year:

1. So much hiking at Red Rock this year. I really like going with other people, but I think my favorite time to go is on Sunday afternoon by myself. There's just something about being in nature by myself when it's that quiet-- So good for the soul, even if it's just Red Rock.

2. Mini reunion with some new friends, too.

3. Camping trip in Carlsbad. I LOVE these people!

4. Went to Utah for my birthday. Spent some time with David, Addison, and Grace before heading up to Washington with them for the mom's graduation. It was a much needed vacation with a lot of laughs!

 

 

5. Took the classes, tested, and got my CCW.

 

6. After 4 years, I decided it was time to switch in my enV2 for a smartphone. I think I'm happy with my decision to upgrade, but I think my family really misses me calling them all the time for directions and phone numbers.

 

7. Malibu trip with Leah to visit Cody! We hiked the Mulholland Trail, checked out Santa Monica, went to Zuma Beach, went to El Matador Beach, ...I know we packed in more, but my mind is drawing a blank. Oh! A huge storm hit on our way out of town and we saw lightning strike the street light in front of us. When we stopped in Baker, half the city's power went out and they shut down the gas station. Definitely didn't forget those two things!

  

 

8. Fourth of July weekend was spent shopping, shooting, hiking part of the Narrows, swimming, BBQing, and watching both fireworks and the fire on Mt. Charleston from Jeff and Lynn's roof.

 

9. Coyote CountryFest with Kaitlan -- Rachel Farlay, Kristen Kelly, The Farm, KIP MOORE!!! and Brantley Gilbert

 

 

10. Hiking at Mt. Charleston with Kaitlan and John

 

 

11. Music on the Mountain with this favorite -- and Weston Burt, Charlie Worsham, and BRETT ELDREDGE! Woohoo!



 

12. The "Ultimate Staycation" prize I won on the radio was truly the ultimate staycation. The Vdara definitely hooked us up with our suite! I actually would have been mortified if anyone would have seen Sarah and I acting like children the first 5 minutes of being in that room. We weren't sure we wanted to leave, but it seemed a little lame to stay in, so we stayed out late and had fun exploring the Strip only to wake up early and spend a very relaxing morning at the spa. I'm way too cheap to ever pay for something like that, but it was nice. Thank you, 94.1 FM. :)

 

 

13. A quick Utah trip-- It was fun to see Grace and her big personality, and when it comes to siblings, I'm the luckiest girl alive! Besides going to Costco, the only other thing we were able to slide in was going shooting. It was my first time shooting skeet and giving both a 12 gauge and a 30.06 a whirl. Unless this Mederma can work some serious magic, I'm going to remember the experience everyday for the rest of my life.

 

14. Front row at PBR

15. Miscellaneous -- Carving pumpkins with Kaitlan, Brett, and Kirsti, game nights, a million girls nights, Nashville Unplugged, my first baby shower in 15 years, penny slots, shopping adventures, bingo, Tough Mudder training, rock climbing for the first time, UNLV basketball games, more hiking, ... I definitely stay busy, but it's sure nice to be back to a place where I can also just sit and let things be still.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXSH4Y6HAk8