Provo Present

If you're reading my blog you probably already know that I moved to Provo this week.  Tuesday to be exact.  I am completely settled in and I start my job tomorrow.  It was this job for Boostability that brought me up here- a french position full time.  I am so excited to be progressing and independent; this is something that I didn't feel since coming home from my mission.  Though I learned a lot in the past 18 months being home- the goals that I had set for my life were not happening- so I started looking for a change, and boy was the Lord waiting to help me.

fun pictures in my downtime

I saw so many tender mercies- namely a really good friend who knew someone that worked for this company and suggested I look into it.  He wasn't the only one who reached out with advice or suggestions to help me, but I am so grateful for his help and encouragement.  Even though he and others from my ward didn't want me to leave San Diego, everyone was very supportive and hopeful for my success and happiness.
It meant so much to me and it was hard to leave such amazing people- but San Diego is still my home and I will surely be there to visit when I can.
I had been looking at apartment possibilities for a while, and I contacted a few specific ones to see if they were still available.  When I found out that I got an interview I made arrangements to come up to Provo.
I was so anxious with excitement and trepidation but the interview went really well.  I felt calm and collected- even comfortable.  My interviewer was very nice and easy to talk to.  Strangely she didn't ask me to use my french- she just asked about my french background.  At the end of the interview she said she was very impressed and I would be contacted within the week if I got the job.
3 hours later I was chill'n with my sister Kristen as she did homework and I found an email waiting for me.  I couldn't believe it.  I got the job.
I GOT THE JOB!!
That afternoon I went to see the apartment that I was considering.  I didn't get to meet any of the roommates- just the girl I would be buying the contract from.  The apartment felt great- I was happy, so I said I'd take it.  We went to the office to get the paperwork started.  So in one day I had an interview, an offer, and an apartment lined up.  That's progress!  Had to celebrate with a Creamery Shake- which isn't far from my apartment.

the fun of packing

It was an incredible trip to Provo and the next two weeks at home were busy and exciting as I packed and played and prepared for a new life.  My room is now completely blank- with all my stuff in the closet.
I miss my friends already- but facebook helps me feel like I am still close.  I miss my dog.  I made friends with a cat outside my apartment.
SO! Anyways! My mom asked if I was going to do weekly emails (cuz the only other time I've been away from home was my mission and she loved reading my emails home).  I don't think everyone wants to hear about everything I do each week, cuz it will be very different from a mission- but I found this as a good reason to get back on this blog; and I will try to be diligent with posting good and interesting stuff.

made a lunch stop in St. George

I left San Diego Monday afternoon and rested in Vegas, finishing the trip on Tuesday and moving in to the apartment in the afternoon.  I moved-in in stages, so as not to overwhelm myself or make a mess.  One of my roommates, Kaitlyn, helped me carry stuff up from the car.
I was lucky that I got to meet my roomie right before she headed off for a weekend at home in Washington.  I look forward to getting to know her cuz in just a few minutes we clicked pretty well!  It was also nice to have the room to myself for the move in process.  I didn't have to worry about being in her way.

left: starting to move in
right: getting the risers under the bed-
see the big bed board?  it was impossible
to completely remove, so I slid it as much
out of the end as possible before hitting
the closet and squeezed in at the other
end to lift up the headboard side

The first trip I took to Walmart to get things I needed was not successful for bed risers- which I would definitely need to get anything under my bed.  They told me the bed risers would be there that night and available the next day.  So I went the next day and they STILL weren't there!  Grr.  The third day, finally, I got the bed risers and had a laughable experience putting them in by myself.  Even if I had someone with me, I would have made them take pictures of what I had to do instead of helping me.  I am SO talented- slipping my body into small spaces and using strength and agility and coordination were all necessary skills to get my bed up on the risers.  Challenge accepted! And now my bed is high and stuff fits underneath so nicely.  Yay!!
The past few days have been relaxing and fun.  Elise and I have started exercising together in the morning.  I am completely, comfortably moved in and we had a cleaning check on Saturday, so I was happy to use my organization and cleaning skills to make the apartment look fantastic!  It was begging to be taken care of.
I was happy to put the energy into cleaning because I had a lot of down time and I couldn't be bugging Kristen or Elise all the time since they have school.  The cleaning/linen closet is now nice and orderly.  The silverware drawer is now navigate-able. The fridge will soon be feeling like a new person.
I am getting to know my roommates and finally got to go to church to meet my ward.   It is going to be great.

snow on the mountains

It snowed for a little bit but mostly rained this weekend- not too much to handle, even being a person who hates rain.

happy in Provo!!

I have come to accept that I moved to Provo right before winter and I am prepared to embrace all that that entails.
So if you care, check back in and I'll try to keep up with this blog.