Postcard Arrival: Ishikawa, Japan

Today I got my very first postcard at my new address! This postcard traveled 5,915 miles in 10 days. I love all the different kinds of stamps I get to see from my Postcrossing! Have any of you signed up for Postcrossing yet? I'd love to hear what you think of it if you have :) 

Workweek Rewind

What a week! Week 2 of the new job and week 3 of being an Arizonian. Lets talk about work for a minute. This was our first week at our actual office, well Monday through Wednesday anyway for me. The last two days of the week were spent at another building for some required training, but we'll get to that in a minute.

First off this job is going to be great, though it will have it's challenges I think it's a great place for me to be, it's kind of the rockstar job. Basically I'll be helping to train new employees, essentially a glorified teacher. I've always wanted to be a teacher in some way so I can't wait to get going and see if that truly is what I want. Great thing here is, soooo many opportunities. In my old area we just didn't have that. My coworkers are so nice and positive. It's basically the exact opposite of my old department, which is something I desperately needed.

So this training.... well it was basically a speech/presentation class. We had to give seven impromptu speeches and one prepared speech AND they recorded us = my.worst.nightmare! Overall the class was amazing. I learned a lot. They gave us pointers on some of our strong points and some things we can work on to improve. I need to work on using the room a little more, aka, walk around more. I also need to pause rather than saying um, so, or and. Learning to not hold my hands in front of me is also something to work on. Tons of great pointers. Luckily they weren't as concerned with the content of the speech rather they focused on the mechanics you used. My prepared presentation was about cupcakes and I made some to bribe everyone and make friends... I know what's up.

Honestly though, the worst part of the whole thing wasn't getting up and rambling in front of a group of people or having homework from work, it was sitting there having to watch yourself. You see after you gave your presentations they would take you into another room and make you watch it! TORTURE! Here is a screenshot of one of my speeches on day 2.

Day 1 speeches I could barely pay attention to what I was supposed to be listening to all I could focus on was my outfit. My mirror lied to me that morning. I left the house thinking I looked nice, whoa wrong! I was rocking one major spare tire in the mid-section. Yikes. This day 2 outfit was able to hide a major portion of the midsection and I hope that the camera added like 20 lbs but I don't think that is the case. Homegirl needs to stop feeding her face some crap and get it together.

The whole moving thing was stressful and now hopefully that things have settled down I can get into a nice routine and add healthy things in there. Eventually I will get a weekly meal plan down and get some actual food up in here rather than the quick and easy things, because we all know quick and easy is no the healthy way.

The rest of my weekend has been very easy and non busy. I did have to get up early on Saturday and drive 20 minutes to the Ford dealer so I can get Edgar's strut replaced. I arrived at 7:45 am and left at was done at 10:50 am, not too bad. I had planned to spend most of my whole day there so when it was just the morning I was pleasantly surprised.

Though I did keep getting distracted by Spiderman 2 playing loudly on the TV I was able to get a book started, Wild by Cheryl Strayed. So far so good, not quite what I was expecting but not bad.

Today I did not much. I vacuumed and put a few things away. I went and returned a pair of shoes I bought at Payless because the soles were talking to me already, I've worn them like 3 times, come on people! Then off to Petsmart to pick up a few things for Oliver, he's less meowy. I think he just meows at me because he wants me to give him soft food, but once he realizes I'm not he meanders away to play with something or sleep. I also picked up a few foamy hand soaps from Bath and Body Works. I love being close to everything. I'm literally 4 mins from a Target, it's awesome! 

More of the same for the coming week at work anyway. It's like being in college again or something with all the classes and training we are doing, but we are getting paid! I'm trying to get the rooms presentable enough to take a picture to show you my diggs, just be kind and remember it's still a work in progress.

I hope you all had a great weekend, enjoy your workweek! 

Officially Official

Today was another big check off the ol' to-do list. Arizona license and plates is a big check! Ok, so my plates don't actually say AZ Life, but I gotta protect my true identity so the stalkers don't stalk. 

Arizona plates and license (I still have to get plates for the bike) was $400. So to my IL friends, next time don't complain about the tag price being $100... you'll live. Out here it's based on the vehicle value, great right? I have to have a 2013. BUT I didn't have to have it inspected so that saves me like $40. My license is good until 2051, I will be 65 then. Redic.

The Arizona MVD (motor vehicle department) wasn't nearly as scary as I had imagined (go figure) I did feel a little bit like the shrunken head guy from Beetlejuice sitting there with my little number.

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting.... the adventure began at 3:51 pm and ended at 4:29 pm, not too shabby. I like that you can see an estimated time of how long it will take for what transaction you need on their website, it helped me make a last minute venue change to a place where the line was shorter. 

Surprisingly I got to keep my old Illinois license and plates, I will add the plates to my collection. I have a small shrine set up in the garage. I like my IL license picture better (it was several lbs lighter) But I was thinking to myself, is it better to have a really fat picture and then get skinny? I hope so. I plan on getting to lightening up the load here soon enough. Just have to get my Papa Johns fix out of the way. That Papa is a tricky fella. I went to check the mail and there were coupons and that's what I ended up with for dinner... and dinner tonight lol.

Oliver is still getting used to being a stay at home alone kitty. He's been kinda meowy a lot, which I hope will subside as he gets used to my hours and stuff. He makes me feel so bad when I leave in the mornings, I mean look at that pitiful face.

He is also going through the terrible two's or something. He runs around like a mad person and has had a bit of a scratching problem, my poor IKEA couch :( but he's still just a little guy. I need to get him a new scratching pole and put some double stick tape on the couch. 

But then he can be so adorable. Just look at that precious sleepy little face! And he is a snuggle bug at night, he will nestle up in the crook of my arm and curl up and sleep for a bit.

Here's what's on the agenda coming up. Tomorrow night is a team Happy Hour, which normally isn't something I'd be up for, but I am really really trying to step outside my comfort zone and make some changes. Saturday I get to go sit at the car dealership to get a new left strut, thank goodness for a warranty! Coming down the mountain or something wasn't too good on it, but I'm thinking it's a defect because I've had the same knocking noise looked at and fixed before. I plan on charging my nook and reading a new book. I think I've decided on 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed, I want to read it before the movie comes out staring Reese Witherspoon. Other than that not a whole lot on the agenda. I plan on getting started on my AZ Bucket list and just start crossing things off the list. I'm enjoying my chill time lately though, it's been nice.

Stay warm my friends! A cold front is coming through, the high tomorrow is only 77°F

Dust Storm Warning

Today while sitting at work I received my first dust storm warning alert, I'm happy to report that I survived my first dust storm.

It actually was very uneventful. I had just got out of the car at home when a gust of wind came about. There was just the faintest hint of brown to the sky. So technically I didn't really experience it or get caught driving in it (thankfully). But none the less a dust storm. They showed it on the news from the helicopter view which is much cooler looking than the footage they showed from the ground.

A Look Around the New Office

The office I'm in is pretty sweet. It's very modern looking with modern colors and accents. The break area/lunch tables are probably my favorite thing right now. They have TVs in the break area and even have a balcony AND couches! Oh and don't forget the awesome view of the palm trees! Here's a picture for you. I'll try to creep other pictures from around the building (don't want to get caught looking like a weirdo so soon lol) 

Stay tuned for more! ;) 

Today's To-Do List

I'm officially on my own! It was with mixed feelings that I dropped mom and dad off at the airport this morning. On one had I'm super glad to have them gone (sorry mom) but now I can get into my own schedule and find my Arizona groove. I don't care who you are but two weeks is a long time to have anyone in your house! Then on the other hand, I'm sad to see them go. As annoying as they were lol, they were nice playmates for Oliver, and it was kind of nice to have a chauffeur everyday. Now I'll have to worry about finding parking at our crowded work place.

I had originally planned on going back to sleep after I dropped them off (it is my day off!) but I tried, then I was up. Maybe I'll start being one of those productive morning people? Doubt it, but ya never know. So then what to do? Well first off since I no longer need to separate the car keys and the condo keys, I decided my first task would be to combine the two. 

They whole key situation going on right now with my key chain is a little redic, I'll give ya that, but I kinda need all these keys. Prior to moving I had exactly 2 keys on my chain; my car key, a key to the back door at my parents house (which they actually changed and wasn't even current) and a few store key cards. Now I have no less than five keys present. My car key, mailbox key, pool key, door key, my work desk key AND my store discount cards. Ay yi yi! Then on top of these keys, I have several new work items to keep track of: a parking permit, a desk key (which I carry on my key-chain), a laptop locking key, and then a key to the docking station. Redic! I currently have them situated how I think they will work best, stay tuned.

Embarrassed that I literally sat there and fiddled with the key situation for the better part of an hour, then needing to make myself feel slightly accomplished, I ventured out to the local library (2.3 miles) to check it out and get a library card. (since I'll be poor now and the more free things the better!) So lets get a group read going PT. Any shorter good reads? 

It was a very easy process, show ID and proof of address then, Boom! Library card, and you had 8 artist designs to choose from. I went with a lovely mountain scene, original art by Bud Heiss. I even have a keychain option, like I need more! 

Then, I popped on over to the local post office (2.7 miles from my house) to pick up some stamps. Since I'm all settled I've reactivated my Postcrossing and I'm ready to send and receive new post cards from all over the globe. I was not terribly impressed with their stamp collection. I asked for three different kinds of stamps that they didn't have in stock. Even small town post office had better selections. So I went with the American flag and fireworks forever stamp and will order the rest online, which I'm fine with, one less reason to leave the house! 

Then like a lazy bum I stopped at McDonalds for some lunch. I went out on a limb and tried the new bacon habanero ranch quarter pounder. I know habanero means hot by holy s@#! was that hot. I won't make that mistake again! My mouth was on fiya!

Then I was left with the whole rest of the afternoon. I accomplished much (not really) I've been on the computer for basically the whole day. I cleaned up my gmail inboxes, got 2 postcards done heading out to China and Russia. I checked the mail, already getting some things trickling in (mostly junk/ads) I have a small list going of things I need to pick up at the store etc etc. Basically if I never had to leave the house I'd be good lol

Oliver is rather enjoying himself too I think. This is his favorite perch (though he has many) he likes to sit here and take in all the outdoors has to offer and in a sunspot no less. Every once in awhile he'll stand up and get real close to the window, usually that means there is a dog walking by and he wants to know what's up.

Tomorrow I think I shall sleep in. I'm hoping friends in Illinois remember that I am 2 hours behind them so when it's 9am there it's 7am here, which equals Heather sleepy time ;) My body is still on IL time I think, because right now it's 9:30pm and it feels every bit of the IL 11:30pm. I am one tired pup! 

Greetings from Arizona- Week 2

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I know you are all dying to know what's going on in my crazy adventurous life... we'll go with that anyway.

Monday was my first day in my new job, and as we are almost to Friday, here's my thoughts so far. I feel like I am in a whole other world/alternate universe/twilight zone kinda place. This new work environment is the polar opposite of where I came from with my last job. My new job will be training new associates as they start their job with the company. For most people this will be their first experience working for the company so my department (which is a new start up as well) will basically be the face of the company. We will mold their minds and give them the tools they need to be the best they can in their new roles and it's going to be AWESOME! When we don't have a training class we can pick our own hours basically, coming in as early as 6am?! Well I won't be up that early but it's awesome to have the opportunity. Right now we are just in training ourselves, lots of new things to learn, looks like that is the plan until June, so we've got a ways to go. I love it so far, not to say there won't be struggles and complaints later but right now it's great! 

Mom and dad leave Saturday morning to head back to IL, then I'll officially have the whole place to myself! Ice cream for dinner and I can run around in my underwear if I want (says OL) I like to not run around in my underwear, but again the option is there. Oh which reminds me of something else. Since this is a new department, and we are training, the dress code expectations while not different, but it's encourage to be a little more presentable than jeans and a tshirt (since we are training new people, and being a new department all eyes are on us) So I'm going to need to up the game in the closet department. I've done well so far this week, but I'm going to need to add stuff STAT! 

While NiBo was here we went to the zoo and then dad and I have gone to a Cubs spring training game (both were awesome) so here's some pictures to entertain you.

Petting the stingrays:

Worst snow cones ever, solid ice. I gave up trying to finish it, but it looked pretty.

Personally I think the St. Louis Zoo is way better, tons more animals. But then again, prolly hard to keep penguins cold and alive in the desert. The zoo even closes like at 2pm during the summer because people don't go outside in the summertime here I guess. 

I have also located a Barnes & Noble for any future book needs

The Spring training game was awesome! You can get so close to the players and they are good about signing autographs. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind so I didn't come prepared for autographs. The stadium is brand new and has tons of touches that remind you of Wrigley. I think they said they attendance that day was like 14,500ish. They even have a mini marquee! 

lots of pretty landscaping outside the stadium

In case you were wondering about Oliver he is settling in great! I hope he'll understand being alone all day once mom and dad leave while I'm at work. He has all kinds of new places to explore though! I promise once I get everything situated I will show you pictures of my place. To everyone who gave me Target gift cards, you money has been well spent. I bought a lovely new computer desk and lots of other little things. Thank you again! So sit tight folks, more AZ Adventure stuff is on the way! 

The Unpacking

The movers were scheduled to be there for delivery of all my stuff between 8 9. So as we are getting up and ready at the hotel (which was right next door remember) I get a call at 7:45 "Hi Heather, this is so and so from the moving company we are here to unload your stuff, are you here?" Um no I'm not it's not even 8am yet, you guys are early, "I'll be there in a minute." I wasn't even supposed to pick up the keys until 8am from my landlord. So we headed right over and met the guys and the landlady to get this fun started!

Boxes, Boxes EVERWHERE! It's amazing how much space not a whole lot of stuff takes up. Everyone was so helpful! Mom, dad and NiBo are the best! 

The boxes have started to arrive! 

Look at all those great helpers! 

The most important (and expensive) cargo arrived safely! And now has a sheltered home in the garage, safe from all those thieves! 

Oliver is adjusting well to his new home, though he is a bit skittish still

Oliver even has his very own cat door out to the garage where his liter box is. He thinks it's his own special secret playground room

The fireplace mantle is lined with pictures from friends. Thanks for the presents! I have put them to good use.

My IKEA couch

Since we checked out of the hotel on Tuesday morning, we had to find a couch pretty quick or someone was sleeping on the floor. We had been using my bag chairs in the morning but you couldn't really sleep on them comfortably. I obviously didn't want to spend a million dollars on a new couch so where else to go but IKEA! 

We started our IKEA adventure off with a little breakfast. Let me tell you, for $2.99 it was delish! This trip was just kind of a look around trip since there wouldn't be room in the car with the four of us. So we looked and looked and decided on this brown couch, plenty big enough to lay down on and stretch out (a must!) As we meander through the store we picked up a few little things. Then when we get to the area where all the items are we located our aisle and bin number and looked up. No way that is going to fit in the car. We went to go check out a few others places to see if they deliver and had anything better priced.. no go.

So mom called IKEA and they said if you purchase before 4pm they can deliver the same day for $60. Not ideal but ok. So we get to IKEA and turns out we were looking at the wrong box which will totally fit in the car. So we pile this rather large box on the flat cart and make our way to the check out. As we are checking out the nice lady was like oh this is a very nice couch I have the same one, just one small problem, there are 2 boxes. (Crap) But she assured us the 2nd box was not as big, oh ok, I'm thinking a smaller box. I've never IKEA'd before so I'm not familiar with these whole pick your own box and put your own crap together situation. So she lets us check out and rings us up and just tells me to come back through her lane when I'm done. So mom is watching our box 1 of 2 while I go back for the other. When I locate the 2nd box it is the exact same size as the first box. Well Crap! 

Mom and I make eye contact and we have a mind conversation that this isn't going to work and we are going to need the delivery anyway. So she is heading over to the deliver counter. As it turns out whoever answered the phone told her wrong about the time to get same day deliver, and we were an hour late. Double crap. So we asked if there is anyway they could hold a box for us to come right back and get, luckily that is an option. So mom and I wrangle this giant box into the back of my car and we head for home with box 1 of 2. Dad and NiBo went back to pick up box 2 of 2. Nothing can be easy for us. We made 3 trips to IKEA that day.

Once we got 2 of 2 boxes back to the condo, it was time for the assembly to begin. Dad and Nibo did the assembling and I read the directions while mom supervised. It went together surprisingly easy. NiBo reports that it sleeps comfortably, but don't worry PT and OL, I have a nice futon for you ;) 

I'm sure you're all dying to see the full pictures of my decorated new home. But you'll have to wait a bit longer. I'm still unpacking a few boxes and getting everything to their place.

Yesterday we went to the zoo and hung out with the animals all day.  It's going to be weird to live in a place that has sunshine most of the time. Everyone I've met so far seems to really love it here, and came from elsewhere. So far we've talked to people from Ohio, Chicago area and the Best Buy man tonight was from North Dakota. The Best Buy man said monsoon season is coming soon, so that should be interesting.