Over due Update

Key developments:

1. I (finally) got a job! Not just any job, but a "grown-up" job with health benefits, paid vacations, and a salary. I am back to working in

the construction industry and super excited about it. Yay!

2. We adopted a new dog a couple of weeks ago! Lucy is a super adorable 1 1/2 year old black lab. She is a tail-wagging, dog-loving, people-loving, ball of energy and we couldn't be happier. Inga, on the other hand, is not so happy. She's slowly transitioning from a very spoiled only dog to sharing attention.

Blog world, meet Lucy. (She's charmed, I'm sure.)

3. Since Jason and I now work in Park City we are looking to move up there. My goal was to be there before the first snow fell but I had no idea that would be so soon! Seriously, snow in September is ridiculous.

4. I am going to visit Jon and Madison in New York in November! Super cheap plane tickets + free place to stay + 2 great friends = epic fun for 8 days!

That was the news in 60 seconds.

I'm off to bed. I have to get up early for my grown-up job.

Good night.

9/9/09

Numerically, today is a very special day. There won't be another day like this until the next millennium!

Taking some inspiration from another blogger, TeriLyn, I am listing nine things that bring me happiness (in no particular order):

1. Waking up every morning contorted around our dog, Lilly.

2. Waking up every morning next to Jason.

3. Finishing a good book.

4. Sending a new problem at the climbing gym or route outdoors.

5. Fresh flowers on the kitchen table.

6. Being surrounded by dogs.

7. Spending time with good friends.

8. Exploring new places, restaurants, etc.

9. Watching Animal Planet.

What nine things bring you happiness?

Busy being unemployed

I have been officially unemployed (I hate that term) since May when my term was up in student government. But over the summer I took a few classes, looked for jobs, and had some fun. I fully expected to find a job once I was an official graduate but it's been over a month since I walked out of my last class and after dozens of applications I am still jobless. Hearing that others are struggling with the same problem isn't all that reassuring because it just drives home the point that I have lots of competition for the few attractive jobs that come open. I have had a constant job since I was 15 and am not taking well to the sedentary lifestyle.

However, in light of having so much free time, I am without a doubt in the best shape of my life! It's only Wednesday and this week I've already bouldered for 3 hours, played tennis, and will be doing a yoga class this evening. I can't tell you the last time I was this active and it feels great!

But it's all just a distraction from the fact that I feel utterly unproductive. I long for the days when I had back-to-back meetings, competing priorities, and deadlines to meet. It was only after a long day filled with tasks and stress that I would feel a sense of accomplishment. Lately I've derived that sense from perfecting my chili recipe and keeping my dirty laundry baskets empty. I never thought I'd see the day and I hate to admit it out loud for all of cyberspace but I. am. a. housewife. Ugh! Not that there's anything wrong with this "profession" because it does fulfill some very fundamental needs and some people (yes, men and women) yearn to stay home and take care of the house but I am not one of them.

Rather than sit around on my couch with Inga all day wallowing and waiting for an interview, I am going to be proactive about the situation and start volunteering with organizations whose mission I believe in. I'll start with the U's Office of Sustainability. I love them and know that they could always use more people. And you never know, I could meet my next employer at an Office function. Now wouldn't that be nice?