Sunday, June 7, 2009

Previously on 'Annie's Life'...

If you'll recall, when I last left off, it was one month ago. Life seems so much simpler back then...well, in some ways. Let's see if I can do a quick catch-up. Here are the events of the last few weeks...I'll try to do them justice.

* I had to evict my tenant for not paying rent. Just a note: if you rent a room from someone, write them a check once a month for their trouble. It says to them, "Hey, thanks for keeping a roof over my head and providing a place for me to sleep at night." If you have the urge to buy hundreds of dollars worth of groceries but you haven't paid your rent yet...RESIST. The landlord would rather have the cash than a bunch of food (that will ultimately end up rotting in the fridge) and other random things purchased in bulk, like toilet paper and laundry detergent. So the hunt is on again...and trying to find renters in a college town that slashes rent rates in the summer is like having it snow on the 4th of July. Let's just say that my first foray into the land of landlording has been less than productive.

* Rachel and I spent nine days living it up in New York City and Washington DC. I also spent a day in Boston with my friend Shannon. All three cities were spectacularly amazing, mostly because of the people we knew there. Rachel's friend Sarah is nannying in NYC, so we got to go see some of her favorite places and do the city from more of an insider's perspective. Then, our sister lives in DC, so we got to see the cute nephews and relax with family. More pictures in a separate post that goes into more details about the trip...

* My car was at the brink of death and now lives again. The week before we left for the East Coast, my Honda's check engine light came on. I figured I could take care if it once I got back, but the car almost died completely on my way home from SLC one night. I was in denial about it while I was on vacation, so once I got back, I had my brother come and trade cars with me. He and my dad (but mostly my brother--go Matt!) changed the fuel filter and spark plugs, and it looks like my car is running smoothly again! I was afraid it was going to be a much bigger problem, but luckily I have mechanics in the family, and they helped me out of a jam.

* I moved! The big city has claimed me. Last weekend, a big bunch of burly guys (and buff girls, too!) came and helped me pick up roots and head up to SLC where I've been working for the past two months. I have mixed feelings about the whole move, considering I left a whole slew of friends down in Utah Valley, but I think this opportunity to meet new people and be on my own will give me a chance to get outside of my comfort zone and grow. Let's face it, it's not that far outside my comfort zone, but enough to make a difference. I will say that I quite enjoy my commute to work now...I walk and take the train, which takes less than 30 minutes instead of my old commute which consisted of driving for 35 minutes, taking two trains for more than an hour and then walking the rest of the way. It's saved me some sleep and sanity, and for that I am quite grateful. Sure, I'm still living out of boxes and finding my way around town, but I'm finding it to be a beneficial change. Today will be my first day at the new ward, so wish me luck... Also, a BIG thank you to everyone who helped me so much. There's no way I would have survived to tell the tale if it hadn't been for some of you!

* The new job is getting easier! Lacy says I've picked it up quickly, but I think she's just being too nice...although instead of my plaintive cries for help coming every thirty seconds, I've gotten it down to about once a minute now. I sure hope I'm doing it all correctly, because there's a lot of things to remember. I have to keep remembering what my supervisor told me, though: anything you mess up can be fixed--except the catering. NEVER forget to order the food! Well hey, if that's all I've got to remember, I'm sittin' pretty. I've made my way through two board meetings, some angry phone calls, some idiot researchers, and some great office hilarity. I expect it will get easier, but for now, I've got a firm grasp, so chalk one up for me.

Other, less important things:
* Burn Notice started up again! A few girls from work came over to my new digs, and we celebrated with pizza scones, yogurt, and faux-jitos (virgin mojitos). I lost Burn Notice trivia (Lace, I still can't believe you came up with those questions off the top of your head!), but it was a fun night. (And if you don't know what Burn Notice is, shame on you. Go look it up here: http://www.usanetwork.com/series/burnnotice/.)

* I purchased new couches. I've been looking for a good set for a LONG time (probably over a year now...), and since I didn't want to live without furniture, I bought a lovely black microsuede couch and loveseat. I was skeptical about how much I would really like it once I got it home, but it's quite nice! (And they came with the pillows I fell in love with at the store!)

* I met a random guy at the temple who chatted it up with me--seriously, I was not the initiator in this circumstance, nor did I perpetuate the lengths to which he went to show some sort of interest. Long story short, I found him online and sent him an email suggesting we get together for lunch or something sometime, but he replied that he is seeing someone right now. Well come on! Don't flirt it up with a girl at the temple if you have no intention of following through. I'm not heartbroken...plus, it does do a little something for the ego...

Well, now that I'm settling in nicely--and I have Internet at home again!--I plan to be a more frequent blogger. Come on, you know you love reading my incessant ramblings...I'll try to make it worth your while. And if it isn't? Know that for my sanity, it's worth mine.

4 Comments:

Blogger Lindsay said...

Ooh a temple chat up! That happened to me once but it wasn't as one-sided and it ended awkwardly when he realized I was quite a bit older than him. It was classic. I loved your title this time around!

June 7, 2009 at 8:57 AM

 
Blogger Adrianne Miller said...

Good job on finally blogging. I'm very proud.
Good luck at Charge today!!! Heh. Charge. So funny even now.
I hope you meet your EC!! Oh wait, he was in your last ward!!! hee haw!

June 7, 2009 at 9:20 AM

 
Blogger Ray said...

Thanks Annie. I, for one, love reading your blog. And it always gets those writing juices flowing for me. I don't think I would have started my blog if it weren't for you.

June 7, 2009 at 7:16 PM

 
Blogger Devony said...

Very exciting and good to have you back! I've missed you and your take on life. :) Glad you are settling in! How did the first day in the new ward go?

June 9, 2009 at 11:04 PM

 

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