The point of this is that I started to reflect on my time here and what I've learned and there haven't been many lessons, but still, my year here has to count for something.
1. Sunsets and sunrises are exceptional here. I heard in some song once about painted Arizona and it's true, sometimes I look at the sky and it's colors and it really looks like a painting. I love it and that alone could keep me here forever.
2. It wasn't nearly as unbearably hot as I was led to believe. Don't get me wrong, it was friggin hot, but I survived it even without AC in my car and have no plans to leave before next summer.
3. I actually do like watching The Biggest Loser. I've started a ritual with my roommate Chelsea and I really didn't want to watch the show at first, I'm not sure she knows that, but I was home and nothing else was going on. And I did really start enjoying it. Even more I like spending time with my roommate and the last couple of months we've had my friend Carrie staying with us and while she sleeps during most of the 2 hour episodes, it's fun when she ventures out and tries to figure out all the things that took place in the episode the previous hour and a half.
4. I miss my family. When I lived in Colorado Springs I lived in the same town as my parents and most of my siblings. And just ask them about it and they'll love to tell you how I was never around. I really spent most of my time with friends and often would leave family gatherings early to meet up with friends. I didn't think it would be that big a deal to move away from them and if anything, the guilt about not going over, more specifically the never ending conversations about how I never come over, would end. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I really missed at least the option of seeing my family more. We recently just had a not ideal experience and I hated not being there and not being able to offer my support or do anything but sit at home and wait for news.
5. I learned how to love the hospitality industry again. I was really burnt out before moving to Arizona and never wanted to work at a hotel again. Since I've been a night auditor I've really been able to find my love for customer service again and I appreciate that so much.
6. I've learned how to be happy. I figured out how to overcome my insecurities and let things go quicker than I used to. It's been such a weight off my shoulders and I enjoy life and people more.
7. I've learned that floating down a river on a tube for 4 hours is one of the best things in this world ever...as long as you have an appropriate amount of sunscreen.
8. I've learned that the news can be as equally horrifying (beheadings, woman being beat up on their driveways) as it is weirdly mundane (a news report on a vacant house with dressers left on the driveway).
I'm sure there are other things, but life really is pretty much the same here as it was in Colorado. I still work at a hotel. I still go to church every Sunday. I still hang out with friends. And I still have a roommate who does ridiculous things, although I haven't asked her to get into a sterlite box and let me take pictures, that was just for me and Kayla.
But it's warmer here and even though most things are similar, I've found a lot more inner happiness and I'm pleased with my decision to move. Thanks for being so great Arizona.
