2006 In full swing!

Happy new year! Hopefully most of you received my new year's cards, if not send me your address!

The end of 2005 was a flurry of activity with wrapping up loose ends at work and travelling to Phoenix, Sedona, and California. I spent New Year's in Sedona with an extra shuffle back to Phoenix airport to receive the luggage I accidentally took off the baggage carousel thinking it was mine (sorry Cecilia Hernandez!). Sedona is a beautiful place, I wish I had more time to spend there and do some more shopping (as well as the pink Jeep tour!). New Year's day was spent driving to California with a stop for lunch in Jerome, an old mining town turned ghost town that is now fairly populated. If you ever find yourself there (it's quite a drive, way up in the mountains, hair pin turns, white knuckled driving!) make sure to stop by the Haunted Hamburger for their wonderful chili and kick a## burgers!

I was a witness to history in making at the Rose Parade this year. Did you know the last time it rained at a Rose Parade was the last time a Supreme Court Justice was Grand Marshall, crazy! The weather conditions at the parade were so awful it was funny. I couldn't stop laughing at the fact that I was sitting outside in the pouring rain. Wearing a slicker and sitting in a garbage bag to keep dry. Which worked until I stood up to leave (we mistook the break in the parade for it actually being over!) at which point I became drenched from head to toe! Hmmm, I wonder where this nasty cold came from. The three of us that were at the parade (me, mom, and uncle Michael---yes Julie, the one who makes the chicken salad!) all came down with the same cold.

The highlight of the trip was definately the Rose Bowl. Even though the outcome wasn't what we had hoped for, it was a blast! An all day outing, we got there at 7:30am and didn't get home until past midnight. I must have walked over 10 miles tail-gate hopping but it was so fun to see Catherine, Debra and Sean, and Scott Mcleod! As well as my dear friend Kevin Kubota! My sister and I were so tired by the time the game started I didn't think we'd have enough energy to cheer on our Trojans! But we did, although I'm not sure how much good that did! The atmosphere at the game was unlike anything I'd ever seen before; I'm really glad I had the opportunity to be there (thanks James for letting me take the time off work!). Even though we lost it's still a great memory!

I wrapped up my first trip of 2006 with a night of bull riding (in honor of those Texas fans) at a bar in Pasadena. It was my first time doing it and I had an absolute blast! It was tons of fun and I'm searching for one here in Fort Myers to take everyone out for a night of bull-riding.

I was lucky enough to fly back to Florida on Friday so I had the whole weekend to relax before heading back to work. Now it's buckle down time with trying to get caught up at the office. I've made quite a dent in the work that had piled up and am getting around to making things my own (revamping training, setting up my desk, etc). The pictures I ordered for my office finally came in (bye bye dreary golf pictures!) so it looks wonderful now. I'm in the process of setting up interviews to hire a few more people for my department and am looking to be fully staffed by February!

The house is coming along nicely, with one room left to furnish, the office/guestroom. I'm really enjoying the new living room furniture I bought and really love my new place. The location is GREAT! Central to some great shopping, bars, and restaurants, and only 10 minutes away from work! It's the shortest commute I've ever had. I'm also about 15 minutes away from the beach and a hop, skip, and a jump away from Naples. Get your visits in everyone before the humidity kicks in!

I've met some really great people and love the folks I work with. I'm hosting an ultimate girls night at my place this Saturday for some of the girls in my office. I've even been on a few dates! One of them looks quite promising.....stay tuned for more details!

I hope everyone had a fabulous New Years and is enjoying 2006 so far! I am so blessed to have such wonderful and supportive friends and family and am thankful for all of the opportunities I have been afforded this past year. Here's to 2006 being the best yet!

Cheers!