(Warning: Long Post! Don't say I didn't warn you!) :)
John and I have been Arizona residents for just about four months now… and it feels so much longer and shorter all at the same time. There are a lot of things we like, and some things that we are still getting adjusted to.
The weather, for example… It seems like just about everyone else in the country is experiencing lower temperatures, yet we’re still rocking the 80s and 90s. Thankfully it’s cooling down, because the heat makes it difficult to get out and do the hiking and biking that we enjoy. My poor hubby and puppy have been going stir crazy since we moved here due to the fact that we haven’t been able to get out of the house much. Most of our weekend adventures have been out of town in Flagstaff or Sedona, so there will be a ton to explore around here this winter! Although the summer weather was tough, I know I will be thankful when everyone else’s winter comes (especially if there is a polar vortex repeat…).
John is enjoying his job and the work that he is doing a lot. He has good work-and-life balance, which is pretty incredible considering he works in corporate/mergers and acquisitions at a large firm… and most importantly, he is gaining very valuable experience! I’ve been at my job for a little over a month now, and I really like the company, my coworkers, and the work that I do. The company that I work for gives its employees Fitbits, and we have the opportunity to earn $10.50/week in giftcards for logging normal daily things like eating meals, drinking water, etc. in the Fitbit app. On Tuesdays the company orders food and someone comes in to talk about the nutrition, and on Thursdays we have exercise classes in the afternoons. How fun is that?!
When we lived in New Mexico, there weren’t a ton of career opportunities (since it is such a smaller place), so the fact that we are both able to do things we enjoy is really exciting! And Scout seems to like her puppy daycare, which is super important to her, so that’s good. ;)
Despite everything going “right,” moving is still a transition. And I feel like the four month mark is when you really start to feel it… everything is settled, put away, and life here has “started”… yet, we are still getting used to our surroundings and working on meeting out-of-work friends! Ahh, someone please be our friend!! I know it takes time, and we both have friends at work, etc., but we don’t have any “hey, let’s go out to dinner friends” – someone please go out to dinner with us. Please.
On thatttt note… Look at how cool and normal we are! ;)
Just kidding, but in all seriousness, John and I have been incredibly blessed over the last four months, and we are settling in quite nicely.
I agree, the four month mark seems to be that...hmmm okay the the excitement is over and wow, this is our new life moment. I'm a huge fan of heat so I love your temperatures, but I know hot hiking and biking isn't very fun at all.
ReplyDeleteYour work sounds awesome. Fitbit's and nutritional coaching, sign me up please!
I'm sure y'all will find your friend groove soon. Have you looked into joining a sports league of any kind? Kickball, bocce, dodge ball etc? I've found group athletics is a great way to build bonds with new people.
Sounds like you guys are really starting to settle in. Your new job sounds amazing! Can I ask what it is that you are doing? Please no polar vortex again this winter, that is something I can do without!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I can relate to this so much. Feeling settled but not settled. Knowing you've been here for awhile but still not feeling all the ways settled. Also jealous of your work life balances
ReplyDeleteYay for getting settled!!! Your employer wellness activities are awesome!! That's what more companies should do!! And work life balance at a big firm?! Who knew!! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour new company sounds great! Glad that your husband has a good work-life balance too. Making friends takes some time, but you guys will get there. :-) They were talking about what the winter will be like here recently on the news and there won't be a polar vortex. Thank goodness!!! Have a great day! :-)
ReplyDeleteLooking great. Glad you guys are settling in and enjoying your new home!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about finding out-of-work friends! We've moved so many times and its so hard to meet people. I'm so glad to hear you are both enjoying your jobs, those fitness/nutrition benefits are awesome!
ReplyDeletemoving is a hugeee adjustment! but im so glad you two love your jobs and they have fun perks! im still getting used to the hot temps in charleston (it was SO nice to visit chicago where it actually felt like fall). but i wont miss those polar vortex's either! xo jillian - cornflake dreams
ReplyDeleteI hear you on finding non-work friends! It's tough. Your company sounds awesome though and I'm glad you're starting to feel settled!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys are adjusting well to your new surroundings and city!! I seriously can't even imagine it being 90 degrees outside...I'd gladly take it though!
ReplyDeleteThat weather! We have 80s in the forecast for tomorrow, but it was 40 degrees when I walked out the door this morning. Crazy weather, as always! Glad you all are settling in -- and I hope you continue to! P.S. your pup is so cute!
ReplyDeletexo Southern Style
Moving is always hard, especially finding a church where you can serve and find friends. I'll be praying for y'all! Enjoy the slowly cooling weather-we're in the same boat in Houston!
ReplyDeleteYour job sounds like so much fun! I'm definitely with you on the friends thing! We live in a town where the average age is like 65-70 lol! Definitely hard to find couple friends that way and when all my work friends are single. Enjoy the cooler weather once it finally comes.
ReplyDeleteYour company sounds great! I would love to be able to earn money for using Fitbit! Hoping you find some out of work friends soon :)
ReplyDeleteWOW your company sounds great, love that!
ReplyDeleteThat Fitbit perk is so amazing. It's funny when you mention "please be our friends" because that's really the one thing that always held me/us back from moving. I don't know if I could "start all over" so I really give it to y'all to make the move! And of course I'm much relieved Scout is adapting to her new school ;)
ReplyDeleteHahaha Garrett and I feel like we have no couple friends either. We hang out with my sister and her hubs 24/7. Sad! It's hard to find couples where both the girls and the guys have things in common
ReplyDeleteHaha we are the same way since moving! Anyone PLEASE be our friends! So funny and so true! Glad things are going well in AZ, I'll be thinking of you when the dang polar vortex rolls around this year :)
ReplyDeleteWe don't live in Arizona but if we did, I'd be your friend! Hiking and biking are possibly two of my favorite things :)
ReplyDeleteMoving as an adult is so hard! "On thatttt note… Look at how cool and normal we are! ;)" - SO FUNNY!
ReplyDeleteWe would so go out to dinner with you guys if we lived there! Y'all are so cute! And incredibly normal-looking ;) Glad things are getting settled!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your update. Thanks for sharing your settling-in progress with us!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to link up with me today!
~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
That wasn't long at all. It was worth reading every word. I'm glad you both are fitting right into Arizona. Ps. I totally wish my job had fitness incentives. I am always trying to climb the stairs and walk extra, I would love that!
ReplyDeleteIt is AMAZING that your work is so health conscious. How do you like your Fitbit? I LOVE mine:)
ReplyDeleteMoving is always such an adventure but never easy. I totally understand! So glad you are enjoying your new surroundings!
ReplyDeleteHow in the world do you look cute in a helmet? You've got loads of friends, they just aren't also your neighbors! Miss you!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how you guys must feel because it seems like you were just announcing that you were moving- so crazy 4 months have passed already! So glad you're starting to feel settled in and that you both love your jobs!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that things are going well for the most part! Making friends will definitely come in time and I'm quite certain that you both are great people so who wouldn't want to be your friends?! ;) Love the pictures! Yall are so cute!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are both enjoying the new location. I hope the weather cools off a little for you so you can enjoy being outdoors...I'll be sure to send you some of our snow this winter when I'm complaining about it and how cold it is :)
ReplyDeleteMoving can definitely be so much intense change. We have been here for almost three years and it's still a lot of new things for us. That said, you both have new jobs (huge!) and so much to explore where you are! Arizona is beautiful and you are near so much! Plus, with your fun personality I doubt you will have any trouble making out of work friends any time soon!!
ReplyDeleteArizona looks great on y'all! I love your job and its dedication to fitness. I wish I got compensated for that! I'd be much more likely to log information on my FitBit. I'm so happy to hear y'all are adjusting and that Scout loves her doggie day care! Hope the temperatures continue to drop, friend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear you're settling in! We're still waiting to hear about Jon's job, not sure how I will feel about the heat! Your company sounds awesome :) it's all about balance!
ReplyDeleteI spy the cutest scarf ever :) I'm so glad that you and your husband are enjoying AZ.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to LOVE the winters in AZ, they are glorious! Hiking/Biking weather Nov-May! Similar to NM Octobers and Aprils! The best!! :)
ReplyDeleteHow neat is the Fitbit? I wish I had that at my job! So glad y'all are getting settled :)
ReplyDelete