New Life

When we got back from New Zealand, we still had no idea where we were going to be working or living and we had no home to go back to.  All summer we were hoping a job would tell us exactly where we needed to be and we were ready to get all of our stuff out of storage and move wherever that was. It's crazy how things work out though. We ended up having to choose a place to live before the jobs came. We decided to get an apartment in the Salt Lake area in a pretty central location. The week we moved in, Danny had five interviews, I had three, and we were both offered a job. Danny started as a financial analyst for England Logistics on September 4th, and I started as a credit analyst for Merrick Bank on September 5th. Danny's work is 15 minutes north of our apartment, and mine is 10 minutes south. It's amazing to me that we were able to do everything we wanted to this summer, and start working right when we were hoping to. It's so cool to see the way Heavenly Father has directed us over the past six months. I love looking back now at all the jobs that didn't work out for Danny-Scottrade (hiring freeze), Goldman (HR contact quit two weeks after interview), ETrade (they didn't believe that he would stick around long term), Hollander (complications with approving the position)-and that's not even all of them! It just seems so clear now that those were not the right jobs for the time, and now Danny has a job which is exactly what he was looking and hoping for. He has put so much time and effort into finding a job, and it just goes to show that as long as you are doing everything you can, Heavenly Father will make sure that things work out the way they're supposed to.

On another note, we got a puppy! I have always wanted a dog. Always, always, always. I love animals. Never had a pet of any kind though. In fact, the closest to a pet I've ever had is either the two lizards my brother had (they died because he played with them too much) or the fish and crabs that one of my roommates had (I named all of them and was heartbroken when the crabs suddenly disappeared...). So yes, getting my little Sadie pup was extremely exciting. We got her the week before my birthday. She's a goldendoodle (golden retriever and poodle mix) now about five months old. She loves everyone and everything. Such a little sweetheart, loves to cuddle, and above all, loves her food. Here's our first family photo together ;)

Life is good though! Working full time is a very different life than being a student. Definitely less stressful. Can't say that I miss being in school at all. It's so nice not having homeworking constantly on your mind and not having your schedule completely change every four months. Our schedules now basically consist of working, going to the gym, and playing on the weekends. It's a pretty simple life, and I'm kind of loving it.

Roadtrip Part 4: New Zealand

Our flight left from LAX at 10pm on Wednesday July 25th (we may or may not have anxiously arrived at the airport 3 hours before we needed to). We landed in Auckland at 6am on Friday July 27th. It was ridiculous adjusting to the time change! Our flight was 13 hours, so with the 18 hour time difference our internal clocks were thrown off pretty bad. The flight wasn't too bad though with two meals served and tons of movies to choose from.

We both got at least a couple hours of sleep on the plane, so when we landed in Auckland Friday morning we did our best to trick our bodies into believing that it actually was morning. Danny's wonderful Aunty Wan picked us up from the airport and let us use her house as a home base while we were there. New Zealand was everything it was talked up to be. Seriously the most beautiful places I've ever seen I saw just driving down the road there (which by the way is so freaky on the left side!). It was so great to meet all of the family down there and to meet some of the people from Danny's mission that I've heard so much about. Here goes an attempted summary of our two weeks in that beautiful country!

One Tree Hill and Mount Eden in Auckland

Coromandel Peninsula - Boulder Bay and Cathedral Cove

Hamilton: Temple and a visit to Grandpa Barney's grave

The Shire!

Dargaville with the Midgleys. Beautiful home with 600 acres of rolling green hills right down to the beach. Amazing. Danny's Aunty Lynette passed just a few weeks after we left, and I am so grateful we had the opportunity to spend some time with them while we were there. My first farm experience, and first time driving on the beach!

Piha Beach, Fairy Falls, Kitekite Falls, Whangarei, and Tarawera Falls

Skytower in Auckland

 Yummy kiwi fruit and NZ candies from Aunty Wan!

 Thames. Literally saw a rainbow every day we were there.

 Otara Market

 Warriors game

We were sad to leave, but excited to get back to the convenience of America. Never appreciated it so much before! Basically, everything in New Zealand is smaller, simpler, and prettier. We're excited for our next trip back (definitely in the summer next time)!