Free as a bird

Today was a beautiful day here in the valley of the Sun. It reached about 80 degrees and was perfect time for outdoor activities. When I got home I threw on some sneakers and headed out for a run/jog/walk. Instead of listening to my normal run mix, I decided to put the Ipod on shuffle. My goal was to jog as far as I could without stopping, and I succeeded in jogging about two miles (I'm not sure the exact mileage might have to drive my car the route and check, but I believe it was 2-3 miles). Each time I take this route I've made it further and further without stopping. Today I altered the route in search of a park. I had this incredible urge to go on the swings. Just thinking about the swings brought back wonderful childhood memories. I really enjoyed pumping my legs back and forth to get higher and higher as the wind breezed through my hair. I felt like I was soaring through the clouds with no worries, concerns or stress. I loved this feeling of peace, contentment, joy, and freedom. Any time I am feeling stressed out I am going to my "Happy Place" on the swings. I'm not sure if I am feeling so great because I am finally feeling like my head is above water (bills,etc) or if I've found that sense of peace that has been hidden for way too long. Whatever the reason, I am glad to have this feeling and plan to return to the swings anytime I feel my body drifting away.

Waste or not?

Let me explain first off as all of you know I am single and fly the friendly skies. I've always had this fantasy of meeting the man of my dreams on flight and so I always keep my eyes open. Today I had the pleasure of meeting this cutie, Chris on my flight to Boston. Now from our quick conversation I figured out he is probably a bit younger than I would consider dating but I flirted anyway. We chatted about why he was heading to Boston and where he lived and what he did for a living. I won't bore you with the details, but I was intrigued and hoping to find out more. I bought him a beverage on the flight and hoped that maybe he would come to the bathroom and start another conversation, but unfortunately the one time he went to the loo, I was up front. Then I was hoping he would stop on his way out and ask if I wanted to have dinner or drinks or something because he knew I was just in for the night and he was too. I had even written my phone number on a napkin and had it ready in my pocket in case he asked, but nope either he was too chicken or maybe he has a girlfriend. I get so frustrated when I put myself out there then nothing comes out of it...is it a waste of a good flirt or not? I guess practice makes perfect and if the guy was interested he would have found any way to get my number. Well Chris you missed out! Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow.

Coincidence or destiny...

So today of all days I was called this morning to fly to Boston for an overnight. I haven't been to Boston in over six months and in two and a half years this was going to be my second long Boston layover. I was pleased with the trip because it was only one flight each day and relatively easy, plus Boston is such a fun city to explore. When I landed I had a txt message from Tobi and a voice message from my mother telling me that Tobi had just arrived in Boston.
(Tobi is a foreign exchange student from Germany that lived with my for a year back in 2000 (?))
Tobi and I are planning on meeting up for dinner. I'm glad he txt my mom today and not tomorrow because I would have already left. This is just too bizarre to be a coincidence I feel like destiny sent me here. I'm looking forward to catching up with Tobi.

I just paid off my car!

Wow what an accomplishment I officially own my HONDA CIVIC. I still had about a year left of payments but with my extra job, I've finally been able to save some money to pay in full. I wasn't really planning on paying it off right now but in a month or so, but I accidentally hit a button on the computer and BAM...car is paid off. The only debt I currently have is my student loans, what a great feeling. Now my goal is to save some money to have as a down payment on a condo or something. I talked to this girl at work yesterday and she told me her parents bought a condo for 38,000. They put 7,000 down and her mortgage and home owners bill will amount to only 300 a month...I could even afford that amount.

No more selling drinks

As of March 1st we will not have to sell non-alcholic beverages! I have mixed emotions on this news...1) I've been enjoying not having to work so much on the flights 2) I've read a bunch more books since we started selling stuff 3)The company has been making a ton of $ and people have stopped complaining. On the other side of the coin, it could be nice to feel like I'm not nickle and diming people. (Sometimes I felt like I should charge them for ice...because surely that was going to be the next step). From a PR perspective I think the company is stupid, their reputation has already suffered and I don't think stopping now will help in the eyes of our consumers. I don't think the public will easily forget. And my biggest problem is that they should have waited till they were ready to implement to make any announcement becasue peopele want the free drinks now, not in a week.

Well I guess I will have to go back to working and not get as much of my reading done...lol.

Weight loss update

I am so excited I finally steped on the scale today and am happy to report I've lost a total of 8 lbs since the begining of the year. I was a little scared to weigh myself after my vacation because I didn't eat all that well and kinda skipped the exercising. I did work forty hours at my part time job the past couple days and ran around like a mad women and had no time to eat. I plan to start working out now that I'm back into a semi schedule. Hopefully I will continue to succeed and achieve my goal.

Vacation Recap

So my vacation is officially over...boo hoo. I go back on call on Sunday with the airline and have already been back to work at my part time job. I had a great time visiting my friends and family and am a bit sad to go back to work that is unless they send me to see more friends or family.

I started my week long tour heading to Atlanta to visit Julie and her family. Her daughter Vivien is 18 months old and I really enjoyed spending time with her. I was lucky enough to get to babysit her while Julie was at work and we had the best time reading books and playing. She is so smart and has just the cutest personality. I always enjoy staying with the Blonk family because I feel like one of the family. I hope to visit again soon because Vivy is just changing too much too quickly.

The second stop was Orlando to visit my cousin Colleen. I had a lot of trouble catching a flight because it was a holiday weekend and everyone else decided to take a getaway to Florida for the Daytona 500. I eventually had to fly to Philly and then to Orlando and arrived 12 hrs later. Unfortunately I missed Friday's Happy hour, but was glad to visit my cousin. The weekend consisted of a trip to see "He's just not that into you" (LOVED IT SEE PREVIOUS POST), Blue Man Group (SO GOOD), and a bit of shopping.


I left Orlando on Monday morning and since the flights were all full, I decided to fly to DC and visit Al. He was off Monday so I managed to convince him to take me to an H&M so I could use the gift card he gave me for Christmas. I love this store and manage to score some great new stuff. We went to dinner in downtown Alexandria and had some ok food (Al liked his, mine stunk). It was a quick visit, but nice to catch up with Al whom I hadn't seen since Christmas.
I flew home Tuesday morning and had dinner with some of my DZ friends at California Pizza Kitchen.
The trip went by supper quick, but I really enjoyed seeing everyone and taking some time off of both jobs. I really needed a little boost to keep me motivated in juggling both jobs.

"He's just not that into you"

This weekend my cousin and I went to see "He's just not that into you" and I really enjoyed the movie. The cast had so many big named people and in my opinion was really well scripted. Although Bradley Cooper was not a good guy in this movie, I have found my new crush. His eyes just make me melt...and his smile is just contagious.

I read the book before the movie and it has been a huge insight into the way that I look at dating. Although we as women try to make excuses for why he hasn't called or whatever other excuse we make for his actions, I think the concept is accurate if he is into you, he will do whatever it takes to be in contact or try to see you.

I hope that other women and men will see this movie and understand that if the person you like doesn't make an effort to see or contact you, he or she is just not intrested and you should save your time and energy and move on.

I'm on Vacation

Yah! I am on vacation from my job at the airlines for 17 days! I do have to work at my part time job for part of the time, but am planning a fun little getaway to visit some friends and family.

First little getaway was the Grand Canyon...see previous post for details.

Next up is Atlanta to visit Julie, Sean, and the lovely miss Vivvy. I will stay with the Blonk family and get to spend some time with the cute little one who has grown so much since my last visit. The one major downside to having a part time job, I haven't had any time to visit any family or friends on my days off since I don't have any.

I plan to jet to Orlando for "Kill Cupid" or "Valentine's" weekend as the rest of you refer to it, to spend with my also single cousin. Many drinks will be had and a viewing of "He's just not that into you" will be a must on the agenda.

I'm planning a girls night with some DZ friends in the Valley before heading back to my part time job and then unfortunately back to flying. This Vacation will be the first in almost 6 years where I have not left the country. I am a bit sad about this fact, but still very excited to see my friends and family. Hey maybe I'll make a Mexico run just to meet the quota...lol.

Keys locked in the trunk

My cousin is visiting AZ for the first time and so I decided to take him up to the Grand Canyon . On the drive up, we decided to stop and do some hiking in Sedona. We hiked a pretty easy trail and really enjoyed the beautiful views. I almost lost my keys on the hike and joked to my cousin how he was never going to make it to the Grand Canyon because we were going to have to spend the whole time searching for my keys in the dessert. Luckily I didn't drop them on our hike and we headed on the scenic route to Flagstaff. We stopped at the Canyon Creek overview and had our lunch. FYI it was a bit chilly with some snow on the ground. I handed my cousin the keys because I was going to the bathroom. As I headed to the car, he was headed towards me. I asked him, "What, change your mind and want to make a pit stop before the long drive?" He says "No, you won't believe this, but I just locked the keys in the trunk." I responded, "Ya right, funny joke, hand me the keys I'm cold and we need to get moving if we are going to get there before sunset." Well it turns out he really did lock the keys in the trunk. We were lucky and the overview had some vendors who had a phone number for a locksmith. About 20-30 mins later we were rescued by the locksmith who spent all of maybe 1 min to unlock my car and earned a whopping $75...wow I wish I could make $75 for about a one minute job.

We didn't let this ruin our trip and were able to get to the Grand Canyon in time for sunset. It was just as beautiful as I remember, but really cold this time of year. We stayed the night and did a bit more driving through the Grand Canyon before heading back to Phoenix.

Not sure if my cousin is going to want to return to PHX because besides locking my keys in the car he also lost his debit card. I told him it could be worse, you could be in a third world country and loose your debit card. My mom advised him to make sure he doesn't lose his license or he might have to drive back to Nebraska, lol. I'll post some photographs of our adventure soon.