Posts tagged moving
Not a Short Story
As much as I'd like to be
What I’ve learned in my first week in Arizona
1. It’s true. It’s super dry here. Your nose will bleed. It’s also true that it’s a “dry” heat. I’m so glad to be rid of the Midwestern humidity. But it’s still freaking hot. You have to drink more water than you ever thought possible.
2. The Phoenix real estate market reminds me of black Friday. Be prepared to be crazy, exhausted and broke at the end of the process. Well, I managed to avoid the broke part. But I think I’m lucky.
3. “Cord-cutting,” or getting rid of cable TV completely, is not ready for prime-time. At least as far as iPad apps are concerned. They are way too glitchy. However, FaceTime is a godsend.
4. It’s pointless to get a manicure a few days before hauling a 50-pound suitcase through the airport.
5. When you want to speak up so badly that it makes you twitchy, you should probably just do it. It’ll work.
I also learned a ton about the animal welfare industry. Way too much to organize cohesively and share just yet. I’m still learning, and am really excited about it. I work with some fascinating folks who do truly wonderful work.
Week 2: time to regain my sanity (after we sign our official lease), explore our new neighborhood and tackle a solid trail run at Lookout Mountain and hopefully a few other spots.
Goodbye, gloomy Illinois! Please be nicer when I come back for a visit in a few weeks.
My husband and I haven’t taken on any enormous challenges since our wedding 9 months ago, so it was probably about time.
Luckily for us, what we’re facing is more of an opportunity than a challenge.
In June, we’ll be moving to Phoenix, Arizona, so I can pursue a new job as manager of social media and online communications for PetSmart Charities.
PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to find a lifelong, loving home for every pet. The organization is one of the largest animal welfare funds in the United States, enabling adoption, spay/neuter, emergency relief, and other services that help animals in need.
One gem is their Rescue Waggin’ program, which transports adoptable animals from overcrowded shelters to areas in which there is more demand. I saw the need for this service firsthand when my husband and I volunteered at our local animal shelter.
You can probably tell from my tone and excitement that animal welfare is something that I am personally passionate about. Those who know me personally know that my husband and I treat our two dogs as if they were our children, and I am grateful every day that they came into our lives (even when they bring sticks into the house after a walk or demand my attention during conference calls…).
Still, this is a big change for me, professionally. I’m moving from the telecom industry to animal welfare. And from b2b marketing to nonprofit. Nevermind the changes for my husband, who is just finishing up a degree and starting a big job search.
And of course, there’s that whole moving to Phoenix thing. Yes, we know it’s hot there. We’re going to LOVE it.
To be honest, I’m still wrapping my head around all of this change. I am massively excited. And a teensy bit nervous.
I’ll share more thoughts on the move, the work transition, and my sadness to leave my family and current colleagues, as things progress.
Today, Illinois was trying her hardest to remind me that she could be pretty, when the mood strikes her. Even though she’s cold as heck. And flat.
I’ve lived here all my life. Learned to walk, run, speak and write. Majority of my family’s here. I met my husband in Illinois. Married him here, too.
But for a while, both my husband and I have felt that Illinois has given us all she has to give. We want out. We want more sunshine, more warmth, more depth and height.
Maybe we’re just antsy. Just two newlyweds itching to start our own independent imprint on the world.
But even if that’s true, it could still be that it’s time to move on.
