The things I miss about Utah

1. My friends and family- It's hard not seeing one familiar face in a day or a week for that matter. I have some pretty great people back at home that I hold dear in my heart, even 800 miles away.

2. Chris- He has been such a great unexpected surprise to my life. We came into each other's lives at just the right time. We've both been through some pretty crappy stuff recently and then right as we were picking ourselves back up, we found each other.We worked in the building back home. He works for Intell. I worked on the 6th floor and he worked on the 4th. For months he came up with friends and sometimes by himself, pretending to get drinks in our breakroom. He'd say hi as he walked by and then the next time he'd stop and talk to me for a minute. Little did he know, I was onto his sneaky ways. Two months had gone by and I was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to do what he was really coming to my floor to do! lol I got a little impatient. One morning his friend came up without him. As he was walking past my desk I said, "Could you give this to your friend for me?" And I slide a piece of paper with my number to him. He smiled and laughed a little then said, "Yes, of course." Apparently, he thought more waiting was the way to go. It took him another three days before asking me out. I finally told him, "I can be okay with being the one to give you my number, even though I've never been the one to do that first, but you've gotta give me a break here and not make me ask you out too." He laughed and said, "I was going to ask you out, I promise." He was so nervous. It was cute. I think both of us were nervous on our first date because I hadn't been on a date with a new man in 6 years and he hadn't been in a serious relationship for quite a few months. We were learning this thing again....together. He is basically the guy version of me. We have so much in common its actually kind of ridiculous. We have funny things in common that aren't just liking the same foods. We have some of the same habits and mannerisms that you never think anyone else had or does. We have a lot in common, but enough different to keep the relationship fun and interesting. One of the things we are pretty much exact opposites on is that I am a crazy perfectionist. Some might call it OCD. I like things done in a timely manner and in the way that I like it done. I like to have a plan...with everything. I hardly ever do things spur of the moment. He is very laid back. His moto is, "We'll figure it out." Sometimes I want to scream when he says that, but I have noticed that he has helped me to live in the moment and not be such a stress case. He helps me slow down and enjoy the ride instead of spend all my time planning it and making it perfect. It's not perfect unless you can enjoy it. And it's not fun unless you can enjoy it with someone. :) We have fun together. We laugh at each others jokes. We enjoy doing anything together, even just sitting at home watching TV. We remind each other how good happiness feels and loving someone. It feels good to be on the same page with someone. It feels good to be around him and feel like I can just be...me. Even if I am still figuring that out, he doesn't mind. He excepts all of me. My past, where I am now and the things I want for my future. He's my very best friend. And I miss him so so much.

3. The ease of knowing my way around- It's amazing how we take for granted all the little things we have, like being able to drive around without a freaking GPS. I am so tired of having to hear the voice of my navigator that I could scream. She gets me from A to B and I appreciate that, but somedays I wanna throw her out the window.

4. Walmart!!!- Big cities don't believe in chains, apparently. You only get more chain like when you go into the suburbs. The closest Walmart is 30 miles away. Shoot me now. They have grocery stores called Safeway and QFC out here. Safeway is kind of like Smith's to me. Higher priced than Walmart (everything is higher priced than Walmart), but not as bad as say Albertson's. QFC is like an Albertson's or Target. It's kind of ritzy so they charge about 10% more than other stores. I don't really get it. I have made it a point to stop at Walmart while in my areas. I just can't do without my Walmart.

5. The dry heat- It has been beautiful from the day I arrived here. There hasn't been one drop of rain or hardly any clouds in the sky. It has ranged from 65-77 during the day. Once it gets to 75 or higher it feels like 85 back home. The humidity isn't high, but I'm used to bone dry and I like it that way! AND....the people out here don't believe in having air conditioning inside their homes! They don't think it gets hot enough to put any kind of units in. They think that opening the window will safice. I'm sorry, but I have all my windows open all day and just bought a new fan and I am still a few degrees too warm.

6. An actual mattress- As you all know I sold everything back home. I sold all of my furniture and a lot of other small items. Since I got no financial assistants with work coming out here I spent the money I got from my valuables on getting out here and getting a place to live. So, now, the furniture must wait. I have an air mattress. That is currently my only item of furniture. It wasn't bad the first few nights, but now my back is getting very angry with me.

7. Being able to wash my clothes without paying each time- this complex has a laundry room in the building, which I am very grateful for. It's much better than going to the laundry mat. But, it gets pricey. You pay $1.50-$1.75 to wash and $1.25-$1.50 to dry. That adds up! But, again, grateful it's at least here in the building. Driving to do my wash doesn't sound appealing, even worse trying to find a parking spot.

8. Sunrises and sunsets over the mountains- There isn't really a clear shot of either the sunset or sunrise here unless your right in the city. Even then it's not as beautiful as seeing it over our mountains in Utah.

9. The Pizzeria and mexican food in general- I have not found a good pizza place or mexican food restaurant out here yet. The Pizzeria in Ogden is going to be hard to top. And as for mexican, I have already heard from people here that they aren't known for their good mexican food. Shucks.

10. Have I mentioned how much I miss Chris???

Miss and love you all! Don't go forgetting about me now. ;-) This girl will not be forgotten.