reflections | Just Call Me Zabsher

We’re moving in a few months, and I am so not thrilled. My husband and I talked about whether we should relocate with his company or not, and it just makes sense to stick with the job. He likes it (most of the time except when he stays until 12:30 at night or is that morning?). He feels like it is a good opportunity overall. Additionally, I really love eating and having a roof over my head, so I figure I should support him in his job.

This weekend, we went house hunting. I thought I knew what we could get with our budget; however, I was surprised at what we really could get. I appreciate that my husband is great with money. It means that we have a good down payment. It also means that we get to live within our means and not be house poor. This means that I need to rethink some expectations for my first house. It’s not going to be the ideal house. It’s not going to have sweeping hardwood floors and granite countertops. BUT, it is going to a nice home that meets our needs. Can you tell that I’ve been having a come to Jesus meeting with myself?

I left my husband in Texas and came back to Arizona. On the plane, I talked to a man about moving to Texas and just got more cranky about the whole darn thing. I love Arizona. I like being near my family. I like the cacti and palm trees. I like the beautiful weather in winter. I like the organized roads. I was all back to being upset about moving to Texas. Then I went to church. I read in Exodus about God delivering the Israelites out of Egypt, and I thought about God delivering me in my wilderness. It struck me that God has a plan. That He has been merciful in letting me come to Arizona when I could’ve gone straight to Texas. Because of this detour, I have been able to make amazing friends at work as well as gain valuable work experience. We also get a lovely relocation package which helps us find a house sooner than I think we would have if we would’ve stayed in Arizona or moved straight to Texas.

It’s not going to be easy. I’m pretty sure I’m going to shed more tears. But, I think if I can see the silver linings and golden edges within the difficult times, I know that I make this work. My friend Kelli advised to me at our last meeting to “Embrace Texas.” I’m going to try.

Twenty Seven Years. That is how long Kelli and I have been friends. It started in Joy School (aka Mormon Preschool). From there we had every class together in elementary school including surviving the third grade split when our class was divided between Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Archer AND the sixth grade split between Mr. Holt and Mr. Thompson. Kelli went to BYU. I went to UNC. Kelli lived in London, Cheyenne, Hawaii, and then finally in Washington D.C. My counter clockwise rotation took me to Arizona, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and then back to Arizona. Through it all, we remained friends with a more than slightly intense passion for Kate Middleton and Prince William.

On Monday, I braved the Spring Break/Spring Training/Business Traveler hubbub to fly to Kelli. If you want to take a roundabout way to Washington DC then here is the itinerary for you. First, fly to JFK airport in New York City. Then ensure that your connecting flight is in a different airport. Take a shuttle between airports but look for one that advertises departure times every 30 minutes but really leaves every 45 minutes. Once you buy your ticket, board the shuttle bus with too few seats for the passengers wishing to ride it. A jilted customer’s angry tirade along with a bag mix-up makes for lovely ambiance. When you have arrived at the other airport, grab your bags and run at full speed to try and make the next flight. It is best if you feel extremely warm in your layers and your shoes are untied. Once on board the flight, you can collapse while also realizing your morning deodorant has more than failed. The next step is to try to get an ubercar. Make sure that no ubercars are available. Change your request to a “black car” so you can spend more money. The car will arrive quickly, and you will feel extremely posh using a town car. Arrive at your friends house an hour earlier than anticipated and sing with joy.

Erin made me this delicious dinner after eating food from my bag all day long.

According the Erin and Kelli, I am an “advanced tourist.” They haven’t given me any merit badges or medals confirming this rank, but I still like to believe them. One of the perks of this status is the ability to wander around a big city and use public transportation without spreading open a metro map high into the air about 3 feet away from ones face.

I spent all Tuesday in the National Gallery of Art. Did you know what a treasure we have there? I had no idea. Thank you Andrew W. Mellen for that museum and your collection of beautiful art. Look at this beauty.

Now feast your eyes on this one.

Gorgeous. I sent this one to Brent. And yes, he did identify it as El Greco.

This is the tunnel between the east and west wing. Love it!

Kelli met me at Ben’s Chili Bowl where you can consume your entire daily caloric quota in one gooey meal. This was my first chili dog and I quite enjoyed it.

On the backwoods way to Kelli’s apartment, she took me to the Meridian Mansion. Lovely.

The next day I wandered to the American History Museum (too many fieldtrips), National Postal Museum (do you know how our mail is sorted? I do), and the National Portrait Gallery.

The American History Museum had an exhibit on changes in food throughout the years. This is my mother’s exact crockpot!