A beautiful day!

Hello Everyone ~

Well it is a beautiful day in Arizona. Nice and sunny with a slight breeze. Just gorgeous!!!! This is great, because I am actually off of work today. I was MOD this past weekend (which means I am held captive at the hotel Friday – Sunday). Typically I would take Friday off which means you work for eleven days straight but this time I just didn’t feel like doing that.

I’m back in school. My one week off flew by so quickly!!! I am in a total of four classes right now. Two online and two that I go in person, but of course it just so happens that these four classes require a ton of reading and writing. I am reading about interpersonal communication, integrating technology into the classroom, classroom management and what else…..oh yeah trying to figure out what I’m going to write for my eight page research paper. Does anyone have any ideas for me? I hate writing research papers. I never have a topic that I really care to research. So suggestions are appreciated.

Chris and I attended our friends wedding a couple of weekends ago. It was held at a nice private country club up in North Scottsdale. Chris met Kim when he worked at Dillard’s and we’ve kept in contact with her and Pat ever since. They are by far the nicest couple ever. They are both so down to earth that it makes it really enjoyable to spend time with them. Their wedding was beautiful. Kim wore a simple but beautiful dress that was just so……her! And Pat looked handsome in his deep chocolate brown pin striped suit. They looked soooo good!! You could tell it was an expensive wedding but at the same time they made it feel simple as well. The ceremony was held outside and it was a cool 78 degrees and slightly breezy. Perfect. That is why we live in Arizona.

Chris and I finally found a place to live. It is very nice. They have basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, four pools (one which in Olympic size) and a tot pool. It is over 800 units, so it is a really large community. The good thing is, that it is back in Ahwatukee. That is where we used to live before we moved across the street from my hotel. It isn’t as far back in the foothills as our old place but about ½ way there. It is called Presidio at South Mountain. It is still close to highway access for Chris, in the heart of the Kyrene School district for me and next to the mountain for some great mountain biking (I think that is more for Chris as well. J ) You can check it out at http://custom.springstreet.com/custom/brochure.jhtml?pid=23928&cPointer=0.

Yes, I still have my mountain bike but between work and school I really don’t have time. Plus since my accident on the Desert Classic trail I haven’t really been in any hurry to hit the trails again. You should see my knee!!! It is still all scarred up. That is the second time this trail has taken me down. I’m getting a little frustrated and angry with it. However, once I begin to teach they say to exercise to release stress and that will work for me.

Well that is about it. I hope everyone is doing well. Take care.

Love,

Katie

An entire week.

Hello Everyone ~

I can't believe it...I finally have an entire week of no school. Yes, absolutely no school. I just so happened to finish my internet classes and in person classes in the same week. I wasn't expecting that at all. Of course next week I start class again but that is okay. This is almost refreshing. I'm able to come home from work and do nothing. I forgot how sweet doing nothing is. You really all should try it.

Well good things going on at work. It's official, we were bought out by Carlson Travel and in May will be changing our name to Radisson Hotel Phoenix Airport North. This change is coming complete with a remodel to the entire hotel. Which is good because it badly needs it. No more, will we be the sad hotel on the block. I know the other hotels are worried....which is good. However, this news is almost bitter sweet as I will not see the outcome of it all. The remodel will take at least six months. But I remain optimistic about if for my fellow co-workers. It is exciting...to us anyway. I mean, how many hotels do you know that have the "sleep number bed"? Well now you know one because we will be getting them in. I asked if they could get them relatively quickly because I am doing my MOD shift in a couple weeks. (The shift in which you come in at 7:00am on Friday and stay the entire weekend at the hotel until 12:00pm on Sunday....never ever leaving unless your picking up guests at the airport.) This news was a nice pick me up after a client completely ripped our hotel. On the negative end though, this is the fourth time I have had to fill out new hire paperwork since I started at this very hotel in September 2003.

I'm down to 109 days......and as the light at the end of the tunnel begins to get brighter I am starting to want to turn around and head the other way. So many questions are going through my mind.

• Will I be a good teacher?
• Will I know what to do?
• Is this even what I'm supposed to do?
• How will I know?
• Will I make a difference?

Or heck will I even pass the test to get my certificate? I try not to think about it all. My current job feels very "safe" to me right now. But I'll never know if I don't try, right? Exactly!!!!! :o)

Well I don't have too much to say. I hope all is well with all of you. I'm looking forward to my break in May when I go back for Tim's (my cousin) wedding. I'll be right in the middle of school again, so I'm sure I'll be ready for that break!!! Plus it will be very fun seeing all of the family. Chris won't be going because he is swamped with school and work, plus he wants to head home to Minnesota and we can only afford to go to one place each. So he'll stay home watching our family.

Well I'll talk to you all later. Love ya. Katie