I finished Grapes of Wrath a couple of months ago, but haven't yet sat down and given you my review.
I had never read the 'Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck. In high school, we read 'Of Mice and Men' and in middle school, I had read 'The Red Pony.' Honestly, I knew very little about the 'Grapes of Wrath' - other than it was an acclaimed, and 'dangerous' book. ('Dangerous' as people have tried to have the book banned.)
When we were driving "Route 66" during our 'Honey Ride' to Tucson, I became very interested in reading the book. As our guide along what used to be "Route 66," we used a book that highlighted stops along the way from Chicago to California. Reading that book, I learned about the 'Okies.' Realizing, for the first time, that this was a derogatory term given to the native Oklahomans' mass exodus toward the 'promised land' of California during the Dust Bowl/Great Depression. During our PBS phase this summer, we watched a documentary about the Dust Bowl. Fascinating.
I loved this book. Everyone needs to read it. In fact, I would love to teach a course on "Ag Literacy, Literally" - examining how literature about agriculture, farmers, and farm-life, influences our view. How does it color our beliefs and understanding? Is it more powerful than reality?
First of all, while I knew about the Dust Bowl, I had very little knowledge about the effects of the Dust Bowl on people. Grapes of Wrath highlights the life of the Joad family. The Joad family homesteaded the land that they farmed. For those who are 'Far & Away' fans - they would have been part of the Boomer-Sooners who raced to scoop up 160 acres the government granted to new settlers. Oklahoma was prairie ground. The first few years of cropping the ground yielded abundance because centuries of grassland had built up the organic matter, resulting in rich soil. However, the cropping methods, carelessness and over-zealousness of farmers and investors soon depleted the minerals.
The next generation needed more land to farm in order to turn a profit. Soon, the homesteaders became share-croppers, farming land for absent-owners. Farming and living off the land was all they knew. They were connected to the land. When the droughts came of the late twenties/early thirties, the farmers couldn't pay up. When the winds came, and precious top soil flew thousands of miles away, the tractors came. The land-owners came for their land; replacing tenant-farmers with tractors. Fliers popped up. These fliers promised paying jobs to those willing to work the fruit & vegetable crops of the West. People contemplated; winds blew more; people decided. They left Oklahoma - Kansas - Texas - by the thousands.
The decision didn't come easily. This life; this land were all they had known. They were connected here - to the land and each other. Families were a unit; neighbors had seen you through it all. There was a deep network of community. Though they had little, their culture was rich.
They left for a promise - the promise to make a new start - and a new life. If food and jobs are in abundance, then replanting would be easy enough.
I am not going to lay the book out for you. If you know me, you can immediately see why these themes are dear to me. Though I now live in big city in the Southwest, my heart loves rural America. I love the idea of Jeffersonian agrianism - that all should be connected to the land. I love history and policy. I really enjoy learning about the great American (agricultural) experiment.
160 acres - free for the taking. In the Midwest, this allotment of land would have been more than enough (back in the day) for a small farmer. In the arid states, it is not. As stated, over-zealous farmers had little knowledge about caring for this dry land. Utilizing conservation practices started - as a result - of the Dust Bowl. Roosevelt brought folks to the Dust Bowl states to teach these new ideas.
These beginning chapters were not what angered folks to suggest banning Grapes of Wrath. No, the anti-communist movement tried to ban the book based on the suggestion that migrant, agricultural workers needed to organize in order to protect their wages. I am not pro-communism; however, I am pro-person. The living conditions - the hatred - the discrimination - that these Okies endured was apalling. Hope guided them to this 'promised' land; hate met them at the border.
Grapes of Wrath is a fascinating, thought-provoking read. But you don't have to take my word for it! (Right, Lavar?)
Friday, November 25, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Bear Down Arizona
On November 5, the University of Arizona celebrated Homecoming. Let me tell you what, they do Homecoming well! On campus there is a "mall" (not the shopping kind) - but like a mile-long grass oval.
During home football games, this is where people tailgate - right in the heart of campus. During Homecoming, departments and colleges set up tents all along the mall and people visit different tents. It's like VEISHEA met the State Fair (for all you Iowa Staters out there) - in really, really beautiful weather.
How beautiful was the weather? It was mid 60s and sunny. AH-mazing for AH-rizona (in my opinion). We even came across tickets to the game. Horrible game - but a fun time with friends in "real" football weather. It was even cold enough to warrant hot cocoa at half-time!
During home football games, this is where people tailgate - right in the heart of campus. During Homecoming, departments and colleges set up tents all along the mall and people visit different tents. It's like VEISHEA met the State Fair (for all you Iowa Staters out there) - in really, really beautiful weather.
How beautiful was the weather? It was mid 60s and sunny. AH-mazing for AH-rizona (in my opinion). We even came across tickets to the game. Horrible game - but a fun time with friends in "real" football weather. It was even cold enough to warrant hot cocoa at half-time!
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| This is where I work. Seriously. Second floor people. |
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| See? Norton School of Family & Consumer Sciences. I told you. I wasn't joking. |
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| We may not have fall, but the midwestern universities don't have palm-tree lined avenues leading to their Office of Admissions. |
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| One of the "Southwestern-style" buildings |
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| Old Main - the first and oldest building on campus, now home to the Office of Admissions |
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| The University of Arizona's marching band playing "Bear Down, Arizona" the fight song |
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| That giant paw & awesome Wildcat headband - FREE - at various booths during Homecoming! (and those cute models are our friends' kids) |
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| Nothing says Homecoming like a BUS-TACHE! |
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| One of Dan's judging team members busting out the 'pretzle' as part of the Rodeo Club's "float" |
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| Campus cacti |
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| Our Retailing & Consumer Science club (TREND) put on a UA Fashion Show. This is the "hipster" look. |
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| Pretty sweet view - those are the Catalinas in the background! |
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| Decked out in our red & blue |
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| Go Wildcats! (2 of the cheerleaders are my students, too!) |
Fall Comes to Tucson
A couple of weeks ago, the "living in the city" blues hit me pretty hard. I needed out. There's just something about having spent the month of October with 80+ degree weather that made this Midwestern girl crave the time I could wear jeans and a long-sleeve shirt and a jacket.
Solution? Head up the mountain! The beauty of Tucson is that we are surrounded with four mountain ranges. I contacted my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Steve and we headed up Mount Lemmon - part of the Catalinas.
We hiked around for a couple of hours. Then we went into the village of Summerhaven and had a delicious pizza for lunch. After all that fresh, brisk, mountain air and sunshine, I went into the office and FINISHED. MY. almost. THESIS.
All in all, a pretty successful day.
Solution? Head up the mountain! The beauty of Tucson is that we are surrounded with four mountain ranges. I contacted my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Steve and we headed up Mount Lemmon - part of the Catalinas.
We hiked around for a couple of hours. Then we went into the village of Summerhaven and had a delicious pizza for lunch. After all that fresh, brisk, mountain air and sunshine, I went into the office and FINISHED. MY. almost. THESIS.
All in all, a pretty successful day.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday Quick-E's
Before I begin - remember the Quick-E's that used to appear in the Iowa State Daily "back in the day"? They were so much cooler than last year's "Just Sayin'..."
1) I LOVE my job. LOOOVE it. What makes it really the perfect job is that I get to advise AND teach. On the days that I am not loving one part, I've got the other to bolster my spirits.
--New hire at the Norton School in the honeymoon phase of life
2) How hard is it to navigate your university's webpage to find resources - like "where the Math Department is located"?
--Advisor asked mundane questions once too often during appointments
3) Who else LOVES the fact that Tucson's reaching overnight lows around 50? ...and the high yesterday was 75 and today is 80? "Fall? Is that you? My long-lost friend?"
--Displaced Midwesterner in the 'Great Desert University'
4) When your friend gives you advice to finish your 'almost-thesis' BEFORE starting your new job, you should listen to her.
--Graduate student one chapter away from finishing her almost-thesis
5) Who marries a livestock judging coach? Honestly. Crazy people, that's who. No newlywed likes being away from her husband over three weeks in a six week period. However - the time that is spent together is very cherished.
--Newlywed
6) Every weekend is "yard sale weekend" in Tucson. Don't expect to sell everyday items. The people that will come will buy 'strange' items like old appliances - and knives. Or your neighbors that apparently don't have bed sheets or cooking utensils.
--Yard-saler & Tucson new-comer
7) If you carve a pumpkin (or two), don't leave them sitting in your house for a couple days. Strange mold starts growing.
--Lazy Jackie O'Lantern carver
8) Selling TVs at a yard sale doesn't work well unless you are prepared to receive half of what you thought was a fair price.
--"Life isn't fair, why should yard-saling be?" Money-Lover
9) Do you think you could make pumpkin gingersnaps without ginger and molasses?
--"Creative" baker
10) Why get your PhD when you'll just be asked to do more stuff?
--Man who already spends 50-60 hours doing his job
11) I mean, RESEARCH - not even the fun stuff that I already get to do...
--Man who spends 50-60 hours doing his job that includes 'fun' stuff like spending weeks away from his wife with students that kind-of exasperate him
There, ladies and gentlemen is a quick take on our life brought to you by the Quick-E's of an Iowa State undergrad from that late 90's.
1) I LOVE my job. LOOOVE it. What makes it really the perfect job is that I get to advise AND teach. On the days that I am not loving one part, I've got the other to bolster my spirits.
--New hire at the Norton School in the honeymoon phase of life
2) How hard is it to navigate your university's webpage to find resources - like "where the Math Department is located"?
--Advisor asked mundane questions once too often during appointments
3) Who else LOVES the fact that Tucson's reaching overnight lows around 50? ...and the high yesterday was 75 and today is 80? "Fall? Is that you? My long-lost friend?"
--Displaced Midwesterner in the 'Great Desert University'
4) When your friend gives you advice to finish your 'almost-thesis' BEFORE starting your new job, you should listen to her.
--Graduate student one chapter away from finishing her almost-thesis
5) Who marries a livestock judging coach? Honestly. Crazy people, that's who. No newlywed likes being away from her husband over three weeks in a six week period. However - the time that is spent together is very cherished.
--Newlywed
6) Every weekend is "yard sale weekend" in Tucson. Don't expect to sell everyday items. The people that will come will buy 'strange' items like old appliances - and knives. Or your neighbors that apparently don't have bed sheets or cooking utensils.
--Yard-saler & Tucson new-comer
7) If you carve a pumpkin (or two), don't leave them sitting in your house for a couple days. Strange mold starts growing.
--Lazy Jackie O'Lantern carver
8) Selling TVs at a yard sale doesn't work well unless you are prepared to receive half of what you thought was a fair price.
--"Life isn't fair, why should yard-saling be?" Money-Lover
9) Do you think you could make pumpkin gingersnaps without ginger and molasses?
--"Creative" baker
10) Why get your PhD when you'll just be asked to do more stuff?
--Man who already spends 50-60 hours doing his job
11) I mean, RESEARCH - not even the fun stuff that I already get to do...
--Man who spends 50-60 hours doing his job that includes 'fun' stuff like spending weeks away from his wife with students that kind-of exasperate him
There, ladies and gentlemen is a quick take on our life brought to you by the Quick-E's of an Iowa State undergrad from that late 90's.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Remembrance leading to reconciliation
The typical question surrounding September 11th is 'where were you?'
As the anniversary date has approached and I've reflected, I have come to this realization: where I was when I learned of the attack is not nearly as important as how I have been shaped by it.
Looking at life ten years later, it could be assumed that not much has changed. Look deeper, though, and there's more depth. September 11th woke me up, in a sense. I was an idealistic youth. In the past ten years, my idealism has been jaded; my false sense of security shattered - and then rebuilt; my worrisome side feared the future (though that wasn't really due to September 11; I worried about the future before).
I still love America. Like many of us, the politics of the last ten years tend to jade us. There is this conflicting view of America - the America of the history books, the 'two Americas' of John Edwards, the tea-party America of personal financial freedom, the liberal America of personal moral freedom - and the bickering in Congress makes you wonder just who "we" are.
On September 11, 2001 in four dramatic, tragic events - those petty bickerings erased. America was us - all of us. America was again, the beautiful, inspiring dream. America gave birth to this reality that we, as human beings, are 'created equal and have a right to life, to liberty, to the pursuit of happiness.' Individually, we may define these differently - but when this was taken from some of us, we rose up - as one.
In ten years, a lot has happened. We responded, reacted, sought revenge. We bickered. We fought. We disparaged each other.
Every time September 11 rolls around, we were jolted back to that day. The day our world stopped. The day we wondered what the next day - week - month would bring. The day we cried. Prayed. Hugged. Called. Loved. Stopped.
Yesterday, we remembered. We memorialized. We thought. We cried. We prayed. We hugged.
What about today? How will this next decade lived in remembrance be shaped?
As I prepared for church yesterday, I told God about what I was feeling and thinking - and asked him to lead me, teach me through these emotions. His word spoke truth into my heart:
As the anniversary date has approached and I've reflected, I have come to this realization: where I was when I learned of the attack is not nearly as important as how I have been shaped by it.
Looking at life ten years later, it could be assumed that not much has changed. Look deeper, though, and there's more depth. September 11th woke me up, in a sense. I was an idealistic youth. In the past ten years, my idealism has been jaded; my false sense of security shattered - and then rebuilt; my worrisome side feared the future (though that wasn't really due to September 11; I worried about the future before).
I still love America. Like many of us, the politics of the last ten years tend to jade us. There is this conflicting view of America - the America of the history books, the 'two Americas' of John Edwards, the tea-party America of personal financial freedom, the liberal America of personal moral freedom - and the bickering in Congress makes you wonder just who "we" are.
On September 11, 2001 in four dramatic, tragic events - those petty bickerings erased. America was us - all of us. America was again, the beautiful, inspiring dream. America gave birth to this reality that we, as human beings, are 'created equal and have a right to life, to liberty, to the pursuit of happiness.' Individually, we may define these differently - but when this was taken from some of us, we rose up - as one.
In ten years, a lot has happened. We responded, reacted, sought revenge. We bickered. We fought. We disparaged each other.
Every time September 11 rolls around, we were jolted back to that day. The day our world stopped. The day we wondered what the next day - week - month would bring. The day we cried. Prayed. Hugged. Called. Loved. Stopped.
Yesterday, we remembered. We memorialized. We thought. We cried. We prayed. We hugged.
What about today? How will this next decade lived in remembrance be shaped?
As I prepared for church yesterday, I told God about what I was feeling and thinking - and asked him to lead me, teach me through these emotions. His word spoke truth into my heart:
Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Should a man nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?
Should a man refuse mercy to another, yet seek pardon for his own sins?
If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?
Remember your last days: set enmity aside.
Remember death and decay: cease from sin.
Think of the commandments: hate not your neighbor;
of the Most High's covenant: overlook faults.
Sirach 28:2-7
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in compassion.
Psalm 103:8
Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother or sister? Seven times?"
Jesus answered, "No, not seven times, but seventy times seven."
~Parable of the Unforgiving Servant~
Jesus added, "So will my heavenly Father do with you, unless you sincerely forgive your brothers and sisters."
Matthew 18:21-35
Mercy. Justice. Forgiveness.
I am not claiming to have the appropriate response to September 11th - then or now. I simply realized that September 11th caused us to remember something greater than ourselves. Remembering this should lead us to reconciliation. Reconcilaition with our family, our friends, our neighbors, our fellow Americans who think, act or believe differently.
Showering mercy, grace and forgiveness to all honors those whose lives have been lost - before, on and after September 11th. It honors our heritage as Americans - and God.
God has blessed America - whether we have always responded perfectly is not the issue. He has blessed America - and we have, in turn, been blessed. The issue is our response. When we have been blessed, we in turn must bless.
May our remembrance lead to reconcilation and our reconciliation lead to action.
May Americans bless....
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Life...
Every experience God gives us,
every person He puts in our lives
is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.
~Corrie ten Boom
Last week as I prepared for another interview, hoping it'd be my last, I thought about the infamous question: How does this position fit into your career plans?
I hate that question. I've never been one of those people who has my life 'figured out'. Sure, I knew what my college major would be at age 16 - but not my career. After all, for that 16-year-old, the college major was the vehicle to the career of marriage. Yes, my career goal was to obtain my MRS. For real. Even in the 21st centurt, we still existed. :)
So, 'stumbling' into an my position as a Talent Search Advisor was really a blessing. God provided me with a career path!
I think even as a college freshmen, I knew I'd like advising. As a college senior, I wrote out what types of jobs I would love to pursue - they were something like this: college women's ministry, college advising, college teaching, leading study abroad trips for college students, and public gardens' education programs. See any type of theme emerging?
What's funny about life - and God's provision - and God's timing - is that we never quite know what to expect. While that theme obviously points toward investing in college students' development, obtaining an actual job in your dream area requires a) those jobs being open, b) qualifying for said job, c) the search committee believing you're worthy of an interview, d) said search committee actually choosing you for the position.
I thought the perfect job for me was one that I didn't get. (Those who follow this blog know what I'm talking about) While I love the college campus environment, I wasn't sure if that was where I'd end up getting employed. I'm also pretty passionate about non-profits and community programs - so I applied to those programs. My temporary position has been in such a program. I've enjoyed it - but....
So, last week as I prepared for this latest interview for a position advising pre-majors and teaching a communications course, I thought about my crazy little career path. I realized that my life - and career path - are like the game Classic Concentration. http://youtu.be/pcidDyfajzI
Little pieces of my life are slowly being revealed to show the bigger puzzle. I'm not sure what the step after this one will be - but I know that God is revealing a greater picture though each of my experiences - and maybe one day, I'll figure it out.
For the time being, though, the newest picture revealed is that I have a new full-time job as an Advisor in the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona - which is one of the most forward-thinking, progressive college departments I've encountered! VERY EXCITING!
These are the words that I'd used to describe the Norton School: responsive, progressive, perceptive.
Just as I was really wondering how God would provide for our needs, and the day we asked for His provision - He provides a job. My oh my - what a God we serve!
(I hope this post makes sense.... Dan and I have been celebrating with some Michigan State champagne!)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
You're So Vain...
You probably think this post is about you. Well, it's not! It's about me.
Today, I curled my hair for church - for the first time in about three months. (I've been blow drying it straight, lately.) I wore my new $6 khaki-with-silver-threads skirt with a white tee and a chunky necklace. I felt like a little desert princess. I looked good.
We got to church early, and one of the priests was making rounds and greeting people. When he got to us, he said, "(muffled by background noise) extraordinary this week." My response, "Thanks!" Dan's response, "I was...."
The priest looked a little baffled. I asked what he said, and he replied, "I asked if you were extraordinary this week."
I said, "I thought you said I looked extraordinary this week!" Before I could say much more, he walked on.
UM. Yeah. I'm so vain that everytime I do think that song is about me.
Today, I curled my hair for church - for the first time in about three months. (I've been blow drying it straight, lately.) I wore my new $6 khaki-with-silver-threads skirt with a white tee and a chunky necklace. I felt like a little desert princess. I looked good.
We got to church early, and one of the priests was making rounds and greeting people. When he got to us, he said, "(muffled by background noise) extraordinary this week." My response, "Thanks!" Dan's response, "I was...."
The priest looked a little baffled. I asked what he said, and he replied, "I asked if you were extraordinary this week."
I said, "I thought you said I looked extraordinary this week!" Before I could say much more, he walked on.
UM. Yeah. I'm so vain that everytime I do think that song is about me.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Dreams....
Last night, I had another wedding dream. The focus this time, though, wasn't on Dan and me - but my family, specifically, my young cousins.
The setting was the reception. Zachary, our ring bearer, asked me to dance. As we started to dance, he just hugged me - I was about to correct him about 'proper dance space', when I looked down and saw that he was crying. His dance with me was his chance to communicate love and say good-bye.
I love that Zachary. He is full of spitfire - a little unpredicatable at time - all boy, lover of sports - and thirsty for victory. He can be a bit much, at times, and there are times when you need to teach him at the rules of the game are not "Zachary wins." BUT, I love this kid because he also has a very soft and tender heart. He doesn't show it to a lot of people - unless you can recognize it in his disappointment at losing. It's there, though.
The last person that I danced with was Hunter, cousin to Zian and Zachary. He is such a special boy. He is quiet and soft-spoken, a total outdoorsman like his dad and grandpas, and a teachable little soul. I remember that I had to coax him to dance with me. The next thing I knew, as we entered the dance floor, he aged five years and was a 14 year old - with facial hair and looked just like his Uncle Mark! I was just in disbelief. Where was my little boy? Where was little Hunter and who was this man - with a beard at age 14?? (I guess this dream demonstrates how much of a Kies, he really is!)
Oh dreams...sometimes, you make no sense. But one thing is clear - I love my family...and I miss seeing them change and grow up. (Okay, I know it's only been 3 months...but they change so fast!)
The setting was the reception. Zachary, our ring bearer, asked me to dance. As we started to dance, he just hugged me - I was about to correct him about 'proper dance space', when I looked down and saw that he was crying. His dance with me was his chance to communicate love and say good-bye.
I love that Zachary. He is full of spitfire - a little unpredicatable at time - all boy, lover of sports - and thirsty for victory. He can be a bit much, at times, and there are times when you need to teach him at the rules of the game are not "Zachary wins." BUT, I love this kid because he also has a very soft and tender heart. He doesn't show it to a lot of people - unless you can recognize it in his disappointment at losing. It's there, though.
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| Spitfire: Zachary publicly displays his feelings toward MORE pictures.... |
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| Sweetheart: this was his idea. Our photographer asked him to take my bouquet (as in stand next to me and hold it) - he got down on one knee to present me my bouquet. It was so precious. |
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| Zian (older brother to Zach- on the right) and Hunter (on the left)- were the official 'noisemakers' - responsible for handing out the noisemakers to the guests. |
The last person that I danced with was Hunter, cousin to Zian and Zachary. He is such a special boy. He is quiet and soft-spoken, a total outdoorsman like his dad and grandpas, and a teachable little soul. I remember that I had to coax him to dance with me. The next thing I knew, as we entered the dance floor, he aged five years and was a 14 year old - with facial hair and looked just like his Uncle Mark! I was just in disbelief. Where was my little boy? Where was little Hunter and who was this man - with a beard at age 14?? (I guess this dream demonstrates how much of a Kies, he really is!)
Oh dreams...sometimes, you make no sense. But one thing is clear - I love my family...and I miss seeing them change and grow up. (Okay, I know it's only been 3 months...but they change so fast!)
Friday, September 2, 2011
How Do You Like Arizona? Follow-Up
Beyond the "my best friends are in the Midwest" aspect, here's one challenge I've found to living in Tucson: the lack of summer.
"Say whaaa, Jessica?! Isn't it like sunny 90% of the time and 105 degrees?"
Yep. Exactly what I mean.
I'm used to summer being the time I spend outside. Soaking up sun, searching for eateries with outside patios, walking all the time, throwing open a few windows (when you get those cooler days, of course), playing sand volleyball or slow pitch softball, grilling out, having outdoor parties - you know! When it's above 100, you don't really want to be outside much, you know?
So, getting used to spending summer indoors has been a process.
But you know what will be awesome? In a month-ish when I can do all of these things for the next nine months while my peeps back in the Midwest enjoy the cool, brisk fall weather (k, I'll miss the colors - and that first 'fall is officially here' day - but I'll enjoy weather like that all winter) and then dig themselves out from snowstorm, after snowstorm, after snowstorm. :)
Yeah, we'll take visitors....
"Say whaaa, Jessica?! Isn't it like sunny 90% of the time and 105 degrees?"
Yep. Exactly what I mean.
I'm used to summer being the time I spend outside. Soaking up sun, searching for eateries with outside patios, walking all the time, throwing open a few windows (when you get those cooler days, of course), playing sand volleyball or slow pitch softball, grilling out, having outdoor parties - you know! When it's above 100, you don't really want to be outside much, you know?
So, getting used to spending summer indoors has been a process.
But you know what will be awesome? In a month-ish when I can do all of these things for the next nine months while my peeps back in the Midwest enjoy the cool, brisk fall weather (k, I'll miss the colors - and that first 'fall is officially here' day - but I'll enjoy weather like that all winter) and then dig themselves out from snowstorm, after snowstorm, after snowstorm. :)
Yeah, we'll take visitors....
Thursday, September 1, 2011
How Do You Like Arizona?
Whenever I meet someone new - which is essentially everyone - and they find out that I moved here three months ago from Iowa - which is the response to the first question asked (where are you from/when did you move here?) - the follow up question is always: "So, how do you like Arizona?"
Most of the time, folks are referring to the weather. That's when I get to tell them how much I have enjoyed the monsoon season because of the humidity (which almost always elicits shock and disbelief). I don't mind the 'dry heat' - which does exist, folks - until the mercury stays up around 107 - 110 for several days on end.
What I don't tell people - since most are making conversation and don't really care - is that while Arizona is fine and I enjoy my life here, I miss having friends. I feel so blessed that I have family here; so blessed that I have a college friend here who is a friend and colleague to both Dan & I; in fact, I even have a high school classmate here! (we did have some classes together; technically, she was a year younger).
I miss my close girlfriends, though. I'm thankful for the last year to hang out with you (all)...just wish you were here, in person, sometimes. I know you'll visit. I know some of you have already planned your visit. I am so thankful for you. Just want you to know - you're missed.
How do I like Arizona? I like it.
Is it home? ...sort of? That part will come...I have faith. :)
Most of the time, folks are referring to the weather. That's when I get to tell them how much I have enjoyed the monsoon season because of the humidity (which almost always elicits shock and disbelief). I don't mind the 'dry heat' - which does exist, folks - until the mercury stays up around 107 - 110 for several days on end.
What I don't tell people - since most are making conversation and don't really care - is that while Arizona is fine and I enjoy my life here, I miss having friends. I feel so blessed that I have family here; so blessed that I have a college friend here who is a friend and colleague to both Dan & I; in fact, I even have a high school classmate here! (we did have some classes together; technically, she was a year younger).
I miss my close girlfriends, though. I'm thankful for the last year to hang out with you (all)...just wish you were here, in person, sometimes. I know you'll visit. I know some of you have already planned your visit. I am so thankful for you. Just want you to know - you're missed.
How do I like Arizona? I like it.
Is it home? ...sort of? That part will come...I have faith. :)
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