Sunset at Ellwood Beach

Return to the working world....

I FINALLY returned to the working world! Today was my first day at Softshare! I am an internet researcher/receptionist. It's not rocket science, but I have to say it is a little overwhelming to learn who everyone is and how to transfer calls and take messages etc. I got to use the "training headset" and listen in on calls that my co-worker took. I have to say, those training headsets are pretty sweet- I need one of those for home so that I don't have to drive Justin nuts by asking him what he was talking about on the phone! I could just listen in!!

Last night I told my homegroup* that I was starting today and my homegroup leaders were like "That's a great place to work!!" Always nice to hear! They have a "Bring your dog to work" policy and Monday's are "Bagel Day", Wednesdays are "Fruit Day" and Fridays are "Pastry Day"- and on each of these days, said items are provided for staff!! I think I"m going to like it there! :) They also have a softball team and every Friday they do something active together as a staff (probably to work off the pastries!). Unfortunately, I probably won't get to do the Friday activity b/c I'm only part-time. I'll just have to go home and be active!

All in all, it's a pretty cool schedule. M-F 8:00-1:00, and then MW I work with the children's chorus from 3:00-6ish. So, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays I am off by 1:00- nice deal! Now, I just have to get used to going to bed at a decent hour again!

*Homegroup is a Wednesday night bible study that Justin and I are doing through our new church- Santa Barbara Community Church.

Stalking the UPS guy

You know you need a job when... April sent my bridesmaid dress last MONDAY!! When we tracked it on Thursday it said it would be arriving TODAY!! So, as I'm turning off of our street (to go and turn in a job application....ironically) I see the UPS truck entering our little cul de sac. I can't afford to miss the package (who knows how long it would take to get it!!) so I flip a u-turn (legal in California) and head home to wait. How many packages could he have in our little area??? Well, it's been 30 minutes and I'm still waiting. I've paced outside a bit, and even hopped in the car and drove around the block to make sure he was still in the vicinity. I might have too much time on my hands!! Ooh here he is!! Gotta go try it on!!! Yay!

Must be a California thing....

On our hike up Montecito peak Justin and I observed a variety of scenery from cacti, to lizards, from the ocean to to the mountain tops. Most of which you would expect to see when hiking in the mountains...that is until we saw some "wildlife." A boisterous middle aged man hiking the mountain with nothing more than a backpack, hiking boots, and a pair of "tighty blackies" as I termed them (after he had passed, and after I stopped giggling.) Below is a pair exactly like the one's he was sporting. Nothing like a nice hike in your underwear and boots I suppose. A little awkward when passing others on the narrow trail- but he just covered with a "Nice day!" and that said it all...

Go Cubs!!

Justin says I need to post about the Cubs- since we did go to two Cubs games during this playoff run this summer! (He is sitting next to me and telling me what to write!!!) Above are pictures

from "Iowa Day" at Wrigley. Below are pictures from a game earlier in the season when we sat

in the bleachers on a HOT summer day (hence our topless husbands!) Amy and Charlie

Zanayed were with us that day, and Charlie was there for Iowa Day too! Go Cubs!!!

Sad Hawkeye's...

Here we were, making plans to watch the Hawks- after all, it SAID on hawkeyesports.com that they were going to be on ABC tomorrow. There's nothing like a good Iowa football game to cure homesickness. But alas, USC apparently trumps the Hawks out here, even if they are playing Wisconsin.... Boo hoo.... at least we got to see them play at Soldier Field this year!!

Better start building an ark!

Good thing I went to the grocery store today. We only had 4 days to prepare for this most unusual weather event here in California!! Whatever will we do??? As you can see from the video- we aren't really set up for this type of weather!! :)

"And as we hike along we're gonna sing..."

Can anyone finish that song?? Justin and I went for a 9 mile hike yesterday! Since I am working very part-time right now, and Justin has not started classes yet we thought it was a good time to check out some local trails. Santa Barbara is sandwiched between the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean- which makes for an abundance of good hiking! We hiked to the top of Montecito Peak where we could see all of the Channel Islands and all of the Santa Barbara area. Here are a few pictures:

Let's see what this blog stuff can do!

Ok, I am a little behind the times here but even though I sometimes think blogs can seem a tad on the narcissistic side (no offense to other bloggers!) now that I live soooo far away,

I see that it can be a cool way to keep people up to date- plus, I really enjoy reading (stalking) other people's blogs!! So, let's see if I can keep this up to date!!