Wow...it's been WAY too long!

So, yeah...I didn't realize how long it had been since I blogged last. I am such a slacker! ;) Seriously, things have just been insanely busy...I know that's not an excuse since other people are just as busy and blog everyday (how do they do it?!). But to sit down, collect my thoughts and actually write a post takes a lot of effort.

Well, so what's been going on with me...well May was pure madness, but also really fun!

My lil' brother graduated from high school with Honors and I got to see my whole family for a few days! :) I can't believe how grown-up he is...it seriously seems like just yesterday that he was this little toddler pestering me and my sister, with a head full of curly blonde hair! He has grown into such an amazing young man!!

My bro also competed in his last State track meet for his school and placed 1st in triple jump (for the 2nd year in a row) AND beat the school record!!!! Can you tell I'm a proud sister??

In other news, a good friend from high school, Kristin, moved back to the Charlotte area and I am so stoked to have her here! She is just plain awesome and we have been hanging out, having fun and catching up on old times. We both agree, it's just really nice to have someone here that is from where you grew up!

One of my best friends Katie also came to visit and we had so much fun. This is a pic of us at Lake Norman on a pontoon boat for Memorial Day weekend. It was awesomse, boats upon boats upon boats tied up and everyone just enjoying the holiday, sun and the water.

What else?

Went hiking with a good friend/coworker a few hours from here...as you can see, we made it to the top (about 3.6 mi. each way)! Such a gorgeous day and was an awesome workout! :)

That's about it for now...been SUPER busy with work and volunteering here and there. Loving Charlotte weather and am finding out more and more things to do/see/explore all the time! It's just such a great city!!

Until next time...

Oh My Goodness...

So, as I am typing, I am actually sitting in my new apartment in Charlotte, NC! Yes, I relocated from Omaha, NE to Charlotte, NC in just the past week...so a little background info:

Remember my recent post on my 2011 goals, which included this:

"Find a job related to my degree/skills! So, a little background...I have an advanced degree in Applied Experimental Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial Organizational Psychology (a mouth-full, I know!). Basically, I have a background in areas such as: statistics, survey development, program evaluation and applied research practices. I was lucky to find a position in Monterey that allowed me to at least practice my skills analyzing data sets and working with a professor on his research projects...but a lot of my other skills that I enjoy were placed to the side. Moving around ( being in the military) doesn't really make things easy...and I have had to take temporary positions, which I am not too proud to take. I realize that with the economy as it is, I should be thankful to be given work and I will do anything I have to do to help support my family. But, I also really want to be doing what I paid to go to school for and enjoy practicing. I've been working my butt off, applying for jobs...working on my resume. Man, it is not easy and it's exhausting! Hopefully things will work out and I'll let you know if I hear anything :) "

Well, I spent most of December & January searching and applying for jobs, sending out my resume/cover letter, etc. I began an interview process in early January for a consulting company in Charlotte, NC and am happy to report that I am now one of their newest employees! But, needless to say, there wasn't much time to relocate by my first day of employment...the past few weeks have definitely been a whirlwind! :0

 View of the beautiful mountains while driving

I made it though, and am really enjoying this new city! The downtown skyline is beautiful and the weather is much better than Omaha's (at least at the moment). I have already tried a few local restaurants and even the luxury theater downtown (I saw "Unknown"...it was really good and action-filled, I love Liam Neeson)!

Harley is loving it too, although I don't think he was too happy with me about his travel arrangements:

Don't worry, he had plenty of room! Technically he really doesn't need much room...but yeah, my car was packed to the brim!

Well, I have so much to get done before my first day of work and over the next couple of weeks...but I will continue to post about my new home (according to Wikipedia, I am now a "charlottean") and this lovely city, the Queen City.