Couple more things about Phoenix

The other thing I was gonna say about Phoenix-- we went downtown and had lunch before Ivan's interview. There were a bunch of kids on a field trip. You know what I noticed about the group? All black & white kids. Now, normally you wouldn't think anything of that. But the district I work in is like 65% Asian, 30% Hispanic, and the other 5% is white/black/whatever else. Which...actually I don't know if I've seen one black child ever if any of my schools. I only have 2 white kids on my caseload, and I've only seen a couple more in any of the schools I go to. And I knew my caseload was mostly Asian & Hispanic, but it's like you don't really notice the absence of white & black people until you're around them again. It was just strange, the way I was like oh wow, I haven't seen white or black kids in a long time.

Oh, and the heat. Everyone told us we were there on the hottest day this week, it was about 113. We didn't really think it was that hot, we thought maybe more like 90. Anyway, I can say, my description of the "dry" heat is this: even in total shade I felt like I was getting a sunburn!

YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

We went to Phoenix/Surprise yesterday because Ivan had a job interview and to check out the area. Well, his interview went really well. They said they'd email last night to let him know if he went on to the second round or not. He DID! So, the second round was this: they sent all this info about UofP policy, and then there were 6 example questions of what students might sometimes ask. Ivan then had to type a response as if he was talking directly to that person. So we didn't get back home from Phoenix until like 10:30, Ivan sent in his repsonses around 12:30. Poor guy then had to get up for work at like 4:30! Anyway, they called him today and said he did well and now they're going to complete the background check...so once that's done we're pretty sure it's all systems G-O! YAY! So send Ivan some love and congratulate him (nicholsi@ic.edu) It's a big step for him career-wise. It's a big raise, not to mention now his going back for his Masters will be FREE!! And, its' what he actually wants to do in life. No downsides here :) It's also the first job he applied and interview for in Phoenix. No sweat really! I'm so happy for him, and us of course. Maybe I should back up a little. You know we're both going back to school at University of Phoenix (UofP)? Ivan's job will be an Academic Counselor with UofP! So that's that.

Ok, so before & after the interview we checked out some apartment complexes. And one of them we really liked, it had a great layout, a couple pools, a basketball court, and the guy showing us around said it's a good mix of people-- families & non-families. The pool is open 24/7 (yay) and he said people are always out drinking there (he was a young guy & knew what we were wanting to know!) haha It had a very Rancho (where we lived last year) feel to it and that's exactly what we were looking for. We really enjoyed Rancho and the apt. complex we lived in, so that was all good. Plus, they were offering a killer special with 2 months free...what's not to love right?

We also drove by some houses I had looked at on the internet and kinda checked out the neighborhoods. It seems like Surprise was built yesterday (just like Rancho!) and there's not really a bad area so to speak. All the houses pretty much look the same. Unfortunately we didn't get to see inside any of them because the leasing people have been a pain to get in touch with, but I think we were happy with the general feel of Surprise-- secluded from the business of Phoenix, nice, new, safe, yet Phoenix is just a freeway away. We're happy.

Hmm...what else? I guess that's about it. Just really happy everything is falling into place so nicely. The only hangup will be Ivan's start date, might be sooner than my company would like to give us a place to live. We'll cross that bridge when we get there :)

Send Ivan a congrats!! I'm so proud!!

Hello!

Hey!! We'll be home in 5 weeks! YAY! I'm so excited to come home. It's been 7 months since I was home, and I miss everyone. I'm ready to just hang out with everyone, not to mention be done with work, this contract, and this city. Yes, Pasadena is a great city, but I am not a city person. Suburb, yeah, city, no. More of the problem I think is the building we live in. Yes, the building I begged to live in. It's become a little prison cell :) But, like I said from the get-go, good or bad I just want the experience. It's one more thing I know is not for me.

Anyway, today we went to the Dodger-Angel game. They have these bleacher seats that are all you can eat for $35. It's a pretty neat concept, but hot, and crowded. Nobody sits in the right seats, which is fine, I'll sit wherever, but then you'll get some stupid ass who walks up & wants to sit in their exact seat. So then it's all this drama & comotion. So we were like literally sitting on top of each other in this one row. I got burnt (yay). I really did mean to wear sunblock but I forgot it. It's ok because I haven't seen sunlight in like a year, so it's all good. Oh the food, we get there, load up our trays with 2 Dodger dogs each, nacho's, a bottle of water, and some pop. We hardly ate it. We drank a ton of water & soda though.

After the game, we came home & the mall here was hosting this art festival where local artists compete for the best sidewalk chalk drawings. They were amazing!! So we took pictures of a lot them which I'm gonna post the link so you can see them. It was pretty cool.

So I guess that's about it. I'm off this week until summer school starts next week. Thursday we're going to Phoenix to just check out the area and Ivan has an interview!! Keep your fingers crossed. Oh yeah, I start classes on Tuesday, they're online. So we'll be home in 5 weeks (around July 21st or 22nd) and then I'll go get the new puppy (who's name is undetermined!) and we'll just chill for about 3 weeks. Probably going back on August 9th or 10th.

See you soon!

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9IZMWbVw5Y8Q (pics of sidewalk chalk)

July Vanity Fair

Ivan got me the July issue of Vanity Fair-- Bono was the guest editor and it was all completely & totally about Africa. You know I have a thing for Africa. Well anyway, maybe I'm stupid, but apparently I missed this in history class, or at least just never really thought about it, history isn't my strong interest, but anyway, did you know that all of us came from Africa? Ok, well I know I've thought to myself, we all really came from the same people if you go back far enough, I just never even thought about where that actually is. It's Africa. Yeah I'm sure if you're reading this you're going, duh. Well it was news to me.

So, anyway, you can participate in a DNA study which will tell you what part of Africa you come from! How cool is that?? As I was reading the article I thought to myself, I want to do this, but I bet it's super expensive. It's not. You can buy the kit for $99.95. You get some info, do a cheek swab, and in about 8 weeks you get the results. I'm gonna do it, not right at the moment since it isn't exactly pocket change, but I do want to know. I mean, how interesting. For girls it goes back through your maternal line and for guys they go through your paternal line. Anyway, here's the website, check it out: https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/

Interactive Johari Window

Go to this website & do what it says. You pick 5-6 words that you feel best describe me and it compares with the words I chose for myself. Do it. It's fun to see how you see yourself and how other people really see you...

http://kevan.org/johari?name=Chelsbels_2000

New Addition to the family....

So it's official...our little family is growing! Lucy will have a little sister...

She was born April 30th, and I will get her when I go home in late July. She is a Shitzu Poodle mix. We're 90% sure her name will be Molly :)

Funeral Songs...

Ok, maybe a strange thing to think or write about. But you know at some point you've thought about it, if you were to pick your own song for your funeral, what would it be?? Ivan refuses to partake in this conversation because he doesn't want to think about it, but it's just for conversation...This came about because we were just letting iTunes play and The Beatles "Let it Be" came on and I said, I might like that at my funeral. For some reason I did some searching on the internet and a lot of other people think about this too...
Anyway, so the couple songs I had were:

-Let It Be (The Beatles)

-Only Time (Enya)

In the searching there were a lot of people who play James Blunt--which I love his songs, but it seems a little too pop & new for a funeral you know? To each their own I guess. And then there were the standard Amazing Graces, and Go Rest High on That Mountain, which was my Grandpa's, and I do really love. I dunno...
What would you want?

Crazy Dream...

I have some crazy dreams but last night just might take the cake. First I was at either a graduation or sports event, I don't really remember. Well, I went to use the restroom and everyone left while I was in there, so I ended up staying at this house with these people who apparently I knew, but I actually have no idea who they were or who they were supposed to be. Well I'm laying in bed and I see this opening above the bed open up...kinda like a skylight, and something leans its head in! (something being NOT human!) This goes on for a little awhile and I keep saying No No no! And I can hear myself saying it outloud too, woke me up a little, but I kept dreaming. So I run down the hall to this other person's bed, whom I guess that I know, and I ask if I can sleep with them because I'm scared outta my damn mind. Then this is crazy...the person I'm in bed with and the other person sharing the room both start looking at ME with scared looks on their faces...and I'm all what? what? I look down at myself and I'm turning into something! But guess what I was turning into......crunchy peanut butter?!!!!!!!! What the heck?

Knocked Up

1. Go see it :)

2. When you do, pay attention to the mall when they are looking at baby clothes & stuff-- the store they're in is Jacadi Paris. Then they're walking down the mall and you can see Macy's in the background, then they are in this book store looking at baby books, and P.F Chang's is in the background...That's my mall!! The one I live in!! I can see that baby store from my balcony!! Just very fun for me to see that stuff in a movie since it's where I live :) That doesn't happen much in the midwest!

AND, while in line for the movie, a designer from HGTV was in line next to me and sat a few rows behind me. I just looked on their website to find out her name & what show she's on but I can't find it. But I do know I've watched it, I recognized her voice behind me and turned & thought...where do I know her from?? Then I realized I don't...she's on TV. haha