Something's Changed

September 2012 marked changes in my life. First, I decided I wanted to try something different with my hair and had highlights put in. I spent the next two months trying to decide if I liked it. My hair was much lighter and reminiscent of life in high school, but I felt it wasn't me anymore. Debatable topic. Even now, I still go back and forth on whether I like it or not.

Blonde highlights and new friends at Lake Tahoe

A second change is I finally succumbed to attending another mid-singles event. I went to one last May and though it was held in one of my favorite places in the world, the CA beach, other events occurred that marred my experience. A friend of mine convinced me to stay with his group this time and I felt comfortable enough to attend knowing I had a couple of friends I could rely on when I got overwhelmed with the large masses of people surrounding me. I ended up having a great time at Lake Tahoe and enjoyed meeting new people. A group of us ended up going on a 10-mile hike to this lake and it was absolutely worth the hours spent trudging up the mountain. Stunning! Needless to say, I'm glad I found the courage to escape to Tahoe that weekend.

Hiking

Lake Tahoe

New friends at Lake Tahoe

My first interview flyback also happened in September. McAfee (in San Jose area) first contacted me while I was at Tahoe and I had a phone interview with the hiring manager there. A had another round of interviews, which began the trend of me ducking out to my car or to my sister's place to take these types of calls. When they wanted me to come out and meet the team, I was thrilled hoping this may be my next opportunity. I was able to swing this with my current job because the entire team was out of the office in San Francisco for Dreamforce. My boss promised I could attend this event but backed out of that stating I needed to be in the office. Not true. Just another excuse. So off to California I went and worked it out so I could stay the weekend. The interview was interesting. Though it was a good company and a great opportunity, I didn't want it. It was not the job for me, yet it would get me out of a situation I didn't want to be in. Additionally, I spent the weekend with friends at their ward campout and met an entirely new group of people that would change my life. The result of that weekend was I decided I didn't want the job, but I did want to spend time with my California friends. Thus began my monthly trips to the Bay Area for my social life.

My favorite Bay Area couple

One thing did remain constant during this: trips to the mountains and spending time with my family. I am very grateful for the love and support of my family during the next eighteen months. Not only because my parents were out of the country, but because I had many difficult decisions ahead of me and they provided the insight I needed to choose between the paths in front of me. The most worthwhile advice came from my 12-year-old nephew. Love the simple understanding of the youth.

Mayfield Canyon

Cheesing it up for the camera

Cabin time

Brigham City Temple open house

My nephew Max and me