September 2011

It feels like it has been forever since I have last updated our blog, which is most likely due to the fact that Bill and I have both been extremely busy this past month! Anyway, here is a brief recap of how our month went:)

First, before everything really got underway, we were able to spend Labor Day weekend relaxing in La Jolla, California with our friends Sean and Allison. During our stay, we managed to indulge in some good food, drinks, cigars, and some good laughs both pool side and out on the town. We were also able to enjoy a day trip to the beach and to the San Diego Zoo to see the famous Pandas!!

 

Bill and Sean 2011



The Pandas!

Bill and the Panda!

Immediately following our Labor Day trip, I started my new job with Vocational Rehabilitation, which has gone very well so far. I really like the job, people, and the building that I will be working with and around. I am about 1,000 times happier here than my last place of employment, which I am sure Bill can attest to! The only concerning factor is that the parking lot is a little hectic, which can be evidenced by the large dent in my bumper that I acquired my first day on the job. I am still trying to find time to get those repairs done...

Over the course of the past month, I have been required to complete mandatory trainings before I actually get to start working with my caseload, which will consist of individuals with mental health/behavioral health conditions who are trying to become employed. This will be challenging, but rewarding since Yuma was ranked # 1 for unemployment in the whole United States! Anyway, I have been fortunate enough to get a good start on these trainings as I have spent two weeks in Phoenix knocking them out. I was sure glad to finish this past Friday!

As for Bill, another WTI course has crept up on us! Students checked in on September 11th and since then Bill has been busy preparing flight schedules and facilitating the courses that he is responsible for. The academic phase is almost complete and he will be moving into the flight phase soon, which means that WTI is almost about halfway done! I am sure he will be busy with night and weekend flights right up until October 31st.

Other exciting events that occurred this month included the big Southwest Blackout. We were affected as everyone else was from Yuma all the way into San Diego. Apparently, it was one individual that tripped something that left the whole Southwest without power or A/C for several hours. Some people were unfortunate and had to go the whole night without power. We were lucky and our power was restored right before we went to bed that night. I couldn't imagine going without it considering temperatures were still well above 100 degrees! Ironically, our A/C unit broke about a week later and Bill  had to go without A/C for a whole week anyway...haha. This happened to coincide with the time that I was in Phoenix:) Sorry, Bill!

Lastly, I completed my first Triathlon on September 24th in Somerton, AZ. It was a very small and local tri, but it was good practice since I was preparing for the Mission Beach Triathlon in San Diego, which will be MUCH bigger. I placed 1st for women, but it was quite a painful race considering the temperature was over 90 degrees by the time I had to run. I seriously thought I was going to die! I sure hope Mission Bay goes better as temperatures should be a balmy 60-70 degrees since it is in San Diego! Hope everyone everyone has enjoyed their summer and is looking forward to the cooling temperatures as much as we are!!:) Happy Fall!