bing bong!

i'm back - at least for the time being.  since i've been MIA from here, so much has happened and changed.  

i did it.  i got my wings.  the training in which i had been waiting to come is now over and done.  i would never wish those four weeks upon anyone.  it was enjoyable at times and i made some great friends, but it was a long training process.  each day was 11 hours at the training center.  and to be "stuck" in texas for that amount of time was just....bad.  95 degrees and humid was the forecast everyday.  i believe there were even some 3-digit days.  and on texas as a whole, i think that allowing them to form their own union back in the day wouldn't have been a bad idea.  it's a whole other breed down there!  but, all in all, it was a memorable experience and i accomplished what i had planned.

while i was gone, we also moved into a new apartment.  i can't say that i was sad to be gone during the actual moving process.  i'm not one for physical labor on any level, but to move all of our possessions from one place to another isn't my idea of fun - movers or not.  in talking to gary during the move, it was a dramatic, messy experience.  i will say that was one day i was actually glad to be in dallas.  

upon my much anticipated arrival home to chicago, i was eager to be welcomed to my new surroundings.  a small group of friends were gathered at our apartment for the evening.  not to necessarily welcome me home, but more so for gary's 30th birthday that happened to be the same day as my graduation.  after changing out of my uniform and attempting to gather my bearings, my new roommate amanda offered me a margarita from the pitcher.  she told me to grab a glass.  i stood in the large kitchen with a dumbfounded look.  i then politely asked her where i might find one of those.  it was an interesting evening as i looked around at all my belongings still slightly confused of where i was.  

since i've been home, i've had the pleasure of enjoying a nice chicago weekend with my closest friends, including some of whom live out of town.  we had a fantastic bbq yesterday where 20some of my closest friends came to spend the day with us as we celebrated gary's birthday (and jennys!) and my graduation.  it was a fantastic day.  [that is until i was taking three bags of trash to the back and fell face first down a small flight of stairs.  thankfully my chin and wrists broke my fall and i was only left with a few scratches and lips that look like that had a small collagen treatment.]

so i'm now a stewardess (or a trolly dolly as my cake stated).  it's weird.  i'm excited about the adventures that lie ahead and look forward to meeting new people and visiting new places!  i'll be able to add new hampshire and utah to the newest states i've visited!  before too long i may be able to cover the entire country (that is after i can finagle an alaskan cruise in the nearer future).  

as a card from my friend colleen stated, i'm now free to:

• travel the world - cheaply
• serve cokes and peanuts to thankless morons
• work a 12-hour day in a metal tube flying 38,000 feet in the air at 450 mph
• actually earn a living doing the BEST job in the world

i think that pretty much sums things up!