Camelback Mountain

Chase and I climbed Camelback Mountain last Saturday. It was around noon and 100 degrees. We went through about 3 liters of water, and it took us about an hour to get to the top. It was insanely difficult, but one of the most famous hikes in Phoenix.

No changing weather to cue the seasons here!

I feel like times flies by in Arizona without me noticing it. This is because (well, the conclusion that I've come to) the seasons barely change. In Indiana, or pretty much any other state, there is a stark contrast in seasons, and it's a noticeable difference when one seasons begins to melt away to the other, and it reminds us that "it's that time of the year again!" In Arizona, it's just always hot and sunny. It's almost October and it's still 100 degrees outside. It will start to get a little cooler, but only marginally. There are no leaves changing color or cool October breeze. Just brown desert. I want to burn some fall smelling candles or drink hot cider, but I can't bring myself too because it still feels like summer! I do really miss the fall weather from Indiana. It was such a beautiful time of the year. Oh well...

september update

It's crazy how time flies by...can't believe we're already half way through September! Here are a few updates.

• Chase is operating the role of Regional Repair Specialist. I don't think he has any traveling scheduled in the near future. He will be training other Cintas employees from other states in the regional repair specialist role. Luckily they are flying in to Phoenix so he doesn't have to go away on business!
• I am still loving working on the 6th floor at Scottsdale Osborn. I have been trying learn more about neuroscience and neurosurgery. I try to be in my patients room the entire time the neurologist/neurosurgeon are talking to them. This works if I have time and my other patients don't need anything! I am learning a lot and I ask the doctors explain the scans (MRI, CT, etc.) when they pull them up on the computer. These scans are essentially impossible to read unless you know what you are looking for and have extensive training. Most doctors are pretty cool with this...and I've learned which ones will give me the time of the day and which ones won't.
  

• Chase and I went to Flagstaff last weekend on September 11th to see my collegiate soccer team play in a tournament. I remember in 2006 when I was on the team and we flew out to Arizona to play in the same tournament. I was my first year starting and playing every game...and thankfully not my last! I am so fortunate for the opportunity to have been able to see and do so many great things through playing soccer. We had a blast. Ball State won the tournament (a feat that we were unable to obtain in 2006...but hey...we went on to win back to back MAC Season Championships).

With Abby and Sarah, my old teammates who are currently on the team

After the game, we checked out a 9/11 memorial

Lunch and brewskis at the Beaver Creek Brewery

• Chase and I are also doing lots of projects around our apartment. I found some awesome fabric at JoAnn's and reupholstered our Ikea kitchen table chairs. No longer is there just boring white. We also found this vintage, old little writers desk in Flagstaff for $40. It was scratched with graffiti and stickers all over it. Chase sanded it down for me and we primed and painted it in this beautiful white color. We will distressed the trim with a sander and then finish the piece. It is currently a work in progress. Will post pictures when I am finished!
• Also - I signed up for the PF Changs Half Marathon in downtown Phoenix in January. Not something I want to advertise as I am only barely into the beginning of my training. I just want to finish! The thought is overwhelming...but hey, I paid for it and by golly I will follow through!