A Few Updates!

Finally! For those faithful readers who have stuck around, I have finally taken control of this hectic, crazy, disorganized existence for a few blessed minutes to talk to the three of you (tap tap tap....is this thing on? hello?)

Anyway, the update is that Ron has indeed gotten a job at Honeywell doing some cool high-end electronics engineering. He had his first day yesterday and was pretty excited that it seems like it's going to be a great work situation. We are, as you can imagine, shocked and awed and way thrilled at how quickly this whole process went. We were afraid that transitioning back into jobs and life would be a slow process, and we are so thankful that it was so rapid.

So we signed a lease on a sweet little house that's only a few miles away from Ron's workplace. We LOVE this house already and are so excited to be here!

And look!  We even have a backyard!!!

Now all that's left is my job search!  If anyone knows of work in the editing/writing/publishing/PR world, let me know! 

Can it get better? I think not.

We are in heaven! Ron got a job offer yesterday morning for his first-choice job. He'll be engineering high-tech systems displays for the cockpits in jets. He's so excited to be doing work he finds interesting!

Since we wanted to be moved in to a new place before his start date of September 29th (so soon!), we searched high and low for a few days and decided to rent a house instead of an apartment. We signed a lease today on a gorgeous 3-bedroom in north Phoenix. It's a convenient spot, as it's only 4 miles to Ron's work and close to lots of friends and family. We move in on Friday, which also happens to be my birthday!

We are beyond excited and so ready to start settling in and finding out what the next phase holds for us!

Oh Camera Cord, Where Art Thou?

I still have more pictures I'd like to upload...once I find that little piece of electronic gold known as the camera cord.  I'm sure it's waiting patiently in the oversized and breathtakingly messy pile of general stuff that is still spilling out of our as-yet-unpacked suitcases.  Soon, soon.

As an update, however, we are adjusting just fine.  We've had cheeseburgers galore, lots of green salads and Mexican food.  We've also not yet stopped marveling at the life-affirming power of long hot showers, laundry detergent, and toilets that flush anytime you want them to.  

Ron's waist-deep in job searching, and had an interview yesterday with what is his first-choice employer, so we would be eternally grateful if you would keep your fingers crossed for us or say a prayer or just do whatever your personal method of divine intervention is.  We were told that we would know sometime next week. 

As for me, I am increasingly thinking that I should just move to Alaska and run for governor.  I heard there was an opening.

We're Baaaaack!

The G-skis are officially back in business!  Our trip back to the US was blessedly incident-free, with no delays, cancellations or lost bags.  Thank heavens!  We spent a little over a week in Maryland with Ron's family.  We had a blast visiting with them and hanging out with our nephews and baby niece. We also got to visit our old hangouts in DC and Annapolis, meet up with some friends from college, and reconnect with our favorite high school teacher.  Overall it was a great week, and we were so glad to have the opportunity to be there - thanks to Ethiopian Airlines, whose US flights are all directed through Dulles airport!

Jet lag wasn't too bad - by a Herculean effort we didn't nap at all so we were on the fast track to getting adjusted.  We were a bit afraid we would be sick from all the rich and dairy-laden foods, but we have been fine so far! Yay!

We got back to Phoenix on Thursday and spent two days with mi familia before arriving at Claude and Kelley's last night.  It's good to be back!  Although after being in humid Burundi and Maryland, my skin is practically cracking from the dryness in the air.  We'll get used to it in a couple days though I'm sure.

Once I actually locate my camera cord, I'll update some more pictures from our last days in Burundi and from our time in Maryland!  And if you are in Phoenix, make sure to email or call us and we'll get together!  We've missed everyone.

P.S.  For all those who were wondering, the answer is yes - our first meal in Phoenix was indeed In-N-Out.  It was glorious.