11 years ago...

I love anniversaries of all sorts! I find myself often saying... "7 years ago on this day I met..." or 2 years ago on this day I started working here". I like to think I have a pretty good memory that way. I have been thinking a lot this week about an anniversary that was so pivital to my life, career, friends and future. At the time, of course I had no idea how much it would effect me.

I was in a wierd place. I was 18, graduated a year and directionless. Depressed. I e-mailed my cousin Heather and I am sure rambled on and on about life and the lack there of. I can still remember her response like it was yesterday. She said... "you sound like I feel". She suggested I come for an extended visit while she was all alone in her parents house. Her family was in England for three months working on the Preston Temple (my uncle was a gold leafer). Two days later I had quit my job and I was in the car driving to Utah, I had my car PACKED. I had enough money for gas and that was about it. I got here and found a job within 24 hours. I walked into Bugle Boy, they asked if I could work days and i told them...yes. They then told me to apply no where else and I had the job. They made me a manager and I loved that job!!! Fun people, fun work.

It only took a few days to figure out that I was in the right place. At the end of the three months, leaving was out of the question. So much had happend. I met Karen and Heather Skousen. The four of us quickly became inseparable!!! Heather (my cousin) introduced me to her boss Tim. He hired me after a few weeks (so I had two jobs)! I was a Bear Creek soup rep to start. I am still in the Foodservice Industry today...because of him!!

Life was good. So my "extened stay" still hasn't ended and sure, life has it's ups and downs, but overall life in Utah was one great choice.