My 2015 in Review

This last year was pretty amazing sauce for me!

And, with that being said, I look forward to a wonderful 2016 ahead of me.

Highlights of 2015

• Dad came to San Francisco with me on an overnight.
• Visited Ireland for the first time ever...and started to show off my Honey Bunny a little bit more.
• Saw Paris a second time. 
• Had some dear friends visit Chicago, and let me play tour guide.
• Saw the Cubs play an amazing baseball game, that later sent them to the playoffs.
• Worked some awesome overnights with some awesome crews.
• Euro-tripped it, again, to Amsterdam with Paul and his auntie. Was a first time for him in Amsterdam. Him and I made a great traveling duo.
• Flew to Iceland, with Paul and my brother Flint, and road tripped the entire island on the famous Ring Road.
• Saw the groundbreaking of a new LDS church in downtown Chicago.
• Took a day trip to PDX for Paul's birthday - all in a day, and even got first class coming home!
• Haribo candies sent me a gold mine of free Haribo gummy candies. BEST! DAY! EVER!
• Watched my brother Cash marry his longtime girlfriend Kali. Funnest wedding all year!
• Took an epic family road trip to Durango, Colorado with my whole family, and Paul.
• Watched the airplanes land at SXM airport in St. Maarten. Then balled my eyes out trying to get out of that airport...
• Jetted to Switzerland, for the most life changing event ever. I GOT ENGAGED! AT THE BASE OF THE MATTERHORN!
• Had more visitors to Chicago - Flint, Paul, and my Mom. And had a few more friends that came to visit too.
• Watched the Chicago marathon, and cheered on those runners.
• Spent those major holidays surrounded by family.
• Witnessed the CTA Christmas train - which was a big deal for me.
• Said goodbye to dive of a restaurant, that will always have wonderful childhood memories. Long live the Cow, may you rest in peace Top Spot.
• Saw Star Wars, fell asleep, and ruined it for those who hadn't seen it. Therefore, took a break from social media. (New Years resolution for the new year: shut up!)
• Rang in the New Year surrounded by my family.

We meet, he was persistent, and I was not interested.

This evening, as I talk on the phone with my Honey Bunny we realize that almost one year ago, this week, we went on our first date. Or, as I liked to call it, our first "interview." What a year it has been -- now we are engaged and starting a whole new chapter to our lives. A chapter I don't think either of us thought we would ever get to.

It was a Sunday morning on August 3, 2014. My Mother's birthday. A week before my sisters wedding. I had just flown into Salt Lake City International airport from Chicago. We had about an hour layover before we were to travel to our next destination. I got off the plane and went quickly to my next gate. The plane wasn't here yet, so to waste time I was on my phone. The other flight attendant was standing next to me, but neither of us were really conversing. Next thing I know there is some Delta gate agent, in a suit and cute glasses talking to both of us. Neither of us were real thrilled with him. I, however, gave him a tiny bit more attention then the other flight attendant, but only to be nice. We began to converse some. After a quick introduction he found out I was from Southern Utah, and Mormon. He shared that he was Mormon and from Salt Lake area. Still not impressed, and still didn't even believe that he was even Mormon. Our conversation continued some, mostly about travel, and going on different trips. Next thing I know I am getting invited on some trip, to some island off the coast of Guatemala, Honduras, or some exotic place. Oh please? Sure? Who is this yahoo? I'll just pretend I'm interested so that maybe he will leave me alone. Is our plane here yet? Why are you still here talking to me? Don't you need to work? Finally, the plane is here and I can escape this guy and go get ready to board. Not so fast, he pulls out his business card and hands it to me, with the hope that I'll call him later, and we can talk more. Yeah right! Within a few minutes, as soon as I was able to get to the nearest trash can, his card went into the trash faster then a passenger handing me their child's dirty diaper.

Two days later, I am traveling back through Salt Lake airport, finishing my trip to Chicago. I had completely forgot about this Delta gate agent, who annoyed me on Sunday. As I am quickly walking to my gate, in a different terminal, and at a completely different time, this man (the Delta gate agent with cute glasses) spots me, and comes running over to me. Why I ever thought I wouldn't see him again was very naive of me. He immediately asks why I haven't called him. Little did he know I chucked his card. Of course I made up some lie, and tried to brush it off. In the hurry that I was, he keeps the pace with me, and hands me another business card before I board my plane to go home. This time I keep the card, but toss it in my bag, to only get lost, and forgot about.

One month later. We're into the second week of September. Life is good. I'm loving this job, the people I'm working with, and the overnights I get to go on. September 13, 2014 I am finishing a trip, flying from Salt Lake City to Chicago. As I am with my crew walking towards our plane, I see that Delta gate agent. I had completely forgot about him, and his two business cards he had given me. I cannot believe this man even remotely remembers me. Let alone even wants to speak to me, even after it was clear I wasn't interested in him. My crew looks at him funny as he acts like him and I are dear friends. I want to tell my crew I have no clue who he is, or why he is so interested in me! I keep walking and just slightly acknowledge his presence as I head down the jet bridge. He is still on my heels, asking why I had never called him from his second attempt. He calls me out on throwing away his business card -- which I did. The first time! I tell him the truth, and tell him I did throw it away, but that I had the second card...just wasn't sure where it was. But, I knew I had it! He decides to take matters into his own hands and asks if he can have my number. I hum haw around looking for a way to get out of giving it to him. No such luck. I cave in and give him my number. I'm not too worried though, I really don't feel like he will actually call me.

As my routine goes, when I return from a trip: I say my goodbyes, head to the train, sit in my normal train car, take a deep breath, turn on my phone, put in my music, and unwind on the forty five minute train ride to my apartment. Once my phone flickered on, and became adjusted I noticed I had a text message from a phone number of someone who was not saved in my contacts. It was an "801" number, so I knew it was someone from Utah. I check the message, as it read, "Hey Libby. I hope this is your real number, and not a bogus number. Pauly with Delta." I sit on the train at a complete loss. Pauly with Delta? Who could this be. Seriously, several minutes went by when the light bulb finally flickered. Oh! It's that annoying gate agent who works for Delta! Okay? So...Do I text him back? I didn't have much else going on that evening, so why not at least let him know that I did NOT LIE about my number. I text him, I tell him that I gave him the correct number. Pauly with Delta doesn't skip a beat. He immediately texts back with much excitement in his message. We text for the next fifteen minutes or so, and then I quit texting him. I gave him enough attention to know that I am not a complete jerk. But, I did my part, and I don't need to text him back. Ever. As I type this I realize I was playing hard to get. Not my intentions at all. I was not interested.

About two weeks later I decided to travel to Salt Lake City. I had a few days off, and wanted to see some of my friends. It was a late Saturday night when I decided to hop on a plane and head west. I was flying in to Salt Lake on United, (not Delta -- just so we're clear) my sister and new brother in law were going to pick me up. I had completely forgot about this Pauly with Delta character. As we are coming into Salt Lake and getting ready to land we were coming in from the south and I could see the beautiful city all lit up. It was beautiful, just like any city is at night. As we are just getting ready to land I had this small feeling, maybe the spirit, or bad indigestion, but whatever the feeling, I decide to give this Pauly with Delta a text message. Just to let him know I am flying through Salt Lake, and again, that I'm not a COMPLETE JERK. I figured it was late, that he was probably out with friends, and wouldn't even remember me. My little plan backfired. He was up, he was working, he remembered me, and he was super excited that I did text him. Great? Can open - worms everywhere now. And I hate worms.

One thing led to another, we meet up for a brief fifteen minutes, we talk, I seem completely uninterested, and yet, he still just didn't seem to get it. Basically, the rest is history. I fell for this Pauly with Delta character. (But stay tuned - the first date is coming next...)

Marriage is something every girl wants. I've wanted it a long time...off and on, but honestly, who doesn't want to get married? To say I'm happy that I'm engaged and getting married is true. But, I was okay with being single too. I have had a wonderful single life. My life has been filled with many great friends (married and single), it's been full of amazing adventures, and most importantly, I conquered a mission and an education, which were two extremely difficult accomplishments in my life. As I think back on the last fifteen years I can only see the positive things that have happened in my life. There have been many negative, but why dwell on them? I'm so thrilled to find someone who compliments me so much. It's crazy how much we are truly meant for each other. I am so EXTREMELY glad we meet on that fateful August 3rd. That Paul was as persistent as he was, even though I wasn't interested, I'm glad my interest changed.

Houghton, Boston, Houston - I love the USofA!

I love the USofA!  I am seeing the states one flight at a time.  One of the perks of being a flight attendant is, of course, seeing the different cities throughout the United States.

Houghton.  As of recent I have gotten to know the small town of Houghton, MI very well.  It's (one of) the farthest north places you can go in Michigan.  Home to one of the top schools in the US - Michigan Tech.  And, has some of the most beautiful scenery I have seen...next to Alaska, Utah, and parts of Canada.

This small little town features a main street with some quaint little shops, restaurants, and fascinating old buildings.  On this particular overnight I ventured out and walked amongst the shops.  During my stroll I found myself at a historical old building claiming to once be the library in this small town.  It had now been turned into a museum.  I walked in and saw that the small building had a few pictures on the wall. A sweet little lady, named Debbie, sat at the desk and offered me some information.  Before I knew it time had quickly gone by and I was almost in tears in the history she had shared with me about this old fashioned little town of Houghton.  She left me spellbound as I took the rest of the time to walk around the small room and look at the pictures she had just discribed to me.  Almost 100 years ago this Christmas (day) a tragedy struck this copper mining Finnish town.  As the town was having a Christmas party in the town hall someone screamed out, "FIRE!"  Just over one hundred people partying inside the building fled the building, running down the very small staircase to escape the "so called" fire.  Making the rush to get out of the building many were killed.  Mostly children.  And when all was said and done, there was no trace of any fire.  I was in shock to hear this story, then to see the black and white pictures strung on the walls really made my heart ache.  Who would've ever known this small town housed such a dark past.  I needed to leave this museum, and lighten my heart.  I walked through the town looking at the old buildings, walking across the bridge that goes across the Portage Waterway, and enjoyed the beauty of this small town.  I spent three weeks in a row coming to this town, and was happy to do so.

Boston.  Oh, how I deeply have fallen in love with Boston.  Boston, MA is my new favorite city in the USofA.  Seriously, how did I not get there sooner.  I was given the trip to Boston a week in advance.  However, after seeing that I would have a very long overnight in this city I knew that it would be taken back by the flight attendant who dropped the trip in the first place.  After arriving to work and meeting my crew I told them that I probably would not get to enjoy the last overnight in Boston.  Much to my surprise the flight attendant I was working with said, "it's all yours.  I know the flight attendant who dropped this trip and she is stuck in the Phillipians, so you'll get to see Boston"  I was shocked, and excited.  I was getting to go to Boston!

We arrived late that night, so off to bed I went.  I had planned to get up early and hit the train first thing in the morning, so I could get into the city and see what I could with my limited amount of time.  Our hotel is a quick five minutes from the nearest train station.  Luckily the hotel was kind enough to drop and pick us up at the train station.  I was dropped off and hopped on the train to head downtown.  I was amazed at how quickly I figured out the train system.  (I feel like such a pro since moving to Chicago and learning the public transportation here.) Within a few stops I was in the heart of downtown Boston.  I came up from the underground stop and looked around being whisked back to the 1800's (or 1700's) by the look of all the old buildings, and cobblestone roads/sidewalks.  Seriously, cobblestone was everywhere.  Seriously, I was in love from the moment I saw the cobblestone.  I also realized that my walking would need to be careful - seeing as I am sort of a klutz, this could be problematic.  However, I am happy to report I did not trip once during my strolling through Boston.

A wonderful crew to go to Boston with:  Jarroyd, Daniel, me and Adrian.

I had been wanting to get to Boston for some time.  This trip was finally allowing this.  My first and most awaited stop in all of Boston was to go eat at the famous B&G Oysters where I had watched from TV in small town Utah, about this particular restaurant talk about their famous lobster roll.  I always said, if I ever get to Boston I am going to this very restaurant and having one of their famous rolls.  So with my trusty smartphone set up with google maps I set out.  In no time at all I had reached my final train stop, walked up the escalator and was back in the city, now southern downtown.  I took to my right and walked down the cobblestone streets for about four blocks, when I finally made a left and headed one more block when to my astonishing eye, I beheld the restaurant I had been wanting to eat at for some time now.  This was all so surreal - it was like I was in a dream.  The time was just after eleven, and I suddenly panicked that maybe I was too early.  Walking up to the door, it was closed, saying continue to the back of the restaurant.  As I made my way around the very old building looking through the windows the restaurant looked very quiet and unopened.  I kept going.  Once inside I noticed that I was the first customer of the day.  Even so, they were open, and that is all that mattered to me.  The host seated me near the bar, and I didn't even hesitate to tell her I was here for one of their famous lobster rolls.  She quickly took my order, and I basked in my surroundings of their very quaint and swanky little restaurant.  I was in complete astonishment I was finally here.  Patiently I waited for my roll to arrive.  After some time the waitress brought me my much anticipated roll.  I didn't want to eat it, it was so beautiful.  Of course, I had to have a picture with it...  After one bite I was hooked.  If I were to die today I would die happy.  This lobster roll was everything I had ever dreamed it would be.  I savored each bite, and didn't want the roll to disappear. (Then I cam back to reality when my bill came - almost $40.00 for the thing.  SHEESH! )

Time was ticking away and it would soon be time for me to return to the hotel and go back to that thing people call work.  With my limited time I tried to see some major highlights of downtown Boston.  I saw the sight of the Boston Massacre, saw Paul Reveres home (from the outside), and stopped at the famous Mikes Pastry (where I was glad I actually had cash on me since that's all they take).  With the amount of time I had in Boston I think I did pretty well on seeing what I did.  I couldn't have asked for such nice weather, and the size of Boston did not even intimidate me.  I guess after living in the big city of Chicago I feel like any other city I go visit is just like a little town.  There is much more I would love to see of the beautiful city of Boston again, but for now, this visit was just perfect.  Look out Boston, I will be back!

Houston, takes me back to last January as I was there for one of the many flight attendant interviews I was attending.  I hadn't been back since.  Now after finishing flight attendant training and met so many new people who quickly became my close friends I actually have people I know who live in Houston.  I was so excited for my 24 hours in this concrete city.  Immediately upon arriving I called up my two favorite people and we set out for dinner at a famous Tex-Mex restaurant.  Now if you know anything about Houston, it's intertwined by lots of freeway.  It's not my favorite city, but I didn't really care.  I was there to see friends and have me some good American Mexican food.  We sought out only the best in Houston, and I was not disappointed.  In fact, I can't get those chips and salsa out of my head.  They were the best I have had in a long time.  Mmmmmmhhhhhmmmmm!  I also found a new favorite restaurant in the Houston airport called Bullritos.  Another Tex-Mex.  Every time I have a layover in Houston I get all excited.  I don't eat a lot of airport food, but if i'm in Houston, oh I'll be eating this airport food.  It's cheap, good, and makes for more than one meal.  SWEET!  I still feel like I haven't seen much of Houston, but it's not really the most accessible city.  You have to have a car to really get around.  And, last time I was there I saw the temple, so what else is there to really see. ;)

Enrique, white girl, and Miss Angela.  (Holding their drinks.)

Jennifer and I.  One of my new favorite flight attendants I had the pleasure to work with.

Santa Barbara Stole my Heart...Once I Got There

I was lucky enough to get sent to Santa Barbara on a very long overnight.  I knew about a week in advance that I would be going to this beautiful beach town on the west coast, and I excitedly went online and started to research the things to do in this southern California town.  I made my list and then counted down the days that I would soon be there.

It wouldn't be natural for me to arrive in one piece with all the bells and whistles.  My trip began by going to the town of Springfield, IL.  It's a quaint little town (and I hope to share my thoughts on it later in another blog post), but it was not setting well with me this time around.  A few weeks earlier I had started to get sick and was coming down with a really bad cold of some sort, or possibly a sinus infection.  It was so bad that my ears felt like they were going to burst every time I went into the sky.  Which is a lot, with my new career.  Arriving in Springfield on this hot August day the plane decided it was done.  The air conditioning unit went out on the plane.  So, my pilots and I sat.  We sat for two hours in a very hot and humid plane.  Finally they (the mechanics in Chicago) told us that we needed to ferry the plane back to Chicago.  That means we had to fly the plane back with no passengers.  My captain was a real gem and told me that he would like me to fly up front with them in the flight deck.  Score!  What he didn't tell me was that the plane would be unpressurised and there would be no air.  This flight from Springfield is a whopping 30 minutes, but on this particular day, and particular time it was THE LONGEST 30 MINUTE FLIGHT of my life!  I couldn't even enjoy the fact that I was sitting in the flight deck having one of the best views.  First of all I was sweating like a pig who just got done breeding, and second of all my ears were in the most excruciating pain that I was about to pull a Van Gogh and cut off my ear(s).  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity - seriously time has never gone so slow in my lifetime, we landed.  Thank goodness!  However, for me, it was several more long minutes until I was able to regain strength in my ears.  After parking the plane and shuttling over to a new plane I asked my Captain if that flight was a little bit odd?  He said, "Oh?  Did you notice your ears popping?"  Did I notice my ears popping, DID I NOTICE MY EARS POPPING, DID I FREAKING NOTICE MY EARS POPPING!!!  Well, let's just say I was hoping for a crash landing to put me out of my misery!  (Just an FYI none of that was said out loud.)  Because there was no air conditioning unit we had do fly the plane at a lower altitude, making it, like I said earlier, unpressurised.  Therefore, it really messed with our ears/head/whatever else goes berserk in our body with pressure.  As we are all dripping in sweat we hopped on our new plane, which happened to be larger, and I was now the first class flight attendant.  Just what these high paying people want to see, a flight attendant who is dripping in sweat and is possibly adding salt to their margarita via my forehead!  Gross!  Surprisingly, all the passengers were just happy to be on their flight and did nothing but complement me throughout the flight.  I mean really, what else are you going to say to the flight attendant who is sweating like a pig and then running around like a chicken with their head cut off?  Hmmm?

Three hours later we were finally done for the day and staying the night in Springfield.  One day closer to being in Santa Barbara.

The next day our journey to Santa Barbara began early.  We had to fly back to Chicago, then on to Madison, WI, through Denver, CO, and lastly into Santa Barbara.  Because I was with a Denver based crew I was getting a new pilot in Denver.  According to his crew picture this captain looked about my age and was very handsome.  I was super excited to pick him up.  After a two hour layover in Denver the time had finally come to meet this captain.  Time stood still when we met, and our gazes locked - I'm not sure the feeling was mutual, but I was in love.  I had met the man of my dreams.  His stature was strong, his head was full of hair, and his eyes...his eyes were like the color of a tropical blue ocean on the coast of Fiji.  I had found my blue eyed lover whom I would spend eternity with.  Ohhhh, how my time in Santa Barbara was going to be even more magical.  We would land, we would walk to our hotel shuttle talking about the plans we were going to do that evening, he would invite me to go to dinner, we would hit up some tourist attractions, then we would finish out the night watching the sunset together on the beach, and lastly, we would talk about our wedding plans...

Undoubtedly, the only thing remotely close to my "dream plans" was that him and I did walk to the hotel shuttle together, we did talk about what MY plans for the evening were, and then I awkwardly asked what his plans were.  I kick myself now because I wish I would have invited him along for my long afternoon/evening.  All I had to say was, "You are welcome to join me."  Six little words, and I couldn't do it.  We walked to our hotel rooms, and I kept hoping that we would change our clothes and then serendipitously show up in the hotel lobby at the same time.  Did not happen.  I even tried to linger in the lobby hoping that he might show up.  If you are still reading this, you probably are thinking I am the most desperate single Mormon girl ever.  Well, I am!

Santa Barbara was to be conquered with or without my dream man, and the time was ticking away.  I saddled up my new trusty stead, my cruiser bike, grabbed a free tourist map, and hit the bike lanes in this very friendly bicycle beach town.  It was all downhill to this darling Santa Barbara downtown.  My first stop was the Santa Barbara Courthouse.  It was one of the tallest buildings in downtown and offered up a beautiful view of the city from all sides.  After seeing the views, I wandered around, via bike, just looking at the beautiful buildings.  Within time my stomach was starting to make some noise, so it was time to quiet it down.  Being a huge fan of Diners, Drive-inns, and Dives, I had picked one of the restaurants Guy had eaten at in downtown Santa Barbara.  Mac's Fish and Chip Shop.  This cool little dive was right in the middle of downtown.  It had great bar seating looking right out on the main street.  I ordered me up some fish and chips, and had a seat right in front of the window.  The fish was awesome, best I've had in a while.  However, the chips let me down.  I couldn't even finish them.  I can't say this is my favorite restaurant, but the fish did win me over.  Following my meal I moseyed around downtown window shopping.

View from the top.

If anyone watches Psych this is the building they use in the show?
I guess???

Fish and Chips baby!

After my window shopping got old I realized that I am just minutes from the beach.  I can't come all this way and not go to the beach.  Hopping back on my bike, I headed down to the Santa Barbara Pier.  The beach was beautiful.  I can't remember the last time I was at a California beach, but it was nice to sit in the warm sand, bask in the sun, and people watch.  All the while I'm thinking, why couldn't I be doing this with my beautiful blue eyed captain?  All I had do was ask a simple question..."You're welcome to join me?"  As the sun was starting to set I realized it was time I headed back to the hotel.  Once I stood up and started my walk off the beach it registered that I had biked a very long way from my hotel.  I was at least a good five miles from it, and the whole ride to the beach was downhill.  Oh gosh.  I have to bike uphill five miles to my hotel...this ought to be enjoyable, said the out of shape gal?  I gathered my things, and started my trek up hill (not in the snow, thank goodness).  As I was a quarter mile up hill I suddenly became very grateful I was not with my handsome captain.  I did not want him to see me as a sweaty mess huffing and puffing up the hill.  With what took me probably 15 minutes to get downtown was now going on an hour to get home.  Sheesh, I am clearly out of shape!  Not to get off topic, but it's a good thing I get out, explore, and walk around each area I end up staying overnight in.  This job could easily make a person gain weight.  Which scares me about the winter months.  Let's hope I get sent to sunny, warm, hot spots in the winter months so I can stay (kind of) active.

My trusty steed.  

California Beach.  Yeah buddy!

Just as the sun was beginning to set I had arrived back at the hotel.  I took a few minutes to wipe the sweat off me before heading into the lobby.  'Cause you never know who might be in the lobby at the exact same time I am.  He was not in the lobby, but you never know!  With my stiff legs I walk to my hotel room and throw myself on the bed.  I think to myself, and wonder if my captain went out as well.  The next morning as we meet in the lobby to catch the shuttle to the airport my hunky blue eyed captain asks how my day was.  I tell him all the exploring I did, and when I am done he tells me, he had gotten a bike, and went to the beach also.  Then proceeds to say, "Why didn't we just go together?"  What the!  WHAT THE FREAK!!!  SERIOUSLY!!!  Who knew, all my sight seeing could've been with the love of my life.

We finished our trip in Chicago, and my captain and I parted ways.  I told him it was a pleasure to work with him, and that I appreciated how helpful he was, and that I enjoyed his pleasant happy attitude.  He shook my hand and told me it was likewise, and that he enjoyed his time with me.  I'll take likewise!  It may not be the "L" word I wanted to hear, but likewise is pretty darn close in my book.

The captain stole my heart, but not as much as the beautiful beach town of Santa Barbara.

Hello, from the past two months of my life!

Libby loves Chicago.

I am loving life here in the biggest city in the Midwest.

There is so much going on right now that I don't even know where to begin.  I hate that I am behind in my blogging.  It bothers me so much.  I miss this outlet, and I miss reading other peoples blogs.  I just haven't had the time that I thought I would...

Trying to get my priorities straight so that I can actually get back to my blogging ways.  For now, I will just post all the pictures from the last two months and hope that they can tell the story for now.

As I waited to find out where I was going to be based
I spent some time with family over in Moab.

My tour guide, Klinton J. York did a wonderful job of showing
me around his home town.

In complete shock that this would be my
form of transportation.  My first sighting of
it was nerve wracking...now I'm a pro.

Came to Chicago on a quick trip to find an apartment.
The Cubs were playing and we decided - let's
go out to the ball game!

As we were out looking for apartments my two friends
saw "my peeps."  I yelled down the Elders...
we chatted it up, and found out that my now church
was right around the corner.  It was meant to be!

Small in size, but big in stature.  Not your typical Mormon Church.

Had a BBQ with our dear friend Alvin.

Met up with some other friends from class and had dinner
at a Vietnamese restaurant.

Two friends from California came through St. George,
and it just so happened that our schedules matched up.
We went and ate at the fancy Painted Pony.

Had a lovely going away party thrown by my awesome cousin
Anisa.  Had all kinds of good food,
and Chicago style hot dogs.

A water fight almost got started and poor
Anisa got hit right in the face...it was supposed
to be that I got hit.  Poor thing.

My first trip as a Flight Attendant sent me to Eugene, OR.
Beautiful city.  I also got to see a friend, Rashelle who lives there.

Moved to Chicago - started sleeping with a guy...

We all had the day off - so it's time to start exploring
the big city.  Gotta eat some deep dish Chicago
style pizza...so sick of the stuff now.

Enrique and I had the day off and went to spend time in
city.  First thing to happen...bird pooped on him.
I, of course, peed my pants...

The Bean.  Ya gotta see the bean...I've seen the bean
far too many times already.  Still not sick of it!

Hanging out at the Magnificent Mile like I own the place!

The start of hopefully many run ins with friends from afar
at the Chicago O'Hare airport.  Glad I got
to see Erin on her layover home from Italy.

Free concert in the park.  Don't mind if I do.  Best part about
it was the weather, the music, and the new found
love - Goose Island Spicy Ginger Ale.

I got to work with Dena on an overnight trip to Salt Lake City.
We were so excited!!!

Took her on a tour of Temple Square!  She loved it!

Over nighted in Milwaukee, WI.  Beautiful city.
Had some good tasting cheese!

Just another night out on the town with these Hoohas!

Always have to eat sushi when the four of us our together...

That same night the Blackhawks (Chicago Hockey Team)
won the Stanley Cup.  The town turned into a major
riot - a good riot.  Things got CRA CRA!

Took a trip to a free zoo - Lincoln Park Zoo.  Was a long trip
and Enrique fell asleep on the train...

After exploring the zoo we had to eat.  We found
this awesome Peruvian restaurant a few bus stops
away.  My first time eating Peruvian food.

Just before we moved from our hotel there was this

restaurant I had been dying to try almost two miles

walking distance from where we were staying.

The burgers were awesome - dripping in fat!  Can't beat that!

Guess who I happened upon as I sat ready at the airport.
My dear friend Tara.  We spent the whole day just chilling at the
airport.  Wish all my days of just "sitting" could be with her!

Spent the weekend in West Lafayette with family.  I am
so sad they HAVE to move back to Utah.

No airport in West Lafayette, so I had to take a two hour
train ride up to Central Station in downtown Chicago.
 Would take a train any day!

My new found love - fried cheese curds!  Since I fly to WI
all the time - this is a staple found just about everywhere!

Spending the 4th of July in Winnipeg, Canada.  Good thing
I had an awesome crew to spend it with.  Also
met a Minneapolis crew too!

The first officer had me stand by the plane and take pictures.
Was a little bit odd, but I'm glad we took them. 

Got to spend a little time back in Utah for the remainder
of the 4th of July weekend.  Started off with a bang -
falling out of a chair...

Missed my summer days in Cedar eating Tiki Shack sno cones!

Got to see a few friends:  Erin, Lisa, and Auntie Camee.

A rare moment with all the Williams kids.

Got to meet the new addition to the family - precious little Braylee.
Even got to be at the blessing - SCORE!

Also got to see this bugger.

Following the 4th of July my dear Aunt Debbie passed away.
Timing worked in my favor for once, and I was
able to make it home for her funeral.  It was also
a huge blessing that I got to see her the previous weekend.

Just another beautiful day at the O'Hare airport.

Birthday lunch at the White Palace Grill - turning the big 33!
HOLY COW!  Getting old!

Got to play tour guide for Jo Jo's family.
And, we had to take them to The Bean!
I love Filipinos! 

Had another run in at the O'hare airport.  Got to see my dear
friend Tony from Victoria, Canada.  He had a quick layover,
and it just so happened I was picking up my sister.

The sister decided to come stay the weekend with me.
I took her on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.  Rode the
water taxi from the pier to Sears tower, and just walked
all over downtown.

Cousin Libby Sr. showed up and the three of us spent the day
exploring the city.  Had to go to the free zoo.

I've been wanting to eat at restaurants found through the
show "Diners, Drive-inns and Dives."  This is one of them -
Glenn's Diner.  I will so be coming back to this one.

Glenn's Diner has a cereal bar - you can't beat that!

Had to stop by Goose Island Bar for some awesome drinks
during happy hour.  Cream soda, grape, and spicy ginger ale!

Of course we had to see The Bean.

I have been busy, as you can see.  Loving every moment thus far, and I look forward to more adventures here in the big city.  Also looking forward to more family and friends coming to visit.  And, I have major hopes I can get back to my blogging routine.  Wish me luck!