It's been a long time since I've spoken or seen many of you. I thought I'd start with a little update of where I am and what I'm doing.
Work:
I finally left Provo in May 2007 after graduating with my MPA. I took a job as a performance auditor with the Arizona Office of the Auditor General, auditing school districts. Our goal is to analyze how more money can be directed into the classroom and away from other activities. We look at spending in administration, plant operations and utilities, transportation (buses), something called Proposition 301/Classroom Site Fund which is specific to AZ, and money spent in the classrooms (supplies, teacher salaries, etc).
I've been with the office for over a year now-and recently celebrated my first promotion! I'm enjoying the job, but admit that sometimes I think it'll make me hesitant to put my kids in school.
Here's a link to my first audit just in case anyone is curious...
http://azauditor.gov/Reports/School_Districts/Districts/Tolleson_UHSD/2008/Tolleson_UHSD_Performance.htm
Life:
I'm living in a house in Scottsdale with 4 other girls. I didn't think I wanted to have that many roommates again, but it's worked out surprising well and I have no plans to move out. It's a good sized house with plenty of space-large bedrooms, good sized kitchen and several living rooms. There's also a pool in the backyard which makes the AZ heat a little more bearable. The house is also only 10-15 minutes from work which is great! I'm currently in an 8 ward student singles stake (at the end of the month, the Church is making some big changes and my ward will remain a YSA ward, but become part of a family stake). It's been a lot of fun and I've made some great friends down here.
Being single and no longer a student, I have a lot more discretionary time than many. My favorite things to do are read (and I love tracking my books on goodreads.com), run, walk or roller blade at a nearby park, hike (I never knew AZ had so many great hikes), and of course- hang out with friends. My stake has inter/intra (I'm not sure which is the correct term here) mural sports. I played on the girls' basketball team during the winter and early spring months, and am finishing up the volleyball season right now. (I'd never played basketball before, but decided to give it a try because the girls were desperate for willing warm female bodies to fill the roster. I thought it would also give me a good opportunity to get to know some of the girls in my ward. I was terrible, but had a great time anyway-and I actually did learn to play, thanks to a special friend of mine.)
