Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map!

So. I got a new job. Hello Colliers International!

Even though I've had a job almost continuously from the time I was 16 (that makes it about 14 years) I feel like this is my first "real" job. Yep, I'm almost 30 and just starting my first real job! Truth be told, all my other jobs were real too...I mean, they were legal and I got paid for them...but this one feels like THE real job because it's in my career field. I went to school and earned degrees for what I'm doing. I'm qualified! I work in the GIS/Mapping department for Colliers International, a commercial real estate company. Here are some of the reasons I like it so far:

1. I like the company because they're international...if I want to put in for a transfer to New Zealand, I can.
2. Work hours are really flexible, I can work remotely, and most of the work is completely at my own pace.
3. Great benefits and lots of time off.
4. Two other people from my graduate program also work there. Everyone is nice.
5. The office is in a great location. It's right next to the grocery store, bank, and other frequented places, which means I can swing by on my way to/from work. I guess I'm a real adult now too because I care about stuff like that and good benefits.
6. Best of all, I get to make maps all day long. I love it! We do mostly maps for the US, but there is occasional international work. I laughed the other day because my co-worker was making a map of Yuba City.

The Travel Bug Strikes Again

Here are a couple pictures from my recent trip to Italy & Switzerland. We went to: 

ROME

FLORENCE

PISA

(for about 2 hours on a train stop)

CINQUE TERRE

(deserves two pictures!)

BERN

and this is how we did most of our traveling! I really like trains

THIS

is what it looks like to attend ASU.
(Only not so crooked)

I would like to introduce to you
the worlds best ice cream.

And this is the worlds best team of ice cream eaters.


{Pay no attention to the crazed look in our eyes.
It has more to do with the fact that it was late and we were tired than that we're crazed ice cream-a-holics... probably}

First Day of School

I started school today. Again. How many "first days of school" have I had in my life? Not sure. But after preschool, kindergarden, 12 years of grade school, and 10 semesters of college, it's no small number. My mom used to take a picture of us on our first day of school, looking sharp in our 'first day of school' outfits, with our new backpacks slung over our shoulders {apparently at the time this picture was taken it was still cool to wear your backpack on one shoulder only....}. I didn't make Pam take my picture as I left for class today, but I did make her approve my outfit {what DO you WEAR in grad school?!}.

Wicked

Yes. I went to Wicked. AND I LOVED IT.

I loved it so much, in fact, that I went right back. I did the "lottery" where you can go to the box office the day of and enter your name to win front row seats for that evenings show for only $25. For the first time in my life, I actually won! Yay! So back I went, to spend more time with my new best friends Elphie and Glinda. It was phenomenal.

Note: The play 'Wicked' is NOT like the book "Wicked". I've heard the book is very dirty and inappropriate. The play is just the opposite. Very clean. It was refreshing to not hear one swear word or witness any inappropriate content. If you haven't noticed, I highly recommend this play.