Welcome Home!

Sandy, Tim and Dylan are finally home! After a long, three day drive from Chicago, they rolled in to town on Monday night. Last night my Dad helped them move all of their stuff into his garage for storage until they find a place. What would we do without parents? Seriously!
My job: follow around the toddler. It's great being the favorite aunt!

Chivalry Is Not Dead

On my way in to work today, I was getting off the elevator on the 11th floor and I noticed how the gentleman also exiting waited for me to exit first. He was older (and no doubt wiser) and actually closer to the door than I was... but he stepped back and let me go before him. It is incredible how that simple action can make you feel so special!

As I have gone about my daily activities I have begun to notice these small moments of respect in abundance! I see it in the man who stands holding the door for me, waiting while I take extra long because my heels do not allow me to move quite so fast. I see it in my boss, who always makes sure to list a womans name first on any reports, who gives up the bigger hotel room to a woman co-worker/peer.

Noticing these practices brings to mind all of the little things that I love... I love it when a guy opens my car door for me, or places his hand on the small of my back to lead me through a room. I love it when guys try extra hard not to swear in my presence, just because I am a woman. The warmth I receive from countless offered jackets when I am shivering is immeasurable. I appreciate the neighbors who come out to help with the heavy garbage cans. I am indebted to the men who come help me move my heavy furniture, I would NEVER be able to do it on my own. When I have car trouble, my first call is always to a guy and he is always there before I can even say thank you or start to cry.

Who ever said that chivalry is dead? Oh my gosh, it is amazingly present. I know I am old fashioned. Maybe that is the reason I love Country Dancing so much, it puts us back into our gender roles. We stand on the edge of the floor, waiting for a guy to come ask us to dance. Out on the floor, I depend on him to lead... so I can choose to follow. I love being a woman. I love the men that allow me to feel loved and special because of it.

I'm here!

So I keep getting emails from everyone telling me to check out their Blog. This, in turn, lead me to think about starting my own. I tried to think about a really cool title, but inevitably ended up with the standard, Amber's Blog. I feel like it really captures what I'm trying to do here, don't you think?

Life is going pretty well right now! I have a great job at Wells Fargo Bank, with the best boss I have known to date. Not only does my boss encourage me to work hard and strive for perfection, but Wayne also inspires me to be a better person all around. I feel lucky to be working for such a good person.

I'm trying to actually figure out what I want to do, education wise. I'm taking a couple classes right now at Salt Lake Community College. I love feeling as though I am making some headway, learning new things, but I am struggling with where I want to take my education. I know I need to get myself into some sort of pathway to success, but I just haven't figured that out yet. I'll keep you posted as I sort this one out.

I'm living in the Chi Omega Sorority House as the "House Mom" and really enjoying myself. I have to admit that I only feel my 27 years when I'm around those who are 7 years younger than myself (was I really that immature?). It makes me wonder what my parents/grandparents/aunts & uncles/boss really think about me when I open my mouth to speak. I've also learned to really appreciate being an adult, having adult conversations and living in peace and quiet. I remember feeling like I had really "grown up" when I came to the realization that my parents were real people, just like me, and that they were just trying to make it like the rest of us. I remember feeling so wise when I started to see how much my parents and grandparents really had accomplished, just by "enduring" to the point they are currently at in their lives... However, I guess I've just hit the tip of the iceberg. While life is definitely enjoyable, it is long and hard and I have a great respect for those who are going before me, paving the way. So I guess the point of this small ramble... The large difference in maturity I see within the 7 year gap between my roommates and I, is a little humbling with respect to the age difference between those I love and respect the most. The small milestones and personal realizations we hit as we walk through life are the ones that seem to make the biggest mark in our lives.

I love life, I love who I am slowly becoming. Here we go... blogging.