My mom was hoping I would visit for Thanksgiving and that I would stay a month or two, so was my sister-in-law, Jessi. They were both sad when I told them I would be spending the grateful day in Phoenix with family that lives the closest to home. Then they got excited that I would be coming for Christmas, but this time the change of plans wasn’t distance, but my choice to help a friend. My mom says she will leave the Christmas lights up until I get there – even if it is the middle of January.

I was excited about all the activities available in Phoenix and then I learned I would be working Monday 12:30-7 pm and Tue-Sat 11-8 pm. Not much time to pay the expensive museum fees, but plenty for breakfast and a morning hike. I was looking forward to hanging out with my new friends, Kim and Therese, but our schedules don’t make that too convenient and the distance doesn’t help either. I was enthusiastic about the holiday events (fireworks at midnight from a mountain top), but the entrance gate closes at 7 pm and the trails close at 11 pm. I will settle for watching the first sunrise of the year!

downtown Phoenix as seen from North Mtn.

Piestewa Peak as seen from North Mtn.

I brought my bike thinking I would ride the 2.2 miles to the store. I thought wrong. I forgot my knitting stuff to make gloves, so Caroline let me use hers to make socks. I brought my hiking boots thinking I would use them – and I should on parts of the steep trails. I asked for the gym code and got the card. I ran three times before thinking I pulled something. I need to stretch, and run, more often. I would be spending Christmas at Grandma’s and then going to the airport at midnight to pick my dad up…if he survives the zombie apocalypse on the Hawaiian Islands.

SIP: sock in progress

It seems that as much as I like to plan, my life has more of a spontaneous nature – and I’m fine with that. I brought some food with me – this time, expecting another empty fridge, but what I got was plenty of home-cooked meals from Sonal to keep me full for lunch and dinner for days. I expected to drink only water – and then found a cupboard full of tea that I didn’t know my dad drank. And perhaps he doesn’t. Perhaps I shouldn’t even be drinking it, but it’s warm and soothing and oh so delicious.

lunch at work

tea at home