well, i left for arizona on tuesday and got here in 28 hours. although i now despise being in any car whatsoever, i did it! the trip was long and there was really nothing to look at until i got to new mexico, but it was still a pretty awesome experience. i learned that after a grande, QUAD, skinny, caramel machiatto that my head banging skills are amazing. i also experienced driving throught the smoke of all of the fires that are going on in eastern arizona. when i left albuquerque, i noticed a slight haze. and then i began smelling that camp fire smell. for an hour, i drove through this thick smoke and prayed that i was going to be able to get where i was going. luckily, none of the roads i needed to take were detoured or shut down. when i began driving through the mountains, i was going on my 14th hour of driving. looking back now, it probably wasn't the best idea, even though i had convinced myself that stocking up on three energy drinks would be enough to make it. i actually ended up stopping in payson, az - after winding through the mountains, dodging deer and other animals i have never seen in my life. but i have to admit, what i was able to see the next day made that terrible drive completely worth it. hiking in the mountains, eating at the local "ma and pa" restaurant that only the locals go to on a thursday and getting to see some of the most breathtaking parts of this state made all the pain from gripping the steering wheel the previous night go away. and now it's saturday. i've been here for 3 days and found samantha and i a place to live at ... the monarch at tempe (http://www.monarchattempe.com/). our casita is across from the pool and fitness center :) my plans for the next week are completely blank, which is very odd for me. aside from working, i am hoping to make a trip to ikea to acquire some furniture and explore this new place i can now call my home. but, i already miss everyone in wisconsin. this place is not the same without any of you! i will keep you updated as much as i possibly can - i love you all!
