Two days down...I must be a pro

The first two days of my new job have been just that, my first two days. It has been the usual paper work and training. I am still learning a lot about the University itself and the dynamics of those I am working with.

I have spent time with each of the other liaisons and have learned a great deal from each of them. They each have their own take on what it is like, and they have their own pros and cons about the job.

The biggest challenge is being new to the area. It is only my second day, and I have already been late to work.

This morning there was a a really bad accident on I-10 that backed-up traffic on every road going North and West. Unfortunately for me the only two ways I know how to get to UAT are the I-10 and 48th Street. The accident was at the intersection of these two. I was suppose to be at work at 8am this morning. I left around 7:15am ish and got there at 9am. Yes, that is 1 hr and 45mins ish.

So Addie, in answer to your question, the first and second days have went well. I am very excited to have found such a great place to work.

My last day before Adulthood

As my friend Susan said today was my last day before adulthood starts. Tomorrow I start my job at the University of Advancing Technology.

But as my last day before I start my 8-5 job I went exploring. I drove all over town this morning. I went to Jamba Juice and got my Bright Eyed and Blueberry Smoothie. I then drove all over Tempe to find a park where I could sit and read a little on a few books. I found some time after that to go to Arizona Mills Mall. Didn't buy anything, except lunch.

So tomorrow is the big day and I am EXCITED!!! I haven't worked in 2 and 1/2 weeks, and I miss it. I find there are too many hours in the day not to be working.

Well I must be on my way. I hope all of you are rock starring it up in the STL, or Angie in Hawaii.

The Soon to be Adult Worker,
~Rock Star Lane

Day One of Freedom

This morning around 10:00am, I dropped my dad off at the airport, gave him some hugs and said goodbye. Not goodbye for good, but goodbye.

Don't get me wrong I love my family, but I am now free. I no longer have a midnight curfew, nor do I have to tell them where I am at every waking moment. And I don't have to make sure I have on SPF 30 Sunscreen (thanks for sending it mom, but 15 will do).

All the little things that don't really matter when you are 10-15 even 16-18 years old, I don't have to do anymore. You know the things that when you come home from college you just want to be done with, but mom and dad don't want to cut the cord yet.

I spent the evening at a friend's family Bar-B-Q. It was pretty good. I am not really sure what I am going to do tomorrow. I think I am going to go exploring the area before I start my 8-5 job on Wednesday. I guess we will have to wait and see.

From PHX,
~Rock Star Lane

Welcome To Phoenix!!

My dad and I made to Phoenix today around two this afternoon (that would be 4:00pm in STL).

In the past two days, I have been in 5 different states, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. I have also seen every temperature from 38 degrees to 95 degrees. I have been through rain, fog and seen snow on the ground.

Seeing the country from the front seat of the car is amazing. There is heavy populated areas and then there is nothing for as for as you can see. I have also paid $3.71 for a gallon of gas, as well as $4.40 for a gallon of gas (if you are ever in NM don't stop at Clive Corner, shady, very shady).

Well here are some more photos from the day. For more visit my Flickr Photo Stream.

~Rock Star Lane

1050 miles down, 400 to go

After leaving the house at 3:30am, we arrived in Albuquerque around 6:00pm MDT (that's 7:00pm for you in STL). It was a long day of driving. Dad knocked out most of it. I drove from Oklahoma City to right inside the New Mexico border.

We passed several interesting scenes and several wide open spaces. Let's see, we passed 3 or 4 windmill farms, a cadilac graveyard and what I believe is the mountain in the movie Cars.

Here are a gew pictures from the trip. We will finish it up tomorrow. We only have about 400 miles left to go. Then I will be in PHX!

Rockin' in NM,

~Lane

Should be nervous, scared and that the entire thing should be hard

In less than 48 hours I will be on the road to Phoenix. I will close one chapter of my life to start another.

People keep telling me how I should be feeling. They say I should be nervous, scared and that the entire thing should be hard.

I guess I should fill in any newbies here. I am moving to Phoenix for a job, since I have recently graduated from college.

Why should this be hard? So what I am moving across the county. I have lived in the same city for 21 years, and, well frankly, I am ready for a change. Yes, I am going to a place where I have no blood relatives. But I have some great friends there.

Why should I be nervous? When I was younger I was terrified of change. I did not handle it well. I would always end up in tears. But I have learned to embrace change and that change is a good thing.

Why should I be scared? I made a decision to move, and I am ready to take it on. Growing up children are always told they can do what ever they put their minds to. Why now do people doubt that? Is it because parents just want children to feel good about themselves, even though the parents themselves don't believe it?

Well, I know that anyone can do anything they put their minds to and can be successful. I have set my mind on success in my new job, and I know that I will be successful. I am not nervous, scared and it is not as hard as everyone is trying to make it.

I am excited about the change, as I should be. Look out PHX, Lane is on her way, and she is going to rock!!!

Today's Path: "Graduate College" - Check

Today was the day that closed one chapter of my life and began another. Today I graduated college!! I walked across the stage with my head held high and accepted my empty diploma holder.

After three long years of hard work and a lot of help from friends, professors and family I accomplished what many may never do.

Once graduation ended, we celebrated. Friends and Family came to our house, and we enjoyed the company and the good food.

Here are some pictures from today:

Granny and Papa Payton

Angie and Dallas

McKenzie and Dallas

Mom and Dad

Grandma Joplin

What would graduation be without a best friend?

Angie

And what would graduation be without cake?

Today's Path: Family Time?

"Screaming Time is still Family Time."

Next week I leave for Phoenix. There was an argument earlier this week about when I am going to leave.

Some things came up and I wanted to leave Monday and follow a friend of mine who is driving out there as well. However, my parents were insistent on me leaving on Friday next week. It looks like I will be spending another week here in Missouri.

In the course of our argument, my mom brought up the point that "Screaming time is still family time!"

I am still trying to figure this one out. How is screaming time family time? Is it because someone is usually screaming at someone else in the family?

The one good thing that came from the quote is that it is all of my friends favorite quote.

So if at some point you and your parents end up screaming at each other, just remember "Screaming time is still family time!"

Today's Path: "Go Skydiving" - Check

Today was amazing!!! This afternoon, three of my friends and I took about an hour and a half drive to Bowling Green, Missouri. Once there we jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.

That's right. Angie, Beth, Josh and I went Skydiving.



It was like nothing I could ever describe. Once we reached about 10,000 feet we opened the door to the plane. And then we jumped. AHHHHHHHH! After free falling for 45 seconds to 1 minute. We then had the chance to pull the rip cord.

Once the parachute opened, Bryan, our tandem took us in circles around the area before safely landing us back on the ground.

It was amazing! I was able to release the parachute.

I cannot wait to get to go again!

Box Count: 5

Yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon packing. I pack another four boxes which brings my total count up to 5. I believe all of my belonging, with the exception of my clothes for the next two and a half weeks are packed. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing that everything I own fits into 5 boxes...oh well.

I have a bunch of stuff for the kitchen that still need to be packed, but I don't have any of it yet. Everyone keeps emailing me saying they have things for me, yet I haven't seen any of it. I'm not sure how many sets of plates and things I need, but I believe my count is up 4 sets of dishes. I guess everyone is expecting me to make Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Sorry but I don't think my apartment will fit everyone.

Well it is off to class for me. The last day of Senior Seminar. Yahooooo!! (whoops did I really type that).

An Airplane First...Well for me

On my flight to Phoenix this evening, I saw something I have never seen before; a can of water. Not a bottle but a can.

I knew that I was going to see several things this weekend that I have never seen before, due to the fact that I was going to be in a different city and state. But I never thought that it would be in the first 45 minutes of the trip.

So the goal this weekend is, above all, to have fun. I also need to scout out a place to live. I found several places online, but I don’t know exactly where they are. Well, I know they are in Tempe/Phoenix area but that is it. I don’t know if they are in the good or the bad parts. Luckily, I have a local who has graciously offered to help in my search.

Also this weekend, I get to see Peanut. I miss her so much!! I can’t wait to get to play. But there is another 2 hours in the flight to get there.

So with that it is time for me to sign-off and take my nap for the flight.

Keepin’ it real in PHX,
~Lane~

The Process Has Begun

Today, I started packing for my move. I now have packed, get this, one box. My first box for the move is packed. I packed my mug collection.

Over the past few years I have collected about 10-12 mugs from different places, such as Shreveport, Ukraine and other mugs given to me from friends and family.

It has just been a day of packing. I also had to pack for my trip this weekend to find a place to live.

So many things are still falling into place and on the right path.