So, it's been months since I finished my graduate work here at Idaho State, and after 6 months of looking for jobs both in the area and within a 4 state region, I have determined to make the plunge and move (even without a job).  Here's my reasoning...

1. There are simply more opportunities outside of the desert region.
2. I still have friends and family there to support me and help me "network".
3. I've been working temp jobs here, and can easily work temp jobs in another state/region. 
4. Kind of in need of a change and moving 3 hours away is better than moving 11 hours away and back home to Washington.
5. I'm looking for a career and professional job where I can use the education I worked so hard to obtain! 
6 and FINALLY, through much prayer and thought.....it's where I'm supposed to be! 

I'll try and keep this posted....hopefully I'll have good news to report soon. 

So, part of the burden of working while in school and focusing on EVERYTHING school is that I missed attending collegiate sporting events in return for late night study sessions and weekend work.  I have attended concerts and activities, but usually worked while home football games were going.  Plus, our team generally loses, so it wasn't really something I saw as a priority.

However, after essentially doing my undergrad and graduate work at Idaho State, I managed to finally attend a game.  AND, we won!  Shocking.  Maybe the new coach is on to something.  It was a perfect thing to do before I move away.  Plus, it was the first game with the new turf in our ancient stadium.  All in all, a great experience....

 And enter the I.S.U. Bengal Football team....
 New Turf.
 Nose bleeds, but free tickets! 
 Oh and free t-shirts!  Jeremy, Shelly, Meghann and I in our matching outfits. 
 We left at the end of the 3rd quarter...needless to say we won!

Obviously not mine, but very exciting still....my cousin Tom and his fiance Heather tied the knot a few weeks ago in Salt Lake.  It was so great to see friends and family I haven't seen in years.

 My brother Eric's youngest 3: Trevor, Emily and Tanner
 My cousin Maizie!  She was definitely rocking the shades.
 Libby Stiles in her wedding outfit.
 My cousin Dr. Char and her daughter Maizie.
 Girl Cousins!  Emily, Sara, Me, Maizie and Charlotte
 The wedding couple, myself and my oldest brother, Eric.
 Stiles cousins and families: (back row) Brad, Eric, Trevor, Tanner, Emily, Me, Bobby, Tommy, Sara, Nathan
(front row) Maizie, Charlotte, Diane

It was so fun to see some of my cousins and their families I haven't seen in almost 2 years.  The Washington, Oregon and Idaho cousins unite in the most unlikely of places....Salt Lake City.  Thanks Tom and Heather for getting married in a location, forcing the majority of us to see one another again!  It made me realize how much I miss my family and how I long for the times back in Washington where we all grew up.