So Busy!

Ok, so I am a slacker! I haven't posted in more than a month ... as I have been reminded ... so I guess this is long overdue.
I have been so busy and so much is going on right now!!
First off ... I have returned from my 2 months in Japan. I flew home Sept. 11 and had a great couple of weeks visiting with friends and family bringing with me tons of photos and souvenirs for everyone! Just a few days after landing, I took a road trip to Palm Springs to visit my sister, Lisa, and interview for an editor position at The Desert Sun.
Well, things were great at the interview and I have now been working at the paper for a whole 3 days now! I am the editor of the new La Quinta Sun ... a weekly community newspaper for the area of La Quinta. It has been a busy few days and my head is kind of swimming in information, but I am excited about all the opportunities!
I have moved into an apartment in the same complex as Lisa, which has already proven to be very convenient. Not only can we let each other's dogs out on lunch breaks and fix dinner together, but the office I will be working out of is actual walking distance away!! Wahoo!!
Getting the job here in Palm Springs has been kind of a bittersweet experience. I am so excited about the great opportunity -- and really look forward to a steady paycheck again -- but I am so sad to leave all my friends behind, one new relationship in particular!! Thank heavens for email, texting and being on the same cell phone network!
So, back to my apartment. I haven't lived in an apartment in, well ... have I ever really lived in an apartment? Not really ... I usually have rented condos or duplexes with the only exception being the dorm at Rick's College. So apartment living is going to be a huge adjustment. Right now, my one-bedroom pad is pretty vacant. The furniture comes, courtesy of Mom, Saturday afternoon. I am longing for my bed!! The air mattress is quite reminiscent of the futon in Japan! Actually, that futon sounds pretty great right now! I also miss my TV! It will be so nice to finally, after 6 months, be able to set up a household and settle in!
Well, that is the quick update. I will hopefully get some more time to upload more Japan pictures and share a few more observations.
In the meantime, check out my latest project at www.laquintasun.com.