January was a great month- and a fabulous start to the new year.
I brought in the new year with a dear friend of mine. We've known each other for almost 14 years now and I am so glad that we've been able to keep in touch. I was very excited when she got a job out here last year! We spent New Year's at the ASU Institute party, then watched the fireworks. Afterwards, we went back to her place and chatted, put on mud masks and then called it a night. First day of the year we slept in, made breakfast then went and saw Saving Mr. Banks, then I went home to hang out with my family.
I spent a good chunk of January going out and taking my resume around. I've been enjoying helping out at Sala Thai, but I feel it's time for me to get back into the Design Industry. I had a few great interviews last month and have two more coming up this week. So hopefully soon, things will be changing.
I tried a couple of new Restaurants in January -
*Gallo Blanco in Phoenix with my Aunt and Cousins - tried a quinoa salad for the first time ever and LOVED it. Also, their burrito was to die for and another first - guacamole with oranges absolutely delicious!
*Ah-Hai Sushi & Grill in Goodyear with my stepbrother's GF - favorite roll we got was their 'Crunchy Roll' with masago YUM! So two more firsts Masago(Crunchy roll) and Yellow tail(Spicy Girl) Definitely will go back.
I tried a couple of other Thai restaurants when I was out and about job hunting but honestly, nothing to write home about. I don't know what I'm going to do when I get a full time job and can't eat at Sala Thai all the time! I have definitely been spoiled!
I was able to go to the Arizona YSA Conference. It was a jam-packed couple of days but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved going to the Gammage (Which reminds me I NEED to get out to Taliesen West and see me some Frank Lloyd Wright.) and being able to hear Sheri Dew, Thurl Bailey, Mitt and Ann Romney, Stephanie Nielsen and many more speak. It was very uplifting and I had a great time. Seeing Brooke White and Alex Boye perform was a perk too!
True to my inner baker I made 4 Dozen cupcakes and 8 dozen mini donuts for my friend's birthday last month. It felt great to bake my heart out. I had forgotten how much I loved that chocolate cupcake recipe and who doesn't love mini donuts!? ~French vanilla pudding filled chocolate cupcakes with either cream cheese frosting or chocolate cream cheese frosting. Baked vanilla mini donuts dipped in dark chocolate and topped with sprinkles. ^_^
Reading has resurfaced in my life. I LOVE to read, but I don't always make time for it. Hence why I made a reading goal for this year. Right after the YSA Conference, I knew which book I wanted to start with: Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielsen. I had heard of her before, and seen her blog and Mormon Message, but after hearing her speak I knew I needed to read her book. I read the first third in a day, but I knew what was coming with the next part so I took a break and read The Sunflower (by Richard Paul Evans) again. I started the second third of Heaven is Here yesterday, it is pretty painful to read but I am really enjoying this book. If you have any recommendations of books that have changed your life please share. I love reading a variety of books, but this year I really want life-changing stories and books I've never read before. Next in line on my reading list is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I read it for the first time my Sophomore year at USU. It was a birthday present from my roommate. I loved it, and I think it's about time I read it again!
Other great things that started in January -
The 23+ Institute Class at the ASU Tempe Institute Wed. nights. Last week was especially good.
Gilbert AZ Temple open house - I haven't made it yet, but I'm hoping to this week. :)
Favorite purchase of January(besides Heaven is Here) - Yuna's new Album Nocturnal. Yuna has been on a roll ever since I met her twice back in 2012. I'd love to get to another one of her performances, she is fantastic live!
So all in all, January was a great month :) I am sure February will be full of surprises too! All I know is that is off to a great start! I went hiking over at South Mountain with a couple friends. Breathtaking view of the valley over there. Then we popped by Pita Jungle for lunch. Almost got a gyro again, but decided to get a red quinoa/spinach salad with their cilantro/jalapeno hummus. Yum!! Sunday was nice too, Church was good, especially our RS lesson on Temples. Then home to watch the Superbowl with my fam. I don't follow football much, but I was rooting for the Seahawks - grew up in WA got to represent. That reminds me - I'd love to go to a Mariners Spring Training game this year!
