Seriously, so blessed!

Okay, so sorry it's been a while. Today was my last day of class (Blessing #1). Ever. I mean, I'm sure I'll take classes again (MAYBE...), but probably never as a degree-seeking student. It was weird to finish up everything and realize that was it. Huh.

Anyway, that just explains why I've been away. School work was crazy, and nothing very exciting happens to me anyway. Well, except for about a week and a half ago.

A week ago last Saturday, Michael and I were coming home from the grocery store when our car just started slowing down. And died. THANKFULLY, we were turning onto our street when this happened, and so we weren't stranded on a busy street (Blessing #2). Our car still showed about an eighth of a tank, but I figured the gauge was off (it's a "new to us" car and we hadn't driven it that long) and that we were just out of gas. But after Michael made several trips to the gas station to bring back a few gallons, it STILL wouldn't start. After talking to a few people, the general consensus was that the fuel pump had failed, which would be an expensive repair. Yikes! We were pretty bummed, but were swamped with final projects at the same time and were just going worry about it later. Well, that's where my awesome brother Nathan steps in (Blessing #3).

So, Nathan and his wife own a car of the same make and model as ours, and so Nathan (being the genius he is) knows a lot about it. Even though they are almost 700 miles away, and I am in no way, shape, or form his responsibility, he has called me so many times since our car died with things to try to see if the problem is something else. I mean, how great is he that he has been thinking about his little sis's problems and wanting to help. Well, folks, he did it. He called this evening to tell us to try something else, and (drum roll please)...IT WORKED! He had us switch the AC compressor relay with the fuel pump relay (because they are the same part) to see if that was the problem with the fuel pump, and it was! And it's only a $15 part to replace! I am so, so, SO glad that Nathan A) knows what's he doing and B) was concerned enough to try and figure out the problem. He is so awesome!

So Blessing #4 is that our car is no longer a very expensive lawn ornament. It's alive...IT'S ALIVE!
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
P.S.
I took the title of this post from a funny little satirical blog: seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com.

P.P.S.
I love my family. And I am seriously so blessed to have four amazing brothers. I was lucky enough to get to live near my three older brothers while we were all out here in Provo, and they saved my tushie so many times. So here are some long overdue thank yous:

• Karl (and Megan): When I was living in the dorms, and after, they helped me move so many times with their truck. Way last minute. And they took me to the airport at way WAY last minute notice when I was an irresponsible Freshman and forgot to arrange transportation. THANK YOU!!! Oh, and during my undergrad whenever I would freak out over school (one time, in particular, I was stressin' about an Arabic final), I could call him and he would come over and give me a blessing. He was always there for me.
• Nathan (and Becky): He will do anything for anyone. I mean, he is not the most chatty person in the world, but this car example is so him. He will stop for anyone on the road with car troubles, for example, and is really just a big softie.
  
• Stephen (and Melinda): I could call Stephen to do ANYTHING, and he would do it. He is a great brother. He has given me countless rides to everywhere and just wants to be a good person, which is an unfortunately too-rare quality.

And lest we forget...

• Colin: My only little brother! He's just great. I'm so glad to be able to see more of him once we move back to California. I can hang out with him in way I can't with my other brothers, and I even like playing video games with him. The first time I ever saw him I thought he was an angel and I have loved being his big sister ever since.
  

Becky's B-day!

Today is Becky's birthday. It is super easy to remember, as it is exactly one week after mine and one week after my dad's. It's not easy being squished between two Taylor's, so you all already should know that Becky is a trooper.

Becky is Nathan's wife, and has done a wonderful job of civilizing him. Mostly. He has always been a big softy (always stops to help people on the side of the road, always helps out the homeless, always helps out period), but Becky has definitely polished up that diamond in the rough.

And check out their ADORABLE little boy. I mean, talk about the genetic jackpot.

So here is just a small tribute to my SIL. I don't think people hear enough about what is awesome about them:

*She is an amazing homemaker in the sweetest sense of the word. She and Nate were living out here and bought a house, and she managed to make a basement apartment warm, spacious, SUNNY, and inviting. I mean, talk about Martha Stuart-ing it. In their current home, she already put up homemade valances in a cheery tropical print.

*She is constantly improving herself. It seems like she is always refining a new talent. She has become quite an accomplished seamstress (Preston's duck outfit for Halloween was sooo sweet), she is a self-taught gardener, she cooks delicious and HEALTHY food, and her current undertaking is art. I also hear guitar is on the horizon...

*She is very thoughtful and considerate of others. She is also very family-oriented. She is always having friends and family over for dinners and what not.

*She is so tender-hearted! She loves animals, and they have 2 cats (one a stray, the other a rescue) and a delightful (if ditzy) mini Dachshund, Darla.

Anyway, I just want to express my appreciation that Rebecca Ailene Tanner Taylor was born today. I hope that this year is her best yet! Love ya Becky!

Fabulous News!

Okay, so I just wanted to make a quick li'l announcement.

Last month, I flew out to Colorado to take the exam for the Presidential Management Fellowship (see the January 18th post, toward the middle for a description of THAT lovely experience). You can find out about the program here.

Well, I found out just now that I am a finalist! It is a HUGE deal, and I was completely not expecting to have made it. I am absolutely thrilled.

That's all!

Happy Birthday!

It's my nephew Preston's 1st birthday today! Yay!

He is the cutest, happiest little boy and I love him so much! I hope he knows when he gets older how much happiness he has brought into everyone's lives, especially his mommy and daddy! He has been such a special gift to them, and I know that he is the most important person in their lives. I am such a lucky aunt to have him! I can't wait to see him at his birthday party this Saturday!

Happy Birthday Preston!

Pinocchio No More

Living life as a college student can make you feel like you live in a perpetual fantasy realm and are not part of the "real world" at all. I've always felt that I would not be a "real" adult until I had my first, real job. Although I've worked full-time before, it was never at a place I would seriously consider for a career. I mean, "Sandwich Artist" and "Collections Agent" aren't exactly what I envisioned on my business cards.

Well, how does "Auditor Evaluator" sound? That's right, ladies and gentlemen, this college puppet has secured not just a job, but a career.

I received the job offer on February 1st, which was the end of a process that began in October and involved two oral exams, one written exam, and one on-site interview. I had my final interview with the Bureau of State Audits on January 27th, but had to temper my hopes with the knowledge that for each position they fill, they interview 30-40 candidates.

Well, a few hold-your-breath days later, I heard the great news. I will begin my real adult life on June 1, 2009, and will be working at this lovely building in Downtown Sacramento:

This is a fantastic opportunity, and I know that I will love the work. I'm so relieved and grateful to have secured a job well before graduation, especially in this economy. However, it is difficult to stay focused for the remaining weeks of the semester!

Michael and I are thrilled to be officially moving to California. Now if we can just get the state budget balanced...

Happy Birthday Karl!

Today is my oldest brother's birthday. Seeing as he lives all the way in OREGON, I figured any delectable cake I made and shipped him would just wind up smashed beyond all recognition. However, I love making and decorating cakes for loved ones on their special days, and so I decided to create a cyber cake for him (i.e. rip off pictures from other people's websites).

There are a lot of amazing cakes out there, and I couldn't narrow it down to just one. So, without further ado, here are the top picks Which do YOU think is most appropriate?

Sunny California and a Sweet Homecoming

I just got back from a week-and-a-half in California to do some job-hunting stuff and hang with my family. While it was fantastic to be in a warm climate with loved ones, it was difficult to be away from Michael so long. It was the longest we've been apart since our wedding last August. We managed to pull through, though. Thank goodness for free night and weekend minutes!

Part of the time I was there I spent with some classmates from my master's program, touring different state agencies and nonprofits to get career ideas and "see what's out there." We went to places in Sacramento, Davis, San Francisco, and plenty of places in between. It was inspiring to see how many women run nonprofit organizations and do a fantastic job at it.

I won't bore you with the rest of the details, suffice to say it was a busy five days filled with expensive parking.

The highlight of the trip was definitely spending time with my family and friends, especially my little bro Colin, my grandparents, my Aunt Janet and Uncle Don, and of course, my brother Nathan, his lovely wife Becky, and their ADORABLE little boy Preston. He gets cuter every day. I just love that little guy!

The best part was coming home. Michael greeted me with two dozen longstemmed roses, dozens of glittering candles, exquisite chocolate truffles, and sparkling cider. I am so lucky to have married the most wonderful man in the universe for me. He is so romantic, caring, sensitive, thoughtful, and every good thing a person can be. How did I get so lucky?