Tourists in our own home

We have decided that the great thing about being in a new place is that every time we go somewhere, it involves discovering something new. After seeing that a restaurant featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives was close to us in Gilbert, we looked it up and off we went! We went to Joe's Farm Grill and it was FABULOUS! I forgot to take a picture of our food, but believe me it was picture-worthy. We got a buffalo chicken sandwich and a Farm burger and we each had a little bit of both. We also had to try the garlic fries and onion rings. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! Not only was the food so fresh and yummy, but just knowing that it came right from the farm in the back made me feel good eating it. I wish there were more places like that!

Not the greatest picture, but proof that we were there! 

Oh and here is proof that flowers do grow here, even if it is 115 degrees outside. I had to see it for myself to believe it :)

I am especially loving that it is cloudy today and thunderstorms are expected for next week. This heat can take a break. We want so badly to go on a bike ride or a hike, but would rather not die of exposure doing so. Who would have thought that in Arizona you wait until winter to go outside and play? Especially after living in Utah for the last 4 years that whole idea is so foreign to me. I guess that is what comes with living somewhere new, getting used to everything...the good and the not-so-good.

Birthday, Internship Orientation and Seattle

I just got back from an 11 day trip and it was so busy! It started out on the 5th when I flew to Salt Lake City. I spent 5 days there in orientation for my internship with Utah State University. It was so exciting to finally start my internship after waiting since April 3rd, when I found out that I was matched!

The orientation consisted of a lot of getting to know you activities, group presentations, clinical worksheets, case studies, curriculum overviews, and refresher lessons on teaching/lesson plans and the nutrition care process.

However, my favorite part of the trip was spending time with my good friends from BYU Dietetics who are also in the internship. We also met up with other friends who were nice enough to drive down from Provo and have dinner with us! It was so fun! Here we all are at Old Spaghetti Factory:

Since it was the day after my birthday, they had to embarrass me and tell the waiter it was my birthday. I secretly loved it!

While walking around Trolley Square we were surprised to see that someone put tape over some fingers on the crosswalk sign. It was so creative and funny! 

One other highlight of the trip was going to dinner on my birthday with my dear friend Elisabeth! It was such a wonderful evening and I was so happy to be able to catch up with her before she heads off to Brazil! We went to dinner at Oh Falafel in Sugarhouse and had yummy falafel sandwiches! Then we drove over to Temple Square to take advantage of the beautiful evening! We walked around and had fun talking and remembering fun times. Thanks for a great birthday Elisabeth, it was way better than spending it in a hotel room! 

After orientation I flew to Seattle and spent the week with my wonderful family! The week included:

• my birthday celebration
• Emily's high school graduation 
• family dinners with both sides of the family
• shopping
• attending my home ward and seeing all my wonderful friends
• going out to lunch with both Ashley and Megan and catching up with them on their exciting lives
• spending time outdoors in the beautiful pacific northwest

 

The two things missing were my sister Megan and Robby. We sure wish they could have been with us, thank heaven for cell phones and skype! I sure am glad to be home after a whirlwind 11 days!

Phoenix Art Museum Date

At the beginning of June we went on a really fun date! On the first Friday of every month, the Phoenix Art Museum is free! We went with friends to Pei Wei and then over to the museum. We had so much fun pretending to be sophisticated enough to interpret the modern art.

What an adventure! We are excited to keep learning what Arizona has to offer us!

Counting my many blessings

Sometimes good things happen and today I can't help but be so grateful for all I have been given. Here is a little story about my life for the past 2 months or so. On March 28th, Robby and I made the decision to go to Mesa, AZ for his job. On April 3, I found out that I was matched to the Utah State University Dietetic Internship, after submitting my application on Feb 15th. It was a long, stressful 2 months of waiting and wondering where our lives would be headed. So, after I accepted the placement to USU's internship, I realized that I needed to start finding preceptors (dietitians in the Mesa area to train me as I complete my rotations in their facilities).

So, on April 3rd I hit the ground running. I began searching for hospitals, WIC clinics, school districts, assisted living facilities...etc, in the Phoenix area. I was making phone call after phone call, and countless emails.  It was the final semester of my senior year, graduation was coming up and I was trying to get ready to move to a completely new place. I was stressed out, to say the least. Being a very type A personality, I thrive on having a plan...knowing what I am doing. Having this uncertainty about my internship plans absolutely drove me crazy. I have never been more stressed out. Luckily I have a supportive husband, family and a loving Heavenly Father who all know what I need.

I was able to find a clinical preceptor at  Cardon Children's Medical Center here in Mesa, my foodservice preceptor at Chandler Unified School District, and my community preceptor at WIC here in the area. The last thing I needed was a preceptor for my 2 week long term care rotation, at an assisted living facility or nursing home. I made so many contacts, and unfortunately, none of the facilities I found were able to take on any more interns or they simply didn't have a registered dietitian on staff. This was the last piece I needed for my internship to be complete and it was taking forever to work out.

Well, today I found my preceptor. I feel so relieved and happy and excited! I will be at an assisted living facility in Phoenix, with an awesome RD who has been so helpful! I realized today that I needed to try and fail and try and fail over and over and over again to learn my lesson. Good things happen and the Lord will provide a way to get you what you need. It just doesn't happen on my timetable. Exercising my faith was exactly what I needed at this time. Robby and I have been so blessed in the last few months and so much has fallen into place for us. I needed to be reminded that I always need to rely on the Lord because not everything will work out exactly when I expect it to. What a fabulous reminder.

I am so excited for my internship to start and to be able to learn and grow as I practice all the many things I have learned for the past 4 years. I can't wait to start making a difference and helping people be healthy and happy. Soon to be Heather Boyle, RD...I can't wait!!