The end is near....

Well the end is near for me...no I'm not dying, and I know it not technically the end of a calendar year...but a few things are coming to a close in my life and I'd like to reflect on them.

1. My first year living in Las Vegas. The beginning was quite hectic but is now ending very nicely (somewhat). I can finally get around town with out getting COMPLETELY lost. This is due in part to my GPS that Mom got me for Christmas, but I'm actually using it less and less now. I've come to enjoy what Las Vegas has to offer and finding more and more things every day. My favorite of course the "open 24/7". ALOT of things are open 24/7 here. Almost all the grocery stores and most of the fast food restaurants. If I ever needed or wanted something, I could go at 3:45 in the morning and get it (not to say that I ever stay up that late anymore...but just in case). Also is the availability of "adult beverages"; Unlike Dallas, it's available 24/7. (no, I'm not an alcoholic!!!!) Although, I'm still not used to being away from my Dallas family and friends, I have acquired multiple "pseudo" parents and many, many friends. My In-laws drive me crazy but I don't know what I would do with out them, as well as my "mama Zaida"...she is my Assistant Principle at Mojave and scolds me often...and for no reason!!! (haha...yea right). Which brings me to my next topic...

2. My first year at Mojave: Things in Nevada Education are a little different than Texas, but not by much. I had to adjust to some things that went a little differently here...1. being a PE Coach. As many of you know I taught Health for 3 years at my last school, and I got quite complacent and comfortable in that subject, so to be thrown into a new subject without any preparation (remember, I had 1 day of prep before the kids started back) was very difficult for me. 2. Chain of command. Here, I answer to an Assistant principle that is charge of PE/Health and athletics. But this principle does not do Discipline. We have Dean's for that. So, if I had a "personnel" issue, I had to speak to one person...if I had a student problem I had to speak to another...If I need info about SpEd...another....attendance...another...But I finally found my footing and understanding of the system and made it through...but not without completly loosing my mind and getting pissed off multiple times... I'm still not use to a lot of things but it's getting better and easier everyday. And of course, I butted heads with only a few people....haha. But all in all, they tell me that they like me and are very "entertained" not only by my accent but by my outspokenness (is that a word??..and thanks mom) oh..and I have officially acquire the nickname of "Texas Rose"....they picked it for me in the office...not me.

3. My first year of being a Head Coach: It was a blast...but major work. I think I actually prefer to be the Assistant...get to have the fun...but not all the hassle. But I'm pretty sure it's just because it was my first year. I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm looking forward to the years to come so I can actually "reap what I sow". My program has some MAJOR potential...but I have yet to get it (and them) all together. (just a little side story...and this is totally not a result of my coaching, but just to let you know the talent that I have at my fingertips here...One of my boys, who is only a sophomore, made it as a top 4 finalist at an open tryout for the LA Galaxy. He has a 3.8 gpa...and reminds me a lot of Mattchew b/c of his build and sarcasm and wit...but he is not sure if he wants to give up his teenage years just yet, so he told them he would come back next year and try out again...but I'm glad to have him back...he's a big part of my defensive line.) I'm already starting boys soccer and I'm really excited about next season. We should finish higher than 6th place...

4. My LAST year as an un-married person: I'm opting not to use "single"...b/c technically I'm not single..but you know what I mean. I have exactly 68 days until the wedding!!! I (really WE) have pretty much completed all the planning...but now it's time to get to the details of things. I hired all the required people...venue, caterer, photographer, DJ, Cake Lady, and can't forget my COORDINATOR. I really don't think I will or would still be getting married without her. I "hired"...didn't really hire her...b/c she somewhat volunteered her services...but whatever. One of my oldest and dearest friends, Brandy, took on the task of dealing with ME on the day of my/our wedding. We became friends in 6th grade...I was there when she met her husband...and was in their wedding back in 2004...SO LONG AGO...lol. But anyway, she is helping me put all the little details together that I'm not really able to do out here in Vegas. (not to neglect my other 2 great friends...Chrissy and Rylie who are helping more than they probably want to...) But I head to Dallas for almost an entire month to finalize all the details...have my bachelorette party (at the river...if you wanna join...come on)...take my bridal pictures...and have my wedding shower (plus attend a wedding). I can't believe I'm actually getting married!!! I'm not sure what I'm more excited about...the actual wedding or marrying Zach....hahahahaha...kidding people...kidding. I look forward to the day I will be Mrs. Huntsinger and eventually starting our family and the rest of our lives.

It may be the end of somethings, but the beginning of something beautiful to come.

to buy or not to buy...

Zach and I are contemplating buying a house. We are currently renting the "for sale" house of his mother's and it is considered SOLD at the end of May. So guest what, WE'RE MOVING...yea! We decided that we'll move into his parents house until after the wedding in August (so we don't have to pay deposits on Apt. until after the wedding). But recently, we have been thinking of buying a house. The market out here is AWESOME! (and I quote.."you'll pay 50 cents to the dollar per square foot right now.") plus, everyone says its "time to buy". So we are starting the process of talking to the people who we need to talk to to start getting all this running. I am of course excited that we'll get to buy a house that we can call our own and start our family. But on the other end of things, I (as in Me, not Zach) want to move back to Texas to start all of this...but I don't think that will happen for a while. I have a philosophy on all of this...ready...I don't want to raise the kids in this city, so the plan is to move back to Dallas when the child(ren) are 4 or 5..so I'm thinking that in the meantime all my people just need to move out here...deal?

San Fran

Zach and I decided to take a trip to San Fransico for Valentines day and also to visit his good friend Greg (he will be a groomsman in our wedding). I had never been there before so i was really excited for the opportunity to see the beautiful city. Greg had to work late that day and we didn't want to make him come pick us up late at night, so we deiced to stay in a hotel that night. So we caught the hotel bus from the airport to to check in, we then got back on the bus back to the airport where we caught the BART(bay area rapid transit) from the airport to get to downtown. After that, we had to get on the Trolly to get to the Warf. We finally got down there and we were starving. So we went to a resturant and had some clam chowder that was AMAZING. While we were eating, it started to rain. We didn't have umbrellas so we had to buy some. And thank goodness we did, because it didn't stop raining all weekend long (except for a few spurts). We spent the rest of the afternoon on the warf and then met Greg up after he got off work.

The next day, we caught all the means of transportation back to downtown to meet up with Greg again. We went to all the normal site seeing places...and as expected, they were very beautiful, even through the rain. We also had a great time hanging out with Greg and his roommate Juan (not what you're thinking). It's a beautiful city but a very exhausting one. If you haven't gone or plan on it...be ready for the hills.

This is Greg and us overlooking the bay.

The end of one...the beginning of another.

This is my Varsity Team...in the new uniforms...

So my the girls soccer season ended...with a bang no less. We beat our "cross town" rivals 5-0! If you haven't talked to me, you would know that the team has yet to score more than one goal on anyone the entire season. So, scoring 5 was awesome. It was also Senior night (although, it was 3pm). My 5 senior girls were very excited that Olivia (a freshman) scored a goal for each of them. I was also very excited that it was the last game and I would finally get some rest and relaxation after 8 months of non-stop coaching. (Aug to Oct was boys soccer; Nov to Mar was girls soccer). The only thing that I would have to do is get the Banquet together and I would be D-O-N-E! Well...that didn't happen. As I was in the AD's office getting the date approved for the banquet with his secretary when he called me in his office. The first thing I said, "I didn't do it this time"....he laughed and then gave me the "look"...you know the one that says...I need you to do a favor. So he asked me at first if I would help with the swim team. I just kinda giggled...and walked out. The next day, he asked if I would be the head coach of the swim team...at which time i said, "not no, but hell no". So, the next day, he called me in the office and said I really need you to help with this. You won't have to do all that much and may not even have to stay the entire time, and won't really have to go to the meets. So i agreed. I'm am now the official assistant coach of the swim team. I have absolutely NO CLUE what I'm doing, but the Head coach seems to. She is a middle school teacher that doesn't get out of school until 3. Once again, study hall starts at 1:30 and ends at 2:30. We then have to get on a bus to get to the pool by 3 to start practice at 3:30. Now, since I have agreed to do this, I have yet to be home before 6pm!!! WAY LATER THAN I GOT HOME FROM SOCCER!! AND...the meets are on SATURDAY...mornings no less. BUT...I have found the positives in this though...1. I recruited 7 soccer girls and 3 soccer guys to join the team, which will keep them in shape. 2. The head coach is really nice and cool...and teaching me alot about swimming. Because the extent of my swim knowledge is "try not to drown". 3. I'm getting paid again for coaching another sport...and 4. with this money i am able to hire a wedding coordinator to do all the stuff that I can't since I'm busy until the end of May. So, I will let you know how everything turns out...that is if i have a brain left after all this.

Dixie, the cone head.

Dixie had surgery on Friday night. We had to get her fixed because we want to adopt another dog (Zach wants a mastiff...but that's a whole other blog), but most adoption places won't allow you to adopt one unless your current pet is spayed/neutered. Dixie is 4 years old now so I don't think I'll be "breeding" her or anything...i just never got around to it. So, we took her in and got the works (spayed, teeth cleaned, updated shots, nail trim, microchiped..etc). When we picked her up, she had this cone on her head because she was trying to chew her stitches. We were instructed to keep this on her until it was time to remove the stitches in 10 days. Also, we were instructed to keep her from running around, going up or down the stairs, and absolutely NO TOY PLAYING!! well...for those of you that know Dixie...I'm sure your response is the same as mine....YEAH RIGHT! The first night she was home...and was lucid enough to walk...she ran right up the stairs. so much for that. Well, after that, i figured what the heck...she was driving us crazy wanting to play with her toys. So, i caved. i only rolled it around and she got her fill...and we were VERY entertained. Here is a video that I took of her attempting to play with this cone on her head. Excuse the talking.....and laughing....

ENJOY!

December 08...and a few days after.

Now that i have some free time for the first time in about 3 weeks, i can update everyone.

After school let out on the 19th, my fun filled adventure began. I had to head home to pack to be away from home for 2 weeks. I had to pack that night because i'm such a HUGE procrastinator...as well as freakin' busy. The girls had 2 games that week, as well as practice. So, instead of trying to pick things out of my closet...i just went shopping. (i had to catch a flight at 6am, okay)

So, i caught my flight to Dallas Saturday morning to surpirse Chrissy at her graduation party that night. She had no idea that I was coming. (thanks to everyone who kept my secret!) She was really surprised to see me and I was really glad to see all my friends again (Demira & Bert, Glenn, Dee, Angela, Christina & Chad). We ate dinner and then went bowling (I bowled an 80...not good).

Sunday, I hung out with mom at Dee and James' shop. These two are the most amazing hair stylist around. I kept joking that I had to come all the way back to Dallas just get get my hair done right. But, I'm not joking. James colored (actually corrected) my hair...EXACTLY the way that i wanted it. and then Dee cut it (as she puts it)..."the same old boring way...blunt cut with no layers" I told her that I had to grow it long so she actually had some hair to work with for the wedding and I'll let her cut it however she wants AFTER the wedding. So, expect some crazy 'do' later this year. (I'm scared)

Monday, I was able to see another one of good friends that I haven't seen in a while, Brandy (and her husband Chad: Chandy as I call them). Brandy is my friend from middle and high school. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. She recently (6th months ago) had a baby. I don't get to see her often because she lives in Grandbury. But they all came out to see me at my Dad's house. Chrissy even showed up after work to see her.
This is us. Chrissy, Me, and Brandy (with baby Zack). This brought back so many memories of all the sleep overs and fun times we had through out our youth. (can i go back???)

Then Tuesday morning I had to fly out to meet Zach in Charlotte, NC to stay a week with his Dad (and famly).
While we were there we celebrated Christmas with his family and went shopping multiple times. It was good to see everyone again. (I'd met them for the first time last Thanksgiving) They remind me of my family, very loud and opinionated. So I felt like I was at home.

One of my many gifts that his parents got me was a pair of ski pants. Which meant that I went snowboarding. Now, I have never seen that much snow in one place nor have I ever skiied (I can't even water ski). It was difficult and tiring at first...but after a few lessons from his Dad and multiple falls on my rear...i picked it up and had lots of fun. I was really sore for the next two days (and had several bruises on my bum)...but I can't wait to do it again. I made Zach promise to take me to Utah next winter so we can do it agian. After all the shopping and snowboarding, we headed back home on the 30th.

We got home around 10 that night, walked in the door and crashed. We contemplated trying to get together with some friends for NYE, but we decided to just pick up some Chilli's to go and bought a bottle of Champagne and celebrated the new year at home because Mom and Mike were coming in the next morning. They stayed until the 6th. They had lots of fun and lost and then won lots of money at the casino.

But now school has started again and I'm back into the grind. I had a wonderful holiday break and was glad to see everyone. Unfortunatly, I won't be able to make it back to Dallas again until April during my spring break. I hope during the next 3 months everyone can live without me...lol


Now I have to get busy getting the rest of the wedding planned...wish me luck!