From Boston to the Utah Department of Health

White Rabbit! Congratulations to everyone who remembered to say this today! It felt like my birthday, receiving so many texts from folks claiming good luck for the month. Today also marked a huge change in my life: a transition from Boston to my new job at the Utah Department of Health in Salt Lake City.


Though I have not posted much about my experiences in Boston, living there with Ben, Emily, Denison, Annielle and little Brigham was a blessed experience that gave to me in many ways. Being around them taught me a great deal. It was especially nice to be with them at Thanksgiving.


While staying there, a good friend visited me, we watched the Celtics play, visited many historical sites, I met fabulous folks, staffed at Harvard's Business School (...just saying :), and even received "specialized" training workouts and went on fun adventures throughout both Boston and Cambridge with Boston's very own VIP, Rob Leahey! It doesn't feel like I was there very long, but somehow I became very attached to that lovely old historic part of our country and to the people living there as well. Being downtown, around those old buildings, made me feel I'd stepped inside a history book...and I kind of did...it was just too cool. It would be wonderful to live there again in the future...a little more long-term-like.

Feeling a bit torn, but also quite hopeful, I moved back to Utah last weekend. And, as of today, I have begun my "career"...or actually, just my job, but I really like thinking of it as my career because the word is so "adult-like" and mature-sounding...oh, yes...the job...as a Health Program Specialist in the Utah Arthritis Program. This opportunity will train me in several areas and will help me for future experiences as well. The program is intimate though it connects with others in several areas throughout the Department of Health. A number of BYU Public Health grads who I know are working at the Department too, so this will be quite nice to spend time and learn from their experiences. What a blessing to have a job in my field, with such good people, and in such a good area. I have moved in with Liz and her family in Salt Lake City and its already proved to not only be a huge blessing, but also a load of laughs.

Happy start to this holiday season one and all :)