Wednesday, December 17, 2008

What's up with the Harrisons?

Q: I saw in your last post that you had your last day of work with KLAS last week. What's the deal?
A: Working for KLAS over the past two years has been a great opportunity for me... and even though sometimes I felt just a tad too in over my head (i.e.... the baptism of fire with HIMSS) it was a good starting point for someone fresh out of college. With recent changes in the marketing department's personnel, and me wanting to take a break from work for awhile, this was an opportune time for me to take an exit from KLAS and the working world (RSNA in Chicago was my last big project with the company and a good note to end on).

Q: What are you going to do now?
A: Brant has since put in a bid to transfer to the Skywest base in Atlanta (my job with KLAS was pretty much the reason why we were still living in Utah, when were are both from southern states). Though with things so slow moving in the industry right now, that transfer will take a little while to go through.

Q: How long will it take before his transfer goes through?
A: Well, it depends. Just like everything else with his job, its based on seniority. At the moment there are 7 pilots senior to him that want to and get to be transferred to Atlanta before he does. We'd actually be surprised if it happened any shorter than a year's time (if not longer), BUT if it's meant to be, it'll happen.... right?

Q: What will you do in the meantime?
A: We've definately had our share of being in limbo and not knowing what we should do over the past month or two. Our lease at our current place is up at the end of this month, and since I no longer work and need to be closer to KLAS (we chose this place because it was 2.7 miles from KLAS) just this evening we signed a lease to a new place- which is still in Orem and close to the interstate for Brant to get up to Salt Lake easily, but is bigger (yay for 2 bedrooms), still offers a microwave and washer and dryer, and is somehow less expensive (by almost $200- remember this is apartment living!) than the 1 bedroom that we're at now. The selling point for me was that the owners agreed to work with us on the contract- so we're not locked into a contract and have a fee to pay if Brant's transfer does happen to go through before the year is up and we end up moving to Atlanta. Plus the owners gave us the keys tonight and are letting us move in- but not charging our first month rent until January.

Sweet deal.

Q: Why don't you just move up to Salt Lake so Brant can be closer to the airport?
A: That's an excellent question. The reason why is that on his days off and while he's home on reserve, Brant still works as a ground instructor for UVU's aviation program at the Provo airport. So, its easier to justify living in Utah County and driving to the Salt Lake airport- than it is to live in Salt Lake and drive to Utah County to do instructing.

Q: Why don't you just take the plunge and buy a house. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, you know.
A: It is the opportunity of a lifetime to buy a first home right now! This is the biggest question in our minds because we could definately go ahead and buy a home now in Utah...but then what if Brant's transfer goes through and we move to Atlanta? All of our $$ will be tied up in a home in Utah- and I don't see how we could possibly sell it or get a second mortgage for a home in Atlanta (which a home in Atlanta is our real goal).

Q: What are you going to do now with all of your free time?
A: Ah, my favorite question! Now I get to do all the things I've never gotten a chance to do before! A few of the things on my list:
  • learn my camera better and take more photos (do the assignments from the photo class I took that I didn't have time to do when I was actually taking it)

  • learn some software to edit photos

  • invest in a sewing maching and make some cool stuff

  • learn how to play the piano (my mom always wanted her kids to know enough to at least play church hymns - I've so far been a disgrace...)

  • jar those berries into jam that I got at the cannery awhile back

  • actually do some cooking- and just be more domestic

  • travel with Brant more on his trips... now I don't have to worry that I won't make it back in time for work :)

  • be a gym rat - including enrolling in a fitness bootcamp

  • watch lots of Good Things Utah

  • read books. lots of them.

  • organize my mission photos

  • plus much, much more!
Keep tuned into my blog for my adventures as a non-working woman!

9 comments:

Alyssa said...

my little sister got transferred to Chicago from Dallas and now her and her husband live in two different places. So I don't think a transfer is too far off! Good luck!

Julie Barnes said...

Wow! You will have a lot of free time to blog ;) Actually, I have noticed that I am a bit busier when I am out of the work force. Hopefully you will get your transfer to Atlanta soon!

Gingyroo said...

Hi Kristen,
CONGRATULATIONS ON ATTAINING FREEDOM!!!

Good luck with the transfer to Atlanta - I am a walking example that faith goes far and transfers can happen! :)

Hey, finally got up my blog. kentandginger_dot_blogspot (of course, don't spell the dot). :)

Linsey said...

I really hope you guys get your transfer soon, but at the same time, don't want you to, because then I'll see you less often than I already do! I would love to have the time to do some of the things on your list (especially being a gym rat)! I'm excited to see all the cool stuff you do/make pop up on your blog!

J+S said...

Please share your photo tips with me. I will give you piano lessons in exchange. :)

And where is the fitness boot camp?

Mom said...

You haven't been a disgrace--I don't know anyone else who by sheer determination taught themselves how to play Hark the Herald Angels Sing without any outside help at all. However, I do know where you can get a really good deal on piano lessons, and maybe an extra hand on some of that cool stuff you want to make?

The McCullough Crew said...

Way to go Kristen! And to think that you actually wanted to be a working woman.

I have to agree with Julie though- life is super busy now that I am not working. Make sure to keep track of those goals.

J+S said...

Kristen, have you checked out A Little Sussy lately? I love love LOVE the snow days shoot she did. It's truly one of the first shoots she's posted that I really like. Will you come take pictures of me and Scott making snow angels and dragging a Christmas tree? I love it:

http://nicolehill.blogspot.com/2008/12/naomi-josh-snow-days.html

The Caldwell's said...

I totally didn't know you quit your job! How are things?? Hope you are enjoying your sweet quality time. That's so great you got a sweet deal on your new apartment. We are sick of your apt too!
I'm so happy now I can talk to you all the time!! Let's be phone buddies ;)

MIss you!!