A change has done me good!

I started my new job last Monday and after only a week the decision to leave my old job, for one that pays me a lot less, continues to feel like the right one. For those of you who weren't aware I had even changed jobs, I am now working as a web marketer for an ad agency downtown. This is new territory for me, but I am learning a lot and feel the skills I am learning will be a great asset to me in the future. Who knows, with all the SEO and social media skills Matt is also exploring with his internship maybe one day we can start our own business.

Top things I love about the new job:

1. Bagel Fridays- This is our weekly staff meeting and although we had muffins this week it is nice to be in a meeting where only good news is shared.
2. My sweet 24-inch Mac.
3. An office where the IT guy actually knows how to fix a computer problem.
4. Toilets that flush, an actual breakroom, and a receptionist to cover the phone during lunch.
5. Wearing jeans everday if I want
6. Riding an elevator to the office
7. Having actual work to do and feeling like I am contributing to something of real value, instead of made-up busy work.

I miss my peeps at the old place and know we will stay in touch, but in this case the grass really is greener on the other side.

Holiday Hoopla!!

When I lived in Ogden it became a holiday tradition to do a performance, and by performance I mean lip sync, to a popular Michael McLean song. Even though that tradition ceased once my roommates and I moved from the house on 40th street, when the holidays come to an end I still "cry the day that I take the tree down." I haven't taken it down yet, but this weekend is the time the holiday cheer will be packed up and put away until another Christmas season is upon us. We had a memorable first Christmas as a married couple and look forward to many more.

Our festivities began with the annual Saunders' Christmas party on the 23rd. Part of the night's activities always includes listening to the story of the Polar Express. This year we took it one step further and trekked up to the Heber Valley Railroad and rode the Polar Express. I had high expectations since I love this story, but honestly for the money they could have done a better job. And as a co-worker of mine pointed out, "It wasn't done by Disney, Robyn!" And she is right. It was a good time but not something I would do every year. Matt and I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day just the two of us. We exchanged gifts from each other and Santa and Matt made a wonderful dinner. I love having a husband that loves to cook.

We decided to take advantage of all the snow and went up to Logan the weekend after Christmas for some snowmobiling and sledding with my sister and her family. This was Matt's first time on a snowmobile and I think he enjoyed himself a lot.


For New Year's Eve we had dinner at Log Haven with our friends, Charity and Sultan. We got home just in time to count down to 2009 with Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark. All in all, a great holiday season.

Merry Elfing Christmas!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. If you are interested in elfing yourself, go here
It's too much fun!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Baby, it's cold outside!

It finally feels like Christmas. With 10 days to go until the big holiday, and snow finally on the ground, the festivities are in full swing!  Last night we attended the annual Zarbock Christmas open house, and once again it did NOT disappoint. Those gals really know how to put on a spread. There was eggnog, crepes, cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and fruit with fondue. But my favorite treat, making its debut this year, were the cake balls dipped in chocolate...MMMMM!! I am even planning on making them myself this week. I wish I would have taken a picture of it all because you would be jealous of the delicacies we feasted on. Also in the past week, we attended my work Christmas party at Market Street Grill and on Friday the dance studio I work at had our Christmas recital. One of my little students even brought me roses...Thanks, Krystallyn!

Another way I know the Christmas season is upon us, unfortunately, is the disgusting display of inflatables littering neighborhoods across the valley. I hate those things. I don't even think Clark Griswald would include inflatables in his decor and his house could be seen from space. I'm sure as I am writing this you are either agreeing with me or trying to find some way to justify the 8 ft snowman waving from your front lawn. You might as well just add a couch to your front porch to make the look complete. But since I am feeling the Christmas spirit, please know it's not too late to repent. If you, or someone you love, has wronged your neighbors in this way go out and deflate that inflatable now. Better yet, cut it up and throw it out so you are never tempted to display that snowman again. Oh, and have a Merry Christmas!

Goodbye, Thanksgiving...Hello, Christmas!

There is nothing like going home to the familiar tastes of the Saunders' Thanksgiving feast. I'm sure most of you think your family feast is #1 but you would be wrong. My dad's homemade rolls are the best and store bought pies have no place at our table. If that is the way you celebrate, I'm sorry. It's most likely because you don't know any better or maybe as my brother-in-law constantly reminds us, we ARE food snobs. But I have had Thanksgivings far from home before and although they are memorable (Thanksgiving duck in Taiwan, dinner in Germany at Epcot) they don't quite measure up. One year I even had someone try to serve me corn from a can...the nerve!

Matt and I headed up to Cache Valley on thursday to spend the holiday with my family. After the meal and some pie it was off to the movies. I don't know what it is about going to movies on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it has become a tradition and I love it. We saw "Four Christmases." It was pretty good. A typical Christmas movie but who doesn't love Vince Vaughn? We spent Friday at my sister Nikki's house and another movie, "Australia," followed that evening. I highly recommend this one...a western with action, romance, and Hugh Jackman's abs can't go wrong. The movie also included a little Judy Garland, which for me made it all the more special. I won't tell you more than that...go out and see it yourself. Saturday included more family time and dinner with one of my dearest friends and her husband.

We got back yesterday afternoon and now I am in the process of beautifying the home for Christmas. I got the lights on the balcony up and the tree dancing with lights. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow. Matt doesn't seem to get too excited about this holiday, so it has been all me doing the decorating. But he won't be able to be married to me long before he starts to catch a little bit of Christmas cheer. If I don't have him convinced by 2015, I may have to result to extreme measures.

Pictures from The Pulse

So I Think I Can Dance!!

This past weekend a few of my fellow dance teachers and I attended a dance convention in Vegas, The Pulse. The convention consisted of 2 days of master classes taught by some of the SYTYCD choreographers- Mia Michaels, Tyce D'Orio, Shane Sparks - as well as Cris Judd, Dave Scott and Laurie Ann Gibson. This was quite a treat for me! I love that show and I loved this experience even more. Dance has always been such a big part of my life and I am grateful for any opportunity to continue dancing and taking what I learn back to my own classes as I teach the next generation of dancers.