Well it's been several months since I blogged last and I figured it was about time. If anyone actually reads this thing, I'm sorry I haven't posted for a long time.

I arrived in Salt Lake City in early August. While I am glad to be back I truly do miss Cleveland, my friends in Cleveland and my apartment in Cleveland. Since being back I have had a chance to attend a University of Utah football game, which I missed more than I realized. I have not however had an opportunity to attend a Jazz game yet, but hope to do so shortly.

Upon my return my potential housing fell through and it became necessary for me to move into my parents basement. While the situation is less than ideal I do appreciate their willingness to let me stay there for as long as it is necessary. I hope to move in with some friends in December sometime and depending on my job situation I hope to move back into my house in Salt Lake City sometime in the spring.

Since my return I have been in job search mode. A friend of mine owns his own lawn care business and I was able to work for him for several months to keep some money coming in. I appreciate his willingness to employ me and hope my wage wasn't a burden on his company. I have recently started a job at a call center doing inbound telemarketing sales. I HATE THE JOB, but once again it is money coming in, and I try to be grateful that I have a job. I will also be starting part time holiday work at Macy's this week.

I have had a few interviews related to my degree since I got back but they have not materialized. I interviewed for a position with Provo City, and made the short list (not short bus) to have a second interview. I never did hear back but I wouldn't have gone for a second interview anyway. I interviewed for a position with the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency. I was perfectly qualified, actual over qualified, for the position and I was not offered the job. The job would have been ideal for me and a perfect fit. I am currently in the process of interviewing with another city in Utah, I had my initial phone interview last week and will have a second in person interview next week. It is not that close to SLC but it is a planning job and would be a great place to work and continue to learn and grow in the profession. I am also considering other options for the time being including a return to sales with MediaONe, formerly the Newspaper Agency. While not ideal it would be a good place to work for the next year or so until something else breaks.

When the job market was starting to look weak when I returned I decided that it was time for me to do the initial leg work on my own Real Estate development company. I am currently working on mission statements, background info, and a business plan for the company. I plan to launch a website within the next two months, preferably by the end of the year. I have began the financial analysis on a potential first project. I have selected a building that I am interested in, toured the building and ran some initial cost estimates. I will be touring the building again next week with a potential development and financial partner. If I can make the numbers make sense I hope to begin the project in the next 6 months with a grand opening 12-18 months after that.

Sorry I haven't been funny, I will try to mix in a little humor in the next post, and I will try to blog again sooner than this time.

Bittersweet!

In less than two weeks I will be pulling away from Cleveland on my way back to Salt Lake City. As I contemplate the move I have very bittersweet feeling about it. I know that Salt Lake City is home and I'm am so very excited to start a new career and a new chapter in my life.

On the other hand I have really grown to love Cleveland. I have tried to experience all that Cleveland has to offer, but juggling school, work and being a poor student has held me back from some of the things I planned. I have experienced a lot, but I didn't get the chance to visit the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, Niagra Falls, or attend a Cleveland Browns game.

I have so many great friends here and I will truly be sad to see the Cleveland skyline in my rear view. With so many wonderful friends and so many things left to do, I hope to be able to visit soon.

Salt Lake City here I come, and good bye Cleveland, I will miss you.

Time to move on!

Well I've lived been in Cleveland for nearly two years now, and I have really enjoyed my time here. I enjoyed my time and learned a lot at Cleveland State University, I completed my Masters of Urban Planning Design & Development in May. Attending CSU has given me a perspective of communities that are struggling and are attempting to remake the core of the region. I plan to apply my education in my professional life.

Cleveland Ohio, is not the mistake by the lake, it really is a hidden jewel in the United States. It has world class amenities that many other cities would love to have. Downtown Cleveland has great potential and I see the beginnings of a positive transition to once again becoming a world class city. I have light right in downtown for a year and a half and have loved every minute of it.

With all this said it has come time to move on in my life. The masters degree period of my life is completed and it's time to move to the next phase. As I have contemplated places to relocate to and make my mark in society I have come to the realization that Salt Lake City is home, it is time for me to return to my roots.

Salt Lake City is and always will be home. I plan to return to Utah in August and begin working in the planning or real estate development field.

Cleveland, thanks for the memories and the insights, I will always cherish my time here. Salt Lake City I am returning home and I plan to make many more memories in the years to come.

Life on the Tracks

I was talking with an old friend of mine today, and by talking I refer to chatting via messenger, and we got to talking about how fast time really does fly when you look back on things. Several years ago, about 7 I would say that this friend and I were more or less on the same track, slightly different places on that track but on the same track non the less. It's amazing how one event or major change in a persons life can be the catalyst for changing tracks. While at first is may seem that you are simply detoured for a while and that the tracks will merge together once again. As I look back it realize I cannot see that set of tracks anymore and I vaguely remember even being on that other track sometimes, but what memories you do have of that track or very fond ones.

You never know what lies ahead of you on the tracks of life, or even what track you may be on just a few years down the road. I feel that it is important to look around you and take in the scenery that is whizzing by you. You must learn all you can from all your journeys and apply those to your life and the track on which you are presently traveling. You will never return to the exact same track you were on but you can choose to point your life's travels in the same direction. It is my hope that the tracks that my friends, family and I are traveling on will bring us happiness and fulfillment in all of our life's travels, where ever they may lead.

New to this

I figured I check my friends blogs every now and then and it's nice to read about everyday things going on so I figured I would start my own. I'm not sure if anyone will read this but that's ok, it will occupy a little of my time now and then.

For those of you reading this thanks for visiting, I hope to be able to blog some things that you may actually be interested in reading.