Life in the Salt Lake Valley

This post was supposed to happen a few weeks ago but life has been CRAZY lately, of course. I started my new job as a recruiter for Deloitte and I moved down to Salt Lake. Neither of those would be bad by themselves, but when you combine them it makes life a little bit stressful.

The good news is, even though this job is probably the most stressful I've ever had, it is also the most fun. I have met so many wonderful people and learned so much. I would try to give a list of all my responsibilities, but I'm still learning what they are. I am in Provo on BYU campus at least once a week, I have been to Utah State and University of Utah. I've been to San Francisco twice for trainings and I was actually assigned to the Honolulu, Hawaii office as well. So if all goes as planned, I'll be forced to go there at least once a year. Rough, I know.

I am still adjusting to living in Salt Lake, but it's coming. The best part of my current living situation is my commute. I live three, yes three, blocks from my office. It takes me 12 minutes to walk from my front door to my cubicle. Happiness. I think this world would be a better place if everyone could walk to work. This also means that I am only three blocks from temple square. I love this. I have been on tours of the conference center and the Beehive House. I've been to the temple a few times and am always humbled by the sacrifices made to construct that beautiful building.

I'm not going to lie, I miss DC everyday, mostly all the wonderful people there. But I still feel like this is where I'm supposed to be. The best part about living here is being closer to my family. I have 4 siblings, one sister-in-law and two nephews living in Provo. My parents are just 4 hours away in Cedar City with 3 more siblings. And my sister Janae and her family live just 4 hours away in Meeker, CO. This means I get to see them all a lot more. I love this. My family are my best friends and I am loving being close to them. I also have a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins in the area who I get to see more. Family, isn't it about time.

I'm still working on the social scene here in the valley. Fortunately, I know a few people who have been super helpful with all the moving and craziness of my life. I really don't know what I would have done without their help. If anyone is coming to visit, you better call me. I would love to see you.

All in all, life is good. Really busy, but good.

Some photos of the good times with the fam.

Oh so cute! Good times on condo row with the sisters.

Cute little Benson

I love this little man. He called me the other day to ask me if I could come over.

Allie set up her own nail shop out on the deck. Janae called a friend to come over and get her nails done. So great.

Devin and Dill Pickle and Allie and Tyler.

What a great uncle.

Happiest Tyler face we've ever seen.

I love this girl. Favorite, favorite.

We drove down to surprise Shandi at her play. She totally rocked the role of one of Joseph's brothers (I can't remember which one).

What happened next

I promised myself that I will blog at least once a month for posterity's sake, and for all of you back on the East coast who are just DYING to know more about what's going on in my life. In normal life, it might be a challenge to come up with something really exciting to post every month. But as most of you know my life has been anything but normal lately. So here comes the latest update.

Some of you may recognize the above logo. It's a well known accounting firm, and happens to be my former employer. You're probably asking yourself, what does this have to do with Becca's new life? She slammed the door on accounting with no plans of going back. That is exactly what I did, and my intentions have not changed. But Deloitte is in fact my new employer. But rather than wasting away in a cubicle crunching numbers, I will be recruiting bright young college students to fill those positions. In other words, I am the newest campus recruiter for Deloitte. I'll be based out of SLC and focusing primarily on BYU but will also cover Utah State and University of Utah. My job description includes talking to people (LOVE!), planning events (LOVE!), traveling (LOVE!), and of course some administrative stuff. Can anyone imagine a job more fitting for yours truly? Because I cannot. Which brings me to how this job fell into my lap.


I have actually coveted this job since I was recruited at BYU; as I was interviewing for accounting positions, I secretly wanted to be a recruiter. At the time Deb Vranes and Arianne Weekes were the campus recruiters. I helped them out with stuff occasionally and we became good friends. Before I left Deloitte I had a conversation with Deb about my interest in her position and she was supportive, but said I'd need to get some recruiting experience. Well I ended up leaving Deloitte and figured that was that. Imagine my surprise when just days after moving to Park City to start my job as a cashier at Deer Valley, Arianne called to let me know that a campus recruiter position was open in SLC and she thought I would be perfect for the job. Her words were something like, "I know you're not looking for a REAL job right now, but I just thought I would see if you were interested." She was right, I wasn't looking for a REAL job. As you can see from my prior post, I am COMPLETELY happy with my current life. But there are certain opportunities in life that you just can't let pass by. So Arianne turned in my resume, I had two phone interviews, an office interview and a week after that they offered me the job. Probably the easiest, least stressful job application experience I've ever had. And I still can't believe it. I am so excited to start my new job.


So for all of you who thought I was supposed to move to Utah to find my husband (still looking), I'm pretty sure this job was a huge part of it. Which makes me grateful, for a lot of reasons. I have 4 siblings living in Provo right now, 3 at BYU. And since I am going to be on campus about once a week, I'll get to see them a lot. And I have a lot of other family in the area as well. I love family, especially my family. They are my favorite. I'm grateful I'll have the chance to use the experiences I've already had to help other people make decisions about their future. I'm grateful I'll get to work with and meet a lot of wonderful people. I'm grateful I'll be earning enough money to buy a ticket to visit D.C. and all the wonderful people there SOON! And I am especially grateful to know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me, even if it's not quite what I expected. Knowing that I'm where I'm supposed to be makes my life just about as good as it can get.

Five of the Haynie sisters plus one cousin. Tara was visiting this weekend and we went to the BYU ward where Bree, Kendra and Saryn all go. The Elder's Quorum handed out roses for Valentine's Day. Not awkward at all... (Tara and I may have hid in the hall while they were being passed out, but one of the guys came and found us anyway)

What I'm doing now...

I'll tell you what I'm doing now. I am living in Park City, working as a cashier at Deer Valley Ski Resort. And having the time of my life!!

It has been a long time since I have had a job that I enjoyed this much. Those who have known me during the past four years also know that I haven't really loved my job, at all. So liking my job is kind of a new experience for me. For the first few days I laughed at myself and the entire situation. I felt like I had gone back to high school and my days of working at Arctic Circle. But there are so many things I love about my job. And not just my job, but living here in Park City, UT. So here's a list of top 10 things I love about my new life:

1-I get paid to talk to people all day. I have been looking for a job like this for a LONG time. Sure I don't get paid very much, but it's better than nothing.

2-I meet people from all over the world. Deer Valley has some of the greatest snow on earth and it is recognized world wide. People come from all over the world to ski and to work for the season.

3-Half the people I work with are Brazilians so I get to practice my Portuguese all the time.

4-I spend half my time up at a cabin on the slopes and we get to ride the ski lift up in the morning and back down in the afternoon. The views are unbelievable (see photos).

5-Skiing privileges at Deer Valley and other resorts. My new friend Bjorn who has been a ski instructor for years took me out for my very first time ever last week. It was fun, but still slightly stressful. I need to go more.

6-My uniform. I get to wear ski pants and snow boots half the time and the other half black pants and vest that they wash for me. I LOVE not having to decide what to wear to work every day or dress up.

7-I'm closer to family. I got to go to my nephew's 2nd birthday party and my cousin Timothy's farewell talk. I've already seen my parents almost as much in 2011 as I did in 2010. My family is one of the biggest reasons I wanted to be back out West and I'm loving spending time with all of them.

8-The GREAT OUTDOORS. I'm surrounded by it and by people who love it just as much, and more than I do. My first Family Home Evening out here was snow-shoeing up a canyon close to the church. How cool is that? I went show-shoeing and skiing for the first time in the same week!

9-The lack of traffic. Seriously. I still have a little bit of a drive to work, but it's beautiful and I'm never stuck in traffic. Sundance has made things a little bit crazy the last few days, but NOTHING like the greater Washington DC area.

10-The people. I have met so many wonderful new people in the last month and had the chance to reconnect with so many old friends and family. It makes every day exciting. Today I met a woman from Maine who is a surgeon and she has a friend who is a surgeon who just bought a light house! So jealous! I also meet people every day who, once they hear my story, want to give me career advice. So far there has been recommendations for flight attendant, dentist, culinary school, and I'm sure the list will only get better. I was also really fortunate to find a place to live with some great roommates. And I've met new friends from all over the world.

To sum it all up, I love my life. I have no idea what is coming next, but for now I am just enjoying.

Cute little Benson.
The birthday boy Adam.

My first ski lesson with Bjorn.

Isn't it beautiful!!

New friends.

Our Journey West

After driving almost 3,300 miles, through 11 states, visiting family and friends, we finally made it to Cedar City, Utah. Hip-hip-hooray!!

The last few weeks of my life have been INSANE. I don't recommend making a decision to move across the country just two weeks in advance. It makes life stressful. There was packing, cleaning, working, visiting, partying, selling stuff, etc. And I didn't have time for everything. If I didn't have time to say goodbye to you, I'm sorry. It's not because I don't love you. :) Thanks to all of those who came to the farewell party. It was nice to be able to see so many people before I took off.

Thank you also to all of those who took some of my stuff to Utah for me. Apparently I have accumulated a lot of stuff over the last few years cause there is no way I would have been able to fit it all in my car like I did when I moved out. The car was PACKED to the point of exploding.

Bree and me at the farewell party.

Entering North Carolina, our first state line. Since our trip was right before Christmas, we decided to wear Santa hats in all our photos. Good times.

We stayed the first night with our cute cousin Curtis and his wife Lindsey and their little guy Andy. They were the perfect hosts, even folded the TP in the bathroom just like they do in fancy hotels (thanks Curt!). :)

We were lucky to be able to visit Ani, my old roommate, and her husband the next day at the Duke hospital where Ani had just given birth to this beautiful baby girl named Camilla. So fun to see them.

Isn't she beautiful? Thanks to Jen Pierson for crocheting that great hat for us. It's a little big, but she'll grow into it.

South Carolina, second state line.

Oh Georgia. We were sad that Amber and Ryan no longer live there but we were able to visit with some other favorite cousins, the Houghtalings. They treated us like royalty. Dinner at Cafe Pig and chocolate turnovers from Arby's.

The little tree because they were going on a cruise for Christmas. Oh how we wished we were joining them.

And they took us on a golf cart ride. It was a little bit chillier than the last time I was there, but still delightful.

Alabama, we were sad that Carl and Court were no longer there to visit. Be we paid tribute by watching Sweet Home Alabama as we drove through the state.

We were so close to the Florida state line we just had to take a detour. But there was no fancy welcome sign on the little back road, so we had to make our own. (I'm the "F" and Bree is the "l" if you couldn't tell).

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I!!

We had to stop in Biloxi because our grandparents got engaged there many years ago and they lived there for awhile when they were first married. My grandfather was stationed there.

This jumping picture was taken with a timer!! Are we talented or what?!

Louisiana! One of the reasons why I wanted to drive this route was because I recently visited the Newseum in D.C. and there is an entire section dedicated to the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. It was fascinating and humbling to see all the places in person. We talked to some workers in one of the only stores that has been rebuilt on the entire beach front. Incredible to hear their stories.

Taking the ferry across the Mississippi into New Orleans.

We took the trolley up and down St. Charles street to see all the fancy houses. It was even more fun because they were all decorated for Christmas.

We ran into Santa Claus in a hotel off of Bourbon street. The hotel was beautiful but I will be happy if I never go back to Bourbon street again.

The rest of the French Quarter was fun. I would have liked to spend more time there but we had to get on the road.

We of course stopped at Cafe Du Monde for their famous beignets. Yummy!!

The great state of TEXAS!! So many fun friends and family.

Trisha, my former manager at Deloitte in D.C. She now lives in Houston. It was great to catch up.

We got to stay with Syd and Chad and their cute family. We stopped by the Houston temple which was just down the street from them.

Cutest little thing that you ever did see.

And this little girl is just full of spunk, if you can't tell from her outfit.

We got to hang out with the Cook family and the McArthur family. Random connections.

We stopped at the Blue Bell ice cream factory on our way out of town. Delicious!

Lunch at Sandy's (Sandra Bullock) restaurant in Austin. Sadly she did not come in while we were there. But it was almost 80 degrees as we were walking down towards the river. Beautiful!

A little stop in Waco to visit Krista and Jeff.

And our last night in Texas was spent in Dallas with Hugh and Lucy. So grateful for such fun and wonderful family!!

I couldn't leave Texas without getting more Blue Bell. They didn't have the flavor I wanted in the pint size, so I just got the big one. Sadly I couldn't eat it all and it melted.

New Mexico...I have never thought of it as enchanting.

AZ. We're getting so close!!

This is how excited we were to drive in to Utah!

And these are the nice women who took our jumping photo for us.

We finally made it! Home Sweet Home!!

We spent the next seven days eating, playing, singing, laughing, etc with all 20 members of the Harold and Sheri Haynie family. I could not have asked for a better Christmas.

Happy Holidays to all! Look for my next post for an update on the next stage of my adventure. It's going to be FUN!!

Here's the story...

After explaining my decision and future plans to the last 50 people who have asked one by one, I figured it would be easier to be able to refer everyone to a blog post that explains in detail my plan (or the lack thereof) for the future. So here it is.

First I need to explain that I realized before I graduated from BYU that accounting was really not my cup of tea. But after spending a significant amount of time and effort on a degree, I needed to give it a chance. I had goals that I made when I was in 9th grade, and by golly, I was going to be responsible and achieve them. Working at Deloitte was a great experience, the people were my favorite part. But when they brought me in to tell me they were making cuts in my group, I was more than happy to go my own way. I was done with corporate accounting and never wanted to do it again. Over the next 6 months of "Funemployment" I did a lot of thinking and talking with people about what I should do with my life. There were many suggestions, everything from Tour guide/travel agent to seminary teacher to counselor. I appreciate each suggestion and really did look into a few of them.

When I finally made it back to DC, I really felt like I still needed to be here even though I had been planning on leaving. So I found another job in accounting that I hoped I would like more. I avoided the large companies, certain that I would like working in a smaller environment with smaller clients. Because that's where I had always pictured myself some day. I also wanted to get experience doing individual and small corporation tax returns so that I would be able to help people I know. Well I got the experience and I learned a lot, including the fact that I will NEVER like the practice of accounting. I really enjoyed studying it and I have enjoyed teaching it for the last semester. But the actual practice of it bores me to tears. Those who had the opportunity to interact with me on a regular basis during busy season can testify that it was a rather rough time for me. One that I decided as soon as it was over, I would not be repeating if I could help it. So I started looking into other options.

And I found a dream job, with USAid. As a Junior Foreign Service Officer. I would be doing the finance track and living over seas and potentially learning new languages, for the next 20 years, dream come true. I applied and got an interview and had the best interview experience of my life. Became friends with the other candidates, felt good about all parts of the interview, and a few days later I got a call from the woman who interviewed me saying that it wasn't official but if my references checked out, HR would be calling with an offer. Holy Smokes!! Then came one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I REALLY wanted this job, but I wasn't supposed to take it. So I said no. Ouch. I've been a little bit mad and frustrated about it ever since. But mostly confused. I knew exactly what I DIDN'T want to do with my life, I thought I had figured out what I DID want to do, but then I wasn't SUPPOSED to do that. Seriously?

Soooo, that pretty much brings us up to where I've been for the past 6 months, in a state of confusion. I had to quit my job before another busy season, but where would I go next? Should I move, should I stay? I had considered everything, and decided to stay in DC. I was going to worm my way into international development somehow, but not as an accountant. With the help of friends and Craigslist, I lined up interviews. I had also been approached about doing recruiting and I was considering that a little bit.

Then one day last week I realized that I wasn't interested in doing any of the above. At least not right now. The thought of getting another desk job, be it in international development, recruiting or accounting still wasn't appealing to me. After talking to my dad, he is so wise, we came back to the tour guide thing, and I started looking into it. Afters a few hours I found this place www.backroads.com, (hiking, biking and multisport adventures) and they said they were hiring for their 2011 season!! And suddenly I was excited about a job again.

But, I still didn't take it very seriously. I sent the link to my sister Brianna who would also love to do something like this and is looking for a job. We talked about how great it would be and suddenly I really wanted to do it. So I called my dad again and asked him if he thought it was a crazy idea. He of course loved it. Thought it was the best idea ever. But the season doesn't start until April. How am I going to survive until then? I can't really afford to do that in DC. And this also isn't the place to be making connections in that industry. So the thought crossed my mind that I would need to move back to Utah. As I voiced it to my parents, it all just seemed to make sense. I think most people know how I feel about moving back to Utah, so the fact that this felt right, must mean it really is, because otherwise it never would have been an option. And from there everything happened really fast.

I was already going to be headed that way for the holidays and it didn't make sense to go out there then come back and then go back, so I decided to do it before Christmas. I had already given my 2 weeks notice at work, I called Brianna to ask her to fly out and drive across the country with me, and now I just have to figure out how I'm going to get all of my stuff out there, or get rid of it. The last week has been crazy and the next few days are going to be even more so. I'm excited, scared, happy, sad and a bunch of other things all at once. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is that it feels right. I have been praying for guidance for a long time. I never thought it would be to head to Utah, but I'm willing to give it a try. My dad said something about this being a step into the darkness, I said it was more like throwing myself off of a cliff into the darkness...

So there is my story. The adventure begins next week with our Southern Road Trip (North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas), then Cedar City for Christmas. And after that...your guess is as good as mine.

P.S. Christina decided she needed to document every single day of my last two weeks here. Here are some of the photos we've taken. Classic.

A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theater - So delightful.

The Nutcracker at Warner Theater - Beautiful. I still dream of being a ballerina.

Some typical dancing/craziness from Christina and I at the Scottish parade in Old Town.

Awesome face cupcakes I made while teaching someone about cake decorating.