Birthday Bronco Market Week

We have now been in Detroit for almost a month, and we are still looking for a place to live. We have now set our sights on the downtown area. We've been apartment hunting for awhile--we really like the convenience and atmosphere of living downtown (for anyone who's thinking, oh no, downtown Detroit?! Don't worry, it's actually quite nice).

Ben's birthday was this week, and we did a lot to celebrate. Not only was there ice cream cake, but we got to go to a Boise State football game!

They played (and won) in Toledo, OH which is about an hour from where we live. The people there were really nice, and we found a tasty chili dog stand.  We were not, however, impressed with the town itself--it's pretty sketchy. One guy at the game, upon finding out that we live in Detroit, said, "I'm sorry" (which is not an uncommon reaction, almost always from people who have never actually been to Detroit). Ben and I both thought, sorry man, if you're from this town, you have no room to make fun of anywhere else. No offense, Toledo.

This morning in the midst of our downtown apartment hunting, we went to the famous Eastern Market, which is a 43 acre farmer's market in the city.  It was awesome. They have all kinds of produce, flowers, bread, honey.... the list goes on. And we loved it there--we plan on going every week if we do end up living downtown.

Part of the market is located on this intersection, which we thought appropriate to document. Don't worry, the E stands for Esquire.

The New Kid

Well, after over a month of that agonizing process we call searching for a job, I have finally found a place that will take me. I'm working at a security company and my new professional title is Licensing Coordinator. I won't bore you with the drawn-out details of what I do (mainly because after two days of training, I'm still not entirely sure of everything that entails). But basically I make sure that the company and its sales people have the right licenses and permits to sell/install security systems across the country. Yes, it is about as exciting as it sounds.

The first couple of days are always interesting with the bombardment of information and all the new faces you have to remember. But it seems like there's always that dramatic moment where some confusing concept clicks and you realize you can do it. It always seems to come just before I think the tears are going to flow from being so overwhelmed. Luckily, I work with a great group of people in a really laid-back environment. Ben and Ifeel so blessed that I was able to find a job.

Ben has been working at the MTC for a few weeks now. He's also started school, and recently became Co-President of the Foreign Service Student Organization. Plus, he is signed up to take the Foreign Service Entrance Exam in October. But most importantly, college football has started up again and Boise State won their first game. Ben has arranged his schedule so that he is free on Saturday nights and any other time Boise State might be playing.

My younger brother Geoff moved in with us this past month. He just moved out to Provo and he's staying with us while he finds a job and an apartment. My dad came out this weekend to help him get settled and he made his first big purchase--a new car. Ben and I are only slightly jealous since we have yet to make this adult step.