2017 was the year of embracing change! We accomplished so much and it flew by.
Travel:
One of my resolutions for 2017 was to take a trip every month, and I actually delivered on this one for the most part. It was so much fun going new places and experiencing new things. I am always happy when I have a trip to look forward too no matter how big or small that trip might be.
January- Jackson Hole
February- St. George & California
March- Iceland
April- London
May- Major Job change!
June- Northern California
July- Exuma Bahamas
August- Idaho for the total eclipse
September- France
October- Kauai, Hawaii for work
November- California
December- Christmas at home with family
Work:
I had an unexpected job change in 2017. I said goodbye to Qualtrics, my workplace of 3 years, and hello to BioFire, where I have now been for 6 months.
The move to BioFire was unexpected because I wasn't actively looking for a job, and happened to get a random message on linkedin from my now current manager, who I had almost no connections to. The best part of the story is that his message went unnoticed by me for almost 3 months. When I finally saw it and sent him a message back that I was interested in the position I was pretty heartsick cuz I thought there would be no way the job hadn't been filled. I was so happy to hear later that night that not only had the position not been filled, but they were looking for very specific experience/education that was basically exactly what I had to offer. We chatted the next week over the phone and I started the application process and was hired a month later.
Biofire has given me more flexibility with work life balance (a less work-a-holic culture overall, every other friday off + much better PTO) + more challenging and exciting opportunities day to day. Plus the company makes tests for infectious diseases, which with my epidemiology background is something I am very passionate about!
After my second semester teaching for BYU-I online I decided to take a break to focus on my new job. I also decided to stop selling for Shop Stevie after a year of lots of fun, for similar reasons.
Travis also had an unexpected job change at the end of the year. He left Teva Pharmecueticals which he had been with for his internship during college and for the last 2 years after he graduated. We received a text from a good friend from church that his senior engineer was leaving and that he wanted travis to apply for the job, two months later he is working for Integra Life Sciences and is enjoying the added responsibility and change of pace.
Personal:
In case you didn't hear, we found out I am pregnant with a baby boy this year! Definitely the most exciting thing to happen to us in 2017! We are living up our last months together before baby is born, but cant wait to meet him and know our lives are going to change forever!
