One Month Ago Today...

One month ago today, we arrived in Arizona.  We pulled up in front of our rent house, looking at it for the very first time, with eager anticipation for what was ahead.  I must say that God has shown us favor from the moment we pulled up until now...one month later.  It sure went by fast, but in that time, we made an empty house a  home.  We both went from jobless to employed teachers at the same high school. We were Texans who quickly turned into Arizonians.

I've learned and observed quite a few things in the month that I've lived here that I'd like to document here, most of it centered around the weather.  So, if you're ever looking to move to Arizona or visit, you can use this as a handy, reference tool...especially if you're coming from Texas. :)

1.  Invest in a good windshield shade.  Arizona isn't called the "face of the sun" for nothing.
2.  It's hot, but not a humid kind of hot like Texas, it's a dry heat.  Getting into shade cools you down by ten degrees, instantaneously.
3.  If  you're going to be outside for longer than ten minutes, don't bother wearing a normal bra, ladies, just put on the sport's bar, because you're gonna sweat.
4.  I've learned to carry water everywhere we go.  Most doctors would agree that if you're feeling thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
5.  Texas flies their flag high...public schools around here don't have an Arizona Flag Pledge that they recite.
6.  I've observed that many houses don't have shingles, they have tile roofing.  Some houses even have A/C units on top of their house.  You see lots of solar paneling, too.
7.  MONSOON SEASON
8. The real meaning of the following quote for teachers was said specifically for Arizona teachers, "You're not in it for the INCOME, but for the OUTCOME."  It's really a great quote for all teachers, whatever State you teach in, just more so for Arizona. :)
9.  We've observed a lot of cars broken down on the side of the road or ones that need assistance pushing their cars...they get overheated here easily...wonder why!
10.  You don't have to wait for your driver's licence or your new license plates to come in the mail...you get them immediately.
11.  There's a state income tax here.
12.  The sales tax in Arizona is higher.
13.  Property taxes are a lot lower.
14.  Less mosquitos.
15.  Football is not a HUGE deal here--not sure how I feel about that yet.
16.  Most yards are made of rocks/pebbles, some yards have grass.   We have some putting green in the backyard.
17.  It's hard to meet neighbors because no one hangs around outside or in their garage, thus far...maybe come November-April, during our cooler months.
18.  Everyone puts the word, "the," in front of highways, loops, and interstates.  For example, "Take THE I-10 and head West, or I took THE 101 to get to work today."  Just something I noticed that was different. S
19.  LOTS of cactus/saguaros
20.  Last, but certainly not least, this is a dry place, spiritually.  There's lots of people in need of a Savior.

Happy One Month to Us!!