This past week, the IA Summit conference was held in Phoenix. I was both excited and astonished when I heard the news late last year. Having very few of the so-called UX Superstars here and not much of a formal tight knit group of professionals, I was nervous to share my city with people as enthusiastic as I but excited to prove that Phoenix can be a force to be reckoned with.

While I loved hanging out with my friends and meeting new friends as well, I have to admit it was a bit of a user experiment for me. I found myself more and more curious about what restaurants people would choose to go to, what they thought about the vibe of the area, and even more so, what they didn’t like and thought could use a makeover.

Being that I am completely and forever more in love with Phoenix, I want to know how myself and other residents and community members can make it better. So I am calling out to all the IAS attendees and asking you… if you could change part of Phoenix, what would it be? Was the hotel a dud? Did you get aggravated by the Light Rail? Did Sky Harbor give you the creeps? Please, give me your thoughts and pass this along so others can as well.

Something epic happened yesterday that really made me think. It was that same time last year that I hopped off a plane at Sky Harbor with three suitcases and a new home as I made my way to my development to sign on my home, and officially start my new life in the valley. It was exactly one year from my arrival in Phoenix that I was running around ensuring the conference went as planned for Phoenix Design Week. What better way to celebrate my PhoenixVersary than my involvement with an epic first for Phoenix.

It was one year ago today that I wrote my first post on Grace.Balance.Courage and this blog has been telling the tales of my adventures here ever since.

I had a good feeling when I moved here. I needed to get away from all the negativity and drama that kept appearing in other places I had lived. I needed to start over. Only I didn’t know that when I moved here. My initial purpose for transplanting myself in Phoenix was due to accepting a position here. The automotive industry wasn’t stable enough for me to be comfortable and I happened to get an amazing vibe from my interview at the Foundry. I knew two people here when I landed on October 24th, 2008.

Soon I began to realize how much I needed Phoenix. The creativity and collaborative nature here is overwhelming. I love the small think tanks, the ideas that are born out of them, and how no one is afraid to ask for help, or to start something new and unconventional. Even more amazing is how others aren’t afraid to try something new and unconventional, even when the instigator is someone they have never met, a lowly gal who wanted to root herself in the area, and hoped others would join her wacky initiatives.

I am amazed that I have only been here a year after looking at all I’ve done since I’ve been here and at the same time it also feels like I’ve just began my journey here.

I want to thank the valley for adopting me and allowing me to take an active part in the community. Thank you for helping me in more ways than you could imagine. Thank you for accepting me for who I am, a geek with a love for hot pink and football. I have never felt so sure of anywhere I’ve lived, and nowhere has felt like home more than the valley does.

Phoenix has given me balance in my life, the courage to do things I never thought I’d attempt, and allowed me to do it all with grace.

My involvement with Phoenix Design Week began approximately 7 months ago during an IxDA Phoenix event. During a discussion about an idea I had for a community design event, it was suggested I should become involved with design week, and so I sent a request showing my interest. Soon after I was attending meetings. I eventually began helping with the speakers and conference portion of the week, and that evolved into being directly responsible for the conference portion, which I hope everyone truly enjoyed and found worthwhile.

No one really knew what to expect and at times it seemed like it wasn’t going to wow as much as we were hoping for. I personally felt it might end up being the same old crowd I already see active in the community through outlets such as IxDA and AIGA and Creative Connect, but magic began to happen and little glimmers of hope began to shine like beacons. The presentation entries I was receiving were amazing. The ideas and topics presented had such a wide range to them and those that submitted were so passionate and excited about what they had to present. Hearing that passion and love for an event like this was encouraging.

Attendees and sponsors soon began crawling out of the woodwork and showed an interest in what we were trying to accomplish. Pretty soon we had real signs, a real venue, and real attendees. It was actually coming to light. Real speakers were showing up to talk and we had real programs and swag bags to hand out. All of this had lead me to one conclusion … Phoenix Design is *REAL*

In the end we have a fantastic event that wouldn’t have been possible without the speakers, the committees, the volunteers, and the many attendees that decided they wanted to help make this happen. I met people that I didn’t even know existed in Phoenix and unconventional areas of design similar to what I do on a day to day basis that I had no idea were hiding out in the valley. Even human sciences and environmental design geeks that get a kick out of wayfinding rather than fonts have a home here.

I found it rewarding to see all the tweets and blog posts and overhear about all the fun everyone as having and how inspiring they found it to be. I, myself, found it hard to pick just one session to go to during the breakouts and ended up wandering around all of them and gaining more knowledge than I thought possible.

In the end, the valley made this happen. The designers in the valley decided they wanted to be seen, wanted to be inspired and wanted to showcase their talents and gifts. More importantly they decided they wanted a community.

Ha. Yeah. I love that title.

So, anyway. There’s a weight-loss competition going on in the Phoenix area. The rules are that everyone involved forks over $100 and whoever has the most percentage lost at the end wins it all. It lasts 8 weeks and weigh-ins are every 2.

It wasn’t so much the money for me, as I was the 2nd person to sign up. However, there are now I think 16 people in the challenge. That’s a big pot of cash.

For me personally, I guess the easiest reason to state for wanting to do this is to get in shape, though it’s really more complex than that. Well, and because I love anything where I have a chance to beat a bunch of boys

Wish me luck all. It’s game on!

Have you ever moved to a new school/town as a child? Or switched jobs/companies as an adult? Remember how difficult it was to remember everyone’s name and how everone else only had to remember one new name?

Yeah. I feel like that right about now.

Why now? I’ve been at my job almost 9 months and in Phoenix the same amount of time.

Well, here’s the situation. This weekend I was pretty busy. I met up with several different people at various times. I had a blast. Then all of a sudden I have people requesting to add me to facebook and twitter. Some of them I recognized right off the bat. Some of them I recognized after I saw the friends we had in common. Then there were some that I knew from hearing others mention them in conversation and the ones that I for some reason couldn’t recollect if I’d met them or not.

I’m typically pretty good with names and faces and absolutely love meeting new people.  However, the fact that I am having trouble recollecting all of them is reminding me a bit of going to a new school. It’s easier for everyone else to remember one new person than for me to remember the bajillion people I encounter in Phoenix. I don’t like the feeling. I know it’s memory overload more than lack of paying attention, but I still feel horrible.

Therefore I’d like to apologize to everyone in advance (and possibly some even in hindsight) for seeming like I’m a little spacy. I don’t know why all of a sudden I am having such an issue remembering faces and names. It’s not on purpose. Feel free to give me a shout out.

Or maybe someone should make me flashcards :-/

I can’t begin to rave enough about how truly awesome the first Reopen Phoenix was last night at Gangplank. I have had such an exhausting past two weeks that the last thing I wanted to do this Friday was go out. I had planned on skipping the various friday night activities around the valley, going home to a run, some take out, and a movie while working on some side tasks. After hearing about a collaborative jam session at Gangplank, I thought I’d swing by to at least check it out for a short while.

The result?

I ended up staying until it ended which was shortly after 9:30. I was able to get get a great head start on my side tasks for the weekend and got to chat with some incredible people.

Reopen Phoenix was truly spectactular. Had I had a better voice this week, I would’ve been singing. I think I have been asked to do that next time.

There were so many different people there and the blending of their different styles and genres was amazingly inspiring. There was some Johnny Cash, a great cello solo, acoustic and electric guitar, country, rock, rap/rock infusion, and more. I pulled out my macbook and some chocolate covered almonds and went at it while dancing in my chair and singing half the time. I would also like to thank Bully for eating some of them with me so I didn’t finish them off myself

I don’t quite have the time for a band, nor can I seem to find the right one, so things like this are perfect for me. It’s higher on my list than rockaroke I think.

I think everyone that was there, and not specifically for the event, was impressed. I know several people, myself included, would like to see this on a frequent basis. I think this combined with bringing a barista in might make me move to Gangplank. Wait, I stopped drinking coffee. Okay so a barista in case I might want some tea.

Let’s do this again. Soon.

Love,
Tonia (Lil Ms T if you’re nasty)

Paint bubbling on the back of the Lil 3: -1
An awesome photo shoot with Tyson Crosbie that had me laughing: +1
A kickass Phoenix Design Week meeting: +1
Total Score: +1

Not bad for the day I guess. For awhile, I was unsure if the day would end up positive or not, but it’s proven itself. Numbers don’t lie. If I could give weighted scores to items, I’d be way above +1. I’d be more at + 9999 bajillion and one!

I know I say it all the time, but it’s super fantastic to be settled into this area so quickly and so well.

The first awesome thing today was having the first photo session I’ve had (other than weddings and weird high school stuff) since my senior photos over 10 years ago. Tyson caught my attention after taking an amazing candid shot of me out one Friday night. It was well worth it. I cannot wait until the edits are ready to look at. My goal is for the one(s) I pick to be used anywhere I have my bio (my personal site, linkedin, IxDA, etc). I’ll also blog about this more a little later. Tonight I’m way too tired.

Afterwards, I headed straight to Gangplank for a meeting with the events committee for Phoenix Design Week. I ended up running into Matthew Petro for the 2nd time this week as well as a few others due to it also being hacknight. The events planning is going well. If you haven’t heard of it, you really need to read up on it and suggest ideas for events and speakers. You also may be a loser.

So, today was eventful, and the week is mostly over. I have a long day at work tomorrow so it’s about time I rest.

I ended up having a more eventful weekend than I had planned. I think I will share it all in pictures.

Friday I went to East Valley Friday Nights (#evfn) which was at Whole Foods in Chandler again. It started off pretty slow as I didn’t know too many people there and I was a little tired to begin with. However, I soon started chatting it away with a few old friends along with some new. It was at this event that I first heard about the Slap Chop which is how I ended up finding this Rap Chop on You Tube:

While at Whole Foods we were in the bar area which is separated from the Olive Bar by boxes of wine. I was sitting at a table near the Olive Bar most of the night. This sign was hanging from the wine right next to my table.

I found it a little amusing. The sign was directed towards the Olive Bar, thus indicating you had to be 21 to enter the Olive Bar. Additionally, no one could get through anyway because there was no path, just boxes of wine.

Saturday, I had scheduled to meet Matt and Tracie at Sweet Republic, which is easily the best ice cream EVA! Typically I go in and get ice cream to go, but staying I had several fun treats. We were able to try a few new samples as we came in and after ordering our ice cream we were surprised with a special treat of peaches, peach ice cream and molasses spice cookie. It was phenomenal.

Along with Frank Lloyd Wright fun today, I made it to Joe’s Farm Grill for the first time. Best scenic restaurant I’ve been to in Phoenix. I had a fontina burger and garlic friends and loved sitting outside in a countryesque setting. I definitely want to come back some morning for breakfast. And not just because I love breakfast. Well okay that’s a pretty important part of it. And, as I suspected the bathrooms were a sheer masterpiece. Team America FTW!

Additionally, my breakfast idea finally got off the ground with Matt and Tracie backing it. So, if you’re in the Phoenix area and love breakfast, you’ll have to attend smunch. It’s breakfast. It’s lunch. It’s saturday. It’s smunch!

Last night I headed to Sheila and Evo’s house to celebrate Debbie’s birthday Hawaiian style. Second Hawaiian themed party I’ve been to this month, and it was as fantastic as I expected.

As it started out that day, I ran errands that afternoon to find something I was in the mood to bring, ingredients for a dish to take along, and Strongbow for Debbie. I was able to pick myself up some Boddington’s but four stores had no Strongbow? Ridiculous.

By the time evening came around I was ready to head out. First stop though? Coffee for me and then Bevmo to pick up Strongbow. I ordered a large mocha from Solo (mmmm), but on the way to Bevmo discovered a flaw in the cup. It was religiously dripping.. not only on my almost white new pair of jeans but my cup holder was holding about 1/8 of my mocha. Ugh. So there was a detour back to my house to change jeans as well as grab a Pipeline Porter to start the night off, as it has Kona coffee in it. I guess I jinxed myself with the slight mention on twitter that I was thinking about turning my awesome off.

When I finally arrived, I thought I had ended up at the wrong house on accident; it was way too quiet! Good thing I was wrong, because I was ready to party. I handed Debbie her Strongbow and opened up the porter. I was then lei-ed twice at once and thus initiated into party mode.

Sheila made the best red velvet cake, despite it not having a red coloration. I’m serious. It was damn good. And I know red velvet cake. It’s one of the only two cakes I really like. I think for my birthday I will have Sheila make me her red velvet cake and CJ make me her cherry cake of awesome.

There were so many awesome people there and it made me so happy to be invited and considered part of the gang. Sometimes I think I am still an outsider to Phoenix so it’s nice to know that I’m really not. You are all amazing friends. Truly.

Dancing happened. Talking happened. Drunk dials happened. Chaos happened. Good times happened. Sea Monkeys happened.

I also realized that I have been a small topic of conversation. I think I came across last night like it was a bad thing, but it really wasn’t. It was kinda cute and flattering really. You guys are awesome. I have such great friends. Now just hook me up with a man that fits my requirements and we are good!

Oy. Now it’s time for Monday to start.

I’ve officially spent 6 months in Phoenix.
Monday will be my 6 month mark at my current job.
Today marks 6 months of this blog.

Once I realized how long it had been, it made me surprised it had been that long already, while other people said it felt like I had been here longer. Whichever way you see it, I can say without a doubt that I am completely satisfied with the decision I made to accept a position here and am happier than I have been in a long time. Of course I miss my friends and family back in the Midwest dearly, but this has been a good move for me. I’m the farthest away from home I’ve ever been, and have really worked even more on my independence, happiness, courage, and life balance.

Today I went back and read my first blog post, and I have to admit, I am tearing up some, especially when I think about how the name for my blog came about, and re-reading the text message from my mother, and thinking about how important that message was.

“Been thinking of you all day. I am so proud of your courage and independence. Go far and be happy. Call when you get home to Arizona. Love, Mom.”

I don’t think I ever focused on the use of the word “home” in that message as I should have. Now that I think about it, I don’t recall another time that my mom has said home in any other manner than to mean my parents’ house.

Home. I truly am home here. I am also comfortable saying that now. I cannot describe how blessed I have been since I’ve been here. All my friends and family have been truly supportive even though we really miss each other. Likewise, I’ve been able to make some new friends, and lots of new acquaintances. Slowly but surely, I have pushed myself into the Phoenix scene.

I am home here because I was able to start a local group in Phoenix for the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). It was challenging, seeing as I didn’t have many connections here. Most of my connections were back in the Eastern Time Zone. It’s been very rewarding. We are already having our second meeting in a few weeks!

I am home here because I am thinking about actually becoming a first time home buyer.

I am home here because I have already had adventures that you truly only have when you are home; especially those embarrassing adventures.

I am home because I truly enjoy my job and look forward to going to work every day (almost).

I am home here because I can easily call it home. I see myself here.

I want to thank everyone for giving me the courage to start a new chapter here, and to everyone that welcomed me into Phoenix.