Arizona The Great

Is pretty much what I heard when I told my parents I was thinking about moving to Arizona. At the time I had no idea what was in store but I did know that the way things were going in Michigan it wouldn't be long before I would have hit rock bottom.

After spending 6 years as a pizza delivery guy for Eudici's Pizza in Michigan, I came to the realization that it was time to do something with myself. When I found out my friend got laid off and had the money to move we started looking at places, and things to do, in Arizona. A month later we were packing up and leaving. Don't get me wrong I knew we should have looked into it more but we're a couple of young guys with plenty of years left to correct any big mistakes so why not right? We heard of a couple friends (with little education) who were doing well for themselves and us with much not much education either decided it would be our best bet!

When it comes to packing I have now found out that you should take some time and pack over the coarse of... well... a while lol... I rushed the last day packing up pretty much everything I thought I would want and need and left everything else at my parents place. A horrible mistake on my part, should have listened to my mother, and now I'm in Arizona and constantly thinking of things that I wished I had brought with me, but I digress. Anyways, Pack slowly and make a list of things you use for a few weeks to a month to insure that you will take everything you are going to want! Label boxes and bags, organize what you are packing into groups so that if you do not want to completely unpack you can do so and still be able to find the things you need!

My favorite part of moving out to Arizona may have been the drive. Coming from somebody who really didn't travel much outside of the yearly trip to Florida, or see many states outside of that trip, the drive itself has MANY MANY memories, some good, some bad, but all memorable. This brings me into my next preparedness speech. If you decide to drive to your new home far away, check ALL of your equipment, cars, trucks, trailers etc. for anything that may go wrong. There's nothing like spending 8 Hours of your trip stuck in the desert trying to fix your trailer in a sandstorm because of faulty brake wiring. Furthermore if you decide to drive and use a trailer, I personally suggest an enclosed trailer from a source you can trust. We borrowed one from one of our parent's friends, which turned out to be a complete annoyance that almost killed one of our friends. Trying to go down a mountain with no brakes for your trailer is not the easiest way to live. So, triple check everything, do it 80000 times if you have to, make sure nobody's life will be in danger.  There is much to be said about a long drive through terrains you are unfamiliar with. Pay extra attention to road signs, get maps, a GPS navigation device, even look up road laws for the new place. You never know what will be in store for you!

There were some beautiful landscapes along the drive from state to state, some more breathtaking than others, be sure to have a camera ready and stop along the way to take "memories" of what you don't want to forget! Also, be safe and don't try to take pictures while you are driving, this could land you a ticket in most places as well as potentially be harmful or fatal so be smart!

When you arrive at your new home, take a look around. This will be your new home for however long you are there. Get accustomed to where your closest roads will lead you and take a deep breath because unpacking everything and moving in is a pain!  Before unpacking everything look around your new home and try to get a good feeling for where you will want all your things to go. Space is sometimes limited in the rooms you need it most so keep that in mind! Once you have a good idea of where everything will go, start unpacking. Put everything in the places where you imagined it even if it doesn't look good right away if you have some heavy pieces it will at least be comfortable there until you are able to get everything rearranged. Once you are unpacked its a good idea to get out of the house/apartment/dorm and take a look around at your local area, find the stores closest to you and make a note of where the places are you will likely shop the most.

When you are away from the norm remember to keep in touch with the people you talked to everyday back home, it will help you to know that they are only a phone call away. After being away from friends and family for a while I started to miss everyone, and still do. I got sick and didn't have my usual comfort net that I had back home. Though I must admit I got worried, I eventually calmed down and felt better about my situation!

It dawned on me one day that even though I was worrying about being in Arizona, it truely is better out here. Aside from not having my family and friends here, things are just better out here. I have a better chance to find a job, better chance at finding that special girl, and a better chance at bettering myself.

If you decide that moving out of state is the best thing for you (specially coming from Michigan), I highly recommend it! remember to carefully consider your options and that its not just a few minute drive back home. Quickly make friends in your new home town, it always helps to have friendly people around for you when in need. Always remember that if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything you ever wanted to! Go out and explore there are miles of planet begging for your footprints, give them some! Good luck to you!