Mark checking in

TARA asked me to post my first message to our family blog. I am so glad that she started this because this will be a fun way to keep in touch with family and friends. Living in Austin is fun, but I will like it much more when TARA and the children come to join me. I am enjoying my job with Overwatch Systems and working hard to learn all of the rules and ropes of how they do things here. It seems like the company is growing and adding new projects, which is a very good thing.

I am trying to play basketball twice a week here, once with work guys and once with church members. I live about 3 miles from work and love it that I avoid all highways on my commute. My roommate, Jordan, is a great guy and we get along fine and agree on just about everything. He went to the University of Arkansas and works as an architect.

I have made a few friends here, mostly Brett and Nisa Hunt. Brett came to Austin a few months ahead of his family, and they moved down from Boise. He works in computers for AMD, so we have quite a bit in common. Their two kids think I am great and always call out "Mark! Mark!" when they see me and run to give me hugs. Their hugs have meant a lot to me while I am away from my own kids. Brett has also been kind enough to let me install a ceiling fan in his new home and assemble some furniture. I know it sounds silly, but I really enjoyed getting to build something with my hands and be semi-handy around a house. They have been really great friends and I will miss them now that they have moved out of the ward and into their new home.