Continued from last post, and concludes this week! The story of my road to Arizona hasn’t simple, or easy, that’s why it’s “sweeter after difficulty” … Dulcius Ex Asperis.

I could quote, “There’s no testimony, without test”, and “Keep digging” but this is my newest Latin phrase I’ve learned.

---

Grosse Pointe Blank

Debi: Everybody’s coming back to take stock of their lives. You know what I say? Leave your livestock alone.

Well, I certainly didn’t my entire flight home. I counted the reasons that were keeping me in Washington State.

• My house
• My sister

And the list of reasons to leave were more than two. As soon as I returned to work, I downloaded and printed the transfer paperwork. It was my guide post to my future.

---

Impromptu Intervention – Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery

I text my good friend, Travail, to meet up with him to retrieve my jacket that I forgot in the backseat of his ride that was currently in the shop. I told him in carries sentimental value, and that I would like it back as soon as possible.

It was after Inventory Night at 747 Woodinville Costco, so it was good time to just chillax.

We didn’t intend it to be an intervention. It was a typical bro-down; catching up. At some point, Travail asked the question that resonated with me, “Well Los, what do YOU wanna do?”

In frustration, I slammed my hand down on the table. “That’s the rub! I dunno what I wanna do. All I know is that I don’t wanna do ‘this’ anymore.”

“What,” Travail pressed.

“Merely existing in my life, being miserable in every facet of my life, that’s what,” I answered. The next day my transfer paperwork was signed with little to no resistance, which I promptly sent to Arizona warehouses.

Four days later (February 4) it was approved, I was headed to 481 Gilbert, AZ as a Night Merch Forklift Driver. I considered the confirmed job transfer as my early birthday present to myself; a new lease on life.

---

On The Road Again

My last day at 747 Woodinville Costco was Wednesday, March 8, 2023. I was officially on “vacation” as I packed up my life to leave town for the foreseeable future.

My sister and I drove the Millennium Subaru filled with my personal belongings on March 14, down the I-5 route versus the dumpster fire route I took a couple months earlier. We made great time, even though I managed to contract COVID-19 for the first time EVER.

We rolled into Chandler, AZ on March 15, 2023 about 21:00.

The rest, they say, is history. (Actually I’ve documented heavily my first year in Arizona)

Now you’ll understand why I instantly fell in love with Latin phrase Dulcius Ex Asperis … ‘sweeter after difficulty’.