Saturday, June 28, 2008

Updates on MN life

Although it feels like much longer, I have been a MN resident for two, whole weeks now. What's funny is that I was actually in Lincoln, Nebraska for one of those weeks. I had another week of training there last week. Unlike last time, I had Internet in my room which was really nice. But, I still didn't get cell phone reception. I called to discuss this with T-mobile because Lincoln, NE is apparently included in their nationwide reception coverage. They wouldn't let me out of my contract but they did give me $20 off my next bill. And when I go again next month, I should get another $20 off, so that was a nice consolation.

I drove to Lincoln with a co-worker. It took about 7 hours or so to get there. I saw the coolest thing on the way there... a convenience store with everything... literally. I walked in and besides the normal stuff you can buy at a gas station, it had a restaurant, gift shop with things like toys, maps and knick nacks, a McDonalds, Cold Stone Creamery, and a LIVE BAND. I was walking around and hear music and was thinking to myself, "Wow, that music sounds live" and sure enough, I walked around the corner and there before me was a 6-man, old-timer band!! Anyway, that was a nice diversion during the 7 hour trip to Lincoln! It felt like a small vacation! haha

Today, I met a new friend. We went shopping at the Mall of America today, which never gets old! For lunch, I ate something that may come a shock to anyone who knows I am super picky, especially when it comes to meat: I ate goat. Yes, you read that correctly. My new friend made goat stew and I totally tried it. It was actually pretty good; it tasted a lot like beef, I thought. It isn't something I would go out of my way to eat all the time; mostly because it's just a weird thought to be sitting there eating goat.

Today, I also got to go to Bethlehem Baptist Church for the first time. John Piper is the pastor, and like always, his sermon was very good. I am really excited to be able to go there now. It is in the heart of Minneapolis: a few blocks from the Metrodome where the Vikings and Twins play, surrounded by high-rise buildings, and a few blocks from the Mississippi River. I LOVE living in a place where I am so close to that kind of stuff. There is so much to do and I am sure that as my social circle broadens, I will get to experience more and more of it. I can't wait to go to see the Minnesota Wild (ice hockey team) play this winter!

This weekend, I am going up to GR to hang out with my family for the 4th of July. Charlie's girlfriend, Hannah, will be there along with her family and I am excited to finally meet Hannah!

Other than all that, I am just trying to adjust to the new life here. It is hard to not have my friends close by but it also forces me outside my comfort zone, which is good. I miss playing poker with my friends on Saturday nights (they are playing as I type this). My friend Rachel is coming to visit for my birthday in August so that will be fun. We are definitely going to hit the Mall of America, or, as the locals like to call it: MOA (pronounced abbreviate as "M.O.A" or as a word, "Moa").

Then in September, I get to go out to CA to be in my friend Brandi's wedding. That is going to be a lot of fun!

I guess that is it for now!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Minnesota

On Tuesday evening, my mom, Charlie and I left Rocklin, CA for Minnesota. On our 3 day journey across the United States, we encountered a lot of wind, rain and snow. Yes, I did say snow! Through the "Big Sky" pass through Idaho/Montana it snowed the entire time. And the snowflakes were the size of quarters!

Other than that, our journey's were uneventful: no trouble with the Uhaul and we arrived safe and sound.

My only complaint was this: gas mileage. And I happen to be traveling at a time in history where we are paying record high gas prices. I checked the mileage at one point and I was getting just over 9 mpg. I never checked it again because it was too depressing. I spent over $900 on gas. Such is life.

We stopped in Grand Rapids and I got to see the rest of the family. Then, my dad, mom and Greg traveled the rest of the way to St. Paul with me and helped me move in to my new place.

I start work at my new office tomorrow. I am really excited for that.

Moving here and settling in has already proved to be a challenge, as I expected. But, I hope, and deep down know, that in the near future I will feel a sense of normalcy. It is just hard right now to face all the changes and challenges of a new city, job, home, and social life.

I miss my friends .

I'm sure there will be more updates to come =)

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Ugh

I am packed
I have a place to live
I have a job
I have a car
But...
I am not ready to move
=(

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Nebraska

I just returned from a 4 day trip to Lincoln, Nebraska for job training. I will never live there. Ever.

As most people know, one of my major forms of communication is text messaging. It's quick, easy, you can text at times a phone call would be inappropriate, the person you are texting can respond at their convenience, and it's fun. When I am not communicating through text messages, I am usually talking on my phone. I have unlimited text messages and in addition to being able to talk to my mom for free, I have more minutes than I care to admit. I use almost all of them each month (unfortunately, last month I used $80 more minutes than my plan permits).

Well, in the BIG city of Lincoln, Nebraska (which I am assuming is one of Nebraska's largest cities), I did NOT get cell phone reception... anywhere. As you can imagine, this was a very sad discovery for my text-messaging self.

To further sadden the situation, the internet in my room didn't work (another significant way I stay in touch with friends). If I wanted to send an email, I had to go to the "business center" in the hotel lobby.

While the lack of cell phone and internet communicating was very irritating, these are not the reasons I would never move to Nebraska. It's the weather.

Two of the three nights I was in Nebraska, there was severe lightening storms (which I love, and is still not the reason I would not move to Nebraska). Along with the lightening storms, there were also Tornado Warnings. This, my friends, is the reason I would not move to Nebraska. I can deal with blizzards and power outages. But, I would never live in a place where, in the middle of my deep slumber, I could wake up to my house being ripped off it's foundation and my body being carried away to the Land of Oz. (I don't sleep in my red ruby slippers so I'd never make it back home).

It's not even like CA and the earthquakes. We know that they can and will happen, but we don't have earthquake season. Even with hurricanes you usually have several days warning so if you don't leave the area, it's kind of your fault for sticking around. But tornados... they make quick and devestating appearances. No thank you.

I have to go back to Lincoln two more times this summer. I really hope there are no tornado warnings because this past week, I didn't sleep very well the nights the tornado warnings were in effect.