Sticky but Sweet

I am here...I made it! I finally got my internet hooked up and working (from my trendy new smartphone) last night. I am now back in the world of blogs, facebooks, and email.

I got to North Carolina on a Saturday night and started work on Monday, June 28. I am officially a Duke Blue Devil! Duke is amazing - the campus, the people, and their approach to things. It is a lot more laid back than I expected. Durham-ites are very much into eating local food, taking public transportation/bikes, composting, and any other manner of "green" things. I wouldn't exactly call these folks hippies, but they are a lot more earth-loving and less uppity-acting than I expected.

I have been doing a lot of reading and orienting at my job. Nothing too spectacular or difficult, but a nice transition. When the students come in the fall, things ramp up and get a little busier. I like the quiet for now. Half of the office is away on vacation this week. I work in the library, so I have to meet and get to know a lot of library stuff and people. Seems a little odd to be located and working in the library, but at least they have nice bathrooms.

Lloyd came to NC for my first week of work. It was awesome to have him here - he drove me to and picked me up from work, did my laundry, and took me out to dinner. I definitely could dig on having a stay at home husband. We headed down to Savannah for the 4th of July weekend (6 hour drive). We went out on a boat with our friends Jon and Sharon (they belong to a boating club). We got to watch the fireworks on the river from the boat. It was a great way to celebrate.













Lloyd is gone now so I am just working, working out, and trying to learn my way around Durham. I am going to hit the Farmer's Market this weekend and hopefully go and check out a few houses. I think I like the "First in Flight" state and I dare say...it might just like me.

The Sore Butt Driver

I sure thought internet access would be easier to find, but alas...finally able to post.

My first day driving started out rough. I had my car checked in Arizona and some work done on it, so I should have been ready to drive thousands of miles. I got on the road at 5:45am and once I made it to New Mexico the beautiful orange check engine light signaled "Hello!". I checked it out and didn't think my car would blow up, so I drove on. While driving through west Texas, a part on the front of my car that is supposed to hold the windshield on, flew off. After that I got pulled over by a cop. To top it off, I almost hit a deer. Finally after 15 hours of driving, I decided it was time to close out this day...alive.

The rest of the trip has been a little more enjoyable than day one. I guess I got everything out early. Right? I stayed with my friend, husband, and baby in Texas. Then I went to New Orleans and saw some family. It was such a cool place, but I slept in his apartment where there were handfuls of flying cockroaches. Ahhh. Yuck! I did eat some jambalaya and beniets.

Georgia was lush and green and devoid of cockroach infestations. Did some paperwork in North Carolina. Up to Connecticut. Visited my cousin and 3 adorable kids in upstate New York. I am now in Lake Placid with good old Grandma Kennedy. We have had a great time traveling up here. She is getting old which is hard to watch, but I am grateful for this time with her.

I am nervous and excited and nervous about starting work next Monday. I saw the condo I will be staying in and it should be good for a few months. I will get some pictures up asap.

Leaving Phoenix

I bid a fond farewell to Utah last Sunday. A reverent sabbath good-bye. Since then I spent a few days with my family in Arizona. I have a packed car sitting in the driveway and a few sandwiches my Mom lovingly made in the fridge. I am surprised that what I brought fit, but then I remember the bulging storage unit I left for Lloyd to load up and deliver to me. I guess if I get to go forge the new frontier, he can at least follow bringing the handcart with supplies.

I have a busy agenda for the next 3 weeks before I start my new job. I will go from Phoenix to Austin, TX to visit a high school friend Kim Fachet. Then to Houston, TX to stay with Megan, Diego, and Marcus. On to New Orleans where Robbie LeQuire resides. Next to Savannah to see the Massey family. Then to Durham for a quick pit stop, up to Connecticut and New York, and back down to start work on the 28th.

It seems wild that in all my traveling this is the first time I have moved somewhere permanently (or at least not for a semester) where I don't know anyone. It will be an adventure as it always is and will continue to be...