Denver

I have been reminded that, as much as I love Colorado and consider it my home too, I will always be a small-town Midwestern girl at heart. Denver isn't that huge of a city, and it's definitely not as busy or impersonal as Chicago, but compared to Lafayette or a guest ranch with 50 people you all know, it seems like it. I am used to people smiling and saying hello when you pass them on the park walk, not averting their eyes and acting creeped out by your friendliness. I'm used to cars stopping at the crosswalk in front of the grocery store (most of the time), and to people not darting out in front of you when they're not at a crosswalk (except on campus). I hate that I have to get on the interstate to get to work and get lost when I try to find an alternate route. I'm also used to most males holding doors for you or letting you walk in front of them. Apparently men don't have time for that in the big city. They have to rush off to drive 70 on the interstate and cut off confused girls with Indiana license plates who they refuse to acknowledge on the sidewalk.

As negative as that sounded, I think I'm going to like it here after I adjust my expectations. I too will learn to be fast, busy and self-absorbed. :) No, really, my apartment is great--we have a fireplace, and I have my own bathroom and a closet almost big enough to turn into a guest room, plus a dishwasher and our own washer and dryer. My room mate is great, too. Her name is Christina and she's really friendly and helpful. I haven't officially started work yet--they want to train me with another girl, so they're waiting to see when she can start. Right now they're going to put me on the night shift, 10 pm-6 am, which I'm not super excited about, but it's only supposed to be temporary. My boss is waiting to get his budget review back, and if everything is approved, he's going to put me in the dining room. I got the tour the other day and met some of the residents, and so far they seem really sweet. I have to take a two-day course to become a Med-Aide, which gives me a little more responsibility somehow. I don't really know much about the job yet. But it has benefits!! No more paying monthly for crappy insurance! Just rent...and car payments...and gas and food. Let's hear it for the adult life!