East Coast vs. The West

It is funny these days when I see comments on facebook or phone calls from people that say schools are shutting down for about 3-5" of snow. Here in Wyoming that is a little bit of dusting.

I am definitely getting used to the cold weather....well, for right now. I might change my mind when I see beach pictures and look back on times in North Carolina where I went to college. It was almost all the time - flip flop weather.

Last night I went bowling with newly made friends. The place was nearly filled. Never thought I would like bowling, but after I got over stinking at throwing the bowling ball I began to relax and enjoy the company of those around me. Afterwards, a friend took us to Cold Creek for hot drinks. Hot chocolate is always good on a winter night. As we were pulling out of the parking spot in town, C. noticed the train going by us and said, "Girls, lets get out really quick and run up to the top of the bridge and watch the train go out from under us." So we ran up the stairs and watched as the huge train swished past us underneath. I kept thinking, if this is what people jumped onto back in the ol' western days to "catch a ride" they definitely had more guts than I did. I kept thinking how much it had to hurt to land on the top of the car.

Today, I was at church where they began to organize as an official mission church. The people were so excited about this official ceremony. I was designated as photographer and took multiple photos. I also chopped a colorful salad full of vegetables and learned that cooked eel is really good to eat. Grass noodles with an assortment of veggies and meats was one of my favorite dishes. The newly married couple from China made it and taught me how to eat it "correctly" without them having to laugh at me. Many of the members and those who came to support this mission church simply enjoyed the company and singing of psalms. It was a good worshipful experience. There were times that I would stop and think how much these moments were surreal and I felt like I was privileged to look on. Psalm 150 was definitely appropriate to sing today.

Introduction...

Good Evening Readers,

For those who are out here in the "West" as I have been corrected several times into saying instead of Mid-West. I am a new teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing here in Laramie, Wyoming. My family is back "East" with a newly married sister, one sister who attends VMI, one sister who is a volunteer Firefighter, and a brother interested in stuff to do with the "men". My parents are still living and keeping me motivated to stay upbeat and learn as much from this experience as possible.

Currently, I take really long walks to work, read novels, lesson plan a lot, and have interesting conversations with wonderful people out here. The long walks to work average about 1.7-2miles one way. I laugh about how in the end I will become a lean mean machine.

I don't like writing a whole lot, but will definitely post any amusing stories that I experience or hear for those interested.