One Week and Still Standing

Well, I made it through my first week as a Rhode Islander without any major traumas or calamities. The weather has been great, which I'm sure is specifically in my honor. If it were really hot and humid, or nasty and rainy I'd probably be sitting inside and crying for my Colorado weather, which is no fun for anyone...especially me.

They are breaking me in slowly at work, which is making for a nice transition as I offload tasks and responsibilities from my old roles to take on the new. I'm really excited about the opportunities and the challenges ahead. Can't wait to get going with my new projects!

The contract I had on a condo in N. Providence fell through, so I had to start the house hunt again from scratch. It was a little disheartening at first, but I'm over it now. I found a couple of places I really liked...even more than the original place...and today I put in an offer on one of them! After the first debacle, I'm trying not to get too excited, but I really hope this one works out because it's wonderful! Fingers crossed!

My friend Chris came out to visit this weekend...part of our way of being in complete denial that I actually MOVED away from Colorado. We went sailing with a friend of mine on Saturday, and it could not have been a more perfect day! Great visibility, perfect wind, not too cold, not too hot...AWESOME day! Both Chris and I actually "drove" for a bit, which he was great at, and I was adequate at. I think he may have gotten the sailing bug. If he lived anywhere near an actual body of water, I it may be a bigger deal than for someone who lives in Boulder, but you never can tell!

We also spent a couple of evenings in Boston meeting up with friends, eating good food and enjoying the city. I really do love New England, and it was nice to share it with one of my close friends from Denver. I also got to expose him to one of my favorite treats of all time...Burdick's Iced Chocolate! Seriously...you feel like you're doing something naughty by drinking it! I hadn't had one in a couple of years, so we had to make a trip to Cambridge just to partake! I think it was better than I remembered. Ahhhh....

My temporary digs here in Cumberland, RI are really nice. The building is an old mill that was converted to apartments, and my unit has 20 foot ceilings, exposed beams and duct work, huge windows and exposed brick walls. Lots of character and kinda fun. It's right on the river, and the bike path crosses through the parking lot, so that's a bonus. The only real downside that I've discovered (besides the slowest elevator in history!) is the train. Yes...I said the train. There are train tracks that pass along the front of the building about 50 feet away, and every time a train comes through the entire building shakes like we're having an earthquake! I don't really mind the train whistle or the sound of the train on the tracks, but the shaking is out of control!! The worst part is the late night trains. They are freight trains, so there doesn't appear to be a set schedule, and there has been a train as late as 1:15am. Even if there was a way to sleep through the noise, the shaking is not to be ignored. I feel like I'm on one of those vibrating beds in a cheap motel! (not that I've ever actually BEEN on one...I'm just assuming...no, really!) Who needs sleep anyway, right?

All in all, a good week. I miss Colorado, and especially the people I left behind, but the ache gets a little less intense every day, and it get's easier and easier to focus on the fact that I really am excited and very blessed to be exactly where I am.

SO that's the news from Cumberland, RI where the women are smart, the straight, single men are hiding and all the children belong to someone else.

Love to all!