This is my first time having a blog (and as many of you know, I'm not very tech savvy anyways) so please bear with me (is that even the right use of 'bear'? My brother would know, I'm sure... care to correct me?)
Also, you should know that I like to use parentheses to make side bar comments... a lot. I also like using '...' you have been warned.
Anyways, well, I made it to Arizona, my new home. It's official, too, because I got my new driver's license yesterday. For those who don't know, I accepted a job here in Phoenix, and I'm set to start tomorrow (!!). My mom flew down with me earlier this week so help me settle in, thank goodness. Even though we were crazy busy, I luckily already had an a place to live since we came down a couple weeks before, so the biggest thing was out of the way. That left us with unloading my shipping container with all of my stuff, finding a car, buying a car, getting car insurance, unpacking, shopping for all things apartment related, and all else that is associated with moving. (Note to anyone considering moving: DON'T DO IT. I mean, if you have to you have to, but if you don't, avoid it at all costs. Maybe it's just me, but I always seem to forget what a pain moving is. I guess I've been kind of lucky in the past, because for some reason or another, I've never had to do the whole process.) While there is still lots to do (unpacking, organizing, minor cleaning, ironing), mom and I got a lot of stuff done. (Thanks mom!)
While she was down here, my mom and I also got to explore the area a bit (all productive, I swear). When we first came down, I was torn between two apartments (on opposite sides of town, of course) and didn't even officially decide until I absolutely had to. But after these past five days of driving around the area and checking out the local shops/restaurants I know that I made the right choice. Nearby is a mall (older, yes, but still nice), target, walmart, a grocery store, sam's club, and lots of other places. Plus I'm near a major interstate and not too far from other newer/bigger shopping areas.
My apartment, itself, is not too shabby. For one person, it's definitely big enough. The kitchen and living room are nice and open, my bedroom has a walk-in closet, the bathroom is large with two sinks, and there is plenty of storage. Oh yeah, I also have a patio and a washer/dryer in unit. Plus, the 'community' has a pool and fitness area (small, but effective).
Anyways, now that mom left, it is finally starting to sink in that I am on my own (sort of). Yet, despite the MAJOR change in climate compared to the Midwest, I don't feel like I'm really almost 2,000 miles from home. That will change in time, though, I'm sure.
Unique (and fascinating... to me) small facts about Phoenix: there is a TON of covered parking. Usually for apartments and park-and-rides, and a few businesses as well. Is it necessary? YES, but I also find it really cool. Another thing I've noticed is that many foods (especially chips) have hotter flavors down here. I swear I haven't seen many of the flavors up north. I have also learned that (despite being forewarned... seeing is believing I guess) that Arizona drivers SUCK. Seriously, they speed even more than back home AND NONE of them use blinkers, none at all (I may be exaggerating... a bit). Really, though, they are not good drivers. Last fun fact: I have been to the Walmart near my place probably 5 or 6 times in the past few days and EVERY time I go there are NO carts. They are all scattered outside in the parking (apparently that's the thing to do here... leave your cart anywhere in the parking lot). Now after the first 2 or 3 times of having to go back outside (in the 105+ heat, of course) I have learned to bring a car with me from the parking lot. But man, what a pain... and you better believe those carts are hot!
Anyways, enough rambling for now. I need to go pick out my outfit for my first day... wish me luck!
